How residents view and use same day urgent care services - Bridgwater

The Somerset ICB asked Healthwatch Somerset to gather the views of people living across the county on access to same day urgent care services.  They did this by creating a countywide survey and by engaging with local people at community groups, libraries and other public spaces in Bridgwater, West Mendip, Frome, North Sedgemoor, Central Mendip, Taunton Dean, Yeovil, South Somerset West, South Somerset East, Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne. This report presents the views of 25 people Healthwatch spoke to in Bridgwater.

There is a lack of knowledge and awareness among participants of where to access urgent care services in Bridgwater. 

Most participants have a good understanding of what conditions/ailments should be classed as urgent. The definition of urgent varies according to the individuals affected. For instance, ‘urgent’ means different things to people with different worry levels. 

Participants gave mixed responses regarding how confident they feel finding information related to urgent care services.  Those who work in health and social care have a much better understanding of SDUC services than those who don’t. 

 First-time parents feel like information and support, particularly from health visitors, is lacking. 

Participants shared both positive and negative experiences of using urgent care services. 

The majority of participants feel confident seeing the wider healthcare team for urgent care conditions. There is a positive attitude towards the GP appointment booking systems across Bridgwater, which tend to offer routine appointments. 

 Participants gave mixed responses to how they feel about the distance to travel to urgent care services. Complaints centred on accessing Bridgwater Hospital by public transport.