The Healthwatch East Sussex Listening Tour is an opportunity for you to share your views and experiences of local health and care services.
Healthwatch want to hear from residents and service providers to help shape the future of local health and care. One way to get involved is to attend their forthcoming Listening Tour Workshop in Eastbourne.
When: Wednesday 25th February 2026
Time: 10:00am – 12:30pm
Location: Emmanuel Church, 48A Upperton Rd, Eastbourne, England, BN21 1LQ
Health Innovation Kent Surrey and Sussex is working with NHS Sussex and NHS Surrey Heartlands to understand how helpful a digital tool called Healthtech-1 is for GP practices across the two areas.
Healthtech-1 is an online tool that supports GP practices with patient
registration. Patients can still register online through the NHS App or their GP practice website, and most people will not notice any change.
Anyone who prefers to register in person can continue to do so. The tool works in the background to reduce the need for GP staff to manually type in patient details. It also helps staff collect and manage registration information more easily.
The project team would like to hear from local people to understand whether this makes the registration process easier for patients and staff, and to identify any
barriers that people may experience:innovators@healthinnovation-kss.com
The survey has 7 questions, takes around 10 minutes, and closes on 10 February 2026.
As winter continues, it’s important to know where to go if you or a family member needs urgent help. Winter pressures and seasonal illness continue to place high demand on Sussex NHS services. Choosing the right service can help you get support more quickly and helps A&E teams focus on the most serious and life-threatening emergencies.
If you need urgent care for something that is not life-threatening, you may be seen faster at an Urgent Treatment Centre, walk-in centre or Minor Injury Unit. These services can assess and treat many common problems people often attend A&E for, including sprains, suspected minor fractures, cuts and bruises, skin infections and rashes, high temperatures, and stomach upsets needing same-day care.
Use NHS 111 online (or call 111) to get the right help quickly
This new year is a good opportunity to check you and your family are up to date with important health information and support. Most children who get chickenpox will have mild symptoms, but for some it can be more serious and lead to
complications or hospitalisation.
From 1 January 2026, children will be offered protection against chickenpox as part of the NHS routine childhood vaccination programme, with the vaccine
offered from 12 months old.
There will also be a catch-up offer for some children. Children born between 1 January 2020 and 31 August 2022 will be offered a single dose of the MMRV vaccine from November 2026.
For children aged over 6 years, it is likely they may have already had chickenpox. They will remain eligible for their MMR vaccine as part of the routine programme.
A positive start to the year also means helping everyone feel safe, respected and supported in their community. Last year in East Sussex, 10% of reported hate crimes were against people with a disability.
In response, the Safer East Sussex Team has worked closely with the Involvement Matters Team, a group of self-advocates who have a learning disability, to create a new video to support adults with a learning disability.
The film helps people recognise discriminatory abuse, speak up, and report it. It will also be used to train staff and raise awareness across the wider community – helping to build a safer, more inclusive East Sussex for everyone.
By supporting people with a learning disability to understand their rights and take action, we hope to reduce stigma and ensure every voice is heard.
Have you heard about Health and Care Passports?
They help people who might have a neuro-difference or learning disability, or a physical or mental health condition to access the right support and reasonable
adjustments when using public services. The passport explains their needs,
preferences and what helps them feel comfortable.
As we start a new year, the East Sussex Autism Partnership Board is
encouraging more people to use Health and Care Passports to help access the right support and reasonable adjustments when using public services. They can be
especially helpful for autistic and neurodivergent people, and can be shared with professionals in health, care, education and other services. You do not need a diagnosis to use one.
Promoting passports is the first action in the East Sussex All-Age Autism Action Plan. The Autism Partnership Board has selected six different passports to
promote for one year, so people can choose the option that works best for them. Training and resources are also being developed to raise awareness and support consistent use across services.
We’d like to hear from anyone who has used a passport, as your feedback helps us improve the support available across East Sussex. Email at: APB@eastsussex.gov.uk
The start of a new year is a great time to think about changes that can support your health and wellbeing. If quitting smoking is on your list, you’re not alone – and support is available.
A new South East campaign is encouraging people to quit by challenging the myth that smoking relieves stress. Evidence shows that stopping smoking can
improve both your physical health and your mental wellbeing.
Within weeks of quitting, your brain starts to rebalance dopamine – sometimes called the “happy hormone” – which nicotine can interfere with. Many people find they feel calmer, more in control, and better able to cope day-to-day.
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve smoked, or how many times you’ve tried. Support works, and local stop smoking services across Sussex can help you every step of the way.
The new year can be stressful, and many of us notice changes in our mood,
including increased anxiety and stress. But did you know alcohol can often make those effects worse over time?
Taking breaks from drinking alcohol can improve your memory, coordination, mood and sleep – all of which can have a positive impact on your mental health. Alcohol can also interfere with deep, restorative sleep, leaving you feeling more tired the next day. And many drinks contain more calories than people realise, sometimes similar to fast-food portions, even before mixers and added sugars.
As Dry January comes to an end, many people will be starting to feel the benefits of taking part. But you don’t have to wait until January to make a change – any time of year is a good time to cut down, take a break, or build healthier habits around drinking. Small steps can help, such as trying alcohol-free alternatives you enjoy or planning routines to avoid temptation.
Our article Taking back control: don’t let alcohol run your life has more advice, and information on drug and alcohol support services.
Find advice and support to cut down or take a break from alcohol
New year can feel like a fresh start – but it can also bring pressure, worry or low mood for some people. We all have days when we feel sad, anxious or
overwhelmed, but if how you’re feeling is affecting your day-to-day life, it’s
important to know that help is available.
There are local online resources across Sussex to support your mental health and wellbeing, whether you’re looking for advice for yourself, your child, or
someone you care about.
If you’re aged 18 and over, visit How Are You Really Feeling? for helpful
resources and contact details for people you can speak with.
Printed translated versions of the signposting information are also available in Arabic, Farsi, Bengali, Polish and Ukrainian.
For children and young people, eWellbeing offers support, information and tips for managing stress, anxiety and low mood.
A new year is a great time to reset, refocus and prioritise your health and
wellbeing. Small changes can make a big difference, and you don’t have to do
everything at once. In 2026, why not say “yes” to healthier habits that support both your body and mind?
That could mean moving a little more each day, choosing balanced meals more
often, improving your sleep routine, or taking time to look after your mental
wellbeing. If you smoke, vape or drink alcohol, cutting down even slightly can also benefit your health. The most important thing is to start with one change that feels realistic and achievable for you.
If you’re not sure where to begin, the NHS Healthy Choices Quiz is a quick and easy way to check in on your lifestyle. It takes 5 minutes, is completely free, and offers NHS apps and advice to help you make changes where they matter most. The quiz asks about eating, alcohol, movement, smoking and vaping, mental health and sleep. It’s not a medical assessment and won’t ask for personal health details or medical history.
The quiz is for adults aged 18+. If you have a health condition, are pregnant, or are worried about your health, speak to a GP or midwife first.