Cost of Living Crisis Takes Toll on People's Health

If you hadn’t noticed we are living through a cost of living crisis. In the unlikely event that it had passed you by the news headlines on TV, radio and in the newspapers provide a daily remember of the economic uncertainty that surrounds us all.

Those headlines can be sensationally stark but behind them lies a grim reality that reveals just how deeply the crisis is biting.

We are sadly used to hearing about people having to decide between eating and heating, but now it seems the choice is also whether or not to receive treatment and care for health conditions. The proud boast of the National Health Service is that it is free at the point of delivery, but if patients are unable to afford to phone or travel to their appointment with a doctor or a consultant that boast is rendered meaningless.

New research by Healthwatch England, through a poll of 2,000 adults in the UK, tells us that the the cost of living crisis is forcing many to change how they use health and care services. The numbers avoiding an appointment because they can’t afford to make the journey almost doubled between October and December. The mental and physical health of many has been adversely affected by having to cope with the crisis itself.

The ability of people to access and receive the health care they need is affected by many things, including where you live and your local environment. Put simply, people who are better off usually live better lives than others, even when they need treatment for illness. During the Covid-19 pandemic we saw these health inequalities as they are called become even more significant. Now the dilemmas we all face because of the cost of living is adding a further element to that.

Following its research Healthwatch England has called on the government, and on health and care service providers, to ensure that the cost of living does not create a barrier to healthcare. Alongside the cost of staying warm, eating properly and attending those all-important appointments, there is also the cost of prescriptions to be taken into account.

Add to all that is the expense that many incur by the increasing use of telephone and digital contact with their GP. Simply hanging on the ‘phone to make the appointment in the first place can create unwanted expense.This requires immediate and urgent attention so that the  communication process is improved as a priority.The cost of travel clearly warrants attention but simply making a phone call should never be a barrier to health care. Quite rightly Healthwatch England has called on Ofcom and the telecommunication companies to devise a system to make all such phone numbers free of charge, as well as providing an efficient and straightforward system of getting in touch with your GP or other healthcare professionals.

If you are finding unnecessary problems are standing between you and the health care you need Healthwatch Coventry wants to hear from you. We are here to understand and represent what is happening to health and social care in the city. We want to know about the issues that you face in trying to find your way through all this.

If you are experiencing difficulties making sure that your health and social care needs are being met, and if in particular the cost of living is getting in the way of you staying fit and healthy, physically and mentally, please let us know. It is our role to ensure that those making the key health and social care decisions in Coventry know and understand what you are going through.

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