A thin, red, rectangular sign. The text, which is white, reads: Accident & Emergency. There is blue sky and a building in the background.
Have your say: attending Southmead Hospital A&E department
Staff at Southmead Hospital need your feedback to find how patient care at their A&E department can be improved. If you've attended A&E as a walk-in during November or December 2021, you can help by filling in our anonymous survey.
30 November 2021
News
A person in a wheelchair being pushed by a member of hospital staff through a hospital ward. The person in a wheelchair is smiling at a person in a suit. Hospital beds and a blue curtain dividing the bays are visible on the ward.
Have your say: discharge from hospital to a nursing or care home
If someone is able to leave hospital but needs further care, they may be discharged to a nursing or care home. If you or a loved one has experienced this, or if you work in the pathway 3 system, please fill in our survey about how the process works.
30 November 2021
News
A blue and white box which says: COVID-19 Self Test (Rapid Antigen Test). Around the box is the extraction tube, swab, and test strip in a wrapper
Take lateral flow test before 'high risk' situations and visits, says government
People are now being advised to take a lateral flow test before 'high risk situations', such as being in crowded spaces, and before visiting anyone who may be at a higher risk of severe illness if they get COVID-19.
26 November 2021
News
A young woman sitting in a communal room looking at her phone
Mental health services for children, young people, and older people must improve, says independent regulator
The Care Quality Commission has published its latest report on community mental health services for children and young people, and hospital wards for older adults, provided by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.
11 November 2021
News
An ambulance parked outside a hospital A&E department
Medical care at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston rated 'good' by CQC - but concerns raised over patient safety
The Care Quality Commission's inspection of Weston General Hospital in June left the independent regulator 'significantly concerned about the safe care and treatment of patients receiving medical care'.
4 November 2021
News
White text on a green speech bubble reads: it starts with you. The Healthwatch logo is below
The public agenda for our next Prioritisation Panel on November 3
See how we work out the main health and care priorities for Bristol from your feedback. Our meeting at 11:30am on November 3 is where we action your comments or concerns with providers to ensure what you tell us makes a difference.
1 November 2021
News
A woman's arms are visible, holding a phone. There is a laptop, coffee mug, and pair of glasses on a table.
Next steps for stroke services to be decided
Sit in on the decision-making process and hear the results of the Clinical Commissioning Group's recent consultation on how to improve stroke services and save lives in the Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire area.
29 October 2021
News
A jumble of white tiles with black letters on them
NHS jargon and acronyms explained
The NHS sometimes uses jargon and acronyms that can be difficult to make sense of. We've found a selection of reliable resources that explain, in plain English, many of the terms that you may see used in NHS correspondence, online, or in the media.
28 October 2021
Advice and Information
A nurse holding a patient's hand in a hospital bed
Risk of a "tsunami of unmet need" facing the health and care system, the Care Quality Commission reports
In their annual 'State of Care' report - the first to cover a full year of the pandemic - the independent regulator has called for increased stability and collaboration across services, plus investment in 'new ways of working'.
25 October 2021
News
Image of a nurse. Text reads: help us help you get the care you need
People with learning disabilities and their carers are entitled to a free flu vaccination
Preventing flu can be particularly important for people with a learning disability. Flu can lead to pneumonia and sepsis, which many people with a learning disability are much more vulnerable to than the general population.
21 October 2021
Advice and Information
Four people sitting on blue chairs in a waiting room
NHS sets out plan for improving patient access to GPs
More GP appointments, additional funding for NHS 111, and improved telephone systems will all make it easier for people to get the care they need. Measures to support GPs include the launch of a zero-tolerance campaign towards abuse of NHS staff.
20 October 2021
News
A woman in a park holding a young child
Helping new parents access local support services
Becoming a new parent comes with challenges, and it's important to get support from your health visitor. We've been working with Bristol's health visiting team, who have now improved the information they give to parents, particularly around feeding.
19 October 2021
Response