Outpatients' booking systems: an interim Healthwatch report

Healthwatch Brighton and Hove produced this report in July 2020 to bring together published data on the local impact of COVID-19. The report examined confirmed cases, deaths, hospital activity, care homes and mental health services in Brighton and Hove. At the time of publication there had been 779 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the city and 158 deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. Overall, the report found that Brighton and Hove had experienced lower infection and mortality rates than many parts of the country, although there were clear impacts on healthcare services and local communities. 

The report showed that the highest weekly number of COVID-related deaths occurred in April 2020 and had fallen substantially by June and July. Analysis of local data suggested some neighbourhoods, including Woodingdean, Rottingdean and Saltdean, Roedean and Marina, and parts of Hove, experienced higher numbers of recorded deaths than others. Data also suggested some areas of the city, including Saltdean, Woodingdean, Mile Oak, Westdene and parts of Hove, were at comparatively greater risk of hospitalisation if infection rates increased.

The report highlighted wider impacts on health and care services. Forty-four of the city’s 92 care homes had reported suspected or confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks by July 2020. Local mental health data showed a substantial reduction in referrals and face-to-face contacts during the pandemic, with modelling suggesting significant future increases in demand for mental health services. Healthwatch also noted national evidence showing disproportionate impacts on Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and people with learning disabilities. 

Healthwatch concluded that understanding the local impact of COVID-19 was challenging because data sources were changing rapidly and often provided only a partial picture. However, the evidence suggested that while Brighton and Hove had avoided some of the worst outcomes seen elsewhere, the pandemic had still created significant pressures for hospitals, mental health services and care homes. The report highlighted the importance of continued monitoring of infection rates, health inequalities and service demand as the pandemic developed.