Advice and Information

We have created some factsheets providing information on how to access key health and care services in East Sussex, and what help may be available with the costs of accessing healthcare.

The East Sussex Warm Home Check service provides free impartial energy advice and support and is available all year round.

From 6th January 2025, complaints about NHS primary care services in East Sussex such as GPs, dentists, opticians, and pharmacies will no longer be managed by the South East Complaints Hub (SECH) hosted by Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB).

These complaints will now be handled directly by the NHS Sussex Complaints Team.

Many health and care services change their working hours over the Christmas and New Year period.

We have drawn together some key information to help you navigate which services are open when, and how to get help and support if you need it.

We wish you a safe, happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

The Healthwatch East Sussex Team

In your preparations for the festive season, don’t forget to order any repeat medications in good time, as GP practices will be closed and pharmacy opening times are likely to change.

The My Choice booklet is an information resource for people living with dementia. The booklet offers people the information they need to help them live well following a diagnosis of dementia.

Are you a carer?

It’s estimated that 1 in 5 adults in the UK are carers. However, many people who look after someone do not see themselves as family carers. 

If you provide unpaid care for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, or another problem, cannot cope without support, you may be entitled to help.

If you struggle with everyday tasks, due to a disability or a health condition you may be able to get support in the form of home adaptations or equipment to help you to use or move around your home.

Do you or a loved one need help with social care? Read the article below to find out answers to key questions about who can access adult social care, what support it may offer and how to pay for it.

Receiving a dementia diagnosis can be a life-changing event, but knowing what support is available to you and what steps to take next can help you or a loved one process the diagnosis and plan for the future.

There are 944,000 people living with dementia in the UK. That’s roughly 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 and 1 in 71 in the whole population of the UK. As this number is set to increase with an ageing population understanding what support is available for you or a loved one following a Dementia diagnosis can make all the difference.

Healthwatch East Sussex’s Information and Signposting service helps people to access the right health and social care services for their needs. We also enable people to share their experiences or make a complaint about a service they have used.

We have recently heard about the experiences of people with dementia being admitted to hospital.

Organ donation is when you decide to give an organ to save or transform the life of someone else. You can donate some organs while you are alive, and this is called living organ donation.

However, most organ and tissue donations come from people who have died.

By registering to become an organ donor you have the option to donate organs such as your heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small bowel.  All these forms of donation can greatly enhance or even save the life of someone in need.