Image of two young people, one holding an umbrella over the other

Have your say on support for children and young people

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North East and North Cumbria NHS Integrated Care Board and Northumberland County Council are looking at how to strengthen support for children and young people with emotional wellbeing and mental health needs.

Northumberland’s Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Strategy for Children and Young People 2022-25 sets out how this will be achieved.

The aim of the strategy is to give children, young people and their families the confidence that they are receiving the best support possible.

Have your say on the strategy by completing this short survey. Closes 4 February.

Laptop and coffee cup with Epilepsy Action logo

Online event – Epilepsy Action

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Join us for our next free online lunchtime event on Friday 10 February, 1pm-2pm, to hear from Simon Privett, Volunteer Coordinator for Epilepsy Action. Simon will talk to us about what epilepsy is, how it can present, tips to help manage it and how we can help others living with epilepsy.

We will also hear what support is available from the charity and there will be a chance to ask questions.

Register now and we will send you a link to join closer to the event: bit.ly/Epilepsy-Action-Feb-23

For more information about epilepsy or to find out more about Epilepsy Action visit the Epilepsy Action website.

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Priority services register

Stay switched on

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You may be eligible for free support from your energy supplier by signing up to its Priority Services Register.

It’s a free service that makes sure extra help is available to people who need it like pensioners, people who need power for essential medical equipment or those who need help in a power cut. Alternatively, you might be struggling to access your payment meter or read small print on your bills.

The register helps energy suppliers know which customers need extra support. This can be because of your age, disability, a problem with your mobility, if you have an illness, suffer from mental health problems, have communication needs, or there have been changes in your life (such as pregnancy or if you have children under five). There may also be other circumstances, so it’s worth asking.

All you need to do is contact your energy supplier and tell them about your situation. If you’re eligible they can help with things like advance notice of power cuts, priority support in an emergency, or sending bills to a family member or carer.

To get help from your supplier or network operator, simply contact your energy supplier(s) via phone, website or app and ask to be put on their Priority Services Register. If you have different suppliers for gas and electricity, you need to contact them both. If you switch supplier in the future, you’ll need to register again.

You can get extra support if you:
• Are disabled or have a long-term health condition
• Have a hearing or sight condition
• Have a mental health condition
• Are recovering from an injury
• Are pregnant or have children under five living with you
• Have extra communication needs (such as if you don’t speak or read English well)
• Need to use medical equipment that requires a power supply
• Have reached your state pension age
• Have poor or no sense of smell
• Would struggle to answer the door or get help in an emergency

You might still be able to register for other reasons if your situation is not listed – for example, if you need short-term support after a stay in hospital.

Find out more about the Priority Services Register on the Ofgem website

Are you struggling to access health services this winter?

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With the NHS under extra pressure this winter, we need to hear your experiences of care to help services understand what is working and spot issues affecting support for you and your loved ones.

The NHS is facing added pressures this winter. This means that it can be more challenging for people to receive the care they need.

Feedback from the public can play a vital role in helping health and social care services understand what is working and spot issues affecting the care of local people.

This is why we have launched a campaign to get more people to share their experiences of care this winter.

If you or a loved one have used GPs, hospitals, pharmacies, care homes or other support services this winter, we want to hear about your experience.

Every experience matters

Have you faced challenges or delays accessing health and care services this winter? If you have, we want to know how this has affected your health and wellbeing.

Have you found accessing NHS services easy? Are there any aspects of the care you got that you really valued?

Your positive or negative feedback can help services hear what is working and spot issues affecting care for you and your loved ones.

Have your say

Please share your experience and help us make NHS decision-makers aware of what needs to change to improve access to care.

We’re completely independent and impartial, and anything you say is confidential.

Share your story

You can also provide feedback on care by giving us a call on: 03332 408 468

Laptop, coffee and ME Association logo

Online event – ME Association

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Join us for our next free online event on Friday 13 January, 1pm-2pm, to hear from Russell Fleming, Communications Manager at ME Association. This is the rescheduled date for the cancelled event in December.

Russell has had ME/CFS for 22 years but in recent years has been able to return to work for the national charity.

The ME Association provides support and information to those affected, training and advice to health and social care professionals and funds medical research in the hope that one day there will be effective treatments and even a cure. It also provides advice and support around Long Covid due to its many similarities with ME.

We will hear an overview of ME and Long Covid, management techniques and support available nationally and locally. There will also be a chance to ask questions.

Register now and we will send you a link to join closer to the event: bit.ly/ME-Association-event-Jan-23

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Elderly lady in care home

Care homes online forum Jan 2023

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Please join us for our next online care home forum on Monday 9 January, 10am – 11.30am via Zoom.

At our next forum we will be hearing from Alan Curry, Senior Manager – Commissioning Northumberland County Council who will be there to give us an overview on the current situation for Northumberland care homes including information and guidance around care home respite and planned hospital discharge into care homes and associated challenges.

We would also like to hear from you about your current experiences of visiting your loved ones in care homes and your experiences of accessing care home respite or care home placement following a planned discharge from hospital.

To register for a space or give feedback outside the forum please email: info@healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk or call us on 03332 408468.

See what we discussed at previous care home forums

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NHS stay well this winter

How to stay well this winter

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Winter conditions present an increased risk to our health, especially if you are older or have a long-term health condition such as heart or kidney disease, asthma or diabetes.

Being cold can raise the risk of increased blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. The cold, damp weather can aggravate existing health problems, making you more vulnerable to respiratory winter illnesses. Here are some tips to help you stay well this winter.

Top tips to stay well from the NHS

  • Make sure you get your COVID-19 booster and flu vaccination if you are eligible.
  • Keep warm by wrapping up, wearing lots of layers of thin clothes.
  • Stay active by moving around indoors, avoid sitting for more than one hour. Keeping active can also support your mental health.
  • Keep the heat in by drawing your curtains at dusk and keeping doors closed to block draughts. Try and heat rooms you regularly use to at least 18°C and keep your windows closed at night. Make sure you’re getting the help you’re entitled to with heating costs.
  • Use a hot water bottle or an electric blanket to keep warm in bed – but don’t use both at the same time.
  • Have at least one hot meal a day. Eating regular meals and drinking hot beverages can help you keep warm.
  • Look after your mental health by speaking to someone – a friend, family member or healthcare professional, like your doctor – if you are feeling down. Check out the NHS website for support on where to get urgent mental health support.
  • Make sure you have the right medicines at home in case you get poorly. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water:
    • When you get home or into work;
    • After you blow your nose, sneeze or cough; and
    • Before you eat.
  • If you get ill, rest and keep warm, drink lots of liquids, have at least one hot meal each day and take the tablets you have been recommended by a healthcare professional.

If you get ill

  • If you think you need medical help right now, call 111 by phone or use NHS 111 online.
  • If it is a real emergency and life-threatening, then you can call 999.
  • If it’s less urgent contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Look out for others

  • Keep in touch with your friends, neighbours and family and ask if they need any practical help, or if they’re feeling under the weather.
  • Make sure they’re stocked up with enough food supplies for a few days, in case they can’t go out.
  • If they do need to go out in the cold, encourage them to wear shoes with a good grip and a scarf around the mouth to protect them from the cold air, and to reduce their risk of chest infections.
  • Make sure they get any prescription medicines before the holiday period starts and if bad weather is forecast.
  • If you’re concerned about someone’s health or safety, call NHS 111 for health advice, or 999 in an emergency.

Download the NHS stay well this winter leaflet

Download the NHS stay well this winter easy read leaflet

Need more advice?

Read more tips on keeping well this winter at the NHS website.

 

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Pregnant lady and her partner

Tell us about maternal mental health care

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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

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