How are you doing? (COVID-19)

Healthwatch Luton began a project, to ask the public and professionals in Luton ‘How are you doing?’. The purpose of the project was to understand how the pandemic has affected the residents within Luton, their access to health and social care and their experiences since the pandemic began.

Based on the feedback they received in the month of June 2020, they heard people’s views about concerns for continuing care, for those with long term conditions or those with acute conditions, such as cancer; understanding what is available and for who it is available; what additional support there is for those of the BAME communities, specially where there is a higher prevalence of positive coronavirus; about mental health of those who are effected by the ‘lockdown’ situation and what or how to access any care for their wellbeing; access to GP and primary care has been a challenge, not just for individuals, but also for organisations and those who support others; concerns for more ‘routine’ hospital needs, that are being postponed constantly, causing concerns for those waiting; telephone consultations have worked well for a lot of people, both within primary care and the hospital; and mental health and wellbeing for those who are working during this time it is felt it is paramount to understand and be adaptive to their needs.

The report also contains a case study about the personal perspective of a retiree in Luton and the next steps that Healthwatch Luton will take following up on what they heard so far.