1. Your wish lists for health and care services in Swindon revealed

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    Hundreds of people in Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire have shared their views on how to improve NHS health services where they live.

  2. Public meetings give people chance to hear more about IMH involvement with local primary care

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    Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group will hold two public meetings next month to give local people the chance to learn more about how five GP practices became involved with the Integral Medical Holdings (IMH) Group.

  3. What is Healthwatch Enter and View?

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    We have the power to 'Enter and View' providers of health and social care, such as hospitals, care homes and dentists, and to observe and report on how those services are being run.

  4. Primary Care Networks

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    Primary Care Networks are a key part of the NHS Long Term Plan. They bring together general practices so that they can work together at scale so that they can share costs, provide more services to patients and integrate health and care.

  5. A GP shortfall could be partly plugged by recruits from abroad

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    A GP shortfall could be partly plugged by recruits from abroad

  6. More Clinical Pharmacists set to boost GP services for patients and practices

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    Nearly 34 million patients will benefit from improved GP services as NHS England boosts the number of surgery-based clinical pharmacists that can offer expert medication and treatment.

  7. Wiltshire firm to take over out-of-hours GP service at GWH

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    An out-of-hours GP service will be transferred to a private company next month.

  8. What is an Annual Health Check?

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    Mencap, the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Learning Disabilities Observatory have worked together to create an Easy Read leaflet explaining what an annual health check is.

  9. Seven Swindon GP Practices announce Super Partnership

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    Seven Swindon GP practices have today announced a Super Partnership to improve the quality of care to over 75,000 patients across the region.

  10. Two Swindon GP practices recognised for making improvements

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    Two Swindon surgeries, Abbey Meads Medical Practice and Eldene Surgery, have received improved ratings from the Care Quality Commission, with each practice now rated as good for the care given to patients.

  11. Share your views on health and care in Swindon

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    Our core function is to speak to members of the public about their experiences of health and Social care in Swindon. We share five ways that you can tell us about your views.

  12. Growing pressures on access and staffing risk creating ‘perfect storm’ for people using mental health and learning disability services

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    The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) annual assessment of the state of health and social care in England shows that quality ratings have been maintained overall – but people’s experience of care is determined by whether they can access good care when they need it.

  13. New provider for Phoenix Surgery marks full withdrawal of IMH from primary care in Swindon

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    Phoenix Surgery in Toothill will soon join forces with a neighbouring GP practice in a move that draws a line under the involvement of the Integrated Medical Holdings Group (IMH) with primary care in Swindon.

  14. Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to take on two Swindon GP practices

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    Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will take on the provision of services at two Swindon GP practices previously managed by the Integral Medical Holdings Group (IMH).

  15. Eldene Surgery patients invited to meet GP practice’s new provider

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    Patients of Eldene Surgery will have the chance to say hello to their GP practice’s new provider organisation at a drop-in event next month. Find out more here.

  16. Update on new providers for five IMH practices

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    Following the announcement of Integrated Medical Holding's (IMH) withdrawal, the CCG provided the five practices with practical support to keep services running as close to normal as possible. Since then new providers have been allocated to several of the practices. Find out more.

  17. Changes to the way you contact your GP practice

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    Patients from five GP surgeries in Swindon, run by Integrated Medical Holdings (IMH), are being encouraged to call later in the day for non-urgent requests and enquires. Read more.

  18. Wrap up warm, stay well and enjoy winter

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    We want to make sure that people in Swindon know the best ways to get the most appropriate healthcare quickly and without an appointment over the winter months. Find out more.

  19. Criticism of moving Swindon's walk-in health centre

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    Moving an NHS walk-in health centre to Great Western Hospital will disadvantage the very people it was meant to serve, says a senior councillor. Read more.

  20. Abbey Meads Medical Group - CQC Report

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    Abbey Meads Medical Group rated as 'Inadequate' by the Care Quality Commission after a recent inspection. Read more.

  21. NHS Swindon CCG is seeking views from people who have used the Walk-in Centre Service

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    NHS Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is currently seeking the views of people who have used the Walk-in Centre service based at the Swindon NHS Health Centre in Islington Street in the town centre in the past 12 months.

  22. Eldene Surgery & The Phoenix Surgery - CQC reports

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    Eldene Surgery and The Phoenix Surgery rated as 'Inadequate' by the Care Quality Commission after a recent inspection. Read more.

  23. Boobs, Balls or Bums? Let’s Talk About Cancer

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    Old Town Surgery, together with Nationwide Building Society, are holding an event on Tuesday 5 November giving advice on coping with cancer. Read more.

  24. First of new providers for five GP practices in Swindon announced

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    Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group is able to announce the first of the new providers that will offer long-term support to the GP practices previously involved with the Integral Medical Holdings (IMH) Group.

  25. CQC place urgent conditions on Swindon’s Moreden Medical Centre

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    After a recent inspection the Care Quality Commission has placed Moredon Medical Centre in special measures. Read more.

  26. Survey for service families in Oxfordshire

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    Our colleagues from Healthwatch Oxfordshire are conducting a major survey into the experiences of service families using health and social care services in the county. Find out more.

  27. Walk-in Centre to scale back services ahead of full withdrawal

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    Healthcare in Swindon is set to change from next year when the town’s Walk-in Centre is taken out of service. Read more about what this means for you.

  28. Changes to services at Swindon NHS Health Centre

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    From Wednesday 1 April 2020, the Walk-in Centre, based within Swindon NHS Health Centre, will no longer be available. Find out more about the changes.

  29. SpeakUp2020: Share your views and help make the NHS better

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    New campaign calls on Swindon residents to share to their experiences of NHS services to help make care better for all.

  30. Separate clinics for patients with and without coronavirus symptoms help people to continue accessing care and treatment

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    People needing GP services across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire will soon be advised to visit a specific clinic depending on whether or not they are showing symptoms of coronavirus. Find out what this means for you.

  31. Drive-thru appointments, home visits and video calls keep GP practices open during coronavirus pandemic

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    Drive-thru GP appointments are just one of a number of initiatives helping practices in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire to continue providing much-needed care to local communities throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Read more.

  32. Local doctors urge people to continue accessing healthcare as and when they need it

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    New data shows a considerable drop in the number of people coming forward to ask their GP for help and advice during the coronavirus outbreak. Read more.

  33. The NHS is still open this bank holiday, even if your nearest GP practice isn’t

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    With many GP practices across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire reducing their opening hours this bank holiday weekend, doctors are offering reassurances that help will still be available for those who need it. Read more.

  34. GPs spell out the best way to get NHS help over the Spring bank holiday weekend

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    GP practices across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire will be reducing their opening hours this bank holiday weekend, but local people are being reassured that the NHS is still on hand to provide help where it’s needed. Read more.

  35. GP video appointments help thousands of patients in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire

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    Thousands of patients in B&NES Swindon and Wiltshire are now benefiting from video-based appointments, as well as patient care delivered remotely by GPs and other primary care staff, thanks to the combined efforts of NHS organisations in the region.

  36. Newly merged GP practices in Swindon vow to continue putting patients first

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    Leading doctors at five Swindon GP practices have marked the completion of an historic merger by vowing to always keep patients at the heart of everything they do. Read more.

  37. Staying alert to coronavirus still as important as ever, says Swindon-based GP

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    One of Swindon’s leading doctors has called on people living in the town to be extra cautious and to continue doing everything possible to stop the spread of coronavirus. Read more.

  38. Don’t Wait and Worry

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    A radio campaign will run from Monday 24 August called 'Don’t Wait and Worry', encouraging people across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire to see their GP if they have symptoms which could be signs of cancer. Find out more.

  39. Don’t wait and worry, says Macmillan GP

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    A Macmillan GP is urging people across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire to see their GP if they are experiencing signs or symptoms that could be cancer.

  40. Why am I being asked to wait to have my flu vaccine?

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    People who are most at risk of flu are recommended to get a flu vaccine every year. This winter is especially important with flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) both in circulation.

  41. Parkinson's UK Swindon and District branch receives £10,000 funding to restart exercise programme

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    Sports England has awarded the Swindon Parkinsons group £10,000 from their Tackling Inequalities Funding through Wiltshire and Swindon Sports (WASP), to support the re-start of their Exercise programme.

  42. Healthwatch Swindon celebrates the success of a grant for a Digital Exclusion project

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    During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients have seen a move to digital healthcare. Healthwatch launched a project to find out what groups if any, are being excluded by the move towards digital, with five local Healthwatch receiving funding to do so.

  43. NHS England and Public Health England, ask “Help us, Help you”

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    It will come as no surprise that COVID-19 has changed the way that people are accessing NHS services. A recent survey of 2,178 people found that almost half (48%) of the public would delay or not seek medical help at all.

  44. Local doctor echoes PM’s call for people to continue using NHS services during lockdown

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    People living in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire are being advised to stay on top of their health and wellbeing by continuing to use the NHS throughout the next period of national lockdown.

  45. Local health and care organisations to partner up to improve patient experience

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    NHS England and Improvement (NHSEI) has announced that Health and care organisations in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) are to join up as they meet the criteria to become an integrated care system.

  46. Swindon and Wiltshire winter opening hours - Dentists and Pharmacies

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    Service times will change for primary care services over the bank holiday and Winter period. Below are the arrangements for Swindon and Wiltshire.

  47. First GP-led COVID-19 Vaccination Centre opens in Swindon

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    A local vaccination centre run by GPs has opened in Swindon as the NHS continues its phased roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine.

  48. Public told to know their options as Pharmacies and GP practices close for long Christmas weekend

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    Many pharmacies and GP practices across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire will be closed for four consecutive days over the Christmas period.

  49. COVID-19 Vaccination rollout in Swindon

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    As numbers having their COVID-19 vaccine increase, we share a few pictures of local residents receiving theirs and chat to one of them about their experience. Along with advice on how to attend your vaccination appointment if you lack transport.