A new national opportunity is inviting health, care and community partners to work together to improve cancer care for people across the UK. Macmillan Cancer Support, in partnership with Q, hosted by the NHS Alliance, has launched the Macmillan Q Lab, an innovation programme focused on one important question: “How might we reimagine holistic cancer care closer to people’s homes?” Over a nine-month period, participants will take part in workshops, peer learning, coaching and a structured design process to develop innovative solutions that could make cancer care more accessible, equitable and community-focused. Teams will also have access to expertise from Macmillan and Q, alongside funding support of up to £75,000 […]

Funded places for the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism are available for health and social care staff across the North East and North Cumbria until the end of October 2026.   What is this training? Named after Oliver McGowan, whose preventable death highlighted the need for better training, it equips staff with practical skills to meet people’s needs and reduce health inequalities. It is mandated by NHS England and helps meet the statutory requirement for learning disability and autism training. It has been co-produced by people with lived experience and helps staff provide safe, kind and inclusive care.   Why does it matter? Autistic people and […]

We’re asking for your help to share the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism with NHS colleagues, teams and networks across the North East and North Cumbria. Funded places are available until the end of October 2026. Please encourage staff to book and complete the training before then.   What is the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training? The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is the government’s preferred training for health and social care staff. It helps meet the statutory requirement for learning disability and autism training and is mandated by NHS England. The training was developed following the preventable death of Oliver McGowan. Oliver’s […]

Applications are now open for Cohort 6 North Cumbria School of Generalism, delivered by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS FT (NCIC). The School of Generalism is hosted by NCIC on behalf of NHS England North East, and is open to staff working across healthcare organisations in North Cumbria, aiming to equip learners with common concepts, understanding and language to help improve patient care. The Trust will again be delivering an innovative program giving the opportunity for up to 30 multi-professional, multi-disciplinary, clinical and administrative/management staff to learn alongside each other. They will gain a common language and shared skills to enable them to better understand, navigate and deliver the increasingly […]

The Deaf Awareness eLearning has been created to help deepen understanding of the experiences, perspectives, and needs of deaf and Deaf people. The training offers practical insights to support more effective communication, improve accessibility, and strengthen inclusive practice across both professional and community settings. Through real‑world examples and helpful strategies, the eLearning encourages learners to reflect on how everyday interactions, systems, and environments can be more inclusive. It supports staff to build confidence in communicating with deaf and Deaf people and to better recognise and respond to diverse needs. We warmly encourage all staff to register for and complete the Deaf Awareness eLearning. Taking part is a meaningful step towards […]

For sixteen years, colleagues across the North East and North Cumbria have worked together through the Learning Disability and Autism Network to improve services, challenge inequalities and strengthen the voice of people with lived experience. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this work over the years and helped make a difference for people and families across our region. That collective effort has made a difference. Through partnership between the NHS, local authorities, providers and the voluntary and community sector, the network has helped drive improvements in access to care, experience of services and outcomes for people with a learning disability and autistic people across the region. As this […]

We’re pleased to share that a new Digital Inclusion Awareness Training module is now live on the Boost learning academy. As digital tools and services become an increasingly important part of health and care, it’s vital that we recognise and address the barriers that can prevent people from accessing them. This short, practical eLearning module is designed to build awareness of digital inclusion and support colleagues to take a more inclusive approach in their everyday work.   About the module The Digital Inclusion Awareness Training course equips learners with the knowledge and understanding needed to recognise the significance of digital inclusion in health and care settings. The module explores common […]

A new community-led initiative is transforming how refugees and asylum seekers in Newcastle and North Tyneside access healthcare and wellbeing support. Help for Health (HfH), delivered by West End Refugee Service (WERS) and Walking With, aims to reduce long‑standing health inequalities by combining health education, social prescribing and peer‑led support. Refugees often arrive in the UK facing trauma, language barriers and confusion about how to navigate the NHS. HfH responds with practical, accessible workshops and drop‑ins that build understanding of GP registration, healthcare entitlements and the role of social prescribing. A key feature of the project is its focus on meaningful social connection – from gardening groups and group walks […]

Northumbria University is hosting a series of online co-production workshops to develop evidence-based training resources on Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)/Dyspraxia. These resources aim to increase knowledge, raise awareness, and improve understanding of how best to support children with DCD/Dyspraxia and their families.   Who are these workshops for? The workshops are open to participants from across sectors, including: Healthcare professionals: Paediatricians, GPs, school nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists. Education professionals: Teachers, teaching assistants, SENDCos, school leaders. The wider community: Clubs and groups, parents, families, and anyone interested in supporting children with DCD/Dyspraxia.   Why take part? Training resources will be co-developed with: Academics and researchers. Practitioners from healthcare and education. Families […]

The Shuri Network and NHS England are working collaboratively to support women from ethnic minority backgrounds to succeed and thrive in digital health and improve patient care. The Fellowship has helped to empower participants to overcome career-related challenges, gain insight into different digital roles, supported career progression, build positive relationships and translate their learning into improving patient and service user care, safety and outcomes. The programme encapsulates innovation, empowerment and inclusion. Applications will open on the 12th of December 2025. The programme will start in March 2026 and run to December 2026. The ground-breaking programme with NHS England has had a hugely positive impact and created a generation of new […]