-
Advice and Information -
Each cancer support group is different, but many people find it helpful to have support during and after diagnosis. Some also offer advice and support to family and friends of people going through cancer care and beyond.
Listed below are some local and national support groups that people might find helpful. The ones listed are mostly for adult support groups. -
Report -
A review was undertaken by one of our Young Healthwatch Volunteers asking five questions to understand what online support is offered via the GP surgeries locally. Our findings have been published in a report. -
News -
Our new research shows worryingly low public confidence in being able to access NHS services. A third of adults in England lack confidence that they can access timely care, including GP services, mental health support and hospital care. Read the findings and our calls to action. -
Report -
We visited Cleeve Court on 6th September 2024, it is primarily a care home for people diagnosed with Dementia.
Our Enter and View visits to care homes are a way that we can gather information about services and collect views of service users, their carers, staff and relatives.
Following on from our visit we have made some recommendations to the service provider based on the feedback we have received and what we observed. -
Report -
Over the past 8 months Healthwatch Bath and North East Somerset has attended sessions with Southside 'family food and play', a number of the local food pantries and in the Summer joined in the fun at one of Bath Area Play Project's playdays.
This report brings together anonymous feedback and key findings from these engagements and a series of recommendations and next steps for Healthwatch in Bath and North East Somerset. -
News -
In this Autumn issue you can find out about:
Our Enter and View visit , our latest findings from feedback - 'What Matters to Families?' and about organisations which may be new to you plus where to meet us in October. -
Report -
My Voice Matters is ensuring the voice of people with diverse lived experiences and backgrounds are heard.
We are proud to be able to give the opportunity for seldom heard voices to be heard by providers and wider organisations in their own words.
This report is data analysis which has been researched and written by a Young Healthwatch volunteer who is studying the University of West of England (UWE).
-
News -
In this November issue you can find out about:
-
Report -
My Voice Matters is ensuring the voice of people with diverse lived experiences and backgrounds are heard.
We are proud to be able to give the opportunity for seldom heard voices to be heard by providers and wider organisations in their own words.
This report was written by Dr Aanchal Rana as a practice track report for the degree of MSc Global and Public Health Policy at the University of Bath.
We offered her access to our team and engagement pathways to support her delivering this piece of work. All opinions and findings are her own. -
Advice and Information -
Around one in five GP visits are for non-medical problems. Many things that affect our health can’t be treated by doctors or medicine alone. This includes loneliness, money problems, housing, education or employment status. NHS social prescribing link workers can connect you to the right community groups and services to help support you. -
News -
We have been busy for the last few months.
Find out more about who we have spoken to, what people have told us and more. -
News -
We have been busy for the last few months find out more in our review. -
Advice and Information -
Did you know you can choose which hospital you go to when referred for a test, diagnosis, or treatment? Find out how. -
Report -
This report is a piece of joint research around EBSA (Emotionally Based School Avoidance) to explore levels of understanding and support from GPs and schools in relation to this issue. -
News -
In this December issue you can find out about: -
News -
Welcome to your Health & Care Digest -
Advice and Information -
Measles vaccination rates are at a ten-year low as cases rise nationwide. Find out about measles, who can get the vaccine, and what you can do to stay safe. -
News -
Our February Newsletter is now available.
-
News -
‘Share for Better Care’, a new campaign launched by Healthwatch to help address health inequalities across England. -
Advice and Information -
The new Pharmacy First scheme enables your local pharmacy to treat some common conditions with prescription-only medicines, without you visiting your GP. Find out everything you need to know. -
Report -
We asked people how they ordered prescriptions in BaNES, how effective they found this process and any challenges they faced. We also asked what would help improve the service. -
News -
As we head into Spring we share news of upcoming engagements and projects both from Healthwatch BANES and partner organisations.
In this issue:
Prostate cancer awareness and joint BEMSCA and Healthwatch session
Digital access to health - project update
The closure of POD prescription service
Lullaby Trust Safe Sleep Week
Where to find help and support - including the new Hope Guide
Have your say - date for the Integrated Care Board meeting
Useful contacts
Upcoming events -
News -
March was filled with engagements, from college events to joining the Livewell team in Keynsham.
In this issue:
Bowel cancer Awareness Month
Where to find help and support including: We Get It, Headway, The Maggie Oliver Foundation
Have your say, including: Health and Wellbeing Board 2nd May, new vaping and dentistry surveys for young people
Useful contacts
Upcoming events -
Advice and Information -
Are you struggling to find an NHS dentist? The new dental recovery plan might help you get the dental care you need. -
Report -
My Voice Matters is ensuring the voice of people with diverse lived experiences and backgrounds are heard.
We are proud to be able to give the opportunity for seldom heard voices to be heard by providers and wider organisations in their own words. -
News -
Welcome to Healthwatch in BANES news update. In this month's issue we cover:
-
News -
Thank you to everyone who helped contribute towards a busy few months.
Here are some key facts we would like to share. -
News -
Each year Healthwatch Bath and North East Somerset sets its priorities for the year ahead based on the experiences that we hear from local people.
-
Advice and Information -
From 31 October 2023, GP surgeries must give patients online access to their new health record entries. Find out what information is in your record and how to access it. -
Blog -
To champion the public's views, we act on clear, informed evidence of their health and social care experiences. Find out what evidence we use and how. -
Report -
Our annual report 2023-24 shares how we've listened and championed the peoples, partners and organisations voices of Bath and North East Somerset to help shape health and social care services. -
Response -
We have responded to this year's GP Patient Survey. -
News -
A poll of 1,504 working-age disabled adults found that 28% have never accessed social care or other support despite potentially being eligible. We call for a fully funded, long-term plan to reform social care. -
News -
Welcome to Healthwatch in BANES news update. In this months issue we share our priorities, engaging with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) plus much more. -
Report -
My Voice Matters is ensuring the voice of people with diverse lived experiences and backgrounds are heard. We are proud to be able to give the opportunity for seldom heard voices to be heard by providers and wider organisations in their own words.
This report is primarily the work of Jasmine Fawcus-Smith who was on placement with us from the University of Bath. -
Blog -
The NHS plans to triple the number of physician associates it employs. But how much do patients know about this role, and how can their role be safely expanded? -
Advice and Information -
What are physician associates? Find out about their training and what kind of care they can provide. -
Blog -
People tell us how social care support could improve their quality of life. -
News -
Welcome to our August news update ! -
Report -
We have worked with the Parent Carer Forum (PCF) to present feedback shared by their members in May 2024 about the provision of speech and language therapy. -
News -
Welcome to our September update
-
Report -
We were the first organisation locally to pilot a new approach to work experience offering an insight day. -
Report -
This research carried out by one of our Young Healthwatch volunteers highlights the concerning rise in vaping among adolescents in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) and Swindon, driven by curiosity, stress, peer pressure, normalisation of vaping and ease of access.
-
Report -
"My Voice Matters" is ensuring the voice of people with diverse lived experiences and backgrounds are heard. We are proud to be able to give the opportunity for seldom heard voices to be heard by providers and wider organisations in their own words. -
News -
Welcome to our new seasonal newsletter!
Including updates on
Healthwatch summary and new reports
Information to support you through the colder months
Wellbeing Courses
how to share your views about your healthcare including dates for public meetings