Access to Childrens and Young People's services during Covid-19
Download (PDF 486.72 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Plymouth conducted research in the form of a survey aimed at parents who had accessed Children’s and Young People services since 1 April 2020 (start of the Covid pandemic). They gathered feedback about paediatric services, learning disability and SEND services, autism and CAMHS. They asked for feedback from those that had transitioned from Children/Young People services to Adult Services as well.
Some key themes that emerged from the discussions include:
• Long waiting times to access services following referral
• Long waiting times for follow up appointments
• Poor or lack of communication from services
• The Covid pandemic has exacerbated what were viewed as already long waiting times by users of the services
The report contains a response from commissioners and service providers in Plymouth, including the Strategic Commissioner and Head of SEND, Plymouth City Council, the Children’s Services Commissioner, NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, from Frank O’Friel Care Group Manager for Women’s and Children’s University Hospitals Plymouth and from Livewell Southwest.