Without your voice, we can’t champion and campaign for changes in health and social care within Somerset. Let us know what is important to you, Have Your Say by sharing your experiences with us. Have your say Sharing your opinions and telling your stories about your experiences with health and social care helps us to see the bigger picture. This helps health and social care services to see what's going right and what's not, which allows them to focus on providing the best possible service to you. Complete the short form below to have your say ... What type of service would you like to tell us about? (select all that apply) * Required GP services Dentist Pharmacies Hospital inpatient (day treatment or overnight) Hospital outpatients' appointments Mental health support Social care eg care homes Accident and emergency/minor injury units Ambulances and paramedics NHS 111 Other (please tell us about it in the message box below) Enter your first name here (Optional) Enter your last name here (Optional) Enter your email address here (Optional) Enter your message here I want to subscribe to the newsletter. (Please add your name and email address above). 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 sharing your views with us

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 As the NHS 10 Year Plan develops, Healthwatch continues to deliver its work plan and work closely with communities and partners across health and care services. We look forward to continuing to listen to local voices and work alongside people and organisations to support positive change. 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

Health and Social care services in Somerset don’t always get things right. Speaking up when things go wrong is important. Here you can find ways to help you have your say and make a complaint. Help making a complaint Resources to help when you have concerns or a complaint about the NHS NHS Complaints Advocacy is a statutory right, meaning that the general public can receive free, independent and confidential support to get any NHS complaint resolved. Advocacy helps you to understand your options, your rights and helps to make sure your voice is heard. The provider of NHS complaints advocacy in this area is: South West Advocacy Network South West Advocacy Network More information about NHS & social care complaints Healthwatch England have put together some very useful information and guidance on making complaints or raising concerns to the NHS and other health and social care service providers. Visit Healthwatch England's website Whilst the Care Quality Commission (CQC) don't investigate complaints, they do want to hear about concerns, in case they are beginning an investigation. Visit the CQC website

SignHealth has launched Deaf Wave, a new online space created with deaf young people. It shares information, stories and support in British Sign Language (BSL) and English. What’s happening Deaf Wave logo provided by Sign Health Deaf Wave is a website for deaf children and young people (around ages 13 to 25). It brings together accessible health and wellbeing information, with content designed to feel relevant to deaf young people’s lives. The site was co-created with deaf young people through workshops and school groups, with input from SignHealth’s Young People Advisory Board. Deaf young designers and BSL translators helped shape the look, layout, and accessibility. Why this matters Many deaf young people face extra barriers when it comes to getting the right support at the right time. This can include: feeling isolated or low more often than hearing young people not always having the words (or access) to explain how they feel or ask for help not knowing what accessible support is available very different levels of support in schools and colleges depending on where you live What you’ll find on Deaf Wave Healthy mind – support for wellbeing and mental health Relationships – help with family, friends and staying safe in relationships My health rights – what to expect when booking appointments and seeing healthcare professionals Safe sex – information about consent and where to get advice School stress – tips for managing stress and dealing with bullying How to access Deaf Wave You can visit Deaf Wave here: deafwave.signhealth.org.uk. The site includes content in both BSL and English. Have your say If you are deaf, or you support a deaf young person, Healthwatch Somerset would like to hear what helps (and what makes it harder) to get information and support about health and wellbeing. Your experiences can help services understand what needs to change. If you’d like to share your experience with Healthwatch Somerset, call us on 0800 999 1286, email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk, or use our ‘Have your say’ form at healthwatchsomerset.co.uk/have-your-say. Contact Healthwatch in British Sign Language If you’d like to share your experience in BSL, you can book a free video call with Healthwatch through Convo (previously SignLive), an online interpreting service. Find out how to book a BSL video call: Contact us using British Sign Language | Healthwatch. Source: SignHealth Deaf Wave press release (April 2026).

There are supply problems with Ramipril 1.25mg capsules (a medicine used to treat high blood pressure and other heart and kidney conditions). Smiling Pharmacist with Beard · Free Stock Photo A national ‘Serious Shortage Protocol’ means your pharmacy may only be able to give you up to one month’s supply at a time. What’s happening Community Pharmacy England has shared information from the Department of Health and Social Care that Ramipril 1.25mg capsules have intermittent supply problems. These problems are expected to continue until late May 2026. Who may be affected You may be affected if you take Ramipril 1.25mg capsules. National guidance also asks prescribers not to start new patients on Ramipril 1.25mg capsules until the supply problem has improved. What your pharmacy can do A Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) has been issued for Ramipril 1.25mg capsules (SSP087). This started on 22 April 2026 and is currently due to end on 29 May 2026. If your prescription is for more than one month, your pharmacist may only be allowed to supply up to one month at a time (if stock is available). This is to help make sure more people can get the medicine during the shortage. If the pharmacy supplies a reduced quantity under the SSP, you should not be charged an NHS prescription charge for that supply. What you should do Keep taking your medicine as prescribed. Do not stop taking Ramipril without medical advice. Order your repeat prescription a little earlier than usual if you can, to allow time for your pharmacy to get stock or speak to your prescriber. If you are given less than usual, make a note of when you will run out and order your next supply in good time. Ask your pharmacist for advice if you are worried or you have questions about your supply. If you can’t get Ramipril 1.25mg capsules Some other forms of Ramipril (such as tablets and oral solution) are still available, but national guidance says they may not be able to meet extra demand. If your pharmacy cannot get the capsules, your GP or nurse prescriber may suggest a different medicine instead (for example, another Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or an Angiotensin-II receptor blocker (ARB)). If your medicine is changed, you may need monitoring to make sure your blood pressure stays controlled and you tolerate the new medicine. Seek medical advice if you feel dizzy or light-headed after a switch. The British Heart Foundation have lots of information about types of medicine for heart conditions on their website. Why this is happening Medicine shortages can happen for different reasons, including manufacturing and supply chain problems. National organisations are using extra measures (like the SSP) to manage supplies as fairly as possible until stock levels improve. Where to get help in Somerset Your community pharmacy – they can tell you what is available and what the Serious Shortage Protocol allows them to supply. Your GP practice (or the clinician who prescribes your medicines) – contact them if you are running low and your pharmacy cannot get your usual medicine. NHS 111 – use this if you need urgent advice when your GP practice is closed. Healthwatch Somerset – we can help you find the right service and we want to hear about your experience of accessing medicines in Somerset. If you have had problems getting Ramipril (or another medicine), telling us helps build a picture of what people are experiencing and we will share it with the people who plan local services. Download this information in an Easy Read format. Sources Community Pharmacy England: SSP for Ramipril 1.25mg capsules issued (22 April 2026). Community Pharmacy England: Medicine Supply Notification: Ramipril 1.25mg capsules (23 April 2026).

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.