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

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    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.

  2. 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

  3. Stress Awareness Month

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  4. Auditory processing disorder awareness day

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  5. International midwifes' day

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  6. International nurses' day

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  7. Volunteers Week

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  8. Pride Month

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  9. Carers Week

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  10. Men's Health Week

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  11. The Samaritans - The big listen

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  12. World Breastfeeding Week

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  13. World Suicide Prevention Day

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  14. World patient safety day

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  15. International week of deaf people

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  16. International da of sign languages

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  17. World Pharmacists' day

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  18. Black history month

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  19. ADHD awareness month (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

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  20. Dyslexia week

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  21. World mental health day

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  22. Developmental language disorder day

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  23. Movember

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  24. National stress awareness day

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  25. National self care week

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  26. Transgender day of remembrance

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  27. Carers' rights day

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  28. International day of persons with disabilities

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  29. International volunteer day

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  30. Coronavirus: advice and guidance

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  31. 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.

  32. Great Winter Get Together

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

  33. 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.

  34. 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.

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

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

  36. 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.

  37. 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.

  38. 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.

  39. 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.

  40. The Accessible Information Standard

    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.

  41. Know the symptoms of a heart attack

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    This February, NHS England and NHS Improvement is raising awareness of heart attack symptoms as part of the latest ‘Help Us Help You’ campaign.

  42. Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2022

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    It’s Eating Disorder Awareness Week.

  43. Get help and support on No Smoking Day

    Advice and Information -

    Wednesday 9 March is No Smoking Day.

  44. Supporting effective GP patient participation groups

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

  45. Healthwatch Newcastle Committee meetings and AGM 2022

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

  46. Knight shift for Healthwatch Newcastle 

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    Jon Knight becomes the Chair of Healthwatch Newcastle Committee

  47. Your Care Your Way — the Accessible Information Standard

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    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.

  48. Newcastle ranks as the 12th ‘least healthy’ area in England

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    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.

  49. How are we funded?

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  50. Violet campaigns for cleaner air in Newcastle

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    Violet Rook is a longstanding volunteer with Healthwatch Newcastle and is campaigning for cleaner air in the city. During COP26 (the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Glasgow), Violet took part in an ITV news item.