People's voices, local choices: local services in Hertfordshire and West Essex

Healthwatch Hertfordshire and Healthwatch Essex were commissioned by the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Partnership to carry out a survey to understand people's feedback on the six priorities in their strategy.  They reached over 1,700 people.

Priority 1 – Give every child the best start in life: Around 50% of parents and carers know how they can support their child’s development and where to seek and find that support. However, an average of a third of parents and carers needed more information and support.

Priority 2 – Support our communities and places to be healthy and sustainable: Over half of residents knew about and can afford to access local social groups and activities, had opportunities to learn and volunteer, and able to match their interests and skills. However over a quarter called for local provisions to be more accessible. Over 70% felt safe and part of their community, live in an environment that supports them to be healthy, and consider their home to be appropriate to their needs. Less than one in ten felt negatively about their local community.

Priority 3– Support our residents to maintain healthy lifestyles: More than 80% were positive about their health and wellbeing, and over 50% felt supported to have good mental health, know about and can access health and care services, including digitally. However one in four did not feel supported by local community services to stay healthy and change their behaviour for the better.

Priority 4 – Enable our residents to age well and support people living with dementia. Over 75% know how to plan for their old age, can live independently and feel they are treated with respect by friends, family and carers. 45% felt they were supported to think about their future, and 39% felt they would be supported with their end of life wishes.

Priority 5 – Improve support for people living with life-long conditions, long-term conditions, physical disabilities, and their families: One in two understand their condition, feel in control of their care, and know where to get help. However 50% do not feel services are joined-up to support them and one in four do not see the right professionals, do not feel they work together, and do not feel supported to manage their condition or disability.

Priority 6 - Improve our residents’ mental health and outcomes for those with learning disabilities and autism: Only 13% of residents felt supported and understood by professionals and struggled to understand and manage their own needs. Over 50% are underserved in this priority