News
Check here for the latest news and updates, which we'll add below. For a monthly summary of what's happening, take a look at our e-bulletins and sign up to receive our e-bulletin direct to your email every month!
COVID-19 vaccine: what you need to know
We all have an important part to play to help the NHS deliver their vaccine delivery plan: Please do not contact the NHS to seek a vaccine, the NHS...
Young Carers Neighbourhood Charter
Healthwatch County Durham is delighted to have been re-accredited with the Young Carer’s Neighbourhood Charter. The charter is awarded by Family...
Facing a winter through the coronavirus pandemic- Mental Health Foundation
Ideas for protecting and supporting mental health this winter from the Mental Health Foundation Ten things you can do to protect your mental health:...
County Durham to enter Tier 3 COVID-19 restrictions from December 2nd
It has now been confirmed the North East, including Tees Valley, will enter Tier 3 of COVID-19 restrictions on Wednesday 2nd December 2020. These restrictions are to be reviewed on a fortnightly basis by the government, so County Durham will remain in Tier 3 until at least Wednesday 16th December...
Our workplan survey results are in!
Back in August we sent out a survey asking you to rank 7 selected topics, based on some of the things that have been happening with health and social care over the last few months, letting us know which ones were most important to you. The top four priorities as voted by you are: 1. Diagnosis and...
Join the NHS Workforce!
The last few months have highlighted the dedication and resilience of those working on the frontline of healthcare, demonstrating their unwavering commitment and passion in keeping the UK public safe. With the NHS experiencing significant and high-profile public support we want to inspire the next...
Get Your Vaccination to Protect Yourself from Flu!
Flu is a serious condition that kills on average 11,000 people in England each year and hospitalises tens of thousands more. Adults at high risk from flu are also most at risk from COVID-19 and the free vaccine is more important than ever, to help protect the nation from a double threat this winter...
New Covid-19 restrictions for County Durham
New local restrictions have been introduced across the North East from Friday 18 September to help address the significant rise in Coronavirus in our region over the recent weeks. The new measures are now in place, meaning regulations now lawfully ban the following: Residents must not socialise...
Help us plan our work priorities for the next 18 months!
Here at Healthwatch in County Durham we are in the process of planning our work for the next 18 months. We have selected 7 topics, based on some of the things that have been happening with health and social care over the last few months. We would really like you to rank these for us, letting us...
Have you left hospital during COVID-19? Please tell us your experience:
To respond to coronavirus, hospitals in County Durham had to quickly change. Tell us how this has affected the care you or your loved one has received. If you’ve been receiving care in hospital there can be lots to think about when you’re getting ready to leave, such as any support you will need to...
Lung cancer specialist calls for people to be aware of the signs of the devastating disease
A leading lung cancer doctor has called on people across the region to contact their GP if they are worried about potential lung cancer symptoms. Whether it’s a new or changed cough that lasts more than a few weeks, breathlessness, chest pain or unexplained tiredness, it’s important for people to...
Shotley Bridge Community Hospital Services- Project Update July 2020
Developments since May 2019: Since the last period of public engagement finished in May 2019, the CCG have taken on board comments that people made. They have applied particular focus to considering a broader range of services that could be provided in the future, such as low level Mental Health...
Help health and social care services recover from COVID-19 #BecauseWeAllCare
While NHS and social care services are doing everything that they can to support you and your loved ones, they need our help to know how they can improve. Two-thirds (67%) of people in England say they are more likely to act to improve health and social care services since the outbreak of COVID-19...
NHS encourages personal responsibility as pubs reopen at the weekend
The NHS across the North East and North Cumbria is encouraging people to enjoy themselves responsibly as bars and pubs reopen on Saturday 4 July for the first time in three months. As emergency services and hospitals prepare for an expected increase in demand, health bosses today made an urgent...
Regional cancer care specialists are urging the public not to delay seeking medical advice if they are worried about possible symptoms of Cancer
Health leaders from across the North East and North Cumbria have launched a drive to encourage anyone with potential signs of cancer to make use of NHS services. There has been a drop in the number of people being referred urgently for suspected cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic - with a 76%...
Updated Advice on Shielding
The Government have announced that the advice for people who are shielding because of COVID-19 will be relaxed in two phases: From 6 July those shielding will be able to spend time outdoors in a group of up to 6 people including those outside of their household, while maintaining social distancing...
Help is just a phone call away...
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV) NHS foundation trust have launched a new, all age, single point of access number to make it quicker and easier for you to contact your local crisis service: Call 0300 0200317 in a mental health emergency (open 24 hours a day, seven days a week ) Visit the TEWV...
Update on Dental Services in the North East
Dental practices will look different as they will be operating in a way that observes COVID-19 social distancing and hygiene rules, as part of measures taken to ensure the safety patients and the dental team alike: • Whilst practices are observing social distancing, patients should continue to...
Important information regarding NHS test and trace
If NHS Test and Trace calls you by phone, the service will be using a single phone number 0300 0135 000. The only website the service will ask you to visit is https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk . Contact tracers will NEVER: ➡️Ask you to dial a premium rate number to speak to us (for example, those...
Stay Alert!
Government advice has now been updated (from Wednesday 13th May 2020), from 'Stay home' to 'Stay alert'. ⚠️ We can all help control the virus if we all stay alert. This means you must: -Stay at home as much as possible -Work from home if you can -Limit contact with other people -Keep your distance...
Looking after your mental and emotional wellbeing
The coronavirus outbreak continues to be a testing time as lots of people are faced with increased anxiety, stress and loneliness.The governement have launched the #LetsTalkLoneliness campaign which engourages people to talk openly about how they are feeling during these unprecedented circumstances...
Coronavirus Testing in North East
A Government announcement has been made about the increase in testing capacity and that more people have been made eligible to book into the system. Testing for Covid-19 is now available to people in the North East at a range of locations. Testing sites can be accessed by anyone who is an eligible...
What to do if you become unwell this Bank Holiday
Primary and community care services remain very much 'open' during this bank holiday (Friday 8th May). -Anyone who requires medical care are able to access GP services in the County Durham area by calling NHS 111. Callers will take part in a telephone assessment which enables appointments to be...
Information for people affected by Cancer during the Pandemic
The Northern Cancer Alliance website has brought together sources of COVID-19 information and support for people affected by cancer. This includes information from cancer charities such as Macmillan, Cancer Research UK and the Teenage Cancer Trust, as well as tumour specific charities such as Bowel...
Beware Of COVID-19 Scams
There have been numerous cases reported to Action Fraud since the outbreak including: - Online shopping scams regarding purchase of PPE - Charity fraud - Lender loan fraud - Scam emails purporting to be from HM Government Please stay safe. Do not click on any links or attachments in suspicious...
Support available in County Durham for those struggling during the COVID-19 Pandemic
A new helpline, webpage and support network which has been set up by Durham County Council to help people in County Durham who are struggling during the Coronavirus pandemic. Following government advice that people with certain health conditions must stay isolated for the next 12 weeks in order to...
Could you help our NHS?
The NHS is “rallying the troops” for the war on Coronavirus, with volunteers being called up to help vulnerable people stay safe and well at home. The nation is looking for up to 250,000 volunteers to help up to 1.5 million people who have been asked to shield themselves from Coronavirus because of...
Healthwatch County Durham is still here for you!
Due to developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be changing the way we work over the coming weeks. Trying to delay the spread of the virus, as well as supporting the NHS, local communities and individuals where we can is our top priority at this difficult time. Therefore all of our...
