Healthwatch South Tyneside

06/01/2026

We have launched a survey of young people to find out their views on mental health services in South Tyneside, including new provision in schools to support emotional wellbeing.

Are you aged under 25 and have you accessed mental health services in the borough? If so, please take part and you will have the opportunity to enter a draw for a £50 Amazon voucher.

If you know a young person (under 25) who has accessed services in the borough, please share this survey link with them:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TNPRJJ8

03/01/2026

Record numbers of people are using the NHS App to manage their health, according to the latest statistics.

The App now has more than 39m registered users and 67.8m repeat prescriptions were also ordered through the app in the past 12 months (1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025).

The latest usage figures show 62.3m logins for the NHS App during November alone – a 43% increase on the monthly average over the past 12 months. There were also 20.8m views of GP health records, 6.6m appointments managed for hospital and other secondary care services, and 6.3m repeat prescriptions ordered during November.

https://www.healthwatchsouthtyneside.co.uk/record-numbers-using-nhs-app-to-manage-health/

The NHS has released a Spotify Wrapped-style end-of-year update which shows the NHS App now has more than 39m registered users. A total of 67.8m repeat prescriptions were also ordered through the app in the past 12 months (1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025). The latest usage figures show 62.3m log...

02/01/2026

Hundreds of thousands of families with young children will be offered protection against chickenpox as part of their routine childhood vaccinations from today (January 2).

The NHS’s vaccination programme is being expanded to include chickenpox (also known as varicella) for the first time to help shield young children from getting seriously ill.

From now on, GP practices will start to offer children a combined MMRV vaccine at 12 months and 18 months of age to add chickenpox to the protections against measles, mumps and rubella.

Find out more 👇

https://www.healthwatchsouthtyneside.co.uk/hundreds-of-thousands-of-young-children-now-to-be-protected-against-chickenpox/

The NHS’s vaccination programme is being expanded to include chickenpox (also known as varicella) for the first time to help shield young children from getting seriously ill. From now on, GP practices will start to offer children a combined MMRV vaccine at 12 months and 18 months of age to add chi...

01/01/2026

The UK Health Service Agency have issued a cold health alert for the North East until 12pm on Monday 5th January ❄️

With temperatures expected to drop, there are things you can do to prepare for the cold weather to ensure yourself and others, stay safe.

For more information: https://bit.ly/3NPKDJm

01/01/2026

People are being urged to check in on friends, family and neighbours who are most vulnerable during the current cold snap.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber Cold-Health Alert for areas including the North-East until Tuesday January 6.

The first alert, which also included the North West, covered from Sunday December 28 until midday on Monday January 5. All other regions in England have been covered under a yellow alert for this period. This has since been extended until 10am on Tuesday January 6. Expected low temperatures are like...

21/12/2025

The 'a better u' 12 Days to Christmas Booklet gives tips and advice for staying well during the festive period.

It includes:
* Spending well
* Keeping active
* Staying safe
* Eating well
* Staying in touch
* Drinking sensibly
* Managing your mood

Download a copy here:

Christmas is a busy time for everyone, both at work and at home. It can also be a very stressful time of year for a lot of people. You may: Feel alone Wish you didn’t have to deal with the festive season Know it will be hard to access various services Be worried about winter

21/12/2025

The Healthwatch South Tyneside offices will be closed from tomorrow (Monday) at 5pm for the Christmas holiday, reopening at 9am on Monday January 5.

You can find a list of all pharmacy 💊 opening times across the borough here 👇

Pharmacy opening times in South Tyneside over the 2025 Christmas period (Thursday December 25, Friday December 26, and Thursday January 1). South Shields pharmacies Name Address Phone Thursday 25 December (Christmas Day) Friday 26 December (Boxing day) Thursday 1 January (New Years Day) Flagg Court....

17/12/2025

New parents have hailed maternity services in South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust as best in the region, according to the 2025 Care Quality Commission Maternity Survey.

Families rated the care they received in hospital after the birth of their baby higher at the Trust than any other trust across the whole of the North East and Yorkshire region.

https://www.healthwatchsouthtyneside.co.uk/families-rate-maternity-care-in-south-tyneside-and-sunderland-as-best-in-the-region/

Families rated the care they received in hospital after the birth of their baby higher at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) than any other Trust across the whole of the North East and Yorkshire region at 8.4 out of 10. Postnatal care at STSFT was also rated the best in the r...

16/12/2025

Have you used the NHS App, Pharmacy First or the GP Extended Access Service?

A new survey has been launched to gather feedback on these three new NHS services designed to help people access care more quickly and conveniently.

Please take part here:

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Healthwatch-GP-pharmacy-NHS-app-Survey

15/12/2025

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust is calling on people to play their part in supporting the NHS over the busy festive period, after fresh strike action by resident doctors was confirmed.

The call comes as the Trust prepares for the confirmed industrial action from resident doctors which will start at 7am on Wednesday December 17 and run to 7am on Monday December 22. Healthcare leaders at STSFT are already geared up for the busiest time of the year with hospitals and community team...