Healthwatch Kingston

Calling all registered nurses, midwives, nursing associates & students.

NHS England needs your help to shape a new professional strategy for nursing and midwifery in England. Share your views by 13 October.

 https://www.engage.england.nhs.uk/survey/professional-strategy-for-nursing-and-midwifery/

We're your local Healthwatch! Come and tell us how we're doing Come along to our Public Meeting and tell us what you think about Healthwatch Kingston.

We’ll talk about how we work and our projects, and ask for your feedback about what we have achieved and what you think we should focus on.

Register on Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/were-your-...

We’re your local Healthwatch! Come and tell us how we’re doing 🗨️

Join us online on Tuesday, 7th October, 12:00 pm – 14:00 pm for a Public Meeting to tell us what you think about Healthwatch Kingston.

Healthwatch Kingston Enter & View Online Training Learn how to be complete an Enter & View with Healthwatch Kingston

Interested in volunteering? Join our Enter and View Authorised Representative training on the 8th October. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/healthwatc...

Chief midwife reassures over paracetamol safety during pregnancy Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for England, has stressed that paracetamol remains the first choice of painkiller during pregnancy.

Chief midwife reassures over paracetamol safety during pregnancy

Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for England, has stressed that paracetamol remains the first choice of painkiller during pregnancy, in the wake of US president Donald Trump's comments.

www.nursingtimes.net/midwifery-an...

Patient and unpaid carer engagement across south west London community services | Healthwatch Kingston This report by south west London Healthwatch presents feedback from patients and their unpaid carers about a variety of adult and paediatric community services.

Addressing the common concerns raised with us will help enhance overall care and reduce disparities between boroughs.

Read more: www.healthwatchkingston.org.uk/report/2025-...

Drawn from 481 responses in five boroughs, the report demonstrates that patients and unpaid carers valued the generally excellent staff and professionalism across a variety of adult and paediatric community services. 🧵

A photo of two women sat together smiling. Overlaid text reads 'patient and unpaid carer engagement across south west london community services'

New findings from south west London Healthwatch identify eight key areas of concern for patients and unpaid carers. 🧵

A photo of a woman talking to a medical professional in a hospital setting

Interested in volunteering? Join our Enter and View Authorised Representative training on the 8th October

➡️➡️➡️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1664242396...

Fulham FC Foundation profile

More information about this and other Fulham FC Foundation sessions on offer can be found on the Connected Kingston website:

Join, make new connections and enjoy activities that boost movement. 

Each session lasts 60–90 minutes and includes:
🎲 Quizzes and games
🪀 Gentle chair-based exercise
📚 Social activities in a relaxed and friendly setting

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'

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 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'

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 photo of a hospital entrance with overlaid text that reads 'do you need help travelling to NHS services?'

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 two women speaking. One writes on a clipboard as the other talks. Overlaid text reads 'patients need clearer, more accessible complaints systems'

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 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'

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...

The hidden wait to be prescribed ADHD medication | Healthwatch Kingston Long waiting times for an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis make it difficult for people to get the support they need. New Healthwatch research has revealed an additional hurdl...

Long waiting times for an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis make it difficult for people to get the support they need. New Healthwatch research has revealed an additional hurdle: the wait to get medication. ⬇️
www.healthwatchkingston.org.uk/blog/2025-08...

Most people with ADHD do not tell their employer – we must break the silence Healthwatch England's Louise Ansari says workers who are silent about their ADHD are a worrying sign of people left to fend for themselves.

Waiting lists must be tackled, and employers encouraged to offer proactive support to help ensure people have the help they need to be able to work. www.bigissue.com/opinion/adhd...

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.

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

A photo of a woman sat in a pharmacy speaking to a pharmacist. Text reads 'need out-of-hours help this bank holiday?'

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

Petition: Review decision to abolish independent local Healthwatch We are asking the government to: • Revisit its decision to abolish local independent services that speak up for the public • Consult with the public to codesign a service which meets their needs and s...

Sign the petition to help protect and strengthen independence ➡ petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...

Services can’t be held to account by the same bodies that fund or manage them.

Independence is essential for honest feedback and meaningful scrutiny. 🧵

Healthwatch act as an independent, critical friend. Working constructively with local stakeholders, but always with the freedom to raise concerns without fear or favour. 🧵

Carrie Duran, head of health and care programmes at Hull CVS, said scrapping the groups would take away the chance for vulnerable people to have a say, and leave services marking their own homework. 🧵

Local Healthwatch groups face closure under NHS 10-Year Plan The government is proposing to close local Healthwatch groups under its 10-year plan for the NHS.

Speaking to Hull Community Voluntary Service (CVS) the BBC has reported on the plans to abolish local Healthwatch ➡ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... 🧵

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'

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...

Your local Healthwatch are still open and happy to help you. Whether you are unhappy with your care, want to leave feedback about your experience or struggling to find a local service - get in touch today and let them help. www.healthwatch.co.uk/your-local-h...

Petition: Review decision to abolish independent local Healthwatch We are asking the government to: • Revisit its decision to abolish local independent services that speak up for the public • Consult with the public to codesign a service which meets their needs and s...

Help us to protect and strengthen independence by signing and sharing the petition asking the government to review its decision to abolish local Healthwatch ⬇️
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...

We think trusted independent services that listen to local communities are essential to improving health and social care.

The findings highlight the importance of acknowledging diverse grief experiences, addressing systematic barriers, and ensuring long-term support ➡️