News and reports

The NHS will prioritise patient safety during the periods of strike action, with health and care partners working together to ensure that critical services will continue to be available. However, the impact is likely to be very challenging for local services, with Christmas and New Year a usual time of high-pressure across health and care.

The following is a message from Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust:

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.

Healthwatch in Sussex brought together 31 Sussex patients with the Outpatient transformation team, NHS Sussex, over the course of four two-hour workshops earlier this year. Workshop participants were able to offer their views and opinions directly to the NHS Sussex team, regarding plans to make changes to the outpatient system. To find out what we did and how we did it, see sections at the bottom of this article.

Healthwatch met with Dr George Findlay, Chief Executive for University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust on 1st December 2023 to discuss the recent media coverage relating to the police investigation, concerns about the Emergency Department and maternity care.

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 November 2023.

Do you want to make a difference? NHS Sussex are looking to recruit volunteers from a diverse range of backgrounds to support them to put people and communities at the heart of NHS Services. There are two types of volunteer roles available and you can give as much or as little time as you have available.

This report provides an overview of the themes that the three Healthwatch in Sussex (Brighton &Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex) heard between June and September 2023, and the responses received from our health and care partners. A document summarising our recent publications is also provided.

As we head into the colder months, we know many residents will be worrying about staying warm at home. Rises in energy prices are a big concern, especially for those who already find it hard to heat their home and are on a low income.

NHS England (London and South East regions) is holding a consultation about very specialist cancer treatment services for children living in Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, Kent, Medway, south London, and most of Surrey.

During engagement with people and communities, we have heard that it can be a struggle to know how to access pharmacies and prescriptions outside of usual business hours, including during weekends and on bank holidays. We have drawn together some information to help you find a pharmacy near you, including those open outside of 9am to 5pm.