COVID-19 in North Yorkshire July-November 2020

This report outlines the feedback that Healthwatch North Yorkshire received from people using health and social care services in North Yorkshire between July and November 2020.

This report is a summary of feedback received through online feedback forms, telephone, email, and social media. Nearly 200 people shared their views.

Healthwatch North Yorkshire found that people had mixed experiences of accessing healthcare. Some people found that online and telephone appointments had improved. However, many people who needed to speak to specialist practitioners, or who needed examinations which perhaps weren’t possible virtually, found it difficult to make or attend appointments.

82% of people who gave feedback on their experience of being discharged from hospital did not receive a follow-up visit or home assessment, despite this being recommended.

Healthwatch North Yorkshire reported fewer people missing face to face interactions, suggesting this was due to the brief lifting of restrictions, and groups getting used to using online technology such as Zoom.

People also reported feeling confusion about Government guidance around COVID-19. The most common area of confusion was being tested for COVID-19.

A large amount of feedback centred around people being unable to go to the dentist, mostly because they were unable to register at an NHS dentist.