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Pharmacy shelf and iPad

Closure of Lloyds pharmacy

Lloyds pharmacy in Sainsbury’s, Manor Walks, Cramlington is due to close this summer on a date yet to be confirmed. As your independent local health and social care champion, we would like to hear from residents and those who use the pharmacy about how the planned closure may affect them.

Our team have been at Lloyds pharmacy during May 2023 talking to customers about the potential impact of the closure of the pharmacy. We will continue to collect feedback over the next few weeks and you can still share your views online.

We have already been able to take what we’ve been hearing and share it immediately with decision makers, so that they can understand and act upon the issues raised. Our Project Coordinator Derry presented our findings so far to the Northumberland Health and Wellbeing Board on 11 May. You can watch the meeting below – Derry speaks from around 18 minutes in.

Health and Wellbeing Board meeting 11 May 2023

If you would like to speak to us please get in touch.

Brockwell Surgery

Relocation of Brockwell Surgery, Cramlington

Valens Medical Partnership has announced proposals to relocate the Brockwell Surgery in Cramlington to a new build on the site of the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (also known as NSECH), 2.2 miles away from the current surgery.

The new surgery would be in a separate building from the main hospital, on the ground floor of a new health and education centre of excellence. This would be a fit-for-purpose, high-specification, modern healthcare facility providing a full range of primary care services and support. The new build is due to be completed by autumn 2023.

The existing surgery building, which is owned by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, is too small to expand to the size that would be needed to meet future patient needs and there isn’t another local site that is suitable.

Patients are being asked for their views on the new surgery. You can have your say in the following ways:

  • Complete the online survey or ask the reception team for a paper copy – closes at midnight on Thursday 31 March (extended from the original date of 22 March). This can be filled out anonymously if you wish.
  • Attend a drop-in engagement session on Wednesday 9 March between 5.00pm and 7.00pm  at the Cramlington Community Hub (ground floor café area) Manor Walks Shopping Centre, Cramlington, NE23 6YB. You don’t need to register, just come along.
  • Come along to an online engagement session hosted by Healthwatch Northumberland on Monday 21 March, at 1.00pm or 6.00pm.  If you’d like to come along please email: helenb@healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk and we will send you the Zoom link.
  • Write to the practice management team at Brockwell Surgery, Northumbrian Road, Cramlington, NE23 1XZ or email: norccg.valensmedical@nhs.net

 

Find more information and Frequently Asked Questions at the Valens website.

If you would like to speak to us about the proposed relocation please get in touch.

This piece of work has now finished.

Roving Vaccination Service

Covid-19 vaccination pop-up pilot launched in Northumberland

People in Northumberland are soon to benefit from new pop-up Covid-19 vaccination clinics.

As part of its commitment to reducing health inequalities in the county, NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has been working with the Cramlington Seaton Valley Primary Care Network (PCN) to set up a Roving Vaccination Service. This will see vaccines safely transported to people in the most rural parts of Northumberland as well as minority groups including Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, those affected by homelessness and residents from a BAME background.

A transit van has been specifically modified and customised to help ensure that residents in remote communities and hard to reach groups are not left behind in the vaccination programme.

Already more than 200,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered to Northumberland residents and, thanks to the CCG’s partnership working with the PCN and Northumberland Fire and Rescue, another 100 received their first dose of the vaccine at the pop-up clinic at Bellingham Fire Station in Hexham on Thursday 15 April.

The vaccination team will be led by a team of healthcare staff from the Village Surgery in Cramlington, which includes a community paramedic, two practice nurses and a healthcare assistant. They will be supported by an admin team from the same practice, who will provide a vital support service to this clinic as they have done so far within the local vaccine sites.

Vaccinating from the pop-up clinic is Paula Jamieson, senior practice nurse from the Village Surgery in Cramlington. Paula said, “This new service provides people who live out in our most rural communities in Northumberland, who may find it difficult to travel to a large vaccination centre or their more local vaccination site, more choice as to where they can get vaccinated.

“Northumberland has a really unique geography with a diverse and disparate population and we’ve worked in collaboration with lots of different organisations to find the best and most practicable solutions to roll out Covid-19 vaccines. Piloting our pop-up vaccination service demonstrates this and also shows our commitment to ensuring as many people in Northumberland as possible are protected from Covid-19.”

Richard Hay, Head of Planning and Operations at the CCG said, “We have never seen a vaccination programme on this scale before and our teams in primary care have been working flat out to get the vaccine into as many people’s arms as possible whilst following the national roll-out guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JVCI) and have done a phenomenal job so far.

“We understand the uniqueness of Northumberland and we’ve had to overcome some big challenges with this roll-out. For example, the distance people have been expected to travel to attend a large vaccination centre.

“The introduction of the Roving Vaccination Service will make sure no-one is left behind. It’s a fantastic example of our local GPs working in collaboration across the county to deliver innovative services for the benefit of residents.”

Residents are being reminded not to contact their GP practice to seek a vaccination appointment from their practice or the Roving Vaccination Service. Practices will contact people when it is the right time – no one will be missed. People are also being reminded not to turn up too early for their appointments.

Find out more about the Covid-19 vaccination programme here

Healthwatch Northumberland Annual Survey 2020

Tell us your NHS, health and care experiences from last year.

We are running our annual survey during February and March this year, asking you about the NHS, health and social care you received in the last 12 months – it might be a new year but your experiences from 2019 still matter. Health services include hospital services, GPs, dentists, pharmacists, mental health and ambulance services. Social care is care in the home or in a residential or nursing care home.

By telling us about the care you received and what’s important to you, you can help us set our work for the coming year so that we can be more effective on your behalf.

You can also come and talk to us and tell us what you think of health and social care services at one of our public events below. Let us know about your experiences, what went well and what could be improved, and together we can help make care better for everyone in Northumberland.

If you are unable to come to one of our events you can leave your feedback via our online survey or get in touch to ask for a postal copy with freepost return.

 

Come and see us in your area!

Monday 3 February: Age UK Northumberland, Round House, Ashington NE63 9JZ: 10.00am – 1.00pm (part of the Northumbria Cancer Patient and Carer Group public drop-in)

Tuesday 4 February: Amble Youth Project NE65 0DT: 10.00am – 11.30am (Bridge Project Employability Hub)

Wednesday 5 February: No 28 Community Project, Hexham NE46 1DJ: 11.00am – 12.30pm (Bridge Project Employability Hub)

Thursday 6 February: Concordia Leisure Centre, Cramlington NE23 6YB: 1.30pm – 3.30pm

Thursday 6 February: Cheviot Centre, Wooler NE71 6BL: 2.00pm – 4.00pm (in partnership with Wooler patient participation group)

Wednesday 12 February: Rothbury Practice NE65 7UW: 10.30am – 12.00pm

Thursday 13 February: Northumbria Hospital (cafe area, lower ground floor), Cramlington NE23 6NZ: 10.00am – 12.00pm

Thursday 13 February: The Village Surgery, Cramlington NE63 6US: 3.00pm – 4.00pm

Thursday 13 February: Forum Family Practice, Cramlington NE63 6QN: 4.15pm – 5.15pm

Friday 14 February: Spetchells Centre, Prudhoe NE42 5AA: 10.00am – 11.30am (Bridge Project Employability Hub)

Wednesday 19 February: Seaton Delaval Community Centre NE25 0BW: 10.00am – 1.00pm (part of the Northumbria Cancer Patient and Carer Group public drop-in)

Wednesday 19 February: Adapt (NE) Community Information Morning, Hexham NE46 3HN: 10.30am – 12.30pm

Thursday 20 February: Morpeth Library NE61 1AF: 3.00pm – 5.00pm

Tuesday 25 February: Riverside Leisure Centre, Morpeth NE61 1PR: 1.30pm – 3.30pm

 

Wednesday 4 March: Morpeth Town Hall NE61 1LZ: 10.00am – 1.00pm (part of the Northumbria Cancer Patient and Carer Group public drop-in)

Monday 9 March: Hexham General Hospital NE46 1QJ: 10.00am – 1.00pm

Wednesday 11 March: Blyth Library NE24 2DJ: 10.30am – 12.00pm

Wednesday 11 March: Blyth Sports Centre NE24 5BT: 1.30pm – 3.30pm

Thursday 12 March: Haltwhistle Leisure Centre NE49 0AX: 1.30pm – 3.00pm (Bridge Project Employability Hub)

Thursday 12 March: Haltwhistle Methodist Church NE49 0AX: 5.00pm – 7.00pm

Wednesday 18 March: Wansbeck General Hospital, Ashington NE63 9JJ: 10.00am – 1.00pm

Wednesday 18 March: Ashington Leisure Centre NE63 9JY: 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Thursday 19 March: Berwick Library (first floor) TD15 1DB: 12.00pm – 2.00pm

Monday 23 March: Bedlington Community Allotment (behind Chester Court Care Home) NE22 7LD: 11.30am – 1.30pm

Friday 27 March:  Gallery Youth Project, Alnwick NE66 1SX: 11.00am – 12.30pm (Bridge Project Employability Hub)

The survey is now closed.

 

 

 

BID Services Northumberland

BID Sight Loss Drop In Service

BID Services is a charity working in partnership with children, young people and adults and their families and carers. It supports people who are deaf, hard of hearing, visually impaired or have a dual sensory loss. Specialist service areas include advocacy, employment, British Sign Language interpreting and training, rehabilitation and mobility training, specialist equipment, residential care, social work, support for tinnitus and housing related services.

BID Services Northumberland is trying to further promote services across the community by having promotional tables at a range of venues for people to come along and discuss sight loss. There will be equipment on display and information leaflets available on different sight conditions. The people manning the table are qualified professionals within the sight loss area and are able to answer any questions you may have. Please see below where you can go and when to have a chat with the BID Services team.

For more information call 01670 293150.

 

Prudhoe Waterworld

Monday 17 February, 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Thursday 25 June, 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Friday 23 October, 1.30pm – 3.30pm

 

Wentworth Leisure Centre, Hexham

Monday 17 February, 11.00am – 1.00pm

Tuesday 25 June, 11.00am – 1.00pm

Friday 23 October, 10.30am – 12.30pm

 

Swan Centre, Berwick

Monday 20 January, 10.30am – 12.30pm

Wednesday 20 May, 10.30am – 12.30pm

Thursday 24 September, 10.30am – 12.30pm

 

Willowburn Leisure Centre, Alnwick

Monday 20 January, 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Wednesday 20 May, 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Thursday 24 September, 2.00pm – 4.00pm

 

Ashington Leisure Centre

Monday 20 April, 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Wednesday 19 August, 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Friday 4 December, 2.00pm – 4.00pm

 

Riverside Leisure Centre, Morpeth

Monday 20 April, 11.30am – 1.30pm

Wednesday 19 August, 11.30am – 1.30pm

Friday 4 December, 11.00am – 1.00pm

 

Blyth Sports Centre

Wednesday 25 March, 11.30am – 1.30pm

Thursday 23 July, 11.30am – 1.30pm

Friday 20 November, 11.00am – 1..00pm

 

Concordia Leisure Centre, Cramlington

Wednesday 25 March, 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Thursday 23 July, 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Friday 20 November, 2.00pm – 4.00pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northumbria Hospital

Healthwatch at the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital

Working in partnership with Healthwatch North Tyneside and Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, we heard from 309 people over 14 three-hour sessions in the waiting area in the Emergency Department and Paediatrics Emergency Department of the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in November 2018.  People had travelled to the hospital independently and told us why they were attending the Emergency Department, what other services they had/tried to access and what they thought could make their experiences of getting care better.

Based on what we heard we produced the report below which includes recommendations that are now being implemented by Northumbria Healthcare, Northumberland and North Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Groups and North East Ambulance Service Foundation Trust.  Our observations and recommendations:

  • We suggest that a system-wide approach is needed to review the information and advice available to support people to get the care they need and help people to navigate themselves through the urgent care system.
  • A system wide approach is needed to review the transport issues people have highlighted, particularly public transport access to The Northumbria Hospital. We are pleased to note that Northumbria Healthcare has established a Rural Healthcare Commission and we hope this report will be used to help inform the discussions about transport.
  • Changes to the waiting room environment to improve experience and accessibility.

A number of changes have already taken place or are planned to the public waiting areas.

Read the report – Understanding people’s experiences of attending the Emergency Department at the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital

Dementia Friends Cramlington

Dementia Friends are helping Cramlington become a dementia friendly town with their Dementia Friends monthly coffee mornings.

During this year’s Dementia Action Week the Cramlington dementia working group and Manor Walks Shopping Centre joined forces and created a Thought Wall. Having reviewed all the comments received the group came up with the idea of a meeting place for carers, support workers, dementia friends and people living with the condition.

Coffee mornings will take place on the first Thursday of every month at Nando’s in Cramlington. It’s a great opportunity to meet people, find support and advice on living with dementia and also to discuss ideas to support the town in becoming dementia friendly.

Dementia Friends are on hand to give information and help suggest other available support services  – these things can make a huge difference when you or someone you know has dementia. The coffee morning aims to provide a safe and supportive place for you to:

  • Discuss your own dementia diagnosis, or someone else’s, and think about what it means for the future.
  • Speak to  Dementia Friends and discuss how to help make Cramlington a dementia friendly town.
  • Meet and learn from other people in similar situations.
  • Keep active, make new friends and feel more confident.

You can join in at Nando’s, Cramlington from 10.00am to12.00pm on the first Thursday of the month and everyone is welcome.

Find out more about support with dementia at our Dementia Page

New Ambulatory Care Centre Open

A new ambulatory care centre opened this month at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital.  Ambulatory care is treating urgent conditions on a same day basis, without you being admitted to hospital.This is a consultant-led service provided alongside specialist nurse practitioners. Diagnostic scans may be available same day, and with medications dispensed straight from the ward, any potential delays for patients are minimised and treatments are received promptly.The ambulatory care centre is not a walk-in centre, instead patients are referred from the emergency department, their GP or other healthcare professional. The only exception to this is emergency gynaecology which patients can self-refer into. This centre will aim to treat patients on a ‘same day’ basis to prevent admission to hospital, allowing patients to receive the care they need as rapidly as possible before returning home.

If you’d like to know more about the ambulatory care centre please visit Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Northumbria Hospital

Accident and Emergency at The Northumbria

This month we’re working with Healthwatch North Tyneside to find out more about why people go to the A & E department at The Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital. We will have an information stand in the waiting room at various times over the next few weeks and will be asking patients to answer a few questions about their visit.

Healthwatch staff and volunteers will be asking people about their experiences of the A & E department and why they are choosing to use this service. The information given to us will remain anonymous. We will share a summary of the responses we receive with the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and use the information to help understand what is working well and what can be done differently.

Events

Here to Hear speech bubbles

Monthly Drop-in – The Hub, Cramlington (next to Concordia Leisure Centre)

Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at The Hub, Cramlington, NE23 6US (next to Concordia Leisure Centre) on the first Wednesday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Here to Hear speech bubbles

Monthly Drop-in – The Hub, Cramlington (next to Concordia Leisure Centre)

Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at The Hub, Cramlington, NE23 6US (next to Concordia Leisure Centre) on the first Wednesday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Here to Hear speech bubbles

Monthly Drop-in – The Hub, Cramlington (next to Concordia Leisure Centre)

Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at The Hub, Cramlington, NE23 6US (next to Concordia Leisure Centre) on the first Wednesday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Here to Hear speech bubbles

Monthly Drop-in – The Hub, Cramlington (next to Concordia Leisure Centre)

Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at The Hub, Cramlington, NE23 6US (next to Concordia Leisure Centre) on the first Wednesday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Here to Hear speech bubbles

Monthly Drop-in – The Hub, Cramlington (next to Concordia Leisure Centre)

Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at The Hub, Cramlington, NE23 6US (next to Concordia Leisure Centre) on the first Wednesday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Here to Hear speech bubbles

Monthly Drop-in – The Hub, Cramlington (next to Concordia Leisure Centre)

Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at The Hub, Cramlington, NE23 6US (next to Concordia Leisure Centre) on the first Wednesday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Here to Hear speech bubbles

Monthly Drop-in – The Hub, Cramlington (next to Concordia Leisure Centre)

Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at The Hub, Cramlington, NE23 6US (next to Concordia Leisure Centre) on the first Wednesday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Here to Hear speech bubbles

Monthly Drop-in – The Hub, Cramlington (next to Concordia Leisure Centre)

Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at The Hub, Cramlington, NE23 6US (next to Concordia Leisure Centre) on the first Wednesday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Here to Hear speech bubbles

Monthly Drop-in – The Hub, Cramlington (next to Concordia Leisure Centre)

Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at The Hub, Cramlington, NE23 6US (next to Concordia Leisure Centre) on the first Wednesday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

This month we’d particularly like to hear about how you use your local pharmacy services.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Here to Hear speech bubbles

Monthly Drop-in – The Hub, Cramlington (next to Concordia Leisure Centre)

Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at The Hub, Cramlington, NE23 6US (next to Concordia Leisure Centre) on the first Wednesday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions