News
Consultation into hospital services
A consultation to gather public views around the different ways some aspects of NHS hospital services could be arranged in South Tyneside and...
CMA outlines emerging concerns in care homes market
The Competing and Markets Authority (CMA) has today (14th June 2017) published the initial findings of its care homes market study , and is...
Engaging and empowering staff is key to driving improvement in hospital care
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has today (Wednesday 14 June) published a report that explores how eight NHS trusts have been able to make...
The year ahead
On Wednesday 7th June the Healthwatch Board members and staff got together to discuss the year ahead and to agree the work plan for 2017/2018. We used the feedback we have received whilst out and about at various information stands, groups and meetings, from patients of health services and users of...
A Star on Broadway!
On 26th May our Engagement Team had the great pleasure in going along to the Broadway Medical Practice on Springwell Road to award them with a Star Service Award. Over the last few months we have received great feedback about the practice, doctors and staff. Here are some of the comments we...
What is social care and how does it work
Social care isn't well understood amongst the public so The King's Fund have pulled together a range of content to help explain social care in England, including a series of short videos on what social care is, how it's provided and paid for, and how it works with the NHS and other services. Go to...
State of child health: sustainability and transformation plans (STPs)
Following analysis of local STPs, this report argues that plans are failing to take into account the needs of infants, children and young people. It finds that while most STPs set out the case for change well and cover important key themes such as prevention, early intervention, more care delivered...
Statement on reported NHS cyber attack
Cyber Attack – updated statement and background information from NHS England on hospital and GP services: Dr Anne Rainsberry, NHS Incident Director, said: "The NHS has continued to treat patients throughout the weekend. We have been working with 47 organisations providing urgent and emergency care...
New Chair of Healthwatch Sunderland appointed
We are very happy to introduce Alan Patchett as the new Chair of Healthwatch Sunderland. Alan is a resident of Sunderland and the former director of Age UK Sunderland, from which he retired at the end of March 2017. He worked at Age UK Sunderland for nearly 15 years and during this time built...
Sunderland Cancer Patient and Carers Group - looking for new members
Formed in April 2015 this local group is made up of members who are patients who have received their cancer treatment at Sunderland Royal Hospital and carers who work collaboratively with the Cancer Lead Nurse and staff employed at Sunderland Royal Hospital. Healthwatch Sunderland recently became...
Meet our Healthwatch Sunderland star
Part of Healthwatch Sunderland's main role is to listen to people's views and experiences of health and social care services within Sunderland and as part of this we hear a lot of positive comments and stories. In order to ensure that these services or individuals get to hear about their great...
Celebrating good care, championing outstanding care
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have published 'Celebrating good care, championing outstanding care', a collection of short case studies of good practice from care providers that have been rated good or outstanding. Read the report here
Stroke patients in England set to receive revolutionary new treatment
An estimated 8,000 stroke patients a year are set to benefit from an advanced emergency treatment which can significantly decrease the risk of long-term disability and also save millions of pounds in long term health and social care costs. NHS England has announced that it will commission...
An inclusive NHS 111 service
NHS England has produced a short film to help people with a learning disability, autism or both, understand how and when to access the service, and what to expect. The film , created with the support of many self-advocacy groups, forms part of NHS England's ongoing work to ensure that everyone has...
NHS and leading suppliers join forces to cut sugary drinks
The NHS stepping up the battle against obesity, diabetes and tooth decay by announcing that sugary drinks will be banned in hospital shops beginning from next year unless suppliers voluntarily take decisive action to cut their sales over the next 12 months. NHS England is announcing that leading...
£9m more for service veterans’ mental health
NHS England has launched a mental health service for ex-armed forces veterans and service personnel who are approaching discharge.The newly commissioned £9m service , known officially as the NHS transition, intervention and liaison (TIL) veterans' mental health service, will act as a front door to...
Healthwatch Sunderland report on mental health services
During 2016 we carried out a series of engagement activities across Sunderland with the aim of gathering current patients, carers and staff views on NHS funded mental health provison. The findings from this piece of work can be found in the report along with the associated recommendations. Download...
Pharmacy Easter Bank Holiday Opening 2017
Many pharmacies in the North East have reduced opening times over the Easter period. For Sunderland hours please click here
Sunderland People First latest newsletter
Sunderland People First has just published their newsletter for Spring 2017. You can download it by clicking on the link below. Download the Newsletter
NHS England update on the Next Steps On The NHS Five Year Forward View
NHS SETS OUT ACTION TO DELIVER NHS CARE FIT FOR THE FUTURE Today, Simon Stevens, announces the Next Steps On The Five Year Forward View . Endorsed by the other chief executives of NHS national bodies, the Next Steps sets out how to deliver practical improvements in areas prized by patients and the...
Open consultation: Availability of gluten free foods on NHS prescription
Closing date: midday on 22 June 2017 Gluten free (GF) foods are available on prescription to patients diagnosed with gluten sensitivity enteropathies, and have been since the late 1960s when their availability was extremely limited. A wide range of GF foods are now readily available in supermarkets...
CHAIR RECRUITMENT! closing date extended...
Healthwatch Sunderland is recruiting its chair now! Location : Sunderland localities Voluntary : out of pocket expenses paid The Board of Healthwatch Sunderland is seeking to recruit a highly skilled and motivated Chair who has a real interest and passion for improving health and social care...
NHS mandate 2017 to 2018
The Department of Health has published the NHS mandate for 2017/18. This sets out the government's objectives for NHS England, as well as its budget. The mandate sets out the main aims in each area for the financial year 2017 to 2018 to achieve the 2020 goals.
Delivering sustainability & transformation plans
Sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) have been developed in 44 footprints across England, with the aim of transforming care in line with the NHS five year forward view. But can the proposals in STPs be delivered? This King's Fund report looks in detail at the content of the 44 STPs and...
This Month's £25 Gift Voucher Winner!
The Healthwatch Sunderland Research and Information Adviser, Gemma Wilkinson-Rush went along to Springwell Health Centre to present this month's voucher winner, Annette Thompson with her prize. Annette is part of our city's School Nursing Team and is based at the centre. She said "I never win...
Patient Participation Groups (PPG) engaging younger people
We reported in the January 2017 Newsletter that work has begun to try to engage younger people to get involved in their GP practice's Patient Participation Group. During the week beginning Monday 30th January Healthwatch Sunderland welcomed two students from Bede College to join us for their work...
NHS England, Government and BMA agree new GP contract for 2017/18
NHS England, the Government, and the British Medical Association's General Practitioners Committee have reached agreement on changes to the general practice contract in England that will benefit both patients and GPs. The new agreement includes an increased focus on some of the most vulnerable,...
Fred is our £25 voucher winner!
On 12th January Fred Chilton completed one of our general health and social care surveys when visiting our information stand at Springwell Health Centre. This qualified him to be entered into our monthly free prize draw. Fred was picked at random as the winner of January's draw and our Engagement...
