Coronavirus: New report reveals health struggles for disadvantaged in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire

‘Your care during Covid’, which has been published by Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Healthwatch Peterborough, highlights findings from a three-month Covid-19 survey which ran between May and August, capturing the experiences of 1,131 local people.

It tells how people were affected by the pandemic and changes to services, particularly for older people, those with disabilities or long-term health conditions and carers. It also raises concerns about increasing health inequalities for those who are not online.

Healthwatch is the independent champion for people using health and care and its job is to listen to what people say about services and make sure this is heard and acted on by those running local services.

Findings from the survey have been shared over the last few months with the people buying and providing local health, care and support services and has helped shape local NHS winter and recovery plans.

Peterborough City Council, which provides social care and runs support hubs, has thanked Healthwatch for the “powerful insights” to help it respond better to local needs.

Healthwatch CEO Sandie Smith said: “We have had an amazing response to our survey and we must thank everyone who took part, shared their stories and trusted us to pass that information on to help services understand what matters to people.

“It has been humbling to hear how people have fared and some of the experiences they shared have been tough reads.

“The pandemic has been a very difficult experience for many people who have been badly affected by disruption to their usual support systems, by the pause in treatments, delayed operations or by loneliness, isolation and anxiety.

“Nearly one in three people told us that there had been a high or significant impact on their mental health and wellbeing.”

The Healthwatch survey flagged:

. Three in 10 people avoided getting help for a health problem

. Out of those that did seek help, three out of four rated it highly

. People’s messages of appreciation to health and care workers

. The shutdown of dental services worsened existing problems around access to high street NHS dental care.

Although some people have taken to online hospital or GP appointments they did not work for everyone. Many people do not have the internet, and those with sensory impairments find remote consultations hard to access.

Healthwatch is now pressing organisations providing services to take on the learning from the survey including:

. Making sure communication about changes to services and to people’s treatment or care is clear and given at the appropriate time

. Tackling health inequalities - especially where people’s needs have not been met under the Accessible Information Standard

. Building on the use of technology to communicate with people while finding other solutions for people who cannot manage remote consultations

. Understanding the impact of isolation on new families and what the disruption of services has meant for families with children or family members with additional needs.

The full report can be read at: https://www.healthwatchpeterborough.co.uk/report/2020-10-22/report-shines-light-covid-health-and-care-struggles.

Healthwatch is continuing to collect people’s feedback about using health and social care services. You can share your views online at https://www.healthwatchpeterborough.co.uk/share-your-views or by calling Healthwatch on 0330 355 1285.