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Sep 16, 2024
The doctor will see you now: A look at booking an appointment with your GP in Somerset
In response to local feedback about challenges in booking appointments with GPs, we have explored people’s experiences across the county....


Sep 16, 2024
The doctor will see you now: A look at booking an appointment with your GP in Somerset
In our latest report we have listened to experiences of Somerset residents who tried to book an appointment to see their GP. In response...


Sep 10, 2024
How to make cervical screening (a smear test) work for you
Cervical screening, previously known as a smear test, saves over 4,000 lives every year in the UK. However, some women find it...


May 22, 2024
The People's Vote
Every year Healthwatch Somerset (HWS) Board and Staff members gather information about the delivery and efficiency of local health and...


Mar 25, 2024
Access to GP appointments in West Somerset
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...


Mar 25, 2024
Dentistry in Somerset: Access, affordability and the impact on oral health
A lack of access to NHS dentists in Somerset remains a pressing issue, including for parents, vulnerable individuals and those with...


Oct 31, 2023
Reaching out: Looking at mental health support for young people in Somerset
We have been working with our young volunteers to investigate how accessible young people’s mental health services are in Somerset, and...


Mar 1, 2023
Healthwatch England research: Six-week postnatal checks are failing many new mothers
Healthwatch England, is warning that six-week postnatal checks – required of GPs in England – are failing many new mothers. As part of...


Oct 31, 2022
Healthwatch England research: Tell us your story of maternal mental health care
Healthwatch is launching a national survey to understand if care works for new mothers and birthing parents. Pregnancy is a major life...


Oct 26, 2022
Making it easier for people to get healthcare and support via GP websites
Our new report looks at people’s experiences of using GP websites to access healthcare services and information, highlighting that...


Oct 16, 2022
Share your views to help shape NHS Same Day Urgent Care services in Somerset
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...


Mar 2, 2022
Healthwatch report highlights ongoing public concerns about NHS 111 service in Devon and Somerset
People who use NHS 111 in Devon and Somerset have reported ongoing concerns about the quality of the service, with the most common...


Nov 29, 2021
Healthwatch recommends improved communication and support for patients waiting for surgery in Somerset
In our recent survey, patients who are waiting for planned surgery in Somerset reported a lack of communication from hospitals and many...

Nov 15, 2021
Young people tell Somerset’s health and social care services: communicate better to care better
In our new report out today, young people are calling on the county’s health and social care services to improve how they communicate –...


Jun 27, 2021
Annual report highlights how Healthwatch Somerset has supported the public throughout the pandemic
Over the last year (April 2020 to March 2021), during the pandemic, 2,387 Somerset residents shared their feedback on the county’s health...


Jan 28, 2021
Healthwatch report highlights inconsistencies in NHS 111 service in Somerset and Devon
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...


Sep 27, 2020
Somerset care homes – before and during COVID-19: Healthwatch Somerset reports
Today we have published four reports about care homes in Somerset – three reporting on the quality of care in Somerset care homes prior...


Jun 29, 2020
Healthwatch Somerset Annual Report: Listening to local people helps make health and social care better
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...


Oct 23, 2019
Hundreds share how they look for help when ill in Somerset
People in Somerset looking for health advice and support want to see better access to their GP to get the information they need, rather...


Jun 27, 2019
People’s real-life experiences of health and social care services in Somerset set out in new report
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 –...
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