Bournemouth, Health & Lifestyle | Posted on February 28th, 2025 | return to news
Communities in Boscombe are being failed by health services
The report from Healthwatch Dorset has found that residents in Boscombe are concerned about lack of access to health and social care services.
Health and social care services in Boscombe are in need of improvement.
That is the finding of the latest report ‘Boscombe Voices: Shaping better health and social care in Dorset’s local communities’, from Healthwatch Dorset.
Boscombe is amongst the most deprived areas in Southwest England.
During summer 2024, Healthwatch Dorset engaged with around 180 Boscombe residents at local community groups and settings.
People said they had difficulty booking appointments for primary care; there was a lack of face-to-face GP appointments; residents were struggling to find NHS dentists; whilst there was drug and alcohol support, access to community mental health support and treatment for leg ulcers remain difficult; and social workers lacked local knowledge.
Recommendations for change included: improved access to GPs and NHS dental services; the strengthening of community health services; ensuring continuity in social care; and committing to ongoing community engagement.
Louise Bate, Healthwatch Dorset manager, said: “This report is an important step in ensuring that local services are designed with the needs of the community in mind.”
Jack Blankley, community development manager at BCP Council, said: “It’s clear from this report how accessing services is a real issue for residents in Boscombe and that local services need to reconsider how individuals access their support.
“It also raises important questions for policymakers on how best to invest in preventative services within neighbourhoods to address the wider social determinants of health to try and reduce the demands on both local council and NHS services.
“Without trying to understand the perspective of people who live and work in local communities, Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs) will not be able to deliver the change that the NHS desperately needs.”
Sally Northeast, associate director of Communications and Public Engagement, Dorset HealthCare University NHS Trust, said: “This engagement with the community in Boscombe is incredibly helpful and is in line with the way we plan to work with local people around the county to shape services in their area. The themes identified here will be included in the information pack which will help us tailor the INTs work around the needs people have identified.”
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