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. Jane’s Story: Booking a smear test

    Blog -

    Five million women are invited for a smear test, but 1 in 4 women don't attend their smear test. Why is that? We assume it is because people are worried about the procedure. Could it be in part because people are struggling to get an appointment?

  4. What did people from Folkestone tell us?

    Report -

    Last month we visited Folkestone & Hythe District Council to talk to their staff about their experiences of local health & social care services. We met 230 people in total during our visit.

  5. Have you heard about improvements to hospital discharge in West Kent?

    Report -

    In 2018 we spoke to 89 people about their experience of being discharged from both Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

  6. What support is available for people with Dementia when they attend a hospital appointment?

    Report -

    For many of us attending an appointment at hospital can be daunting. For someone with Dementia, it can be terrifying!

  7. Feedback about Frank Lloyd Unit in Sittingbourne

    Report -

    We recently met with Carers whose loved ones were being cared for at the Frank Lloyd Unit in Sittingbourne.

    This report details al that they told us.

    We have shared the feedback with the mental health trust.

  8. Spotlight on GP services

    Report -

    Since April 2017 we have heard from 365 people about their experience of GP services in Kent.

    Although we hear lots of positive stories, we've heard 394 negative comments.

  9. What did people in Gravesend tell us?

    Report -

    We recently visited Gravesham to hear from local people about their experiences of local health and social care services.

  10. Community mental health services : what have you told us?

    Report -

    We visited 6 community mental health units in 2018 talking to 86 people about their experience of using the service.

  11. 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.

  12. We're giving evidence to the Education Committee

    News -

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

  13. Spotlight on Gypsy & Traveller communities

    Report -

    Kent has one of the highest populations of Travellers in the UK.

    At Healthwatch Kent we regularly visit Traveller sites to hear directly from the community about the issues they face about health and social care services.

  14. Spotlight on Learning Disabilities

    Report -

    In the second of a new series of reports, we have highlighted the feedback we’ve heard from people with learning disabilities.

    Everything we have heard from people is included in the report.

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. 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.

  21. 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.

  22. Looking after someone? You're entitled to support

    Advice and Information -

    Most of us will provide care at some point in our lives to ill or disabled loved ones.

  23. 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.

  24. 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.

  25. What support is available for partially sighted patients?

    Report -

    Attending a hospital appointment can be daunting. If you struggle to read, hear, understand or communicate these worries can be extreme.

  26. Kent HOSC thank our volunteers

    News -

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

  27. Read our annual report

    Report -

    Each year we publish an annual report. Here is the 2018 one!

  28. 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.

  29. 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.

  30. 5 things you may not know about Pancreatic cancer

    Advice and Information -

    Today more than 1,250 people worldwide will be diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer.

  31. 3 alternatives when you can't get GP appointment

    Advice and Information -

    It’s never great when you can’t get a GP appointment in a moment of need

  32. Focus on hospital food

    Report -

    We asked patients in East Kent for their feedback about the food and drink they had received during their time in hospital in East Kent.

  33. Focus on Food Banks

    Report -

    Our parent company, Engaging Kent is working with Food Banks across Kent to support them to come together and create the Kent Food Bank Forum.

  34. Dermatology services : have your say

    News -

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

  35. Have you used IAPT services?

    Report -

    We've had some feedback about IAPT services but we want to hear more!

  36. Older People Can Because Older People Do

    News -

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

  37. Older People's Forums to get involved in

    Advice and Information -

    Every District in Kent has an established Older Peoples’ Forum and together they have reached thousands of older people in the past year offering information, practical support, advice and friendship.

  38. Update on Carers services

    News -

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

  39. Focus on Hidden Carers

    Report -

    What's it like being a carer and how much support are you getting? We wanted to make sure people knew what it was like to be a carer in Kent.

  40. 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.

  41. What is everyone saying about mental health services?

    Report -

    There are 152 Healthwatches across the country and together we hear more about mental health services than anything else.

  42. Six simple sight saving tips to keep your eyes healthy

    Advice and Information -

    Here are six tips to keeping your eyes healthy for longer that you might not know about.

  43. 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.

  44. 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?

  45. 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.

  46. 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.

  47. What is Parkinson's and why should I know?

    Advice and Information -

    Parkinson's is the second most common neurodegenerative condition after Alzheimer’s yet many still don’t understand what Parkinson’s is or how it affects people.

  48. If you had learning difficulties, what support is available to help you attend a hospital appointment

    Report -

    We wanted to understand what support is available for people who have learning difficulties when they need to attend a hospital appointment

  49. What changes have we secured to the CAMHS service?

    Report -

    Back in 2016, we spoke with 302 people about their experience of children and adolescent mental health services.