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 Gillian Keniston-Goble Manager Karen Ball Information and Signposting Administrator 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: June Barnes Sheila Burridge Sue Burton Tanya Camberwell Bob Champion Richard Corp Judith Goodchild Helen Hancox Gill Keniston-Goble Alan Kitch Keith Paine Carole Parker-Wilkinson Tony Robinson Jill Rossiter Mandy Starks Sue Thomas Gill Waldron Jane Watson Mike Welton Sandra Wilson

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

Accessibility Resources for desktops and laptops Modern desktop and laptop computer operating systems such as Microsoft's Windows and Apple's OS X 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: ​ Microsoft Windows ​ Apple OS X

Jobs This Healthwatch service is provided by The Advocacy People , who manage recruitment and HR processes. ​ The Advocacy People are an employer of choice. We know this because in our last survey 4 out of 5 members of staff said The Advocacy People are a great organisation to work for. ​ Our staff tell us that we have a well-trained, professional workforce that responds to the needs of the people who use our services. ​ “A very supportive organisation who share the values I believe in.” “Knowing that we've made a difference and given someone a voice even if all desired outcomes are not achieved. Helping people to believe that they are valued and life is worth living.” Current vacancies See vacancies Our approach to equality and diversity The Advocacy People are fully committed to the elimination of unlawful and unfair discrimination and value the differences that a diverse workforce brings to the organisation. ​ We will not discriminate because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation or any other irrelevant factor. ​ We have a culture that values meritocracy, openness, fairness and transparency. Staff benefits include: Flexible working 25 days annual leave for new starters, increasing up to 30 days Opportunities to gain qualifications in advocacy Sick pay entitlement Access to Mindful Employer Plus employee assistance line Cycle to work scheme Childcare vouchers Eyecare vouchers

Ways to get involved People want health and care that works for them. Our job is to help make this happen, but we need to hear from you to understand what matters. Whether you have a couple of minutes to spare, or can commit to something longer, there are plenty of ways to get involved. Have your say Share your story Have your say The more people share their experiences about NHS and social care, the more services can understand what works, what doesn’t and what people want from care in the future. Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteers play a vital role in helping people have their say on health and social care. Volunteering with Healthwatch can help you develop skills, gain experience and make a difference to your community. Work with us Work with us Work with us View jobs Find out more about ways you can work with us and view any current opportunities with our team.

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.

Help making a complaint Resources to help when you have concerns or a complaint about the NHS NHS Complaints Advocacy is a statutory right, meaning that the general public can receive free, independent and confidential support to get any NHS complaint resolved. Advocacy helps you to understand your options, your rights and helps to make sure your voice is heard. ​ The provider of NHS complaints advocacy in this area is: South West Advocacy Network South West Advocacy Network More information about NHS & social care complaints Healthwatch England have put together some very useful information and guidance on making complaints or raising concerns to the NHS and other health and social care service providers. Visit Healthwatch England's website Whilst the Care Quality Commission (CQC) don't investigate complaints, they do want to hear about concerns, in case they are beginning an investigation. Visit the CQC website

Governance Documents Our Governance documents are currently under review and will be published here shortly. What does the Advisory Group do? Our Advisory Group works alongside the local team to play an important role in setting and maintaining the strategic direction of Healthwatch Somerset. It has a significant role to play, ensuring that Healthwatch Somerset adheres to its principles and purpose and operates in a moral and ethical way in the service of the local community. ​ The role includes: Formulating strategy and workplans with the local Manager Ensuring accountability for quality delivery of the strategy and workplan Shaping a positive culture Providing accountability to local people ​ The Advisory Group is formed of volunteers and lay people and is not responsible for the day to day running of Healthwatch Somerset. This is done by a small team of paid staff. Meetings Most of the Advisory Group’s meetings are held in public, with an opportunity to ask questions at the discretion of the chairman; these are not public meetings. There are certain decisions – who we represent and engage with, for example – which have to be taken in a meeting in public. The Advisory Group may hold some meetings in private, if there are confidential issues to discuss, or as briefings to develop our strategy. At other times, the Advisory Group may hold open meetings to capture the experiences of local people who use health or care service ​ Click on a meeting below to open/download a pdf version of meeting agenda/minutes. ​ Date of meeting ​ ​ Reports Reports can be found on our News & Reports page. Our Advisory Group members Judith Goodchild Chair Sandra Wilson Vice Chair Bob Champion ​ Debbie Rigby ​ Tony Robinson ​ Sue Thomas ​ Gill Waldron ​

Digital Accessibility Digital accessibility tools Digital accessibility tools to support users with a wide range of accessibility requirements are built in to most modern technology. ​ For specific instructions on how to access and use these tools please see the manufacturer's information. ​ Below you can find the links to the most commonly used systems on desktops & laptops or mobiles and tablets. Desktops & Laptops Mobiles & Tablets Accessibility statement This is an accessibility statement from The Advocacy People, in relation to this Healthwatch website. ​ Measures to support accessibility The Advocacy People take the following measures to ensure accessibility of their websites: ​ Include accessibility as part of our mission statement. Include accessibility throughout our internal policies. Appoint an accessibility officer and/or ombudsperson. Assign clear accessibility goals and responsibilities. Employ formal accessibility quality assurance methods. Conformance status The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define the requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA. The Advocacy People's website is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 level AA. Partially conformant means that some parts of the content do not fully conform to the accessibility standard. ​ Additional accessibility considerations Although our goal is WCAG 2.1 Level AA conformance, we have also applied some Level AAA Success Criteria: ​ Images of text are only used for decorative purposes. Some videos have sign language interpretation. ​​ Feedback We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers on our website by contacting us on any of the following: ​ 0330 440 9000 info@theadvocacypeople.org.uk PO Box 375, Hastings, TN34 9HU We try to respond to feedback within 2 business days. ​ Technical specifications Accessibility of our website relies on the following technologies to work with the combination of web browser and any assistive technologies or plugins installed on your computer: ​ HTML CSS JavaScript These technologies are relied upon for conformance with the accessibility standards used. ​ Limitations and alternatives Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility of our website, there may be some limitations. Please contact us if you observe an issue with our website accessibility. ​​​ Assessment approach The Advocacy People assessed the accessibility of this website by the following approaches: ​ Self-evaluation ​​ Evaluation report A statement on our approach to accessibility is available at: https://www.theadvocacypeople.org.uk/how-we-work . ​ Formal complaints To make a formal complaint, please get in touch via 0330 440 9000 info@theadvocacypeople.org.uk PO Box 375, Hastings, TN34 9HU ​ Formal approval of this accessibility statement This Accessibility Statement is approved by: ​ Richard Motley Digital Communications Manager The Advocacy People ​ Date This statement was created on 13th June 2024.

Have your say Sharing your opinions and telling your stories about your experiences with health and social care helps us to see the bigger picture. ​ This helps health and social care services to see what's going right and what's not, which allows them to focus on providing the best possible service to you. ​ Complete the short form below to have your say ... What type of service would you like to tell us about? (select all that apply) GP services Dentist Pharmacies Hospital inpatient (day treatment or overnight) Hospital outpatients' appointments Mental health support Social care eg care homes Accident and emergency/minor injury units Ambulances and paramedics NHS 111 Other (please tell us about it in the message box below) Enter your first name here Enter your last name here Enter your email address here Enter your message here I want to subscribe to the newsletter I agree to my data being stored and used in line with the privacy policy. Click here to see the privacy policy Submit Thank you for sharing your views with us

Contact us On this page you can get in touch using the details below, find directions and opening times for our offices or use the contact form to get in touch with us. Opening Hours Monday 9am 5pm Tuesday 9am 5pm Wednesday 9am 5pm Thursday 9am 5pm Friday 9am 3pm Saturday Closed Sunday Closed Phone 0800 999 1286 Post Healthwatch Somerset, Suite 12, Wellworthys Business Centre, Parrett Way, Colley Lane, Bridgwater, TA6 5LB Contact form Enter your first name here Enter your email address here Enter your last name here Enter your contact number here Enter your message here I want to subscribe to the newsletter I agree to my data being stored and used in line with the privacy policy. Click here to see the privacy policy Submit Thank you for contacting us

Find services It can sometimes be difficult to know how to find the services you need. ​ We've put together a list of resources which can help you. Alternatively, you can get in touch and we'll try to help you find what you're looking for. NHS online 111 online can tell you: ​ where to get help for your symptoms, if you're not sure what to do how to find general health information and advice where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine how to get a repeat prescription 111 online Find a dentist By entering your town or postcode, this website can help you find local dentist surgeries and tell you how to contact them. Find a dentist Social care & support This website can help you to find information on a range of social care & support resources available to you. Social care