News and reports

As part of our priorities for 2024-2025 priorities, we are conducting a number of GP Roadshow activities across South Tees to share information that will help people get the best out of their health and care services.

As well as increasing awareness of Healthwatch South Tees, workshops were held to identify what health and care services these communities use, the barriers they face in accessing these services and most importantly discussing solutions to remove them.

Our report below includes a summary of the key findings and recommendations to improve access to services.

This is a service to request a limited emergency supply of a medicine you’ve completely run out of.

There is now a new way for the public to access crisis mental health support by calling NHS 111 and selecting option 2 for mental health support.

Recognising the need to encourage feedback from our diverse communities the Healthwatch South Tees team held a Multicultural Event on Thursday 4 July at the Methodist Asylum Project. The day was all about bringing people together to understand their health and social care needs. 

A new British Sign Language (BSL) Video Relay Service for Deaf and BSL (British Sign Language) users across the region has been launched. The new initiative enhances accessibility and communication between frontline staff and patients.

You may be eligible to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS).

We are pleased to present Healthwatch Middlesbrough's Annual Report for 2023/24.

What is Martha's Rule? Martha Mills died in 2021 after developing sepsis in hospital, where she had been admitted with a pancreatic injury after falling off her bike. Martha’s family’s concerns about her deteriorating condition were not responded to, and in 2023 a coroner ruled that Martha would probably have survived had she been moved to intensive care earlier.

How to apply for a free digital 'Just can't wait' toilet card.

*This doesn’t guarantee access to the toilet. However, using the widely recognised card has proven to help.

In September 2023, Healthwatch South Tees (HWST) welcomed two new Engagement & Events Officers to the team as a way to increase awareness of our function with South Tees communities and encourage additional feedback of health and care services to inform our work.

This report has been completed following a review of 38 GP Practice websites across the South Tees region.