Thank you to everyone who came to speak to us at Sunday's Family Fun Day at Bensham Grove! We were happy to provide information about health and social care, and hear about your experiences of local services. Happy pride!

We've published our Annual Report for 2025-26. Take a look to find out about all the work we've done to support local communities and help your voice be heard: www.healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/report/2026-...

Millions of people provide unpaid care across England. We asked carers to tell us about the challenges they face. What are the four biggest issues they're raising about health and social care? Read our latest insight blog to find out https://bit.ly/43ZpDYf #carers

It's feeling hot, hot, hot! 🎶 Please remember to take extra care today with the amber #HeatHealthAlert now active. Look out for others too including the elderly and those with medical conditions. We have some tips and advice to view on our website. www.healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk/advice-and-i...

It’s possible to enjoy the sunshine with a newborn or baby – but extra care is needed in hot weather. Take a look at below top tips for keeping your baby cool and safe in the heat. Via @NCT https://bit.ly/4eYPYvM #heatwave

Come chat to us at Pride Family Fun Day on Sunday the 28th of June! We'll be in Bensham Grove from 12-4pm, ready to hear your experiences of health and social care, and share useful information to help you access local services. Happy Pride! 🥳🌈

Feeling the heat? High temperatures can affect your health. Read our tips on staying safe and helping protect your loved ones during the hot weather. https://bit.ly/4w569gV #HeatWave #StaySafe

Have you used Patient Transport Services in the last 3 years? If so, your feedback could help make those services better: northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk/patient-tran...

Physiotherapy is changing. Long waits for care, remote-only support, and confusing referrals routes causing frustration and harm for many. What are the five key themes in people’s stories? Find out in our blog #NHSphysio https://bit.ly/4wLgekg

Call to action - respond to the Health Reform Bill: www.healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/news/2026-06... Proposals within the Health Reform Bill would abolish local Healthwatch, removing an important champion for communities. If you value your local Healthwatch, please respond to the call for evidence.

Finding a suitable care home can be difficult. Knowing what to look for and what questions to ask can make the decision easier. We’ve gathered some information and useful resources to help you make the right choice. https://bit.ly/4vvDS2T

Thank you to all our volunteers this Volunteers' Week!

Our physiotherapy survey deadline has been extended: www.healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/news/2026-05... Have you used local physiotherapy services? We are looking to hear from people who have used local physiotherapy services, especially people with long-term health conditions.

Post-menopausal women in Gateshead experiencing symptoms of ovarian cancer can now self-refer for a scan. No GP appointment needed. You can self-refer by: - Calling 0191 445 5459 - Emailing 0191 445 5459 - Filling out the online form at bit.ly/3PYOtDV

Still using a blue inhaler? Book an asthma review with your GP practice and find out your options. An Asthma review can help you: ✔ Find the right inhaler ✔ Breathe better every day ✔ Stop attacks before they start ✔ Stay safe

Our physiotherapy survey is closing soon, but there’s still time to have your say and help make local physiotherapy services better: www.healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/news/2026-04...

We're at Trinity Square, Gateshead today for Dementia Action Week! Come speak to us about your experiences of health and social care - we offer information and signposting, and want to hear your feedback on local services.

People waiting for an ADHD assessment can face long waits and difficulties getting the care they need. Read Anita's experience of getting ADHD care: https://bit.ly/4ubyPUI

Our statement on the King’s Speech: Healthwatch Gateshead is still here for you. A new NHS law is being planned called the NHS Modernisation Bill that will change how people’s voices are heard for health and social care. But this hasn’t happened yet.

"Diagnosis alone does not lead to consistent or meaningful post-diagnostic support” - our report 'Autism & ADHD Support in Gateshead' has now been published: www.healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/report/2026-...

Post-menopausal women in Gateshead experiencing symptoms of ovarian cancer can now self-refer for a scan. No GP appointment needed: bit.ly/3PYOtDV

Check out our Latest Insights report, informed by your feedback! www.healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/report/2026-...

Do you know what reasonable adjustments are? Do you know how to ask for them? People with disabilities can tell health and care services what changes they might need to support them to access support. Find out more: necldnetwork.co.uk/work-program...

Our survey on the use of AI tools in appointments is still open! If a healthcare professional has used AI to summarise appointments, update health records, or send follow-up communications, please share your experience: https://bit.ly/4ceru0f

It's important to protect vulnerable loved ones from COVID-19. Find out more about local vaccination appointments: bewiseimmunise.co.uk

Have you used local physiotherapy services? Take part in our survey to have your say, and help make those services better! www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/U3WOMC/

Struggling with health and social care jargon? Contact us, or your local Healthwatch: www.healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/contact-us www.healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/advice-and-i...

This #BowelCancerAwarenessMonth, we're helping Bowel Cancer UK raise vital awareness, so everyone has the best chance of early diagnosis. Get involved and #PassItOn.

4 steps to improve oral health from the NHS: - Swap the sugar for healthier options - Spit don't rinse after brushing - Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste - Stop smoking and drink less alcohol For more information visit: www.northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk/nhs-dentistry

In November 2025 we carried out an announced Enter and View visit at St Mark's Court Care Home. Click below to read the full published report: www.healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/report/2026-...

237 people took part in our Annual Survey, and told us what they thought about local health and social care services. Find out more: www.healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/report/2026-...

Your feedback, whether positive or negative, is essential to providing safer, better care. Take three minutes of your time, and help us improve care for you, your family and your community: www.healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/share-your-v... #ShareForBetterCare

It’s Share for Better Care Week! In just a few minutes, you can share your experiences of health and social care with us to help those services improve: www.healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/share-your-v... Find out more on the Healthwatch website: www.healthwatch.co.uk/news/2026-03...

Read about people’s experiences of accessing GP care, the NHS App and Pharmacy First: www.healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/report/2026-...

We have published the results of our 2026 Annual Survey, which received 237 responses. Find out how people in Gateshead assessed their local health and social care services: www.healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/report/2026-...

Many people struggle to get timely care from the NHS. So more people are turning to private care. We are calling for change to prevent a slide towards a two-tier system where those who can afford to pay for care and those who can't are left waiting. https://bit.ly/4luiVS7

Today we shared a table with @healthwatchgh.bsky.social at Northumbria University's Mental Health Day event! Thank you to everyone who came to speak with us 🙂

Your perspective can make a difference! Take a few minutes to tell us about your experiences of local health and social care services: www.healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/share-your-v...

We set out to understand the experiences of unpaid caregivers for people with dementia. You can read the full report on our website: www.healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/report/2026-...

We’re working with LBC Radio to understand whether patients are experiencing delays or difficulties receiving their test results and we want to hear from you. If you’ve had trouble accessing your NHS test results since Jan 2023, your experience could help support an investigation:

Last week the government announced how it expects GP practices to deliver care from April 2026. Our article explains the changes you can expect to see as a result of the new contract, why they are happening and how your feedback helped shape the changes - https://bit.ly/47bOCta

If you've used maternity or neonatal services in England, there's still time to have your voice heard: www.matneoinv.org.uk/call-for-evi...

Whether it's requesting a repeat prescription, getting test results or viewing your GP record - you can do more with the NHS App. Discover what else you can do by exploring your NHS App today.

Need urgent dental care? Here are 3 ways to find it: 1) Contact an NHS dentist 2) Book an appointment at an urgent dental access centre 3) Call NHS 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk Find out more at northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk/nhs-dentistry

Our annual survey closes on the 16th of Feb, so there's still time for you to have your say! bit.ly/4aJ6myL We are your local independent champion for health and social care, making sure that service providers and decision makers hear your feedback. Get in touch and share your experiences!

Not everyone is safe to fast during Ramadan, depending on their health. However, there are alternatives for people who cannot, as well as information that is available to help people fast safely: www.healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/news/2026-02...

Did you know 1 in 5 children face mental health challenges? This week is #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek and if you need help knowing what signs to look out for or when to reach out for support, check out our advice article - https://bit.ly/4c6ywV6

In January, the Tell Us North team spent time volunteering with The Bread and Butter Thing. As part of our commitment to social value, our staff helped pack food and load vans that deliver supplies to Food Clubs across the North East.

In our last annual survey, 278 people told us about their experiences of local services, from Ambulances to Social Prescribing. Your answers shape our priorities and help us represent your views to service providers, so get involved and have your say! www.healthwatchgateshead.co.uk/news/2026-01...

Have you used maternity or neonatal services in England? The National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation wants you to share your experiences: www.matneoinv.org.uk/call-for-evi... Have your voice heard, and help shape the future of care for women and families across the country.