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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.
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Advice and Information -
With more than thirty recognised symptoms of menopause and growing awareness of the impact on day-to-day life, it can help to know what to look out for and what support is available. -
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. -
News -
Healthwatch Newcastle proudly announces the appointment of Afsana Begum as their dynamic new Research and Engagement Manager. Armed with an impressive degree in Public Health, Afsana brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will further invigorate the organisations' commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of individuals accessing health and social care services in Newcastle and Gateshead. -
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Minutes of the committee meeting held on 24th May 2023 -
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Minutes of committee meeting held on 16th August 2023 -
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 issue but also underscores the urgent need for awareness, education, and proactive measures to tackle this growing public health challenge. -
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Healthwatch Newcastle and Healthwatch Gateshead are here to help make local health and care services better for you. We do this by finding out how you are experiencing these services and ultimately feeding this back to the people delivering and commissioning the services, to influence positive change based on what we have been told. -
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Healthwatch Gateshead and Healthwatch Newcastle undertook a joint research project to engaged with retirement-age residents of Gateshead and Newcastle to understand their experiences of loneliness and isolation. The project focused on three key areas including:
• Any factors people felt contributed to feelings of loneliness & isolation and its prevalence in people’s lives.
• Awareness and use of local services that focused on reducing loneliness and isolation.
• What worked well and areas for development.
We collected data from the survey from January 2023 to April 2023, and circulated both a digital survey and a paper-based survey format.
The key findings are:
• Loneliness can occur to anyone, and in particularly felt by those aged between 65 and 74, are women, and are carers.
• Loneliness is not simply a symptom of getting older but is instead prevalent when the needs of older people are not effectively taken care of. This is especially important in terms of access and mobility, including travel routes and venues for activities.
• Loneliness is something often felt for a long period of time and felt more actively in those aged between 65 and 74, possibly due to recent retirement and bereavement.
• Social activities are often the most successful in engaging older people, and community-based groups are well-received.
• Users who engage with some services are more likely to engage with multiple, services though there is a high rate of respondents here who do not participate at all.
• Key issues preventing potential users from engaging with services are poor transport options and a lack of development of local facilities.
• There is interest in specific activities, like physical fitness and arts activities for some people within some communities.
Our key recommendations are:
• Support those leaving the workforce in adjusting to the changes that retirement brings.
• Work with communities to create community action plans to make sure local facilities are being utilised effectively and for the benefit of local communities.
• Improve service infrastructure to ensure maximum reach and accessibility
• Establish a focus group or engagement group to help services better understand how to reach older people. -
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Following on from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) reports on Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Hospital Trust. Healthwatch Gateshead and Healthwatch Newcastle, alongside Healthwatch Northumberland and Healthwatch North Tyneside have released a joint statement.
Please download the full statement below. -
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Read our Newsletters for 2024, stay up to date with information and activities from Healthwatch Newcastle. -
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The sudden rise in energy prices and accompanying increase in inflation in 2022 led to a big leap in the cost of living for people in the UK and wage growth since summer 2021 had not kept pace with inflation. Added to this, inflation has been higher in essential goods and services such as food prices. The cost-of-living crisis has dropped out of the news over the summer, but Citizens Advice Bureau Newcastle reports that there has been no drop-off in requests for support, especially around financial matters, and material support. -
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People have been telling us about challenges they face getting NHS dentistry. As a result we are working with the NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) in the North East and North Cumbria to better understand people’s experiences of dentistry in 2023. -
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Minutes of committee meeting held on 08 November 2023 -
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Minutes of the committee meeting held on 02 February 2024. -
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Minutes of committee meeting held on 20 March 2024. -
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This has been a year of renewal for Healthwatch Newcastle. We have strengthened our engagement activities across the city, putting the experience of Newcastle residents front and centre. Download our latest Annual Report to find about more about all the work we've done to support local communities and help your voice to be heard.
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Read our minutes from the Healthwatch Newcastle Committee Meeting on 22 May 2024. -
News -
The NHS Integrated Care Board for the North East and North Cumbria is launching the BIG Conversation to find out what matters most to women and girls when it comes to their health. -
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Join us at Gateshead International Stadium for the Annual Joint Meeting of Healthwatch Gateshead and Healthwatch Newcastle on Thursday the 19th of September (1pm-3.30pm). -
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While people think about the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) as ambulances responding to 999 calls, nearly two-thirds of their work is answering calls to NHS111. From life-threatening emergencies to general health advice, NEAS plays a key role in the North East healthcare system. -
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Read our minutes from the Healthwatch Newcastle Committee Meeting on 24 July 2024. -
News -
This summer Healthwatch Newcastle and Healthwatch Gateshead attended Newcastle Mela, Pride in the City and the Out Northeast Family Picnic in Gateshead's Saltwell Park. -
News -
We are looking to gather experiences of those who have been discharged from Newcastle hospitals in the last 12 months on Pathways 1, 2 and 3.
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News -
We want to help improve crisis management services, which means how understanding people would respond to a crisis situation. Which service would you contact, and do you think they are effective? We want to know! -
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On the 19th of September we held our Annual Joint Meeting, shared between Healthwatch Newcastle and Healthwatch Gateshead. It was an opportunity sharing our recent achievements, our current activities and our plans for the future, as well as receive feedback and input from partner organisations and the general public. -
News -
The Government and NHS England are asking the public to share their ideas for the next big plan for the NHS by launching 'Change NHS', a consultation to help shape a 10-year recovery plan. -
Advice and Information -
The Accessible Information Standard is mandatory for all organisations that provide National Health Service (NHS) or adult social care. -
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. -
Advice and Information -
Five things you should expect from home care, domiciliary care or help in the home. -
Advice and Information -
How can I get the most out of my next visit to the dentist? Take a look at our tips to help you prepare for your appointment and make sure you understand your treatment and how much it will cost. -
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