Healthwatch Hartlepool

22/06/2026

17/06/2026

Healthwatch Hartlepool AGM - 20th July 2026
Join us at our Annual General meeting followed by an informal FREE networking lunch: 10am Monday 20th July 2026
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 visit www.healthwatchhartlepool.co.uk to 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 [email protected] Please also let us know of any dietary requirements.

Find out more about the ways we're helping to improve people's experiences of health and social care services in our annual report

16/06/2026

Teesside research team lead national heart surgery trial
RESEARCHERS at The James Cook University Hospital are leading a national heart surgery trial involving more than 30 centres across the UK.
The Middlesbrough hospital’s Academic Cardiovascular Unit (ACU) has launched a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded study called the AFFECT trial.
The AFFECT trial is designed to identify the safest and most effective blood-thinning treatment to use after heart valve surgery for patients who also have a heart rhythm problem.
Each year, thousands of people in the UK have surgery for mitral regurgitation - a common heart condition where the mitral valve fails to close tightly, allowing blood to leak backward into the left
atrium instead of pumping forward to the body. This forces the heart to work harder, which can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, and potential heart failure.
If these patients also have a heart rhythm issue they usually need blood-thinning medication to reduce their risk of having a stroke or other complications after surgery.
Current national and international guidelines recommend using a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) such as warfarin. But a newer group of medicines known as Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) are now
also widely used. The AFFECT trial aims to show which option offers the best long-term outcomes for patients.

About the study
The study is aiming to recruit 1,282 adults who are having mitral valve repair surgery at cardiothoracic centres across the UK.
Participants will be randomly allocated to receive either a Direct Oral Anticoagulant (DOAC) or a vitamin K antagonist (VKA).
Treatment will start before patients leave hospital. They will then be closely monitored for at least 12 months, with further annual check-ups for up to four years.
Researchers will assess a range of outcomes, including stroke prevention, quality of life and cost effectiveness.
Eligible patients will be invited to take part by their clinical teams. More than 130 patients have already signed up and started treatment.

Improving long-term outcomes
Professor Enoch Akowuah, chief investigator for the AFFECT trial at University Hospitals Tees said: “This is an important question for both patients and clinicians. We know anticoagulation is essential for patients with atrial fibrillation after mitral valve repair, but we do not yet know which treatment offers the best balance of safety and protection. The AFFECT Trial will provide high-quality evidence to guide national treatment decisions and
improve long-term outcomes for patients across the UK and internationally.”

For more details visit

11/06/2026

The DHSC and NHSE are running a short survey to learn what people think about the NHS Health Check programme. The public perspective - whether they've heard of or used the service or not - is incredibly valuable.
This survey will help us understand what’s working, what isn’t, and how the programme can better reach and support people in staying healthy.

The survey should take around 10 minutes to complete. It is anonymous and open to everyone.
Follow the link to take part today and please share with your networks:

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

01/06/2026

The Healthwatch Hartlepool digital update for May
is now available! Click on the link below to read!

The North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) is working with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS and partners to review NHS patient transport services in the North East.

28/05/2026

Do you use NHS patient transport services?
The North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) is working with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS and partners to review NHS patient transport services in the North East.
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 online here https://ex.civicamysay.co.uk/BD9WjeSmCx
• 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 2026.

18/05/2026

Do you live in Hartlepool and are you aged 40 – 74?

Why not come along to Place in the Park for our Hartlepool and Stockton Health drop-in session, where they will be offering free NHS Health Checks for those who are eligible.
If you’re not sure if you’re eligible, please check NHS Health Check - NHS https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/nhs-health-check/

• Place in the Park, Ward Jackson Park, Elwick Road, TS26 0BQ
• Wednesday 27th May
• 9.30am - 4.20pm

The NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults in England aged 40 to 74.

13/05/2026