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Children and Young Person’s Mental Health Report
Our Children and Young Person’s Mental Health Report captures the views of children and young people in County Durham.
Healthwatch County Durham wanted to hear from children and young people about mental health. Prior to the research, we knew that mainstream services were stretched and this had been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, we took the approach of looking at a grass roots level; what do children and young people understand about mental health, what are their self-care and, if they could have just one thing to better support their mental health and wellbeing, what would that be?
Over the course of 2021 we engaged with over 900 children and young people with a wide range of activities and focus groups, online, face-to-face in social settings and in classrooms. We were greeted with honesty and an overwhelming sense of resilience, understanding and empathy.
The Health and Social Care Committee recognises that service improvement is required and plans are afoot to transform children and young person’s mental health services, with more timely access and increased funding. Healthwatch County Durham’s next steps will focus on how we can enable others to better support our children and young people, through sharing best practice and evidence-based self-help, while working closely with partner organisations and monitoring the County Durham situation.
Back to Healthwatch County Durham Page
Dentistry Report March 2022
How easy is it for patients to get treatment with an NHS dentist? Discover our latest report on access to dentistry
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we have seen a substantial increase in the number of people asking us for help or telling us about their experiences of trying to access NHS dental care.
This report has been written in response to many people contacting Healthwatch County Durham (HWCD) regarding the difficulties they were experiencing accessing an NHS dentist appointment. As well as working with stakeholders regionally, all the information we gather is shared with Healthwatch England and is used to enable them to show the national picture with stakeholders.
At the Healthwatch County Durham annual event in November 2021, Pauline Fletcher, the Dental Commissioning Lead North East and North Cumbria provided an update on the current position, including a lot of useful information about the NHS dental contract.
This report focuses on the current situation in County Durham, regarding accessing appointments and waiting times.
Out of a possible 54 dental practices the researchers spoke to 42 and asked a set of 7 questions. The questions were based on NHS appointment availability, availability of emergency treatment and accessibility. They are analysed in more depth later in the report.
The answers have given a clear picture that Country Durham has a similar situation to other counties in England. It shows that most Dental Practices are full and therefore cannot treat new patients. The exception to this in some cases, was children. From the practices that responded 35 could not take any new registered NHS patients, but 3 would register children only. A further 4 answered yes without clarification on whether it was adult or children’s registrations. However, emergency dental care for unregistered NHS patients was available in all practices.
Back to Healthwatch County Durham Page
Covid-19 Vaccination of Healthy 12-15 year olds
General Information
The Covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective. One dose is being offered to healthy children aged 12-15 years to give them the best protection against Covid-19.
For further information see:
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine-for-children-aged-12-to-15/
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-resources-for-schools/covid-19-vaccination-programme-for-young-people-guidance-for-parents
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-resources-for-children-and-young-people/covid-19-vaccination-a-guide-for-eligible-children-and-young-people-aged-12-to-17
How many doses of the vaccine will a healthy child aged 12-15 years receive?
Currently, healthy children aged 12-15 years will receive one dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Some children aged 12 -15 years are being offered two doses of the vaccine if either:
- they live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
- they have a condition that means they’re at high risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19
They will receive these vaccinations from a GP practice-led site.
See:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/who-can-get-the-vaccine/ for further information.
How will a healthy child aged 12-15 years receive a vaccine?
- Most healthy children will be given their vaccine at school during school hours.
- The school immunisation team is leading on vaccinations of healthy children in this age group in County Durham.
- This team has organised a date to visit each school in the County to administer the vaccination, and has also contacted those who are home-schooled.
- The school immunisation team will also be planning catch-up clinics.
- If a child misses this visit, or parents wish to organise an appointment to get their child vaccinated sooner, this can now be done via the National Booking Service at
- For queries about the school Covid-19 vaccination programme in County Durham, contact the school initially or email the school immunisation team directly at:
- Do not contact the GP practice about Covid-19 vaccination for healthy children in this age group – At present GP practices are only able to vaccinate 12-15 year olds who are in a high risk group or who live with someone who is more likely to get infections.
Flu Vaccination for Healthy Primary and Secondary School Children
- The school immunisation team is leading on vaccinations of healthy school children in County Durham.
- This team has organised a date to visit each school in the County to administer the flu vaccination (to give the nasal vaccine in most cases).
- If a child misses this visit, or are home-schooled, the school immunisation team will also be planning additional community clinics.
- For queries about the schools flu vaccination programme in County Durham, contact the school initially or email the school immunisation team directly at [email protected].
- Do not contact the GP practice about flu vaccines for healthy children in this age group – At present GP practices are only able to vaccinate children in a high risk group or who live with someone who is more likely to get infections.
For further information see https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/
Flu Vaccine Information
Flu Vaccination: Who should have it this winter and why
Flu isn’t just a heavy cold
Flu occurs every year, usually in the winter, which is why it’s sometimes called seasonal flu. It’s a highly infectious disease with symptoms that come on very quickly.
Colds are much less serious and usually start gradually with a stuffy or runny nose and a sore throat. A bad bout of flu can be much worse than a heavy cold.
The most common symptoms of flu are fever, chills, headache, aches and pains in the joints and muscles, and extreme tiredness. Healthy individuals usually recover within 2 to 7 days but, for some, the disease can lead to hospitalisation, permanent disability or even death.
Download this leaflet for more information:
Information for those in school years 7 – 11
Five reasons to have the flu vaccine:
- Protect yourself
The vaccine will help protect you against flu and serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia. - Protect your family and friends
Having the vaccine will help protect more vulnerable friends and family. - No injection needed
The nasal spray is painless and easy to have. - It’s better than having flu
The nasal spray helps protect against flu, has been given to millions worldwide and has an excellent safety record. - Avoid lost opportunities.
If you get flu, you may be unwell for several days and not be able to do the things you enjoy.
Download this leaflet for more information:
Supporting Patients Following Events in Afghanistan
We are conscious that some patients registered at Horden Group Practice may be affected by current events in Afghanistan. Horden Group Practice is accredited by the Royal College of General Practitioners as one which specialises in the care of military veterans and their families. The team have been trained in the care of military veterans and their families. If recent events have affected you and you wish to seek help, please come forward.