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

    News -

    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. NHS Long Term Plan

    Report -

    What changes do people want to make to local NHS services? Read our report to find out what people were telling us in Swindon.

  3. Healthwatch Swindon Quarter 3 Report - 2018/19

    Report -

    Find out about the campaigns and projects we have been working on from October to December 2018.

  4. Quality Checkers Enter and View Reports: August 2018 - April 2019

    Report -

    This is a brief final report about nine quality checking Enter and View visits to GP practices and dental surgeries in Swindon undertaken by supported volunteers with learning disabilities.

  5. Ambience Dental Practice Enter and View report - March 2019

    Report -

    This enter and view visit was carried out with volunteers from Swindon Advocacy Movement and is part of our quality checkers project, which looks at health and social care services from the perspective of someone with a learning disability.

  6. Ridge Green Medical Practice Enter and View report - February 2019

    Report -

    This enter and view visit was carried out with volunteers from Swindon Advocacy Movement and is part of our quality checkers project, which looks at health and social care services from the perspective of someone with a learning disability.

  7. Old Town Surgery January 2019 Enter and View report

    Report -

    This enter and view visit was carried out with volunteers from Swindon Advocacy Movement and is part of our quality checkers project, which looks at health and social care services from the perspective of someone with a learning disability.

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

    News -

    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.

  9. The SEND Annual Satisfaction and Strategy Consultation Surveys

    News -

    Swindon Borough Council has launched two surveys and is asking for feedback on the delivery of their services and planning ahead for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). Find out more.

  10. Declare Your Care Campaign

    News -

    As part of the #DeclareYourCare campaign, this month people with a learning disability or autism, their family, carers and advocates are being encouraged to feedback on care. Find out more.

  11. Plan reveals local health and care priorities for next five years

    News -

    Helping people in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire to stay healthy and independent in old age will be a top priority for local health and care leaders over the next five years. Read more.

  12. Autism Friendly Swindon Newsletter April 2020

    News -

    Coronavirus has brought about huge changes and disruption to all our lives, which may particularly affect people living with autism. Swindon Borough Councils' April newsletter is intended to provide some useful information to help you. Read more.

  13. SWINDON SEND FAMILIES VOICE NEWSLETTER

    News -

    Swindon SEND Families Voice is the parent carer forum for Swindon supporting the parents and carers of children and youngpeople with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, aged 0-25 years. Read their newsletter here.

  14. Review of Special Care Dentistry in the South West

    Report -

    In 2019 the Commissioning Support Unit carried out a review of special care dentistry in the South West and asked local Healthwatch to help carry out a survey of patients using this service in each local area. Find out more about the work we did.

  15. Community Pot 2020/21: Swindon SEND Families Voice Survey Report

    Report -

    Late in 2019 we invited bids from non-profit organisations in Swindon for a small amount of funding to undertake a survey with their contacts or members.Swindon SEND Families Voices was one of the recipients of this fund. Find out more.

  16. COVID-19 Insight Report

    Report -

    In April we launched out COVID-19 insight survey inviting Swindon residents to tell us their experiences of accessing health and social care during the pandemic. Find out what people told us.

  17. Swindon SEND Families Voice Autumn Newsletter

    News -

    The latest newsletter for parents and carers has been published by Swindon SEND Families Voice. Read more.

  18. Explaining COVID and the Vaccine to those with Learning Disabilities and Autism

    Advice and Information -

    Are you or someone you know looking for Easy Read information to explain our current situation with COVID, vaccines, and Lockdown? If so, we have collated the latest documents, films, and audio to help explain and reassure you and your loved ones.

  19. Local Offer

    Advice and Information -

    The Local Offer is the “go to” website for residents in Swindon with a support need, enabling adults, children, young people and families to access information and advice on education, health and care services to help empower them.

  20. DASH Autism Matters Conference Sept 2022

    Report -

    My Voice Matters is ensuring the voice of people with diverse lived experiences & backgrounds are heard.

    We are proud to be able to give the opportunity for seldom heard voices to be heard by providers & wider organisations in their own words.

  21. Learning Disability & Autism Review 2022

    Report -

    We have conducted a review of the feedback received from those living with a Learning Disability and/or Autism in Swindon between 2020 -2022. Identifying the need for greater understanding of Learning Disabilities and Autism across health and care.

  22. Your February News

    News -

    Please find this months Health & Care Digest. From Time To Talk to how you can help improve doctor - patient communication and where to meet us this month.

  23. My Voice Matters: Desktop Review of Autism Research

    Report -

    My Voice Matters is ensuring the voice of people with diverse lived experiences & backgrounds are heard.

    We are proud to be able to give the opportunity for seldom heard voices to be heard by providers & wider organisations in their own words

  24. The challenges neurodivergent people face receiving care

    Blog -

    Neurodiversity is a word used to describe the different thinking styles that affect how people communicate with the world around them. It includes dyslexia, autism, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette's Syndrome and more. Neurodivergent people encounter challenges accessing services which meet their needs.

  25. Annual Report 2018/19

    Report -

    Read our annual report for 2018/19 and find out about all the work carried out by our team and our wonderful volunteers in Swindon throughout the year.

  26. Annual Report 2017/18

    Report -

    Read our annual report for 2017/18 to find out about the work we've done and our plans for the year ahead.

  27. Annual Report 2014/15

    Report -

    Read our annual report for 2014/15 to find out about the work we've done and our plans for the year ahead.

  28. Annual Report 2013/14

    Report -

    Read our annual report for 2013/14 to find out about the work we've done and our plans for the year ahead.

  29. What is Healthwatch Enter and View?

    News -

    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.

  30. Primary Care Networks

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

  32. Wrap up warm, stay well and enjoy winter

    News -

    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.

  33. Swindon Christmas and New Year Opening Times: Dentists, Opticians & Pharmacy

    News -

    Make sure you know the 2019 Christmas and New Year opening times for your pharmacy, optician or dentist in Swindon. Read more.

  34. Where can I go for help when I’m ill in winter?

    Advice and Information -

    Feeling unwell? Read on for advice about where you can go for help with your health during the winter months.

  35. Changes to services at Swindon NHS Health Centre

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

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

  37. You, your pharmacy and Coronavirus

    News -

    Responding to people's concerns about medication, Swindon and Wiltshire's Chief Officer of Community Pharmacy has created a list of frequently asked questions and the answers to these. Find out more.

  38. Covid-19 and Pharmacies

    News -

    Pharmacies are experiencing a lot of demand during the Coronavirus outbreak. There are things that we can do to help ease the pressure. Find out more.

  39. Local ‘backline’ healthcare staff volunteer to deliver urgent and end-of-life prescriptions during lockdown

    News -

    Non-clinical staff at Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Group are offering a helping hand to community nursing teams in Swindon and Wiltshire by delivering urgent and end-of-life medicines direct to people’s homes.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

    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.

  43. Healthwatch Swindon Quarter 4 Report - 2019/20

    Report -

    Find out about the work we have carried out from January 2020 to March 2020.

  44. Healthwatch Swindon Quarter 1 Report - 2020/21

    Report -

    Find out about the work we have carried out from April 2020 to July 2020 in our Quarter 1 report . Read more.

  45. Free Flu vaccines to be offered to people aged 50 - 64 years of age 

    News -

    People over the age of 50 will be able to get their free flu vaccine from 1 December in the next phase of this year’s expanded flu vaccination programme, the government has confirmed.

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

    News -

    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.

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

    News -

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