Healthwatch North Tyneside eNews – March 2022
Read our latest report on the key issues of dentistry in North Tyneside and get an early glimpse of the new edition of Living Well North Tyneside magazine before it hits your doormat. And there’s still time to tell us what matters to you in our Annual Survey.
Healthwatch news
Key issues with dentistry in North Tyneside
Throughout the pandemic we heard that people were having trouble accessing dental care in North Tyneside and the wider region. We spoke to 235 people in North Tyneside about their experiences of dental care since the pandemic began; and talked to dental practices to get an understanding of the situation. Read our findings and recommendations for dental care in North Tyneside in our latest report.
Living Well North Tyneside Magazine
Living Well North Tyneside. Healthwatch North Tyneside led on the production of the magazine, which will be delivered to all homes in North Tyneside throughout March.
The magazine is packed full of information and advice about local health and care services and how to keep yourself and your family healthy.
If you would like to read it online download it on our website here
Qnload Living Well North Tyneside magazine
Out and about in North Tyneside
Our Healthwatch team of wonderful volunteers have been out and about meeting people at libraries and visiting community groups across North Tyneside.
Keep up to date with our upcoming engagements by following us on Facebook @HealthwatchNT. If you’d like Healthwatch to give a talk at one of your group events then get in touch with Amanda by emailing a.graydon@hwnt.co.uk
You said, we did!
Ms B was struggling to find a new NHS dentist close to home, having been removed from her dentist’s patient list, so she called Healthwatch North Tyneside for advice. From our dental research we were aware of a dentist taking on new NHS patients located a short distance from her home.
We put her in touch and provided her with information on the registration process. She was able to register with the new dentist and thanked Healthwatch for our support.
If you would like some advice or information, or would like to share feedback about a health or social care service you have used, please get in touch on 0191 263 5321 or email info@hwnt.co.uk
Welcome to our new trustee Carol Nevison
Carol has joined Heathwatch after retiring from 30 years’ service in the voluntary sector in roles including Assistant Programme Director at Save the Children and Engagement Manager at MacMillan Cancer Support. She has worked to deliver services for children living in poverty, older people experiencing loneliness and social isolation and more recently people having lived experience of cancer. Carol is particularly passionate about volunteering and how it helps both services and individuals.
Latest news and reports from Healthwatch England
- Accessible Information Standard – our recommendations
- Accessible Information Standard – findings from our Freedom of Information requests
- Many NHS Trusts not supporting equal access to care for deaf and blind people
- New Healthwatch England director starts work
Healthwatch England Annual Report
With your help Healthwatch England has supported over 2 million people tell their story or get the advice they need. Your feedback has helped Healthwatch shine a light on:
- Making leaving hospital safer
- Access to NHS Dentistry
- Improvements to patient transport
- COVID-19 vaccine prioritisation for carers
Download the Healthwatch England Annual Report
Congratulations to our two prize draw winners: Rob from Wallsend, the winner of our Dentistry survey prize draw; and Mr Banyham from Forest Hall, the winner of of Pharmacy survey prize draw. Both win £50 Love2Shop vouchers.
Have your say
Have your say in our current surveys and help make a difference to health and care in North Tyneside.
Tell us what matters to you
We’ve been delighted by the response so far to our annual survey and have therefore decided to extend the closing date to 28 April, to give more people the opportunity to share their views.
This is the chance for you to say thank you to the services you’ve used and/or to tell us what you think could be improved. Share your views for a chance of winning a £50 Love2Shop voucher.
Have your say in our annual survey
Share your experience of a health or care service
Have you or a friend or relative recently used a health or care service in North Tyneside and would like to share your experience?
The Healthwatch Feedback Centre is an online directory that helps people to gather health and care information, post reviews and opinions of local services.
You can leave a thank you for the care received or suggestions for improvements.
Search for a service and leave your feedback and a star rating
COVID- 19 vaccination update
Spring booster:
From March, a spring booster is being offered to people aged 75+ and over 12s who have a weakened immune system (immunosuppressed).
People are advised to wait 6 months since their previous dose to get maximum protection from a spring booster. You’ll usually be contacted by the NHS, inviting you to book when it’s due. Book an appointment using the National Booking Service, telephone 119 or wait to be contacted by the NHS.
1st, 2nd and booster doses:
Young people aged 12-15 can get their first and second doses. If you missed the school immunisation programme, then make an appointment with the National Booking Service.
People aged 16+ can book 1st, 2nd and booster doses through the NHS National Booking Service or visit a walk-in clinic.
Children aged 5-11 who are clinically at risk or living with someone immunosuppressed, can receive 1st and 2nd doses at selected GP practices and clinics by invitation. This group will be contacted by their GP.
The programme for all 5-11 years olds will be launching shortly.
Anyone who has had a positive Covid test will need to wait before getting any dose of the vaccine. You need to:
- wait 4 weeks (28 days) if you’re aged 18 years old or over
- wait 12 weeks (84 days) if you’re aged under 18
- wait 4 weeks (28 days) if you’re aged 5 to 17 years old and at high risk from Covid.
You can book, cancel or change a Covid-19 vaccine online via the National Booking Service, or by phoning 119 or attend a walk-in clinic.
How to get your Covid pass here.
The law requiring vaccination to work in a care home ended on 15 March but it is still good practice to get vaccinated.
Read the latest information about the COVID-19 vaccination programme in North Tyneside
Useful information and opportunities
Children’s Heart Unit Consultation
Newcastle Hospitals was awarded £41.7m by the Prime Minister in 2018 to provide a new Children’s Heart Unit for the region. The proposed building will be next to, and part of, the Great North Children’s Hospital, bringing highly specialised children’s services together on one site.
Patients, families, staff, stakeholders, and neighbours are invited to share their comments on the planning proposals for the new building before Monday 11 April 2022:
- Online at www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/ambitions/estate-strategy/childrens-heart-centre where you can read more about the new centre, see the site plan and images of the building.
- Email NewcastleNHS@lichfields.uk
- Write to Lichfields, The St Nicholas Building, St Nicholas Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1RF
Book your breast screening appointment in North Tyneside
On average, 70% of invited women attend breast screening appointments, but in North Shields, less than 50% of those invited have booked their appointment.
Breast cancer treatment is most effective when found and diagnosed early so don’t delay screening. If your screening is due book an appointment for the North Tyneside screening unit at Rake Lane, North Shields, on 0191 282 0202 or online here
Help plan North Tyneside’s digital future
Have you completed your Digital Survey? Northumbria University, Newcastle University and North Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are working together on behalf of local partners to help gather information on how people in North Tyneside access and use digital technology. The survey also wants to understand why people aren’t using the internet or digital devices. Your help is needed to plan how local services in North Tyneside can be delivered in the future.
Take part either by filling in the survey delivered by post or here: https://northumbria.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/resident-survey
If you know someone with no or limited access to digital technologies, please can you help them complete the survey or ask them to call the Community Healthcare Forum on 0191 257 8000 extension 4280.
This survey is a response to Healthwatch North Tyneside raising awareness of digital exclusion during the pandemic and the forming of a partnership to promote digital inclusion, including Healthwatch, North Tyneside Council, North Tyneside CCG, VODA, Citizens Advice North Tyneside, and Age UK North Tyneside.
Do you know the symptoms of a heart attack?
The early signs of a heart attack can vary – the most common symptoms includes squeezing across the chest and a feeling of unease. It’s never too early to call 999 and describe your symptoms.
Find out more 
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-attack/
Sign up for local news direct to your inbox
North Tyneside Council has launched a digital version of Our North Tyneside. The monthly newsletter includes local news, events and opportunities for you to have your say. The council will continue to deliver the printed magazine to every North Tyneside household three times a year but if you would like to subscribe to the email newsletter, please opt in at my.northtyneside.gov.uk/newsletter
MMR survey for parents/carers of under 5s
If you are the parent/carer of a child aged 5 and under, The North East and North Cumbria NHS Public Health Programmes Team would really value your feedback about what would help you access the MMR vaccination for your child and whether the information available is helping you to make an informed decision. Share your views in their survey here.
Therapy Deep Dive Survey
The NHS in the North East and Yorkshire regions want to hear the views of parents, carers, children and young people about their experiences of Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy.
The Therapy Deep Dive is looking at how therapies are organised, delivered and commissioned to children, young people with SEND and their families. Share your views about therapy services and support in this anonymous survey here
Become the`heartbeat of your local NHS
If you’re passionate about the NHS, then joining Northumbria Healthcare as a member will give you the opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas about the way the Trust delivers care to over half a million people across Northumberland and North Tyneside. Find out more here.
Peer Pals
Peer Pals is a newly developed service run by volunteers in the community who have lived experience of health conditions and are matched with people with similar health conditions. They are currently looking for volunteers who have lived experience in:
- Musculoskeletal or Chronic pain conditions
- Weight Management
- Quitting smoking
- Cardiac conditions.
For more information contact Niki Marshall (details below).
Don’t forget to keep an eye on the Living Well North Tyneside website for the latest trusted information on services, activities, events and people to support you locally.
Visit the website at www.livingwellnorthtyneside.co.uk
Please feel free to forward this email to anyone who may find it useful and they can sign up here to receive their own copy. If you’d like an article included in a future eNews, please email l.johnson@hwnt.co.uk.
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