RDC(3) P&D9

Rural Development Sub-Committee

Inquiry into Poverty and deprivation in Rural Wales

Response from Ceredigion Community Health Council

Our concerns are

1. Access to health services.  A lot of our secondary/tertiary care is provided out of County so travelling is a problem. Not everyone has the use of a car/is confident to drive far/has a family member/friend to be called on (Car parking an additional problem).  Public transport is patchy and appointments in these far afield places do not always tie in with availability of buses etc. Taxis are expensive and criteria for ambulance cars etc are getting tighter.  Some voluntary groups with transport available but again strict criteria/availability of volunteer drivers/funding. Cut back of country cars etc who have found that travel for hospital appointments was taking over their provision which was only aimed at social journeys originally.  

2. So, more services available near people's homes would be better - health professionals travelling rather than patients.  Technology to keep an eye on chronic conditions in patient's home eg telephone call rather than dragging patients to a hospital for 5min appointment.  Would like to see Access an integral part of any health service reorganisation - not just lip service but if we're moving service from A to B what must we put in place to ensure patients can access service.  

3. Primary care access also needs to be considered with branch surgery closures. Also, with decline in repeat prescription, ordering over phone - access - repeat by email?  Encourage pharmacies to sign up to repeat dispensing.  Pharmacy delivery of medication vital for the housebound etc.

4. More home based services eg podiatry, dental care, eye tests etc would be good.