1. Dr David N Jones talks about A&E pressures on BBC Look East

    News -

    Healthwatch Northamptonshire Chair, David N Jones, spoke on BBC Look East about the building pressures for A&E and the changes to performance targets.

  2. Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire Takeover Day

    News -

    Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire volunteers took part in activities to find out more about Northampton General Hospital and Kettering General Hospital and to give young people a taste of future careers in the NHS

  3. 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

  4. 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.

  5. Information on Coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

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

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. Transport and Car schemes

    Advice and Information -

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

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. 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.

  21. 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.

  22. 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

  23. 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.

  24. 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.

  25. 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.

  26. 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.

  27. 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.

  28. 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.

  29. 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.

  30. 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.

  31. 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.