Disability Voices Phase 1 report
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Healthwatch Lancashire conducted engagement for the Disability Voices project, exploring the health and social care experiences of disabled people in the county. The project followed a recent study of the same name by Healthwatch Cumberland and Healthwatch Westmorland and Furness, which found that access to health services and good healthcare was the biggest concern for disabled people in the region, and the area that they would like to see the most change. They engaged with 370 people via a survey, case studies and focus groups.
Most disabled people who participated in the survey were satisfied with the care they receive from health services: However, while quality of care was generally considered good, access to care remains a significant barrier for many.
Travel and transport pose considerable challenges: Limited public transport services, especially in rural areas, and high costs, create barriers to healthcare access. While NHS-assisted transport is essential for many, inconvenient pick-up times often result in long, uncomfortable waits in hospitals.
The Pharmacy First initiative may disadvantage disabled people: Accessibility issues at many pharmacies, such as steps and heavy doors, create barriers to inclusion in the Pharmacy First initiative for some disabled people.
Compliance with the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) is inconsistent: Despite the AIS being a legal requirement, many disabled people receive healthcare information in inaccessible formats, leading to difficulties in booking appointments and understanding medical information.
Poor continuity of care is common: Good continuity of care is crucial for disabled people, particularly those with complex conditions. However, many feel passed around healthcare services without consistent support from familiar healthcare professionals.
Understanding of some conditions is insufficient across services: People with complex health needs experience frustration due to a lack of awareness and medical expertise among healthcare professionals, leading to delayed or missed diagnoses.
Many disabled people feel patronised by services: People feel their voices are not always heard when discussing their healthcare, and are frustrated by the tendency of health professionals to talk to carers or family members instead of them.
Disabled people are generally satisfied with the support provided by social care services once they are in the system: However, getting into the system is difficult, with long waiting times and uncertainty often following applications for support.
Many disabled people are not informed of the types of social care they are entitled to: People are missing out on support from social care services due to a perception that they will be refused support, or because they do not know what they are entitled to.