Healthwatch North Somerset

16/06/2026

Would you like to help name Weston-super-Mare’s new health centre?

A brand new NHS health centre is being built on Sunnyside Road North, and we're inviting local residents, patients and staff to help choose its name.

The new facility will provide GP, community and mental health services for Weston’s growing population and is expected to open in summer 2027.

We're looking for names that are welcoming, inclusive and rooted in the local community. Share your ideas via the link in our comments before midnight on Sunday 12 July.

10/06/2026

Have you been affected by conversations about your weight in a health, care or community setting?

If you’re aged 18+ and have personal experience to share, we want to hear from you.

Join our in-person Weston focus group on Tuesday 23rd June, 2pm - 4pm. You'll receive a £20 high street shopping voucher for your time.

Interested? Fill out our online form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/qDsuNb1zDj

We’re running small, friendly focus groups across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire to help improve how services talk about weight, so people feel listened to, respected and supported.

03/06/2026

It's and we'd like to say a huge thank you to all of our volunteers!

You've helped us listen to people's health and social care experiences, so that we can make sure NHS and social care leaders hear our voices.

You've supported us with engagement, research, admin tasks, data entry - and so much more! We couldn't do what we do without you.

Want to get involved? Find out more about volunteering with us: https://www.healthwatchnorthsomerset.co.uk/what-can-i-do-volunteer

26/05/2026

Volunteering with Healthwatch is a great way to help ensure local people’s voices are heard and to support improvements in health and social care services.

We offer flexible volunteering roles, full support, and all the training you need to get started.

🔗 Visit our website to find out more: https://www.healthwatchnorthsomerset.co.uk/what-can-i-do-volunteer

📩 Or email: [email protected]

07/05/2026

We visited 168 Medical Group (Locking Road surgery) to find out how the practice approaches trauma-informed care.

Patients and staff shared their experiences with us. Take a look at what they said in our latest report: https://www.healthwatchnorthsomerset.co.uk/report/2026-05-05/enter-and-view-168-medical-group

Following our visit, we've made a number of recommendations based on the feedback we received and what we observed. 168 Medical Group has provided a full response to our findings.

Pier Health

Our staff and volunteers visited 168 Medical Group (Locking Road practice) on 13th March 2026.

07/05/2026

Gynae cancer charity The Eve Appeal have raised concerns that ChatGPT missed ovarian and vulval cancer when asked about 'red-flag' symptoms.

With more people turning to AI platforms like ChatGPT for health information, they are sharing tips to help find trusted information online: https://bit.ly/4uiAOWY

06/05/2026

We visited Clevedon Medical Centre to find out how the practice approaches trauma-informed care.

Patients and staff shared their experiences with us. Take a look at what they said in our latest report:
https://www.healthwatchnorthsomerset.co.uk/report/2026-05-05/enter-and-view-clevedon-medical-centre

Following our visit, we've made a number of recommendations based on the feedback we received and what we observed.

Our staff and volunteers visited Clevedon Medical Centre on 11th March 2026.

09/04/2026

Did you know that health and care organisations may use an AI tool called 'ambient scribes' to capture speech or conversations during appointments?

The NHS has put together guidance for patients and service users around:
✔️ Being informed about ambient scribes
❌ Objecting to ambient scribes
✔️️ Using safe products
✔️ Making sure notes and summaries are accurate

https://www.healthwatchnorthsomerset.co.uk/advice-and-information/2026-04-08/using-ai-enabled-ambient-scribing-products-health-and-care

Guidance is also available for healthcare workers.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a technology, such as a computer program or a piece of software, that can learn and perform tasks that would normally need a human.

02/04/2026

Resident doctors are taking national strike action from Tuesday 7th April until Monday 13 April. Find out more: https://www.healthwatchnorthsomerset.co.uk/news/2026-04-02/nhs-industrial-action-7th-april-13th-april-2026

If you have an appointment during this time, please attend your appointment as normal unless you have been contacted.

02/04/2026