Public views on health and care during the Covid-19 pandemic in the care communities of Cheshire West and Cheshire

Healthwatch Cheshire West conducted research into the personal experiences of Cheshire residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report details the findings from the Healthwatch Cheshire Health and Wellbeing During Coronavirus survey which ran from 4^th May until 15^th October 2020. Across Cheshire, 1,661 people responded, this report focuses on the 830 responses from people in Cheshire West and Chester.

Healthwatch Cheshire West's research made findings on three main themes: Healthcare, Mental Health and Care. It found that a significant number of people reported not feeling comfortable either making, traveling to or attending appointments. The most common change to services people discussed were GP appointments taking place via telephone or video calls and increased waiting times for prescriptions. However, 71.4% of people rated access to their GP practice as ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’, 76.8% rated their experience of Hospital access as such as well as 81.2% who rated their experience of pharmacies.

For the most part respondents said they were coping well with their mental health. However, respondents did talk about stress and anxiety they felt, confusion over national guidance and missing friends and family. 83 people across Cheshire West and Chester responded to the care section of the survey. Changes to care were commented upon due to the pandemic, especially around changes in the use of Personal Assistants and having to rely more upon friends and family to fill the role of caring support. Where care has been provided, people commonly described it as having been a ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ service. Some respondents who commented upon Care Homes talked about not being able to visit their relative or friend, which was deemed an understandable measure.