1. Our Volunteer roles

    Report -

    There are different ways in which you can become involved depending on your interests and how much time you would like to commit.

  2. Request help and support - Coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

    How to request support from volunteers if you are self-isolating in Northamptonshire and need help.

  3. What's the difference between social distancing, self-isolation and shielding?

    Advice and Information -

    Self-isolation, social distancing and shielding have been introduced by the Government to help you and your loved ones stay safe from COVID-19. Find out what they mean in practice and what applies to you.

  4. Advice for parents during coronavirus - what to do if your child is unwell or injured

    Advice and Information -

    Whilst it is extremely important to follow Government advice to stay at home during this period, it can be confusing to know what to do when your child is unwell or injured.

  5. Cancer and coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

    If you have cancer, it’s understandable you might feel anxious about COVID-19. The Government and the NHS have both confirmed that cancer treatment should continue to be prioritised during the response to the COVID-19 emergency.

  6. Quit for Covid with Public Health Northamptonshire’s Stop Smoking Service

    Advice and Information -

    Public Health Northamptonshire is encouraging smokers to #QuitforCovid, not only to protect themselves but to reduce demand on NHS services.

  7. Mental health advice and information

    Advice and Information -

    Local and national organisations that can help you with your mental health.

  8. Transport and Car schemes

    Advice and Information -

    Find local volunteer and community transport schemes to get you to your appointment on time

  9. NHS Dentist Complaints

    Advice and Information -

    NHS dental care is usually very good and most people don’t have any problems. But occasionally things can go wrong. This page tells you where to start if you have a problem with an NHS dentist.

  10. Mental Health Services Complaints

    Advice and Information -

    If you’re unhappy about your treatment for a mental health problem, you may be able to make a complaint.

  11. Complaints about other NHS services

    Advice and Information -

    NHS care is usually very good and most people don’t have any problems. But occasionally things can go wrong. This page tells you more about how to raise concerns about health services that aren’t GPs, hospitals and dentists.

  12. Post COVID-19 Patient information pack

    News -

    The local post COVID-19 Patient information pack has been developed to help patients who have had COVID-19 to recover and manage their symptoms following COVID-19.

  13. What can you expect when you’re discharged from hospital?

    Advice and Information -

    The usual processes the NHS follows to discharge you from hospital have changed since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s what you can expect when it’s time to leave hospital.

  14. Update on dental services for vulnerable groups

    Advice and Information -

    In line with national guidance issued in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, dental practices in the Midlands are currently not providing routine care in the same way as they were prior to the pandemic.

  15. Managing hearing loss and tinnitus during Covid-19

    Advice and Information -

    Find out about services and help available for those with hearing loss and Tinnitus during Covid-19 and how professionals can communicate better with people with hearing loss

  16. Update your first aid kit with the new My Health and Care Directory smartphone app

    Blog -

    People across Northamptonshire can now benefit from quick and easy access to the latest information about local health and care services – thanks to the launch of a brand new smartphone app.

  17. New NHS COVID-19 app

    News -

    The NHS COVID-19 app has been launched to help notify users if they have come into contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.

  18. An update on the restarting of NHS dental services in the Midlands

    Advice and Information -

    The NHS Dental Services in the Midlands has sent us this new update about the restarting of dental services in the Midlands.

  19. Remote accessibility for D/deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people—what can you do?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out how to better communicate with people with hearing loss during the pandemic

  20. Northamptonshire’s Community Resilience hub continues to provide support for the most vulnerable

    News -

    The countywide Community Resilience hub was set up at the start of April to help those needing support or assistance during periods of isolation or for those who are vulnerable.

  21. Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

    Advice and Information -

    Find Help with Debt, Benefits, Housing, Employment and other common issues.

  22. AccessAble Online Accessibility Checker

    Advice and Information -

    The Accessibility Checker provides accessibility information for many venues in Northamptonshire.

  23. NHS 111 First - We would like to hear your views and feedback!

    News -

    Have you heard of or used the new NHS 111 First service? Please tell us about your views and experiences.

  24. Do you know anyone who could benefit from a GP Access card?

    Advice and Information -

    Previously known as My Right to Healthcare, GP Access cards allow people who aren't registered with a GP practice, have no fixed address or identification to communicate their right to healthcare.

  25. What can your NHS dentist do for you? - Guidance from NHS England

    Advice and Information -

    NHS England and NHS Improvement has produced this national guidance leaflet to help explain how NHS dental services work

  26. Update on access to NHS Dental Services in the Midlands - March 2021

    Advice and Information -

    We are aware that people in Northamptonshire are finding it difficult to access NHS dental treatment and we are discussing the issues with NHS England. The NHS England Midlands Dental Commissioning Team have sent us the following new update.

  27. What to expect when waiting for care

    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.

  28. What to do it you are struggling to find a dentist

    Advice and Information -

    It is currently very difficult to find an NHS dentist and the number of people contacting us for help continues to increase. We are raising this issue with health planners at a local and national level and giving people the following advice.

  29. NHS dentistry and Covid-19 update - November 2021

    Advice and Information -

    Access to NHS dental care continues to be an issue you are raising with us locally, which we have been raising with NHS England. The NHS England Midlands Dental Commissioning Team have sent us the following new update.

  30. Experiences and opinions of NHS 111 First in Northamptonshire

    Report -

    Together with Northamptonshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire found out what people thought of the new NHS 111 First service.

  31. We have been awarded the Investing in Volunteers accreditation!

    News -

    Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire have been awarded the Investing in Volunteers (IiV) accreditation due to our volunteers hard work in the community to improve health and social care services.

  32. Annual Report 2021-2022 - Championing what matters to you

    Report -

    Our 2021-2022 Annual Report looks at the work that we completed last year whilst still being limited by the new ways of working. Despite the year's challenges we continue to work relentlessly to ensure the public's voice was heard.

  33. Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services in Northamptonshire

    Advice and Information -

    Patient Transport Services (EMAS) provides non-emergency patient transport for people in Northamptonshire.

  34. Annual Meeting 2021-2022

    News -

    Our 2021-2022 Annual Meeting held live via Zoom on November 2nd can now be viewed by the public.

  35. Service for local cancer patients wins top award

    News -

    A cancer service that offers emotional, practical, and financial support to people living with cancer has won a national award.

  36. Kettering General Hospital is looking for a new Non-Executive Director

    News -

    Kettering General Hospital is currently looking to appoint a new Non-Executive Director to its Board of Directors.

  37. Tell us about your experiences with the Corby Urgent Care Centre (CUCC)

    News -

    In February, Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire will be commencing enter and view visits to the Corby Urgent Care Centre (CUCC) where we will observe the care they provide.

  38. Patient Transport Report

    Report -

    Our Report on Patient Transport is now published.

  39. Independent Investigation of the National Health Service

    News -

    The NHS report recently published came after a nine-week review by independent peer and surgeon Lord Darzi, who was asked to identify the current failings in the health service.

  40. Have your say to help improve the future of the NHS

    News -

    The government has recently launched the biggest ever conversation about the future of the NHS. See below how you can contribute to an improved NHS.

  41. The Accessible Information Standard - What you can expect from services

    Advice and Information -

    A year ago the Accessible Information Standard came into force. It requires any organisation providing NHS or social care to communicate in a way that everybody can understand. Here's a reminder of what you should expect.