Share your views on health and care projects

Our region's NHS must continue to adapt to the changing needs of the people it serves. Alongside the opportunities this brings, there are challenges such as workforce pressures and rising costs. And as the organisation responsible for planning and buying the majority of healthcare services in the region, we have a responsibility to use our resources wisely.

This has meant we need to review some of the contracts that are held with voluntary and community sector partners in County Durham. In particular, this is looking at certain contracts that Age UK County Durham and Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) have. 

Before we make any changes, we are wanting to listen to the views and experiences of people connected to these services.

To help us do this, we have co-designed the conversations with staff from a range of partner organisations. We have also made sure the questions are available in alternative formats to enable people to effectively participate. 

The feedback that we receive will help us look at important ways you and others can be supported in the future.

There is work happening across the NHS to implement the national requirements as set out in Fit for the Future: 10 year health plan for England. 

That's why we’re working together to use that money more wisely - focusing investment where it makes the biggest difference to people’s health and wellbeing.

That means making every NHS pound count: cutting waste, avoiding duplication and sharing services where it makes sense.

You can find further details about the background to this work in the briefing document. Included in that you will also find additional information about alternative provision which may be of use to you and people you are supporting. 

Talking about death is something many people find difficult, but your views can make a genuine difference to how support is given at one of the most important moments in life.

The NHS in the North East and North Cumbria is asking people to share their views through a survey – 'Thoughts about Palliative and End of Life Care'. It asks how people how they feel about discussing death, dying and the care they would want for themselves or their loved ones.

Palliative care supports people who are living with an illness that unfortunately cannot be cured. This illness may be cancer but is more likely to be a long term condition such as serious heart or lung disease where cure is not possible. It focuses on helping someone feel as comfortable as possible in body, mind and spirit, while also supporting their family and carers. End of life care is a form of palliative care given when a person is approaching the final stages of life. 

Dr Kathryn Hall, GP and clinical lead for palliative and end of life care for the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: "Every person deserves compassionate and respectful care when they need it most. By taking a few minutes to complete this survey, you can help health and care services understand what matters to people, what feels challenging and what could be improved."

You can take part in the survey through the following link -https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/nencicb/thoughts-about-end-of-life-and-end-of-life-care. The survey is completely anonymous.

For further information, please contact nencicb.involve@nhs.net

We would like to speak to people with a learning disability who have been diagnosed with cancer, or people who have had a close family or friend diagnosed with cancer. We will be interviewing people and holding focus groups to understand what help and support people got after a cancer diagnosis. This will help us understand if there are gaps in the support people for with a learning disability. Let us know if you would like to be interviewed or join a focus group. This work will happen into December 2025.

Contact Julie Tucker for more information: julie.tucker11@nhs.net

The Child Health and Wellbeing Network's Youth Board is looking for young people aged 11+. This is for young people in the North East and North Cumbria who want to:

- Improve health and wellbeing for others their age
- Share their ideas and experience
- Be part of something that makes a real impact

To express interest or find out more, email Dan at cyp@risenortheast.co.uk There isn't a closing date.

Even if there isn’t a specific project listed above, you can still tell us what you think of our services.