Access, waiting times and communication top health concerns in North Yorkshire
Healthwatch report highlights patient experiences from January to March
A recent report by Healthwatch North Yorkshire sheds light on the current state of health and care services across the region, reflecting feedback from residents between January and March 2026. The findings reveal persistent concerns about access to care, waiting times, communication, quality of treatment, and the importance of kindness, respect, and dignity in care settings.
In this period, Healthwatch engaged directly with 447 individuals through various channels, uncovering key issues in areas like Harrogate, Scarborough, Hambleton, and Craven. Access to care was the most frequent concern, highlighting struggles such as booking appointments online, transportation challenges, and difficulties accessing dental services.
One respondent remarked, “I live on my own. The last time a friend took me to an outpatient hospital appointment, he gave up seven hours of his day,” illustrating the dependence on external support for attending appointments.
Waiting times also emerged as a major concern, with 74% of respondents rating them negatively. Delays were noted for both routine and urgent appointments, with a resident sharing, “I’ve been told it’s 40 weeks I must wait. I’m in unbearable pain daily.”
Quality of treatment, while praised by some, showed inconsistencies, with experiences ranging from positive hospital care to issues with miscommunication and errors. “I have felt dismissed, misunderstood, and even told off at times” said one respondent.
Feedback on communication stressed the need for clarity and coherence, with many expressing frustration over repeated information and inconsistent messaging from healthcare providers. One participant noted, “I find it extremely difficult to cope with the fact that I see a different person every time I interact with my doctor’s practice, and I have to explain everything from the start.”
Concluding, Healthwatch North Yorkshire acknowledges the dedication of staff amidst challenges such as staffing shortages and financial pressures. The group say the report serves as both a recognition of positive care experiences and as a call to address identified risks to patient outcomes.