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Your feedback June 2025

Your feedback June 2025

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Your NHS and social care feedback June 2025

Top issues

This month we heard good things about the care received at GP surgeries, but also that it can take time to get an appointment. You also told us about communication issues with services, and that you were sometimes having to travel long distances to hospital appointments.

This month’s focus 

We held drop-in sessions at our usual Here to Hear venues plus Seaton Sluice Community Centre. We also went to Allendale Village Hall for the meet and eat session, the Work Smart, Live Well event at Cramlington, Berwick and Borders Carers’ event, and the public drop-in session for Felton surgery.

Our online talk was from the ME Association on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and got a very good reception from those that came along to learn more about these conditions.

Our Annual Report 2024-25 – ‘Unlocking the power of people-driven care’ which highlights how we’ve made a difference over the past year.

Positive feedback example

A person told us that, having been discharged from a larger hospital where they hadn’t been pleased with the service, they were then in a smaller, local hospital where they say the level of personal care was notably better. Staff were very attentive, watching patients and ensuring their safety whilst moving about to go to the bathroom etc. They reported the food as being excellent, with several choices.

The hospital arranged for an Occupational Therapist to visit their home whilst they were in hospital and by the time they arrived home via ambulance (also arranged by the hospital), hand rails and other safety
features had already been fitted.

Tynedale resident

Negative feedback example

A member of public who recently had a Covid-19 spring booster told us they’d had a reminder through post, However, this did not say where to go for a vaccination. They tried local pharmacy then GP surgery to see if they could get the vaccination there, but neither offered the service.
They found a pharmacy in Seaton Delaval which provided a walk-in service. The person didn’t try to call 119 to ask where could get the jab and is not online, so they just tried local services first.
They were surprised that the services did not tell him where he could go or that the invitation letter did not include this useful information.
Cramlington, Bedlington and Seaton Valley resident
Impact

“I thought today was really informative. I especially loved that once you have ME/CFS other symptoms of further illnesses are not picked up! I invited my uncle who’s a retired medic with a daughter with this; he’s been fighting for support for her for a long while! He’s going to get in touch with Russell direct. A great approach from someone with lived experience, thank you!”.

Feedback from attendee of June’s online talk by ME Association.

Information and Signposting Service

We were able to help people find the information they need on a range of issues and services, including NHS dentists, continence services, hearing aid batteries’ collection points, NHS complaints, paediatric first aid courses and transport to cancer care appointments.

Read more in our feedback summary for June 2025.

Your feedback May 2025

Your feedback May 2025

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Your NHS and social care feedback for May 2025

Top issues

You told us that long distances to travel to audiology and radiology appointments in hospitals were an issue. There was also feedback around difficulty getting a face-to-face GP appointment and issues with the online booking systems. Half of the feedback about GP services praised the good service patients received by staff.

This month’s focus

We took our Here to Hear drop-ins to place in Ashington, Hexham, Bedlington, Hadston, and Morpeth, plus we were at the Bell View wellbeing event in Belford.
We completed an Enter and View visit to Hartford Court Care Home, and held focus groups in Hexham and Alnwick on audiology services.
Our online session from Parkinson’s UK had 18 attendees who really enjoyed the talk.
The Persistent Physical Symptoms project has been re-establishing contact with groups in Ashington, Blyth, and Newbiggin-by-the-sea to recruit research participants.
We asked for experiences of applying for or renewing a Blue Badge and heard that the process is lengthy and slow.

Positive feedback example

A person told us that they are happy with the care they received at their GP surgery, with a sensible booking process, being guided to ring on a Monday for non-urgent medical appointments available that week (although they did say that patients do have to ring early).

Having not needed to see a GP in over ten years, the person said they were pleased to be offered full blood testing, finding it reassuring that they were taken seriously. They were also pleased to be offered a wellness check for added reassurance.

Castle Morpeth resident

Negative feedback example

“This was a Blue Badge renewal but I had to give all the information again including ID, doctor’s original letters of my conditions etc. – why?? As it was a renewal I was expecting a simple form i.e. giving any changes to my conditions.

It’s a very long-winded procedure, photocopying everything a second time. I sent it well in advance but they came back with more questions last month. I had thought I’d been turned down and was getting anxious but I’ve just heard they will renew it. I know they advised of a large number of applications and a backlog but surely renewals should be much easier for all concerned.”

Ashington and Blyth resident

Impact

Our team produced a simplified version of a Volunteer Agreement handbook for Thriving Together, to be shared with users of the new volunteering management system including Healthwatch Northumberland and other local organisations and services. ”Many thanks to the team for updating the Volunteer Handbook to an easier read version.”

Thriving Together Project Manager

Information and Signposting Service

We helped people find information on a number services including patient transport, talking therapies, social prescribing, hearing loss and mental health.

Read more in our feedback summary for May 2025