1. Do you need help getting to hospital?

    Advice and Information -

    Find out what support is available to help you travel to your hospital appointments.

  2. South Bristol Community Hospital | November 2018

    Report -

    The purpose of this enter and view was a revisit following the previous
    Healthwatch visit on Monday 24 October 2016, to observe if our
    recommendations from the report had been implemented. Also to gather feedback
    from residents and their families.

  3. Acute Community Unit: Callington Road Hospital

    Report -

    Healthwatch Bristol visited the new Acute Community Unit at Callington Road Hospital in February 2018. Read the report here.

  4. NBT Equality Delivery System Healthwatch Report

    Report -

    Healthwatch Bristol and Healthwatch South Gloucestershire volunteers and staff met with Lesley Mansell, Equality and Diversity Manager at North Bristol Trust (NBT),

  5. UHB response to Healthwatch

    Report -

    This is the response from UHB

  6. Non Urgent Care HW England Event Report

    Report -

    Healthwatch England Deliberative event 22 July 2015

  7. 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.

  8. Enter and View at Elgar House

    Report -

    Read our report on Elgar House, Southmead Hospital, where we observed the facilities and spoke to patients on the wards. We found delays in sorting patients' care at home leading to prolonged stays.

  9. Open letter shows progress in reopening health services ahead of winter

    News -

    An open letter outlining plans to get services back to their pre-pandemic levels but still ensure everyone’s safety has been released.

  10. Healthwatch is making a difference nationally

    News -

    Healthwatch’s work, highlighting people’s experiences of health and care, has formed part of a major House of Lords report on learning key lessons from the health pandemic.

  11. NHS Nightingale will open to day patients

    News -

    The NHS Nightingale Hospital in Bristol is to open for children and adults’ routine appointments to ease pressures on hospitals in the region caused by Covid-19.

  12. New report shows Somalis in Bristol hit hard by pandemic

    News -

    More than a third of Bristol Somalis who took part in a Covid-19 study were hospitalised or had family or friends needing admission. New recommendations from the report says Covid information needs to be accessible and in different languages.

  13. Do you need A&E? Ring NHS 111 for urgent care if not life-threatening

    News -

    Many patients who go to A&E could be treated more appropriately, often more quickly by another NHS service. This is why NHS 111 First has launched to get you and your family the care you need without waiting a long time at A&E.

  14. Historic turning point - Covid vaccines rolled out to first patients at Southmead Hospital

    News -

    The new Covid-19 vaccine has been rolled out in Bristol today – with the over 80s and care home staff first on the list to receive it.

  15. Healthier Together recognised for collaborative working

    News -

    The Healthier Together Partnership has been officially recognised as an Integrated Care System by NHS England/Improvement. This group of 10 organisations works collaboratively to improve health and care across Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos.

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. Improving stroke services in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

    News -

    Stroke services in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire could be set to change as part of a public consultation on proposed improvements.

  20. Next steps for stroke services to be decided

    News -

    Sit in on the decision-making process and hear the results of the Clinical Commissioning Group's recent consultation on how to improve stroke services and save lives in the Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire area.

  21. Medical care at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston rated 'good' by CQC - but concerns raised over patient safety

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission's inspection of Weston General Hospital in June left the independent regulator 'significantly concerned about the safe care and treatment of patients receiving medical care'.

  22. Mental health services for children, young people, and older people must improve, says independent regulator

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission has published its latest report on community mental health services for children and young people, and hospital wards for older adults, provided by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.

  23. Have your say: discharge from hospital to a nursing or care home

    News -

    If someone is able to leave hospital but needs further care, they may be discharged to a nursing or care home. If you or a loved one has experienced this, or if you work in the pathway 3 system, please fill in our survey about how the process works.

  24. Have your say: attending Southmead Hospital A&E department

    News -

    Staff at Southmead Hospital need your feedback to find how patient care at their A&E department can be improved. If you've attended A&E as a walk-in during November or December 2021, you can help by filling in our anonymous survey.

  25. Have your say: dignity in hospital care

    News -

    If you're aged 55 or over and have been an inpatient (staying for one night or longer) at a Bristol hospital in the last two years, we'd like to hear about your experience of receiving care. A Somali translation of this information is also available.

  26. Recommendations to improve local stroke services agreed by NHS commissioners

    News -

    The Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group said the changes will mean fewer people die or experience long-term disability following a stroke. Services are expected to be fully in place from November 2022.

  27. Local NHS renews campaign to encourage people with non-life-threatening medical conditions to call 111 first

    News -

    The NHS in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire is encouraging people to contact NHS 111 for help with urgent but not life-threatening medical needs, rather than going straight to local A&E departments.

  28. Report: experiences of attending Southmead A&E during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Report -

    North Bristol NHS Trust asked us to carry out a survey with people attending A&E at Southmead Hospital. We found that the management of people's long-term conditions in the community needs to improve, to reduce some of the pressure on A&E.

  29. Provider of NHS 111 services in Bristol rated 'Outstanding' by independent regulator

    News -

    Practice Plus Group - NHS 111 South West, who have a contact centre in Bristol and answer NHS 111 calls from people across the South West, were found to be safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led by the Care Quality Commission.

  30. "This is another scandal where it’s clear that lessons from past tragedies haven’t been learnt" - Healthwatch England's response to the Ockenden review

    News -

    Healthwatch England has responded to the Independent Review of Maternity Services at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, led by Donna Ockenden. The review examined almost 1,600 clinical incidents and found repeated failures in care.

  31. Report: hospital discharge to ongoing care

    Report -

    We've collated the experiences of 141 patients, families, carers, and NHS staff involved with the hospital discharge process. More than 75% of respondents said they felt delays in admission or discharge had a negative psychological effect.

  32. Annual Report 2021/2022

    Report -

    Your feedback helps us influence positive change and encourages the improvement of local NHS health and social care services. Take a look at everything we've been up to throughout 2021/2022.

  33. Report: dignity in hospital care

    Report -

    Everyone receiving care in hospital should be treated with respect and dignity. We asked hospital staff and older patients who had recently had a stay in a Bristol hospital to tell us about their experience of care and what dignity means to them.

  34. Improving the hospital discharge process for patients

    Response -

    After collating the experiences of experiences of people involved with hospital discharges, local NHS leaders have pledged clearer information, better communication with patients and carers, and £17m investment into the discharge to assess model.

  35. What happens when you go into hospital?

    Advice and Information -

    When you're admitted to hospital, it's normal to feel anxious. This guide by staff at the Bristol Royal Infirmary sets out what you can expect when you're admitted to a ward and contains lots of helpful information about admission and discharge.

  36. 'The barriers to accessing timely care can put people’s lives at risk' - Healthwatch England's response to the Care Quality Commission's 'State of Care' report

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. Their latest report sets out the challenges the NHS and social care sector face: 'the health and care system is gridlocked, unable to operate effectively.'

  37. Experiences of being in hospital for people with a learning disability and autistic people

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission says people with a learning disability and autistic people "continue to face barriers when accessing health care and treatment" after collecting people’s experiences from 8 hospital trusts in England.

  38. Work to improve the hospital discharge process shortlisted for Healthwatch England 2022 impact award

    News -

    We were one of only eight local Healthwatch shortlisted for the award, for our work around making the discharge process safer and easier to understand for patients.

  39. Hundreds more people to benefit from NHS care in the comfort of their own homes this winter

    News -

    The NHS@Home service offers hospital-level care and remote monitoring in an individual’s home, providing an alternative to hospital admission, or helping them to return home promptly following an inpatient stay.

  40. Long stay and rehabilitation mental health wards rated 'good' by independent regulator

    News -

    Three of the four wards for working age adults managed by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust were inspected by the Care Quality Commission in January 2023.

  41. Safety concerns raised after inspection of acute psychiatric wards and psychiatric intensive care units

    News -

    Sexual safety incidents on mixed wards and environmental risks were among the issues identified by the Care Quality Commission, independent regulator for health and social care services in England.

  42. 'One patient was waiting over 9 hours to be collected' - Care Quality Commission raises concerns over waiting times for community transport provider E-Zec Medical Transport Services Ltd

    News -

    The independent regulator for health and social care services in England undertook an inspection of E-Zec Medical Transport Services Ltd in January 2023.

  43. Continuity of care is crucial to addressing perinatal mental health

    Blog -

    Research shows that continuity of care - receiving care from the same midwife or team of midwives - is best practice in maternity care. But we spoke to new mothers whose experiences show that services don’t always implement it.

  44. Annual Report 2022/2023

    Report -

    Last year, 793 people shared their experiences of health and social care services with us. Our annual report sets out how your comments and concerns have had a real impact on local health and social care services.

  45. The infopool: information for people affected by prostate cancer

    Advice and Information -

    The infopool is a new website offering simple, clear information about prostate cancer. It will help you understand the different tests and treatments available, and includes information on clinical trials you may be suitable for.

  46. British Sign Language first aid resources now available from St John Ambulance

    Advice and Information -

    St John Ambulance has set up the CPR Community Network to ensure that everyone has access to basic life support training in person, online or by using their Resource Hub to give you the confidence to respond in an emergency.

  47. E-Zec Medical Transport re-inspected by regulator following warning notice

    News -

    In the latest inspection, carried out in July 2023, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) focused on the areas highlighted in the warning notice issued in January. The service remains rated as 'requires improvement'.

  48. A third of people in England lack confidence they can access critical NHS services

    News -

    Healthwatch England has warned that people need more confidence that the NHS can provide timely care as the winter period approaches. A third of adults in England lack confidence that they can access timely care, including GP services, mental health support and hospital care.

  49. Our statement following the conviction of Lucy Letby

    News -

    Lucy Letby was found guilty on the 21st August 2023 of murdering seven babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016, while working as a nurse. She was also convicted of trying to kill six other infants.