Barrow-In-Furness District General Engagement Report

Healthwatch Cumbria (HWC) chose to undertake some general engagement in the Barrow-In-Furness district area, with the aim of collecting information from the local residents about the issues that they are facing with the local health and social care services. Particularly to do with the health service concerns that matter the most to them and the reasons for this. To do this HWC developed a short survey which ran from 3rd April to 31st May 2022, which received a total of 41 responses, from residents of the Barrow-In-Furness district area. The key themes that have been identified from the responses, are:

• The main areas of concern for respondents in relation to health services, is accessing GPs and accessing dentistry.

• Key problems that people are facing with the accessibility of GPs is around obtaining face to face appointments and the lengthy waiting times for appointments.

• A substantial number of respondents shared that they have been unable to obtain a dentist.

• There is a mixed opinion on and experience with the adult social care system, with both negative and positive experiences/opinions being shared.