-
Advice and Information -
Four questions staff should ask you or a loved one about your oral health if you’re a care home resident, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence quick guide. -
Advice and Information -
Are you having trouble finding an NHS funded dentist? Read our tips on what to do if you’re facing problems. -
Blog -
Have you used dental services in Newcastle and Gateshead since March 2020? -
Advice and Information -
Did you know that dental practices are set up within the NHS in a completely different way to GP practices? There is no formal patient registration to see a dentist. -
Report -
Healthwatch teams across the North East region saw a significant increase in concerns about accessing NHS dental care during 2021. Eight local Healthwatch worked together to gather people’s experiences in the region. We published a report outlining our collective survey findings from March 2020 to January 2022. -
Advice and Information -
We’ve put together some of our resources on this page to help you keep up to date.
-
Report -
From late 2014 to early 2015 our young people’s group researched the attitudes of 13—25 year olds to dental care in Newcastle. Initial research by the group had found that children and young people thought there was a particular lack of information about eligibility for dental services. -
Report -
In spring 2016 we carried out a mystery shopper exercise on the NHS Choices dentist profile pages for the 42 dental practices in Newcastle upon Tyne. -
Report -
We presented some major research projects, including local home care services, people’s preference when making a GP appointment and young people’s attitude to dental care, inviting people to think about the next steps. Delegates also shortlisted Healthwatch Newcastle’s priorities for 2016—17. -
Report -
Healthwatch teams across the North East region saw a significant increase in concerns about accessing NHS dental care during 2021. Eight local Healthwatch worked together to gather people’s experiences in the region. This report outlines our collective survey findings from March 2020 to January 2022. -
Report -
Health and Social Care Committee inquiry into
NHS Dentistry Submission -
Advice and Information -
How can I get the most out of my next visit to the dentist? Take a look at our tips to help you prepare for your appointment and make sure you understand your treatment and how much it will cost. -
Advice and Information -
Health issues unfortunately don't leave us alone at the weekend and people are often in need of medical assistance out of hours. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed. -
Advice and Information -
If you are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who might be, find out where you can go for advice and help. -
Advice and Information -
Find out the signs and symptoms of monkeypox, what to do if you think you have it and who is eligible for a vaccine. -
Advice and Information -
When you need specialist NHS support, like hospital tests or treatment, you often need a referral from your GP first. Find out what this includes and what to expect. -
Blog -
In 2012 adults around 459,000 adults smoked in the North East. Now it’s around 325,000 – a drop of around 134,000.
-
Advice and Information -
We know some people feel anxious or worried when they’re told they need a colonoscopy but it’s important to have this test if you’re referred. Bowel Cancer UK has launched the Colonoscopy Confidence campaign to explain what a colonoscopy is, why it matters and encourage people to attend their appointment. -
Advice and Information -
The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide NHS or adult social care. It aims to make sure that people who have a disability, impairment or sensory loss get information that they can access and understand and the communication support they need from health and care services. -
Advice and Information -
This February, NHS England and NHS Improvement is raising awareness of heart attack symptoms as part of the latest ‘Help Us Help You’ campaign. -
Advice and Information -
Wednesday 9 March is No Smoking Day. -
Blog -
Do you have a condition that affects your ability to communicate or understand information? We’re campaigning with Healthwatch England - so everyone has health and care information in the way they need it. -
Blog -
Nearly 43,000 people are detected with bowel cancer each year in the UK. If it is diagnosed early it is treatable and curable. -
Blog -
Newcastle ranks as the 12th ‘least healthy’ area of England according to the Office for National Statistics' Health Index. The Health Index score measures factors such as access to health services, living conditions and behavioural risk factors. -
Report -
The NHS Long Term Plan introduced targets to ensure GP practices offer an annual health check for people with learning disabilities.
People with learning disabilities can have poorer physical and mental health than others and die younger. Annual health checks can provide a way to detect, treat and prevent new and unmet health conditions. Care for ongoing conditions can also be reviews during the annual check. -
Blog -
Our confidential signposting and information service can help you find the answers you need. We have helped people with many queries from patient transport to hospital to finding social care support. We can also make referrals to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and Independent Complaints Advocacy (ICA) on your behalf. -
Blog -
The Little Orange Book is an information book given to parents and carers of children in Newcastle and Gateshead. -
Blog -
All the news and views from Healthwatch Newcastle this September -
Blog -
It’s Organ Donation Week, and NHS Blood and Transplant services want to get people talking about organ donation. -
Blog -
National Eye Health Week: it’s time to improve the nation’s eyesight. -
Blog -
Our monthly forums are a chance for anyone and everyone to learn more about health and social care services in our area. We aim to keep you updated with any changes to services in particular, and health and social care in general. This is for sharing, so while we have a lot to say, we also want to hear your views and feedback, and answer your questions. -
Report -
During summer 2017 we asked people receiving intermediate care about their experiences and if they felt these services had a positive impact on their wellbeing. -
Report -
This was the first joint conference between Healthwatch Newcastle and Healthwatch Gateshead. We discussed our recent research, which included looking at people’s experience of education, health and care (EHC) plans in Newcastle and at how residents are involved in decisions about their own care and in how their care home is run.
Delegates also shortlisted Healthwatch Newcastle’s priorities for 2017—18. -
Report -
Throughout the autumn of 2017 we asked people in Newcastle why they do or do not take part in screening programmes, what the barriers are to taking part, and how these barriers could be overcome. -
Report -
The take up of flu vaccinations in Newcastle for people aged 65 and over is above the national target of 75%. However, for other people considered at risk, it is below the national target of 75%. Towards the end of 2017 we gathered the views of people living in Newcastle (who are over the age of 65 or considered at risk) about the flu vaccination. -
Report -
This joint conference between Healthwatch Newcastle and Healthwatch Gateshead examined the principles, approaches and methods we use to engage with the public.
Delegates also shortlisted Healthwatch priorities for 2018—19. -
Report -
During spring 2019 communities across the North East spoke about how they would like to see the NHS Long Term Plan implemented. We spoke to people in Newcastle about what the changes should look like. The responses for Newcastle were included in this report covering Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham. -
Report -
The report from the first forum, held in February 2020. This forum supports and develops patient participation groups (PPGs) in Newcastle and Gateshead.