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. We want to know about the emotional wellbeing of Young Carers’ in Northamptonshire

    News -

    Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire and Northamptonshire Young Carers Service want to find out about the emotional wellbeing of young carers locally.

  30. Seven pieces of information that you should expect to receive after being diagnosed with dementia

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's (NICE) quick guide to discussing and planning support following a dementia diagnosis.

  31. 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.

  32. A snapshot of Carers’ views on the impact of Northamptonshire County Council cuts

    Report -

    During the autumn of 2018, Carers’ Voice and Healthwatch Northamptonshire undertook a small piece of work to identify the impact of recent cuts to Adult Social Care by Northamptonshire County Council on carers and those they care for.

  33. Carers' Voice Northamptonshire

    Advice and Information -

    Carers' Voice Northamptonshire has now closed but please contact Healthwatch Northamptonshire with any feedback or Northamptonshire Carers for any guidance or support.

  34. Domiciliary Care Lay Monitoring Pilot Project Report

    Report -

    Healthwatch Northamptonshire has been working in partnership with Northamptonshire County Council on a pilot project to monitor the quality of home (domiciliary) care services.

  35. Annual Report 2015-16

    Report -

    Read all about our year!

  36. Local young carers help develop a Commonwealth young carer charter at the East Africa Young Carers Festival 2019

    News -

    Members of Northamptonshire Young Carers and Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire members participated via video link in the East Africa Young Carers Festival 2019.

  37. Free guides available to support the health and wellbeing of carers

    Advice and Information -

    NHS England has co-produced a free guide that provide older people with practical advice to support healthy caring.

  38. 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.

  39. 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.

  40. Thank you: Nearly 300 people told Healthwatch Northamptonshire what they think would make health and care better

    News -

    Local people shared their views about how they want local health and care services to improve.

  41. Carers Week pledge

    Blog -

    This #CarersWeek we pledge to connect carers to each other and to information and support with caring.

  42. Young Carers Takeover Project report

    Report -

    Thanks to a Takeover Challenge grant, Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire and Northamptonshire Young Carers Service were able to work together to explore the needs and experiences of young carers.

  43. Anglian Water Support

    Advice and Information -

    If you think you’ll have difficulty paying your water bill, Anglian Water has lots of help and support available to you, from providing flexible and affordable payment plans - to guiding you to external help and benefits.

  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. 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.

  46. Organisations that can help with general NHS Complaints

    Advice and Information -

    Organisations that can help with general NHS Complaints and advocacy

  47. Flu vaccinations for Carers

    News -

    Public Health Northamptonshire and Northamptonshire Clinical Commissioning Group are calling on carers to get their free flu vaccine. Having the flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and anyone that you care for from flu.

  48. Do you know what to do if an adult is at risk of harm and abuse?

    News -

    Northamptonshire Safeguarding Adults Board has launched an online survey to find out people’s understanding of safeguarding and if they know how to raise a concern if someone they know is at risk of harm and abuse.