1. Weston Hospital open to outpatients - attend appointments and A&E as normal

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    Patients should attend outpatient appointments at Weston Hospital as normal despite a rise in Covid-19 admissions. The A & E department is also open but people are advised to call NHS 111 first if it is not a life-threatening emergency.

  2. Vaccine programme musn't 'breed complacency' says Boris during his visit to Bristol

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    If you’re over 80 and still haven’t had your Covid-19 vaccine the message is – you’ll be contacted very soon. By the end of this week, every neighbourhood area in BNSSG will have a GP practice vaccination centre up and running.

  3. COVID-19 cases in North Somerset up by 10%, as council pledges to increase rapid testing in the community

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    While cases in Bristol and South Gloucestershire have fallen, COVID-19 cases in North Somerset are up by 10%, with a total of 880 cases recorded.

  4. People with substance misuse problems face 'lack of mental health support'

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    Many people are struggling with substance abuse and addiction are stuck in a vicious circle - and vice versa. A contributing factor can be adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

  5. Allergy advice and the Covid-19 vaccine

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    If you have certain allergies you may be concerned about whether you should get the Covid vaccine. In most cases the vaccine is safe, even for people with a history of reactions to certain drugs and food. Here's the latest allergy information.

  6. Call for dual diagnosis: Steve tells his story

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    Steve Thornton, whose experiences helped us form a survey about the support available for recovery from both addiction and mental health, said he was “pushed around the system for many years” before someone finally was able to help him.

  7. Healthwatch helps end Joe's "excruciating wait" for mental health support

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    Joe has been "languishing on waiting lists and waiting for phonecalls" for over a year trying to get mental health support. We put him in touch with the Patient Advice and Liaison Service and he has now been able to see a psychiatrist.

  8. Disabled people made up 6 in 10 of all COVID-19 deaths last year, according to official data

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    59.5% of all the coronavirus deaths between the 24th January and the 20th November 2020 were disabled people, the latest data from the Office for National Statistics has revealed.

  9. Zoom in for our next Prioritisation Panel meeting on February 23

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    At our Prioritisation Panel you can hear first hand how Healthwatch uses your feedback to understand the city's key health issues and works to bring about resolutions to help everyone have better health and care.

  10. How to get support if you need a little extra help to have the Covid-19 vaccine

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    People who have learning disabilities or a mental health condition can have their vaccination experience made easier for them. Healthwatch and the local clinical commissioning group put on a webinar to explain extra support or help that's available.

  11. 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.

  12. If you have a learning disability you need to be on your GP's learning disability register to have the vaccine

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    Find out more about how to get on your GPs learning disability register to ensure you have the Covid-19 vaccine. Being on the register also means you should be invited to have an important health check-up to pick up any symptoms of illness.

  13. Vaccine research shows positive reaction among Asian communities

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    Sayd Ahmed from North Somerset Bangladeshi Association has been on a mission to speak to all Asian households in the area to encourage them the Covid vaccine is safe. He told HW he spoke to 2,200 people and they all were in favour of having it.

  14. New system of local organisations to improve local care

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    The pandemic has shown the importance of collaboration to help everyone get the care they need. This is the principle behind the new regional Integrated Care System, which began operating from today, April 1.

  15. Free virtual monthly drop-in sessions for people who have had strokes, their families, and carers

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    If you or a loved one has suffered a stroke, register for a free, monthly drop-in session to learn more about how to manage life after a stroke.

  16. Have your say on the proposed Graham Road Surgery relocation

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    Do you have a view on the proposed relocation of Graham Road Surgery in Weston-super-Mare? Join a series of workshops for patients and local residents to get involved in the design and development of services as part of the proposed relocation.

  17. Register for workshops on Graham Road Surgery's £3.2 million upgrade

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    The Weston Rugby Club is now the preferred site for the relocation of Graham Road Surgery. Have your say on the £3.2 million upgrade planned to create a modern new GP surgery for people living in the centre of Weston.

  18. Portishead Dementia Friendly Communities are running a series of events for Dementia Action Week

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    This Dementia Action Week 2021 (17 – 23 May), Portishead Dementia Friendly Communities are running a range of sessions for anyone who is interested in finding out more about dementia and the help available.

  19. Our survey to help improve bladder and bowel care features in national showcase

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    Healthwatch North Somerset is delighted that our work with Bristol Health Partners on how easy it was for people to get help from bladder and bowel services during Covid-19 has been included in a national research portfolio.

  20. Action plan needed to address staff levels and patient care at Weston Hospital

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    Shortages of staff at Weston Hospital could mean patients do not get the right care or treatment, a new report has found.

  21. Safe Haven project ready to support those in crisis

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    Safe Haven Crisis Centre has opened its doors to provide a safe space for up to 12 people suffering severe emotional distress every evening. Healthwatch played a part to make the service as welcoming and appealing as possible.

  22. 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.

  23. 100% of visitors seeking urgent support were 'very satisfied' with their experience at Safe Haven

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    Safe Haven, a place for people in acute emotional distress, switched to providing remote support to people in distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2021, it opened its doors and was able to provide face-to-face support for those in need.

  24. Young people struggling to access support for their mental health

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    75% of parents and young people told us they have concerns about their mental health and service provision. We heard that people had to "fight" for support and that services were "swamped, meaning no help was available."

  25. Improving stroke services in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

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    Stroke services in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire could be set to change as part of a public consultation on proposed improvements.

  26. The public agenda for our next Prioritisation Panel on August 10

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    See how we work out the main health and care priorities for North Somerset from your feedback. Our meeting at 11:30am on August 10 is where we action your comments or concerns with providers to ensure what you tell us makes a difference.

  27. 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.

  28. Millions more to benefit from free flu jab as eligibility criteria is widened

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    Over 35 million people are to be offered a free flu vaccine, including 50 - 64 year olds and all secondary school children up to year 11, in order to save lives and reduce the pressure on the NHS this winter.

  29. Translated COVID-19 advice posters available in 12 languages

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    Posters with the most recent COVID-19 information and recommended steps to keep everyone safe and reduce the spread of the virus are have been translated into 12 different languages, including Somali, Polish, and Gujarati.

  30. NHS sets out plan for improving patient access to GPs

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    More GP appointments, additional funding for NHS 111, and improved telephone systems will all make it easier for people to get the care they need. Measures to support GPs include the launch of a zero-tolerance campaign towards abuse of NHS staff.

  31. Risk of a "tsunami of unmet need" facing the health and care system, the Care Quality Commission reports

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    In their annual 'State of Care' report - the first to cover a full year of the pandemic - the independent regulator has called for increased stability and collaboration across services, plus investment in 'new ways of working'.

  32. Next steps for stroke services to be decided

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    Sit in on the decision-making process and hear the results of the Clinical Commissioning Group's recent consultation on how to improve stroke services and save lives in the Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire area.

  33. Medical care at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston rated 'good' by CQC - but concerns raised over patient safety

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    The Care Quality Commission's inspection of Weston General Hospital in June left the independent regulator 'significantly concerned about the safe care and treatment of patients receiving medical care'.

  34. Graham Road Surgery and Horizon Health Centre must make improvements in order to meet legal requirements, says CQC

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    The Care Quality Commission undertook the inspection of Graham Road 'in response to intelligence to suggest there was emerging risk at this practice', which included patient feedback and reports from Healthwatch North Somerset.

  35. The public agenda for our next Prioritisation Panel on November 16

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    See how we work out the main health and care priorities for North Somerset from your feedback. Our meeting at 11:30am on November 16 is where we action your comments or concerns with providers to ensure what you tell us makes a difference.

  36. Mental health services for children, young people, and older people must improve, says independent regulator

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    The Care Quality Commission has published its latest report on community mental health services for children and young people, and hospital wards for older adults, provided by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.

  37. Take lateral flow test before 'high risk' situations and visits, says government

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    People are now being advised to take a lateral flow test before 'high risk situations', such as being in crowded spaces, and before visiting anyone who may be at a higher risk of severe illness if they get COVID-19.

  38. Have your say: attending Southmead Hospital A&E department

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    Staff at Southmead Hospital need your feedback to find how patient care at their A&E department can be improved. If you've attended A&E as a walk-in during November or December 2021, you can help by filling in our anonymous survey.