How are rising costs affecting our use of health services?
Healthwatch England have heard from the Healthwatch network about the impact the rising cost of living is having on people.
To understand the scale and nature of this impact, especially on people’s health and their use of health and care services, they commissioned a nationally representative (of England) poll.
The findings from waves 1 and 2 were published earlier this year.
Key trends in our research
A poll of 2000 adults in England, conducted four times between October 2022 and March 2023, suggests that people are increasingly avoiding vital health and care services due to the fear of extra costs:
- going to a dentist because of the cost of checks ups or treatment
- booking an NHS appointment because they couldn’t afford the associated costs, such as accessing the Internet or the cost of a phone call
- buying over the counter medication they normally rely on
- taking up one or more NHS prescriptions because of the cost.
Research also highlighted that the financial burden of healthcare is weighing heavily on specific groups:
- people on disability benefits
- people on means-tested benefits
- and younger people, aged 18-24.
Healthwatch found that people from these groups are more likely to be making tough decisions to avoid essential services.
As a patient champion, we are worried that vital health and care services are out of reach for many people. Read our immediate actions for the Government and the NHS.
This includes ensuring that:
- Communication providers communicate about and signpost to social tariffs
- Primary care teams make people who need medication aware of pre-payment options
- Dentistry teams offer check-ups based on individual need, to free up more NHS slots
- More people are aware of the Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme (HTCS).
Read our research on the problems people are facing with rising costs and how we believe these can be reduced to ensure cost is not a barrier to accessing care.
Latest advice
The continuing cost of living crisis is adversely affecting people's physical and mental wellbeing. Take a look at our tips to help you keep well.
