1. Meet the people using their voice to make a difference to care of others

    News -

    Five people and groups have been shortlisted for a national award that celebrates local people who, through their dedication, have helped improve health and care for their community.

  2. Healthwatch Network Health and Care Priorities for 2019

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    To mark the start of 2019, Healthwatch England is today publishing our annual network priorities list – setting out the key health and care topics our local teams will be working on over the year ahead.

  3. 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.

  4. NHS Long Term Plan

    News -

    We asked the public how they would spend the government's £20 million a year investment into the NHS over the next 10 years to improve services locally #WhatWouldYouDo

  5. Healthwatch Bristol nominee Errol Campbell comes second at the Healthwatch England Conference 2018

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    Errol Campbell from the Friends of Caswell Thompson, local Bristol hero, was nominated by Healthwatch Bristol for this year’s #ItStartsWithYou award at the Healthwatch England Conference.

  6. Healthwatch Bristol nominee Dr Knut Schroeder is “Highly Commended” at the Healthwatch England Conference 2018

    News -

    Dr Knut Schroeder, a Bristol-based GP, was nominated by Healthwatch Bristol for this year’s #NHS70 award at the Healthwatch England Conference.

  7. University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust to roll out Trans Awareness training

    News -

    Healthwatch across Bristol, North Somerset, South Glos were delighted to receive an official response from University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust to the Trans report that joint Healthwatch published in June 2018.

  8. Junk food diet can lead to blindness warn Bristol researchers

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    An extreme case of "fussy" or "picky" eating caused a young patient’s blindness, according to research published this week. It warns that more and more cases could occur unless eating habits change for the better.

  9. Strong link between childhood trauma and self-harming in teenagers is found in new University of Bristol study

    News -

    The University of Bristol is for the first time using a large family study to look at links between childhood trauma and self-harming in teenagers.

  10. Study to explore whether requesting emergency contraception can be a sign of domestic abuse

    News -

    A project is under way to explore whether women requesting emergency contraception can be a sign of domestic abuse or violence after they have been forced to have unprotected sex.

  11. The public's feedback needed on radiography experiences

    News -

    Help shape the future of the University of West England's radiography degree course by sharing your experience

  12. Every care home resident "treated as a person rather than a condition" in new data sharing system

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    An innovative new technology project entitled Connecting Care has launched in the Bristol area which will mean patients won’t have to explain their care and needs more than once.

  13. £9 million award for Bristol-based group exploring ways to predict demand in hospitals

    News -

    A Bristol-based research group which is exploring ways of predicting demand for hospital services has been given a £9 million award.

  14. The art of healing - a new creative approach to help Bristol's patients

    News -

    An arts scheme being trialled in Bristol’s hospitals could save the NHS £1.6m - tackling mental health and treating pain.

  15. Grant to help children cope with bladder conditions

    News -

    ERIC, the children’s bowel and bladder charity is delighted to announce it has secured funding through the National Lottery’s Awards for All (England) to help and support families of children struggling with distressing incontinence issues. Healthwatch Bristol supports improvements to patient care especially as figures show the distressing affects

  16. Healthwatch supports Bristol hospitals' green mission to improve health for patients

    News -

    Bristol's two NHS hospital trusts have declared a ‘climate emergency’ to help tackle the city's poor air quality which they believe is directly leading to ill health in the city.

  17. Let's get digital - we help patients make the most of online health services

    News -

    Our team has run a pilot Digital Inclusion project to give people the confidence to go online to access a range of health services.

  18. World Mental Health Day - we share young people's experiences of getting support

    News -

    Insight into what it's really like for young people trying to access advice and support services in our region to mark World Mental Health Day.

  19. Every Mind Matters - campaign to help people think about mental health

    News -

    Patients are being encouraged to give a thought to their mental health, with a new campaign launched by Public Health England (PHE) and the NHS.

  20. A bigger focus - we want to hear from people all over our new region.

    News -

    Come and hear what the newly-named Healthwatch 3 (Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos) has been up to over the last year – and our plans to strengthen the patient voice to make a difference to services in Bristol and South Glos.

  21. Listening to patients is key to getting healthcare right - was the message at our AGM

    News -

    The newly-named Healthwatch 3 (Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos) heard how patients' experiences can really make a difference to large organisations. We welcomed the Chief Executive of Sirona, Janet Rowse, to our AGM who spoke about how the not-for-profit organisation will work across a population of just under a million people to deliver adult community services.

  22. Volunteering with Healthwatch can involve taking patient's views to decision-makers.

    News -

    Our volunteer John Rose explains how his volunteer role with Healthwatch 3 is a catalyst for getting patients' views heard at top-level meetings at Southmead Hospital. Why not volunteer for Healthwatch Bristol to help put people at the heart of decision-making?

  23. Grab your chance to speak up to make a difference to healthcare

    News -

    Your views are being sought to make sure health services actually meet the needs of patients in the Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos area.

  24. New autism training programme to be rolled out following death of Bristol teenager

    News -

    New autism training is to be given to NHS staff after the death of a Bristol teenager who was given drugs against his parents’ wishes.

  25. Two out of three people not getting autism support - new figures confirm Healthwatch's own findings

    News -

    Two out of three adults are not getting the support they need for autism spectrum disorders according to new figures. The findings are similar to what Bristol patients told us in a recent Healthwatch survey.

  26. New bench to raise awareness of mental health is a conversation starter

    News -

    A bench called Clevedon’s Talking Point has been living up to is name and has been attracting a lot of interest from seafront walkers. It was erected to coincide with Mental Health Day on October 10th.

  27. New suicide prevention campaign Shine On launches in Bristol area

    News -

    An awareness campaign to help tackle the higher than average suicide rates in the Bristol area launched this month. Healthwatch is supporting the project after carrying out our own work on young people's difficulties getting mental health support.

  28. Listening to the public is key to understanding their health needs - insight into Public Health's local priorities

    News -

    Healthwatch will be working with the local Public Health directors to ensure more people are able to access the services they need to stay fit and well. Healthwatch is helping to inform the public of this work to mark Self Care Week (November 18-24).

  29. Grab your chance to speak up on health services to make a difference

    News -

    Your views are being sought to make sure health services meet the needs of patients. A draft version of a new public involvement document by local commissioning group BNSSG can now be viewed and people have until December 13 to respond.

  30. A weighty issue - a whole city approach to change lives for the better

    News -

    A healthier outlook - our team is joining next month's discussion to help improve diet and lifestyle habits in Bristol.

  31. A healthy outlook - a glimpse of how we've helped patients in 2019

    News -

    We're spreading some Christmas cheer with our round-up of how we've made a difference to health services from the information YOU provided.

  32. Parents of children with special needs and disabilities "let down"

    News -

    Ofsted and Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) inspection of Special Education Needs and/or Disability (SEND) services in the Bristol area has found failings especially in waiting times for families.

  33. Try January - we're aiming high to get even better patient outcomes

    News -

    Happy New Year and we’re counting down to our big virtual launch event on February 28 to promote priorities for each of our three areas…

  34. GP survey to help people get better access to the care they need

    News -

    Practice makes perfect – do you want a more convenient GP service that fits around you? Feedback on how easy you are finding it to get an appointment at your local surgery in this survey from the local clinical commissioning group.

  35. Healthwatch joins the City Gathering to help make Bristol a better place to live

    News -

    Our Area Manager, Vicky Marriott, very much enjoyed being part of the biggest ever City Gathering held in Bristol.

  36. Make 2020 a healthy one - tell us your views on services to make changes happen

    News -

    Tell us about your experiences of health and social care, and the changes that you would like to see made locally, in our online survey #SpeakUp2020

  37. Hospitals need to 'shift the mindset' to show how they action patients' complaints

    News -

    More hospitals should use their complaints system in a positive way to demonstrate to the public they can make improvements. Healthwatch wants hospitals to use complaints to show patients they take action where needed.

  38. Bristol Homeless Project is ship shape

    News -

    Flat chance - Healthwatch is supporting an unlikely solution to Bristol's homeless - providing accommodation from shipping containers. A new community is taking shape which is being managed by Help Bristol's Homeless.

  39. Healthwatch to gather feedback on how mental health services are working

    News -

    Julie met Margaret Price, the carers support lead at Rethink Mental Illness in Bristol, to discuss how HW Bristol could give voice to those in the city with mental health issues and to those who support them at home.

  40. Community action to help cope with outbreak of coronavirus

    News -

    Neighbourhood Watch highlights 10 ways to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community in the event of an outbreak.

  41. Tackling mental health across the city

    News -

    Deputy Mayor Asher Craig updated people who visited our recent launch in Bristol about the Thriving Bristol mission to improve mental health for all. Healthwatch is also focusing on mental health to find out how services are working.

  42. Coronavirus - important advice

    News -

    Coronavirus (Covid-19) information and advice - read our rundown of some of the frequently asked questions and what to do if you or your loved ones become unwell and start showing potential symptoms.

  43. Coronavirus support from your HW team

    News -

    We can help you find the latest advice on what to do to protect yourself and your loved ones as well as a friendly ear if you are self-isolating and feel cut off and confused.

  44. Latest NHS Coronavirus Guidance | Over 30 Translations Now Available

    News -

    Latest NHS Coronavirus Guidance | Over 30 Translations Now Available

  45. Are you a Volunteer or Key Worker?

    News -

    Your response required by Thursday 26th March: COVID-19 Volunteer and Key Worker Register

  46. List of help if you're self isolating

    News -

    Here is a list of local food deliveries and launderettes that can help if you're self isolating due to COVID 19. Please note this is not an exhaustive list.