1. Meet the people using their voice to make a difference to care of others

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    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. Healthwatch WS Chair talking on BBC Radio Sussex

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    Frances Russell, Healthwatch West Sussex Chair, is talking on air on BBC Radio Sussex at 7.05am tomorrow (Thursday 29) in response to media headlines over local NHS rationing of services (which ran in West Sussex County Times).

  3. Patients of Fitzalan Medical Group, Littlehampton learn their practice has gone into special measure

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    Fitzalan Medical Group share the disappointing news that today the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has placed their surgeries in Littlehampton into special measures.

  4. Morrisons stores introduce 'Quiet Hour' for people with autism and dementia

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    Morrisons stores have announced they will be having a 'Quiet Hour' every Saturday from 9am-10am. The 'quiet hour' will mean 439 UK stores will dim lights, turn music off, avoid using the tannoy and turn check-out beeps down.

  5. Sir Robert Francis QC confirmed as new Chair of Healthwatch England

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    Sir Robert Francis QC has been appointed today as the new Chair of Healthwatch England, the independent champion for people who use health and social care.

  6. Major transformation programme announced to improve patient care

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    South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) and the 22 Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) that commission ambulance care across the region have welcomed plans for a major programme of work

  7. Public confident in today's NHS but pessimistic about the future, finds Healthwatch England

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    New national polling reveals that most people (61%) are confident that the NHS and care services are able to meet any current health needs they may have.

  8. South East Coast Ambulance Service welcomes improved CQC rating

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    The South East Coast Ambulance Service Trust is pleased to report the Care Quality Commission has recognised a significant number of improvements to the service.

  9. Three Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have legal directions lifted

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    Three CCGs within the Central Sussex and East Surrey Commissioning Alliance have had legal directions related to quality of leadership lifted by NHS England, just ten months after moving to a shared Accountable Officer and Executive Team.

  10. Forging an Alliance to Improve Patient Care

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    Three ambulance services have announced plans to form an alliance to improve efficiency and benefit patient care.

  11. Additional vehicles to respond to lower priority calls

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    Additional vehicles targeted at lower priority calls will begin to respond to patients in the coming weeks following investment by South East Coast Ambulance Service, (SECAmb).

  12. Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust taken out of special measures

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    England’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals has recommended that Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust should be taken out of special measures following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

  13. Closure of The Lawns GP Surgery in Rustington

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    Dr Shlosberg, the GP Partner at The Lawns Surgery in Rustington, has formally informed NHS Coastal West Sussex of his intention to retire this summer and as a result The Lawns Surgery will close on 30 June 2019.

  14. Your local NHS is changing, and it needs your help

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    With growing pressure on the NHS – an ageing population, more people living with long-term conditions, and lifestyle choices affecting people’s health – changes are needed to make sure everybody gets the support they need.

  15. Local resident, Zea, urges people in West Sussex to have their say about changes to the NHS

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    Healthcare in West Sussex will only work if people get to have their say – urges local resident Zea Hudson.

  16. Former Nurse urges people to have their say about changes to the NHS

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    Healthcare in West Sussex will only work if people get to have their say - urges former nurse, Sue.

  17. South East Coast Ambulance Service welcomes improved CQC rating

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    The CQC report (published 15 August 2019) shows the Trust now rated as 'Good' overall in each of the inspection areas.

  18. Update from Dr Emma Woodcock on the Community Health Hub in Midhurst

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    Watch the latest video explaining what's happening at the moment with the Community Health Hub in Midhurst.

  19. Cancer services in Sussex during Covid-19: What this means for you webinar (free).

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    In these challenging times, this is an opportunity for anyone with concerns about cancer services, to access advice from experts. This includes but is not limited to cancer patients and those that care for friends and family with cancer.

  20. Enhanced NHS111 service launches for Kent, Medway & Sussex

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    From today the NHS 111 service in Kent, Medway and Sussex is being enhanced and it can now offer access to a wider range of health care professionals.

  21. Ferring Dental Practice - ceasing NHS Dental Service?

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    Recently, we’ve been hearing from the public that Ferring Dental Practice are no longer offering NHS dental treatment due to funding cuts. We raised this with NHS England to find out more information.

  22. Update on WSHFT/BSUH Merger

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    Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WSHT) and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust (BSUH) are proposing to become one trust in April 2021.

  23. Sussex Flu Vaccination Update

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    GPs and pharmacies are receiving batches of the vaccine during the flu season, and flu vaccination clinics are scheduled to coincide with these deliveries. This does mean some may have to wait longer than they would wish to attend flu clinics.

  24. Share your views on new plans to help make West Sussex a healthy and sustainable place

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    Residents are being asked to share their views on new plans to make West Sussex a more healthy and sustainable place.

  25. New research exploring vaccination confidence provides vital lessons for public health campaigns.

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    Healthwatch England has joined forces with Traverse to explore vaccination confidence among people from African, Bangladeshi, Caribbean and Pakistani backgrounds living in the UK.

  26. Your care, your way – Join Healthwatch’s new campaign

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    Clear, understandable information is important to help you make the right health and care decisions. Join our campaign and have your say on what needs to change.

  27. New integrated health and care system launched on 1 July

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    From the start of July, the way health and care works in Sussex is changing to help give local people what they need to live longer healthier lives.

  28. Improving Lives Together: NHS Sussex's ambition for a healthier future

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    NHS in Sussex sets out strategic and operational priorities.

  29. Healthwatch GP Access Survey 2023

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    Healthwatch in Sussex heard from 851 people across Sussex about their GP access following the COVID crisis. 56% of these people delayed making a GP appointment, even though they needed to do so

  30. NHS Assembly

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    NHS@75 – an invitation to have your say.

  31. NHS Sussex and Healthwatch announce new role

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    NHS Sussex and Healthwatch in Sussex announce a new role supporting our strategy for Improving Lives Together

  32. Cost of living - a barrier to healthcare for the most vulnerable

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    The cost of living is having a detrimental impact on people's decisions about their healthcare. But if you are disabled, on means-tested benefits or aged 18-24, you're more likely to avoid vital health services due to the fear of extra costs.

  33. Primary care complaints are changing

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    From 1 July, primary care complaints function will be changing. Find out what these changes will mean.

  34. Message from Louise Ansari, Chief Executive, Healthwatch England

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    An update from Louise after attending 3 events in London.

  35. MP pushes for legal visiting rights at care homes and hospitals

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    A Labour MP has challenged all parties to give care home residents and hospital patients a legal right to visits from a ‘care supporter’, in the latest stage of campaign that sprung from pandemic restrictions.

  36. GP Patient Survey 2023

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    The latest GP Patient Survey results have been published.

  37. National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2022

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    The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2022 results have been published.

  38. Delays to NHS care: Understanding the impact

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    Healthwatch England has warned that people are currently experiencing multiple cancellations or postponements of care and that this has a has a significant impact on their lives and symptoms, while further increasing health inequalities.

  39. The future of general practice - the Government's response

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    The Health and Social Care Committee (HSCSC) published its report and the government has responded.

  40. Third of people in England lack confidence they can access critical NHS services

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    Healthwatch England new research shows worryingly low public confidence in being able to access NHS services. A third of adults in England lack confidence that they can access timely care, including GP services, mental health support and hospital care.

  41. Adur and Worthing LCN Mental Health Survey

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    Healthwatch West Sussex, Adur and Worthing Local Community Network, Pathfinder and West Sussex MIND are working collaboratively to learn from local people in the Adur and Worthing area what support and services might help you to support you or your families emotional, mental, and physical health.

  42. National suicide strategy sets out plan to cut deaths in at-risk groups

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    The government has published a new national strategy.

  43. CQC publishes results of national hospital inpatient survey

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    Inpatient care has worsened since 2020, according to the latest national experience survey by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

  44. Health risks of damp and mould set out in new government guidance

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    Landlords are being warned of the health risks of damp and mould and told not to blame tenants’ lifestyles, in new cross-government guidance.

  45. Care Quality Commission (CQC) has lowered its rating for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS) ward

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    Following two inspections in June 2023, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has lowered its rating for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS) ward at Chalkhill, from 'Good' to 'Requires Improvement'.

  46. Adur and Worthing LCN Mental Health Survey

    News -

    Healthwatch West Sussex, Adur and Worthing Local Community Network, Pathfinder and West Sussex MIND are working collaboratively to learn from local people in the Adur and Worthing area what support and services might help you to support you or your families emotional, mental, and physical health.

  47. Public Consultation on smoking and vaping

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    The government launched a public consultation to seek views from teenagers and adults on its plans to create a smoke-free generation and curb vaping use by young people.

  48. Healthwatch England's full recommendations from "The public's perspective"

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    As part of Healthwatch Englands report The public’s perspective: The state of health and social care, we have set out recommendations for decision makers across ten key areas.

  49. What we heard: how experiences and stories are making a difference?

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    Healthwatch in Sussex is how we describe joint work carried out by the three Healthwatch teams in Sussex: Brighton and Hove, East and West Sussex.

  50. Healthwatch statement on the police investigation into services at Royal Sussex Hospital (Updated 11.12.23)

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    You can read our statement below