1. NHS Long Term Plan launched

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    The 10-year plan includes measures to prevent 150,000 heart attacks, strokes and dementia cases, and better access to mental health services for adults and children.

  2. Suicide Prevention

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    Healthwatch South Gloucestershire is promoting the WAIT suicide prevention campaign. The WAIT campaign is a national project; a number of smaller suicide prevention projects will be commissioned later in the year.

  3. World Mental Health Day - we share young people's experiences of getting support

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    Insight into what it's really like for young people trying to access advice and support services in our region to mark World Mental Health Day.

  4. New autism training programme to be rolled out following death of Bristol teenager

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    New autism training is to be given to NHS staff after the death of a Bristol teenager who was given drugs against his parents’ wishes.

  5. New bench to raise awareness of mental health is conversation starter

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    A bench called Clevedon’s Talking Point has been living up to is name and has been attracting a lot of interest from seafront walkers. It was erected to coincide with Mental Health Day on October 10th.

  6. New suicide prevention campaign Shine On launches in Bristol area

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    Shine On is a group of major organisations working together to prevent suicide particularly in young people age 16-25, middle-aged men and those in the LGBT communities which are the higher risk groups.

  7. Make 2020 a healthy one - tell us your views on services to make changes happen

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    Tell us about your experiences of health and social care, and the changes that you would like to see made locally, in our online survey #SpeakUp2020

  8. Coronavirus support from your HW team

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    We can help you find the latest advice on what to do to protect yourself and your loved ones as well as a friendly ear if you are self-isolating and feel cut off and confused.

  9. Mental health service 'gaps' during Covid-19

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    The health pandemic has resulted in many mental health support services either being suspended or becoming ‘self-service’ over the internet due to social distancing.

  10. New 24-hour helpline launches for those struggling with affects of pandemic

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    A new 24/7 phoneline to help people cope with the pressures of Covid-19 and beyond has been launched for people in the Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos region.

  11. Rise in coronavirus cases in South Glos - but under national average

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    People are being warned to take more care following Covid-19 guidelines after 33 reported cases in the last week in South Glos This is a jump of 8 from the previous week and a rate of 12 per 100,000 people just below the England average of 15.

  12. Test and Trace - how can it be improved?

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    Contact tracing is working well in the South West with an 83.3 per cent success rate compared to a national average of 77 per cent.

  13. Healthier Together recognised for collaborative working

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    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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. Provider of NHS 111 services in South Gloucestershire rated 'Outstanding' by independent regulator

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    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.

  17. '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

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    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.'

  18. Share your experience: maternal mental health

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    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.

  19. People are increasingly avoiding NHS appointments and prescriptions due to cost of living, Healthwatch warns

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    The number of people avoiding an NHS appointment because they can’t afford travel almost doubled between October and December as the cost of living crisis is forcing many to change how they use health and care services.

  20. Long stay and rehabilitation mental health wards rated 'good' by independent regulator

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    Three of the four wards for working age adults managed by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust were inspected by the Care Quality Commission in January 2023.

  21. Six-week postnatal checks are failing many new mothers, Healthwatch England warns

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    Many women are struggling to access the support they need for their mental health during and after pregnancy. Only 1 in 5 were satisfied with the time their GP spent talking to them about their mental health at their six-week postnatal check.

  22. Safety concerns raised after inspection of acute psychiatric wards and psychiatric intensive care units

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    Sexual safety incidents on mixed wards and environmental risks were among the issues identified by the Care Quality Commission, independent regulator for health and social care services in England.

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

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    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.

  24. Mental health trust told to improve its secure mental health and forensic inpatient wards

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    The Care Quality Commission found Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust must improve in a number of areas, including monitoring the conduct of temporary staff, and considering the level of noise and the impact on patients.

  25. Share your views on a new draft mental health strategy

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    Helping more people to manage their mental health through self-care is one of the key priorities set out in the draft mental health strategy prepared by health and care partners in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. People from across the region are being invited to have their say on a new Mental Health Strategy.

  26. Share your feedback: inpatient mental health wards

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    Do you have a loved one currently staying on a mental health ward? We're visiting a number of inpatient wards to speak to patients. We'd also like to hear from family, friends, and carers.