1. MPs demand inquiry into Coperforma debacle

    News -

    Healthwatch has been at the forefront of efforts to monitor the quality of Sussex's Patient Transport Service and improve the standard of the service after problems experienced with Coperforma.

  2. Ardingly Court Surgery, important practice changes

    News -

    The Ardingly Court GP Practice operates over two sites – the city centre site at Ardingly Street and the Whitehawk site at the Wellsbourne Health Centre.

  3. Consultation on prescription changes ('over the counter' products)

    News -

    NHS England has launched a public consultation on proposals to rein in prescriptions for some ‘over the counter’ products such as dandruff shampoo and drops for tired eyes, in order to free-up funding to expand other treatments for major conditions such as cancer and mental health problems.

  4. Survey for NHS patients and carers or family members

    News -

    A new survey for NHS patients and carers or family members is available.

  5. Insight from the GP review

    News -

    Healthwatch visited 29 surgeries in the city as part of the GP review. At each surgery the Healthwatch team observed the patient-friendliness of the environment paying attention to the comfort of the waiting area, appointment call systems, communication with patients, display of information, general hygiene and toilet facilities.

  6. Patient Transport Services 2018 update

    News -

    In our last newsletter we described the further work that Healthwatch would be undertaking to see how Patient Transport Services were performing. During November and December, our Enter and View representatives returned to the Royal Sussex County Hospital to speak to patients who were using the service.

  7. Young people speak up about health and social care

    News -

    Young Healthwatch Brighton and Hove was created in 2017 in partnership with the YMCA Downslink Project, and operates through their 'Right Here' project. 

  8. GP Practice Changes in Brighton and Hove

    News -

    At the start of 2018, we see yet more changes to GP practices in Brighton and Hove. Unlike some previous changes these seem to herald improvements and increases in capacity, helping GP's take on more patients.

  9. Debating the cost of missed appointments

    News -

    Would you be surprised to learn that there are no national figures on how many people miss GP or NHS appointments? 

  10. Young Healthwatch – what matters to you most

    News -

    Young Healthwatch and the 'Right Here' YMCA Downslink Project took part in a flash consultation with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), to find out what really matters to young people in relation to health and social care.

  11. The latest from the Healthwatch Team

    News -

    Here at Healthwatch we represent the views of the people that use health and social care services in our city. Here is an update on our current projects across a range of services within the sector.

  12. Survey about the future of Brighton General

    News -

    If you use services at Brighton General then we want to hear from you.

  13. Personal Independence Payments and Employment Support Allowance Examining the impact of PIP and ESA assessments on vulnerable people in Brighton and Hove

    News -

    Press release 12.00 Thursday 15th February 2018

  14. Healthwatch Report on PIP/ESA covered by the local press and news

    News -

    Our recent report highlighting the insensitive treatment of vulnerable people in PIP and ESA assessments is covered in local news.

  15. Sign up to free GP online services

    News -

    The service is free and available to everyone who is registered with a GP.

  16. Satisfaction with GP services at record low

    News -

    BBC Report out this week concerning public satisfaction with GP services falling to an all time low.

  17. Healthwatch report is referenced by Caroline Lucas

    News -

    Geoffrey Bowden talks with Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion & Co-leader of the Green Party.

  18. Healthwatch GP review published

    News -

    Healthwatch Brighton and Hove’s 2017 GP review is published today.

  19. "Critical incident" declared at Royal Sussex as all beds are full

    News -

    The Royal Sussex Hospital have advised that they are dealing with a "critical incident" meaning the hospital is at capacity (i.e. all of its beds are occupied).

  20. Jacob Bayliss talks about the partnership between Right Here/YMCA and Healthwatch

    News -

    Geoffrey Bowden interviews James Bayliss who works for Young Healthwatch and YMCA talks about the relationships between these organisations and Healthwatch

  21. Important notice for Ardingly Court surgery patients

    News -

    From 1st April the service will operate as two separate practices, Ardingly Court and the Wellsbourne Centre in Whitehawk.

  22. Focus on women's health - All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women's Health

    News -

    In March, our Board Chair, Fran McCabe attended the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women’s Health Conference at the House of Commons.

  23. Number of GPs serving Brighton & Hove patients continues to fall

    News -

    Healthwatch has monitored with concern the falling number of GPs in Brighton and Hove in recent years.

  24. Spotlight on Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships

    News -

    Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STP) have been established all over England.  They involve the NHS and local councils developing and implementing shared proposals to improve health and care.

  25. Reporting to the Health Scrutiny Committee - Patient Transport Services

    News -

    Our recent report on the Patient Transport Services was submitted to the council's Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee

  26. Consultation on Domestic Violence and Abuse

    News -

    Brighton & Hove and East Sussex are developing a joint strategy to create an enhanced and coordinated response to various aspects of abuse.

  27. Benefits assessments - are they meeting the needs of local people?

    News -

    “Vulnerable adults badly let down by benefits assessments" - 0ur in-depth report highlights how local benefits assessments fail to meet the needs of local people.

  28. Patient-led reviews of local hospitals - find out more about our annual hospital appraisals

    News -

    In March and April, hospitals in our city will undergo an independent review. These reviews are called Patient Led Assessments of the Care Environment, or PLACE.

  29. The latest news and updates from the Healthwatch team

    News -

    The Healthwatch team have had a busy time over the first few months of 2018. As Spring approaches, staff have been bringing together new reports, sharing results and recommendations from large-scale projects and embarking on new programmes.

  30. NHS England publishes guidance on over-the-counter medicines

    News -

    NHS England has published final guidance for Clinical Commissioning Groups on the prescribing of over the counter medicines.

  31. Diabetes consultation and online survey

    News -

    The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP) is helping people at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes become healthier and avoid the condition.

  32. 1 in 5 young people in Brighton and Hove report self harming

    News -

    Public Health Brighton and Hove have published a needs assessment on Self harm.

  33. Check NHS cancer, A&E and operations targets in your area

    News -

    The BBC has launched its NHS Tracker project.

  34. Launch of Sussex Patient Transport Service review report

    News -

    Non-emergency Patient Transport Services (PTS) across Sussex continue to improve according to independent watchdog, Healthwatch.

  35. Have your say on creation of Brighton General Community Health Hub

    News -

    Have your say in how Brighton General Community Health Hub is created at the site of Brighton General Hospital on Elm Grove.

  36. How would online GP consultations work for you? Share your thoughts with NHS England

    News -

    How effective would online GP consultations be for you?

  37. Ageing well in LGBTQ communities

    News -

    A new report from MindOut on the mental health challenges faced by older LGBTQ communities.

  38. Why do people with Learning Disabilities have short life expectancy?

    News -

    Information on the Learning Disability Mortality Review (LeDeR) programme.

  39. MindOut Report: Ageing well in LGBTQ communities

    News -

    MindOut recently launched its latest report into the mental health of LGBTQ communities, focussing on ageing.

  40. Sussex Elder Abuse Recovery Service

    News -

    The Sussex Elder Abuse Recovery Service helps those affected by elder abuse or scams.

  41. Trans community report worse experience of primary care in Brighton and Hove

    News -

    Healthwatch surveyed nearly 1500 people across Brighton and Hove in 2017 asking them about their experiences of primary care.

  42. Latest News on NHS finances

    News -

    The NHS nationally is facing significant challenges as it tries to meet an increasing demand on services with restricted finances and resources.

  43. Patients still fast track to A&E

    News -

    Healthwatch found that despite publicity about alternative services, patients still choose to visit A&E directly without first consulting alternatives.

  44. Disabled people report positive experience of primary care in Brighton and Hove

    News -

    Healthwatch surveyed nearly 1500 people across Brighton and Hove in 2017 asking them about their experiences of primary care.

  45. Worried about County Lines exploitation of young people?

    News -

    Worried about County Lines gang exploitation of young people?

  46. Number of patients per GP continues to rise in Brighton and Hove

    News -

    NHS Digital figures for March 2018 show a decline in the number of GPs and an increase in the number of patients registered in the city.

  47. Service to support older people victims of abuse or scams

    News -

    Do you know of an older person who has been victim of elder abuse or a scam?

  48. Interview with Imelda Redmond, Healthwatch England Director

    News -

    Watch Geoffrey Bowden interview Imelda Redmond, who is the Director of Healthwatch England about what Healthwatch England does and the role in plays in Health and Social Care on the Vote

  49. The latest financial update from the local NHS

    News -

    The NHS Central Sussex Commission Alliance - which Brighton & Hove CCG is a part of - have released information on their current financial situation and how they plan to deal with it.

  50. The latest financial update from the local NHS

    News -

    The NHS Central Sussex Commission Alliance – which Brighton & Hove CCG is a part of – have released information on their current financial situation and how they plan to deal with it.