1. Accessibility to healthcare can vary significantly based on the needs of the individual.

    News -

    Stammer is one of the biggest challenges in accessing healthcare services. 

  2. Are you a carer? Are you getting the help and support available? 

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    In the UK it is believed seven million people are voluntarily providing care and/or support to family and/or friends. And that many of these are either not accessing or are not aware of the help and support available to them. 

  3. What barriers women report to experience when accessing healthcare?

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    Women have a wide variety of experiences when accessing healthcare. However, a majority of women found that healthcare professionals were not listening or respecting them. There are several reasons that have been reported for these issues.

  4. Public consultation on Health Based Places of Safety

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    In February 2023, Kent and Medway ICB and Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT) launched a public consultation on Health Based Places of Safety. These are the facilities KMPT provides for adults needing emergency care and assessment under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

  5. Are you struggling to feel positive about Christmas? Are you going to be alone for Christmas? 

    Advice and Information -

    While for many of us Christmas is a time for celebration and spending time with our loved ones, sadly that is not the case for all of us.

  6. What have we heard at "Big day out event"?

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    Healthwatch Kent were honoured to be a part of BeYou’s ‘Big Day Out’ event in Maidstone last year.

  7. We continue our support of the NHS and Kent County Council in hearing from the public to codesign the future of their Integrated Community Equipment Services (ICES)

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    ICES aims to maximise independence of Kent residents and enable them to carry out everyday activities at home.

  8. How Healthwatch making a difference ?

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    Early this month a piece by Healthwatch England CEO Louise Ansari, explaining how Healthwatch helps the NHS engage with local people, was published in the Health Service Journal.

  9. What to watch for in your health and community this month - January

    Advice and Information -

    Each January multiple awareness raising campaigns are running, some focused on specific weeks or days.

  10. Cervical Cancer prevention week is held between the 22nd and 28th January 2024

    Advice and Information -

    This is a week to raise awareness of Cervical cancer, the screening programmes that currently take place and the vaccination programme designed to greatly reduce cases in the future.

  11. The team at Healthwatch Kent have been shortlisted for a national award for their work helping to improve care for local people.

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    The National Healthwatch Impact Award recognises outstanding examples of where the views of local people have been used to make positive changes to local NHS and social care services.

  12. What to watch for in your health and community this month - February

    Advice and Information -

    Each February multiple awareness raising campaigns are running, some focused on specific weeks or days.

  13. Annual Recognition Awards evening is back this year

    News -

    Healthwatch Kent and Healthwatch Medway are pleased to announce the return of its annual Recognition Awards evening, now in its third year.

  14. Helping people to get health and care information the way they need it.

    Report -

    Over the last 5 years we’ve worked hard to work with Trusts to improve their support for people who have additional communication needs.

  15. Healthwatch Kent have been working alongside the NHS in Kent and Medway to improve referral services.

    Report -

    This report shows a summary of the main issues the public are facing with the current referral service, and what we hope the Electronic Optimisation Referral System (EROS) will address.

  16. Healthwatch Kent service receives national award for improving care

    News -

    Healthwatch Kent was recognised at the National Healthwatch Impact Awards this week for helping to improve care for local people. 

  17. Healthwatch Kent and Healthwatch Medway annual Recognition Awards evening return for the third year.

    News -

    This annual awards evening aims to recognise and celebrate the people, innovations and collaborations that listen to the public and deliver successful projects and programmes across Kent and Medway.

  18. Last summer we attended the Kent Parents and Carers Together (PACT) picnic event in Dartford.

    Report -

    Here we spoke to parents of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

  19. what have we heard about how people are being supported with their mental health?

    Report -

    As many of you are aware we work closely with Mental Health Voice (MHV) and the 4 Local Mental Health Networks (LMHNs) based around each Health and Care Partnership area.

  20. Healthwatch Kent Annual Report 2023-24

    Report -

    We have published our annual report for 2023-24. Follow the link below to download a copy.

  21. Integrated Community Equipment Service (ICES) Awareness and Accessibility Report

    Report -

    We have completed our report looking into accessibility and awareness of the Integrated Community Equipment Service (ICES) and have published our findings.

  22. Spotlight Report on Substance Misuse and Access to Mental Health Services

    Report -

    We have published a case study led report together with Healthwatch Medway on the experiences of those with substance misuse issues on accessing mental health services.

  23. New Podcast for the Kent & Medway Healthwatch Recognition Awards 2025

    News -

    For the past three years, EK360 has proudly sponsored the Kent & Medway Healthwatch Recognition Awards.

  24. The Digital Front Door Project - ANIMA

    Report -

    We have published our evaluation report of the use of the ANIMA 'Digital Front Door' appointment booking system across the Tunbridge Wells Primary Care Network (PCN).

  25. New Podcast Episode for the Kent & Medway Healthwatch Recognition Awards

    News -

    We are delighted to announce that the next episode of the Kent & Medway Healthwatch Recognition Awards podcast – an engrossing conversation with Dr David Stokes, CEO of the Halpern Charitable Foundation – is ready to listen to.

  26. The Accessible Information Standard - What you can expect from services

    Advice and Information -

    A year ago the Accessible Information Standard came into force. It requires any organisation providing NHS or social care to communicate in a way that everybody can understand. Here's a reminder of what you should expect.

  27. 10 top tips to get the most out of your GP appointment

    Advice and Information -

    We know from our conversations with the public that some patients report feeling rushed during appointments and struggling to make themselves heard. Here are some tips that could help you get the most out of visiting your GP.

  28. What should you expect from home care services?

    Advice and Information -

    The number of people being cared for in their own homes is increasing but what should you expect from home care services?

  29. 10 top tips to get the most out of your dental appointment

    Advice and Information -

    Everyone should be able to access good quality NHS dental services. Take a look at our top tips to help you get the most out of your next dental appointment.

  30. Focus on Neurological Services

    Report -

    In July 2018 we spoke to people with neurological conditions with their carers and staff working in neurological services.

  31. Neurological services in East Kent

    Report -

    This week we held a workshop with people with neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease and Parkinsons, together with carers and staff working in neurological services.

  32. Diabetes Week

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  33. Carers Week

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  34. Men's Health Week

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  35. World Blood Donor Day

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  36. World Suicide Prevention day

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  37. World Mental Health Day

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  38. World Homelessness Day

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  39. Carers Rights Day

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  40. International Volunteer Day

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  41. Young Carers Awareness Day 2018

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  42. Dignity Action Day 2018

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  43. Children Mental Health Week

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  44. Student Volunteering Week 2018

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  45. Eating Disorder Awareness Week

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  46. World Autism Awareness Week 2018

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  47. World Health Day 2018

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  48. Stroke Awareness Month 2018

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  49. Mental Health Awareness Week 2018

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  50. Deaf Awareness Week 2018

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