More people with dementia are being rushed to hospital emergency departments in Somerset, according to NHS statistics. The rate of emergency admissions to hospital for people with dementia in Somerset has increased by 10% – from 2017 to 2018.  More than 4,500 people over the age of 65 and living with dementia in Somerset were admitted to A&E in 2017 to 2018, an increase of almost 10% on figures from 2016 to 2017 (4,087). Now local carers and families are being sought to share their experiences and views on the NHS services supporting people living with dementia. As Somerset's Independent health and care champion, we have launched a new campaign,  What would you do? , to encourage people in the county to share their views about what changes to local NHS services should look like. The Government has developed a ten year plan for the NHS covering the whole of England. Local organisations have now been asked to work out what changes will be made locally to help make the NHS better for local people. Emily Taylor, Healthwatch Somerset Manager, said: “With an estimated 5,453 people living with dementia in Somerset, it’s worrying to see so many of these people being admitted to A&E. We are concerned this is this could be because they have nowhere else to go or that specialist dementia care is simply not available. “Our role at Healthwatch is to ensure we gather views both good and bad from members of the public and then pass these on to the decision-making bodies who plan, pay for and run these services in Somerset. It’s important that people have a say in how their local health and care service is run, so they can help shape it for the better.” We are also keen to hear from people about how other health services could improve, including those that support people with mental health conditions, cancer, heart and lung diseases, learning disabilities and autism. People can also share their views about how the NHS can help them stay well, and take more control over their health and care. Our staff and volunteers will be at Bridgwater Community Hospital on Thursday 11 April from 10am – 12pm to find out what people think. Representatives from the local NHS will also be carrying out engagement work with patients, staff and the community to encourage feedback on the local plan.

We worked closely with the Adult Safeguarding Team to design a questionnaire that related to the six principles set out in The Care Act 2014 statutory guidance. We contacted 20 people who had experienced an adult safeguarding intervention in the last two months. Fourteen agreed to take part in the project. Key findings The responses from Q1 need to be used system wide Key questions should be asked throughout the process Review the information given about staying safe in the future Change the position of Question 9 Consider other useful data to capture Data analysis Pilot and review the questions and responses. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call 0800 999 1286.

Hundreds of children have learning disabilities and autism in Somerset and now families are being asked to help shape local NHS services supporting them. More than 1,600 children are recorded as living with moderate to severe learning disabilities in Somerset and over 650 school children have autism, according to NHS figures. And now local families are being sought to share their views on the NHS services supporting those with learning disabilities and autism in Somerset. As Somerset's Independent health and care champion, we have launched a new campaign,  What would you do? , to encourage people in the county to share their views about what changes to local NHS services should look like. The Government has developed a ten year plan for the NHS covering the whole of England. Local organisations have now been asked to work out what changes will be made to ensure the NHS is better for people in the area. The NHS Long Term Plan outlines how the NHS will support people with a learning disability or autism to live healthier, happier lives. Areas of focus include more investment in training, undergraduate degree places, supported internships to provide better employment opportunities. The NHS also wants services to be more accessible for people with a learning disability or autism. This will start in specialist schools, where the NHS will run hearing, sight and dental checks, that might have been hard to access in other community settings. Later in life, people will also be offered annual check-ups and wellbeing services, such as support in quitting smoking. It’s also proposed to allocate a key support worker to every child and young person with a learning disability or autism by 2024. This will be supported by all patients having more detailed records, with a ‘digital flag’ highlighting their learning disability or autism to NHS staff. Emily Taylor, Healthwatch Somerset Manager, said: “There’s a significant number of children in local schools with learning disabilities and autism. “We want to know how the NHS can help improve the support and services it provides to these children and their families. We want to hear from parents, relatives, carers, community groups or people of any age about their own personal experiences and find out what could be improved. “No matter how big or small the issue, we want to hear about it.  Sharing your experience with us is quick and easy – and could make a big difference.” Healthwatch Somerset is also keen to hear from people about a range of other health services which support people with conditions such as mental health, cancer, heart and lung disease and dementia. People can also have their say on how the NHS can help people live healthier lives through prevention and how people can take more control over their health. Representatives from the local NHS will also be carrying out engagement work with patients, staff and the community to encourage feedback on the local plan.

Today we celebrate six years as the county’s independent health and care champion. Healthwatch Somerset Manager Emily Taylor said: “We’re here to make sure that those running services, and the government, put people at the heart of care. We find out what people want and champion for services that meet the local community’s needs. “These views are then shared with the decision-making organisations in the county, so together we can make a real difference.” Healthwatch Somerset is currently encouraging people to share their views on how an extra £20 billion per year from the Government should be spent on local NHS services as part of the NHS Long Term Plan. You can participate in the  What Would You Do?  campaign via an online survey [closed 30 April 2019] and by speaking directly to Healthwatch. Questions will focus on local services in the following areas: Cancer Mental health Dementia Heart and lung conditions Learning disabilities and autism Sir Robert Francis, Chair of Healthwatch England said: “Services won’t get these changes right unless they engage people in a debate and find out what really matters most to people. This is where we help, supporting services to move beyond just seeking feedback, to a position where they truly put people’s views at the heart of the decisions they make. “Our sole purpose is to help make care better for people. We have the power to make sure their voices are heard.”

Healthcare in Somerset will only work if people get to have their say – urges former ambulanceman Bob Champion. 82-year-old Bob, from Shepton Mallet, is encouraging others to speak out as part of What Would You do? , led by us as Somerset's independent health and social care champion. The What would you do? campaign aims to encourage people in Somerset to share their views about how extra money from the Government should be spent on local NHS services. The Government is investing £20 billion a year in the NHS as part of the NHS Long Term Plan. Local organisations are now being asked to explore how services should change locally to make the NHS work better for people. Widower Bob said: “By talking and listening to people who have been ill – you get fantastic knowledge and feedback about health services, which we will all have to use at some stage in our lives. “Patients are the experts, each and every one of them has a story to share – whether that’s good or bad. I would encourage others to take part and make sure their voice is heard.” Bob has had plenty of first-hand experience with health and care services in Somerset, having worked as an ambulanceman for over 30 years. He was also the main carer for his wife Shirley before she passed away in 2010. His 52-year-old daughter Michelle is also in long-term care, after having a stroke several years ago. People can share their views via an online survey, and by speaking directly to Healthwatch. Questions will focus on local services in the following areas Cancer; Mental health; Dementia; Heart and lung conditions and Learning disabilities and autism. Emily Taylor, Manager at Healthwatch Somerset, added: “The NHS only works when the voices of the people who use it are heard. This is a once in a generation chance for local people to help decide where this extra money from Government should be spent in our NHS services in Somerset. “We want to hear from as many people as possible about what works, what doesn’t and how they think local health services should be improved. No matter how big or small the issue, we want to hear about it. Sharing your experience with us is quick and easy – and could make a big difference.”

Our Manager and a Local Board member attended a Young Carers Forum meeting to hear the views of young carers on the Somerset Young Carers Service. This took place at the Young People’s Centre in Street. Key findings Several common issues that affect both their wellbeing and ability to reach their potential were identified by the young carers. Feelings of both physical and emotional isolation. Lack of confidence and low self-esteem. Difficulty in making friends and building relationships with peers. Lack of support and understanding about their caring responsibilities from school and the effect that caring has on issues such as attendance, punctuality and ability to undertake homework. A feeling of missing out on their childhood. Constantly worrying about their parents and/or siblings when they are not at home. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call 0800 999 1286.

Our staff and volunteers will be taking to the roads of Somerset in March to find out what people think about their local health and care services. We aim to speak to at least 500 people from all corners of the county as part of its ‘Campervan and Comments Tour’. The roadshow will travel almost 260 miles zig-zagging around Somerset in a classic 1969 VW campervan and park up at key locations around the county to gather the views of people of all ages. Emily Taylor, Healthwatch Somerset Manager, explained: “We want to reach at least 500 people from all over Somerset in just one week. We thought it would be a great idea to hire a campervan and visit places where people might not have heard of Healthwatch before. “The role of a local Healthwatch is to make sure the health and care system in the area meets the needs of the people who use it. Feedback is gathered from patients and their families on services such as GP surgeries, care homes, hospitals, mental health and social care. These findings are then taken to the organisations which plan, pay for and deliver health and care services. “Somerset is a very rural county and we thought a roadshow would be a great way to reach more people and give them the opportunity to have their voice heard.” The roadshow will visit: Friday 15 March Frome  Cattle Market Car Park – 2.30pm to 5pm Saturday 16 March Cox’s Yard Public Car Park,  Somerton  – 9am to 12 noon Goldenstones Car Park,  Yeovil  – 12.30pm to 2pm Yeovil  District Hospital – 2.30pm to 5pm Sunday 17 March Shepton Mallet  Market – 10am to 12.30 St Dunstan’s Car Park,  Glastonbury  – 1.30pm to 4pm Monday 18 March South Petherton  Hospital – 10am to 12 noon The Meadows Surgery,  Ilminster  – 12.30pm to 2.30pm Staff Car Park at The Lace Mill,  Chard  – 3pm to 5pm Tuesday 19 March Fore Street, Taunton – 9am to 11am Richard Huish College,  Taunton  – 11.15am to 1.15pm Asda Supermarket Car Park,  Wellington  – 2.30pm to 4.30pm Wednesday 20 March Morrisons Supermarket Car Park,  Minehead  – 9.30am to 12.30pm Harbour Road Car Park,  Watchet  – 1.30pm to 4.30pm Thursday 21 March Fore Street,  Bridgwater  – 9am to 12 noon Highbridge  Medical Practice – 12.30pm to 2.30pm Tesco Supermarket Car Park,  Burnham-on-Sea  – 3pm to 5pm Friday 22 March Cheddar  Medical Centre – 9am to 12 noon

Parents of young children in Somerset are being asked to share their views and experiences about the health visiting services they have received in the County, to help shape the service going forward. As the county’s independent health and social care champion, we want to find out about parents of under 5s experience of the Health Visiting service, as well as how they currently get information and support on child health and development, to inform their parenting. An online questionnaire [survey now closed] has been created for parents to take part in and share their views and experiences. Our staff and volunteers will also visit a variety of settings across the county to listen to parents and carers and note their experiences. Cllr Christine Lawrence, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing at Somerset County Council said: “From 1 April, the County Council will be responsible for delivering health visitor services across the County. It is important to us to find out parents’ current experience of the service and how we can best support them. Please complete the survey and help shape the service going forward.” Emily Taylor, Manager at Healthwatch Somerset, said: “With the transfer of Somerset Health Visiting Services to Somerset County Council, we want to ensure the public voice is heard for future planning of the services. “We want to know what parents and carers think about the information and support they received from the service in Somerset and to better understand where families of young children go for support and information. “We would encourage as many parents as possible to take part and help make this service better for all those who use it.” The survey will run until 22 April and the findings from the engagement will go into a report to help inform the Family Support Service team at Somerset County Council on ways to develop health visiting services. The final report will be presented by Healthwatch Somerset to the Health and Wellbeing Board and shared with the Children’s Trust board later this year.

To mark the start of 2019, Healthwatch England has published its annual network priorities list – setting out the key health and care topics which local teams will be working on over the year ahead. GPs, dentists and other primary care services most common issue to be explored Needs of children and young people to feature strongly Mental health and social care appear in the top five for third year in a row Over the last year Healthwatch engaged with over 400,000 people about their experiences of care. Drawing on the wealth of qualitative data they collect, and through additional activities such as high-street surveys and townhall events, each local Healthwatch works with their community to set out a number of priorities for their area. Healthwatch England has analysed 139 of these local plans and compiled a national list of the top issues. The top five priorities for 2019 are: Primary care (including access to GPs) – 64 Children and young people – 57 Mental health – 50 Services working better together – 49 Adult social care, including residential care homes or care at home – 41 The projects undertaken by Healthwatch will build on the day-to-day activities of the network visiting hospital, GPs and care homes etc. and engaging with local people at events and in public spaces to gather their views. At a national level we will look to use the combined findings to provide insight for decision makers across the NHS, social care sector and Whitehall about the sorts of improvements people want to see. To do this we need the support of local people. We need more willing individuals to join our 5,000 volunteers and help us smash last year’s recording breaking efforts – which saw us increase the number of experiences we collected by an impressive 19%. We also need more people to come forward and share their experiences and ideas with us, and help us reach our goal of hearing from more than one million people a year. Focus on primary care With the vast majority of people’s experiences of the NHS coming through their GP, it is not surprising to see it top this year’s list. And while problems getting an appointment is a common issue, it’s by no means the only thing people feedback about. Online booking systems for example. Previous research by Healthwatch has shown that this the direction they want primary care to go in, but they want it to go further. They want to be able to book appointments with a variety of primary care professionals, from practice nurses to pharmacists, not just the GP. On mental health too, Healthwatch research has shown that people recognise the improving support on offer through their GP, but that they want to see more peer support rather than having to see their family doctor. These issues and more will be explored by the Healthwatch network in 2019 to help services make the improvements people want to see. Sir Robert Francis, Chair of Healthwatch England, said: “Taking the time to listen to people’s experiences of care and what they want to see done differently is enlightening and often generates a range of practical solutions that can help services better meet the demands being placed on them. “This is what we do at Healthwatch. We take the time to listen, and encourage others across health and care to do the same, building vital insight that helps services make the right changes first time. “As well as GPs, it’s really encouraging to see the needs of young people as a key area of focus. The fact that social care appears in the top five for the third year in row also shows the increasing attention communities want to see placed on creating a system that works for them. “But we cannot improve things on our own. If anyone has a story they want to share or an idea they think might help, I urge them to make it their New Year’s resolution to get involved and speak to their local Healthwatch.”

Have your say on the future of health and social care in Somerset – by joining a new Public and Patient People’s Panel. Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group are looking for people to join the panel and subsequent focus groups, so the public can have their say on the joint Fit for my Future strategy. Fit for my Future is a new health and care strategy for Somerset, created by Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group and Somerset County Council, in partnership with the two acute hospital trusts and Somerset Partnership to deliver more efficient and effective services. Emily Taylor, Healthwatch Somerset manager, explained: “The public have been giving their views over the last few months on the 10 year strategy and now it’s important people have their say on what proposals should go forward to formal public consultation this autumn.” An online questionnaire closed last month and the feedback will now be collated and shared with Healthwatch Somerset this month. Fit for my Future will be asking people to help decide which proposals should go forward to formal public consultation in autumn 2019.  The Healthwatch Somerset Board will be involved in the selection of the appraisal criteria, along with two independent focus groups run by research and engagement consultancy Evolving Communities, and a wider online survey. If you’d like to join the Panel and possibly take part in one of the focus groups – email  somccg.fitformyfuture@nhs.net .

The health and care issues affecting children and young people in Somerset have been the focus of our recent work. Our staff have been busy around the county – speaking to Somerset’s Youth Parliament to explain the role of the organisation and visiting a CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) participation group meeting to understand young people’s experiences of using mental health services. Also, our first young volunteer has joined the team and the 17 year old student is keen to make a difference. Tadgh, who is currently studying international baccalaureate and wants to go into medicine, said: “I am really interested in what Healthwatch does and I understand the vital impact it has on public services. I want the opportunity to be able to understand all the essential background work for the various health and care services and how they can make a difference. “There is so much more that happens in the background to holistically create our health service and I don’t want to remain unaware of them.” Our new Healthwatch Somerset board member Virginia Roberts joined Tadgh at a Children’s and Young People’s planning day to give their views on what should be in the next Children’s and Young People (CYP) plan for 2019-2021. Virginia commented: “It was really uplifting to see so many young people giving up a day of their half term holiday to take part in this event. They all seemed really engaged with the process and their insights were often profound and really thought provoking. “It is really useful for Healthwatch Somerset to engage in the CYP Plan’s development and hear what young people want from health and care services in Somerset. Our involvement is assisting us to plan and target our future engagement with families, children and young people so that we can help Somerset County Council and local health services to hear their voices and respond to their feedback.” Virginia is also representing Healthwatch Somerset on the Children’s Trust Board – helping us to be much more informed and engaged in issues affecting children and young people in Somerset.

We will be monitoring the progress of a new strategy, launched this month by Somerset’s Health and Wellbeing Board. The  Improving Lives  strategy is the 10-year plan for the Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board, which Healthwatch Somerset has a place on. Following a consultation earlier in the year, the  Improving Lives  strategy has now been finalised and will be launched on Thursday, 13 December in Taunton. Judith Goodchild, Emily Taylor and Virginia Roberts will be attending the launch to understand the positive impact it should have for local people. Emily Taylor, Healthwatch Somerset Manager, explained: “The strategy sets out a vision for Somerset. It wants all organisations to work together as a partnership to make Somerset a thriving and productive county where all partners, private and voluntary sector, focus on improving the health and wellbeing of all our communities.” The strategy also sets out how partners can make Somerset: A thriving and productive county that is ambitious, confident and focused on improving people’s lives. A county of resilient, well-connected and safe and strong communities working to reduce inequalities. A county infrastructure that supports affordable housing, economic prosperity and sustainable public services. A county and environment where all partners, private and voluntary sector, focus on improving the health and wellbeing of all our communities. Our Healthwatch Somerset Chair, Judith Goodchild, will be monitoring the progress of the board against the strategy.