1. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    People have told us they can have problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register.

  2. Do you need help getting to hospital?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you travel to your hospital appointments.

  3. What should you expect when it comes to care for your teeth?

    Advice and Information -

    Four questions staff should ask you or a loved one about your oral health if you’re a care home resident, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence quick guide.

  4. Thinking about end of life care for you and your family

    Advice and Information -

    End of life care is support for people who are in the last months or years of their life. The guidance on the NHS website helps you know what to expect, how to plan ahead and how to manage your day to day decisions.

  5. Accessibility checklist for GP surgeries

    Advice and Information -

    Help make sure that your practice meets people’s accessibility requirements using this checklist from Healthwatch Slough.

  6. Where can I go for support for my mental health as a parent?

    Advice and Information -

    We've pulled together a number of services for parents in need of support for their mental health. Read more to find out where you can go to get the help you need.

  7. Seven pieces of information that you should expect to receive after being diagnosed with dementia

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's (NICE) quick guide to discussing and planning support following a dementia diagnosis.

  8. Do you need help travelling to NHS services?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.

  9. Someone I love has died - where can I find support

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving.

  10. Should I see a pharmacist instead of a doctor?

    Advice and Information -

    ​​​​​​​Avoid the wait at the GP and know when to visit your pharmacist instead. Look at how your pharmacist can help you.

  11. What is domestic abuse and how can I get support?

    Advice and Information -

    If you are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who might be, find out where you can go for advice and help.

  12. Getting the most out of the virtual health and care experience

    Advice and Information -

    National Voices, Traverse, PPL and Healthwatch England put together some tips on how to get the most out of the virtual health and care appointments both for patients and health and care professionals.

  13. How to communicate better with people with hearing loss

    Advice and Information -

    COVID-19 poses a unique challenge for health and social care professionals when talking to someone with hearing loss. Here are some important tips to help you communicate effectively.

  14. Information on Coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms, where to go for support and how you can help stop the spread.

  15. Think you need to go to A&E? Call NHS 111 first

    Advice and Information -

    The NHS is providing a new and more convenient way for you to access urgent care from the 1 December. Find out what this means for you and your loved ones.

  16. Looking after someone? Know your rights

    Advice and Information -

    Since the COVID-19 pandemic, it's been estimated that across the UK there are 13.5 million unpaid carers. Many people are unaware of their rights as a carer and, as a result, are not accessing the help and support they are entitled to.

  17. Young People’s Transition from Children’s Services to Adults’ Services

    Report -

    Our report looks into the experiences of young people and their parents/ carers in County Durham

  18. Mental Health Services Report

    Report -

    Our report explores views about mental health services in County Durham.

  19. Primary Care Navigation Report

    Report -

    Our report looks into the experience of primary care staff and patients in County Durham

  20. Dementia Support in County Durham

    Report -

    Our report looks into the experience of Dementia patients in County Durham

  21. Vascular services for County Durham and Darlington

    Report -

    Our report looks at making sure vascular services are high quality and sustainable now and into the future.

  22. Supported living in County Durham

    Report -

    Our report looks into the experience of tenants residing in outsourced supported living schemes in County Durham.

  23. Healthwatch England Long Term Plan South Report

    Report -

    Healthwatch England gives people across County Durham, Darlington, Teesside, Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby a say on the future of NHS services in their communities.

  24. Healthwatch England Long Term Plan North Report

    Report -

    Healthwatch England gives people across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham a say on the future of NHS services in their communities.

  25. Pre-engagement: Shotley Bridge Community Hospital Services

    Report -

    Our independent observation report on engagement activities across North-West Durham.

  26. Bishop Auckland Hospital - Ward 6

    Report -

    Our reports looks at capturing the views of patients about the care they have received at Bishop Auckland Hospital, on Ward 6.

  27. Flu Vaccination Report

    Report -

    Our report looks at County Durham residents’ views of the flu vaccine, the barriers to, and perceptions of, getting vaccinated.

  28. Smoke-free NHS County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust

    Report -

    Our report captures the views of patients, visitors and staff about the smoke-free policy - “change is in the air”.

  29. Young Person’s Pharmacy Services

    Report -

    Our report explores the views and experiences of under 25’s use of pharmacy services in County Durham.

  30. Life in a Domestic Abuse refuge during the COVID pandemic

    Report -

    Healthwatch County Durham talked to frontline staff and clients from local refuges about how women are being supported in Domestic Abuse refuges in County Durham during the COVID pandemic.

  31. Pharmacies Services or Dispensing Doctors in County Durham

    Report -

    Our report looks into the experiences of people accessing pharmacy services in County Durham.

  32. Research into People’s COVID-19 Lockdown Experiences

    Report -

    Our report looks at people’s experiences of using health and social care services during the COVID-19 lockdown in County Durham.

  33. Enter and View Report: Sacriston Medical Centre

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Sacriston Medical Centre,

  34. Enter and View Report: Rose Lodge Care Home

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Rose Lodge Care Home in Newton Aycliffe.

  35. Enter and View Report: The Haven Surgery

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited The Haven Surgery in Burnhope.

  36. Enter and View Report: Murton Medical Group

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Murton Medical Group in Seaham.

  37. Enter and View Report: Springfield Lodge Care Home

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Springfield Lodge care home in West Rainton.

  38. Enter and View Report: Willington Medical Group

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Willington Medical Group.

  39. Enter and View Report: Devonshire House

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Devonshire House care home in Bishop Auckland.

  40. Enter and View Report: Howlish Hall

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Howlish Hall care home in Bishop Auckland.

  41. Enter and View Report: Ward 7 (Treetops) University Hospital of North Durham

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Ward 7 ('Treetops') at University Hospital North Durham.

  42. Enter and View Report: Ward 14 (Gastro) University Hospital North Durham

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Ward 14 ('Gastro') at University Hospital North Durham.

  43. Enter and View Report: Ward 16, University Hopsital North Durham

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Ward 16 at University Hospital North Durham.

  44. Enter and View Report: Hospital Executive Summary

    Report -

    Our executive summary highlights some of the common themes from our conversations with patients and observations from our representatives during hospital Enter and View visits carried out by Healthwatch County Durham and Healthwatch Darlington.

  45. Annual Report 2018/2019

    Report -

    Our annual report shows the work and achievements we have made over the year.

  46. Annual Report 2019/2020

    Report -

    Our annual report shows the work and achievements we have made over the year.

  47. July 2020 Board Meeting Minutes

    Report -

    Take a look at the minutes from our Board meeting held on 1st July 2020.

  48. September 2020 Board Meeting Minutes

    Report -

    Take a look at the minutes from our Board meeting held on 9th September 2020.

  49. Cancer and coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

    If you have cancer, it’s understandable you might feel anxious about COVID-19. The Government and the NHS have both confirmed that cancer treatment should continue to be prioritised as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

  50. Maternity support during COVID-19

    Advice and Information -

    Read about how coronavirus could affect you, your baby and your pregnancy care.