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. We take your views to Parliament

    News -

    Last week, we travelled to London to join forces with more than 100 fellow local Healthwatch organisations at our annual parliamentary reception.

  3. Your vote determines our priorities

    News -

    All this week we are asking people to get involved in our campaign #YourChoiceOurPriority where we give you the power to choose our priorities for the year.
    Over the 7 days we will be asking you to vote for what you think we should prioritise.

  4. We're giving evidence to the Education Committee

    News -

    Next week we are giving evidence to the Education Committee about SEND.

  5. Healthwatch Kent comments on ambulance times

    News -

    In the news today you may have read a story about ambulance waiting times. Research by the BBC shows that ambulances take longer to reach people in rural areas compared to urban areas.

  6. Healthwatch Kent comments on the CQC rating of East Kent Hospitals Children’s services

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission has announced today that hospital children’s services provided by East Kent Hospitals are rated as inadequate.

  7. Stroke services : a decision is made

    News -

    For many months now, stroke services across Kent & Medway have been reviewed. The decision has now been made.

  8. Have you struggled to get a GP appointment? Tell us about it!

    News -

    In the news this weekend, we've heard new figures showing that many people struggle to get an appointment with their GP.

  9. West & North Kent residents - your views are needed

    News -

    You may already have heard about some potential changes to health services in East Kent. The ideas include changes to hospital and community services such as GPs.

  10. Changes to bus services in Thanet

    News -

    The Thanet Over Fifties Forum recently attended a meeting about changes to bus services in Thanet. They shared with us a report from the meeting.

  11. Do you know someone who lives in Folkestone & has used crisis mental health services?

    News -

    If you, or someone you know, has used the crisis mental health service then we want to hear from you.

  12. Additional public meetings in Faversham & Tenterden

    News -

    It has just been announced that two additional public meetings are being arranged to discuss the potential changes to health services in East Kent.

  13. Our second event to talk about neurological services

    News -

    Tomorrow (Nov 29th) we are hosting our second gathering of patients and professionals to talk about neurological services.

  14. Kent HOSC thank our volunteers

    News -

    Today we presented our annual report to the Kent Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee (HOSC).

  15. Final public meeting about East Kent services this week

    News -

    Seven public meetings have already taken place across East Kent for people to hear and discuss the potential changes for health services in East Kent.

  16. Our volunteers have their say about KCC's budget consultation

    News -

    Our volunteers, alongside members of the Older People's Forums and Mental Health Action Groups, came together to have their say about Kent County Council's budget.

  17. Dermatology services : have your say

    News -

    If you live in Medway or North Kent, your dermatology services may change.

  18. Older People Can Because Older People Do

    News -

    Kent residents come together to celebrate International Older People’s Day

  19. Update on Carers services

    News -

    Last year, we spoke to 158 Carers across Kent about how they were coping. Has anything changed since then?

  20. Help shape Urgent Treatment Centres in North Kent

    News -

    Plans are being developed for Urgent Treatment Centres across the UK. The Centres would treat all minor illnesses and injuries for all age groups in one place.

  21. Tell us your story about mental health during pregnancy

    News -

    We want to know more about you or your partner's experience of mental health support when planning to get pregnant, during pregnancy, at the birth of your child and afterwards.

  22. Do you use a wheelchair?

    News -

    We've heard from lots of people about wheelchair services in Kent. Do you have a story to share with us?

  23. Have you had a baby recently?

    News -

    What was it like giving birth? Could your experience have been improved?

    Share your story and give feedback.

  24. Could you help people living with a long-term condition increase their confidence and take control of their health?

    News -

    Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust are looking for volunteers to deliver the programme by becoming a self-management volunteer facilitator.

  25. We hosted Sir Robert Francis QC

    News -

    Sir Robert became a household name back on 2012 when he lead the independent review into the Mid Staffordshire Hospital scandal.

  26. You have chosen our priorities and we have listened

    News -

    Over 7,800 saw our vote and hundreds of you voted, so thank you!

  27. 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 Kent & Medway.

  28. Commissioners respond to our GP report

    News -

    In March we published a report detailing all the feedback we had heard from Kent residents about GP services.

  29. A new hope for people living with Dementia in Dover

    News -

    A new village that will support people with Dementia to live healthier and happier lives is to open this year in Dover.

  30. Help IASK plan upcoming events to launch their new website

    News -

    IASK is planning to hold several events across Kent to launch their new website and raise the profile of IASK (Information, Advice and Support Kent).

  31. Have your say about Outpatients in Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley

    News -

    Outpatients services in Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley are set to change as part of a new transformation programme launched by NHS.


  32. Get involved with the changes to health and social care in East Kent

    News -

    Those of you who live in East Kent will be well aware that plans are being developed to transform and improve services for local residents.
    The public are now being invited to evaluate the options before the public consultation later in the year.

  33. Making your voice heard: Wheelchair services

    News -

    Earlier this year, we started to hear a number of serious stories from patients and professionals about wheelchair services.

  34. Apollo 11: What medical milestones have happened since?

    News -

    Saturday 20th July 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of man landing on the moon. It was considered a huge milestone for science and mankind, but what big turning points have happened medically since then?

  35. Kent and Medway: helping plan for the future

    News -

    As you might know by now, the NHS in Kent and Medway is planning for its future. They've now shared more detail on what they want to do for you!

  36. Healthwatch Kent scruitinises the North Kent Urgent Care Review

    News -

    Urgent Care services in Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley are being reviewed with a view to making changes.

    Healthwatch has a statutory responsibility to scruitinise the process of change to ensure the voice of residents has been heard.

  37. Healthwatch Kent comments on the CQC rating of South East Coast Ambulance Service

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission has announced today that the ambulance service, which serves Kent, has been rated as ‘Good’ and the Trust will now exit Special Measures.

  38. Our volunteers make improvements at Darent Valley Hospital

    News -

    Our volunteers in North Kent had a very positive morning at Darent Valley Hospital this month talking to 25 people about their experiences of the Emergency Department.

  39. Who is hearing your thoughts on Care homes?

    News -

    Kent and Medway Quality Surveillance Group came together last week asking the question, where do you share your experiences about care homes?

  40. Help the NHS improve services for children and young people

    News -

    We recently spoke to nearly 300 people in Kent about children and young people’s services. Now the NHS is seeking people to get involved and help shape health and social care services for young people across Kent.

  41. Urgent care in Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley is going to change. Get involved

    News -

    A formal public consultation has been launched this month to decide the location of a new Urgent Treatment Centre in Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley area.

  42. Healthwatch Kent shortlisted for national award

    News -

    We've been nominated for a national award in recognition of the work we've done to ensure the challenges that people with additional communication needs face when attending a hospital appointment is heard and understood by decision makers.

  43. Help turn the national NHS plan into a Kent & Medway vision

    News -

    You’ve probably heard about the NHS Long Term Plan in the news.

    The Long Term Plan is a national vision for our health services over the next 10 years.

  44. Working with PPG groups

    News -

    This week, we took part in a conference to bring together all the Patient Participation Groups across Kent.

  45. Healthwatch Kent met with senior NHS leaders this week to discuss their concerns about how NHS contracts will happen in the future.

    News -

    This week we gathered senior commissioners to discuss how health services could be commissioned in the future.

  46. Update on the East Kent Transformation

    News -

    This week we joined the first of three sessions to discuss the options for the transformation of services in East Kent.

  47. Our report details the reality of living with autism in Kent

    News -

    A new report details the challenges that families face when trying to get support for a child with autism.