1. People avoiding appointments and prescriptions due to cost of living crisis, Healthwatch warns

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    The number of people avoiding an NHS appointment because they can’t afford travel almost doubled between October and December as the cost of living crisis is forcing many to change how they use health and care services.

  2. Local mental health services ready to provide help to those in need

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    Local support is available to people living in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire who are struggling with their mental health.

  3. Patients' feedback sparks overhaul of hospital complaints process

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    Feedback from patients who made a complaint about their care at Salisbury District Hospital is being used to overhaul its complaints handling process.

  4. Reduce risk of cancer with simple changes and healthier lifestyle choices

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    This Cancer Prevention Action Week, local doctors highlight how small changes to everyday habits, and healthier lifestyle choices, can reduce the chances of developing cancer.

  5. New health centre marks major milestone for Devizes and surrounding area

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    A new state-of-the-art health centre has officially opened in Devizes, soon after the doors first opened to patients.

  6. Healthwatch Wiltshire calls on public to help set priorities

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    We’re calling on the people of Wiltshire to tell us what you think we should be working on in the coming year.

  7. Website and phone message reviews forge best practice guides for GP surgeries

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    The websites and automated phone messages of GP practices across Wiltshire have been the focus of a two-part project led by Healthwatch Wiltshire volunteers.

  8. People to benefit from NHS@Home Virtual Wards service

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    People living in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire are now able to receive acute clinical care from the comfort of their own home while helping to relieve pressures on local services.

  9. All the latest from us

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    Our Spring 2023 ebulletin highlights our latest projects and how you can get involved.

  10. Rise in local norovirus cases prompts health experts to call for public support

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    An increase in the number of norovirus cases across the region is adding extra pressure to an already-busy local health and care system.

  11. Young carer led support service to launch in April

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    Carer Support Wiltshire will be taking their young carer service in a new direction from 1 April this year, offering more 1-2-1 support and life skill workshops.

  12. Celebrating our Healthwatch Heroes!

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    We're celebrating our 10th birthday by thanking everyone who has shared their story with us over the last decade. With your help, we've been able to help improve health and social care services for everyone.

  13. Get repeat prescriptions in early before the Easter weekend

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    People are being reminded to get any repeat prescriptions in early to avoid running short over the long Easter weekend.

  14. Local NHS needs public support ahead of unprecedented Easter weekend

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    The long Easter weekend, coupled with four days of planned industrial action by junior doctors immediately afterwards, has prompted an urgent call to the public to support their NHS in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire.

  15. People encouraged to spring into action and get boosted

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    People are being encouraged to take up the offer of getting a Covid-19 booster this spring, to help protect themselves and those around them.

  16. Autistic people asked for their views on mental health services

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    Healthwatch Wiltshire would like to find out what autistic people, and their families and carers, think about mental health services in the county.

  17. All the latest from us

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    Our April/May 2023 ebulletin highlights our latest projects and how you can get involved.

  18. New approach to hospital discharge helps 500 patients recover at home

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    A bold new initiative at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital has helped more than 500 people who no longer require care on a ward to safely continue their recovery at home.

  19. Professor David Croisdale-Appleby appointed as new Chair of Healthwatch England

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    He replaces Interim Chair Belinda Black, to lead the independent champion for people who use health and social care services.

  20. How your feedback helps improve health and care for everyone

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    Healthwatch Wiltshire’s annual report showcases how we’ve been using your feedback to improve health and care across the county.

  21. All the latest from us

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    Our June/July 2023 ebulletin highlights our latest projects and how you can get involved.

  22. Local NHS seeks views of patients and families on process of leaving hospital

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    People in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire who have recently been in hospital are being asked to share their views on how their journey from ward to home was managed.

  23. All the latest from us

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    Our August 2023 ebulletin highlights our latest projects and how you can get involved.

  24. Flu and Covid autumn vaccine programmes brought forward

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    This year’s autumn flu and Covid-19 vaccine programmes will start earlier than planned in England as a precautionary measure following the identification of a new Covid-19 variant.

  25. Vaccinations for flu and Covid-19 start for those most at risk

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    Vaccinations against flu and Covid-19 are now under way for those in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire most at risk of falling seriously ill.

  26. New community diagnostic centres to offer X-rays, blood tests, MRIs and more

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    Diagnostic services used to identify serious conditions such as cancer and heart disease will soon be available closer to home for people living across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire.

  27. Appeal for public support as consultants, junior doctors and radiographers take part in further industrial action

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    Health leaders in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire are once again calling for the public to support local health services during a forthcoming period of industrial action which will see junior doctors, consultants and radiographers all take part in strikes at the same time.

  28. Autistic people tell of their struggles to find mental health support

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    Autistic people, and their families and carers, have told us of their desperation and frustration at not being able to get the support they need for their mental health.

  29. Wider practice teams help patients to get right care and treatment quicker

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    GPs across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire are shining a light on other practice-based clinicians whose specialist skills and expertise can help speed up a patient’s journey to receiving the most appropriate care and treatment.

  30. Digital appointment letters launched at the RUH

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    The Royal United Hospital in Bath has launched digital outpatient appointment letters to support patients to access information quickly and easily.

  31. Local NHS reaches out to offer helping hand to region’s military families

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    The NHS in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire is offering military families in the region dedicated help and support to navigate any issues and queries they may have which relate to local health and care.

  32. All the latest from us

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    An round-up of news and highlights from this autumn.

  33. Pregnant women among those urged to get Covid-19 booster before Christmas

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    People in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire who are eligible for the latest Covid-19 booster are being urged to come forward without delay, if they have yet to already do so.

  34. Your feedback on prescription ordering revealed in new report

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    How people order their prescriptions is the focus of a new report from Healthwatch Wiltshire.

  35. Faster progress needed to tackle barriers to care

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    Healthwatch England's new report looking at health and social care from the patients' perspective has warned that we risk "a two-tier health and care system" unless the NHS takes faster action to tackle access issues.

  36. Council continues to provide support during cost of living crisis

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    With colder weather on the horizon, Wiltshire Council continues to offer a range of information and advice.

  37. All Together pages provide one stop shop for family help and advice

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    Children, young people and families can have access to a wide range of information, advice and support with a new online platform.

  38. People with learning disabilities and autism to benefit from investment in care

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    People living with autism and learning disabilities are set to benefit from a £40m NHS investment to improve acute mental health care in the South West.

  39. New resources to support patients, carers, families and staff with hospital discharge

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    New leaflets, videos and information resources have been developed to help provide extra support for patients, families and carers during their discharge from hospital.

  40. Countdown is on to get prescriptions ordered and collected before Christmas

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    A reminder to order any repeat prescriptions by Friday 15 December.

  41. Strike action could affect community health services on 12 and 13 December

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    Strike action is being taken by some healthcare staff in Wiltshire from today until 7am on Wednesday 13 December.

  42. Christmas and New Year strikes set to cause disruption for local NHS

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    The busiest time of year for the NHS looks set to be even more challenging as two periods of industrial action are planned for either side of the Christmas and New Year break.

  43. Happy holidays!

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    Looking back at our highlights from 2023.