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Stay well this winter

Stay well this winter

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Tips to help you stay well this winter and get the care you need

Winter comes with a higher risk of health issues, particularly for older people or those with long-term conditions and compromised immune systems.

Being cold can raise the risk of higher blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. The cold, damp weather can aggravate existing health problems, making you more vulnerable to respiratory winter illnesses. But there are things you can do to stay well.

Top tips to stay well from the NHS

  • Get your vaccines and boosters. Protect yourself and others by getting your COVID-19 booster and flu vaccination.
  • Keep warm during the day. Wrap up in lots of layers of thin clothes, even when you go to bed. Keep doors closed to block draughts. Try to heat rooms you regularly use to at least 18°C. Make sure you’re getting the help you’re entitled to with your heating costs.
  • Keep moving. Move around indoors and try to get outside for a walk. Avoid sitting for more than one hour.
  • Wrap up at night. Wear layers to bed, including socks. Use a hot water bottle or an electric blanket. (Don’t use a hot water bottle and electric blanket together.) Keep your windows closed at night.
  • Eat well. Make sure you eat a balanced diet with lots of seasonal fruit and vegetables. And try to eat at least one hot meal a day.
  • Stay hydrated. Regular meals and hot drinks can help you keep warm.
  • Have your medication on hand. Make sure you have the right medicines at home in case you get poorly. Ask your pharmacist if you’re not sure what medications you should have.
  • Stop the spread of germs. Protect yourself and others by washing your hands with warm, soapy water, covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and wearing a mask in public spaces.
  • Look after your mental health. The winter months can take a toll on our mental wellbeing, so make sure you’re looking after your mental health, just as you do your physical health. If you are feeling down, speak to someone – a friend, family member, or a healthcare professional like your doctor.

Need more advice?

Want to learn more about how to look after yourself this winter? Visit these websites for more useful information.

NHS – Seasonal vaccinations and winter health

Age UK – How to keep warm and well in winter

Marie Curie – 16 tips on how to stay warm in cold weather

British Heart Foundation – Winter wellness: how to keep healthy and warm

Where to get urgent healthcare Northumberland

Where to get urgent healthcare Northumberland

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Where to get urgent healthcare if you live in Northumberland

Accident and Emergency departments in our area are already seeing large increases in the number of visitors as we head into winter. Unless the issue is potentially life-threatening, consider using one of the Urgent Care Centres or Minor Injuries Units in the region. Here you can be treated for things such as cuts, strains and bites and children’s minor ailments. Remember that pharmacists can give advice and some medications without an appointment. If you’re unsure of where to go, NHS 111 can point you in the right direction.

Opening times

Urgent Care Centres

  • Wansbeck General Hospital (Ashington): 8.00am-10.00pm
  • Hexham General Hospital: 8.00am-10.00pm
  • North Tyneside General Hospital: 8.00am-12 midnight

Minor Injuries Units

  • Alnwick Infirmary: 7.45am to 8.30pm
  • Berwick Infirmary: 24 hours

For advice on and support with children and young people’s health, visit the Healthier Together website. You can find lots of information about NHS and community services on our Find Services webpage.

Menopause online event

Menopause online event

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Menopause online event

Join us at our free menopause online event on Friday 8 September, 1pm-2pm, to hear from Jenny Haskey from The Menopause Charity.

Jenny will talk to us about what the menopause is, its impact on our future health and the treatment and lifestyle options which can help to manage symptoms. She will also give us information about useful support and resources provided by The Menopause Charity.

There will be a chance to ask questions after the presentation.

The session is suitable for anyone wanting to know more about the menopause and what support is available, including those experiencing menopause and their partners, friends and family members. It is also suitable for professionals who want further information about how to support those affected by the menopause.

Please note the session is not intended to provide specific individual clinical advice.

 and we will send you a link to join closer to the event.

Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear about upcoming events.

This event has now passed

Cost of living

Cost of living

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Cost of living – a barrier to healthcare for the most vulnerable

The cost of living is having a detrimental impact on people’s decisions about their healthcare.

If you are disabled, on means-tested benefits or aged 18-24, research shows you’re more likely to avoid vital health services due to the fear of extra costs. Healthwatch England has set out immediate actions for the government and the NHS.

Over the last year, many charities and campaign groups have warned that millions of people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.

To understand the scale of this impact, especially on people’s health and their use of health and care services, Healthwatch England commissioned a poll of people in England.

Findings from waves 1 and 2 were reported on earlier this year.

Key trends

The poll of 2000 adults in England, conducted four times between October 2022 and March 2023, suggests that people are increasingly avoiding vital health and care services due to the fear of extra costs. These include:

  • going to a dentist because of the cost of checks ups or treatment
  • booking an NHS appointment because they couldn’t afford the associated costs, such as accessing the internet or the cost of a phone call
  • buying over the counter medication they normally rely on
  • taking up one or more NHS prescriptions because of the cost.

Rising costs further exacerbate health inequalities

The research also highlighted that the financial burden of healthcare is weighing heavily on specific groups:

  • people on disability benefits
  • people on means-tested benefits
  • and younger people, aged 18-24.

People from these groups are more likely to be making tough decisions to avoid essential services. Examples include:

  • People on disability benefits are over twice as likely to have avoided their usual over-the-counter medication than the general public, 15% compared to seven per cent.
  • 20% of people on means-tested benefits have avoided booking an NHS appointment due to the associated costs, including the internet or phone call, compared to six per cent of the general public.
  • People aged 18 to 24 are twice as likely to have avoided an NHS appointment due to travel costs compared to the general public, 14% to six per cent.
  • On average, one in five people from each group avoided the dentist because of the related costs.

The cost of living should never be a barrier to care

As a patient champion, we are worried that vital health and care services are out of reach for many people.

We know that people living with ill health and disability are already much more likely than others to be pulled into poverty because of spiralling costs.  Making decisions between eating, medications and keeping medical devices running, can further impact their physical and mental health, putting them in danger.

The cost of living should never be a barrier to healthcare.

Recommendations

While we welcome the support already in place, social tariffs and schemes must be better communicated to the people who need it.

This includes ensuring that:

  • Communication providers communicate about and signpost to social tariffs
  • Primary care teams make people who need medication aware of pre-payment options
  • Dentistry teams offer check-ups based on individual need, to free up more NHS slots
  • More people are aware of the Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme (HTCS).

The government working with health and care services must also go further to support people in the cost-of-living crisis.

Tangible actions

Healthwatch England has set out immediate tangible actions:

Prescriptions 

Guidance should encourage GPs to offer people over-the-counter medications on prescription based on socioeconomic grounds.

Travel 

NHS England should re-open its review of the HTCS, and introduce reimbursement for journeys to people’s GP, dentist and pharmacy teams.

NHS freephone 

NHS England should work with Ofcom and telecommunications companies to ensure that hospital and GP phone numbers are part of the freephone service, so cost is never a barrier to phoning a health service.

Benefits system 

Government should ensure benefits, including Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), keep pace with inflation in real terms.

Government should also extend the amount of time SSP can be paid to people who can no longer work due to long waits for NHS treatment. One in ten people wait over four months for a GP referral, and 92% of people on waiting lists are currently waiting up to 46 weeks for a hospital appointment. This means that the current 28-week access cannot support those who need it.

Broadband

Health leaders and regulators should look at what more can be done to ensure telecommunications providers introduce and raise awareness of social tariffs to eligible households, as the uptake of this support remains low.

Recent research by Citizens Advice suggests that up to one million people have cancelled their broadband in the last year because they couldn’t afford it.

As we increasingly move to more remote ways of communicating, tracking, managing and attending NHS appointments, we must ensure that everyone can access the support they need.

 

If you would like to tell us about your experience of the cost of living and how it has affected health and social care services you have used please get in touch.

Are you struggling to access health services this winter?

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

The power of your feedback

The power of your feedback

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It’s easy to think that the feedback you give us doesn’t make a difference. We want to show you how this isn’t the case. Read some examples of how you helped the Healthwatch network and Heathwatch England make positive changes in care services.

1. Improving support for Long Covid patients thanks to you

We analysed the stories people shared with us about Long Covid throughout the pandemic. Although small in number, they told a powerful story.

You shared your stories with us, and, as a result, real change happened.

Here’s how:

You told us your GP didn’t understand Long Covid, often dismissing your symptoms.

We raised these concerns, and, as a result, the NHS is improving Long Covid resources for healthcare professionals to help them better diagnose symptoms and provide support.

Additionally, the NHS is investing in a new training programme to increase doctors’ and nurses’ knowledge of the tests, treatments and rehabilitation available for Long Covid.

What else?

You told us there wasn’t enough support for Long Covid mental health.

We raised these concerns and in response the NHS is now taking several steps to improve how services work together to support psychological and cognitive issues.

Oh, and one more thing:

You told us that not everyone was getting treated the same when it came to their Long Covid symptoms and it seemed unfair.

We passed this on to the NHS, who have now committed to improve this and understand why some groups are underrepresented when it comes to using Long Covid services.

Share your experience of NHS and social care services

We want to know more about the care you and your loved ones have received during the pandemic – both the good and the bad. Help your local NHS and social care services understand issues that are affecting care for you or a loved one.

Tell us your experience

2. The experience of waiting

You told us that you or your loved ones weren’t getting the help and information you needed while waiting for care – making you feel anxious, ignored and forgotten about.

We listened to you and set out recommendations to NHS England to change this.

Our key recommendations have led to commitments from the NHS to:

  • Improve communications with people while they wait, making sure they don’t feel lost or forgotten.
  • Make it easier for patients to update the NHS when there are changes in their condition.
  • Improve the support for people while they wait, such as better access to pain management, physiotherapy, and mental health support.
  • Provide support with transport and accommodation where patients need to travel for care.

The NHS has told us that people waiting over two years for care have directly benefited from our recommendations.

One of the key changes that have been made is around people having their transport and accommodation costs covered when offered quicker care away from their local hospital.

Without your feedback, we couldn’t have provided NHS England with these recommendations, and the option to be seen quicker could have been limited to only those who could afford it.

3. How your experiences have shaped NHS improvements around GP appointments

In March 2021, we looked at almost 200,000 people’s experiences of trying to access GP services. You told us that it was hard to book an appointment and you weren’t satisfied with the communication.

These barriers were especially difficult for people with disabilities, people from ethnic minority backgrounds and those on lower incomes.

With this feedback, we called on NHS England to take a formal review of the ways people access GPs to make sure they work for everyone. Your experiences informed every stage of the NHS’s review.

We’re pleased that the NHS’s report recognised improvements needed to be made. However, whilst we’ve highlighted a critical issue, even more must be done to ensure you can see a doctor regardless of where you live or your ethnicity.

4. The impact your feedback has made on NHS Dentistry

During the pandemic, more of you than ever got in touch with us to report problems seeing an NHS dentist. This problem certainly isn’t new and one we will continue to  raise. The impact this has been having on people’s lives has been heart-breaking to see. Many of you have told us you’ve been left feeling frustrated, ignored and, most importantly, in pain.

Thanks to your feedback, we were able to share your experiences with the Chief Dental Officer’s team at NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care.

MPs have used your experiences in debates in the House of Commons and Westminster Hall, to highlight the significant issues people are facing. They have made it clear that they see access to dentistry as a critical problem that needs urgent action.

Whilst the NHS announced £50 million of extra funding for dentistry in January – we know it’s a fraction of what’s required. However, it is a sign that the NHS and Government are listening and responding to the need for action.

What’s new?

On 19 July, NHS England announced some changes to the dental services contract.

This included improved pay for dentists, to encourage them to take on more complex cases; flexibility around who will be able to provide treatment; and the ability to reallocate unused capacity to other dental practices.

We can’t yet say how much impact these changes will have, and a lot more needs to happen before everybody who needs an appointment can get one, but these are the first steps.

We won’t stop campaigning for your right to an NHS dentist.

Change takes time, but with your help, we will continue shining a light on the issues that matter to you.

Whether good or bad, it’s really is important that you share your experiences with us. Remember, your feedback is helping to improve people’s lives. So, if you’re ready to tell your story – we’re here to listen.

NHS strikes: key information

NHS strikes: key information

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NHS England has published the following information regarding the upcoming strikes

Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.

If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned. The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.

GP services are not impacted by this strike action. Please continue to attend your GP appointments, unless you are contacted and told otherwise.

On days where there is strike action, patients should only call 999 if it is a medical or mental health emergency (when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk).

Ambulances will still be able to respond in these situations, but this may only be where there is an immediate risk to life.

Where the situation is not life-threatening, alternative support will be available through NHS 111 online or through the NHS 111 helpline, and where possible, it is advised that you arrange alternative transport.

The NHS.UK website has more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E.

Frequently asked questions

What is happening?

Trade unions representing NHS staff are in dispute with the Government over the 2022/23 pay award. A number of the unions have balloted their NHS members to take part in industrial action. As a result members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) are striking on the 15 and 20 December 2022, and members of the GMB, Unite and Unison (ambulance staff) are striking on 21 December 2022 and members of GMB (ambulance staff) are striking on the 28 December 2022.

The NHS wants to see a resolution as soon as possible, but pay is a matter for the Government and the trade unions.

 What if I need urgent or emergency care?

Anyone who needs urgent care should use NHS111 online or call NHS 111 to be assessed and directed to the right care for them. When someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, you should seek emergency care in the normal way, by calling 999 or attending A&E.

What do strikes mean for NHS services in my area?

Not every hospital and ambulance service will be affected by strike action. You can check which Trusts are affected on the NHS England website. 

What if I have an appointment on a strike day?

Everyone who has an appointment should attend as planned, unless your local NHS provider has contacted you to reschedule. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment even if your Trust is affected by strikes.

Will emergency care be affected on strike days?

Emergency care will continue to be available across all parts of the country. It is really important that in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or their life is at risk patients continue to come forward as normal.

Will GP services be affected on strike days?

GP services will be running as normal on strike days. Please continue to attend scheduled GP appointments.

When will I find out if my appointment is rescheduled?

The NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action. This is likely to be a letter or phone call, and you should be offered an alternative date for your appointment. If we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.

Is there anything I should do now?

No, the NHS will contact you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to strike action.

Should I cancel my appointment on the day of strikes?

No, if we have not contacted you, please attend your appointment as planned.

What should I do if I need an ambulance?

On strike days, patients should only call 999 if seriously ill or injured, and there is risk to life. Ambulances will be dispatched where clinically appropriate.

For all other health care needs support will be available through NHS 111 online, via the NHS 111 helpline or at your local GP or pharmacy.

The NHS.UK website has more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E.

What is considered an emergency?

Patients should only call 999 if seriously ill or injured, or there is risk to life. Ambulances will be dispatched where clinically appropriate.

How long will services be impacted?

The nurses strikes on 15 and 20 December 2022 will last for 12 hours and the ambulance strikes on 21 and 28 December 2022 will last for 24 hours. However patients should be aware that it may take slightly longer for services to return to normal.

How to 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.

 

Tell us about your Covid booster

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

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