1. Executive Board Meeting Minutes February 2019

    Report -

    Each quarter we meet with our Executive Board to decide which areas in health and social care we should focus on in Bath and North East Somerset.

  2. Information: transferring patient records to Virgin Care

    News -

    With Virgin Care having been awarded the new contract for providing adult community health services in B&NES the transfer of patient records from Sirona has begun.

  3. Executive Board Meeting Minutes December 2018

    Report -

    Each quarter we meet with our Executive Board to decide which areas in health and social care we should focus on in Bath and North East Somerset.

  4. 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.

  5. Executive Board Meeting Minutes September 2018

    Report -

    Each quarter we meet with our Executive Board to decide which areas in health and social care we should focus on in Bath and North East Somerset.

  6. Executive Board Meeting Minutes July 2018

    Report -

    Each quarter we meet with our Executive Board to decide which areas in health and social care we should focus on in Bath and North East Somerset.

  7. Do you need help travelling to NHS services?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you when travelling to your GP, hospital or other NHS services.

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

    Advice and Information -

    It’s vital that when it’s time for you to leave hospital, you have all the medication, information and support in place to help you keep getting better.

  9. B&NES resident Roger urges people to have their say about changes to the NHS

    News -

    “Healthcare in B&NES will only work if people get to have their say” – urges Healthwatch volunteer Roger Tippings, as the public are invited to share their views on the NHS Long Term Plan.

  10. What has your experiences of ambulances been like?

    News -

    We are carrying out a survey on The South West Ambulance Trust and are keen to hear from as many people as possible in Bath and North East Somerset.

  11. Virgin Care contract approved

    News -

    Bath & North East Somerset Council award seven year contract to Virgin Care to deliver community health and care services in B&NES.

  12. 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.

  13. Off the Record survey for Healthwatch 2019 – young people, their mental health and accessing services

    News -

    We launched our 'Community Pot' grant for 2018/19 in November last year. Off The Record BANES was one of the organisations which applied for and was successful in getting the funding. They have just launched their survey as part of this project.

  14. Sir Robert Francis QC confirmed as new Chair of Healthwatch England

    News -

    Sir Robert Francis QC has been appointed today as the new Chair of Healthwatch England, the independent champion for people who use health and social care.

  15. Transforming maternity services together

    News -

    A proposal to transform maternity services across Bath and North East Somerset (BANES), Swindon and Wiltshire has been shared with the general public for their consideration.

  16. Three local NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups take steps to become one organisation

    News -

    Three groups responsible for the planning, buying and monitoring of health services in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire could become one single organisation as soon as April 2020.

  17. Care and Supporting Charging Financial Assessment Framework - Your thoughts needed

    News -

    Bath & North East Somerset Council is proposing to introduce a framework to make sure that residents with eligible needs are allocated funding fairly and in a way that is easy to understand.

  18. SORE THROAT, COUGH, COLD OR MINOR ILLNESS? SEE YOUR LOCAL PHARMACIST FIRST

    Advice and Information -

    People in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Swindon and Wiltshire suffering from minor illnesses are being urged to seek help from their local pharmacist first.

  19. Share your views on NHS services for those with learning disabilities and autism

    News -

    Hundreds of children have learning disabilities and autism in Bath and North East Somerset and now families are being asked to help shape local NHS services supporting them.

  20. The new Rainbow Resource is here

    Advice and Information -

    Rainbow Resource has been a popular and well-used resource for young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities and their families for several years.

  21. New guidance on the prescription of over-the-counter medicines

    News -

    Bath and North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group adopt new guidelines which will reduce the prescribing of over-the-counter medicines for minor conditions.

  22. 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.

  23. 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.

  24. What would you change about local health and care services?

    News -

    Younger people in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire are being given an opportunity to help shape how health and care services are provided in the future.

  25. NHS Long Term Plan launched

    News -

    The 10-year plan includes measures to prevent 150,000 heart attacks, strokes and dementia cases, and better access to mental health services for adults and children.

  26. Our Health, Our Future

    News -

    Our Health, Our Future is a collaborative campaign coordinated by Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire CCGs on behalf of the wider STP which encourages people living in the three regions to reflect on their experiences of healthcare

  27. Share your experiences of leaving hospital

    News -

    The Local Government Association (LGA) is reviewing how health and care services in Bath and North East Somerset and Wiltshire are working together to support people when they leave hospital.

  28. 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.

  29. Working towards a smoke-free generation

    News -

    A new strategy to help the remaining 18,000 smokers across Bath and North East Somerset quit is being launched by the council’s Public Health team. Find out more here.

  30. Three local NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups to merge next April

    News -

    Three groups responsible for the planning, buying and monitoring of health services in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire are to become a single organisation in April 2020. Read more.

  31. Community Pot Fund: Off The Record BANES

    News -

    In 2018 we invited organisations to apply for our Community Pot fund. Off The Record BANES received funding and used this to explore issues of rural isolation and the impact this has on young people using health services, particularly mental health.

  32. Community Pot Project: Village Agents - WERN

    News -

    In 2018 we invited organisations across B&NES to apply for our ' Community Pot' fund. West of England Rural Network (WERN) received funding and used the money to explore how living in rural isolation impacts on access to health and care services.

  33. Executive Board Meeting Minutes July 2019

    Report -

    Each quarter we meet with our Executive Board to decide which areas in health and social care we should focus on in Bath and North East Somerset. These are the minutes from our meeting in July 2019 - read more.

  34. 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.

  35. Help stop the spread of norovirus this winter

    News -

    People living in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire are being asked to help stop the spread of norovirus this winter by following some simple steps. Read more.

  36. B&NES Christmas and New Year Opening Times: Dentists, Opticians & Pharmacy

    News -

    Make sure you know the 2019 Christmas and New Year opening times for your pharmacy, optician or dentist in B&NES. Read more.

  37. Are you aged over 50 and interested in vaccinations?

    News -

    Researchers at the University of Bristol are looking to work with a group of public contributors on research projects linked to vaccination in older adults. Read more.

  38. New Independent Chair appointed to lead Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire health and care system

    News -

    Health and care leaders from Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) have appointed a new Independent Chair. Read more.

  39. 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.

  40. Proposal to transform local maternity services is approved

    News -

    The joint Governing Bodies of Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (BSW CCGs) today approved a proposal to improve and modernise maternity services across the region.

  41. Declare Your Care Campaign

    News -

    As part of the #DeclareYourCare campaign, this month people with a learning disability or autism, their family, carers and advocates are being encouraged to feedback on care. Find out more.

  42. South West Clinical Senate Council: Climate Change

    Report -

    At the last South West Clinical Senate Council meeting climate change and the NHS was discussed and a report with recommendations has been published. Find out more here.

  43. Non-Emergency Patient Transport review - Call for evidence

    News -

    Following on from reports around the country of issues faced by people trying to access non-emergency patient transport a review of the service is now being carried out. Find out how you can have your say about this.

  44. Plan reveals local health and care priorities for next five years

    News -

    Helping people in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire to stay healthy and independent in old age will be a top priority for local health and care leaders over the next five years. Read more.

  45. Message to residents from leader and chief executive of Bath & North East Somerset Council

    News -

    Read about what the council is doing to minimise the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our local communities.

  46. Covid-19 and Pharmacies

    News -

    Pharmacies are experiencing a lot of demand during the Coronavirus outbreak. There are things that we can do to help ease the pressure. Find out more.

  47. Someone I love has died - where can I find support

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at our advice article on the organisations and groups that can support you if you’re grieving.

  48. Coronavirus: What does shielding mean?

    Advice and Information -

    From 1 August, the Government advice for those shielding in England changed. We look at what these changes mean for you if you have been told to shield.