We want to work with and listen to our communities. This helps us to understand what is important to people. It also helps people understand the problems in the NHS. Working with people helps us find better solutions. We really want to work with people who have worse health. We also want to listen to people who have trouble using healthcare services. This is important to make healthcare more equal for everyone.

One way we hear people's views is by working with local groups.

North Tyneside Patient Forum

The North Tyneside Patient Forum is open to anyone who lives in North Tyneside. It is for people who want to help make health services better. We meet up to six times a year. Meetings are mostly online, using Teams. Some are in person. You can just come to the meetings which interest you.

The Forum writes a newsletter about things happening in North Tyneside.

Read the North Tyneside Patient Forum newsletter (Autumn, 2024)

We would like to know how we can make this newsletter better. Please fill in this short survey by 1 December.

Want to get involved? Contact Jo on necsu.icb.involvement@nhs.net or phone on 0191 2172806.

Connected Voice run voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector Health and Wellbeing networking events. These are in Newcastle and Gateshead.  The events want to give the VCSE a stronger voice in health and at the council. We share information to help the sector provide services. And we look at concerns of the sector.

In Gateshead we link to the Gateshead VCSE Health Alliance. Contact Julia Perry for more information. In Newcastle contact Vicki Harris. Find out more about all Connected Voice events.

Accessibility

When we work with people and communities we aim to speak clearly. We want to involve lots of different people in our work. So we will arrange hearing loops, Braille, interpretation etc., when needed.

If you need information in a different way, please let us know. We can talk you through information. Or you can ask for information in a different language or format, such as

• large print,
• easy read,
• audio recording or
• braille.

If you would like this, email necsu.icb.involvement@nhs.net. We will consider each request and get back to you in ten working days.