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.

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

Our latest annual report reveals how thousands of residents shared their experiences last year, helping drive improvements across health and social care. We have had a strong year of impact, amplifying public voice and improving awareness of key issues across Somerset. We have used community insight to: Influence service improvements Improve access and communication Ensure people’s experiences shape care Our year in numbers (2025–2026) 2,056 people shared their experiences of care 3,026 people received advice, information, or signposting 6 reports published on priority issues (e.g. carers, neuro‑rehabilitation) Supported by 5 staff and 35 volunteers Our volunteers contributed 536 hours of their time Engagement & inclusion We worked to reach underrepresented groups including: Refugees and people with limited English Veterans and armed forces communities Young people and people with disabilities This helped reduce barriers and improve access to services. Listening and influencing change We gathered insights directly from communities using them to influence decision‑makers and build on our strong partnerships with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, the Integrated Care Board (ICB), and Somerset Council. We also worked closely with the Voluntary, Charitable, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector to ensure people could access trusted information and advice. Future outlook Despite potential national changes that may end Healthwatch Somerset in its current form by 2027, we will continue to focus on ensuring an independent public voice in healthcare. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call 0800 999 1286.

We’ve published our latest annual report, showing how people across Somerset have shared their experiences to help improve health and social care. Over the past year, more than 2,000 people told us about their care, and we supported over 3,000 people with information and advice. Your feedback helps make sure services reflect what matters most to local people. Putting people at the centre of services We’re here to be your independent voice for health and social care. This year, we’ve worked with residents, community groups and decision-makers to help make services more responsive, inclusive and easier to access. Because people spoke up, we’ve seen real improvements, including: A new pharmacy in Wincanton, making it easier to get prescriptions Better, clearer information, with more use of plain English and accessible formats More support for unpaid carers, after many told us they weren’t getting the help they needed Listening to what matters What you told us also highlighted some ongoing challenges. For example: Seven in 10 carers said they weren’t offered information about caring People said information can be unclear, inconsistent, or only available online, making it hard to use We’re using this feedback to work with partners to improve communication and help people get the support they need more easily. Working together for change We continue to work closely with NHS and council partners, as well as voluntary and community groups, to make sure your experiences shape decisions. Krystle Pardon, Head of Patient Engagement and Involvement for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust said: Feedback from Healthwatch is invaluable in ensuring the voices of patients and carers are heard. This year we: Spent time in communities across Somerset, from colleges to care homes Ran events like Thinking Together, bringing people and organisations together to improve accessible information Shared what you told us with leaders across the local health and care system Worked with our volunteers, who contributed over 500 hours supporting engagement Looking ahead We know how important it is to have an independent voice for people, especially during times of change in the health and care system. In the year ahead, we will: Keep championing your experiences Focus on community wellbeing and support after leaving hospital Reach more young people and underrepresented groups Help people understand changes to the NHS and local services Share your experience Your feedback makes a difference. It helps services understand what’s working and what needs to improve so care can be better for everyone. If you’d like to share your experience or find out more, visit our 'Have your say' page or contacts us. Read the full report You can read and download the full report from our reports page.