News and reports

My Voice Matters is ensuring the voice of people with diverse lived experiences and backgrounds are heard.

We are proud to be able to give the opportunity for seldom heard voices to be heard by providers and wider organisations in their own words.

This report is data analysis which has been researched and written by a Young Healthwatch volunteer who is studying the University of West of England (UWE).

In this Autumn issue you can find out about:

Our Enter and View visit , our latest findings from feedback - 'What Matters to Families?' and about organisations which may be new to you plus where to meet us in October.

Over the past 8 months Healthwatch Bath and North East Somerset has attended sessions with Southside 'family food and play', a number of the local food pantries and in the Summer joined in the fun at one of Bath Area Play Project's playdays.

This report brings together anonymous feedback and key findings from these engagements and a series of recommendations and next steps for Healthwatch in Bath and North East Somerset.

We visited Cleeve Court on 6th September 2024, it is primarily a care home for people diagnosed with Dementia.

Our Enter and View visits to care homes are a way that we can gather information about services and collect views of service users, their carers, staff and relatives.

Following on from our visit we have made some recommendations to the service provider based on the feedback we have received and what we observed.

Our new research shows worryingly low public confidence in being able to access NHS services. A third of adults in England lack confidence that they can access timely care, including GP services, mental health support and hospital care. Read the findings and our calls to action.

A review was undertaken by one of our Young Healthwatch Volunteers asking five questions to understand what online support is offered via the GP surgeries locally. Our findings have been published in a report.

Each cancer support group is different, but many people find it helpful to have support during and after diagnosis. Some also offer advice and support to family and friends of people going through cancer care and beyond.
Listed below are some local and national support groups that people might find helpful. The ones listed are mostly for adult support groups.

The cost-of-living crisis is putting many people under financial strain, and prescription costs are more than some people can afford to pay. Find out what help is available to help you cover the cost of your medication.

We're backing calls to introduce 'Martha's Rule' in NHS hospitals. Find out what it is and why we are supporting it.

NHS England is moving forward the timetable for the autumn COVID-19 and flu vaccine rollouts.

September sees a new start for many - especially for children and young people as they move up a school year or start a new phase in their education, whilst for others it signals the start of Autumn. Whatever the month of September means for you we hope our Healthwatch news for Bath & North East Somerset provides some useful information and updates.

New figures published today in the annual report on NHS Dental Statistics for England in 2022-23, show that NHS dentists still see fewer people than pre-pandemic. Read our response.