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. Healthwatch England research: Tell us your story of maternal mental health care

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    Healthwatch is launching a national survey to understand if care works for new mothers and birthing parents.

  5. Share your views to help shape NHS Same Day Urgent Care services in Somerset

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    The NHS is reviewing how it provides Same Day Urgent Care in Somerset, and we want to hear your views to help shape and improve access to services in the future.

  6. Healthwatch report highlights ongoing public concerns about NHS 111 service in Devon and Somerset

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    People who use NHS 111 in Devon and Somerset have reported ongoing concerns about the quality of the service, with the most common complaints being about long waiting times and difficulty getting through on the phone.

  7. Healthwatch recommends improved communication and support for patients waiting for surgery in Somerset

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    In our recent survey, patients who are waiting for planned surgery in Somerset reported a lack of communication from hospitals and many felt their health and wellbeing had deteriorated while waiting for treatment.

  8. Local Healthwatch seeks public feedback on NHS 111 to help the service improve

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    A new public survey has been launched to find out more about local people’s experiences of using the NHS 111 service in the region.

  9. Are you or your loved ones waiting for hospital care? Share your experience with Healthwatch England

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    Millions of people have had their treatment delayed by the pandemic – are you one of them?

  10. New study asks people how they’ve been affected by waiting for surgery in Somerset

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    As the number of patients waiting for surgery continues to grow, nationally and in southwest England, we are asking people about their experiences of being referred for surgery in Somerset and how they have been affected by waiting times.

  11. Changes to Somerset’s District Nursing Service: What patients and carers want to see

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    Our new report out today, shows that people who receive care and support at home from the District Nursing Service, would like to see the introduction of weekend and evening visits, but many people are more cautious about the introduction of digital consultations.

  12. 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.

  13. What do you think about Somerset’s District Nursing Service? What works well and what could be improved?

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    We want to know what people think about the care they have received from Somerset’s District Nursing Service, to help the service develop and improve how it cares for local people.

  14. Healthwatch report highlights inconsistencies in NHS 111 service in Somerset and Devon

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    A joint report released today by a group of local Healthwatch in the South West, shows that although the NHS 111 service in Somerset and Devon is rated highly by the public, there are inconsistencies in the quality of the service.

  15. Local Healthwatch plea for public feedback on NHS 111 service

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    A new public survey has been launched to find out more about local people’s experiences of using the NHS 111 service in the region.

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. Health visitor still the first point of call when parents of young children need advice and support – new report reveals

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    Parents of young children still prefer to ask their health visitor or GP surgery for health advice and support rather than go to Facebook or consult their Red Book – according to the findings of our survey published today.

  20. Help people with their final wishes for health care – says Somerset man

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    Health and social services should openly talk about end of life care and the wishes of patients – says Healthwatch Somerset volunteer Steve.

  21. 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.

  22. 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.

  23. NHS figures reveal more people with dementia are being admitted to A&E in Somerset

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    More people with dementia are being rushed to hospital emergency departments in Somerset, according to NHS statistics.

  24. Share your experiences of Health Visiting Services in Somerset

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    Parents of young children in Somerset are being asked to share their views and experiences about the health visiting services they have received in the County, to help shape the service going forward.

  25. 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.

  26. 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.

  27. 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.