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News -
NHS staff working across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire to deliver the lifesaving coronavirus vaccine have been given a helping hand on the frontline by local fire crews, volunteers, and military personnel. -
News -
From Wednesday 3 February, people aged 18 and over in the clinically extremely vulnerable group will start receiving letters inviting them to book their COVID-19 vaccine. -
News -
New data gathered by Healthwatch England shows access to NHS dentistry remains a huge problem for the public amid the COVID-19 pandemic. -
Report -
At the beginning of February, we invited people across Swindon to take part in a month-long survey to find out their views, attitudes and concerns towards the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out and the communications that have supported this. -
News -
As of Monday 15 February, Swindon Borough Council has announced that symptom-free testing will be made available to carers and those unable to work from home. -
News -
A new online youth club has launched to combat social isolation by encouraging young people of all ages to interact, have fun, and care for their mental wellbeing. -
News -
Across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, unpaid carers aged between 18 and 64 are now being invited for a Covid-19 Vaccination. -
News -
In February, NHS England and Improvement acknowledged that NHS providers may take longer to investigate and respond to complaints. This is to allow providers to concentrate on front-line duties and responsiveness to coronavirus (COVID-19). -
News -
The Thames Valley Cancer Alliance is calling on the public to know their lung cancer risk as they launch a localised campaign to increase awareness of symptoms and speed up diagnosis.
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News -
Thursday 11th March marked a year since the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. -
News -
A new health agency that will plan for, prevent, and respond to external health threats such as infectious diseases, will be led by former, Director of Public Health, NHS Swindon, and Swindon Borough Council, Dr. Jenny Harries. -
News -
Some pharmacies and GP practices across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire will be closed over the Easter period. -
News -
In this month's newsletter, we will be sharing the BSW CCG video - COVID-19 one year on, the Department of Health and Social Care's launch of a campaign to improve the health and wellbeing of women's health, and much more. -
News -
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has completed the purchase of 5.5 hectares of land, allowing it to take the next steps in its strategic development plans. -
News -
An inspection of Abbey Meads Surgery, and Moredon Medical Centre by the Care Quality Commission in February 2021, has resulted in the rating of 'Requires Improvement' overall for both services after it found concerns over the quality of their care. -
Advice and Information -
The last year has seen a great deal of change in the provision of health and social care services. Both patients and health care professionals have had to adapt how we communicate. Here, we provide a quick guide to one-way - video consultations. -
News -
A floating clinic has taken to the water in a bid to ensure that no one is left behind in the COVID-19 vaccination rollout. The launch was a joint initiative from local councils, GP's, housing charities, and Clinical Commissioning Groups. -
News -
The last year put a sharp focus on mental health as we have all been faced with challenges and change. This year's theme for Mental Health Awareness week is nature. We take a look at how nature can help well-being and tips to manage your wellbeing. -
News -
In the UK alone, more than 920,000 people are living with dementia. The Alzheimer's Society expects this to rise to over a million by 2024. Monday 17 May sees the launch of Dementia Action Week. We look at what's on offer and how you can help?
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Advice and Information -
Mouth cancer is otherwise known as oral cancer and is where a tumour forms in the mouth. Regular self-checks and awareness of symptoms are key to early detection and resolution. We explore what to look out for and how to keep your mouth healthy. -
News -
A new film featuring renowned Romany journalist, Jake Bowers, explores what traveling communities can do to help with the pandemic and encourages them to have the COVID vaccine. -
Advice and Information -
As the COVID vaccination efforts continue at STEAM, we look at what reasonable adjustments have been made to help patients with physical and neurodiverse disabilities. -
News -
NHS England has issued new guidance to GP practices across the country on facilitating more face-to-face appointments for patients.
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News -
Health and care organisations from across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire will come together later this month for the first official board meeting in public as the region’s new integrated care system. -
Response -
It’s Volunteer Week from 1st – 7th June, and we want to say a huge thank you to our fantastic team of Healthwatch Swindon Volunteers! -
Report -
The Healthwatch Advisory Board set our priorities in April 2020. Part of our focus has been on providing up-to-date information on health and social care services. In this report, we explore what we have heard from people and how we responded. -
News -
As the vaccination programme continues we ask for your thoughts on the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines in Swindon. The NHS is doing everything they can but there might be things that can be improved.
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News -
NHS Digital's collection of GP data will support vital health and care planning and research. Here we share how and why your data is being used, and what to do if you don't want your data shared. -
News -
We’re keen to hear from patients registered at an NHS GP practice. -
Report -
The move to more digitally-led healthcare has worked well for some but excluded others over the past year. Our report explores how people have been excluded and what needs to happen to get the care they need. -
News -
Our new report explores people's experiences of digital and remote healthcare and sets out five principles for post-COVID19 care to ensure no one is left behind. -
Report -
Read our annual report for 2020/21 and find out about all the hard work carried out by our team and our wonderful volunteers throughout the year. -
News -
Help us spread a little Joy and share your Good News Story. -
News -
Kingwood Surgery and Carfax Medical Centre will merge from the beginning of next month. -
News -
GPs are often the first port of call for onward support. Unfortunately, people tell us it’s difficult to get a GP appointment. Read our insight and the recommendations we’ve made to decision-makers on how people’s experiences can be improved. -
Report -
Our dedicated team of volunteers reviewed each GP website in Swindon, using a set key of questions to assess its accessibility and usability. -
Advice and Information -
Two GP practices in Swindon are under new management following a successful transition from their previous provider. -
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.
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News -
Your March News brings you latest ways to share your experiences along with where to meet us this month. -
News -
Working with deaf people and people affected by hearing loss, Healthwatch Norfolk created a step-by-step guide on how GP practices can improve communication and make care accessible. -
News -
Healthwatch Swindon are inviting you to join an online feedback session, providing you with an opportunity to share your experiences regarding accessing your GP surgery. -
Blog -
Our latest research follows people's experiences of getting a GP referral. The process for many is long and often confusing. We need to address issues around people's GP referral journey so that it works for everyone. -
Report -
Earlier this year we held our first Spotlight On meeting, focussing on your experiences of GP access. In this report we share what we've heard. -
Advice and Information -
Many of you have told us that you have experienced problems registering with a GP. This article explains more about your rights and what do to if you are refused the right to register. -
Advice and Information -
People are often in need of out-of-hours medical assistance. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed. -
Report -
A review was undertaken by one of our Healthwatch Volunteers with lived experience of cancer asking five questions to understand what online support is offered via the GP surgeries locally. Our findings have been published in a report. -
News -
This month we share how to have your say along with details about Trauma Breakthrough and how they are supporting trauma survivors. All this and more in Your January News. -
Advice and Information -
We know from our conversations with the public that some patients report feeling rushed during appointments and struggling to make themselves heard. Here are some tips that could help you get the most out of visiting your GP. -
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. -
Report -
Read our annual report for 2017/18 to find out about the work we've done and our plans for the year ahead.