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FIVE COMMUNITIES
SURVEY, REPORT ON THE
RESPONSES: JULY TO
OCTOBER 2014 For NHS Crawley Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS Horsham and Mid Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
Survey results on the Five Communities’
Plan July 2014 to October 2014. Introduction Between 2012 and 2014, the two clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) for Crawley and Horsham and Mid-Sussex have worked closely with partners in the local councils, West Sussex County Council, and the national bodies which plan NHS services: NHS England (Surrey and Sussex) and NHS estates (NHS Property services and Commissioning Health Partnership) to create two strategic service delivery plans (SSDPs) for services, and the buildings and infrastructure necessary to support those services over the next 20 to 30 years. The five communities’ SSDPs are the collective first stage in a longer, more detailed planning process which will enable various individual projects to be developed in more detail and the overall strategic plan to be developed and agreed. The five communities’ plans ‘sets out a vision for the future of local NHS care and health and wellbeing services, including services provided in GP Practices and the community, and NHS buildings.’ The plans cover the five communities of:
Crawley
Horsham (including Southwater, Broadbridge Heath, Rudgewick and Roffey)
East Grinstead (including Crawley Down and Turners Hill)
Haywards Heath (including Cuckfield, Cowfold, Lindfield, Ansty, Balcombe, Handcross and Bolney)
Burgess Hill (including Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks, Sayers Common, Wivelsfield, Ditchling and Goddards Green).
The area has seen a significant increase in housing and in the local population; the plans look at the wider health needs of the growing population, and evaluate how the local NHS can best meet the needs of all five communities over the next 20 to 30 years. The plans are being developed at a time of economic austerity when the NHS and their partners need to get the best value for patients for each health pound spent, and at a time when the population’s health and care needs are increasing, with a greater number of people living with several conditions and services seeing more people with complex needs. There are also challenges in terms of work force and having the relevant staff in place, and an increased emphasis on integration both for NHS and social care staff, and also on organisations working more closely across the whole system including with the wider voluntary and community sector.
The two draft Strategic Service Delivery Plans (SSDPs), together with NHS Crawley Clinical Commissioning Group’s Quality and Delivery Plan and NHS Horsham and Mid Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group’s Commissioning Plan, and the West Sussex Better Care Fund Plan working together are collectively the plans for health and care services across Crawley, Horsham and Mid-Sussex.
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
1 Background Between July 2014 and October 2014, the CCGs and their partners shared the first draft of those
plans with the five communities they serve to ask people for their views. This was done in a
number of ways:
there were five public events over three months, one per community,
an open invitation was given for local groups to invite the CCGs to attend their community
meetings and discuss the plans (insert how many events)
a survey was run online and X printed copies were distributed across the area, to allow
individuals and organisations to comment and share their experience of services.
stalls were set up in public places, such as shopping centres and leisure centres, to share
the plans, hand out the survey and seek the public’s views (insert how many)
a website was created with all the information, the draft plans and an online survey for
individuals to provide their views, and a variety of means to contribute to online discussion
forums. (insert link)
the two Commissioning Patient Reference Groups had a series of joint meetings with the
CCGs to discuss the engagement and communication plans and the five communities’
SSDPs, to give their perspectives and support in involving the local communities and
patient participation groups, as well as their views on the plans.
Promotional pieces appeared in the media and online through social media to encourage
people to take part and tell us what they thought, and ask what they themselves did to stay
fit and well, since a fundamental part of the plan is encourage people to look after their
health and emotional well-being.
All of this feedback and the views of key stakeholders and partners has been gathered together to
help shape the final versions of the strategic service delivery plans which will be revised and
agreed by the two CCGs’ governing bodies in November 2014 and December 2014..
This report contains the detailed analysis of the individual surveys which 299 people from across
the five communities completed either online or in hard copy.
Figure 1 Number of respondents, and the area they are commenting on
20
64 68
18
129
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Burgess Hill Crawley East Grinstead Haywards
Heath
Horsham
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
The survey was open for three months from July 2014 to the end of October 2014. We would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete the survey and share their views and experiences to assist us with our plans.
The survey methodology
The survey was developed by South East Commissioning Support Unit on behalf of the two clinical commissioning groups and is a series of quantitative (fixed questions – with definite answers which provide the clear indication of the number of respondents who support or disagree with a question) and qualitative questions (open questions for people to provide their views, opinions and experiences in their own words). There were 12 questions which covered the plans and seven questions which monitor who responded to the survey.
2 Summary of those who responded:
Figure 2 Breakdown of respondents by area
People responded from each of the five communities: the strongest level of response was from those areas – Horsham and East Grinstead, which had the highest media coverage featuring proposals for individual projects concerning GP practices, closely followed by Crawley residents.
3 Summary of the respondents’ views
The majority of respondents were positive about more services being offered locally: at GP practices and community hospitals. They had clear ideas about the services they want such as diagnostics, minor injuries, minor surgery, mental health services, outpatient clinics and better access to appointments with GPs.
20
64
6818
129
Burgess Hill
Crawley
East Grinstead
Haywards Heath
Horsham
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
They thought it would be easier for patients to get GP appointments if practices open for longer, including in the evenings and at weekends.
Those who took part in the survey liked the idea of GPs being based at the community hospitals and favoured an expansion of services at all the local hospitals: Horsham Hospital, Crawley Hospital, Queen Victoria Hospital at East Grinstead and Princess Royal Hospital at Haywards Heath.
They liked the idea of more integrated local services so that, for instance, consultants hold follow-up clinics in local hospitals rather than patients travelling repeatedly to a district general hospital for treatment. This would mean expanding the range of what community hospitals offer.
The two communities which would be directly affected by the proposed merger of practices – Horsham and Broadbridge Heath - had concerns about the impact this would have on local people’s access to GPs. They had no issue with the idea of more GPs working together as part of a larger practice and expanding the range of services available, but were profoundly concerned about whether people who rely on public transport or being able to walk to their surgery would find it too difficult if surgeries were out of town or further away.
Encouragingly, at least half the respondents are taking an active role in looking after themselves, and are fully aware of what steps they need to take to improve their health and wellbeing.
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
4 Detailed analysis of respondents’ views The first few questions explored people’s views on the plans for improving primary care by
allowing GP practices to play an even stronger role in providing more services. This puts
GPs at the centre of the wider network of community services and hospitals through a ‘hub
and spoke model’, based on reviewing the current capacity for surgeries to meet the
challenges of their local population’s needs. The suggestions include the potential to
expand service delivery by relocating or merging some practices to allow them to operate
out of fewer larger practices, extending the range of services delivered from surgeries, and
exploring the potential for the community hospitals to expand the primary care (GP
services) they offer.
Respondents were very positive overall about the plans to extend local services.
Q2 Would you like to see GP practices offering a greater range of services? Figure 3 shows respondents’ support for a greater range of services in GP practices,
196
32
Yes
No
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
Question 3 asked people: Are there any specific services you would want
for your neighbourhood? 151 people responded, 148 did not.
Figure 4 shows the respondents’ suggestions
Across the five communities, the strongest proposals from respondents were for:
local diagnostic services, including blood tests, scans, and X-ray, audiology
expansion of GP services including a wider range of services and easier access to
GP appointments,
extended GP hours, improving access appointments
healthcare support for older people such as advisory services for the elderly,
minor injuries and minor surgery
support for mental health
To see which services the respondents for each community wanted we analysed the
results by specific area.
Figure 5 shows suggestions from Burgess Hill respondents
2
19 22
7 17
2
28
3 11 12 8
2 05
1015202530 Mentions among 151 responses
3 3
1
3
00.5
11.5
22.5
33.5
GP appointments -Improved access
(opening times, outof hours etc)
Local diagnostics(blood tests, scans, X-
ray etc)
Mental healthservices - Improvedaccess (waiting lists
etc)
Minor injuriesservices
Burgess Hill
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
Figure 6 below shows Crawley respondents’ suggestions
Figure 7 above shows East Grinstead respondents’ suggestions
10
8
4
7
3 2
4 4
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Crawley
4 3
2
6 5
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
GPappointments -
Improvedaccess (opening
times, out ofhours etc)
GP servicesexpanded
GP existingsystems
improved
Hospitals -more utilisationof local hospital(extra services)
Localdiagnostics
(blood tests,scans, X-ray
etc)
East Grinstead
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
Figure 8 below shows Haywards Heath respondents’ suggestions for services
Figure 9 above shows Horsham respondents’ suggestions for services
1 1 1
2
1
2
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
GP servicesexpanded
GP existingsystems
improved
HCOOPservices
Hospitals -more
utilisation oflocal
hospital(extra
services)
Localdiagnostics
(blood tests,scans, X-ray
etc)
Mentalhealth
services -Improved
access(waiting lists
etc)
Haywards Heath
2
10 8
2
18 17
2 4 7
3
02468
101214161820 Horsham
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
Q4 Would extended hours at GP practices improve access for local people? 234 respondents (65 did not respond).
Figure 10 below, the majority of respondents were in favour of extended hours at GP practices.
90 people commented on this:
Most people felt this would provide better access for working people
Many suggested extending evening surgeries or offering weekend appointments
Several suggested that having more appointments spread over a longer period
would improve access for all patients.
Q5 Will the plans meet the needs of your local community? If so, please tell
us how, or if you think there are any gaps in our plans which should be
considered. 143 people answered this question (156 did not).
The word cloud below gives greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the survey
responses
218
16
0
50
100
150
200
250
Yes No
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
60 people (just under half of those who commented) were negative about the
specific ideas of merging their local practices in East Grinstead and Horsham. The
possible merger of Judges Close and Moatfield surgeries elicited concern as to
where the single-site merged surgery would be located as they are currently at
opposite ends of the town. People were concerned that the accessible town centre
location within easy walking distance would be lost, and that the quality of their
individual surgeries would be lost in one amalgamated larger surgery.
Equally, people responded negatively to the suggested merger of three Horsham
practices at Broadbridge Heath as part of the new leisure centre development and
the potential loss of the local town centre practices. Some respondents felt the
remaining branch surgery would be inundated by those wishing to avoid travelling,
and many commented negatively about the increased need to travel to Broadbridge
Heath, and the difficulties of public transport - particularly for older people who
might no longer drive or for those with mobility problems. Conversely, the smaller
number of respondents from Broadbridge Heath welcomed the idea of a surgery co-
located with the new leisure centre.
People were more positive about the potential for Horsham Hospital to have a GP
practice included in it or one respondent suggested utilising the closed fire station
premises. “The site is ripe for redevelopment as a substantial site for the delivery of
medical and social care.”
People also recommended the expansion of Queen Victoria Hospital at East
Grinstead, so that it operated as a local hospital offering community care as well as
the specialist service for a wider area.
People were in favour of a close working partnership with Horsham district council
to avoid the problems of additional housing not having health services included in
the original development and as a means to resolve some of the potential issues
around expanding the hospital services.
“There must be joined up thinking between the CCGs and the district councils. I am
all in favour of more services being provided locally but the issue in question for
Horsham is where? There must be cohesion so that the link between GP practices
and Horsham hospital is seamless, comprehensive and complementary services
with no duplication and good communication.”
Transport and the distance people currently travel for care was continually raised as
an issue which needs to be accounted for in any future strategic plans. For
example, while welcoming the suggestion of increased services provided locally
through the hub and spoke model, people felt that each of the five communities
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
needed to include the relevant range of local services rather than being spread out
across the area.
Recognising the welcome idea of extended hours at weekends and evenings,
difficulties with the current appointments systems was raised as an issue by 13 per
cent of respondents. They flagged difficulties in accessing GP appointments,
securing fast access to consultants, and also delays in seeing practice nurses
“Weekend surgeries must be addressed, the booking system for appointments
should be easier and patients should not have to wait as long for routine
appointments.”
Qu. 6 What do you think of the plans to improve GP practice buildings and facilities?
180 people responded to this question (119 did not).
The word cloud below gives greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the survey
responses
There was some repetition or similarity in the responses to question 5 for instance:
A significant number of respondents (approximately 35 per cent) were positive
about the idea of improved and expanded GP facilities to cope with the increased
population, and offering an expanded range of services.
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
“With the growing population and increased number of migrants, GP surgeries must
increase in number and size.”
“I am in favour of anything which offers better access to patients, particularly the
elderly.”
“Improving services and facilities should be more of a priority”
A few respondents commented favourably on the quality of care they received
locally or that their surgery had been recently improved or expanded.
A few respondents made other suggestions for improving care:
“I think every practice could use a dedicated minibus with volunteer drivers to
collect people with mobility problems, or who live at a distance but cannot drive. “
“Skype facilities for Doctors and specialist nurses for improved interaction and
communication. And electronic monitoring and support to triage patients to the
quickest route for diagnostic tests to wards, identifying treatment pathways and
monitoring progress.”
Just over a third of respondents commented negatively on the proposals which had
been mentioned about Horsham and East Grinstead that is the potential merger of
three town centre practices and the possibility of them being relocated to the
proposed leisure centre development at Broadbridge Heath, or the potential merger
of Judges Close and Moatfield.
Moatfield surgery was recognised as modern with the right amount of parking for
current capacity of patients, however, there were fears expressed that the merger
would compromise the quality of service.
“Better to have separate (but enlarged) surgeries ….combining surgeries seems
likely to be an economic decision rather than a patient-led one.”
“The proposal to improve primary care facilities is a good one so long as the
surgery itself is easily accessible to patients – especially the elderly, or mums with
young children.”
“Many residents in Horsham do not have transport and would prefer for their
surgery to remain close to the town centre.”
Again difficulties over appointments were mentioned,
“GPs seem to be under ridiculous pressure, patients struggle to get appointments
and 10 minutes is really not enough for patient or GP.”
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
Again respondents called for planners in local authorities to consider health
requirements when approving development plans. They called for closer
cooperation and consideration of other unused buildings in Horsham to increase
primary care capacity.
Queen Victoria hospital and Horsham Hospital were both suggested as potentially
offering suitable sites for a GP surgery.
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
5 How organisations might work better
together?
Questions seven and eight both looked at how organisations might work better together:
Q7 Will services working better together, and adopting a hub and spoke approach,
improve care in your area?
179 people responded, 120 did not. Of those who responded, 65 per cent were positive
about the hub and spoke approach and 35 per cent were not.
Figure 12 below, shows the respondents’ support for the hub and spoke approach
143 people commented on this:
116
63
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Yes No
16 18 12
7 7
24
9 5
1 8
13 7
12
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Key issues among 143 comments
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
More than a quarter - 27 per cent - of those who commented, looked at the importance of the hub
being accessible to their area. Most were in favour of more joined up working but many were
concerned that, if the services were spread across the five communities, they would then need to
travel more across the area. They again highlighted problems with public transport and with finding
the services if the hub was not at the local hospital.
“People want services locally and on their doorsteps. Not everyone can travel further afield. If you
are ill then you want the service close. For instance: most people have to travel from Crawley to
Guildford for cancer treatment. I drove my Mum for 12 weeks to Guildford having to take time off
my job in order to get her there. She didn't drive and she was too ill to go any other way. Currently I
am attending Mayday Hospital for treatment I cannot get either in Crawley Hospital or East Surrey.
I end up taking half a day off work to go to an appointment. Go back to the Cottage Hospital where
patients receive all their care.”
“It depends - ease of access, especially for people without a car and availability of other facilities
so really is one stop service. If it leads to more 'joined up' patient treatment – i.e., having tests
done at same time as seeing a specialist so no return trips needed.”
Many were prepared to support the principle of better coordination and local service delivery being
more joined up, and felt this would rely on good information and communication to make it work
effectively for staff and patients. Several respondents recognised that the detail of how this would
work in practice in their area was needed before they could confidently comment.
People were concerned that the system of delivery and process planning should not make it
impersonal and that the calibre of good care was often reliant on the relationship with the staff
delivering the services.
Question 8 in the survey probed the potential for greater connectivity across the sectors.
Q8. If you belong to a local business, health or social care organisation, charity or patient
group, we want to know what you think of our plans, and to find out if you have any ideas
about how your organisation can contribute to us working together more efficiently?
60 people or organisations responded, the majority, 239, did not.
The comments included:
Support for volunteers at hospitals, in charities and community groups and requests for
support in recognising their contribution
Greater IT connectivity across the sectors and better understanding of whole map of
services by professionals, and more signposting and information to support access for
individuals
Greater recognition by NHS of community transport schemes and support for some of the
work done by smaller local charities
That the CCGs and partners in local authorities should make greater use of patient and
carer representative groups such as PPGs, and that NHS organisations (including
providers such as hospitals) should take more account of patient feedback on the quality of
care.
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
The importance of mental health and voluntary sector champions and charities such as
MIND and Rethink, and a call for greater assistance for service users and carers in setting
up peer support groups. Also the need for GP surgeries to be better informed about mental
health support services which can help people maintain their emotional wellbeing.
The importance of support groups for older people in reducing isolation, offering assistance
to stay well at home
The potential for smaller groups to receive support in terms of space in buildings, training or
promotion of their activities. But also, from some respondents, a quality assurance of such
services.
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
6 The plans for community hospitals The next three questions focused on the plans for community hospitals.
Q9 Which hospital are you commenting about?
208 responded, 91 did not.
Figure 13 below, shows the number of respondents commenting on the different local hospitals: 44 per cent
Horsham Hospital, 25 per cent Crawley Hospital, 20 per cent Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead and
11 per cent the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.
Q10: What do you think of our plans for making better use of community
hospitals? 164 people answered this question, 135 did not.
The majority of those who commented (109 out of 164) were positive about the plans to
make better use of local community hospitals. People clearly felt having services locally
would improve access for patients, and reduce the amount of travelling they needed to do
to acute hospitals further away.
People felt it made sense in terms of making better use of resources but were concerned
about whether there were sufficient staff to deliver the services locally and over longer
hours. There was some scepticism about whether the plans would be realised or
affordable.
“Coordination is very important – twice when I was having chemotherapy in Crawley, the
drug was not delivered from East Surrey and had to be sent for separately.”
52
91
23
42 Crawley Hospital
Horsham Hospital
Princess Royal Hospital,Haywards Heath
Queen Victoria Hospital,East Grinstead
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
People felt that diagnostics and community based follow up would be advantageous but
needed to be well coordinated, having experienced lost appointments or diagnostic tests, or
having been told that consultants in one hospital couldn’t access the results of tests from
elsewhere.
A small number of respondents (11 out of 164) called for the return of services previously
based locally including: A&E, maternity and community based services such as
rehabilitation wards., mainly to ease the overburdened services based at acute hospitals.
Limited parking was raised as an issue which needs addressing in any plans if the
population and demand on services is increasing.
Public transport and the poor access some areas have to it, making journeying to
appointments difficult, was also raised as an issue. Community and volunteer transport
were mentioned as potential solutions.
Minor injuries services and improved diagnostics at community hospitals were proposed by
several respondents, and ensuring that GPs have suitable access to refer people and
receive the results.
While the plans for hospitals mention Crawley and Horsham specifically, respondents felt
that all the local hospitals could be used to greater advantage: Queen Victoria Hospital at
East Grinstead, and the Princess Royal Hospital at Haywards Heath, were both praised as
facilities which could offer more services for the local populations.
Q11: Which services would you prioritise to be added to your community hospital?
138 responses (161 did not comment).
A significant proportion (36 out of 138) called for increased minor injuries or A&E type
services to reduce the pressure on A&E departments and offer urgent care locally.
Diagnostic tests, including better access to x-ray, scans such as MRI and CT, and
phlebotomy, as well as investigations such as endoscopoy and colonoscopy were all
mentioned. People also commented on the need for adequate IT systems to ensure good
access to the results by clinicians whether GP or consultant, irrespective of which
organisation they worked for (35 out of 138).
Primary care, either GP or out of hours services (10 out of 138)
Cancer services (10 out of 138)
Outpatient clinics and follow up appointments for a range of services, cardiology, and
audiology were mentioned by a few people.
Mental health support services
Therapies such as Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
Advice and support services such as social care, care for older people and mental health
service users, and space for other community or voluntary organisations to offer drop in
services, benefits advice, support for children and families.
Dementia or care for older people were also mentioned
Minor surgery such as cataract surgery,
Maternity services were also mentioned by a few respondents.
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
7 Staying healthy There were two questions which asked: what do individuals currently do to take care of themselves? And also what can health and social care organisations do to support them in their efforts to stay fit and healthy? One of the pressures on the healthcare system is the rising demand for services which continues to grow quicker than the population. This reflects the improvements in services which are enabling people to live longer and recover from serious diseases such as cancer and cardiac disease. But the government and clinicians in public health who study population behaviours (such as the number of people who smoke or drink in moderation) and characteristics (for instance, the number of people over 80 and the number of people with complex needs) are warning that if we are to sustain the care system in its current format, the community and each individual has to take a share in the responsibility for looking after themselves and doing what they can to stay fit and well.
Qu: 12 What can we do to empower people to stay fit and healthy?
146 people responded, 153 people did not.
Generally, answers suggested that most people know the basic facts of what they ought to
do to stay healthy – watch their diet, exercise, drink only in moderation, stop smoking,
remember to have fun with family and friends to stay emotionally well; but that it is up to the
individual to act upon this.
“I think there is sufficient information about healthy lifestyles but if people choose to ignore
it, then I don’t think there is much to be done. Providing on site exercise classes in the work
environment might be an option but again those who are motivated will already be
incorporating exercise into their life.”
Respondents called for ongoing education to reinforce and share the messages: education
at schools and surgeries and clinics.
“Education in schools is vital. Improving the variety of activities in school and encouraging parental
responsibility.”
“Educate to encourage healthy eating and providing affordable exercise plans.”
“Education, education, education and close down all fast food sites such as burger and pizza
emporia.”
Encourage was a word frequently used by respondents, and suggestions were made about
working with district councils to offer discounted rates on leisure facilities, and ensuring that
leisure and sports centre facilities were kept rather than reduced.
Also, people stressed the importance of a facilitating a broad range of activities to suit a
wide variety of people and incomes and ages.
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
People welcomed the idea of services being co-located so that it is easy for people to
looking after themselves in a more holistic way, considering their whole health needs rather
than going to the doctors only when they are sick.
Some respondents wanted doctors to get tough with people and make sure they
understand when they need to help themselves. They called for the public sector, nationally
and locally, to take preventative measures to make the food industry better about labelling
and the contents of foods, and to reduce the promotion of alcohol and smoking to make
them less glamorous, and more expensive.
Extending the availability of exercise and diet classes to support those who are working
was mentioned by respondents, either by working with employers to take a more active
approach to supporting employees to stay well. Or by working with partner agencies to
increase the hours when classes were offered, many of which are during the day time.
Respondents recommended: preventative health checks being more widely available,
people having better dietary advice, educating people about their diagnoses and what they
can do to support themselves and GP referrals for exercise at leisure facilities.
A few called for increased support for mental health, including more social activities for
older people to reduce isolation and loneliness.
“Mental health is as important as physical health, so a range of counselling, mindfulness,
and alternative therapies would be a good addition.”
The word cloud below gives greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the survey
responses
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
Q13: What do you currently do to take care of yourself? Over 50 per cent of respondents (164) answered this question, respondents who demonstrated an
admirable understanding of and commitment to staying fit and well, 135 did not comment.
148/164 Nearly everyone who responded mentioned taking exercise, whether formally at a
gym, or by walking everywhere, gardening, swimming or playing golf.
74/164 mentioned eating a healthy diet and watching their weight
“ Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Cook my own food daily and avoid
takeaways. Non-smoker and take moderate exercise by walking regularly.”
Some respondents commented on the efforts they make to keep their minds active through
hobbies or volunteering or by regularly seeing friends, several respondents also
commented on making time to have fun and reduce stress.
“I weave, read, cook, socialise, do puzzles, visit theatres, museums and exhibitions to keep
my mind active and maintain social connections. I am on committees and help out with
organisations to which I belong.”
“Enjoy, laugh and be happy. To try to get others to be more positive and less stressed.”
A smaller number of respondents commented on managing or reducing their alcohol intake,
or not smoking, or making sure they slept well.
“Walk, diet, abstain from alcohol, added salt to food, illegal drugs and smoking. Sleep 8 – 9
hours, reduce fat and sugar as far as possible, low dose aspirin and anti-flu jab.”
Several mentioned following their doctors’ advice to manage their condition or healthcare
regime, and making sure they had flu jabs or check-ups.
“Visit the dentist regularly, and take advantage of health checks offered by the NHS.”
The word cloud below gives greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the survey
responses
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
8 Respondents 299 people completed the survey between July 2014 and 31 October 2014.
There were seven questions which monitored who had responded. Responses came from across the five community areas as shown earlier in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 14 below shows the age range of respondents: the majority were over 55 and there were responses from all ages.
Figure 14 shows the respondents’ age range
The CCG is now making contact with the youth councils to ensure young people are able to comment on the strategic direction and the plans as they are developed in more detail.
189 people told us their gender:
57 per cent who answered were female
39 per cent were male
0.5 per cent were transgender
3.5 per cent did not want to comment
2 109
24
4558
42
1
16 to 24
25 to 34
35 to 44
45 to 54
55 to 64
65 to 74
Over 75
Prefer not to answer
FIVE COMMUNITIES SURVEY, REPORT ON THE RESPONSES: JULY TO OCTOBER 2014
Q17 Please indicate your ethnic origin?
Q18 Where did you hear about the five communities’ plan?
The 40 people who chose other said:
From friends
From a GP practice Patient Participation Group or at the GP practice or networks of
which they are members
From public roadshows
From venues, neighbourhood councils, hospitals forums
166
5 4 3 6
White - British or Irish
White – other white background
Black or Black British
Asian or Asian British
Mixed
Chinese
39
8224
21
40Online
Newspaper or othermedia
At a community meeting
In a local newspaper
Other
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