News and reports

Our annual report for 2021–22 outlines Healthwatch activities over the year to understand and improve people's experiences of social care and health services in Gateshead.

In 2019—2020 we focused on children and young people’s mental health services. Via a survey, focus group and one to one interviews, we heard from 239 people (103 children and young people and 136 parents and carers).

Our main findings were that children, young people and their parents and carers do not have a full understanding of what a self-referral is and how to make one.

Healthwatch Gateshead Committee meeting- Agenda

A free weight management programme is available to adults living in Gateshead. The programme includes friendly specialist support to help lose weight and build healthy habits.

Join the Your Care Your Way campaign

It has been a contractual requirement for each GP practice since April 2016 to have an active and involved Patient Participation Group (PPG).

We wanted to create a best practice award for PPGs aims to increase and improve the involvement of patients in their GP practice. Several GP practices in Newcastle and Gateshead participated in our pilot from autumn 2019 to February 2021. This interim report outlines what we did.

It has been a contractual requirement for each GP practice since April 2016 to have an active and involved Patient Participation Group (PPG).

Advice and support for isolated young people under 25 in Gateshead

Resilient communities in Gateshead: reflections on the impact of COVID-19

Healthwatch in the North East have acted on feedback from local people. Together, we have produced a ‘myth busting’ booklet to dispel the most common rumours about NHS dentistry.

The leaflet gives the facts about what it means to be registered with a practice, why you may be offered a private appointment and what is emergency care?

Download the NHS dentistry myth busting booklet

We know some people feel anxious or worried when they’re told they need a colonoscopy but it’s important to have this test if you’re referred. Bowel Cancer UK has launched the Colonoscopy Confidence campaign to explain what a colonoscopy is, why it matters and encourage people to attend their appointment.

Did you know members of the public can now report patient safety incidents directly to the NHS’s National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS)?