-
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. These were likely to be people from whom we otherwise did not hear. Covid-19 intervened. -
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. -
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 -
Have you experienced mental distress or mental health issues? Would you like to use your own experiences to support others who are going through something similar? Do you live in the Swindon area?
-
Advice and Information -
Vaccine misinformation and delay among ethnic minority communities is fast becoming an issue in the fight against COVID-19. Here, we share downloadable leaflets and multimedia materials to help share the message that vaccines are safe. -
News -
In this month's newsletter, we will be sharing news on shielding, accessing affordable counselling services, and a vaccine Q&A session with an expert panel. -
News -
Transgender and gender-diverse individuals who are over 16 years old and live in the South West area are being encouraged to take part in an online survey to help improve NHS Gender Identity Services. -
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 -
The new Office for Health Promotion is to lead a national effort to improve the health of the nation; by improving our mental health and promoting physical activity, which in turn is hoped will help the nation tackle the rise in obesity. -
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. These were likely to be people from whom we were otherwise less likely to hear. -
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 -
This April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. Do you know the five key symptoms to look out for? Bowel Cancer UK has launched a campaign to raise awareness and help you look out for the early signs. -
News -
Liz Wands-Murray, the Ph.D. researcher at the University of York, is asking for help with a research project on the accessibility of community-based social care services, groups, and activities for older (50+) lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons. -
News -
Construction work has begun in preparation for Great Western Hospital's new Urgent Treatment Centre. For the next six months, there will be a road closure and a reroute of traffic on site while the work takes place. -
News -
A programme aimed at 12 - 16-year-olds who are home-educated or not in education, employment or training (NEET), and missing out in general social interaction in has been launched in partnership with the Swindon Town community Football Foundation. -
News -
In this month's newsletter, we will be sharing news on the new COVID-19 vaccination bus takes to the road, construction work beginning at GWH for the new Urgent Treatment Centre, and symptom-free testing being made available to everyone. -
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 -
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?
-
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. -
News -
In recognition of Foster Care Fortnight, we are putting the spotlight on fostering a child, sharing foster care stories, and how you can get involved. -
News -
Swindon Borough Council is inviting applications for their COVID-19 Support Grant funding over the May Half Term. The funding will see that a £15 supermarket voucher is issued per eligible child (or adult) over the May Half Term period. -
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. -
News -
New data indicates the dental crisis shows no signs of slowing, with four in five people (80%) struggling to access timely care during the last COVID-19 lockdown.
-
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.
-
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 -
Clear, understandable information is important to help you make the right health and care decisions. Join our campaign and have your say on what needs to change. -
Advice and Information -
For new arrivals to the UK it can be confusing where to go if you need medical assistance. Here we outline your rights as a refugee, where you can access emergency help and how to register for a GP. -
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. -
Report -
Read our annual report for 2021/22 and find out about all the engagement and conversations had by our team and our wonderful volunteers throughout the year. -
Report -
Changing Suits founders Bal & Taj hosted their first Health & Wellbeing Event. The event was in collaboration with Anushka Chaudhry Consultant Oncoplastic & Cosmetic Breast Surgeon to Raise Awareness of Breast Cancer within the South Asian community -
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. -
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.
-
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 -
We have written a letter to NHS England to express our disappointment at the lack of progress in reviewing the legally-binding Accessible Information Standard.
-
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 -
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. -
Report -
My Voice Matters is ensuring the voice of people with diverse lived experiences and backgrounds are heard.
We are proud to be able to give the opportunity for seldom heard voices to be heard by providers and wider organisations in their own words.
This report was written by Dr Aanchal Rana as a practice track report for the degree of MSc Global and Public Health Policy at the University of Bath.
We offered her access to our team and engagement pathways to support her delivering this piece of work. All opinions and findings are her own. -
Advice and Information -
A year ago the Accessible Information Standard came into force. It requires any organisation providing NHS or social care to communicate in a way that everybody can understand. Here's a reminder of what you should expect. -
News -
A more specialist approach to caring for the hospital's oldest patients has improved the quality of care and waiting times. Read more about the approach and its results. -
Report -
Read our annual report for 2017/18 to find out about the work we've done and our plans for the year ahead.