Islington patients managing long-term conditions give feedback on their annual health checks and patterns of physical activity
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Healthwatch Islington worked with Diverse Communities Health Voice to gather feedback from people with long term conditions about their experience of annual health checks, physical activity and exercise to feed into the local ICB. They spoke to 504 people in total.
Most people who had been invited to an annual health check knew why they had been invited. Most wanted to get tests and checks, and getting reassurance that they were keeping on top of their conditions. Some wanted actively to improve their health.
Most people did some level of physical activity that raises their heart rate, mostly walking, but also housework, gardening and fitness activities. On average they spent 60 minutes in a week on these activities.
The top three aspects of physical activity that appealed to people the most were mental health benefits; building strength and staying alert.
Many respondents spoke of barriers, saying that better health would encourage them to become more active. The social aspect of being active was emphasised. Particular groups had strong connections to community centres and expressed willingness to get more active if those centres took the lead by hosting sessions. Others said there was a need for culturally appropriate sessions.
The top three things that would encourage people to be more physically active were advice from a healthcare professional, advice from a trusted person in their community and an exercise buddy.
The top 3 main barriers that people have faced to being active were physical health concerns, low motivation and bad weather conditions.
When asked what support would be most helpful from a healthcare professional in getting active, the top three were personalised advice; advice on what activities they should do and information on local options.
Feedback on the survey findings from partners found that:
- There was an abundance of information but it was not given at the right time
- Most information was online and not in community languages. People wanted to be given the information on paper and in their own language
- Test result letters after the annual health check didn't arrive for a long time, and some people couldn't understand them.
- People raised concerns about accessing green gyms and the cost of gym membership.
The report contains three recommendations about information, the cost of gym membership and access to women-only swimming sessions.