COVID-19 – focusing our engagement
Download (PDF 445.46 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Brent carried out research into local residents’ experience of information, support and services for Covid-19. During April and May 2020 they gathered feedback from 270 people (including some key workers), 7 care homes and 10 organisations. They focused in particular on black and minority ethnic (BAME) people.
Information about Covid-19 needed to be available in easy-read and community languages. People often struggled to understand the government’s instructions and work out if or how they were relevant. Many found the support from GPs unclear or unhelpful, and they struggled with online consultations. Some residents received food parcels but didn’t need them as they had other support Others were experiencing food poverty and economic poverty. Families were experiencing ‘burnout’ and anxiety due to the lack of respite from caring or home schooling. There was concern that mental health services may not meet the demand for services as the crisis continues. Young people concerned both about their future but also in their role as potential ‘super spreaders’ and the public messages about young people not being seriously affected by the disease.
The report sets out 5 recommendations and Healthwatch Brent’s intended actions on the findings.