Evidence-based Reports
Reports produced from the research our team has pulled together.

Research into People's COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Lockdown Experiences
Healthwatch County Durham’s aim in conducting this research was to find out more about people’s experiences of using health and social care services during the COVID-19 lockdown. We wanted to find out what has worked well and what could work better in order to influence future service improvements.
Pharmacies Services or Dispensing Doctors in County Durham
Research in the experiences of people accessing pharmacy services in County Durham.
Life in a Domestic Abuse refuge during the COVID pandemic
Healthwatch County Durham contacted 4 refuges in the county to talk to frontline staff and clients about how women were being supported at the present time, to give an overview of the experiences of women being supported in Domestic Abuse refuges in County Durham during the COVID pandemic.
Young Person’s Pharmacy Services
Healthwatch County Durham was approached by the Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC), and asked to carry out some research into under 25’s use of pharmacy services.
Smoke-free NHS County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust
Capturing the views of patients, visitors and staff about the smoke-free policy - “change is in the air”
Flu Vaccination Report
Research into County Durham residents’ views of the flu vaccine, the barriers to, and perceptions of, getting vaccinated
Bishop Auckland Hospital- Ward 6
Capturing the views of patients about the care they have received
Pre-engagement- Shotley Bridge Community Hospital Services
An independent observation report on engagement activities across North-West Durham
Healthwatch England Long Term Plan North Report
Healthwatch gives people across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham a say on the future of NHS services in their communities.
Healthwatch England Long Term Plan South Report
Healthwatch gives people across County Durham, Darlington, Teesside, Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby a say on the future of NHS services in their communities.
Supported Living in County Durham Report
Research into the experience of tenants residing in outsourced supported living schemes in County Durham
Vascular Services Report
Making sure vascular services are high quality and sustainable now and into the future.
Dementia Services
Research into the experience of patients and family/carers accessing dementia services in County Durham.
Primary Care Navigation
Research into the experience of primary care staff and patients in County Durham.
Primary Care Navigation report
This was a joint review for both North Durham and Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield CCGs. Both CCGs have acknowledged the content of the report and the main themes that have emerged from the evaluation.
Mental Health Services
Research into the experiences of mental health for patients and staff working in County Durham.
Transitions report
Research into the experiences of young people and their parents/carers in County Durham on transitioning from children's services to adult services.
GP Appointments Report
Research into the access of GP appointments in County Durham.
Cervical screening report
Research into the uptake of cervical screening (smear tests) in County Durham and ways to increase this.
Breast Cancer Screening Report
Research into the uptake of screening and the experiences of women in County Durham
Stroke Services Report
Research into patient access to stroke support services in County Durham
Vulnerable Women Report
Health screening in County Durham- Research into the experiences of vulnerable women and uptake of health screening in County Durham
Bowel Cancer Screening in County Durham
Research into the uptake of bowel cancer screening in County Durham
Care Home Website Report
Research into the accessibility of care home websites
Learning Disabilities Annual Health Check Engagement
A report into the experiences of people with learning disabilities accessing annual health checks
Learning Disabilities Care Home Report
Service user consultation results on care homes for people with learning disabilities.
STP Independent Observations Report
Healthwatch County Durham has made recommendations on STP and Better Health Programme engagement across the county.
Maternity Services Report
Investigating good practice in the delivery of smoking cessation in pregnancy and increasing the number of mothers choosing to breastfeed their babies.
Using Pharmacies or Dispensing Doctors in County Durham
Research into the experiences of people accessing pharmacy services in County Durham