COVID-19 in Greater Manchester
Download (PDF 546.59 KB)Summary of report content
The ten Healthwatch in Greater Manchester (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan & Leigh) report on the collected findings of their research on the impact of COVID-19 on their communities and access to health and care. This report draws on the experience of around 3,000 people.
Common themes included:
- The need for clear communication. With many rule changes this has caused confusion for some. In addition, the closure or changes in appointments has caused a lot of disruption, with people not always clear what is going on or services will resume.
- Mental health – there have been significant pressures on people’s mental health due to the lockdown and subsequent changes to daily life.
- Services adapting – There examples of how services have adapted such as use of telephone or video to speak to people. However some people felt left out when services are provided remotely.
- Suggestions for change – people have suggested more testing, face masks and in particular better support for those impacted by the pandemic. Examples of better support might include shopping, wellbeing calls, access to prescriptions.
- Specific groups – some Healthwatch have engaged with specific groups in the community such as disabled people, Deaf people, and ethnic minority groups.
The report includes four recommendations about digital exclusion, access to NHS dentistry, mental health and waiting lists for routine care.