What the public have told local Healthwatch about their experience of Health and Care services
Two public surveys were carried out: a ‘general survey’ for everyone and a long-term conditions survey which reached out to patients and their carers living with long term illnesses and who use services more frequently. Healthwatch also ran workshops to engage with community and other patient groups.
We spoke to nearly 600 people through the surveys, (nationally over 22,000 survey responses collected) and what they have told us is –
- People felt that choosing the right treatment should be a joint decision between the patient and relevant health care professional.
- People want to stay in their own home for as long as it is safe to do so.
- People want to talk to their doctor or other health care professional from wherever they are.
- Timely access to services is important and most patients are prepared to travel for this, if it is not too far or too time consuming.
- When someone is reaching out for help and support through their GP, they want to feel listened to.
Patients living with long term conditions have told us –
- They want to be able to look after themselves when possible but know that support exists for them when they need it.
- Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer and their carers reported a much better experience of the NHS than those who have a mental health diagnosis.
- Different long-term conditions create varied challenges and experiences.
- Communications with and information given to patients and carers throughout the illness needs improvement.
- Primary Care services would be improved if the professionals could better inform patients of local support services and had a better understanding of and training about how patients and family members experience living with long term conditions.
The findings of the ‘What matters to you?’ report is being used by NHS and Social Care partners to influence the creation of the five-year strategic plan for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, to improve the health and well-being of people.
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Download the full report here
“This was an excellent opportunity for us to capture the patient experience across LLR and to ensure that the wishes and opinions of local people are taken into account when planning NHS services.”
“This has been a far-reaching and worthwhile exercise which has enabled local people to tell Healthwatch and local and national policy makers what really matters for all of us when we need to call on our health and care services. I really hope that these results will be used to help shape and improve patients’ experiences at a time when they are at their most vulnerable.”
Sue Lock, Interim Sustainability and Transformation Partnership Lead, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, said:
“The Better Care Together partners recognise that by undertaking this work, Healthwatch organisations have provided a valuable opportunity for people to tell us what is important to them and share their hopes for the future of health and care services locally.
“The findings of the report are being examined against other insights from our population received by NHS organisations and other partners. This is and, will continue to be used to shape our plans to improve the health and well-being of people. It will also provide a lasting legacy helping us provide more personalised and joined up services across health and social care.”
