1. Neighbouring Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP)

    News -

    If you live near the borders of the county you might be affected by Sustainability and Transformation Plans of neighbouring regions.

  2. Experiences of pregnancy, birth and onwards: The views of parents about services and support in Northamptonshire

    Report -

    In March 2016, Healthwatch Northamptonshire asked 77 parents with infants or young children their views on the help and support they received during pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period.

  3. Access to health and social care services for Northamptonshire’s homeless and vulnerably housed population - The views of homeless people and professionals

    Report -

    In late 2016 Healthwatch Northamptonshire undertook a piece of work to find out more about the views and experiences of Northamptonshire’s homeless and vulnerably housed population, a seldom heard group.

  4. Annual Report 2016-17

    Report -

    Last year was another busy year for Healthwatch Northamptonshire! You can read all about it in our Annual Report 2016/17.

  5. The Accessible Information Standard - What you can expect from services

    Advice and Information -

    A year ago the Accessible Information Standard came into force. It requires any organisation providing NHS or social care to communicate in a way that everybody can understand. Here's a reminder of what you should expect.

  6. World Breastfeeding Week - 4 August 2017

    News -

    At this year's World Breastfeeding Week, which took place on the 4 August 2017 at Abington Park, we were joined by Northamptonshire Breastfeeding Alliance, Diana from Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, and Ann and Kate from NGH.

  7. Tips for choosing a care home

    Advice and Information -

    Finding a suitable care home for you or a loved one can be difficult. Healthwatch England has pulled together some of the best tips provided by the NHS and other organisations in England to help you make the right choice.

  8. What should you expect from home care services?

    Advice and Information -

    The number of people being cared for in their own homes is increasing but what should you expect from home care services?

  9. Home care services: What people told Healthwatch about their experiences

    News -

    Over the last year, the number of local Healthwatch citing improvements to home care services as a priority for their community has doubled. A new report explains what people have told Healthwatch about their experience of home care.

  10. Connected Together Community Interest Company (CTCIC) becomes a certified member of the Market Research Society (MRS).

    News -

    All MRS Company Partners and their employees agree to adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and MRS Company Partner Quality Commitment whilst undertaking research.

  11. Northamptonshire GPs asked to keep things simple when seeking patient feedback

    News -

    New research by health and care champion Healthwatch England adds to a growing evidence base that people recognise the pressures the NHS is under and want to help make it better by sharing their feedback.

  12. Do you know what short breaks are?

    Advice and Information -

    An Easy Read Guide about Short Breaks available in Northamptonshire

  13. Protect your unborn baby this winter with a free flu jab

    Advice and Information -

    Pregnant women in Northamptonshire are being urged to have their free flu vaccination to help keep themselves and their unborn baby safe and well.

  14. Most people still getting good care – but health and care system is ‘straining at the seams’, making future quality precarious

    News -

    This year’s State of Care shows that, thanks to the efforts of staff and leaders, the quality of health and social care has been maintained despite very real challenges and the majority of people are getting good, safe care.

  15. Quick poll results - Over half of you told us you find making a GP appointment difficult!

    News -

    Our September quick poll asked you how you find making an appointment with your GP surgery. Thank you to the 213 people who took part!

  16. How does the NHS in England work? An alternative guide

    Advice and Information -

    How does the NHS in England work? What organisations make it up? And how is it changing over time?

  17. Annual Meeting - 19 October 2017

    News -

    Thank you to all that attended and made our Annual Meeting a great opportunity to network as well as a chance to find out more about what Healthwatch Northamptonshire achieved in 2016/17 and to hear from Jane Mordue from Healthwatch England.

  18. CQC’s new strategy for engaging with the public up to 2021

    News -

    Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published a new strategy for how they will engage with the public to help make them a strong, independent regulator that is always on the side of people using care services.

  19. The use of additional services at local pharmacies - Findings from our Make Your Voice Count survey

    Report -

    We asked people about their opinions and use of additional services at their local pharmacies, besides dispensing and disposal of medication and advice on treatment of minor conditions.

  20. Free NHS Health Checks for 40 - 74 year olds

    Advice and Information -

    The NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults in England aged 40 to 74. It's designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia.

  21. Young Healthwatch Resources

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at Healthwatch Northamptonshire’s 10 top tips when engaging with children and young people – produced by EMAHSN (East Midlands Academic Health Science Network).

  22. Recently had vomiting and or diarrhoea? Please do not go into A&E or hospitals

    Advice and Information -

    Kettering General Hospital and Nene Clinical Commissioning Group are urging local people not to attend A&E – or visit relatives in hospitals – if they have, or have recently had, vomiting and/or diarrhoea.

  23. The experiences of children and young people of health services

    Report -

    Healthwatch Northamptonshire wanted to seek the views of children and young people directly in a different and engaging way.

  24. Young Healthwatch Relaunch Report

    Report -

    In October 2017, Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire held a relaunch to spread the message about Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire, what we do and to encourage more people to join.

  25. Discharge from hospital and follow up support

    Report -

    Healthwatch Northamptonshire sought to find out the experiences of patients being discharged from the two general hospitals in Northamptonshire - Kettering General Hospital (KGH) and Northampton General Hospital (NGH).

  26. Maternity services in Northamptonshire: The views of parents

    Report -

    In summer 2017, Healthwatch Northamptonshire worked with Nene NHS and NHS Corby Clinical Commissioning Groups to gather the views and experiences of parents that were currently using or had recently used maternity services in Northamptonshire.

  27. Our Volunteer roles

    Report -

    There are different ways in which you can become involved depending on your interests and how much time you would like to commit.

  28. Young Healthwatch Visit to Northampton General Hospital

    Report -

    Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire were given a tour and were able to meet some of the staff and speak to some patients and their parents at Northampton General Hospital.

  29. Ever wondered what we do and how we can help you? This one minute video explains it all!

    Blog -

    Healthwatch Northamptonshire is the county's independent health and care champion. This short video explains in just one minute what our organisation is all about.

  30. Quick poll results - Two-thirds of you told us you use libraries at least every two weeks

    News -

    Our November/December quick poll asked you about how you use libraries. Thank you to the 70 people who took part!

  31. Crisis café is here to support you with your day-to-day struggles and mental health difficulties

    Advice and Information -

    Crisis Cafés are an easily accessible service available in the evenings and/or at weekends for people who are finding themselves in a crisis or need support with their mental health.

  32. Understanding healthcare changes in your local area and how your voice matters

    News -

    With the progress in health and care services, there are challenges which hospitals, GP and care services need to face.

  33. Quick poll results - You told us how you felt about Out of Hours being moved nearer to A&E

    Response -

    Your questions regarding our “Out of Hours” quick poll have been answered!

  34. Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire is the first group in the county to win the Investing in Children Award

    News -

    This is a massive achievement for all the inspirational young people involved with Healthwatch Northamptonshire

  35. Healthwatch Northamptonshire appoints new Chair, Dr David N Jones

    News -

    Healthwatch Northamptonshire is the independent champion for health and social care in the county. After a robust recruitment process, Dr David N Jones has become the new Chair from April 2018 to June 2020.

  36. Healthwatch Northamptonshire receives Investing In Volunteers award

    News -

    Healthwatch Northamptonshire has gained the Investing in Volunteers award, in recognition of how we support our volunteers to shape local health and social care services.

  37. Six things you should expect from social care support

    Blog -

    How can you feel listened and involved in decisions about YOUR social care? Here are six things you should expect from care services, according to new guidelines.

  38. Quick poll results - Over half of you were happy with your dental care, but some of you highlighted several issues

    Report -

    When it comes to easy access to NHS dental care appointments, the majority of our respondents did not seem to have any issues.

  39. Our Strategic Plan 2018 – 2020

    Report -

    Our vision: Healthwatch Northamptonshire will be a strong, resolute and independent community champion

  40. Getting help to overcome abuse: a quick guide for young people

    Advice and Information -

    The new guide published by NICE and SCIE explains what young people should expect from services and how to get the right support.

  41. How do people feel about their data being shared by the NHS?

    Advice and Information -

    From 25 May, you’ll be able to make a choice about how the NHS uses your confidential patient information for reasons other than your care. 77% of the public say they are confident in the ability of the NHS to protect their patient data. Are you?

  42. Getting the basics right for people who are Deaf

    Blog -

    Thanks to Sandra, NHS England is improving the way they communicate with people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

  43. Health and social care needs of the Armed Forces Community in Northamptonshire

    Report -

    Healthwatch Northamptonshire carried out a survey on behalf of the Armed Forces Covenant Northamptonshire to find out more about the health and social care needs of the Armed Forces community in Northamptonshire.

  44. Annual Report 2017-18

    Report -

    2017/18 has been an exciting year for us, albeit not without continuing financial challenges.

  45. Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire and Shooting Stars Visit to Kettering General Hospital

    Report -

    A group of young volunteers from Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire and Shooting Stars (a group for young people in Northamptonshire with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities) spent the day at the children’s areas at Kettering General Hospital.

  46. CQC publishes its review of how local health and social care systems work together in Northamptonshire

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published its findings following a review of health and social care services in Northamptonshire.

  47. Enter and View - Hospitals

    Report -

    Healthwatch Northamptonshire volunteers Sheila White and Wendy Patel visit the wards and departments at Kettering General Hospital to carry out '15 Step Challenge' audits.

  48. Quick poll results - Three-quarters of you would like to be involved in producing your care plan

    Report -

    Our June 2018 quick poll asked you about how you want to be involved in planning for your care as you get older.