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. Would you rather be treated by a fallible human or a compassionless robot? Healthwatch explores people's views on the NHS at 80 and beyond

    News -

    In the 70th much celebrated year of the NHS, Healthwatch is turning its attention to the future, asking the public some big questions about what they want health and care in England to look like.

  3. 3 alternatives to getting a GP appointment

    Advice and Information -

    It’s never great when you can’t get a GP appointment in a moment of need. So in aid of Self Care Week, we are sharing 3 GP appointment alternatives you could use when you’re stuck in an urgent situation – without making an unnecessary visit to A&E.

  4. Public confident in today's NHS but pessimistic about the future

    News -

    The 70th birthday celebrations that took place earlier in the year are just the latest in a long line of examples illustrating the pride we take as a country in our NHS.

  5. NHS not tracking why an increasing number of people are going back into hospital after having been discharged

    News -

    Hundreds of thousands of people are having to go back into hospital within 30 days of being discharged, but a lack of data means the NHS is not analysing the reasons why.

  6. Changes to hospital services in East Kent which may affect you

    News -

    You may already have heard about some potential changes to health services in East Kent. Believe it or not, it could affect you too.

  7. A Better Medway: Easier ways to be healthy

    Advice and Information -

    Find out how to make healthier life choices for you, your friends and family.

  8. Medway Voluntary Action: How to find local support services

    Advice and Information -

    Find out information on local services and what is available to you through this free information and signposting hub.

  9. What people have told Healthwatch about mental health

    Report -

    For the past three years, mental health has been the number one health and social care issue for the Healthwatch network. Take a look to see what people have told Healthwatch about their experiences.

  10. Equipment Amnesty......get rid of all that clutter!

    News -

    Do you have old equipment at home that you no longer need? Don't know where to return it to?

  11. We hope you like our new look!

    News -

    We've set up a new freephone Helpline so do contact us with all your experiences

  12. What people told us about Canada House, Medway

    Report -

    We hear from people all over Medway about community mental health services. Although some of it is positive, the majority are negative stories from people and their Carers. Take a look to see what people have told us about their experiences.

  13. Do you struggle to get an appointment with your GP?

    News -

    In the news this weekend, we heard new figures showing that many people struggle to get an appointment with their GP.

  14. Decision meeting about Kent & Medway Stroke services

    News -

    On February 14th, the Joint Committee of all 8 Clincial Commissioning Groups will meet in public to make a final decision about stroke services.

  15. 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. It was an opportunity to raise the real life concerns of Medway residents with MPs.

  16. New support group for substance mis-use

    Advice and Information -

    Do you know anyone worried about their use of or abuse of over the counter (OTC) pharmacy medicines?

  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. Do you use a wheelchair?

    News -

    We've heard from lots of people about wheelchair services in Medway.
    Do you have a story to share with us?

  19. Calling all young people : make your voice heard

    News -

    We want to hear what's good, or not so good, about children's and young people's services in Medway and Kent.

  20. Your opinion on Medway Integrated Community Equipment matters

    News -

    THIS SURVEY HAS NOW CLOSED

    Medway Council, in partnership with Medway Clinical Commissioning Group, will be putting the current contract out for tender and would like your opinion on what works and what requires improvement.

  21. Spotlight on Young Carers

    Report -

    We've recently spent time listening to the experiences of young carers in Medway.
    This report shares the feedback that they told us.

  22. Spotlight on community equipment

    Report -

    We proactively gathered feedback about peoples' experience of using the community equipment service in Medway.

  23. Annual Report January/March 2021

    Report -

    Welcome to our annual report for January 2020 to March 2021

  24. Why it’s important to review the care of people with dementia

    Report -

    Read Healthwatch England's latest research to find out if people with dementia are getting the support they need.

  25. Making your voice heard : Community mental health

    News -

    Between January and March this year, we spoke to 46 patients and 2 carers during our visit to Canada House in Gillingham.

  26. Giving you the chance to share your thoughts

    News -

    Your voice is important to make sure care in Medway is the best it can be. But, if you don't know where it is going or how it can make a difference it can put you off. So here is how we do it with Medway Maritime Hospital

  27. Spotlight on Maternity Services in Medway

    Report -

    In May 2019, we spoke to 38 people in the antenatal unit about their
    experience.

  28. Where is the support?

    News -

    Getting for a diagnosis can be long so when you get it you want support soon. Hear Sandra's experience getting help with her son and what happened when she spoke to our helpline.

  29. Healthwatch Medway comments on the CQC rating of South East Coast Ambulance Service

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission has announced today that the ambulance service, which serves Medway, has been rated as ‘Good’ and the Trust will now exit Special Measures.

  30. Help turn the national NHS plan into a Kent & Medway vision

    News -

    You’ve probably heard about the NHS Long Term Plan in the news. The Long Term Plan is a national vision for our health services over the next 10 years.

  31. Children and young people give her their feedback

    Report -


    Children and young people from across Medway have been sharing their stories with us about their experiences of health and social care services.

  32. Talking with PPG groups

    News -

    This week, we took part in a conference to bring together all the Patient Participation Groups across Kent.

  33. Mental health: Tips for starting the conversation

    Advice and Information -

    When talking about mental health, one of the biggest obstacles is opening the conversation. So here are some tips you can use when a friend, family member or colleague might be struggling with their mental health.

  34. A new support group for younger stroke survivors

    Advice and Information -

    The UK Charity, Different Strokes have started a new group in Chatham for stroke survivors under 65. Are you interested?

  35. What are you doing on Social Prescribing Day?

    News -

    The RBLI are hosting a social prescribing event together with over 35 local service providers coming together to offer practical support for your heath and wellbeing.

  36. Mental health and the journey to parenthood: Zoe's story

    Blog -

    After a traumatic birth, Zoe struggled to get the support she needed to prepare for the arrival of her second baby. She shares her story about the impact this had on her mental health, and how she’d like things to be different for other mums.

  37. Hearing from people with Learning Difficulties

    News -

    Everyone's experience of local care should be heard, but that can be hard for people who don't always have the chance to talk up. That's why we joined other organisations at One Voice's event in Medway.

  38. What do you think of care homes in Medway?

    News -

    We want to hear your thoughts on Care Homes in Medway while we visit 24 care homes across Medway.

  39. Calling all Parkinson's patients

    News -

    Have you recently been in hospital? Did you receive your Parkinson's medication at the right time? We really want to hear your story.

  40. What are AHPs and what do they do?

    Advice and Information -

    Allied health professionals (AHPs) are one of the largest workforces in the NHS, but do you know who they are?

  41. State of the Nation by the Care Quality Commission

    News -

    Today the Care Quality Commission have published their State of the Nation report which is their annual assessment of health and social care services across the country.

  42. Have you used Outpatients at Medway recently?

    News -

    Was it a good experience? Could it be improved? Your story could make the service better for you in the future.

  43. Safeguarding: How to recognise abuse and neglect

    Advice and Information -

    There are different kinds of abuse and it can happen anywhere. Abuse occurs when someone exploits another person or treats them in a way that harms or hurts them. It can happen once or on multiple occasions.

  44. Tips to reducing your chance of a stroke

    Advice and Information -

    1 in 4 of us will have a stroke in our lifetime, but most can be prevented with a few changes. Here are some tips to help reduce risk the risk of a stroke.

  45. Have you heard that the Clinical Commissioning Groups are going to merge?

    News -

    Currently in Kent & Medway, we have eight Clinical Commissioning Groups who are responsible for commissioning our health services. From April 1st 2020, GPs have voted for all the CCGs to merge into one single Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

  46. Voice of stroke patients is heard loud and clear

    News -

    Together with the Stroke Association and Healthwatch Kent, we have set up the Stroke Co-Design Group to ensure the voice of patients and carers is clearly heard during the design of our new stroke services in Kent & Medway.

  47. Diabetes: What are the signs?

    Advice and Information -

    Did you know, 1 in 2 people with diabetes are undiagnosed! In aid of World Diabetes Day, here are signs of diabetes you should look out for.

  48. Have you had your say on outpatient services? There is still time!

    News -

    If you, a close friend or a family member you care for has recently used outpatient services at Medway Hospital let them know your thoughts.