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Most modern technology has built in accessibility tools. Here you can find resources to help you use those digital accessibility tools. Accessibility Resources for phones & tablets Modern smart devices running Google's Android and Apple's iOS have built-in accessibility tools and features, to help users navigate content locally on their machines and online. To find out more about these features please use the relevant link below: Android iPhone

Here you can find helpful advice and information about health and social care related topics along with general interest articles for Somerset. Advice & information Understanding NHS data sharing: What you need to know The NHS and social care use your health information to care for you and also to improve services. They keep it safe and private. If you don’t want your data used for planning or research, you can choose to opt out. Why is data shared? Shared data helps you and the NHS . For example: It brings your records together to improve your care It was used to find the first coronavirus treatment It supported vaccine research Your individual care Health and care staff may use your confi Healthwatch Somerset Nov 28, 2025 What should you expect from the NHS when it comes to accessible information? NHS England has published a refreshed version of the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) which was first released in 2016. Here we look... Healthwatch Somerset Jul 17, 2025 Healthwatch Somerset - Still here, still listening We want to reassure everyone that Healthwatch Somerset continues to operate as usual. The Government has announced plans to end the... Healthwatch Somerset Jul 10, 2025 1 2 3 4 5

Your opinion can make a difference, take part in our surveys and polls to help us campaign for the right changes in health and social care for Somerset. Surveys & polls Live surveys & polls Here you can find all of our live surveys & polls. Sharing your thoughts and opinions on a range of health and social care topics helps us to take action and make the changes you want to see.

Somerset’s NHS leaders asked us to help them understand how people are being affected by waiting for surgery to inform their ongoing work to improve support for patients. Key messages 48 out of 72 of people had been waiting over 40 weeks for their surgery. Many people indicated a lack, or absence, of communication from their specialist during their wait. A large proportion of people told us they had experienced one or more of the following due to waiting for surgery: - Their condition had deteriorated. - Their mobility had reduced during their wait, and this had impacted on their ability to carry out everyday tasks. - They had experienced changes in their daily mood. 35 of 46 people relied on family and/or friends to help them manage their daily tasks. Many people indicated that they did not know how much longer they would have to wait for their surgery. 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 published a new report sharing what local people told us about their experiences of community pharmacy services. The findings highlight what's working well and where improvements could make a difference. Between March and October 2025, we spoke to people across Somerset and gathered feedback through conversations and a public survey. The report reflects a wide range of experiences from people who use community pharmacies. Healthwatch Somerset Advisory Board said: The report reflects extensive engagement with local communities through surveys, outreach visits, and conversations with residents, carers, and pharmacy teams, ensuring that a wide range of voices have been heard. The report shows that community pharmacies are highly valued as trusted and accessible healthcare services in local communities. Many people described pharmacists as caring, approachable and supportive. They also appreciated being able to access advice and treatment quickly and close to home. Confidence in managing repeat prescriptions was generally high. Most people said they preferred using their local pharmacy rather than online services. Alongside these positive experiences, people identified areas where improvements are needed. Feedback highlighted: Low awareness of the Pharmacy First service Confusion about eligibility and age limits for some treatments Concerns about privacy when discussing health issues Frustration about prescription waiting times Uncertainty about how to safely dispose of unused medicines Overall, the findings show that community pharmacies play an important role in supporting people's health and helping people access care close to home. The report recommends raising awareness of available services, improving privacy where possible, and providing clearer information to help people get the most from their local pharmacy. Read our full report to explore the findings and recommendations in more detail.

Our report highlights opportunities to improve awareness of pharmacy services, provide clearer information about Pharmacy First, strengthen privacy for consultations and improve communication when prescriptions are delayed. Local pharmacies are playing a vital role in helping people access healthcare across Somerset. Our latest report found that residents value the advice, support and convenience provided by pharmacy teams, with many describing pharmacists as approachable, knowledgeable, and trusted healthcare professionals. However, we also found that awareness of Pharmacy First remains low, despite many people already benefiting from pharmacy services for common health conditions. Key findings: 44% of people who used Pharmacy First for one of the seven eligible conditions said they had a very positive experience. 65% of respondents had not heard of the term Pharmacy First. 95% of respondents used a community pharmacy. 76% had asked a pharmacist for advice about a medical issue or health concern. 45% said they felt uncomfortable discussing health concerns in front of other people. People told us about prescription delays, medicine shortages and difficulties accessing pharmacies, particularly in rural areas. Alongside positive feedback, people highlighted opportunities to improve awareness of pharmacy services, strengthen privacy for consultations, provide clearer information about Pharmacy First eligibility, and improve communication when prescriptions are delayed. Our recommendations aim to help ensure that everyone can make the best use of the support available from their local pharmacy. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call 0800 999 1286 Executive summary Full report