Home is where the care is? Experiences of people receiving care in their home

Healthwatch Surrey explored  whether community healthcare services (primarily) are accessible/available to people who are classified as being housebound, meeting their needs, and what improvements can be made to better meet these needs. From speaking to people and gathering experiences it became evident that whilst the GP is considered the gatekeeper of services, people spoke about how mental health services, social care and hospitals also played an important role in referring and providing care in people’s homes.  They spoke to 11 people.

The findings have been grouped under six themes: registration process, the appointment, involvement in decisions about care, challenges, attitudes and smart technology.