News and reports

Healthwatch Kent and Medway are proud to present our new joint podcast!

Have a listen and we hope it inspires you to start thinking about which impactful projects and inspiring individuals you would like to nominate for the Kent & Medway Healthwatch Recognition Awards 2025.

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.

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

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.

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.

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. 

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

Healthwatch has adopted a more structured approach to help those most affected by differences in the provision of and access to health and social care.

In June we released out Annual report, which you can download at the bottom of this page. It shows the various ways Healthwatch continues its efforts to ensure the public experience is heard.

Healthwatch Medway work to improve the experience of being a Medway resident regarding social needs, health and wellbeing.

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.

Our volunteers are our lifeblood. They help us with every aspect of Healthwatch from making decisions about our priorities, listening to patients and ensuring peoples' voices are heard.