1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. The use of additional services at local pharmacies - Findings from our Make Your Voice Count survey

    Report -

    We asked people about their opinions and use of additional services at their local pharmacies, besides dispensing and disposal of medication and advice on treatment of minor conditions.

  4. 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.

  5. 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

  6. 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.

  7. 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!

  8. What would to do to improve local health services? #WhatWouldYouDo

    News -

    With growing pressure on the NHS – people living longer, more people living with long-term conditions, and lifestyle choices affecting people’s health – changes are needed to make sure everybody gets the support they need.

  9. Northamptonshire Health, Care and Wellbeing Plan

    News -

    Join the conversation and have your say

  10. Free NHS Health Checks for 40 - 74 year olds

    Advice and Information -

    The NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults in England aged 40 to 74. It's designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia.

  11. 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.

  12. Information on Coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

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

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. 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:

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. Do you have a long term health condition? Have you had your flu vaccine? If not get in touch with your GP or a local pharmacy.

    Advice and Information -

    For most healthy people, the seasonal flu is mostly unpleasant. However, if you have a serious long term health condition if you have a BMI over 40, you are at particular risk from the more serious effects of flu.

  20. 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.

  21. 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.

  22. Pharmacy Inspection Report website

    Advice and Information -

    Members of the public can now find out if a pharmacy inspected since April 2019 has met or has not met all of the standards for registered pharmacies.

  23. Gluten Free Food Supply in Northamptonshire

    News -

    Your feedback is sought by NHS England and Improvement about the prescribing of gluten free food by pharmacies in Northamptonshire.

  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. 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!

  26. Pharmacy First

    Advice and Information -

    Get help without a GP appointment.

  27. Where can I go to get help for my health out of hours?

    Advice and Information -

    Health issues unfortunately don't leave us alone at the weekend and people are often in need of medical assistance out of hours. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.

  28. Do you need help getting to hospital?

    Advice and Information -

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

  29. Thinking about end of life care for you and your family

    Advice and Information -

    End of life care is support for people who are in the last months or years of their life. The guidance on the NHS website helps you know what to expect, how to plan ahead and how to manage your day to day decisions.

  30. 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.

  31. Annual Report 2014-15

    Report -

    Read all about our year!

  32. The Care Act 2014

    Report -

    There are new duties for local authorities, as well as changes to how care is charged for, who has to pay and how much people will have to pay towards their care.

  33. Northamptonshire Sustainability Transformation Plan (STP)

    Report -

    The Northamptonshire Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) sets out how health and social care in our county will change over the next five years.

  34. Neighbouring Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP)

    News -

    If you live near the borders of the county you might be affected by Sustainability and Transformation Plans of neighbouring regions.

  35. Do you know what short breaks are?

    Advice and Information -

    An Easy Read Guide about Short Breaks available in Northamptonshire

  36. Most people still getting good care – but health and care system is ‘straining at the seams’, making future quality precarious

    News -

    This year’s State of Care shows that, thanks to the efforts of staff and leaders, the quality of health and social care has been maintained despite very real challenges and the majority of people are getting good, safe care.

  37. How does the NHS in England work? An alternative guide

    Advice and Information -

    How does the NHS in England work? What organisations make it up? And how is it changing over time?

  38. CQC’s new strategy for engaging with the public up to 2021

    News -

    Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published a new strategy for how they will engage with the public to help make them a strong, independent regulator that is always on the side of people using care services.

  39. Recently had vomiting and or diarrhoea? Please do not go into A&E or hospitals

    Advice and Information -

    Kettering General Hospital and Nene Clinical Commissioning Group are urging local people not to attend A&E – or visit relatives in hospitals – if they have, or have recently had, vomiting and/or diarrhoea.

  40. Crisis café is here to support you with your day-to-day struggles and mental health difficulties

    Advice and Information -

    Crisis Cafés are an easily accessible service available in the evenings and/or at weekends for people who are finding themselves in a crisis or need support with their mental health.

  41. Understanding healthcare changes in your local area and how your voice matters

    News -

    With the progress in health and care services, there are challenges which hospitals, GP and care services need to face.

  42. How do people feel about their data being shared by the NHS?

    Advice and Information -

    From 25 May, you’ll be able to make a choice about how the NHS uses your confidential patient information for reasons other than your care. 77% of the public say they are confident in the ability of the NHS to protect their patient data. Are you?

  43. Standing Together to Stay Well this Winter

    News -

    The NHS in Northamptonshire has taken an innovative approach to encourage local people to look after their health this winter to support the national campaign, Stay Well This Winter.

  44. Kettering General Hospital and Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire wins PENNA award in 'Team of the Year' Category

    News -

    Kettering General Hospital and Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire have won a national award for work they have undertaken with young people.

  45. Joint Community Engagement Event – 2 May 2019

    News -

    To inform future changes in the health and care system in the county, Connected Together CIC, Healthwatch Northamptonshire and Northamptonshire Health and Care Partnership (NHCP), held a successful community engagement event with around 90 attendees.

  46. 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.

  47. 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.

  48. 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.

  49. Request help and support - Coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

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