Mid-year report Jul - Dec 2022
Download (PDF 3.17 MB)Summary of report content
Between July and December 2022, Healthwatch Northumberland received feedback from 268 people. This report summarises the findings from that feedback. Two main issues have dominated the feedback.
- Accessing GPs and arranging appointments, 29% of all feedback.
- Accessing NHS dentists, 20% of all feedback
The feedback regarding arranging appointments for GPs varied between frustration about having to wait a long time on the telephone to get hold of anyone, to concerns about not getting to see a doctor when the patient asked to see one.
Feedback regarding accessing NHS dentistry has been dominated by the planned closure of Castlegate Dental Practice in Berwick-upon-Tweed which took place in September 2022 but was well trailed in advance. This caused a lot of disruption and worry for the dental practice’s former patients and many of these patients still haven’t found another dental practice that will take them on as NHS patients.