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. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Sustainability & Transformation Plans, incorporating the Better Health Programme

    Report -

    An independent observations report on engagement activities across County Durham.

  6. Stroke Support Services in County Durham

    Report -

    Our report looks at patient access to stroke support services in County Durham.

  7. Cervical Screening Report

    Report -

    Our report explores women's experiences of cervical screening in County Durham.

  8. Access to GP Appointment Systems in County Durham

    Report -

    Our report looks into the experience of patients in County Durham booking a GP appointment.

  9. Primary Care Navigation Report

    Report -

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

  10. Enter and View Report: Silverdale Family Practice

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Silverdale Family Practice in South Hetton as part of the positive Pilot ‘Enter and View’.

  11. Enter and View Report: Great Lumley Surgery

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Great Lumley Surgery in Chester Le Street as part of the positive Pilot ‘Enter and View’.

  12. Access to GP Services

    Report -

    Our report looks into the experience of people in County Durham when accessing advice, information and appointments at their GP practice since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  13. Enter and View Report: Tow Law Surgery

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Charlton House, Tow Law Surgery.

  14. Enter and View Report: Lanchester Medical Centre

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Lanchester Medical Centre.

  15. Enter and View Report: Esh Winning Surgery

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Esh Winning Surgery, Durham.

  16. Enter and View Report: Ushaw Moor Surgery

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Ushaw Moor Surgery.

  17. Enter and View Report: Meadowfield Surgery

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Meadowfield Surgery.

  18. Enter and View Report: Sir Bobby Robson House

    Report -

    Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Sir Bobby Robson House at Langley Park Surgery.

  19. Enter and View: Executive Summary 2018

    Report -

    Our Executive Summary shares some of the common themes from our conversations with patients and observations from our representatives during our GP Practice Enter and View visits in 2018.

  20. Enter and View Report: Sacriston Medical Centre

    Report -

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

  21. 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.

  22. 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.

  23. Enter and View Report: Willington Medical Group

    Report -

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

  24. Healthwatch County Durham Annual Report 2021-22

    Report -

    See our latest annual report for 2021-22 and discover our areas of priority for 2022-23.

  25. Help us shape the future of Health & Care Services

    News -

    Healthwatch is working with the NHS to improve the wellbeing of people in our area and across the region.

  26. Patient Views on Access to GP Led Services Report

    Report -

    This year when we asked the public about our work plan priorities, accessing GP services was still one of the priorities they identified.

  27. Enter and View is Back

    News -

    Our Enter and View programme is back

  28. Access to GP-led services - The experience of patients from the d/Deaf community

    Report -

    This report focuses on what it is like for people in the d/Deaf community to access GP-led services in County Durham and what support they have received and what further support would help them. We have also spoken to GP practices to find out what support they provide to the d/Deaf community.

  29. 10 top tips to get the most out of your GP appointment

    Advice and Information -

    We know from our conversations with the public that some patients report feeling rushed during appointments and struggling to make themselves heard. Here are some tips that could help you get the most out of visiting your GP.

  30. Do you need help getting to hospital?

    Advice and Information -

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

  31. 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.

  32. Bowel Cancer Screening in County Durham

    Report -

    Our report looks into the uptake of bowel cancer screening in County Durham

  33. Breast cancer screening in County Durham

    Report -

    Our report looks at the uptake of breast cancer screening and the experiences of women in County Durham

  34. 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.

  35. Pre-engagement: Shotley Bridge Community Hospital Services

    Report -

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

  36. 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.

  37. 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”.

  38. 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.

  39. 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.

  40. 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.

  41. What to expect when waiting for care

    Advice and Information -

    Waiting for planned medical care or surgery can be a frustrating time. That’s why it’s so important that while you wait, you get regular, clear and accessible updates so that you can plan your next steps.

  42. Hospital Discharge Survey

    Blog -

    If you or someone you care for have been discharged from hospital in the past year we would like to hear from you.

  43. Hospital Discharge Report

    Report -

    In this report we have gathered feedback from patients to find out what people's experiences are of hospital discharge, what plans were in place for them and support received when they leave hospital.