Construction of new mental health unit begins as first spades break ground
Work to build a new £20 million mental health unit begun in earnest last week as NHS staff and construction colleagues, along with local people who have lived experience of learning disabilities and autism, watched the first spades break ground. The new facility will be based in Bristol and provide care and support for people…
Local update following global IT issues
In light of recent technical issues affecting computer systems across the globe, people living in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire are being reminded to continue to use their local health and care services responsibly. All of the region’s GP practices, the vast majority of which use a different computer system to that…
ICB seeks independent non-executive director for quality
The ICB is looking to recruit an Independent Non-Executive Director (NED) for Quality. This role offers a key position in the ICB and provides leadership to the ICB Board’s Quality and Outcomes Committee. The successful candidate will be a compassionate leader and advocate for the delivery of integrated person-centred high-quality care, with a focus on…
First junior doctor strike in four months prompts fresh calls for public support
Ahead of the next round of strikes by junior doctors, people living in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire are being reminded of how their support can make a real difference during what is expected to be a busy time for the local NHS. Junior doctors at the Royal United Hospital in Bath,…
Public engagement on integrated community-based care temporarily paused
Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board had planned to start a three-week engagement during May and June on plans for the future of integrated community-based care. The ICB intended to ask local people to respond to an engagement document which set out the reasons for change, along with a number…
Public urged to choose right healthcare as walk-ins at region’s hospitals rise
A sharp increase in the number of people walking into hospital emergency departments across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire has prompted a plea to those needing care to think about other alternative services. Following the bank holiday weekend, busy frontline teams at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, the Great Western Hospital…
Support busy NHS during May’s bank holidays by choosing right care options
A double-bill of bank holiday weekends during May has prompted health leaders in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire to remind the public to always choose the right service when seeking help and support. Many GP practices and pharmacies will be closed for bank holiday weekends at both the beginning and end of…
More than 170,000 GP appointments missed across region in last 12 months
Tens of thousands of GP appointments in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire are being wasted each month due to patients not cancelling in advance when they are unable to attend. With a total of 170,187 appointments missed in the 12 months between March 2023 and March 2024, patients, along with the families…
GP practice merger to provide patients with access to wider range of services
Patients registered at two GP practices in Bath and North East Somerset will soon have access to a wider range of services as a merger between the surgeries nears completion. Somerton House Surgery is set to become a branch surgery of nearby St Chads Surgery from Monday 1 April, as part of a planned arrangement…
Use the NHS App to order repeat prescriptions
Patients can now order repeat prescriptions direct through the NHS App. The online tool, which can be downloaded for free on any smartphone or internet-enabled tablet, allows people who take regular medication to quickly and easily order more items whenever their current supply is running low. Using the NHS App also means that people do…