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Advice and Information -
People have told us they want to feel listened to and involved in decisions about their social care. Here are six things you should expect from care services, according to new guidelines. -
Advice and Information -
Tips to help you stay well this winter and get the care you need. -
Report -
Our report following a visit to Able2achieve in Yeovil, which provides supported living and domiciliary care provision. -
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. -
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. -
Report -
We worked closely with the Adult Safeguarding Team to design a questionnaire that related to the six principles set out in The Care Act 2014 statutory guidance. We contacted 20 people who had experienced an adult safeguarding intervention in the last two months. Fourteen agreed to take part in the project. -
Report -
We have been talking to local people about their experiences and views of the accessing health and support information in Somerset. This report tells you what people said when we spoke to them about this. -
Report -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
News -
Hundreds of people in Somerset have shared their views on how to improve NHS health services in the county. -
News -
New feedback gathered by us on the county’s Adult Safeguarding service will be used to improve it for the future. -
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. -
News -
More people with dementia are being rushed to hospital emergency departments in Somerset, according to NHS statistics. -
News -
We are encouraging local people to give their views and experiences of local health and care services following a recently published report on Mendip House in the county. -
Advice and Information -
Do you or a loved one need help with social care? Read the article below to find out answers to key questions about who can access adult social care and how to pay for it. -
Report -
Our report following a visit to Newholme, a residential care home in the village of Ruishton near Taunton, which provides accommodation for people with a learning disability. -
Advice and Information -
Each day 6,000 people become carers. Looking after a loved one can be physically and emotionally exhausting so it's vital that you get the support you need. Find out how you can make sure you look after yourself. -
News -
Access to care is the main concern people have shared with Healthwatch in the past year. A new report by Healthwatch England looking at health and social care from the patients' perspective has warned that we risk "a two-tier health and care system" unless the NHS takes faster action to tackle access issues. -
Advice and Information -
To choose the right care home and support for your needs, or the needs of a loved one, it's important you have the right information to make your decision. Here are six things you should consider when choosing a care home. -
Advice and Information -
Did you know Volunteer Responders can help you access support and services such as collecting prescriptions and shopping delivery? -
News -
The Somerset Carers Engagement Project recently achieved a significant milestone in its mission to empower and support unpaid carers across the county when it held a major collaborative event to inform Somerset's renewed Commitment to Carers. -
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. -
Advice and Information -
Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services. -
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. -
Advice and Information -
Find out the signs and symptoms of monkeypox, what to do if you think you have it and who is eligible for a vaccine. -
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. -
Advice and Information -
We explain why it’s important to have a plan in place, should you or a loved one become critically ill. -
Advice and Information -
In a post-pandemic world where the cost-of-living crisis is challenging for many of us, prioritising our mental health and wellbeing is necessary. -
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. -
Advice and Information -
Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses that anyone can develop, regardless of age, income and ethnicity. Take a look at some of the common signs of eating disorders and where to go for support if you need help. -
Advice and Information -
Take a look at what you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccination programme, including where to go and why it's important. -
Advice and Information -
For new arrivals to the UK it can be confusing where to go if you need medical assistance. Here we outline your rights as a refugee, where you can access emergency help and how to register for a GP. -
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. -
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. -
Advice and Information -
Understanding the symptoms of flu and what the flu vaccine is helps you make informed decisions about your health. -
Advice and Information -
In a post-pandemic world where the cost-of-living crisis is challenging for many of us, prioritising our mental health and wellbeing is necessary.
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Report -
Our report following a visit to Ash Ward in Bridgwater, a 12-bed low secure inpatient rehabilitation and recovery unit for male adults with mental health difficulties. -
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. -
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. -
Report -
Our report following a visit to Wessex Ward in Bridgwater, that provides beds for up to 12 young people. -
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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. -
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. -
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. -
Report -
Our report following a visit to Rydon in Taunton. Wards one and two each have 15 beds, providing assessment and treatment primarily for adults of working age experiencing an acute mental health problem. -
Report -
Our report following a visit to Wyndham House in Minehead, which is a period property with modern extensions. It has 50 bedrooms and is registered to provide residential care. -
Report -
We identified the area of mental health as part of their our plan priorities from 2015-2016. -
Report -
Our report following a visit to Winsor in Minehead, which is a period building providing nursing care for up to 40 residents.
