COVID-19 Residents Survey and Focus Group
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Healthwatch Rochdale carried out a COVID-19 residents survey and focus group. The survey ran from 22nd May to 30th June 2020, and focused on the impact of the pandemic on health and wellbeing and experience of health care services. A total of 673 residents completed the survey. In September, Healthwatch Rochdale ran 17 focus groups to allow residents to share their individual experience. From these focus groups 37 responses were collected and analysed.
The survey and focus groups found that half of residents received help getting shopping and phone calls to check they were ok. 56% were satisfied with local information regarding COVID-19, most common access to local information were around changes to services and how to protect yourself. Mental health suffered, with 39% of residents reporting a deterioration, compared to 28% reporting physical health deterioration. This may have been compounded by behaviour change; 41% of respondents said they exercised less and 38% reported sleep loss. 47% of residents felt that their access to health and care services had decreased but 46% of respondents were satisfied with the communications regarding changes to services.
From the findings, Healthwatch Rochdale made recommendations. To increase engagement with young people by establishing a local Youthwatch to enable young people to have a say in shaping local health and care services. Healthwatch Rochdale to increase engagement with social housing and care home residents through partnership working with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing and local care home providers. Healthwatch Rochdale to increase engagement with the BAME Community by working with relevant partner organisations and faith leaders.