Healthwatch East Sussex Quarter 4 Report – January to March 2026
This report summarises the activity, publications and impact delivered by Healthwatch East Sussex last quarter.
Highlights from quarter 4
- Healthwatch funding confirmed for 2026-2027
We are pleased to confirm that Healthwatch East Sussex is funded until March 2027, with 2026-27 set as a transition year as national reforms reshape public and patient voice. We feel we are well-positioned, actively engaging with the local NHS integrated care board (ICB) and local authorities to influence future models and strengthen partnerships as the new system develops. - Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS)
Insight and recommendations from our engagement with users of NEPTS in late 2025 informed a review of service performance at the East Sussex Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) in March 2026. Our feedback helped commissioners and councillors to understand patient experiences and concerns and to identify priorities for positive change. - Audiology services
In late 2024, we fed evidence including our report on people’s experiences of ear wax treatment into a HOSC review of local audiology services. In March 2026, HOSC papers outlined how Healthwatch recommendations had informed improved communications about NHS ear wax removal services, inter-practice referrals and access to translation services. - Sussex Surgical Centre visit
In February, Healthwatch volunteers visited the new Sussex Surgical Centre at Eastbourne District General Hospital to complete an environmental audit of the reception and exterior of the service. The audit highlighted the need for new external signage, which East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT) has since implemented. A report will be published in the coming months.
Who we share our report with
Our quarterly report will be shared with Healthwatch England, East Sussex County Council as the commissioners of the local Healthwatch service, and with a range of our statutory and voluntary sector partners across East Sussex.
Electronic copies of the report are available via the link below.
Tell Us Your Experiences
Please tell us your experiences of local health and care services via our Feedback Centre and let us know how this has been for you.
We want to hear if your experience has been good, bad or indifferent.
Help and support with Health and Care
If you need help or support related to health or care, then please contact our Information & Signposting Service via
0333 101 4007 or enquiries@healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk
