Havens residents concerned about impact of new housing on GPs

In a new report published today residents in Newhaven and Peacehaven voice their concerns on the impact of new housing developments on local GP services. Residents regard their GPs highly but struggle to make appointments. With hundreds of new homes in the pipeline, there are fears the problem will only get worse.

Healthwatch East Sussex, the independent health and care watchdog, spent two weeks in the Havens talking to local people about local health and care services. The findings are captured in our new Listening to The Havens Report.

Views were largely positive, a typical view from one resident is

‘We would not move from this area because we wouldn’t get the same services anywhere else’

Lewes Victoria Hospital was praised very highly. Services that are available locally added to the overall satisfaction of local people as most did not want to travel to Brighton or Haywards Heath. However, when people needed to be referred to hospital services, the referral process and delays to receive an appointment is a concern.

The report highlights wider issues that members of the public shared with us, for example:

People spoke positively about:

• Staff across services are described as ‘helpful’ and ‘understanding’ by many

Not so positive conversations included:

• Young people spoke about their frustration accessing mental health services and were unhappy with the proposal to stop some of those services

John Routledge, Director of Healthwatch says:

“Getting closer to local communities is a priority for Healthwatch and by spending an intensive two weeks in the Havens on our Listening Tour we were able to really get under the skin of the local community.

The richness of conversations we had with local people generates real insights that can help inform, plan and deliver health and care services for the future. We will now ensure that the views we captured are shared with those who plan, buy and deliver local services and give them the opportunity to respond to what local people told us”.

The full report ‘Listening to the Havens’ can be viewed here https://healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk/havenslisteningtour/

We encourage local people from across East Sussex to share their experiences of local health and care services through our Information and Signposting service and on the feedback centre on our website www.healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk

Further Information

The Havens Listening Tour is part of a three-year Healthwatch programme of engagement designed to reach deeper into local communities to gather views and experiences from people it rarely hears from.

Healthwatch East Sussex continues to use its influence to ensure the rich data we gather is shared appropriately with those who provide, plan and pay for local services and that recommendations made are followed up.

If you were not able to share your views and experiences with us during the Havens tour, it isn’t too late!

Visit www.healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk or call 0333 101 4007.

All Havens Listening Tour reports and future updates are available on the Healthwatch East Sussex website www.healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk/havenslisteningtour

The dates for our next listening tour are currently being planned for 2019 in the rural High Weald. Keep an eye on our website for future updates.