News and reports

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

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.

The discovery of the Omicron variant led the government to recently announce a new vaccination challenge. The Prime Minister set out a commitment that all adults in England would be offered a booster jab by the end of the year. However, even with the additional protection that vaccine boosters will give, the threat from Omicron remains serious.

With Christmas just around the corner, we're reminding patients to order and collect repeat prescriptions in good time for the holiday period.

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

The government has announced a Plan B for England to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant. What does that mean for us?

Our joint Annual General Meeting with Healthwatch Gateshead is being held to celebrate our recent work

Have you used dental services in Newcastle and Gateshead since March 2020?

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.

Volunteering with Healthwatch can help develop skills, gain experience and make a difference. Volunteers play a vital role in helping people have their say on health and social care.

Do you or a loved one need help with social care? Read the article below and find out answers to key questions about who can access adult social care and how to pay for it.

In 2012 adults around 459,000 adults smoked in the North East. Now it’s around 325,000 – a drop of around 134,000.