1. Separate clinics for patients with and without coronavirus symptoms help people to continue accessing care and treatment

    News -

    People needing GP services across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire will soon be advised to visit a specific clinic depending on whether or not they are showing symptoms of coronavirus. Find out what this means for you.

  2. Parents and carers urged not to put off seeking medical help amid anxieties about coronavirus

    News -

    Parents, carers and others looking after children across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire are being advised not to let worries about coronavirus delay them from seeking medical help this Easter. Read more.

  3. Nightingale Hospital Bristol

    News -

    NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) South West region has asked North Bristol NHS Trust to oversee the new NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol alongside its existing group of hospitals. Read more.

  4. 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.

  5. COVID-19 MENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TODAY

    News -

    THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE SUPPORT NEW EVERY MIND MATTERS ADVICE FOR LOOKING AFTER MENTAL WELLBEING

  6. I'm experiencing domestic abuse - where can I go for support?

    Advice and Information -

    With a surge in cases of domestic violence because of the Covid-19 lockdown we have put together some information about where you can get information and support. Read more.

  7. 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.

  8. Talk to us - we're here to help

    News -

    NHS and social care staff are doing everything they can to keep us well during this crisis, but there might be things that can be improved. We want to hear from you about your experiences of care during COVID-19 to help make things better.

  9. New NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol opens

    News -

    Less than three weeks since work started, NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol opens today. Based at University of West of England Frenchay campus, it will provide up to 300 intensive care beds for coronavirus patients, if local services need them.

  10. 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.

  11. Changes to community maternity services agreed as CCG continues to respond to current coronavirus challenge

    News -

    Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group has today agreed a set of recommendations that will maintain the health and wellbeing of mums-to-be during the current coronavirus outbreak. Read more.

  12. Local ‘backline’ healthcare staff volunteer to deliver urgent and end-of-life prescriptions during lockdown

    News -

    Non-clinical staff at Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Group are offering a helping hand to community nursing teams in Swindon and Wiltshire by delivering urgent and end-of-life medicines direct to people’s homes.

  13. Key messages about maternity services during COVID-19

    News -

    We appreciate this is a worrying time for pregnant women and mums who have recently had their baby. We want to ensure we give you the latest information about how we have had to change our services to keep everyone safe. Find out more.

  14. Learning Disability Hospital Passport and Guidance

    News -

    The Grab and Go form gives doctor and nurses important information about a patient who has a learning disability or autism if they have to be admitted to hospital because of COVID 19. Find out more.

  15. 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.

  16. AWP publish a COVID-19 Wellbeing Guide for Bath & North East Somerset

    News -

    Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership have published a wellbeing guide put together by one of their service users in Bath and North East Somerset. Read more.

  17. 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.

  18. We must do all we can to combat health inequalities

    News -

    Read our response to evidence from Public Health England that COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities.

  19. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Black and Asian people according to latest PHE report. Tell us your experience

    News -

    Share your story to help services learn and improve from the experiences of people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds during COVID-19.

  20. New guidance: Preventing infection in hospitals

    Advice and Information -

    FROM TODAY, HOSPITAL VISITORS AND OUTPATIENTS NEED TO WEAR FACE COVERINGS

  21. 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.

  22. Health leaders call for sensible approach to easing of lockdown restrictions as NHS services anticipate busy weekend

    News -

    Health leaders at Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group have asked the public not to throw away the recent progress made in tackling coronavirus. Read more.

  23. Hospitals prioritise patient safety as public is urged to attend important outpatient appointments

    News -

    A worrying trend of patients avoiding important face-to-face hospital appointments has prompted a warning that doing so could have serious implications for long-term health. Read more.

  24. Over 60% of people in the South West ready to help improve health and social care after coronavirus

    News -

    Alliance of local and national care organisations calls on the South West to give feedback to shape future care. Read more.

  25. 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.

  26. 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.

  27. Community Pot Project 2019/20: BANES 3SG

    News -

    At the beginning of 2020 we invited organisations across B&NES to apply for our Community Pot fund. BANES 3SG received funding and has recruited a coordinator to support and train the 1,900 volunteers who offered their support during COVID-19.

  28. Community Pot Project 2019/20: Carers' Centre Bath and North East Somerset

    News -

    At the beginning of 2020 we invited organisations across B&NES to apply for our Community Pot fund. the Carers's Centre B&NES received funding to extend their support line hours, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.

  29. 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.

  30. 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.

  31. 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.

  32. What can you expect when you’re discharged from hospital?

    Advice and Information -

    The usual processes the NHS follows to discharge you from hospital have changed during the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s what you can expect when it’s time to leave hospital.

  33. COVID-19: What people are telling us about their care

    News -

    Find out what the public has been telling us about health and social care from April - June 2020, including the key issues people have faced because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  34. Have you have been told to self-isolate because of coronavirus (Covid-19), but you cannot work from home?

    Advice and Information -

    Have you have been told to self-isolate because of coronavirus (Covid-19), but you cannot work from home? If you have questions about your rights and entitlements, help is available. Read on to find out more.

  35. Introducing the NHS COVID-19 app

    News -

    The NHS Covid-19 has launched, and to date over 10 million people in England and Wales have downloaded it to protect others and save lives.

  36. Healthwatch BANES news Bites December 2020

    News -

    In this month's newsletter, we will share how your experiences prompted a review of dental services, our version of 12 days of Christmas, updates on the COVID vaccine rollout, and much more.

  37. COVID-19 alert system - What is it and how does it affect you?

    News -

    Yesterday evening (Monday 10 October) the Prime Minister announced a new three-tiered system of COVID Alert Levels in England. Healthwatch BANES asks, what is an alert level, and how it will affect you, and your family?

  38. What impact has COVID-19 had on those living with Cancer?

    News -

    The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the way cancer patients attend appointments with their cancer teams. The SWAG Cancer Alliance Patient Representatives want to understand what it is like from a patient's perspective.

  39. Dementia charity launches Musical Tea month

    News -

    Playlist for Life, a Music and Dementia charity, has launched a Musical Tea Campaign to help people stay connected while social distancing continues. The charity is asking people to hold various virtual musical tea events throughout October.

  40. 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.

  41. Clinically extremely vulnerable receive updated guidance in line with new national restrictions

    News -

    Clinically extremely vulnerable people in England have today received further guidance on keeping safe as the country introduces new national restrictions the government has announced.

  42. Local doctor echoes PM’s call for people to continue using NHS services during lockdown

    News -

    People living in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire are being advised to stay on top of their health and wellbeing by continuing to use the NHS throughout the next period of national lockdown.

  43. Healthwatch BANES News Bites October 2020

    News -

    Read October's edition of Healthwatch BANES news bites and find out the latest on musical tea, self-care, and the impact of COVID on cancer patients.

  44. Local NHS Professional shares three self care steps for good mental health in lockdown

    News -

    Local health professionals are encouraging all of us to take three simple steps to maintain good mental health in lockdown. According to the experts, sleep, a healthy diet, and regular exercise can benefit our mental health as much as our physical.

  45. Homecare workers to be tested weekly for COVID-19

    News -

    Care workers looking after people in their own homes will be offered weekly coronavirus tests from today (Monday 23 November), the government has announced.

  46. 'Long COVID' sufferers to receive help as support is introduced

    News -

    Patients in Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath, and North Somerset are now able to receive dedicated care and treatment for symptoms associated with 'long COVID'.

  47. Healthwatch B&NES Newsbites October

    News -

    Read November's edition of Healthwatch news bites and find out the latest on COVID news, stories of our work, a video explanation of what we do (courtesy of Healthwatch Plymouth), and much more.

  48. Local health and care organisations to partner up to improve patient experience

    Blog -

    NHS England and Improvement (NHSEI) has announced that Health and care organisations in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) are to join up as they meet the criteria to become an integrated care system.