News

If you live in Darlington and have items from the Community Equipment Service provided by Medequip that you no longer use or are broken and you would like to return, items such as commodes, mobility aids (frames, crutches etc), hospital beds and bathing aids, hoists, cushions, bath lifts, please contact Medequip on 01325524531 to arrange a replacement or a collection. Even if … [Read more...] about Community Equipment Service – do you need to return items that are broken or no longer used?

Have you accessed or been referred into Musculoskeletal (MSK) services in Darlington, provided by Connect Health? If so, we'd like to hear from you! We're currently running a survey which aims to capture the experiences of patients who have used or are currently using the service to understand their journey in terms of referral, assessment, appointments and quality of care … [Read more...] about Have you accessed Musculoskeletal Services (MSK) in Darlington?

New campaign video calls for end to abuse from patients“If I die, it will be your fault,” is just one of the abusive comments heard by GP reception staff, as a new survey* launched today shows 75% report experiencing daily abuse from patients.                                    … [Read more...] about Majority of GP receptionists face unprecedented levels of abuse at work, new research shows

From 17 May 2021, people in England who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can demonstrate their vaccination status for international travel. A full course is currently two doses of any approved vaccine. Vaccine status will be available from:  the NHS App which you can download from app stores the NHS website (from 17 May … [Read more...] about COVID Vaccination Status

VULNERABLE and socially excluded people are to receive their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccination as two further pop-up clinics open across Teesside. Housing providers Stages and Letita House, in Middlesbrough, are working with NHS Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to offer coronavirus vaccinations to over 80 homeless people, and those living in temporary … [Read more...] about Seldom heard population to receive Covid-19 jab at new Teesside pop-up clinics

MORE people across Tees Valley are to be offered a Covid-19 vaccination as another local Mosque is turned into an NHS ‘pop-up’ clinic. Community and faith leaders at the Al-Mustafa Community Centre and Mosque, Middlesbrough, are working in partnership with Middlesbrough Council Public Health Team and NHS Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to offer coronavirus … [Read more...] about Middlesbrough Mosque is turned into NHS ‘pop-up’ Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic

GPs across Teesside have warned of the danger to patient safety after phone lines are 'blocked' with a deluge of calls from patients inquiring about Covid-19 vaccinations. Health chiefs are once again urging people NOT to contact their GP practice to ask about Covid-19 vaccinations, as extreme volumes of calls are preventing patients’ with urgent healthcare needs from … [Read more...] about GPs warn of danger to patient safety as phone lines are ‘blocked’ with COVID vaccine queries

A fifth Large Vaccination Centre for the region will open at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium on Monday 22nd March 2021 adding even more capacity to help the NHS vaccinate as many people as possible as quickly as possible. Take-up of the vaccine has been strong; nine out of 10 people aged 65 and over have already taken up their first dose. Already the NHS in the region … [Read more...] about Fifth Vaccination Centre to open in the North East and North Cumbria in Middlesbrough

The Northern CCG Joint Committee virtual meeting highlights the minutes and the matters arising discussed on 11th March 2021. You can watch the meeting in the video below: … [Read more...] about Northern CCG Joint Committee Meeting March 2021

A fourth Large Vaccination Centre for the region will open at the Darlington Arena on Monday 1st March 2021 adding even more capacity to help the NHS vaccinate as many people as possible as quickly as possible. Already the NHS in the region has vaccinated over 904,000 people, with all people aged over 80 now vaccinated, nine out of ten older care home residents plus large … [Read more...] about Fourth Large Vaccination Centre for the region to open in Darlington

The NHS is prioritising vaccinating those experts have agreed will benefit from having it the most. From Monday 15th February, people in cohorts 5 and 6 are being invited by the NHS to have their vaccine. These are: Cohort 5 - all those 65 years of age and over Cohort 6 - all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them … [Read more...] about Covid-19 Who is being vaccinated next?

NHS staff will begin vaccinating people aged 65 to 69 and those who are clinically vulnerable against Covid from Monday 15 February with over one million people already invited to book a jab. Almost 1.2 million letters were due to land on doorsteps on Saturday 13February asking people to log on to the national booking service … [Read more...] about NHS Offers Covid Jab To Clinically Vulnerable And People 65 to 69

Summary In just two months, the health service has vaccinated more than 10 million people, visited 10,000 care homes and issued over six million invitations from the National Booking Service. The last invites to those aged 70 and over on the Shielded Patients List who are yet to be vaccinated have now either been delivered or are due to arrive this week (w/c 8th Feb), … [Read more...] about Ensuring all eligible people over 70 have the opportunity to be vaccinated

Last updated - 04 February 2021 (Information correct at the time of publishing. Vaccination facts will be updated as guidance changes) The vaccine was approved too quickly; it won't be safe. Fact: Most vaccines take years to develop, test and approve for public use but, a global effort has meant scientists have been able to work at record speed.  The NHS … [Read more...] about Covid -19 Vaccinations The Facts

Elderly care homes across Tees Valley have received their first life-saving COVID-19 vaccinations. Working together GP practices across the region have provided the vaccine to residents and staff as part of the national roll-out, which is prioritising those most at risk from the virus. All older persons care home residents have now been offered the vaccine - with the … [Read more...] about Care Homes across Tees Valley receive their first dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine.

GPs in Tees Valley have stressed that patients invited to book a vaccination appointment at The Centre for Life, Newcastle, - the North-East's designated mass vaccination site - can choose to wait until they are contacted by their local GP. NHS Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), medical director, Dr Janet Walker said: “Letters from NHS England have been sent to … [Read more...] about Health officials are reassuring patients that they will be able to get their Covid-19 vaccination locally if they prefer not to travel to a mass vaccination site.

Following extensive trials, the first safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine has been approved in the UK and is now available to priority groups. Vaccinations are being delivered according to the priority groups identified by the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The vaccinations may not take place at your GP practice, but rather a local vaccination … [Read more...] about Covid-19 Vaccination Priority Groups

As we approach winter, the NHS sees more ailments and illnesses that can be easily treated at home with the aid of some advice (see www.nhs.uk) and a range of medicines you can buy. What medicines should I keep at home? Here are some of the medicines that you should keep in your medicine cabinet. You should also keep a well-prepared first aid kit as this can help to treat … [Read more...] about Is Your Medicine Cabinet Winter Ready?

The NHS across the North East and North Cumbria is asking the public to stay safe this Christmas as it releases a film to thank staff, partners and communities for their unwavering support this year. Music legend and north easterner Mark Knopfler has given permission to our region’s NHS to use the music and lyrics from Brothers In Arms. The film brings together a series of … [Read more...] about Thank you and keep going – asks the region’s NHS as Christmas approaches

HEALTH chiefs across Tees Valley are urging people to ‘please be patient’ when contacting their GP practice and to only go to A&E in a real emergency. Busy doctors’ surgeries across Tees Valley are asking patients, who may be waiting longer than usual to speak to their GP, not to go to A&E unless they really need to. Cleveland Local Medical Committee, medical … [Read more...] about Please be a Patient Patient

NURSERY children have donned their superhero capes and masks to share an important message for parents and carers across the region - that there’s still time to have your child vaccinated against the flu. The miniature superheroes have appeared in a new film to remind parents and carers to #DoYourBit and that it’s never been more important for children to get a flu … [Read more...] about There’s still time for your child to be a superhero and do their bit to fight flu

If you live in County Durham and Darlington and have used the Community Equipment Service in the last 18 months, we are interested in listening to your views as we are carrying out a review to improve it. Across County Durham and Darlington, health and care organisations are working together to help understand the experiences of individuals who have used the Community … [Read more...] about Have you used the Community Equipment Service?

PEOPLE across Tees Valley might be busy putting up their trees and checking their shopping lists but health officials are urging them to make sure they have one thing ordered well in advance of the Christmas holidays – their prescriptions. NHS Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is reminding people to enjoy the festive season in good health by ordering their … [Read more...] about Is your repeat prescription on your Christmas list?

HEALTH officials are asking people to continue to support their local GP practices during the Covid-19 pandemic. To ensure patients and staff are kept safe during the pandemic, all GP surgeries are required to ask patients to contact them first, before turning up at their local practice.  Most patients do this by phone, resulting in long waits to get through to their … [Read more...] about GP Practices in Tees Valley are asking residents for their continued patience and understanding with current demand for appointments.

NHS chiefs in Teesside are celebrating being highly commended for the innovative work they have done to improve the health and wellbeing of patients before surgery, which is making a huge difference to patient recovery. The ‘PREPWELL’ team were runners up in the Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine Team of the Year Category of the British Medical Journal Awards announced … [Read more...] about National Recognition for Improving Patient Care

HEALTH officials are asking people to support their local GP practices during the Covid-19 pandemic. To ensure patients and staff are kept safe during the pandemic, all GP surgeries are required to ask patients to contact them first, before turning up at their local practice.  Most patients do this by phone, resulting in long waits to get through to their surgery, … [Read more...] about How you can help your local GP practice

David Gallagher, Chief Officer of NHS Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group, urges people to protect their loved ones by signing up to the NHS COVID-19 contact tracing app. The quicker you know the sooner you could help keep your loved ones safe. … [Read more...] about NHS COVID-19 contact tracing app

COVID-19 has changed the way that people are accessing NHS services. A recent survey of 2,178 people found that almost half (48%) of the public would delay or not seek medical help at all. A fifth (22%) would not want to burden the NHS, and a similar proportion said that fear of getting coronavirus or passing it onto others was a major reason for not getting help. Today, NHS … [Read more...] about Help Us Help You campaign urges public to contact their GP if they are worried about a symptom that could be cancer

The NHS’ winter campaign – ‘Help Us, Help You’ – is here to help make it easier to understand the things you can do to manage your health during winter and get the best out of your NHS. We all know that the NHS can be especially busy during the winter months, and everyone can benefit by following the expert advice of NHS staff; to prevent an illness getting worse; take the best … [Read more...] about NHS launches Help Us Help You winter campaign

Mo was referred to the free local Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme which is run by Weight Watchers (WW). "I've experienced an overwhelming shift in both body and mind" There are many benefits I've felt on my (WW) journey so far. I was unaware of these benefits when I first embarked on this wonderful and transforming endeavour of self-discovery and … [Read more...] about With high cholesterol and a risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, Mo decided it was time for a change

Last month saw the launch of the Get Well for Winter campaign developed by the North East and Cumbria Learning Disability Network and Skills for People. Get Well for Winter is a programme running from 7th September until Christmas to support and empower people with a learning disability and their supporters in the North East and Cumbria to Get Well this Winter. It will focus on … [Read more...] about Get Well for Winter campaign

Every two minutes someone finds out that they have Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be a very serious health condition that can cause long term health problems. It can lead to sight loss, kidney failure, loss of a limb, and makes you at least twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke. Being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes can have a huge impact on you and your … [Read more...] about Type 2 diabetes – it’s time to get serious

GPs across Teesside are reminding members of the public that GP services remain open and that if anyone requires a consultation with a doctor or nurse, they shouldn’t delay contacting their local practice. During the Covid-19 pandemic fewer patients have been seeking help from their GP and this is concerning as there may be people who need medical advice and whose conditions … [Read more...] about GP practices are still open

Patients with COVID across the Tees Valley will receive care and support from the comfort of their own homes under an innovative new pilot, one of just three to be introduced in the country. Patients will be loaned an easy to use device called a pulse oximeter which is attached to the end of their finger and monitors the level of oxygen in the blood. The blood oxygen … [Read more...] about Tees Valley chosen as pilot site for innovative COVID ‘virtual ward’

Health chiefs across the North East and North Cumbria are warning local communities to remain vigilant and #doyourbit to prevent lockdowns and protect each other from coronavirus. While rates of the virus have remained generally stable across the region, health and care leaders are reminding communities that this could change at any point and they must not become … [Read more...] about Health chiefs make plea to help avoid local lockdown

We're interested in hearing from Mums, Dads, Grandparents, other family members, anyone who has accompanied someone to a maternity appointment - all your opinions are valuable. Anyone who is/ has been pregnant this year (especially during lockdown), may have experienced a different antenatal service to others previously. Services had to make amendments to fit in with … [Read more...] about Antenatal Services – Future Models of Care

MIDDLESBROUGH must act now to avoid the threat of a local lockdown in the coming weeks, businesses and residents are being warned. Mayor Andy Preston has today said he fears the town is “on the fringe of something serious” as he urges people to act responsibly. The Council and Public Health England are responding to several coronavirus breakouts across the town. And … [Read more...] about Town urged to act as COVID lockdown looms

Customers who have visited Armando's restaurant in Redcar between 19 and 22 August are being urged to self-isolate after two members of staff have tested positive for Covid-19. On Monday (24 August), the restaurant took the decision to temporarily close its premises after the team members began showing symptoms of the virus. Since the closure, both tests have come back as … [Read more...] about Staff test positive at Armando’s in Redcar

Please see here for important information regarding an increase of Coronavirus cases in Middlesbrough being investigated by public health experts. … [Read more...] about New Coronavirus cases found in Middlesbrough

On Monday 27th July, Public Health England launched a major new adult health campaign to seize the opportunity for a national reset moment of health.Nearly two thirds (63%) of adults in the UK are overweight or living with obesity. Gaining weight is often a gradual process that takes place over a number of years and modern life doesn’t always make it easy. But this extra weight … [Read more...] about Better Health

As dental practices are now starting to provide face to face treatment across Tees Valley, the message from health bosses is, if you need help from a dentist, contact your practice by phone or email. Please don't visit your practice unless you've been advised to. David Gallagher, chief officer, NHS Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said:  ‘A number of … [Read more...] about Can I go to the dentist yet?

If you have utilised the Daisy Chain Family Support Service in Hartlepool and Stockton on Tees we would appreciate it if you could complete the below survey. The survey closes at the end of July 2020. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/XHSZ6BP … [Read more...] about Family Support Service Survey

At the end of every financial year we publish a report that describes our work during the previous year. It tells people how we spent our budget; what our priorities were; and what some of our biggest successes and challenges were. It also includes who we have been working with such as local councils and details of what we have talked to local people about their health and … [Read more...] about Annual reports 2019/20

The Annual Reports for the former NHS Darlington CCG, NHS South Tees CCG and NHS Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees CCG for 2019 - 2020 are available here … [Read more...] about Annual Report

The Public Health Team at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council would like to seek your views on our Sexual Health Services in the Borough. Since 1 April 2013, local authorities have had a responsibility to improve the health of the population through the provision and commissioning of effective and efficient Sexual Health services. The current service is commissioned from Virgin … [Read more...] about Sexual Health survey – we want your views!

NHS encourages personal responsibility as pubs reopen at the weekend Every preventable call out or visit to hospital due to alcohol slows down our response to another incident such as a stroke or a cardiac arrest. The NHS across the North East and North Cumbria is encouraging people to enjoy themselves responsibly as bars and pubs reopen on Saturday 4 July for the first … [Read more...] about NHS encourages personal responsibility this weekend

Worried you have cancer but not calling your GP because of Coronavirus? Read Margaret from Billingham’s story about how she battled Covid-19 at the same time as being diagnosed and treated for cancer during the Coronavirus pandemic. Margaret is 73 years old and lives with her husband in Billingham. Margaret who describes herself as always being fit and healthy began to … [Read more...] about Cancer during Covid-19 – Margaret’s story

Face masks are NOT considered to be suitable for children during the COVID-19 pandemic – particularly very young children, but they are unlikely to be beneficial to older children too. Homemade masks tend to prevent the spread of the virus to others, rather than offer protection to the wearer.If not used properly, they can increase the risk of spreading and catching COVID-19 … [Read more...] about Advice regarding masks and young children

Health chiefs across the area have joined together to launch a new cancer campaign “Why wait? Cancer doesn’t”, aimed at tackling the fall in the number of people going to their GP with concerns regarding cancer symptoms. Seven clinical commissioning groups (Tees Valley CCG, North Tyneside CCG, Sunderland CCG, South Tyneside CCG, County Durham CCG, Newcastle Gateshead CCG and … [Read more...] about Cancer campaign tackles drop in urgent referrals

The NHS in the north east and north Cumbria is reminding the public to have face coverings available to wear when they attend health care settings. Face coverings should cover the mouth and nose while allowing the wearer to breathe comfortably and can be as simple as a scarf or bandana that ties behind the head to give a snug fit. Alongside wearing a face covering, people … [Read more...] about Wear a face covering when attending healthcare settings

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) for Darlington CCG, Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees CCG and South Tees CCG will take place 3-5pm on Monday 20 July.  We will be presenting our annual reports from 2019/20 which will be added to the Tees Valley CCG website in advance of the AGMs. We are still exploring what format the meetings will take; however, if you are interested in … [Read more...] about Annual General Meeting

HEALTH officials across Teesside have launched a new service to provide  community access to Urgent Eye Care during COVID-19. NHS Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STHFT) have developed the temporary service to help people receive eye care without the need to attend hospital while COVID restrictions remain in … [Read more...] about New service improves access to Urgent Eye Care

During the current pandemic no one expects parents to act as teachers or childcare providers. Or to be able to provide all the activities that a nursery might. While children gain a lot from nursery, things that parents do at home can help their development more. For more information on how you can support your child's progression visit here … [Read more...] about Help children aged 2 to 4 to learn at home during coronavirus

FORMER armed forces personnel will soon be able to access a new NHS service to support them during a mental health crisis. Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT) has been appointed as lead provider for this new service to improve the health and lives of former military personnel across the North of England. The Veterans Mental Health High Intensity … [Read more...] about New Veterans’ Mental Health High Intensity Service in the North of England

HEALTH chiefs are warning that delaying childhood immunisations, during the Covid-19 pandemic, could lead to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Public health experts, and GPs, across Teesside are urging parents and carers to continue to vaccinate their children to prevent against deadly and highly contagious childhood diseases including measles and whooping … [Read more...] about Delaying childhood vaccinations could lead to deadly outbreaks

TODAY is a great day for it! Your first day without cigarettes can be difficult, but there are resources to help you get through cravings, manage withdrawal symptoms, and stay motivated to become smokefree. It’s never too late - from the moment you quit your body starts to repair itself and if you are trying to quit, you don’t have to go it alone. There are a number of … [Read more...] about Today is the Day – to Quit

As lockdown measures continue, GPs want to send a very clear message that general practices are open and the NHS is still able to provide essential and urgent treatment for cancer. With health chiefs expecting a back log of patients with potential cancer symptoms they want to encourage people to contact their GP practice if they notice something out of the ordinary and offer … [Read more...] about Message from GPs – Don’t ignore symptoms of cancer

Type 2 diabetes is a condition that causes the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood to become too high. It can cause symptoms like excessive thirst, needing to pee a lot and tiredness. It can also increase your risk of getting serious problems with your eyes, heart and nerves. It is normal to feel angry, upset or shocked when you have been told that you have type … [Read more...] about Diabetes training for people living with Type 2 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes causes the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood to become too high. It happens when your body can't produce a hormone called insulin which controls blood glucose. About 10 percent of people with diabetes in the UK have type 1 diabetes. We're not sure what causes type 1 diabetes, but it's got nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There’s so much … [Read more...] about Diabetes training for parents or carers of children with Type 1 Diabetes

WORKING with regional partners NHS Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has launched a virtual programme to help parents and carers understand and respond to their crying baby. Research has shown that this knowledge helps to reduce risk and prevent the potential injuries caused by shaking. ‘ICON – Babies Cry, You can Cope’ is designed to help parents and carers … [Read more...] about Health officials launch campaign to prevent ‘shaken baby syndrome’ across the region

Health officials across Teesside are urging people to contact their GP if they have a symptom they are worried about as urgent GP hospital referrals for suspected cancer fall by 75% during the Coronavirus pandemic The plea is being made amid fears that people with cancer symptoms are not coming forward as they worry about seeking help during the lockdown. Dr Janet Walker, … [Read more...] about NHS urges people to seek help for cancer symptoms

Dr Mark Dornan has recorded a helpful video as a North East GP, outlining how to get healthcare during the coronavirus outbreak. In the video, Mark explains: How health and care services have had to adapt and we all need to use them differentlyWhy we need you to prioritise looking after your own health at this timeIf you do need help, please don’t wait The video is … [Read more...] about North East GP outlines how to get healthcare during the Coronavirus outbreak

FRONTLINE workers on Teesside benefit from construction industry PPE donation FRONTLINE workers on Teesside have benefited from a UK wide construction industry initiative to help source personal protective equipment (PPE) for NHS and care staff. Health officials in Tees Valley have taken delivery of boxes of protective coveralls donated from the National Equipment Appeal … [Read more...] about NHS and care workers on Teesside benefit from construction industry PPE donation

The Northern Cancer Alliance website has brought together sources of COVID-19 information and support for people affected by cancer. This includes information from cancer charities such as Macmillan, Cancer Research UK and the Teenage Cancer Trust, as well as tumour specific charities such as Bowel Cancer UK, Breast Cancer Now and Bloodwise. The website also includes health … [Read more...] about Useful information from the Northern Cancer Alliance

LOCAL GP surgeries are to remain open on VE Day to help the NHS cope with the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak. Patients across Tees Valley will be able to access their GP practice, as usual, on Friday, May, 8. The change to traditional bank holiday opening hours comes as GPs across the country continue to help alleviate the growing pressures on out-of-hours … [Read more...] about GP practices will remain open over the VE Day Bank Holiday

As social isolation continues during the Coronavirus lockdown health officials want to encourage people across Teesside to seek help if they are feeling lonely or distressed.  There is a range of support available both nationally and locally but people often don’t know where or how to find it. A new service called IMPACT, launched on April 1st, is supporting the mental … [Read more...] about Tackling loneliness and distress during lockdown

Community pharmacies across Teesside are currently seeing unprecedented demand for services during the Covid-19 pandemic. Local health officials are asking patients and members of the public to take some very simple steps to help support pharmacies and ensure that everyone continues to get the medicines, help and support they need. To help pharmacies to cope under the … [Read more...] about Pharmacies see unprecedented demand

The country is to be asked to observe a minute’s silence at 11 am today (Tuesday 28 April) to remember all the health, care and other key workers who have lost their lives to coronavirus. UNISON, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives – who between them represent more than a million NHS and public service workers, including porters, refuse collectors … [Read more...] about Call for minute’s silence to honour all workers who have died from coronavirus

The head of the NHS has launched a major new drive to persuade the public to seek the urgent care and treatment they need. NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens warned that delays in getting treatment due to coronavirus fears pose a long term risk to people’s health. The plea comes alongside new findings that four in ten people are too concerned about being a burden on … [Read more...] about Help us help you: NHS urges public to get care when they need it

Diabetes UK is urging parents not to let coronavirus fears stop them from seeking medical help if they’re worried their child is showing the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is the most common form in children and young people. But new research from Diabetes UK has found that almost a quarter (23%) of all newly diagnosed children and young people with … [Read more...] about Diabetes UK urges parents to be 4Ts aware during lockdown

There has been a significant rise in the number of people using online GP consultations across Teesside during the Coronavirus lockdown and doctors want to encourage others to use them. GPs are urging people not to delay seeking treatment if they are unwell and as well as phone and video consultations, what are known as e-consultations, available in many practices across … [Read more...] about Rise in online GP consultations

Dental practices across the Tees Valley remain open and are just a telephone call away if you need advice during the Coronavirus pandemic.   Patients should first telephone their dental practice for advice and support and where appropriate  medication can be arranged to manage urgent dental care symptoms. Where clinically appropriate, urgent face to face treatment … [Read more...] about Bad toothache? Dental practices across the Tees Valley remain open

HEALTH officials in the Tees Valley are reminding people the NHS is still ‘open for business’ after concerns that patients may be putting off using health services for illnesses not related to Coronavirus. Despite mounting pressures across the UK, health chiefs are urging patients to continue to contact their local health services if they need medical help. Dr Janet … [Read more...] about NHS services are still ‘Open for Business’ across the Tees Valley

GPs urge people not to delay treatment if they are unwell Health officials are reminding people that GP practices remain open during the Coronavirus lockdown and not to delay treatment if they are unwell. Doctors across Tees Valley are urging patients to continue to contact their local practice if they have a serious healthcare need. David Gallagher, chief officer for … [Read more...] about DO NOT delay treatment if you are unwell!

HEALTH officials are urging patients NOT to contact their GP practice if they haven’t yet received a government Coronavirus social ‘shielding’ letter. Just under one million extremely vulnerable people across the UK, at highest risk of needing hospital treatment if they catch Coronavirus, have already been contacted by NHS England asking them to stay at home for at … [Read more...] about Health officials urge patients NOT to contact their GP Practice directly about social shielding

A PIONEERING new service is helping to support the mental health and wellbeing of people across Teesside. IMPACT on Teesside is the primary care therapy service, available for people aged 16 and over, who are registered with a GP surgery in Stockton-on Tees, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Redcar. Commissioned by NHS Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group the … [Read more...] about Looking after your mental health and wellbeing

Local provision for emotional health and wellbeing support for children and young people is still available over the telephone. Local Authority Wellbeing and Mental Health … [Read more...] about Local Children’s Emotional and Mental Wellbeing provision

LOCAL GP surgeries are to remain open over the Easter Bank Holiday to help the NHS cope with the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak. Patients across Tees Valley will be able to access their GP practice on both Good Friday and Easter Monday. The change to traditional Easter opening hours comes as GPs across the country move to help alleviate the growing pressures on out-of-hours … [Read more...] about GP practices across Tees Valley open over Easter

Kooth is a web based confidential support service available to young people aged 11-18 years across Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire. Kooth provides a safe and secure means of accessing mental health and wellbeing support designed specifically for young people.   Kooth offers young people the opportunity to have a text-based conversation with a qualified … [Read more...] about Kooth.com – An Online Service to Support the Wellbeing and Resilience of Young People

If you become unwell over the Easter weekend, your pharmacy is a great place to visit for professional advice on ailments such as coughs and colds. Pharmacies are also able to provide qualified health advice on everyday illnesses and answer any questions about prescribed and over-the-counter medicines. Make sure you know the opening times! You are advised to telephone the … [Read more...] about Your pharmacy Easter opening times

Feeling anxious? Need someone to talk to? If you are aged between 11 and 18 and live or study in Darlington and finding the current situation hard to cope with you can call a dedicated helpline being delivered by the Listening Post and Darlington Mind, from 1st April 2020. You do not need to be already accessing or waiting to access The Listening Post or Darlington MIND … [Read more...] about Children and Young People in Darlington (COVID-19)

IMPACT on Teesside, a pioneering new NHS-commissioned service, launches on 1 April 2020 and will support people across Teesside who are experiencing depression, stress, anxiety, and a wide range of other common psychological and emotional issues. IMPACT will also provide recovery support for people who have experienced mental ill-health in the past. Talking therapies are a … [Read more...] about Launch of Teesside’s new Psychological Wellbeing Therapies Service

Message from David Gallagher, Accountable Officer Today (Wednesday 1 April 2020) marks the creation of a new NHS organisation responsible for planning and buying health services for the people of Darlington, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland – NHS Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). The CCG has been formed following the … [Read more...] about Update on COVID-19 and NHS commissioning group merger

Transfer of information Information that has been held previously by NHS Darlington CCG, NHS Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees CCG and NHS South Tees CCG is transferring to the new NHS Tees Valley CCG on 1 April 2020.  The new CCG will become the new data controller.  Any questions about the use of data (including patient data) by the new CCG should be directed to … [Read more...] about Transfer of information to newly formed CCG

Health chiefs in the North East have announced that they are now suspending non-urgent patient transport services to hospitals and clinics and starting to postpone non-urgent planned operations and outpatient appointments to ensure the NHS is as prepared as possible for Coronavirus. The news comes as the region’s NHS steps up plans to cope with increases in patients requiring … [Read more...] about Region’s NHS steps up plans to tackle Coronavirus

As the UK responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, community pharmacies in Darlington are working tirelessly to ensure that everyone’s medicines and healthcare needs are met over the coming days and weeks. Pharmacy teams are a critical part of the NHS and in the past weeks they have seen demand for Over- The-Counter (OTC) medicines, other products, advice and reassurance … [Read more...] about COVID-19: A MESSAGE FROM YOUR LOCAL PHARMACIES

The region’s NHS is appealing to the public to take sensible steps to help reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The plea from health chiefs comes as detailed planning continues across the NHS in the North East and North Cumbria to ensure it is well prepared to care and protect patients, staff and communities. Plans being rolled out include restricting visiting in … [Read more...] about Keep calm and take sensible steps to protect yourself and others

The NHS in Darlington and Public Health England (PHE) are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal. The risk to the general public is moderate. If you have arrived back to the UK from mainland China, Thailand, … [Read more...] about Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

The NHS in Darlington and Public Health England (PHE) are extremely well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal. The risk to the general public is moderate. If you have arrived back to the UK from mainland China, … [Read more...] about Information for the public regarding Coronavirus