Cost of Living Feedback Report
Healthwatch England recently published their findings and a set of immediate actions for the Government and the NHS, in relation to the cost of living and the detrimental impact it is having on people’s decisions about their own health and wellbeing.
In light of these findings, we wanted to find out if the cost of living was having an impact on people in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay and if so, in what way.
60 people responded to the survey and the survey ran throughout March to May 2023.
By Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay
In light of these findings, we wanted to find out if the cost of living was having an impact on people in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay and if so, in what way.
60 people responded to the survey and the survey ran throughout March to May 2023.
By Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay
Key Findings
- More than two thirds of respondents (68%) described their current financial situations as either not very or not at all comfortable.
- Most respondents (92%) said their financial situation had worsened over the last six months.
- Almost three quarters of respondents (72%) said their physical health and mental health had worsened over the last two months.
- Almost half of respondents (46%) said they have avoided going to the dentist because of the cost of check-ups or treatment and almost a quarter (22%) said they are anticipating this.
- Almost a third of respondents (32%) have cut down or stopped support from services that they pay privately for, such as physiotherapy, earwax removal or counselling.
- Half of respondents (50%) said that changes they have made because of the cost of living have negatively impacted on their ability to manage an existing long-term condition.
- Almost three quarters of respondents (73%) said the changes they have had to make due to the cost of living have negatively impacted on their levels of stress and anxiety.
Downloads
File download
HWDPT Cost of Living Report
