News and reports

People across County Durham and Tees Valley have been telling us the same thing for years. When support works, it’s because someone stays, listens, and follows through. When it doesn’t, people are left navigating services alone, repeating their story, waiting for calls that don’t come, and reaching crisis without the support they need.

Over recent months, all 14 Healthwatch across the North East and North Cumbria have been out in communities listening to people’s real experiences of accessing their GP, using the NHS App, and trying Pharmacy First.

Hospital discharge was identified as a key quality priority for the Trust in 2025/2026. In response, we were invited to lead a collaborative engagement initiative focused on improving discharge processes and patient outcomes.

This report shares the findings from our recent engagement with care home residents, staff, and families, focused on understanding what makes a care home a good place to live. Through a series of visits, we gathered valuable insights into the everyday experiences of residents and identified examples of good practice that promote not just quality care, but also quality of life.

We are pleased to present Healthwatch Middlesbrough's Annual Report for 2024/25.

Launched last year by North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), the Big Conversation heard from almost 5,000 women as part of a programme aiming to make the region a driving force for better women's health.

The new report - published by the region's independent Healthwatch network - used a regionwide survey and a series of focus groups to better understand what matters to women about their health.

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