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News -
NHS staff working across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire to deliver the lifesaving coronavirus vaccine have been given a helping hand on the frontline by local fire crews, volunteers, and military personnel. -
News -
Have you experienced mental distress or mental health issues? Would you like to use your own experiences to support others who are going through something similar? Do you live in the Swindon area?
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Advice and Information -
Vaccine misinformation and delay among ethnic minority communities is fast becoming an issue in the fight against COVID-19. Here, we share downloadable leaflets and multimedia materials to help share the message that vaccines are safe. -
Report -
At the beginning of February, we invited people across Swindon to take part in a month-long survey to find out their views, attitudes and concerns towards the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out and the communications that have supported this. -
News -
Following a recent inspection, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published a report today on the forensic inpatient and secure wards at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust at its Fromeside site. -
News -
As of Monday 15 February, Swindon Borough Council has announced that symptom-free testing will be made available to carers and those unable to work from home. -
News -
In this month's newsletter, we will be sharing news on shielding, accessing affordable counselling services, and a vaccine Q&A session with an expert panel. -
News -
A new online youth club has launched to combat social isolation by encouraging young people of all ages to interact, have fun, and care for their mental wellbeing. -
News -
Across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, unpaid carers aged between 18 and 64 are now being invited for a Covid-19 Vaccination. -
News -
In February, NHS England and Improvement acknowledged that NHS providers may take longer to investigate and respond to complaints. This is to allow providers to concentrate on front-line duties and responsiveness to coronavirus (COVID-19). -
News -
Transgender and gender-diverse individuals who are over 16 years old and live in the South West area are being encouraged to take part in an online survey to help improve NHS Gender Identity Services. -
Advice and Information -
As of the 8th March, all primary school and secondary school students in England began to return to school. In support, safety measures have been put in place; from lateral flow testing to wearing masks in class. Here, we share some resources. -
News -
The Thames Valley Cancer Alliance is calling on the public to know their lung cancer risk as they launch a localised campaign to increase awareness of symptoms and speed up diagnosis.
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News -
Thursday 11th March marked a year since the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. -
Report -
Our latest care home report looks at how care homes in Swindon maintained contact with residents’ families and the wider community, and what the barriers were to this over the COVID-19 lockdown. -
News -
A new health agency that will plan for, prevent, and respond to external health threats such as infectious diseases, will be led by former, Director of Public Health, NHS Swindon, and Swindon Borough Council, Dr. Jenny Harries. -
News -
The new Office for Health Promotion is to lead a national effort to improve the health of the nation; by improving our mental health and promoting physical activity, which in turn is hoped will help the nation tackle the rise in obesity. -
News -
Some pharmacies and GP practices across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire will be closed over the Easter period. -
News -
In this month's newsletter, we will be sharing the BSW CCG video - COVID-19 one year on, the Department of Health and Social Care's launch of a campaign to improve the health and wellbeing of women's health, and much more. -
Report -
Late in 2019, we invited bids from non-profit organisations in Swindon for a small amount of funding to undertake a survey with their contacts or members. These were likely to be people from whom we were otherwise less likely to hear. -
News -
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has completed the purchase of 5.5 hectares of land, allowing it to take the next steps in its strategic development plans. -
News -
Great Western Hospital is passionate about turning feedback into real change and is always looking at how they can grow and improve their services. -
News -
Find out which dentists are taking on NHS patients in Swindon and who are offering appointments here. -
Response -
Sir Robert Francis QC, Chair of Healthwatch England responds on behalf of our staff and volunteers. -
News -
Liz Wands-Murray, the Ph.D. researcher at the University of York, is asking for help with a research project on the accessibility of community-based social care services, groups, and activities for older (50+) lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons. -
News -
A new mobile vaccination clinic took to the Swindon streets on Friday 23 April in a bid to target those yet to take up the offer of a COVID vaccine. -
News -
An inspection of Abbey Meads Surgery, and Moredon Medical Centre by the Care Quality Commission in February 2021, has resulted in the rating of 'Requires Improvement' overall for both services after it found concerns over the quality of their care. -
News -
Construction work has begun in preparation for Great Western Hospital's new Urgent Treatment Centre. For the next six months, there will be a road closure and a reroute of traffic on site while the work takes place. -
News -
A programme aimed at 12 - 16-year-olds who are home-educated or not in education, employment or training (NEET), and missing out in general social interaction in has been launched in partnership with the Swindon Town community Football Foundation. -
Advice and Information -
The last year has seen a great deal of change in the provision of health and social care services. Both patients and health care professionals have had to adapt how we communicate. Here, we provide a quick guide to one-way - video consultations. -
News -
A floating clinic has taken to the water in a bid to ensure that no one is left behind in the COVID-19 vaccination rollout. The launch was a joint initiative from local councils, GP's, housing charities, and Clinical Commissioning Groups. -
News -
The last year put a sharp focus on mental health as we have all been faced with challenges and change. This year's theme for Mental Health Awareness week is nature. We take a look at how nature can help well-being and tips to manage your wellbeing. -
News -
In the UK alone, more than 920,000 people are living with dementia. The Alzheimer's Society expects this to rise to over a million by 2024. Monday 17 May sees the launch of Dementia Action Week. We look at what's on offer and how you can help?
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Advice and Information -
Mouth cancer is otherwise known as oral cancer and is where a tumour forms in the mouth. Regular self-checks and awareness of symptoms are key to early detection and resolution. We explore what to look out for and how to keep your mouth healthy. -
News -
A new film featuring renowned Romany journalist, Jake Bowers, explores what traveling communities can do to help with the pandemic and encourages them to have the COVID vaccine. -
News -
In recognition of Foster Care Fortnight, we are putting the spotlight on fostering a child, sharing foster care stories, and how you can get involved. -
News -
Swindon Borough Council is inviting applications for their COVID-19 Support Grant funding over the May Half Term. The funding will see that a £15 supermarket voucher is issued per eligible child (or adult) over the May Half Term period. -
News -
Health and care organisations from across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire will come together later this month for the first official board meeting in public as the region’s new integrated care system. -
Report -
The Healthwatch Advisory Board set our priorities in April 2020. Part of our focus has been on providing up-to-date information on health and social care services. In this report, we explore what we have heard from people and how we responded. -
News -
As the vaccination programme continues we ask for your thoughts on the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines in Swindon. The NHS is doing everything they can but there might be things that can be improved.
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Report -
Read our annual report for 2020/21 and find out about all the hard work carried out by our team and our wonderful volunteers throughout the year. -
News -
Help us spread a little Joy and share your Good News Story. -
Advice and Information -
Do you or a loved one need help with social care? Read the article below to find out answers to key questions about who can access adult social care and how to pay for it. -
Report -
Swindon Healthwatch and First City have worked together to understand what the people of Swindon think about the future of community care, now, next year and next decade. -
News -
Each year Healthwatch Swindon sets its priorities for the year ahead based on the experiences that we hear from local people. -
Report -
Our annual report 2023-24 shares how we've listened and championed the peoples, partners and organisations voices of Swindon to help shape health and social care services. -
News -
A poll of 1,504 working-age disabled adults found that 28% have never accessed social care or other support despite potentially being eligible. We call for a fully funded, long-term plan to reform social care. -
Blog -
People tell us how social care support could improve their quality of life. -
Advice and Information -
The number of people being cared for in their own homes is increasing but what should you expect from home care services? -
Report -
Read our annual report for 2014/15 to find out about the work we've done and our plans for the year ahead.