1. Healthwatch South Gloucestershire shortlisted for national award in record year

    News -

    Local health champion is one of 28 shortlisted for national awards
    These awards recognise Local Healthwatch teams and volunteers who have put their communities at the heart of the big decisions about health and care

  2. How do you look after yourself?

    News -

    As of April 2020, and via our advice and information work (Signposting +), we will promote Sirona care & health's new Community Health Services (CHS). Sirona has secured a long-term contract to provide CHS in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

  3. Healthwatch South Gloucestershire takes local views to Westminster

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    Last week we met MPs in Westminster to discuss YOUR feedback about health and care services in South Gloucestershire.

  4. NHS Long Term Plan launched

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    The 10-year plan includes measures to prevent 150,000 heart attacks, strokes and dementia cases, and better access to mental health services for adults and children.

  5. How people with learning disabilities are helping to improve local services

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    Hivewatch is a partnership between Healthwatch and The Hive, a charity that supports people with learning disabilities. Authorised representatives conduct Enter and View visits in partnership.

  6. New Chair of Healthwatch England

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    Sir Robert Francis QC has been appointed today as the new Chair of Healthwatch England, the independent champion for people who use health and social care.

  7. Digital Inclusion project - help accessing online health services

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    Our team has run a pilot Digital Inclusion project to give people the confidence to go online to access a range of health services.

  8. Healthwatch supports Bristol hospitals' green mission to improve health for patients

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    Bristol's two NHS hospital trusts have declared a ‘climate emergency’ to help tackle the city's poor air quality which they believe is directly leading to ill health in the city.

  9. New contract to run Healthwatch in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire begins

    News -

    A new contract to run three Healthwatch; Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire started on October 1st and our commitment to YOU the patient remains as important as ever.

  10. South West Clinical Senate Citizen's Assembly

    News -

    A Citizens Assembly has been part of the South West Clinical Senate (SWCS) since these Senates were created in 2013. There are 12 Clinical Senates across England.

  11. Friends and Family Test

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    The Friends and Family Test (FFT) which helps determine what is good and bad about NHS services is being revamped to help get more comments from the public. Healthwatch supports these changes as user experiences are the only way the NHS can be informed when something is or isn't working.

  12. Suicide Prevention

    News -

    Healthwatch South Gloucestershire is promoting the WAIT suicide prevention campaign. The WAIT campaign is a national project; a number of smaller suicide prevention projects will be commissioned later in the year.

  13. World Mental Health Day - we share young people's experiences of getting support

    News -

    Insight into what it's really like for young people trying to access advice and support services in our region to mark World Mental Health Day.

  14. Listening to patients is key to getting healthcare right - was the message at our AGM

    News -

    Healthwatch South Glos heard how patients' experiences can really make a difference to large organisations.

  15. Volunteering with Healthwatch can involve taking patient's views to decision-makers.

    News -

    Our volunteer John Rose explains how his role with Healthwatch is a catalyst for getting patients' views heard at top-level. Why not volunteer for Healthwatch South Gloucestershire to help put people at the heart of decision-making?

  16. Grab your chance to speak up on health services to make a difference

    News -

    Just two days left to have your say on the new draft public engagement plan being put together by BNSSG to ensure people's views are an important part of decision-making.

  17. New autism training programme to be rolled out following death of Bristol teenager

    News -

    New autism training is to be given to NHS staff after the death of a Bristol teenager who was given drugs against his parents’ wishes.

  18. Two out of three people not getting autism support - new figures confirm what patients told Healthwatch

    News -

    Two out of three adults are not getting the support they need for autism spectrum disorders according to new figures. The findings are similar to what South Glos patients said about services in a recent Healthwatch survey.

  19. New bench to raise awareness of mental health is conversation starter

    News -

    A bench called Clevedon’s Talking Point has been living up to is name and has been attracting a lot of interest from seafront walkers. It was erected to coincide with Mental Health Day on October 10th.

  20. Access improvements made by the people that matter - LOCAL PATIENTS

    News -

    We teamed up with local charity the Hive and assembled a team of six people with learning disabilities to look at how access and services could be improved in a project called Hivewatch.

  21. New suicide prevention campaign Shine On launches in Bristol area

    News -

    Shine On is a group of major organisations working together to prevent suicide particularly in young people age 16-25, middle-aged men and those in the LGBT communities which are the higher risk groups.

  22. Try January - we're aiming high to get even better patient outcomes

    News -

    Happy New Year and we’re counting down to our big virtual launch event on February 28 to promote priorities for each of our three areas…

  23. GP survey to help people get better access to the care they need

    News -

    Practice makes perfect – do you want a more convenient GP service that fits around you? Feedback on how easy you are finding it to get an appointment at your local surgery in this survey from the local clinical commissioning group.

  24. Make 2020 a healthy one - tell us your views on services to make changes happen

    News -

    Tell us about your experiences of health and social care, and the changes that you would like to see made locally, in our online survey #SpeakUp2020

  25. Hospitals need to 'shift the mindset' so patients know their complaints will bring about positive changes

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    More hospitals should use their complaints system in a positive way to demonstrate to the public they can make improvements. Healthwatch wants hospitals to build patient trust so they know comments can bring about clear results.

  26. Updated Guide to Dementia Services in South Gloucestershire – January 2020

    News -

    The aim of this Guide is to provide an introduction to organisations, who can provide advice, information and support services, for people with dementia and their carers, family and friends.

  27. Celebrating LGBT History Month

    News -

    Our Healthwatch team Maisy and Vicky winged their way down to Bristol Aerospace to the event run by the Diversity Trust. Maisy is seen standing next to Concorde, which was brought to its new home in Bristol, three years ago - Feb 7th, 2017.

  28. Healthwatch dives into new work areas with video launch at The Wave

    News -

    Our team launched the 2020 vision for South Glos with a new project focusing on people with learning disabilities. Watch our new video about new ways of working across three Healthwatch areas which will make a difference to health services near you.

  29. Coronavirus - important advice

    News -

    Coronavirus (Covid-19) information and advice - read our rundown of some of the frequently asked questions and what to do if you or your loved ones become unwell and start showing potential symptoms.

  30. Coronavirus support from your HW team

    News -

    We can help you find the latest advice on what to do to protect yourself and your loved ones as well as a friendly ear if you are self-isolating and feel cut off and confused.

  31. Latest NHS Coronavirus Guidance | Over 30 Translations Now Available

    News -

    Latest NHS Coronavirus Guidance | Over 30 Translations Now Available

  32. Safeguarding Tips

    News -

    Safeguarding tips, which we recommend community groups adhere to and suggest people familiarise themselves with these tips to keep themselves safe too.

  33. Newsletter

    News -

    Read our Newsletter for February and March 2020. Containing information regarding Coronavirus and how we are helping the community along with local information for support groups and aid. It also contains updates from our launch events.

  34. Do your bit for the NHS - go to the right place for medical care

    News -

    Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG have launched a campaign to help local A&E services, encouraging people to go to the right place for minor injuries and illnesses.

  35. How to get emergency dental care

    News -

    People who need emergency dental treatment are advised to contact their regular surgery - and their case will assessed on a priority basis. They will then be referred to two new dental hubs, one in Bristol and one in Weston, for treatment.

  36. Nominate your carer or provider who has been your lifeline during the pandemic

    News -

    Share your stories of care with Healthwatch - we want to recognise all the wonderful work being done to help people in their homes and the wider community. A virtual hug from us to all the social care sector.

  37. Our pharmacy service to you - call Healthwatch for prescription deliveries

    News -

    If you are self isolating and need your prescription delivered to your door Healthwatch South Glos is here to help.

  38. Support available for children and their families

    News -

    Only a small fraction of “at risk” children are taking up the emergency school places which are open to them, prompting concerns that they are facing increased danger during the lockdown.

  39. Mental health service 'gaps' during Covid-19

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    The health pandemic has resulted in many mental health support services either being suspended or becoming ‘self-service’ over the internet due to social distancing.

  40. Concerns over patient transport services during pandemic

    News -

    People with disabilities and those who are less mobile may be struggling to attend necessary medical appointments due to reduced transport services.

  41. A big hearty thanks to all our volunteers

    News -

    We are celebrating Volunteers' Week June 1st to 7th by saying a big thank you to our 30 volunteers and 7 trustees who help us at Healthwatch Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos.

  42. Action needed after report shows BAME groups adversely affected by pandemic

    News -

    Large scale research and data collection is needed to tackle “humbling inequalities" in Covid-19 death rates, according to the new Public Health England report. We want our feedback to build an understanding of health experiences of BAME groups.

  43. How two special companions have supported those in need during pandemic

    News -

    Two new nominations in our Share Your Care campaign are for Mark and Margreth, who have selflessly been at the side of people that needed them during this pandemic. Well done to both of you.

  44. NHS Race and Health Observatory

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    A new NHS centre to investigate the effects of race and ethnicity on people’s health has got the go ahead after Covid 19 helped to focus minds on the continuing problem of racism in medicine.

  45. New 24-hour helpline launches for those struggling with affects of pandemic

    News -

    A new 24/7 phoneline to help people cope with the pressures of Covid-19 and beyond has been launched for people in the Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos region.

  46. Rise in coronavirus cases in South Glos - but under national average

    News -

    People are being warned to take more care following Covid-19 guidelines after 33 reported cases in the last week in South Glos This is a jump of 8 from the previous week and a rate of 12 per 100,000 people just below the England average of 15.