What matters most?
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Healthwatch Bradford and District undertook research on community priorities for health and care needs between May and August 2026. They collected 427 votes and spoke to local people at Ilkley Pride and the Bradford Dragon Boat Festival about neighbourhood health, health prevention and digital health.
Neighbourhood health emerged as the strongest priority, receiving 43% of all votes. People felt it was important to have health and care services closer to home and believed this would make it easier to access support, attend health checks, receive vaccinations and seek advice before problems became more serious. Fair access to health and care was the most popular individual priority, with many people stressing that everyone should have the same opportunity to live a healthy life regardless of where they live or who they are.
Digital health generated some of the strongest discussions. While many people recognised the benefits of technology, remote monitoring and virtual care, they were concerned about digital exclusion, the loss of face-to-face contact and the risk that older people and others could be left behind. Participants emphasised the importance of maintaining non-digital ways of accessing services and preserving personal interaction within healthcare.
Healthwatch Bradford and District concluded that future work should focus on neighbourhood health, with particular attention to health inequalities, accessible local services and prevention. The report also highlighted digital inclusion as a cross-cutting priority and recommended exploring how technology can improve care without creating barriers for those who are unable or unwilling to use digital services.