1. Government: Stay-At-Home National Lockdown 2021

    News -

    National lockdown: Stay at Home. Coronavirus cases are rising rapidly across the country. You must stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

  2. COVID vaccine myth busting with Dr Raj

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    We hosted a Covid-19 vaccination myth buster presentation to sort the fact from the fiction.

  3. COVID-19 vaccines rolled out to people aged 70 years and over from today

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    People aged 70 and over and the clinically extremely vulnerable to begin receiving invitations for vaccinations from today.

  4. Why has the Government changed the covid vaccination schedule?

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    We have received a number of questions around the re-scheduling of the second dose of covid vaccination. Please read and share the important information below:

  5. Every Mind Matters

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    NHS launches a new campaign and website focused on mental health and wellbeing called "Every Mind Matters"

  6. Call for people aged 70 and over to contact NHS for a COVID jab

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    People aged 70 and over who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID and who would like to be are today being asked to contact the NHS to arrange a jab.

  7. Ageing Well Talks

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    A series of talks to explore how important it is, over our lifespan, to maintain well-balanced nutrition and hydration as well as regular physical and social activity in the older age, also known as the 'Five Pillars of Ageing Well'.

  8. National Roadmap to gradually ease the country out of the covid pandemic

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    The Government sets out a National Roadmap to gradually ease the country out of the covid pandemic

  9. Keeping Well For Key Workers

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    The NHS in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes launch a free and confidential psychological support service for Key Workers

  10. NHS Prescription charge rises to £9.35 from 1st April 2021

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    In England, the NHS prescription charge will increase from £9.15 to £9.35 per prescription item from 1st April 2021.

  11. Journey across all of MK for £3.50 or less!

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    Want to book a ride straight from your phone, get picked up in minutes, and get dropped off steps from your destination?

  12. Children are being asked to share their hopes for a post-Covid.

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    Children are being asked to share their hopes for a post-Covid world in the Big Ask survey. 

  13. Women's Health and wellbeing: have your say on how services can be improved.

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    The Government want to hear views on how women's health and wellbeing in England can be improved. Your response will help to shape the Government's strategy on women's health.

  14. Mental Health Awareness Week 2021

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    For so many of us, the last year has been tough on our mental health. We know that many people have struggled, and the impact of COVID has affected how people can access the support they need.

  15. Cancer Education UK launches petition to tackle inequalities in healthcare

    News -

    Cancer Education UK have today launched their campaign to petition for other types of skin coloured prosthetics to be readily available to ethnic minorities

  16. Campaign for cancer prosthetics for ethnic minorities

    News -

    Cancer Education UK today launch their campaign for the NHS to increase funding for breast and other prosthetics following cancer treatment, in a range of skin tones.

  17. More GP appointments to be offered face-to-face to those who need it

    News -

    NHS England has issued new guidance to GP practices across the country on facilitating more face-to-face appointments for patients.

  18. New research exploring vaccination confidence provides vital lessons for public health campaigns

    News -

    Healthwatch England has joined forces with Traverse to explore vaccination confidence among people from African, Bangladeshi, Caribbean and Pakistani backgrounds living in the UK.

  19. Read the latest e-alert from the Healthwatch Milton Keynes team

    News -

    Check out HWMK's latest e-alert for fortnightly updates on health and care.

  20. Focus on NHS Admin is needed to improve people’s experiences of care

    News -

    In partnership with Healthwatch England and National Voices, new findings from The King's Fund highlight the critical role of administration in how people experience care.

  21. Locked out: Digitally excluded people’s experiences of remote GP appointments

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    The move to more digitally-led healthcare has worked well for some but excluded others over the past year. Our report explores how people have been excluded and what needs to happen to get the care they need.

  22. COVID-19 vaccine round-up: access, attitudes and experiences

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    Thousands of people shared their experiences of the COVID-19 vaccine. Find out what you told us and how we made sure your views were heard.

  23. How can we manage hospital waiting lists caused by the pandemic?

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    NHS services across the UK have faced unprecedented pressures due to COVID.

  24. Read the latest e-alert from the HWMK team

    News -

    Our latest e-alert contains all the latest Healthwatch Milton Keynes news, and information about local and national health and social care related issues.

  25. NHS patients, staff and visitors must continue to wear face coverings in healthcare settings

    News -

    Restrictions are lifting today, but if you're accessing or visiting healthcare settings across MK, or the rest of the UK, you must continue to wear a face covering and follow social distancing rules.

  26. Change to COVID restrictions across England

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    From 19 July, restrictions are easing in England but some recommendations will stay as COVID cases are still rising.

  27. Holistic welfare checks part of updated hospital discharge guidance

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    The Government has recently updated national hospital discharge guidance, taking on board key recommendations from Healthwatch England. Take a look at what the improvements mean for you.

  28. Q&A session highlights from our AGM

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    Q&A session highlights from our AGM on 21 July 2021.

  29. 16 - 17 year olds will be offered the Pfizer vaccine

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    The Government announced yesterday that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be offered to all 16 and 17 year olds.

  30. Bronchiolitis – keeping your baby well this Autumn/Winter

    News -

    Milton Keynes University Hospital is launching a campaign to help parents to keep their babies well by minimising the risks of bronchiolitis and helping them to give the most appropriate care to their little ones.

  31. Your views helped improve non-emergency patient transport services

    News -

    NHS England has published a new report outlining changes to non-emergency patient transport services (NEPTS) and broader NHS transport support. Take a look at what the changes mean for you and your loved ones.

  32. Vaccine boosters for people with severely weakened immune system

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    New COVID vaccination guidance has been outlined for anyone who has a severely weakened immune system.

  33. Are you or your loved one waiting for hospital care? Tell us your story.

    News -

    Millions of people have had their treatment delayed by the pandemic – are you one of them? We want to know if you’re getting the advice, information and support you need while you wait.

  34. New patient info leaflets for NHS services in Milton Keynes

    News -

    Want to understand more about the NHS services available to you in Milton Keynes? These two patient information leaflets are a great place to start.

  35. Blood test equipment: how the shortage may affect you

    News -

    There is currently a global shortage of vials used for blood tests - and the NHS in England and Wales is advising of disruption to blood testing.

  36. Have you taken part in MK's More Life weight management programme?

    News -

    If you have, then More-Life and the Open University would like to hear your feedback.

  37. COVID booster programme begins

    News -

    The COVID vaccine booster programme roll out has begun in MK and across the UK, so if you're eligible you'll be hearing from the NHS soon.

  38. COVID vaccines for 12-15 year olds: how it works

    News -

    This autumn all children aged 12 to 15 years are being offered the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.

  39. Children and young people: what to expect from your healthcare

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    When babies, children and young people access healthcare, it is important that their experience is as positive as possible.

  40. People living in the poorest areas waiting longer for hospital treatment

    News -

    The King’s Fund and Healthwatch England jointly call for urgent action to address hospital waiting lists and improve patients’ experience of delays to treatment.

  41. Have your say on IVF options and gluten-free prescribing in Milton Keynes

    News -

    Our local clinical commissioning group (CCG) have merged with those in Luton and Bedfordshire. This will mean changes to some services.

  42. Have your say on the new Community Diagnostic Centre in MK

    News -

    A new community diagnostic centre is launching in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes. You can help transform the way the NHS delivers life-saving tests by sharing your views

  43. Have your say on Musculoskeletal (MSK) services in Milton Keynes

    News -

    Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning group (BLMK CCG) is inviting people to join a patient focus group to review Musculoskeletal (MSK) services.

  44. Waiting lists are inevitable. It's how we manage them that matters.

    News -

    A record-breaking 5.7 million people are waiting for hospital care. In response, the Government is spending an extra £5.9 billion to tackle the problem. Latest Healthwatch research looks at how the backlog is impacting the lives of those waiting.

  45. Support for children after sexual harm: SASH

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    SASH provides specialist support that's tailored to the needs of children and young people living in Milton Keynes.

  46. Bringing radiotherapy closer to home

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    Every two minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer and radiotherapy is often a key treatment for many patients.

  47. What do you think of pharmacy services in MK?

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    Milton Keynes Council wants to hear what you think of our local pharmacy services.

  48. Young Minds 13-25: what needs to change?

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    We know that our young people are struggling right now, and something needs to change.

  49. Changes to social care: what does it mean for me?

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    Find out what's in the Government's new social care plan and what it means for future care.