News and reports

More than 15 million adults in England live with care and support needs due to a long-term condition or disability. Meals on Wheels services can be essential to these individuals, who wish to continue living in their communities but need support to do so.

Our work with a local hospital trust has led to a range of measures to improve the experiences of people on a waiting list for surgery. Keeping people updated about their place on a list and taking personal needs (such as housing and social support) into consideration are two of the steps that are being taken.

Earlier this year, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected forensic inpatient and secure wards managed by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust. The CQC gave a rating of 'requires improvement'.

'Antenatal' is the time when you're pregnant, before a baby is born. The NHS provides free antenatal classes. Parents across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire shared their experiences of antenatal care with the local Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership.

Our local Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) listens to the experiences of women and families across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. It brings together service users, staff and other stakeholders to plan, review and improve maternity and neonatal care.

We visited six inpatient wards managed by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership across the local area. Patients and staff told us what's working well, and where improvements are needed.

We asked people in Bristol if and how their physical health affects their mental health, and what changes they would like to see from health and social care services.

Jessie May nurses provide at home nursing and respite care for children and young people that have a terminal or life-limiting condition throughout the South West.

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) asked us to find out how they could support people on waiting lists for elective surgery and surgical investigations, with a focus on marginalised and seldom-heard communities.

Between April and June 2024 we spoke to around 30 people who identified as either refugees or asylum seekers. This is what they told us.

The Care Forum has been selected to provide Healthwatch services for Bristol, North Somerset and North Somerset (BNSSG) over the next three years.

According to estimates by Healthwatch England, up to 1.5 million working-age disabled people in England could need social care support but are not accessing it. This means they are likely to be missing out on help with daily activities such as washing, cleaning, socialising, and going to the shops.