1. Mental Health Awareness Week: Highlighting partnership working to promote the protection and resilience of young people’s mental health and well-being

    News -

    Public Health Northamptonshire, North and West Northamptonshire Councils and Free2Talk have teamed up to listen to and help with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people’s mental health across the county.

  2. Our strategy and work plan 2021 - 2022

    Advice and Information -

    The Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire annual plan helps provide commissioners and key stakeholders with an overview of planned activity for the next 12 months.

  3. Step 3 on the government’s ‘roadmap’ back to freedom comes into effect as of 17 May

    News -

    As of 17 May, residents of Northamptonshire and across England will take Step 3 on the four-step ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown, with further freedoms legally allowed.

  4. 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.  

  5. Carers Week 2021

    News -

    Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.

  6. 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.

  7. Young People’s views and experiences of COVID-19 and Lockdowns in Northamptonshire

    Report -

    Thanks to young people speaking to us and letting their voices be heard, Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire have a better understanding of young people’s views and experiences of health and social care services over the last year.

  8. Experiences of caring during the coronavirus pandemic

    Report -

    Your feedback from 2020 suggested that more people were providing care to their loved ones during the pandemic and the changes to services had put extra strain on carers. In 2021, we set out to find out more about the experiences of unpaid carers.

  9. 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.

  10. Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire Annual Report 2020-2021

    Report -

    Like everyone else across the country, Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire were impacted by COVID-19. We started last year in a full national lockdown but that has not stopped some amazing work from happening.

  11. Key messages from Northamptonshire's Vaccine rollout

    News -

    Drop-in sessions at the Moulton Park Vaccination Centre have now been extended from ‘evenings only’ to ‘all day’

  12. The importance of two doses of COVID-19 vaccines

    Advice and Information -

    Two doses will give you vital extra protection against the Delta variant which data suggests is between 40% and 80% more transmissible than the Alpha variant

  13. Top tips to get the most out of your GP appointment

    Advice and Information -

    Do you struggle to speak to your doctor about your medical concerns? You’re not alone. Take a look at these top tips to make the most out of your GP appointment.

  14. GP Data for planning and research collection: what you need to know

    Advice and Information -

    The NHS is making some changes to how it collects and uses patient data. To make sure you're clued up, read some frequently asked questions about the upcoming GP Data for planning and research collection below.

  15. Public health remind everyone to keep being Covid safe

    News -

    Public Health officials issue further advice this week as COVID-19 cases fall by 20% across Northamptonshire but hospitalisations rise.

  16. Stay Connected Locality Newsletter August 2021

    News -

    Download and read Northamptonshire's Children's Trust Locality Newsletter

  17. Young people aged 16 and 17 urged to take up the offer of the COVID vaccine

    News -

    Northamptonshire’s 16- and 17-year-olds are being urged to protect themselves and their loved ones from coronavirus by taking up their offer of the COVID-19 jab.

  18. Are you or your loved ones waiting for hospital care? Share you views

    News -

    Millions of people have had their treatment delayed by the pandemic – are you one of them? We want to know if you’re getting the advice, information and support you need while you wait.

  19. What to expect when waiting for care

    Advice and Information -

    Waiting for planned medical care or surgery can be a frustrating time. That’s why it’s so important that while you wait, you get regular, clear and accessible updates so that you can plan your next steps.

  20. An update about our new contract and new Advisory Board members

    News -

    Connected Together CIC has been awarded a new contract to run Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire

  21. 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.

  22. 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.

  23. 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.

  24. 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.

  25. Experiences and opinions of NHS 111 First in Northamptonshire

    Report -

    Together with Northamptonshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire found out what people thought of the new NHS 111 First service.

  26. We have been awarded the Investing in Volunteers accreditation!

    News -

    Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire have been awarded the Investing in Volunteers (IiV) accreditation due to our volunteers hard work in the community to improve health and social care services.

  27. What are your experiences of accessing a GP appointment in Northamptonshire?

    News -

    We want to know about your experiences with accessing GP services in Northamptonshire.

  28. 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.

  29. Young People’s Views of the Transition to Adult Mental Health Services

    Report -

    Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire (YHWN) worked with Northamptonshire Clinical Commissioning Group (NCCG) to help improve young people’s transition from youth to adult mental health services.

  30. Our Code of Conduct with CYP

    Report -

    This Code of Behaviour must be used in conjunction with CTCIC’s Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.

  31. Our Confidentiality Policy

    Report -

    During their employment, in the case of directors, board members, staff, or in their capacity of volunteers, persons will most certainly have access to or have sight of documents and other information that is of a confidential nature.

  32. Our Customer Care Policy

    Report -

    This policy covers Connected Together CIC and all its contracts and managed organisations.

  33. Our Data Protection Policy

    Report -

    This policy supports the legal requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation, and the Data Protection Act 2018 (the UK’s interpretation of the European GDPR), which places certain obligations on CTCIC.

  34. Our Declaration of Interests Policy

    Report -

    Connected Together Community Interest Company (CTCIC) Board has overall responsibility for volunteers within CTCIC, its organisations, contracts, and subsidiaries,

  35. Our Equality and Diversity Policy

    Report -

    Connected Together CIC is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our employees and volunteers and eliminating unlawful discrimination.

  36. Our Harassment and Dignity Policy

    Report -

    This policy is intended to provide help and support to Connected Together volunteers who feel that they have been denied the right to be treated with dignity and respect

  37. Our Online and Virtual Meetings policy

    Report -

    It is very important that every member of staff and volunteer who works with CTCIC/Local Healthwatch is aware of their role and responsibilities online and have clear guidelines under which to operate.

  38. Our Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults Policy

    Report -

    The purpose of this policy is to outline the duty and responsibilities of staff, Board members and volunteers in relation to the protection of vulnerable adults from abuse.

  39. Our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy

    Report -

    This policy refers to children and young people (CYP). For the purposes of this policy a child, as defined by the Children Act 1989 and 2004, is anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday.

  40. Our Volunteer and Expenses Policy

    Report -

    In carrying out Connected Together CIC’s (CTCIC’s) approved business and activities board members and volunteers could incur expenses. We want to be sure that everyone has an equal opportunity to take part in Connected Together.

  41. Our Whistleblowing Policy

    Report -

    Whistleblowing is a disclosure of information by individuals that relates to danger, fraud, illegal or unethical conduct of the employer, an employee, board member or volunteer. It need not be a matter of financial governance.

  42. Our Environmental Policy

    Report -

    CTCIC recognises that under environmental legislation it has responsibility and accountability for its impacts on the environment created (both directly and indirectly) by our operations, services, and activities.

  43. Our ICT Acceptable Use policy

    Report -

    The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all ICT equipment used by Connected Together CIC, (from hereinafter referred to as CTCIC) and all contracts it holds is used effectively, safely, and legally

  44. Our Problem Solving policy

    Report -

    Occasionally issues can arise when someone is volunteering with us. It is important to have procedures in place to help deal with any issues before they become bigger problems

  45. Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services in Northamptonshire

    Advice and Information -

    Patient Transport Services (EMAS) provides non-emergency patient transport for people in Northamptonshire.

  46. Annual Meeting 2021-2022

    News -

    Our 2021-2022 Annual Meeting held live via Zoom on November 2nd can now be viewed by the public.

  47. Taking care of Cyber Essentials

    News -

    Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire are happy to announce that we have been awarded the Cyber Essentials accreditation.

  48. Service for local cancer patients wins top award

    News -

    A cancer service that offers emotional, practical, and financial support to people living with cancer has won a national award.