News and reports

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.'

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.