Access to health and social care services in Sheffield – key issues from October 2020
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Healthwatch Sheffield gathered feedback from people about access to health and social care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report found that people encountered difficulties accessing NHS dentists and long delays for treatment that had been paused. People reported that it was difficult to get through to their GPs via telephone and that there were mixed experiences of access flu vaccinations. Many people praised front line NHS workers. Patients and family members have felt that their complaints about mental health inpatient services are not being listened to. Mixed experiences were collected about virtual assessments and meetings. Restrictions to visiting care homes continues to be a significant issue which is impacting on residents in care homes and their relatives. On the other hand, there have been some examples of good practice in supported living services, where people have been able to have visitors, and also go out and meet family members in a public place. Healthwatch Sheffield also engaged with a group of British Sign Language users who reported that they COVID-19 has exacerbated longstanding issues in terms of accessing support.
No recommendations were made in this report.