16th February 2022

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Healthwatch Darlington Pandemic Experience Survey 2022 - How do you feel?

In 2020 we asked you about your lived experiences during the pandemic especially during lockdown.  In 2021 we asked for your views and experiences of the vaccination programme and now it is important to understand how you feel about the vaccine booster programme and your general lived experiences now that restrictions are easing.

The survey will take up to 15 minutes to complete. Your shared views and experiences will be anonymous and will provide us with a complete picture of the last 2 years of the pandemic.

Please take the survey here

February is LGBT+ history month and we wanted to understand the experiences encountered by the LGBT+ community in Darlington when accessing healthcare services.

LGBT History Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. 2022 sees the 50th anniversary of the very first Pride March in the UK in 1972. This year’s anniversary is one on a continuing and often winding journey towards full equality, which has suffered many setbacks while still moving forwards, the movement have taken ‘the arc is long’ as their tagline, from Dr Martin Luther King jnr’s quote “The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice”.

We approached Arcus a counselling and social support service, primarily developed for LGBT+ people, and agreed a set of questions for our survey which would provide a snapshot of experiences of health and care services in Darlington.

The experiences of those completing our survey indicate that there is not a consistent healthcare service offering to those who identify within the LGBT+ community. The experiences of those who took part in our survey reveal that it depends upon healthcare professionals encountered whether the experience is positive or negative.

To read the full report click here: LGBT+ Health Experience Report

Sensory Impairment Survey

You care about the NHS and social care services, and so do we

COVID-19 has resulted in a number of changes to our NHS and social care services – but what has this meant for you? Healthwatch are here to listen and act on your feedback up and down the country to improve care for you and others. That’s why we’re supporting our national campaign – #BecauseWeAllCare, encouraging you to share your experiences.

By telling us about your experiences, we can help services in Darlington and across England improve the care they provide now, and in the future. Share your views today in a short, confidential survey. https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/because-we-all-care

#BecauseWeAllCare. 

The Accessible Information Standard - what you can expect from services

Local & National News

• Wed 23rd February, 10-11am
• Thurs 24th February, 4-5pm

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

Celebrating National Social Prescribing Week.  
 

You are invited to the next national webinar’s in the NHSE/I social prescribing webinar series, on the 2nd March 2022. 
 
Title and Topic: Developing your social prescribing workforce and making the most of social prescribing ARRS roles.
 
Date and time: 2^nd March, 1:00 - 2:30pm (90 minutes)
 
To register your attendance for this event please use the following link: https://www.events.england.nhs.uk/events/social-prescribing-link-worker-webinar-series-developing-your-splw-workforce
 

Digital Therapy Support - short survey

Young Carers Action day

Young Carers Action Day is an annual event, organised each year by Carers Trust.

It’s a day for raising public awareness of young carers and young adult carers, the pressures and challenges they face, and the incredible contribution they make by caring for their family members and friends.

It is also a day to call for more action to support young and young adult carers and give them the extra bit of help they need to live full and healthy lives.

The day attracts widespread participation and public attention. Each year Carers Trust secures widespread coverage of the day in both national and regional TV, radio and print media.
More info here: https://carers.org/young-carers-action-day-2022/young-carers-action-day-2022-1?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq9iQkPSD9gIVNxGzAB15igAOEAAYASAAEgJAX_D_BwE
 
Local Contact details are:
Telephone: (01325) 483 038 or Lead Practitioner Cheryl Hunter 07584391789
Email: dyc@humankindcharity.org.uk
Facebook and Instagram: @darlingtonyoungcarers

Palliative and End of Life Care Services virtual WORKSHOP 17 February

Co Durham and Darlington Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC) has a new name and a brand-new look.

At a Special General Meeting our pharmacies voted to amend our official title to “County Durham Local Pharmaceutical Committee” but also to adopt a name by which we will be commonly known. With effect from 11 February 2022, the committee will be recognised as Community Pharmacy County Durham (CPCD). It’s felt that this title better explains to external stakeholders the sector that we represent. Also, a driver for this change was to bring all our pharmacies, those in Durham and Darlington, under one umbrella; a move that is more inclusive for all our pharmacies.

At the same time, CPCD is launching its new website:  

www.communitypharmacycountydurham.co.uk

new twitter and facebook accounts:  @CPCoDurham and a rebrand, you’ll notice our new logo on our website. 

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Alzheimer's Society Dementia Information Card, Directory & Newsletter

Consultation on revisions to Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance

GP patient survey

Among other measures the survey is a good way to detect inequalities in the experience of care between different groups, including people with protected characteristics. GP practices have changed their procedures in response to the pandemic so it is a particularly important year for making sure there is clear understanding of the impact of these changes.

More information is on the NHS England website. Data collection for this year’s survey will take three months and results published in July. Results from previous surveys are available. Find out more

Reaching Out To Families - Inclusion North

National Help & Support 

Advice & Information

Useful Covid-19 Resources

Information for vulnerable groups (Covid-19)