1. Do you really know if you are negative?

    News -

    We might feel fine, but around a third of all people with Coronavirus have no symptoms.

  2. Talking about wheelchair services

    News -

    Together with the Kent Physical Disability Forum, and other local groups, we've been working for several years to improve wheelchair services in Kent & Medway.

  3. New GP data-sharing system delayed

    News -

    NHS Digital have recently announced plans to allow an NHS system to extract patient data from doctors’ surgeries in England. The new data-sharing system was due to start in July but has now been pushed back to 1 September.

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

    News -

    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.

  5. Part of a winning team!

    News -

    We've been working with a team of people and organisations to improve the NHS 111 service. That team has won the Partnership Award at the national Health Service Journal annual awards ceremony.

  6. Have you used the wheelchair service?

    News -

    We've been working for years to help improve wheelchair services and make sure they work well for everyone who uses them.

  7. Do you have something to say about domestic abuse services?

    News -

    Are you part of a group or Forum that would be interested to in discussing housing, domestic abuse and increasing safety? Perhaps you would be willing to share your own personal story about domestic abuse?

  8. What to expect when waiting for care

    Advice and Information -

    Waiting for planned medical care or surgery can be a frustrating time. That’s why it’s so important that while you wait, you get regular, clear and accessible updates so that you can plan your next steps.

  9. Would you like to improve community mental health services?

    News -

    Maybe you could help?

  10. New service for men who are victims of domestic abuse in Kent

    News -

    A new service dedicated to supporting men who are victims of domestic abuse has been launched in Kent & Medway this week.

  11. Nearly half of all women don’t check their breasts. Are you one of them?

    Advice and Information -

    Every 10 minutes, someone in England is diagnosed with breast cancer. That’s 55,000 women a year but men can get breast cancer too with 370 men receiving diagnosis every year.

  12. Help the Non Emergency Patient Transport Service to be better

    News -

    If you need help to attend an NHS appointment, you may have used the Non Emergency Patient Transport Service to help you get there.
    This is a free transport service that is available to some, but not all, patients based on their eligibility.

  13. World Diabetes Day 14th November

    Advice and Information -

    World Diabetes Day on Nov 14th will bring together millions of people around the world to raise awareness of diabetes and help people to understand what it’s really like to live with Diabetes.

  14. What did we hear in September?

    Report -

    In September we reached 2,220 people. This is what they told us.

  15. Helping people to get registered with a GP

    News -

    Many people come to us because they are struggling to register with a GP near to them. This month we've been able to help two families to get registered.

  16. Are you under 18, live in East Kent or Swale and have a long term health condition?

    News -

    This is your chance to speak up.

    The NHS want to hear from you because they want to improve the way your care is organised and co-ordinated.

  17. Would you like to lose weight but don’t know how?

    Advice and Information -

    In our heart of hearts, all of us know that we should be looking after ourselves, especially during a pandemic.

  18. What did we hear in October?

    Report -

    In October, 1,801 people came to us for information, support or to tell us their experience of using a health or social service.

  19. We're helping people every day

    News -

    Every month, we give support, information and signposting to nearly 2,000 people.

    Every day, we help individual people. This month we helped someone who needed a dental check up before they could start medical treatment.

  20. Have you had your smear test recently? Did you know 75% of cervical cancers can be prevented by having a smear test?

    Advice and Information -

    Nine women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every day in the UK. 75% of cervical cancers can be prevented by cervical screening (smear tests).

  21. Getting you answers about the GP eConsult service

    News -

    Many of you have been in touch to share your experience of using the GP eConsult service. We shared your stories with the right decision makers and we've got an update for you.

  22. The Accessible Information Standard - what you can expect from services

    Advice and Information -

    The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide NHS or adult social care. Here’s some key information about the accessible communications you should expect from services.

  23. What did we hear in November?

    Report -

    In November, 3,571 people came to us for information, support or to tell us their experience of using a health or social service.

  24. Did you know today is Dignity Action Day?

    News -

    Dignity is precious. It is especially important when we are feeling more vulnerable such as when we are in hospital, being looked after at home or living in a care home.

  25. Everything you need to know about a Colonoscopy

    Advice and Information -

    Thousands of people have a colonoscopy every week. It’s a very common procedure but do you actually know what it is, or what it involves? We’ve got everything you need to know.

  26. Have you heard of Raynaud’s?

    Advice and Information -

    You probably know someone with Raynaud’s without even realising it. February is Raynaud’s Awareness Month.

  27. We chat to the Director of Adult Social Care about Carers

    News -

    We asked Chris McKenzie from Kent County Council, your questions about Kent's adult carers strategy.

  28. Epilepsy is more than seizures

    Advice and Information -

    Epilepsy is one of the world’s oldest known medical conditions which affects around 600,000 people in the UK. 87 people are diagnosed with epilepsy every day, but many people still don’t understand it or talk about it.

  29. What did you tell us in December?

    Report -

    2,438 of you came to us in December to share your experience of using health and social care services or to seek information.

  30. Kent NHS trusts not consistently meeting the legal rights of deaf and blind patients to accessible information

    News -

    Local NHS trusts are only partially meeting their legal duty to help people with additional communication needs, new findings show.

  31. Making it easier for people with learning difficulties to attend hospital appointments in East Kent

    Report -

    We've been working with East Kent Hospitals for several years now helping them to make it easier for people with learning difficulties to attend a hospital appointment. Check out what's changed as a result.

  32. Did you know that 300 million people in the world live with a rare disease? Today is their day and I am one of them.

    News -

    Today (February 28th) is Rare Disease Day. In a leap year it’s celebrated on February 29th - the rarest day of the year. It’s a worldwide event to raise awareness of rare diseases and advocate for people like me who live with a rare disease.

  33. New idea to support older people and people with disabilities in Kent to live better at home

    News -

    A new project is being developed by Kent County Council to help support people with disabilities as well as older people in Kent to stay in their own homes and communities.

  34. Raising awareness about self injury

    Advice and Information -

    We’re working to raise awareness about self injury.

  35. How will the NHS tackle the backlog?

    News -

    With a record six million people currently waiting for hospital treatment in the UK, the NHS has set out its plan to address the backlog that has built up during the Covid-19 pandemic and tackle long waiting lists for care.

  36. Where can I get support for an eating disorder?

    Advice and Information -

    You are not alone. Around 1.25 million people in the UK are dealing with an eating disorder right now, many in secret.

  37. Do you have your dream job yet?

    Advice and Information -

    Navigating the world of work can be daunting, especially if you've just left education. Where do you start?

  38. This March, ovarian cancer is being put in the spotlight.

    Advice and Information -

    Two thirds of those with ovarian cancer are diagnosed too late when the cancer has already spread.

  39. What did you tell us in January?

    Report -

    2,624 of you came to us in January to share your experience of using health and social care services or to seek information.

  40. No Smoking Day 9th March 2022

    Advice and Information -

    Quitting smoking doesn’t have to be stressful!

  41. Brain size does not determine intelligence

    Advice and Information -

    Did you know that Albert Einstein’s brain weighed less than the average brain?!

  42. Take care of your teeth. Don’t forget your gums!

    Advice and Information -

    More of you call us about getting a dentist appointment than anything else. Every day we hear from people who are struggling to get to see an NHS dentist.

    That means than looking after our own teeth is more important than ever!

  43. What do you know about Down’s Syndrome? Today is Down’s Syndrome Day

    Advice and Information -

    Down’s syndrome happens when you are born with an extra chromosome. The extra chromosome causes developmental and physical changes.

  44. Talking endometriosis

    Advice and Information -

    1 in 10 women have endometriosis. It can be extremely painful and take years to get a diagnosis. We talk to Rheanna about her experience.

  45. Let your smile do the talking

    Advice and Information -

    When people talk about oral health, they mean the way we care for our teeth. If you brush your teeth every day and eat well, then you have good oral health!

  46. Let your smile do the talking

    Advice and Information -

    When people talk about oral health, they mean the way we care for our teeth. If you brush your teeth every day and eat well, then you have good oral health!

  47. 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.

  48. 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.

  49. What do you really know about Neurodiversity?

    Advice and Information -

    Increasing understanding of neurodiversity and autism.

  50. 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.