Welcome to our April newsletter!
We are now busy working on the Annual Report for 2025 - 26, which is due out at the end of June. It is always amazing to look back at what the team has done and how many people have helped us - from the general public to GPs, from the VCSE sector to local healthcare services and commissioners.
We are also hoping to publish reports around a successful GP practice and what that looks like and our research on mental health reablement services.
Finally, we welcome a new member to our Healthwatch Executive Board - Colleen Metcalfe! A big thank you to Colleen for offering her time and expertise to help champion the voice of the public in local health and care services.
Read on to find out more…
Natasha, Janet, Lynn and Kathryn
What have we been working on?
The team have been busy the past few months, working on a number of Enter & Views.
An Enter & View is a statutory power allowing local Healthwatch representatives to visit publicly funded health and social care premises—such as hospitals, care homes, and GP practices—to observe service delivery and hear patient experiences firsthand.
We recently visited Bridges Family Carer Service as a follow up to our drug and alcohol work in 2024, and Synergise Pharmacy, to revisit the staff and patients about how the Pharmacy First service is working since it’s launch in early 2024.
The team also went along to Elm Tree Medical Centre to speak with staff and patients about what is working well and what could be improved.
Watch out for our reports going live over the next few months, which you can also find here: HWS News and Reports.
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Welcome aboard Colleen!
Colleen Metcalfe has joined our Board!
She brings professional experience from her work with Starfish Health & Wellbeing, where she supports individuals accessing local health and wellbeing services, including working alongside young people as they navigate employment and support routes.
Colleen is deaf and her lived experience of the challenges faced by the Deaf community in accessing health and social care will be invaluable tp the Board. She is keen to help highlight these issues and support improvements in accessibility and communication.
“I’m overjoyed to have been invited to stand with Healthwatch on their Board and hope to bring a fresh perspective to their important work. I have much to learn. I also have much to offer."
Find out more about Colleen and our Board here: HWS Executive Board.
Our engagement team out and about in Stockton
Lynn and Janet were out and about last month at drop-ins and events across Stockton to hear views from the local communities on health and care services.
Events included:
- Drop-in at Billingham Library for World Health Day
- Visually Impaired Group at Billingham Library
- Stockton Council Family Fun Day at John Whitehead Park
- Billingham Warm Welcome drop-in at Billingham Library
- British Deaf Association - United in Sign: Influencing Change Together event at LiveWell Middlesbrough as part of National BSL Day
Follow us on social media to find out where Janet and Lynn will be each month and where you can speak to them in confidence.
Or contact us with your health or care query:
Email:[email protected]
Telephone: 0300 180 0660
Recognition for local children’s brain injury charity
We were delighted to attend the recent ceremony which saw Matrix Neurological Founder and CEO, Jan Rock presented with a High Sheriff Award by Dr Arnab Basu MBE, DL, High Sheriff of the County Palatine of Durham.
This recognition reflects Jan’s unwavering commitment to supporting children, young people and families affected by acquired brain injury, and the life-changing impact of the work delivered at the Stockton-based charity.
Families, staff, key professionals and supporters were brought together to celebrate, alongside the Mayor of Stockton, Robert Cook, whose presence reflects the importance of charity work within the local community.
Congratulations to Jan and her team!
To find out more about how Matrix Neurological Recovery support families, click here: Matrix Neurological.