Your opinion can make a difference, take part in our surveys and polls to help us campaign for the right changes in health and social care for Somerset. Surveys & polls Live surveys & polls Here you can find all of our live surveys & polls. Sharing your thoughts and opinions on a range of health and social care topics helps us to take action and make the changes you want to see. Somerset health data survey We want Somerset residents to share their views on using NHS data to improve care and protect privacy. Expires on: 31 December 2025 Take part

Healthwatch Somerset is the independent champion for people who use health and social care services. We’re here to make sure that those running services put people of Somerset at the heart of care. We want to hear from you We're collecting your stories and experiences about GP surgeries, Dentists, Pharmacies and all other health and social care services. Tell us about your experiences and help shape the future of care. Have your say News & Views To see all news posts, click here Thank you so much for all your help. I had been sent around in circles before coming to you; for you to be so kind and determined was a breath of fresh air. Parent who struggled to find an NHS dentist Upcoming events To see all events, click here Thinking Together: Accessible health and care information Wed 22 Oct Wincanton Register Unlocking the power of people‑driven care Thu 17 Jul Online annual report launch Details Sold Out Unlocking the power of people‑driven care Tue 15 Jul Edgar Hall, Somerton Details subscribe Sign up for our news letter Email First Name Last Name I agree to my data being stored and used in line with the privacy policy. Click here to see the privacy policy Subscribe Thank you for subscribing

Check on our business hours, contact details or use our contact form to directly get in touch with the Healthwatch Somerset team. Contact us On this page you can get in touch using the details below, find directions and opening times for our offices or use the contact form to get in touch with us. Respect for All Healthwatch is committed to treating everyone with respect, and we expect the same in return. We will not tolerate the use of bad language, discrimination, or abusive behaviour towards our staff, volunteers, or partners. Anyone engaging in such behaviour will not be supported or worked with by Healthwatch. Opening Hours Monday 9am 5pm Tuesday 9am 5pm Wednesday 9am 5pm Thursday 9am 5pm Friday 9am 3pm Saturday Closed Sunday Closed Phone 0800 999 1286 Post Healthwatch Somerset, Suite 12, Wellworthys Business Centre, Parrett Way, Colley Lane, Bridgwater, TA6 5LB Contact form Enter your first name here Enter your email address here Enter your last name here Enter your contact number here Enter your message here I want to subscribe to the newsletter I agree to my data being stored and used in line with the privacy policy. Click here to see the privacy policy Submit Thank you for contacting us

The NHS and social care use your health information to care for you and also to improve services. They keep it safe and private. If you don’t want your data used for planning or research, you can choose to opt out. Why is data shared? Shared data helps you and the NHS . For example: It brings your records together to improve your care It was used to find the first coronavirus treatment It supported vaccine research Your individual care Health and care staff may use your confidential patient information to help with your treatment and care. For example, when you visit your GP, they may look at your records for important information about your health. Research and planning Where possible, the NHS uses data that does not identify you. Sometimes, confidential patient information is needed to: Plan and improve services Research and develop cures for serious illnesses What is confidential patient information? It’s when two types of information from your health records are combined: Something that identifies you (e.g., your name) Something about your care or treatment (e.g., medicine you take) Identifiable information on its own (like your name and address) is used to contact you and is not  confidential patient information. What will be collected? Names and addresses are not collected . Details like NHS numbers, postcodes, and dates of birth are replaced with codes through pseudonymisation . This means: • No one can identify you without a special key • The key is only released for legal reasons, such as clinical trials or care. Image taken from Understanding Patient Data : ‘What happens to health data - A guide to large datasets’. (Available under  a creative commons license ) The way the NHS use people’s personal information is protected by laws called UK General Data Protection Regulations  (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act  (DPA). Who manages NHS data? NHS Digital   is the NHS provider of data and IT systems for the NHS in England. Is NHS data sold? NHS Digital never sells your data . They charge a processing fee  to cover the cost of preparing and delivering data through the Data Access Request Service (DARS) . This fee is for the work, not the data itself. Any organisation that wants access to NHS data must: Prove they have a legal reason  to use it. Show they will keep it safe and secure . Pass checks by an independent review group  before any data is shared. You can see who receives NHS data by visiting the Data Uses Register . Your choice If you're happy with your confidential patient information being used for research and planning you don't need to do anything. How to opt out If you do not want your data shared you can opt out of sharing your health records . Your choice will not affect your care . You have two options: 1. Stop your GP sharing data with NHS Digital (Type 1 Opt-out) Download and return the Type 1 Opt-out form  (DocX) to your GP practice . You can do this anytime and change your mind later. 2. Stop NHS Digital sharing your data further (National Data Opt-out) Online:   Manage your choice Phone:  0300 303 5678 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) Post or Email:  Fill in the opt-out form  (PDF) and email it to enquiries@nhsdigital.nhs.uk or post it to: National Data Opt Out Contact Centre, NHS England, Freepost, PO Box 16738, Redditch, B97 9PT What if I I have communication needs? NHS England provide information about sharing data from your health records in different formats including: British Sign Language video Easy Read leaflet (PDF) 11 different languages Where can I find more information? Contact us for trusted advice, guidance, and information or to talk to us about your experiences of health and care services. NHS guide to the national data opt-out for young people (PDF) NHS guide to the national data opt-out for carers (PDF) What happens to health data: a guide to large datasets | Understanding patient data Protecting and safely using data in the new NHS England - NHS England Digital NHS England » Data and clinical record sharing The Information Commissioner's Office   (ICO) is the independent regulatory office who uphold information rights in the public interest. They have lots of useful information about data protection and your rights . A guide to the data protection principles | ICO Patient health records: Access, sharing and confidentiality - House of Commons Library

Our November Newsletter includes updates about our work, information about health and care services, and helpful advice. Photo of Burnham-on-Sea promenade and beach To read our November Newsletter - click on the PDF below If you need this newsletter in a different format, please email: info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk  or call 0800 999 1286.

We want to thank everyone who came to our Thinking Together event and joined the conversation about accessible health and care information in Somerset. On Wednesday 22 October we delivered our public event aimed at bringing Somerset residents and 13 health and care organisations together to learn and talk about accessible information for everyone. The event was a morning of presentations covering a wide variety of accessibility subjects including: Accessible information by Healthwatch Somerset: An overview of accessibility, laws and standards, health literacy, and practical tips for creating accessible communication. A list of useful reference links for the presentation can be downloaded here. Accessible information standards and the Wordski on Wheels (WoW) by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (SNHSFT): An update of the current and future work of SNHSFT to meet the Accessible Information Standard (AIS), and an overview of WoW explaining what it is, how it works, and what users think. Broadening accessibility by NHS Somerset: A closer look at accessibility beyond the provision of information including wider examples of access. The Unstoppables by Somerset Council Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND): How Somerset Council hear and include the voices of young people in Somerset with SEND. Improving accessibility of information by Somerset Council SEND Local Offer: Exploring the Somerset Local Offer website and how the SEND team consider the accessibility of the information they offer. Click on the pink presentation title to view and download the slides. The afternoon was an opportunity for people and organisations to discuss accessible information and explore the organisations who offer support while they enjoyed a buffet lunch. One Thinking Together participant told us: “It was a really great event – good location, interesting stands, useful networking, and informative presentations. Well done for arranging it all, so many moving parts to sort but it was very slick. I made so many notes, wrote down so many ideas, and had great conversations.” We would like to give special thanks to our speakers, the Wincanton War Memorial Hall for such an excellent venue, The Lemon Tree Deli for their excellent catering, and to The Balsam Centre for re-distributing the suplus food amongst the local community.