1. Supporting Princess Royal Hospital staff to clean-up

    News -

    We were saddened to read, yesterday, of the death of Mr Papworth, in the Times. The inquest into his recorded accidental death noted the poor hygiene and cleanliness at the time of his admission to Princess Royal Hospital.

  2. Clinically Effective Commissioning (CEC) update

    News -

    NHS in Sussex has been working together to review and standardise non-emergency treatments and procedures available to patients across the area.

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

    News -

    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.

  4. GP Surgeries open for longer

    News -

    From 1st October 2018, GP surgeries will now be open for longer.

  5. Healthwatch England's response to the Alternative Social Care Green Paper

    Response -

    Healthwatch England's response to the Local Government Association's (LGA) Alternative Social Care Green Paper highlights the key areas where improvements should be made, including the need for better advice and information.

  6. How will changes to the Minimum Income Guarantee affect you?

    News -

    From April 2019, you may have to pay more contribution towards your Social Care.

  7. Major transformation programme announced to improve patient care

    News -

    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

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

    News -

    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.

  9. Have you had your AAA screening?

    News -

    The Sussex Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme, provided by Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT), is encouraging men aged 65 and over to seriously consider the offer of AAA screening.

  10. South East Coast Ambulance Service welcomes improved CQC rating

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

  12. West Sussex charities work together to hold conference celebrating our local communities

    News -

    Seven local charities that work with people across West Sussex are working together to hold a conference which celebrates our local voluntary and community sector.

  13. Forging an Alliance to Improve Patient Care

    News -

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

  14. Aldingbourne Community Centre Team have their voices heard about WSCC's proposal

    News -

    People raised many concerns and voiced their disapproval of the plan, some with great passion.

  15. Changes to Orthodontic Services in West Sussex

    News -

    Primary Care Commission NHS England - South East has commissioned seven new contracts to deliver services across West Sussex from April 2019.

  16. Public Consultation on the Draft joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy

    News -

    West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board have launched a public consultation on the draft Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy: Start Well, Live Well, Age well, which can be downloaded here.

  17. Additional vehicles to respond to lower priority calls

    News -

    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).

  18. Healthwatch Feedback on Draft Mental Health Strategy

    Response -

    Healthwatch Feedback on the draft Mental Health Strategy for Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

  19. Tribunal ruling confirms the Care Quality Committee (CQC) were right to use its enforcement powers with Sussex Health Care

    News -

    The CQC confirms that the First-tier Tribunal has ruled that the Care Quality Commission was right to use its enforcement powers to protect residents living in 18 care homes in Sussex. 

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

    News -

    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.

  21. Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust Rated as Outstanding

    News -

    England's Chief Inspector of Hospitals has praised staff in Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust for their work which has led to the Trust’s Outstanding rating.

  22. Closure of The Lawns GP Surgery in Rustington

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

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

  25. Lifelong Services - a new service for people requiring social care

    News -

    West Sussex County Council is creating a Lifelong Service for anyone that has a lifelong disability acquired before the age of 25

  26. What should you do if you have urgent but not life-threatening symptoms? Call 111

    Advice and Information -

    If you have urgent but not life-threatening symptoms, dial 111.

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

    News -

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

  28. Launch of the Consent to Treatment for Best Interest Decision Making Toolkit

    News -

    Working together, The Disabilities Trust and Healthwatch West Sussex have created a new tool to support healthcare professionals to protect vulnerable people.

  29. Summary report published by Our Health and Care... Our Future

    Report -

    Recently, we attended a “Our Health and Care Our Future” engagement event where we shared our thoughts, listened and spoke with others about the NHS Long Term Plan.

  30. Tips for GPs on Complaints (Guide)

    Advice and Information -

    A short guide of tips for general practitioners when it comes to patients and complaints.

  31. Parents Information Booklet – Mental Health (Booklet)

    Advice and Information -

    Are you worried or concerned about a young persons mental and emotional wellbeing? A support guide for parents and carers in West Sussex

  32. West Sussex Safeguarding Adults Board

    Advice and Information -

    Safeguarding is protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.

  33. What the NHS Long Term Plan means for you

    Advice and Information -

    The government published the NHS Long Term Plan on 7 January 2019, backed by an extra £20bn a year for the NHS until 2023.

  34. 3 alternatives when you can't get GP appointment

    Advice and Information -

    It’s never great when you can’t get a GP appointment in a moment of need but did you know what you can ask for an evening or weekend appointment – as GP services are now open for longer.

  35. Care homes: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    Choosing a care home can be daunting and it's important to have the right information. Find out more about your rights and how to complain if you are not happy.

  36. Our Annual Report 2018/2019

    Report -

    Download our Annual Report 2018/2019

  37. Making a Difference - Improving how people access their medical records

    Report -

    Patients told us they were worried about requesting their medical records from our local hospitals and struggled to know how to answer some of the questions being asked. Here's how we made a difference...

  38. Volunteers Week 2019

    Blog -

    We have 33 regular volunteers, and many more people who give time to helping to carry out our work. Find out why they volunteer as we celebrate Volunteers Week 2019.

  39. Our Work Plan for 2019-2020

    Report -

    Our work plan details our engagement and priority work and the outcomes it is designed to achieve.

  40. Lizzie's Volunteering Story

    Blog -

    Young people aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow, they can make a real impact today. Here’s Lizzie, one of our young volunteers sharing her volunteering story!

  41. Smiling Matters - Oral Health in Care Homes by CQC

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published the findings of an in-depth review on the state of oral health in care homes across England.

  42. Community Partnerships update - June 2019

    Report -

    We connect Health and Social Care stakeholders and the Community and Voluntary sector in partnerships for the benefit of West Sussex residents.

  43. Community Partnerships: COPD Support Group East Grinstead

    Report -

    Supporting and working with community groups and clubs to promote a deeper understanding of local health and care needs and experiences

  44. Community Partnerships: Midhurst Foodbank Centre

    Report -

    Midhurst Foodbank Centre opened in September 2014 and provides crisis support. We went along to listen to the stories and views that were shared by the local people about their health and social care services.

  45. Spotlight on: Selsey Care Shop

    Report -

    Healthwatch West Sussex has had the opportunity to see how the Selsey Care Shop and its supporting groups provide a fantastic example of a community sharing local resources, volunteers and expertise to support its residents.

  46. Spotlight on: Crawley Kashmiri Woman’s Group

    Report -

    This Group enables Kashmiri women to come together in respectful fellowship, to share ideas and support, through a common heritage.

  47. Spotlight on: Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) Trust

    Report -

    The Multiple System Atrophy Trust is the UK’s leading charity supporting people affected by multiple system atrophy (MSA) – a rare neurological disease with no known cause or cure. We spoke with a support group to hear their stories and experiences.

  48. Spotlight on: Multiple Sclerosis Society

    Report -

    In West Sussex, the MS Society are working with Healthwatch West Sussex to find out more about the experiences of people affected by MS and represent their voices to help influence improvements in Health and Social Care in our County.

  49. Spotlight on: Turning Tides

    Report -

    Turning Tides offes many services are in Worthing but these also stretch out to include Horsham, Littlehampton and Mid Sussex. We captured the health and social care experiences and views from those who attend the groups.