1. Emersons Green Medical Centre rolls out new phone system after CQC visit

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    Emersons Green Medical Centre has been visited by the CQC after complaints that patients could not get through on the phone and were not able to access treatment quickly enough.

  2. Vaccine programme musn't 'breed complacency' says Boris during his visit to Bristol

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    If you’re over 80 and still haven’t had your Covid-19 vaccine the message is – you’ll be contacted very soon. By the end of this week, every neighbourhood area in the region will have a GP practice vaccination centre up and running.

  3. COVID-19 cases in South Gloucestershire down 11% per 100,000 - but council warns people must continue to 'do their bit'

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    COVID-19 cases in South Gloucestershire are down 11% - but South Glos council has warned people to remain vigilant and continue to 'do their bit'.

  4. Mental health support during latest lockdown

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    Are you struggling to cope with a rainy, cold lockdown in January and the pressures of the pandemic? Have you suffered family bereavement or loss of income and need support? There are several services to help you or your loved ones.

  5. Allergy advice and the Covid-19 vaccine

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    If you have certain allergies you may be concerned about whether you should get the Covid vaccine. In most cases the vaccine is safe, even for people with a history of reactions to certain drugs and food. Here's the latest allergy information.

  6. What you've told us - and what we do with your health and care feedback

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    Healthwatch is here to listen to your views and then act on them. Visiting your GP featured the most in your feedback for the last quarter - and reception staff and the quality of care were among the issues mentioned the most.

  7. Zoom in for our next Prioritisation Panel meeting on February 11

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    At our Prioritisation Panel you can hear first hand how Healthwatch uses your feedback to understand the city's key health issues and works to bring about resolutions to help everyone have better health and care.

  8. Disabled people made up 6 in 10 of all COVID-19 deaths last year, according to official data

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    59.5% of all the coronavirus deaths between the 24th January and the 20th November 2020 were disabled people, the latest data from the Office for National Statistics has revealed.

  9. Surge testing - visit your nearest pop-up centre to help research on how the virus is changing

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    There’s just a few days left to get a covid “surge test” if you live in specific postcodes in Bristol and South Glos, are over 16 and do not have symptoms of the virus.

  10. How to get support if you need a little extra help to have the Covid-19 vaccine

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    People who have learning disabilities or a mental health condition can have their vaccination experience made easier for them. Healthwatch and the local clinical commissioning group put on a webinar to explain extra support or help that's available.

  11. If you have a learning disability you need to be on your GP's learning disability register to have the vaccine

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    Find out more about how to get on your GPs learning disability register to ensure you have the Covid-19 vaccine. Being on the register also means you should also be invited to have an important health check-up to pick up any symptoms of illness.

  12. Healthwatch discusses Covid-19 pressures on BRI's A&E department on Radio Bristol

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    The pandemic has led to delays in patients getting seen at Bristol Royal Infirmary’s A&E department due to high demand and lack of staff, a new report has found.

  13. Record number of people vaccinated - but the roll-out will be 'significantly restrained' in April

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    NHS staff delivered almost 100,000 Covid-19 vaccinations in a single hour on 20 March breaking the record for the largest number of doses given. In a South Glos Primary Care Network over 1,900 had their jabs in one day.

  14. New system of local organisations to improve local care

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    The pandemic has shown the importance of collaboration to help everyone get the care they need. This is the principle behind the new regional Integrated Care System, which began operating from today, April 1.

  15. Free virtual monthly drop-in sessions for people who have had strokes, their families, and carers

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    If you or a loved one has suffered a stroke, register for a free, monthly drop-in session to learn more about how to manage life after a stroke.

  16. Our survey to help improve bladder and bowel care features in national showcase

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    Healthwatch South Glos is delighted that our work with Bristol Health Partners on how easy it was for people to get help from bladder and bowel services during Covid-19 has been included in a national research portfolio.

  17. South Glos chosen to become an ‘accelerator site’ in NHS mission to tackle waiting lists

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    Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos will receive a share of £160 million in an NHS plan to test new ways of reducing the elective care waiting lists post Covid-19.

  18. Winterbourne View 10 years on: Supporting those with learning disabilities to stay safe and well

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    People with learning disabilities are still at risk of dying unnecessarily and receive poorer care – 10 years on from the abuse suffered at Winterbourne View.

  19. NHS patient data sharing scheme explained

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    Plans to collect patient data to understand more about viruses and other conditions for planning and research have been delayed. The NHS wants to work with key organisations like Healthwatch so people understand who will use this data and why.

  20. Improving stroke services in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

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    Stroke services in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire could be set to change as part of a public consultation on proposed improvements.

  21. The public agenda for our next Prioritisation Panel on August 12

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    See how we work out the main health and care priorities for South Gloucestershire from your feedback. Our meeting at 5:30pm on August 12 is where we action your comments or concerns with providers to ensure what you tell us makes a difference.

  22. South Gloucestershire Dementia Friendly Communities - summer 2021 newsletter

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    South Gloucestershire Dementia Friendly Communities, a local organisation to set up to offer help and support to both those suffering from dementia, and their loved ones, have just launched their summer 2021 newsletter!

  23. Millions more to benefit from free flu jab as eligibility criteria is widened

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    Over 35 million people are to be offered a free flu vaccine, including 50 - 64 year olds and all secondary school children up to year 11, in order to save lives and reduce the pressure on the NHS this winter.

  24. Translated COVID-19 advice posters available in 12 languages

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    Posters with the most recent COVID-19 information and recommended steps to keep everyone safe and reduce the spread of the virus are have been translated into 12 different languages, including Somali, Polish, and Gujarati.

  25. NHS sets out plan for improving patient access to GPs

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    More GP appointments, additional funding for NHS 111, and improved telephone systems will all make it easier for people to get the care they need. Measures to support GPs include the launch of a zero-tolerance campaign towards abuse of NHS staff.

  26. Risk of a "tsunami of unmet need" facing the health and care system, the Care Quality Commission reports

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    In their annual 'State of Care' report - the first to cover a full year of the pandemic - the independent regulator has called for increased stability and collaboration across services, plus investment in 'new ways of working'.

  27. Next steps for stroke services to be decided

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    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.

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

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    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.

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

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    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'.

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

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    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.

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

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    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.

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

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    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.