Healthwatch North Lincolnshire

24/07/2025

Today’s date is 24/7, which is . Remember that when life is difficult, are there to listen 24/7.

23/07/2025

22/07/2025

Hospitals prepare for industrial action

Resident doctors (formerly known as junior doctors) across the Humber region will begin their latest round of industrial action this week as part of their long-running pay dispute with the Government.
Members of the BMA will take industrial action in the form of a full walkout for five days - from 7am on Friday 25 July until 7am on Wednesday 30 July.
Staff at Castle Hill, Hull, Grimsby, Goole and Scunthorpe hospitals have put plans in place to prepare for the strike, which does mean some patients will have their appointments and procedures postponed. Staff will be contacting affected patients. Anyone with an appointment or procedure scheduled to take place during the strike period should attend the hospital as planned if you haven’t heard from our team.
Dr Kate Wood, Group Chief Medical Officer for NHS Humber Health Partnership, said:
“We appreciate that there will be some patients who are seeing their appointments with us postponed, perhaps not for the first time. We know just how frustrating this is and we’d like to extend our apologies to anyone affected. Stepping down some routine care is regrettable but necessary as it allows us to focus on the most seriously ill/injured of our patients, allowing us to keep urgent, emergency care and cancer care services running.
“This is the twelfth resident doctors strike that we’ve seen so our staff are well rehearsed at putting plans in place to prepare, however we know that five days of industrial action will place further pressure on our already busy services. As with previous strikes we’d really appreciate the support of our local communities.
“GP surgeries and pharmacies will remain open during the strike. NHS 111 staff are on hand to offer advice if you’re unwell and unsure where to turn. If you do need to come into one of our emergency departments please be mindful that we have fewer doctors on shift so be prepared to wait to be seen and please respect our staff who are in work who are doing their best to see and treat people as quickly as possible.”
Patients can also help themselves and others by:
• Ordering repeat prescriptions in plenty of time so they don’t run out of medication or other essential items
• Avoiding hospital if suffering Norovirus-type symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting, or with cold or flu-like symptoms
• Keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home including painkillers, indigestion remedies and diarrhoea tablets
• Using the NHS Emergency Prescription Service if a regular medication runs out completely; and
• Familiarising themselves with nearby NHS services which can offer help both in and out-of-hours; these include all Walk-In and Urgent Treatment Centres and a number of local pharmacies. NHS111 remains available 24hrs/day, 365 day a year for medical advice and signposting, online or over the phone.
Full details of alternative local healthcare services can be found at

Find the information you need to support your health and wellbeing, lead an active life and learn about the health services in your area.

22/07/2025

First dedicated community eating disorder service opens in North Lincolnshire

Adults across North Lincolnshire now have access to dedicated, specialist support for eating disorders thanks to the expansion of Rharian Fields’ community service — marking a major step forward in addressing gaps in local mental health care.
Delivered by Navigo – the provider of NHS mental health services in neighbouring North East Lincolnshire – the North Lincolnshire Adult Community Eating Disorder Service offers support to adults aged 17.5 and over who are living with, or at risk of developing, an eating disorder.
The expansion marks a significant step forward for North Lincolnshire, offering local people easier access to specialist care for conditions such as anorexia and bulimia that was previously only available outside the area.
The North Lincolnshire Adult Community Eating Disorder Service provides a comprehensive package of care, including access to evidence-based psychological therapies and physical health monitoring.
This holistic approach ensures that people receive the right support in the right setting, helping them manage both the mental and physical aspects of eating disorders.
The service also includes access to First Episode Rapid Intervention for Eating Disorders, also known as FREED. Young people aged 16 to 25 who have had an eating disorder for less than three years can get fast access to treatment tailored to the unique challenges of early stage eating disorders.
Individuals can refer themselves directly through FREED, without needing to involve GP or healthcare professional, although they can also refer on behalf of a patient.
Anyone aged 17.5 and over who is showing signs of an eating disorder can be referred to the service by a GP or healthcare professional.
For advice or questions about an individual’s eligibility for the service, visit rharianfields.co.uk or call the Rharian Fields team on (01472) 808450.
Navigo does not provide mental health crisis services in North Lincolnshire. If you or someone you know in North Lincolnshire is experiencing a mental health crisis, feeling suicidal and in need of urgent support, call 0800 804 8999 to speak to the crisis team at RDaSH, or call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.

Rharian Fields in Grimsby offers personalised outpatient, inpatient and FREED early intervention support for anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders.

10/07/2025

Advertising on behalf of CVS

Our client is looking for a personal assistant for their son, who has Cerebellar Hypoplasia which impacts his mobility and motor skills. He is also non-verbal and is tube-fed. Full training will be provided.
Our client’s son requires support accessing the community, as well as with some personal care. He particularly enjoys listening to music, being outdoors and engaging in sensory activities.
The successful candidate should be patient, creative and fun.
The role is 3 hours per week during term time, and 6 hours per week in the school holidays – hours to be agreed with the employer. The role is based in Scunthorpe.
If you would like to apply please email a copy of your CV to gboardman@hull-cvs.co.uk

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10/07/2025

Welcome to The Iron Foundation Sporting Memories, welcoming everyone over 55 in . We are now 6 weeks in and so pleased to meet so many people and listen to their memories and history of local sports knowledge and experience. What a time to start, with Scunthorpe United FC being promoted. How proud were we to see the trophy and the grounds. Jo, Max and Tilly look forward to meeting new faces. Please pop along, every Friday 1-3 at The Attis Arena.

09/07/2025

Take a look at our 2024/25 annual report and see what we have been up to the last year! :)

At Healthwatch North Lincolnshire, our mission is to listen to our local communities and use their views to challenge providers and commissioners of care to bring about improved services.

07/07/2025

This year's Alcohol Awareness Week takes place from 7-13 July 2025.
For more information https://alcoholchange.org.uk/

02/07/2025

Benefits appointments are now available either in person at our Brigg Centre or Scunthorpe Central as well as on the telephone.
We are able offer these appointments in person or over the phone. Benefit advice and form completion, Mandatory Reconsideration, Appeals, DLA, Home choice Lincs applications, Carers allowance, Pension Credit, claims for new style ESA or JSA Form completion, Blue Badge, PIP, Attendance Allowance, UC50/ESA50, Benefits Check, Housing Benefit, Council Tax enquiries if you cannot see what you are looking for please call 016752 650585 to enquire. These appointments are only available to Carers registered with us.
info@carerssupportcentre.com
www.carerssupportcentre.com

30/06/2025

The government has just announced plans to change legislation and close down Healthwatch England to bring patient voice functions 'in-house'

This is a very sad day for Healthwatch North Lincolnshire and all other local Healthwatch teams across the country.