People in the Burnham-On-Sea area are being asked to share how they access information, support and advice when they are ill, looking after someone or finding it difficult to manage living at home, to help shape local services going forward.
The county’s independent health and social care champion Healthwatch Somerset wants to find out if the county’s health and care services are doing enough to help people get timely, effective advice and support when their health and wellbeing is at risk.
A short online questionnaire has been created for people to take part in and share their views and experiences. Staff and volunteers from Healthwatch Somerset will also host focus groups and visit a variety of settings across the county to listen to the general public and note their experiences.
Pip Cannons, strategic commissioner for adult social care at Somerset County Council, said: “Somerset County Council and Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group are developing a new neighbourhood approach to health and care that aims to strengthen individual and community resilience and wellbeing and help people stay as independent as possible for as long as possible in their own home and community.
“We hope the information Healthwatch Somerset collects will help make changes across the whole health and care system to ensure that access to information and support is in the right time, place and proportionate to people’s needs.
“We would encourage as many people as possible to take part in this research and help make information and support better for all those who need it or may do in the future.”
The survey will run until Sunday 15 September and the findings from the engagement will go into a report to help inform the teams at Somerset County Council and Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group on ways to develop community support services.
The final report will be presented by Healthwatch Somerset to the Health and Wellbeing Board later this year.
To take part in the survey visit: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/somersetinformation/ and to find out more about Healthwatch Somerset visit: www.healthwatchsomerset.co.uk
