1. CQC reports serious concerns monitoring the Mental Health Act

    News -

    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. Looking after your health during the Cost of Living crisis.

    Advice and Information -

    The continuing cost of living crisis is adversely affecting people's physical and mental wellbeing, with vulnerable people and those on lower incomes hit the hardest.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    ​​​​​​​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. 

  5. Junior doctors industrial action

    News -

    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.

  6. Six-week postnatal checks are failing many new mothers

    News -

    Deep-dive analysis of experiences of 2,693 new mothers and birthing parents shows that six-week postnatal checks – required of GPs in England - are failing many new mothers.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

  9. Maternity care at Milton Keynes Hospital rated 'good' by CQC

    News -

    Maternity services at Milton Keynes University Hospital have been assessed as 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC for short). They have been rated as 'Outstanding' for leadership.

  10. Mental health & wellbeing before, during and after your pregnancy

    Advice and Information -

    Pregnancy and trying to conceive can be a challenging, intense and daunting time. It's not all plain sailing, and women can feel particularly vulnerable during this time. Many women experience mental health difficulties, when trying to conceive, during pregnancy, and after the birth.

  11. Pregnancy and diabetes: what you need to know

    Advice and Information -

    If you're diabetic and are thinking about getting pregnant, it's sensible to plan ahead to ensure you have a healthy, comfortable pregnancy.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

  15. What is Social Prescribing?

    Advice and Information -

    Around one in five GP visits are for non-medical problems. Many things that affect our health can’t be treated by doctors or medicine alone. This includes loneliness, money problems, housing, education or employment status. NHS social prescribing link workers can connect you to the right community groups and services to help support you.

  16. What is a virtual ward?

    Advice and Information -

    With more and more appointments happening online, we've put together some tips on how to get the most out of the virtual health and care appointments both for patients and health and care professionals.

  17. CQC's State of Care report

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission has published its annual State of Care report, highlighting that a combination of the cost-of-living crisis and NHS workforce pressures risk ‘unfair care’ for many people.

  18. Faster progress needed to tackle barriers to care

    News -

    New HWE research shows that in the past year, access to primary care is the main concern for patients across England.

  19. Safer medication records for at-home patients

    News -

    We’re collaborating with local partners to reduce the risk of medication errors for patients receiving at-home care from family or official carers.

  20. Where can I get help for health out of hours?

    Advice and Information -

    Many of us will need out-of-hours medical assistance, especially over the winter. Using NHS guidelines, we've put together some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.

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

    News -

    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.