News and reports

Read the minutes of our July 12 2023 Prioritisation Panel, where we come together with our volunteers to discuss the health and social care issues you've raised and what we can do to bring about change.

Healthwatch England has warned that people need more confidence that the NHS can provide timely care as the winter period approaches. A third of adults in England lack confidence that they can access timely care, including GP services, mental health support and hospital care.

Lucy Letby was found guilty on the 21st August 2023 of murdering seven babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016, while working as a nurse. She was also convicted of trying to kill six other infants.

We had the opportunity to share our work and future plans with Louise, members of the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB), and Councillor Helen Holland - Co-Chair of the local Health and Wellbeing Board.

In carrying out our functions as a statutory organisation we promise to ensure that the values of equality, diversity, equity and inclusion are embedded into everything we do. We are committed to creating the right culture, skills and priorities to ensure that no individual is discriminated against in the planning and delivery of any of our activities.

NHS England has announced that it is bringing forward the roll out of this year’s autumn/winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme, with vaccinations now set to start on 11th September 2023. Adult care home residents and those most at risk will be the first groups to be offered the vaccines.

In the latest inspection, carried out in July 2023, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) focused on the areas highlighted in the warning notice issued in January. The service remains rated as 'requires improvement'.

South Gloucestershire Council want your views on their draft Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) strategy 2023 - 2028.

A lack of compassion from healthcare professionals, difficulty identifying menopausal symptoms, and confusion around HRT and alternative treatment options are among the issues raised by almost 400 people who shared their experience with us.

Have you been impacted by cancelled care? Healthwatch England commissioned Yonder Data Solutions to run an online survey to learn about the impact of postponements and cancellations of recent or planned care or appointments in 2023.

St John Ambulance has set up the CPR Community Network to ensure that everyone has access to basic life support training in person, online or by using their Resource Hub to give you the confidence to respond in an emergency.

NHS dentistry, GPs, and hospital services were the three topics we heard most about from you in the first half of 2023. In total, we received 131 pieces of feedback.