Healthwatch North Somerset

17/10/2025

📢 Complete our cancer care survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CancerScreeningCare/

We're working with the Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire (SWAG) Cancer Alliance to identify barriers to accessing cancer care, including screening.

Your responses will help shape how services can be made more accessible and how people's experiences can be improved.

Find out more 👉 https://www.healthwatchnorthsomerset.co.uk/news/2025-09-30/complete-our-survey-access-cancer-care

A new collaboration has launched which aims to uncover inequalities and barriers to accessing cancer care and shape how services can be improved for the most vulnerable people in Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire.

10/10/2025

Feeling overwhelmed? You're not alone.

This year's theme for is ‘overwhelm’. Many of us are feeling overwhelmed by global events and what can feel like non-stop negative news.

It’s okay to feel this way and it’s okay to ask for help, no matter what you are going through.

Find out about the mental health support that's available in North Somerset: https://n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/health-wellbeing/mental-health-services

01/10/2025

📢 Share your experience of cancer services by completing our survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CancerScreeningCare/

We're working with the Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire (SWAG) Cancer Alliance to uncover inequalities and barriers to accessing cancer care and shape how services can be improved.

We want to hear from people about any barriers or challenges you have faced, whether throughout screening, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find out more 👉 https://www.healthwatchnorthsomerset.co.uk/news/2025-09-30/complete-our-survey-access-cancer-care

A new collaboration has launched which aims to uncover inequalities and barriers to accessing cancer care and shape how services can be improved for the most vulnerable people in Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire.

19/09/2025

The Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF) aims to challenge the racial discrimination in the way mental health services work.

Whether you're a service user or carer, work in mental health services, or are a community partner, voluntary organisation, or stakeholder - your views and experience are vital.

Find out more and get involved: https://www.awp.nhs.uk/edi/patient-and-carer-race-equality-framework

28/08/2025

🚨 Congresbury Surgery drop-in events!

Join Mendip Vale Medical Group on one of the below dates to ask questions or share your views as a patient, meet members of the PPG, and learn more about the future of Congresbury Surgery.

1st September, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
8th September, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
29th September, 10:00am-12:00pm

📍 Congresbury Old School Rooms, 1 Station Rd, Congresbury
BS49 5DY

27/08/2025

Protect the independent voice - sign our national petition calling on the government to review the decision to abolish local Healthwatch: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/732993

Read more about the proposed plans and why what we do is important on our website: https://bit.ly/3HrSi0l

We are asking the government to: • Revisit its decision to abolish local independent services that speak up for the public • Consult with the public to codesign a service which meets their needs and supports the NHS to realise its ambitions • Invest in and strengthen independent services

21/08/2025

Did you know you can opt out of the government's Emergency Alerts system? For example, victims of domestic abuse with a concealed phone may find it appropriate to turn off alerts. Find out how: https://www.gov.uk/alerts/opting-out

The government are testing the UK’s Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7th September at 3pm. If your phone is connected to a 4G or 5G network, it will vibrate and make a loud siren sound for roughly ten seconds.

Opting out of emergency alerts

15/08/2025

Don't forget to check you have enough of your regular medication and order any repeat prescriptions before the August bank holiday.

Many local health and care services, including GP practices and pharmacies, will be closed on Monday 25th August.

08/08/2025

Sign our national petition calling on the government to review the decision to abolish local Healthwatch: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/732993

We need independent services that give the public a voice in NHS and social care. Read more about the proposed plans and why what we do is important on our website: https://bit.ly/3HrSi0l

We are asking the government to: • Revisit its decision to abolish local independent services that speak up for the public • Consult with the public to codesign a service which meets their needs and supports the NHS to realise its ambitions • Invest in and strengthen independent services

29/07/2025

Our colleagues at Well Aware have been working with the Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire ICB to create a new women's health page as part of their online directory, offering reliable, embarrassment-free information.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/3H7wHtQ

👀 Keep an eye out for posters promoting this vital resource in cafés, pubs, gyms and shopping centres across the local area!

Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board are working with local businesses to promote a new women’s health resource.

28/07/2025

💊 Let’s reduce medicines waste - together! 💊

If you take regular medication, there are simple steps you can take to help:

✅ Plan ahead - check what you already have before reordering
✅ Only order what you need
✅ Check your medicines before leaving the pharmacy - they can’t be reused once you leave

Every prescription counts - let’s make sure nothing goes to waste.

Find out more at https://bnssghealthiertogether.org.uk/medicines-waste

25/07/2025

Some services may be affected by national strike action taking place from 7am on Friday 25 July to 7am on Wednesday 30 July.

Please continue to come forward for the care you need. Unless you hear from us directly, you should attend your appointment as normal.

If you need medical help, use 111 online, and in emergencies, please call 999.

Find out more: https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/p/latest-news/national-doctors-industrial-action-update-3