National industrial action by BMA resident doctors 7-13 April 2026
The NHS in Somerset is working hard to keep services running and people safe during periods of planned industrial action. The planned action by resident doctors, will run from 7am on Tuesday 7 April to 6:59am on Monday 13 April 2026. During these strikes, all other NHS staff (including consultants and other specialist doctors) will…
Read MoreMarch edition of Our Somerset newsletter is out now!
The latest edition of Our Somerset is now available. Our monthly newsletter brings together news and updates from across Somerset’s health and care organisations, providing you with a range of helpful updates, news and events from across the county. This month, we talk about publication of the engagement findings report from Somerset’s Big Conversation 2025. We highlight…
Read More‘We’d never heard of RSV – until it almost took my mum’: family backs new vaccine roll-out for over‑80s
A Somerset farmer, whose mum spent years supporting her church and volunteering locally before becoming critically ill with RSV, is urging older people to get vaccinated and make the most of new rules which mean everyone over 75 can get the jab from April. Previously, the RSV vaccine was available to older adults who were…
Read MoreNHS Somerset update on progress to reopening Yeovil maternity and neonatal services
NHS Somerset has today issued an update following the latest three‑monthly review meeting with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, confirming the trust are making continued progress toward the planned reopening of maternity and neonatal services at Yeovil District Hospital (YDH) on 21 April 2026. The Trust reported significant improvements in staffing, a key requirement for safely…
Read MoreStaying healthy and happy over the Easter holidays – top tips for looking after your health
As Easter approaches, Somerset health and care partners are sharing top tips on how to stay healthy and happy over the Easter holidays. From ordering repeat prescriptions early and accessing mental health support, to making the most of local services like NHS 111 and community pharmacies, there are lots of things that people in Somerset…
Read MoreGoodbye to Paul von der Heyde
The three Trusts in the BSW Hospitals Group, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, have today announced the appointment of Paul von der Heyde as their new Joint Chair. Paul has been the Chair of NHS Somerset since December 2021, and the new…
Read MoreHelp save the NHS £300 million: Public urged to act as over one billion prescription items are wasted every year
The NHS is urging the public to check their medicine cabinets as shocking figures reveal that more than one billion prescription items are wasted each year, costing the NHS over £300 million annually. GP prescribing spend nationally is £10.3 billion a year. NHS England’s National Overprescribing Report shows that around 10% of primary care prescriptions…
Read MoreFebruary edition of Our Somerset newsletter is out now!
The latest edition of Our Somerset is now available. Our monthly newsletter brings together news and updates from across Somerset’s health and care organisations, providing you with a range of helpful updates, news and events from across the county. This month, we talk about the refresh of Somerset’s Adult Social Care Strategy and how people can…
Read MoreYour views sought on new data system that could help NHS tailor health services to local needs
People in Somerset are being asked to share their views on a planned data system that would help health and care organisations develop services that are better tailored to local needs. Partners across Our Somerset, the county’s Integrated Care System, are currently developing a ‘Linked Data Platform’, a secure system that will anonymously link health…
Read MoreTop Tips for looking after your health over the February half-term in Somerset
As the February school half-term approaches, Somerset health and care partners are sharing top tips on how to stay healthy and happy over the half term. From ordering repeat prescriptions early and accessing mental health support, to making the most of local services like NHS 111 and community pharmacies, there are lots of things that…
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