Experiences of using health and social care services in Derbyshire

Healthwatch Derbyshire gathered people's experiences of health and social care services in the area between January and September 2018. Feedback was collected in a number of different ways for example, through engagement activity, emails, telephone conversations, online and by post from 936 local people.

It was found that people experience long waiting times for a range of mental health support services and mental health professionals in the community. People with mental health, long term conditions or any long term health or social care needs described a lack of knowledge and understanding when people do not have consistent relationships with professionals such as GPs, community psychiatric nurses (CPNs), social workers and homecare staff. Many people experienced loneliness which was sometimes linked to a lack of transport and rural isolation. People explained the importance of being involved in their relative’s end of life care, and gave positive feedback from several places about this happening. It is difficult knowing what services are available in the local area because in part of a lack of up to date accessible information.  There was a resistance to GP reception staff asking questions about the reasons for the appointment. People express concern that patients will not manage safely back at home once discharged.

A number of recommendations were made to address waiting times, continuity of care, loneliness, end of life care, access to information, awareness of triage systems, potential inefficiencies in the system, discharge to home, and falls prevention.