From 31 October 2023, GP surgeries must give patients online access to their new health record entries. Find out what information is in your record and how to access it. What information is in my GP record? A GP health record contains information about the care you have received from your GP surgery. It includes information on: Medicines your GP has prescribed Allergies you have Vaccinations you have received Conditions you have been diagnosed with Results of tests that your GP surgery has requested Notes from appointments Letters that hospitals and specialists have sent to your GP How can I access my online GP record? You can view their GP record by logging into your account on the NHS website or NHS App. To view your record online, you must be registered with a GP surgery and aged 16 or over. Can I access my record if I don’t have access to a computer or a smartphone? You can request your records directly from their GP surgery. GP surgeries can give you a printed copy of your health records. Will I be able to access my GP record using other Apps? Alongside the NHS App, you can access your GP record from other Apps that allow access to medical information, for instance Patients Know Best, Livi, DrIQ or Evergreen.  Will I have to pay to access my GP health record? There is no cost to accessing your GP records through the NHS App or the NHS website, aside from using the internet. The NHS will never charge you to download an App or use services within the App. Will I be able to view my hospital and social care records? No - you can only view information filed on your GP health record. When hospitals send letters from specialists to GPs – for instance, letters about discharge or information on your referral – you can see these. Will I be able to view older records? The changes will only apply to records made from November 2022 onwards. You can request access to historical information from your GP, but this will not be part of the new changes. Can I remove access to my record? If you do not want to be able to access your record, you can speak to your GP surgery who can remove online access. Will sensitive test results be automatically uploaded to my record? A GP will review results from a test before uploading them to your health record. If results are sensitive or potentially upsetting, the GP should try to speak to you before uploading them onto your record. Will people under the age of 16 be able to view their records? Changes to record access will only apply to people over the age of 16. If a young person is believed to have enough intelligence, competence and understanding to fully appreciate what’s involved in their treatment (being  Gillick competent ), they may request access to their records. Their GP will grant access.   Can I access the records for a family member or someone I care for? Proxy access lets people access medical services for someone in their care. If you would like proxy access to another person’s record (for example, a child or someone they care for), you must discuss this with the GP surgery. GPs will be decide whether proxy access is in the patient’s best interests. What if I’m not registered with a GP? You can only view records associated with the practice you are currently registered with.  You won’t have access if you move practice or are not currently registered with one. We have called for all GP practices to sign up for the  Register with a GP Surgery  service, which makes registering with a surgery easier for patients, particularly those with no fixed address or ID. What can I do if there is incorrect information on my record? You can speak to your practice to correct information on your record. For factual changes (incorrect allergy or medication), GPs can amend your record. If you disagree with information on your record (for example, how a mental health concern has been described), there is an option for the GP to note your disagreement. Check out the guidance on amending patients records. Will it be possible to view records of a deceased person? No - viewing a deceased person’s records is not possible. If you want to access a deceased person’s records, you must apply in writing to the record holder under the Access to Health Records Act (1990). What actions can I take if I can’t access to my records? There are several reasons why a GP might decide you should not have access to their records. This is usually because the practice believes there is a safeguarding risk to you or another individual if you have access. You can contact your GP if you feel you should have access to your records. If you disagree with your GP’s decision, you can complain through your practice’s complaints process. What support will be given to understand technical language? NHS England is working with GPs to help them understand these changes and be aware that patients can read information that has been put into the health record. Where possible, GPs have been encouraged by NHS England to use terminology and language that can be understood by everyone. What safeguarding procedures are in place to protect victims and survivors of domestic or sexual abuse? People who have experienced, or are experiencing, domestic violence or sexual abuse are potentially at risk from changes to patient record access. A coercive partner may force an individual to show their health records when they do not want to. Where a GP suspects domestic violence, they can hide or ‘redact’ sensitive information. Where possible, a GP will speak to you about this. If a conversation isn’t possible, they can switch off access. When patients get treatment for sexual abuse or trauma, NHS England encourages GPs to discuss whether or not they would like this information included on their online health record. This redacted information would be visible to the GP but not to the patient. The NHS App has security protocols, including user identification when the app is installed. Users will usually have to log in with a password and thumbprint, and advisory messages pop up before patients access their records. However, there is no safeguard in place to stop someone from showing their records to someone else after they log in.

Measles vaccination rates are at a ten-year low as cases rise nationwide. Find out about measles, who can get the vaccine, and what you can do to stay safe. What is measles? Measles is a highly contagious infection caused by the measles virus.  Most children recover from measles without complications, but in some, it can be more severe and lead to admission to hospital.  To learn about the symptoms of measles, check out the NHS website . What is the measles vaccine?  The NHS advises that children receive two vaccine doses to protect them against measles, mumps and rubella.  The measles vaccine is also known as MMR vaccine - protecting you against all three of measles, mumps and rubella in one dose.  The vaccine is given in two doses: the first dose when the child is one year old and the second when they are three years and four months old. Both doses are needed for the best protection .  The NHS advises that the MMR vaccine is safe, effective and the best protection for your child. Although there have been historic concerns that the MMR vaccine is linked to autism, there is no evidence of this. Several studies have been conducted and found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.  Need to arrange a vaccine?  If you need to get your child's MMR vaccine or check if your child is fully protected, contact your local GP practice.  Who is at risk?  People most at risk are: Babies Young children Pregnant women People with a weakened immune system. These groups are most at risk of the virus spreading to other parts of the body and causing rare complications such as hearing loss, meningitis or pneumonia. How does measles spread? Measles spreads when you have close contact with other people. For example, it tends to spread quickly in schools and nurseries.  The virus can be spread by:  Coughing or sneezing  Direct skin-to-skin contact Sharing cutlery, cups, towels, clothes or bedding. How to prevent measles from spreading To reduce the risk of spreading the infection, always be careful to: Regularly wash your hands with soap and water. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of any used tissues immediately.  If you think you or your child might have measles, contact your GP practice and speak to your doctor immediately. They will advise you on treatment options and how long you will be contagious. Local information NHS Somerset

The new Pharmacy First scheme enables your local pharmacy to treat some common conditions with prescription-only medicines, without you visiting your GP. Find out everything you need to know. This can include prescribing and supplying antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate. What conditions can be treated at my pharmacy?  Your local pharmacy can now supply prescription-only treatment, if they believe you need it, for the following conditions:  Sinusitis (for patients aged 12 years and over only) Sore throat (aged 5+) Earache (aged 1 year-17) Infected insect bite (aged 1 year+) Impetigo (aged 18 years+) Shingles (aged 18 years+) Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (women aged 16 to 64) How does it work?  If you are feeling unwell with any of these conditions, you can go to your local participating pharmacy and ask for a private consultation with the pharmacist. You may also be referred by a GP practice if they don’t have any appointments and believe your pharmacy can help. The 111 helpline service may also refer you. Pharmacists can also offer this service on-the-spot if you go in asking generally for help. Pharmacists may offer a virtual consultation by phone or video call, or in person in a private room in the pharmacy. They will ask questions, may perform an examination and must get your consent to access your medical records. The pharmacist will be able to recommend the best course of action based on your clinical needs. This might include issuing prescriptions for antibiotics or antivirals where necessary or advising you on over-the-counter treatments that could help. What are the benefits of the scheme?  There are many benefits to the new scheme, helping to make care easier and more accessible. These benefits include: Participating pharmacies must offer the service during all their opening hours including any late nights or weekends. It may be quicker to see your pharmacist than waiting for an appointment with your GP. Pharmacy First – along with expanded Blood Pressure Check  and Oral Contraception services at pharmacies – could free up to 10 million GP appointments a year. How can my pharmacist supply a prescription-only medicine if they are not a doctor? Pharmacists must follow a strict NHS protocol (called a ‘patient group direction’) covering their own required knowledge and skills the types of patients covered. This means that the supply of prescription-only medicines will be limited in all cases by age groups, and in one case, by gender. Will I have to pay for my advice or medication?  The appointment and advice from a pharmacist are free to access. If you are recommended an over-the-counter medication, you will pay the costs of buying this. If you are supplied with a prescription-only medication, usual prescription charges would apply unless you qualify for free prescriptions. If you regularly require medication and are not exempt from prescription charges, you may be able to save money through a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). Find out what help you can get to pay for your prescriptions How do I know if my local pharmacy is participating? Most pharmacies have agreed in principle to deliver the new service but may launch at different times, from 31 January 2024 onwards. They may need to train staff, upgrade IT and install a private consultation room. Can I get oral contraception without a prescription?   From December 2023, some pharmacies will be able to start women on oral contraception (also known as ‘the Pill') for the first time, or re-start them after a break, without the person needing to see their GP first. This is an extension of the existing oral contraception service that let women go to pharmacies for repeat prescriptions, that had been initiated first by a GP. The pharmacist will offer a confidential consultation to discuss your current medication and ensure it is the best option for your needs. Oral contraception is free on the NHS, and you will not be charged any prescription charges. To find a local pharmacy offering this service – check out the NHS website Can I still see my GP?  You can still choose to visit your GP if you prefer. Pharmacy First simply offers an alternative route for getting treatment for these specific conditions.

Are you struggling to find an NHS dentist? The new dental recovery plan might help you get the dental care you need. On 7 February 2024 the Government published a dental care recovery plan . This is an issue we’ve been campaigning on for many years, as it’s the second top problem reported to us by the public.  Check out how this might affect you and how NHS dentistry appointments will hopefully become easier to get. I haven’t been able to find a dentist offering any NHS appointments for a long time – does this plan mean I’ll be able to? The plan recognises that your ability to get NHS dental care has been difficult, particularly since the pandemic. The plan proposes a variety of initiatives, backed by £200m of Government funding, to offer up to 2.5m appointments to people across England: A ‘new patient payment’ - like a bonus – of between £15 and 50 - will be paid to dentists for every new person they see on the NHS if the person has been unable to be seen in the past two years.  New mobile dental vans will see and treat people in 12 remote areas. A £20k ‘golden hello’ payment will be offered to 240 dentists to work in ‘dental deserts’ if they agree to stay in the area for three years. An increase in the minimum amount of payment all dentists get for NHS work. How can I find out if dentists in my area have taken up these bonus payments and are offering more NHS appointments? The Government says it will soon roll out a national marketing campaign to encourage people who've struggled to find an NHS dentist in recent years to contact dental practices.  You can look up the NHS website’s ‘find a dentist’ tool to see if your practice is taking on new patients.  Dentists must keep these listings up to date, but availability can change quickly, so you may need to ring around.   Find out how to get an NHS dentist When will extra appointments start to be offered? Bonus payments will be offered to dentists from March 2024, but it’s down to individual practices to decide if they will take up these incentives to provide more NHS appointments. You may need to check at various times throughout the year with different practices.  Will I have to prove that I haven’t been able to be seen on the NHS in the past two years? It’s likely new patients will have to sign a form declaring that they haven’t been seen on the NHS for the past two years, if the dental practice they use is claiming the bonuses.  Are the new patient appointments for adult or child patients? Extra appointments are aimed at both adults and children. Do I have to use the dental practice nearest me? If you are easily able (and can afford) to travel outside of your area, you can try to be seen at any NHS dental practice in England.  Dentists don’t work the same way as GPs – they get paid per treatment, not per patient and don’t formally ‘register’ patients. Dentists may agree to see you regularly and put you on an informal list, but they are under no obligation to keep seeing you as an NHS patient permanently.  Will I have to pay for dental treatment under this new initiative? Yes, you will pay NHS dental charges unless you are exempt.  You do not pay any NHS dental charges if you are:  on low-income benefits  you are pregnant or have given birth in the past 12 months  you’re aged under 18 (or under 19 and in full-time education) Check out our article about getting the most out of your next appointment, including information on costs. Top 10 ways to get the most out of your next dental appointment Is my area one of the 12 covered by new mobile dental vans? Mobile dental vans will be in Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Dorset, Cornwall, North Yorkshire, and Northamptonshire.   They will be staffed with salaried dentists, nurses and technicians to see and treat patients who find it difficult or unaffordable to travel long distances to the nearest NHS permanent dental practices.  The Government is currently choosing a company from which to buy dental vans and details are still awaited on when they’ll be launched, how many days they’ll be in an area each week and how you will find out where they will be.  Sign up for regular newsletters with Healthwatch Somerset to stay informed. Will my area be getting one of the 240 dentists who're being offered ‘golden hellos’ to work in certain parts of England? The Government says it will decide on locations ‘in the coming months’. It will review the effectiveness of the £20k bonus payments in attracting dentists to ‘underserved’ areas before deciding whether to extend the scheme. I’m struggling to afford charges for NHS dental appointments or treatment. Will this plan help me? This plan has no changes to the level of NHS dental charges. After last year’s 8.5% increase in dental charges – the biggest since 2006 – we called for a freeze on future charges.  If you do not qualify for an exemption from dental charges, you may still be eligible for some help towards the costs by applying through the NHS low income scheme .  I’ve got a young family, or I’m expecting a baby. Will there be more support to help my kids have healthy teeth? The plan also announced the Smile for Life initiative , which will advise  families at Family Hubs in 75 council areas and nurseries on oral health for babies and how to instil good tooth-brushing habits in children.

A lack of access to NHS dentists in Somerset remains a pressing issue, including for parents, vulnerable individuals and those with financial constraints. We have residents who are enduring persistent pain and grappling with unresolved dental issues. A lack of access to NHS dentists in Somerset remains a pressing issue, including for parents, vulnerable individuals and those with financial constraints. We have residents who are enduring persistent pain and grappling with unresolved dental issues. We wanted to understand people’s current experiences of dental care in Somerset – what care and treatment people require, what is available via the NHS, and what is preventing people from accessing the dental care they need to stay healthy and well. We also wanted to find out what people are doing to maintain good oral health and hygiene. Key messages Cost of dentistry:  Families, older people and vulnerable groups, such as people who are experiencing homelessness, are worried about the costs of dentistry and this has been made worse by the cost of living crisis. Challenges seeking NHS dental care:  843 respondents (71%) reported difficulties trying to see an NHS dentist in the past year. Shortage of NHS dentists:  436 respondents (37%) expressed a pressing need for more NHS dentists in Somerset. Residents reported difficulty in finding NHS dentists accepting new patients, with waiting lists extending up to eight years. Lack of access to emergency dental care:  There is a lack of access to emergency dental services, which means people are more likely to self-medicate or visit A&E for treatment. Pregnant women struggling to access NHS dentistry: 12 respondents reported difficulty getting NHS dental care while pregnant. While the number may seem small, it is concerning as government guidelines say that pregnant women should get free dental care because pregnancy can affect their dental health. Oral hygiene:  Respondents answers revealed a range of oral hygiene practices. However, the data also suggests a need for increased knowledge and awareness regarding maintaining optimal oral health. It is crucial to address this gap in understanding, as poor oral care has implications for overall health. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email  info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk  or call 0800 999 1286.

As part of our Somerset-wide project, we decided to carry out some focused work looking at access to health and social care services in West Somerset. We wanted to better understand how people in West Somerset are accessing GP services to help identify ways to make it easier for them to get the care they need. Key messages Personalised care and positive patient-provider relationships are important and enhance people’s overall satisfaction with healthcare services. People prefer to book appointments in person, so healthcare providers should accommodate diverse preferences and communication styles among patients. Good communication, accurate prescription management and responsive emergency care in the community are very important. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email  info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk  or call 0800 999 1286.

We created a survey that could be accessed online and completed at engagement events. The survey ran from 11 June to 31 August 2018. It asked for the views of local people who had used the service within the last three years. Key findings 90% of people felt they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect when they have used the NHS 111 service. Two thirds of people felt that the NHS 111 service did not meet their needs. This was often because the service could not solve their issue then and there. In other cases, it was because they were unhappy with the outcome of the call. Where a person felt that the NHS 111 service had not meet their needs, people identified which other service had. A lot of people told us that the NHS 111 service was their gateway to other services, especially at night and weekends. This could either be because they were referred to it or, that they decided to access an alternative service. Despite the NHS 111 service not meeting the needs of some people, a high proportion of the sample would rate their experience of using the service as very good or good, often describing the service as helpful, professional and providing advice. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email  info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk  or call 0800 999 1286.

We are calling on local people to make sure their voice is heard and reflected in proposals being drawn up by Somerset NHS health and care services, for changes to community-based services and non-emergency care. We are the county’s independent health and care champion.  We make sure that, wherever possible, local people’s views are at the heart of decisions made about health and care services in the county. We have been involved in the development of the public engagement programme,  Fit for my future , that was launched today by Somerset health and care services, to seek local people’s views about how to improve services in the county. Chair of Healthwatch Somerset, Judith Goodchild, welcomed the county’s commitment to public engagement, while emphasising the value of listening and learning from people’s experiences.  She said:  “Changes to health and care services must reflect the views and experiences of the wide range of people who use and provide those services.  This is essential to truly understand people’s needs and to develop plans that will bring about positive change.  Healthwatch Somerset wants as many people as possible to speak up now and share their views about how to improve community-based services and non-urgent care.  We will be raising awareness of this important opportunity to help shape the future of these services in our county.” People can share their views until 12 April 2020, either at events organised by the Fit for my future team in community hospitals and libraries, or via a survey completed online or at GPs surgeries.  To find out more about the health and care services that are being reviewed and about the different ways to get involved contact Somerset’s Fit for my future team online:  fitformyfuture.org.uk , call 01935 384119 or email  somccg.fitformyfuture@nhs.net .  Alternatively, contact us  on 01278 264405. Following the public engagement programme, there will be a formal consultation about the different ways that Somerset could deliver community health and care services in the future.

Healthwatch Somerset Annual Report 2018-19: A review of our work over the past year and its impact, plus our work planned for 2019-20. Message from our Chair About us Highlights of the year How we’ve made a difference Helping you find the answers Our volunteers Our finances Our plans for next year Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email  info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk  or call 0800 999 1286.

We have been talking to local people about their experiences and views of the Health Visiting Service in Somerset. This report tells you what people said when we spoke to them about the service. Key findings Two thirds of people were satisfied, or extremely satisfied with the level of support they received from the Health Visiting Service. Most people would like to access information about the health and development of their child/ children from the Health Visiting Service. This was closely followed by their GP surgery. A meaningful number of people reported that key contact points were missed or delayed (10%) and that ongoing communication with families did not meet people’s expectations (7%). Breastfeeding support was mentioned most frequently as being a helpful source of support offered by the Service. People would like to see more drop-in clinics and groups that are both accessible and flexible to meet the needs of families. 21% of people told us that they would like to access information about the health and development of their child at local groups. Lack of communication was a big issue for many respondents. They felt that the Health Visiting Service did not keep track of families or keep in touch. Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email  info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk  or call 0800 999 1286.

Healthwatch Somerset Annual Report 2019-20: A review of our work over the past year and its impact, plus our work planned for 2020-21. Message from our Chair About us Our priorities Highlights from our year How we’ve made a difference Helping you find the answers Our volunteers Our finances Our plans for next year About Healthwatch Read our report If you need this report in a different format, please email  info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk  or call 0800 999 1286.

By Tanya Camberwell, Healthwatch Somerset Engagement Officer Imagine my surprise when in the third week of July, I received a letter that I wasn’t expecting, and from the outside, appeared to be from NHS England.  I was being asked to participate in a COVID-19 testing national study to help measure the frequency of cases.  The test would only show if I had COVID-19 at the time of my swab, this is an antigen test so would not show if I had previously contracted the virus. The study is being conducted by the Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI, (an independent research organisation), on behalf of the Department for Health and Social Care. How I got involved To participate I had to register and agree that I was willing to take part; I chose to sign up online but there was also the option to register over the phone.  It was a straightforward process that took me less than five minutes, I had a unique code to register with and was asked a few general questions. Taking the test The test kit and instructions were delivered to me the following week, the kit included: one swab, a swab container, collection labels, a biohazard bag, a collection box (flat packed but really easy to assemble), a security seal for the box, and instruction booklet (pictured right). The test needs to be done on the day of the collection, so the very first step was to book a collection date.  Once again, I did this online and selected a day suitable for me from a choice of dates, (these did include a Saturday collection too).  It was not possible to book a time slot for the collection, but the instructions advised I would be contacted with given slot on the chosen day of collection. The booklet that came with the test gave clear and simple instructions about when and how to take the test on the day of your booked collection.  There is also the option to watch a video online about how to take the test correctly.  The instructions would not have suited people with sight or reading difficulties and were only written in English, however I did not investigate if there were any other formats available and there is a helpline telephone number that maybe able to assist with these needs. The test must be performed before 08:00am, (which is the earliest collection time), then it must be bagged, boxed, and stored in the fridge until it is collected.  The trickiest, and slightly uncomfortable, part of the whole process was the throat swab which couldn’t touch any other part of your mouth or teeth and was a bit scratchy.  I had to swab both sides of the back of my throat where my tonsils are for about 10 seconds and then swab both nostrils (about 2.5cm up) for the same length of time.  As you must use the same swab for both areas it is really important to do your throat first… The swab has a break off point, this is so it fits in the container and the sample is not contaminated by the end that is held in your fingers.  I then put my unique identifying label on the container and put the container in the biohazard bag which also had to be labelled.  The final step was to put the bag in the, now assembled, box then seal that with the security seal and add the final unique box label. The whole process took a lot longer to explain than it did to perform including the final step of completing the online survey which consisted of questions about my weight, height, age, and so on.  There is the option of ‘prefer not to say’ for each question and measurements did not need to be exact.  This type of information is important for research to help identify any trends in different groups of people such as location, ethnography, and social determinants of health. Test collection Just after 8am on the day of my collection I received a text message that gave me a time slot of two hours for the collection of my test.  The courier arrived within the timeframe and was wearing PPE, they kept a two-metre distance and I had to place my sealed box in the container provided.  They were polite and courteous, and I wasn’t required to sign or touch anything that they were handling. Receiving the results Three days later I received a text and email with my test results, I had tested negative and this was confirmed with a letter though the post a few days later. Making a difference Taking part in this study has been interesting and I feel like I have contributed to a wider cause.  A little bit of my time and insignificant tickle on my throat is the least I can do to help, it is nothing compared to the difficulties key workers, unpaid carers, and some family members have faced during such challenging times.  I have even signed up to take part in further research, so who knows I may get a chance to do a bit more in future.