Helping you make the most of the NHS App to help you look after your health
In readiness for winter, when we know health and care services become busier, NHS Somerset is rolling out a series of drop in events across Somerset at local GP practices to help Somerset residents better understand how to use the NHS app. At the drop in events, we will be able to help residents register…
Read MoreShining a spotlight on safer care across Somerset for World Patient Safety Day
NHS Somerset and Healthwatch Somerset are shining a spotlight on patient and family engagement for safer care across Somerset for World Patient Safety Day on 17 September. In June 2023, NHS Somerset appointed two Patient Safety Partners (PSPs) to support Somerset’s journey to improve the way patients are involved in health and care to help…
Read MoreNational industrial action update
The NHS in Somerset is working hard to keep services running and people safe during periods of planned industrial action. The next planned industrial action is from junior doctors and consultants, with strikes planned from 7am Monday 2 October until 7am on Thursday 5 October 2023. Industrial action updates from Somerset NHS Foundations Trust can…
Read MoreMake the time, ease your pressure this ‘know your numbers’ week
NHS Somerset and Somerset Council’s Public Health Team are encouraging Somerset residents to get their blood pressure checked for ‘Know Your Numbers’ week. The awareness week, coordinated by Blood Pressure UK runs from 4 – 10 September and is the UK’s biggest blood pressure testing and awareness-raising event. This year the theme is ‘Make the…
Read MoreChanges to the autumn/winter COVID-19 and flu vaccination programme
On Wednesday 30 August, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced that due to risks presented by the new variant, the NHS should take pre-emptive steps to bring forward the adult COVID-19 and flu vaccination programmes. This year’s autumn flu and COVID-19 vaccine programmes will now…
Read MoreNHS Somerset and Somerset Council welcomes the rollout of the winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme
NHS Somerset and Somerset Council welcomes the recent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) announcement around the introduction of the winter flu and Covid-19 autumn booster programme and are encouraging those that are eligible, to come forward for their autumn booster when they are contacted. Covid autumn booster programme The Covid-19 vaccine is being…
Read MoreTop marks for Wells Health Centre GP Reception team in the annual GP patient Survey
This year, the team at Wells Health Centre were absolutely delighted to see in the annual GP Patient Survey that not only did the practice achieve higher results than the national averages, but its reception team achieved a score of 100% for ‘helpfulness of receptionists at a GP practice’. Given that patients sometimes express concerns…
Read MoreNew Yeovil Diagnostic Centre will continue to reduce NHS patients’ waits for diagnostic tests
NHS patients in Somerset and the north west of Dorset will benefit from quicker diagnoses thanks to a new diagnostic centre in Yeovil that is planned to open in winter 2024. It will be the second stand-alone diagnostic centre in the county. The Yeovil Diagnostic Centre is one of five diagnostic centres that will be…
Read MoreHow you make a complaint about primary care services is changing on 1 July
You have the right to make a complaint about any aspect of NHS care, treatment or service, and this is written into the NHS Constitution on GOV.UK. From 1 July 2023 the way members of the public make a complaint about primary care services to the commissioner is changing. By primary care services we mean…
Read MoreHomeless and Rough Sleeper Nursing Service nominated for prestigious NHS award
Thursday 22 June 2023 Somerset’s homeless and Rough Sleeper Nursing Service and Salaried Inclusion Health GPs has been shortlisted as the regional finalist in the Health Equalities category of the NHS Parliamentary Awards, having been nominated by Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow. The winner of the award will be announced at an event on 5…
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