Winter pressures and rise in Covid cases will hit recovery of Peterborough health services says watchdog

Addressing Board members at their latest online Meeting In Public this week, Chair, Val Moore said: “It’s time to be honest – we need to welcome some of the themes being promoted during the recovery as echoing our own findings about the needs of local people. But pressure on the NHS and social services over the winter months may yet hamper the recovery of services.
“Therefore, the role of the Healthwatch network and our local Healthwatch is as important as ever”.
Ms Moore’s words come just days after the publication of the Healthwatch Peterborough report ‘Your care during Covid’, which highlights the health and care struggles of some of the most disadvantaged in communities across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
A total of 1,131 people took part between May 28 and August 31, 2020, providing invaluable learning signposts for all organisations planning and delivering care in our area.

The report shows how changes to health and care services have affecting local people, and Healthwatch Peterborough have listened to the experiences of a wide range of people – in particular those who are most likely to be affected by Covid-19 and the changes to NHS and social services since the pandemic started.

Chair, Val Moore went on to add: “I’m very proud of the role Healthwatch has played to bring people’s experiences to the attention on service commissioners and providers during these difficult times.”

Healthwatch Peterborough CEO, Sandie Smith said: “Following the announcement of the second national lockdown, all activities of our staff have shifted back to home-based social media platforms, from where they will continue to listen to the needs of local people.

“Looking further ahead, Healthwatch Peterborough has been invited to assist in the delivery of the NHS England Integration Index project which requires us to work with people from diverse communities, helping them to describe their way through specific pathways.

“We’re awaiting more details at the moment, but delivery is hoped to be completed by March 2021.”

Healthwatch is the independent champion for people who use health and social care services whose sole purpose is to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to speak out on their behalf, working to get services right for the future.
The Healthwatch Peterborough Report ‘Your Care During Covid’ can be found here: https://www.healthwatchcambridgeshire.co.uk
The next Healthwatch Peterborough Board meeting in public is on 13 January 2021.