1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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?

  8. 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.

  9. 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).

  10. Healthwatch Medway comments on the suspension of GP surgeries and the Dermatology service run by DMC Healthcare

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission has announced today that three GP surgeries in Medway, which were run by DMC Healthwatch, are suspended following an inspection last week.

  11. Update on St Werburgh Medical Practice

    News -

    Following the closure of St Werburgh Medical Practice and its branch surgeries at Stoke Village Hall and Balmoral Gardens Healthy Living Centre last week, the CCG has today announced a temporary solution for patients.

  12. More changes to GP surgeries

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission has enforced immediate changes to the GP services at St Mary’s Island Surgery, The Sunlight Centre, Green Suite at Balmoral Healthy Living Centre, & Twydall Branch Surgery, at the Pentagon Centre following an inspection.

  13. How helpful has your GP website been during Covid?

    Report -

    During Covid, we've heard from hundreds of people about how they have been coping. Many people have talked to us about the difficulties they've had to see their GP with many surgeries offering telephone or online appointments.

  14. Have your say about 5 GP surgeries in Medway

    News -

    Patients at five GP surgeries in Medway are being asked to let decision makers know what is important to them.

  15. When will I be vaccinated?

    News -

    The last few days have brought great hope to us all as we've watched the first Medway residents get vaccinated against Coronavirus.

  16. Covid has completely changed my life

    News -

    This week, we're talking with a number of people who have had Covid. They've been telling us how Covid is still affecting them more than three months later.

  17. Our feedback contributes to a national conversation about GPs

    News -

    This week, a national report has been published documenting the struggles that thousands of people have faced trying to get a GP appointment during the pandemic. The report features our work on the lack of support available on GP websites in Medway.

  18. Decision made for five GP surgeries in Medway

    News -

    Five GP surgeries in Medway have had permanent contracts awarded so they can continue to provide services for their communities.

  19. Helping people to get the treatment that they need

    News -

    Every day people contact us seeking information and help to know what to do next. This month we helped people to get the eye injections that they needed.

  20. Helping Bill to get registered with a GP

    News -

    Every day people contact us because they can't register with a GP surgery. This month we helped Bill to get registered.

  21. What people have told us about general practice

    Report -

    This report presents the feedback received from people via Healthwatch Kent, Healthwatch Medway and Kent and Medway Voice about their experiences of general practice from November 2022 to April 2023.

  22. Primary care work

    News -

    In May, Healthwatch England shared their initial response to the Government's Primary Care recovery plan and what it would mean for you and your loved ones.

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

    Advice and Information -

    People with stammers face a variety of challenges in accessing healthcare services. In the UK a survey showed 1.8% of people have stammer.

  24. 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.

  25. We hope you like our new look!

    News -

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

  26. How do I make a complaint about the NHS?

    Advice and Information -

    The NHS complaints process was paused during the Coronavirus pandemic, but from today NHS England has advised NHS hospitals and services that unless there are exceptional circumstances, their complaints processes must restart.

  27. Have Your Say

    Advice and Information -

    Let us know your feedback for health and social care services, either as a Kent or Medway resident.