1. What should you expect when it comes to care for your teeth?

    Advice and Information -

    Four questions staff should ask you or a loved one about your oral health if you’re a care home resident, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence quick guide.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  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. Accessing dental services in the East Midlands

    Advice and Information -

    An update from NHS England and NHS Improvement Midlands:

  9. 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.

  10. New urgent dental care services in Northamptonshire

    Advice and Information -

    People in need of the most urgent dental care in Northamptonshire can now access one of eight new Urgent Dental Centres (UDCs) which are open across the county.

  11. NHS Dentist Complaints

    Advice and Information -

    NHS dental care 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 if you have a problem with an NHS dentist.

  12. Update on dental services for vulnerable groups

    Advice and Information -

    In line with national guidance issued in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, dental practices in the Midlands are currently not providing routine care in the same way as they were prior to the pandemic.

  13. An update on the restarting of NHS dental services in the Midlands

    Advice and Information -

    The NHS Dental Services in the Midlands has sent us this new update about the restarting of dental services in the Midlands.

  14. An update on the restarting of NHS dental services in the Midlands following the introduction of further national restrictions

    Advice and Information -

    Although tighter national restrictions came into force on 5 November, in response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, dental practices will continue to remain open.

  15. Access to NHS Dental Services during the Christmas and New Year period

    News -

    Tiered restrictions in response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic may differ according to where someone lives. Dental practices will continue to provide services over the Christmas and New Year period although opening hours for practices may vary.

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. What can your NHS dentist do for you? - Guidance from NHS England

    Advice and Information -

    NHS England and NHS Improvement has produced this national guidance leaflet to help explain how NHS dental services work

  19. Update on access to NHS Dental Services in the Midlands - March 2021

    Advice and Information -

    We are aware that people in Northamptonshire are finding it difficult to access NHS dental treatment and we are discussing the issues with NHS England. The NHS England Midlands Dental Commissioning Team have sent us the following new update.

  20. Twin crisis of access and affordability calls for a radical rethink of NHS dentistry

    News -

    Healthwatch England warns dental care crisis shows no signs of slowing, with four in five people who contacted Healthwatch (80%) struggling to access timely care between January and March 2021.  

  21. Stakeholder NHS dentistry and Covid-19 update - June 2021

    Advice and Information -

    We are aware that people in Northamptonshire are finding it difficult to access NHS dental treatment and we are discussing the issues with NHS England. The NHS England Midlands Dental Commissioning Team have sent us the following new update.

  22. 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.

  23. What to do it you are struggling to find a dentist

    Advice and Information -

    It is currently very difficult to find an NHS dentist and the number of people contacting us for help continues to increase. We are raising this issue with health planners at a local and national level and giving people the following advice.

  24. Calls for a recovery plan for NHS dentistry

    News -

    Access to dental care continues to be an issue you are raising with us locally and it is also a national issue that Healthwatch England is working on. Healthwatch England co-signed an open letter addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  25. NHS dentistry and Covid-19 update - November 2021

    Advice and Information -

    Access to NHS dental care continues to be an issue you are raising with us locally, which we have been raising with NHS England. The NHS England Midlands Dental Commissioning Team have sent us the following new update.

  26. Annual Report 2021-2022 - Championing what matters to you

    Report -

    Our 2021-2022 Annual Report looks at the work that we completed last year whilst still being limited by the new ways of working. Despite the year's challenges we continue to work relentlessly to ensure the public's voice was heard.

  27. 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!

  28. 10 top tips to get the most out of your dental appointment

    Advice and Information -

    Everyone should be able to access good quality NHS dental services. Take a look at our top tips to help you get the most out of your next dental appointment.

  29. NHS warning as winter vomiting bug closes 1,000 hospital beds

    Advice and Information -

    Find out more about how you can prevent the spread of winter norovirus

  30. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    People have told us they can have problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register.

  31. Accessibility checklist for GP surgeries

    Advice and Information -

    Help make sure that your practice meets people’s accessibility requirements using this checklist from Healthwatch Slough.

  32. Do you need help travelling to NHS services?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.

  33. Fighting flu – winter vaccination is everybody’s business

    Advice and Information -

    Last year nearly 2,400 people had to be admitted to hospital with flu or flu-related complications. Find out how you can prevent the spread of flu.

  34. 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.

  35. Annual Report 2018-19

    Report -

    Read all about our year!

  36. Annual Report 2017-18

    Report -

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

  37. 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.

  38. Make Your Voice Count - Views and experiences of health and social care in Northamptonshire, specifically cancer, diabetes and dementia

    Report -

    Between October 2015 and January 2016 Healthwatch Northamptonshire (HWN) carried out our third annual ‘Make Your Voice Count’ campaign.

  39. The views of people using Musculoskeletal (MSK) services and staff delivering MSK services

    Report -

    Working in partnership with the local NHS, we wanted to find out what patients and staff thought of current services and how they could be improved.

  40. Annual Report 2015-16

    Report -

    Read all about our year!

  41. Patient experiences of GP services in Northamptonshire

    Report -

    Healthwatch Northamptonshire visited 25 GP practices in 2014 and spoke to 234 people. We spoke to the practice managers to find out more about how their practice works, what they thought worked well and their views on the challenges faced.

  42. Annual Report 2014-15

    Report -

    Read all about our year!

  43. Annual Report 2013-14

    Report -

    Read all about our year!

  44. Make Your Voice Count Report

    Report -

    During September and October 2013, Healthwatch Northamptonshire ran a campaign called “Make Your Voice Count”.

  45. How can your pharmacy help you?

    Advice and Information -

    Did you know that pharmacies provide advice and information on minor illnesses and ailments? Take a look at how they an help you.

  46. Speak up and help improve services in Northamptonshire

    News -

    We all love the NHS, but let’s make it even better this year. Tell us about your experiences of health and social care, and the changes that you would like to see made locally, in our online survey. #SpeakUp2020

  47. Where can I go for help when I’m ill in winter?

    Advice and Information -

    Feeling unwell? Read on for advice about where you can go for help with your health during the winter months.

  48. Healthwatch Northamptonshire receives highly commended recognition at national award

    News -

    We are pleased to announce Healthwatch Northamptonshire has been recognised as highly commended in the ‘Helping more people to have their say’ category at the 2019 Healthwatch Network Awards.

  49. The ‘Big Ideas’ people in Northamptonshire think would improve local health and care services

    Report -

    Healthwatch Northamptonshire and NHCP NHS Long Term Plan community engagement report now published!