Speak Up! with our Annual Survey

It’s that time when we look at setting our priorities for the year ahead. We would really like to hear about your experiences of health and social care in Northumberland over the last 12 months through our annual survey. This can be as a patient or carer. Knowing what is important to you helps us to work more effectively on your behalf. Your views will be shared anonymously and stored in line with data protection regulations. You could also be in with a chance of winning a £25 Marks & Spencer when you take the time to tell us about your experiences.

Thank you for your support us as we ensure the health and social care needs of the people of Northumberland are heard, understood and met by those responsible for commissioning and delivering services. Please share with family, friends and colleagues. Click the link below to complete your feedback or ask us for a paper copy.

http://bit.ly/SpeakUp-AnnualSurvey

Out and About

Derry ready to talk to residents in Rothbury

We’ve been busy delivering our new leaflets and posters to GP surgeries, pharmacies, dentists, libraries and other care and community locations across the county. There’s more to do but hopefully you will have seen them at a venue local to you. We were in Rothbury earlier in the month, talking to people about primary care services in the area and also at Berwick Infirmary, where we held a drop-in session for people to come and speak to us about any aspect of health and social care. We will be at the Northumberland CVA Volunteer and Wellbeing Fairs this month – at The Maltings, Berwick, on Thursday 1 February and Wentworth Leisure Centre, Hexham, on Wednesday 21 February. We also have a drop-in session at Alnwick Infirmary next Tuesday, 6 February. To find out more about these and other events in Northumberland click on the link: https://healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk/events.

Young People and Mental Health

Healthwatch Northumberland wants to understand how young people get the information they need about services for, and support with, their emotional wellbeing and mental health.

We are facilitating a workshop with young people this month at Bedlington Community Centre as part of an emotional health event organised by Northumberland County Council. The feedback we receive will inform how we develop and roll out this consultation process across the county. Our findings will be shared with relevant managers and service commissioners and will be available on our website.

If you would like to find out more or have any comments and suggestions about children and young people’s mental health, please let us know: www.healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk/have-your-say

Changes to Primary Care Services

Marine Medical Group in Blyth has applied to NHS England to change the geographical boundary of the practice. This will not affect any patients who are currently registered with the practice. Due to the number of new houses being built in the area, the group has requested to have its boundary reduced, to end at the Spine Road (just before the Bebside railway line). The practice says this measure will ensure it can provide the same services and high level of care to patients. Feedback has been collected throughout January. Frequently asked questions and updates can be found at the website: www.marinemedical-blyth.nhs.uk.

White Medical Group’s Stamfordham surgery will close on 31 March 2018. All services delivered from this surgery will be relocated to Ponteland Primary Care Centre, NE20 9SD. The branch surgery in Wylam will also stay open. If you are a patient at this surgery and would like to discuss this change with someone outside of the practice you can contact us on: 03332 408468 or via e-mail: info@healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk.  Feedback can be given anonymously.

CQC Case Studies

Would you be happy to share your experience of choosing a care home?

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is planning a new campaign aimed at people who are choosing care at home or a care home for themselves or a loved one. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the CQC, its role in inspecting and regulating care homes and the help its inspection reports and ratings can provide to those choosing what is right for them. Find out more: http://bit.ly/CQCCaseStudy

The Golden Guide 2018

Lesley taking delivery of the new Golden Guides from Heather Alabaster

The new The Golden Guide for Northumberland is out now. This free guide lists local activities, clubs and social networks for people over 50 and is also full of information for finding expert help with health, care, community and money issues. Copies are available from us here at Healthwatch Northumberland, Age UK Northumberland, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Voluntary Service, GP surgeries, libraries, Alzheimer’s Society, Citizens Advice Bureau, British Red Cross and selected Boots UK pharmacies across the county. Visit the website to view the online version: www.goldenguide.org.uk

Talking Matters Northumberland

Here at Healthwatch Northumberland we receive calls on a weekly basis from people who want to talk to Talking Matters Northumberland.  We think this happens as our number appears at the top of the small information leaflet given out by GPs and other healthcare professionals, as one of a list of ‘useful numbers’. The correct number for Talking Matters Northumberland is: 0300 303 0700. Alternatively you can email: info@tmnorthumberland.org.uk.  More information about the services offered can be found at the website: www.tmnorthumberland.org.uk