News and reports

People are being urged to support NHS services, and know how to get help over the coming days, as health and care teams prepare for further industrial action by junior doctors. Strike action is planned to start at 7am on Saturday, 24 February, and continue until 23:59 on Wednesday (28 February).

At the end 2023 we shared a consultation being held by NHS England (London and South East regions) about the future location of very specialist cancer treatment services for children living in Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, Kent, Medway, south London, and most of Surrey.

On Wednesday 14th February 2024, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) published a series of reports on University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UHSx).

NHS Sussex are looking for young people aged 16-24 years to become Youth Consultants and help shape future NHS health and social care services in Sussex.

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.

As the local independent health and care watchdog, we have launched a survey to capture people’s recent experiences of using the new Bexhill Community Diagnostic Centre.

From the 31st January 2024, people can pop down to their local pharmacy for help with seven minor conditions which would previously have required a GP appointment.

We are supporting NHS Sussex in promoting a new survey to find out about your experiences and views of local health and care services. Health leaders wish to understand your experiences and views of health and care services across Sussex.

Patient engagement work carried out by Healthwatch in Sussex was praised at the January Brighton and Hove City Council’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee. You can read more to discover how patient experiences have helped to positively influence the commissioning of a key local service.

We regularly review the experiences you told us through public events, surveys, Feedback Centre and Information & Signposting enquiries.

Healthwatch uses your feedback with health and care decision-makers to seek a positive difference, and this document sets out the issues you raised and any changes you have helped us to deliver during January 2024.

Measles vaccination rates are at a ten-year low as cases rise nationwide. Find out about measles, who can get the vaccine, and what you can do to stay safe.

In August 2023, Healthwatch East Sussex undertook two 24-hour ‘Enter and View’ sessions in the Emergency Departments (EDs) and Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) located at Eastbourne District General Hospital and at The Conquest Hospital.

We observed their operation, reviewed the physical settings and engaged with staff and patients to understand their experiences, so we could identify what worked well and where changes may be helpful.