Healthwatch Somerset listen to what you say about health and social care in Somerset. We gather public opinion and campaign to make change that benefits everyone. Learn more about who we are, what we do and how we do it. About us How sharing your healthcare experiences can help everyone - BSL subtitles Healthwatch England Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Now Playing How sharing your healthcare experiences can help everyone - BSL subtitles 00:41 Play Video Now Playing How Healthwatch can help you find health advice and information - BSL subtitles 00:55 Play Video Now Playing Who are Healthwatch? BSL subtitles 00:59 Play Video Easy Read documents Healthwatch Information We are Healthwatch It starts with you Who we are and what we do We are the independent champion for people who use health and social care services. We’re here to make sure that those running services put people at the heart of care. Our sole purpose is to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to speak out on their behalf. We focus on ensuring that people’s worries and concerns about current services are addressed. We work to get services right for the future. How we work We are here to listen to what you like about services and what you think could be improved. No matter how big or small the issue, we want to hear about it. Where possible, we will let you know when changes are planned to services in our community and help you have a say. We will also encourage those in charge of local care to involve you when changes are being planned to services. You can also speak to us to find information about health and social care services available locally. Our approach People's views come first - especially those who find it hardest to be heard. We champion what matters to you and work with others to find ideas that work. We are independent and committed to making the biggest difference to you. Our Advisory Group Find out about who our members are, what they do and find the latest meeting minutes by visiting the Advisory Group page. Our staff We have a small team of dedicated individuals with a remit to engage with, offer support, signpost and listen to all our local residents experiences and suggestions relating to NHS Health and Social Care services in Somerset. Our staff Kim Sadler Manager Karen Ball Information, Advice and Guidance Officer Sheila Burridge Volunteer Officer Tanya Camberwell Engagement Officer Mandy Starks Engagement Officer Our volunteers Our volunteers are at the heart of what we do, they support our team with anything from day to day tasks to speaking to the local community. We wouldn't be able to do what we do without their support. If you'd like to find out more about volunteering with Healthwatch, click here . Enter and view Enter and View is one way Healthwatch Somerset can gather information needed about services and collect views of service users, their carers and relatives, as well as staff. Our authorised Enter & View Representatives are: Kim Sadler June Barnes Sheila Burridge Tanya Camberwell Bob Champion Richard Corp Judith Goodchild Helen Hancox Gill Keniston-Goble Alan Kitch Keith Paine Tony Robinson Jill Rossiter Mandy Starks Sue Thomas Gill Waldron Jane Watson Mike Welton Sandra Wilson

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 No events at the moment 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

Here you can our governance documents and information about how our advisory board keeps us the independent champions of health and social care change in Somerset. Governance Documents Please click on a document below to view/download the document. Complaints Policy Decision Making Policy Advisory Board Terms of Reference What does the Advisory Group do? Our Advisory Group works alongside the local team to play an important role in setting and maintaining the strategic direction of Healthwatch Somerset. It has a significant role to play, ensuring that Healthwatch Somerset adheres to its principles and purpose and operates in a moral and ethical way in the service of the local community. The role includes: Formulating strategy and workplans with the local Manager Ensuring accountability for quality delivery of the strategy and workplan Shaping a positive culture Providing accountability to local people The Advisory Group is formed of volunteers and lay people and is not responsible for the day to day running of Healthwatch Somerset. This is done by a small team of paid staff. Meetings Most of the Advisory Group’s meetings are held in public, with an opportunity to ask questions at the discretion of the chairman; these are not public meetings. There are certain decisions – who we represent and engage with, for example – which have to be taken in a meeting in public. The Advisory Group may hold some meetings in private, if there are confidential issues to discuss, or as briefings to develop our strategy. At other times, the Advisory Group may hold open meetings to capture the experiences of local people who use health or care service Click on a meeting below to open/download a pdf version of meeting agenda/minutes. Agenda for Board Meeting Date of meeting 27 October 2025 Agenda to be agreed Agenda for Board Meeting Date of meeting 28 July 2025 Meeting to discuss Healthwatch Somerset Complaints Process for Website, update on The People’s Vote, and Commissioners Report. Agenda for Board Meeting Date of meeting 23 April 2025 Meeting with an update on Finance; Q4 Commissioners Report, Review Updated Risk Register, Chair, Engagement, Volunteer, and Board Member Activity Reports, Speaker – Sarah Bird, Chief Executive, Timebanking UK Agenda for Board Meeting Date of meeting 12 February 2025 Meeting to discuss Holding to Account: How Well is Your System Working? A toolkit produced by Healthwatch Surrey, review the Healthwatch Somerset Quality Assurance Framework and Action Plan, and review and update the HWS Board Risk Assessment document. Agenda for Board Meeting Date of meeting 27 January 2025 Meeting to discuss Healthwatch Somerset Complaints Process for Website; Update on The People’s Vote; Commissioners Report. Agenda for Board Meeting Date of meeting 3 December 2024 Meeting - Professor David Croisdale-Appleby OBE, Chair of Healthwatch England - Questions and Answers; Workplan Results. Agenda for Board Meeting Date of meeting 9 September 2024 Meeting to discuss Engagement, Volunteer, and Board Member Activity Reports; a brief update on what staff are working on; Hospital at Home Speakers Tracey Evans and Louise Bird from Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. Agenda for Board Meeting Date of meeting 8 July 2024 Meeting to discuss a brief update on what staff are working on; Terms of Reference for Healthwatch Somerset Board, and Decision-Making Policy; Key Performance Indicators; Chair’s Report and Board Members’ Reports; Speaker - Michelle Hawkes, Public Health Specialist, Somerset Council. Agenda for Board Meeting Date of meeting 13 May 2024 Meeting - Welcome from The Advocacy People and the Role of the Advisory Board; Brief Update from Healthwatch Somerset; Key Performance Indicators; Chair to lead discussion. Agenda for Board Meeting Date of meeting 19 February 2024 Meeting to discuss Update of Current Annual Work Programme; Questions about Chair’s Report, Engagement, Volunteer, and Board Members updates; Update from Evolving Communities; An Update on Treatment Escalation Plans. Agenda for Board Meeting Date of meeting 22 January 2024 Meeting to discuss update on recommissioning of Healthwatch Somerset’s Contract; Workplan ideas/peoples’ vote; Update on current projects; and Charitable status – open discussion Reports Reports can be found on our News & Reports page. Our Advisory Group members Gill Keniston-Goble Judith Goodchild Chair Sandra Wilson Vice Chair Bob Champion Debbie Rigby Tony Robinson Sue Thomas Gill Waldron

Our March Newsletter includes updates about our work, information about health and care services, and helpful advice. Photo of primroses taken in Devon To read our March 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.

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.

From midday on Tuesday 21 April 2026, inpatient maternity services and the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) will reopen at Yeovil District Hospital. This update is intended to help local people understand what is changing, why services were previously closed, and what support is available as services resume.   What is changing? Inpatient maternity services will reopen at Yeovil District Hospital The Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) will also reopen Services will resume from midday on 21 April 2026   During the temporary closure, maternity and neonatal care has been provided at Dorset County Hospital  and Musgrove Park Hospital .   Professor Deirdre Fowler, Chief Nurse and Chief Midwife, said: “We’re very excited to welcome families back to Yeovil District Hospital. Our maternity and paediatric teams have been working extremely hard to make sure everything is ready. I want to thank our colleagues at Dorset County Hospital and Musgrove Park Hospital for the care they provided while services were closed, and most of all I want to thank local families for their patience and understanding.”   Why were services closed? In May 2025, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (SNHSFT) temporarily closed inpatient maternity services and the SCBU at Yeovil District Hospital. This decision was made because of serious concerns about the safety and sustainability of paediatric services at the hospital , identified through inspection and regulatory processes.   It is important to note: The closure was due to paediatric service issues , not maternity care itself Concerns related to staffing levels, leadership, governance and out‑of‑hours cover The decision was described by the Trust as difficult but necessary for patient safety   What has been done since the closure? The Trust reports that a range of actions have been taken to address the issues, including: Creating a Somerset‑wide paediatric service , shared across Yeovil and Musgrove Park Hospital Recruiting additional paediatric consultants , neonatal nurses, midwives, and maternity leaders Improving senior clinical cover during evenings, nights, and weekends Putting in place a new cross‑site leadership and management structure Strengthening governance, safety oversight, and learning processes Providing additional training to help staff maintain skills Making physical improvements to the maternity unit, including security and fire safety upgrades The Trust says these changes mean essential safety requirements are now in place.   Reassurance and safety Senior leaders at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust have stated that they are confident the necessary frameworks, staffing and safety processes are now in place to allow services to reopen safely. The Trust has said it will continue to monitor services closely as maternity care resumes at Yeovil.   Dr Melanie Iles, Chief Medical Officer, added: “We said last October that we would reopen from 21 April if essential safety requirements were met. These are now in place and we are confident we can provide safe, high‑quality care.”   What this means for people who are pregnant now If you are due to have your baby on or after 21 April 2026 , you may be offered Yeovil District Hospital as an option for place of birth. The Trust says: Midwives and doctors are having one‑to‑one conversations with people about their choices People should be supported to make an informed decision about where they feel most comfortable giving birth No one should feel pressured into a particular choice.   Support, questions and feedback If you are pregnant and have questions, concerns or would like more information, you can: Speak to your community midwife Contact the Trust’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) Seek independent support from the Somerset Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership Visit the SNHSFT website for more information including frequently asked questions: Temporary closure of Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) and important changes to inpatient maternity services at Yeovil Hospital - Maternity   We recognise that reopening services after a closure can raise questions, concerns, and mixed feelings. Hearing from patients, families, and the wider community remains essential. Share your anonymous feedback with us online or by calling us free on 0800 999 1286.