COVID-19 in Three Communities: investigating the effectiveness of information for Chinese, Deaf and South Asian Communities
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Healthwatch Manchester investigated the effectiveness of safety information given about the COVID-19 pandemic. People from disadvantaged communities often face pronounced health inequalities, particularly around accessing the information they need.
Members of the Healthwatch Manchester trustee board directed the investigation toward the South Asian, Deaf and Chinese communities as priority areas for investigation.
A questionnaire survey was developed, the aim of which was to uncover the reasons behind people’s lack of access to the information they required around COVID-19 and safety from infection.
Key Findings:
- A majority of those for whom English is a second language reported that they did not feel well informed about COVID-19, compared to people with a disability and the general public.
- People’s main concerns about the pandemic were about the impact on their general health and wellbeing, as well as reduced access to healthcare services.
- Information from the local NHS or local authority was rated highly in general. However, for disadvantaged communities this rating varies, and often has a lower rating of its accessibility and usefulness.
Four recommendations were made in this report:
1. Further consideration of accessibility is required by local providers of services when producing information and guidance for Manchester residents in those communities where English is not the first language.
2. The role of local voluntary and cultural-specific organisations in providing useful and accessible information through the correct methods to the communities they support should be acknowledged and gain investment by all key health and social care partners.
3. The role of pharmacy as a key point of contact and service uptake should be acknowledged and resourced as a provider and outlet of accessible information to disadvantaged communities.
4. Healthwatch Manchester needs to continue to invest in more accessible engagement methods in order to reach people from disadvantaged and marginalised communities.