Healthwatch Southend

30/03/2026

Healthwatch Southend - Spring Newsletter https://wix.to/g6zYLX0

25/03/2026

New blog: The future of patient voice — Learning from the Healthwatch model. The King's Fund report explores how local Healthwatch worked with residents and decision-makers in the NHS and local government. Healthwatch Southend contributed to the research and reflects on what a proposed Bill to abolish local Healthwatch could mean for community voice in health. Read more: https://wix.to/NEAztwW

The King's Fund, an independent health research and policy organisation, has just published a report looking at how local Healthwatch have worked with their residents and decision-makers in the NHS and local government. Healthwatch Southend was pleased to be invited to take part in the research.It c...

17/03/2026

There’s an outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease in Kent. Meningitis can progress quickly — especially in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. Know the signs, act fast. Read more: https://wix.to/A4Df07f

There is currently an ongoing outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease - a form of meningitis - in Kent. Meningitis is a serious condition where the protective layers (meninges) around the brain and spinal cord become inflamed.Although anyone can get meningitis, it’s most common in babies, young...

09/03/2026

Parents and carers: share your experience of healthcare for your child. Mid & South Essex Integrated Care Board wants to know how easy it was to access services and whether the information you needed was clear. It only takes 10 minutes and your feedback can help improve services for others. Read more and take part: https://wix.to/eqD9amx

Mid & South Essex Integrated Care Board (the NHS body which plans and funds most NHS services in the area) wants to hear from parents and carers about their experiences of using health services.How easy was it to access services? Was the information you needed available and understandable? By sharin...

03/03/2026

World Hearing Day: Protect Young Hearing with early detection and care. Read our quick guide on how to help a child get the support they need. Read more: https://wix.to/ox5SDix

Today is World Hearing Day, a global campaign to raise awareness about hearing loss and the importance of ear and hearing care.Around 90 million children and young people aged 0–19 worldwide are affected by hearing loss. Many causes such as earwax build-up, untreated ear infections, or vaccine-pre...

02/03/2026

The Government has proposed a national online hospital — a new NHS Trust to offer outpatient consultations online as part of efforts to reduce waiting times. With a target of 8 million extra appointments over three years and initial roll-out across four specialties in 2027, this could change how patients access care. Read the feedback from Southend residents: https://wix.to/xskPdmc

As part of its plans to reduce waiting times, the Government has suggested the development of a new NHS Trust, which will offer outpatient consultations online. Over three years, the Government hopes that an extra 8 million appointments will be available. Healthwatch services around England have bee...

23/02/2026

This Eating Disorders Awareness Week, we’re shining a light on the fact that around 1.25 million people in the UK live with a diagnosed eating disorder. Read more and find resources: https://wix.to/iK1BTbK

1 in 50 people in the UK and around 1.25 million people are living with a diagnosed eating disorder.Eating disorders affect the way a person thinks about food, eats, and feels about their body. For some people, food can become a way of coping during tough times. This might include bereavement, relat...

16/02/2026

LGBT+ History Month is a moment to celebrate progress and highlight where healthcare still needs to improve. Our new post explores how judgement and misunderstanding can stop LGBT+ people from getting the care they need Read more: https://wix.to/tXl0g1F

LGBT+ History Month is a time to celebrate progress and notice where change is still needed. One important area is healthcare as many LGBT+ people still face judgement, misunderstanding, or unequal treatment when seeking support.Why this mattersResearch shows that LGBT+ people often experience poore...

11/02/2026

There's still time to share your views about the Government's plan to set up an online hospital, offering faster, virtual appointments. We've got a short survey for you:

Please take a few minutes to take our survey.

03/02/2026

You’re not alone. Sexual Abuse & Violence Awareness. Read our short guide on what sexual abuse and violence are and where to find support. Read more: https://wix.to/ho7jxXc

Sexual abuse and sexual violence can be hard to talk about, many people feel shame or fear, so they stay silent. But silence can stop someone from getting the help they need and one should have to cope alone.What is Sexual Abuse or Sexual Violence?Sexual abuse or violence is any sexual act without c...

23/01/2026

We invite Deaf people using BSL to a focus group about their experiences with GP services. Join us for a focus group to share what works and what doesn't in your journey to access healthcare. Learn more here: https://wix.to/NsWhdlU

Healthwatch Southend is inviting Deaf people who use British Sign Language (BSL) to take part in a focus group about their experiences of using general practice (GP services).We want to hear directly from Deaf people about what works well, what does not, and what needs to improve when accessing GP s...

21/01/2026

This Cervical Screening Week, let's raise awareness about the importance of cervical screening. It can save lives! More info here: https://wix.to/ySVKxll

Cervical Screening Week is a good time to talk about how cervical screening can help stop cervical cancer before it starts. Cervical screening is also called a smear test. It is not a test for cancer.The test checks for HPV (human papillomavirus). Some types of HPV can cause changes to the cells of....