Publication date
June 2023
Key findings
Diagnosis
- Respondents often have to make multiple presentations to their GP surgery before getting a referral and subsequent diagnosis.
- Many people were diagnosed by chance when being assessed for separate issues by medical staff.
- Only 30% are diagnosed within six months of seeing their GP.
Management
- Written self-management plans are not being offered to the vast majority.
- Many respondents have not had an annual review since the end of Covid restrictions.
- A large proportion of sufferers are not being offered Pulmonary Rehabilitation treatment.
Technology
- Patients are very open to having technology help them self-manage their condition.
- Activity trackers and apps would be very popular.
Mental health
- The long-term nature of the conditions and the slow ‘inevitable’ decline in health is leaving people anxious and depressed.
- Many respondents feel anxious about their future.
Additional information
Survey by Healthwatch Essex.
Healthwatch Hertfordshire and Healthwatch Essex have been commissioned by the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) Primary Care Workstream to undertake a series of engagement projects.
The aims of the engagement projects include:
- Gathering lived experiences to feed directly into the Hertfordshire and West Essex ICS Primary Care Workstream.
- Supporting and enabling the Hertfordshire and West Essex ICS to achieve wider participant engagement.
- Engaging patients and the public on programmes covering key priorities and areas of importance at a regional and local level.
- Making recommendations to the Hertfordshire and West Essex ICS Primary Care Workstream so improvements can be implemented.