A jumble of white tiles with black letters on them
NHS jargon and acronyms explained
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.
28 October 2021
Image of a nurse. Text reads: help us help you get the care you need
People with learning disabilities and their carers are entitled to a free flu vaccination
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.
21 October 2021
Images of pages from the digital divide guide
The Digital Divide | A Guide for South Gloucestershire
The Digital Divide is the gap that exists between those who have good vs. those who have little or no access to the internet​. A group of organisations in South Gloucestershire are working together to try to address this gap.
21 October 2021
A pink highlighter being used to tick boxes on a list
How to help someone get the most out of their learning disability Annual Health Check
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.
6 October 2021
A woman in a dentist's chair, being shown an x-ray by a male dentist
Advice for NHS Dental Contractors: updating your NHS website profile
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.
27 September 2021
A doctor with a stethoscope listening to a patient's chest
Face-to-face appointments: know your choices
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.
6 August 2021
A white woman receiving dental treatment
Dentistry - how Healthwatch South Gloucestershire has used your feedback to bring about change
Over 100 people have shared their feedback on NHS dental services with us during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's how we've used your feedback, and how it's made a difference.
9 July 2021
Bar charts with someone using a pen to point to the document
Why do we need to collect demographic information when you share your views with us?
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.
18 June 2021
Image of a man talking to a woman in a Well pharmacy
Pharmacy spotlight: Sadik Al-Hassan, Well Pharmacy
Sadik Al-Hassan, Senior Pharmacist and Area Operations Manager for Well Pharmacy, spoke to Healthwatch South Gloucestershire about what pharmacies can offer, and how they can help take the pressure off GPs and A&E departments.
24 May 2021
Alex Manners
How to cope with lockdown if you have autism
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."
6 April 2021
Margaret over 50s Forum
Webinar to share latest information on Covid-19 vaccine for over 50s
To support the over 50’s, South Gloucestershire Council, Healthwatch South Gloucestershire and the region's Over 50s Forum organised an event with local representatives from the NHS and Public Health, to provide guidance and answer questions.
26 March 2021
Jemma Ballinger LD article
Overcoming concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine if you have a learning disability
Our South Glos volunteer, 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.
25 February 2021