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Healthwatch Somerset @healthwatchsom.bsky.social · 4d

Thinking Together – Wednesday 22 October, Wincanton Memorial Hall, #Somerset
📅14 Days to go.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦12 Organisations.
📣4 Presentations.
Don’t miss out, book your free ticket today. Everyone welcome. Call 0800 999 1286 or visit our website for more details: www.healthwatchsomerset.co.uk/event-detail...

Organisational logos on white background. Black text on light pink background. Text reads: "Join us and these organisations at Thinking Together. Free community event about accessible health and care information. Talk to service providers and find support. Discover how your needs are being met. Free buffet lunch. Wednesday 22 October 09:30 - 14:30. Wincanton Memorial Hall, Somerset. Booking essential."

Reposted by Healthwatch Somerset

Healthwatch England @healthwatchengland.bsky.social · 5d

Think there is no power in your feedback? Don't believe it can make a difference to services? We want to show you this isn't the case. Check out some recent examples of how your feedback made a difference - www.healthwatch.co.uk/our-impact

Your feedback can lead to change and help make care better for everyone

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Healthwatch Somerset @healthwatchsom.bsky.social · 4d

Have your say on children's social care in Somerset - you are invited to help shape children and family services across Somerset. The consultation can be completed at: bit.ly/4h3DKl9. You can also take part at any library or council office in Somerset.

Photo of a family walking outside in a line and holding hands.

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Reposted by Healthwatch Somerset

Healthwatch England @healthwatchengland.bsky.social · 6d

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and this year the aim is to highlight the importance of preventing breast cancer before it starts. If you're invited to a screening - don't put it off, it might save your life. Find out more and how to book - www.nhs.uk/breast

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Reposted by Healthwatch Somerset

Lupus UK @lupusuk.bsky.social · 11d

Happy #LupusAwarenessMonth! 💜

October is Lupus Awareness Month in the UK, which aims to raise awareness and understanding of lupus amongst the public and medical profession.

Join us in helping to #MakeLupusVisible! 💜

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Reposted by Healthwatch Somerset

Bone Cancer Research Trust @bcrt-uk.bsky.social · 6d

#BoneCancerAwarenessWeek is here!

This October, we're calling for urgent change to help save lives.

Please share this post to raise life-changing awareness 🧡

Learn more: ow.ly/SOiH50X5G58

#CouldItBeBoneCancer #Awareness #UntilTheresACure

Patient in hospital gown with braided hair lying in a hospital bed during Bone Cancer Awareness Week, October 6-12.

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Reposted by Healthwatch Somerset

healthwatchcov.bsky.social @healthwatchcov.bsky.social · 6d

Monday 6 October #DAW25 kicks off with the theme ‘Raise the Volume’.
This year’s theme will focus on the voices of young people with dyslexia – their stories, challenges, and successes.

Share your experience with us:
www.healthwatchcoventry.co.uk/take-three-m...

#Dyslexia #Healthwatch #Coventry

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Healthwatch Somerset @healthwatchsom.bsky.social · 9d

Do you struggle with health and care information?
Help services understand your needs and have your voice heard at our free Thinking Together community event.

Wednesday 22 October at Wincanton Memorial Hall.

Everyone welcome, booking essential.
Call free: 0800 999 1286 or book online.

Thinking Together: Accessible health and care information | Healthwatch Somerset

We’re bringing the community and services together to talk about making health and care information accessible for everyone.

www.healthwatchsomerset.co.uk

Healthwatch Somerset @healthwatchsom.bsky.social · 10d

77% of those who filled out our Pharmacy Survey asked their Pharmacist for advice, this included advice on certain conditions they can treat. Tell us your experiences of using your local pharmacy: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/7S5SQX/ by freephone: 0800 999 1286, or email [email protected].

This is a photo of someone's hands holding lots of different tablets.

Reposted by Healthwatch Somerset

Healthwatch England @healthwatchengland.bsky.social · 10d

From October 1, everyone who is eligible can get their NHS COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

You can book an appointment via the NHS App, your local GP practice, online or by calling 119.

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/keep-warm-keep-well/

Eligible people can now get their autumn COVID-19 and flu vaccines online or via the NHS app

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Reposted by Healthwatch Somerset

UK Health Security Agency @ukhsa.bsky.social · 11d

Today, @NHSEngland delivers the first flu and COVID jabs of the season, to ‘winter-proof’ the vulnerable.

Find out how to book if you're eligible: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/

Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Immunisation at UKHSA said, 'From today everyone at higher risk of flu and COVID-19 can take up the offer of a vaccine to give them vital protection going into winter. If you’re eligible it is because you are at greater risk of getting seriously ill and ending up in hospital. Book online on the NHS App or National Booking System; or speak to your GP or practice nurse, or alternatively your local pharmacist. For pregnant women, the vaccine may also be available through maternity services'

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Reposted by Healthwatch Somerset

Centre for Ageing Better @ageingbetter.bsky.social · 11d

Today we are celebrating International Day of Older People! Let us know your plans to mark the day.

We will be celebrating the power that social connections have in shaping our lives and communities with this year's UK theme: Building Belonging: Celebrating the power of our social connections.

Good social connections in later life help maintain physical and mental health as we age including reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, depression and dementia. There is a photo of two older women hugging and smiling.

People aged 65 and over are the most likely to volunteer, volunteering boosts individual wellbeing, but is also vital for strengthening community bonds, delivering community services and improving our local environments. There is a photo of an older person in an exercise class.

Easy access to community facilities supports social interaction for older people however, between 201-/11 and 2023/24 local authority spending on community centres and public halls declined by 19% and on libraries by 46%. There is a photo of an older woman smiling on a bus.

Older people are more likely to have a strong sense of belonging to their neighbourhood than younger age groups, but in more deprived areas this gap is smaller. There is a photo of two older people chatting on a beach with their bikes.

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Reposted by Healthwatch Somerset

Mental Health UK @mhealthuk.bsky.social · 12d

It’s common to experience anxiety from time to time, but it can show up differently for each person.

Here are some of the signs to look out for 👇

Share this post and learn more 👉 bit.ly/37ZDNws

Infographic titled 'Anxiety can look like this... and like this' with text and graphics in white on a dark blue background illustrating various symptoms of anxiety such as overthinking, racing thoughts, worrying, panicking, heightened alertness, trouble sleeping, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, feeling irritable, restlessness, dissociation, and overplanning.

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Reposted by Healthwatch Somerset

Healthwatch Derbyshire @hwderbyshire.bsky.social · 11d

Stoptober starts today! You are doing the best thing you can for your health by quitting - and you don't need to do it alone. There are plenty of ways to get support. One of the ways to get started is to get your free Personal Quit Plan: www.nhs.uk/better-healt...

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Reposted by Healthwatch Somerset

SignHealth @signhealth.bsky.social · 11d

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we are partnering with Deaf Cancer Support to share information in BSL about screenings and support available. Please help us share!
This video is a guide to mammogram appointments for the deaf community:
signhealth.org.uk/videos/a-gui...

A guide to the breast screening (mammogram) appointment - SignHealth

Dudley, Wolverhampton, and South West Staffordshire Breast Screening Service: A guide to the mammogram appointment for the Deaf community.

signhealth.org.uk

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Healthwatch Somerset @healthwatchsom.bsky.social · 12d

We are your independent, impartial voice that collects feedback on your health & social care. If this is removed, it will mean public feedback will no longer play a part in decision-making & accountability with your NHS and social care. Find out more here: bit.ly/48GKlzA

#Healthwatch #patientvoice

Healthwatch Somerset. Your voice is important; it matters if we want to build a health and social care system that works for everyone. Photo of a teddy bear with a plaster across its heart, a bandage on its leg and also on its head.

Reposted by Healthwatch Somerset

Healthwatch England @healthwatchengland.bsky.social · 13d

Thanks to your feedback, we advocated for NHS England to publish better data to highlight and address inequalities in people's experience of waiting for NHS treatment - https://bit.ly/4nhPO4h

"Understanding who is waiting longer for hospital treatment is the first step to addressing inequalities and making sure everyone has the same access to care."

Louise Ansari, Chief Executive of Healthwatch England

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Healthwatch Somerset @healthwatchsom.bsky.social · 13d

If you care for someone with dementia in #Somerset, there is a lot of advice, support and resources available to you at the Somerset Dementia Wellbeing Service.

Find out more here: somersetdementia.org

#dementia #carers

NHS Somerset Somerset Dementia Wellbeing Service. Find advice and support for those living with dementia and their carers in Somerset. Visit somersetdementia.org.

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Reposted by Healthwatch Somerset

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman @phsombudsman.bsky.social · 13d

Our annual complaint data for 2024 to 2025 is much easier to explore.

🔍 You can now search and filter by organisation to see how many complaints we received and the decisions made at each stage.

View the data on our website: orlo.uk/Bt7C5

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Healthwatch Somerset @healthwatchsom.bsky.social · 17d

Thinking Together event

We’re bringing the community together to talk about making health and care information accessible for everyone.

Join us Wed 22 Oct 2025 | 09:30–14:30 | Wincanton Memorial Hall

👉 Everyone welcome!

Booking essential: www.healthwatchsomerset.co.uk/event-detail...

Woman with pen listening to another woman who is smiling. Text reads: "Thinking Together. Accessible health and care information. A free community event to learn, share, and make your voice heard. Wednesday 22 October 09:30 - 14:30. Wincanton Memorial Hall, Somerset. Booking essential."

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Healthwatch Somerset @healthwatchsom.bsky.social · 24d

64% of people who did our Pharmacy survey were not aware you can ask a pharmacist to cancel a prescription, highlighting a gap in awareness.

Tell us your experiences of using your pharmacy in our survey: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/7S5SQX/, freephone 0800 9991286 or [email protected]

This photos shows different packets of tablets.

Reposted by Healthwatch Somerset

Neil Tester @neiltester.bsky.social · 24d

Important from @healthwatchengland.bsky.social. I was invited for mine 7 years after I became eligible, finally went 2-and-a-half years later, had blood pressure of 170/120 and dread to think what might have happened. (Exercise and meds have sorted the BP now.)
www.healthwatch.co.uk/blog/2025-09...

Time to get serious about men’s NHS Health Checks

Our new research shows that too many men are missing out on the NHS Health Check, which is essential in preventing illness and saving lives. Read our findings and calls to action for healthcare leader...

www.healthwatch.co.uk

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Reposted by Healthwatch Somerset

Healthwatch England @healthwatchengland.bsky.social · 25d

Today is World Patient Safety Day - dedicated to ensuring safe care for every newborn and child. This year emphasises the need to act early and consistently to prevent harm throughout childhood. Be your child's safety champion. Stay informed, stay involved and speak up.

Why is safe health care for children so important?

Children face higher risks - even small errors can cause lifelong harm.

Children need care that fits their age, weight and development.

Children can't speak up - they rely on adults to keep them safe.

Safety takes teamwork - families and health workers working together.

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Healthwatch Somerset @healthwatchsom.bsky.social · 25d

This Sepsis Awareness Month, Patient Info are sharing key tips to help you spot the life-threatening signs of sepsis: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkk-...

#sepsisawarenesss #SepsisAwarenessMonthh #stopsepsis #fightsepsis #SepsisSupport #patientinfo

Sepsis Awareness Month. Sepsis Warning Signs. Spot symptoms early, seek help quickly. Patient.Info a drawing of an ambulance and a heart beat, a heart, a needle, a plaster, and an ambulance.

Reposted by Healthwatch Somerset

Dementia Community @dementiacommunity.bsky.social · 25d

NHS England has launched a review to tackle LGBT+ health inequalities.

The review is a first for NHS England and is being led by Dr Michael Brady, National Adviser for LGBT Health at NHS England.

Read More: buff.ly/MaTj4AL

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