News and reports

In July 2025, Healthwatch in Sussex were interested in hearing about people’s experiences of living with nutritional or dietary requirements.

166 people across Sussex shared their experiences with us.

Following the announcement at the start of July that nationally Healthwatch is to be abolished as part of a wider re-organisation, local Healthwatch have put together a petition calling on the government to protect the independence of local voices in health and care.

Make sure you order and collect any repeat prescriptions you need in good time so you're not caught out.

NHS Sussex would like to hear from people across Sussex about what matters to them about the NHS, and where further improvement is needed

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 July 2025.

For six weeks during school holidays throughout the year (Easter, summer and Christmas) school-aged children and young people who receive benefits-related free school meals can take part in a range of free clubs and activities across the county with food included.

Between May and July 2025, five Healthwatch volunteers reviewed public/patient facing information about Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) across 55 GP practices in East Sussex using their websites and follow-up requests

The Healthwatch East Sussex Listening Tour is an opportunity for us to listen to the views and experiences of local areas and to find out what people think about health and care services.

In April-May 2025, we ran a survey asking women and girls aged 14+ about their experiences of health and care services in East Sussex.

Advocacy supports people to have their voices heard, know their rights, make informed choices and participate in decisions about their health and social care.

Advocacy is confidential, free to access and helps people navigate health and social care. Advocates are impartial and they do not work for the NHS, the council or providers of care.

This article is specifically about community advocacy services in East Sussex.

The world of advocacy can be confusing, and it can be difficult to understand when you or someone you care for may benefit from the support of advocacy services.

This guide is designed to help you understand what independent advocacy is, who can access an independent advocate, when an advocate may be able to help, and how to speak with one in East Sussex.

We explain when you can self-refer and when a professional needs to submit a referral on your behalf.

A Carer's Card is a form of identification that recognises and supports unpaid carers. It can be used to prove carer status in various settings and in emergency situations, and to access discounts.