Welcome to our September newsletter!
It has been another busy month for the team, as we embrace seasonal changes and the darker nights.
As well as being out and about at community events, listening to feedback from Stockton residents about their health and care concerns, we are currently working on various research projects.
Part of this work will highlight the health and care experiences of people in the deaf community and the lived experiences of accessing personalised cancer care.
Watch out for our upcoming reports soon!
We are also excited to be working with 13 Healthwatch across the North East and North Cumbria Network on the ‘Feel Better Faster’ campaign.
This survey will ask people their views on the NHS App, Pharmacy First and GP Extended Access services. Find out more below!
Plus the usual round-up of community events and pop ups with our engagement team. Scroll down for more details... With best wishes
Natasha, Janet, Lynn and Kathryn
Feel Better Faster: Tell us what you think about the new NHS services
Commissioners of healthcare services in the North East have launched a survey in partnership with Healthwatch to gather feedback on three NHS services designed to help people access care more quickly and conveniently.
They want to hear about your experience of using the following three services:
- NHS App
- Pharmacy First
- GP Extended Access
You can scan the QR code or click on the survey here: NHS Services Survey
Students share their experiences at freshers fayre
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Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees and Healthwatch Hartlepool were proud to represent the North East & North Cumbria (NENC) Healthwatch Network and the NENC NHS Integrated Care Board at Durham University Freshers Week.
They were there to help students navigate their health journey, and invited to take part in the ‘Feel Better Faster’ survey to find out their views on local services, including:
- The NHS App
- Pharmacy First
- Extended GP Access
WorkWell Employment Support: Our case study and your feedback
WorkWell is a new NHS service to help people with health problems stay in work or get back to work.
Commissioned by the NHS for additional research from focus groups, we recently worked with the Kinship Group at Bridges Family and Carers Support Service.
We heard their thoughts on the service and shared ideas on what would make it more accessible and effective.
You can read more in our case study: Listening to Kinship Carers and Young People – What WorkWell Could Mean for Them.
We have shared our feedback with the North East and North Cumbria NHS Integrated Care Board. You can also give your feedback on the service in their survey: NHS WorkWell Survey
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What have you told us in September
Let us know what you thought about your recent health and care experiences. Tell us what has been good or what could be better and help improve local healthcare services.
Have your say here: Share Your Views
Our engagement team out and about in Stockton
Our engagement team have been busy again this month, speaking to Stockton residents about their health and care queries.
Events included:
- Billingham Show
- Joint 'health and wellbeing' event with Starfish Health & Wellbeing
- Stockton Sixth Form College Freshers Fayre
- NHS app support session with Stockton Health & Wellbeing Library at Roseworth Warm Welcome as part of our Health & Care Ambassador Programme
- Our Place, Our Say event for people with learning disabilities and autistic people
- CGL Open Day
- Macmillan coffee morning and bingo at Argyll House
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
New health service to rollout for Stockton-on-Tees residents
Stockton-on-Tees is one of 43 areas selected in the UK to rollout a new approach to neighbourhood health.
It will see General Practice, the Council, NHS and partner organisations including the voluntary sector and communities work closely together to better meet people's needs and enable them to access the support available.
We welcome the opportunity to work alongside partners in shaping Neighbourhood Health in Stockton.
"By embedding the voice of service users, we’re helping to build better care, closer to home, designed around what matters most to our communities." Natasha Douglas, Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees Manager.
Find out more here: Neighbourhood Health in Stockton.
Jess’s Rule: What it means for you
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Inspired by the legacy of Jess Brady, a new rule will help diagnose serious illnesses sooner.
Through Jess's Rule, GPs will rethink after three appointments, to treat patients who need care sooner and avoid preventable deaths.
Find out more below by clicking here: Jess's Rule.
You and Your General Practice
The NHS has launched a new set of guidelines called You and Your General Practice (YYGP). These outline what patients can expect from their GP, and how to best use their services. Read the new guidelines here: You and Your General Practice.
You can let the NHS know what you think by clicking here: Tell the NHS What You Think of GP Services
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