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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 Not in post Manager 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

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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

Catch up with the latest news about our work and updates about local health and care services. Cale Park, Wincanton. ©Healthwatch Somerset 2026 Note from the editor Due to staff shortages, we were unable to bring you the September issue of our monthly newsletter. We hope that this did not cause you too much disappointment. Never fear, this October issue is packed full of our work, information, advice, and important health and care news. We are also releasing a ‘Seasonal Support’ special in early November to help you prepare for your wellbeing through winter. Two months in numbers A short summary of team achievements in in August and September. August September One report launch Three requests for our volunteer Readers Panel to review NHS documentation Five new website pages 11 Events 15 Meetings 56 Enquiries 4910 Views of our Facebook page One report launch One Advisory Board Meeting One request to our volunteer Readers Panel One account to the Somerset Board Four stakeholder meetings attended by volunteers 18 Events 84 Enquiries 1957 Views of our Facebook page These figures may be higher because it can be hard to record every contact and all feedback. Healthwatch is here to stay! We’re delighted to share some great news. On 28 October, the government announced that local Healthwatch and Healthwatch England will be kept and made stronger. Your independent voice in health and care will remain protected by law. Our host organisation, The Advocacy People, said: We warmly welcome this decision and the commitment to protecting the independent voice of patients, service users and communities. What does this mean for you? We can continue to: listen to your health and care experiences in Somerset. use your experiences, without using your name, to help shape services and help make changes. be guided by what you tell us, helping change happen with you, not to you. offer free information and advice and help you find the health and care services you need. Every year, thousands of people share their experiences with us. Your voices help shape services and make change happen where it matters most. We are excited to continue supporting everyone in Somerset and providing a trusted, fair, and independent service where you can speak openly and honestly. Our new report reveals experiences of Pharmacy services We have published a new report exploring how pharmacy services are working for people across the county. The report is based on feedback from more than 400 residents gathered through surveys and community conversations. 76% of people we spoke to had asked a pharmacist for advice about a medical issue or health concern. We found that people value their local pharmacies and often describe staff as caring, approachable and supportive. Many people reported positive experiences using Pharmacy First and welcomed the convenience of getting advice and treatment closer to home. However, people also told us about ongoing challenges, including low awareness of Pharmacy First, concerns about privacy, difficulties accessing medicines, and frustration with prescription waiting times. The report shares local stories, highlights examples of good practice, and sets out recommendations to improve awareness, access, and confidence in pharmacy services across Somerset. Read the full report and find out how local people’s experiences are helping shape pharmacy services for the future. Pharmacy First update During September 2026 NHS announced that the Pharmacy First scheme is to include five new conditions as of Autumn 2026. They are: Acne: young people and adults Ear infections: adults aged 18 years and over Migraines: adults aged 18-64 years Rhinitis: children aged 4-11 years Scabies: all ages Availability will vary at first so it is important to check that your pharmacy is involved before visiting. Find your nearest pharmacy using the NHS Service finder. Speaking up for young carers Children in school: Free photo on Pixabay Proposed cuts to young carers’ groups and the Young Carers in Schools programme in Somerset have been withdrawn. We joined families and local organisations in raising concerns about the impact of losing these vital services. Our evidence shows that young carers already face challenges and gaps in support. Somerset Council has now taken the proposed savings off the table. This is welcome news for young carers and their families, and shows why speaking up about local services matters. In response to our statement of concern Councillor Heather Shearer said: We have listened carefully to the views of young carers, families, partners and councillors, and concluded this was not a proposal we wished to take forward at this time. Read the full story and find out how people’s experiences helped inform our action. Meet Soluna by Kooth Kooth, the free and safe mental health support service for young people, has evolved into Soluna by Kooth. Young people can be connected to a mental health expert through the mobile app or online. Working with the NHS and local councils, Soluna helps young people deal with everyday challenges. These might include exam stress, anxiety, friendship worries or simply feeling overwhelmed. It’s free, you don’t need a referral and there’s no waiting list. Soluna offers: Support from trained professionals Helpful, expert advice and resources A safe space designed for young people Want to find out more? Visit SolunaByKooth.com or scan the QR code. Help make a difference in your community Cancer Awareness and Support Cafés (CASC) are looking for friendly volunteers to help at community events. CASC offers welcoming spaces where people affected by cancer, including families and friends, can talk, share experiences, and find support from others who understand. If you have been through cancer yourself, helped a loved one through cancer, or supported people living with cancer in a professional role your experience could help others feel heard, understood, and less alone. By giving your time, you can help create welcoming spaces where people affected by cancer can connect and find peer support. Whether you have lived experience of cancer or simply want to support your community, CASC would love to hear from you. Find out more and get involved go to their website page, or for an informal discussion about the role email: hello@cascorg.info. What is it like to grow up in Somerset? A new report from the Children’s Commissioner for England ranks Somerset as the 11th most challenging place in England to grow up. The Childhood Lottery looks at children’s experiences across health, education, care, housing, safety, and opportunities to play. It highlights where children may struggle to get the care, support, and opportunities they need. Somerset’s strongest result was providing independent advocacy for vulnerable groups. The biggest concern was access to dental care. The report is not a judgement on Somerset or its communities. It helps show where services could improve and where leaders need to work together to tackle inequality. Share your experiences with us and help shape better local services for children and families. Make Christmas Sparkle for local young people ©The Christmas Sparkle Project 2026 The Christmas Sparkle Project brings the community together to support local families. Its aim is to give a Christmas present to every child and young person aged 0–18 who is living in difficult circumstances in Taunton or Wellington. You can help spread some joy this Christmas by: Donating money or a gift between 1 November and 6 December. Donate through Just Giving or bank transfer, order from the Amazon Wishlist (which will deliver directly to them), or leave a gift at a local donation point. Shopping online through the project’s Christmas Sparkle Easyfundraising link, (the project will get a share of the money). Hosting a donation point. Volunteering at a gift wrapping event. For more information go to their website or Facebook page, or email: info@christmas-sparkle.org Health and care inequalities are still widespread The Care Quality Commission (CQC) says growing demand is putting England’s health and care services under increasing pressure. There have been some improvements, such as more GP appointments, shorter waits for planned care, and new ways of working. However, services are not improving quickly enough, and access to good care still depends too much on who you are and where you live. Children and young people are particularly affected. More than 80,000 have waited over a year for a community health appointment, while the number waiting for their first contact with mental health services has risen by 31% in two years. Adult social care is also changing quickly. Financial pressures and differences in local planning could reduce the choice and availability of support, especially for people who rely on council-funded care. Read the CQC’s State of Care report and full news item. Alternative versions of the report in audio, British Sign Language, and Easy Read are available. Protect yourself and others this winter Flu vaccination in 2025–26 is estimated to have prevented more than 100,000 hospital admissions and 7,000 deaths in England. Most healthy adults will not need a winter vaccination. However, free NHS vaccinations are available to many people who may be at greater risk. This includes some children, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions. Some frontline health and care workers, unpaid carers, and people who live with or have close contact with someone with a weakened immune system may also be eligible. Winter vaccinations include flu, COVID-19, RSV, and MenB for eligible groups. Check the NHS vaccination guide to find out what you may be offered. You can receive vaccinations in several places, including some community pharmacies. If the NHS invites you, then don’t overlook it, make sure you book it, to help protect yourself and others. Let’s Talk SEND & Inclusion Yeovil Somerset Parent Carer Forum (SPCF) is teaming up with Yeovil 4 Families to bring you Let’s Talk SEND & Inclusion Yeovil, on Thursday 19 November. This inclusive event is designed to bring parent carers, families, local services, and SEND professionals together for a day of connection, conversation, and support. Discover what support is available in your local area, access advice and information, and meet organisations that can help your family. There will also be a discussion area, bookable 1:1 SEN Clinics and free taster activities. This free event is open to all parent carers of children and young people aged 0-25 years with additional needs and/or disabilities. A formal diagnosis is not required to attend. For more information go to the SPCF website. To book a confidential 1:1 SEN session call 01458 259384 or email: admin@somersetparentcarerforum.org.uk New NHS facilities improving care across Somerset Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (SNHSFT) has recently opened several new facilities designed to improve local care. Here are some highlights. You can read the full stories and find more updates on the SNHSFT news pages. New surgical centre at Musgrove Park Hospital The King’s Building opened in early September and includes eight operating theatres, six endoscopy rooms, and a 22-bed intensive care unit. It offers modern facilities for patients and staff, as well as extra capacity to help reduce waiting times for treatment. New mobile breast screening units Two ageing mobile units have been replaced with modern scanning units. They travel between communities across Somerset, making breast screening more accessible and reducing the need for long hospital journeys. Finding cancer early can improve treatment outcomes. In Somerset, you can refer yourself for checks for some cancers without first seeing a GP. New outpatient pharmacy at Musgrove Park Hospital Patients can now collect medicines prescribed during outpatient appointments from the hospital’s new pharmacy. It is in the Duchess Building, on the right as you enter the main hospital building from the multi-storey car park. New urology unit in Bridgwater A dedicated urology investigations unit has opened at Bridgwater Diagnostic Centre. Patients can now have more appointments, tests, and procedures in one place, reducing the need to visit different parts of Musgrove Park Hospital. Images kindly provided by: ©Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, all rights reserved 2026 What would you like from cancer peer support? Cancer Awareness & Support Cafés (CASC) want to hear what matters to people affected by cancer. Their 10-minute survey asks what you would like from peer support and how to make it easier to access. Your feedback will help improve existing groups and plan future activities. You do not need to have attended a group to take part. Find out more and complete CASC’s survey to help shape cancer peer support in Somerset. Natter with us in November 😀 Come and talk to us about your experiences or for information and advice about health and care services in Somerset. Find us at the Thrive ‘Get ready for winter’ events this November. See our Seasonal Support special for dates and locations. Date and times Details November 3, 2026 11:00 am to 12:30 pm Have a chat with Healthwatch Taunton Library, Paul Street, Taunton, TA1 3XZ November 16, 2026 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Have a chat with Healthwatch St John's Church, High Street Glastonbury, BA6 9JQ November 21, 2026 11:00 am – 15:00 pm Bridgwater Together 11-13 Castle Street, Bridgwater, TA6 3DD November 24, 2026 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Waffle over waffles at The Waffle Hub Community Café Methodist Church, 35A College St, Burnham-on-Sea, TA8 1AS November 26, 2026 10:30 am to 12:30 pm Have a chat with Healthwatch South Petherton Library, 3 St James's Street, South Petherton, TA13 5BS Other important dates Date What Find out more 11 November Remembrance Day https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day 14 November World Diabetes Day https://worlddiabetesday.org/about-wdd/ 19 November Carers Rights Day https://www.carersuk.org/news-and-campaigns/our-campaigns/carers-rights-day/ 1 – 30 November Movember (Men’s Mental Health Awareness) https://movember.com/mental-fitness 1 – 30 November Lung Cancer Awareness Month https://roycastle.org/about-us/campaigns/why-not-me/ 1 – 30 November Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month https://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/ Want us to share your news? Do you have any health and care news or events you would like us to include in our August 2026 newsletter? If so, please send us you text with an accompanying image to info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk before Friday 18 September 2026. Get in touch If you have been sent this newsletter and would like to join our mailing list, please follow this sign up to our newsletter link. Share your experiences of health and care services in Somerset so we can help influence change and make services better. Have your say using our website contact form, or call us free on 0800 999 1286. Do you have questions about health and care ‘jargon’? We can help, email you enquiries to info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call us free on 0800 999 1286. Our website Find out what we do in a variety of accessible formats https://www.healthwatchsomerset.co.uk/about-us Read our news and reports https://www.healthwatchsomerset.co.uk/newsandreports Volunteer with us https://www.healthwatchsomerset.co.uk/volunteer Contact us https://www.healthwatchsomerset.co.uk/contact-us Follow us on social media: BlueSky/@healthwatchsom.bsky.social Facebook.com/Healthwatchsomerset @healthwatchsomerset Healthwatch Somerset, Suite 12, Wellworthys Business Centre, Parrett Way, Colley Lane, Bridgwater, TA6 5LB The Healthwatch Somerset service is run by The Advocacy People, an independent charity - Charity No. 1080679 limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales with Company No. 3963421. The registered office is at PO Box 375, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 9HU

Proposed cuts to young carers’ groups and the Young Carers in Schools programme have been withdrawn after families and local organisations raised concerns. Somerset Council had been considering withdrawing funding from young carers’ groups and the Young Carers in Schools programme. We learned about the proposals just 24 hours before the deadline for submitting public statements and questions to the council’s Executive Committee. We know how important this support is. Our 2025 report, Who cares? Hearing how caregivers view available support and resources in Somerset, highlighted the challenges young carers face and gaps in the support available to them. As Somerset’s independent health and social care champion, and a member of the Carers Strategic Partnership Board, we submitted a statement raising our concerns about the proposed cuts. We could not present our statement at the meeting because all the available speaking places had already been filled. Clare Rendell, Governance Specialist at Somerset Council, confirmed: We will include your submission in the published public speaker list, which will be distributed to all councillors, and we will get a written answer for your statement. Other organisations also raised concerns, including Somerset Parent Carer Forum and Carers Trust. Representatives from both organisations attended the meeting. At the Executive Committee meeting on Wednesday 7 October, the council confirmed that the proposed cuts had been removed from its Medium-Term Financial Plan Update for 2027–28 to 2031–32. Councillor Heather Shearer, Lead Member for Children, Families and Education, told BBC Somerset: This particular stream of potential savings has been taken off the table quite definitively. This is welcome news for young carers and their families. It also shows why it is important for people and organisations to speak up about services that matter to them. Further information: Help for young carers - Social care and support guide - NHS Young Carers - Help & Support | Carers Trust Advice and support for young carers | The Children's Society Young carers grants for days out or short breaks - Somerset Community Foundation Download our statement of concern, or read it below. Links in our statement: Somerset Young Carers strategy 2026-28 Somerset Council website: Young Carers Somerset’s Commitment to Carers 2024: Valuing and supporting unpaid carers Caring and Classes 2025: Young Carers and attainment Inequalities

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.