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The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have responded to concerns that some care homes are not properly following COVID visiting guidelines.Advice and Information -
With all the different ways to access health services, it can be confusing to know the best place to go - especially right now.News -
Did you know, one in three women and people with a cervix don't attend cervical screening?Advice and Information -
It's natural to feel anxious or worried if you're told you need a colonoscopy, but it's important to have the test if you are referred.Event -
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Government eases social care restrictions after success of booster jab roll out.Advice and Information -
The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide NHS or adult social care. Here’s some key information about the accessible communications you should expect from services.Event -
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Millions of women in the UK go through the menopause each year, with the majority experiencing 'symptoms that can be severe and have a negative impact on everyday life'.Report -
We joined forces with Parents and Carers Alliance MK (PACA MK) to investigate the experiences of families using CAMHS and Mental Health support for children and young people with autism and special educational needs.Advice and Information -
No parent wants to see their child suffer. Like their physical health, our children’s mental health can change over time, and any child or young person can experience mental health difficulties.Event -
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Everyone should be given healthcare information in the way they need it. Clear, understandable information is important to help you make decisions about your health and care and get the most out of services.News -
So you can take part in our campaign Your Care, Your Way, we have created our survey in several alternative formats, including Easy Read.News -
Between September and November 2021, Healthwatch England submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to over 200 National Health Service (NHS) provider trusts to gather details on compliance with the Accessible Information Standard.News -
As part of the Healthwatch 'Your Care, Your Way' campaign, we have set out five headline recommendations to help health and care services ensure that people who have communication needs are given their healthcare information in the way they need it.News -
New research shows that many NHS trusts are not meeting their legal duty to help people with additional communication needs.Report -
All our Board of Trustees minutes are publicly available. Read the minutes from the November 2021 Board of Trustees meeting.Advice and Information -
COVID-19 testing rules have recently changed across England. Find out the latest information on where to go to get tested, which test is most suitable for you, and what to do if you get a positive COVID-19 test result.Page -
Welcome to our members' consultation survey.
Our remit reaches to all aspects of health and social care in Milton Keynes, and it's our duty to represent the views of a diverse population of roughly 270,000 people. That's a big remit for a small organisation! So, it's essential that we focus our efforts on raising the key issues and concerns of our community, as well as aligning some of our work with the priorities of the NHS, Public Health, Social Care and the VCSE. This will ensure that people are involved at the right time when local healthcare services are being designed.News -
Over 75s and those who are clinically vulnerable will be invited to book an additional COVID booster this week, as the NHS launches its spring booster programme.News -
Boots have confirmed that two of their pharmacies in Milton Keynes will be closing permanently.Report -
People with little or no English struggle at all points of their healthcare journey. New Healthwatch research shines a light on barriers and delays to care they often experience and calls for equal access for all.Advice and Information -
For new arrivals to the UK it can be confusing where to go if you need medical assistance. Here we outline your rights as a refugee, where you can access emergency help and how to register for a GP.
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Check for any changes to pharmacy opening times in Milton Keynes over Easter, 15 -18 April.Report -
"So many don’t talk about menopause- they bury their head and suffer in silence": We report on women's experiences of menopause and recommend improvements to services in Milton Keynes.News -
Are you passionate about climate change and the role that health services have in reducing our impact on the environment?News -
The Independent Review of Maternity Services at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, led by Donna Ockenden, was published in late March.Page -
We're looking for someone to join our team as an Outreach and Engagement Officer.Advice and Information -
Health issues unfortunately don't leave us alone at the weekend and people are often in need of medical assistance out of hours. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.Blog -
This week, our CEO Maxine Taffetani, was invited to visit the Patient and Family Engagement team at the Milton Keynes University Hospital, and was excited to see how they've been celebrating Patient Experience Week.Event -
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People in Milton Keynes regularly share with us their frustration at the lack of autism support services, and a need for more knowledge and awareness of the condition amongst health professionals.Report -
When people talk about access to health or care services being a ‘postcode lottery’, they are really describing inequality.News -
A recent survey showed that between 3 April and 3 May 2020, 5.0% of people said that they felt lonely “often” or “always”, with this increasing to 7.2% from October 2020 to February 2021.News -
A new survey of public attitudes to NHS dentistry shows that half of the adults in England find dental charges unfair amid escalating living costs. We have warned decision-makers that NHS dentistry is in desperate need of reform.Response -
BLMK Clinical Commissioning Group and Central Northwest London NHS Foundation Trust have responded to our joint report with Parents and Carers Alliance (PACA) MK .Report -
All our Board of Trustees minutes are publicly available. Read the minutes from the February 2022 Board of Trustees meeting.News -
Plans are underway for a new interim mental health ward for young people at Luton and Dunstable Hospital.News -
NHS England is consulting on draft guidance for how it engages with the public, patients and communities.Advice and Information -
Do you know about your rights to language support when you're in an NHS setting?Report -
We carried out an Enter and View visit of Linford Grange care home in Milton Keynes. Here are our findings and recommendations.Blog -
On the day that Milton Keynes could finally call itself ‘officially’ a city, Deputy CEO Tracy Keech and I attended a Climate Change and Health Inequalities conference at the Hotel La Tour in Central Milton Keynes.Advice and Information -
Confused about Long COVID? Find out the common symptoms and when to get support.Advice and Information -
It’s easy to feel isolated and alone when struggling with Long COVID, but we are here to help to you find the support and treatment you need.Report -
We carried out an Enter and View visit of Woburn Sands care home. Here are our findings and recommendations.Report -
We carried out an Enter and View visit of Milton Court care home in Milton Keynes. Here are our findings and recommendations.