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Advice and Information -
NHS dental care has been massively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it's been almost impossible to find an NHS dentist that's accepting new patients or doing emergency treatment. -
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. -
Advice and Information -
Research from Macmillan Cancer Support has identified rising costs and exhaustion as being among the biggest issues people living with cancer in the UK are currently facing. -
Advice and Information -
Parliament's Health and Social Care Committee has launched an inquiry into dentistry following a survey that showed 90% of practices across the UK were not accepting new adult NHS patients. -
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. -
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. -
News -
We’ve permanently relocated to The Galleries in Broadmead, Bristol. Pop in to share your feedback with us, find out about volunteering opportunities, or get information about local health and social care services. -
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. -
Report -
Our communications strategy for 2023 - 2024 sets out the purpose and goals of our communications. This includes how we use our various communication channels, including digital and face-to-face engagement, to achieve our vision and mission. -
News -
The independent regulator for health and social care services in England undertook an inspection of E-Zec Medical Transport Services Ltd in January 2023. -
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.
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News -
How does sharing your feedback make a difference? Join our next Prioritisation Panel at 7:30pm on May 10 (via Zoom), to find out how your comments and concerns influence local health and social care services. -
News -
Research shows that continuity of care - receiving care from the same midwife or team of midwives - is best practice in maternity care. But we spoke to new mothers whose experiences show that services don’t always implement it. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
Report -
NHS dentistry, GPs, and hospital services were the three topics we heard most about from you in the first half of 2023. In total, we received 131 pieces of feedback. -
Advice and Information -
St John Ambulance has set up the CPR Community Network to ensure that everyone has access to basic life support training in person, online or by using their Resource Hub to give you the confidence to respond in an emergency. -
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. -
News -
South Gloucestershire Council want your views on their draft Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) strategy 2023 - 2028. -
News -
In the latest inspection, carried out in July 2023, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) focused on the areas highlighted in the warning notice issued in January. The service remains rated as 'requires improvement'. -
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. -
Report -
In carrying out our functions as a statutory organisation we promise to ensure that the values of equality, diversity, equity and inclusion are embedded into everything we do. We are committed to creating the right culture, skills and priorities to ensure that no individual is discriminated against in the planning and delivery of any of our activities. -
News -
We had the opportunity to share our work and future plans with Louise, members of the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB), and Councillor Helen Holland - Co-Chair of the local Health and Wellbeing Board. -
News -
Lucy Letby was found guilty on the 21st August 2023 of murdering seven babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016, while working as a nurse. She was also convicted of trying to kill six other infants. -
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. -
Report -
The main purpose of our Prioritisation Panel meetings is to represent the voice of people living in living in the local area, and making positive changes to health and social care services. -
News -
What would your top priority be in a new 'Experience of Care' strategy? These are two of the questions University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) are asking you to share your views on as they set out to co-design their new strategy. -
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. -
Report -
Read the minutes of our July 12 2023 Prioritisation Panel, where we come together with our volunteers to discuss the health and social care issues you've raised and what we can do to bring about change. -
Report -
Read the minutes of our September 27 2023 Prioritisation Panel, where we come together with our volunteers to discuss the health and social care issues you've raised and what we can do to bring about change. -
Advice and Information -
NHS@Home offers healthcare in your home or normal place of residence, rather than in hospital. It can offer an alternative to going into hospital when you are unwell, and it can help you return home from hospital more quickly. -
Report -
Our 2023 AGM will take place between 11am and 12:30pm on Tuesday 14th November at John Wesley's New Room, 36 The Horsefair, Bristol BS1 3JE. Everyone is welcome. -
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. -
News -
For the first time, the NHS has published the number of individual patients on the waiting list – 6.5 million – in addition to the total number of appointments and treatments currently on the waiting list – 7.77 million. -
Report -
Our 2022 Annual General Meeting was attended by our Trustees, staff, and members of our volunteer team. We discussed the work we'd done over the previous year and looked at how we can continue to be a voice for patients in the future. -
News -
Health and care partners in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) are investing an extra £40m into services to boost capacity and speed up hospital discharge during the challenging winter months. Planning for this winter began in February, with significant extra funding allocated to winter schemes to maintain safe and effective care for local people. -
Report -
In carrying out our functions as a statutory organisation we promise to ensure that the values of equality, diversity, equity and inclusion are embedded into everything we do. We are committed to creating the right culture, skills and priorities to ensure that no individual is discriminated against in the planning and delivery of any of our activities. -
News -
Our hub in The Galleries shopping centre, Broadmead will be closed to the public between Monday 25th and Friday 29th December. It may take us longer than usual to get back to you over the Christmas and New Year period. -
Report -
Read the minutes of our November 29 2023 Prioritisation Panel, where we come together with our volunteers to discuss the health and social care issues you've raised and what we can do to bring about change. -
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. -
News -
Have you been impacted by cancelled care? Healthwatch England commissioned Yonder Data Solutions to run an online survey to learn about the impact of postponements and cancellations of recent or planned care or appointments in 2023. -
Report -
When working for Healthwatch BNSSG, Trustees, staff and volunteers will often need to have access to confidential information. This may include personal information about individuals, information about the internal business of Healthwatch, and confidential information or business about the health and care system. -
Report -
Our engagement strategy sets out how and why we engage with the public; collaboration with other groups and organisations; what we do with your feedback; and our commitment to equalities research and working with 'least heard' communities.