1. CQC reports serious concerns monitoring the Mental Health Act

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    The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is highlighting the ongoing impact of historic and current system pressures on mental health services, their staff and the people using them.

  2. What is the MK Deal and what does it mean for you?

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    The MK Deal is a partnership of local health and care organisations, including Healthwatch Milton Keynes and the Integrated Care Partnership, who are coming together to influence and improve services in Milton Keynes.

  3. Cost of living: People are avoiding NHS appointments and prescriptions

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    New data from Healthwatch England shows a worrying increase in the number of people avoiding vital care. We're calling for urgent action from government and health and care services to ensure rising costs are not a barrier to healthcare.

  4. Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) planned for MK in 2023 

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    Residents in Milton Keynes are set to benefit from quicker access to tests, checks and scans as two new CDCs are set to open in our area later this year.

  5. Change is on the way for specialist referrals from your GP

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    ​​​​​​​A new system is in place for when your GP refers you to see any sort of specialist in a community or hospital-based service. 

  6. Kooth, digital wellbeing service in MK, closing from 31 March

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    You may have heard of Kooth, or know someone who is currently using their digital wellbeing support services.

  7. REFLECT: new text messaging service launches for young people in MK

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    Reflect is a new mental health support service specifically for young people across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.

  8. Maple Centre opens at Milton Keynes University Hospital

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    The Maple Centre has opened at Milton Keynes University Hospital. This new facility has been designed to deliver an integrated approach to same-day emergency care.

  9. Junior doctors industrial action

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    Junior doctors in England (including Milton Keynes) will take industrial action beginning with a full 72-hour stoppage of work from today. Continuous strike action – day and night – will begin at 06.59am on Monday 13 March and continue through to 06.59am on Thursday 16 March.

  10. Celebrating ten years of people speaking up to improve health care

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    This anniversary marks 10 years of Healthwatch. To mark this milestone, we're celebrating the contribution that you have made in improving health and care services in Milton Keynes.

  11. New stoma prescription service launches in MK 

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    There's a new prescription service in place for residents of Milton Keynes who currently have a stoma.

  12. If you're pregnant you can now self-refer to start maternity care

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    As soon as you find out you're pregnant, you can now start your antenatal care easily without booking a doctor's appointment.

  13. Improving your journey through health and social care services in MK

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    We're working with the Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership on a project to improve how patients experience moving through different health and care services.

  14. Our priorities for 2023-24

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    Here are our priorities for the people and communities of Milton Keynes for 2023-24.

  15. A long-term plan for the health of Milton Keynes 

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    The Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (ICB) have recently launched their 'long-term plan' which sets out how they intend to run our local health and care system over the next five years. 

  16. Pre-pregnancy health and wellbeing: take part in our survey

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    Are you hoping to get pregnant, or could you have an unplanned pregnancy? We're running an independent survey to help our local NHS and Maternity Voices Partnership MK to understand the needs, challenges and aspirations of local women when it comes to pre-pregnancy health.

  17. Tackling inequality in Milton Keynes: the Denny Review

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    For three years, the Denny Review has investigated health-related inequalities in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK). The final report and recommendations have now been published.

  18. COVID Autumn 2023 boosters are underway: all you need to know

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    Millions of eligible people will now be offered a COVID vaccine from 11 September, in line with the latest expert guidance on the new COVID variant.

  19. NHS to introduce Martha's rule for hospital patients

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    The rule would act as an extra safeguard for patients or their loved ones who want a second opinion about treatment options, particularly in the event of a suspected deterioration or serious concern on the part of a patient on a hospital ward, or their family or carer.

  20. Third of people in England lack confidence they can access critical NHS services

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    New research from Healthwatch England shows worryingly low public confidence in being able to access NHS services. A third of adults in England lack confidence that they can access timely care, including GP services, mental health support and hospital care.

  21. Accessing health and care services when you live alone

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    We explore the three main challenges people face accessing health and care services when they live alone with limited or no support.

  22. The ICB's plan for a healthy community: a BSL explainer video

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    "Supporting the community to live a longer, healthier, life." That's the plan from our NHS Integrated Care Board.

  23. Developing health and care services for Bletchley: your views

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    In August, we supported the Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership with a project to develop health and wellbeing services in ‘neighbourhoods’ across Milton Keynes that help us to live longer, healthier lives.

  24. NHS patients to be offered the chance to travel for treatment

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    NHS patients who have been waiting the longest for treatment will be offered the opportunity to travel to a different hospital, if it means they could be seen sooner.

  25. Fairer, more accessible social housing for residents

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    As a direct result of your feedback, Milton Keynes City Council’s Housing Team have made changes to their policy on Social Housing Allocation.

  26. Integrated Discharge Hub unveiled after our research into experiences of hospital discharge 

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    A new team at Milton Keynes University Hospital that combines professionals across health and social care, will now give residents increased support after a stay in hospital.