Somerset residents are being asked for their views on how well same-day health services are being delivered on their doorstep.

Healthwatch Somerset, which campaigns for better health services on behalf of ordinary patients, is asking for people's views on same-day urgent care services provided by the NHS across the county.

The organisation is working with NHS Somerset to identify problems with same-day urgent care services, which could be provided by anything from your local GP to the NHS 111 helpline.

Healthwatch will then make recommendations to NHS bosses for what changes need to be implemented to deliver a better quality of care.

Same-day urgent care is defined as "any form of unplanned healthcare that is required on the same day as the patient becomes aware of the health need" – including major and minor injuries or any form of acute illness.

This kind of care is typically provided by a number of NHS or related organisations – including:

• Doctors' surgeries
• Minor injuries units (MIUs)
• Dental practices
• Pharmacies
• Opticians
• The NHS 111 service

Healthwatch Somerset conducted a smaller-scale consultation on these services in the former West Somerset area (which includes Minehead, Watchet and Williton) in March, publishing its findings in late-June.

This report recommended that health bosses undertake the following actions:

• Increase the amount of information available to the public about the different kinds of urgent care available
• Consider ways to make care for minor injuries and illness more readily available across the West Somerset area
• Explore opportunities to use community transport to access services
• Work with Somerset County Council over transport to and from hospitals
• Explore ways to reduce pressure on ambulance services, leading to shorter waiting times
• Provide people with greater means to care for themselves at home

This latest survey comes after the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust announced it would be cutting back the opening hours of its minor injuries units in Burnham-on-Sea, Chard and Shepton Mallet due to staff shortages – a cutback which could remain in place until April 2023.

To give your views on the state of same-day urgent care across Somerset, visit www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SomersetSDUC or call 0800 999 1286 free by November 30.