News and reports

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.

During autumn 2017 Healthwatch Gateshead and Healthwatch Newcastle gathered the views and experiences from people, and their carers, who have been through the NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) process.

Agendas, notes, and minutes for our committee meetings and annual general meeting.

During spring 2017, in collaboration with Newcastle Eye Centre, we gathered the feedback of service users on eye services run by Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

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.

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.

This annual report covers our research into residents' involvement in care homes and the experiences of children and young people's with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

During January 2017 we ran two pilot focus groups at HMP Durham. The aim was to help staff better understand male prisoners’ experiences of health and wellbeing and look at new ways of engaging with prisoners to gather their opinions.

In autumn 2016, we were invited by the North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (NEAS) to carry out some research on the organisation’s behalf. The purpose was to hear views and experiences of NEAS services and also investigate the barriers that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities face.

During the summer and autumn of 2016 we gathered people’s experience of education, health and care (EHC) plans in Newcastle. This report on the findings includes 12 recommendations.

Following the publication our ‘GP appointments: what do Newcastle patients want?’ report we wanted to better understand how people define the term ‘urgent’ and whether they define it differently in different circumstances.
We collaborated with Healthwatch Gateshead to carry out a short survey with the public in our respective local authority areas during the summer and autumn of 2016.

Throughout autumn 2016 we asked care home residents, relatives, and care home managers how residents are involved in decisions about their own care and in how their care home is run. Our report identifies best practice in various cares homes in Newcastle.