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. Do you need help getting to hospital?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you travel to your hospital appointments.

  30. 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.

  31. Healthwatch Northamptonshire activity on sensory impairment in 2018

    Report -

    Healthwatch Northamptonshire identified sensory impairment as one of its priorities for work in the year April 2018 to March 2019. This short report provides a summary of our activity on sensory impairment issues during 2018.

  32. 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.

  33. Healthwatch Northamptonshire Understanding Mental Health Easy Read Guide

    Report -

    This information guide has been produced by Healthwatch Northamptonshire and is an introduction to mental health, possible problems and what help is available. It has been written for Children and Young People and their friends and family.

  34. Eating Disorders and Body Image - Issues affecting LGBTQ Young People

    Report -

    Healthwatch Northamptonshire and Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire conducted an Eating Disorder survey, gathering views of over 2,000 young people locally with a focus group session with young people who attend the OUT THERE LGBTQ youth group.

  35. Healthwatch Northamptonshire Understanding Mental Health Easy Read Guide - Matthew's Story

    Report -

    A young persons guide to understanding mental health - telling the story of Mattew

  36. A report on the views of children and young people with SEND in Northamptonshire

    Report -

    Since September 2015, HWN has engaged with CYP with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) using a variety of activity and methods.

  37. How volunteering with us helped Tanzi secure her university place

    Blog -

    Congratulations to Tanzi, our Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire Chair, who has been a volunteer with us for four years.

  38. 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.

  39. West Northamptonshire Council South Northamptonshire Area: Mental health, loneliness and wellbeing

    Advice and Information -

    Want to spend more time outdoors? Or fancy a brush with art?

  40. New online system to cut Blue Badge application time

    Advice and Information -

    People eligible for Blue Badges can apply in a fraction of the previous time, thanks to a new system in Northamptonshire.

  41. Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire and Shooting Stars premier video about visit to Kettering General Hospital

    News -

    Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire and Shooting Stars teamed up to create a short film about their visit to Kettering General Hospital.

  42. 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.

  43. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Black and Asian people according to latest PHE report. Tell us your experience.

    News -

    Share your story to help services learn and improve from the experiences of people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds during COVID-19.

  44. 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.

  45. Healthwatch Northamptonshire voices its concerns about the impact of the disruption to exams on the health and wellbeing of young people and their families

    News -

    During this time of distress caused by the exam results confusion, here are some sources of support

  46. Managing hearing loss and tinnitus during Covid-19

    Advice and Information -

    Find out about services and help available for those with hearing loss and Tinnitus during Covid-19 and how professionals can communicate better with people with hearing loss

  47. Remote accessibility for D/deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people—what can you do?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out how to better communicate with people with hearing loss during the pandemic

  48. 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.

  49. Armed Forces Covenant Northamptonshire

    Advice and Information -

    The Armed Forces Covenant Northamptonshire website provides information and advice on support services available within the county for the Armed Forces community and their families.