Healthwatch South Tyneside

21/04/2026

Volunteers are being sought for a project which aims to help people with a limited reading ability to understand health information.

Find out how you can take part and receive a £25 digital gift voucher 👇

The North East and North Cumbria health literacy team is inviting members of the public to take part in a research study with the University of Sunderland. The team has made a set of health literacy standards for organisations to follow and wants to understand how to help organisations use the stand...

20/04/2026

Have you recently been a hospital in-patient in South Tyneside? We want to hear about your experience.

Were you discharged on time? Were you were involved in your care plan? What about your experience in the discharge lounge?

Take part in our hospital discharge survey here 👇

Hospital discharge is one of the key priorities in Healthwatch South Tyneside’s 2026-27 Operational Plan after engagement with local people highlighted public concerns. They include the lack of care plans put in place when needed and a lack of communication with family members. We have launched an...

16/04/2026

'Jarrow Arrow' Steve Cram gave South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust staff a motivational boost after a visit in support of its STS Charity.

The former Olympic champion and world record middle distance runner joined Chair of the Trust Allison Thompson for a Q&A event to promote the health benefits of running and Sunderland City Runs weekend next month. Find out more 👇

The former world champion visited the Trust in support of STS Charity, the official charity of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust and health partner of the Sunderland City Runs. He was joined by Allison Thompson, Chair of the Trust, for a question and answer session. It covered how p...

08/04/2026

New class for parents launching this month by Tiny Lives Trust 👇👶

We’re really pleased to be launching a brand new class for families in South Tyneside…

Baby Bounce 💛

Starting from 23rd April, these gentle sessions are designed for babies from birth until they are on the move, creating a calm and supportive space to:

👶 Build connection with your baby
💛 Support early movement and development
🤝 Meet other neonatal parents in South Tyneside

It’s also a lovely opportunity to share experiences and feel part of a community that understands your journey.

📅 Booking opens 1st April
🎟️ Free to attend

We’d love to see you there 💛

08/04/2026

North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is inviting members of the public to take part in a new research study exploring the experiences of families following the death of a loved one outside hospital.

When someone dies unexpectedly, either at home or in a public place, ambulance clinicians are often the first to deliver both emergency care and emotional support.

A new research study aims to explore how families perceive that support and what they found helpful or what could have been done differently, with a view to improving how the service supports grieving families in future.

The study is open to anyone in the North East who has lost a loved one whilst receiving care from the ambulance service over the last two years.

Find out more 👇

https://www.healthwatchsouthtyneside.co.uk/bereaved-families-invited-to-take-part-in-new-research-study/

08/04/2026

Looking after your mental health can be tough, especially if you feel like the people supporting you don’t fully understand who you are.

That is where Crystal Pathways comes in.

They provide safe, inclusive, and identity-affirming mental health support for LGBTQ+ young people aged 11–25 across Sunderland and South Tyneside.

Whether you’re struggling with your mental health, exploring your identity, or just need someone to talk to, they’re here to support you.

Refer yourself or someone else today 👇🏳️‍🌈

https://www.crystalpathways.co.uk/mental-health-support/

02/04/2026

Want to know which pharmacies are open this Easter Bank Holiday weekend?

Find a full list here 👇

https://www.healthwatchsouthtyneside.co.uk/easter-weekend-pharmacy-opening-times/

01/04/2026

Local NHS leaders have issued a call to think about where to seek help before heading to an Emergency Department or calling 999 ahead of the Easter bank holiday and industrial action next week by doctors.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) is preparing for the Easter weekend, with Bank Holidays always a busy time. It is also getting ready for six days of industrial action by the British Medical Association (BMA), which has announced resident doctors will strike. The action wil...

31/03/2026

Ready for the Easter weekend?

Make sure you've got enough prescription medication and a well stocked first aid kit to get you through 💊

We're also planning for six days of BMA industrial action from next Tuesday, when resident doctors will go on strike.

Check out the link below for more information and advice 👇

30/03/2026

The current The Shields Ferry suspension will continue into April to allow for further essential monitoring and analysis to be undertaken.

The North Shields landing was damaged during Storm Chandra in January and the cross-Tyne service has been closed as a safety precaution while essential repairs took place.

The repairs on the landing are largely complete. However, specialist monitoring is being installed to enable safe reopening to the public. Depending on this analysis, the earliest the ferry landing could reopen is mid-April.

A bus replacement service operating to and from each Ferry landing via the Tyne Tunnel will continue during the closure. Ferry tickets are also being accepted on Metro services.

The current Shields Ferry suspension will continue into April to allow for further essential monitoring and analysis to be undertaken. The North Shields landing was damaged during Storm Chandra in January and the cross-Tyne service has been closed as a safety precaution while essential repairs took....

17/03/2026

People aged under 50 with cancer are being invited by Shine Cancer Support to a free two day residential at Redworth Hall in May offering support, advice and friendship.

Shake Up Max is open to anyone in their 20s, 30s and 40s who has been diagnosed with any type of cancer diagnosis (curative, chronic or incurable).

The event is being held at the hotel, near Darlington, from Friday to Saturday May 15 to 16. Find out more in this video 👇

Take a look at our 2025 Shake Up Max! In May, we welcomed a fantastic group of adults (20-49) with a cancer diagnosis to two unforgettable days in County Dur...

17/03/2026

People aged under 50 with cancer are being invited to a free two-day residential at Redworth Hall in May by Shine Cancer Support offering support, advice and friendship.

Find out how you can apply 👇

https://www.healthwatchsouthtyneside.co.uk/under-50s-with-cancer-invited-to-free-two-day-residential/

Shake Up Max is open to anyone in their 20s, 30s and 40s who has been diagnosed with any type of cancer diagnosis (curative, chronic or incurable). The event is being held at the hotel, near Darlington, from Friday to Saturday May 15 to 16. The itinerary includes a session where everyone looks at ho...