A lack of access to NHS dentists in Somerset remains a pressing issue, including for parents, vulnerable individuals and those with financial constraints. We have residents who are enduring persistent pain and grappling with unresolved dental issues. A lack of access to NHS dentists in Somerset remains a pressing issue, including for parents, vulnerable individuals and those with financial constraints. We have residents who are enduring persistent pain and grappling with unresolved dental issues. We wanted to understand people’s current experiences of dental care in Somerset – what care and treatment people require, what is available via the NHS, and what is preventing people from accessing the dental care they need to stay healthy and well. We also wanted to find out what people are doing to maintain good oral health and hygiene. Key messages Cost of dentistry:  Families, older people and vulnerable groups, such as people who are experiencing homelessness, are worried about the costs of dentistry and this has been made worse by the cost of living crisis. Challenges seeking NHS dental care:  843 respondents (71%) reported difficulties trying to see an NHS dentist in the past year. Shortage of NHS dentists:  436 respondents (37%) expressed a pressing need for more NHS dentists in Somerset. Residents reported difficulty in finding NHS dentists accepting new patients, with waiting lists extending up to eight years. Lack of access to emergency dental care:  There is a lack of access to emergency dental services, which means people are more likely to self-medicate or visit A&E for treatment. Pregnant women struggling to access NHS dentistry: 12 respondents reported difficulty getting NHS dental care while pregnant. While the number may seem small, it is concerning as government guidelines say that pregnant women should get free dental care because pregnancy can affect their dental health. Oral hygiene:  Respondents answers revealed a range of oral hygiene practices. However, the data also suggests a need for increased knowledge and awareness regarding maintaining optimal oral health. It is crucial to address this gap in understanding, as poor oral care has implications for overall health. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email  info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk  or call 0800 999 1286.

Are you struggling to find an NHS dentist? The new dental recovery plan might help you get the dental care you need. On 7 February 2024 the Government published a dental care recovery plan . This is an issue we’ve been campaigning on for many years, as it’s the second top problem reported to us by the public.  Check out how this might affect you and how NHS dentistry appointments will hopefully become easier to get. I haven’t been able to find a dentist offering any NHS appointments for a long time – does this plan mean I’ll be able to? The plan recognises that your ability to get NHS dental care has been difficult, particularly since the pandemic. The plan proposes a variety of initiatives, backed by £200m of Government funding, to offer up to 2.5m appointments to people across England: A ‘new patient payment’ - like a bonus – of between £15 and 50 - will be paid to dentists for every new person they see on the NHS if the person has been unable to be seen in the past two years.  New mobile dental vans will see and treat people in 12 remote areas. A £20k ‘golden hello’ payment will be offered to 240 dentists to work in ‘dental deserts’ if they agree to stay in the area for three years. An increase in the minimum amount of payment all dentists get for NHS work. How can I find out if dentists in my area have taken up these bonus payments and are offering more NHS appointments? The Government says it will soon roll out a national marketing campaign to encourage people who've struggled to find an NHS dentist in recent years to contact dental practices.  You can look up the NHS website’s ‘find a dentist’ tool to see if your practice is taking on new patients.  Dentists must keep these listings up to date, but availability can change quickly, so you may need to ring around.   Find out how to get an NHS dentist When will extra appointments start to be offered? Bonus payments will be offered to dentists from March 2024, but it’s down to individual practices to decide if they will take up these incentives to provide more NHS appointments. You may need to check at various times throughout the year with different practices.  Will I have to prove that I haven’t been able to be seen on the NHS in the past two years? It’s likely new patients will have to sign a form declaring that they haven’t been seen on the NHS for the past two years, if the dental practice they use is claiming the bonuses.  Are the new patient appointments for adult or child patients? Extra appointments are aimed at both adults and children. Do I have to use the dental practice nearest me? If you are easily able (and can afford) to travel outside of your area, you can try to be seen at any NHS dental practice in England.  Dentists don’t work the same way as GPs – they get paid per treatment, not per patient and don’t formally ‘register’ patients. Dentists may agree to see you regularly and put you on an informal list, but they are under no obligation to keep seeing you as an NHS patient permanently.  Will I have to pay for dental treatment under this new initiative? Yes, you will pay NHS dental charges unless you are exempt.  You do not pay any NHS dental charges if you are:  on low-income benefits  you are pregnant or have given birth in the past 12 months  you’re aged under 18 (or under 19 and in full-time education) Check out our article about getting the most out of your next appointment, including information on costs. Top 10 ways to get the most out of your next dental appointment Is my area one of the 12 covered by new mobile dental vans? Mobile dental vans will be in Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Dorset, Cornwall, North Yorkshire, and Northamptonshire.   They will be staffed with salaried dentists, nurses and technicians to see and treat patients who find it difficult or unaffordable to travel long distances to the nearest NHS permanent dental practices.  The Government is currently choosing a company from which to buy dental vans and details are still awaited on when they’ll be launched, how many days they’ll be in an area each week and how you will find out where they will be.  Sign up for regular newsletters with Healthwatch Somerset to stay informed. Will my area be getting one of the 240 dentists who're being offered ‘golden hellos’ to work in certain parts of England? The Government says it will decide on locations ‘in the coming months’. It will review the effectiveness of the £20k bonus payments in attracting dentists to ‘underserved’ areas before deciding whether to extend the scheme. I’m struggling to afford charges for NHS dental appointments or treatment. Will this plan help me? This plan has no changes to the level of NHS dental charges. After last year’s 8.5% increase in dental charges – the biggest since 2006 – we called for a freeze on future charges.  If you do not qualify for an exemption from dental charges, you may still be eligible for some help towards the costs by applying through the NHS low income scheme .  I’ve got a young family, or I’m expecting a baby. Will there be more support to help my kids have healthy teeth? The plan also announced the Smile for Life initiative , which will advise  families at Family Hubs in 75 council areas and nurseries on oral health for babies and how to instil good tooth-brushing habits in children.

The Somerset Carers Engagement Project recently achieved a significant milestone in its mission to empower and support unpaid carers across the county when it held a major collaborative event to inform Somerset's renewed Commitment to Carers. The Somerset Carers Engagement Project, led by Evolving Communities and Healthwatch Somerset, is working independently on behalf of Somerset’s Integrated Care Board (ICB) which includes Somerset Council and Somerset NHS. It aims to ensure the voices of unpaid carers, both adults and young carers, are heard and used to shape the direction of health and social care services in Somerset. The Commitment to Carers is a statement that acknowledges the issues and challenges faced by unpaid carers and sets out the values and principles that health and social care services should adopt to ensure effective support for unpaid carers. The new Commitment to Carers is being produced with carers and those who work with and support carers, and it will be formally adopted by Somerset ICB in early 2024. It will inform and influence all other strategies, commissioning decisions and service developments in the future. Pictured: Siana Paginton shared her moving story of growing up as a young carer. She highlighted the impact this had on her wellbeing, education and career choices, and explained how social care and support, when it eventually arrived, made such a positive difference. Co-production workshop The recent collaborative workshop brought together over 130 different stakeholders, including unpaid carers, professionals from health and social care, and decision-makers from Somerset Council and NHS Somerset. The event featured a diverse and engaging programme, including keynote addresses from key figures such as Councillor Heather Shearer, Associate Lead Member for Somerset Council Children’s Social Care & SEND; Jonathan Higman, Chief Executive of NHS Somerset; and Paul Coles, Service Director for Adult Social Care Commissioning in Somerset. There were insightful and moving presentations from carers and those who work to support carers, and expert presentations and discussions on various aspects of unpaid caregiving. Highlights from the event included: Facilitated conversations:  Participants engaged in open and group conversations, sharing personal accounts, perspectives and visions for the future of unpaid care in Somerset. Young carers focus:  Special sessions were dedicated to understanding the unique needs and perspectives of young carers, ensuring their inclusion in the commitment to carers initiative. Addressing challenges:  Sessions explored the challenges and issues faced by parent carers, strategies for removing barriers to inclusion, and the importance of collaboration across sectors. Future planning:  The event concluded with a forward-looking session led by Andrew Henon, Somerset Carers Engagement Project Lead, emphasising the commitment to embedded practice, co-production, and continuous improvement. Pictured left to right: Alison Birkett, who read her poem, ‘Where is my man’, about caring for her husband who had dementia; Andrew Henon, Somerset Carers Engagement Project Lead; Siana Paginton, who shared her story of being a young carer; Councillor Heather Shearer, Associate Lead Member for Childrens Social Care & SEND; Gill Keniston-Goble, Healthwatch Somerset Manager; and Jonathan Higman, Chief Executive NHS Somerset. Andrew Henon commented: “The collaborative working event marked a crucial step towards renewing our commitment to unpaid carers in Somerset. The valuable insights gained from diverse perspectives will contribute significantly to shaping the Commitment to Carers 2024, ensuring it reflects the needs and aspirations of our community. I want to thank everyone who attended on the day and helped make it such an energising and valuable event, as well as the many carers who could not join us due their caring responsibilities, but who have contributed in other ways.” Next steps Feedback and findings from the event will be analysed and combined with other evidence, data and reports, including insight gained by talking to carers across Somerset and case studies of unpaid carers’ experiences. The information gathered will inform the final Commitment to Carers, to be formally adopted by NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) in early 2024.

In our latest report, we call on those responsible for young people’s mental health services to improve awareness, availability and access to mental health support for young people. In our  previous 2021 research , we found that young people thought mental health services are not promoted in a way that is accessible or inclusive of young people. Given the widely reported impact of Covid on children and young people’s mental health, we wanted to investigate the current situation to find out if young people are aware of the services available to them and how effectively they think these services are promoted and delivered. Our report, which is informed by feedback from 85 young people and their parents/carers, highlights the challenges young people face as they try to understand and get support for their mental health. The key findings include:  80% of young people felt the need for emotional support in the past year. 47% of those who needed support did not look or ask for help. 11% were unaware of any of the Somerset services offering direct support (via talking to young people). Young Somerset emerged as the most frequently contacted service. Schools proved to be pivotal in providing information and signposting for young people and adults. Our report identifies key recommendations aimed at streamlining access to services, improving communication and bolstering support networks for young people. These include: Simplifying access to services, making it easier to find information, to self-refer, and to get ongoing support after treatment. Enhancing communication and promotion of available support, clarifying which services are best suited to individual needs. Establishing a system of support for those experiencing prolonged waits for assessments and treatments. Collaborating with schools, youth groups, community organisations, and family services to facilitate effective communication and access to resources to promote good mental health and emotional wellbeing. Involving young people in the development of new services and proposed changes to existing provision and communicating the value and impact of their involvement. Announcing the report, Gill Keniston-Goble, Healthwatch Somerset Manager, commented: "Many young people clearly feel they need support with their mental health, but they are facing barriers in their journey to getting help, including around information and communication, and long waits for support. We are calling on the organisations involved in delivering and commissioning these services to work together to build an accessible, inclusive, and effective mental health support system for young people in Somerset." Nik Harwood, Chief Executive, Young Somerset, welcomed the report, commenting: "We really value the Healthwatch Somerset report into children and young people's access to mental health and wellbeing provision in Somerset. There are a number of insights into both our provision and the wider Somerset system which will be invaluable in our continuous service improvement efforts. It is a useful tool for us to use with our own participation and inclusion work with Young Somerset service-users and stakeholders." Fiona Phur, Participation and Partnerships Business Manager, at Somerset Council said: "The Engagement and Participation team at Somerset Council have valued the opportunity to support young people’s voices to be heard in this comprehensive and useful report. We hope this will guide practitioners and commissioners in their decisions about the services and interventions that children, young people and their families tell us need to be available." Read the full report , which includes case studies and comments from young people: Reaching out: Looking at mental health support for young people in Somerset

Every year Healthwatch Somerset (HWS) Board and Staff members gather information about the delivery and efficiency of local health and social care services. Using the intelligence collected over the course of 12 months, alongside wider national considerations, the HWS Board discuss possible key projects for the next year. As HWS exist to represent the voice of the people, we want to ensure that the key project selections for the year 2024/25 are robust and accountable to those they are intended to inform. Therefore, the shortlist for the 2024/25 projects were publicly shared, and people were given the opportunity to vote on their two preferred subjects. This brief report explains the methods and findings from our public investigation.

We were pleased to be invited to bring a stand along to the Market Place, prior to the Annual General Meeting. This opportunity allowed us to talk about the work we do with partners across the county and members of the public. Chair by lake The AGM began with a film called 'We Need to Talk about Death', which was commissioned by NHS Somerset's Learning from Lives and Deaths Team (LeDeR) made by biggerhouse film . They worked with a group of adults with learning disabilities from mydaycareservices.com . The film is excellent and you can watch it at the following link: We need to talk about death . The meeting continued with questions and answers from the cast of the film about their part in the production. Thanks were given to everyone involved, and a round of appreciative applause was given. The meeting continued with the business part of the event.

In response to local feedback about challenges in booking appointments with GPs, we have explored people’s experiences across the county. 64% of people who took part in our survey were offered a face-to-face appointment with their GP. In our latest report we have listened to experiences of Somerset residents who tried to book an appointment to see their GP. Concerns about a lack of professional medical qualifications when being triaged by an administrator and long waits for routine appointments were some of the problems people told us about. Key messages                                        More than half of those trying to book an appointment contacted their surgery by telephone. There are still long waits involved in booking and scheduling appointments. 38% of telephone calls connected to a receptionist/administrator within five minutes. The triage processes and execution vary between GP surgeries and is unclear to some people. Many people received an appointment with a GP/Doctor after they were triaged. Some people are happy to use digital technology for appointments when suitable and available. Most respondents said continuity of care for the same condition was very important.   Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email  info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk   or call 0800 999 1286.

Investigating available information for unpaid carers in Somerset. Over 49,000 unpaid carers in Somerset help take care of a family member or friend who needs their support. Some of these caregivers don’t get any financial help and still balance their caring duties with their jobs and other responsibilities. Our new project will focus on information available from health and care services that is designed to support and assist carers as they look after their loved ones. We want to know what caregivers think about the information they have received or discovered and if it is helpful for them. Unpaid carers was the most voted for project in our ‘People’s Choice’  vote, and we frequently talk to carers during our engagement work. In March 2024 Somerset Council published the renewed Commitment to Carers Statement   alongside a co-produced report  which informed the refreshed commitment: “The Commitment aims to enhance the quality of life for carers and those they care for, by improving their experience of health and social care, and supporting them to access information and opportunities to keep healthy and live well while they carry out their vital caring roles. It reflects priorities identified through consultation and co-production with carers and those who work with and support carers.” Our work aims to collect stories from all types of unpaid carers including: Carers of someone with mental health conditions Parent carers of adults and children Veteran/Ex service carers and family members who are carers Young Carers Gillian Keniston-Goble, Healthwatch Somerset Manager said: “As Healthwatch we know that there is a lot of information and support available to unpaid carers in our local communities, however we also hear feedback from carers who have not known where and how to access that information. This project will begin to address that gap.” We want to hear your story or visit your carers/community group and listen to your feedback. If you are 18 years or older you can take part by completing our form over the phone, online, or by post: Freephone: 0800 999 1286 Adults online form Download the adults form for print If you would like to know more, get involved, or tell us about your experiences of accessing information for carers, please get in touch: Freephone: 0800 999 1286 Email: info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk     If you would like us to come and talk to your community group, or would like to display one of our posters, please email Tanya Camberwell - Engagement Officer: tanya.camberwell@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk

Tell us about information available to you, and you could be entered into a draw for a £35.00 Amazon gift voucher. Graphic kindly provided by Somerset Council YMCA Dulverton Young Carers Group We want to know what young caregivers think about the information they have received or discovered and if it is helpful for them. Qualifying entries  will be put in into a draw, and two entries will each receive a £35.00 Amazon gift voucher. Need support or information? A young carer is under 18 years old and helps take care of a family member or friend who is dealing with health problems, whether those are physical or mental. They might also take care of younger siblings, older relatives, or anyone in their family who needs help. There are an estimated one million young carers across the UK looking after a family member with a disability, illness or mental health problem - some as young as five years old. Why your story is important Personal experiences are powerful stories and have big impacts on service providers which can help make positive changes. Stories are experiences and do not have to be long; we make them anonymous so we will not use your name unless you give us permission. Have questions? Call us free! You can share your experience over the phone. Freephone: 0800 999 1286 Tell us your story online. Print out our story form and send it by post. Our postal address is on the form Michelle Palmer, Project Co-ordinator for Young Carers in Schools  Project Somerset, said: "Young carers can be difficult to identify and through the work being done in schools with the Young Carers in Schools Award, we are increasing our ability to identify and support this often overlooked group of vulnerable young people. That's why this programme is so important. In Somserset there are currently 493 registered young carers; statistically we know that there are likely many more. National figures show that there could be up to one young carer in every five secondary aged pupils." Support and information CCS Somerset Carers service Advice Line:  0800 31 68 600 CCS Somerset Carers service - Advice for Young Carers Somerset Council Somerset Council Young Carers Carers UK Support for Young Carers Carers Trust  Getting support if you are a Young Carer or Young Adult Carer  The Children's Society Young Carers Mobilise How can young carers be supported at home? NHS England Help for young carers Voucher draw terms and conditions: Qualifying entries must meet the following conditions: Entrants must be young carers in Somerset under the age of 18 years who help to look after a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem. The consent section of this form must be completed. Entrants under the age of 16 must have the consent of their parent/guardian/carer which will be confirmed in the consent section of this form. Young carers outside of Somerset will not qualify for the draw. The Somerset area will be confirmed using the postcode given in the consent section. No alternative to the Amazon gift voucher will be offered. Closing date for entries is 31 December 2024. Voucher winners will be chosen at random and will be notified during January 2025 using the details in the consent form. Voucher winners may be asked for additional consent to appear in publicity materials/campaigns.

We talked to Mr. Smith during our time in West Somerset to hear his story about taking care of his wife. We spent time with him for four months at the end of 2024. Caring for a loved one with mobility challenges is a full-time commitment, a reality faced daily by Mr. Smith, a 77-year-old primary caregiver to his wife, Mrs. Smith. At the age when most people are enjoying a slower pace of life, Mr Smith’s days are filled with healthcare appointments, coordinating home visits, and managing the complexities of medical equipment. This blog explores the couple’s experiences with the healthcare system, highlighting both the support they receive and the challenges they continue to face. The Financial Strain of Mobility Aids One of the aspects of Mrs. Smith’s care involves specialised mobility aids. The couple secured essential equipment from Mediquip, including a hospital bed, loo riser, and a Zimmer frame. However, the financial burden of acquiring a wheelchair and installing ramps for access to their home fell on them. Mr. Smith went onto explain that they had some savings that they were able to use, the wheelchair cost £1,000. Despite these expenses, Mr. Smith acknowledges that the £9.00 donation they pay for Mrs. Smith’s daily personal care assistance is reasonable, and they are glad of the support which provides some respite for Mr. Smith. Hospitalisation, Discharge, Transfers of Care: Gaps in support  In November of 2023, Mrs. Smith experienced a fall inside their home. The couple were impressed with the prompt ambulance response, which arrived within 15 minutes. During Mrs. Smith’s hospital stay, she had her wounds tended and multiple arthritis injections. However, the experience post-hospitalisation was less positive. Upon discharge, Mrs. Smith was released without a care plan or transportation arrangements back to their home in Porlock, fortunately, Mr. Smith was able to drive and ensure his wife’s safe return. Ambulance Wait Times: A Mixed Experience The couple has faced varying ambulance response times over the years. While the initial response to Mrs. Smith’s first fall was swift, a subsequent fall required a grueling two-hour wait. Moreover, Mr. Smith recalls two additional ambulance calls over the past three years, with wait times ranging from five to seven hours, which caused anxiety for the couple.   Wound Care Complications Another healthcare challenge arose from a wound care incident. Mrs. Smith developed a wound on her leg that was dressed, but later began seeping fluid. Despite a visit from a nurse, the wound dressing was not checked. When Mrs. Smith was hospitalised, the wound was discoloured which was the effect of a seaweed dressing, it was also found to be weeping and in a poor state. Despite this setback Mr. Smith commended the hospital staff for the overall quality of care they provided, but this visit could have been prevented if Mrs. Smith’s wound had been checked whilst at their home. Key Challenges and Takeaways Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s story sheds light on several critical issues in the healthcare system, including: Timely Access to Healthcare: The couple generally experience prompt doctors appointments and reliable home visits, which are vital for managing chromic conditions. Financial Burden of Mobility Aids: Out-of-pocket expenses for essential equipment add financial stress. Hospital Discharge Planning: The absence of a care plan or transport upon discharge presents a gap in continuity of care. Ambulance Response Time: Extended wait times during emergencies can have serious health consequences, creating stress for both the patient and caregiver. Wound Care Management: Inadequate wound care oversight led to complications. A follow–up with Mr. Smith: Addressing the struggles of a Carer in Minehead in November 2024 Healthwatch Somerset visited a carers’ group in Minehead, where we had the opportunity to catch up with Mr. Smith, a dedicated carer whom we first met back in August 24. This follow-up visit revealed just how complex and challenging the caregiving journey can be. Mr. Smith shared a distressing experience that took place around Mid-October 2024. His wife suffered a fall inside their home, becoming trapped when she landed on top of her Zimmer frame. The impact caused painful cuts under her armpits, and despite Mr. Smith’s best efforts, he found himself unable to lift her due to her size. Realising the gravity of the situation, he called for an ambulance, which had an estimated wait time of an hour. When the paramedics arrived, their efforts to help Mrs. Smith proved insufficient. Lifting her was too challenging for the two paramedics, and they advised Mr. Smith to call the fire service for additional support. Thankfully, the fire service arrived within ten minutes and successfully helped lift Mrs. Smith back onto her bed. However, the incident did not end there. The paramedics voiced concerns about Mrs. Smith’s hospital bed, noting that it was too small, making it impossible to turn her properly. They recommended that Mr. Smith contact Mediquip to arrange a more suitable bed. Mediquip, a supplier of mobility aids and essential equipment, agreed to provide the necessary bed but mentioned that an occupational therapist should be present during the installation of the hospital bed. Despite placing an order in mid- October, Mr. Smith expressed his growing frustration, by the time of our visit in mid – November, the new bed had yet to arrive. The prolonged wait has caused both stress and worry for Mr. Smith. We will keep in touch with Mr Smith. We would like to thank him and his wife for sharing their story which highlights the challenges faced on a regular basis by carers navigating the health and social care system.

In November 2024 we undertook an Enter and View visit to Oakhill Surgery to observe the quality of service, and talk to people using the surgery. The purpose of this Enter and View visit was to talk to patients, their family members, caregivers, and staff to understand how they felt about their experience at Oakhill Surgery. Summary Our visit had been advertised within the surgery and on the surgery website We spoke to over 14 people Observations were made throughout the visit What we found This practice serves the local community, and patients feel it is an integral part of that community. Patients said staff are friendly, and go above and beyond to be helpful. We were told that staff get to know the patients and in turn patients feel listened to. The surgery places importance on good communication with patients. This includes knowing patients’ names and telling patients what is going on. We observed staff being polite and courteous to patients. Patients spoke highly about the attitude of staff and quality of care they receive. Our recommendations include: It would be helpful to have photos of the staff so that patients can recognise them. Investigate the possibility of enlarging the size of font on the TV screen and slowing the speed of screen changes. Continue to host the annual carers event (or similar) to showcase the surgery and to pass information to patients. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email  info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk   or call 0800 999 1286.

Our February newsletter includes updates about our work, information about health and care services, and helpful advice. Snowdrops in Somerset To read our February newsletter - click on the pdf below If you need this newsletter in a different format, please email: info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk  or call 0800 999 1286.