News and reports

In August 2024, the three Healthwatch teams in Sussex sought your experiences of of having your eyes tested.

Eye tests play a huge part in making sure your eyes stay healthy. The NHS recommends you should have your eyes tested every two years (more often if advised by your ophthalmic practitioner or optometrist). A detailed explanation of NHS eye tests is available on the NHS website.

We regularly review the experiences you told us through public events, surveys, Feedback Centre and Information & Signposting enquiries.

Healthwatch uses your feedback with health and care decision-makers to seek a positive difference, and this document sets out the issues you raised and any changes you have helped us to deliver during August 2024.

Our 2024 Annual Event ‘Building Better Health and Care’ was held at The View Hotel, Eastbourne in July 2024.

This report provides a brief summary of the event, with a particular focus on the points raised during the table discussions and participant’s consideration of the theme ‘Building Better Health and Care’.

Healthwatch uses your feedback with health and care decision-makers to seek a positive difference, and this document sets out the issues you raised and any changes you have helped us to deliver during July 2024.

In July 2024, the three Healthwatch teams in Sussex sought your experiences of using pharmacy services. This was due to the recent expansion in services provided by pharmacies and the launch of ‘Pharmacy First’ in January 2024 which you can read more about here.

Between November 2023 and January 2024, our short survey asked people to share their experiences of seeking advice or treatment for an earwax problem in the last two years.

We are delighted to share ‘The value of listening’, our Annual Report for 2023-24. It highlights how we have listened to the voices of the public, patients and partners and used people’s feedback, experiences and preferences to help shape health and social care in East Sussex, and across Sussex.

Healthwatch uses your feedback with health and care decision-makers to seek a positive difference, and this document sets out the issues you raised and any changes you have helped us to deliver during June 2024.

In June 2024, Healthwatch sought experiences of eConsult which is a free online platform that allows you to get help and advice from your NHS GP practice. You can use it to let a GP know about any symptoms, ask a question or follow up about something, either for your own health or on behalf of someone you care for.

In May 2024, Healthwatch in Sussex sought experiences of being seen by a Physician’s Associate.

A Physician Associate supports doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients. A detailed explanation of a Physician Associate is available on the NHS website.

We regularly review the experiences you told us through public events, surveys, Feedback Centre and Information & Signposting enquiries.

Healthwatch uses your feedback with health and care decision-makers to seek a positive difference, and this document sets out the issues you raised and any changes you have helped us to deliver during May 2024.

In April 2024, the three local Healthwatch in Sussex sought experiences of the Memory Assessment Service (MAS).

The Memory Assessment Service undertakes assessments of memory problems (including diagnosis of dementia) via a thorough review of cognition and effects on functioning.