1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. What are the rules about Covid testing now?

    Advice and Information -

    COVID-19 testing rules have now changed across England. Find out the latest information on where to go to get tested, which test is most suitable for you, and what to do if you get a positive COVID-19 test result.

  6. 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.

  7. Raising awareness about self injury

    Advice and Information -

    We’re working to raise awareness about self injury.

  8. Read our scrutiny of the public consultation on Ruby Ward

    Report -

    One of our statutory responsibilities is to act as a critical friend on public consultations. Our role is to ensure people have been involved and listened to as part of any public consultation.

  9. Have your say on changes to Kent's bus service

    News -

    Kent County Council are asking for your thoughts on plans to make changes to the bus service here in Kent.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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?

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. No Smoking Day 9th March 2022

    Advice and Information -

    Quitting smoking doesn’t have to be stressful!

  16. Cardiology services in West Kent to be located at Maidstone Hospital

    News -

    A decision has been made to centralise inpatient cardiology services at Maidstone Hospital.

  17. Brain size does not determine intelligence

    Advice and Information -

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

  18. How do we make our decisions?

    Report -

    It's important to us that you know how we make our decisions.

    In this section you will find the minutes from our steering group meetings plus an overall explanation about how we make our decisions on a daily basis.

  19. Do you know someone who could be a young carer?

    Advice and Information -

    Right now, 30,000 young people in Kent are believed to be looking after someone, but not getting any help.

  20. "I couldn’t even lift my little finger". Read Dave’s Covid story

    News -

    We recognise that Dave's story could be upsetting for many of you, particularly those of you who didn't have a happy ending to a Covid diagnosis.

  21. What difference have we made this month?

    News -

    A highlight this month has been helping a young pregnant woman, who was homeless, to get the dental care that she needed.

  22. 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!

  23. 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.

  24. What happens when the person you care for is discharged from hospital?

    Report -

    Around 150,000 people in Kent are looking after someone right now. What happens when the person they care for is discharged from hospital? What support is available? How do they cope?

  25. 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.

  26. 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!

  27. 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!

  28. 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.

  29. 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.

  30. What do you really know about Neurodiversity?

    Advice and Information -

    Increasing understanding of neurodiversity and autism.

  31. 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.

  32. Knowing the symptoms of bowel cancer could save your life!

    Advice and Information -

    Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the UK, and most people diagnosed with it are over the age of 60.

    Every 15 minutes someone is diagnosed with the disease, that's nearly 43,000 people each year.

  33. How does the NHS dental system really work?

    Advice and Information -

    We get more calls about dentistry than anything else. The dental system is complicated so we've chatted to Tim Hogan, a dentist himself and Chair of the Kent & Medway Local Dental Committee to understand more.

  34. Have you had lung cancer, or looked after someone who has?

    News -

    Your experience could help improve early detection of lung cancer.

  35. How does the environment affect our health?

    Advice and Information -

    Where we live and the environment we live in, directly affects our health.

  36. What do you know about Parkinson’s Disease?

    Advice and Information -

    Parkinson's is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. It’s also very common. Two people are diagnosed every hour in the UK. But how much do you really know about Parkinson’s Disease?

  37. Needing the NHS while out at sea

    Report -

    Being a fisherman is a tough job. It's dangerous with long hours and in difficult conditions. They also work unsociable hours making it hard for fishermen to use public services.

  38. Have you heard of Haemophilia?

    Advice and Information -

    For World Haemophilia Day we wanted to help raise awareness of this rare condition.
    Haemophilia is rare and affects your blood's ability to clot.
    It's usually inherited and most people who have it are male.

  39. COVID-19 UPDATES

    Advice and Information -

    Vaccines: Spring boosters are now being offered to elderly people, care home residents and the most vulnerable.

  40. Helping people to get dental care

    Report -

    Read how we have helped people to get the dental care that they need

  41. Multiple Sclerosis : invisible & misunderstood

    Advice and Information -

    Multiple sclerosis (which is also known as MS), is a condition that can affect your brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with your vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance.

  42. Celebrating World Immunisation Week

    Advice and Information -

    As we adjust to a life of no Covid restrictions, we’re taking a moment in World Immunisation Week to recognise the power of vaccinations and the incredible vaccination programme that we’ve just witnessed across the UK.

  43. What medical support are you entitled to if you’re new to the UK?

    Advice and Information -

    When people arrive in the UK for the first time, it can be confusing to know where to go if you need medical help. Here we outline your rights as a refugee, where you can access emergency help and how to register for a GP.

  44. What did you tell us in February?

    Report -

    3,979 of you came to us in February to share your experience of using health and social care services or to seek information.

  45. Where can I go for support for my mental health as a new parent?

    Advice and Information -

    It's so important that you feel supported as a new parent. Read the article below to find out where you can go to get the help you need.

  46. Make May Purple for Stroke Awareness

    Advice and Information -

    Over 1 million people in England have had a stroke. For many people having a stroke is a life changing experience. May is Stroke Awareness Month so we are sharing everything you need to know.

  47. We all know someone with hearing loss, but do you know how to help them?

    Advice and Information -

    Hearing loss is really common. But many people struggle when it could be treated.

  48. 9 million people in the UK are lonely right now. Are you one of them?

    News -

    Everyone can feel lonely at some point in their life.

  49. How much do you know about Ovarian Cancer?

    Advice and Information -

    Here are some facts about ovarian cancer:

  50. Have you heard of Fibromyalgia?

    Advice and Information -

    Fibromyalgia is a long term condition that causes pain all over the body. It’s also known as fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). It can be quite common – Lady Gaga has it!