We have been working with our young volunteers to investigate how accessible young people’s mental health services are in Somerset, and to understand how access to support could be improved. Many young people clearly feel they need support with their feelings but are facing many barriers in their journey to receiving help including long waits. Both young people and adults have shown there is a lack of clarity and knowledge about service provision and confusion about how to obtain assistance from certain services. Key messages 80% of young people felt they needed support with their feelings in the past 12 months. 47% of young people who felt they needed support did not ask or look for it. 11% of respondents had not heard of any of the Somerset services offering direct support. Young Somerset was the most contacted Somerset support service. Schools are a crucial source of information and signposting for both young people and adults. Many comments indicated a lack or limited knowledge of available support in Somerset. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email  info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk  or call 0800 999 1286.

Diabetes UK estimates that five million people in the UK are living with diabetes, with 850,000 of them not yet diagnosed. The number of people living with diabetes is at an all-time high. Knowing more about the condition and its symptoms can help you take steps to support your health.  What is diabetes?  Diabetes is a long-term condition that causes high blood sugar levels. When there is sugar in our blood, the pancreas produces insulin to help our bodies absorb it. People with diabetes aren't able to produce insulin or can't produce enough to help regulate their blood sugar levels.  What types of diabetes are there?   Type 1  diabetes:  People with Type 1 can't produce insulin. Type 1 is considered an autoimmune disease. If you have a family history of diabetes, you're at a higher risk of developing Type 1. However, it's far less common than Type 2 diabetes. Only 8% of people with diabetes are diagnosed with it.  Type 2  diabetes:  People with Type 2 may not produce enough insulin, or the insulin they produce can't effectively manage their blood sugar levels. 90% of people diagnosed with diabetes will be diagnosed with Type 2. Certain lifestyle factors, including weight and age, can cause Type 2 diabetes, but some ethnicities are more likely to develop it than others.   At least 2% of people are diagnosed with other, rarer forms of diabetes, including  gestational diabetes . Have your say Have you recently been diagnosed with diabetes? Or have you been living with the condition for a while? We want to know more about your experiences of diabetes diagnosis, treatment and support. What are the symptoms of diabetes?  The most common symptoms of diabetes that you should look out for are:  Needing to pee a lot, especially at night. Feeling very thirsty. Feeling more tired than usual. Losing weight without trying to. Genital itching or thrush. Cuts and wounds take longer to heal. Blurred eyesight. Increased hunger. Fruity-smelling breath.  Speak to your GP if you're experiencing any of these symptoms. You can also get tested for diabetes for free at your local Pharmacy. What treatments are available?  Diabetes can be carefully managed with a combination of medication, diet and lifestyle changes. Treatments differ slightly depending on the type of diabetes you are diagnosed with.  The main ways you can manage  Type 1  diabetes are:  Insulin injections or insulin pumps  Carb counting and eating well Being physically active Maintaining a healthy weight Using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or flash glucose monitor Some people with type 1 diabetes may also use a closed-loop system, also called an artificial pancreas. It’s another way to help you manage your type 1 diabetes without having to do much of the work yourself.  The main ways you can manage  Type 2  diabetes are:   Eating a balanced diet ​​​​​​Exercising and moving regularly Losing weight  Metformin (usually taken as a tablet) Insulin injections  Some people with Type 2 diabetes use a flash glucose monitor or continuous glucose monitor to monitor their blood sugar levels instead of doing multiple finger prick checks.  With most forms of diabetes, people are advised to move more and eat well. Regular activity and a balanced diet can support your body's ability to respond better to insulin. Need more support? If you want to know more about diabetes, treatments and available support, check out these valuable resources:  Diabetes UK NHS - Diabetes British Heart Foundation - Diabetes - causes, symptoms and treatments

Did you know you can choose which hospital you go to when referred for a test, diagnosis, or treatment? Find out how. If you use the NHS, in most cases, you have the right to choose the hospital where you get the care you need. Few people exercise this right – but if you do, you could cut down on how long you wait for care. In this article, we'll help you understand your rights when choosing a healthcare provider 'at the point of referral' so you can make informed choices about your NHS care. What is patient choice?  Patient choice is central to the NHS. It puts you in control by allowing you to make choices about your care and treatment based on your needs and circumstances. How can I make choices about my care?   When a healthcare professional – like your GP – refers you for a routine health condition, in most cases, you have the right to choose which hospital or service they refer you to.  You may also be able to choose a clinical team led by a specific consultant or healthcare professional as long as the team offers the treatment you need.  Your healthcare professional will share at least five suitable options with you, where possible. You can decide which to choose based on factors like:   How far you'll need to travel to a care provider  The waiting times for your first outpatient appointment  Whether you have friends or family nearby for additional support  How other  patients and healthcare regulators  have rated a care provider  You can choose during your appointment if you want. But if you'd rather take more time to think about your options, you can do that too.   Where can I find information and support to help me choose?  If you'd like to research your options, there are several places where you can get information about hospitals and services:  My Planned Care  is updated each week with information such as waiting times.  You can use the  NHS website to compare information  about hospitals, services and consultants.  You can find information about NHS and independent care providers on the  Care Quality Commission website , including how patients and healthcare regulators rate them.  Once you've decided, there are a couple of ways you can confirm your choice:  Your referring clinician will send you a link via text or email to confirm online through the  NHS e-Referral Service .  If you don't have internet access or would rather talk to someone, you can call the referral helpline on 0345 608 8888 (open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm, and from 8am-4pm on weekends and bank holidays). An operator will talk you through your shortlist and support you to choose the option that will work best for you. Making the decision that's right for you.  If you're choosing where to go for your care and treatment or want to choose your GP, there are places you can find information to help you decide.  You can compare hospital information, services and consultants on the  NHS website . This includes information about the quality of care, waiting times, parking and travel. You can find information about:  Choice of GP   Choosing a hospital or consultant   Selecting a mental health service   Options in end-of-life care If I choose a provider further away from home, will I have to travel to this hospital for follow-up appointments?  You'll need to travel to the hospital you pick for your first outpatient appointment and any follow-up appointments, so keep this in mind when you choose a provider.  If I choose a non-NHS provider, will this cost the NHS more?  NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board  (ICB) plan and fund local NHS services, may have contracts with non-NHS providers to increase NHS capacity. You have the right to choose any provider that has a contract with the NHS to provide the service you need. This means there won't be an additional cost to the NHS.  If I choose a provider outside my area, am I entitled to travel or accommodation expenses?  The NHS has a scheme called the  Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS)  that lets you claim a refund for reasonable travel costs if you're eligible.  If you're eligible for the HTCS, and the healthcare professional who refers you says it's medically necessary for someone to travel with you, that person can also claim travel costs.  Some ICBs may accept claims for help with travel costs if you're the parent or guardian of a child under the age of 16 that you must attend an appointment with.  Will I still be able to choose an alternative provider if I live in a rural area?  If there is limited choice in your area, you'll be able to look at options from other areas of the country.    What if I don't want to choose an alternative provider?   Patient choice is a right, but it's not a requirement. Your healthcare professional can refer you to your local service if you'd like them to.  Are there any times when I won't get a choice?  You have a right to choose your care provider at the point of most routine referrals. However, patient choice rights don't apply where speed of access to diagnosis and treatment is essential, such as an urgent suspected cancer referral.   There are also exceptions if you are:  In need of urgent or emergency treatment  Accessing maternity services  Serving in the armed forces  Detained under the  Mental Health Act Detained or temporarily released from prison, an immigration removal centre or a secure children's home  Referred to high-security psychiatric services or drug and alcohol misuse services provided by the local authority. Want more information?  Take a look at these websites for extra support: Your choices in the NHS   My Planned NHS Care Can I choose where to receive NHS treatment?

Did you know Volunteer Responders can help you access support and services such as collecting prescriptions and shopping delivery? The NHS and Care Volunteer Responders Programme has over 35,000 volunteers who support people in their local community. Find out how Volunteer Responders can help you and how to access them. What is a Volunteer Responder? NHS and Care Volunteer Responders  is a volunteering programme supporting the NHS, its patients, and people who use social care, have caring responsibilities or are experiencing isolation and loneliness. It was initially set up during the pandemic to support NHS professionals and vulnerable people using health services. Now, it also runs to support anyone needing adult social care. What support can volunteers provide? NHS and Care Volunteer Responders can support you with a range of activities, including: Check-In and Chat : Volunteers are available to provide you with a friendly phone call. This will be a call from a different volunteer each time for up to 18 weeks. Check-In and Chat Plus:  Volunteers provide regular friendly phone calls and a listening ear up to three times a week, for up to six weeks. Community Response:  Volunteers can help you collect prescriptions, shop, and get other essential supplies.   If eligible, this service is available as a one-off or for a maximum of six weeks. Pick Up and Deliver:  If you need medication or medical equipment, you can get this delivered to your home, usually before or after a hospital stay. This service requires a health or care professional to refer you. How do I access support? There are different ways to access support. Self-referral : You can call the Volunteer Responder self-referral phone line to make a referral on 0808 196 3646 between 8am and 8pm, seven days a week. Referral through a health or care professional :  A professional referrer such as your GP, other medical practitioner, or adult social care provider  can request a referral for you. Pick Up and Deliver is only available through a professional referral. Local Healthwatch : Healthwatch Somerset is a professional referrer and can refer you to a Volunteer Responder. You can  contact us  for a referral. Am I eligible for these services? Check In and Chat  is available to anyone in need of a friendly phone call and encouragement to improve their mental health and wellbeing. Check In and Chat Plus  is available to anyone who would prefer or benefit from speaking to the same volunteer. Community Response  is available for those with a current health need or in receipt of a care package. These services are not designed to be a treatment service . Anyone with complex vulnerabilities or needs would not be suitable to be referred to the scheme. Examples where the service would not be appropriate: People with complex mental health needs. People who are known to be suicidal. People with severe cognitive impairment. Referrals for those with drug addiction or alcohol dependency. Want more information? If you have more questions, take a look at the NHS responders frequently asked questions (FAQs) for people who would like support. You can also call  0808 196 3646 .

From 31 October 2023, GP surgeries must give patients online access to their new health record entries. Find out what information is in your record and how to access it. What information is in my GP record? A GP health record contains information about the care you have received from your GP surgery. It includes information on: Medicines your GP has prescribed Allergies you have Vaccinations you have received Conditions you have been diagnosed with Results of tests that your GP surgery has requested Notes from appointments Letters that hospitals and specialists have sent to your GP How can I access my online GP record? You can view their GP record by logging into your account on the NHS website or NHS App. To view your record online, you must be registered with a GP surgery and aged 16 or over. Can I access my record if I don’t have access to a computer or a smartphone? You can request your records directly from their GP surgery. GP surgeries can give you a printed copy of your health records. Will I be able to access my GP record using other Apps? Alongside the NHS App, you can access your GP record from other Apps that allow access to medical information, for instance Patients Know Best, Livi, DrIQ or Evergreen.  Will I have to pay to access my GP health record? There is no cost to accessing your GP records through the NHS App or the NHS website, aside from using the internet. The NHS will never charge you to download an App or use services within the App. Will I be able to view my hospital and social care records? No - you can only view information filed on your GP health record. When hospitals send letters from specialists to GPs – for instance, letters about discharge or information on your referral – you can see these. Will I be able to view older records? The changes will only apply to records made from November 2022 onwards. You can request access to historical information from your GP, but this will not be part of the new changes. Can I remove access to my record? If you do not want to be able to access your record, you can speak to your GP surgery who can remove online access. Will sensitive test results be automatically uploaded to my record? A GP will review results from a test before uploading them to your health record. If results are sensitive or potentially upsetting, the GP should try to speak to you before uploading them onto your record. Will people under the age of 16 be able to view their records? Changes to record access will only apply to people over the age of 16. If a young person is believed to have enough intelligence, competence and understanding to fully appreciate what’s involved in their treatment (being  Gillick competent ), they may request access to their records. Their GP will grant access.   Can I access the records for a family member or someone I care for? Proxy access lets people access medical services for someone in their care. If you would like proxy access to another person’s record (for example, a child or someone they care for), you must discuss this with the GP surgery. GPs will be decide whether proxy access is in the patient’s best interests. What if I’m not registered with a GP? You can only view records associated with the practice you are currently registered with.  You won’t have access if you move practice or are not currently registered with one. We have called for all GP practices to sign up for the  Register with a GP Surgery  service, which makes registering with a surgery easier for patients, particularly those with no fixed address or ID. What can I do if there is incorrect information on my record? You can speak to your practice to correct information on your record. For factual changes (incorrect allergy or medication), GPs can amend your record. If you disagree with information on your record (for example, how a mental health concern has been described), there is an option for the GP to note your disagreement. Check out the guidance on amending patients records. Will it be possible to view records of a deceased person? No - viewing a deceased person’s records is not possible. If you want to access a deceased person’s records, you must apply in writing to the record holder under the Access to Health Records Act (1990). What actions can I take if I can’t access to my records? There are several reasons why a GP might decide you should not have access to their records. This is usually because the practice believes there is a safeguarding risk to you or another individual if you have access. You can contact your GP if you feel you should have access to your records. If you disagree with your GP’s decision, you can complain through your practice’s complaints process. What support will be given to understand technical language? NHS England is working with GPs to help them understand these changes and be aware that patients can read information that has been put into the health record. Where possible, GPs have been encouraged by NHS England to use terminology and language that can be understood by everyone. What safeguarding procedures are in place to protect victims and survivors of domestic or sexual abuse? People who have experienced, or are experiencing, domestic violence or sexual abuse are potentially at risk from changes to patient record access. A coercive partner may force an individual to show their health records when they do not want to. Where a GP suspects domestic violence, they can hide or ‘redact’ sensitive information. Where possible, a GP will speak to you about this. If a conversation isn’t possible, they can switch off access. When patients get treatment for sexual abuse or trauma, NHS England encourages GPs to discuss whether or not they would like this information included on their online health record. This redacted information would be visible to the GP but not to the patient. The NHS App has security protocols, including user identification when the app is installed. Users will usually have to log in with a password and thumbprint, and advisory messages pop up before patients access their records. However, there is no safeguard in place to stop someone from showing their records to someone else after they log in.

Measles vaccination rates are at a ten-year low as cases rise nationwide. Find out about measles, who can get the vaccine, and what you can do to stay safe. What is measles? Measles is a highly contagious infection caused by the measles virus.  Most children recover from measles without complications, but in some, it can be more severe and lead to admission to hospital.  To learn about the symptoms of measles, check out the NHS website . What is the measles vaccine?  The NHS advises that children receive two vaccine doses to protect them against measles, mumps and rubella.  The measles vaccine is also known as MMR vaccine - protecting you against all three of measles, mumps and rubella in one dose.  The vaccine is given in two doses: the first dose when the child is one year old and the second when they are three years and four months old. Both doses are needed for the best protection .  The NHS advises that the MMR vaccine is safe, effective and the best protection for your child. Although there have been historic concerns that the MMR vaccine is linked to autism, there is no evidence of this. Several studies have been conducted and found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.  Need to arrange a vaccine?  If you need to get your child's MMR vaccine or check if your child is fully protected, contact your local GP practice.  Who is at risk?  People most at risk are: Babies Young children Pregnant women People with a weakened immune system. These groups are most at risk of the virus spreading to other parts of the body and causing rare complications such as hearing loss, meningitis or pneumonia. How does measles spread? Measles spreads when you have close contact with other people. For example, it tends to spread quickly in schools and nurseries.  The virus can be spread by:  Coughing or sneezing  Direct skin-to-skin contact Sharing cutlery, cups, towels, clothes or bedding. How to prevent measles from spreading To reduce the risk of spreading the infection, always be careful to: Regularly wash your hands with soap and water. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of any used tissues immediately.  If you think you or your child might have measles, contact your GP practice and speak to your doctor immediately. They will advise you on treatment options and how long you will be contagious. Local information NHS Somerset

The new Pharmacy First scheme enables your local pharmacy to treat some common conditions with prescription-only medicines, without you visiting your GP. Find out everything you need to know. This can include prescribing and supplying antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate. What conditions can be treated at my pharmacy?  Your local pharmacy can now supply prescription-only treatment, if they believe you need it, for the following conditions:  Sinusitis (for patients aged 12 years and over only) Sore throat (aged 5+) Earache (aged 1 year-17) Infected insect bite (aged 1 year+) Impetigo (aged 18 years+) Shingles (aged 18 years+) Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (women aged 16 to 64) How does it work?  If you are feeling unwell with any of these conditions, you can go to your local participating pharmacy and ask for a private consultation with the pharmacist. You may also be referred by a GP practice if they don’t have any appointments and believe your pharmacy can help. The 111 helpline service may also refer you. Pharmacists can also offer this service on-the-spot if you go in asking generally for help. Pharmacists may offer a virtual consultation by phone or video call, or in person in a private room in the pharmacy. They will ask questions, may perform an examination and must get your consent to access your medical records. The pharmacist will be able to recommend the best course of action based on your clinical needs. This might include issuing prescriptions for antibiotics or antivirals where necessary or advising you on over-the-counter treatments that could help. What are the benefits of the scheme?  There are many benefits to the new scheme, helping to make care easier and more accessible. These benefits include: Participating pharmacies must offer the service during all their opening hours including any late nights or weekends. It may be quicker to see your pharmacist than waiting for an appointment with your GP. Pharmacy First – along with expanded Blood Pressure Check  and Oral Contraception services at pharmacies – could free up to 10 million GP appointments a year. How can my pharmacist supply a prescription-only medicine if they are not a doctor? Pharmacists must follow a strict NHS protocol (called a ‘patient group direction’) covering their own required knowledge and skills the types of patients covered. This means that the supply of prescription-only medicines will be limited in all cases by age groups, and in one case, by gender. Will I have to pay for my advice or medication?  The appointment and advice from a pharmacist are free to access. If you are recommended an over-the-counter medication, you will pay the costs of buying this. If you are supplied with a prescription-only medication, usual prescription charges would apply unless you qualify for free prescriptions. If you regularly require medication and are not exempt from prescription charges, you may be able to save money through a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). Find out what help you can get to pay for your prescriptions How do I know if my local pharmacy is participating? Most pharmacies have agreed in principle to deliver the new service but may launch at different times, from 31 January 2024 onwards. They may need to train staff, upgrade IT and install a private consultation room. Can I get oral contraception without a prescription?   From December 2023, some pharmacies will be able to start women on oral contraception (also known as ‘the Pill') for the first time, or re-start them after a break, without the person needing to see their GP first. This is an extension of the existing oral contraception service that let women go to pharmacies for repeat prescriptions, that had been initiated first by a GP. The pharmacist will offer a confidential consultation to discuss your current medication and ensure it is the best option for your needs. Oral contraception is free on the NHS, and you will not be charged any prescription charges. To find a local pharmacy offering this service – check out the NHS website Can I still see my GP?  You can still choose to visit your GP if you prefer. Pharmacy First simply offers an alternative route for getting treatment for these specific conditions.

We created a survey that could be accessed online and completed at engagement events. The survey ran from 11 June to 31 August 2018. It asked for the views of local people who had used the service within the last three years. Key findings 90% of people felt they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect when they have used the NHS 111 service. Two thirds of people felt that the NHS 111 service did not meet their needs. This was often because the service could not solve their issue then and there. In other cases, it was because they were unhappy with the outcome of the call. Where a person felt that the NHS 111 service had not meet their needs, people identified which other service had. A lot of people told us that the NHS 111 service was their gateway to other services, especially at night and weekends. This could either be because they were referred to it or, that they decided to access an alternative service. Despite the NHS 111 service not meeting the needs of some people, a high proportion of the sample would rate their experience of using the service as very good or good, often describing the service as helpful, professional and providing advice. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email  info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk  or call 0800 999 1286.

We are calling on local people to make sure their voice is heard and reflected in proposals being drawn up by Somerset NHS health and care services, for changes to community-based services and non-emergency care. We are the county’s independent health and care champion.  We make sure that, wherever possible, local people’s views are at the heart of decisions made about health and care services in the county. We have been involved in the development of the public engagement programme,  Fit for my future , that was launched today by Somerset health and care services, to seek local people’s views about how to improve services in the county. Chair of Healthwatch Somerset, Judith Goodchild, welcomed the county’s commitment to public engagement, while emphasising the value of listening and learning from people’s experiences.  She said:  “Changes to health and care services must reflect the views and experiences of the wide range of people who use and provide those services.  This is essential to truly understand people’s needs and to develop plans that will bring about positive change.  Healthwatch Somerset wants as many people as possible to speak up now and share their views about how to improve community-based services and non-urgent care.  We will be raising awareness of this important opportunity to help shape the future of these services in our county.” People can share their views until 12 April 2020, either at events organised by the Fit for my future team in community hospitals and libraries, or via a survey completed online or at GPs surgeries.  To find out more about the health and care services that are being reviewed and about the different ways to get involved contact Somerset’s Fit for my future team online:  fitformyfuture.org.uk , call 01935 384119 or email  somccg.fitformyfuture@nhs.net .  Alternatively, contact us  on 01278 264405. Following the public engagement programme, there will be a formal consultation about the different ways that Somerset could deliver community health and care services in the future.

Healthwatch Somerset Annual Report 2018-19: A review of our work over the past year and its impact, plus our work planned for 2019-20. Message from our Chair About us Highlights of the year How we’ve made a difference Helping you find the answers Our volunteers Our finances Our plans for next year Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email  info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk  or call 0800 999 1286.

We have been talking to local people about their experiences and views of the Health Visiting Service in Somerset. This report tells you what people said when we spoke to them about the service. Key findings Two thirds of people were satisfied, or extremely satisfied with the level of support they received from the Health Visiting Service. Most people would like to access information about the health and development of their child/ children from the Health Visiting Service. This was closely followed by their GP surgery. A meaningful number of people reported that key contact points were missed or delayed (10%) and that ongoing communication with families did not meet people’s expectations (7%). Breastfeeding support was mentioned most frequently as being a helpful source of support offered by the Service. People would like to see more drop-in clinics and groups that are both accessible and flexible to meet the needs of families. 21% of people told us that they would like to access information about the health and development of their child at local groups. Lack of communication was a big issue for many respondents. They felt that the Health Visiting Service did not keep track of families or keep in touch. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email  info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk  or call 0800 999 1286.

Healthwatch Somerset Annual Report 2019-20: A review of our work over the past year and its impact, plus our work planned for 2020-21. Message from our Chair About us Our priorities Highlights from our year How we’ve made a difference Helping you find the answers Our volunteers Our finances Our plans for next year About Healthwatch Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email  info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk  or call 0800 999 1286.