1. Next steps for stroke services to be decided

    News -

    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.

  2. The public agenda for our next Prioritisation Panel on November 11

    News -

    See how we work out the main health and care priorities for South Gloucestershire from your feedback. Our meeting at 5:30pm on November 11 is where we action your comments or concerns with providers to ensure what you tell us makes a difference.

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

    News -

    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'.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

  7. Healthwatch BNSSG's conflict of interest policy and register of interests

    Report -

    All Healthwatch Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) staff, Board members and volunteers are required to identify and disclose activities and relationships that might give rise to conflicts of interest.

  8. Caring for someone with dementia? You can now find support more quickly

    Response -

    Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging, and carers often report feelings of guilt, confusion, and anger. We spoke to carers across South Glos to find out what help they needed, and put together a resource to help them access support.

  9. South West to receive almost £5 million to provide additional dental appointments

    News -

    £50 million will be made available to the NHS in England to allow people suffering from oral pain, disease, and infection to get the care they need. £4,726,000 has been allocated to the South West.

  10. The public agenda for our next Prioritisation Panel on February 10

    News -

    See how we work out the main health and care priorities for South Gloucestershire from your feedback. Our meeting at 5:30pm on February 10 is where we action your comments or concerns with providers to ensure what you tell us makes a difference.

  11. Recommendations to improve local stroke services agreed by NHS commissioners

    News -

    The Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group said the changes will mean fewer people die or experience long-term disability following a stroke. Services are expected to be fully in place from November 2022.

  12. Get Digital: one-to-one support sessions to help you develop your digital and online skills

    Advice and Information -

    Whether you want to feel more confident using the internet or you're starting completely from scratch, trained volunteers can help by offering a free, 60 minute support session at a library near you.

  13. Local NHS renews campaign to encourage people with non-life-threatening medical conditions to call 111 first

    News -

    The NHS in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire is encouraging people to contact NHS 111 for help with urgent but not life-threatening medical needs, rather than going straight to local A&E departments.

  14. Improving the health and wellbeing of people with learning disabilities

    Response -

    People with a learning disability can sometimes find it difficult to identify any health issues they may be having. To make this easier, we created a checklist to help people with a learning disability get the most out their annual health check.

  15. Have your say: the South Gloucestershire All-age Learning Disability draft strategy consultation

    News -

    If you have a learning disability, or if you're a parent, carer, or someone who works with a person with a learning disability, South Gloucestershire Council want to hear your thoughts on how they plan to make your life better over the next 5 years.

  16. Working together: co-production in South Gloucestershire

    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.

  17. Helping you make an informed choice about the COVID-19 vaccination

    Response -

    When COVID-19 vaccination rollout began, there was a great deal of misinformation about the vaccine. To help people to make an informed decision, we hosted a series of webinars with experts who could provide reliable guidance and answer questions.

  18. Report: experiences of attending Southmead A&E during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Report -

    North Bristol NHS Trust asked us to carry out a survey with people attending A&E at Southmead Hospital. We found that the management of people's long-term conditions in the community needs to improve, to reduce some of the pressure on A&E.

  19. 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.

  20. Report: how has the COVID-19 pandemic affected people's experiences of bladder and bowel services?

    Report -

    Our collaborative research with Bristol Health Partners' Bladder and Bowel CONfidence Health Integration Team (BABCON HIT) found that one in three people who use bladder and bowel services had been affected by changes to these services during COVID.

  21. Protocol for submitting 20-day request response letters to reports and recommendations from Healthwatch

    Report -

    This protocol recognises that Healthwatch acts as an independent consumer voice for people who use health and social care services.

  22. Provider of NHS 111 services in South Gloucestershire rated 'Outstanding' by independent regulator

    News -

    Practice Plus Group - NHS 111 South West, who have a contact centre in Bristol and answer NHS 111 calls from people across the South West, were found to be safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led by the Care Quality Commission.

  23. How to register with a GP surgery

    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.

  24. South Gloucestershire Prioritisation Panel February 2022 - minutes

    Report -

    On the February 10 2022, our Prioritisation Panel came together to discuss the health and social care issues you've raised, and what Healthwatch North Somerset can do to bring about change.

  25. Healthwatch BNSSG's combined safeguarding adults and children's policy

    Report -

    Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone. Healthwatch Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) will work together to prevent and minimise abuse, and protect vulnerable adults, children and young people from harm.

  26. "This is another scandal where it’s clear that lessons from past tragedies haven’t been learnt" - Healthwatch England's response to the Ockenden review

    News -

    Healthwatch England has responded to the Independent Review of Maternity Services at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, led by Donna Ockenden. The review examined almost 1,600 clinical incidents and found repeated failures in care.

  27. Report: lessons from health visiting during COVID-19

    Report -

    Throughout the pandemic, multiple changes were made to maternity care and health visiting services. We heard from 100+ women about their transition from maternity care to the health visiting service between 2020 and 2022.

  28. Annual Report 2021/2022

    Report -

    Your feedback helps us influence positive change and encourages the improvement of local NHS health and social care services. Take a look at everything we've been up to throughout 2021/2022.

  29. Have your say: what keeps you happy, healthy and well?

    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.

  30. What is Enter and View?

    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.

  31. Disabled people being left behind due to a lack of accessible healthcare information

    News -

    Disabled people and people with sensory loss have a legal right to get health and social care information in a way that's accessible for them. Yet Healthwatch England has found one in five people struggle to understand the information they receive.

  32. Introducing HealthClick: free digital skills workshops to help you manage your health online

    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.

  33. New dementia meeting centre opening in South Gloucestershire

    News -

    Dementia meeting centres offer support for people with a recent dementia diagnosis, people living with mild to moderate dementia, and carers. The new centre at Bradley Stoke Evangelical Church will offer practical, social, and emotional support.

  34. Where can I get digital support?

    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 South Gloucestershire.

  35. Results of the GP Patient Survey 2022

    News -

    The GP Patient Survey is an England-wide survey, providing data about patients’ experiences of their GP practices. It asks about issues such as making an appointment, getting through to your GP practice on the phone, and access to online services.

  36. 'The barriers to accessing timely care can put people’s lives at risk' - Healthwatch England's response to the Care Quality Commission's 'State of Care' report

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. Their latest report sets out the challenges the NHS and social care sector face: 'the health and care system is gridlocked, unable to operate effectively.'

  37. Blood pressure checks for over 40s now available at community pharmacies

    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.

  38. Experiences of being in hospital for people with a learning disability and autistic people

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission says people with a learning disability and autistic people "continue to face barriers when accessing health care and treatment" after collecting people’s experiences from 8 hospital trusts in England.

  39. Community welcome spaces set up to help South Glos residents struggling with rising energy prices

    Advice and Information -

    A network of community welcome spaces has been set up this winter where people can go to keep warm and socialise. These are free to use, friendly and safe. Some may offer hot drinks, activities and other services.

  40. Share your experience: maternal mental health

    News -

    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.

  41. Work to improve the care offered to new mothers highly commended for national award

    News -

    We were one of only eight local Healthwatch to be shortlisted for the award, and one of only four to be highly commended for our work around improving the care offered to new mothers by the health visiting service.

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

    News -

    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.

  43. A guide to hate crime: information and support

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

  45. Supporting older adults to access online health services

    Response -

    In 2022-23, we supported more than 1000 people and held almost 150 learning sessions to help older adults learn about the NHS app and develop the skills to order prescriptions, view test results, book GP appointments, and access online consultations.

  46. The public agenda for our next Prioritisation Panel on January 26

    News -

    See how we work out the main health and care priorities for South Gloucestershire from your feedback. Our meeting at 7:30pm on January 26 is where we action your comments or concerns with providers to ensure what you tell us makes a difference.

  47. 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.

  48. New parents assured community breastfeeding support groups will continue amidst fears of closure

    News -

    Mums supported by charity Barnado's breastfeeding groups were concerned the groups were ending due to funding cuts. South Gloucestershire Council have clarified that support will continue to be available, but under a new provider.

  49. Have your say - Easy Read

    Report -

    Download an Easy Read version of our 'Have your say' form.