What matters most?

In March 2021, the three local Healthwatch organisations across East Berkshire (Bracknell Forest, Slough, and Windsor, Ascot, and Maidenhead) worked together to develop their foundation of knowledge about the local communities, including their health and social care needs. They ran a survey until May 2021 and collected people’s opinions, concerns, and experiences of using, and accessing, health and social care services. The responses received focused on a variety of NHS services, ranging from GP surgeries to blood tests,and hospitals to COVID vaccination sites. Responses also gave an insight into the biggest health and wellbeing support across the past 12 months, and health and wellbeing goals for the next 12 months.

Healthwatch Slough heard from 101 residents providing 115 positive experiences of local services and 98 negative experiences. They found that COVID-19 vaccinations were the highest rated service whilst children's mental health services were the lowest rated services. 49% of residents found it difficult to access services. Healthwatch Slough found that video calling friends and family was the biggest support to residents in the past 12 months and that exercise and fitness related goals were the most desired for the next 12 months.