What you told us: September 2022

What you told us: September 2022

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Our ‘at a glance’ monthly reports provide a summary of who we have been hearing from and what you have told us. What you tell us helps us build a picture of what is working well and where there are issues in the NHS and social care services we use here in Northumberland.

Often, we can get a quick response to your enquiry or signpost you to the right service.

Some issues are already being looked at by other organisations and we pass on your comments and concerns to them so that they have as much feedback as possible from those using services, to help them make decisions and improvements to services.

There are some issues that we look into in more detail and set aside time and resources to investigate further and put together recommendations for change.

Read more about our work.

Healthwatch Northumberland feedback report September 2022

Online event – Qwell

Online event – Qwell

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Join us on Friday 11 November to hear from Andrew Poinen, Engagement Lead for Kooth and Qwell.

In this free, online public event Andrew will provide an overview of Qwell, the online service available for adults aged 18 and over in Northumberland which provides free, safe and anonymous mental health and wellbeing support.

We will hear what it involves, how to access it and there will be a chance to ask questions.

Register now and we will send you a link to join closer to the event: 

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Join our Annual Conversation

Join our Annual Conversation

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This year, instead of our usual Annual Survey, we’re having an ‘Annual Conversation’. This is a more focused piece of work which will help us hear from people that we don’t hear from as often. We’ll be working with groups and organisations from across Northumberland to hear about people’s recent experiences of NHS and social care services. This is anything from GP and dental services, hospital and ambulance services, mental health services, care homes and care in the home.

Only by hearing what people want and need from services can providers know how to improve care. Speaking to us here at Healthwatch Northumberland is a confidential and anonymous way to get your voice heard and your views taken into account when decisions are being made about services

We also want to hear what went well for people when they used services.

During October and November we’ll be working with Fishermen’s Mission, Escape Family Support, Being Woman, Royal Voluntary Service, Miners Lamp Community Cafe and Hub, Bridge Northumberland and Journey Enterprises, to hear from service users and local communities.

If you would like to tell us about your recent experience of health and social care please share your story. Or ask a question about local services through our Signposting and Information Service.

This piece of work has now closed

Share your experiences of GP referrals

Share your experiences of GP referrals

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Have you been referred by your GP practice to a specialist for tests, diagnosis or treatment? Or have you expected or requested a referral but didn’t get one? We’d like to hear about your experiences to help the NHS understand what is working and what could be better.

The survey will only take a few minutes of your time and any information you share will be anonymised.

What is a GP referral?

It’s when a GP or other medical professional at a GP practice sends you to a specialist at a hospital or community clinic for further tests, diagnosis or treatment. Your GP could make a referral for many reasons, such as a hip replacement, MRI scan, physio, mental health services, endoscopy and more. A referral can happen during a phone or face-to-face appointment.

Tell us about your experiences

What you told us: August 2022

What you told us: August 2022

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Our ‘at a glance’ monthly reports provide a summary of who we have been hearing from and what you have told us. What you tell us helps us build a picture of what is working well and where there are issues in the NHS and social care services we use here in Northumberland. In many cases, we can get a quick response to your enquiries.

Some issues are already being looked at by other organisations and we pass on your comments and concerns to them so that they have as much feedback as possible from those using services.

There are some issues that we look into in more detail and set aside time and resources to investigate further and put together recommendations for change.

Read more about these projects.

These feedback reports are also shared with those paying for and providing the services.

Healthwatch Northumberland feedback report August 2022

A new way for outpatients?

A new way for outpatients?

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A new way for outpatients? Have your say

 

Survey deadline extended – there’s still time to share your views with us on outpatient services – both existing care and plans for future changes to some appointments.

 

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospitals in Northumberland and North Tyneside, is looking at how it might change outpatient appointments.

Potentially this might replace some or all routine follow up appointments that would normally have been planned and would allow you to contact your clinic if you have any concerns.
Northumbria Healthcare has asked us to find out your views about this and to understand what would be important to you to make follow up care better.

If you have regular outpatient appointments now, or have ideas how a previous appointment could have been improved,

As a thank you for your time you can be entered into a prize draw for £50 shopping voucher.

This survey has now closed

Drop-in for fishermen and families

Drop-in for fishermen and families

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We’re pleased to be holding a drop-in session with the Fisherman’s Mission in the Harbour Office at Amble Quayside on Monday 26 September, 1.00pm – 3.00pm. The session is for active fishermen, former fishermen and fishing families. Tea and coffee will be provided and the local GP practice will be offering free health checks to visitors.
For more information please contact Peter Dade on 07917 754259 or email PeterDade@fishermensmission.org.uk.
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Share your views about GP referrals

Share your views about GP referrals

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Have you or your loved one struggled to get a GP referral for tests or treatment?

Healthwatch England has been hearing from the public about how hard it can be to get a GP practice referral to another NHS service, and they would like to hear about your experiences.

GPs are the first point of call for many health issues and the gateway to specialist support. But with many GP surgeries stretched thin and under pressure, NHS decision-makers need to understand if people are finding it difficult to get the right help.

Examples of services your GP can refer you to include:

  • Scans or tests for a diagnosis of a condition or health issue
  • Mental health support
  • Surgery for knees, hips and eyes
  • Support like physiotherapy for back pain or arthritis
  • Non-urgent heart problems
  • Wellbeing services, like smoking cessation or diabetes management.

The impact of delayed referrals

GP referrals affect people of every age group, every background, and every region across the country. Some of the things patients have said include:

  • People feel like their symptoms are dismissed
  • They have to try multiple times before they’re successful
  • They are left in the dark about how serious their condition is.

Share your views

As the independent champion of health and social care services, we want to hear your experiences of trying to get specialist NHS support, like physiotherapy, talking therapies, hospital scans and consultations.

By sharing your story, we can use your feedback to help the NHS better understand your challenges and improve how people access the care they need.

Find out more about GP referrals

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What you told us: July 2022

What you told us: July 2022

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Our ‘at a glance’ monthly reports provide a summary of who we have been hearing from and what you have told us. What you tell us helps us build a picture of what is working well and where there are issues in the NHS and social care services we use here in Northumberland. In many cases, we can get a quick response to your enquiries.

Some issues are already being looked at by other organisations and we pass on your comments and concerns to them so that they have as much feedback as possible from those using services.

There are some issues that we look into in more detail and set aside time and resources to investigate further and put together recommendations for change.

Healthwatch Northumberland feedback report July 2022

 

 

 

All change! Join us at our AGM 2022

All change! Join us at our AGM 2022

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You’re invited to join us at our AGM 2022, which this year will be in person at Northumberland College in Ashington.

This year we’ll be hearing about changes being made in health and social care services, from those leading the change. Our guest speakers will talk about integration of services and the increasing use of digital in care.

We will be giving an overview of our work over the past year as your local health and social care champion and we’ll also hear from health and social care students from the college about why they have chosen to work in the sector.

The event is on Wednesday 19 October starting at 10.30am. After the event there will be a light lunch provided. This will be a chance to chat with our team, our speakers and other guests which will be a mix of service providers, members of the public and health and social care students from the college. Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements.

If you’d like to submit a question in advance please get in touch.

 

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