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

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    With spiralling costs of living, Healthwatch England is warning people are making changes to how they use health and social care services, which can have an adverse impact on their health and wellbeing.

  2. ‘Review culture’ is on the rise, yet only one in ten people feedback on health services

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    As Healthwatch marks its tenth anniversary this week, Healthwatch Somerset joins the 152 local Healthwatch across England to appeal for more people to feedback on NHS care.

  3. Healthwatch England research: Six-week postnatal checks are failing many new mothers

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    Healthwatch England, is warning that six-week postnatal checks – required of GPs in England – are failing many new mothers.

  4. Making it easier for people to get healthcare and support via GP websites

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    Our new report looks at people’s experiences of using GP websites to access healthcare services and information, highlighting that improvements are needed to make it easier for more people to get good care and support online.

  5. Share your feedback about Somerset GP websites

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    We are investigating people’s experiences of using GP websites to get health and wellbeing information and support.

  6. New public engagement programme to drive improvements in local health and social care

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    We have announced the areas we will investigate this year, to make sure that local people’s views and experiences are used to drive and support improvements in local services.

  7. Healthwatch Somerset asks young people ‘How could health and social care services work better for you?’

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    What’s it like being a young person using health, social care and wellbeing services in Somerset, and what changes do young people want to see?

  8. Accessing GP primary care in Somerset: What works for you and what doesn’t?

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    We are asking local people to complete a survey to share their experiences of accessing primary care through GP surgeries in Somerset.

  9. Hundreds share how they look for help when ill in Somerset

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    People in Somerset looking for health advice and support want to see better access to their GP to get the information they need, rather than looking online for help.

  10. How easy is it to access support and advice to help you stay happy & healthy in Somerset?

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    People in Somerset are being asked to share how they access information, support and advice when they are ill, looking after someone or finding it difficult to manage living at home, to help shape local services going forward.

  11. The top four things people in Somerset would like to see improved in local NHS services

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    Hundreds of people in Somerset have shared their views on how to improve NHS health services in the county.

  12. How does living in a rural area affect access to healthcare?

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    One man shares his views about how NHS services where he lives should change.

  13. Roadshow finishes with more than 400 views on health and care services in Somerset

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    Our roadshow, which travelled almost 260 miles around Somerset to find out the views of local people on health and care services, has finished a seven-day tour with more than 400 views collected.

  14. Join a People’s Panel

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    Have your say on the future of health and social care in Somerset – by joining a new Public and Patient People’s Panel.

  15. There’s still time to give your views on Somerset’s 111 service

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    People in Somerset are being urged to give their views on using the county’s 111 non-emergency phone line.

  16. Views wanted to help improve Somerset’s failing 111 service

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    People in Somerset are being asked for their views on using the county’s 111 non-emergency phone line.

  17. Healthwatch Somerset welcomes new announcement

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    As the county’s independent health and care champion, we welcome news a new provider will run the out-of-hours GP services in the county.

  18. Are you struggling to see an NHS doctor in Somerset?

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    We are asking people to share their experience of booking face-to-face appointments with their GP to help improve access to GP services in the county.