NHS Complaints Advocacy - If you live in Hartlepool and have been unhappy with your NHS treatment or care, People First can help you. Click here!
Advice and Information - 10 July 2023
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.
Join us at our Annual General meeting followed by an informal FREE networking lunch:
10am Monday 20th July 2024
The Board Room, Greenbank, Waldon Street Hartlepool, TS24 7QS
Speakers will cover the topic of our Annual report, ‘Enter & View’ Activity and our future work programme
Our networking lunch will be at 12 noon
(for catering purposes please let us know if you are able to attend
EVERYONE IS WELCOME – The Annual General meeting will be your opportunity to choose our Volunteer Steering Group for 2026 to 2027, which is the operating body of Healthwatch Hartlepool. For this reason, please download and complete a
nomination form and return no later than 12 noon Wednesday 15th July 2026.
Please return completed nomination forms to Healthwatch Hartlepool, Greenbank, Waldon Street Hartlepool, TS24 7QS
We always strive to be the consumer champion for Health & Social Care and need your support so that we may:
Should you wish to attend or require any further information, help or advice do not hesitate to contact us on telephone number 0800 254 5552 or via email tony@healthwatchhartlepool.co.uk Please also let us know of any dietary requirements.
Patient transport helps people get to and from hospital if they cannot travel safely on their own because of their health or mobility needs.
Feedback indicates the service does not always work well, with people saying:
• waits can be long
• the rules are not always clear
• services can be different depending on where you live
The ICB are looking at ways to improve the service and proposing some changes to the rules of who can use the service in line with NHS England guidelines. This could include:
• Clear and consistent rules across the North East
• Looking at each person's needs, not just how far they travel
• Asking a few simple questions to understand needs
• A standard mileage rate of 25p per mile for people who quality for the NHS Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme (HTCS) to claim back their travel expenses. It is now between 14p to 25p depending on where you live.
They are also looking at
• Better support for people who travel often (for example, dialysis patients)
• Reducing journeys that are booked but not used
For more information visit:
North East and North Cumbria NHS patient transport services
Healthwatch is helping to make sure users of the service can have their say. If you do use the Patient Transport Service now or have done in the last three years, you can:
• Complete the ICB’s survey by clicking on the `Patient Transport Service` link below!
• If you are sent the survey through the post you should complete and return it
• Contact us if you want to discuss your use of the service and how changes might work for you.
Please complete the survey by 3 July
