Your opinion can make a difference, take part in our surveys and polls to help us campaign for the right changes in health and social care for Somerset. Surveys & polls Live surveys & polls Here you can find all of our live surveys & polls. Sharing your thoughts and opinions on a range of health and social care topics helps us to take action and make the changes you want to see.

Healthwatch Somerset is the independent champion for people who use health and social care services. We’re here to make sure that those running services put people of Somerset at the heart of care. We want to hear from you We're collecting your stories and experiences about GP surgeries, Dentists, Pharmacies and all other health and social care services. Tell us about your experiences and help shape the future of care. Have your say News & Views To see all news posts, click here Thank you so much for all your help. I had been sent around in circles before coming to you; for you to be so kind and determined was a breath of fresh air. Parent who struggled to find an NHS dentist Upcoming events To see all events, click here Thinking Together: Accessible health and care information Wed 22 Oct Wincanton Register Unlocking the power of people‑driven care Thu 17 Jul Online annual report launch Details Sold Out Unlocking the power of people‑driven care Tue 15 Jul Edgar Hall, Somerton Details subscribe Sign up for our news letter Email First Name Last Name I agree to my data being stored and used in line with the privacy policy. Click here to see the privacy policy Subscribe Thank you for subscribing

Check on our business hours, contact details or use our contact form to directly get in touch with the Healthwatch Somerset team. Contact us On this page you can get in touch using the details below, find directions and opening times for our offices or use the contact form to get in touch with us. Respect for All Healthwatch is committed to treating everyone with respect, and we expect the same in return. We will not tolerate the use of bad language, discrimination, or abusive behaviour towards our staff, volunteers, or partners. Anyone engaging in such behaviour will not be supported or worked with by Healthwatch. Opening Hours Monday 9am 5pm Tuesday 9am 5pm Wednesday 9am 5pm Thursday 9am 5pm Friday 9am 3pm Saturday Closed Sunday Closed Phone 0800 999 1286 Post Healthwatch Somerset, Suite 12, Wellworthys Business Centre, Parrett Way, Colley Lane, Bridgwater, TA6 5LB Contact form Enter your first name here Enter your email address here Enter your last name here Enter your contact number here Enter your message here I want to subscribe to the newsletter I agree to my data being stored and used in line with the privacy policy. Click here to see the privacy policy Submit Thank you for contacting us

Every year, Healthwatch Somerset creates a work plan for the next 12 months. This plan is shaped by what local people tell us about health and care services in Somerset. The People’s Vote gives you the chance to tell us which topics matter most to you. By sharing your views, you can help decide what we focus on during 2026–27 and help improve services for people across Somerset. Work we are already committed to A common theme in your feedback during 2025 was the quality of care  provided by GPs and nurses. We are committed to including this in our work during 2026–27. Taking part is simple Read about the four topics you can choose from Choose your first choice topic Choose your second choice topic You can also suggest up to two other subjects  you would like us to consider. Voting closes on Sunday 8 March 2026 . The topics you can choose from We have selected four possible topics based on what we heard from people in 2025. Here is a short explanation of each one. A. Community health and wellbeing support Your feedback shows us gaps in community support, causing some people to return to hospital because post-discharge care isn’t reliable. We will gather your experiences of post discharge care and use them to influence the structure of Neighbourhood Health Hubs. B. Has the NHS referral process improved? In 2025, you told us NHS referrals were often delayed or lost, and that communication while waiting was unclear. We will look at whether recent national changes have improved the process and use your feedback to help shape services. C. Men’s health and wellbeing services Following the launch of the first Men’s Health Strategy in 2025, we want to hear from men in Somerset about their health and wellbeing needs. Their views on services will help improve care and reduce health inequalities and barriers. D. Support for parent carers of adult children Our work with carers has highlighted difficulties that parent carers of adult children with learning disabilities and complex neurodiversity face. We aim to understand these challenges and use your insight to improve support services and care for families. Your voice matters more than ever We are independent and listen to what matters to local people. Everything you share is confidential . We also offer  free , trusted information and advice. This is a key moment to make your independent voice count. The way Local Healthwatch works will change in the future, so it matters more than ever that you speak up about what really matters to you. By taking part in the People’s Vote, you help decide our priorities based on real experiences, not just service decisions. Please use your vote and help others to take part too. You can share this webpage, tell your friends, family and colleagues, or display our poster below. Your ideas help improve health and care for everyone in Somerset. Ways to Vote You can take part in the People’s Vote  in several ways: Vote now completing the online form below: Vote online later using this link:   www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/PeoplesVote2026/ Call for free: 0800 999 1286 Download, print, and post your vote to: Healthwatch Somerset Suite 12, Wellworthys Business Centre Parrett Way, Colley Lane Bridgwater, TA6 5LB

Our December Newsletter includes updates about our work, information about health and care services, and helpful advice. Frosty Hill and deer (created with AI) To read our December Newsletter - click on the PDF below If you need this newsletter in a different format, please email: info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk  or call 0800 999 1286.

The NHS and social care use your health information to care for you and also to improve services. They keep it safe and private. If you don’t want your data used for planning or research, you can choose to opt out. Why is data shared? Shared data helps you and the NHS . For example: It brings your records together to improve your care It was used to find the first coronavirus treatment It supported vaccine research Your individual care Health and care staff may use your confidential patient information to help with your treatment and care. For example, when you visit your GP, they may look at your records for important information about your health. Research and planning Where possible, the NHS uses data that does not identify you. Sometimes, confidential patient information is needed to: Plan and improve services Research and develop cures for serious illnesses What is confidential patient information? It’s when two types of information from your health records are combined: Something that identifies you (e.g., your name) Something about your care or treatment (e.g., medicine you take) Identifiable information on its own (like your name and address) is used to contact you and is not  confidential patient information. What will be collected? Names and addresses are not collected . Details like NHS numbers, postcodes, and dates of birth are replaced with codes through pseudonymisation . This means: • No one can identify you without a special key • The key is only released for legal reasons, such as clinical trials or care. Image taken from Understanding Patient Data : ‘What happens to health data - A guide to large datasets’. (Available under  a creative commons license ) The way the NHS use people’s personal information is protected by laws called UK General Data Protection Regulations  (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act  (DPA). Who manages NHS data? NHS Digital   is the NHS provider of data and IT systems for the NHS in England. Is NHS data sold? NHS Digital never sells your data . They charge a processing fee  to cover the cost of preparing and delivering data through the Data Access Request Service (DARS) . This fee is for the work, not the data itself. Any organisation that wants access to NHS data must: Prove they have a legal reason  to use it. Show they will keep it safe and secure . Pass checks by an independent review group  before any data is shared. You can see who receives NHS data by visiting the Data Uses Register . Your choice If you're happy with your confidential patient information being used for research and planning you don't need to do anything. How to opt out If you do not want your data shared you can opt out of sharing your health records . Your choice will not affect your care . You have two options: 1. Stop your GP sharing data with NHS Digital (Type 1 Opt-out) Download and return the Type 1 Opt-out form  (DocX) to your GP practice . You can do this anytime and change your mind later. 2. Stop NHS Digital sharing your data further (National Data Opt-out) Online:   Manage your choice Phone:  0300 303 5678 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) Post or Email:  Fill in the opt-out form  (PDF) and email it to enquiries@nhsdigital.nhs.uk or post it to: National Data Opt Out Contact Centre, NHS England, Freepost, PO Box 16738, Redditch, B97 9PT What if I I have communication needs? NHS England provide information about sharing data from your health records in different formats including: British Sign Language video Easy Read leaflet (PDF) 11 different languages Where can I find more information? Contact us for trusted advice, guidance, and information or to talk to us about your experiences of health and care services. NHS guide to the national data opt-out for young people (PDF) NHS guide to the national data opt-out for carers (PDF) What happens to health data: a guide to large datasets | Understanding patient data Protecting and safely using data in the new NHS England - NHS England Digital NHS England » Data and clinical record sharing The Information Commissioner's Office   (ICO) is the independent regulatory office who uphold information rights in the public interest. They have lots of useful information about data protection and your rights . A guide to the data protection principles | ICO Patient health records: Access, sharing and confidentiality - House of Commons Library