1. NHS announces plans to recruit more GPs in Medway, Swale and Thanet

    News -

    A £500,000 package has been authorised by health leaders to combat the GP shortage in the most disadvantaged areas of Kent including Medway.

  2. Celebrating excellence at the Healthwatch Recognition Awards

    News -

    40 people and organisations were winners last night at the prestigious Healthwatch Recognition Awards in Ashford which recognised the people and organisations who had listened to you.

  3. What do you really know about Autism?

    Advice and Information -

    Today (April 2nd) is World Autism Day.

  4. More needs to be done to ensure people with a learning disability, mental ill health or autism get the right care at the right time. Do you agree?

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission has today published a report highlighting the lack of progress since their 2020 ‘Out of sight – who cares?’ report.

  5. Knowing the symptoms of bowel cancer could save your life!

    News -

    Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the UK, and most people diagnosed with it are over the age of 60.

    Every 15 minutes someone is diagnosed with the disease, that's nearly 43,000 people each year.

  6. Covid has exacerbated the health inequalities that already existed for people trying to access a dentist in Medway

    Report -

    Nearly 100 people from Medway have talked to us about how easy (or not) it has been to get an appointment with an NHS dentist.

  7. How does the NHS dental system really work?

    Advice and Information -

    We get more calls about dentistry than anything else. The dental system is complicated so we've chatted to Tim Hogan, a dentist himself and Chair of the Kent & Medway Local Dental Committee to understand more.

  8. Have you had lung cancer, or looked after someone who has?

    News -

    Your experience could help improve early detection of lung cancer.

  9. How does the environment affect our health?

    Advice and Information -

    Where we live and the environment we live in, directly affects our health.

  10. What do you know about Parkinson’s Disease?

    Advice and Information -

    Parkinson's is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world.

    It’s also very common. Two people are diagnosed every hour in the UK.

    But how much do you really know about Parkinson’s Disease?

  11. What do you know about Parkinson’s Disease?

    Advice and Information -

    Parkinson's is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world.

    It’s also very common. Two people are diagnosed every hour in the UK.

    But how much do you really know about Parkinson’s Disease?

  12. What do you know about Parkinson’s Disease?

    Advice and Information -

    Parkinson's is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world.

    It’s also very common. Two people are diagnosed every hour in the UK.

    But how much do you really know about Parkinson’s Disease?

  13. Covid-19 patient from Walderslade given ground-breaking antiviral treatment Paxlovid

    News -

    A Chatham woman suffering from coronavirus is one of a number of patients who have been given a ground-breaking anti-Covid drug at home that lessens symptoms “within hours”.

  14. Have you heard of Haemophilia?

    Advice and Information -

    For World Haemophilia Day we wanted to help raise awareness of this rare condition.

    Haemophilia is rare and affects your blood's ability to clot.

    It's usually inherited and most people who have it are male.

  15. COVID-19 UPDATES

    Advice and Information -

    Vaccines: Spring boosters are now being offered to elderly people, care home residents and the most vulnerable.

  16. Multiple Sclerosis : invisible & misunderstood

    Advice and Information -

    Multiple sclerosis (which is also known as MS), is a condition that can affect your brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with your vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance.

  17. Celebrating World Immunisation Week

    Advice and Information -

    As we adjust to a life of no Covid restrictions, we’re taking a moment in World Immunisation Week to recognise the power of vaccinations and the incredible vaccination programme that we’ve just witnessed across the UK.

  18. 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.

  19. Where can I go for support for my mental health as a new parent?

    Advice and Information -

    It's so important that you feel supported as a new parent. Read the article below to find out where you can go to get the help you need.

  20. What did you tell us in January?

    Report -

    Over 2,500 of you came to us in January to share your experience of using health and social care services or to seek information.

  21. Make May Purple for Stroke Awareness

    Advice and Information -

    Over 1 million people in England have had a stroke. For many people having a stroke is a life changing experience. May is Stroke Awareness Month so we are sharing everything you need to know.

  22. We all know someone with hearing loss, but do you know how to help them?

    Advice and Information -

    Hearing loss is really common. But many people struggle when it could be treated.

  23. 9 million people in the UK are lonely right now. Are you one of them?

    News -

    Everyone can feel lonely at some point in their life.

  24. How much do you know about Ovarian Cancer?

    Advice and Information -

    Here are some facts about ovarian cancer:

  25. Have you heard of Fibromyalgia?

    Advice and Information -

    Fibromyalgia is a long term condition that causes pain all over the body. It’s also known as fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). It can be quite common – Lady Gaga has it!

  26. Lack of NHS dental appointments widens health inequalities

    News -

    A new survey of public attitudes to NHS dentistry shows half of adults in the South East find dental charges unfair amid escalating costs of living. 45% of people in the South East told us they struggle to get an NHS dental appointment.

  27. 9 million people in the UK are lonely right now. Are you one of them?

    Advice and Information -

    Everyone can feel lonely at some point in their life. Loneliness affects people of all ages and backgrounds. It can cause us real emotional pain and can impact on our physical and mental health.

  28. When is getting old, not just getting old?

    Advice and Information -

    So many of us put memory loss down to old age; but that’s not always true.

  29. You probably don’t know if you have high blood pressure

    Advice and Information -

    High blood pressure (which is also known as hypertension) rarely has noticeable symptoms; so if you have it, you’re unlikely to realise it.
    But if untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.

  30. Can you claim carers support if you have recently moved to the UK?

    Advice and Information -

    The short answer is yes! But it can be complicated so we have more detail for you.

  31. Are you an adult who receives care?

    News -

    Are you the relative, or friend, of someone who does? Do you consider yourself vulnerable? Do you know someone that could be vulnerable? Then this announcement is for you.

  32. Does the NHS have to provide an interpreter?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you know about your rights to language support in NHS settings?

  33. Epilepsy is one of the oldest known medical conditions

    Advice and Information -

    It’s quite common and affects the brain causing frequent seizures.

  34. Do you need financial help? Do you live in Medway? Then this announcement is for you.

    Advice and Information -

    Medway Council have announced that they have been awarded over £2 million to assist the many people in Medway who are struggling with the cost of living.

  35. We’ve been celebrating our brilliant volunteers all week for Volunteers Week.

    News -

    Here we chat to Harrison who volunteered for Healthwatch Medway.

  36. Visible, valued and supported. We LOVE Carers!

    Advice and Information -

    A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction or who needs extra help as they grow older.

  37. Your stories about Long Covid heard at a national level

    News -

    Your voice has been heard in a new national report which details the experiences of people with Long Covid from across the country.

  38. Major milestone reached in fight against Covid

    News -

    A major milestone has been reached in Medway’s fight against Covid - 19 with the four millionth jab being administrated. This is a major achievement in the county’s fight against Covid - 19.

  39. What do you actually know about Learning Disabilities?

    Advice and Information -

    There are around 350,000 children in the UK who have a learning disability, but do you actually know what it means and what it’s like to live with?

  40. Time for your Man MOT!

    Advice and Information -

    We’ve been through a lot these past couple of years. Covid has not gone away, but we are beginning to live with it. To do this, we need to be at the top of our game both physically and mentally.

  41. Become a real life hero by giving blood today!

    Advice and Information -

    Giving blood is one of the most simple yet heroic things you can do. Giving blood saves lives. The blood you give is a lifeline in an emergency, and for people who need long term treatments.

  42. Diabetes Awareness Week – 14th – 19th June 2022

    Advice and Information -

    Diabetes is a complicated condition and there are many different types of diabetes.

  43. 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.

  44. What is Long Covid?

    Advice and Information -

    Confused about Long Covid? Find out the common symptoms and when to get support.

  45. Support and treatment for Long Covid

    Advice and Information -

    It’s easy to feel isolated and alone when struggling with Long Covid, but we are here to help to you find the support and treatment you need.

  46. Sittingbourne vaccine centre still open for business

    News -

    The vaccination centre in Sittingbourne which opened in April at the Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital is still open for appointments. Both adults and children can be vaccinated there and all stages of the Covid vaccination programme are offered.

  47. Have you, or your family, been in the Armed Forces?

    Advice and Information -

    If the answer is yes, then there is a new service for you.

    The Armed Forces Network for Sussex, Kent & Medway have created a new single place for you to contact if you, or your family, need advice, guidance or support.

  48. What have we achieved this year?

    Report -

    Over 17,000 people came to us us last year to seek information or to share their story with us.

    Read about what we did with your stories and how we helped people.

  49. What do inspectors say about emergency & urgent care at Medway Hospital?

    News -

    This week the Care Quality Commission has published its report on the emergency and urgent care services provided at Medway Maritime Hospital.

  50. Are you 'in the know' about deafblindess?

    Advice and Information -

    Deafblindness is far more common than many people realise. Around 400,000 people are affected by sight and hearing loss in the UK. That's enough to fill Wembley Stadium nearly five times!