1. My home, my say

    Report -

    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.

  2. What does urgent care mean to me?

    Report -

    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.

  3. Spotlight on SEND

    Report -

    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.

  4. Investigating BAME involvement in NEAS services and recruitment

    Report -

    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.

  5. Prisoner experiences in HMP Durham

    Report -

    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.

  6. Annual report 2016–17

    Report -

    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).

  7. ‘The whole me’ conference 2017

    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.

  8. What should you expect from home care services?

    Advice and Information -

    Five things you should expect from home care, domiciliary care or help in the home.

  9. Spotlight on intermediate care

    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.

  10. Focus on Newcastle Eye Centre

    Report -

    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.

  11. Healthwatch Newcastle Committee meetings and AGM 2017

    Report -

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

  12. Confirmatory PCR tests temporarily suspended for positive lateral flow tests

    Blog -

    From 11 January 2022, people who receive positive lateral flow (LFD) results for COVID-19 will have to self-isolate immediately and won’t be required to take a confirmatory PCR test.

  13. If you have COVID-19 symptoms

    Advice and Information -

    If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you can take a PCR test by booking online at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or calling 119 between 7am and 11pm and self-isolate until you get your results

  14. Stress Awareness Month

    Event -

  15. Auditory processing disorder awareness day

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  16. International midwifes' day

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  17. International nurses' day

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  18. Volunteers Week

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  19. Pride Month

    Event -

  20. Carers Week

    Event -

  21. Men's Health Week

    Event -

  22. The Samaritans - The big listen

    Event -

  23. World Breastfeeding Week

    Event -

  24. World Suicide Prevention Day

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  25. World patient safety day

    Event -

  26. International week of deaf people

    Event -

  27. International da of sign languages

    Event -

  28. World Pharmacists' day

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  29. Black history month

    Event -

  30. ADHD awareness month (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

    Event -

  31. Dyslexia week

    Event -

  32. World mental health day

    Event -

  33. Developmental language disorder day

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  34. Movember

    Event -

  35. National stress awareness day

    Event -

  36. National self care week

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  37. Transgender day of remembrance

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  38. Carers' rights day

    Event -

  39. International day of persons with disabilities

    Event -

  40. International volunteer day

    Event -

  41. Coronavirus: advice and guidance

    Page -

  42. The Accessible Information Standard - What you can expect from services

    Advice and Information -

    The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide National Health Service (NHS) or adult social care.

  43. Great Winter Get Together

    Blog -

    Did you know that the age group most likely to experience loneliness is between 16 to 24 years old?

  44. Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

    Advice and Information -

    We’re supporting Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 17-23 January and encouraging women and people with a cervix not to ignore their invitation.  Did you know, one in three eligible people don't attend cervical screening? It’s a test that saves lives.

  45. Colonoscopy confidence – your common sense bowel check

    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.

  46. Because We All Care - take 5 minutes to share your experiences

    Blog -

    Healthwatch and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are working together to hear your experiences of health and social care.

  47. Dental care myth busters

    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.

  48. Healthwatch Participation in Practice Award 2019-2022 interim report

    Report -

    It has been a contractual requirement for each GP practice since April 2016 to have an active and involved Patient Participation Group (PPG).

    We set out to create a best practice award for PPGs aimed to increase and improve the involvement of patients in their GP practice. Several GP practices in Newcastle and Gateshead participated in our pilot from autumn 2019 to February 2021. This interim report outlines what we did.

  49. Experiences of dental services in the North East

    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.

  50. Home from Hospital

    Advice and Information -

    Home from Hospital is a free service. It provides practical and emotional support to older people returning home from hospital in Newcastle. Support is flexible and tailored to a person's individual needs.