1. Looking after your mental health all year round

    News -

    In a post-pandemic world where the cost-of-living crisis is challenging for many of us, prioritising our mental health and wellbeing is necessary.

  2. All About: Virtual Wards

    Advice and Information -

    Find out more about virtual wards

  3. Helping rough sleepers

    News -

    Rough sleeping is often the most visible sign of homelessness. It is the job of local services to help rough sleepers.

  4. Doctors Industrial Action - December and January

    News -

    There will be planned strike action by doctors which is expected to cause major disruption however the NHS is still there for people who need care.

  5. Mental Health, Wellbeing Support Over The Holidays

    News -

    We understand this time of year can be difficult, but there are a wide range of services available to residents of Kingston to help during this time.

  6. Doctors Industrial Action - 3 - 8 January 2024

    News -

    There will be planned strike action by doctors which is expected to cause major disruption however the NHS is still there for people who need care.

  7. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    News -

    You've told us that you've experienced problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what to do if you're refused the right to register.

  8. What is SAD, and how can you manage it?

    News -

    Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression triggered by seasonal changes. One in twenty people in the UK are diagnosed with the condition, with men more likely to be diagnosed with SAD than women.

  9. How to stay well this winter

    News -

    Tips to help you stay well this winter and get the care you need.

  10. Youth Out Loud! meets Kingston’s Cycling Paramedic

    News -

    In 2023, Youth Out Loud! interviewed Tom Baverstock, Kingston's Cycling Paramedic. They found out about his role and what it means for the people of Kingston.

  11. Healthwatch Kingston supports LGBT+ History Month

    News -

    The UK 2024 LGBT+ History Month theme is Medicine – #UnderTheScope

  12. All About: Enter and View

    Advice and Information -

    A guide to Healthwatch powers to Enter and View health and care services.

  13. Healthwatch Kingston is recruiting!

    News -

    Passionate about care services and working with volunteers? Skilled engaging people, sharing their views and observing what matters to them? Download the application pack below.

  14. Healthwatch Kingston presented at Kingston Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Development Day

    News -

    Healthwatch Kingston presented how we have been engaging with adults with lived experience at the Kingston Safeguarding Adults Board Development Day 2024 on 1st February 2024.

  15. The London Safeguarding Adult Board Conference 2023 - Recordings and Presentation Slides

    News -

    The London Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) Conference, organised by the London Safeguarding Adults Board, took place during National Adult Safeguarding Awareness Week (November 2023), which focused on how to prioritise the welfare and wellbeing of yourself and others.

  16. New NHS Pharmacy First Campaign means that NHS pharmacies in south west London begin treating people for common conditions

    News -

    South west Londoners will now be able to get treatment for seven common conditions at their high street pharmacy without needing to see a GP as part of a major transformation in the way the NHS delivers care.

  17. Kingston’s 2023 Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)

    Report -

    The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) is a comprehensive picture of information and data of the health, care, and wellbeing needs and inequalities of Kingston (now and in the future) in order to improve and protect health and wellbeing outcomes.

  18. Healthwatch Kingston supports International Women's Day

    News -

    The campaign theme for International Women's Day 2024 is Inspire Inclusion.

  19. Catch up on our Open Meeting - 23 January 2024

    News -

    Thank you to everyone who attended our Open Meeting which focussed on Health Inequalities.

  20. Healthwatch Kingston chats to Katy for neurodiversity celebration week

    News -

    It is neurodiversity celebration week from 18 - 24 March 2024. We caught up with Katy, a Kingston resident, to find out more about what living with neurodiversity is like for her. Read the conversation below.

  21. Your Healthcare named Best Health and Wellbeing Provider in the 2024 Kingston Borough Business Awards

    News -

    We would like to extend our congratulations to the Your Healthcare team for being awarded Best Health and Wellbeing Provider in the 2024 Kingston Borough Business Awards, organised by the Kingston Chamber of Commerce.

  22. Mencap Launch ‘Why We Care’ Campaign

    News -

    Mencap have launched their “Why We Care” campaign. The campaign aims to shine a spotlight on the incredible work that support workers do to assist people with a learning disability and provide insights into what it's really like to work in social care.

  23. CQC takes action to protect people at Kingston-upon-Thames GP

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has dropped the rating for The Groves Medical Centre from good to inadequate following an inspection in October and November.

  24. Launch of new care assessment referral forms

    News -

    Kingston Adult Social Care has launched new user-friendly online forms for faster, easier referrals!

  25. Kingston Safeguarding Voices Online Community

    News -

    Do you have lived experience of safeguarding in Kingston, and can you help shape future services? If so please join us at Kingston Voices, a new online opportunity for anyone, including friends, family or advocates of those who have been through the process.

  26. Youth Out Loud! need your help!

    News -

    Youth Out Loud! are a group of young people aged 13-17 working with Healthwatch Kingston. If you are under 18, it would be great to have your involvement in our current projects.

  27. Healthwatch England Report - Pharmacy: what people want

    Report -

    Healthwatch England's report, "Pharmacy: what people want", explores the current state of pharmacy services and offers actions for healthcare leaders and the wider sector.

  28. What can the Pharmacy First scheme do for me?

    News -

    The new Pharmacy First scheme enables your local pharmacy to treat some common conditions with prescription-only medicines, without you visiting your GP. Find out everything you need to know.

  29. Have your say on Kingston Council's Autism and ADHD Strategy

    News -

    Kingston Council is working together with local organisations and residents to write a new all age Autism and ADHD strategy.

  30. NHS prescription charges from 1 May 2024

    News -

    Charges for NHS prescriptions, wigs and fabric supports will increase on 1 May 2024.

  31. Information regarding the Government's consultation on Personal Independence Payment

    News -

    The Government has said it will reform disability benefits system to ensure they’re targeted at those most in need.

  32. It's mental health awareness week 2024

    News -

    Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 is scheduled from May 13th to 19th, focusing on the theme of “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”.

  33. New grant programme for cancer awareness activities

    News -

    Would you like to run an event or activity to help increase cancer awareness in your local community? If so, funding is available.

  34. Health and Wellbeing Day - March 2022

    News -

    We are very proud to have been a part of The Health and Wellbeing Day for people experiencing homelessness, refugees, asylum seekers and other migrant communities in Kingston.

  35. Youth Out Loud! End of Year Activity Update 2023-24

    Report -

    In this year's YOL! Activity Update, find out what young people think about local heath and care service, watch an interview with Tom Baverstock, a Kingston’s Cycling Paramedic and discover more about how the YOL! Digital Youth Project has worked with the Kingston Resilience Fund to tackle young peoples challenges with social media.

  36. London Safeguarding Voices: End of Year Activity Update 2023-24

    Report -

    The LSV wants to bring together people with lived experience of Safeguarding from each London borough. Healthwatch Kingston has been re-commissioned by the London Safeguarding Adults Board to coordinate the LSV work programme.

  37. All Ages Learning Disability Partnership Board - End of Year Report 2023 - 2024

    Report -

    Inclusion and amplifying the voices of people with a learning disability is a key priority for the work of Healthwatch Kingston and the All Age Learning Disability Board.

  38. Mental Health: End of Year Activity Update 2023-24

    Report -

    Mental health continues to be of significant concern locally, with people seeking information and requesting help to access support.

  39. Making Safeguarding Personal: End of Year Report 2023-24

    Report -

    Healthwatch Kingston has been working with the Royal Borough of Kingston Adult Safeguarding Team to ensure that feedback from local people with lived experience of the safeguarding process improves the service.

  40. Including Digitally Excluded Communities: Engagement Report

    Report -

    This report is one of two (the other is our ‘Including Communities’ report) that share findings from our community engagement with Kingston residents over twenty months. During this period, to support Kingston, as a Marmot borough, Healthwatch Kingston has tripled our community engagement activity with people with protected characteristics and people who are not often heard from.

  41. Healthwatch Kingston Enter & View Report: Rosclare Residential Home

    Report -

    Healthwatch Kingston undertook an announced Enter and View to Rosclare Residential Home (Rosclare) in March 2024. Our focus for this Enter and View was to observe the living environment; residents’ mealtime experiences; and activities provided.

  42. Healthwatch Kingston Enter and View Report Kingston Hospital Food and Hydration

    Report -

    Healthwatch Kingston's Enter and View report about Kingston Hospital food and hydration report highlights our visiting team's observations and shares what patients and staff shared with us about their experiences. This report will help support service improvements in food and drink services at Kingston Hospital.

  43. Our communications and publications during the pre-election period

    News -

    All Healthwatch organisations including Healthwatch Kingston are politically impartial.

  44. Healthwatch Kingston Annual Report 2023-2024: The value of listening to you

    Report -

    We are delighted to now be able to share our 'Healthwatch Kingston Annual Report 2023-2024: The value of listening to you'.

    Healthwatch Kingston has a statutory requirement to prepare and publish our annual report by 30 June. This year it has been delayed due to the timing of the UK General Election, because we were not allowed to publish during the pre-election period (25 May to 4 July 2024).

  45. Exciting new Rotational Occupational Therapy opportunity in Kingston and Richmond

    News -

    Patients tell us they want to tell their story once and to receive care that is not restricted by organisational boundaries. So, in Kingston and Richmond, our new Occupational Therapy (OT) Network is working to provide more joined up healthcare for local people.

  46. Our reports April 2023 - November 2024

    Advice and Information -

    For a summary of all Healthwatch Kingston's reports published for the year 2023-2024, please see below.

  47. Independent Evaluation of the ICRS / Bridge 24 Rehabilitation Service pilot (Summary Report)

    Report -

    Healthwatch Kingston conducted an independent evaluation of the Integrated Community Rehabilitation Service. The ICRS/Bridge 24 is an innovative pilot providing nine month’s intensive rehabilitation in the community for people with complex mental health needs.

  48. Healthwatch Kingston Q1 Board Meeting - Wednesday 31 July 2024

    Report -

    The public is welcome to join PART A of this meeting.

    This meeting will be held on MS Teams