1. Advice and Information -

    It's so important that you feel supported as a new parent. Read the article below to find out where you can go to get the help you need.
  2. Advice and Information -

    Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving.
  3. 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.
  4. Advice and Information -

    With more and more appointments happening online, we've put together some tips on how to get the most out of the virtual health and care appointments both for patients and health and care professionals.
  5. Advice and Information -

    Your mental wellness is as important as your physical health but seeking help can be daunting. Here's what to expect when you seek support for your mental health.
  6. Report -

    A concern about the impact of the COVID-19 related lockdowns of 2020—21,was a recognition that restrictions had made life particularly difficult for families experiencing domestic abuse. Healthwatch Newcastle's Committee chose this as a priority piece of work to explore in greater detail.
  7. News -

    People with a learning disability often have poorer physical and mental health. An annual health check can improve health by spotting problems earlier.
  8. Blog -

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

    It’s Eating Disorder Awareness Week.
  10. 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.
  11. Blog -

    Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992 to raise awareness of the causes of stress and how do get support
  12. Report -

    In March 2022 HWG and HWN launched a survey to gather young people’s views and general experiences of loneliness and social isolation.
  13. Report -

    From September 2015 to January 2016 our young people’s group designed and delivered a mental health questionnaire aimed at young people in the 13—25 age range. The aim was to get a better understanding of the main issues young people face regarding mental health, and if schools and colleges are offering enough support to young people around these issues.
  14. Report -

    Throughout the autumn and winter of 2018 we gathered the views and experiences of groups and communities on mental health services in Newcastle and Gateshead.
  15. Report -

    In 2019—2020 we focused on children and young people’s mental health services. Via a survey, focus group and one to one interviews, we heard from 239 people (103 children and young people and 136 parents and carers).

    Our main findings were that children, young people and their parents and carers do not have a full understanding of what a self-referral is and how to make one.
  16. Report -

    This report builds on our ‘Don’t box me in’ report. Young people and their parents/carers were asked how easy or difficult it was for young people to access health services in Newcastle and Gateshead.
  17. News -

    Don't miss our upcoming Online Forum featuring "Barnardo's Young Dads Service." This dedicated program offers vital support and guidance to young fathers navigating parenthood's challenges.


  18. Advice and Information -

    People have told us they can have problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register.
  19. Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.
  20. 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.
  21. Blog -

    Are you a patient at Parkway Medical Group in Chapel House, Newcastle?
  22. 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.
  23. Blog -

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

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

    We’ve put together some of our resources on this page to help you keep up to date.
  26. Report -

    Between December 2013 and September 2014 our Champions carried out mystery shopping in GP practices throughout Newcastle. The aim was to find out the information GP practices gave about their procedures for compliments, comments and complaints, how clear that information was and how easy it was to find.

  27. Report -

    In the early autumn of 2014 we carried out a mystery shopper exercise on the NHS Choices GP profile pages for the 35 GP practices in Newcastle upon Tyne.
  28. Report -

    From July to December 2015 we carried out research into what people want when booking a GP appointment in Newcastle. A discrete choice experiment survey was developed in partnership with Northumbria University.
  29. 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.
  30. 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.
  31. Report -

    The report from the first forum, held in February 2020. This forum supports and develops patient participation groups (PPGs) in Newcastle and Gateshead.
  32. Report -

    Six GP practices in Outer West Newcastle - Denton Park Medical Group, Denton Turret Medical Group, Newburn Surgery, Parkway Medical Group, Throckley Primary Care Centre and Westerhope Medical Group - partnered with Healthwatch Newcastle to run a survey gathering patients’ views on additional services, accessing the practices and how COVID-19 affected their experience.
  33. 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.
  34. Advice and Information -

    Do you struggle to speak to your doctor about your medical concerns? You’re not alone. Take a look at our top tips to make the most of your GP appointment.
  35. Advice and Information -

    In a groundbreaking revelation, the latest report from Diabetes UK has sent shockwaves through the nation's healthcare landscape. The number of people living with diabetes in the UK has surpassed the 5 million mark for the first time, marking a significant milestone that demands our attention. This unprecedented figure not only highlights the scale of the diabetes epidemic but also underscores the urgent need for awareness, education, and proactive measures to tackle this growing public health challenge.
  36. Advice and Information -

    Do you struggle to speak to your doctor about your medical concerns? You’re not alone. Take a look at our top tips to make the most out of your GP appointment.