1. Healthwatch – RUH Engagement Report

    Report -

    Healthwatch Bath & North East Somerset and Healthwatch 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. CQC want more older people, their friends and families to share their experiences of health and social care

    News -

    Research has shown that older people are less likely to complain about services and are less aware of the different ways they can share their views.

  5. 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.

  6. Executive Board Meeting Minutes April 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.

  7. 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).

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

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

    News -

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

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. Your Right to Privacy

    Report -

    We take protecting your privacy seriously. Read our privacy policy which explains what we do with your personal information.

  16. GDPR Awareness Policy

    Report -

    The General Data Protection Regulation is coming and we are getting ready.

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. 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.

  21. The Care Forum is re-awarded the ‘Investing in Volunteers’ quality mark

    News -

    The Care Forum, which provides the Healthwatch Bath and North East Somerset contract, is re-awarded the ‘Investing in Volunteers’ quality mark.

  22. 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.

  23. Speak to us this week at the RUH Bath

    News -

    This week we are teaming up with Healthwatch Wiltshire to speak to patients at the Royal United Hospital in Bath to find out their experiences of treatment and care there.

  24. Healthwatch and Julian House: working together to improve homeless people’s health

    News -

    We are working together with Julian House to ask local homeless people how we can help them to improve their health.

  25. 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.

  26. Transgender equality – new report echoes feedback shared with Healthwatch

    News -

    The Commons Women and Equalities Committee published their report on Transgender equality. The report is the first by a UK parliamentary committee to tackle transgender issues.

  27. Accessible Information Standard Workshop

    News -

    We held a workshop in June 2018 about the implementation of the Accessible Information Standard. The workshop was aimed at professionals working in health and social care organisations across B&NES, South Gloucestershire and Bristol.

  28. APPLY NOW – Healthwatch B&NES Community Pot 2018-19

    News -

    We're delighted to launch our small grants programme for 2018-19 aimed at VCSE organisations in B&NES.

  29. BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire 111 CQC rating

    News -

    B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire 111 receives ‘good’ rating from CQC

  30. 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.

  31. 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.

  32. 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.

  33. 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.

  34. 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.

  35. We won….Healthwatch B&NES

    News -

    The Care Forum is pleased to announce that following a tender process we were re-awarded the contract for Healthwatch B&NES. The contract will run from the 1 April 2018 to the 31 March 2021.

  36. Stop Adult Abuse Week: Self-Neglect and Mental Capacity

    News -

    During Stop Adult Abuse Week this year the focus will mainly be on self-neglect and mental capacity. This article explains more about what this means.

  37. 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.

  38. 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.

  39. 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.

  40. 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.

  41. 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.

  42. 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.

  43. 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.

  44. 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.

  45. New non-emergency patient transport service across B&NES, Swindon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire

    News -

    From 1 June 2019, the non-emergency patient transport service in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire will be provided by E-zec Medical Transport Services

  46. 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.

  47. 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

  48. 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.

  49. Smokers and obese patients to be helped to get fit for surgery

    News -

    The Bath and North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has agreed to proceed with new plans to tackle obesity and smoking.