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Protect yourself and your loved ones during the hot weather.

We often get inquiries on how to travel to the hospital, or whether their travel costs can be reimbersed. We have raised this issue to Portsmouth Hospital University NHS Trust (PHUT). PHUT listened to patients' feedback and agreed to make reimbursement guidance more explicit and accessible. Now, PHUT's Communications Team have updated the information on their website with clear, simple guidance, including where to go (e.g. Cashiers Office) and what patients need to know. Who'

NHS England has publsihed the Changes to the GP Contract in 2026/27 in March 2026. According to this report, their focus this year is GP capacity, supporting the shift from treatment to prevention, and enabling practices to prioritise clinically urgent needs. Six key changes for patients summarised by Healthwatch England 1. You should not be told to ‘call back tomorrow’ 2. Clinically urgent requests should get a same-day response 3. Online request systems should not cap reque

Although life has returned to normal for us, COVID-19 is still among us. Getting infected with COVID-19 can still cause serious illness, especially without vaccination. The NHS in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is offering COVID-19 Vaccine to vulnerable people from 13 April to 30 June. This is your chance to protect yourself and get free vaccine. Check if you are eligible below. NHS COVID-19 vaccine eligibility People aged 75 years and over Residents in care homes Adults an

Tomorrow is Stroke Prevention Day. Stroke can be life-threatening and stroke is the most common cause of adult disability in the UK. Two-thirds of people who survive a stroke find themselves living with a disability. The terrfiying fact is that it can happen to anyone at any age . The good news is there are some simple ways to prevent strokes. What is a stroke? A stroke is when blood stops flowing to a part of your brain. Stroke symptoms often appear suddenly and can be ident

With Healthwatch Portsmouth and our partners' efforts, two new HIVE Portsmouth Community Helpdesks just opened in early December. In 2023, we gathered residents' feedback during guided conversations, in order to drive the purpose of reducing health inequalities in the city’s areas most affected. Now, we are delighted to see our findings and plans have been put into place, and already there have been lots of people dropping in for free information, advice and guidance. Below

Portsmouth City Council has vouchers available to low income families

WEA have courses available for adults including personal development, numeracy and literature courses.

The You Trust have a program called Workwise

Learn the do's and don'ts of communicating with people who are deaf

The British Medical Association has announced on 1 August 2024 that GPs will start capping appointments.