NHS services - experiences of people fleeing domestic abuse
Read our report highlighting experiences of NHS services of women fleeing domestic abuse
Healthwatch Coventry worked with the local charity Valley House to find out experiences of local NHS services from people who used their services. Valley House support people fleeing domestic abuse.
The survey and focus group showed experiences of GP services, mental health support and hospital services.
Healthwatch Coventry funded this research as part of a small grants funding programme for voluntary groups.
The experiences shared in this piece of work highlight
- Barriers to GP registration and inconsistency in experience of the process
- Challenges accessing appointments at GP practices
- The importance of staff understanding the situation of people moving house/location as a result of domestic abuse
- The importance of compassionate interactions
- The importance of information provision about local health services including mental health services so that people can navigate services and understand what to expect
Our recommendations
- GP practices follow the national guidance on registering new patients including that photo ID is not required for patient registration.
- Improved access to GP services – getting an appointment or getting through to a GP practice are common issues raised with Healthwatch Coventry. There needs to be more capacity, improvements to appointment booking systems and the needs of vulnerable groups must be recognised.
- Regular training should be in place to ensure that GP reception staff understand domestic abuse and recognise that choice in how to access GP services will be important
- Develop the information available to local people about mental health services. Local people should be involved and the needs of domestic abuse survivors and other vulnerable groups should inform this work.
