1. Where can I go to get help for my health out of hours?

    Advice and Information -

    People are often in need of out-of-hours medical assistance. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.

  2. 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.

  3. What is flu and how do I get the flu vaccine?

    Advice and Information -

    Understanding the symptoms of flu and what the flu vaccine is helps you make informed decisions about your health.

  4. ‘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.

  5. Think Pharmacy

    Blog -

    Information and advice from Somerset NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, May 2022

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

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

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

    News -

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

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

    News -

    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.

  10. What help can you get to pay for your prescriptions?

    Advice and Information -

    The cost of living crisis has put many people under financial strain, and prescription costs are more than some can afford. Find out what help is out there to help you cover the cost of your medication.

  11. What is menopause and what are the signs?

    Advice and Information -

    With more than thirty recognised symptoms of menopause and growing awareness of the impact on day-to-day life, it can help to know what to look out for and what support is available.

  12. How can your pharmacy help you?

    Advice and Information -

    Did you know that pharmacies provide advice and information on minor illnesses and ailments? Find out how they can help you.

  13. 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.

  14. What are the symptoms and treatments for diabetes?

    Advice and Information -

    Diabetes UK estimates that five million people in the UK are living with diabetes, with 850,000 of them not yet diagnosed.

  15. Can I access my GP records online?

    Advice and Information -

    From 31 October 2023, GP surgeries must give patients online access to their new health record entries. Find out what information is in your record and how to access it.

  16. What is measles and who can get the vaccine?

    Advice and Information -

    Measles vaccination rates are at a ten-year low as cases rise nationwide. Find out about measles, who can get the vaccine, and what you can do to stay safe.

  17. What can the Pharmacy First scheme do for me?

    Advice and Information -

    The new Pharmacy First scheme enables your local pharmacy to treat some common conditions with prescription-only medicines, without you visiting your GP. Find out everything you need to know.

  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. Annual Report 2013-14

    Report -

    In this first Annual Report for Healthwatch Somerset, we share our key challenges and successes, as we started to engage with the public and several of the county’s voluntary and community groups, services and networks.

  20. Annual Report 2014-15

    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.

  21. 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.

  22. Annual Report 2016-17

    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.

  23. Annual Report 2017-18

    Report -

    Healthwatch Somerset Annual Report 2017-18: A review of our work over the past year and its impact, plus our work planned for 2018-19.

  24. Annual Report 2018-19

    Report -

    Healthwatch Somerset Annual Report 2018-19: A review of our work over the past year and its impact, plus our work planned for 2019-20.

  25. Guided by you: Annual Report 2019-20

    Report -

    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.

  26. On equal terms - then and now: Annual Report 2020-21

    Report -

    Healthwatch Somerset Annual Report 2020-21: A review of our work over the past year and its impact, plus our work planned for 2021-22.

  27. Championing what matters to you: Annual Report 2021-22

    Report -

    Healthwatch Somerset Annual Report 2021-22: A review of our work over the past year and its impact, plus our work planned for 2022-23.

  28. Together we’re making health and social care better: Annual Report 2022-23

    Report -

    Healthwatch Somerset Annual Report 2022-23: A review of our work over the past year and its impact, plus our work planned for 2023-24.

  29. Healthwatch Somerset Annual Report: Working together to improve health and social care

    News -

    Last year, we supported over 4,370 people to have their say on health and social care and to get information and advice about local services.

  30. Healthwatch Somerset’s Annual Report shows how public feedback has improved health and care

    News -

    Last year (April 2021-March 2022), we supported almost 2,900 people to have their say on health and social care and to get the right information and advice about local services.

  31. Annual report highlights how Healthwatch Somerset has supported the public throughout the pandemic

    News -

    Over the last year (April 2020 to March 2021), during the pandemic, 2,387 Somerset residents shared their feedback on the county’s health and social care services with us or sought information and advice on how to access the care and support they needed.

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

    News -

    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.

  33. Healthwatch Somerset Annual Report: Listening to local people helps make health and social care better

    News -

    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.

  34. Healthwatch Somerset thanks inspiring volunteers who help make health and social care better

    News -

    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.

  35. Healthwatch Somerset announces new projects to help make health and care better for local people

    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.

  36. Local Board members wanted to help shape Somerset health and care

    News -

    We are the county’s independent health and social care champion and are seeking people with a passion for seeing local health and social care services change for the better.

  37. People’s real-life experiences of health and social care services in Somerset set out in new report

    News -

    More than 1,800 people have shared their views on the county’s GP surgeries, hospitals and social care over the last year with us – helping to shape and improve those services for all.

  38. Healthwatch says thank you to volunteers who help to shape local health and care in Somerset

    News -

    We will be celebrating the difference volunteers make to the local community during this year’s Volunteers’ Week, which runs from 1-7 June.

  39. Six years of championing people’s views of health and care in Somerset

    News -

    Today we celebrate six years as the county’s independent health and care champion.

  40. Former ambulanceman urges people to have their say about changes to the NHS

    News -

    Healthcare in Somerset will only work if people get to have their say – urges former ambulanceman Bob Champion.

  41. Roadshow aims to put Somerset people in the driving seat on health and social care issues

    News -

    Our staff and volunteers will be taking to the roads of Somerset in March to find out what people think about their local health and care services.

  42. Healthwatch network reveals top priorities for 2019

    News -

    To mark the start of 2019, Healthwatch England has published its annual network priorities list – setting out the key health and care topics which local teams will be working on over the year ahead.

  43. “Join us and help give everybody in our community a better future!”

    News -

    New Healthwatch Somerset volunteer Stephen Sharples is urging people in Somerset to be more actively involved in the decisions around their health and wellbeing

  44. Board members wanted to help shape health and social care services in Somerset

    News -

    People with a passion for seeing local health and social care services changed for the better are being sought by us, the county’s independent health and social care champion.

  45. Five ways to give feedback to help shape local health and care services in Somerset

    News -

    Share your experiences of local health and care services and make it better for everyone – that’s our message as we celebrate our fifth birthday next week (April 1).

  46. New chair of Somerset’s independent health and care champion announced

    News -

    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.

  47. Local volunteer Bob urges others to join him to help shape local health and care services

    News -

    Listening to patients and their experiences of health and care is key to improving these services in Somerset – says local volunteer Bob Champion.