News
Healthwatch County Durham
Healthwatch County Durham helps you and your family get the best out of health and social care services in County Durham. They are the independent champion for people who use health and social care services.
Think pharmacy first
Going to your local pharmacy offers an easy and convenient way to get clinical advice on minor health concerns, and now community pharmacies can offer treatment for seven common conditions without patients needing to see a GP.
Pharmacy First
Pharmacy First is now up and running. You can now get treatment for the following ailments from community pharmacies, without needing to see the GP. Please be aware, conditions do apply. UTIs in women (aged 16-64 years) Shingles (aged 18 years and over) Impetigo (aged 1 year and over) Infected insect bites (aged 1 year
The NHS App found in 22.6 million pockets across England
The NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services and information on your smartphone or tablet. Millions of people are already using the NHS App to manage their health the easy way from the comfort of their homes.
Find your little big thing for your mental health
There are little things we can all do to lift our mood or ease our anxiety – we need to find what works for us.
Behind the scenes of a general practice
Did you know that, in addition to your GP, there are other health professionals in general practice who can help you get the right care?
Prevent shingles, a common, painful skin disease
The eligibility for a free NHS Shingles vaccine is changed from the 1st of September 2023
Face Masks
Due to the rise in COVID cases, we must ask all patients who are attending the surgery with any respiratory symptoms (cough, chesty symptoms) etc. to wear a face mask while in the surgery.
NHS winter flu and covid vaccine
The adult covid and flu vaccination programmes had been due to start in October to maximise protection over the winter months, but now those most at risk including adult care home residents will be vaccinated from 11 September.
MMR and Measles
Measles is an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious problems in some people. Having the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent it.
NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS)
If you have a low income, you may be able to get help with NHS costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS)
Don’t ignore your cervical screening invite
If you’ve been invited for cervical screening, we hope you’ll choose to have it.
Seasonal health: how to cope in hot weather
Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it’s too hot, there are health risks.
Measles: Are you protected?
Parents are being asked to check children are fully up to date with their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations by checking their vaccine record in their red book.
When Stroke Strikes, Act F.A.S.T.
Act F.A.S.T. Call 999 if you see any single one of the signs of a stroke.
Help Us, Help You: Cancer – early diagnosis
If something in your body doesn’t feel right, don’t carry the worry of cancer with you.
The Little Orange Book
The Little Orange Book is a super helpful tool for parents, containing information about common illnesses and problems that babies and young children often experience, especially in their first few years of life. You can download for free at CCG_Booklet_21_v1.1_g (newcastlegatesheadccg.nhs.uk)
Get to the help you need — use 111 online
The NHS 111 online service can assess and direct people to the most appropriate local service, including urgent treatment centres, GP practices, and consultations with a pharmacist.
Group A Strep & Scarlet Fever
You may have seen in the news and online stories about Group A Strep.
Better Health: Every Mind Matters
Looking after your mental health. There are little things we can all do to help look after our mental health. Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more.
Know Your Numbers! Week
Know Your Numbers! Week is the UK’s biggest blood pressure testing and awareness event.
Online Appointment Booking
We are now allowing online appointment booking again for patients who have access to our online appointments system. We are now offering the following appointments online: Telephone Pharmacist Medication Review Cervical Screening (Smear) – only for patients who have received their invite Long Term Condition Review – only for patients who have received an invite
Don’t let the thought of cancer play on your mind
If something in your body doesn’t feel right, talk to your doctor. Most people who go for tests find out it’s not cancer.
Pre-Diabetes – Assess Your Own Risk
Finding out your risk of Type 2 diabetes only takes a few minutes. It could be the most important thing you do today…. By completing this tool, in England you may be eligible for the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. To check your own risk, please visit https://riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/start
How does the NHS in England work and how is it changing?
Big changes are taking place across the health and care system. What does it mean?
Why can’t I get a prescription for an over-the-counter medicine?
Your GP, nurse or pharmacist will not generally give you a prescription for over the counter medicines for a range of minor health concerns. Instead, over the counter medicines are available to buy in a pharmacy or supermarket in your local community.
Children aged 5-11 are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine
Get advice about when and how children aged 5 to 15 can get their COVID-19 vaccination, and information on side effects and safety. Vaccination for children aged 5 to 15 Vaccine side effects and safety for children
Lift someone out of loneliness
Fancy a cuppa? Sometimes reaching out to someone with as little as three words can make a big difference.
Help us help you — Just think 111 first
When you think you need A&E, contact NHS 111 by phone or online. NHS 111 is free and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You answer questions about your symptoms on the website, or by speaking to a fully trained adviser on the phone.
COVID-19 Spring Vaccination Programme
In February, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised a spring dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as a precaution to those at extremely high risk, most of whom received their first booster around 6 months ago.
We are here to Help You, Thank You for Treating us with Respect
We are working to improve the difficulties patients are experiencing but please bear with us and treat staff with respect.
Check waiting times: My Planned Care
While you are waiting for a hospital appointment, we wanted to let you know that there is more support available to you.
Prostate Cancer – Check Your Risk
Prostate cancer is not always life-threatening. But when it is, the earlier you catch it the more likely it is to be cured.