The NHS is urging anyone eligible, who has not yet come forward for their COVID-19 vaccination, to book an appointment now.

Around 1.2 million people in the North East and North Cumbria are entitled to a free COVID-19 booster this winter.

This follows advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which includes people aged 65 and over, care home residents, anyone in a clinical at-risk group, people who are immunosuppressed and their household contacts, pregnant women, people with learning disabilities, health and social care workers and carers.

Appointments will be available to book up to 14 December at many sites across the region.

Anyone eligible can book:

• Via the National Booking Service 
• through the NHS App
• or by calling 119
• by contacting the North East North Cumbria call centre if you are housebound or newly severely immunosuppressed - Email: necsu.immunosuppressedney@nhs.net or Tel: (0191) 486 2001 Monday to Friday 9am till 4pm.

Limited walk-in vaccination availability is also listed here  and on the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) website here 

Flu vaccines will still be available after 15 December, however health experts are urging people to get vaccinated early, well before the Christmas period, when the virus is expected to peak in the population.

Flu vaccinations for over 65s, pregnant women, and people in the clinical at risk are available through their GP or high street pharmacy or they can book online at Find a walk-in flu vaccination site or by calling 119.

School age children will be offered vaccination through their school age vaccination service.

Parents of 2- to 3-year-olds can get the flu vaccine, for their children, by calling their GP Practice.

The Community Mental Health Transformation programme continues to take place across County Durham The programme intends to improve access to services and support for adults with serious mental illness, with a focus on the whole person, not just their diagnosis and clinical support.

As part of our ‘connector’ role, DCA has led on setting up six Link Worker Networks across County Durham, for organisations whose work supports individuals’ mental health. This is a place where local groups and services can share what they are doing and hear about other services that support mental wellbeing.

 If you’d like to know more about this, please contact Sue Garrett, Health and Wellbeing Coordinator by email or call 07951 508521.

For more information about the Transformation as a whole, you can read TEWV’s Autumn 2023 Newsletter.

VONNE coordinates the North East and Cumbria Health and Wellbeing Network and sub-groups across the region and are open to voluntary, community sector and social enterprise (VCSE) groups and organisations with an interest in health and wellbeing. 

These groups are open to managers responsible for health and wellbeing policy and strategic work within their VCSE organisation. The sub-groups are:

• Mental Health
• Aging Well
• Multiple and complex needs
• Learning Disabilities and Autism
• Women/Violence Against Women and Girls
• Black and Minoritised Communities
• LGBTQIA+
• Workforce
• Carers
• End of Life
• Neurology

You will receive regular information and meeting invitations.

Do you see and talk to people in your community on a regular basis? Maybe you’ve got a big group of friends or followers. Maybe you’re part of a group, club or sports team, or perhaps you just enjoy meeting people and having a chat.

If this sounds like you, and you have an interest in health and wellbeing, then you could become a Community Champion. You'll play a part in helping people live longer, healthier and happier lives, by making sure our communities get the best public health information.

You don't need to have any experience or know about health already, just an interest in knowing more and a willingness to share what you learn. You’ll be supported with regular updates from Public Health, resources and free training. It's then up to you how you share that information with your friends, family, people you know and your community.

Sign up today to become a County Durham Together Community Champion.

Working together with partners across local authorities, voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, academia and the NHS, the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) have co-produced a NENC Learning and Improvement Community named 'Boost'. 

Boost is a hub that brings people together to promote innovation, idea-sharing, networking, learning and improvement efforts across the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System. Watch this video to learn more about Boost or go to the Boost website 

The first ever North East and North Cumbria (NENC) Women’s Health Conference was held on 19th October at The Stadium of Light, Sunderland - hosted by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID).

The event focussed on the priorities laid out in the national Women's Health Strategy for England to develop a regional women’s health strategy and implementation plan for the North East and North Cumbria. At the event the ICB launched a new women's health profile which provides valuable insight and data to help on the journey to better and fairer health.

The ICB have also set up a Women's Health Collaborative across the Integrated Care System to work together to help improve the way in which the health and care system listens to women’s voices, and boost health outcomes for women and girls. If you wish to join you can email: necsu.nencwomenshealth@nhs.net. 

You can watch the event video on the ICB's YouTube channel here and access the event papers on their website here

Inspiring communities to improve their health and wellbeing, Wellbeing for Life (WBFL) is delivered in partnership by the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) and the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP). The service promotes people to:

• Eat healthier, lose weight or gain weight
• Be more active
• Stop smoking
• Reduce the impact of alcohol and drug use
• Access services in the local community

​Wellbeing Practitioners work with clients on a 1-2-1 or group support basis over eight to twelve sessions to set a health plan, which includes small achievable goals tailored to suit the person’s individual needs. Wellbeing Facilitators support local communities to set up thriving wellbeing groups and hubs, benefitting everyone’s health and wellbeing in the local area.

Contacting the Wellbeing for Life Team

Website: www.wellbeingforlife.net

Email: cdda-tr.WBFL@nhs.net

Telephone: 0800 8766887       

Macmillan Joining the Dots is a free and confidential service supporting people aged 18+ who are directly affected by cancer. We support those who live in or registered with a GP in Co. Durham with non-clinical needs such as practical and financial issues, emotional concerns, religious, spiritual, family and relationship issues and lifestyle information.

The service is a partnership between County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundations Trust and Pioneering Care Partnership and is delivered by Wellbeing for Life.

Contacting the Macmillan Joining the Dots Team

Website: www.joiningthedots.info

Email: cddft.joiningthedots@nhs.net

Telephone: 0800 8766887       

The Better Health at Work Award (BHAWA) County Durham have launched their brand-new website. The website now provides a wellbeing resources section, in which people can seek support, information and advice around a wide variety health and wellbeing topics. 

Did you know that table tennis is widely recognised as offering many health benefits both mental and physical?

A recent article from Table Tennis England discusses how the sport can reduce the risk of depression; reduce stress; improve self-esteem and develop social skills. In addition, table tennis is suitable for everyone; it can improve balance, enhance reflexes and burn calories.

This YouTube video highlights one gentleman’s story of how the sport has made a difference to his life.

Brandon Table Tennis Club is committed to working with the community to encourage people to become active in table tennis even if they’ve never played before. The Club will provide all equipment – table, bats and balls.

For more information, please contact Tony Taylor at Brandon Table Tennis Club 07539 275048 / ttcoach@hotmail.co.uk or visit their website

Further information from Table Tennis England can be found here

Useful Vision is a registered charity providing positive opportunities, support, and accessible events for visually impaired children and their families across the Northeast. The charity enables children to learn new skills and make new friends – reducing social isolation through increased confidence and self-esteem.

To view all events – including those on offer in the run up to Christmas – please click here

Families must have a child/children with a vision impairment aged 0 to 18 and can register with Useful Vision either by contacting the office direct on 0191 4472600, via email office@usefulvision.org.uk or on the website www.usefulvision.org.uk