Healthwatch South Tyneside spoke to more than 300 people in visits to 21 groups/drop-ins, asking for feedback on recent experiences of health and social care in the borough.

Of these, 128 completed our ‘Have Your Say’ survey forms and we also recorded 123 pieces of feedback on our database via telephone, email and website forms over the past year.

Almost 45 per cent of the comments made in the survey were about GP services, with many about the infamous ‘8am rush’ to secure appointments by telephone.

Some patients were unhappy at being pushed to use eConsult, while there were reports the waiting time to see a GP was up to 25 days. However, four GP practices were singled out for praise by patients – with Albert Road namechecked by five survey respondents.

The second most commented on area was hospital care, including inpatient, outpatient and A&E, with just under a third of all feedback.

Most comments on both in and outpatient care were complimentary, particularly around care and cleanliness, but there were some concerns expressed about understaffing relating to nursing. Waiting times at A&E were another area of concern for some patients, with waits of up to 20 hours claimed.

Dental care was the third most commented on service, with almost all feedback referring to the difficulty accessing NHS dental services – not a new issue both locally and nationally.

One respondent wrote: “It is very difficult to get an appointment with my GP or be seen by a dentist on the NHS.”

A range of other healthcare services commented on by survey respondents included mental health, home care, care homes and palliative care.

However, less than a quarter of the respondents said they were also asked about their mental health when meeting a health or social care professional.

Positive comments included praise for the Brain Injury Service, Breastfeeding Support Team, South Tyneside Family Hub, Cedar Unit and Sunderland Royal Hospital.

The overall ‘mood’ of the feedback appeared more positive than in recent years, which reflects national opinion polling about the NHS.

But Healthwatch has recommended primary care commissioners look at the negative comments around GP access – potentially seeing if the surgeries which received praise could share some best practice.

Several respondents were positive about pharmacies, and the report also suggests more promotion around the increased range of services they offer could help reduce demand for GP appointments.

Read the full report here.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) is preparing for the Easter weekend, with Bank Holidays always a busy time.

It is also getting ready for six days of industrial action by the British Medical Association (BMA), which has announced resident doctors will strike. The action will run after the Bank Holiday weekend, from 7am on Tuesday, April 7, until just before 7am on Monday, April 13.

The Trust is making plans to make sure safe care continues to be offered while industrial action takes place.

It is also urging people to get ready for  the Easter Bank Holiday by making sure they have enough prescription medication and a well-stocked medicine cupboard, when there will be reduced access to GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The STSFT emergency departments will remain open around the clock to help in anyone in an emergency.

Its community nursing services will run as usual, including the Care Coordination Hub.

Out-of-ours GP services will accessible across its communities. Surgeries have details in place to help, should an appointment be needed.

The Trust is urging people to make sure they get any repeat prescription requests in within the next couple of days. This will give surgeries time to handle these.

People are also reminded to make sure their medicine cabinets are well-stocked.

Sheena Fish, the Trust’s Lead Divisional Director, said: “Our Emergency Departments are always very busy places and more so during the Bank Holidays. We’re expecting this to continue as the strike action takes place after the weekend.

“We will have safe levels of care available at our hospitals. But we always need to make sure we see those who are most seriously hurt or unwell first. That means anyone else could face a long wait and then still be told to go elsewhere for treatment.

“This is why we’re asking people to think carefully about where they should get help before they come to hospital. Some appointments might need to be rescheduled because of the industrial action but unless you hear otherwise, please still come in for your next visit.”

Where to look for help or advice

Anyone who needs advice or to check where is the right place for their care can use NHS 111 Online as a first port of call. In an emergency, they should call 999 or head for their nearest A&E.

Health advice and information is also available via the NHS App or the NHS website or a patient’s GP practice website, which link to a range of online services.

In most cases, people can order repeat prescriptions online. Opening hours for over the weekend can be found through this page: Think pharmacy first 

For children’s health advice people can download the Little Orange Book, which offers tips about a wide range of illnesses and conditions. It can be downloaded by clicking here: Little Orange Book

Those looking after children can also visit the Healthier Together website through or can download the app via their phone.

British Sign Language (BSL) speakers can make a BSL video call to 999.

Deaf people can use 18000 to contact 999 using text relay. More details are available via https://999bsl.co.uk/

If you are concerned about how much you, or someone you know, drinks, there’s lots of help available.

Speak to your GP, find your local alcohol support service, or contact Drinkline on freephone 0300 123 1110 or Alcoholics Anonymous on 0845 769 7555.

Source: https://www.stsft.nhs.uk/news/latest-news/patients-urged-think-carefully-resident-doctors-strike-six-days-wake-easter-weekend

Here is a full list of the Easter bank holiday weekend pharmacy opening times in South Tyneside.

Asda Pharmacy
Coronation Street, South Shields, NE33 1AZ
0191 275 8030
Good Friday April 3 – 10am to 4pm
Easter Sunday April 5 – closed
Bank Holiday Monday April 6 – 10am to 4pm

Asda Pharmacy
North Road, Boldon Colliery, NE35 9AR
0191 537 4700
Good Friday April 3 – 10am to 4pm
Easter Sunday April 5 – closed
Bank Holiday Monday April 6 – 10am to 4pm

Well Pharmacy
Cleadon Park Medical Centre, 10 Prince Edward Road, South Shields, NE34 8PS
0191 456 4158
Good Friday April 3 – closed
Easter Sunday April 5 – 10am to 1pm
Bank Holiday Monday April 6 – closed

Cleadon Village Pharmacy
35A Front St, Cleadon, SR6 7PG
0191 554 3297
Good Friday April 3 – 10am to 1pm
Easter Sunday April 5 – closed
Bank Holiday Monday April 6 – closed

Hogg Chemists
216-220 Westoe Road, South Shields, NE33 3PW
0191 456 0812
Good Friday April 3 – 2pm to 5pm
Easter Sunday April 5 – 2pm to 5pm
Bank Holiday Monday April 6 – closed

Kaila Pharmacy
2 St Johns Precinct, Hebburn, NE31 1LQ
0191 483 2297
Good Friday April 3 – 10am to 1pm
Easter Sunday April 5 – 10am to 1pm
Bank Holiday Monday April 6 – 10am to 1pm

Whiteleas Pharmacy
176 Whiteleas Way, Whiteleas, South Shields, NE34 8HF
0191 536 2830
Good Friday April 3 – closed
Easter Sunday April 5 – closed
Bank Holiday Monday April 6 – 10am to 1pm

Before visiting

Please ring the pharmacy before attending. If you need advice out of hours, call 111.

For more local pharmacy opening hours, go to Urgent or Emergency.

Visit NHS Choices for medical advice and to find the right service.

Can the pharmacist help with your symptoms?

The pharmacist is an excellent source of advice for many common problems such as:

• lower back pain
• eczema
• heartburn and indigestion
• constipation
• headache
• acne (spots)
• sprains and strains
• sore throat
• ear ache
• common cold and sinusitis

Visit Treat Yourself Better for more information, advice and warning signs to look out for which may suggest you do need a GP appointment or medical attention.

Nick Flanagan is the Cancer Prehabilitation Team Lead and Digital Allied Health Professional at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT).

Away from work he is an extreme endurance athlete who takes on Ironman triathlons, ice swims and cross country runs.

The 34-year-old, who lives in South Shields, will face his “biggest test to date” by swimming across the Gibraltar Strait. He will leave Tarifa in Spain, the southernmost tip of Europe, and head for the North African coastline in Morocco, a route of 14.4km (9 miles) at its narrowest point.

Money raised through the feat will go to the cancer fund of the Trust’s STS Charity.

The swim is one of the Oceans Seven, a prestigious marathon swimming challenge consisting of seven gruelling, iconic open-water channel swims.

The strait is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. Nick will also contend with the threat of killer whales, great white sharks and jellyfish, along with the wind, cold and cross-currents – all in just his Speedos.

He will set off between today (Monday March 30) and Wednesday April 8, when conditions allow. The Strait of Gibraltar Swimming Association will co-ordinate the crossing, which can take up to six hours to complete.

Two pilot boats will offer support, one for communication and navigation, the other for helping him eat and drink. If he touches one of the boats, he will be disqualified.

Nick said: “Training for the Gibraltar Strait has been unlike anything I’ve ever done, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

“It wasn’t just about getting fit, it was about preparing to move through one of the most unpredictable stretches of water on the planet.

“From long, meditative pool sessions to early morning sea swims, my life became a cycle of aching shoulders, cold water and relentless practice.

“I learned to stay calm when my hands went numb, to fight through headwinds that made me feel like I wasn’t moving and to trust myself when the water pushed and pulled in every direction.

“Strength work, stability training, and endless rotator cuff exercises kept me durable enough to handle the distance, but the biggest challenge was mental.

“Hours alone in open water teach you to sit with discomfort, reset your thoughts, and keep moving no matter what.”

He added: “The moment I knew I was ready wasn’t after a perfect session, it was after a messy, brutal one where I kept going anyway. That’s when I realised I am ready to attempt it.

“Most of my friends, family and swim team think I am crazy to even attempt it, and honestly, I agree.

“However, I strongly believe ‘What is for you, won’t pass you’ and this is my opportunity. It’s also raising money for a fantastic cause.

“All of my support networks have been brilliant in the lead up, but my mam Annette and boyfriend Jamie have been pivotal in helping me prepare.”

STS Charity supports patients, carers, families and staff. Funds buy additional equipment, improve facilities and make sure patients have access to the things that make their time in hospital a little bit better.

The cancer fund within it aims to offer more services and support its patients. This includes specialist rehabilitation programmes, equipment and resources, a better patient experience and life changing health improvements.

In Nick’s role, he leads the development and delivery of the growing Prehabilitation (Prehab) service. This is designed to optimise patients’ physical, nutritional, and psychological wellbeing before they begin cancer treatment.

Nick, who is originally from Waterford in Ireland, is coached by Russell White, an Irish Olympian and Commonwealth athlete. In addition to his own fitness sessions, Nick is a member of Wearside Triathlon and strength trains at Studio H in South Shields.

Anyone who would support his fundraiser can donate via this link: Gibraltar Strait Swim for STS Charity (Cancer Services)

Source: https://www.stsft.nhs.uk/news/latest-news/physiotherapist-swim-between-continents-help-care-his-cancer-patients

Shake Up Max is open to anyone in their 20s, 30s and 40s who has been diagnosed with any type of cancer diagnosis (curative, chronic or incurable).

The event is being held at the hotel, near Darlington, from Friday to Saturday May 15 to 16.

The itinerary includes a session where everyone looks at how they felt as they went through diagnosis and treatment and another looking at managing fears and anxieties – as well as how to cope with misinformation.

People are expected to attend from around the country, but organisers are keen for a strong North-East contingent. There are quite a few spaces available and organisers from Shine Cancer Support are keen to ensure as many individuals as possible have the opportunity to attend.

Shine is covering all accommodation and meal costs for attendees, who are asked to cover travel costs (there is a small fund to support this if needed) and the charity takes a refundable deposit. Anyone interested can register their details here.

You can hear from people who attended a previous Shake Up Max here on this short film:

Having sex? Thinking about it? Let’s talk about the elephant in the room – your sexual health!

Looking after your sexual health is just as important as your physical and mental health – but we get it… it can feel awkward to talk about.

Here’s the thing, some STIs, like chlamydia and gonorrhoea, don’t always show symptoms, which means they can be passed on without anyone knowing and still cause serious long-term health problems.

That’s why it’s important to use condoms every time you have sex – it’s one of the best ways to protect yourself and others. We also recommend getting tested regularly – it’s free, quick, simple and confidential.

Want to know more? Visit www.elephant-in-the-room.co.uk to:
● Check where you can get free condoms
● Find your nearest STI testing clinic (or order an at-home test kit)
● Get clear, trusted sexual health advice from Brook

No judgement.

No embarrassment.

Just support, whenever you need it.