1. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    People have told us they can have problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register.

  2. GP services survey report

    Report -

    A report capturing the findings of our survey into South Gloucestershire's GP services carried out during 2017-18

  3. Yate Minor Injuries Unit

    Report -

    Hivewatch Enter and View Report 28/09/2017.
    Healthwatch and The Hive were funded to undertake visits to health and care services to observe and report on the services from the perspective of a person with a learning disability.

  4. West Walk GP Surgery

    Report -

    Hivewatch Enter and View Report 28/09/2017. Healthwatch and The Hive were funded to undertake visits to health and care services to observe and report on the services from the perspective of a person with a learning disability.

  5. Concord Medical Centre Enter and View 2019

    Report -

    Healthwatch South Gloucestershire and Hivewatch volunteers undertook the Enter
    and View visit during March 2019. The purpose of the visit was to understand the experience
    that a patient with a learning disability would have when visiting Concord.

  6. 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.

  7. What you can expect from going to the doctors - Easy Read

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what you can expect when you visit your doctor.

  8. 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.

  9. Healthwatch guides to help you get online advice and support

    Advice and Information -

    Use our new Healthwatch guides to help you get to grips with using health websites and apps. From Patient Access and NHS App to using Zoom, you can download and print our step-by-step guides.

  10. Don't delay in seeking medical help during coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

    People are not seeking help for potentially life-threatening health conditions due to the Covid-19 outbreak, Healthwatch has learned.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. Are you an unpaid carer? Register with a GP so you don't miss your COVID-19 vaccine

    Advice and Information -

    It's always important to be registered with a GP - but it's particularly important if you're caring for someone vulnerable. If you're not registered, you may not get your COVID-19 vaccination at the right time.

  21. 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.

  22. How to cope with lockdown if you have autism

    Advice and Information -

    Radio presenter and Asperger's champion Alex Manners spoke to Healthwatch ahead of his talk organised by Bristol Autism Support tomorrow (April 7th). His tips for coping with the pressures of Covid-19? "Find a project and focus on the next few days."

  23. 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.

  24. 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.

  25. Pharmacy spotlight: Sadik Al-Hassan, Well Pharmacy

    Advice and Information -

    Sadik Al-Hassan, Senior Pharmacist and Area Operations Manager for Well Pharmacy, spoke to Healthwatch South Gloucestershire about what pharmacies can offer, and how they can help take the pressure off GPs and A&E departments.

  26. 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.

  27. 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.

  28. How to help someone get the most out of their learning disability Annual Health Check

    Advice and Information -

    People with a learning disability may find it hard to know when they are unwell, or to tell someone about it. We've put together a checklist to help people with a learning disability and their carers make the most of their annual health check.

  29. 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.

  30. Improving the health and wellbeing of people with learning disabilities

    Response -

    People with a learning disability can sometimes find it difficult to identify any health issues they may be having. To make this easier, we created a checklist to help people with a learning disability get the most out their annual health check.

  31. 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.

  32. How to register with a GP surgery

    Advice and Information -

    GPs offer a range of health services, including advice about physical and mental health, treatment, and prescriptions for medicines. To register with a GP, you don't need a fixed address, proof of your immigration status, or identification.

  33. Introducing HealthClick: free digital skills workshops to help you manage your health online

    Advice and Information -

    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.

  34. 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.

  35. '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.'

  36. Supporting older adults to access online health services

    Response -

    In 2022-23, we supported more than 1000 people and held almost 150 learning sessions to help older adults learn about the NHS app and develop the skills to order prescriptions, view test results, book GP appointments, and access online consultations.

  37. 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.

  38. The infopool: information for people affected by prostate cancer

    Advice and Information -

    The infopool is a new website offering simple, clear information about prostate cancer. It will help you understand the different tests and treatments available, and includes information on clinical trials you may be suitable for.

  39. Report: your NHS menopause experience

    Report -

    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.

  40. 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.

  41. 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.

  42. Changes at your GP surgery: how care improvements will benefit patients

    Advice and Information -

    Following patient feedback, the NHS has committed to making it easier and quicker for you to get the help you need from your GP and the healthcare community around your surgery. Our new booklet explains what changes and improvements you may see.

  43. 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.

  44. How will we make a difference in 2024-25?

    Report -

    Our workplan sets out the areas of health and social care we will be looking at over the coming financial year. It also outlines the research we plan to carry out in order to help improve local services.

  45. How will we make a difference in 2023-24?

    Report -

    Our workplan sets out the areas of health and social care we will be looking at over the coming financial year. It also outlines the research we plan to carry out in order to help improve local services.

  46. Report: Investigating local health inequalities using the Core20PLUS5 approach

    Report -

    102 people in Knowle West, Hartcliffe and Weston-super-Mare spoke to us about their experiences of health and social care. They shared the barriers and failures that prevented them from accessing local services, and what improvements are needed.

  47. 10 top tips to get the most out of your GP appointment

    Advice and Information -

    We know from our conversations with the public that some patients report feeling rushed during appointments and struggling to make themselves heard. Here are some tips that could help you get the most out of visiting your GP.