AGM 2022: Questions and draft minutes

AGM 2022: Questions and draft minutes

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A big thank you to everyone who came along to our AGM ‘All Change!’ and Review of the Year 2022 at Northumberland College in Ashington on 19 October. Special thanks also go to the students and staff at the college and our speakers Rachel Mitcheson of the NENC Integrated Care Board and Neil Bradley of adult social care at Northumberland County Council.

Around 100 people came to the event where we heard about upcoming changes in NHS and social care from those leading the changes. We also gave a review of our work over the last 12 months and enjoyed lunch and a chance to chat to guests.

Have a look at the photos from the event on our Facebook page.

The presentations, draft minutes, plus answers to the questions raised before and during the event can be found below.

AGM 2022 presentations

AGM 2022 draft minutes

What you told us: October 2022

What you told us: October 2022

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Thank you to everyone who gave us feedback on NHS and social care services last month.

Below is our ‘at a glance’ report for October 2022, which gives an overview of who we have been hearing from and what they told us. What we hear from people living and working in Northumberland helps us build a picture of what is working well and where there are issues in NHS and social care services.

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.

Read more about our work.

Healthwatch Northumberland feedback report October 2022

Tell us about maternal mental health care

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

This piece of work has now finished.

What you told us: September 2022

What you told us: September 2022

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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.

Read more about our work.

Healthwatch Northumberland feedback report September 2022

Online event – Qwell

Online event – Qwell

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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

Join our Annual Conversation

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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

Share your experiences of GP referrals

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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

What you told us: August 2022

What you told us: August 2022

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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.

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.

Read more about these projects.

These feedback reports are also shared with those paying for and providing the services.

Healthwatch Northumberland feedback report August 2022

A new way for outpatients?

A new way for outpatients?

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A new way for outpatients? Have your say

 

Survey deadline extended – there’s still time to share your views with us on outpatient services – both existing care and plans for future changes to some appointments.

 

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospitals in Northumberland and North Tyneside, is looking at how it might change outpatient appointments.

Potentially this might replace some or all routine follow up appointments that would normally have been planned and would allow you to contact your clinic if you have any concerns.
Northumbria Healthcare has asked us to find out your views about this and to understand what would be important to you to make follow up care better.

If you have regular outpatient appointments now, or have ideas how a previous appointment could have been improved,

As a thank you for your time you can be entered into a prize draw for £50 shopping voucher.

This survey has now closed