04 Jun

Carers Week: Make Carers Visible and Valued – 7 to 13 June 2021

The national Carers Week campaign raises awareness of caring, the issues that carers face and the contribution they make.  It also helps people who don’t identify themselves as carers to get recognition and support.

As a result of the pandemic, support for carers is needed more than ever and this year Carers Week is all about helping to Make Caring Visible and Valued.

Newcastle Carers is hosting several Carers Week events:

Newcastle City Council have also published a programme of events including safeguarding, pilates and support services available for carers.

31 May

Healthwatch North Tyneside News – 28 May 2021

A round up of the latest information on Covid-19 testing and vaccinations in North Tyneside, local guidance, and have your say about GP access and issues facing carers in our surveys.

Look out for Healthwatch staff and volunteers who are helping out at the vaccination centres. Here is our engagement officer Amanda lending a hand at a mobile unit in Shiremoor and our director Paul braving the rain!

Local health news

Surge testing and vaccination drive launched in North Tyneside

Surge testing and additional vaccinations are launching in North Tyneside this week, following a rise in case numbers and growing concerns nationally around increased cases of the variant first identified in India.
For more details visit North Tyneside Council‘s Facebook page or website

Get tested

Everyone is being encouraged to get a PCR test (where you get your results from a lab) to help understand the spread of the virus. There are mobile testing units open from 10am-4pm at:

  • Wallsend Forum, behind the Anson pub
  • Bedford Street, North Shields
  • Shiremoor, next to Aldi and Costa

Door-to-door testing is also taking place in parts of North Shields, Wallsend and Whitley Bay, with tests delivered by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue. 
We are all being encouraged to use home testing (lateral flow) kits twice a week too.
People with symptoms should stay at home and self-isolate immediately and book a test online or by calling 119.
Find out more about testing here

Find out more about testing here

How to change or cancel a Covid-19 vaccination booking

We have produced a quick guide on how to change or cancel a Covid vaccine appointment.  There are lots of appointments available across North Tyneside this week including for those needing second doses who want to bring forward their appointment.  If you had your first dose at The Parks, The Langdale or Oxford Centre, these services will contact you if your appointment changes.

It is really important that you cancel an appointment that you don’t need so other people can have that slot and vaccine supplies are used.

How to change or cancel an appointment

New pharmacy led vaccination sites

North Tyneside pharmacies are now providing COVID-19 vaccine services at locations across the borough. Appointments can be booked via the national NHS website, subject to availability. Those eligible can book now at:  https://www.nhs.uk/…/coro…/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

Latest Covid-19 guidance for North Tyneside

The government has set out its plan to return life to as near normal as possible by helping control the virus and staying alert. This means you must:

  • work from home if you can
  • limit contact with other people
  • keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible)
  • wash your hands regularly

Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.
There are no restrictions on travel in or out of North Tyneside at this time.

Click here for more information

Vaccination update

Keep up to date with the latest information about Covid-19 and vaccines on the TyneHealth website https://tynehealth.org.uk/covid-19/

Do you need help booking a vaccine digitally? Digital Champions can help.

Volunteers’ Week 2021

Volunteers make a huge difference to our work and we could not do what we do without them. We appreciate our volunteers all year round but Volunteers’ Week provides a great opportunity for us to say thank you for all our volunteers do/

Find out more about becoming a Healthwatch volunteer

Have your say

Please give us your feedback and share with others. All our surveys can be found on our website https://healthwatchnorthtyneside.co.uk/haveyoursay/

 

Carers – share your experiences of caring through the pandemic

We want to hear about carers’ views and experience in a new survey launched this week by North Tyneside Carers’ Centre and Healthwatch North Tyneside, on behalf of North Tyneside’s Carers Partnership Board. Your views will help local services better understand carers’ issues and identify ways to improve services. You could also win £100.

Tell us your experiences as a carer

 

Tell us about contacting your GP by phone, online and face-to-face

We continue to gather feedback on GP services. GPs are offering us different ways to contact surgeries and have appointments, including phone, video and face to face. Would you like to have a choice about how you contact your practice?  Tell us your views about what works and what could be better in our online survey.

Tell us your experience of accessing GP services

 

Tell us your experience of getting the COVID-19 vaccine

If you have had experience of the COVID-19 vaccine in April, tell us your views. Setting up the vaccination programme has been a huge task for the NHS and its partners. Your feedback will be shared with them to understand what is working well and what could be done better.

Tell us your experience here

 

Are you waiting for treatment?

If your treatment has been delayed due to the pandemic, then we’d like to hear from you to find out if it has been dealt with well. Have you been kept informed or offered self-care advice? Tell us how your delay was handled in our short, confidential survey.

Tell us your experience here

Everyone who completes this survey will be entered into a prize draw to be in with a chance of winning £25 Love2Shop vouchers.

 

Useful information and opportunities

Latest news from Healthwatch England

 

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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24 May

How do you feel about lockdown easing?

Lockdown has been so tough for so many, and lots of us will be feeling relieved that restrictions are gradually being lifted. From seeing friends and family to being able to go out, you may feel that there is much to look forward to. However, we also know that many are feeling anxious, reluctant, or any number of difficult emotions because of restrictions lifting. In full lockdown things might have felt more certain or predictable, as the rules were clearer. But now that restrictions are easing things might feel less clear, and there may be new challenges.

Change can be stressful. Whatever you’re feeling, you may find our information on managing these emotions helpful. You can read more about this on our website.

Take care,

Candy at Mind

21 May

“I’m fighting for unconditional acceptance.” – Jasmin’s blog

‘

Last week was Mental Health Awareness Week, and we heard from lots of you about how and why you’re fighting for better mental health. One of these people was Jasmin, who wrote about the impact of gender, race, and religion on their mental health.

“My internal monologue is trying to oppress my true self, and it’s an ongoing battle that I’m afraid I won’t win.”

It can be hard to speak up about a mental health problem and reach out for help. It’s even more difficult when the support you need just isn’t out there. This needs to change. We’re committing to step up the fight for mental health. That means fighting for change, for fairness, for respect and for life-changing support. For us – for you, and for them.

We were inspired by your stories about why you’re fighting – whether it was for your present, future or younger self, a loved one, for those who went before you and those who will come after. Thank you for sharing. You can read more stories here

Read Jasmin’s story

“Consider this blog me stepping into those shoes and breaking them in. I will be a voice for people like me. I will fight for unconditional acceptance.”

21 May

LGBT+ youths twice as likely to contemplate suicide, survey finds

Young LGBT+ people are three times more likely to self-harm and twice as likely to contemplate suicide as their non-LGBT+ peers, according to a survey.

The research was carried out by Just Like Us, an LGBT+ young people’s charity, which surveyed 2,934 pupils aged 11-18, including 1,140 pupils who identify as LGBT+, between December 2020 and January 2021.

Find out more

21 May

LGBT Patients’ Experiences of Primary Care Survey

This survey asks about your experiences of accessing healthcare services from your GP, dentist, pharmacist and optometrist. It aims to build a picture of current healthcare provision by primary care services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people. The findings of this research will be turned into a report which will be used to make sure that primary care services are better able to recognise and meet the needs of their LGBT patients.

Take the survey

20 May

Healthwatch Newcastle Newsletter – 19 May 2021

You say, we did

Mr R told us
Mr R called us because he was having difficulties accessing medication for a personality disorder from his GP practice.

We did
We encouraged Mr R to speak to the GP Practice Manager to discuss the issue. However, when Mr R tried this he could not get through to the Practice Manager and was unable to leave a message. We offered to call Mr R’s practice on his behalf, which he agreed to.

We also explained the process on how to raise issues with NHS services and organisations that can support him, such as the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and Independent Complaints Advocacy (ICA).

As a result of his feedback
Talking to the practice on Mr R’s behalf, we were informed that patients are not barred from speaking to the Practice Manager and messages can be left. We requested a call back for Mr R at the earliest opportunity because his issue involved access to vital medication. The practice called him back the same day and he received his medication two days later. Mr R told us he was surprised and very pleased to get access to his medication. Also, he now knows how to raise issues with his GP practice and how to seek support from PALS and ICA.

We can help
We can give you free, independent and confidential information about local health and social care services. We can also help you make decisions on what to do if you are unhappy with care or treatment or that of a friend or family member. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need support like Mr R via Freephone 0808 178 9282 or www.healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk/just-ask

 

Can social prescribing help me?

We recently spoke to coach Mark Read about social prescribing in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Social prescribing is a different approach to tackling physical and mental health. You can see a social prescriber through your GP and be easily referred to link workers from a wide range of local agencies including pharmacies, hospital discharge teams, fire service, police, job centres, social care services, housing associations and voluntary/community organisations.

Watch the interview on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/wan8kPYmTaM

 

COVID-19 update

Symptoms
Most people with COVID-19 symptoms have at least one of these:

  • A high temperature
  • A new, continuous cough
  • Loss or change in sense of smell or taste

Some people with COVID-19 do not have symptoms but can still infect others. This is why everyone is advised to get tested regularly.

Read more on testing at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/regular-rapid-coronavirus-tests-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms

Easing of restrictions
Some coronavirus restrictions have eased across England from Monday 17 May. Groups of up to six people or two households can now meet indoors. People can attend indoor and outdoor events, including live performances, sporting events and business events. Indoor hospitality venues such as restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes can reopen.

Read the current guidance at www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Visiting a care home
Care home residents can now have five named visitors for indoor visits. Residents also have more opportunities to leave their care homes to go on walks or visit a friend or family member’s garden and not self-isolate on their return.

Find out more at www.gov.uk/government/publications/visiting-care-homes-during-coronavirus/update-on-policies-for-visiting-arrangements-in-care-homes

Vaccination programme
At the time of writing, vaccinations are available to people aged 36 and over or who will turn 36 before 1 July 2021. Pregnant women will be directed to centres offering Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

You can choose to book your vaccination appointments at a larger vaccination centre or pharmacy or wait to be invited to go to a local NHS service.

Book online at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination or call NHS 111.

Get up-to-date information about the vaccination programme at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine

 

National Smile Month

From 17 May to 17 June 2021 the Oral Health Foundation is raising awareness of the benefits of having good oral health. Brushing your teeth twice a day for about two minutes with fluoride toothpaste is the best thing you can do to keep your teeth and mouth healthy. If plaque isn’t removed, it continues to build up and can lead to several oral diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease. Over time, this can lead to tooth loss.

We know that people may be experiencing difficulties accessing dental services at the moment. Due to the pandemic, the number of appointments dental practices can provide has significantly reduced. The current advice to patients is:

  • Please only visit your practice if you have an appointment and phone to book an appointment only if essential — dentists are currently prioritising the vulnerable or those with the most urgent need.
  • Appointments for some routine treatments, such as dental check-ups, may have to be delayed for a later date.
  • If you develop an urgent dental issue telephone your regular dental practice (or any NHS practice if you don’t have a regular dentist) for advice on what to do next.
  • Dental issues will be triaged first over the telephone. If the issue needs face-to-face care, you will be given an appointment either with the practice or at an urgent dental care centre and advised to attend as long as you do not have any COVID-19 symptoms.
  • If, after telephone triage, the clinician decides the issue is not deemed urgent, you may be advised on how to self-manage the dental problem. You will be advised to make contact again if your situation changes/worsens.
  • Only ring NHS 111 out of hours when your dental needs cannot be met by self-care and cannot wait until your practice is open to contact them for advice.

Read more on looking after your teeth at www.dentalhealth.org/how-to-clean-your-teeth

 

Ensuring our patients are safe: Meeting the needs of our local population
Wednesday 9 June, 2pm to 4.30pm

The Academic Health Science Network’s (AHSN NENC) goal is to ensure that the North East and North Cumbria has the safest and highest quality health and social care system.
 
AHSN NENC invites you to an online event to help shape these plans. There are five national workstreams set out in a Patient Safety Collaborative specification, including:

  • Early detection and management of physiological deterioration.
  • Safety of maternity and neonatal care.
  • Medicines’ safety.
  • Mental health safety.
  • Adoption and spread of four identified interventions (Emergency Laparotomy, Tracheostomy and COPD Discharge Bundles and the Development of an Improvement and Innovation Pipeline).

If you have an interest in one or more of these areas, please attend to understand more about the work.
 
Register at https://tinyurl.com/yk9x35u5

 

Newcastle research study on Type 2 diabetes

Newcastle University research has shown that Type 2 diabetes can be reversed by weight loss. Professor Roy Taylor’s team is now testing whether this is also possible for non-obese people with Type 2 diabetes. The team is looking for two types of volunteer.

People with Type 2 diabetes:

  • Less than six years duration
  • Non-obese (BMI <27)
  • Aged 20-70 years

This involves regular visits to the Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre over one year.

People without diabetes or prediabetes:

  • Without diabetes or prediabetes
  • With no first degree relatives with diabetes
  • Non-obese (BMI <27)
  • Aged 20-70 years

This involves a single morning of studies at the Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre.

Find out more at www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/newstudy-retune

 

English for Health

English for Health is a series of online videos and workbooks to help people who don’t have English as a first language to understand the NHS.

Involve North East developed the resources with support from local charity JET (Jobs, Education & Training). The English for Health videos cover:

  1. An introduction to the NHS
  2. How to use a GP
  3. How to find the right help

Each video ends with a Q&A session to help consolidate learning. The accompanying workbooks contain all of the relevant information and links to other resources.

Access the resources at www.involvene.org.uk/english-for-health

 

Free mental health support for anyone aged 26 or over

An NHS service was recently launched for anyone aged 26 or over living in Newcastle or Gateshead. ‘Qwell’ is an online emotional wellbeing platform and complements the range of local mental health services already available.

Find out more at www.qwell.io

Children and young people aged between 11 and 25 in Newcastle or Gateshead can access free professional counselling and support online.

Find out more at www.kooth.com

 

Breathing Space for survivors of gender-based violence and abuse

Breathing Space provides practical and emotional support to survivors of gender-based violence and abuse. The app can be used on any device, including a computer browser. As many perpetrators of abuse monitor website use or phones, the app and website are designed so you can exit information quickly to a website of your choice, such as BBC weather.

It provides information on where to get immediate help, financial, housing and legal support and much more.

Find out more at www.breathingspace-ava.org.uk

 

This newsletter in other formats

We’re currently unable to provide paper copies of this newsletter. If you would like a version you can print out yourself, you can find copies of all our recent newsletters at www.healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk/about-us/resources

If you need this newsletter in another format please get in touch by emailing info@healthwatchnewcastle.org.uk or phoning Freephone 0808 178 9282.

19 May

Helix Arts Neighbours and Strangers Project

Please see a flyer for a new project being delivered by Helix Arts. 

Helix are looking to engage participants in a creative spoken word piece about connection during the pandemic in collaboration with local artist Alex Woolley. 

Please contact Elizabeth Kane from Helix arts if you or someone you know would like to contribute (details on flyer) and feel free to share amongst your networks.

Download the flyer here.

14 May

Chilli Studio News – May 2021

Welcome to the Chilli Newsletter. There’s a lot of exciting things happening soon and opportunities for our members to be involved with.

1. CHILLI STUDIOS IS OPEN
AND EXTENDING OUR WORKSHOPS!

See above for updated workshops at the studio. Please send an expression of interest in which events & workshops you would like to attend and we will get back to you about possibilities. We are using a fair system of allocating places. No walk-ins at the moment please.

BOOK NOW!
Contact: sarah@chillistudios.co.uk
or Text/leave a message with 07922 091083

This is exciting news and we can’t wait to see more of you all in person. However, this has to be done within Government guidelines with safety implications for all our members, volunteers, and staff. It will be different! and we will all have to make small changes to work together to maintain the safety of the space and people. Our programme and plans are subject to change due to Gov and safety guidance.

It’s all about getting back to making a great creative community and fun space again, where we can support everyone’s wellbeing. #chillilove #chillicommunity.

We will be carrying on online activity as it’s been such an important development at reaching everyone, staying connected, creative and safe. As more venue and outdoor activity starts this may reduce the online workshops a little due to staff capacity.

 

There is still time to submit your artwork! Deadline to receive work is end May 2021. Contact Jo ASAP jo@chillistudios.co.uk

  1. NEVER NORMAL exhibition
    7th-24th July 2021 @Vane Gallery
    Gallery open: Wed-Sat 12-5pm

Chilli Studios annual exhibition showcases a diverse collection of over fifty artists. It is a celebration of the immense creativity of our members and their valuable personal experiences through the testing year of 2020. Playfully approaching the media’s concept of “The new normal”, this show questions notions of “Normality” and our individual and collective experiences of mental health.

“This year has only highlighted the importance of art to our mental health and wellbeing. Using art as a powerful and liberating tool to often distract and heal ourselves, to self-express, to also challenge and make actions towards change.” Jo Burke, Arts Coordinator, Nov 2020

www.chillistudios.co.uk

Opening times:
Reduced capacity of venue viewing is in place and you can choose to book time slots if you wish through ​jo@chillistudios.co.uk
Vane is open Wednesday-Saturday, 12-5pm, admission free.
Vane, First Floor, Commercial Union House, 39 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6QE. T +44(0) 191 261 8281

Exhibition, dates and details subject to change, government guidance & safety restrictions.

 

3. NEW social app for Chilli Members coming soon!

It’s all about creating a digital creative safe space and community! Improving our forum and digital connected platforms. A place to chat, share and celebrate art, share support resources and more.

We are in the design phase so if you would like to be part in the steering group contact bob@chillistudios.co.uk

 

  1. “Oot n aboot” with Annabel
    Cultural Trips to Galleries, Museums and more
  • Thursday 27th May 11am-12noon: trip to the Shipley Gallery
  • Thursday 10th June 11am-12noon: trip to the Baltic Gallery
  • Friday 25th June time tbc: BEACH ART DAY! at Whitley Bay (larger event)
  • Thursday 1st July 11am-12noon: trip to Discovery Museum

6 places per trip out. The Beach Art day will be more people but we are waiting on Government guidelines. Please let us know if you would like to come by contacting sarah@chillistudios.co.uk

 

  1. Online Workshops, Demos & social

    We will be carrying on online activity! See timetable above.

Since March 2020 our online workshops have proven to be such an important aspect of reaching our community, tackling isolation, enabling us to stay connected, creative and safe during uncertain times. However, as more venue and outdoor activity starts this may reduce the online workshops a little due to staff capacity.

Links to all our zoom workshops can be found on the Members Area of our website and our Members facebook group.

www.chillistudios.co.uk

 

6. Support Links

Remember, there is comfort in knowing that you are not alone, we will come together soon and be stronger still.

Chilli Love to all x