News & Campaigns

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Healthcare Service Updates and NHS Campaigns

Stay #WinterWell with help from us

To help you stay well this winter, we are bringing a host of experts together under one roof to provide advice and support.

We know there is a challenging winter ahead. With rising costs of living and pressures on the NHS and care services we are doing all we can to support our communities. That's why we are hosting a drop-in Winter Well event with NHS and council partners and local community services at Folca, in Folkestone from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, 12 November.

Click here for more information.

Respiratory campaign to #ProtectYourLungs

The ‘Protect Your Lungs This Winter’ campaign features a number of interviews with patients living with respiratory issues, such as COPD. They are supported by clips from NHS clinicians as well as an introduction from Sir Jonathan Van-Tam. The main campaign film can be viewed here.

Find out more about the campaign and patients' top three tips here and follow on social media, #ProtectYourLungs.

STOP, THINK, CHOOSE

Get the right treatment when you need it

NHS services are very busy. It's important to come forward with any health concerns but you can help ease the pressure by choosing the right service. 

Knowing the right place to go can help you get the treatment you need faster. Please choose wisely and help us help you.

More information about services available in Kent and Medway are available on Stop-Think-Choose

Stop Think Choose
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Pressures in General Practice

We are disheartened to see rising levels of abuse being directed towards NHS staff across Kent and Medway.

We know there are frustrations with the on-going pandemic, and those with different views on the vaccine or pandemic restrictions have a right to voice them. But verbal abuse and physical intimidation against NHS staff is totally unacceptable.

General practice is open but there is very high demand which means it can be difficult for people to get through on the phones. Face to face appointments are available to those who most need them, but people will continue to be offered phone or video consultations. We are working to improve the position but please bear with us and treat staff with respect.

We hope everyone will join us in taking every opportunity to thank our dedicated NHS teams for their on-going efforts in tackling the virus and addressing the delays to other services which it has caused. They do not deserve to be abused in any way.

To find out more about the actions being taken to reduce pressures in General Practice click here.

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General Practice Appointment Data

The latest general practice appointment figures, released by NHS England, show that 828,677 appointments were carried out in Kent and Medway in August 2022.

Of those appointments, over 60% were face-to-face or home visits. This is over 100,000 more than last August, when 394,374 people were seen face-to-face or at their homes. 

Over 38,000 people did not attend their appointments in August. 

Of the total appointments, almost 418,000 took place with a member of the practice team other than a GP. Although practices still have GPs, they now work in teams of specialists so you can see the right person as quickly as possible.  The professionals available differ from practice to practice (dependent on the needs of the local population).

We would urge anyone who can no longer attend any appointment (be it with their GP practice, a vaccination appointment or a hospital appointment) to please cancel them. This allows the NHS to use the time to see other patients in need. Click here for more information.

National MMR Campaign

If you have a child aged 1-5 years that hasn't had their MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) vaccination please contact the surgery to book an appointment.

If you are unsure if your child has had their vaccination you should be able to find the information in your child's red book or ask when booking the appointment.

For more information on the vaccination please click here or book a telephone appointment with a nurse to address any questions or concerns you may have about the vaccine.

Child being vaccinated
Wheel Chair

Return Unused Mobility Equipment & Help Other Patients

People in east Kent are being asked to return mobility equipment they no longer need at dedicated drop-off points in Ashford, Canterbury and Margate as part of National Recycle Week (17-23 October).

“The NHS in Kent and Medway is committed to cutting waste and reducing our carbon footprint. Reusing and recycling equipment that has been loaned to patients is one way we can save money and be more environmentally friendly.

“If you have equipment you no longer need cluttering up your home or tucked away somewhere, now is the perfect time to return to a marked container at one of the main hospitals in east Kent. Or you can return it in the usual way by phoning the number on the sticker to arrange free collection.”

Click here for more information.

Kent & Medway NHS Services

Click here for the latest news in Kent & Medway NHS services.

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