Healthwatch North Northamptonshire

27/11/2025

Sonya and Claire from our Healthwatch team had a lovely time with the Power of the Mind ladies this afternoon 😀, thanks Mavis for the invite!

26/11/2025

The recently published Men’s Health Strategy details the Government’s 10-year vision for men’s health in England and the actions they are taking to improve their health and wellbeing.
Find out more: bit.ly/mhsfe

26/11/2025

Hospital discharge processes are in place to help you leave hospital safely. Whether you're returning home or, moving onto another care provider, read our advice to find out what you should expect when it’s time to leave hospital. https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/advice-and-information/2025-09-22/hospital-discharge-what-you-need-know

25/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ByhCrRsvc/

MHNC is proud to be working with Northamptonshire ICB, NHfT, NIHR, Healthwatch West Northamptonshire, Healthwatch North Northamptonshire, NBCT, and BAK UP CIC to deliver this year’s Research Engagement Network, funded by NHS England.​

Our goal? To engage more people in health and social care research, especially those from communities who are traditionally underrepresented.​

Why does this matter?​
Research is often dominated by white, older participants. Without diverse voices, research outcomes may not reflect the needs of everyone in our communities. By getting involved, you can help make research more inclusive and effective.​

Here’s what we’re doing:​
✅ Encouraging people to register with Be Part of Research, managed by NIHR, to find studies that matter to you.​
✅ Recruiting a team of Research Champions to promote research across communities, and connecting with people at events, GP surgeries, supermarkets, libraries, and community hubs.​

How you can help:​
📲 Sign up to Be Part of Research via the QR code below. Your sign-up helps us track and measure the impact of our network in Northamptonshire.​

If you have any question please reach out to our Research Engagement Coordinator, Kate, at Kathryn.Price@mhnc.uk ​

Let’s work together to make research truly for everyone. 💙​

25/11/2025

Your Voice, Our Health: Major Updates You Need to Know

From the new Men’s Health Strategy to the future of Social Care, the national conversation is heating up—but what does it mean for us here in North Northamptonshire?

In our latest blog, we’re breaking down the "hot topics" currently shaping health and care:
🔹 Men’s Health: A new strategy to tackle mental health stigma and improve access.
🔹 Social Care Reform: What the new independent commission means for your family.
🔹 Access & Demand: Why getting through the "front door" of services is still the biggest challenge.

We don't just want to tell you the news; we want to change it with you. 👇

📖 Read the full update here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/healthwatchnn_our-third-newsletter-is-now-available-activity-7399142963366293504-quy5?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAYgargB-oKAB2KIT3QsJm2C_1DjYUUJMAY

💬 Have your say: Are you finding it harder to get a GP appointment? Do you have an experience with local social care to share?
📞 Call us: 03300 436 453
📧 Email: info@healthwatchnn.org.uk
https://www.healthwatchnn.org.uk/have-your-say

🤝 Join the team: We are looking for local volunteers to help us listen to communities in Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, and East Northants. https://www.healthwatchnn.org.uk/how-can-i-volunteer

15/11/2025

📢 NHS England has published its new Strategic Commissioning Framework for Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).

The framework sets out how ICBs should deliver their refocused remit — and highlights the continued importance of public engagement, co-production, and hearing from underserved communities.

🔍 Two key areas to note:

✅ Section 3.1 – Public engagement to inform new Integrated Needs Assessments
From January 2026, every ICB must produce an annual integrated needs assessment. To do this, they must:

Understand people’s lived experience of health and care

Use an adequately resourced, ICB-approved co-production methodology

Combine both quantitative and qualitative insight
Methodologies must be in place by March 2027.

✅ Section 4.5 – User involvement and co-design
ICBs are urged to dedicate meaningful resources to reach seldom-heard and underserved communities, working with trusted partners to do so.

⚠️ With cost-cutting underway across ICBs and the abolition of the Healthwatch network, there are still major questions about how this level of engagement and insight will be delivered.

We hope the government’s draft legislation — expected in early 2026 — will bring long-awaited clarity on how public voice, accountability and independent insight will be protected in the new system.

📄 Read the full framework here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/nhs-strategic-commissioning-framework/

NHS England » Strategic commissioning framework

15/11/2025

Industrial action involving Resident Doctors is planned to continue until Wednesday 19 November 2025 at 7am.

If you need help in emergency you can still access our emergency departments.

However we would urge our local community to access other NHS services where this is appropriate.

If you are unsure what service to use please access NHS 111.
Please continue attend any other routine hospital appointments as planned unless we notify you otherwise directly.

10/11/2025

This is an important announcement for the county's Primary Care services today. Have Your say about local healthcare services via our website
https://www.healthwatchnn.org.uk/share-your-views

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DCrWaS2cS/

05/11/2025

Impetigo? Your pharmacist can now provide treatment or some prescription medicine, if needed, for seven common conditions, without you seeing a GP.

Think pharmacy first.

nhs.uk/thinkpharmacyfirst

Local info: https://bit.ly/47DqTSo

25/10/2025

Need free, confidential sexual health support in North Northamptonshire? Our hubs are open and ready to help - just book your appointment by calling us on 0300 027 0110.

📍 Rectory Road – Rushden
🕒 14:15–16:15
📅 2nd & 4th Mondays of the month

📍 Stuart Road – Corby
🕗 09:00–16:15
📅 Every Thursday
📝 Includes:
• Appointments 09:00–11:30
• Appointments 14:00–16:15
• Alternate Thursdays: additional support available 09:00–15:30

📍 Castle Unit, Isebrook Hospital – Wellingborough
🕗 08:30–12:00
📅 Every Friday

💬 Whether you need advice, testing, contraception, or just someone to talk to, our friendly team is here to support you.

22/10/2025

From 1 October 2025, all general practices will be required to have their online consultation system available throughout core hours to support equitable access across the three contact routes:
- Phone
- Online
- Walk-in

Find support and resources:
https://loom.ly/LQ6EzSA