1. Smoking during pregnancy - Action plan

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    Our smoking in pregnancy action plan ‘accelerates’ the move to appoint new stop-smoking advisor

  2. Health problems more common in babies with older fathers

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    A study of more than 40 million births in the US found babies born to men aged 45 or older were more likely to be born prematurely, have a low birth weight and need intensive care after birth than babies with younger fathers.

  3. Study shows a gap between pregnancies is beneficial

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    The NHS say that women should leave at least year between pregnancies

  4. Having a baby and the effect on your mental health

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    We want to hear about your experiences - whether having a baby had any effect on your mental health.

  5. Temporary closure of Cossham Birth Cenre

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    Cossham Birth Centre temporary closure – letter from North Bristol Trust

  6. Discussion event on preventing cerebral palsy

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    The Academic Health Science Network invite you to the following event: Wednesday 9th May 2018 from 11am - 2pm.

  7. Open letter shows progress in reopening health services ahead of winter

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    An open letter outlining plans to get services back to their pre-pandemic levels but still ensure everyone’s safety has been released.

  8. "This is another scandal where it’s clear that lessons from past tragedies haven’t been learnt" - Healthwatch England's response to the Ockenden review

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    Healthwatch England has responded to the Independent Review of Maternity Services at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, led by Donna Ockenden. The review examined almost 1,600 clinical incidents and found repeated failures in care.

  9. 'The barriers to accessing timely care can put people’s lives at risk' - Healthwatch England's response to the Care Quality Commission's 'State of Care' report

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    The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. Their latest report sets out the challenges the NHS and social care sector face: 'the health and care system is gridlocked, unable to operate effectively.'

  10. Share your experience: maternal mental health

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    Have you given birth since April 2020? Did you experience any mental health issues or emotional challenges such as low mood before getting pregnant? We'd like to hear your story and find out if you got the support you needed from the NHS.

  11. Six-week postnatal checks are failing many new mothers, Healthwatch England warns

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    Many women are struggling to access the support they need for their mental health during and after pregnancy. Only 1 in 5 were satisfied with the time their GP spent talking to them about their mental health at their six-week postnatal check.

  12. Continuity of care is crucial to addressing perinatal mental health

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    Research shows that continuity of care - receiving care from the same midwife or team of midwives - is best practice in maternity care. But we spoke to new mothers whose experiences show that services don’t always implement it.

  13. Our statement following the conviction of Lucy Letby

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    Lucy Letby was found guilty on the 21st August 2023 of murdering seven babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016, while working as a nurse. She was also convicted of trying to kill six other infants.

  14. CQC again rates maternity services at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust as good

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published a report following an inspection of the maternity services at both Weston General Hospital and UHBW Bristol Main Site (St Michael’s Hospital), both run by University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, in December.

  15. Loneliness 1 in 3 carers suffer

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    Carers are facing a loneliness “epidemic” according to new research revealed during Carers’ Week 2019 running until June 16.

  16. The state of caring survey 2019

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    Last year over 7,000 carers shared their experience of caring.

  17. Carers in crisis are struggling to find help

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    Healthwatch have found that Carers in crisis are struggling to find any help.

  18. Call for Foster Carers

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    There is a call for temporary foster carers across North Somerset during the Coronavirus pandemic

  19. Advice available for unpaid carers

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    The community bus, MAVIS, will be in Weston town centre on Friday (24 November) promoting the help available for unpaid carers in North Somerset.

  20. Rally Round

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    Unpaid carers in North Somerset can now access a FREE online service which makes it really easy for friends and family to form a virtual support circle and work together to help a loved one.

  21. Joint work to support carers

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    Joint work by North Somerset Council and Clinical Comissioning Group to support carers

  22. Supporting carers to stay employed

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    North Somerset is one of nine areas in England to have secured funding for a two-year pilot project to help carers balance their caring role with paid employment.

  23. Carers' forum - we care about how your needs are met in the future

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    Are you an unpaid parent carer in North Somerset? Take part in our Forum on Thursday (February 25th) morning or next Thursday (March 4th) evening over Zoom. We need your views so we know about the support and help you might need in the future.

  24. Winterbourne View 10 years on: Supporting those with learning disabilities to stay safe and well

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    People with learning disabilities are still at risk of dying unnecessarily and receive poorer care – 10 years on from the abuse suffered at Winterbourne View.

  25. Struggling to access digital services? Take a look at three new booklets, created to help people use the internet

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    Alive, a charity dedicated to improving the quality of life of older people and their carers, have published three booklets with the help of Healthwatch North Somerset to help those who struggle with technology access online services.

  26. How would you want to be supported by adult social care services?

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    We're looking to hear from people who are not currently receiving support from adult social care services. We'd like you to tell us what you know about social care and how you would like to be supported if and when needed. Your views will help North Somerset Council plan their future services.