Healthwatch Southwark’s Public Forum: “Everyone is treated equally” – Join the debate!

Healthwatch Southwark spoke to 67 local residents and representatives from voluntary and community organisations at a public forum held in September 2015 to discuss whether people in Southwark are treated equally when accessing health and care services. 

Participants highlighted concerns about access to GP services, social care, mental health support and communication barriers for people with disabilities and communication difficulties. Many felt health and social care services were difficult to navigate, information about service changes was not always clear, and vulnerable groups could struggle to access support. Concerns were also raised about the impact of financial pressures on service quality, as well as the need to better recognise and support people with “invisible disabilities”. 

Mental health was a significant theme throughout the discussion. Participants stressed the importance of early intervention, education in schools and better support for people experiencing mental ill health. Deaf residents highlighted the impact that communication barriers can have on both physical and mental wellbeing, while participants also discussed inequalities affecting people from Black and minority ethnic communities, people with learning disabilities and those living in areas of high deprivation. 

Healthwatch Southwark concluded that better communication, stronger public involvement, greater partnership working with the voluntary and community sector, improved sharing of information and a focus on reducing inequalities should remain priorities. Organisations attending the event committed to improving public engagement, making better use of equality data and ensuring services are designed around the needs of diverse local communities.