1. The CQC rates EMAS as ‘Good’ overall and ‘Outstanding’ for caring

    News -

    Congratulations to East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) which was graded overall as 'Good', with 'Outstanding' for the care that it provides, in the recent Care Quality Commission inspection report.

  2. 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.

  3. Have you had a bad experience of NHS administration? We need your views.

    News -

    Have you had problems with NHS administrative processes, such as booking appointments, referrals, prescriptions or other correspondence with NHS services? We want to hear how people's care experience has been affected by poor NHS administration.

  4. Information on Coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

    Read the advice and information from NHS England, Public Health England and Northamptonshire councils about the Coronavirus.

  5. Coronavirus: Advice from other organisations

    Advice and Information -

    It can be hard to keep up with the constantly changing and evolving nature of guidance and help with coronavirus. Here are some links to different national organisations and their advice.

  6. Healthwatch Northamptonshire’s support for health and care services and the people using them during the pandemic

    News -

    As a statutory body, Healthwatch has the role of working with others to both help communities have clear and accurate information and advice and safeguard the rights and wellbeing of people who use health and social care services.

  7. Coronavirus: Local services and updates

    Advice and Information -

    The links on this page are to help you find information about local services and updates relating to coronavirus all in one place.

  8. Planning care at the end of life

    Advice and Information -

    With the current coronavirus pandemic, it’s important that you and your loved ones discuss your preferences for end of life care. This is especially important if you have been identified as high risk of severe illness if you catch COVID-19.

  9. Continue to seek medical help for serious conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Advice and Information -

    The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak means you should only leave your home if it's essential, but you should still seek help if you have a serious health condition or concerning symptoms.

  10. Advice for parents during coronavirus - what to do if your child is unwell or injured

    Advice and Information -

    Whilst it is extremely important to follow Government advice to stay at home during this period, it can be confusing to know what to do when your child is unwell or injured.

  11. Help local NHS staff transport their uniforms safely with drawstring bags

    Blog -

    Do you want to help the NHS while having something to do at home? Join in with making drawstring uniform bags for NHS staff.

  12. Share your experience of health and social care services during the COVID-19 pandemic so we can help services better help you

    News -

    During the current crisis, it is really important that we hear about your good and bad experiences of health and social care.

  13. Cancer and coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

    If you have cancer, it’s understandable you might feel anxious about COVID-19. The Government and the NHS have both confirmed that cancer treatment should continue to be prioritised during the response to the COVID-19 emergency.

  14. Northamptonshire parents urged not to miss regular child health checks and life-saving vaccinations

    Advice and Information -

    Clinicians in Northamptonshire are urging parents not to let coronavirus fears stand in the way of bringing their children for regular vaccination appointments and GP health checks.

  15. Annual Report 2019-20 - Guided by you

    Report -

    During 2019-20 we undertook some exciting projects and continued to ensure that the views and needs of the people of Northamptonshire are considered, particularly as services and organisations are restructured.

  16. 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.

  17. Information and Signposting

    Advice and Information -

    Healthwatch Northamptonshire's information and signposting support is confidential and free. Below are some useful links or search our advice and information page for lots more articles.

  18. NICE Care Guides

    Advice and Information -

    A list of NICE's social and intermediate care guides

  19. Transport and Car schemes

    Advice and Information -

    Find local volunteer and community transport schemes to get you to your appointment on time

  20. NHS hospital complaints

    Advice and Information -

    The care you receive in an NHS hospital is usually very good and most people don’t have any problems. But occasionally things can go wrong. This page tells you where to start when you want to sort out a problem with an NHS hospital.

  21. The future of health and social care in Northamptonshire workshop report

    Report -

    On the 14 May 2015 Healthwatch Northamptonshire invited the heads of the local health and social care providers to a workshop to discuss the future of health and social care in Northamptonshire.

  22. What can you expect when you’re discharged from hospital?

    Advice and Information -

    The usual processes the NHS follows to discharge you from hospital have changed since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s what you can expect when it’s time to leave hospital.

  23. 15 Steps Maternity 'Virtual Visit' report

    Report -

    Volunteers from Northamptonshire’s Maternity Voice Partnership and Healthwatch Northamptonshire conducted a virtual 15 Steps Visit of the labour and postnatal wards at Northampton General Hospital and Kettering General Hospital on 30 June 2020.

  24. Restoring Breast Screening Services in the Midlands

    News -

    NHS Breast Screening services have been affected by a range of clinical and operational impacts due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Local breast screening services took the decision to reschedule appointments and invitations for tests to a later date.

  25. Getting the most out of the virtual health and care experience

    Advice and Information -

    Working with National Voices, Traverse, and PPL, Healthwatch England put together some tips on how to get the most out of the virtual health and care appointments both for patients and health and care professionals.

  26. Northampton Borough and Corby Borough removed from the government watch list

    News -

    Northampton and Corby has now been removed from the Government watch list for Coronavirus this week

  27. Update your first aid kit with the new My Health and Care Directory smartphone app

    Blog -

    People across Northamptonshire can now benefit from quick and easy access to the latest information about local health and care services – thanks to the launch of a brand new smartphone app.

  28. 15 Steps Visits to Kettering General Hospital: Summary and Impact Report

    Report -

    Two of our volunteers visited wards and departments at Kettering General Hospital 43 times between April 2019 to March 2020 to provide the hospital with feedback using the 15 Steps Challenge tool. Their findings have been summarised into a report.

  29. Healthwatch Northamptonshire volunteers shortlisted for national award for their visits giving feedback to Kettering General Hospital

    News -

    Healthwatch Northamptonshire volunteers Sheila White and Wendy Patel have been shortlisted for a prestigious national award for undertaking 43 visits to 50 wards and departments at Kettering General Hospital (KGH) between April 2019 and March 2020.

  30. Sheila and Wendy win prestigious national award for Healthwatch Northamptonshire

    News -

    Two of our dedicated volunteers who made an amazing 43 trips to inspect 36 wards and departments in a year at Kettering General Hospital have won Healthwatch Northamptonshire a national award.

  31. Virtual Visiting and Covid arrangements at local hospitals

    Advice and Information -

    Innovative ‘virtual visiting’ live links at Kettering and Northampton General Hospital are supporting hundreds of local families who can’t visit their loved ones in hospital.

  32. NHS 111 First

    News -

    A new national programme called NHS 111 First, which encourages patients to contact NHS 111 before attending an Emergency Department (A&E) so they can be directed straight to the right service for their needs, is now live.

  33. The way health and care professionals in Northamptonshire use the information they hold about you is changing

    News -

    Local providers of health and social care have a duty to keep complete, accurate and up-to-date information about your care to ensure you can receive the best possible treatment and support.

  34. Community Healthcare for Young People Focus Groups Report

    Report -

    Find out what young people told us about their views and experiences of community health and wellbeing services.

  35. Care Quality Commission

    Advice and Information -

    The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the inspector and regulator for health and adult social care facilities in England.

  36. VoiceAbility

    Advice and Information -

    VoiceAbility provide advocacy for people who need help to have their voice heard and to make complaints to health and social care services.

  37. Countywide services

    Advice and Information -

    Visit the West Northamptonshire Council or North Northamptonshire Council (depending on your location) website to find all services they provide, including adult social care, children and families services, and safeguarding of children and adults.

  38. NHS 111 First - We would like to hear your views and feedback!

    News -

    Have you heard of or used the new NHS 111 First service? Please tell us about your views and experiences.

  39. Public Health officials praise Northamptonshire’s residents for staying at home, protecting the NHS and saving lives

    News -

    Public Health officials praise Northamptonshire’s residents for staying at home, protecting the NHS and saving lives as COVID-19 cases continue to display a steady drop during national lockdown.

  40. Step 2 on the government’s ‘roadmap’ back to freedom came into effect Monday

    News -

    From Monday 12 April, residents of Northamptonshire and across England will take Step 2 on the four-step ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown.

  41. Experiences of caring during the coronavirus pandemic

    Report -

    Your feedback from 2020 suggested that more people were providing care to their loved ones during the pandemic and the changes to services had put extra strain on carers. In 2021, we set out to find out more about the experiences of unpaid carers.

  42. Annual Report 2020-2021 - On equal terms

    Report -

    This year has been a very difficult one for everybody. While Healthwatch could not visit health and social care premises, we were still able to investigate the impact of the pandemic on people's access to the services that matter to them most.

  43. Top tips to get the most out of your GP appointment

    Advice and Information -

    Do you struggle to speak to your doctor about your medical concerns? You’re not alone. Take a look at these top tips to make the most out of your GP appointment.

  44. Are you or your loved ones waiting for hospital care? Share you views

    News -

    Millions of people have had their treatment delayed by the pandemic – are you one of them? We want to know if you’re getting the advice, information and support you need while you wait.

  45. What to expect when waiting for care

    Advice and Information -

    Waiting for planned medical care or surgery can be a frustrating time. That’s why it’s so important that while you wait, you get regular, clear and accessible updates so that you can plan your next steps.

  46. Experiences and opinions of NHS 111 First in Northamptonshire

    Report -

    Together with Northamptonshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire found out what people thought of the new NHS 111 First service.

  47. Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services in Northamptonshire

    Advice and Information -

    Patient Transport Services (EMAS) provides non-emergency patient transport for people in Northamptonshire.

  48. Unannounced visit to Northampton General Hospital Accident and Emergency Department

    News -

    Volunteers from Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire visited Northampton General Hospital's A&E department unannounced using their statutory power to conduct Enter and View visits on 31st January 2023.

  49. Unannounced visit to the Kettering General Hospital Accident and Emergency Department.

    News -

    Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire unannounced visit to Kettering General Hospital Accident and Emergency Department

  50. Annual Report 2022-2023 - Together we're making health and social care better

    Report -

    Our 2022-2023 Annual Report is a showcase of the work we completed throughout the last financial year. Read about our year!