Healthwatch South Tyneside

15/06/2026

Resident doctors in England have called off strikes which were scheduled to begin this morning and run all week.

The British Medical Association said the government had "made a new offer" at the last minute which would be put to its members for a vote.

The two sides had been in talks for days - including on Saturday, just hours before the strike was called off. It came too late to avoid some patient disruption over the coming week.

While NHS England said 95% of operations and appointments were due to go ahead, thousands have been postponed. Reinstating them on the original timetable will be a tough task for hospitals.

Find out more 👇

The walkout had been due to start at 07:00 BST on Monday and last until Friday.

07/06/2026

Do you use the NHS patient transport service?

The North East and North Cumbria NHS Integrated Care Board is working with the North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and partners to review the service, which help patients get to and from hospital if they cannot travel safely on their own.

Feedback indicates patient transport does not always work well, with people saying waits can be long, the rules are not always clear and services can be different depending on where you live.

Find out how you can share your views and experiences of the service here 👇

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 and the rules are not always clear and services can be different...

31/05/2026

Leaders at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust have taken their first steps inside the region’s new specialist eye hospital as construction partner Kier officially handed over the keys.

Set to open later this summer, NHS leaders have also confirmed the new name as ‘Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital’.

31/05/2026

Leaders at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
have taken their first steps inside the region’s new specialist eye hospital as construction partner Kier officially handed over the keys.

Set to open later this summer, NHS leaders have also confirmed the new name as ‘Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital’.

Find out more 👇

Set to open later this summer, NHS leaders have also confirmed the new name as ‘Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital’, reflecting the proud history of eye care in Sunderland and the city’s reputation as a leading specialist eye centre. With the build completed on schedule in just over two years,...

26/05/2026

We’re proud to share the Healthwatch North East and North Cumbria Overview Report 2025–26.

This brings together what people across the region have told us about their experiences of health and care services – and how those voices are helping shape change.

From access to GPs and dental care, to mental health and women’s health, this report shows the difference listening well can make.

Download a copy here 👇

https://www.healthwatchsouthtyneside.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NENC-HW-Overview-Report-2025-2026-DRAFT-14-May.pdf

22/05/2026

22/05/2026

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust is launching a new campaign to help patients, carers and families understand how the NHS uses, protects and shares personal information.

Find out more 👇

The campaign will have monthly themes explaining different aspects of how your information is handled during your care. To make this information easy to find, the trust has created a dedicated page as the home for the full campaign. What the campaign is about Your personal information is an essentia...

22/05/2026

🌞 Hot weather is expected over this bank holiday weekend, and higher temperatures can be especially difficult for vulnerable people.
🥤 Stay hydrated
🧴 Wear sunscreen
🌤️ Keep cool and look out for friends and family

For more tips visit👇
☀️ https://www.nhs.uk/.../heatwave-how-to-cope-in-hot-weather/

15/05/2026

More than three quarters of patients are now getting the planned treatment they need much sooner, according to South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.

For the past six months, it has been the third best performing trust in England, meaning people in South Tyneside are getting some of the fastest access to planned care anywhere in the NHS.

Latest NHS figures showed 77% of people in the trust area are now getting their planned treatment within 18 weeks - well above the national average of 63.5%.

The latest NHS national figures published for March 2026 show thousands more patients across the North East and North Cumbria have been able to access treatment sooner. At South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT), 77% of people are now getting their planned treatment within 18 week...

14/05/2026

We have launched a new page on our website to help you find healthcare services.

‘Find Services Near You’ is a free online search tool provided by NHS Digital which allows you to search for a healthcare service by type e.g. dentist, GP practice, mental health, pharmacy or urgent treatment centre.

You simply click the link button for the service you want to find and type in your postcode or town and a list of nearest providers will be shown with contact information. Access the service finder here 👇

https://www.healthwatchsouthtyneside.co.uk/find-a-service/