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. Where can I go to get help for my health out of hours?

    Advice and Information -

    Health issues unfortunately don't leave us alone at the weekend and people are often in need of medical assistance out of hours. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.

  3. Do you need help getting to hospital?

    Advice and Information -

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

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. Using pharmacies or dispensing doctors in County Durham

    Report -

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

  19. Maternity Services Report

    Report -

    Our report investigates the experiences of mothers feeding their new-born babies and smoking during pregnancy.

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

    Report -

    An independent observations report on engagement activities across County Durham.

  21. Learning Disability Annual Health Check Engagement

    Report -

    Our report looks into the experiences of people with learning disabilities accessing annual health checks.

  22. Care Home Website Report

    Report -

    Research into the accessibility of care home websites, carried out by Healthwatch County Durham's ‘Enter & View’ representatives.

  23. Learning Disabilities Care Home Report

    Report -

    Research into the experience of service users with a learning disability in County Durham.

  24. Bowel Cancer Screening in County Durham

    Report -

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

  25. Health screening in County Durham

    Report -

    Our report looks into the experiences of vulnerable women and the uptake of health screening in County Durham

  26. Stroke Support Services in County Durham

    Report -

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

  27. 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

  28. Cervical Screening Report

    Report -

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

  29. Access to GP Appointment Systems in County Durham

    Report -

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

  30. 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

  31. Mental Health Services Report

    Report -

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

  32. Primary Care Navigation Report

    Report -

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

  33. Dementia Support in County Durham

    Report -

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

    Report -

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

  36. 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.

  37. 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.

  38. Pre-engagement: Shotley Bridge Community Hospital Services

    Report -

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

  39. 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.

  40. Flu Vaccination Report

    Report -

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

  41. 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”.

  42. Young Person’s Pharmacy Services

    Report -

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

  43. 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.

  44. Pharmacies Services or Dispensing Doctors in County Durham

    Report -

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

  45. 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.

  46. COVID-19 Vaccine Programme

    Report -

    Our report explores the views about the COVID19 vaccination programme of people in County Durham.

  47. 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’.

  48. 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’.