1. 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. News -

    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. Blog -

    Read the latest blog on the MK Deal from our CEO, Maxine Taffetani.
  4. News -

    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.
  5. Report -

    We know that an active lifestyle is important to prevent illness and improve our physical and mental wellbeing, helping us to feel our best.
  6. 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.
  7. Advice and Information -

    Cervical cancer screenings save at least 2,000 lives every year in the UK. Here's what you should expect from your smear test and why these screenings are important.
  8. Report -

    Read the minutes from the November 2022 Board of Trustees meeting.
  9. Advice and Information -

    Citizens Advice are a local charity that helps over 8000 people in Milton Keynes every year. If you need to get in touch, or if you need to speak to someone, things have changed slightly.
  10. 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.
  11. 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. 
  12. News -

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

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

    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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. News -

    There's a new prescription service in place for residents of Milton Keynes who currently have a stoma.
  18. Advice and Information -

    Mind BLMK works across our communities to support positive mental health and wellbeing in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes
  19. Advice and Information -

    There's a new health and wellbeing website for children and young people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.
  20. Advice and Information -

    A lot of the language used when talking about the NHS, and health and care services, can be difficult to understand. Too many acronyms and not enough plain English can leave all of us feeling very confused.
  21. Advice and Information -

    15-21 May 2023 is mental health awareness week, and the theme is anxiety - something that so many of us have experienced.
  22. Report -

    Read the minutes from the February 2023 Board of Trustees meeting.
  23. Report -

    Read the minutes from the March 2023 Board of Trustees meeting.
  24. Advice and Information -

    A new scheme could see women across England save hundreds of pounds yearly on their Hormone Replacement Therapy with a prepayment certificate.
  25. News -

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

    Hundreds of residents across Milton Keynes took part in our research exploring the problems people are having with GP access and support.
  27. 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.
  28. Blog -

    Every volunteer plays a critical role in championing the voices of patients, carers and their families, and sharing their experiences of health and social care.
  29. Advice and Information -

    Sometimes when you’re trying to get the care you need, you may have questions about how services are run. We’ve put together some information about what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ which will hopefully answer some of those questions.
  30. News -

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

    We carried out Enter and View visits to 17 local pharmacies to understand how patients feel about the services on offer, and whether or not staff feel involved in the NHS decisions that affect them.
  32. Advice and Information -

    Many people who provide unpaid care are unaware of their rights. Find out more about the help and support you are entitled to.
  33. Advice and Information -

    Mental health problems are more common among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people. If you are struggling, feel alone or need a little help, then check out our guide on how you can get the support you need.
  34. News -

    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. 
  35. 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.
  36. 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.
  37. 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.
  38. Report -

    Read the minutes from the May 2023 Board of Trustees meeting.
  39. News -

    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.
  40. Advice and Information -

    The cost-of-living crisis is putting many people under financial strain, and prescription costs are more than some people can afford to pay. Find out what help is available to help you cover the cost of your medication.
  41. News -

    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.
  42. 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.
  43. News -

    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.
  44. News -

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

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

    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.
  47. Advice and Information -

    Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression triggered by seasonal changes. One in twenty people in the UK are diagnosed with the condition, with men more likely to be diagnosed with SAD than women.
  48. Report -

    We carried out an Enter and View visit of Neath House care home. Here are our findings and recommendations.
  49. 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.