Post Polio Support Group, Taunton

Healthwatch Somerset undertook research on the experiences of people living with post-polio syndrome and the challenges they faced when accessing healthcare services. In December 2015, Healthwatch met with members of the Taunton Deane Post-Polio Support Group to explore concerns about professional understanding of the condition. The report does not specify how many people took part, although it notes that all those present reported difficulties with GP understanding of post-polio syndrome.

Participants said that many GPs and other healthcare professionals had limited knowledge of post-polio syndrome because polio has largely been eradicated in the UK. Group members felt this lack of awareness had contributed to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment, and they were concerned that health professionals did not always recognise the long-term effects experienced by polio survivors.

Healthwatch Somerset worked with the group coordinator from the British Polio Fellowship to explore these concerns further and agreed that additional research was needed to understand the extent of the problems. Healthwatch also supported the group to develop a questionnaire for members and provided assistance through its Community Pot Fund to help gather further evidence.

Healthwatch concluded that greater awareness of post-polio syndrome among healthcare professionals was needed and committed to sharing the findings with commissioners and healthcare organisations to help improve understanding of the condition and the experiences of people living with its long-term effects.