1. NHS Long Term Plan launched

    News -

    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. Callington Road Hospital, Enter and View

    Report -

    Healthwatch South Gloucestershire & Bristol Enter and View authorised representatives undertook one Enter and View visit to Aspen Ward, Laurel Ward and Elizabeth Casson House on 19.10.15

  3. Callington Road Hospital Report 6.10.15

    Report -

    Healthwatch South Gloucestershire & Bristol Enter and View authorised representatives undertook one Enter and View visit to Lime Ward and Silver Birch Ward on 6.10.15

  4. Southmead Hospital mental health services

    Report -

    Healthwatch South Gloucestershire & Bristol Enter and View authorised representatives undertook one Enter and View visit to Southmead Hospital Mental Health Services on 25.9.15

  5. Singing for the brain group engagement report

    Report -

    Singing for the brain group engagement report August 2016

  6. Student Stress

    Report -

    Healthwatch engaged with students studying at the University of the West of England and Bristol University to find out their experiences of feeling stressed or feeling under pressure.

  7. Brunel Neurological Alliance - Neurological Survey May 2014

    Report -

    A report on the experience of people living with neurological conditions in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

  8. The British Institute of Human Rights Mental Health Advocacy and Human Rights Guide

    Report -

    The guide was launched during this NHS Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Week at a round-table with major policy-makers where the results of work commissioned from BiHR by the Department of Health was discussed.

  9. Suicide Prevention

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

  13. There's only One You and a new service is here to help you look after yourself

    Advice and Information -

    A new one-stop service to help people live better by improving their health and mental wellbeing has launched in South Gloucestershire.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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

  16. Coronavirus support from your HW team

    News -

    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.

  17. Bored and age 11-19? Sign up to digital fun

    Advice and Information -

    Digital activity sessions are being run by a South Glos youth organisation to keep young people occupied and resist the urge to go outdoors.

  18. Healthwatch can now help find you the right support from NHS Responders

    Advice and Information -

    If you are at home self-isolating and need a support lifeline you can now call our team to find the right type of help from the new army of NHS Responders.

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

    News -

    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.

  20. Helping older people during the pandemic

    Advice and Information -

    Mental Health Week May 18th – 24th is about kindness and we at Healthwatch want to focus on the phone friends, from Age UK South Glos, who are chatting to older people to help them through this pandemic.

  21. World IBD Day - speak up and get help

    Advice and Information -

    We are raising awareness of the difficulties people face getting a diagnosis for Crohn's and Colitis for World IBD Day. TV presenter Rylan Clark talks about the stigma stopping people getting help.

  22. Covid-19 impact on local deaf community

    Advice and Information -

    We are marking Mental Health Awareness Week by looking at the barriers faced by the deaf community making them twice as likely to develop a mental health condition. Healthwatch is supporting work to help tackle the added difficulties of Covid-19.

  23. Our round up of how we've worked for you this year

    Report -

    Read all about how we expanded our geographical area, our staff team and developed new work areas to ensure we continue to make an impact on health and social care services near you.

  24. Read how people who need care at home were affected by pandemic

    Report -

    Lu, who suffers from chronic condition fibromyalgia, tells us how her family were her lifeline when she suffered a distressing fall and how she struggled to get help for severe shoulder pain.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

  28. 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.

  29. Mental health support during latest lockdown

    News -

    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.

  30. Overcoming concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine if you have a learning disability

    Advice and Information -

    Our South Glos volunteer, Jemma Ballinger, says while it is great news that people on the learning disability register will be prioritised to have the vaccine, they will still often need a lot of reassurance and understanding to receive it.

  31. Webinar to share latest information on Covid-19 vaccine for over 50s

    Advice and Information -

    To support the over 50’s, South Gloucestershire Council, Healthwatch South Gloucestershire and the region's Over 50s Forum organised an event with local representatives from the NHS and Public Health, to provide guidance and answer questions.

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

    News -

    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.

  33. 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.

  34. '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.'

  35. Share your experience: maternal mental health

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

  40. Stories from new mothers: accessing maternal mental health services

    Blog -

    Mental health issues are widespread and of significant concern to new parents, but many face substantial difficulties accessing mental health services. Mothers from across the local area told us about their experiences.

  41. Annual Report 2022/2023

    Report -

    Last year, 793 people shared their experiences of health and social care services with us. Our annual report sets out how your comments and concerns have had a real impact on local health and social care services.

  42. ChatHealth: support for 11 - 19 year olds

    Advice and Information -

    ChatHealth is a confidential text service enabling young people to discuss a range of issues with a school nurse, including emotional health, relationships, stress, self-esteem, bullying, drugs/alcohol and sexual health.

  43. Transforming the health visiting service after COVID-19

    Response -

    New mothers told us that there were issues with the transition from maternity care in hospital to the health visiting service in the community. We've worked with the local provider of the service to improve standards of care.

  44. Stories from new mothers: the importance of good communication

    Blog -

    The commitment to personalised care has been a cornerstone of NHS policy on maternity care for many years. A crucial part of personalised care is good communication, listening and agreeing on actions together.

  45. 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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

  48. Share your feedback: inpatient mental health wards

    News -

    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.