1. 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.

  2. Community pharmacy opening hours during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Advice and Information -

    The joint COVID-19 Northamptonshire Strategic Coordination Centre* has issued an update about pharmacy opening hours, including over the Easter weekend:

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Complaints about GPs

    Advice and Information -

    The care you receive from a GP 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 a GP.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. Mental Health Services Complaints

    Advice and Information -

    If you’re unhappy about your treatment for a mental health problem, you may be able to make a complaint.

  10. Complaints about other NHS services

    Advice and Information -

    NHS care is usually very good and most people don’t have any problems. But occasionally things can go wrong. This page tells you more about how to raise concerns about health services that aren’t GPs, hospitals and dentists.

  11. How to Make a Complaint About Adult Social Care Services

    Advice and Information -

    Adult social care is usually very good and most people don’t have any problems. But sometimes you need to raise concerns. This page tells you how to make a complaint.

  12. Local health and social care complaints contacts

    Advice and Information -

    A collection of local health and social care complaints contacts

  13. Organisations that can help with general NHS Complaints

    Advice and Information -

    Organisations that can help with general NHS Complaints and advocacy

  14. Complaints advocacy

    Advice and Information -

    Information about complaints advocacy and other advocacy services from VoiceAbility in Northamptonshire

  15. Tips and Tools to Help You Make a Complaint About Health Services

    Advice and Information -

    Some links and organisations for advice about how to make a complaint

  16. Whistleblowing - How a staff member can report a problem in the NHS or an Adult Social Care Service

    Advice and Information -

    NHS and adult social care are usually very good and most people don’t have any problems. But occasionally things can go wrong.

  17. Making a complaint about social care services – What should you expect?

    Advice and Information -

    Healthwatch England has been working with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman to develop a Single Complaints Statement for both professionals and the public

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. Professional Standards Authority

    Advice and Information -

    The Professional Standards Authority helps to protect the public through their work with organisations that register and regulate people working in health and social care.

  21. Advice on the complaints process for healthcare organisations

    Advice and Information -

    The Department of Health and Social Care are aware that due to the ongoing pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, some healthcare organisations are encountering significant pressure on staff time.

  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. Healthwatch England launch the 'Because We All Care' campaign with the CQC

    News -

    Everyone has different experiences of care - Healthwatch England wants to hear feedback on health and social care from everyone. Tell them about your care to make sure services work better for us all.

  24. 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.

  25. Our update about COVID-19 and remote working

    News -

    Healthwatch Northamptonshire has been monitoring the rapidly unfolding situation around COVID-19 on a daily basis to consider its impact on how we work and how we best support our staff, volunteers, partners and stakeholders.

  26. Information on Coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

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

  27. 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.

  28. 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.

  29. Public asked to comply with guidance on the wearing of face coverings

    Advice and Information -

    As restrictions ease and more businesses and amenities open up across Northamptonshire, Public Health Officials are urging the public to comply with the guidance on the wearing of face coverings.

  30. Request help and support - Coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

    How to request support from volunteers if you are self-isolating in Northamptonshire and need help.

  31. What's the difference between social distancing, self-isolation and shielding?

    Advice and Information -

    Self-isolation, social distancing and shielding have been introduced by the Government to help you and your loved ones stay safe from COVID-19. Find out what they mean in practice and what applies to you.

  32. Accessing dental services in the East Midlands

    Advice and Information -

    An update from NHS England and NHS Improvement Midlands:

  33. Healthwatch Northamptonshire - protecting the rights and interests of people using health and social care in Northamptonshire during the pandemic

    Blog -

    A message from our Chair, Dr David N Jones

  34. 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.

  35. New COVID-19 clinics to help self-isolating patients access urgent medical advice

    Advice and Information -

    New temporary clinics are being set up around Northamptonshire to enable people with COVID-19 symptoms to be safely seen face-to-face by a GP or other healthcare professional.

  36. 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.

  37. Remote consultations in general practice

    Advice and Information -

    For many people, it’s more convenient to be able to speak to their GP or other healthcare professionals remotely.

  38. 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.

  39. 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.

  40. 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.

  41. Quit for Covid with Public Health Northamptonshire’s Stop Smoking Service

    Advice and Information -

    Public Health Northamptonshire is encouraging smokers to #QuitforCovid, not only to protect themselves but to reduce demand on NHS services.

  42. 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.

  43. 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.

  44. Maternity support during COVID-19

    Advice and Information -

    Read about how coronavirus could affect you, your baby and your pregnancy care.

  45. 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.

  46. Residents of Northampton urged to taken action as cases rise

    News -

    Read the latest important local update about coronavirus.

  47. Great response to local Coronavirus testing from the Northampton community and continued reminder to people of the county to stay vigilant

    News -

    Read the latest important local update about coronavirus.

  48. Young Healthwatch: Letter to past and future me

    News -

    Two volunteers from Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire have written letters that reflect on the Coronavirus pandemic and the impact that it has had. One has been written to their 10-year-old self and one to themself in 10 years time.

  49. COVID-19: What you need to know when visiting a care home

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at what the guidance around visiting your loved ones in care homes means in practice.

  50. Help health and social care services recover from COVID-19 #BecauseWeAllCare

    News -

    Two-thirds of people in England say they are more likely to act to improve health and social care services since the outbreak of COVID-19. You can help improve care in Northamptonshire by joining our campaign #BecauseWeAllCare.