2025 - 2026 projects

Thank you to everyone who gave their views on the proposal to stop gluten-free bread and flour mix prescriptions in the North East and North Cumbria.

More than 1400 comments were received during a six-week public involvement period earlier this year. We tried to hear from groups who might be more affected than others, and asked our wide network of partners to help encourage people to participate. 

We heard from a wide range of voices and concerns and used this feedback to inform our decision on changes to gluten-free bread and flour mix prescriptions. Read the report here.

WorkWell is a new service. It aims to help people with health problems to stay in work or get back to work. There is more information on WorkWell on our website.

We have been asking your views to help shape the service. This has included a survey and discussion groups. We are also listening to the views of staff with experience of supporting people with their health and work. 

There will be some final workshops in November. After that, we will update on the findings on this page.

Thank you to the 80 people who had their say about the draft Northumberland Autism Strategy. We will use the insight you've shared with us to shape the final strategy. The strategy will aim to
 
- improve early diagnosis and assessment of autism,
- increase the availability of support for autistic adults and
- improve training for staff working with autistic people

Thank you to the 1,011 unpaid carers who shared their views. You told us what it’s like to be a carer in 2025. Your views will help improve support services for carers like you across the borough, as we pass on your feedback to leaders to help them shape future services.

Thank you to the 196 people who shared their views about artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare in the North East and North Cumbria. We have analysed what you told us and written your views up as a report. We will share this report, and present the results, across NHS North East and North Cumbria so that people's views help to shape how we use AI in healthcare across our region.

Safer prescribing- Valproate and Topiramate

98 people shared their views in the patient survey about safer prescribing of valproate and topiramate. Read the report. People told us:

• your experiences of staff explaining the risks of these medicines. 
• how involved you felt in decision making and 
• what would support you more. 

We have used the concerns people shared to shape services. To improve these very personal conversations. For example,

• reviewing how we talk with patients. 
• making sure people get the information in the right format
• using the findings to give patients' perspective in training.

98 people shared their views in the patient survey about safer prescribing of valproate and topiramate. Read the report. People told us:

- your experiences of staff explaining the risks of these medicines.

- how involved you felt in decision making and

- what would support you more. 

We have used the concerns people shared to shape services. To improve these very personal conversations. For example,

- reviewing how we talk with patients.

- making sure people get the information in the right format

- using the findings to give patients' perspective in training