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Millions of people have had their treatment delayed by the pandemic – are you one of them? We want to know if you’re getting the advice, information and support you need while you wait.Advice and Information -
Waiting for planned medical care or surgery can be a frustrating time. That’s why it’s so important that while you wait, you get regular, clear and accessible updates so that you can plan your next steps.News -
The King’s Fund and Healthwatch England jointly call for urgent action to address hospital waiting lists and improve patients’ experience of delays to treatment.News -
A record-breaking 5.7 million people are waiting for hospital care. In response, the Government is spending an extra £5.9 billion to tackle the problem. Latest Healthwatch research looks at how the backlog is impacting the lives of those waiting.News -
Every two minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer and radiotherapy is often a key treatment for many patients.Advice and Information -
It's natural to feel anxious or worried if you're told you need a colonoscopy, but it's important to have the test if you are referred.Advice and Information -
The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide NHS or adult social care. Here’s some key information about the accessible communications you should expect from services.News -
Are you passionate about climate change and the role that health services have in reducing our impact on the environment?News -
The Independent Review of Maternity Services at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, led by Donna Ockenden, was published in late March.Blog -
This week, our CEO Maxine Taffetani, was invited to visit the Patient and Family Engagement team at the Milton Keynes University Hospital, and was excited to see how they've been celebrating Patient Experience Week.News -
Plans are underway for a new interim mental health ward for young people at Luton and Dunstable Hospital.Advice and Information -
If you've been referred for hospital treatment, it's highly likely you will have to wait for your appointment.Advice and Information -
The NHS wants to make it easier and safer for patients to get the right treatment when they need it, without waiting a long time to be seen in A&E. Find out what this means for you and your loved ones.News -
Pregnancy is a major life event for any family. It can be joyful and fulfilling but also challenging. We’re launching a national survey to understand if care works for new mothers and birthing parents. Share your story.News -
Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) will take industrial action on 15 and 20 December across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Read our response.
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The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is highlighting the ongoing impact of historic and current system pressures on mental health services, their staff and the people using them.Advice and Information -
The continuing cost of living crisis is adversely affecting people's physical and mental wellbeing, with vulnerable people and those on lower incomes hit the hardest.News -
Residents in Milton Keynes are set to benefit from quicker access to tests, checks and scans as two new CDCs are set to open in our area later this year.News -
A new system is in place for when your GP refers you to see any sort of specialist in a community or hospital-based service.News -
Junior doctors in England (including Milton Keynes) will take industrial action beginning with a full 72-hour stoppage of work from today. Continuous strike action – day and night – will begin at 06.59am on Monday 13 March and continue through to 06.59am on Thursday 16 March.News -
Deep-dive analysis of experiences of 2,693 new mothers and birthing parents shows that six-week postnatal checks – required of GPs in England - are failing many new mothers.News -
This anniversary marks 10 years of Healthwatch. To mark this milestone, we're celebrating the contribution that you have made in improving health and care services in Milton Keynes.News -
We're working with the Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership on a project to improve how patients experience moving through different health and care services.News -
Maternity services at Milton Keynes University Hospital have been assessed as 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC for short). They have been rated as 'Outstanding' for leadership.Advice and Information -
Pregnancy and trying to conceive can be a challenging, intense and daunting time. It's not all plain sailing, and women can feel particularly vulnerable during this time. Many women experience mental health difficulties, when trying to conceive, during pregnancy, and after the birth.Advice and Information -
If you're diabetic and are thinking about getting pregnant, it's sensible to plan ahead to ensure you have a healthy, comfortable pregnancy.News -
Are you hoping to get pregnant, or could you have an unplanned pregnancy? We're running an independent survey to help our local NHS and Maternity Voices Partnership MK to understand the needs, challenges and aspirations of local women when it comes to pre-pregnancy health.News -
The rule would act as an extra safeguard for patients or their loved ones who want a second opinion about treatment options, particularly in the event of a suspected deterioration or serious concern on the part of a patient on a hospital ward, or their family or carer.News -
NHS patients who have been waiting the longest for treatment will be offered the opportunity to travel to a different hospital, if it means they could be seen sooner.Advice and Information -
Around one in five GP visits are for non-medical problems. Many things that affect our health can’t be treated by doctors or medicine alone. This includes loneliness, money problems, housing, education or employment status. NHS social prescribing link workers can connect you to the right community groups and services to help support you.Advice and Information -
With more and more appointments happening online, we've put together some tips on how to get the most out of the virtual health and care appointments both for patients and health and care professionals.News -
The Care Quality Commission has published its annual State of Care report, highlighting that a combination of the cost-of-living crisis and NHS workforce pressures risk ‘unfair care’ for many people.News -
New HWE research shows that in the past year, access to primary care is the main concern for patients across England.News -
We’re collaborating with local partners to reduce the risk of medication errors for patients receiving at-home care from family or official carers.Advice and Information -
Many of us will need out-of-hours medical assistance, especially over the winter. Using NHS guidelines, we've put together some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.
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A new team at Milton Keynes University Hospital that combines professionals across health and social care, will now give residents increased support after a stay in hospital.Report -
We carried out an Enter and View visit of Blakelands Hospital. Here are our findings and recommendations.News -
Recent BBC figures show that waiting times at Milton Keynes University Hospital are the longest in England.Advice and Information -
Autistic people in Milton Keynes can now get a better understanding of what to expect from screening appointments and other common NHS experiences, thanks to videos produced by Autism Bedfordshire.News -
These are the projects and health issues that we'll be working on over the next 12 months.News -
The Government has launched a consultation on the NHS Constitution, which sets out your rights as an NHS patient. Read why it's important to have your say.News -
We're excited to share with you our Annual Report for 2023-24.News -
The NHS is transferring more services from hospitals to local communities. This was causing problems for people in Milton Keynes who rely on ambulances for patient transport to their appointments.Advice and Information -
The two COVID vaccination centres in Milton Keynes will close on 14 December. But you can still get your vaccine at pharmacies or with your GP, and stay protected this winter.News -
The rollout of COVID and flu vaccines for older adults, care home residents and those with long term health conditions has begun for people in Milton Keynes.