1. Explaining COVID and the Vaccine to those with Learning Disabilities and Autism

    Advice and Information -

    Are you or someone you know looking for Easy Read information to explain our current situation with COVID, vaccines, and Lockdown? If so, we have collated the latest documents, films, and audio to help explain and reassure you and your loved ones.

  2. COVID concerns stop 1 in 3 women from attending cervical screening invitations

    News -

    A survey conducted by the Eve Appeal charity has found that nearly 1 in 3 women who didn't attend their cervical screening test when invited in the last twelve months did so because of coronavirus concerns.

  3. "Don't call us, we will call you," plea health leaders as COVID vaccination rollout ramps up

    News -

    Health leaders call for patience as all GP-led, community-based coronavirus vaccination sites in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire open meaning everyone in the area aged 80 or over will be invited to for their Covid-19 vaccine.

  4. NHS asks public to play their part in time of COVID pressures

    News -

    The NHS in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire is working with its partners from across the region to support frontline health and care staff and are asking the public to do the same through various small actions.

  5. Community Pot 2020/21: Swindon Interactive Arts Service Report

    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. Swindon Interactive Arts Services was one of the recipients of this fund. Find out more.

  6. Services and volunteers unite to support NHS rollout of life saving vaccine

    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.

  7. COVID-19 vaccination - rollout of letters to Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people

    News -

    From Wednesday 3 February, people aged 18 and over in the clinically extremely vulnerable group will start receiving letters inviting them to book their COVID-19 vaccine.

  8. Interested in becoming a Peer Support Volunteer Coordinator?

    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?

  9. COVID-19 vaccine information in various community languages

    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.

  10. Healthwatch warns of dentistry crisis as public concerns continue

    News -

    New data gathered by Healthwatch England shows access to NHS dentistry remains a huge problem for the public amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

  11. COVID-19 Vaccine Report

    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.

  12. CQC publishes report on Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust’s forensic inpatient and secure wards

    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.

  13. Swindon Council offer symptom-free COVID testing to carers and those not able to work from home

    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.

  14. Healthwatch Swindon News Bites February 2021

    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.

  15. New Online Youth Club launches to encourage young people to interact

    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.

  16. Invitation for COVID vaccine extended to unpaid carers between 18-64 years old

    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.

  17. NHS acknowledge delays on complaint responses in light of COVID pressures

    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).

  18. Transgender people asked to help improve the NHS Gender Identity Services in the South West

    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.

  19. Back to School resources for parents and students

    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.

  20. Thames Valley Cancer Alliance calls for you to Know Your Cancer Risk

    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.

  21. COVID-19 - One year on from the declaration of a global pandemic

    News -

    Thursday 11th March marked a year since the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.

  22. How Swindon care homes have managed during COVID-19

    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.

  23. New Health Authority to be led by former Director of Public Health, Swindon, Dr. Jenny Harries

    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.

  24. Government leads an action to improve nation's mental and physical health through a new office

    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.

  25. Swindon Easter period opening hours - Pharmacies, Dentists and Opticians

    News -

    Some pharmacies and GP practices across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire will be closed over the Easter period.

  26. Healthwatch Swindon News Bites March 2021

    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.

  27. Community Pot Swindon combined report 2020

    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.

  28. Great Western Hospital looks to the future with land purchase

    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.

  29. VoiceAbility launches new NHS complaints advocacy service in Swindon

    Advice and Information -

    As of 1 April 2021, VoiceAbility has been awarded the advocacy contract to support people in Swindon to make complaints about care or treatment they have received from the NHS.

  30. Great Western Hospital Foundation Trust partners with Healthwatch Swindon to improve patient experience

    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.

  31. Which dentists are taking on NHS patients and offering appointments?

    News -

    Find out which dentists are taking on NHS patients in Swindon and who are offering appointments here.

  32. April is Bowel Cancer Awareness month

    News -

    This April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. Do you know the five key symptoms to look out for? Bowel Cancer UK has launched a campaign to raise awareness and help you look out for the early signs.

  33. Response to death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

    Response -

    Sir Robert Francis QC, Chair of Healthwatch England responds on behalf of our staff and volunteers.

  34. Participation opportunity - How inclusive is community based social care for older LGB people?

    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.

  35. Vaccine delivery motors forward with BSW CCG community vaccination bus initiative

    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.

  36. Abbey Meads Surgery and Moredon Medical Centre rated as Requires Improvement by Care Quality Commission

    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.

  37. GWH reroutes traffic as construction work begins on new Urgent Treatment Centre 

    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. 

  38. Charity partnership offers a mentoring programme for young homeschoolers

    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.

  39. Healthwatch Swindon News Bites April 2021

    News -

    In this month's newsletter, we will be sharing news on the new COVID-19 vaccination bus takes to the road, construction work beginning at GWH for the new Urgent Treatment Centre, and symptom-free testing being made available to everyone.

  40. A guide to Video Consultation with the NHS in various languages

    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.

  41. Clinic takes to the water to ensure no crewmate is left behind on vaccination rollout

    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.

  42. Focus on Mental Health - Connect With Nature

    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.

  43. Dementia Action Awareness Week - 17 - 21 May

    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?


  44. Mouth Cancer prevention and spotting the symptoms

    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.

  45. Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Showmen communities focus of new COVID vaccine film

    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.

  46. Foster Care Fortnight 2021 - putting fostering under the spotlight

    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.

  47. STEAM vaccination - what to expect for patients with physical and neurodiverse disabilities

    Advice and Information -

    As the COVID vaccination efforts continue at STEAM, we look at what reasonable adjustments have been made to help patients with physical and neurodiverse disabilities.

  48. COVID-19 Support Grant offered to families and financially vulnerable adults for May Half Term

    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.

  49. More GP appointments to be offered face-to-face to those who need it

    News -

    NHS England has issued new guidance to GP practices across the country on facilitating more face-to-face appointments for patients.