Healthwatch Harrow Forums
Our forum events, held in-person, are an opportunity for local people to share their views and experiences. We also invite the people who plan and run our local services, so that residents may ask questions, and find out more about the services and any proposed changes.
The well-attended events also feature information stalls from local services and community groups.
Our Report on GP Access
The way we access local primary care services, such as GPs is evolving all the time. In recent years there has been a large shift towards remote services, with patients now booking online, and typically receiving their initial consultation (triage) through phone or video call.
Traditional methods, such as booking through the phone or in-person are on the decline, and this will affect certain groups with a support need – such as older people or those with a sensory disability.
Being able to see a GP of choice, or a GP at all, is also a recent challenge for some patients. Those with long-term, quite often complex needs value the continuity of seeing the same person, and often prefer a face-to-face relationship.
With all this change we launched a survey on access, completed by around 70 people from a range of ages and backgrounds. What did they tell us?
