Tackling Health Inequalities
Download (PDF 1.49 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Cambspboro was commissioned by the Cambridgeshire South Care Partnership (CSCP) to investigate the barriers that cause health inequalities and to highlight any suggestions to improve care, including what people would ask for if they could “change one thing”.
For this project, the Health Champions planned and delivered a series of focus groups across the CSCP area to identify what barriers to getting health and social care people may have. And to ask for people’s ideas and insight into how services could better support them. They spoke to 36 people from different communities.
Clear common themes emerged from amongst the barriers that people identified. These included:
- Poor communication from health and care providers, with people often unaware of the help available within their community or being unable to find it in a format they can use.
- The rising cost of living which is impacting on people’s ability to afford suitable housing, eat a healthy diet and to access health and care services. People on the lowest incomes are affected the most and money worries increase the risk of people experiencing poor mental health.
- Digital exclusion makes it harder for people to access online information or services. This is when people do not have the basic skills or equipment or connectivity to access online services.
- The lack of public transport in rural locations makes it more challenging and expensive to attend appointments. The reduction of rural bus services and community car schemes has exacerbated this issue.
- Lack of suitable housing causing additional problems for some, for example rough sleepers need suitable accommodation with access to support for addictions.
- People with limb loss and those from the Gypsy and Traveller communities report living in accommodation that is unsuitable for their needs.
The above factors all have a layering effect increasing the difficulties people face in accessing services.
There were recommendations about communication, cost of living, transport, training for staff, registration and health screening.