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News -
To mark the start of 2019, Healthwatch England is today publishing our annual network priorities list – setting out the key health and care topics our local teams will be working on over the year ahead.
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Advice and Information -
People have told us they can have problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register. -
News -
We asked the public how they would spend the government's £20 million a year investment into the NHS over the next 10 years to improve services locally #WhatWouldYouDo -
Report -
Our advisory group decided that we should run a survey to determine the level of awareness that the general public has of the changes that are happening within GP services. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
News -
An open letter outlining plans to get services back to their pre-pandemic levels but still ensure everyone’s safety has been released. -
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. -
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Adults at high risk from flu are also more susceptible to coronavirus so having the vaccine is more important than ever, to help protect everyone this winter. Read the information in 12 different languages. -
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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. -
Advice and Information -
It's always important to be registered with a GP - but it's particularly important if you're caring for someone vulnerable. If you're not registered, you may not get your COVID-19 vaccination at the right time. -
Advice and Information -
Bridge View Medical is a large primary care network in South Bristol. We spoke to Practice Manager, Brent Stephen, about how the practice is coping with the demands of the vaccination roll-out. -
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. -
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Find out more about how to get on your GPs learning disability register to ensure you have the Covid-19 vaccine. Being on the register also means you will be invited to have an important health check-up to pick up any symptoms of illness. -
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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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
Advice and Information -
GPs offer a range of health services, including advice about physical and mental health, treatment, and prescriptions for medicines. To register with a GP, you don't need a fixed address, proof of your immigration status, or identification. -
News -
Smokers and former smokers (more than 100 cigarettes in your lifetime) aged between 55 and 74 and registered with an eligible GP practice will be invited for a lung health check by the NHS to help identify lung cancer at an early stage. -
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. -
News -
Hot flushes, migraines, mood changes - symptoms of the menopause and perimenopause can have a huge impact on your life. We've heard mixed feedback from those who have tried to access NHS treatment. Good or bad, please share your experience with us. -
News -
The GP Patient Survey is an England-wide survey, providing data about patients’ experiences of their GP practices. It asks about issues such as making an appointment, getting through to your GP practice on the phone, and access to online services.
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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.' -
Response -
Many of us use our GP practice website to find out vital information such as out-of-hours care and making a complaint. When we discovered that many were difficult to navigate, we created a tool to help practices improve their websites for patients. -
Response -
In 2022-23, we supported more than 1000 people and held almost 150 learning sessions to help older adults learn about the NHS app and develop the skills to order prescriptions, view test results, book GP appointments, and access online consultations. -
News -
We want to know how GP surgeries can make it easier for people to look after their health and what you enjoy about your practice. Complete a 10-minute survey and if you'd like to enter our prize draw, you could win one of three £20 shopping vouchers. -
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. -
Advice and Information -
Everyone has the right to make a complaint about any aspect of NHS care, treatment, or service. How you make a complaint about primary care services changed on 1 July 2023. Primary care includes GPs, pharmacies, dentists, and opticians. -
Report -
A lack of compassion from healthcare professionals, difficulty identifying menopausal symptoms, and confusion around HRT and alternative treatment options are among the issues raised by almost 400 people who shared their experience with us. -
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. -
News -
In each of the last four years the NHS Staff Survey has shown that more than one in four staff has experienced harassment, bullying or abuse from patients and members of the public while at work. -
Advice and Information -
Following patient feedback, the NHS has committed to making it easier and quicker for you to get the help you need from your GP and the healthcare community around your surgery. Our new booklet explains what changes and improvements you may see. -
News -
People can now get treatment for seven common health conditions directly from their local pharmacist, without needing a GP appointment. -
Report -
Our workplan sets out the areas of health and social care we will be looking at over the coming financial year. It also outlines the research we plan to carry out in order to help improve local services. -
Report -
Our workplan sets out the areas of health and social care we will be looking at over the coming financial year. It also outlines the research we plan to carry out in order to help improve local services. -
Report -
102 people in Knowle West, Hartcliffe and Weston-super-Mare spoke to us about their experiences of health and social care. They shared the barriers and failures that prevented them from accessing local services, and what improvements are needed. -
Advice and Information -
Health and care services must make sure that people who have a disability, impairment or sensory loss get information that they can access and understand, and any communication support that they need. Unfortunately, we know this doesn't always happen. -
Advice and Information -
We know from our conversations with the public that some patients report feeling rushed during appointments and struggling to make themselves heard. Here are some tips that could help you get the most out of visiting your GP.