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

    News -

    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.

  28. Covid-19: Supporting Swindon

    News -

    We are carefully following Government-issued guidance about how we should be working during the Covid-19 pandemic to make sure that our staff and volunteers are safe and to ensure our service can still run to support Swindon. Read more.

  29. Organisations to help you during COVID-19

    Advice and Information -

    If you need additional support during the COVID-19 outbreak Swindon Borough Council have put together a resources page for local residents. Read more.

  30. Parents and carers urged not to put off seeking medical help amid anxieties about coronavirus

    News -

    Parents, carers and others looking after children across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire are being advised not to let worries about coronavirus delay them from seeking medical help this Easter. Read more.

  31. I'm experiencing domestic abuse - where can I go for support?

    Advice and Information -

    With a surge in cases of domestic violence because of the Covid-19 lockdown we have put together some information about where you can get information and support. Read more.

  32. Nightingale Hospital Bristol

    News -

    NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) South West region has asked North Bristol NHS Trust to oversee the new NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol alongside its existing group of hospitals. Read more.

  33. Knitting hearts with GWH to help those who lose loved ones

    News -

    If you are looking at ways in which you can support people in Swindon who have lost loved ones to COVID-19 you could join Nurse Laura Kirby-Deacon from Great Western Hospital by knitting them a heart. Find out more.

  34. Planning care at the end of life

    Advice and Information -

    We explain why it’s important to have a plan in place, should you or a loved one become critically ill with coronavirus.

  35. COVID-19 MENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TODAY

    News -

    THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE SUPPORT NEW EVERY MIND MATTERS ADVICE FOR LOOKING AFTER MENTAL WELLBEING

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

    News -

    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.

  37. Talk to us - we're here to help

    News -

    NHS and social care staff are doing everything they can to keep us well during this crisis, but there might be things that can be improved. We want to hear from you about your experiences of care during COVID-19 to help make things better.

  38. New NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol opens

    News -

    Less than three weeks since work started, NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol opens today. Based at University of West of England Frenchay campus, it will provide up to 300 intensive care beds for coronavirus patients, if local services need them.

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

    News -

    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.

  40. Changes to community maternity services agreed as CCG continues to respond to current coronavirus challenge

    News -

    Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group has today agreed a set of recommendations that will maintain the health and wellbeing of mums-to-be during the current coronavirus outbreak. Read more.

  41. 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.

  42. Key messages about maternity services during COVID-19

    News -

    We appreciate this is a worrying time for pregnant women and mums who have recently had their baby. We want to ensure we give you the latest information about how we have had to change our services to keep everyone safe. Find out more.

  43. Learning Disability Hospital Passport and Guidance

    News -

    The Grab and Go form gives doctor and nurses important information about a patient who has a learning disability or autism if they have to be admitted to hospital because of COVID-19. Find out more.

  44. 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.

  45. South Swindon MP asks friends and family to help seniors avoid loneliness in lockdown

    News -

    Avoiding loneliness is one of the most important things people who may be totally shielding can do during lockdown, say Swindon Seniors Forum and MP Robert Buckland. Read more.

  46. 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.

  47. We must do all we can to combat health inequalities

    News -

    Read our response to evidence from Public Health England that COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities.

  48. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Black and Asian people according to latest PHE report. Tell us your experience

    News -

    Share your story to help services learn and improve from the experiences of people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds during COVID-19.

  49. Healthwatch Swindon Quarter 4 Report - 2019/20

    Report -

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

  50. New guidance: Preventing infection in hospitals

    Advice and Information -

    FROM TODAY, HOSPITAL VISITORS AND OUTPATIENTS NEED TO WEAR FACE COVERINGS