What people have told us about elective care delays

Healthwatch Suffolk undertook research on the experience of people waiting for elective care in Suffolk.  They undertook a survey to which 1,382 people responded.

Most respondents were waiting for an operation (64%/942). Two hundred and thirty-three people were waiting for a first appointment, and 124 (8%) had received some treatment, but were waiting for more.

The data suggests some groups have a poorer experience of waiting for hospital care than other groups, including ethnic minority groups.

Twenty-four per cent of respondents said they had made a choice of hospital for treatment and care because of location, previous experiences of care, access to a specific consultant, convenience, perception, reputation and familiarity.

Seven in ten would be willing to travel to another hospital if it meant a reduction in their overall wait time. Over half were willing to travel to another hospital in the East of England and 27% were willing to travel further. Twelve percent had considered or were considering paying for private care.

Nearly half of all respondents had not been given any indication how long they would have to wait. Amongst those who were waiting for a diagnostic procedure (X-ray, scans etc.) this figure rose to 67%. People who were waiting for an operation were most likely to indicate they had been told how long they might have to wait.

At the time of completing the survey, most people who had been given an indicated wait time had either waited less than expected (41%), or the amount of time that had been indicated to them  Only 28% had already exceeded the time originally indicated. There is evidence of variations in wait times by gender within the data, however this may simply be a reflection of the differences in the types of procedures men and women were waiting for (men were more likely to be waiting for an operation, and women were more likely to be waiting for a first appointment).

Of those who had not been given any indicated wait time, 53% had said they had not received any information from the hospital about their wait.

One in five respondents said they had experienced a delay or cancellation to their planned appointments/procedures.

Over half hadn’t received any information about their wait or delay. Only one in five (20%) respondents reported that the information was easily accessible, and met their communication needs.

Nearly half wanted better information about their waiting time. Many were left unsure about when their procedure might take place, or even if they remained on the waiting list.

Nearly two thirds felt their condition had got worse whilst waiting for treatment. Impacts included increased pain, reduction in social life, decreased ability to undertake household tasks, negative impacts on mental  health, impact on relationships and ability to work.

Less than two in five felt they had access to the right help and information to manage their condition during their wait.

The report concludes with a series of recommendations about information and communication, holistic support and integration, tackling inequality and data sharing.