News
Latest news from Healthwatch Sunderland

Become a Tyne & Wear Sight Loss Council member
Are you living in Tyne & Wear, blind or partially sighted and interested in advocating for others? The Thomas Pocklington Trust are looking to...
Staff Wellbeing Hub launched to support health and care staff through pandemic
A regional hub has been launched to support health and care staff across the North East and North Cumbria to cope with the immense pressures of...
Sunderland Mental Health Strategy survey deadline is approaching
The engagement for the NHS Sunderland Adult Mental Health Strategy will continue until Friday 22 January 2021 . Thank you to everyone who has...
A walk in the park
We have fantastic historical parks and beautiful picturesque walks in and around Sunderland which are all free to enjoy. Walking is beneficial for both our physical and mental wellbeing and is a great way to take in our natural surroundings. Sunderland City Council have chosen six parks and one...
New digital support group for bowel cancer patients
Chat Together is Bowel Cancer UKs free online support group for people living with and beyond bowel cancer. It's a welcoming place to talk to others with bowel cancer and to meet new people. It's a chance to share experiences in a safe, supportive and informal environment. Chat Together is a chance...
Patient questions answered!
In the video below a Sunderland based GP Practice Manager answers some of the questions we have received from patients recently, such as: Are some GP surgeries closed due to COVID-19? What appointments are available other than telephone appointments? How can I see the nurse face to face, but not...
Adult Mental Health Strategy
The engagement for the NHS Sunderland Adult Mental Health Strategy went live on Monday 30 November and will run until Friday 22 January 2021. Thank you to everyone who has supported and shared the survey so far. Up to now, social media promotion of the survey has reached over 38,000 people in...
NE Behaviour Change Campaign is launched
New research commissioned by the seven North East councils reveals how people across the region feel about Covid-19 and local restrictions - with over half admitting that while they want to follow the rules, they ‘find it hard’ to stick to social distancing guidelines. The research, involving a...
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust scoops six prestigious awards
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust is celebrating after scooping not just one, but six prestigious awards for its innovative work around children’s asthma. The work of the Trust’s Paediatric Respiratory Team was highly commended in the Best Health Tech Solution for Patient Safety’...
Have your say on future adult mental health services in Sunderland
Substantial national funding is to be made available to transform how community mental health services are delivered. This is an exciting and rare opportunity to significantly redesign models of care for adults and older people to ensure their needs are met. Sunderland NHS Clinical Commissioning...
Sunderland placed in COVID Tier 3 from 2nd December
From 2nd December Sunderland will be in COVID Teir 3 - Very High Alert, so what does this mean? Click here to find out!
South Tyneside Midwifery-Led Birthing Centre welcomes its 300th baby
The Midwifery-Led Birthing Centre at South Tyneside District Hospital is celebrating a milestone with the birth of its 300 th baby since opening in August last year. Baby Cleo was born at 9.38pm on November 24, 2020 weighing 6 pounds and 10 ounces, and she is the first child for her parents, who...
Sunderland People First Nature Natter Group
Are you interested in nature? Would you like to learn more about nature? Would you like to chat with other people who also like nature? Why not join Sunderland People First’s new Nature Natter Group! Please see the flyer below to see how you can get involved. They have also created a video of the...
FREE flu jabs at evening and weekends for ‘at risk’ under 65’s
Contact Your own GP or Ring this Number for an Extended Access Flu Appointment 07935 005340 People in Sunderland who are under 65 and are eligible for a Flu vaccine due to being at increased risk from the effects of flu can now get their free vaccination on an evening or weekend. Many people who...
Healthwatch Sunderland commended in national awards
At a recent prestigious national Healthwatch England awards event we were delighted to receive a commendation for our Care Home Life – What it’s really like! Work. Shortlisted under the ‘The impact our team makes’ category the annual event, which this year took place virtually due to the pandemic,...
Interpreting and Translation Patient Listening Events
NHS England and NHS Improvement would like to invite you to share your views on spoken and non-spoken word interpreting services in Primary Care. Background Their current interpreting arrangements in Primary Care come to an end on 31 March 2021 and they would like to hear your views on what has...
How are care homes in Sunderland working with Public Health during the pandemic around visitors to homes?
A member of the general public asked us how care homes in Sunderland are working with Public Health during the pandemic around visitors into the homes. We received the following response from Public Health on 2nd October 2020 "The guidance was published on 22nd July, and updated on 21st September...
Your right to receive information in a format you can understand
During a meeting with members of the general public a couple of months ago we spoke to one lady with a learning disability who was so pleased that she had received her invitation of breast screening in an easy read format. She told us this made her feel more confident about going along for her...
Supporting anybody affected by self-harm
Battle Scars aim to support anybody affected by self-harm: those who self-harm and those supporting them, making sure they no longer feel alone and to break down the stigma. Read their latest newsletter which includes details of virtual support groups: Download Battle Scars latest newsletter
Healthwatch Sunderland shortlisted for prestigious national award
We have been nominated for a prestigious national award for our Care Home Life – What it's really like! work which helps people to find the right care home in Sunderland for themselves or a loved one. We have been shortlisted under the 'The impact our team makes' category in the Healthwatch Awards...
Keeping people connected
Sunderland People First have received funding from Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to extend their Keeping People connected community zoom calls. During Coronavirus the Sunderland People First team have been working to help people in Sunderland with a learning disability, autistic...
Hospital care during COVID-19 - reassurance from South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust want to reassure the public that the NHS is still here for you and you should continue to attend any appointments and planned care as advised. Whilst we have seen rising cases of COVID-19 in our communities and our hospitals, they continue to...
Patient advice and information for coming into hospital
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust recognise that patients may feel anxious about coming into hospital and they have been working with their Consultants to produce a range of short video messages and patient information leaflets to reassure patients. Videos • General Surgery •...
Sunderland Podiatry service update
Patients on the waiting list for Sunderland Podiatry services should shortly be receiving a letter. The Sunderland Podiatry service unfortunately had to suspend all routine podiatry appointments due to the impact of COVID-19 and the Trust is now in a position to gradually restart our routine...
Keeping People Connected
The Keeping People Connected project aimed to help people with a learning disability or autism during the Coronvirus pandemic to: • Understand information from the Government • Connect with others to avoid isolation • Get the support needed for other things in their lives The project was co-...
Learn more about diabetes and exercise at free online event
Diabetes UK will present an online session packed with useful information about the basics of getting more active later this month. The ‘Diabetes and Moving More’ webinar, organised by the charity’s North of England team, will take place on Tuesday, September 29 (8pm-9.15pm). It is free to register...
Sunderland Psychological Wellbeing Service
Sometimes feeling stressed, worried or struggling to cope can be a normal reaction to difficult life events but when these feelings last, as they can do for up to 1 in 4 people, you may need to seek help. Sunderland Psychological Wellbeing Service (SPWS) is a commissioned group of mental health...
Give South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust your views on virtual hospital appointments
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust is seeking patient views on virtual hospital appointments following new ways of working introduced during COVID-19. Throughout the pandemic, the Trust has had to adapt very quickly to offer safe alternative ways for patients to continue to receive...