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 April Newsletter includes updates about our work, information about health and care services, and helpful advice. Photo of bluebells in a wood in Somerset To read our April 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 Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated Cooksons Court nursing home in Yeovil, Somerset as Outstanding overall, following an inspection in December 2025. Not an image of Cooksons Court, Yeovil. Image is illustrative only, source: Image library | Age without limits We’re sharing this update because CQC ratings can be a helpful starting point when you’re choosing care, or checking how a service is doing. Overall rating: Outstanding Safe: Good Effective: Good Caring: Outstanding Responsive: Good Well-led: Outstanding Cooksons Court is a nursing home that can support up to 65 older adults. At the time of the inspection, 47 people were living there. What inspectors found Strong leadership: Inspectors said leaders had a clear vision for the home and were open, visible and approachable. Personalised support: Staff knew people’s needs, interests and preferences, and helped people to do things that mattered to them. Helping people live meaningful lives: Inspectors noted an example where someone who enjoyed gardening was supported to grow vegetables, which were then used in the home’s kitchen. Responding in a crisis: The service was described as going out of its way to support people and families during difficult times, including before people were admitted. Staff felt able to speak up: Staff told inspectors they felt supported and valued, with systems in place so concerns were listened to and acted on. Learning from incidents: Inspectors found the home investigated incidents and shared learning so people were better protected over time. Planning for complex needs: In one case, staff completed specialist clinical training before someone moved in, so care could be provided safely from day one. What CQC said Stefan Kallee, CQC deputy director of adult social care for the Southwest, said: 'When we inspected Cookson’s Court, we found a home with excellent leadership and a staff team who clearly cared deeply about the people they supported.' What happens next You can read the full inspection report on the CQC website by clicking this link: Cooksons Court - Care Quality Commission or click the button below to download a PDF version. If you or someone you know uses this service, you can also share your experience with CQC to help inform future inspections. You can also tell us about your experience of health and social care services in Somerset so we can use people’s feedback to help improve care. What do CQC ratings mean? Outstanding – the service is performing exceptionally well. Good – the service is performing well and meeting people’s needs. Requires improvement – the service is not performing as well as it should and must make improvements. Inadequate – the service is performing poorly and people may be at risk of harm. CQC ratings can help people and families compare services and ask questions when choosing care. Talk to us If you’d like to share your experience of a care home or any other health and social care service in Somerset, we’d like to hear from you. What you tell us helps us understand what’s working well and what needs to change. Contact us online: Have Your Say | Healthwatch Somerset Call us free: 0800 999 1286

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.