1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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."
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. Report -

    From using your dentistry feedback to inform to a Parliamentary debate, to creating an online resource to help people caring for individuals with dementia access services: take a look at what we've been up to during 2020 and 2021.
  24. News -

    See how we work out the main health and care priorities for Bristol from your feedback. Our meeting at 11.30am on August 4 is where we action your comments or concerns with providers to ensure what you tell us makes a difference.
  25. News -

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

    Digital appointments don't work for everyone. Many health care services have moved online, but you can still request a face-to-face appointment. Here's what you can expect from the NHS if you need to be seen in person.
  27. Report -

    Between the beginning of April and the end of June 2021, we received 150 pieces of feedback on a wide range of health and social care issues, including GPs, dentistry, and mental health. Here's how your feedback helped make a difference.
  28. Report -

    Everyone who represents Healthwatch Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire is expected to behave professionally and in support of our values These include being inclusive, transparent, non-judgemental, and independent.
  29. Report -

    The Finance Committee is responsible to the Management Board. The committee's role includes ensuring Healthwatch BSSNG operates appropriate financial and accounting policies, and assessing the financial performance of Healthwatch BNSSG.
  30. Report -

    On the 4th of August 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.
  31. Advice and Information -

    Many dental practices are not updating their information on the NHS website. The Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, and Healthwatch are urging dental contractors to review their profiles, to help patients find dental care more easily.
  32. News -

    Many people have been unable to get the dental care they needed during the pandemic. Now, NHS England and NHS Improvement want to make treatment more accessible, in order to improve the oral health of people living in the South West.
  33. News -

    Over 35 million people are to be offered a free flu vaccine, including 50 - 64 year olds and all secondary school children up to year 11, in order to save lives and reduce the pressure on the NHS this winter.
  34. Advice and Information -

    People with a learning disability may find it hard to know when they are unwell, or to tell someone about it. We've put together a checklist to help people with a learning disability and their carers make the most of their annual health check.
  35. News -

    As waiting lists grow and the number of dentists turning away NHS patients increases across the South West, our Area Manager spoke to James Hanson on BBC Radio Bristol about the difficulties facing those who cannot afford private treatment.
  36. News -

    Posters with the most recent COVID-19 information and recommended steps to keep everyone safe and reduce the spread of the virus are have been translated into 12 different languages, including Somali, Polish, and Gujarati.
  37. Response -

    Patients have long valued the relationship between themselves and their doctor, but during the pandemic it became clear that people wanted greater opportunities to have their say in the way services are delivered.
  38. Response -

    Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging, and carers often report feelings of guilt, confusion, and anger. We spoke to carers across Bristol to find out what help they needed, and put together a resource to help them access support.
  39. Response -

    Becoming a new parent comes with challenges, and it's important to get support from your health visitor. We've been working with Bristol's health visiting team, who have now improved the information they give to parents, particularly around feeding.
  40. News -

    More GP appointments, additional funding for NHS 111, and improved telephone systems will all make it easier for people to get the care they need. Measures to support GPs include the launch of a zero-tolerance campaign towards abuse of NHS staff.
  41. Advice and Information -

    Preventing flu can be particularly important for people with a learning disability. Flu can lead to pneumonia and sepsis, which many people with a learning disability are much more vulnerable to than the general population.
  42. News -

    In their annual 'State of Care' report - the first to cover a full year of the pandemic - the independent regulator has called for increased stability and collaboration across services, plus investment in 'new ways of working'.
  43. Advice and Information -

    The NHS sometimes uses jargon and acronyms that can be difficult to make sense of. We've found a selection of reliable resources that explain, in plain English, many of the terms that you may see used in NHS correspondence, online, or in the media.
  44. 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.
  45. News -

    See how we work out the main health and care priorities for Bristol from your feedback. Our meeting at 11:30am on November 3 is where we action your comments or concerns with providers to ensure what you tell us makes a difference.
  46. 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'.
  47. 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.
  48. News -

    People are now being advised to take a lateral flow test before 'high risk situations', such as being in crowded spaces, and before visiting anyone who may be at a higher risk of severe illness if they get COVID-19.