1. North East NHS Independent Complaints Advocacy (ICA) - Unhappy with your NHS treatment or care?

    News -

    Want to make a complaint but you’re not sure where to start? North East NHS Independent Complaints Advocacy (ICA) can help.

  2. GP practices are still open

    News -

    GPs across Darlington are reminding members of the public that GP services remain open and that if anyone requires a consultation with a doctor or nurse, they shouldn’t delay contacting their local practice.

  3. Do you feel daunted about having an online video consultation with your GP?

    News -

    Take a look at this NHS guide to help ensure your appointment runs smoothly and is a success!




  4. Do your bit for Darlington - Get the flu vaccination this year

    News -

    To keep you safe getting your flu jab will be different this year due to Covid-19, it's never been more important.

  5. Impact of COVID-19 on Frontline and Essential Workers

    News -

    Help improve the experience of essential workers, working in County Durham or Darlington during the Covid-19 pandemic.

  6. Darlington Flu Vaccination Programme Taxi Service

    News -

    The Darlington Primary Care Network flu vaccination drive- through programme officially launched on Monday 28th September at The Northern Echo Arena, Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Club!

  7. Finding Cancer Early Saves Lives

    News -

    A new television advert is encouraging the public to contact their GP if they are experiencing potential cancer symptoms.

  8. Darlington Primary Care Report 2019

    Report -

    Last year 363 service users in Darlington told us they were either 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied' when it comes to communicating with a GP or health professional during a GP appointment.

  9. Healthwatch Darlington ‘Highly Commended’ in Prestigious National Award

    News -

    Healthwatch Darlington has been recognised in a prestigious national awards scheme for their volunteering programme Youthwatch Darlington which has helped improve the provision of information for young people and mental health across Darlington.

  10. Digital Exclusion project launched by Healthwatch Darlington & Darlington Primary Care Network

    News -

    Healthwatch Darlington & Darlington Primary Care Network will be working in partnership to understand patient experiences of those who have used GP surgeries during the pandemic.

  11. Darlington Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) rated good for 2019/20

    News -

    NHS England have published the CCG annual assessment report 2019/20 which is the assessment of how well each CCG engaged with their communities last year.

  12. Coronavirus vaccine Q&A in five South Asian languages

    News -

    Divya Chadha Manek from the UK Vaccine Taskforce addresses their concerns in English. For those who may not have English as a first language, doctors have also answered the questions in five languages: Gujarati, Punjabi, Sylheti, Tamil and Urdu.

  13. Households across Darlington will soon be asked to take part in Census 2021

    News -

    The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941.

  14. 'A Day In The Life Of A Patient Liaison Assistant' - Denmark Street Surgery

    News -

    Amanda, a Patient Liaison Assistant (PLA) at Denmark Street Surgery, more commonly known as a Doctors Receptionist shares how their job title has recently been changed to try and relay to patients what their job involves.

  15. Important Vaccination Update – Moving to cohort 4 CEV (Clinically Extremely Vulnerable)

    News -

    Darlington Primary Care Network share an update about the vaccine for those who are shielding and remind people that they can choose to have their vaccine locally.

  16. South Asian Heritage Month Presents: Covid-19 Vaccines- Ask The Experts

    News -

    Hear from a range of experts from South Asian backgrounds including hospital consultants, GPs and those with other expertise in the field, including spread of disease and immune responses and how they have been working through the pandemic.

  17. Shielding advice for the clinically extremely vulnerable to stop from April

    News -

    From 1st April, people who are clinically extremely vulnerable will no longer be advised to shield.

  18. Remember to fill in your census this Easter

    News -

    There has been a great response to Census 2021, but to avoid getting a knock at the door from a field officer – get on and fill in your census this Easter.

  19. New videos on Covid-19 vaccination for people with Severe Mental Illness

    News -

    Public Health England (PHE) have developed a series of short videos on COVID-19 vaccination to support and encourage people with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) to get their COVID-19 vaccines, and for promotion with GPs and healthcare professionals.

  20. 97 per cent of households respond to Census 2021

    News -

    The response to Census 2021 has exceeded all expectations, with 97 per cent of households across England and Wales making sure they count when it comes to local services like school places, GP surgeries and hospital beds.

  21. Healthwatch Darlington's Chief Executive Officer encourages Darlington residents to share their COVID-19 vaccine experiences

    News -

    Healthwatch Darlington's Chief Executive Officer Michelle Thompson shares an important message asking residents of Darlington to share their COVID-19 vaccine experiences.

  22. Musculoskeletal (MSK) Service Review – Darlington

    News -

    Have you used the Musculoskeletal (MSK) service in Darlington? NHS Tees Valley CCG would like to find out about your experience!

  23. Digital Exclusion Report 2021 - Understanding patient experiences when using primary care services

    Report -

    Our latest report explores the barriers local patients have faced when accessing GP appointments remotely during the pandemic.

  24. Understanding digitally excluded patient experiences when accessing GP appointments remotely

    News -

    Our local report along with Healthwatch England's national report explores peoples experiences of remote and digital healthcare. We share local changes needed to ensure Darlington patients can access primary care without barriers in the future.

  25. Do you use Home Oxygen? If so, NHS Tees Valley CCG are keen to hear your views?

    News -

    The CCGs are keen to understand the views and experience of patients who have used the Oxygen at Home Service, take part in their survey to share your views.

  26. Share your views with your local NHS Musculoskeletal (MSK) service

    News -

    Connect Health would like to invite you to an online focus group to discuss how they can ensure their service meets the needs of people with bone, muscle, joint and spinal problems. This is a great opportunity to help shape the future service.

  27. Happy 73rd Birthday to our NHS!

    News -

    On Monday 5th July 2021 the NHS celebrated it's 73rd birthday! Our team of staff and volunteers want to say thank you to all NHS staff.

  28. What is social prescribing?

    News -

    The wellbeing team at Primary Healthcare Darlington have provided some helpful information which explains what a link worker, wellbeing facilitator or social prescriber does to help patients and GP services.

  29. Digital Exclusion Webinar Event - Thursday 15th July 2021

    News -

    A public digital exclusion event will be hosted by Healthwatch England following on from the publication of the national digital exclusion report which Healthwatch Darlington along with 4 other local Healthwatch were involved with earlier in 2021.

  30. Digital exclusion - peoples experiences of remote GP appointments

    News -

    Watch the online event hosted by Healthwatch England, Age UK and Good Things Foundation, Healthwatch England talk about the latest digital exclusion report which includes people's experiences in Darlington.

  31. Advice for Families: Coughs and Noisy Breathing in Young Babies

    News -

    Young babies often catch lots of coughs and colds, and their breathing can become noisy. Often, these illnesses can be managed with self care at home. This information taken from the NHS Little Orange Book may be useful.

  32. North East & North Cumbria Staff Wellbeing Hub - Therapeutic Horticulture for health and care staff

    News -

    In partnership with the hub, Serenity Social and Therapeutic Horticulture are offering a free session to health and care staff who have worked throughout the pandemic to have some time to reflect in a safe and peaceful environment.

  33. Do you have questions about the covid-19 vaccine?

    News -

    It’s okay to have questions about the Covid vaccine – but you need a reliable source to answer them.

  34. You still need to wear a face covering when visiting NHS services

    News -

    Although COVID restrictions came to an end in many settings on 19th July the public are reminded that everyone accessing or visiting healthcare settings must continue to wear a face covering and follow social distancing rules. .

  35. FREE Hidden Sentence virtual awareness training

    News -

    Nepacs – a north east charity which supports prisoners’ families across the north east are offering FREE Hidden Sentence virtual awareness training for anyone working with children and families in the Darlington area.

  36. CQC State of Care 2020/21

    News -

    Download this year's assessment of health care and social care in England.

  37. What issues are we monitoring?

    News -

    Summary of key health and social care issues

  38. Bowel Cancer UK launch Colonoscopy Confidence Campaign

    Advice and Information -

    We know some people feel anxious or worried when they’re told they need a colonoscopy but it’s important to have this test if they’re referred.

  39. Because We All Care 2022 campaign launches today

    News -

    CQC's Because We All Care campaign, jointly launched with Healthwatch England, encourages more people to speak up and feedback about their or a loved one’s care.

  40. GP patient survey

    News -

    The 2022 GP patient experience survey launched this month. Around 2.4 million people over 16 and registered with a GP practice in England are selected at random and invited to take part by letter and text message.

  41. TEWV Response to Healthwatch Darlington LGBT+ Experiences of Health Services Report

    Report -

    Healthwatch Darlington wanted to understand the experiences encountered by the LGBT+ community in Darlington when accessing healthcare services. Read Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust response to our report.

  42. #CheckWithMeFirst guide developed on cervical screening for survivors of sexual violence

    Advice and Information -

    The Eve Appeal have partnered with The Survivors Trust to raise awareness of the challenges survivors of sexual violence face when accessing cervical screening appointments as part of the #CheckWithMeFirst campaign.

  43. Help Us Help You – Cervical Screening Campaign Launching Monday 14th February 2022

    Advice and Information -

    On 14th February 2022, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), with the support of NHS England and NHS Improvement, are launching a Help Us Help You – Cervical Screening Campaign

  44. Patients to receive better care as NHS and social care systems link up

    News -

    Patients will receive better, more joined-up care under new plans announced to improve the links between health and social care.

  45. July figures for Darlington GP surgeries released

    News -

    NHS North East & North Cumbria have released the figures around the work of GP surgeries within Darlington for July 2022

  46. Health Inequalities Summit: The Deep End of Primary Care

    News -

    The North East and North Cumbria Deep End Network are delighted to host the next Health Inequalities Summit via a free online webinar on 14th September 2022, 12pm – 2:30pm (MS Teams)

  47. Because We All Care - Are you or your loved one waiting to get a GP referral? Share your views

    News -

    Have you or your loved one been left frustrated after struggling to get a GP referral for tests or treatment? You’re not alone. You can tell us your views in this phase of the campaign until Monday 10th October.

  48. Important Update from TEWV: publication of three independent investigation reports

    News -

    The following is information provided by Tees, Esk, and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, after the publication of the independent reports into the tragic deaths of three young women in the Trust's care in 2019 and 2020.

  49. Enhanced Access - GP appointments

    News -

    You can now get evening and weekend appointments through your GP with 'Enhanced Access'