1. Calling all young people : make your voice heard

    News -

    We want to hear what's good, or not so good, about children's and young people's services in Medway and Kent.

  2. Why it’s important to review the care of people with dementia

    Report -

    Read Healthwatch England's latest research to find out if people with dementia are getting the support they need.

  3. 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.

  4. Hearing from people with Learning Difficulties

    News -

    Everyone's experience of local care should be heard, but that can be hard for people who don't always have the chance to talk up. That's why we joined other organisations at One Voice's event in Medway.

  5. What do you think of care homes in Medway?

    News -

    We want to hear your thoughts on Care Homes in Medway while we visit 24 care homes across Medway.

  6. State of the Nation by the Care Quality Commission

    News -

    Today the Care Quality Commission have published their State of the Nation report which is their annual assessment of health and social care services across the country.

  7. Someone I love has died - where can I find support?

    Advice and Information -

    It can be tough at any time to lose someone, but particularly hard during a pandemic when you can feel more alone than usual.

    Take a look at our article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving.

  8. Steering Group minutes

    Report -

    How do we make our decisions?

  9. 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.

  10. What is adult social care?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you or a loved one need help with social care? Read the article below and find out answers to key questions about who can access adult social care and how to pay for it.

  11. State of Care : our response

    News -

    Today, the health and care regulator, the Care Quality Commission, published their annual review of NHS and social care support. Read our response.

  12. Tell us your story about using children's services in Medway

    News -

    We need to hear about your experience of Children's services in Medway. Your story will help us to improve it for you, and people like you.

  13. Listening to feedback about the Wellbeing Navigation service in Medway

    Report -

    In Medway, Wellbeing Navigators supports hundreds of people to get the support that they need. They are commissioned by Medway Council. We were asked to gather feedback from people about their feelings about the service.

  14. Listening to feedback about the Reablement service in Medway

    Report -

    Every year hundreds of Medway residents receive support from the reablement service which helps them to regain skills and confidence after they have been ill. They are commissioned by Medway Council who asked us to gather feedback from people.

  15. Mental Health Support for Children and Young People

    Advice and Information -

    In this helpful article we have compiled a list of wellbeing and mental health support services for children and young people. If you are struggling, looking for support or just wanting to find what is available in your local area for health and wellbeing support, you're in the right place!

  16. What should you expect from home care services?

    Advice and Information -

    The number of people being cared for in their own homes is increasing but what should you expect from home care services?

  17. What do people want from social care?

    Report -

    Find out what Healthwatch has done to better understand people's experiences of social care services and what can be done to help people plan better for their future care needs.

  18. 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

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

    News -

    Your community needs you – NHS call for volunteer army

  20. 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.

  21. 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.

  22. 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.

  23. 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

  24. 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.

  25. 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.

  26. New Emergency Dental Care now available

    News -

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

  27. 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.

  28. 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'.

  29. 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.

  30. 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.

  31. 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.

  32. 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?

  33. 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.

  34. 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,

  35. 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.

  36. 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.

  37. Visiting allowed at Medway Hospital

    News -

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

  38. 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.

  39. 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.

  40. 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.

  41. 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.

  42. 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.

  43. 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.

  44. Update to visiting at Medway Maritime Hospital

    News -

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

  45. 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?

  46. 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.

  47. 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.

  48. 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

  49. 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.

  50. Pharmacies & Covid : The Reality

    News -

    We have today published a joint report with Healthwatch Medway detailing feedback from 101 pharmacies across Kent and Medway. The report details what it has been like during COVID-19 and what lessons have been learnt.