HEALTH service providers are failing some vulnerable people in the county, according to a survey by Citizens Advice Oxford.

The survey, supported by Healthwatch Oxfordshire, revealed a ‘sizeable minority’ of patients did not fully understand their treatment or were given inappropriate care.

The research highlighted a lack of continuity in care as well as a lack of information on GP services.

The team surveyed more than 200 clients, in addition to face-to-face interviews.

Among the concerns the team highlighted:

• 13 per cent of respondents had not accessed health services they need mainly due to language barriers or lack of provision

• Lack of GP continuity for people with long term health conditions;

• Quality of communication within health services, particularly around clarity and consistency of information. Some participants did not understand their treatment and the prescription of particular medications;

• Information lacking on surgery opening hours, choice of services and treatment options conflicting information from professionals, and lack of information on the status of referrals for specialists;

• Experiences of healthcare services causing increased anxiety and the need to travel long distances for specialist treatment leading to some participants being financially worse off.

Based on these findings, Citizens Advice has produced a list of 11 recommendations, mostly aimed at helping patients obtain the information they need and communicate better.

Director of Citizens Advice Oxford Al Bell, said: “We hope that health service providers will respond positively to our request to ensure people have fully understood their treatment and been given suitable options, particularly those with enhanced support needs.”

Read the full report at citizenadviceoxford.org.uk