1. Serious health inequalities for Black pregnant women found - Healthwatch wants real-life experiences to lead change

    News -

    Black women are five times more likely to die during pregnancy and after childbirth latest figures show. (MBRRACE, 2019) Healthwatch wants to hear real experiences so every woman has the right to the best pregnancy and after birth care.

  2. Zoom in for our first virtual AGM

    News -

    Join us on Zoon for our virtual AGM on Monday, October 12, 6-7pm, to reflect on our 19/20 year with updates on the latest news and project work being carried out in Bristol.

  3. Dentistry during Covid-19

    Report -

    Healthwatch Bristol, Healthwatch North Somerset and Healthwatch South Gloucestershire have been gathering feedback about dental practice and treatment throughout the Coronavirus pandemic.

  4. May Tanner - Bristol's first black nurse

    News -

    For Black History Month 2020, Healthwatch Bristol is celebrating pioneering black Bristol resident May Tanner, believed to be Bristol Royal Infirmary’s first black ward sister.

  5. AGM 2020 papers for 12th October 6-7pm

    News -

    We look forward to seeing you at our virtual AGM. Thank you for responding to our name change resolution. A reminder is attached.
    Please note that during the meeting members will be asked to vote to elect new and current trustees.

  6. Survey about your experience of seeking support for Bladder and Bowel issues during coronavirus

    News -

    Bladder and Bowel problems are not openly talked about. We would like to hear about what is working well and what is not during coronavirus and the kind of support you found helpful and less so. Deadline now extended until November 30.

  7. Test and Trace - how can it be improved?

    News -

    Contact tracing is working well in the South West with an 83.3 per cent success rate compared to a national average of 77 per cent.

  8. COVID-19 - engaging Bristol's black communities

    News -

    Black women have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, says Bristol Area Lead Dr Acomo Oloya. So how do we tackle the issues that have made black communities vulnerable?

  9. Sir Michael Marmot says Healthwatch can energise and give power to communities

    News -

    Sir Michael Marmot author of the landmark report Marmot Review: Fair Society, Healthy Lives spoke to Healthwatch about how the Covid-19 pandemic has “amplified” health inequalities even further.

  10. Dementia carers - our ambitious project to hear your experiences and ensure you have support

    News -

    Caring for someone with dementia takes patience and kindness. It can also take its toll physically and mentally - and if it's a family member you may not get any time off. But is there anyone to care for the carer? Tell HW...your views matter.

  11. Some appointments and procedures at Bristol hospitals postponed

    News -

    A number of routine operations and outpatient appointments at Bristol and South Glos hospitals have had to be postponed due to the pressures on services caused by the coronavirus.

  12. COVID-19 update: advice in different languages

    News -

    CASS have been working closely with the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (BNSSG CCG) over the last few months to ensure all communities in Bristol receive accessible information about COVID-19.

  13. Healthwatch is making a difference nationally

    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.

  14. Flu vaccinations - making a point about protection from viruses this winter

    News -

    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.

  15. NHS Nightingale will open to day patients

    News -

    The NHS Nightingale Hospital in Bristol is to open for children and adults’ routine appointments to ease pressures on hospitals in the region caused by Covid-19.

  16. New report shows Somalis in Bristol hit hard by pandemic

    News -

    More than a third of Bristol Somalis who took part in a Covid-19 study were hospitalised or had family or friends needing admission. New recommendations from the report says Covid information needs to be accessible and in different languages.

  17. Minutes and recording of our first AGM held in October

    Report -

    Here are the minutes of our first virtual AGM when we welcomed over 40 people to hear about our work and achievements over the last year. There is also a recording of the Zoom meeting held in October.

  18. Do you need A&E? Ring NHS 111 for urgent care if not life-threatening

    News -

    Many patients who go to A&E could be treated more appropriately, often more quickly by another NHS service. This is why NHS 111 First has launched to get you and your family the care you need without waiting a long time at A&E.

  19. Historic turning point - Covid vaccines rolled out to first patients at Southmead Hospital

    News -

    The new Covid-19 vaccine has been rolled out in Bristol today – with the over 80s and care home staff first on the list to receive it.

  20. Our Area lead Julie tells BBC Radio Bristol about problems getting to a dentist during the pandemic

    News -

    NHS dentistry has been pushed to crisis point by Covid-19 – new research by Healthwatch has found.

  21. Healthier Together recognised for collaborative working

    News -

    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.

  22. Phased roll-out begins for Covid-19 vaccinations

    News -

    Local vaccination services run by GPs will open across the area this week, as the roll-out of the biggest immunisation programme in NHS history starts.

  23. Want to know more about Healthwatch? Watch our video!

    Advice and Information -

    Do you have questions about what Healthwatch does? Want to know what we do with your feedback, or how you can help improve health and social care services? Watch our video to find out.

  24. Vaccine programme musn't 'breed complacency' says Boris during his visit to Bristol

    News -

    If you’re over 80 and still haven’t had your Covid-19 vaccine the message is – you’ll be contacted very soon. By the end of this week, every neighbourhood area in BNSSG will have a GP practice vaccination centre up and running.

  25. Changes Bristol introduce a support group for women of colour

    News -

    Changes Bristol have announced they are introducing a mental health support group for women of colour, offering the support of trained staff and volunteers.

  26. Number of Bristol COVID-19 cases fall but 'cases still high across all areas of the city'

    News -

    Cases of COVID-19 in Bristol have fallen slightly on the previous week, but Bristol City Council have warned that cases remain high across all areas of the city.

  27. Mental health support during latest lockdown

    News -

    Are you struggling to cope with a rainy, cold lockdown in February and the pressures of the pandemic? Have you suffered family bereavement or loss of income and need support? There are several services to help you or your loved ones.

  28. Allergy advice and the Covid-19 vaccine

    News -

    If you have certain allergies you may be concerned about whether you should get the Covid vaccine. In most cases the vaccine is safe, even for people with a history of reactions to certain drugs and food. Here's the latest allergy information.

  29. Do you need help getting to your COVID-19 vaccination?

    Advice and Information -

    Do you need help with arranging transport for your COVID-19 injection? Have you been contacted about your vaccination but don't have a way of getting to your surgery? Our latest pamphlet contains all the information you need to get there safely.

  30. Removing the myths around the Covid-19 vaccine

    News -

    Online attendees of a webinar about the Covid-19 vaccine have been advised not to be fearful of having it to help bring down the death toll which has reached 100,000 in the UK.

  31. Are you an unpaid carer? Register with a GP so you don't miss your COVID-19 vaccine

    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.

  32. Spotlight: Bridge View Medical

    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.

  33. Our call for better access to NHS dental care goes national

    News -

    Healthwatch’s work highlighting the difficulties patients have had trying to see a dentist during the pandemic has made national headlines.

  34. Your latest feedback on local health and care services and how we use it

    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.

  35. Disabled people made up 6 in 10 of all COVID-19 deaths last year, according to official data

    News -

    59.5% of all the coronavirus deaths between the 24th January and the 20th November 2020 were disabled people, the latest data from the Office for National Statistics has revealed.

  36. Surge testing - visit your nearest pop-up centre to help research on how the virus is changing

    News -

    There’s just a few days left to get a covid “surge test” if you live in specific postcodes in Bristol and South Glos are over 16 and do not have symptoms of the virus.

  37. How to get support if you need a little extra help to have the Covid-19 vaccine

    News -

    People who have learning disabilities or a mental health condition can have their vaccination experience made easier for them. Healthwatch and the local clinical commissioning group put on a webinar to explain extra support or help that's available.

  38. Make sure you're on the learning disability register to receive your vaccine

    News -

    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.

  39. Overcoming concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine if you have a learning disability

    Advice and Information -

    One of our volunteers, Jemma Ballinger, says while it is great news that people on the learning disability register will be prioritised to have the vaccine, they will still often need a lot of reassurance and understanding to receive it.

  40. Living with long-COVID: Gina's story

    Advice and Information -

    Most people who contract COVID-19 make a full recovery within 12 weeks. However, symptoms can last longer. The virus may result in post-COVID-19 syndrome, or long-COVID. This is Gina's story.

  41. What to do if you can't find an NHS dentist

    Advice and Information -

    NHS dental care has been massively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it's been almost impossible to find an NHS dentist that's accepting new patients or doing emergency treatment.

  42. New video aims to improve vaccine take-up in Easton and Barton Hill communities

    News -

    Breaking down barriers to encourage more people in Bristol communities to have their vaccine is the reason behind the shooting of a new video by members of Bristol Somali Youth Voice.