#SpeakUp: Disability Awareness with Sport

Disability Awareness with Sport (DAWS) received a Healthwatch Sheffield Speak Up grant to gather the experiences of disabled people using local health services. The project engaged 85 people, focusing mainly on prosthetic services, wheelchair services and GP practices. Participants valued the opportunity to share their views and highlighted a number of concerns about specialist rehabilitation services at the Northern General Hospital. 

Feedback about prosthetic and wheelchair services was largely negative. People using prosthetic services reported feeling that staff did not always listen to their experiences or treat them as individuals. Concerns included long waits for fitting and adjustments, insufficient support and training following amputation, and a lack of opportunities for peer support. Wheelchair users similarly felt that assessments were not always person-centred, that communication could be poor and that the wheelchairs provided were often unsuitable. However, maintenance and repair services for wheelchairs were viewed positively. A notable finding was that many people were reluctant to complain because they feared this could affect future access to services.

The survey also gathered feedback on four Sheffield GP practices. Mosborough Health Centre received the most positive feedback, with respondents praising staff, access to appointments and quality of care. Hackenthorpe Medical Centre and Southall Health Centre were generally rated as good, although concerns were raised about appointment availability and reception staff attitudes. Moss Valley Medical Practice received the poorest ratings, mainly because of difficulties obtaining appointments. Across all practices, respondents were generally positive about the quality of care provided by doctors. 

The report concluded that the most significant issues related to the prosthetic and wheelchair services at the Mobility and Specialised Rehabilitation Centre. DAWS recommended working with Healthwatch Sheffield and commissioners to improve these services, ensure people feel respected and listened to, and develop ways for service users to provide honest feedback without fear of repercussions.