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Here you can find helpful advice and information about health and social care related topics along with general interest articles for Somerset. Advice & information Understanding NHS data sharing: What you need to know 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 confi Healthwatch Somerset Nov 28, 2025 What should you expect from the NHS when it comes to accessible information? NHS England has published a refreshed version of the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) which was first released in 2016. Here we look... Healthwatch Somerset Jul 17, 2025 Healthwatch Somerset - Still here, still listening We want to reassure everyone that Healthwatch Somerset continues to operate as usual. The Government has announced plans to end the... Healthwatch Somerset Jul 10, 2025 1 2 3 4 5

Most modern technology has built in accessibility tools. Here you can find resources to help you use those digital accessibility tools. Accessibility Resources for phones & tablets Modern smart devices running Google's Android and Apple's iOS have built-in accessibility tools and features, to help users navigate content locally on their machines and online. To find out more about these features please use the relevant link below: Android iPhone

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.

People waiting for planned NHS treatment should soon find it easier to understand what is happening with their care, thanks to new minimum standards introduced by NHS England. Medical Professional Assisting MRI Scan Procedure · Free Stock Photo These standards set out what patients and unpaid carers can expect from the moment a referral is received by a hospital or clinic until treatment starts, is no longer needed, or a patient chooses not to continue. Planned care, sometimes called elective care, covers non-urgent treatment that is booked in advance. The new standards were developed with patients, carers, clinicians and NHS teams in response to concerns about communication, uncertainty and long waits for treatment. What will change? The standards focus on making planned care: Smoother Easier to understand More supportive for patients and carers For the first time, there will be clear expectations about the information people should receive while they are waiting for treatment and who they can contact if they have concerns or questions. Key things patients can expect Confirmation within 28 days Once a referral has been made and received by a hospital or clinic, patients should be told what is happening next within 28 days. In many cases, this information will arrive much sooner and may be available through the NHS App, text message, letter or other communication methods. If the referral is not accepted onto a waiting list, the provider should explain why and what the next steps will be. Clear communication Healthcare providers must communicate in a way that is easy to understand and accessible. Patients can tell services about any communication needs they have, such as large print, braille, audio formats or British Sign Language support. Patients can also ask for information to be shared with a trusted family member, friend or unpaid carer, provided they give consent. Better support while waiting When a referral is accepted, patients should receive information about: How to contact the service What to do if their condition changes or gets worse Support and self-care information while they wait Accessibility arrangements and reasonable adjustments available to them Regular updates Patients should receive an update at least every 12 weeks while they remain on a waiting list. These updates will confirm they are still on the list and explain any actions they may need to take. Know your rights as an NHS patient These new standards sit alongside the rights patients already have under the NHS Constitution. NHS England says patients have the right to be treated fairly and without discrimination, receive clear information about their care, and choose their provider for their first planned outpatient appointment in most circumstances. Patients should be involved in decisions about their care through a process known as shared decision-making. This means healthcare professionals and patients work together to discuss treatment options, benefits, risks and personal preferences before deciding what is right for them. If you need information in a different format or require reasonable adjustments because of a disability, communication need or health condition, you can ask your provider for support. Summary: what do the new standards mean for patients? What you can expect What it means Referral update within 28 days You should be told what happens next after your referral is received. Clear and accessible information Information should be easy to understand and available in formats that meet your needs. A contact point for questions You should know who to contact about appointments, access needs or practical concerns. Advice while waiting You should receive information about managing your condition and what to do if it changes. Updates every 12 weeks You should receive regular communication confirming your place on the waiting list. Involvement in decisions You should be involved in discussions about your care and treatment options. Support for carers With your consent, information can be shared with a family member, friend or unpaid carer supporting you. Right to raise concerns If standards are not met, concerns can be raised through the hospital's Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). Why does this matter? Many patients and carers have told the NHS that not knowing what is happening after a referral or during a long wait can be stressful and worrying. The new standards are designed to reduce uncertainty, improve communication and help people feel more supported throughout their care journey. The standards also aim to create a more consistent experience across England, so patients can expect the same basic level of communication and support wherever they receive planned NHS care. If things do not go as expected If a healthcare provider does not meet these standards, patients, carers, family members and friends can raise concerns through the hospital's Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). Healthwatch tips Keep your contact details up to date with your GP practice and hospital. Read and respond promptly to letters, texts or NHS App messages. Let the hospital know if you no longer need an appointment or cannot attend. Ask for information in a format that works for you. If your symptoms get worse while you are waiting, contact your GP practice or NHS 111 rather than waiting for your next update. Keep a note of any questions you want to ask at your next appointment. Find out more Read the full guidance on the NHS England website: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/minimum-standards-planned-patient-care/

In June 2026, Healthwatch carried out an Enter and View visit to Ivelhurst Nursing Home in Yeovil. During our visit, we observed the quality of care and spoke with people who use the service, including residents, relatives, and staff. What we found All Authorised Representatives reported positive first impressions of the home, its environment, and its culture. The manager was visible throughout the home and readily available to speak with residents and staff. Residents told us they enjoy living at the home and feel safe. They said staff are friendly, kind, and take time to get to know them. We observed staff treating residents with dignity, respect, and courtesy. The home has strong links with the local community. Our recommendations Consider introducing a staff photo board to help residents, relatives and visitors become more familiar with members of the care team. Add more photographs and displays around the home, particularly those that showcase residents' activities and achievements. We were pleased to see the home supporting the wider community by hosting a local loneliness group that meets regularly on site. We also welcomed the home's positive links with the local college, including volunteer and work placement opportunities. James Dale, Registered Manager, Ivelhurst Nursing Home told us: We welcome the recommendations made and will use these constructively as part of our ongoing improvement plans, including further developing displays around the home, reviewing signage, and continuing to strengthen opportunities for companionship and community involvement. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call 0800 999 1286.

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 This page was updated on 27 July 2026 as the Serious Shortage Protocol due to end on 24 July 2026 has now been extended to 30 October 2026. 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 Friday 30 October 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 Friday 30 October 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 extended - Community Pharmacy England