View from the Chair: Peter Smith gives his views on the current health and social care landscape
“Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees plays a unique role in that we cover both NHS and social care services across the public and private sectors. But as you will know, there have been difficult challenges facing health and social care in the last 12 months across the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees.
The Covid-19 pandemic has continued to influence how the people living in our townships have led their lives, with the continuation of the vaccine and booster programme helping to bring us to a point where there is now some continuation of normal life.
“However, we must remain on our guard as the number of deaths associated with the virus locally continues to grow to a figure close to 600 in the last two years since the start of the pandemic. The impact on families and friends has been immense. There are also many people impacted by long-covid whose health has been negatively affected during this time alongside those people with an autoimmune disease whose lives continue to be put at greater risk.
“Staff employed in health and social care services across Stockton-on-Tees are exhausted by the constant and enormous challenge of the pandemic which is now influencing national policy and political minds. Staff shortages alongside demoralised staff working in our hospitals and in the community are expected to work longer hours to start to clear the backlog of cases. Some people have yet to be diagnosed, some are experiencing delays to annual check-ups and others are affected by appointments being changed. Necessary operations have been cancelled or delayed leading to frustration and further consequences.
“Care homes and home care services continue to be cautious as many vulnerable people have died and declined unnecessarily due to loneliness, anxiety and depression, impacted by the inability of family and friends to regularly visit.
The mental health of adults and younger people have been affected by the pandemic and this has bought increasing pressures especially for those people already dealing with mental health issues.
“At Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees we have used the opportunity and continued to provide a listening ear to service users’ experiences. The issues that matter to people locally include having a good hospital discharge, receiving appropriate mental health services, being able to receive NHS dental treatment and getting access to GP services.
We, therefore, welcome public feedback as this helps bring our reports to life and highlights the issues for decision makers. Our recommendations are listened to, and system changes are made to ultimately bring better care for the people of Stockton-on-Tees.
“The next 12 months will bring renewed enthusiasm to our dedicated staff team to help support the people of Stockton-on-Tees receive better health and social care services based on the principles of equality and inclusion.
The new regional Integrated Care System (ICS) going live in July 2022 aims to ensure the Government’s plans for a better health service will give control and deliver services locally, helping to reduce unequal health outcomes and provide sustainable services.
Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees is working closely with our Healthwatch partners to ensure the design of services will meet the needs of people locally.”
If you’d like to get in touch with the team about a health and social care matter, you can. Just call us on 01642 688312 or email: healthwatchstockton@pcp.uk.net
