NENC Healthwatch Network

Healthwatch teams across the North East and North Cumbria began coordinated engagement in early January 2026 to support the ICB’s work on developing a new End of Life and Palliative Care Strategy. The project aims to gather public insight into people’s views, experiences and expectations around end of life care, including those with no direct experience to inform a comprehensive regional needs assessment.

Healthwatch teams across the North East and North Cumbria began a coordinated awareness campaign in October 2025 to support the rollout of the Primary Care Access Recovery Programme (PCARP). This initiative, funded by the ICB, aims to improve public understanding and use of key NHS services that offer faster, more convenient access to care.

Throughout November 2025, Healthwatch teams across the North East and North Cumbria worked together to understand how well people know about the new services available at their local pharmacy.

As part of a request from the ICB, Healthwatch teams across the North East and North Cumbria supported a rapid engagement exercise to gather feedback on the WorkWell programme, a service designed to help people with long-term health conditions stay in or return to work.

Healthwatch NENC has worked closely with the ICB to support the development of the region’s Oral Health and Dental Strategy, which was officially published in October 2025.

Healthwatch teams across the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) worked collaboratively to support regional engagement around women’s health, aligning with the national Women’s Health Strategy for England.

Healthwatch teams across Tees Valley, County Durham and North Yorkshire worked together to support community engagement around the development of the University Hospitals Tees Group Model. This work was carried out in partnership with North Tees & Hartlepool and South Tees NHS Foundation Trusts and reflects the voices of over 380 people across the region.