How residents view and use same day urgent care services - Central Mendip
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The Somerset ICB asked Healthwatch Somerset to gather the views of people living across the county about access to same day urgent care. 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 32 people in Central Mendip.
Awareness of same day urgent care services among participants was poor. Just under half recalled the GP practice, but very few mentioned MIU and pharmacy and none mentioned a dentist or optician.
Participants were unsure what Paulton Memorial Hospital is used for and whether it is, or isn’t, an MIU.
The majority of participants said they think they would need to see a healthcare professional on the same day if they were experiencing life-threatening symptoms. For children, they said a rash or fever.
Participants displayed mixed levels of confidence in terms of how they feel about sourcing same day urgent care-related information.
Participants mostly shared very positive same day urgent experiences and were particularly happy about the urgent care experiences they had at their local GP practice.
Participants were largely confident using the wider healthcare team, but not for serious conditions. Participants felt mixed about using the pharmacy for same day urgent care concerns.
People said that GP turnover is Central Mendip is high, and this disrupts continuity of care.
People said that accessing Bath RUH is particularly difficult if you live in the Coleford area and don’t drive.