News and reports

Thousands of people tell Healthwatch England their first-hand experiences of care every month. They've looked closely at some issues people told them about in June to help NHS and social care decision-makers improve support.

Please see the PDF below for August Bank Holiday Pharmacy opening times in Sussex.

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.

Healthwatch England's research on GP referrals highlighted the frustration patients experience due to long waits and a lack of support. This latest analysis looks at people’s experience of getting a cancer referral.

The government has published details of plans to support winter workforce and capacity in social care.

NHS Sussex want to improve their heart failure services so that people can access high-quality care across the whole of Sussex. Please give your views via short survey.

New research, published today by Healthwatch England, shows that people are currently facing multiple cancellations or postponements of care which are having a significant impact on their lives and symptoms.

From 29th September 2023, patients will not be able to order repeat prescriptions using the NHS Sussex POD telephone service. Responsibility for repeat prescriptions is being taken over by individual GP practices.

Healthwatch, along with other organisations, were recently invited to attend an Emergency Department (ED) redevelopment stakeholder and engagement session held at the Royal
Sussex County Hospital.

Families are advised to check whether children, teenagers and adults are up to date with their MMR vaccine, particularly before travelling this summer and before attending summer festivals where measles can spread more easily.

National GP patient survey sees a further fall in satisfaction, especially regarding making appointments. Read Healthwatch England's response.

Updated information from NHS Sussex for the upcoming industrial action by junior doctors and consultants.