1. The podiatry service in Maidstone is moving

    News -

    From September the podiatry service at Foster Street in Maidstone is moving.

  2. Did you know that your blood vessels could circle the earth?

    Advice and Information -

    Vascular disease affects many of us, but do you really know what it is?

  3. Vision really matters

    Advice and Information -

    Did you know that 2 million people in the UK right now are living with a severe sight loss that impacts on their daily lives?

  4. You could save someone’s life

    Advice and Information -

    Organ donation is when you decide to give an organ to save or transform the life of someone else. You can donate some organs while you are alive, and this is called living organ donation.

  5. Don’t miss out on your Covid Booster this Autumn

    News -

    The booster programme for Covid is now underway. Have you had yours?

  6. Your ambulance stories need to be heard

    News -

    Have you been picked up by an ambulance recently, or treated by a paramedic? We need to hear your story.

  7. Last chance to get your views heard about the drug and alcohol service in Kent

    News -

    Do you, or someone you know, have experience of using drug and alcohol services in Kent?

    Kent County Council have published their new five-year Drug and Alcohol Strategy and they need to hear what you think.

  8. Take a moment on World Mental Health Day

    Advice and Information -

    We all have 'mental health', just as we all have 'physical health'. And just like our physical health, we can all have times when our mental health is better than others.

  9. What do you know about ADHD?

    Advice and Information -

    October is ADHD Awareness Month and we’ve got all the info about what ADHD really is.

  10. What is Dyspraxia?

    Advice and Information -

    Dyspraxia is a condition that affects your physical co-ordination.

  11. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK.

    Advice and Information -

    Most women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 50, but younger women and men can also get breast cancer.

  12. Where can I get sexual health advice, now?

    Advice and Information -

    Forgotten your pill or had unprotected sex? Maybe you’re worried about something? Here’s what to do and where to go if you need help urgently.

  13. Do you know what your pituitary gland is?

    Advice and Information -

    Your pituitary gland is about the size of a pea and is situated in the bony hollow, just behind the bridge of your nose.

  14. Helping people who are homeless to see a GP

    News -

    Every day people contact us because they are unable to register with a GP in Kent.

  15. Helping Jane to get a housing review

    News -

    When Jane contacted us, she didn't know what else to do. Her health was getting worse, and she needed a review of her housing.

  16. Testing your knowledge for World Menopause Day

    Advice and Information -

    Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. This usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55.

  17. Do you have osteoporosis?

    Advice and Information -

    Osteoporosis is a health condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break.

  18. Healthwatch Kent comments on the Kirkup Review

    News -

    Today the Government has published the outcome of the Kirkup review following an independent investigation into management and care provided by the maternity and neonatal services at East Kent Hospitals.

  19. Food vouchers for families

    News -

    If you’re entitled to free school meals, then you’ll be delighted to hear that the vouchers have been extended. Not only are vouchers being given out for this October half term but will also cover the next three school holidays.

  20. Transport for children and young people with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities

    News -

    A review of the transport that enables children and young people who have SEND (Special Needs and Disabilities) to attend school has just been published.

  21. Empowering people and communities to look after themselves better

    Report -

    We all know we need to look after ourselves better, but that's not always easy. Read our review of a project that's been helping people in Folkestone & Gravesend to manage their own blood pressure.

  22. Making it easier for you to get your Covid jab

    Advice and Information -

    The NHS are making it as easy as possible to get your latest Covid booster by bringing it close to you.

  23. Lung cancer is one of the most common type of cancer

    Advice and Information -

    Around 47,000 people are diagnosed with the condition in the UK every year.

  24. Covid Bus comes to Sheerness

    News -

    The Covid vaccination bus is coming to Sheerness this week.

  25. World Diabetes Day

    Advice and Information -

    Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.

  26. Did you know that three quarters of all suicides in this country are by men?

    Advice and Information -

    There are more worrying statistics:

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

    News -

    We've been shortlisted for a national award for the work we've done to help the Nepalese community in Folkestone to get online and access health and social care services.

  28. The needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities are not being met in Kent

    News -

    Inspectors from Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission have published a report which states that the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities are not being met.

  29. Cast your vote to decide a new name for the mental wellbeing service

    News -

    Thousands of us use the IAPT service every month to help us deal with anxiety and depression, but few of us actually know what IAPT stands for. You can help to change that.

  30. Taking the opportunity to learn more about AIDS on World Aids Awareness Day

    Advice and Information -

    AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the name used to describe a number of potentially life threatening infections and illnesses that happen when our immune system has been severely damaged by the HIV virus.

  31. All of us will experience grief at some point

    Advice and Information -

    We will all deal with it in our own way, but if your feelings are getting too much, there is support for you.

  32. Bowel cancer is one of the common types of cancer. Get all the facts here

    Advice and Information -

    Bowel cancer is a general term for cancer that begins in your large bowel.

  33. Listening to families of children with disabilities

    Report -

    It's estimated that 6% of people living in Kent are young people who have a disability. Most of them will have experience of using multiple health and social care services.

  34. Evidencing the impact of reducing health inequalities

    Report -

    We know that many many people aren't aware that they may have high blood pressure which could cause a heart attack or a stroke. Read our analysis about a new idea that has been helping people in Medway to mange their own blood pressure.

  35. Strep A advice for families - information from the NHS

    Advice and Information -

    There has been a widely reported increase in group A streptococci bacteria infection, particularly among children. We have the information that you need.

  36. Kent & Medway Public Consultation - Specialised vascular services

    Advice and Information -

    Improving vascular services report

  37. 2 million people live with sight loss. Are you one of them?

    Advice and Information -

    Some people are born blind, but for most people sight loss or blindness can occur later. Around 340,000 people in the UK are registered as being blind or partially sighted.

  38. Dry January. Are you in?

    Advice and Information -

    Are you up for the challenge to go 31 days alcohol-free?!

  39. Why is obesity a problem?

    Advice and Information -

    Obesity is a common health problem in the UK.

  40. Regardless of your IQ, how is your STIQ?

    Advice and Information -

    Sexually transmitted infections (STI), also called STD’s, are a risk for everyone who is sexually active.

  41. Looking after your health during the Cost of Living crisis.

    Advice and Information -

    The continuing cost of living crisis is adversely affecting people's physical and mental wellbeing, with vulnerable people and those on lower incomes hit the hardest.

  42. It’s Time to Talk about Mental Health

    Advice and Information -

    We need to look after both our mental and physical health.

  43. Do you use Children’s Centres, Youth Hubs or the Gateways?

    News -

    What about other buildings owned by Kent County Council such as services for people with learning disabilities or public health services for children and their families?

  44. What support is out there for LGBTQ+ people

    Advice and Information -

    Mental health problems are very common amongst lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) people. We have put together a guide on how you can get the support you need if you are struggling, feel alone or need a little help.

  45. Have you experienced a mental health crisis?

    News -

    Has urgent help become essential to support in the management of your life? If this has meant you have been on Section 136 we would value your thoughts.

  46. Have you or those you know experienced a mental health crisis?

    Advice and Information -

    Across February and March, the NHS are holding Forums attended by a Lead NHS Officer to understand the experience of Crisis services in Kent. These Forums are to guide changes and improvements, with interest in those who have been on Section 136.

  47. How to recognise epilepsy?

    Advice and Information -

    Epilepsy is a common condition that affects the brain and causes frequent seizures.

  48. Are you receiving care in your own home or in the community?

    News -

    Or did you reach pension age before 6th April 2016?

  49. Helping more people get health and care information the way they need it.

    News -

    Healthwatch is committed to ensure healthcare information is clear and understandable to help you make decisions about your health and care and get the most out of services.

  50. Have you heard of NHS Talking Therapies? (Formerly IAPT)

    News -

    Thousands of us use the mental wellbeing service every month to help us deal with anxiety and depression. If you, or someone you know, have used the service, we want to hear your story.