1. Want to know more about Healthwatch? Watch our video!

    Advice and Information -

    Do you have questions about what Healthwatch does? Want to know what we do with your feedback, or how you can help improve health and social care services? Watch our video to find out.

  2. Vaccine programme musn't 'breed complacency' says Boris during his visit to Bristol

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    If you’re over 80 and still haven’t had your Covid-19 vaccine the message is – you’ll be contacted very soon. By the end of this week, every neighbourhood area in BNSSG will have a GP practice vaccination centre up and running.

  3. Changes Bristol introduce a support group for women of colour

    News -

    Changes Bristol have announced they are introducing a mental health support group for women of colour, offering the support of trained staff and volunteers.

  4. Number of Bristol COVID-19 cases fall but 'cases still high across all areas of the city'

    News -

    Cases of COVID-19 in Bristol have fallen slightly on the previous week, but Bristol City Council have warned that cases remain high across all areas of the city.

  5. Mental health support during latest lockdown

    News -

    Are you struggling to cope with a rainy, cold lockdown in February and the pressures of the pandemic? Have you suffered family bereavement or loss of income and need support? There are several services to help you or your loved ones.

  6. Allergy advice and the Covid-19 vaccine

    News -

    If you have certain allergies you may be concerned about whether you should get the Covid vaccine. In most cases the vaccine is safe, even for people with a history of reactions to certain drugs and food. Here's the latest allergy information.

  7. Do you need help getting to your COVID-19 vaccination?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you need help with arranging transport for your COVID-19 injection? Have you been contacted about your vaccination but don't have a way of getting to your surgery? Our latest pamphlet contains all the information you need to get there safely.

  8. Removing the myths around the Covid-19 vaccine

    News -

    Online attendees of a webinar about the Covid-19 vaccine have been advised not to be fearful of having it to help bring down the death toll which has reached 100,000 in the UK.

  9. Are you an unpaid carer? Register with a GP so you don't miss your COVID-19 vaccine

    Advice and Information -

    It's always important to be registered with a GP - but it's particularly important if you're caring for someone vulnerable. If you're not registered, you may not get your COVID-19 vaccination at the right time.

  10. Spotlight: Bridge View Medical

    Advice and Information -

    Bridge View Medical is a large primary care network in South Bristol. We spoke to Practice Manager, Brent Stephen, about how the practice is coping with the demands of the vaccination roll-out.

  11. Our call for better access to NHS dental care goes national

    News -

    Healthwatch’s work highlighting the difficulties patients have had trying to see a dentist during the pandemic has made national headlines.

  12. Your latest feedback on local health and care services and how we use it

    News -

    Healthwatch is here to listen to your views and act on them. Problems with getting dental care and your views on making GP appointments were the two biggest concerns you shared with us in our latest feedback summary.

  13. Disabled people made up 6 in 10 of all COVID-19 deaths last year, according to official data

    News -

    59.5% of all the coronavirus deaths between the 24th January and the 20th November 2020 were disabled people, the latest data from the Office for National Statistics has revealed.

  14. Surge testing - visit your nearest pop-up centre to help research on how the virus is changing

    News -

    There’s just a few days left to get a covid “surge test” if you live in specific postcodes in Bristol and South Glos are over 16 and do not have symptoms of the virus.

  15. How to get support if you need a little extra help to have the Covid-19 vaccine

    News -

    People who have learning disabilities or a mental health condition can have their vaccination experience made easier for them. Healthwatch and the local clinical commissioning group put on a webinar to explain extra support or help that's available.

  16. Make sure you're on the learning disability register to receive your vaccine

    News -

    Find out more about how to get on your GPs learning disability register to ensure you have the Covid-19 vaccine. Being on the register also means you will be invited to have an important health check-up to pick up any symptoms of illness.

  17. Overcoming concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine if you have a learning disability

    Advice and Information -

    One of our volunteers, Jemma Ballinger, says while it is great news that people on the learning disability register will be prioritised to have the vaccine, they will still often need a lot of reassurance and understanding to receive it.

  18. Living with long-COVID: Gina's story

    Advice and Information -

    Most people who contract COVID-19 make a full recovery within 12 weeks. However, symptoms can last longer. The virus may result in post-COVID-19 syndrome, or long-COVID. This is Gina's story.

  19. What to do if you can't find an NHS dentist

    Advice and Information -

    NHS dental care has been massively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it's been almost impossible to find an NHS dentist that's accepting new patients or doing emergency treatment.

  20. New video aims to improve vaccine take-up in Easton and Barton Hill communities

    News -

    Breaking down barriers to encourage more people in Bristol communities to have their vaccine is the reason behind the shooting of a new video by members of Bristol Somali Youth Voice.

  21. Healthwatch discusses Covid-19 pressures on BRI's A&E department on Radio Bristol

    News -

    The pandemic has led to delays in patients getting seen at Bristol Royal Infirmary’s A&E department due to high demand and lack of staff, a new report has found.

  22. Record number of Covid-19 jabs given - but the roll-out will be 'significantly constrained' in April

    News -

    NHS staff delivered almost 100,000 Covid-19 vaccinations in a single hour on 20 March breaking the record for the largest number of doses given. In Bristol over 1,900 had their jabs in one day.

  23. How we are communicating what we do

    Advice and Information -

    Healthwatch exists to take on board the views of the public so they can influence health and social care locally. Our strategy aims to highlight the importance of leaving feedback and outlines how Healthwatch can use it to make a difference.

  24. New system of local organisations to improve local care

    News -

    The pandemic has shown the importance of collaboration to help everyone get the care they need. This is the principle behind the new regional Integrated Care System, which began operating from today, April 1.

  25. How to cope with lockdown if you have autism

    Advice and Information -

    Radio presenter and Asperger's champion Alex Manners spoke to Healthwatch ahead of his talk organised by Bristol Autism Support tomorrow (April 7th). His tips for coping with the pressures of Covid-19? "Find a project and focus on the next few days."

  26. Free virtual monthly drop-in sessions for people who have had strokes, their families, and carers

    News -

    If you or a loved one has suffered a stroke, register for a free, monthly drop-in session to learn more about how to manage life after a stroke.

  27. Our volunteers

    Page -

    Our volunteers support us in many different ways. From speaking to local people to find out what they think about health and care, to using these views to influence those who run services, volunteers play an important role at Healthwatch.

  28. Covid cases down but we must stick to household mixing rules says Bristol's public health director

    News -

    Bristol's Covid cases are below the England average but we are at a "delicate point" in coming out of lockdown and it is important to follow guidelines and take regular rapid tests to ensure numbers stay down.

  29. New guide on Bristol Muslims to boost understanding of all cultures

    News -

    A new guide has been produced by the Bristol Muslim Strategic Leadership Group and the city council to develop and strengthen Muslim communities in Bristol by sharing information and celebrating differences in local culture.

  30. The public agenda for our next Prioritisation Panel on May 5

    News -

    See how we work out the main health and care priorities for Bristol from your feedback. Our meeting at 11.30am on May 5 is where we action your comments or concerns with providers to ensure what you tell us makes a difference.

  31. Support for black and ethnic pregnant women after research finds they often receive lower quality of care

    News -

    A new team has been set up in Bristol to ensure pregnant women understand the latest information and guidance and it is made available in languages spoken by the women served by local maternity units.

  32. Healthwatch BNSSG's decision making policy

    Report -

    Healthwatch Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) are committed to putting people first. Our 'Decision making: policy and procedures for all staff, board and volunteers' sets how we do this.

  33. Our survey to help improve bladder and bowel care features in national showcase

    News -

    Healthwatch Bristol is delighted that our work with Bristol Health Partners on how easy it was for people to get help from bladder and bowel services during Covid-19 has been included in a national research portfolio.

  34. Bristol chosen to become an ‘accelerator site’ in NHS mission to tackle waiting lists

    News -

    Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos will receive a share of £160 million in an NHS plan to test new ways of reducing the elective care waiting lists post Covid-19.

  35. Pharmacy spotlight: Ade Williams, Bedminster Pharmacy

    Advice and Information -

    Ade Williams, multi award-winning pharmacist at Bedminster Pharmacy in Bristol, spoke to Healthwatch Bristol about what pharmacies can offer, and how they can help take the pressure off GPs and A&E departments.

  36. Bristol Prioritisation Panel May 2021 - minutes

    Report -

    On the 5th of May 2021, our Prioritisation Panel came together to discuss the health and social care issues you've raised, and what Healthwatch Bristol can do to bring about change.

  37. Winterbourne View 10 years on: Supporting those with learning disabilities to stay safe and well

    News -

    People with learning disabilities are still at risk of dying unnecessarily and receive poorer care – 10 years on from the abuse suffered at Winterbourne View.

  38. NHS patient data sharing scheme explained

    News -

    Plans to collect patient data to understand more about viruses and other conditions for planning and research have been delayed. The NHS wants to work with key organisations like Healthwatch so people understand who will use this data and why.

  39. Why do we need to collect demographic information when you share your views with us?

    Advice and Information -

    When you share your views with us, we ask for demographic information such as your gender, sexual orientation, age, and ethnicity. Here's why we collect this information, and what we use it for.

  40. Dentistry - how Healthwatch Bristol has used your feedback to bring about change

    Advice and Information -

    Over 100 people have shared their feedback on NHS dental services with us during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's how we've used your feedback, and how it's made a difference.

  41. Snapshot: does your GP have a user-friendly website?

    Advice and Information -

    Healthwatch volunteers have reviewed nine GP patient websites in Bristol to see how user friendly they are. Thanks to their hard work, Healthwatch Bristol has produced a new website review tool to help GP practices improve the information available.

  42. Annual Report 2019/2020

    Report -

    In October 2019, Heathwatch Bristol became part of Healthwatch Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. Find out how your feedback made a difference by downloading our 2019/2010 annual report.

  43. Report: Caring for someone with dementia

    Report -

    Caring for someone who has dementia can be a challenge. We spoke to carers throughout Bristol and South Gloucestershire to find out what support they needed, and created a resource to help signpost carers to the services available to help them.