1. Meet the people using their voice to make a difference to care of others

    News -

    Five people and groups have been shortlisted for a national award that celebrates local people who, through their dedication, have helped improve health and care for their community.

  2. Children and young people give her their feedback

    Report -


    Children and young people from across Medway have been sharing their stories with us about their experiences of health and social care services.

  3. A new support group for younger stroke survivors

    Advice and Information -

    The UK Charity, Different Strokes have started a new group in Chatham for stroke survivors under 65. Are you interested?

  4. What are AHPs and what do they do?

    Advice and Information -

    Allied health professionals (AHPs) are one of the largest workforces in the NHS, but do you know who they are?

  5. Looking after someone? Know your rights

    Advice and Information -

    Across the UK there are seven million unpaid carers supporting a friend of family member. Many people are unaware of their rights as a carer and, as a result, are not accessing the help and support they are entitled to.

  6. Spotlight on the Deaf Community

    Report -


    This week is Deaf Awareness Week. To celebrate we are publishing the feedback we heard from the Deaf community in Medway.

  7. All adults with learning disabilities are now being offered the vaccine

    News -

    All adults with learning disabilities in Medway are now being offered the vaccine.

  8. Talking to Medway's Vascular Surgeon

    News -

    Today is International Women's Day. To celebrate we're talking to the inspirational Ginny Bowbrick. Ginny is a Mum of four and has worked in the NHS for 32 years, working at Medway hospital for 16 of those.

  9. Celebrating International Women's Day

    News -

    In the second of our interviews to mark International Women's Day, we chat to Jackie Brown who is Assistant Director of Adult Social Care in Medway.

  10. Help Medway become a child friendly place to live

    News -

    Would you like Medway to be a place where all young people are involved and benefit from the local decisions, services and spaces that shape their lives?

  11. What's it like to be homeless in Medway?

    Report -

    We chatted to five women, and three men, about their experience of being homeless in Medway. They want you to hear their story.

  12. What's happened since we published our report on homelessness in Medway

    Report -

    In April we published a report detailing the feedback we heard from five women and two men who had experience of living on the streets of Medway. They told us about the challenges they faced to get access to healthcare.

  13. Help the Non Emergency Patient Transport Service to be better

    News -

    If you need help to attend an NHS appointment, you may have used the Non Emergency Patient Transport Service to help you get there. This is a free transport service that is available to some, but not all, patients based on their eligibility.

  14. Medway NHS trusts not consistently meeting the legal rights of deaf and blind patients to accessible information

    News -

    Local NHS trusts are only partially meeting their legal duty to help people with additional communication needs, new FOI findings show.

  15. What medical support are you entitled to if you’re new to the UK?

    Advice and Information -

    When people arrive in the UK for the first time, it can be confusing to know where to go if you need medical help. Here we outline your rights as a refugee, where you can access emergency help and how to register for a GP.

  16. Helping Bill to get registered with a GP

    News -

    Every day people contact us because they can't register with a GP surgery. This month we helped Bill to get registered.

  17. A new service for people with learning difficulties and autism in Medway

    News -

    Medway Maritime Hospital are now offering people with autism or learning difficulties the option of having a general anaesthetic for procedures that would normally be done under a local anaesthetic.

  18. The Accessible Information Standard - What you can expect from services

    Advice and Information -

    A year ago the Accessible Information Standard came into force. It requires any organisation providing NHS or social care to communicate in a way that everybody can understand. Here's a reminder of what you should expect.

  19. Your COVID-19 story

    News -

    We want to hear how the Coronavirus is affecting you and your family. Tell us your story, no matter how small, and we can use it to identify any gaps in services

  20. Your community needs you – NHS call for volunteer army

    News -

    Your community needs you – NHS call for volunteer army

  21. Coronavirus is affecting my mental health – what can I do?

    Advice and Information -

    The current Coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic may cause you to feel worried, anxious, or scared. Read our seven steps to looking after your wellbeing while staying informed.

  22. What services are still available during the pandemic?

    News -

    Many of Medway’s health & social care services are still operating albeit in a slightly different way.

  23. Coronavirus Information for Long Term Conditions

    Advice and Information -

    If you, or someone in your family has a long term health condition, it can be tricky to know what to do. We are here to help.

  24. New mental health crisis support Helpline launched in Medway

    News -

    A new 24 hour Helpline has been launched to support people who need urgent help with their mental health in Medway

  25. What is Healthwatch doing to help right now?

    News -

    Everyone has been thinking about how they can help during the Corona epidemic. Here is a snapshot of what the Healthwatch Medway team has been doing.

  26. Planning care at the end of life

    Advice and Information -

    We explain why it’s important to have a plan in place, should you or a loved one become critically ill with coronavirus.

  27. New Emergency Dental Care now available

    News -

    New Urgent Dental Care Centres are being opened to provide emergency dental treatment during the Coronavirus pandemic.

  28. Do you know someone who is helping to look after someone?

    News -

    Many people might normally be caring (albeit informally) for a neighbour or family member. For example, they may usually collect a prescription or do the shopping for someone. They may cook a hot meal for someone regularly.

  29. We want to hear from more people about how they are coping during lockdown. Could you help?

    News -

    It’s really important that we hear how people are coping right now. We can ensure that your feedback can inform emergency planning and help organisations to plan how to get back to 'normal'.

  30. What is domestic abuse and how can I get support?

    Advice and Information -

    If you are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who might be, find out where you can go for advice and help.

  31. Read how people coped during lockdown in April

    News -

    Since early April, we have been listening to people's stories about lockdown. We wanted to understand how they have been coping.

  32. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Black and Asian people according to latest PHE report. Tell us your experience

    News -

    Share your story to help Medway's services learn and improve from the experiences of people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds during COVID-19.

  33. What's the difference between social distancing, self-isolation and shielding?

    Advice and Information -

    Self-isolation, social distancing and shielding are all new terms that have become part of our daily language. But what do they really mean and what applies to you?

  34. How do I make a complaint about the NHS?

    Advice and Information -

    The NHS complaints process was paused during the Coronavirus pandemic, but from today NHS England has advised NHS hospitals and services that unless there are exceptional circumstances, their complaints processes must restart.

  35. How did people cope during lockdown in May?

    News -

    Since the beginning of lockdown, we have been collating feedback from people about how they are coping. Read our report which summarises what everyone told us in May,

  36. Covid-19 vaccine – where are we?

    Advice and Information -

    Scientists all over the world are racing to develop a vaccine for the coronavirus pandemic. The virus causing this disease is called SARS Cov2. A total of 26 candidates are currently in the clinical evaluation stage of development, according to WHO.

  37. According to Department of Health and Social Care there are some exemptions to when you do not need to wear a face covering

    Advice and Information -

    In settings where face coverings are required in England, there are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear a face covering.

  38. Visiting allowed at Medway Hospital

    News -

    For the first time since March, visitors are once again allowed onto some wards at Medway Maritime Hospital.

  39. Would you be willing to help Medway Hospital design better online services?

    News -

    With so many more hospital appointments being held online, Medway Maritime Hospital are looking to bring together a group of patients to help design and improve their digital services.

  40. When should I get a Covid test?

    Advice and Information -

    With testing hitting the headlines in recent days, and increasing numbers of people trying to get a Covid test, it can be confusing to know when you should, or shouldn’t seek a Covid test.

  41. Will you get a flu jab this year? Start thinking about it now!

    Advice and Information -

    Influenza, or flu, is a viral infection that can cause an unpleasant respiratory illness with symptoms such as fever, exhaustion, and cough. Luckily after a few days in bed most people recover.

  42. Listening to pharmacists

    News -

    During Covid, we have heard about the challenges people had getting their prescriptions, particularly in the early days of lockdown. We have shared that feedback directly with the Local Pharmacy Committee and now we want to hear from pharmacists too.

  43. How helpful has your GP website been during Covid?

    Report -

    During Covid, we've heard from hundreds of people about how they have been coping. Many people have talked to us about the difficulties they've had to see their GP with many surgeries offering telephone or online appointments.

  44. How have Medway residents coped during Covid?

    Report -

    Ever since March, we have been gathering feedback from Medway residents about how they have been coping.

  45. Update to visiting at Medway Maritime Hospital

    News -

    Visiting to Will Adams, Jade & Wakeley wards has today been suspended at Medway Hospital.

  46. Your invitation to get involved in the planning of health and social care services in Medway

    News -

    Would you like to get involved in the discussion with leaders from health and care in Medway & Swale?

  47. Infection control session cancelled

    News -

    Earlier this week we shared details about an event organised by Medway Maritime Hospital about infection control. We've just heard it has had to be cancelled.

  48. Myths about the flu jab

    Advice and Information -

    We've all heard tales about the flu jab that might make us think twice about getting the vaccine. Read on to learn what's real and what's just not true.

  49. How are you coping?

    Report -

    Every month, we share with you the stories that we're hearing from people in Medway about how they are coping

  50. Giving Care Homes a voice : what has it really been like for Care organisations in Medway during Covid?

    Report -

    Throughout the pandemic, we have been talking to Care Homes across Medway to understand how they are coping.