Over recent months, Healthwatch Westmorland and Furness has been out in local communities listening to people’s real experiences of accessing their GP, using the NHS App, and trying Pharmacy First.
As part of a wider network of 14 Healthwatch organisations across the North East and North Cumbria, we gathered honest feedback from people in warm spaces, libraries, community centres, GP practices and more.
This joint report brings all of that insight together, showing what’s working well, where people are still struggling and what would make accessing GP care clearer and fairer.
The Integrated Care Board (ICB) has now taken this work forward. Our findings have been commended by the Quality & Safety Committee, will feature in GP bulletins, and are being used to inform future planning through the March Primary Care Sub Committee.
Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences with us across Westmorland and Furness. Your voice is already helping to influence change.