Mid-year trends report Jul-Dec 2022

Mid-year trends report Jul-Dec 2022

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Our mid-year report looks at the trends in who we heard from over the last six months, and what we heard about services. We are a listening organisation and act on what people are saying, sharing their views with those who have the power to make change happen. We also help people find the information they need about local services in their area through our Signposting and Information Service.

Between July and December 2022, we received feedback from 368 individuals from talking to people at face-to-face engagement events, telephone calls, emails, our website and our social media pages.

The feedback we have had in the past six months has been around two big issues:

1. Accessing GPs and arranging appointments – 29% of all feedback received.

2. Accessing NHS dentists – 20% of all feedback received.

Read more in our mid-year report for July to December 2022

 

 

Come on board!

Come on board!

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Online event – Limbless Association

Online event – Limbless Association

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Join us to hear from Tania Spurling from the Limbless Association on Friday 10 March, 1pm-2pm via Zoom. Tania will talk to us about having a limb amputated, tips to help manage and how we can help others living with their loss of a limb. We will also hear what support is available from the charity and there will be a chance to ask questions.

The Limbless Association is the largest civilian limb loss charity in the UK. As a national charity, working with amputees and sector professionals for over 39 years, the Limbless Association offers both practical and emotional support for amputees throughout their pre and post-amputation journey.

This session will provide an overview of the Limbless Association’s services and support available for amputees, their families, friends, and professionals. Register now and we will send you a link to join closer to the event: 

This event has now passed

Look North visits SeaFit event

Look North visits SeaFit event

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The Fishermen’s Mission January SeaFit event in Amble was featured on BBC Look North on Monday 31 January.

This regular drop-in event at Amble Quayside brings GP and physio services, plus health information to fishermen and their families, making it easier for them to access healthcare and support. We were there with our Signposting and Information Service, and Project Coordinator Derry was interviewed by the BBC for the piece on the BBC programme.

View the clip.

 

Annual Survey: we want to hear from YOU!

Annual Survey: we want to hear from YOU!

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Our Annual Survey is a chance to tell us about the health and social care services you and your family have used over the last 12 months.

You can tell us what went well and what could have been better.

We’d also like to hear what would make NHS and social care better, and which services you would like to see improve.

Your views and experiences continue to help professionals understand key local issues and how well services are working for you, your family and our communities.

It’s quick and easy to share your thoughts and experiences in our Annual Survey which has just five questions, or you can get in touch to ask for a paper copy and freepost envelope. If you would like to complete the survey over the phone with one of our friendly team please call 03332 408468, or text 07413 385275 to arrange a call back. Closing date is 28 February 2023.

Thank you for having your say and helping us to help providers know what you think of NHS and social care services in our area.

This survey is now closed.

Have your say on support for children and young people

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.

Online event – Epilepsy Action

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: 

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

This event has now passed

Loneliness in young people

Loneliness in young people

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Loneliness in young people

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has launched its new loneliness in young people campaign activity as part of the Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign.

The campaign primarily aims to reach 16-34 year olds by continuing to encourage them to ‘lift someone out of loneliness’, knowing that this will likely help their own feelings of loneliness. This is based on recent research that shows that people in this demographic are at higher risk of feeling lonely compared to other age groups, but less likely to seek advice and support.

Remember that feeling lonely is something that all of us can experience at any point and can have a huge impact on our wellbeing.

Sometimes admitting we feel lonely can be hard but it’s important to remember that many others experience feelings of loneliness too, and that this feeling can pass.

It can often feel easier to reach out to someone else who may be feeling lonely and there are plenty of simple, free actions you can take, such as going for a walk, sending someone a text, or inviting someone for a hot drink.

 

Support and information

If you’re feeling lonely this winter, or want advice on helping others feel less lonely, visit the Every Mind matters loneliness webpage 

Take the Mind Plan quiz to get a personalised mental health action plan with practical tips to help you deal with loneliness as well as stress, anxiety, low mood and trouble sleeping.

Find more resources at our young people’s health and information page

Stay switched on

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