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Speaking up for better care: our annual report 2025-26

  • Writer: Healthwatch Somerset
    Healthwatch Somerset
  • 4 hours ago
  • 2 min read
We’ve published our latest annual report, showing how people across Somerset have shared their experiences to help improve health and social care.

Photograph showing two women under a blue canopy, one holding a clipboard and the other smiling while interacting, with a child in the background. Text on a blue background reads "Speaking up for better care, Healthwatch Somerset annual report 2025/26"

Over the past year, more than 2,000 people told us about their care, and we supported over 3,000 people with information and advice. Your feedback helps make sure services reflect what matters most to local people.

Putting people at the centre of services

We’re here to be your independent voice for health and social care. This year, we’ve worked with residents, community groups and decision-makers to help make services more responsive, inclusive and easier to access.

Because people spoke up, we’ve seen real improvements, including:

  • A new pharmacy in Wincanton, making it easier to get prescriptions

  • Better, clearer information, with more use of plain English and accessible formats

  • More support for unpaid carers, after many told us they weren’t getting the help they needed

Listening to what matters

Healthwatch Somerset annual report cover two women and a child outdoors under a blue canopy, with one woman holding a clipboard and the other smiling while holding the child. The setting emphasises community engagement and advocacy for improved healthcare services. Text reads Speaking up for better care, annual report 2025/26

What you told us also highlighted some ongoing challenges.

For example:

  • Seven in 10 carers said they weren’t offered information about caring

  • People said information can be unclear, inconsistent, or only available online, making it hard to use

We’re using this feedback to work with partners to improve communication and help people get the support they need more easily.

Working together for change

We continue to work closely with NHS and council partners, as well as voluntary and community groups, to make sure your experiences shape decisions.

Krystle Pardon, Head of Patient Engagement and Involvement for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust said:

Feedback from Healthwatch is invaluable in ensuring the voices of patients and carers are heard.

This year we:

  • Spent time in communities across Somerset, from colleges to care homes

  • Ran events like Thinking Together, bringing people and organisations together to improve accessible information

  • Shared what you told us with leaders across the local health and care system

  • Worked with our volunteers, who contributed over 500 hours supporting engagement Looking ahead

We know how important it is to have an independent voice for people, especially during times of change in the health and care system.

In the year ahead, we will:

  • Keep championing your experiences

  • Focus on community wellbeing and support after leaving hospital

  • Reach more young people and underrepresented groups

  • Help people understand changes to the NHS and local services

Share your experience

Your feedback makes a difference. It helps services understand what’s working and what needs to improve so care can be better for everyone.

If you’d like to share your experience or find out more, visit our 'Have your say' page or contacts us.

Read the full report

You can read and download the full report from our reports page.

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