1. Have your say: discharge from hospital to a nursing or care home

    News -

    If someone is able to leave hospital but needs further care, they may be discharged to a nursing or care home. If you or a loved one has experienced this, or if you work in the pathway 3 system, please fill in our survey about how the process works.

  2. Have your say: attending Southmead Hospital A&E department

    News -

    Staff at Southmead Hospital need your feedback to find how patient care at their A&E department can be improved. If you've attended A&E as a walk-in during November or December 2021, you can help by filling in our anonymous survey.

  3. Healthwatch BNSSG's conflict of interest policy and register of interests

    Report -

    All Healthwatch Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) staff, Board members and volunteers are required to identify and disclose activities and relationships that might give rise to conflicts of interest.

  4. The public agenda for our next Prioritisation Panel on February 2

    News -

    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.

  5. Have your say: dignity in hospital care

    News -

    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.

  6. South West to receive almost £5 million to provide additional dental appointments

    News -

    £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.

  7. Working together: co-production in Bristol

    Advice and Information -

    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.

  8. Recommendations to improve local stroke services agreed by NHS commissioners

    News -

    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.

  9. Local NHS renews campaign to encourage people with non-life-threatening medical conditions to call 111 first

    News -

    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.

  10. Report: how has the COVID-19 pandemic affected people's experiences of bladder and bowel services?

    Report -

    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.

  11. Join us to mark International Women's Day 2022

    News -

    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.

  12. 'Living Safely With COVID-19' - Bristol City Council sets out how the city will 'prevent, protect, treat and respond' to the virus as restrictions are removed

    News -

    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.

  13. Pulse oximeter rollout to help people recover from COVID-19 at home

    Advice and Information -

    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.

  14. Report: experiences of attending Southmead A&E during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Report -

    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.

  15. Provider of NHS 111 services in Bristol rated 'Outstanding' by independent regulator

    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.

  16. Bristol Prioritisation Panel February 2022 - minutes

    Report -

    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.

  17. Protocol for submitting 20-day request response letters to reports and recommendations from Healthwatch

    Report -

    This protocol recognises that Healthwatch acts as an independent consumer voice for people who use health and social care services.

  18. How to register with a GP surgery

    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.

  19. The public agenda for our next Prioritisation Panel on May 4

    News -

    See how we work out the main health and care priorities for Bristol from your feedback. Our meeting at 11:30am on May 4 is where we action your comments or concerns with providers to ensure what you tell us makes a difference.

  20. People aged 55 - 74 to be offered targeted lung health checks to screen for cancer

    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.

  21. Healthwatch BNSSG's combined safeguarding adults and children's policy

    Report -

    Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone. Healthwatch Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) will work together to prevent and minimise abuse, and protect vulnerable adults, children and young people from harm.

  22. "This is another scandal where it’s clear that lessons from past tragedies haven’t been learnt" - Healthwatch England's response to the Ockenden review

    News -

    Healthwatch England has responded to the Independent Review of Maternity Services at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, led by Donna Ockenden. The review examined almost 1,600 clinical incidents and found repeated failures in care.

  23. Report: hospital discharge to ongoing care

    Report -

    We've collated the experiences of 141 patients, families, carers, and NHS staff involved with the hospital discharge process. More than 75% of respondents said they felt delays in admission or discharge had a negative psychological effect.

  24. Bristol Prioritisation Panel May 2022 - minutes

    Report -

    Read the minutes of our May 4 2022 Prioritisation Panel, when we came together to discuss the health and social care issues you've raised, and what Healthwatch Bristol can do to bring about change.

  25. Introducing HealthClick: free digital skills workshops to help you manage your health online

    Advice and Information -

    Learn about the NHS app, how to order prescriptions, view test results, book GP appointments, and access online consultations at one of our free digital skills workshops. You'll receive 1:1 support and be able to ask questions.

  26. Annual Report 2021/2022

    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.

  27. Have your say: what keeps you happy, healthy and well?

    Advice and Information -

    That’s the question being asked by the new Integrated Care System (ICS) for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, as it launches a wide-ranging public engagement exercise to shape priorities for health and care in the years ahead.

  28. Report: dignity in hospital care

    Report -

    Everyone receiving care in hospital should be treated with respect and dignity. We asked hospital staff and older patients who had recently had a stay in a Bristol hospital to tell us about their experience of care and what dignity means to them.

  29. Improving the hospital discharge process for patients

    Response -

    After collating the experiences of experiences of people involved with hospital discharges, local NHS leaders have pledged clearer information, better communication with patients and carers, and £17m investment into the discharge to assess model.

  30. What is Enter and View?

    Advice and Information -

    As a local Healthwatch, we are able to visit health and social care services (such as hospitals and GP surgeries) and see them in action. This is called 'Enter and View'. Our goal is to identify what's working well and where improvements are needed.

  31. The public agenda for our next Prioritisation Panel on August 17

    News -

    See how we work out the main health and care priorities for Bristol from your feedback. Our meeting at 3:30pm on August 17 is where we action your comments or concerns with providers to ensure what you tell us makes a difference.

  32. Disabled people being left behind due to a lack of accessible healthcare information

    News -

    Disabled people and people with sensory loss have a legal right to get health and social care information in a way that's accessible for them. Yet Healthwatch England has found one in five people struggle to understand the information they receive.

  33. Have your say: treatment for the menopause

    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.

  34. Meeting the needs of modern healthcare: Bristol Dental School is on the move

    News -

    After more than 80 years at its current site on Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol Dental School is moving to a purpose-built space at 1 Trinity Quay. The new site is close to Temple Meads Station and the proposed new university campus at Temple Quarter.

  35. Free stop smoking support for Bristol residents

    Advice and Information -

    Quitting smoking can be difficult. Everyone Health has partnered with Bristol City Council to offer free support for local people who are most at risk from the consequences of smoking.

  36. Bristol Prioritisation Panel August 2022 - minutes

    Report -

    Read the minutes of our August 17 2022 Prioritisation Panel, where we come together with our volunteers to discuss the health and social care issues you've raised and what we can do to bring about change.

  37. What happens when you go into hospital?

    Advice and Information -

    When you're admitted to hospital, it's normal to feel anxious. This guide by staff at the Bristol Royal Infirmary sets out what you can expect when you're admitted to a ward and contains lots of helpful information about admission and discharge.

  38. Share your experience: maternal mental health

    News -

    Have you given birth since April 2020? Did you experience any mental health issues or emotional challenges such as low mood before getting pregnant? We'd like to hear your story and find out if you got the support you needed from the NHS.

  39. Welcoming Spaces open to help Bristol residents struggling with rising energy prices

    Advice and Information -

    A Welcoming Space is a place such as a community centre or place of worship where people struggling with rising energy bills and the cost of living crisis can go to keep warm. Local organisations will be providing emotional and practical support.

  40. Where can I get digital support?

    Advice and Information -

    Technology can make it easier to access information and care, but can also pose challenges for those without the skills or confidence to use the internet. Here are all the places you can get digital support in Bristol.

  41. Results of the GP Patient Survey 2022

    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.

  42. Closure of Amerind Grove Care Home in South Bristol

    News -

    The company that owns and runs the home said its closure was due to staff 'recruitment and retention challenges', and that residents would be 'supported to find suitable alternative accommodation.'

  43. 'The barriers to accessing timely care can put people’s lives at risk' - Healthwatch England's response to the Care Quality Commission's 'State of Care' report

    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.'

  44. The public agenda for our next Prioritisation Panel on November 9

    News -

    See how we work out the main health and care priorities for Bristol from your feedback. Our meeting at 11:30am on November 9 is where we action your comments or concerns with providers to ensure what you tell us makes a difference.

  45. Blood pressure checks for over 40s now available at community pharmacies

    Advice and Information -

    People who are eligible for the service can receive a free blood pressure check without needing to book an appointment at their pharmacy. The check takes 10-15 minutes and carried out by a pharmacist.

  46. Experiences of being in hospital for people with a learning disability and autistic people

    News -

    The Care Quality Commission says people with a learning disability and autistic people "continue to face barriers when accessing health care and treatment" after collecting people’s experiences from 8 hospital trusts in England.

  47. Lifesaving First Aid resources in Urdu

    Advice and Information -

    St John Ambulance, together with the NHS and the British Islamic Medical Association, have created a series of First Aid resources in Urdu to help communities respond in an emergency.

  48. "Co-producing what works for our communities in this city" - An evaluation of the Bristol Race Equality Covid-19 Steering Group

    News -

    Marginalised ethnic communities were disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. A new report looks at how people from across Bristol came together to respond and a find a solution.

  49. Work to improve the hospital discharge process shortlisted for Healthwatch England 2022 impact award

    News -

    We were one of only eight local Healthwatch shortlisted for the award, for our work around making the discharge process safer and easier to understand for patients.

  50. Findings: what keeps you happy, healthy and well?

    News -

    Earlier this year, the local Integrated Care Board asked residents for feedback on what keeps us all well, what support we need, and what barriers to keeping well exist. Here's what you said.