News and reports

Read our minutes from the Healthwatch Newcastle Committee Meeting on 21st May 2025.

Healthwatch Newcastle has joined the Open Letter below, delivered to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care from 131 individual local Healthwatch.

We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the government’s recent decision to close Healthwatch England and transfer the responsibilities of local Healthwatch (such as Healthwatch Newcastle) to NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and local authorities.

We will not know the full implications of the government’s proposals until we see the details within the NHS 10 year plan, the Penny Dash Review into Patient Safety and ultimately the legislation has been agreed and published by parliament.

Over the last year, Healthwatch Newcastle has been hard at work responding to local priorities and collaborating across the wider
Integrated Care Board (ICB) area, where Healthwatch are seen as vital partners. Download our latest Annual Report to find about more about all the work we've done to support local communities and help your voice to be heard.

Our 2025 Annual Survey received 297 responses, providing insights on a range of health and/or social care services.

Our report "Patient Experiences of Hospital Discharge Pathways 1-3 in Newcastle Hospitals" is now available.

Read our minutes from the Healthwatch Newcastle Committee Meeting on 19 March 2025.

Women across the North East and North Cumbria have had their say about NHS healthcare in the Big Conversation report, published on International Women's Day.

Our report “What do we mean by a Mental Health Crisis? Public Perceptions of Mental Health Crises and Mental Health Crisis Services" is now available.

Have you heard of Health and Care Passports? They're designed to be an easy way to give care professionals all the information they need to tailor your care to you.

Tell Us North, the host organisation for Healthwatch Newcastle and Healthwatch Gateshead, is now an accredited Real Living Wage employer.

Healthwatch Newcastle services will be closed for the easter bank holiday weekend from Thursday 17th April at 4pm until Tuesday the 22nd of April at 10am.