1. 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.

  2. What you need to know about the flu

    Advice and Information -

    This article will help you spot facts from fiction about the virus, what symptoms to look out for and how to prevent spreading it around.

  3. Men, how are you out of 10?

    News -

    A club run by the Sunlight Development Trust is here for you to know you’re not alone. 

  4. Calling all gay men in Medway!

    News -

    Medway Public Health and the METRO Charity in Medway are working together to understand more about chemsex and the needs of people who take part.

    Do you have a story to share that could help others?

  5. Getting NHS Dental care

    Advice and Information -

    What is available on the NHS? What do you have to pay for? How much is it going to cost? These are some of the questions you have asked that we can answer.

  6. All your dentist questions answered

    News -

    Lots of people contact us asking questions about dentists.

    We hear from people who are struggling to get an NHS dentist or who are confused about the charging system. We also hear from lots of people who need emergency dental care.

  7. Stroke patients & carers continue to design the new stroke service

    News -

    Stroke patients and their families were invited to Maidstone Hospital this week to chat with hospital staff about what the new may look like in the future across Medway & Kent.

  8. Driving improvements to community mental health

    Report -

    Recently we have revisited the Community Mental Health clinics to see what changes have been made since our first reports.

  9. A better 111 service for Kent, Medway and Sussex

    News -

    Last summer the NHS Commissioners in Kent, Medway and Sussex announced that South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) had been awarded a five-year contract to provide the new NHS 111 and Clinical Assessment Service commencing April 2020.

  10. Tell us what you think we shoud be focusing on

    News -

    Today we are in Rochester chatting to Medway residents about that they think we should be focusing our efforts on next year.

    Come and see us and tell us your thoughts.

  11. Information about coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

    Read the latest advice and information from NHS England and Public Health England about the Coronavirus.

  12. 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

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

    News -

    Your community needs you – NHS call for volunteer army

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. 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

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. New Emergency Dental Care now available

    News -

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

  21. Great to see support for Medway Care Homes

    News -

    We recently visited 24 Care Homes across Medway talking to residents and families about their experience.

  22. 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.

  23. 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.

  24. 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'.

  25. 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.

  26. Your experience of adult autism could help in Medway

    News -

    If you, or someone you know, has autism and lives in Medway; your thoughts and feedback could help develop a better service for adults who are living with Autism in Medway.

  27. 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.

  28. Giving thanks to our volunteers

    News -

    Although we can't see our volunteers face to face this week, that doesn't stop us from thanking our Volunteers this Volunteers Week.

  29. Caring during a pandemic

    News -

    This week is Carers Week. We know that hundreds of people in Medway are looking after someone right now.
    If you, or someone you know, has found themselves looking after someone during Covid, did you know that there may be support available to you?

  30. 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.

  31. Do you have a friend or relative in a Care Home right now? Can you tell us your thoughts?

    News -

    Since the start of the Covid pandemic, we have been keeping in contact with a number of Medway Care Homes to understand how they are coping during the pandemic. Now we want to hear from people who have a family member in a Care Home right now.

  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. Healthwatch Medway comments on the temporary changes to stroke services

    News -

    Last night we were part of the Health Overview Scrutiny Committee which discussed plans to temporarily move stroke services from Medway Maritime Hospital to Kent.

  34. Healthwatch Medway comments on the suspension of GP surgeries and the Dermatology service run by DMC Healthcare

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission has announced today that three GP surgeries in Medway, which were run by DMC Healthwatch, are suspended following an inspection last week.

  35. Healthwatch Medway Annual Report 2019/20

    Report -

    Our annual report is now published for you all to read, so if you want to know a bit more about what we do and what we have achieved, take a look.

  36. Update on St Werburgh Medical Practice

    News -

    Following the closure of St Werburgh Medical Practice and its branch surgeries at Stoke Village Hall and Balmoral Gardens Healthy Living Centre last week, the CCG has today announced a temporary solution for patients.

  37. 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.

  38. Calling daughters who look after their Mums

    News -

    Do you do the shopping for your Mum, or help her get to appointments? Maybe you help in the house or with her personal needs? If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

  39. 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,

  40. More changes to GP surgeries

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission has enforced immediate changes to the GP services at St Mary’s Island Surgery, The Sunlight Centre, Green Suite at Balmoral Healthy Living Centre, & Twydall Branch Surgery, at the Pentagon Centre following an inspection.

  41. Looking after Mum during lockdown

    News -

    Yesterday we had the pleasure of chatting with a group of women who care for their Mums. They shared with us the reality of their experience and talked to us about how challenging it's been during lockdown.

  42. New Helpline for Dermatology patients

    News -

    The Dermatology service deals with skin conditions which can include rashes, lesions, lumps on the skin, changes to moles and skin cancer.

  43. 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.

  44. 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.

  45. Visiting allowed at Medway Hospital

    News -

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

  46. A final decision for stroke services

    News -

    A decision has finally been made in the long running review of stroke services across Kent & Medway.

  47. 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.

  48. 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.

  49. 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.

  50. 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.