Community research 2018: Self-care, social issues affecting health, and care delivered closer to home

Every year Islington Clinical Commissioning Group commissions some community research to help inform its future commissioning intentions. This year they were particularly interested in hearing views from the community about self-care; social issues impacting on health, and care delivered closer to home.

The project was done as a partnership between the different organisations with Healthwatch Islington developing the tools to be used when carrying out the individual interviews and focus groups. Once the data had been analysed, the draft report was prepared by HW and was shared across the partnership. Staff involved in the research were trained by HW’s Training and Development Manager. Each partner provided additional information, signposting and support to those that needed it.

A total of 153 people, all local residents with English as a second language, gave their views. They were predominantly female. Almost half of the respondents self-identified as having a disability.

Self Care: The majority reported being aware of the steps taken to ensure they and their family stay healthy, through looking after their diet, keeping active looking out for their mental health, seeking advice at the right time from the right people, and monitoring key symptoms. The report identified barriers that prevented people from taking better care of their own health, which included existing health conditions, lack of money, lack of time, lack of interpreting support, and even Islamaphobia.

Social issues impacting on health: With regard to the issue of social isolation, partners reflected that although many of the clients described themselves as feeling very well connected to their neighbours and the local community, their answers to follow up questions often showed that they also felt isolated. Respondents did emphasise the role played by their support organisation, in helping them cope

Care Closer to home: In general, people were enthusiastic about the idea that health services could be provided closer to home. Just over 80% of respondents said they would like to receive some services in a local community setting delivered by GPs, rather than at their own GP practice or in a hospital setting. Some participants had been to the pharmacy to access the minor ailments scheme but had been turned away as it wasn’t offered at that particular pharmacy.

Recommendations made in the report were:

-That Islington CCG see whether there is evidence of inconsistency between GP practices in terms of the number of referrals being made to self-management programmes for long term health conditions, and take appropriate action if this proves to be the case.

-That Islington CCG work with the local authority to resource digital inclusion for older residents from these communities. This training would be most effectively delivered via grass roots community organisation.

-It would be better if the pharmacy ‘Minor ailment scheme’ was universally offered. It is confusing that different pharmacies offer different services.