We identified the area of mental health as part of their our plan priorities from 2015-2016. This report summarises the visits that formed part of a wider project running from November 2015 to July 2016. Our Enter and View Representatives visited each of the nine wards in Somerset that provide treatment for people with acute mental health issues. Recommendations The issue of availability of appropriate supported housing is highlighted as affecting timely and successful discharge to patients. We ask the JSNA to share this research with commissioners of supported housing consult on the issue with commissioners and the Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. We will ensure the Health & Wellbeing board are aware of the issues related to supported housing and successful discharge. Regarding the difficulties recruiting qualified staff and the lack of a university in Somerset and provision to study nursing & mental health nursing in the county; We ask the JSNA to comment on how they will use the information identified in the report and any next steps in addressing or further researching the issue. It is our view that current young person’s education provision in Wessex ward is inadequate and it is recommended that a review of the education service level agreement with the local authority is needed. This report was produced by the previous Healthwatch Somerset service provider, The Care Forum. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call 0800 999 1286. Enter and View report: Mental health inpatient wards in Somerset Service provider response

In September 2016 we returned to visit this group to find out how their report on Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) was progressing and to hear the key issues identified so far. Key findings Responses to the survey carried out by the group indicated a general lack of GP awareness of PPS Symptoms and treatment. The lack of proper diagnosis of PPS left some members to feel stress, depression and anxiety which can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Concerns about the orthotic service were common among the group and areas that need to improve were identified. This report was produced by the previous Healthwatch Somerset service provider, The Care Forum. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call 0800 999 1286.

We engaged with the Burnham-on-Sea Support Group to hear their experiences of accessing health and social care services in the area. Key themes Difficulties in accessing Parkinson's Support nurses. Difficulties in accessing doctor appointments for patients registered with Burnham and Berrow Medical Centre. This report was produced by the previous Healthwatch Somerset service provider, The Care Forum. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call 0800 999 1286.

We engaged with Frome and District Day Centre to hear their experiences of accessing health and social care services in the area. Key theme Management of GP appointments. This report was produced by the previous Healthwatch Somerset service provider, The Care Forum. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call 0800 999 1286.

We were contacted by the secretary for Bridgwater Senior Citizens Forum. A request for action was raised regarding the availability of hearing aid batteries in the Bridgwater area. Conclusions We found that the Audiology Department do not have the capacity to staff deliveries of batteries to all GP practices. GP’s and hospitals that do stock batteries should inform the audiology department at Musgrove Park hospital when they are running low. There are options for patients whose GP does not stock batteries to request batteries in the post as detailed above. We have also found out that plans are in place to supply hospitals and GP’s directly from the stockists of the batteries, however we have been informed that this is a lengthy process and likely to take time. It is possible that the concerns regarding Bridgwater Community Hospital having no stock of hearing aid batteries may be due to a temporary supply problem however without knowing specific dates from patients who experience these problems it is difficult to determine whether this is the case. We hope that the information found out and detailed above in the finding section of this report, will help to inform members of the Bridgwater Senior Citizens Forum of the reasons for the difficulties that some of the members have encountered and will give options for alternative methods to require the hearing aid batteries that they need. This report was produced by the previous Healthwatch Somerset service provider, The Care Forum. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call 0800 999 1286.

Our report following a visit to Wessex Ward in Bridgwater, that provides beds for up to 12 young people. The inpatient unit provides assessment, care and treatment to young people with a range of mental health needs, where the level of risk, complexity and severity cannot be safely managed in a community setting. This visit forms part of a wider project running from November 2015 to July 2016. Our Enter and View Representatives visited each of the nine wards in Somerset that provide treatment for people with acute mental health issues. Recommendations It is recommended that the issue of SWAN advocacy information not being ‘young person friendly’ is raised by the Trust with SWAN at a senior level advocacy. It is important that young people have information that is accessible to them. It is recommended that young people are consulted on the design of PALS information posters and leaflets. It is recommended that information leaflets about Healthwatch Somerset are made available. It is recommended that the ward look at the activities list and good practice examples detailed in appendix 6.3 and 6.3.1 and share these with activities staff and at have your say meetings. It is recommended that the Trust prioritise plans to recruit to the vacant Social Worker post for Wessex ward. It is recommended that the Trust seeks advice on improving the nutritional content of menus. It is recommended that the ward and Trust share any further information relating to the difficulties caused by young person’s inpatient wards being commissioned differently to adult services. It is recommend that the Trust consult with an IT specialist to look at upgrading internet security to enable less restrictive, safe access to the internet and consider risk assessing the access to social media on an individual basis. DBT is available on the ward for referred patients but may not be available after discharge as patients are returning to different local authority areas. It is recommended that the Trust consider how this can best be managed. It is recommended that discussion about the best educational support options are started between the Trust and the Local Authority. This report was produced by the previous Healthwatch Somerset service provider, The Care Forum. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call 0800 999 1286. Enter and View report: Wessex Ward, Bridgwater Service provider response

Active and In Touch Frome is a group of volunteers who visit, help and befriend people who have become isolated or out of touch with the community around them. We were asked to give the group a talk on our work and the role of Healthwatch. Key finding There was a general theme that people were waiting an unusually long time to see their doctor at Frome Medical Practice – up to two weeks. This was leading to feelings of dissatisfaction and frustration. This report was produced by the previous Healthwatch Somerset service provider, The Care Forum. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call 0800 999 1286.

Our report following a visit to St Andrews Ward in Wells, which has 14 beds, providing assessment and treatment primarily for adults of working age experiencing an acute mental health problem. There is a team of specialist mental health doctors, nurses and therapists who work closely with the crisis resolution and home treatment teams. St Andrews Ward predominantly provides services to people who live in the Mendip area. This visit forms part of a wider project running from November 2015 to July 2016. Our Enter and View Representatives visited each of the nine wards in Somerset that provide treatment for people with acute mental health issues. Recommendations It is recommended that information leaflets about Healthwatch Somerset are made available. It is recommended that the ward look at the activities list and good practice examples detailed in appendix 6.3 and 6.3.1 and share these with activities staff and at ‘Have Your Say’ meetings. It is recommended that the Trust review the out of hours support for the ward. It is recommended that the manager and the trust consult with patients and staff with a view to reviewing staffing numbers on a regular basis. This report was produced by the previous Healthwatch Somerset service provider, The Care Forum. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call 0800 999 1286. Enter and View report: St Andrews Ward, Wells Service provider response

Our report following a visit to Rowan Ward in Yeovil, which has 18 beds, providing assessment and treatment primarily for adults of working age experiencing an acute mental health problem. This visit forms part of a wider project running from November 2015 to July 2016. Our Enter and View Representatives visited each of the nine wards in Somerset that provide treatment for people with acute mental health issues. Recommendations It is recommended that regular cleaning of the outside area be carried out to ensure the garden is appealing and accessible to all patients. It is recommended that information leaflets about Healthwatch Somerset are made available. It is recommended that the ward look at appendix 6.3 to this report entitled ‘Good Practice examples – Have your say meetings’ and consider if any of the practices listed might be adopted. It is recommended that the ward look at the activities list and good practice examples detailed on appendix 6.4 and 6.4.1 and share these with activities staff and at have your say meetings. The ward look at providing movable trolleys or cases containing objects that are tactile or stimulate memory and conversation. This report was produced by the previous Healthwatch Somerset service provider, The Care Forum. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call 0800 999 1286. Enter and View report: Rowan Ward, Yeovil Service provider response

Our report following a visit to Willow Ward in Bridgwater, which has 10 beds and provides a countywide inpatient mental health rehabilitation service for people who live with long term mental health problems. This visit forms part of a wider project running from November 2015 to July 2016. Our Enter and View Representatives visited each of the nine wards in Somerset that provide treatment for people with acute mental health issues. Recommendations Healthwatch Somerset leaflets are displayed both in reception and also on the patient engagement noticeboard. The Trust consider introducing items from the good practice examples for ‘have yours say’ meetings good practice examples that it thinks will help to improve these meetings. (See appendix 1) The good practice examples activities list (See appendix 2 and 3) is discussed with staff and at ‘have your say’ meeting’. The Trust continue with plans to consult a nutrition specialist for advice on improving healthy options for meals and in particular gain advice on how nutrition affects mental health. That the Ward introduce a colour code depicting uniforms with an explanation of the meaning of the different coloured uniforms to the notice board and displays staff pictures with names as Rydon Ward does. That the Trust consult with patients and staff about the wearing of uniforms by staff supporting patients while out in the community. This report was produced by the previous Healthwatch Somerset service provider, The Care Forum. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call 0800 999 1286. Enter and View report: Willow Ward, Bridgwater Service provider response

This report details our engagement with Taunton Post Polio Support Group, the issues around the understanding among professionals about Post Polio Syndrome and the ongoing joint work to highlight these with commissioners, GPs and health professionals. Key findings All of those present said that their GP didn’t understand post-polio syndrome. There was a feeling among the group that GP’s are no longer knowledgeable about the condition as polio has been eradicated in this country. This misunderstanding and lack of knowledge had led to misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment for some members of the group. We then spoke with the group co-ordinator who is employed by the British Polio Foundation. There was agreement that further research to identify the extent of the problems was needed and that information to help health professionals be more aware of the ongoing difficulties polio survivors had would be valuable. This report was produced by the previous Healthwatch Somerset service provider, The Care Forum. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call 0800 999 1286.

Our report following a visit to Ash Ward in Bridgwater, a 12-bed low secure inpatient rehabilitation and recovery unit for male adults with mental health difficulties. This visit forms part of a wider project running from November 2015 to July 2016. Our Enter and View Representatives visited each of the nine wards in Somerset that provide treatment for people with acute mental health issues. Recommendations Healthwatch Somerset leaflets to be displayed both in reception and also on the patient engagement noticeboard. The Trust consider introducing any items from the ‘good practice examples for meetings’ list that it thinks will help to improve these. (See appendix 1) The good practice examples activities list (See appendix 2 and 3) is discussed with staff and at ‘have your say meetings’. Consult a nutrition specialist for advice on improving healthy options for meals. Create a volunteering recruitment plan to encourage the involvement of volunteers onto the ward. Consult with patients and staff about the wearing of uniforms by staff supporting patients while out in the community. Introduce designated disabled parking bays in the car park. This report was produced by the previous Healthwatch Somerset service provider, The Care Forum. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call 0800 999 1286. Enter and View report: Ash Ward, Bridgwater Service provider response