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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...
Pharmacies open over the Bank Holiday
You can find details of pharmacies open over the forthcoming Bank Holiday, Monday, 31st August 2020 here
Chance for nurses of the future to gain paid work experience in South Tyneside and Sunderland hospitals
Aspiring nurses are being offered the chance of paid care experience with South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust before embarking on their nursing degree course. The Trust has been running the successful ‘Get Into Nursing’ programme in conjunction with the University of Sunderland for...
Patients reminded to use new 24/7 emergency phone line for Sunderland Eye Infirmary
A new 24/7 emergency phone line for people with urgent eye problems has proved a huge success with patients, allowing them to access specialist eye advice over the phone and reducing the need for unnecessary hospital visits. The emergency number for Sunderland Eye Infirmary - 0191 5699952 - was...
What can you expect when you’re discharged from hospital?
The usual processes the NHS follows to discharge you from hospital have changed during the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s what you can expect when it’s time to leave hospital. Read more...
Flu vaccination: who should have it this winter and why
Seasonal influenza (flu) is an unpredictable but recurring pressure that the NHS faces every winter. Vaccination offers the best protection. This year, the list of those recommended to have the flu vaccine has been updated to include: the main carer of an older or disabled person a household...
When to wear a face covering
In England, you must wear a face covering by law in the following settings: public transport indoor transport hubs (airports, rail and tram stations and terminals, maritime ports and terminals, bus and coach stations and terminals) shops and supermarkets (places which are open to the public and...
Breast screening team welcomes back patients
The Gateshead Breast Screening Unit will resume its vital services from Monday 10th August. There will be some changes as their mobile units in Durham and Jarrow are currently closed due to refurbishment to comply with COVID restrictions. You will be offered an alternative venue, however, if this...
Updated advice on Shielding
From 1 August, shielding advice was relaxed further, allowing those shielding to do even more, such as visit shops and places of worship, provided they take particular care to maintain social distancing and minimise contact with others outside their household. People who are shielding will also be...
Supporting your recovery after COVID-19
Information for family, friends and carers Supporting your family member, relative or friend following their COVID illness can be challenging. You may be providing emotional and physical help in addition to all your other responsibilities. This can be a very stressful time for you both and the...
Have you left hospital during COVID-19? Tell us your experience
To respond to coronavirus, hospitals in South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust had to quickly change. Tell us how this has affected the care you or your loved one has received. If you’ve been receiving care in hospital there can be lots to think about when you’re getting ready to leave...
NHS Test and Trace
If NHS Test and Trace calls you by phone, the service will be using a single phone number 0300 0135 000. The only website the service will ask you to visit is contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk . Contact tracers will NEVER: ask you to dial a premium rate number to speak to them (for example, those starting...
Tips for Remote GP Appointments
The pandemic has seen a shift in how we access medical appointments. Most surgeries now offer telephone or video consultations instead of a face-to-face appointment unless absolutely necessary. This is primarily to reduce the transmission of coronavirus, but also enables GPs to speak to patients...
Our Annual report has landed!
We are proud to be able to share with you our 2019-20 Annual Report, alongside a mini report which we have developed as a quick read! Check out the highlights from our year by hitting the button below. Visit our Annual Report page
Lung cancer specialist calls for people to be aware of the signs of the devastating disease
A leading lung cancer doctor has called on people across the region to contact their GP if they are worried about potential lung cancer symptoms. Whether it’s a new or changed cough that lasts more than a few weeks, breathlessness, chest pain or unexplained tiredness, it’s important for people to...
Opportunity to join Diabetes UK's new Diabetes Involvement Grant selection panel
Diabetes UK is looking for two people to be part of an exciting new project. They want to hear from anyone keen to be part of the selection panel reviewing applications for the new Diabetes Involvement Grant pilot in the northern region. Can you help? You must be: Over 18 and affected by diabetes...
A message from Nicola Armstrong, Service User and Carer Involvement Facilitator
Hello my name is Nicola Armstrong, I work for Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust as a Patient and Carer Involvement Facilitator and my areas are Sunderland and South Tyneside. If you or someone you care for has accessed services within our services in the last four years,...
Sunderland COVID-19 Control Plan
As we move into the next phase of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, local authorities across the country have developed COVID-19 Control Plans to set out their approach to preventing and managing future COVID-19 outbreaks. In line with Government guidance, the plan for Sunderland has been...
Speech and language therapists share lessons on adapting patient care during pandemic
Speech and language therapists at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust have been working in innovative ways to adapt patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic, including introducing video consultations. Their efforts came to national attention following an invitation by the Royal...
Patient update on transport to your hospital appointment
North East Ambulance Service have just released this update: North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) continues to follow government guidance to ensure that the NHS can support people who need to go to hospital. We are providing transport, safely and swiftly during the COVID-19 pandemic, for those who...
NHS Complaints Process Due to Resume from 1st July 2020
On 26 March 2020, NHS England advised NHS organisations that due to need to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, they could choose to pause the complaints process. NHS organisations have now been told that, as long as circumstances do not change significantly, the pause to the NHS complaints process...
Our volunteer Lisa supports Key Workers during pandemic
Picture - Lisa’s daughter modelling some of the scrubs Just the same as everyone, 8 weeks ago I suddenly found myself with more time on my hands. As I struggle with my physical health and I'm now a wheelchair user, I was told like many others that I must stay in my home to stay safe. So I needed...
Pharmacies open over the Spring Bank Holiday
You can find details of the pharmacies open over the Spring Bank Holiday here
Make sure you know which pharmacies are open over the Bank Holiday
You can find details of the pharmacies open over the bank holiday here
GPs urge people not to delay treatment if they are unwell
Doctors across Sunderland are urging patients to continue to contact their local practice if they have a serious healthcare need. Read more here!
Coronavirus - What should I do if I have COPD?
If you live with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) , you are at a higher risk of severe complications if you get COVID-19. It’s important you follow social distancing advice particularly carefully and continue to self-manage your condition well. Read more here
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