I am Lesley Harper, a registered Dietitian working for the Integrated Care Board (ICB) in Somerset. Recently I have been working closely with my public health colleagues to roll out a collaborative health promotion project called Focusing on MORE. Focusing on MORE recognises obesity can be a result of many different factors and there is […]

High levels of seasonal illness, including flu, and vomiting and diarrhoea bugs, mean ambulances, hospitals and other NHS services in the South West are under severe pressure. People across the region are being asked to help by continuing to choose the right service for their needs and by getting vaccinated against winter viruses. This is […]

Statement: Following the amber cold weather alert, issued today by the UKHSA, Dr Justin Varney-Bennett, Regional Director of Public Health for NHS England – South West, said: “As we head into a very cold spell it’s important for people with pre-existing medical conditions to take extra care, especially the elderly or those with heart or […]

The NHS in the South West is urging people to come forward for their flu vaccination without delay so they and their families are protected in time for Christmas. Hospitals in England are managing record flu levels for this time of year as fears of a potential ‘quad-demic’ continue to rise, with a 350 per […]

Thousands of eligible pregnant women and older people across the South West have taken up the offer of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination so far this winter. Available figures show that NHS staff in the South West have delivered 124,867 RSV vaccinations in just over two months, as the NHS ramps up efforts to […]

If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, there is support available from organisations in Bristol and throughout Avon and Somerset. They will never tell you what you should do, but will help you think about your options. They will listen and believe you. You will be cared for in a […]

Hundreds of people in the South West have been diagnosed with cancer earlier thanks to life-saving lung health checks, which use mobile scanning trucks to visit communities. That means they can begin treatment when the chances of success are highest. The NHS Targeted Lung Health Check programme is the biggest drive in NHS history improve […]

The NHS has launched the first major update to the ‘Act FAST’ campaign since 2009, urging the public to call 999 immediately if anyone experiences one of the three common symptoms of struggling to smile (Face) or raise an arm (Arms), or slurring their words (Speech). The campaign comes as new data shows the average […]

Burns specialists in the South West and the father of a seriously scalded toddler are urging parents to be extra careful with hot drinks, after new data revealed the toll among young children from hot drink spills. Last year saw 149 children living in the South West, most under two years old, needing treatment at […]

Children and pregnant women are the first in line for the annual flu vaccination programme which is now underway in the South West. Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways of protecting yourself and the people around you from the debilitating effects of flu. Eligible children and pregnant women are the focus for the […]