1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Looking for those that don't know they need to be found

    Report -

    We know that more people than ever before have been looking after someone during the Covid-19 pandemic.

  4. Update to visiting at Medway Maritime Hospital

    News -

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

  5. Did you know that every Care Home has a GP assigned to care for the residents?

    Report -

    According the NHS guidance, every Care Home in England should now have a dedicated GP surgery assigned to it.

  6. Did you know that we now have an enhanced NHS 111 service in Medway??

    News -

    When people in Medway, Kent & Sussex call NHS 111 they will now find more experienced clinicians on hand to answer their queries than ever before.

  7. 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?

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. Visiting restricted at Medway Maritime Hospital

    News -

    Medway Maritime Hospital has updated it's visiting rules as we move into a second lockdown.

  14. Have your say about 5 GP surgeries in Medway

    News -

    Patients at five GP surgeries in Medway are being asked to let decision makers know what is important to them.

  15. How are you doing in lockdown 2.0?

    Advice and Information -

    As we all face another lockdown and uncertain times ahead, please remember that there is support is available to you, and your family, during lockdown 2.0

  16. Put your questions to the Governors at Medway Maritime

    News -

    If you've got a burning question about Medway Maritime Hospital, but didn't know who to ask, then here is your opportunity.

  17. Did your child miss their flu vaccine at school?

    News -

    If your child is aged 5 - 11, and missed their flu vaccine at school then there is a solution.

  18. Giving blood during a pandemic

    Advice and Information -

    This week we spoke to Rheanna, who shared her experience of giving blood at the start of our second national lockdown.

  19. What did you tell us in October?

    Report -

    Every month during the pandemic, we have been sharing with decision makers what life is really like for you right now.

  20. Top Tips for lockdown health and well being

    Advice and Information -

    Many more people are suffering from anxiety, low mood or just feel ‘plain fed up’ because of the pandemic and the lockdown restrictions. This can often make us feel tired and can affect our enthusiasm for doing almost anything.

  21. Do you use translation or interpreter services when you go to an NHS appointment?

    News -

    The NHS wants to hear about your experience of using translation or interpreter services when you visit the dentist, pharmacy or optician.

  22. What does Tier Three mean for me?

    News -

    With numbers of Covid patients on the increase, and the news today that Medway will move into Tier Three restrictions next week, it's a good time to remember to look after yourself.

  23. Could you help with mass testing in Medway?

    News -

    With Medway in Tier 3 and Covid numbers rising, the Government has announced that mass testing will be offered to Tier Three areas.

  24. Get your Vitamin D supplements

    News -

    Did you know that everyone is advised to take Vitamin D supplements every day during the autumn and winter months?

  25. Have you, or someone you care for experienced a mental health crisis?

    News -

    The Kent and Medway CCG are looking to improve mental health crisis care. They have created a short survey to hear about the experiences of people who have suffered a mental health crisis, or care for someone who has.

  26. Making life a little bit easier for Personal Assistants

    News -

    In November, we shared an insight into how Personal Assistants were coping during the Covid pandemic.

  27. How are our hospitals coping?

    News -

    It's no secret that Kent & Medway's hospitals are under extreme pressure right now due to increasing numbers of Covid patients.

  28. When will I be vaccinated?

    News -

    The last few days have brought great hope to us all as we've watched the first Medway residents get vaccinated against Coronavirus.

  29. How did people cope during November?

    Report -

    Every month during the pandemic, we have been sharing with decision makers what life is really like for you right now.

    In November, you talked to us about a whole range of issues. Key themes are:

  30. 2020 : the good bits

    News -

    It wasn't the year that we planned, but thanks to you, we've still managed to make life better for hundreds of people. Check out our highlights.

  31. Merry Christmas from Healthwatch Medway

    News -

    Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to share your experience of health and social care this year. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

  32. National lockdown : what does it mean for me?

    News -

    To help stop the spread of coronavirus, the government is advising everyone to stay at home from 5 January 2021.

  33. When will I be vaccinated?

    News -

    One million adults in Kent & Medway will be offered the Coronavirus vaccine in the coming weeks and months. When will you get yours?

  34. How to get an NHS dentist appointment during COVID-19

    Advice and Information -

    We’ve heard from hundreds of people since the pandemic started with questions about how to get a dentist appointment or emergency dental care. Here are some of the answers.

  35. 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.

  36. Testing sites for people with no Covid symptoms

    News -

    Five testing sites across Medway are offering free Covid tests to people working in key professions who don't have any Covid symptoms.

  37. COVID-19 vaccine: what you need to know

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look about what you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccination programme including how you will know when it's your turn, where to go, and why it's important.

  38. Medway vaccination centres

    News -

    All of us are waiting for the call for our Covid vaccination. Have you had yours yet?

  39. We're raising your vaccine questions directly with decision makers

    News -

    Unsurprisingly we've had lots of calls and emails about the Coronavirus vaccine in recent weeks. We've been able to help some frontline workers get access to their vaccine.

  40. Everyone can now get a Covid test in Medway

    News -

    Testing is now available for all us living and working in Medway if you don't have any Covid symptoms. One in three of us will have Covid with no symptoms so it's really important to get tested regularly to reduce the spread of the virus

  41. I couldn’t get there fast enough!

    Advice and Information -

    How does it feel when you get your vaccine call up? This week we chatted with Lesley whose had her first Covid vaccine.

  42. Have you been looked after by the community nursing team?

    News -

    Do you have ideas about what could be improved about the nursing care that you receive at home? Your questions could help inform what researchers should focus on.

  43. Your vaccine questions answered

    News -

    So many of you have been in touch to share your experience of being vaccinated, or to ask questions about the vaccine programme.

    We asked the Head of the Vaccine Programme all your questions, and more.

  44. All over 70s told to contact the NHS for their vaccine

    News -

    If you are over 70 years old and have not yet had your Coronavirus vaccine, you are being asked to contact the NHS to get booked in.

  45. 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.

  46. A snapshot of Medway - What's going on in our area?

    Report -

    We want to make sure you hear about everything important that is happening around Medway – as its happening - that could affect your health and wellbeing.

  47. Extending the interval for Covid vaccines to 12 weeks – what’s the rationale?

    Advice and Information -

    Acting on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the four UK chief medical officers announced in December, that the second doses of covid vaccines should now be given at 12 weeks rather than initial 3-4 weeks.

  48. Medway Hospital in the news

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission published a report following a recent unannounced visit to the emergency department at Medway Maritime Hospital. Although they found many positives, they’ve asked the hospital to make a number of immediate changes.

  49. Covid has completely changed my life

    News -

    This week, we're talking with a number of people who have had Covid. They've been telling us how Covid is still affecting them more than three months later.

  50. The reality of home-schooling and working

    News -

    Just like us, many of you have been juggling work and home school for the past nine weeks. Home-schooling in the winter has been much harder than the initial lockdown.