1. Help shape the future of primary care

    News -

    There are just a few days left to have your say on the future of primary care in the region.

  2. NHS to roll out lung cancer scanners

    News -

    The NHS are going to roll out lung cancer scanning trucks across the country

  3. The Kings Fund

    News -

    The Kings Fund: Home care in England: views from commissioners and providers

  4. Community Stroke Services - Report

    Report -

    We collect information from the public about their experiences of local health and social care services. This information is shared with health and social care service providers, local commissioners and all other relevant bodies.

  5. Public meeting report - Personalisation

    Report -

    Personalisation is relatively new, is not fully understood and is of interest to the public. It is a social care approach in which every person who receives support, whether provided by statutory services or self-funded, has choice and control.

  6. Special Enquiry - Community Stroke Services

    Report -

    Services to stroke patients after discharge is an issue highlighted to Healthwatch North Somerset by local people and on which we have received a large amount of feedback.

  7. Call Healthwatch to get support from NHS Responders

    News -

    If you are at home self-isolating and need a support lifeline you can now call our team to find the right type of help from the new army of NHS Responders.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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'.

  11. Pulse oximeter rollout to help people recover from COVID-19 at home

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

  13. How can NHS@Home support you this winter?

    Advice and Information -

    NHS@Home offers healthcare in your home or normal place of residence, rather than in hospital. It can offer an alternative to going into hospital when you are unwell, and it can help you return home from hospital more quickly.

  14. CONfidence app for people with bladder and bowel leakage

    Advice and Information -

    The free CONfidence app provides self-help advice and information for people with bladder and bowel leakage, and carers and parents of children with symptoms.

  15. How will we make a difference in 2024-25?

    Report -

    Our workplan sets out the areas of health and social care we will be looking at over the coming financial year. It also outlines the research we plan to carry out in order to help improve local services.

  16. What should you expect from home care services?

    Advice and Information -

    The number of people being cared for in their own homes is increasing but what should you expect from home care services?

  17. Self Report App for COVID 19

    News -

    Use this Self-Report App to help Kings College London scientists understand Covid-19

  18. Coronavirus - Translations available

    News -

    Latest NHS Coronavirus Guidance | Over 30 Translations Now Available

  19. Coronavirus FAQs

    News -

    Coronavirus FAQs on the right way to protect yourself and loved ones

    Information taken from gov.uk

  20. Scam over COVID 19 tax refund

    News -

    Avon and Somerset Police have today advised us that there is a scam email over Covid19 tax refund

  21. Coronavirus support from your Healthwatch team

    News -

    Coronavirus Support From Your Healthwatch Team

  22. Community Action to help with COVID 19 relief

    News -

    Neighbourhood Watch highlights 10 ways to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community in the event of an ourbreak:

  23. Three pronged attack to prevent the spread of Coronavirus

    News -

    Catch it.
    Bin it
    Kill it

  24. Do your bit for the NHS

    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

  25. Interactive Map of local community services

    News -

    Take a look at this amazing list created by ‘Bristol Independent Businesses’ – it brings together community resources, Mutal Aid Groups and food delivery services that are available across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

  26. Don't bulk buy - advice from pharmacies

    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.

  27. Frequently Asked Questions about Coronavirus

    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.

  28. Council Information during Coronavirus

    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

  29. Coronavirus and domestic abuse

    News -

    Living with an abusive partner or family member is difficult at the best of times. But being stuck in the home together at a time of stress and uncertainty may be even more frightening than usual.

  30. Coronavirus and mental health

    News -

    In light of the Coronavirus situation, North Somerset Wellbeing Service has re-designed the Service offer for the next three to six months.

  31. COVID-19: links to help and support

    Advice and Information -

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

  32. Mental health service 'gaps'? - tell us your views

    News -

    The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in many mental health support services being suspended or becoming 'self-service' online. We want to help you find the support you need and hear your experiences of online and telephone services.

  33. Passport to help vulnerable cope with hospital visits

    News -

    Carers who assist people with learning disabilities are asked to help make sure their ‘Healthcare Passports’ are up-to-date for any hospital visits during the health pandemic.

  34. Secure patient transport service to change policies following inadequate rating

    News -

    A patient transport service for mental health patients in North Somerset has said they are making changes to how they record journeys – following an inadequate rating from the Quality Care Commission.

  35. New review says BAME groups at higher risk of dying from Covid-19

    Report -

    A new review has shown the risk of dying from Covid-19 is higher among Black and Asian Minority Ethnic Groups compared to white groups. Healthwatch awaits recommendations from these findings which will really benefit BAME staff and patients.

  36. Volunteers' Week - thank you John!

    Blog -

    Thanks John, your work means patients' voices are heard by key decision makers at local hospitals.

  37. Weston Hospital update - no new cases

    News -

    There have been no new Covid-19 cases identified at Weston Hospital after inpatients were re-tested this week. Work is ongoing so it can reopen “as soon as possible,” according to the hospital's CEO.

  38. Weston Hospital now fully reopened

    News -

    Weston Hospital has now fully reopened and patients who have an appointment scheduled from today onwards should just attend at their allocated time. The A&E service is also now operational again from 8am to 10pm.

  39. See how we use your views to improve health and care services near you

    Report -

    Read our latest Annual Report for 2019/2020 - we expanded our geographical area and our staff team to make a difference to local health and care services. We take you through our highlights and achievements.

  40. Shielding stories - an insight into how vulnerable people coped in North Somerset

    Report -

    Older and more vulnerable people have told Healthwatch how they coped with coronavirus with many admitting their mental health had suffered and they often felt lonely.

  41. Jump in coronavirus cases means North Somerset has highest amount per 100,000 people in South West

    News -

    People are being warned to be more vigilant with 53 coronavirus cases reported in the last week in North Somerset. This means it has the highest number of cases per 100,000 people in the South West of 25. The national average is 15.

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

    News -

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

  43. “I feel completely stuck” - Joe shares his experience with mental health services during lockdown

    News -

    Joe, from Clapton-in-Gordano in North Somerset, lives with a mental health condition called depersonalisation disorder.

  44. Test and Trace - how can it be improved?

    News -

    Contact tracing is working well in the South West with an 83.3 per cent success rate compared to a national average of 77 per cent.

  45. COVID-19 update: advice in different languages

    News -

    CASS have been working closely with the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (BNSSG CCG) over the last few months to ensure all communities in Bristol receive accessible information about COVID-19.

  46. Historic turning point - Covid vaccines rolled out to first patients at Southmead Hospital

    News -

    The new Covid-19 vaccine has been rolled out in Bristol today (December 8) – with the over 80s and care home staff first on the list to receive it.

  47. Roll-out for Covid-19 vaccinations starts at two North Somerset sites

    News -

    Local vaccination services run by GPs open this week, as the roll-out of the biggest immunisation programme in NHS history starts

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

    News -

    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.