1. Where to get the right care when services are experiencing high levels of demand.

    Advice and Information -

    Health services are currently experiencing high levels of demand. At the same time staff sickness rates are rising due to COVID-19 cases in the community. On this page you will find information to help you get the care you need

  2. Patients and public need urgent reassurance on NHS winter crisis and recovery

    News -

    Healthwatch England is concerned that coverage in recent days showing the NHS at breaking point will exacerbate already-low public confidence that people can get urgent and emergency care when they need it most.

  3. Access to GP appointments across Sussex – public opinion

    Report -

    This Healthwatch in Sussex report assessed people’s views about accessing GP appointments.

  4. Launch of the Integrated Care Strategy

    News -

    Health and care organisations across Sussex have agreed short and long-term priorities for improvement that will bring about the biggest benefit for local people

  5. Information for public during the ambulance and nursing industrial action

    News -

    Members of the Royal College of Nursing and ambulance workers in Sussex will be striking on 6 and 7 February

  6. An open letter to NHS England to improve the Accessible Information Standard

    News -

    Healthwatch England has written a letter to NHS England to express our disappointment at the lack of progress in reviewing the legally-binding Accessible Information Standard.

  7. The Louisa Martindale Building – Opening in April 2023

    News -

    Patient services will be moving into the new Louisa Martindale Building at the Royal Sussex County Hospital throughout April.

  8. PRESS RELEASE: Healthwatch GP access survey 2023 (15.2.23)

    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.

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

    News -

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

  10. Why does accessible healthcare matter? - Karl's story

    News -

    Clear, understandable information is important to help you make decisions about your healthcare. It is feedback from people like Karl that inspired Healthwatch England to launch the Your Care, Your Way campaign last year.

  11. University Hospital Sussex Trust Membership

    News -

    Support your local hospital and become a trust member for free

  12. Healthwatch - Our focussed work on GP services in Brighton and Hove

    Report -

    We have produced a report summarising the key areas of investigation undertaken by Healthwatch over the last 5 years in respect of GP services> read this below

  13. Junior doctor strike 13-16 March 2023 - ADVICE

    News -

    Advice for patients during the strike by Junior Doctors which is taking place from 7am Monday 13th to 7am Thursday 16th March

  14. NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate

    Advice and Information -

    You may be able to save money by purchasing an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate.

  15. Ovarian & Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

    News -

    March is Ovarian and Prostate Cancer Awareness month.

  16. £48m investment into emergency care

    News -

    Emergency care in Brighton is set for a £48m overhaul, delivering better and more effective care for patients.

  17. Pharmacy opening times: May Bank Holiday 2024

    Advice and Information -

    Pharmacy opening times: Easter Bank Holiday 2023

  18. Update from our CEO, March 2023

    Blog -

    It’s been an extremely busy first month in my new role but certainly not dull.

  19. Changes to NHS prescription charges

    Advice and Information -

    Health Ministers have announced that from April, NHS prescription charges will rise.

  20. PRESS RELEASE: CQC downgrades local NHS Trust

    News -

    CQC downgrades local NHS Trust but care remains “outstanding”

  21. How are rising costs affecting our use of health services?

    News -

    The cost of living crisis is having a detrimental impact on people's decisions about their healthcare. If you're disabled, on means-tested benefits or aged 18-24, you're more likely to avoid vital health services due to the fear of costs.

  22. Where to get help in hot weather

    Advice and Information -

    During hot weather, health services may report on high levels of demand due to an increased number of people seeking medical help because of the heat. Find out where to get help.

  23. Inspection report into special educational needs and disabilities published

    News -

    Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) published an inspection report and say ‘most children and young people’s needs are identified accurately and assessed in a timely and effective way right from the start’.

  24. Healthwatch Brighton and Hove - Annual Report 2023

    News -

    We have published our Annual Report covering the period from April 2022 to March 2023, which highlights our work and achievements over the past year. Read how your stories have helped to deliver change.

  25. NHS Sussex publish "Our Plan for our Population"

    News -

    A long-term improvement plan for health and care across Sussex has been launched on 5th July 2023.

  26. Information for public during the upcoming industrial action, July 2023

    News -

    Information during the upcoming industrial action by junior doctors and consultants

  27. CQC Report WellBN Medical Practice, July 2023

    News -

    Read the latest Care Quality Commission report on WellBN Medical Practice, published July 2023

  28. New report calls for fundamental reform of NHS dental care

    News -

    A new report by MPs into dental care, which draws upon the experiences people have shared with us, has called for urgent reform so more people can access an NHS dentist.

  29. Updated: Information for public during the upcoming industrial action, July 2023

    News -

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

  30. Measles cases are rising in England. Make sure your child is up to date with their MMR vaccinations.

    News -

    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.

  31. The NHS Sussex Prescription Ordering Direct (POD) service is closing

    News -

    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.

  32. PRESS RELEASE: Cancellations of NHS care are having serious impacts for patients 27.7.23

    News -

    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.

  33. £600 million social care winter workforce and capacity boost

    News -

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

  34. Hidden delays for cancer care

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

  36. Pharmacy opening times for August Bank Holiday 2023

    News -

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

  37. Healthwatch England: June's health and care stories

    News -

    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.

  38. Industrial strike action by Junior Doctors - patient advice

    News -

    Junior doctors in Sussex will be taking industrial action from 7am on Friday, 11 August until 7am on Tuesday, 15 August.

  39. Church surgery and School House surgery - latest on plans to relocate

    News -

    Read the latest update on plans to potentially relocate the Allied Medical Practice to the new Preston Barracks development on Lewes Road

  40. What choices are available to you in your NHS care

    Advice and Information -

    The Department for Health and Social Care has updated the NHS Choice Framework.

  41. National Survey of all Care Workers

    News -

    Government has launched its first national survey of all care workers in all care roles in adult social care in England. Share your views today

  42. Advice for patient's during the latest industrial action by doctors, 23.8.23

    News -

    People urged to support the NHS across Sussex during latest consultants’ industrial action

  43. Have your say - Easy Read

    News -

    Download an Easy Read version of our 'Have your say' form.

  44. Help shape the future of ambulance services - join a new patient forum

    News -

    A new patient forum has been created to hear your views about 999 and 111 services

  45. NHS Sussex Survey : Understanding your experiences of Social Prescribing in Sussex

    News -

    NHS Sussex would like to understand the views and experiences of local people who have accessed social prescribing - share your views