1. Vision really matters

    Advice and Information -

    Did you know?

  2. 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.

  3. A new service for people with learning difficulties and autism in Medway

    News -

    Medway Maritime Hospital are now offering people with autism or learning difficulties the option of having a general anaesthetic for procedures that would normally be done under a local anaesthetic.

  4. Listening to people's thoughts about a new Mental Health Assessment & Counselling service for Medway

    Report -

    Conversations are taking place about a possible new mental health and counselling service in Medway, The proposal would see a new service in place within Medway Hospital to support people who arrive with mental health issues.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. What is Dyspraxia?

    Advice and Information -

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

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. Do you have osteoporosis?

    Advice and Information -

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

  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. What is high cholesterol?

    Advice and Information -

    It’s a word we hear about all the time, but do you actually know what it is and why it’s important?

  13. What is high cholesterol?

    Advice and Information -

    It’s a word we hear about all the time, but do you actually know what it is and why it’s important?

  14. 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.

  15. Tell us your story about using children's services in Medway

    News -

    We need to hear about your experience of Children's services in Medway. Your story will help us to improve it for you, and people like you.

  16. 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.

  17. Covid Bus comes to Sheerness

    News -

    The Covid vaccination bus is coming to Sheerness this week.

  18. World Diabetes Day

    Advice and Information -

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

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

    Advice and Information -

    There are more worrying statistics:

  20. Do you run a charity or voluntary group in Medway?

    News -

    Medway Voluntary Action are calling for your feedback about how the cost of living is affecting your charity or voluntary organisation

  21. New ward at Sheppey Community Hospital for frail patients

    News -

    A specialist frailty ward will soon be opening at Sheppey Community Hospital.

  22. 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.

  23. 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.

  24. 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.

  25. 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.

  26. Christmas support for those in Medway- Helplines included

    Advice and Information -

    The year coming to a close, for some means an opportunity to celebrate and be grateful in good company. For others, the fall in temperature and rise in cost of living means rather than exchanging gifts, they are in need of significant help.

  27. Kent & Medway Public Consultation - Specialised vascular services

    Advice and Information -

    Improving vascular services report

  28. 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.

  29. Dry January. Are you in?

    Advice and Information -

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

  30. Why is obesity a problem?

    Advice and Information -

    Obesity is a common health problem in the UK.

  31. 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.

  32. 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.

  33. It’s Time to Talk about Mental Health

    Advice and Information -

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

  34. 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.

  35. 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.

  36. 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.

  37. How to recognise epilepsy?

    Advice and Information -

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

  38. 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.

  39. 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.

  40. 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.

  41. Have you used community navigators or social prescribers recently?

    News -

    Thousands of you across Kent & Medway have been supported by social prescribers or community navigators.

  42. How do I know if I have an eating disorder?

    Advice and Information -

    If you or people around you are worried that you have an unhealthy relationship with food, you could have an eating disorder.

  43. Is your work is affecting your health? Maybe it’s time to do something about it?

    Advice and Information -

    We all know that a work life balance is hard to achieve. But sometimes we need to take a moment to step back and consider what we can do to help ourselves.

  44. How to recognise abuse and neglect

    Page -

    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.

  45. Celebrating excellence at the Healthwatch Recognition Awards

    News -

    32 people and organisations were winners last night at the prestigious Healthwatch Recognition Awards last night.

  46. Covid-19 spring booster vaccinations

    News -

    More than a million people will be eligible for a spring Covid-19 jab in the south east, as the NHS begins to roll out the next phase of the vaccination programme.

  47. Steering Group minutes

    Report -

    How do we make our decisions?

  48. Support during pregnancy and when caring for those under 5 years old

    News -

    The theme this month is about support during pregnancy and when caring for those under 5years old which you can download at the bottom of the page.

  49. Heroic individuals and organisations working within our Mental Health Community

    News -

    At the end of last month, organised by both Healthwatch Kent & Healthwatch Medway, 200 guests came together to celebrate the best in health & social care.

  50. Getting NHS Dental care

    Advice and Information -

    What is available on the NHS? What do you have to pay for? How much is it going to cost? These are some of the questions you have asked that we can answer.