After successive clouds of generally gloomy feedback, Isle of Wight health and social care services have received a new vote of confidence.
Most of the resident responses compiled in Healthwatch Isle of Wight’s December to January Intelligence Report were positive, with the Island’s nursing and residential care home services receiving overwhelming praise.
Overall, the report registered 56% positive feedback (118 entries), 9% which was neutral or mixed (18) and 35% that was negative (74).
A member of the public told the watchdog:
“My (relative) is in Solent Grange Nursing Home and they are amazing.”
Another, referring to a chronic pain service, said:
“Fabulous service, gives me faith and trust in them. They don’t have the answers or solutions but they have been kind and compassionate throughout.”
However, the report did also highlight concerns relating to the ‘quality and safety of temporary housing’, the ‘cost and availability of dental care’ and ‘long waits for appointments at some GP practices’.
One resident said she was concerned about her family after moving into temporary accommodation, describing the accommodation with shared community facilities as ‘absolutely filthy’ and posing a risk to her children.
Meanwhile, a dental patient said she was referred to a mainland dental practice for complex dental work costing thousands of pounds, only to be told later by another Island dental practice she did not need the treatment and they could offer her a cheaper option.
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said:
“The council is proud of the service it commissions from Healthwatch Isle of Wight and values the work that they do to support Island residents.
“The Healthwatch Isle of Wight Intelligence Report provides great insight into health and social care locally and forms part of the councils’ oversight of services. The themes and trends identified shape our services and those that are commissioned.”
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight have been approached for comment.
Shame the actual Hospital on the island doesn’t carryout
more procedures on the island, therefore islanders
wouldn’t have to travel to Pompey and Soton
Hospitals for treatment.