News and reports

Healthwatch in Sussex (a collaboration between Healthwatch Brighton and Hove, Healthwatch East Sussex, and Healthwatch West Sussex) were commissioned by the Outpatient Transformation Team at NHS Sussex to run workshops in April/May 2023 with the purpose of gaining participant views on new initiatives aimed at improving the Outpatient experience.

Following successful engagement activity last year, Healthwatch East Sussex again undertook a Summer Road Show in 2023.

We engaged with people at public and community events across East Sussex so we could hear their health and care experiences.

Our host organisation, East Sussex Community Voice (ESCV) are recruiting a Senior Engagement Officer; this role will drive forward a strategic and diverse approach to engagement across our diverse activities, including Healthwatch.

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.

Following two inspections in June 2023, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has lowered its rating for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS) ward at Chalkhill, from ‘Good’ to ‘Requires Improvement’. The overall rating for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust remains good.

Healthwatch East Sussex has heard about the impact of increases in the cost of living on people’s wellbeing and their access to health and care services. We have drawn together information on the various schemes that offer reduced costs and support for those most in need.

What is independent advocacy? An independent advocate can support and empower you to speak up for yourself, or to speak up on someone’s behalf.

Have you sought help or advice about an ear wax problem in the last two years? If so, Healthwatch East Sussex as the local independent watchdog for health and care, would like to hear about your experience, including:

This report sets out what we've heard about people's experiences of long COVID and its impact on their lives, and includes case-studies illustrating the extent and nature of its effects on them.

Each quarter we draw together public and patient experiences of health and care shared with us via enquiries to our Information & Signposting service, reviews on our Feedback Centre, public events and through our community and professional networks.

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 September 2023.

Our 2023 Annual Event ‘Your Voice Counts: Celebrating 10 years of Healthwatch’ was held at The View Hotel, Eastbourne in July 2023.

This report provides a brief summary of the event, with a particular focus on the points raised during the table discussions and participant’s consideration of the theme ‘Your Voice Counts’.