Healthwatch Kingston
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hwkingston.bsky.social
Healthwatch Kingston
@hwkingston.bsky.social
75 followers 180 following 130 posts
We are the independent champion for people who use health and social care services in Kingston.

We advocate for local people so that services can better understand how to provide for their needs.

https://www.healthwatchkingston.org.uk
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hwkingston.bsky.social
Next Healthwatch Kingston Public meeting: Tuesday 9th December 🗓️🖊️

At this festive get-together, we'll talk about the services that are available to local people throughout the colder weather period and across the holiday season.
A photo of 3 people sat at a table in what looks like a professional space. They have mugs. They are smartly dressed and are wearing matching pink lanyards.
November 21, 2025 at 9:58 AM
hwkingston.bsky.social
Take 10 minutes to share your views and help us to understand local people's experiences with the NHS app: www.surveymonkey.com/r/NHSappKing...
October 30, 2025 at 3:17 PM
hwkingston.bsky.social
New findings from south west London Healthwatch identify eight key areas of concern for patients and unpaid carers. 🧵
A photo of two women sat together smiling. Overlaid text reads 'patient and unpaid carer engagement across south west london community services'
September 19, 2025 at 10:53 AM
hwkingston.bsky.social
Interested in volunteering? Join our Enter and View Authorised Representative training on the 8th October

➡️➡️➡️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1664242396...
A photo of a woman talking to a medical professional in a hospital setting
September 11, 2025 at 1:58 PM
hwkingston.bsky.social
Providing a welcoming, healthy and fun environment where participants can train both body and mind, Fulham Memories is a free weekly session for older adults (50+) with reduced mobility. 

Weekly Sessions on Thursdays, 2:00pm at Kingston Library.
A poster showing a collage of photos of older adults smiling together as they do different activities. Text reads 'Fulhham Memories at Kingston Library: free weekly social sessions for older adults to stay active. Join us weekly on thursdays from 2pm for quizzes, games and chair based exercise at kingston library, KT1 2PS. To join our club, just turn up and join in. To find out more contact us on 0203 871 0811 or health@healthfulhamfc.com'
September 9, 2025 at 1:14 PM
hwkingston.bsky.social
This #GynaeCancerAwarenessMonth charity The Eve Appeal found that nearly 3 in 4 people would be willing to take up genetic testing if they were eligible, but there is wide-spread misunderstanding of what cancers may be hereditary.

Find out more on their blog: https://bit.ly/4g62QiH
A graphic from The Eve Appeal, with text that says 'Nearly 3 in 4 people would be willing to take up genetic testing if they were eligible, but widespread misunderstanding was found around what cancers are hereditary'
September 8, 2025 at 12:02 PM
hwkingston.bsky.social
If you need help getting to appointments, find out whether you're eligible for NHS funded support ➡ https://www.healthwatchkingston.org.uk/advice-and-information/2024-11-18/do-you-need-help-travelling-nhs-services
A photo of a hospital entrance with overlaid text that reads 'do you need help travelling to NHS services?'
September 5, 2025 at 11:30 AM
hwkingston.bsky.social
Speaking up and raising concerns can help address issues and protect future patients, but for many the complaints process in health and social care is difficult and discouraging.

Patients need clearer, more accessible complaints systems: www.healthwatchkingston.org.uk/news/2025-09...
A photo of two women speaking. One writes on a clipboard as the other talks. Overlaid text reads 'patients need clearer, more accessible complaints systems'
September 5, 2025 at 8:56 AM
hwkingston.bsky.social
The government will be running a national test of the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September 2025.

Learn more: www.gov.uk/alerts/publi...
A red graphic from the UK Government with an image of a phone showing an emergency alerts pop up. Text to the left says 'we are testing emergency alerts on mobile phones across the UK on Sunday 7 September at 3pm. Find out more at gov.uk/alerts'
September 4, 2025 at 8:39 AM
hwkingston.bsky.social
Kingston Council has published the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report 2024/25 with a focus this year on heart health and reducing related health inequalities. ➡ https://www.healthwatchkingston.org.uk/news/2025-08-22/public-health-annual-report-targets-healthy-hearts-kingston
The front cover of the royal borough of kingston upon thames report 'Healthy Hearts in Kingston', there is an illustration of people engaging in physical activity in public space.
August 26, 2025 at 9:02 AM
hwkingston.bsky.social
ℹ️ If you find yourself in need of out-of-hours medical assistance this bank holiday, read our advice article to find out where you can go for help when your GP is closed.

➡ https://www.healthwatchkingston.org.uk/advice-and-information/2024-10-05/where-can-i-get-help-health-out-hours
A photo of a woman sat in a pharmacy speaking to a pharmacist. Text reads 'need out-of-hours help this bank holiday?'
August 25, 2025 at 7:02 AM
hwkingston.bsky.social
Help shape mental health services in south west London.

It takes 10 minutes to share your views to help ensure services are designed with the needs of local people in mind.

➡️ www.healthwatchkingston.org.uk/blog/2025-08...
A photo of two men sat across a table from each other. Text reads 'Do you or someone you care for use local crisis cafes? Have your say on mental health services'
August 22, 2025 at 8:29 AM
hwkingston.bsky.social
Social isolation harms health - and for many Disabled adults in Kingston, it's made worse by inaccessible transport, poor info, and stigma.

Read more: www.healthwatchkingston.org.uk/report/2025-...
A photo of a person in a wheelchair in a crowd. Text reads 'Health and care needs of socially isolated, physically Disabled adults'
August 1, 2025 at 10:42 AM
hwkingston.bsky.social
💡 In a recent survey, we asked parents of families with children aged 0-5 across Kingston about their experiences 🧵
A photo of a young baby asleep on a parent, text reads 'health and care needs of under-5s and their families'
July 30, 2025 at 1:30 PM
hwkingston.bsky.social
The 10-Year Health Plan for England is an ambitious blueprint of reforms for the NHS.

But what does it mean for patients?

Read our breakdown: www.healthwatchkingston.org.uk/news/2025-07...
A photo of a medical professional holding a report. Overlaid text reads 'fit for the future: the 10-year health plan for England'
July 17, 2025 at 2:14 PM
hwkingston.bsky.social
We're revisiting a conversation Youth Out Loud! members had last year, discussing how using social media made them feel ➡️ https://www.healthwatchkingston.org.uk/blog/2025-07-11/how-does-social-media-make-young-people-feel
A photo of a young teenage boy on his phone in bed. Text says 'how does social media make young people feel?'
July 14, 2025 at 2:31 PM
hwkingston.bsky.social
We're still here for you. It will take time to change the law and move our functions.

We are still open, listening and working for local people.
A graphic image in Healthwatch Kingston branding with text that says 'We're still here for you. The Government has announced that it wants to change the law to transfer the work of local Healthwatch services to the NHS and local authorities. These changes will happen over time. This means we are still here, open, and working for you.'
July 10, 2025 at 10:19 AM
hwkingston.bsky.social
In the latest interview from Youth Out Loud! Talks, a parent shares their experience of being bounced between different health and social care services for a diagnosis for their child and the lack of support throughout the process.
An illustration of a person holding an oversized magnifying glass up to an oversized document. Text reads 'Youth Out Loud Talks: care access issues for young disabled people'
July 9, 2025 at 11:01 AM
hwkingston.bsky.social
👥 Young people are constantly engaging with health content online - but are we reaching them in the right way?

At Healthwatch Kingston, we’ve been exploring how social media health messaging is received by local youth. 🧵
A photo of two young women looking at something on a phone. Bold text across the image reads 'young people, social media and health messaging'
June 13, 2025 at 1:42 PM
hwkingston.bsky.social
Listen to the latest episode of Youth Out Loud! Talks 📣

Now on Spotify, https://open.spotify.com/show/1Npx2GtBXJnUQmP1fsIZZJ?si=2694c9eaddda4a1b
An illustration of two hands, one holds a document the other a speech bubble. Text reads 'Youth Out Loud! Talks: Accessing NHS and social care services as a young person with a disability'
June 11, 2025 at 11:13 AM
hwkingston.bsky.social
Loneliness is something we all feel from time to time, but talking about it can feel difficult or scary. 

Let's talk about it:  https://www.healthwatchkingston.org.uk/blog/2025-06-06/loneliness-its-part-life-lets-talk-about-it
A photo of a young person on their phone in a dark room. Text reads 'loneliness. it's a part of life. let's talk about it.'
June 9, 2025 at 2:31 PM
hwkingston.bsky.social
Waiting for an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment can take a long time.
Find out more about what you can do while you wait ⬇️
https://www.healthwatchkingston.org.uk/advice-and-information/2025-05-09/what-can-i-do-while-waiting-adhd-assessment
Visit our website for advice and information about managing your mental wellbeing, reasonable adjustments at work, and places you can go to for further support while you wait for an ADHD assessment. ➡ https://www.healthwatchkingston.org.uk/advice-and-information/2025-05-09/what-can-i-do-while-waiting-adhd-assessment
June 9, 2025 at 11:02 AM
hwkingston.bsky.social
Long waits for ADHD assessments are leaving too many people without the support they need.

Read Healthwatch's latest insights on how services can do better - for adults, young people, and families.

www.healthwatchkingston.org.uk/news/2025-05...
A photo of a woman alone in a cafe, she scrolls on her phone. Text reads 'recognising ADHD: how to improve support for people who need it. Healthwatch'
June 5, 2025 at 1:57 PM
hwkingston.bsky.social
Listen to the latest episode of Youth Out Loud! Talks 📣

Now on Spotify, https://open.spotify.com/episode/5LCcPmVByZ4OCSyOHa0rWg?si=TIZWdrS_SsirD0aflZRn2g.
An illustration of a person examining a large document with a magnifying glass. Text reads 'Youth Out Loud Talks: accessing NHS and social care services as a young person with a disability'
June 4, 2025 at 11:01 AM
hwkingston.bsky.social
Youth Out Loud! (YOL!), a group of passionate young people working to improve local health and social care services, has launched a powerful new podcast series.

🎙 Listen to the first episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Npx2GtBXJnUQmP1fsIZZJ?si=VzXLFZlDRa2EO_8X3FeZYw
An illustration of young people gathered a table in the shape of a speech bubble, symbolising discussion and conversation. Text reads, 'Youth Out Loud! Talks: Accessing NHS and Social Care Services as a Young Person with a Disability'
May 28, 2025 at 10:30 AM