Stroke Prevention Day in January highlighted the importance of checking your blood pressure. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension – is the
biggest risk factor for stroke, causing around half of all cases.

‘Knowing your numbers’ is a simple way to protect your long-term health. Anyone aged 40 or over who lives in England and does not already have a diagnosis of high blood pressure can access a free blood pressure check at participating community pharmacies.

Small lifestyle changes can also make a difference. Regular physical activity,
stopping smoking or vaping, drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, and eating a balanced diet all help to lower blood pressure.

Taking simple steps now can reduce your risk and help you stay well for the people who matter most.

Find your nearest pharmacy offering free blood pressure checks

For poets the heart symbolises love, and for doctors it’s an organ we must take good care of. However we think about it, protecting our heart health matters. Valentine’s Day may have passed, but February remains a good time to focus on your heart health.

Heart disease continues to affect thousands of families across the UK, with
someone dying from cardiovascular disease every three minutes. The good news is that small daily changes can make a lasting difference. As part of Heart Month 2026, residents are encouraged to take just 15 minutes a day to support their heart.

A brisk 15-minute walk contributes towards the recommended weekly activity
target. Swapping a takeaway for a home-cooked meal using fresh ingredients can support heart health.

You could also spend 15 minutes learning CPR through the free online RevivR training course. Acting quickly in an emergency can more than double someone’s chance of survival.

Small steps taken today can help protect your future health.

Get tips for improving heart health

From 16 to 20 March, we will be marking Neurodiversity Celebration Week with an exciting programme of free online and in-person events.

This year’s events have been co-produced by the East Sussex Autism Partnership Board (a group of people with both lived and professional experience of autism). Together, they have developed the 2025–2027 Action Plan, which sets out practical steps towards building a neuro-inclusive East Sussex.

Throughout the week, residents can hear from local and national experts, learn about new developments, and explore what’s happening across East Sussex to improve support, inclusion and understanding.

Take a look at what’s coming up:

• Monday 16^th March 12.30pm – 2pm (online) – Dr Luke Beardon: Autopia
• Tuesday 17th March 9am -10am (online) Little Gate Supported Employment: Neuro-inclusive Recruitment (for recruiting employers only)
• Tuesday 17^th March 12.30pm – 2pm (online) Kit Messenger: Neuro-inclusive Workplaces
• Wednesday 18^th March 12.30pm – 1.30pm (online) Developing Neuro-inclusive Education, 12.30pm – 1:30pm
• Thursday 19^th March 12.30pm – 1:30pm – Neuro-inclusion in Health and Care
• Friday 20^th March 9am – 4pm – Unity in Diversity (Exploring Neurodivergence) an in-person event at the Towner Art Gallery and Cinema in Eastbourne

Events are open to all and free.

Book your spot here

Understanding young people’s experiences is an important part of supporting
community health. Healthwatch East Sussex are inviting people aged 21 or under to complete a short survey about nicotine pouches.

Sometimes referred to as ‘snus’, nicotine pouches do not contain tobacco but
release nicotine when placed under the lip.

Healthwatch East Sussex wants to hear why young people use them, how often they are used, and what effects they may have. Responses are anonymous and will help inform future health support and information.

The survey includes six short questions and can also be completed via a printable version returned by freepost. The closing date is 22 March 2026.

Complete the online survey before 22nd March

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

Book a place here

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.

Complete the survey by 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.

Find out more about the vaccine and who is eligible

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.

Watch and share the video

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

Find out more and choose your health and care passport