1. How has lockdown affected people's mental health and dignity?

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    New research highlights the challenges faced by health and social care services in England and the importance of feedback for improving care.

  2. 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.

  3. Lack of NHS dental appointments widens health inequalities, warns Healthwatch

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    A new survey of public attitudes to NHS dentistry shows that half of the adults in England find dental charges unfair amid escalating living costs. We have warned decision-makers that NHS dentistry is in desperate need of reform.

  4. Your questions about Non-emergency patient transport put to the provider

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    Healthwatch in Sussex is working with the provider of non-emergency transport services to host a series of patient forums so that your questions can be answered

  5. Have Your Say - West Sussex Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment consultation

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    West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board has now published its draft PNA and is inviting residents and organisations to give their feedback.

  6. 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.

  7. People are being asked to protect themselves and others by wearing a mask in healthcare settings  

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    The NHS in Sussex is calling on people to help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by reintroducing mask wearing in all clinical health services.

  8. Press release: Healthwatch’s response to the CQC report on gastrointestinal surgery at Royal Sussex County Hospital

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    The Care Quality Commission has issued a report following an unannounced visit in August 2022 to inspect upper gastrointestinal services surgery at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

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

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    NHS in Sussex sets out strategic and operational priorities.

  10. 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

  11. People’s Experiences of long COVID in Sussex

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    Long COVID is a legacy of the COVID virus for many people in Sussex, impacting on their day-to-day lives, as well as their physical and mental wellbeing.

  12. NHS Assembly

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    NHS@75 – an invitation to have your say.

  13. CQC downgrades local NHS Trust but care remains “outstanding”

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    On Friday 12th May, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) published its long-awaited report into University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSx).

  14. 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

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

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

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    An update from Louise after attending 3 events in London.

  18. Breast Cancer Screening Survey

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    We want to understand the reasons’ women do not take up the Breast Cancer Screening invitation to influence a positive change.

  19. 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.

  20. GP Patient Survey 2023

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    The latest GP Patient Survey results have been published.

  21. Health and Social Care Committee report on NHS Dentistry

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    The Health and Social Care Committee’s report on NHS Dentistry.

  22. NHS Digital Health Check to be launched next spring

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    This could mean an extra one million checks are undertaken over four years, while at the same time, easing pressure on GPs.

  23. National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2022

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

  24. 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.

  25. 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.

  26. NHS to roll out flu vaccines for children from September

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    Millions of children in England will be offered a flu vaccine from September, as the NHS steps up its life-saving vaccination programme to protect the country against deadly viruses ahead of winter.

  27. Annual NHS Dental Statistics for England

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    New figures published today in the annual report on NHS Dental Statistics for England in 2022-23, show that NHS dentists still see fewer people than pre-pandemic. Read Healthwatch England's response.

  28. 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.

  29. 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.

  30. 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.

  31. 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).

  32. 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.

  33. It’s national Ask Your Pharmacist Week

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    Pharmacies are part of the NHS family and the range of clinical services they provide has expanded significantly in recent years.

  34. 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'.

  35. 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.

  36. 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.

  37. 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.

  38. Sexual Health West Sussex - Winter 2023 newsletter

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    Information on campaigns running over the winter period; alongside sexual health news, local service access and tips and, information to stay healthy over the winter months.

  39. 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.

  40. 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

  41. We’re here for you guides from NHS Sussex

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    A guide to improve access to health services in Crawley to ensure services meet the needs of the local population, now and in the future

  42. Government and unions urged to find resolution to strike action

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    Five organisations representing NHS leaders and patients join forces regarding on-going industrial action in the NHS.

  43. NHS dentistry on the agenda in the House of Commons

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    On Tuesday, 9th January, there was an opposition day debate on dentistry in the House of Commons called by the Labour Party. These are debates which usually do not change laws but allow MPs to raise important issues.

  44. How do you feel about health and care in Sussex?

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    Healthwatch in Sussex would like to hear from you about your experiences of accessing NHS Sussex services.

  45. Healthwatch's role in improving Sussex Non-Emergency Patient Transport receives recognition

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    Patient engagement work carried out by Healthwatch in Sussex was praised at the January Brighton and Hove City Council's Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Discover how patient experiences have helped to positively influence the commissioning of a key local service.

  46. Your feedback improved maternal mental health support

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    Thanks to over 2,500 people who shared their views on the six-week check-up, Healthwatch England have ensured that the NHS prioritises mental health support for new parents.