1. The District Nursing Service: People’s experiences of using the service in Somerset

    Report -

    We gathered the views of those currently using the District Nursing Service. We wanted to know what the current strengths and weaknesses were in the delivery of the service to patients in Somerset.

  2. Young Listeners Project Report

    Report -

    Sharing young people’s feedback to improve the health and social care services they use.

  3. The impact of waiting for NHS surgery in Somerset

    Report -

    Somerset’s NHS leaders asked us to help them understand how people are being affected by waiting for surgery to inform their ongoing work to improve support for patients.

  4. Experiences with the NHS 111 service in Devon, Plymouth, Torbay, and Somerset

    Report -

    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.

  5. Same day urgent care in West Somerset

    Report -

    The aim of this project was to gather the views of people living in West Somerset about same day urgent care. Somerset NHS Clinical Commissioning Group asked us to carry out this work as part of a review into how urgent care is provided in Somerset.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

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

    News -

    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.

  12. 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.

  13. Healthwatch Somerset welcomes the Integrated Care System and new opportunities to put people at the heart of care

    News -

    As Somerset’s new Integrated Care System (ICS) becomes a statutory body and formally starts work on 1 July 2022, we look forward to a productive partnership to make care better.

  14. What to expect when waiting for care

    Blog -

    Information and advice from Healthwatch England, September 2021

  15. Out and about in the community

    Blog -

    By Tanya Camberwell, Healthwatch Somerset Engagement Officer

  16. Thanks for coming to our roadshow in May

    Blog -

    By Gillian Keniston-Goble, Healthwatch Somerset Manager

  17. Think Pharmacy

    Blog -

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

  18. Healthwatch England news: Lack of NHS dental appointments widens health inequalities

    News -

    A new survey of public attitudes to NHS dentistry shows that half of the adults in England find dental charges unfair amid escalating living costs.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

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

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

    News -

    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.

  25. 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.

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

    News -

    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.

  27. Healthwatch Somerset reveals what Somerset residents are saying about health and care during COVID-19

    News -

    Our new report out today reveals local people’s experiences of health and social care during the first six months of COVID-19.

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

    News -

    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.

  29. 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.

  30. Healthwatch Somerset’s Readers Panel can help organisations communicate about coronavirus

    News -

    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.

  31. Make your voice count – Help shape the future of health and care services in Somerset

    News -

    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.

  32. 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.

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

    News -

    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.

  34. 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.

  35. Thank you: Over 260 people tell Healthwatch Somerset what they think would make the NHS better

    News -

    Local people share their views about how they want local health services to improve.

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

    News -

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

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

    News -

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

  38. Share your experiences of Health Visiting Services in Somerset

    News -

    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.

  39. 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.

  40. Helping young people have a voice on health and social care in Somerset

    News -

    The health and care issues affecting children and young people in Somerset have been the focus of our recent work.

  41. Improving Lives Strategy

    News -

    We will be monitoring the progress of a new strategy, launched this month by Somerset’s Health and Wellbeing Board.

  42. Hundreds of people reveal their experiences of Somerset’s 111 non-emergency phone line service

    News -

    We are calling for the NHS non-emergency phone line to provide better communication with the public.

  43. 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.

  44. 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.

  45. 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.

  46. A voice for the people of Somerset

    News -

    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.

  47. World Patient Safety Day: Shining a spotlight on patient engagement to support safer care across Somerset

    News -

    Together with NHS Somerset, we are shining a spotlight on patient and family engagement for safer care across Somerset for World Patient Safety Day on 17 September.

  48. 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.

  49. How to stay informed while you wait for care

    Advice and Information -

    The wait for planned medical care or surgery can be frustrating. That’s why you must get regular and accessible updates while you wait.