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Healthwatch Gateshead is an independent, not-for-profit organisation. We help people of all ages and from all backgrounds have their say about social care and health services in Gateshead. This includes every part of the community, including amplifying the voice of those people who sometimes struggle to be heard.
We work to make sure that the people who plan and run social care and health services are listening to their service users. When people’s voices can be heard, we can make positive change. Together, we can create services that cater to what real people actually need and want.
Get information on social care and health services
We offer free, confidential and independent information about social care and health services in Newcastle. Call Freephone 0800 038 5116 or text 0749 850 3497. We can answer your calls between 9 and 4, Monday to Friday.
What we do
We help local social care and health services become the best they can be by:
- Working with local people and organisations to investigate issues.
- Reaching out to people and communities that struggle to be heard, because everyone’s voice matters.
- Supporting people to be involved in making decisions about the future of local services.
- Training people to become Healthwatch Champions (volunteers) to promote Healthwatch Gateshead in their communities.
Our statutory powers
Healthwatch Gateshead is one of 153 Healthwatch groups in England. Each local authority is linked to a Healthwatch for their area. We have statutory powers under the Health and Social Care Act 2022, including the ability to:
- Request information from commissioners and service providers (they have to respond within 20 days).
- Visit publicly-funded health or social care services to see how they are working (known as ‘enter and view’).
- Represent the views of the public on the Gateshead Health & Wellbeing Board.
Our shared values
Everything we do is driven by our shared values:
- Equity: Embracing inclusivity and compassion, establishing profound connections with the communities we serve, and empowering them.
- Collaboration: Nurturing both internal and external relationships, fostering transparent communication, and partnering to amplify our impact.
- Independence: Championing the public's agenda, serving as purposeful and critical allies to decision-makers.
- Truth: Operating with unyielding integrity and honesty, fearlessly advocating truth to those in power.
- Impact: Pursuing ambitious endeavours to effect meaningful change for individuals and communities while remaining accountable and holding others accountable.
More information on how these values were developed can be found on this link:
https://network.healthwatch.co.uk/blog/2024-05-06/our-shared-values-how-we-developed-them-and-next-steps
Healthwatch Gateshead is run by Tell Us North CIC (community interest company): company number 10394966; registered office Suite E11 E Floor, Milburn House, 19 Dean Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1LE
