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Important update: Old Mid and South Essex Hospital Phone Numbers to Be Switched Off from 31 August 2026 Patients are being reminded that all old telephone numbers for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust hospitals will be permanently switched off from 31 August 2026. After this date, the old numbers will no longer work. Callers will not hear a recorded message, and calls will not be redirected to the new numbers. The Trust introduced new main hospital switchboard numbers

The East of England Ambulance Service has announced plans to transform how patients receive care across Essex and the wider region, with a greater focus on providing treatment closer to home where appropriate. Under the new Patient Plan, hospital admission will no longer be the automatic outcome for every patient. Instead, specialist clinicians will support decision-making earlier, helping ensure people receive the most suitable care in the right setting. The strategy aims to

A new bill will change how patients are heard, but until it becomes law, you can continue to expect the same service from Healthwatch. The NHS Modernisation Bill will change how patients and people who use social care services are listened to. Under the proposed new law, Healthwatch England’s responsibilities will move to the Department of Health and Social Care. Local Healthwatch roles will be absorbed by NHS Integrated Care Boards and local councils. We don’t yet know when

We all have times when we feel stressed, alone, low or overwhelmed. Mental Health Awareness Week is a chance to talk openly, take time to listen and remind people that help is available. Your Mind and Body Work Together As human beings, our minds and bodies are closely connected and what we feel physically can affect how we feel emotionally. For example: Poor sleep can affect mood. Stress can cause headaches or stomach pain. Long-term physical illness can affect confidence an

The King's Fund, an independent health research and policy organisation, has just published a report looking at how local Healthwatch have worked with their residents and decision-makers in the NHS and local government. Healthwatch Southend was pleased to be invited to take part in the research. It comes at a time when we expect the Government to publish a Bill which will abolish Healthwatch Southend and the 150 other local services. It will propose that NHS integrated care

Healthwatch Southend is inviting Deaf people who use British Sign Language (BSL) to take part in a focus group about their experiences of using general practice (GP services). We want to hear directly from Deaf people about what works well, what does not, and what needs to improve when accessing GP services. Why are we doing this? In 2023, Healthwatch Southend held focus groups with Deaf people and found significant inequalities in access to GP services. These included: Lack

The NHS is planning to launch a new service, offering adult patients the chance to have an online outpatient appointment with a consultant in another part of the country. This should mean shorter waiting times and less travel. It is hoped the new NHS Online NHS Trust will be up and running from 2027. It forms part of the NHS 10 Year Plan and it is hoped that some 8 million appointments will be offered in the first three years. Starting with gynaecology, urology, gastroenter

Help Shape Mental Health Services in Southend NHS Mid and South Essex integrated care system want to hear from local people about their experiences of community mental health services. Whether you’ve used these services yourself or supported a friend, family member, or loved one, your feedback is incredibly important. By sharing your experiences, whether good, bad, or somewhere in between, you can help make sure mental health services reflect what really matters to the people

Good news for Shoeburyness - £20 million will be invested in the area over the next 10 years through the Pride in Place Fund. This is a Government plan allowing communities to spend the funding on what matters most to them - from improvements to pavements and high streets to investing in culture and green spaces - and make a long-term difference. Local MP Bayo Alaba wants the community to lead the way in deciding how this money is spent. A Survey Is Now Open If you live in S

If you need urgent dental care, appointments are now available locally as part of the 700,000 additional urgent dental appointments being rolled out across the country. People in mid and south Essex who need urgent or unscheduled dental care can access these appointments by calling NHS111. The appointments are for urgent conditions like severe toothache, abscesses or swellings, severe bleeding from the gums, and broken or knocked out teeth. In mid and south Essex, a dedicated

Westcliff Medical Centre has been given notice by its landlord that the building premises needs to be vacated by 31 January 2026. The practice has been looking for alternative locations to ensure this change has the least impact on patients and their access to local services. The proposal to minimise patient impact Westcliff Medical Centre has identified an opportunity to relocate to nearby Valkyrie Primary Care Centre. The Centre has space to accommodate all Westcli

Source: Benfleet Primary Care Network You may have read about the temporary closure of The Hollies Surgery in Benfleet. There are a small number of Southend residents registered at the practice, so we wanted to share some important information from the NHS. This may be useful for family and friends who are patients of the practice. Telephone lines are being restored, and patients will be able to contact the surgery in the usual way from 8am today (12 November 2025) Face-to-f

Use the NHS website ( https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist/ ) to search for a dentist near you. The site also provides information on which dental practices currently accept new patients, whether they off er urgent appointments, and how others have rated the service. While this is a good starting point for finding a local dentist, people often tell us that these records are only sometimes kept updated, so you should contact the practice directly for more informati

In 2024 the NHS reported there were 2,197 people diagnosed with ADHD living in Southend, 976 were aged 17 or younger and 1,221 were adults 18+. What is ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)? ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by a higher-than-average level of hyperactive behaviour and difficulty maintaining attention in conversations, learning, or other situations over extended periods. A person with ADHD may also experience: Impulsiveness (acting w

What is it? You and Your General Practice is a national patient charter developed by NHS England to help patients understand: What they...

New research from Healthwatch England shows that too many men are missing out on the NHS Health Check, which is essential in preventing...

Taking paracetamol during pregnancy has hit the news recently. Dr Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the Medicines & Healthcare...

The NHS in Mid & South Essex wants to make sure mental health crisis services work better for everyone. By sharing your experience,...

Join as much or as little as you’re able—your contribution matters. Do you or someone you care for live with a disability or long-term...

Mid & South Essex Hospitals have announced changes to parking at Basildon, Broomfield and Southend Hospitals. When you enter the hospital...