Your feedback June 2025

Your NHS and social care feedback June 2025

Top issues

This month we heard good things about the care received at GP surgeries, but also that it can take time to get an appointment. You also told us about communication issues with services, and that you were sometimes having to travel long distances to hospital appointments.

This month’s focus

We held drop-in sessions at our usual Here to Hear venues plus Seaton Sluice Community Centre. We also went to Allendale Village Hall for the meet and eat session, the Work Smart, Live Well event at Cramlington, Berwick and Borders Carers’ event, and the public drop-in session for Felton surgery.

Our online talk was from the ME Association on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and got a very good reception from those that came along to learn more about these conditions.

Our Annual Report 2024-25 – ‘Unlocking the power of people-driven care’ which highlights how we’ve made a difference over the past year.

Positive feedback example

A person told us that, having been discharged from a larger hospital where they hadn’t been pleased with the service, they were then in a smaller, local hospital where they say the level of personal care was notably better. Staff were very attentive, watching patients and ensuring their safety whilst moving about to go to the bathroom etc. They reported the food as being excellent, with several choices.

The hospital arranged for an Occupational Therapist to visit their home whilst they were in hospital and by the time they arrived home via ambulance (also arranged by the hospital), hand rails and other safety
features had already been fitted.

Tynedale resident

Negative feedback example

A member of public who recently had a Covid-19 spring booster told us they’d had a reminder through post, However, this did not say where to go for a vaccination. They tried local pharmacy then GP surgery to see if they could get the vaccination there, but neither offered the service.

They found a pharmacy in Seaton Delaval which provided a walk-in service. The person didn’t try to call 119 to ask where could get the jab and is not online, so they just tried local services first.

They were surprised that the services did not tell him where he could go or that the invitation letter did not include this useful information.

Cramlington, Bedlington and Seaton Valley resident

Impact

“I thought today was really informative. I especially loved that once you have ME/CFS other symptoms of further illnesses are not picked up! I invited my uncle who’s a retired medic with a daughter with this; he’s been fighting for support for her for a long while! He’s going to get in touch with Russell direct. A great approach from someone with lived experience, thank you!”.

Feedback from attendee of June’s online talk by ME Association.

Information and Signposting Service

We were able to help people find the information they need on a range of issues and services, including NHS dentists, continence services, hearing aid batteries’ collection points, NHS complaints, paediatric first aid courses and transport to cancer care appointments.