How does it feel for me during Covid-19? Week commencing 15 June
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Healthwatch Leeds have produced a report about the feedback they have received from stakeholder organisations and the public about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic during the week commencing 15 June 2020. They have been running an online survey about people’s experiences of shielding to which they had received 560 responses.
Stakeholder organisations reported issues about the challenges of isolation, digital exclusion, access to food and language barriers.
The main findings from the survey were:
- 85% felt they had received enough information about shielding, but those that didn’t told of gaps in information and the lack of clarity, particularly when the advice to shielded people changed.
- Most people felt they were managing well whilst shielding, but others felt lonely and isolated from wider society.
- A few people made the choice not to shield fully because it would have put too great a strain on their mental health or they were finding it too difficult to get food.
- People wanted social distancing to be enforced more strictly or allowing shielding people to have a specific time of the day where they can leave the house alone.
- Others wanted opportunities to meet safely with other shielded people
- Shielded people were very positive about their recent healthcare appointments and seeing staff in PPE has a significant reassuring effect.
Healthwatch Leeds undertook a more detailed analysis of shielded people from minority ethnic backgrounds (42 people):
- They were less likely to feel that they were receiving clear information about shielding in an accessible format
- Many were struggling with their emotional wellbeing
- They felt that easier access to groceries would help if the advice to shield was extended.