Cost of living: People are increasingly avoiding NHS appointments and prescriptions (Healthwatch)With spiralling costs of living, we have warned people are making changes to how they use health and social care services, which can have an adverse impact on their health and wellbeing.
The impact the cost of living crisis is having on many people’s ability to heat their homes and eat well has been widely reported. However, our new data suggests people are increasingly avoiding booking/attending NHS appointments or taking up prescriptions and over-the-counter medications because of the costs.
People are avoiding vital care due to the fear of extra costs
The number of people who avoided an NHS appointment due to the cost of travel doubled to almost 11%, in December, up from 6% in October.
The poll also found that in December:
- Over 11% have avoided booking an NHS appointment because they couldn’t afford the associated costs, such as accessing the Internet or the cost of a phone call; up from 7% in October;
- 15% of respondents avoided going to a dentist because of the cost of checks ups or treatment, an up from 12% in October;
- And 10% of people have also avoided taking up one or more NHS prescriptions because of the cost, up from 6% in October;
- 10% avoided buying over the counter medication they normally rely on, up from 7% in October.
Cost of living affects people's health
39% of the respondents said that the changes they have made to keep up with the rising cost of living – include the actions mention above as well as not turning on the heating and cutting back on food - have negatively affected their mental health, while 35% said their physical health had got worse in the last two months.Over to you...
Have you avoided accessing health care or medication due to the extra costs?
Has your health been negatively affected by the cost of living crisis?
What do you think the Government should do in response to Healthwatch's findings?
