1. Advice and Information -

    People have told us they can have problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register.
  2. Advice and Information -

    Health issues unfortunately don't leave us alone at the weekend and people are often in need of medical assistance out of hours. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.
  3. Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you travel to your hospital appointments.
  4. Advice and Information -

    Four questions staff should ask you or a loved one about your oral health if you’re a care home resident, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence quick guide.
  5. Advice and Information -

    End of life care is support for people who are in the last months or years of their life. The guidance on the NHS website helps you know what to expect, how to plan ahead and how to manage your day to day decisions.
  6. Advice and Information -

    Help make sure that your practice meets people’s accessibility requirements using this checklist from Healthwatch Slough.
  7. Advice and Information -

    We've pulled together a number of services for parents in need of support for their mental health. Read more to find out where you can go to get the help you need.
  8. Advice and Information -

    Take a look at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's (NICE) quick guide to discussing and planning support following a dementia diagnosis.
  9. Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.
  10. Advice and Information -

    Please do your bit by ensuring you go to the right place for medical care and reduce any unnecessary strain on the NHS. Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG have launched a campaign to help local A&E services, encouraging people to g
  11. Advice and Information -

    Use our new Healthwatch guides to help you get to grips with using health websites and apps. From Patient Access and NHS App to using Zoom, you can download and print our step-by-step guides.
  12. Advice and Information -

    Shielding letters have been sent out to those the Government consider extremely vulnerable. It contains information for them, family and their carers.
  13. Advice and Information -

    Here are some reminders to help ensure everyone has access to the medication they need. The message is: be considerate towards others by not over-ordering medication.
  14. Advice and Information -

    There is a lot of confusion around Coronavirus and what people should, or should not, be doing. Below are some of the commonly asked questions together with advice as to where to go if they need further information.
  15. Advice and Information -

    North Somerset Council update as of Monday 4th April 2020. Advice on all critical services and information where to go if you need more information
  16. Advice and Information -

    We recommend community groups follow these guidelines and suggest people familiarise themselves with these tips to keep themselves safe too.
  17. Advice and Information -

    The Keep Safe website has put together a range of resources for people with learning difficulties.

    These include Easy Read guides about Coronavirus, information about how to stay safe, and ideas of things to do when you’re stuck at home.
  18. Advice and Information -

    Here is a list of links for help and advice regarding Coronavirus and specific health conditions.
  19. Advice and Information -

    Our are local organisations who share our passion for putting local people at the heart of health and social care. We strive to capture the views of as many diverse populations within the county that we can, especially hard to reach communities.
  20. Advice and Information -

    The Accessible Information Standard requires any organisation providing NHS or social care to communicate in a way that everybody can understand, regardless of their circumstances.
  21. Advice and Information -

    We have put together some answers to the most frequently asked questions about Healthwatch North Somerset, including who we are, what powers we have and how important feedback from the public is.
  22. Advice and Information -

    Safeguarding is designed to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm, abuse or neglect, and remove them from abusive situations.
  23. Advice and Information -

    If you or your loved one feels unsafe, at risk or unable to cope, a new crisis support phone service is now operating in North Somerset.
  24. Advice and Information -

    Do you have questions about what Healthwatch does? Want to know what we do with your feedback, or how you can help improve health and social care services? Watch our video to find out.
  25. Advice and Information -

    Do you need help with arranging transport for your COVID-19 injection? Have you been contacted about your vaccination but don't have a way of getting to your surgery? Our latest pamphlet contains all the information you need to get there safely.
  26. Advice and Information -

    It's always important to be registered with a GP - but it's particularly important if you're caring for someone vulnerable. If you're not registered, you may not get your COVID-19 vaccination at the right time.
  27. Advice and Information -

    One of our volunteers, Jemma Ballinger, says while it is great news that people on the learning disability register will be prioritised to have the vaccine, they will still often need a lot of reassurance and understanding to receive it.
  28. Advice and Information -

    Radio presenter and Asperger's champion Alex Manners spoke to Healthwatch ahead of his talk organised by Bristol Autism Support tomorrow (April 7th). His tips for coping with the pressures of Covid-19? "Find a project and focus on the next few days."
  29. Advice and Information -

    Pharmacies offer a wealth of health and care services and popping in for advice might prevent the need to call 111 or visit your GP
  30. Advice and Information -

    When you share your views with us, we ask for demographic information such as your gender, sexual orientation, age, and ethnicity. Here's why we collect this information, and what we use it for.
  31. Advice and Information -

    Digital appointments don't work for everyone. Many health care services have moved online, but you can still request a face-to-face appointment. Here's what you can expect from the NHS if you need to be seen in person.
  32. Advice and Information -

    Most of us will need support with our wellbeing at some point, but if you're struggling, it can be difficult to know where to go for advice. North Somerset Council have put together a booklet to ensure you can access the help you need.
  33. Advice and Information -

    Many dental practices are not updating their information on the NHS website. The Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, and Healthwatch are urging dental contractors to review their profiles, to help patients find dental care more easily.
  34. Advice and Information -

    People with a learning disability may find it hard to know when they are unwell, or to tell someone about it. We've put together a checklist to help people with a learning disability and their carers make the most of their annual health check.
  35. Advice and Information -

    Preventing flu can be particularly important for people with a learning disability. Flu can lead to pneumonia and sepsis, which many people with a learning disability are much more vulnerable to than the general population.
  36. Advice and Information -

    The NHS sometimes uses jargon and acronyms that can be difficult to make sense of. We've found a selection of reliable resources that explain, in plain English, many of the terms that you may see used in NHS correspondence, online, or in the media.
  37. Advice and Information -

    Co-production is a way of working that recognises that everyone has a contribution to make. Our goal is to involve people in the planning and designing of our research and project work right from the beginning.
  38. Advice and Information -

    Many people are able to recover from COVID-19 at home. If you are at a higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19, you may be eligible for a free pulse oximeter to monitor your health and ensure you can get medical care if you need it.
  39. Advice and Information -

    GPs offer a range of health services, including advice about physical and mental health, treatment, and prescriptions for medicines. To register with a GP, you don't need a fixed address, proof of your immigration status, or identification.
  40. Advice and Information -

    That’s the question being asked by the new Integrated Care System (ICS) for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, as it launches a wide-ranging public engagement exercise to shape priorities for health and care in the years ahead.
  41. Advice and Information -

    As a local Healthwatch, we are able to visit health and social care services (such as hospitals and GP surgeries) and see them in action. This is called 'Enter and View'. Our goal is to identify what's working well and where improvements are needed.
  42. Advice and Information -

    Learn about the NHS app, how to order prescriptions, view test results, book GP appointments, and access online consultations at one of our free digital skills workshops. You'll receive 1:1 support and be able to ask questions.
  43. Advice and Information -

    A new directory of local and national resources to support people living with dementia, their carers, and their support networks has been put together by a team of experts. It covers often overlooked issues, such as emotional and wellbeing support.
  44. Advice and Information -

    Technology can make it easier to access information and care, but can also pose challenges for those without the skills or confidence to use the internet. Here are all the places you can get digital support in North Somerset.
  45. Advice and Information -

    People who are eligible for the service can receive a free blood pressure check without needing to book an appointment at their pharmacy. The check takes 10-15 minutes and carried out by a pharmacist.
  46. Advice and Information -

    A public living room is somewhere people can go to stay warm and have a hot drink as the cost of living crisis continues. North Somerset Council has mapped the public living rooms opening over the coming weeks.
  47. Advice and Information -

    A hate crime is any crime that the victim or anyone else things was motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person's race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or gender identity.
  48. Advice and Information -

    NHS dental care has been massively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it's been almost impossible to find an NHS dentist that's accepting new patients or doing emergency treatment.