North East ICA

FREE PHONE 0808 802 3000

NHS Advocacy is now provided by North East NHS Independent Complaints Advocacy (ICA),supporting individuals complaining about the NHS in the following local authority areas:

Darlington, Durham, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, North Tyneside, , Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside  and Sunderland.

This service replaced the previous Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS) in 2013 and  continues to be delivered by the Carers Federation Ltd, who now have over seventeen years experience of supporting people in the North East with NHS complaints. Please click on the Independent Complaints Advocacy link on the left hand banner for an overview of how we can help.

How to find us

The service is based at:
Aidan House
Sunderland Road
Gateshead
NE8 3HU

 Local Links you may find useful

Healthwatch – the local voice for health and social care issues

Clinical Commissioning Groups

Outreach venues by appointment.

We have fully experienced Advocates in all Local Authority areas and  at certain core venues by appointment. Alternatively, in response to feedback and to make our service more accessible, we are able to meet at  any other venue to suit your individual needs.To make an appointment please call 0191- 4788350 or email ica@carersfederation.co.uk to explore options. Deaf/deafened people can contact us by text 07789088284 or BSL Whats app video on 07738994040

Darlington
Healthwatch Darlington  1  Chancery Lane
Darlington
1st Monday monthly 11am-1pm by appointment only		 Available to any Client

Aidan House Sunderland Road NE8 3HU Weds afternoons – no appointment required 1.30pm -4pm
Durham
Healthwatch County Durham, Whitfield House, St Johns Road
Meadowfield Industrial Estate, Durham DH7 8XL
2nd Thursday of month 2-4pm
appointment only
Hartlepool
ORCEL Wynyard Road Hartlepool TS25 3LB
every 3rd Wednesday 9.30-12pm
appointment only
Middlesbrough
Live Well Centre
Dundas Arcade Middlesbrough
1st Weds of each mth 1-4pm
appointment only

Newcastle

Contact Office for flexible arrangements

North Tyneside
 Contact Office for arrangements Ist Tuesday 12pm -3pm		Redcar
Contact Office for arrangements
First Wednesday of every month 9.30am -12pm

South Tyneside

Contact Office for flexible arrangements

Sunderland

Contact Office for flexible arrangements

 

North East NHS Independent Complaints Advocacy

Latest update   May 2022

From 2nd to 6th May it is Deaf awareness week and we are proud to support this through our involvement with the North East Deaf Network and partners plus our own in house Deaf advocate who has supplied the video message on this web page.

From 9th to 13th May it is Mental Health Awareness week and as a Service we do support individuals who experience challenges with their personal mental health whilst progressing through an NHS complaint and have experienced advocates who ensure support is tailored to the needs of the individual.

 One last reminder: Please note from 1st April we no longer support Gateshead residents and the service has been transferred to Your Voice Counts who can be contacted on 0191-4786472. This does not affect our delivery elsewhere in the Region.

We have moved back into our Offices and welcome visitors by prior appointment. Please note any meeting with the NHS  still requires the use of face masks.

We are  able to meet people face to face and support them at meetings as our local NHS Organisations have indicated they have updated their arrangements. Whilst we still can use virtual meetings as an option we recognise this is not for everyone – our telephone is manned to offer support as usual or to talk to us about other arrangements.

We want to hear from you should your NHS care and treatment not go to plan or even if there have been significant delays – it is important your voice is heard within the NHS.

We give our time free and pride ourselves in being people led so will tailor any support in accordance with your wishes and the outcomes you desire.

Whist making a complaint to the NHS is a decision for you: if you do not; how with the NHS be able to learn and improve for the future? There are positive benefits from all negative experiences. Its the essence of learning for everyone and generates positive outcomes. Even in these challenging times this message still rings true.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman  published their information around the new Complaints standards framework and there are several NHS Organisations trialling this in the North East please follow this link:- https://www.ombudsman.org.uk/complaint-standards

Our advocate team has a wealth of experience and knowledge and specialise in NHS complaints work so have no other distractions and will guide and support you through the  process to a conclusion.

As an advocacy service we are independent of the NHS, non judgemental and impartial though most important are led by you and your needs – we will help you to do what you want about your NHS complaint and signpost you, where necessary, to other Organisations who may be able to offer additional support.

Please follow our social media channel if you can for more timely updates.