Perceptions of health inequalities in Milton Keynes
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Healthwatch Milton Keynes conducted a survey to explore people’s perceptions of health inequality. They wanted to explore whether people understood what health inequalities are; what health inequalities people experience when trying to access health and social care services and, what would people like to see the health and social care system do to reduce the inequality.
Healthwatch found six common experiences of inequality across the groups they surveyed:
- Having to have several appointments with a GP to receive the right diagnosis, treatment and care because of language barriers, having a strong accent.
- Experiences of feeling judged or having health and wellbeing experiences and needs being dismissed as mental health issues or stemming from autism.
- Experiences of challenges in being listened to by health professionals as an expert of their own body, receiving correct diagnosis and support.
- Challenges receiving the right assessments and support.
- Poverty impacts on access to health services (transport), healthy food and dental care.
- Difficulty in getting the right information and advice from healthcare professionals.
There are recommendations in the report, from people and from Healthwatch, to help providers address the issues around health inequality.