1. Have you say on Kent County Councils draft 5 year plan

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    Kent County Council have just launched a new consultation on their 5 year plan 'Your Future, Our Priority' and want to know your thoughts.

  2. Press Statement : East Kent maternity

    News -

    Healthwatch Kent comments on the Maternity services in East Kent.

  3. Driving improvements to the wheelchair service

    News -

    You will know that we’ve been working with the Kent Physical Disability Forum for over a year now to help improve the wheelchair service for thousands of people in Kent.

  4. Urgent Care Consultation listens to patients

    News -

    Residents in North Kent have recently been asked for their thoughts on plans to create an Urgent Treatment Centre. 16,500 people responded and it's brilliant to see plans change as a result of their views.

  5. 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 Stroke Unit may look like in the future.

  6. 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 Stroke Unit may look like in the future.

  7. Healthwatch Kent comments on the National Review of Maternity Services in East Kent

    News -

    Today a national enquiry has been launched into maternity services in East Kent.
    We have already been in touch with East Kent Hospitals to discuss the review and will be fully involved in the process going forward.

  8. 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 service. The new service is due to start in April this year.

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

    News -

    Protect your loved ones and protect the nation, volunteer to help those that are most vulnerable to the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19) stay at home. Join the army of NHS volunteers today.

  10. Your COVID-19 story

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    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

  11. New Corona Helpline launched in Kent

    News -

    A new 24 hour Helpline has been launched to support people who need urgent help in Kent

  12. What services are still available during the pandemic?

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    Many of Kent's health & social care services are still operating albeit in a slightly different way.

  13. What is Healthwatch doing to help right now?

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    Everyone has been thinking about how they can help during the Corona epidemic. Here is a snapshot of what the Healthwatch team has been doing.

  14. New Emergency Dental Care now available

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

  15. We want to hear from more people about 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'.

  16. 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.

  17. New phone app to support carers in Kent

    News -

    If you look after someone then the NHS has launched a new phone app to support you called, Help to Care.

  18. 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.

  19. What's it like to care for someone during a pandemic?

    News -

    This week is Carers Week. We know that hundreds of people in Kent 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?

  20. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Black and Asian people according to latest PHE report. Tell us your experience

    News -

    Share your story to help Kent services learn and improve from the experiences of people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds during COVID-19.

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

    News -

    This month our spotlight is on Care Homes, as we gather feedback from residents, families and Care Home staff about how Kent’s Care Homes are coping and what lessons have been learnt. We want the positive stories as well as what could be improved.

  22. Five principles for post-COVID-19 digital healthcare

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    Healthwatch England has published a new report exploring people's experiences of digital and remote healthcare. They have set out five principles for post-COVID19 care to ensure no one is left behind.

  23. GP Walk In service at Northfleet closes today

    News -

    Today the walk in GP clinic at Northfleet has closed. It’s not new news as the decision was announced some months ago, and is part of plans to create an Urgent Treatment Centre in the area following a public consultation earlier in the year.

  24. 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.

  25. Becoming a carer for the first time in the middle of a pandemic

    News -

    Many people have found themselves looking after someone during lockdown for the first time in their lives. This is never a planned life event and would be hard even during ‘normal’ times.

    Catherine talked to us about her experience.

  26. New testing location in Kent

    News -

    A new drive through testing facility for Coronavirus opened at Manston Airport in Ramsgate opened this week. This site will join the existing locations in Ashford & Ebbsfleet to increase the number of people who can be tested each day.

  27. Healthwatch Kent comments on the Care Quality Commissions report on East Kent Hospitals

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission have published the results of their inspections to Accident & Emergency departments at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and QEQM Hospital in Margate. Both departments have been rated as 'Requires Improvement'.

  28. Tough decisions facing Kent County Council

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    This week, the Council announced it was facing a £40 million shortfall in its budget.

  29. Do you live in or near Hextable?

    News -

    Are you a patient at Hextable GP surgery? If so, you are being asked to share your thoughts about the future of Hextable Surgery

  30. 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.

  31. Kent Care Homes & Covid : The Reality

    News -

    Today we are publishing a report detailing feedback from 204 Care Homes across Kent. The report shares what it has been like during COVID-19 and what lessons have been learnt.

  32. Final decision on stroke services

    News -

    A decision has finally been made in the long running review of stroke services across Kent & Medway.
    The Court of Appeal refused an appeal against the judicial review which means plans to create three new hyper acute stroke services can go ahead.

  33. Hextable Surgery to become part of Cedars Surgery, Swanley

    News -

    The Hextable Surgery will become a branch of Cedars Surgery, Swanley, on Tuesday 1st September 2020.

  34. What will you want your care home to look like?

    News -

    It’s a fact of life that we will all get older, and some of us may need to go into a residential or nursing home. Whilst we might try not to think about it too much, people who work in care homes need to plan for our future.

  35. 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

  36. Did you know that smoking is a leading cause of accidental fires in peoples’ homes?

    News -

    Kent Fire & Rescue Service are looking to create a new campaign to help people stay safe in their homes.

    Could you be involved? KFRS wants to talk to smokers to understand your thoughts, feelings and experiences.

  37. Tell Kent County Council your thoughts on how they could save money

    News -

    It’s no secret that Kent County Council is facing its toughest financial challenge for many years.

  38. Does your child have special educational needs?

    News -

    Have you needed to get support from school or college? Maybe your child has been assessed for an EHCP?

    If so, we want to hear from you.

  39. Did you know that we now have an enhanced NHS 111 service in Kent?

    News -

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

  40. We've been shortlisted for a national award!!

    News -

    Our work to improve wheelchair services in Kent has been recognised at the national Healthwatch England awards

  41. Do you live in Swale? We have your invitation

    News -

    Would you like to get involved in discussion with leaders from health and care in Medway & Swale about what they should do?

  42. Blood tests back at Darent Valley Hospital thanks to your stories

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    We’ve been hearing stories from people in North Kent about huge queues and long waits to get their blood tests done at Gravesham Community Hospital.

  43. How are you doing in lockdown 2.0?

    News -

    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

  44. 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.

  45. Do you look after someone who is living with Dementia?

    News -

    Would you be willing to chat about your experience of looking after someone with Dementia to help improve services?

  46. 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.

  47. Are you registered at New Road GP surgery in Folkestone?

    News -

    The surgery has had to close temporarily after 8 members of staff have tested positive due to Coronavirus.

  48. Kent to move into Tier Three

    News -

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

  49. Healthwatch Kent recognised in national awards

    News -

    Healthwatch Kent has been highly commended at a prestigious national award ceremony for their work to improve the wheelchair service for the 22,000 people who currently use a wheelchair in Kent and Medway.

  50. Don't struggle alone

    News -

    There is help for you and the people around you.