Healthwatch Dorset
Project case study
Boscombe Voices: Shaping better health and social care in Dorset’s local communities
Boscombe is the second pilot area identified by Dorset’s Integrated Care System (ICS) for the development of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams. Census data identifies areas of Boscombe as being among the most deprived in Southwest England, and high levels of deprivation play a significant role in health inequalities.
During summer 2024, Healthwatch Dorset engaged with around 180 Boscombe residents at local community groups and settings, gathering valuable feedback on their experiences with local services; several themes emerged. The key findings were:
- Difficulty booking appointments
- Lack of face-to-face GP appointments
- NHS dental care shortages
- Specialist services access issues
- Social care challenges.
In their report, Healthwatch Dorset outlined recommendations to help the ICS shape the Integrated Neighbourhood Team for Boscombe and ensure it meets the community’s needs effectively.
Read the report
“This engagement with the community in Boscombe is incredibly helpful and is in line with the way we plan to work with local people around the county to shape services in their area. The themes identified here will be included in the information pack which will help us tailor the INTs work around the needs people have identified.”
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