Lambeth Pulse: Waiting Lists
Healthwatch Lambeth publishes our report on healthcare waiting lists, based on our survey of residents and their experiences. The findings reveal significant impacts on patient wellbeing due to extended wait times and limited communication.
In the past few years, record-high waiting times for NHS care have dominated the headlines. We often hear from residents in Lambeth with concerns about long waiting times, that have not been able to access care for months or even years. We also hear positive stories from people who have received prompt high-quality care.
In March of 2024, Healthwatch Lambeth launched the Lambeth Pulse: a bimonthly survey exploring the views of the community on a variety of topics across health and social care. Each survey is designed to reach wider sections of the public and uncover potential lines of enquiry for future research.
Key Findings:
- Impact of extended waiting times: Most respondents reported that their health and wellbeing had worsened since being on the waiting list, with respondents’ physical fitness, ability to socialise and condition or symptoms being the most affected. The longer respondents were on the waiting list, the more likely they were to report a decline in their health and wellbeing.
- Lack of communication: Communication is crucial to the quality of people’s experiences of waiting. The responses in our survey show that a lack of information can make people feel frustrated, worried, and unable to plan and make decisions.
Downloads
Lambeth Pulse: Waiting Lists
