North Yorkshire Rural Access Project report
Download (PDF 3.98 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch North Yorkshire undertook research into rural access to health services due to an increased number of issues raised by the public regarding missed appointments and limited access to healthcare services throughout the Craven District due to its rural locality. The research involved collecting public experience data, information on transport timetables, appointment windows for healthcare providers and locations of surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals.
They found that travelling from very rural areas by public transport to health care appointments were very problematic. In some cases, people would have to set out very early in the morning to get to their healthcare appointment, and if they missed the public transport connection, they might have to wait hours for the next one. Others would have very complicated journeys involving multiple changes. In some cases, people might have to book overnight accommodation if the appointment is late in the day. Some parishes have no bus service, so people have to depend on taxis.
Appointments at Upper Wharfedale hospital were particularly difficult to access by public transport from some parts of Craven District, necessitating a 12-hour round trip. Generally, GP surgeries were more accessible, but in some areas there would still be problems accessing surgeries out of hours eg evenings.
The report suggests that the health service should consider assessing accessibility, transport options and favoured time slots when the patient is making the appointment or for surgeries to offer extended access. The report also recommends community transport provision.