Healthwatch Sefton has uncovered a health crisis hiding in plain sight — residents skipping medical care, including dental and mental health support, due to spiralling living costs.
Healthwatch Sefton conducted a survey of Sefton residents to find out how the ongoing increases in the cost of living has affected their health and wellbeing and if there was a link to their ability to access their health and social care providers. 103 residents in total shared their experiences.
The results will help Healthwatch Sefton to ensure that the impacts shared by residents is factored into local decisions being made and work with the NHS and social care services to improve support for those that need it most.
Healthwatch Sefton Chairman John Turner said: “The survey is a reminder of the impact on Sefton residents of the rising cost of social care and health. The struggle to access or pay for dentistry affects all age groups and threatens future dental health as increasing numbers fail to receive check-ups or preventative care.”
Diane Blair Manager of Healthwatch Sefton said: “The findings from this survey are deeply concerning and paint a stark picture of how the rising cost of living is forcing many residents to make heart breaking choices about their health and wellbeing. No one should have to choose between heating their home and attending a medical appointment, or between eating enough and affording dental care. These insights will help us advocate for better support and more accessible services across Sefton.”
Some Key Findings include:
- Although 34 residents (33%) told us that they had enough money for living expenses, 62 residents (61%) told us that they either had just enough/ or not enough. Of those 62 residents, 31 told us that they sometimes/often run out of money.
- 78 residents (76 %) told us that their financial situation had become worse in the last 6 months.
- 34 residents (33%) told us that their mental health had not been impacted, 59 residents (58%) sharing that their mental health had been impacted, getting slightly or a lot worse.
- Some changes residents told us they had already made included: reducing how much food they eat and buy (48%), putting on more clothes than usual to stay warm (65%), with 60% not turning on the heating when they normally would. 69% said they were turning off or avoiding using essential appliances to save energy costs.
Residents were asked if they had already made, or are anticipating making changes to their health and social care due to the rising cost of living:
- Avoiding going to the dentist because of the cost of check-ups or treatment was the biggest change people had already made, 34% had already made the change with 15% thinking about making this change.
- Avoiding buying over the counter medication they would normally rely on: 20% had already made this change and 9% were thinking about making this change.
- Avoiding attending an NHS appointment because they can’t afford to travel to the appointment: 10% had made this change and 14% were thinking of making this change.
- Avoiding booking an NHS appointment because they couldn’t afford the associated costs (for example, phone calls/ internet access): 16% had made this change, while 12% were thinking of making this change.
Residents were asked to think specifically about the changes they had already made and what impact they had on their life.
- Your mental health (e.g. your level of stress and anxiety): 29% said a very negative impact and 29% said a negative impact.
- How often you see friends and family: 29% said a very negative impact, with 20% saying it had a negative impact.
- Your ability to manage an existing long-term condition (e.g. diabetes): 17% said a very negative impact and 14% said negative impact.
- Any feelings of physical pain: 19% said it had a very negative impact and 25% said it had a negative impact.
Residents were asked if they had any additional comments on the cost of living crisis and how it impacts their life, here are some comments:
“Obviously food prices have increased and it’s outrageous and I cannot find an NHS dentist at all. I have called over 100 practices and been told that they are not accepting NHS patients.” Male, age 45-49, states they have a disability.
“I am hesitant to get prescriptions due to the cost and my mental health has suffered greatly due to the cost of everything, mortgage has double, weekly shop increased by £40/£50 per week, fuel gone up. Everything just feels so bleak.” Female, age 40-45.
“I’m cold all the time. My arthritis has worsened…receptionists are the only GP contacts. And not suitable for health care…I can’t get help for insulation and I’ve tried multiple times…. I’m not on any benefits and the cost of living has trembled. My private pension is now taxed…I’m worse off than benefit receiving pensioners…at 79…I leave my house at 10am don’t return till 4pm cos can’t heat it…. go to bed 8.30pm this is no life. I’ve cancelled my TV licence to help. Because I won’t go into debt…. yet the energy companies will only help then.” – Female, age 65+, states they have a disability.
“Both my children have disabilities and I struggle to keep up with costs of travel. It would be helpful if there was a bus that went between hospitals. My daughter is under Alder Hey, Ormskirk and Southport so it gets very expensive, in last 12 months she’s had over 100 appointment alone and no entitled to DLA as she can walk and dress herself. Am limited to how much I can work due to being full time unpaid carers for my son.” Female, age 35-39, states they have a disability.
“Fear as I get older and my long-term health conditions worsen and have no support to take me to appointment s and how I will heat my home.” Female, age 60-64, states they have a disability.
If you would like to see a full copy of the survey results, please click the following link https://results.smartsurvey.co.uk/NQ8Yi311VHrGtbgT3bjoKzQhL0RcKyf5
Here are some useful links to local resources for those residents who need extra support:
Sefton Council cost of living support: https://www.sefton.gov.uk/costofliving
Healthwatch Sefton Community Champions network: https://healthwatchsefton.co.uk/community-champions/
Mental Health Support: https://www.sefton.gov.uk/public-health/support-with-looking-after-your-mental-health/
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