1. Enter and View: Willow Ward, Bridgwater

    Report -

    Our report following a visit to Willow Ward in Bridgwater, which has 10 beds and provides a countywide inpatient mental health rehabilitation service for people who live with long term mental health problems.

  2. Enter and View: Rowan Ward, Yeovil

    Report -

    Our report following a visit to Rowan Ward in Yeovil, which has 18 beds, providing assessment and treatment primarily for adults of working age experiencing an acute mental health problem.

  3. Enter and View: St Andrews Ward, Wells

    Report -

    Our report following a visit to St Andrews Ward in Wells, which has 14 beds, providing assessment and treatment primarily for adults of working age experiencing an acute mental health problem.

  4. Active and In Touch Group, Frome

    Report -

    Active and In Touch Frome is a group of volunteers who visit, help and befriend people who have become isolated or out of touch with the community around them. We were asked to give the group a talk on our work and the role of Healthwatch.

  5. Enter and View: Wessex Ward, Bridgwater

    Report -

    Our report following a visit to Wessex Ward in Bridgwater, that provides beds for up to 12 young people.

  6. Availability of hearing aid batteries in Bridgwater: You said, we did

    Report -

    We were contacted by the secretary for Bridgwater Senior Citizens Forum. A request for action was raised regarding the availability of hearing aid batteries in the Bridgwater area.

  7. Frome and District Day Centre

    Report -

    We engaged with Frome and District Day Centre to hear their experiences of accessing health and social care services in the area.

  8. Early support discharge - independent patient engagement

    Report -

    Early Supported Discharge is a service that aims to help patients who have suffered a stroke to be discharged from hospital sooner and to carry out rehabilitation at home rather than in hospital.

  9. Annual Report 2015-16

    Report -

    In this Annual Report we share our key challenges and successes, as we continued to engage with the public to understand people’s experiences of health and social care to make a difference.

  10. Rethink Advice Day

    Report -

    We gave a presentation on our patient and public engagement at this advice day hosted by Rethink to raise awareness of Healthwatch and our work.

  11. Parkinson’s Support Group, Burnham-on-Sea

    Report -

    We engaged with the Burnham-on-Sea Support Group to hear their experiences of accessing health and social care services in the area.

  12. Enter and View: Pyrland Ward, Taunton

    Report -

    Our report following a visit to Pyrland Ward in Taunton. Wards one and two each have 14 beds, providing assessment and treatment for older people suffering from acute mental problems such as depression, anxiety and bi-polar disorder, along with dementia and other confused states, often with high levels of aggression.

  13. Enter and View: Magnolia Ward, Yeovil

    Report -

    Our report following a visit to Magnolia Ward in Yeovil, which has 14 beds, providing assessment and treatment for older people suffering from dementia and other confused states.

  14. Somerset Polio Foundation Support Group

    Report -

    In September 2016 we returned to visit this group to find out how their report on Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) was progressing and to hear the key issues identified so far.

  15. Enter and View: Mental health inpatient wards in Somerset

    Report -

    We identified the area of mental health as part of their our plan priorities from 2015-2016.

  16. Post Polio Syndrome consultation in Somerset

    Report -

    We consulted with members of the Somerset Polio Support Group to document the care they receive from the NHS in relation to their condition, at both primary and hospital level, in order to raise the understanding of PPS with NHS health commissioners.

  17. Young people’s experience of leaving care

    Report -

    We ran a series of focus groups meeting with young people based at Burton’s Orchard in Taunton. The aims of these groups were to explore young people’s experience of leaving care and to involve them in starting to plan their own consultation with other care leavers.

  18. Our complaints process

    Advice and Information -

    Our complaints process outlines how to make a complaint about us and our approach to making sure complaints are resolved. Anyone who is dissatisfied with any aspect of this Healthwatch service provided by Evolving Communities CIC can make a complaint under the Evolving Communities Complaints Policy and Procedure.

  19. Who we are and what we do

    Report -

    Here are some Easy Read resources to explain who we are and what we do.

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

    News -

    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.

  21. Have your say - Easy Read

    Report -

    Download an Easy Read version of our 'Have your say' form.

  22. Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

    Event -

  23. International Women's Day

    Event -

  24. Project launched in Bridgwater to improve health of people with chronic respiratory disease

    News -

    Our new community project asks people in Bridgwater to get involved to improve the health and wellbeing of those living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

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

    News -

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

  26. Lung Cancer Awareness Month 2020

    Event -

  27. Somerset Virtual Careers Fair 2020

    Event -

  28. Alcohol Awareness Week

    Event -

  29. Carers Rights Day

    Event -

  30. International Day of Disabled Persons 2020

    Event -

  31. Launch of Young Listeners Project

    Event -

  32. Paget’s Awareness Day

    Event -

  33. STIQ Day

    Event -

  34. Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2021

    Event -

  35. Dignity Action Day

    Event -

  36. Children’s Mental Health Week

    Event -

  37. Time to Talk Day

    Event -

  38. Rare Disease Day

    Event -

  39. Eating Disorders Awareness Week

    Event -

  40. Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

    Event -

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

    News -

    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.

  42. Evaluating people’s experiences of being transferred from hospital to care at home or in the community

    News -

    Our new report evaluates people’s experiences of being discharged from hospital to be cared for at home or in a residential or community care setting.

  43. Supported transfer of care from hospitals: evaluating people’s experiences to help shape improvements in care

    Report -

    We wanted to explore the quality of the transfer of care process in Somerset and use the experiences of people who have been discharged from hospital with ongoing care needs to guide improvements in the process.

  44. Improving access to mental health support for young people in Somerset

    News -

    We've launched a new project with the aim of improving access to mental health support for young people and their families, guardians and carers.

  45. Enter and View report: West Mendip Hospital, Glastonbury

    Report -

    Our report following a visit to West Mendip Hospital, Glastonbury. The wards provide 36 beds, which host a mixture of patients: on Pathway 2, Pathway 3 or end of life patients.

  46. How can you save money on your Hormone Replacement Therapy?

    Advice and Information -

    A new scheme could see women across England save hundreds of pounds a year on their Hormone Replacement Therapy with a prepayment certificate.

  47. What should you expect after a dementia diagnosis

    Advice and Information -

    Receiving a dementia diagnosis can be a life-changing event, but knowing what support is available to you and what steps to take next can help you or a loved one process the diagnosis and plan for the future.

  48. Looking after your oral health while living in a care home

    Advice and Information -

    Living in a care home can increase your risk of oral health problems. That's why knowing what questions to ask care staff about your oral health or loved ones can prevent problems from developing.

  49. Enter and View report: The Old Police House, Nunney

    Report -

    Our report following a visit to The Old Police House, a care home in the village of Nunney near Frome, which provides accommodation for people with a learning disability.

  50. What support can I get as a carer?

    Advice and Information -

    Many people who provide unpaid care are unaware of their rights. Find out more about the help and support you are entitled to.