The people have spoken

Healthwatch Somerset
May 15
2 min read

Updated: Aug 1

We asked you to help shape our workplan for 2025/26 and our latest report shows the results of what you told us.

Two women, one holding a small dog, reading a "Healthwatch" leaflet on a busy street. They're smiling under a building awning.

Each year, we gather information about how local health and social services are running and use it to spot common patterns or issues.

Report cover with one image of two ladies smiling, one is holding a small dog and reading a leaflet. The other photo is of a group of young people standing on a pier and smiling. Text reads: The people's choice 2025. Listening to your voice in our key projects for 2025/26.

Using the intelligence collected over the course of 12 months, alongside wider national considerations, our Advisory Board discuss possible key projects for the next year.

Our goal is to listen to what people have to say. We want to make sure that the main projects we choose for the year are sound and clear, and that they truly reflect the needs of the community. Every year, we share a list of the top project ideas with the public, and everyone gets a chance to pick their two favourite options.

This year our four shortlisted topics were:

Waiting lists for procedures

Waiting times for medical procedures are a problem across the country, but here locally, we’ve noticed that people are not getting clear updates about their wait times and the procedures themselves. We want to look into how and when patients are being informed while they’re waiting for their medical treatments.

Icon of a clipboard with three checkmarks, outlined in blue on a white background, symbolizing a completed task list.

Hospital transport

Somerset's rural nature makes travelling to and from hospital appointments challenging for those unable to use standard transport. We aim to understand the experiences of people booking hospital transport and the service's communication with patients.

Simple blue outline icon of an ambulance with a cross on the side. The design is minimalist against a white background.

Transfer of Care/Discharge from hospital - excluding dementia

During 2024 people shared with us the difficulties they have experienced when moving from the hospital to back home. We want to listen to patients and carers tell us what they need when leaving hospital.

Icon of a person inside a heart outline, suggesting care or support. Simple blue design on a white background. No text present.

Long wait for/no support for children and adolescents experiencing poor mental health

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Somerset provides mental health evaluations, support for children and young people up to 18 years old and can direct you to other helpful services. We aim to explore how help is given and what procedures are in place for those who do not qualify.

Icon showing a person with a heart inside their head, symbolizing mental health. Blue outline on a white background.

To find out the result, read our brief report which explains the methods and findings from our public investigation.