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Stellar Awards winner announced

Stellar Awards winner announced

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We were delighted to present the first Stellar Award to the stroke unit staff on the Hyperacute Stroke Ward at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital.

Healthwatch Northumberland Stellar Awards celebrate the people and services who provide a particularly positive health or social care experience for people in Northumberland.

The team were nominated by Stella from Northumberland in recognition of the exceptional, compassionate care provided for her late husband and the wider family. They felt they were supported with sensitivity, clear communication and dignity, and worked together to make an incredibly difficult time more manageable.

Our Engagement and Volunteering Officer, Lorna Beech, went along to present a certificate to the winning team.

Ward manager, Charlyn Lawton said: “The Stroke Team is so proud of this award. This shows how great the team is at working together to meet our patients’ and relatives’ expectations.”

We will be choosing another winner next month, so if you would like to make a nomination please complete the nomination form below.

Find out more and make your nomination for a Stellar Award

Local hearing support drop-ins

Local hearing support drop-ins

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You can now get support with your hearing at local drop-in clinics run by RNID. The sessions offer hearing aid maintenance including supplies of batteries and tubing, information and support on hearing loss and basic hearing checks.

There are currently drop-in clinics in Alnwick, Berwick, Corbridge, Hexham, Morpeth and North Shields.

Please note the Corbridge drop-in has moved to Princes Street Church.

Search for a drop-in near you on the RNID website. No appointment needed.

Read our report Hearing what matters – experiences of audiology services in Northumberland to learn more about audiology services in Northumberland including our findings and recommendations.

Accessing NHS dental care

Accessing NHS dental care

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Find out how to access NHS dental care

North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) has a plan to improve oral health and increase access to NHS dental care across the North East and North Cumbria.

There are four ways patients can access NHS dental care:

Contact an NHS dentist

NHS dentists provide routine dental care and urgent care appointments during their normal working hours. Contact your regular dentist if you have one or search for a dentist near you.

If you have an urgent care issue and cannot get an appointment with an NHS dentist, try one of the options below.

Contact dentists that have extra urgent appointments

Selected dentists across the region have extra urgent appointments. A list of contact details for those practices can be found on the ICB’s website.

Book an appointment at an urgent dental access centre

Urgent dental access centres offer appointments to diagnose and treat urgent dental problems. Patients can book their own appointment at an urgent dental access centre at the ICB’s website.

There are 23 centres across the North East and North Cumbria, including three in Northumberland in Alnwick, Blyth and Hexham.

This is not a walk-in service so appointments must be booked in advance.

Contact NHS 111 for urgent care

Visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111 if you cannot find an urgent appointment with any of the NHS dental services above and have any of the following issues:

  • Severe toothache that causes pain that does not stop or cannot be eased by over-the-counter painkillers.
  • Dental abscess infections that cause swelling, pain and possibly fever.
  • Broken or knocked-out teeth.
  • Bleeding in the mouth following a dental procedure or an injury that does not stop by itself but can be controlled. If bleeding cannot be controlled in any way, emergency care may be needed.
  • Swelling in the mouth or face that could be a sign of infection.
  • Fractured, loose or displaced fillings causing pain.
  • Severe bleeding from gums or conditions affecting other soft areas of the mouth (such as cheeks or tongue).

The NHS 111 health advisor will discuss your needs and if needed, may be able to find you an appointment at an urgent dental access centre or an out-of hours treatment service.

Patients should only go to A&E or call 999 if they have:

  • Serious injuries to the face, mouth, jaw or teeth
  • Heavy bleeding from the mouth that will not stop
  • Severe swelling of the mouth, lips, throat or neck, and difficulty breathing or opening one or both eyes
  • Any injury to the head or face that has caused them to lose consciousness, vomit, or have double vision.

If you would like to tell us about your experience of NHS dental care or would like further information, please get in touch.

Free event – Vision Northumberland

Free event – Vision Northumberland

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Join us on Friday 9 January at 1pm to hear from Sue Taylor, chair of Vision Northumberland, about their range of services available for those with sight loss in Northumberland.

This includes their Low Vision Assessment Service, advice on aids and equipment, wellbeing clubs and groups, befriending and transport.

Sue will also give an overview of sight loss including some of the main causes and everyday challenges.

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

This event has now passed

Sign up to our newsletter to hear about future events or catch up with previous events on our online events page.

Pharmacy opening hours Christmas 2025

Pharmacy opening hours Christmas 2025

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Pharmacies open in Northumberland over the Christmas and New Year Bank Holidays

Over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays, some pharmacies will be closed. Below is a list of Northumberland pharmacies which are open. You may want to call the pharmacy before attending to check the opening hours haven’t changed.

For out of hours advice contact NHS 111.

Allendale Pharmacy 3 Shield Street, Allendale, NE47 9BP. Phone: 01434 683 274. Open 2pm-5pm Boxing Day, closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Alnwick Boots 50-52 Bondgate Within, Alnwick, NE66 1JD. Phone: 01665 602 143. Open 2pm-5pm Boxing Day, closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Ashington Asda Pharmacy Lintonville Terrace, Ashington, NE63 9XG. Phone: 01670 528 610. Open 10am-4pm Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, closed Christmas Day.

Ashington Crescent Pharmacy 110 Alexandra Road, Ashington, NE63 9LU. Phone: 01670 858 959. Open 10am-1pm Christmas Day and 10am-2pm Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Ashington Pharmacy Lintonville Terrace, Ashington, NE63 9UN. Phone: 01670 528 610. Open 2pm-5pm Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, closed Christmas Day.

Bedlington Front Street Pharmacy 28 Front Street, Bedlington, NE22 5UB. Phone: 01670 822 297. Open 2pm-5pm Boxing Day. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Blyth Asda Pharmacy Cowpen Road, Blyth, NE24 4LZ. Phone: 01670 542 710. Open 10am-4pm Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, closed Christmas Day.

Blyth Boots 60-62 Maddison Street, Blyth, NE24 1EY. Phone: 01670 546 092. Open 10am-1pm Christmas Day, closed Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Berwick Pharmacy 4-6 Castlegate, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1JS. Phone: 01289 307 387. Open 2pm-5pm Christmas Day, closed Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Cramlington Northumbria Way Pharmacy Health Hub, Northumbria Way, Cramlington, NE23 6NZ. Phone: 01670 222 256. Open 2pm-5pm New Year’s Day, closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Hexham Boots 7 Fore Street, Hexham, NE46 1LU. Phone: 01434 602 024. Open 2pm-5pm New Year’s Day, closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Morpeth Health Hut Pharmacy 2 Abbey Meadows, Kirkhall, Morpeth, NE61 2BD. Phone 01670 510 510. Open 2pm-5pm Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Seahouses Chemist 32 Main Street, Seahouses, NE68 7RQ. Phone: 01665 720 228. Open 10am-1pm New Year’s Day, closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Seaton Delaval Cohens Chemist 21 Avenue Road, Seaton Delaval, NE25 0DS. Phone: 0191 237 1813. Open 2pm-5pm New Year’s Day, closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Wylam Pharmacy Main Street, Wylam, NE41 8AB. Phone: 01661 852 253. Open 2pm-5pm Christmas Day, closed Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

 

Update on gluten-free prescriptions

Update on gluten-free prescriptions

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Update on gluten-free prescriptions in the North East and North Cumbria

Following a six-week public involvement period earlier this year, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) in our area has agreed to change how gluten-free foods are prescribed.

From 1 March 2026, gluten-free bread and flour mix will continue to be available on NHS prescription for young people aged under 25. Prescribing for adults aged 25 and over will no longer continue after this date.

This decision balances the need to use limited NHS resources fairly and effectively while taking steps to protect vulnerable patients. The decision to continue supporting children and young people recognises the challenges of adapting to a gluten-free diet following a coeliac disease diagnosis, as well as the wider impact of child poverty in our region.

When gluten-free products were first introduced to the NHS in the 1960s, there were very few suitable alternatives available. Today, gluten-free products are widely available in supermarkets, online and in local shops, with clear labelling to support safe dietary choices. As the NHS now cares for more people with complex and long-term health conditions, it needs to make sure funding delivers the greatest benefit for everyone.

Read more on the ICB website

Free event – Tyneside and Northumberland Mind

Free event – Tyneside and Northumberland Mind

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Join us on Friday 12 December for our next free online event where we will hear from Steph Golder from Tyneside and Northumberland Mind. Learn about the range of mental health and wellbeing support services in Northumberland and how to access them.

We will find out more about the general support services available to all and their specialist support services for victims of crime, and those who have been affected by a traumatic bereavement.

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

This event has now passed

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Have your say on Pharmacy First

Have your say on Pharmacy First

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We’d like to hear your views on the Pharmacy First service. By sharing your feedback, you’ll help us to understand people’s awareness of the scheme, and any concerns or suggestions you may have.

Pharmacy First, which was launched in January 2024, enables community pharmacies to provide treatment for seven common conditions without patients needing to see a GP. These are earache, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat and urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women aged 16-64. Pharmacists can also provide an urgent repeat medicine supply.

Please leave your feedback by Sunday 9 November.

Have your say online or call us on 03332 408468 to leave feedback over the phone or to ask for a paper copy in the post.

This survey has now closed.

 

Free event – World Mental Health Day

Free event – World Mental Health Day

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Join us for a free online event on World Mental Health Day (Friday 10 October, 1pm-2.30pm) to talk about mental health with a focus on wellbeing in the workplace.

We will hear from Tyneside and Northumberland Mind, NHS Northumberland Talking Therapies and Northumberland Recovery College about common sources of stress in the workplace and tips and techniques to promote better mental health.

We will also have the chance to take part in a guided imagery exercise to help manage stress and anxiety. There will be time to ask questions.

The theme of this year’s mental health day is access to services. We will also share some details of mental health services, information and resources where people can get support.

Please note this session is not intended to give individual clinical advice. To improve comfort and confidentiality all attendees will have their cameras off and microphones muted, and active participation is not required.

This event has now passed.

Sign up to our newsletter to hear about future events or catch up with previous events on our online events page.

Young people and mental health

Young people and mental health

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A group of sixth-form students from the Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham have been leading a research project alongside Healthwatch Northumberland, investigating the provision of mental health support information for young people in Northumberland.

The students led the project themselves, designing surveys, analysing the responses and writing a final report.

They have also supported Healthwatch Northumberland in creating a new young people’s support webpage, researching information to include on the page and helping to promote it.

Read the students’ final report

Visit the new young people’s support webpage

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