To read more about the NHS Safe and Sustainable Paediatric Neurosurgery click here on the Letter, Questionnaire and Briefing for further information.

To read more about Carers Northumberland in their March 2012 Newsletter click here.

To read more about the NHS Networks news stories click here.

To read more about the Press Release on the additonal funding securing the Berwick Ambulance click here.

To read the March 2012 information update bulletin on NHS Changes from NHS North of Tyne click here.

Quality care. Everywhere.

This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, help make quality care a reality for all men with prostate cancer.

Background

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. Every year 37,000 men are diagnosed and 250,000 men are now living with the disease.

We know that men face a postcode lottery in the quality of prostate cancer services and care they receive. We believe that this is unacceptable. Men should have access to the same high quality care wherever they live. Sadly, the Government’s progress to properly set out the care that men should receive is very slow and threatens the quality of care men are receiving now.

To address these issues, we have been working with men affected by prostate cancer and their families, health professionals, policy-makers and others to develop a set of standards that outline the best quality care that all men with prostate cancer need.

Take action now!

1. What do you think about our vision for quality care?

Tell us what you think about the standards of quality prostate cancer care we have drafted.

2. Contact your MP and ask them to support our standards of quality care.

Your MP can help make sure quality care becomes a reality in your area. If they support our standards, they can publicise them to people affected by prostate cancer in your area. Contact your MP now or go to www.prostate-cancer.org.uk/takeaction for more information.

If you have any questions or would like hard copies of our draft standards of care, please contact us at campaigns@prostate-cancer.org.uk or on 020 8222 7622 (please ask for the Policy and Campaigns team).

Confidential Helpline: 0800 074 8383 www.prostate-cancer.org.uk

Northumberland LINk is one of 75 Pathfinders. It will focus on identifying what independent complaints advocacy service is required for Northumberland, with particular consideration given to its unique and challenging geography and demographics. The outcomes of this work will then be shared with other LINks . A questionnaire sent out by LINk is asking for people’s views, and focus groups will be held across Northumberland.

Please click on the HealthWatch Pathfinder questionnaire and return your completed questionnaire to shamshads@adapt-tynedale.org.uk by 23rd March 2012.

The next LINk Open meeting is on Wednesday 14th March 2012 at Hirst Welfare Centre, Alexandra Road, Ashington, NE63 9HF, from 1pm until 3pm.  Registration and lunch will be provided at 12.30pm before the meeting.  Please click on the flyer which provides information on this meeting.

If you would like to attend this meeting, please confirm your attendance by Monday 12th March 2012 including any dietary requirements by email to info@northumberlandlink.org.uk or on 01434 600599.  Please click on the flyer which provides information on this meeting.

To read more about the LINks Exchange Newsletter click here.