Cost of living impacting peoples health
Key issues
- The number of people avoiding an NHS appointment because they can’t afford travel almost doubled between October and December as the cost of living crisis is forcing many to change how they use health and care services.
- Over a third (39%) of people say the changes they have made to their lives due to the cost of living crisis have affected their mental health.
- Women are disproportionately affected by spiralling costs, with 35% saying their mental health has got worse over the last two months, compared to 26% of men.
With spiralling costs of living, Healthwatch is warning people are making changes to how they use health and social care services, which can have an adverse impact on their health and wellbeing.
The impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on many people’s ability to heat their homes and eat well has been widely reported. However, new Healthwatch data suggests people are increasingly avoiding prescriptions and attending NHS appointments due to the costs involved.
National body Healthwatch England conducted a tracker poll with 2,000 adults in England between October and December to assess the impact of the cost of living on their health and wellbeing and whether it has affected how they use health and social care services.
What will help?
The immediate actions the government, working with health and care services, can take to support people in the cost-of-living crisis and save money are:
- GPs should offer people over-the-counter medicines on prescription based on socio-economic grounds
- Primary care staff should make sure patients on lots of medication are aware of the annual prescription option
- NHS England should ensure people are aware of access to patient transport services or travel reimbursement schemes
- Dentists should follow NICE guidance to offer dental check-ups based on the patient's individual risk factors. This will help free up NHS slots for more people who currently can't find an NHS dentist and are forced to go private
- NHS England should work with Ofcom and telecommunications companies to ensure that hospital and GP phone numbers are part of freephone service, so cost is never a barrier to phoning a health service.
People are increasing having to make difficult choices about what to spend money on. it is alarming to hear that people are choosing not to get prescription medication or are struggling to pay for transport to medical appointments. being warm and well fed are also important for mental and physical health.
