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Find our New Year Healthwatch News Update here, including free training for carers, a look ahead to Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, opportunities to see how health and social care decisions are made and more ...
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Advice and Information -
You can save money with your prescriptions with a prepayment certificate.
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With the NHS under extra pressure this winter, we need to hear your experiences of care to help services understand what is working and spot issues affecting support for you and your loved ones.
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The local pharmacies are now able to give out medicine for five common health conditions that would have previously needed a prescription from a GP.
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In this month's round up we feature where to get support with healthy eating, Children's Mental Health Week, LGBTQ+ support in BaNES for LGBT History month & continue to highlight the support available to manage during the cost of living crisis. -
Advice and Information -
Cervical cancer screenings save at least 2,000 lives every year in the UK. Here's what you should expect from your smear test and why these screenings are important. -
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In this newsletter we feature the work of Bath Welcomes Refugees, amongst other voluntary organisations supporting people's health, social care and well-being. -
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Working with deaf people and people affected by hearing loss, a step-by-step guide on how GP practices can improve communication and make care accessible has been developed by Healthwatch Norfolk, we urge GPs to adopt it in BaNES . -
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We have written a letter to NHS England to express our disappointment at the lack of progress in reviewing the legally-binding Accessible Information Standard. -
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NHS and social care services only make the best decisions if they listen to the people they care for. Read Healthwatch England's Annual Report to Parliament to see how your feedback has helped decision-makers prioritise what matters most. -
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Deep-dive analysis of experiences of 2,693 new mothers and birthing parents shows that six-week postnatal checks – required of GPs in England - are failing many new mothers. We call for action. -
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My Voice Matters is ensuring the voice of people with diverse lived experiences & backgrounds are heard. We are proud to be able to give the opportunity for seldom heard voices to be heard by providers & wider organisations in their own words
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In this issue we feature 10 years of Healthwatch, upcoming research on the experience of refugees new to the UK and much much more!
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Our latest research follows people's experiences of getting a GP referral. The process for many is long and often confusing. We need to address issues around people's GP referral journey so that it works for everyone. -
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The latest NHS data shows that a record number of people are waiting for care. However, new research indicates that there is also a hidden waiting list, and more needs to be done to understand what it's like for people trying to get referred. -
Advice and Information -
The continuing cost of living crisis is adversely affecting people's physical and mental wellbeing, with vulnerable people and those on lower incomes hit the hardest. -
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Why not volunteer with us!
As a Community Engagement and Outreach volunteer, you will play an important role in speaking and listening to people in the community about their views on local health and care services. -
News -
Your experiences of maternal mental health care continue to shape NHS services, with NHS England recently announcing improvements to maternity and neo-natal services. -
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Whether your highlight for the month is the Coronation, seeing local parks & gardens begin to blossom, or enjoying a special anniversary we hope you find something in our health & care news update to add extra colour or sparkle to your month. -
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My Voice Matters is ensuring the voice of people with diverse lived experiences & backgrounds are heard. We are proud to be able to give the opportunity for seldom heard voices to be heard by providers & wider organisations in their own words
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Advice and Information -
Looking for mental health or wellbeing support in Bath and North East Somerset? -
Advice and Information -
Receiving a dementia diagnosis can be a life-changing event, but knowing what support is available to you and what steps to take next can help you or a loved one process the diagnosis and plan for the future. -
Blog -
NHS England has recently published its "Delivery plan for recovering access to primary care". We outline what the planned changes will mean for you. -
Advice and Information -
A new scheme could see women across England save hundreds of pounds yearly on their Hormone Replacement Therapy with a prepayment certificate. -
News -
We welcome the creation of an independent public inquiry to learn lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic. The lessons from this inquiry could improve how government, NHS England, health and care providers and commissioners respond to future pandemics. -
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Professor David Croisdale-Appleby has been appointed as the new Chair of Healthwatch England, the independent champion for people who use health and social care. -
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All change !
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Find out what we have been doing in the last month and who we are working with. -
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With the NHS turning 75 this week, our Chief Executive reflects on why listening to users of health and care services is so integral to improving the quality and safety of care. -
Report -
Read our annual report for 2022/2023 and find out about how our dedicated staff and volunteers have made a difference to care throughout the year. -
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June is shaping up to be a busy month for Healthwatch in Bath & NES as it will be for many - whether this is the challenge of exams, getting on with outdoor tasks or planning days out.
In this issue:
Volunteer Week
Social isolation in children and young people
Carers Week
Playlist for Life
Have your say
Out & about with Healthwatch in June
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Advice and Information -
Many people who provide unpaid care are unaware of their rights. Find out more about the help and support you are entitled to. -
Advice and Information -
Mental health problems are more common among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people. If you are struggling, feel alone or need a little help, then check out our guide on how you can get the support you need. -
Advice and Information -
From 1 July 2022, nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists can legally certify and issue a statement of fitness for work, or informally known as a ‘fit note’. Find out what a ‘fit note’ is, when you might need one and how to go about getting one. Previously only GPs or hospital doctors could issue fit notes. -
Advice and Information -
The wait for planned medical care or surgery can be frustrating. That’s why you must get regular, clear and accessible updates to help you plan your next steps while you wait. -
Advice and Information -
Many of you have told us that you have experienced problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register.
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The commitment to personalised care has been a cornerstone of NHS policy on maternity care for many years. A crucial part of personalised care is good communication, listening and agreeing on actions together. In this blog, we share new mothers' stories highlighting the role of communication and choice. -
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A new report by MPs into dental care, which draws upon the experiences people have shared with us, has called for urgent reform so more people can access an NHS dentist. -
Advice and Information -
People are often in need of out-of-hours medical assistance. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed. -
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Healthwatch Bath & North East Somerset joined this year’s South West Charity Conference and Expo to share the work of Healthwatch with delegates from business and the Third sector. -
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Enter and View Providers of health and social care must allow an authorised representative from Healthwatch to 'Enter and View' and look at how services are being provided. -
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Whether you are home or away this month we hope you find plenty of interest and use in our August news update.
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Interested in volunteering with us and want to find out more take a look at our new easy read guide. -
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Our new research highlights that pressures in the NHS have serious consequences on people's lives and widen health inequalities. -
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Our research on GP referrals highlighted the frustration patients experience due to long waits and a lack of support. This latest analysis looks at people’s experience of getting a cancer referral. -
Advice and Information -
Do you or a loved one need help with social care? Read the article below to find out answers to key questions about who can access adult social care and how to pay for it. -
Advice and Information -
Living with autism affects people in different ways. It can bring strengths and challenges that can affect how comfortable, healthy, and happy you feel. Here's what you should expect from an autism assessment, diagnosis and getting the proper support. -
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Neurodiversity is a word used to describe the different thinking styles that affect how people communicate with the world around them. It includes dyslexia, autism, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette's Syndrome and more. Neurodivergent people encounter challenges accessing services which meet their needs. -
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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. -
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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.