February 2021 - what have we been hearing?

Healthwatch Sheffield’s February 2021 briefing highlighted feedback about Covid-19 vaccinations, GP services, NHS dentistry, access for Deaf people and waiting times for gender identity services. Experiences of the Covid-19 vaccination programme were overwhelmingly positive, with people praising efficient organisation, minimal waiting times and supportive staff. However, some individuals experienced difficulties accessing vaccinations despite being clinically vulnerable or having additional needs, creating stress before the issues were eventually resolved. 

Feedback about GP services was mixed. Many people praised caring staff and supportive clinicians, but others reported difficulties contacting practices and obtaining appointments. Communication and referral processes were recurring concerns. Some patients experienced delays because referrals had not progressed as expected, while others found themselves repeatedly contacting both hospitals and GP practices to determine responsibility for their care. One person’s mental health referral was delayed because incorrect contact details had been provided. 

Access to NHS dentistry remained a significant issue. While one patient reported a positive experience at Charles Clifford Dental Hospital, many others described being unable to obtain treatment for dental pain, infections or ongoing dental problems. Healthwatch found that many people had contacted several practices without receiving the telephone triage recommended by national guidance. Instead, patients were often told that practices were not accepting new NHS patients or that they needed to be registered before receiving care, leading to confusion and delays in accessing treatment. 

The briefing also highlighted barriers faced by Deaf people when accessing healthcare, including reliance on letters and telephone communication, difficulties booking appointments and challenges communicating while face coverings were in use. Concerns were also raised about lengthy waits for specialist gender identity services, with one individual facing a wait of more than four years from referral to first appointment. Overall, communication, accessibility and timely access to care emerged as the main issues raised by local residents during the month.