News and reports

On February 2 2022, 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.

Our collaborative research with Bristol Health Partners' Bladder and Bowel CONfidence Health Integration Team (BABCON HIT) found that one in three people who use bladder and bowel services had been affected by changes to these services during COVID.

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.

Many people are able to recover from COVID-19 at home. If you are at a higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19, you may be eligible for a free pulse oximeter to monitor your health and ensure you can get medical care if you need it.

Vaccination, voluntary protective behaviour such as maintaining good hand hygiene, and anti-virals and treatments are key priorities as the country prepares for the removal of the remaining COVID-19 measures on the April 1.

We'll be at Bristol City Hall, College Green on Saturday 5 March between 10:30am and 4pm - pop by, say hello, and share your views on how health and social care services approach women's health.

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.

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.

Co-production is a way of working that recognises that everyone has a contribution to make. Our goal is to involve people in the planning and designing of our research and project work right from the beginning.

£50 million will be made available to the NHS in England to allow people suffering from oral pain, disease, and infection to get the care they need. £4,726,000 has been allocated to the South West.

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.

See how we work out the main health and care priorities for Bristol from your feedback. Our meeting at 11:30am on February 2 is where we action your comments or concerns with providers to ensure what you tell us makes a difference.