1. 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.

  2. Allergy advice and the Covid-19 vaccine

    News -

    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.

  3. Do you need help getting to your COVID-19 vaccination?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you need help with arranging transport for your COVID-19 injection? Have you been contacted about your vaccination but don't have a way of getting to your surgery? Our latest pamphlet contains all the information you need to get there safely.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

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

    News -

    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.

  10. 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.

  11. New system of local organisations to improve local care

    News -

    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.

  12. 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."

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

    News -

    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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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'.

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

    News -

    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.

  19. Helping you make an informed choice about the COVID-19 vaccination

    Response -

    When COVID-19 vaccination rollout began, there was a great deal of misinformation about the vaccine. To help people to make an informed decision, we hosted a series of webinars with experts who could provide reliable guidance and answer questions.

  20. Report: experiences of attending Southmead A&E during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Report -

    North Bristol NHS Trust asked us to carry out a survey with people attending A&E at Southmead Hospital. We found that the management of people's long-term conditions in the community needs to improve, to reduce some of the pressure on A&E.

  21. Pulse oximeter rollout to help people recover from COVID-19 at home

    Advice and Information -

    Many people are able to recover from COVID-19 at home. If you are at a higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19, you may be eligible for a free pulse oximeter to monitor your health and ensure you can get medical care if you need it.

  22. Report: how has the COVID-19 pandemic affected people's experiences of bladder and bowel services?

    Report -

    Our collaborative research with Bristol Health Partners' Bladder and Bowel CONfidence Health Integration Team (BABCON HIT) found that one in three people who use bladder and bowel services had been affected by changes to these services during COVID.

  23. Bookings open for spring COVID-19 vaccinations for the most vulnerable

    News -

    A spring COVID-19 vaccination is being offered to people who are most vulnerable to infection. Appointments will be available between 17 April 2023 and 30 June 2023, and eligible people can book an appointment now.

  24. Last chance for unvaccinated adults to get their first and second COVID-19 vaccinations

    Advice and Information -

    First and second COVID-19 vaccinations will end on 30 June 2023. This means any unvaccinated people aged 18 and over who want both doses have until Friday 5 May to get their first COVID vaccination.

  25. Last chance for spring booster and primary COVID-19 vaccinations

    News -

    The NHS is encouraging people to come forward for their spring COVID-19 top-up vaccination before the seasonal campaign ends at the end of June 2023. Friday 30 June is also the last chance to get your first or second COVID vaccine.

  26. Flu and COVID autumn vaccine programme brought forward

    Advice and Information -

    NHS England has announced that it is bringing forward the roll out of this year’s autumn/winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme, with vaccinations now set to start on 11th September 2023. Adult care home residents and those most at risk will be the first groups to be offered the vaccines.

  27. Spring top up Covid-19 vaccination for people at highest risk from virus

    Advice and Information -

    Eligible people are being invited by the NHS to have a top-up Covid-19 vaccination this spring. In line with expert advice, the NHS is offering Covid-19 vaccinations to people who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus – including those aged 75 and over (by 30 June 2024), residents of care homes for older adults, and those aged 6 months and over with a weakened immune system.