1. Advice and Information -

    Health issues unfortunately don't leave us alone at the weekend and people are often in need of medical assistance out of hours. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.
  2. Report -

    Find out what you told us about your experiences of pharmacy services, what could be better and what is working well.
  3. Advice and Information -

    The impact of prescription charges on people living with long term conditions - The Prescription Charges Coalition (PCC) ran a survey between February and March this year.
    Click on the link to read their report!
  4. Advice and Information -

    Independent NHS Complaints Advocacy supports people to raise their concerns and complaints about NHS care and treatment.
    Call our helpline on 03003 038037 for information, guidance and support. 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday.


  5. News -

    The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched an NHS campaign to encourage members of the public who could be living with undiagnosed high blood pressure to get their blood pressure checked at a participating pharmacy. 

    The campaign, backed by British Heart Foundation, Stroke Association, Heart Research UK, Blood Pressure UK, May Measurement Month, British Society for Heart Failure, and more, warns that there are often ‘no clues’ about who might have high blood pressure. 
    Who can get a free blood pressure check
    You can get a free blood pressure check if you:
    are aged 40 or over and live in England

    You cannot get a free blood pressure check if you:
    already have high blood pressure and have had your blood pressure checked by a healthcare professional in the past 6 months

    What happens when you get your blood pressure checked
    A pharmacist, or member of the pharmacy team, will wrap a blood pressure cuff around your upper arm to measure your blood pressure. They will then share the result with you.
    Depending on the result, they might:
    give you advice to support healthy living
    give you a blood pressure monitor to take home with you and return later advise you to see a GP

    If you’re registered with a GP surgery, your GP health record will be updated.
    To find a pharmacy near you that offers free blood pressure checks, click on the link below!
    Or pop into your local pharmacy and ask about a `Free blood pressure check.`
  6. News -

    Healthwatch Hartlepool Newsletter for March is now available to download
    Click on the link!
  7. Advice and Information -

    GP Practice services have changed to meet increasing demand and respond to local health care needs.
    Healthwatch Hartlepool have produced a booklet called "Top Tips for Accessing your GP Practise", that gives advice and information on the many services available at your local GP practice.
    Click here to download our booklet!
  8. Advice and Information -

    Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving.
  9. Advice and Information -

    Waiting for planned medical care or surgery can be a frustrating time. That’s why it’s so important that while you wait, you get regular, clear and accessible updates so that you can plan your next steps.
  10. Advice and Information -

    The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may cause you to feel worried, anxious, or scared. Read our tips to looking after your wellbeing when self-isolating.
  11. Report -

    We are the independent champion for people who use health and social care services in Hartlepool. Find out about our year in our annual report.
  12. News -

    The Healthwatch Hartlepool Newsletter for September is now available to download. Please click on the link below
  13. Report -

    Find out more about our Enter & View visit to Stichell House Care Home and the recommendations we put to the service following our visit. The visit to Stichell House was the first actual visit conducted by Healthwatch Hartlepool since the start of the Covid pandemic in 2020.
  14. Advice and Information -

    Contracting COVID-19 can be a distressing experience that affects people differently, meaning you may have different care and wellbeing needs to others. Although most people who have a mild case of COVID-19 recover quickly, around one in ten patients will report prolonged symptoms that can last for several weeks or even months. These symptoms can include chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, a cough and loss of sense of taste and smell, among others. Where symptoms persist past twelve weeks, this is known as post-Covid syndrome. If your symptoms last for more than twelve weeks, you may require support to ensure that you recover well. NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) have compiled a variety of self-help resources, as well as information on the services available locally that can assist you with post-Covid syndrome. This information covers things like diet, exercise and smoking (if applicable), getting back to work and when to seek further support.