Blog - Page 25 of 46 - Healthwatch Northumberland

Help us shape the future of health and care services

November 2, 2022/in News/by Claire Jackson

Please help us shape the future of health and care services

We’re working with the NHS to improve the wellbeing of people in our area and across the region. There is now an Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) which is an equal partnership between councils and the NHS and aims to join up health and care services.

The partnership covers the whole of the North East and also North Cumbria. It is developing a strategy, which starts to set out ambitions and goals to improve the health of our communities, as well as how they will make these ambitions a reality.

The strategy is very much evolving and the ICP would like to include a range of organisations, including the voluntary and community sector and other independent organisations, to work together to improve health and wellbeing.

The ICP wants to hear from you about what you think of the partnership’s vision, goals, and commitments, which are included in the draft strategy. You can share your thoughts by completing a short survey. Anyone living in the region can do this before 25 November 2022 so please share this with friends and family. All feedback will be treated in the strictest of confidence and you won’t be asked for any personal information that will identify you.

The direct link to the survey can be found below. If you would like to leave your views over the phone or would prefer a paper copy please call 0191 5128484 or email necsu.icpstrategy2022@nhs.net.

ICP strategy – leave your views

Tell us your experiences of using NHS and social care services

Tell us about maternal mental health care

November 2, 2022/in Frontpage Article, News, Projects/by Laura Haugh

Pregnancy is a major life event for any family. It can be joyful and fulfilling but also challenging. Healthwatch England is launching a national survey to understand if care works for new mothers and birthing parents and what needs improving for people who develop mental health difficulties relating to their maternity experience.

With one in four women experiencing mental health problems during pregnancy and in the first year following the birth of a child, support from maternity services can significantly impact their mental health and wellbeing.

Who do we want to hear from?

We want to hear from you if you have been pregnant in the last two years and have experienced mental health difficulties before, during or after giving birth.
We are interested in the experiences of women from ethnic minority communities and LGBTQ+ birthing parents.

Everything you share is confidential and will help us and the NHS understand what they need to put in place to better support people using maternity services.

Share your story

Find out more about Healthwatch England’s research

This piece of work has now finished.

NHS survey for deaf patients

October 27, 2022/in News/by Claire Jackson

If you are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust wants to understand more about your experiences of using hospital services in Northumberland and North Tyneside. Your feedback is really important and will help us to improve your hospital care. This survey should take no more than ten minutes to complete – your responses are confidential and no individuals will be identified in completing it.

Complete the Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing patients survey

Please note that the survey has not been designed for deaf people who use BSL; feedback is being gathered from BSL users through the BSL Health Navigator Project in association with Deaflink. If you are a BSL user and would like to give your feedback about our services or would like more information about the Navigator Project, visit: https://www.deaflink.org.uk/ or contact admin@deaflink.org.uk (or Phone: 0191 281 2314; SMS/Text only: 07897 329 359).

If you would like further information about this survey, please email: patient.experience@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk and mark for the attention of Faye Gates.

What you told us: September 2022

October 25, 2022/in News, Projects/by Claire Jackson

Our ‘at a glance’ monthly reports provide a summary of who we have been hearing from and what you have told us. What you tell us helps us build a picture of what is working well and where there are issues in the NHS and social care services we use here in Northumberland.

Often, we can get a quick response to your enquiry or signpost you to the right service.

Some issues are already being looked at by other organisations and we pass on your comments and concerns to them so that they have as much feedback as possible from those using services, to help them make decisions and improvements to services.

There are some issues that we look into in more detail and set aside time and resources to investigate further and put together recommendations for change.

Rising cost of living – local resources

October 25, 2022/in Frontpage Article, News/by Laura Haugh

The rising cost of living is having an effect on households and organisations across the country. With energy bills rising, it can be difficult to afford household bills, food and other living expenses.

VONNE – Voluntary Organisations’ Network North East – has put together a list of useful resources and information to explain more about the rising cost of living with tips on how to reduce your bills and stay safe this winter.

Online event – Qwell

October 21, 2022/in Frontpage Article, News, Projects/by Laura Haugh

Join us on Friday 11 November to hear from Andrew Poinen, Engagement Lead for Kooth and Qwell.

In this free, online public event Andrew will provide an overview of Qwell, the online service available for adults aged 18 and over in Northumberland which provides free, safe and anonymous mental health and wellbeing support.

We will hear what it involves, how to access it and there will be a chance to ask questions.

Register now and we will send you a link to join closer to the event:

This event has now passed

Join our Annual Conversation

October 21, 2022/in News, Projects/by Claire Jackson

This year, instead of our usual Annual Survey, we’re having an ‘Annual Conversation’. This is a more focused piece of work which will help us hear from people that we don’t hear from as often. We’ll be working with groups and organisations from across Northumberland to hear about people’s recent experiences of NHS and social care services. This is anything from GP and dental services, hospital and ambulance services, mental health services, care homes and care in the home.

Only by hearing what people want and need from services can providers know how to improve care. Speaking to us here at Healthwatch Northumberland is a confidential and anonymous way to get your voice heard and your views taken into account when decisions are being made about services

We also want to hear what went well for people when they used services.

During October and November we’ll be working with Fishermen’s Mission, Escape Family Support, Being Woman, Royal Voluntary Service, Miners Lamp Community Cafe and Hub, Bridge Northumberland and Journey Enterprises, to hear from service users and local communities.

If you would like to tell us about your recent experience of health and social care please share your story. Or ask a question about local services through our Signposting and Information Service.

This piece of work has now closed

Share your experiences of GP referrals

October 5, 2022/in Frontpage Article, News, Projects/by Laura Haugh

Have you been referred by your GP practice to a specialist for tests, diagnosis or treatment? Or have you expected or requested a referral but didn’t get one? We’d like to hear about your experiences to help the NHS understand what is working and what could be better.

The survey will only take a few minutes of your time and any information you share will be anonymised.

What is a GP referral?

It’s when a GP or other medical professional at a GP practice sends you to a specialist at a hospital or community clinic for further tests, diagnosis or treatment. Your GP could make a referral for many reasons, such as a hip replacement, MRI scan, physio, mental health services, endoscopy and more. A referral can happen during a phone or face-to-face appointment.

Tell us about your experiences

Online event – Royal Osteoporosis Society

September 28, 2022/in Frontpage Article, News/by Laura Haugh

Join us on Friday 14 October, 1pm-2pm, to hear a presentation from Janet Boyd, a volunteer from the Royal Osteoporosis Society.

In this free, online public event Janet will provide an overview of osteoporosis, including signs and symptoms, risk factors, effects of osteoporosis and how to maintain good bone health.

We will also hear about local and national Royal Osteoporosis Society services, including support for people with osteoporosis and their carers, how to access advice and information and opportunities for volunteering. There will be a chance to ask questions.

Register now and we will send you a link to join closer to the event:

What you told us: August 2022

September 26, 2022/2 Comments/in News, Projects/by Claire Jackson

Our ‘at a glance’ monthly reports provide a summary of who we have been hearing from and what you have told us. What you tell us helps us build a picture of what is working well and where there are issues in the NHS and social care services we use here in Northumberland. In many cases, we can get a quick response to your enquiries.

Some issues are already being looked at by other organisations and we pass on your comments and concerns to them so that they have as much feedback as possible from those using services.