Patient watchdog highlights health inequalities

Healthwatch Cambridgeshire holds summits every year to bring practitioners and patients together

More than 200 people have been to a summit discussing the link between poverty and health.

Healthwatch Cambridgeshire, a watchdog representing patients, said there were "stark disparities" in health outcomes between different areas of the county.

Its analysis suggested Peterborough and Fenland had "higher levels of disability and general ill health compared to other regions".

Jess Slater, Healthwatch Cambridgeshire's chief executive, said the event in Peterborough was a "call to action" to make sure "people, and their voices, are put at the heart of any decision, changes or developments in health services".

'Significant challenges'

Members of the public and practitioners gathered at the day-long event in Kingsgate conference centre in Peterborough on Wednesday.

They took part in workshops on themes such as older people and rural communities, children and young people, and ethnic minority communities.

Ms Slater said health services "do exist" but needed to be joined-up and take into account people's individual needs.

"You've got prescription costs, they are a barrier, and people on zero-hours contracts who can't access a doctors appointment – we're not holistic to people's needs."

Healthwatch said there were "significant challenges" facing those living in more deprived areas of Cambridgeshire.

Its analysis of official figures found child poverty rates, and overall death rates, were higher in Peterborough and Fenland – areas that Healthwatch said were also "significantly impacted by socio-economic disadvantage".

It said 37% of Peterborough residents lived among the 20% most deprived areas nationally, and 21% of residents in Fenland.

The watchdog said: "Peterborough and Fenland report higher levels of disability and general ill health compared to other regions, emphasising the need for targeted health interventions in these communities."

Healthwatch plans to produce a report on its findings and said it will be holding similar events for the public to join.