Your feedback: March 2025
Your NHS and social care feedback from March 2025
Top issues
During March you told us you continue to have difficulty getting an appointment with your GP. This was due to feeling forced to go online to do this, or because of poor communication with and from the practice. Around one in five comments about GP services were in praise of the service received at the practice.
Feedback around A&E departments at hospitals was that the quality of care had been poor.
You also told us that waiting lists for mental health services were long, plus the quality care was inconsistent.
This month’s focus
We attended many events hosted by other organisations this month including Allendale Meet and Eat and Berwick dementia café, as well as events in Cramlington, Seahouses, Blyth Family Hub’s Step into Spring event and Vision Northumberland’s equipment day. This is in addition to our usual Here to Hear events in Bedlington, Hexham and Morpeth.
Our Annual Survey had 377 responses and we will share what you told us shortly.
Our online talk for this month was from Northumberland’s Domestic Abuse Service.
Positive feedback example
A patient got in touch to leave positive feedback about their experience of a hip operation at Wansbeck General Hospital.
They said “To help alleviate the fears and concerns regarding a hip operation, Wansbeck Hospital are getting it right. A whole team of people descended on me, helping me (literally) every step of the way. I felt well looked after and completely informed. Well done Wansbeck.”
Cramlington, Bedlington and Seaton Valley resident
Negative feedback example
An elderly person told us they had to call an ambulance during the night as they had been unwell, their condition was deteriorating and they lived alone. They were taken to the RVI and waited four hours to be seen/assessed. They were then placed on a trolley bed in a corridor where they remained for nine hours without being given any water (or food) and too weak to call out for someone’s attention.
Eventually a member of nursing staff commented they looked dehydrated and brought a tiny cup of water. The staff member promised to bring more but never did. On discharge from hospital staff said ”don’t hesitate to come back if you have any more problems”. The person said they’d rather stay at home and face the consequences because at least they’d have access to water.
Tynedale resident
Impact
“The JobCentres are feeding back saying that the Mental Health Support in Northumberland booklets are good and offer clear options of support for customers. They issue them to so many customers who are saying they need support with their mental health.” Partnership Manager, DWP
Information and Signposting Service
We were able to give information or point people in the direction of support for a number of issues including benefits/housing advice, NHS complaints advocacy, patient transport, volunteering activities, and weight loss support.