1. 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.

  2. Findings: what keeps you happy, healthy and well?

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    Earlier this year, the local Integrated Care Board asked residents for feedback on what keeps us all well, what support we need, and what barriers to keeping well exist. Here's what you said.

  3. People are increasingly avoiding NHS appointments and prescriptions due to cost of living, Healthwatch warns

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    The number of people avoiding an NHS appointment because they can’t afford travel almost doubled between October and December as the cost of living crisis is forcing many to change how they use health and care services.

  4. The public agenda for our next Prioritisation Panel on January 24

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    See how we work out the main health and care priorities for North Somerset from your feedback. Our meeting at 7:30pm on January 24 is where we action your comments or concerns with providers to ensure what you tell us makes a difference.

  5. Hundreds more people to benefit from NHS care in the comfort of their own homes this winter

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    The NHS@Home service offers hospital-level care and remote monitoring in an individual’s home, providing an alternative to hospital admission, or helping them to return home promptly following an inpatient stay.

  6. Next steps in enhancing urgent care at Weston General Hospital

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    Local NHS leaders are focusing on helping people get home quicker after accidents and emergencies, with special units planned to assess and treat people more quickly so that they can return home sooner working closely with teams in the community.

  7. Long stay and rehabilitation mental health wards rated 'good' by independent regulator

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    Three of the four wards for working age adults managed by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust were inspected by the Care Quality Commission in January 2023.

  8. 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.

  9. Bookings open for spring COVID-19 vaccinations for the most vulnerable

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    A spring COVID-19 vaccination is being offered to people who are most vulnerable to infection. Appointments will be available between 17 April 2023 and 30 June 2023, and eligible people can book an appointment now.

  10. Introducing our brand new Healthwatch Hub!

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    We’ve permanently relocated to The Galleries in Broadmead, Bristol. Pop in to share your feedback with us, find out about volunteering opportunities, or get information about local health and social care services.

  11. Safety concerns raised after inspection of acute psychiatric wards and psychiatric intensive care units

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    Sexual safety incidents on mixed wards and environmental risks were among the issues identified by the Care Quality Commission, independent regulator for health and social care services in England.

  12. 'One patient was waiting over 9 hours to be collected' - Care Quality Commission raises concerns over waiting times for community transport provider E-Zec Medical Transport Services Ltd

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    The independent regulator for health and social care services in England undertook an inspection of E-Zec Medical Transport Services Ltd in January 2023.

  13. Public agenda for our next Prioritisation Panel on May 10

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    How does sharing your feedback make a difference? Join our next Prioritisation Panel at 7:30pm on May 10 (via Zoom), to find out how your comments and concerns influence local health and social care services.

  14. 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.

  15. Last chance for spring booster and primary COVID-19 vaccinations

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    The NHS is encouraging people to come forward for their spring COVID-19 top-up vaccination before the seasonal campaign ends at the end of June 2023. Friday 30 June is also the last chance to get your first or second COVID vaccine.

  16. What's working well at your GP surgery? What needs to be improved?

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    We want to know how GP surgeries can make it easier for people to look after their health and what you enjoy about your practice. Complete a 10-minute survey and if you'd like to enter our prize draw, you could win one of three £20 shopping vouchers.

  17. E-Zec Medical Transport re-inspected by regulator following warning notice

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    In the latest inspection, carried out in July 2023, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) focused on the areas highlighted in the warning notice issued in January. The service remains rated as 'requires improvement'.

  18. Graham Road Surgery and Horizon Health Centre under further scrutiny from regulator

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    The Care Quality Commission, independent regulator of health and social care services in England, has rated both surgeries ‘inadequate’ – the lowest rating – and given them six months for improvement.

  19. Louise Ansari, National Director of Healthwatch England, visits Healthwatch North Somerset

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    We had the opportunity to share our work and future plans with Louise, members of the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB), and Councillor Helen Holland - Co-Chair of the local Health and Wellbeing Board.

  20. 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.

  21. A third of people in England lack confidence they can access critical NHS services

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    Healthwatch England has warned that people need more confidence that the NHS can provide timely care as the winter period approaches. A third of adults in England lack confidence that they can access timely care, including GP services, mental health support and hospital care.

  22. How would you describe an outstanding experience of care?

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    What would your top priority be in a new 'Experience of Care' strategy? These are two of the questions University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) are asking you to share your views on as they set out to co-design their new strategy.

  23. Mental health trust told to improve its secure mental health and forensic inpatient wards

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    The Care Quality Commission found Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust must improve in a number of areas, including monitoring the conduct of temporary staff, and considering the level of noise and the impact on patients.

  24. 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.

  25. Share your views on a new draft mental health strategy

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    Helping more people to manage their mental health through self-care is one of the key priorities set out in the draft mental health strategy prepared by health and care partners in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. People from across the region are being invited to have their say on a new Mental Health Strategy.

  26. NHS waiting list in England hits a record high

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    For the first time, the NHS has published the number of individual patients on the waiting list – 6.5 million – in addition to the total number of appointments and treatments currently on the waiting list – 7.77 million.

  27. Extra investment in local health services to boost winter capacity and speed up hospital discharge

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    Health and care partners in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) are investing an extra £40m into services to boost capacity and speed up hospital discharge during the challenging winter months. Planning for this winter began in February, with significant extra funding allocated to winter schemes to maintain safe and effective care for local people.

  28. Festive working hours

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    Our hub in The Galleries shopping centre, Broadmead will be closed to the public between Monday 25th and Friday 29th December. It may take us longer than usual to get back to you over the Christmas and New Year period.

  29. One in four NHS staff experience harassment at work

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    In each of the last four years the NHS Staff Survey has shown that more than one in four staff has experienced harassment, bullying or abuse from patients and members of the public while at work.

  30. The impact of postponements and cancellations of recent or planned care or appointments

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    Have you been impacted by cancelled care? Healthwatch England commissioned Yonder Data Solutions to run an online survey to learn about the impact of postponements and cancellations of recent or planned care or appointments in 2023.

  31. Work around improving access to online health services shortlisted for national award

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    In 2022-23, we supported more than 1000 people and held almost 150 learning sessions to help older adults develop the skills to use online health services. We're delighted that this work has been shortlisted for a national award.

  32. Share your feedback: inpatient mental health wards

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    Do you have a loved one currently staying on a mental health ward? We're visiting a number of inpatient wards to speak to patients. We'd also like to hear from family, friends, and carers.

  33. Think Pharmacy First for common health conditions

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    People can now get treatment for seven common health conditions directly from their local pharmacist, without needing a GP appointment.

  34. Waiting for a knee or hip operation? Tell us about your experience

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    The wait for planned medical care or surgery can be frustrating, If you're a North Somerset resident, please tell us about the the support you've received - if any - while waiting for your hip or knee operation.

  35. Healthwatch North Somerset receives national award for improving digital inclusion

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    We're delighted to have been recognised at the National Healthwatch Impact Awards for helping people who are digitally excluded develop the skills to use online health services.

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

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    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.

  37. New North Bristol NHS Trust centre at Cribbs Causeway to offer diagnostic scans and tests

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    Patients will be able to have scans and tests at a new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) from April 2024 as part of a wider NHS initiative to increase access to diagnostic procedures.