1. Tackling COVID communication challenges

    News -

    Healthwatch, together with other organisations, are taking part in ambulance trust-led discussions looking at how to overcome the communication challenges staff, patients, their family and friends and carers face because of wearing PPE.

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

    News -

    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.

  3. Case Study: The Olive Tree

    Report -

    This is an independent case study showing an example of The Olive Tree’s story of adapting during the COVID crisis and what the future holds.

  4. Case Study: Cancer United

    Report -

    This is an independent case study showing an example of Cancer United’s story of adapting during the COVID crisis and what the future holds.

  5. Case Study: Friends of Chichester Hospitals

    Report -

    This is an independent case study showing an example of Friends of Chichester Hospitals story of adapting during the COVID crisis and what the future holds.

  6. Case Study: Community Transport Sussex

    Report -

    This is an independent case study showing an example of Community Transport Sussex’s story of adapting during the COVID crisis and what the future holds.

  7. Update on WSHFT/BSUH Merger

    News -

    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.

  8. A day in the life of a patient at St. Richard's, Chichester

    Report -

    A case study showing a day in the life of a patient at St Richard's Hospital, Chichester.

  9. Improve hospital discharge now before winter to manage second peak of Covid-19, warn Red Cross and Healthwatch England

    News -

    Patients felt unready to leave hospital and missed out on vital follow-up visits and assessments according to new Healthwatch and British Red Cross research into hospital discharge arrangements during the first five months of the coronavirus pandemic

  10. Case Study - Hospital Communication and Discharge during COVID

    Report -

    This is Stanley and Barbara's story of their experience of hospital communication and discharge.

  11. Over 55s least likely to think care has improved over the pandemic

    News -

    We are calling on people over 55 to share their experiences to help improve support after research indicates that they are the least likely to believe care has improved during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  12. Updates on the COVID-19 vaccination programme in West Sussex

    News -

    Take a look at what you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccination programme, including how you will know when it's your turn, where to go, and why it's important.

  13. Think you need to go to A&E? Call NHS 111 first

    Advice and Information -

    The NHS is providing a new and more convenient way for you to access urgent care. Find out what this means for you and your loved ones.

  14. Healthwatch in Sussex reports on Patient Transport Services (2020)

    Report -

    Healthwatch in Sussex has published a series of reports which indicate high levels of satisfaction amongst people who have used Non-Emergency Transport Services, but which sets out how they could and should be improved.

  15. Understanding why Maternity services have changed in West Sussex - 12 January

    News -

    Update explaining why maternity services have had to change in West Sussex due to the pandemic.

  16. Heads Up - January 2021

    Blog -

    Keeping you up to date with health and social care news

  17. Cancer Alliance and local charity join forces to raise awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms

    Advice and Information -

    Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance (SSCA) has joined forces with local charity GRACE to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer and encourage women to seek medical help sooner.

  18. COVID-19 Vaccinations: Your views and experiences - Interim Report

    Report -

    An interim report from over 1800 survey responses from our Vaccination Survey from 3-8 March.

  19. #ConfusingComms - Communication tips for restoring planned care

    Report -

    Early public feedback to our #ConfusingComms Campaign allowed us to highlight some good practice and make suggestions, based on experiences people have recently shared.

  20. Video consulting with your NHS

    Advice and Information -

    A quick guide for patients

  21. Share your views on West Sussex Health and Care Vision and Aims

    News -

    Sussex Health and Care Partnership want to develop a health and care vision. Share your views today.

  22. Healthwatch insight highlights pressures on GPs and A&E

    Report -

    Healthwatch in Sussex is today publishing a report that shares its insight on the pressures being faced by local health services across the county.

  23. Understanding patient and family/friend carer experience of rapid COVID-19 hospital discharge

    Report -

    Healthwatch in Sussex help improve the process of being discharged from hospital, and the support you receive at home.

  24. Are you or your loved ones waiting for hospital care? Share your views

    News -

    Millions of people have had their treatment delayed by the pandemic – are you one of them? We want to know if you’re getting the advice, information and support you need while you wait.

  25. What to expect when waiting for care

    Advice and Information -

    Waiting for planned medical care or surgery can be a frustrating time. That’s why it’s so important that while you wait, you get regular, clear and accessible updates so that you can plan your next steps.

  26. Heads Up - September 2021

    Blog -

    Keeping you up to date with health and social care news

  27. People living in the poorest areas waiting longer for hospital treatment

    News -

    The King’s Fund and Healthwatch England jointly call for urgent action to address hospital waiting lists and improve patients’ experience of delays to treatment

  28. Patient Transport Services - how your views are helping to reshape services

    Report -

    A year on from our patient survey on Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services, we take a look at what impact our reports have had.

  29. Heads Up - November 2021

    Blog -

    Keeping you up to date with health and social care news

  30. The Accessible Information Standard – what you can expect from services

    Advice and Information -

    The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide NHS or adult social care. Here’s some key information about the accessible communications you should expect from services.

  31. Please continue to 'Help Us Help You'

    Advice and Information -

    The NHS across West Sussex is experiencing significant demand that is having an impact on all services. Together with our NHS Colleagues, we are asking you to play your part in helping the NHS provide the best possible services during this busy time.

  32. What medical support are you entitled to if you’re new to the UK?

    Advice and Information -

    For new arrivals to the UK it can be confusing where to go if you need medical assistance. Here we outline your rights as a refugee, where you can access emergency help and how to register for a GP.

  33. Does the NHS have to provide an interpreter?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you know about your rights to language support in NHS settings?

  34. Exploring low uptake of bowel screening by men in Rural West Sussex

    Blog -

    Find out how you can help us to find out what issues are preventing men from completing the bowel screening request.

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

    News -

    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

  36. Championing what matters to you - Our Annual Report 2021-22

    Report -

    Our Annual Report, 'Championing what matters to you' highlights our work and what we've achieved in 2021-22, and our future priorities.

  37. Living with Back Pain - Understanding Shared Decision-Making

    Report -

    Earlier this year, residents in Sussex told us about their experiences of living with back pain, and how their shared decision-making process could be improved. Read our report here.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

  40. Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery Plan

    Advice and Information -

    What to look out for

  41. Healthwatch GP Access Survey 2023

    News -

    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

  42. Are you interested in helping the NHS to improve the Outpatient experience?

    Advice and Information -

    Join the Sussex Outpatient transformation team and other local people to help transform the Outpatient experience.

  43. Head's Up - March 2023

    Blog -

    Keeping you up to date with health and social care news

  44. Head's Up - April 2023

    Blog -

    Keeping you up to date with health and social care news

  45. NHS Assembly

    News -

    NHS@75 – an invitation to have your say.