1. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    You've told us that you've experienced problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what to do if you're refused the right to register.

  2. 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.

  3. Do you need help travelling to NHS services?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.

  4. 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.

  5. Continence care - what are my options?

    Advice and Information -

    If you or a loved one are affected by incontinence, find out where you can go for support.

  6. What is a GP referral and how can you get one?

    Advice and Information -

    When you need specialist NHS support, like hospital tests or treatment, you often need a referral from your GP first. Find out what this includes and what to expect.

  7. Think you need to go to A&E? Learn how NHS 111 can help you

    Advice and Information -

    The NHS wants to make it easier and safer for patients to get the right treatment when they need it, without waiting a long time to be seen in A&E. Find out what this means for you and your loved ones.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. Post Polio Support Group, Taunton

    Report -

    This report details our engagement with Taunton Post Polio Support Group, the issues around the understanding among professionals about Post Polio Syndrome and the ongoing joint work to highlight these with commissioners, GPs and health professionals.

  12. Health Visiting Service Report: Views on early years support

    Report -

    We have been talking to local people about their experiences and views of the Health Visiting Service in Somerset. This report tells you what people said when we spoke to them about the service.

  13. Accessing health and social care during COVID-19: A Somerset perspective

    Report -

    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.

  14. Access to primary care GP surgeries in Somerset: What local people told us

    Report -

    We have been talking to local people about their experiences and views of accessing care at GP surgeries in Somerset. This report tells you what people said when we spoke to them about this.

  15. People’s experiences of using GP websites to access information

    Report -

    We wanted to understand how the use of digital services by GPs, particularly websites, is affecting the way people access the information and care they need.

  16. ‘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.

  17. 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.

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

    News -

    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.

  19. Share your feedback about Somerset GP websites

    News -

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

  20. 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.

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

    News -

    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?

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

    News -

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

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

    News -

    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.

  24. 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.

  25. 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.

  26. 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.

  27. 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.

  28. Join a People’s Panel

    News -

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

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

    News -

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

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

    News -

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

  31. Healthwatch Somerset welcomes new announcement

    News -

    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.

  32. How do I get a fit note?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what a ‘fit note’ is, when you might need one and how to get one.

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

    News -

    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.

  34. 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.

  35. 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.

  36. What is a virtual ward?

    Advice and Information -

    With more and more appointments happening online, we've put together some tips on how to get the most out of the virtual health and care appointments both for patients and health and care professionals.

  37. What is social prescribing?

    Advice and Information -

    NHS social prescribing link workers can connect you to the right community groups and services to help support you.

  38. 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.

  39. Referrals and your right to choose

    Advice and Information -

    Did you know you can choose which hospital you go to when referred for a test, diagnosis, or treatment? Find out how.

  40. 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.

  41. 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.

  42. Access to GP appointments in West Somerset

    Report -

    As part of our Somerset-wide project, we decided to carry out some focused work looking at access to health and social care services in West Somerset.

  43. How to get the most out of your GP appointment

    Advice and Information -

    Do you struggle to speak to your doctor about your medical concerns? You’re not alone. Take a look at our top tips to make the most of your GP appointment.