1. Maternity support during COVID-19

    Advice and Information -

    Read about how coronavirus could affect you, your baby, and your pregnancy care.

  2. What's the difference between social distancing, self-isolation and shielding?

    Advice and Information -

    Self-isolation, social distancing and shielding have been introduced by the Government to help you and your loved ones stay safe from COVID-19. Find out what they mean in practice and what applies to you.

  3. How to get an NHS dentist appointment during COVID-19

    Advice and Information -

    Routine dental care has had to change because of COVID-19, with social distancing rules making it difficult to access services. Here’s some information on how to access an NHS dentist during the pandemic.

  4. Chat Together - New Digital Support Group for bowel cancer patients

    Event -

  5. Chat Together - New Digital Support Group for bowel cancer patients

    Event -

  6. Children and young people briefing January 2021

    News -

    Healthwatch B&NES helps local people get the best out of health and social care services. In this briefing, we hear from the children and young people of two of our Community Pot Projects.

  7. Explaining COVID and the Vaccine to those with Learning Disabilities and Autism

    Advice and Information -

    Are you or someone you know looking for Easy Read information to explain our current situation with COVID, vaccines, and Lockdown? If so, we have collated the latest documents, films, and audio to help explain and reassure you and your loved ones.

  8. COVID concerns stop 1 in 3 women from attending cervical screening invitations

    News -

    A survey conducted by the Eve Appeal charity has found that nearly 1 in 3 women who didn't attend their cervical screening test when invited in the last twelve months did so because of coronavirus concerns.

  9. "Don't call us, we will call you," plea health leaders as COVID vaccination rollout ramps up

    News -

    Health leaders call for patience as all GP-led, community-based coronavirus vaccination sites in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire open meaning everyone in the area aged 80 or over will be invited to for their Covid-19 vaccine.

  10. Healthwatch BANES news Bites January 2021

    News -

    In this month, we will be sharing how you are helping Healthwatch, to help you; with the latest report on our Because We All Care campaign and how Every Mind Matters can make inside feel better.

  11. Services and volunteers unite to support NHS rollout of life saving vaccine

    News -

    NHS staff working across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire to deliver the lifesaving coronavirus vaccine have been given a helping hand on the frontline by local fire crews, volunteers, and military personnel.

  12. COVID-19 vaccination - rollout of letters to Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people

    News -

    From Wednesday 3 February, people aged 18 and over in the clinically extremely vulnerable group will start receiving letters inviting them to book their COVID-19 vaccine.

  13. CQC publishes report on Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust’s forensic inpatient and secure wards

    News -

    Following a recent inspection, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published a report today on the forensic inpatient and secure wards at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust at its Fromeside site.

  14. NIHR ARC West - Showcase of applied health research.

    Event -

  15. A conversation about the COVID-19 vaccines

    Event -

  16. **DEADLINE TO APPLY EXTENDED** Healthwatch B&NES Community Pot Fund 2021

    News -

    We are delighted to launch our small grants programme for 2021. Find out more about how you can apply for funding.

  17. Invitation for COVID vaccine extended to unpaid carers between 18-64 years old

    News -

    Across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, unpaid carers aged between 18 and 64 are now being invited for a Covid-19 Vaccination.

  18. NHS acknowledge delays on complaint responses in light of COVID pressures

    News -

    In February, NHS England and Improvement acknowledged that NHS providers may take longer to investigate and respond to complaints. This is to allow providers to concentrate on front-line duties and responsiveness to coronavirus (COVID-19).

  19. Virtual visit to Newbridge Towers Care Home report

    Report -

    We have been unable to undertake Enter and View visits to care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Executive Board decided that we should undertake a virtual visit to a care home to hear residents lived experience of the pandemic.

  20. Transgender people asked to help improve the NHS Gender Identity Services in the South West

    News -

    Transgender and gender-diverse individuals who are over 16 years old and live in the South West area are being encouraged to take part in an online survey to help improve NHS Gender Identity Services.

  21. Back to School resources for parents and students

    Advice and Information -

    As of the 8th March, all primary school and secondary school students in England began to return to school. In support, safety measures have been put in place; from lateral flow testing to wearing masks in class. Here, we share some resources.

  22. Improvements needed at Royal United Hospital Bath emergency department

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published a report following a focused inspection of the urgent and emergency service at Royal United Hospital Bath, part of Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust.

  23. COVID-19 - One year on from the declaration of a global pandemic

    News -

    Thursday 11th March marked a year since the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.

  24. Thames Valley Cancer Alliance calls for you to Know Your Cancer Risk

    News -

    The Thames Valley Cancer Alliance is calling on the public to know their lung cancer risk as they launch a localised campaign to increase awareness of symptoms and speed up diagnosis.

  25. Shielding for the clinically extremely vulnerable to stop from 1st April

    News -

    More than 3.79 million clinically extremely vulnerable people in England will be informed they are no longer advised to shield from Thursday 1 April 2021.

  26. COVID-19 Vaccine Report

    Report -

    At the beginning of February, we invited people across B&NES to take part in a month-long survey to find out their views, attitudes, and concerns towards the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out and the communications that have supported this.

  27. New Health Authority to be led by former Director of Public Health, Swindon, Dr. Jenny Harries

    News -

    A new agency that will plan for, prevent, and respond to external health threats such as infectious diseases, will be led by former, Director of Public Health, NHS Swindon, and Swindon Borough Council, Dr. Jenny Harries.

  28. Government leads an action to improve nation's mental and physical health through a new office

    News -

    The new Office for Health Promotion is to lead a national effort to improve the health of the nation; by improving our mental health and promoting physical activity, which in turn is hoped will help the nation tackle the rise in obesity.

  29. Quality Account Report 2020/21

    Report -

    A Quality Account is a report about the quality of services offered by an NHS healthcare provider. Each year local Healthwatch are given the opportunity to respond to these. Find out more about this and read our responses to providers.

  30. Responding to the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

    Response -

    Sir Robert Francis QC, Chair of Healthwatch England responds on behalf of our staff and volunteers.

  31. What you need to know when visiting a care home (new guidance for COVID-19)

    Advice and Information -

    As of Monday the 8th of March, the government's roadmap out of lockdown begins, and with it, the introduction of a single named nominated visitor to residents in care homes.

  32. April is Bowel Cancer Awareness month

    News -

    This April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. Do you know the five key symptoms to look out for? Bowel Cancer UK has launched a campaign to raise awareness and help you look out for the early signs.

  33. COVID-19 vaccine information in various community languages

    Advice and Information -

    Vaccine misinformation and delay among ethnic minority communities is fast becoming an issue in the fight against COVID-19. Here, we share downloadable leaflets and multimedia materials to help share the message that vaccines are safe.

  34. Dental Care Briefing for April 2021

    Report -

    Over the last year, we have been hearing from members of the public about their issues with dental care. Here is our Dental Care Briefing for April 2021.

  35. Participation opportunity - How inclusive is community based social care for older LGB people?

    News -

    Liz Wands-Murray, the Ph.D. researcher at the University of York, is asking for help with a research project on the accessibility of community-based social care services, groups, and activities for older (50+) lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons.

  36. What's next after shielding?

    Event -

  37. Patient and Public Involvement journal club

    Event -

  38. A guide to Video Consultation with the NHS in various languages

    Advice and Information -

    The last year has seen a great deal of change in the provision of health and social care services. Both patients and health care professionals have had to adapt how we communicate. Here, we provide a quick guide to one-way - video consultations.

  39. Healthwatch BANES News Bites April 2021

    News -

    In this month's newsletter, we will be sharing news on the new mobile COVID vaccination clinic, symptom-free testing being made available to everyone, and the lifting of further lockdown restrictions.

  40. Symptom free testing for COVID-19 made available to everyone

    News -

    Everyone in Bath & North East Somerset is now entitled to COVID-19 symptom-free testing. Find out where you can collect the home testing kits from and their opening hours here.

  41. Clinic takes to the water to ensure no crewmate is left behind on vaccination rollout

    News -

    A floating clinic has taken to the water in a bid to ensure that no one is left behind in the COVID-19 vaccination rollout. The launch was a joint initiative from local councils, GP's, housing charities, and Clinical Commissioning Groups.

  42. Focus on Mental Health - Connect With Nature

    News -

    The last year put a sharp focus on mental health as we have all been faced with challenges and change. This year's theme for Mental Health Awareness week is nature. We take a look at how nature can help well-being and tips to manage your wellbeing.

  43. Mouth Cancer prevention and spotting the symptoms

    Advice and Information -

    Mouth cancer is otherwise known as oral cancer and is where a tumour forms in the mouth. Regular self-checks and awareness of symptoms are key to early detection and resolution. We explore what to look out for and how to keep your mouth healthy.

  44. Your questions answered on COVID vaccines

    Advice and Information -

    To date, over 30 million people in the UK have received their first dose of the vaccine. But as this is a phased rollout - what does that mean for you and your loved ones in light of new variants of COVID?

  45. Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Showmen communities focus of new COVID vaccine film

    News -

    A new film featuring renowned Romany journalist, Jake Bowers, explores what traveling communities can do to help with the pandemic and encourages them to have the COVID vaccine.

  46. Foster Care Fortnight 2021 - putting fostering under the spotlight

    News -

    In recognition of Foster Care Fortnight, we are putting the spotlight on fostering a child, sharing foster care stories, and how you can get involved.

  47. More GP appointments to be offered face-to-face to those who need it

    News -

    NHS England has issued new guidance to GP practices across the country on facilitating more face-to-face appointments for patients.

  48. New Integrated Care System to hold their first public board meeting

    News -

    Health and care organisations from across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire will come together later this month for the first official board meeting in public as the region’s new integrated care system.