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We attended a meeting of representatives from SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) to introduce our work and the role of Healthwatch, and to hear their comments, issues and concerns. -
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We visited the Hearing Voices support group in Taunton to introduce our work and the role of Healthwatch and to listen to any issues or concerns the group wanted to discuss. -
Report -
We engaged with members of the carers support group, who meet monthly at Quantock Vale Surgery, Bishops Lydeard. We informed the group about our work and role of Healthwatch and listened to their queries and concerns about the health and social care services that they use. We also introduced our survey on ‘How Connected are You?’ -
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We engaged with members of the carers support group who meet monthly at the GP Medical Centre in Martock. We informed the group about our work and role of Healthwatch, and listened to their queries and concerns about the health and social care services that they use. We also introduced our survey on ‘How Connected are You?’ -
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We engaged with members of the carers support group who meet monthly at the GP Medical Centre in Ilchester. We informed the group about our work and role of Healthwatch, and listened to their queries and concerns about the health and social care services that they use. We also introduced our survey on ‘How Connected are You?’ -
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Our Enter and View Team engaged with members of public at Musgrove Park Hospital. We spoke to people and recorded their comments about health and social care services, and we gave out dozens of leaflets, and ‘How Connected Are You?’ Surveys. -
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Our report following a visit to Somerset Court, which provides residential and support services for people who have autism. -
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Members of this support group run by the Parent Carer Forum shared their concerns and experiences with us. Many of the group had common issues with assessments and having their needs met at GP surgeries. -
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People in Somerset will be given a strong voice to air their views on health and care services in the county – thanks to plans by Evolving Communities, the new provider of the local Healthwatch service. -
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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. -
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Five things you should expect from home care, domiciliary care or help in the home. -
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We identified there was a need to find out from local people how connected they feel and why. We also sought to find out how being connected affects feelings of loneliness and isolation. -
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Listening to patients and their experiences of health and care is key to improving these services in Somerset – says local volunteer Bob Champion. -
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A former school inspector from North Petherton with a passion for shaping local health services will help to lead our board as the county’s independent health and care champion. -
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Help shape the future of services for people living with a life-limiting illness. -
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Our report following a visit to Oak Lodge in Chard, which is a purpose-built care home and provides accommodation for frail older people. -
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We are calling on local people to make sure their voice is heard and reflected in proposals being drawn up by Somerset NHS health and care services, for changes to community-based services and non-emergency care. -
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Our report following a visit to Oak Meadows in Taunton, a care home that was adapted some years ago from an original military building on the site. The home specialises in the care of older people living with dementia. -
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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. -
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Our report following a visit to Centenary House, a residential care home in Shepton Mallet, which is able to care for up to 13 residents. -
Advice and Information -
If you or a loved one are affected by incontinence, find out where you can go for support. -
News -
As local health and care services come under increasing pressure due to the coronavirus, and access to services becomes more challenging, we are reminding people that we're here to help. -
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We can help health and social care organisations to communicate clearly and effectively with local people about the coronavirus and the impact on services and support. -
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We have launched a new survey asking local people to share their stories to help identify how health and care services are adapting and working well during the coronavirus outbreak, and to highlight common challenges that need to be addressed. -
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We explain why it’s important to have a plan in place, should you or a loved one become critically ill. -
News -
We are looking forward to helping health and social care services develop and improve with the announcement of several new projects for the year ahead. -
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By Tanya Camberwell, Healthwatch Somerset Engagement Officer -
Advice and Information -
If you are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who might be, find out where you can go for advice and help. -
News -
During Mental Health Awareness Week (18-24 May), we are highlighting the care and support needs of people living with dementia and their families, and the particular pressures of life under lockdown due to coronavirus. -
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It’s Volunteers’ Week 1-7 June, so we are is sending a huge ‘Thank You’ to the inspiring volunteers who help to make health and social care better for local people. -
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Shepton Mallet resident Bob became a full-time carer when he retired from a long career with the ambulance service. -
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It’s national Carers Week (8-14 June) and we want to know about your experiences of being an unpaid carer or being cared for during COVID-19, to help local services understand how to provide better social care and support. -
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Over the last year, more than 1,400 people shared their views on the county’s health and social care services with us, helping to make care better for local people. -
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Healthwatch Somerset Annual Report 2019-20: A review of our work over the past year and its impact, plus our work planned for 2020-21. -
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We have joined local and national health and care organisations calling on Somerset residents to give feedback about their care during coronavirus (COVID-19) to help services reflect, recover, and improve. -
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By Tanya Camberwell, Healthwatch Somerset Engagement Officer -
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Today we have published four reports about care homes in Somerset – three reporting on the quality of care in Somerset care homes prior to COVID-19 from a residents perspective, and a fourth looking at the challenges faced by care home staff during the pandemic. -
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We wanted to find out about the challenges faced by care home staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to understand how they have managed during this time. We held a focused feedback interview with a local care home; this is what they told us. -
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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. -
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Our new report out today reveals local people’s experiences of health and social care during the first six months of COVID-19. -
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We gathered real-time feedback on local health and social care services during the pandemic from the views of Somerset residents, to provide information that services can learn from once the outbreak has passed.
