Document Category: Physical Health and Wellbeing

A few months ago the incoming Government published a 10 Year Health Plan, which sets out the transformational change it believes is needed to put the NHS on an even keel and make it fit for the future. Age UK strongly supports its main thrust, the aim of shifting the emphasis in healthcare ‘from hospital to home’ through the development of a Neighbourhood Health Service. We were pleased and honoured to be able to contribute to the development of this part of the Plan. As the initiative is rolled out ….

Healthwatch Somerset explores the quality of the transfer of care process in Somerset and use the experiences of people who have been discharged from hospital to inform the organisations involved to support change and improve the process.

In January 2022, we released a commentary about the Lack of NHS Dentists in Somerset highlighting the concerning shortage of accessible dental care in the county, and the
pressing issue of limited access to NHS dentists which was causing widespread public concern. The inability to secure dentist appointments has led to frustration, disproportionately
affecting vulnerable groups like parents seeking care for their children, pregnant women, and those reliant on benefits for whom private dental care is financially unattainable.

A look at booking an appointment with your GP in Somerset

It is evident over the past year that the public profile of Healthwatch Somerset has been raised because we have seen an increase in the number of people we have heard from and been in contact with. This public feedback and involvement, along with other sources of evidence, has helped us deliver impactful work this year and formulate a work plan for the
coming year.

Unlocking the power of people-driven care – Healthwatch Somerset has had another busy year with a myriad of issues being shared with us. The main concern has been around the lack of NHS dental services in Somerset. We are very fortunate that even though staff numbers are small we have a dedicated team, enabling us to produce the impressive volume of work in 2024/2025. We are increasingly asked to represent Healthwatch on various committees, and our role as an independent advocate is valued.

SASP helps people find ways to move more that work for them to promote good health and happiness and are pleased to be working with hospitals across Somerset with this new service.

Using ActiveWalls to run fun activity sessions with pupils, pupils of other local schools, and families of pupils. These walls are located indoors and outdoors (in a sheltered spot).

We review our aims, objectives and activities each year. This review looks at what we achieved and the outcomes of our work in the previous 12 months. The review looks at the success of each key activity and the benefits they have brought to those groups of people we are set up to help.

At SASP, we are in the unique position of working across all levels of the system to reduce inequalities in physical activity across Somerset.

The 2023/24 fiscal year was a year of transition for CCS with internal reviews, contingency planning, and development of our new Strategy, aligned to our new Vision, Mission and Values.

Welcome and thank you for taking the time to read ARK at Egwood’s three-year Celebration Report, which has provided us all with an opportunity to reflect upon what has been an incredible journey so far.