Scarborough Acute Services Review: Early Engagement with Seldom Heard Groups

Healthwatch North Yorkshire carried out engagement with refugees, asylum seekers, people from Eastern European communities and an LGBTQ+ community representative to inform the Scarborough Acute Services Review. The work explored experiences of maternity, paediatric and children's health services at Scarborough Hospital and what factors matter most when considering future service changes. Feedback about children's healthcare was mixed, ranging from very positive experiences to significant concerns about access to specialist expertise and the need to travel to other hospitals. 

Participants consistently said that quality of care was the most important consideration, with many willing to travel further if it meant their children would receive better treatment. However, they also stressed the importance of having local services for routine or urgent care and raised concerns about the impact of travelling long distances, particularly for families without access to a car. Cost, distance and the practical challenges of travelling with children were identified as important barriers. 

The report highlighted significant differences in experiences of communication and interpreting support. Participants from Eastern European communities generally reported feeling welcomed and supported, while some refugees and asylum seekers described difficulties accessing interpreters and occasions when appointments went ahead without appropriate language support. Participants also welcomed the potential use of digital technology to improve access to specialists, share information between services and support more inclusive communication.

Healthwatch concluded that quality of care, access to services and workforce expertise were the factors that mattered most to participants. The findings highlighted the importance of ensuring local services are inclusive, culturally sensitive and responsive to different communication needs. Participants also emphasised the need for healthcare services to be as accessible and supportive as possible for all communities, particularly those whose voices are often less heard in healthcare decision-making.