1. Registering with your GP: understanding your rights

    Advice and Information -

    People have told us they can have problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register.

  2. Annual Report 2015/16

    Report -

    Read our annual report for 2015/16 and find out about all the work carried out by our team and our wonderful volunteers in Bath & North East Somerset throughout the year.

  3. Annual Report 2013/14

    Report -

    Read our very first annual report which covers 2013/14 and find out about all the brilliant work carried out by our team and volunteers.

  4. Accessible Information Standard

    Report -

    What difference has the Accessible Information Standard made for local people since it was introduced in 2016?

  5. Changes in over-the-counter prescribing

    News -

    The NHS is having to make financial savings and as a result changes are being made to over-the-counter prescriptions.

  6. Keynsham Now Youth Group

    Report -

    A report capturing the views and experiences of members of the Keynsham Now Youth Group, shared during our visit in December 2017.

  7. Primary care: engaging with patients (January 2017)

    Report -

    How can we engage with patients around changes to GP services? A report capturing the views of patients from St. James's Surgery in Bath.

  8. Diversity Trust Report

    Report -

    ‘Evidence for Change’
    Bristol Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Health and Wellbeing Research Report

  9. RUH Engagement Report

    Report -

    Healthwatch Bath & North East Somerset (Hw B&NES) and Healthwatch Wiltshire (Hw Wiltshire) held a joint information stand in the Atrium of the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust (RUH) in Bath during the week of the 23-27 March 2015

  10. Paulton Memorial Hospital Enter and View

    Report -

    In November 2017 our enter and view team visited the Paulton Memorial Hospital and reported on their findings

  11. NHS Long Term Plan

    Report -

    What changes do people want to make to NHS services in Bath and North East Somerset?

  12. Books on Prescription to help people with dementia

    News -

    Bath & North East Somerset Council’s libraries service is launching a new Books on Prescription service for people with Dementia.

  13. Ex Civil Servant Diana Sees the Power of Community Action

    News -

    Ex Civil Servant Diana Sees the Power of Community Action

  14. Care Quality Commission Publish Five-Year Strategy Discussion Paper

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published a discussion paper setting out potential changes to the way it inspects health and social care organisations in future.

  15. Do you know that you can give feedback on NHS care?

    News -

    Many people don’t quite know how to provide feedback on the care they have received from the NHS, but it’s incredibly important to have your say so you can help shape and improve your local services.

  16. Have your say: consultation on B&NES prescribing policy

    News -

    NHS BaNES Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is currently running a four-week period of public engagement on proposed changes to its prescribing policy. This started on 24 November 2016.

  17. NHS England launches national review of the Accessible Information Standard

    News -

    Since 1 August 2016, all organisations that provide NHS care or adult social care have been legally required to follow the Accessible Information Standard (AIS).

  18. NHS-funded Patient Transport – Have Your Say!

    News -

    A consultation is taking place around NHS-funded patient transport and we are keen to hear from you.

  19. B&NES Draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (2018 – 2021)

    News -

    B&NES Draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (2018 – 2021)

  20. Healthwatch Survey for Transgender People

    News -

    Are health and social care services working for transgender people? Take part in nationwide survey and let Healthwatch know your experiences of accessing health and social care.

  21. Decision made on sterilisation and fertility services in B&NES

    News -

    This month, the Bath and North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (BaNES CCG) Board decided to make no change to its policy on male vasectomy, but to change its policies on female sterilisation and fertility services.

  22. Help the NHS help you this winter by taking simple steps

    News -

    People living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Swindon and Wiltshire are being urged to do their bit to help the NHS cope with an increase in demand for services this winter.

  23. New federation of Bath GP surgeries to provide highest level of care

    News -

    Five GP surgeries in Bath have joined forces to share their clinical expertise for the benefit of their patients.

  24. Growing pressures on access and staffing risk creating ‘perfect storm’ for people using mental health and learning disability services

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) annual assessment of the state of health and social care in England shows that quality ratings have been maintained overall – but people’s experience of care is determined by whether they can access good care when they need it.

  25. The Importance of Health Checks for People with Learning Disabilities

    News -

    People with learning disabilities are eligible for annual health checks from the age of 14, as well as for free flu jabs. Find out more about what to expect when you go to your GP and what you can do if you are feeling nervous.

  26. Where can I go for help when I’m ill in winter?

    Advice and Information -

    Feeling unwell? Read on for advice about where you can go for help with your health during the winter months.

  27. Planning care at the end of life

    Advice and Information -

    We explain why it’s important to have a plan in place, should you or a loved one become critically ill with coronavirus. Read more.

  28. Drive-thru appointments, home visits and video calls keep GP practices open during coronavirus pandemic

    News -

    Drive-thru GP appointments are just one of a number of initiatives helping practices in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire to continue providing much-needed care to local communities throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Read more.

  29. Local doctors urge people to continue accessing healthcare as and when they need it

    News -

    New data shows a considerable drop in the number of people coming forward to ask their GP for help and advice during the coronavirus outbreak. Read more.

  30. The NHS is still open this bank holiday, even if your nearest GP practice isn’t

    News -

    With many GP practices across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire reducing their opening hours this bank holiday weekend, doctors are offering reassurances that help will still be available for those who need it. Read more.

  31. GPs spell out the best way to get NHS help over the Spring bank holiday weekend

    News -

    GP practices across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire will be reducing their opening hours this bank holiday weekend, but local people are being reassured that the NHS is still on hand to provide help where it’s needed. Read more.

  32. GP video appointments help thousands of patients in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire

    News -

    Thousands of patients in B&NES Swindon and Wiltshire are now benefiting from video-based appointments, as well as patient care delivered remotely by GPs and other primary care staff, thanks to the combined efforts of NHS organisations in the region.

  33. Don’t Wait and Worry

    News -

    A radio campaign will run from Monday 24 August called 'Don’t Wait and Worry', encouraging people across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire to see their GP if they have symptoms which could be signs of cancer. Find out more.

  34. Getting the most out of the virtual health and care experience

    Advice and Information -

    Working with National Voices, Traverse, and PPL, we've put together some tips on how to get the most out of the virtual health and care appointments both for patients and health and care professionals.

  35. COVID-19 Insight Report

    Report -

    In April we launched out COVID-19 insight survey inviting residents in Bath and North East Somerset to tell us their experiences of accessing health and social care during the pandemic. Find out what people told us.

  36. Don’t wait and worry, says Macmillan GP

    News -

    A Macmillan GP is urging people across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire to see their GP if they are experiencing signs or symptoms that could be cancer.

  37. Why am I being asked to wait to have my flu vaccine?

    News -

    People who are most at risk of flu are recommended to get a flu vaccine every year. This winter is especially important with flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) both in circulation.

  38. NHS England and Public Health England, ask “Help us, Help you”

    News -

    It will come as no surprise that COVID-19 has changed the way that people are accessing NHS services. A recent survey of 2,178 people found that almost half (48%) of the public would delay or not seek medical help at all.

  39. Free Flu vaccines to be offered to people aged 50 - 64 years of age

    News -

    People over the age of 50 will be able to get their free flu vaccine from 1 December in the next phase of this year’s expanded flu vaccination programme, the government has confirmed.

  40. First GP-led COVID-19 Vaccination Centres to open in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire

    News -

    Local vaccination centres run by GPs will open this week across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire as the NHS continues its phased roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine.

  41. Public told to know their options as Pharmacies and GP practices close for long Christmas weekend

    News -

    Many pharmacies and GP practices across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire will be closed for four consecutive days over the Christmas period.

  42. Wiltshire and B&NES winter opening hours - Dentists and Pharmacies

    News -

    Service times will change for primary care services over the bank holiday and Winter period. Below are the arrangements for B&NES and Wiltshire.

  43. Hundreds of people receive life saving COVID vaccine as rollout begins

    News -

    Hundreds of people received the life-saving Coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday 16th December as the Corn Exchange in Devizes amongst other venues played host to its first phase of patients.

  44. Maternity support during COVID-19

    Advice and Information -

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

  45. 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.

  46. 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.

  47. "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.

  48. 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.

  49. 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.