Healthwatch Milton Keynes

29/10/2026

Wonderful news for the people of Milton Keynes and across England.

The Government has announced that Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations will be kept. Plans to abolish them will not go ahead. This means you will still have an independent place to turn to, speak up and understand your rights in Milton Keynes when it comes to your health and care. You can share your experiences of health and care, get advice and be confident that someone is listening. The Government has also said it will strengthen Healthwatch, so what people tell us has more influence on how services are planned and improved.

Thank you. This decision happened because people spoke up. Thank you to everyone in Milton Keynes who supported us, including everyone who wrote to their local MP, people who shared their experiences with us, and partners and local politicians.

What next? - Our work continues as normal. We will keep listening to people across Milton Keynes, especially those who find it hardest to access the services they need and have their voice heard. We will keep sharing what we learn with the people who plan and run health and care services. We expect more detail on the plans to strengthen Healthwatch in the coming weeks, and will tell you as soon as we know more.

28/10/2026

Today, the Government announced that local Healthwatch organisations and Healthwatch England will be retained and strengthened, ensuring that patients’ and the public’s experiences play a greater role in improving health and social care services.

We are delighted that the Government has recognised the value of Healthwatch and our role as an independent champion for patients and the public.

This decision also recognises the outstanding work and professionalism of staff and volunteers across Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations, particularly during what has been a challenging period.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to work with Healthwatch and support our work. Your commitment helps ensure that people’s voices are heard and that their experiences can contribute to better health and social care services. Read our full response in the comment.

23/10/2026

If you’re looking into care options, you can quickly check what financial support you might be entitled to. Lottie’s free funding checker takes around two minutes and shows whether benefits, council support or NHS Continuing Healthcare could help with care costs. Find the link to the free checker in the comments/bio.

21/10/2026

COVID‑19 spreads more easily in winter, so topping up protection matters for those most at risk. This autumn, the NHS is offering free COVID‑19 vaccinations to:

• People aged 75 and over
• Older adult care home residents
• Immunosuppressed individuals aged 6 months+

If you’re eligible, you can book your vaccination now through the NHS National Booking Service or the NHS App. Head to Healthwatch Milton Keynes Advice and Information page for more information on eligibility and how to book your vaccination. (link in comments/bio)

Protect yourself ahead of winter and encourage those who are eligible to book their dose.

15/10/2026

Diabetes UK Milton Keynes Local Group Meeting - The next session is on Thursday October 15th 2026 at Centrecom Community Centre in CMK. There's free parking. Arrive at 7pm for a cuppa and the meeting kicks off at 7.30pm. This month's topic is a general opportunity to listen and share experiences when living with Diabetes.

09/10/2026

07/10/2026

Have your say on accessible healthcare information

Are you blind or partially sighted and living in England? RNIB wants to hear about your experiences of accessing healthcare information and communications.

This could include appointment letters, test results, medication information, messages from healthcare services and digital services such as the NHS App. Whether your experiences have been positive, challenging or mixed, your feedback matters.

The survey takes around 10–15 minutes. Your feedback will support RNIB’s work to improve access to healthcare information and communications. This is an England wide survey so please share.

Closing date: Tuesday 20 October 2026. Link to teh survey can be found in comments/bio

06/10/2026

Last night we attended Milton Keynes University Hospital Annual Members’ and were really impressed by the presentation from the Neonatal Unit. It highlighted just how much work the team have put in to helping parents familiarise themselves with the unit before their baby arrives — especially as families don’t awlays expect their newborn to need neonatal care, and it can feel frightening if you’re not prepared.

MKUH’s neonatal team work closely with families to make sure parents feel fully involved and supported throughout their baby’s stay. Their virtual 3D tour, parent videos, and detailed information about the unit give families a clear sense of what the environment looks, feels and sounds like, and explain the different areas of care — from Intensive Care to High Dependency and Special Care. It’s an incredibly helpful resource for any parent who wants to understand what to expect if their baby needs specialist support.

You can explore the Neonatal Unit and its resources - link in the comments

30/09/2026

A genuinely positive Enter & View visit at Woburn Sands Lodge. Enter & View is one of the ways Healthwatch listens to people using local services — visiting care settings to speak directly with residents, observe daily life, and understand what’s working well and where improvements could be made.

At Woburn Sands Lodge, residents spoke about feeling respected, independent and well supported. Staff showed real warmth, professionalism and pride in the care they provide. The home has invested in thoughtful improvements to both indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a welcoming environment that encourages social connection, choice and everyday living.

We were particularly struck by the strong culture of staff wellbeing and development, which shines through in confident, compassionate practice and a calm, inclusive atmosphere for residents. With no recommendations required, this visit highlights what good residential care can look like.

👉 Read the full report and the service’s response. Link the Comments/bio.

26/09/2026

What is Safe Harbour?

Safe Harbour provides an inclusive safe space for families at risk of self harm, su***de and bereavement by su***de in Milton Keynes. Group sessions support families to build communication between them, to help break down stigma and isolation. Connection in helping each other to understand and developing the ability to speak about how they are feeling and to put coping strategies and safety plans in place. The space also provides an opportunity to meet other families with similar lived experiences. You can contact the service by visiting [email protected]