1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Concerns over patient transport services during pandemic

    News -

    People with disabilities and those who are less mobile may be struggling to attend necessary medical appointments due to reduced transport services.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. A big hearty thanks to all our volunteers

    News -

    We are celebrating Volunteers' Week June 1st to 7th by saying a big thank you to our 30 volunteers and 7 trustees who help us at Healthwatch Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos.

  8. Stay Alert - from Covid scammers

    Blog -

    Police are warning of a new scam where callers pose as NHS Track and Trace advisors who ask the householder to pay £500 to be tested or face a “penalty.”

  9. Action needed after report shows BAME groups adversely affected by pandemic

    News -

    Large scale research and data collection is needed to tackle “humbling inequalities" in Covid-19 death rates, according to the new Public Health England report. We want our feedback to build an understanding of health experiences of BAME groups.

  10. How two special companions have supported those in need during pandemic

    News -

    Two new nominations in our Share Your Care campaign are for Mark and Margreth, who have selflessly been at the side of people that needed them during this pandemic. Well done to both of you.

  11. 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.

  12. Latest Enter and View Elgar House

    Report -

    Read our review on Elgar House, Southmead Hospital, where we observed the facilities and spoke to patients on the ward. We found delays in sorting patients' care at home leading to prolonged stays.

  13. First Do No Harm

    Report -

    First Do No Harm is a report published last week of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review. Read more to learn more about the report, why it was commissioned and its findings.

  14. 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.

  15. NHS Race and Health Observatory

    News -

    A new NHS centre to investigate the effects of race and ethnicity on people’s health has got the go ahead after Covid 19 helped to focus minds on the continuing problem of racism in medicine.

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. Zoom in for our first virtual AGM

    News -

    Join us on Zoon for our virtual AGM on Monday, October 12, 6-7pm, to reflect on our 19/20 year with updates on the latest news and project work being carried out in South Gloucestershire.

  20. Learning Disability Annual Health Checks Project

    News -

    We need your help to improve Learning Disability Annual Health Checks. We are creating a set of pre-check questions, tailored to the needs of those in South Gloucestershire and to help individuals get the most out of these checks.

  21. Dentistry during Covid-19

    Report -

    Healthwatch Bristol, Healthwatch North Somerset and Healthwatch South Gloucestershire have been gathering feedback about dental practice and treatment throughout the Coronavirus pandemic.

  22. Celebrating 10 Years of The Equality Act

    News -

    Healthwatch South Gloucestershire joins other local organisations to mark 10 years since the introduction of the Equality Act.

  23. We'd like to hear from you about your experience of Bladder and Bowel services during coronavirus

    News -

    Bladder and Bowel problems are not openly talked about and affect many people. Please help us to understand your needs, experiences and concerns by completing our survey.

  24. 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.

  25. Webinar: Busking the Myth of Risk and InAbility with Adam Pearson

    News -

    Following the success of their last webinar, South Gloucestershire Disability Equality Forum are hosting a session with disability rights campaigner, Adam Pearson.

  26. Latest guidance on attending appointments and new visitor restrictions at local hospitals

    News -

    Hospitals trusts covering Bristol, South Glos and Weston hospitals have said appointments are continuing as normal there is no need to ring and check. However, visiting patients has been suspended except in certain circumstances.

  27. Dementia carers - our ambitious project to hear your experiences and ensure you have support

    News -

    Caring for someone with dementia takes patience and kindness. It can also take its toll physically and mentally - and if it's a family member you may not get any time off. But is there anyone to care for the carer? Tell HW...your views matter.

  28. COVID-19 update: advice in different languages

    News -

    CASS have been working closely with the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (BNSSG CCG) over the last few months to ensure all communities in Bristol receive accessible information about COVID-19.

  29. 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.

  30. Healthwatch is making a difference nationally

    News -

    Healthwatch’s work, highlighting people’s experiences of health and care, has formed part of a major House of Lords report on learning key lessons from the health pandemic.

  31. Connecting Kingswood | Your Winter Warmer

    News -

    Stay warm this winter - 'Connecting Kingswood' have created a magazine full of fun activities & FREE local services!

  32. NHS Nightingale Bristol will open to day patients

    News -

    The NHS Nightingale Hospital in Bristol is to open for children and adults’ routine appointments to ease pressures on hospitals in the region caused by Covid-19.

  33. 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.

  34. Minutes and recording of our first virtual AGM in October

    Report -

    Here are the minutes of our first virtual AGM when we welcomed over 40 people to hear about our work and achievements over the last year. There is also a recording of the Zoom meeting held in October.

  35. Do you need A&E? Ring NHS 111 for urgent care if not life-threatening

    News -

    Many patients who go to A&E could be treated more appropriately, often more quickly by another NHS service. This is why NHS 111 First has launched to get you and your family the care you need without waiting a long time at A&E.

  36. Historic point - Covid vaccines rolled out to first patients at Southmead Hospital

    News -

    The new Covid-19 vaccine has been rolled out in Bristol today – with the over 80s and care home staff first on the list to receive it.

  37. 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.

  38. 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.

  39. Equality, Diversity and Unconscious Bias Training for VCSE groups in South Glos

    News -

    Southern Brooks Community Partnerships and CVS South Gloucestershire have organised FREE training for VCSE groups, particularly Mutual Aid Groups, new community groups and groups involved in the COVID crisis response.

  40. Phased roll-out for Covid-19 vaccinations

    News -

    Local vaccination services run by GPs will open across the area this week, as the roll-out of the biggest immunisation programme in NHS history starts

  41. 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.

  42. Want to know more about Healthwatch? Watch our video!

    Advice and Information -

    Do you have questions about what Healthwatch does? Want to know what we do with your feedback, or how you can help improve health and social care services? Watch our video to find out.

  43. 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.

  44. COVID-19 cases in South Gloucestershire down 11% per 100,000 - but council warns people must continue to 'do their bit'

    News -

    COVID-19 cases in South Gloucestershire are down 11% - but South Glos council has warned people to remain vigilant and continue to 'do their bit'.

  45. 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.

  46. 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.

  47. 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.