1. GP survey to help people get better access to the care they need

    News -

    Practice makes perfect – do you want a more convenient GP service that fits around you? Feedback on how easy you are finding it to get an appointment at your local surgery in this survey from the local clinical commissioning group.

  2. Healthwatch joins the City Gathering to help make Bristol a better place to live

    News -

    Our Area Manager, Vicky Marriott, very much enjoyed being part of the biggest ever City Gathering held in Bristol.

  3. Make 2020 a healthy one - tell us your views on services to make changes happen

    News -

    Tell us about your experiences of health and social care, and the changes that you would like to see made locally, in our online survey #SpeakUp2020

  4. Hospitals need to 'shift the mindset' to show how they action patients' complaints

    News -

    More hospitals should use their complaints system in a positive way to demonstrate to the public they can make improvements. Healthwatch wants hospitals to use complaints to show patients they take action where needed.

  5. Bristol Homeless Project is ship shape

    News -

    Flat chance - Healthwatch is supporting an unlikely solution to Bristol's homeless - providing accommodation from shipping containers. A new community is taking shape which is being managed by Help Bristol's Homeless.

  6. Healthwatch wants to give a platform to veterans' voices

    Advice and Information -

    Julie attended an introduction meeting with Debbie Rogers the advice and information officer at the local Royal British Legion office in Broadmead.

  7. Healthwatch to gather feedback on how mental health services are working

    News -

    Julie met Margaret Price, the carers support lead at Rethink Mental Illness in Bristol, to discuss how HW Bristol could give voice to those in the city with mental health issues and to those who support them at home.

  8. Community action to help cope with outbreak of coronavirus

    News -

    Neighbourhood Watch highlights 10 ways to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community in the event of an outbreak.

  9. Tackling mental health across the city

    News -

    Deputy Mayor Asher Craig updated people who visited our recent launch in Bristol about the Thriving Bristol mission to improve mental health for all. Healthwatch is also focusing on mental health to find out how services are working.

  10. Coronavirus - important advice

    News -

    Coronavirus (Covid-19) information and advice - read our rundown of some of the frequently asked questions and what to do if you or your loved ones become unwell and start showing potential symptoms.

  11. Coronavirus support from your HW team

    News -

    We can help you find the latest advice on what to do to protect yourself and your loved ones as well as a friendly ear if you are self-isolating and feel cut off and confused.

  12. COVID 19 - Beware of Scams

    Advice and Information -

    Avon & Somerset Police advise to beware of the scams that are circulating around the COVID 19 crisis

  13. Coronavirus - tips on boosting your mental wellbeing

    Advice and Information -

    Feeling anxious about all the coronavirus information you are being exposed to on social media? Healthwatch is here to point you in the right direction of what to do and where to go for help and support if you are at currently at home.

  14. Covid 19 - information and support

    Advice and Information -

    Healthwatch is working with Bristol City Council, NHS Volunteer Responders, volunteer groups and health and social care organisations to make sure you can get the information and support you need.

  15. Latest NHS Coronavirus Guidance | Over 30 Translations Now Available

    News -

    Latest NHS Coronavirus Guidance | Over 30 Translations Now Available

  16. Are you a Volunteer or Key Worker?

    News -

    Your response required by Thursday 26th March: COVID-19 Volunteer and Key Worker Register

  17. List of help if you're self isolating

    News -

    Here is a list of local food deliveries and launderettes that can help if you're self isolating due to COVID 19. Please note this is not an exhaustive list.

  18. Guidance for Carers - from Carers UK

    News -

    As the situation with Coronavirus evolves, it's important to know what support is available to you as a carer and those you look after. This page sets out the current government guidance as it relates to carers & offers suggestions for making plans

  19. Coronavirus council information

    News -

    Bristol City Council want to keep you updated on their Coronavirus policy and how the lock-down is effecting essential services throughout the city.

  20. Safeguarding Tips

    News -

    Safeguarding tips, which we recommend community groups adhere to and suggest people familiarise themselves with these tips to keep themselves safe too.

  21. A round-up of our work to offer reliable and sound support to those in need

    News -

    Here is our latest newsletter with all the most up-to-date information on support, advice and services available in the coronavirus outbreak.

  22. COVID-19: links to help and support

    Advice and Information -

    Here is a list of links for help and advice regarding Coronavirus and specific health conditions.

  23. Do your bit for the NHS - go to the right place for medical care

    News -

    Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG have launched a campaign to help local A&E services, encouraging people to go to the right place for minor injuries and illnesses.

  24. Coronavirus and mental health services

    Advice and Information -

    In the light of Coronavirus, there have been some changes to the ways that mental health and wellbeing services in Bristol are running.

  25. Interactive Map of Local Community Services

    Advice and Information -

    Take a look at this amazing list created by 'Bristol Independent Businesses' - it brings together community resources, Mutal Aid Groups and food delivery services that are available across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

  26. Call for temporary foster carers in Bristol

    News -

    Bristol City Council is looking for new emergency foster carers during the COVID 19 situation.

  27. Helping Bristol's homeless during lockdown

    News -

    Are you are a hotelier, B&B or AirBnB owner? If so please consider offering a room so that a homeless person can self-isolate.

  28. Easy-read coronavirus information

    Page -

    The Keep Safe website has put together a range of resources for people with learning difficulties.

  29. How to get emergency dental care

    News -

    People who need emergency dental treatment are advised to contact their regular surgery - and their case will assessed on a priority basis. They will then be referred to one of two new dental hubs, in Bristol and Weston, for treatment.

  30. New stay safe video in eight different languages

    News -

    A video message to stay safe at home to help stop the spread of the coronavirus in eight languages has been produced and you can click below to see it.

  31. Help restore treasured community playground hit by fire

    News -

    A young teenager is leading a fundraising drive to help rebuild an adventure playground in St Paul's which has been devastated by fire. HW has seen the valuable work carried out by the APE Project first hand is supporting the fundraising drive.

  32. Nominate your carer or provider who has been your lifeline during the pandemic.

    News -

    Share your stories of care with Healthwatch - we want to recognise all the wonderful work being done to help people in their homes and the wider community. A virtual hug from us to all the social care sector.

  33. How Bristol's SEND service is adapting and improving through health crisis

    News -

    Children, young people and families have helped develop a blueprint to address failings identified in Bristol City Council’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities provision.

  34. Healthwatch guides to help you get online advice and support

    Advice and Information -

    Use our new Healthwatch guides to help you get to grips with using health websites and apps. From Patient Access and NHS App to using Zoom, you can download and print our step-by-step guides.

  35. Healthwatch can now help find you the right support from NHS Responders

    Advice and Information -

    If you are at home self-isolating and need a support lifeline you can now call Healthwatch to get help from the new army of NHS Responders.

  36. How to get help from your GP

    Advice and Information -

    GP services are now starting to offer online consultations and have made other changes to the normal service at surgeries - read this latest update from the Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos Clinical Commissioning Group.

  37. Support available for children and their families

    News -

    This week it has been reported that only a small fraction of “at risk” children are taking up the emergency school places kept open for them, prompting concerns that they are facing increased danger during the lockdown.

  38. Mental health service 'gaps' - tell us your views

    News -

    The health pandemic has resulted in many mental health support services either being suspended or becoming ‘self-service’ over the internet due to social distancing.

  39. Don't delay in seeking medical help during coronavirus

    Advice and Information -

    People are not seeking help for potentially life-threatening health conditions due to the Covid-19 outbreak, Healthwatch has learned.

  40. Julie ready to help as a volunteer NHS Responder

    Blog -

    Our Healthwatch Bristol Area Lead Julie Bird has signed up as an NHS Responder after being moved by her work with Healthwatch - where she heard "heartbreaking" stories from the public in need of help.

  41. Concerns over patient transport services during pandemic

    News -

    People with disabilities and those who are less mobile may be struggling to attend necessary medical appointments due to reduced transport services.