News and reports

Healthwatch Volunteer Raj Takes Initiative to Raise Awareness of Strokes

Healthwatch Gateshead and Healthwatch Newcastle would like to understand:

- The impact of the cost of living on your physical, mental, and social health.
- Changes to your health and social care due to the cost of living.
- The impact of the cost of living on your interaction with health and social care services.

If you would like to know more about Youthwatch,
please email-
Healthwatch Newcastle
info@healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk or
Text 07551052751 or Freephone 0808 801 0382
Healthwatch Gateshead
info@healthwatchgateshead.co.uk or
Text 07498503497 or Freephone 0800 038 5116

This year our volunteer Raj will be presenting on stroke awareness on June 7. He will be talking about what a stroke is, risk factors, signs of a stroke and some ideas on how to support people following a stroke.
Raj is a part of the Stroke Association and worked on NHS Stroke wards. He also supports children and young people with their special needs in schools.
Following this presentation, our Volunteer and Engagement Officer Lesley Tweddell will ask for a vote of thanks and appreciation to all our volunteers for supporting the work of Healthwatch throughout the year.
If you would like to know more about the role of a volunteer in Healthwatch come along and get more information from our stall on the day.

Healthwatch Gateshead and Healthwatch Newcastle recently engaged with local residents to understand experiences and opinions of the North East Ambulance Service. We wanted to understand public perceptions of the service, what trust means to the public, and overall levels of trust felt towards NEAS.
Overall, feedback was positive, however, most of those we consulted felt that they could not fully trust NEAS. Specific elements of trust were identified and included:
- Reliability, Availability, and Responsiveness
- Delivering a High Standard of Care
- Integrity and the Alignment of Words & Actions
- Patients’ Safety

Our full report is available to read here

Our Whistleblowing policy is intended to assist staff and volunteers who believe they have discovered malpractice or wrongdoing within Tell Us North, by enabling them to raise their concerns in a responsible and effective manner.

Our Safeguarding policies outline what our processes and steps are to ensure the safeguarding of children and adults we engage with.

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

Our monthly forums are a chance for anyone and everyone to learn more about health and social care services in our area. We aim to keep you updated with any changes to services in particular, and health and social care in general. This is for sharing, so while we have a lot to say, we also want to hear your views and feedback, and answer your questions.

We’ve compiled a number of useful links and downloadable resources to help you stay informed.

We like to share health information and health and social care-related awareness events, so why is Black History Month so relevant to Healthwatch Newcastle and Gateshead?

October is going to be a busy month in the Healthwatch Newcastle and Gateshead office, as we’re planning more outreach, engagement, and activities than ever before… we’re out and about at a few events this month so come and meet the team!