Summary of report content
Healthwatch Greenwich undertook research with the staff, volunteers, members and service users of seven local support groups to understand their experience of the easing of lockdown restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic and their experience of accessing health and social care services.
Many were at high risk from COVID-19 or were caring for people in vulnerable groups. Many were still self-isolating or minimising contact with other people. Support groups were keeping in contact with their members via digital and non-digital methods. They were still providing vulnerable members with help collecting and delivering prescriptions and food deliveries.
People were confused about what activities were allowed. They felt that public messaging was often unclear, and this was exacerbated for people who were not fluent English speakers.
More people were accessing health services by telephone during the pandemic, and most had positive experiences. The report also looks at access to digital devices and the internet, including online access to healthcare.
The report doesn’t contain any recommendations.
Would you like to look at:
Network Impact
Relationships that exist locally, regionally, nationally have benefited from the work undertaken in the report
Implied Impact
Where it is implied that change may occur in the future as a result of Healthwatch work. This can be implied in a provider response, press release or other source. Implied impact can become tangible impact once change has occurred.
Tangible Impact
There is evidence of change that can be directly attributed to Healthwatch work undertaken in the report.