1. How people with learning disabilities are helping to improve local services

    News -

    Hivewatch is a partnership between Healthwatch and The Hive, a charity that supports people with learning disabilities. Authorised representatives conduct Enter and View visits in partnership.

  2. GP survey to help people get better access to the care they need

    News -

    Practice makes perfect – do you want a more convenient GP service that fits around you? Feedback on how easy you are finding it to get an appointment at your local surgery in this survey from the local clinical commissioning group.

  3. Open letter shows progress in reopening health services ahead of winter

    News -

    An open letter outlining plans to get services back to their pre-pandemic levels but still ensure everyone’s safety has been released.

  4. Flu vaccinations - making a point about protection from viruses this winter

    News -

    Adults at high risk from flu are also more susceptible to coronavirus so having the flu vaccine is more important than ever, to help protect everyone this winter. Read the information in 12 different languages.

  5. New Checklist to help people get the most from their Learning Disability Annual Health Check

    News -

    The new Learning Disability Annual Health Check ‘Checklist’ for South Gloucestershire is here.

  6. Healthier Together recognised for collaborative working

    News -

    The Healthier Together Partnership has been officially recognised as an Integrated Care System as a group of 10 organisations working collaboratively to improve health and care across Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos.

  7. Healthier Together recognised for collaborative working

    News -

    The Healthier Together Partnership has been officially recognised as an Integrated Care System by NHS England/Improvement. This group of 10 organisations works collaboratively to improve health and care across Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

  16. NHS patient data sharing scheme explained

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. '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.'

  21. What's working well and what needs to be improved at your GP surgery?

    News -

    We want to know how GP surgeries can make it easier for people to look after their health and what you enjoy about your practice. Complete a 10-minute survey and if you'd like to enter our prize draw, you could win one of three £20 shopping vouchers.

  22. A third of people in England lack confidence they can access critical NHS services

    News -

    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.

  23. One in four NHS staff experience harassment at work

    News -

    In each of the last four years the NHS Staff Survey has shown that more than one in four staff has experienced harassment, bullying or abuse from patients and members of the public while at work.

  24. Think Pharmacy First for common health conditions

    News -

    People can now get treatment for seven common health conditions directly from their local pharmacist, without needing a GP appointment.