In 2017 we carried out research and wrote two reports to improve local healthcare in Mid Hampshire.
Research reports:
Social isolation and its impact on health and wellbeing in Mid Hampshire
Well before Covid-10 brought it into the spotlight, social isolation was receiving increased attention from public health professionals, GPs, social care agencies and the not-for-profit sector. A wealth of data now exists indicating that social isolation has a negative impact on an individual’s health and wellbeing, resulting in increased pressure on health and social care resources and budgets.
In 2017, Action Hampshire undertook research commissioned by the Mid Hampshire locality of the South Hampshire MCP (Multispecialty Community Provider) vanguard who wanted to better understand the nature of social isolation in the Mid Hampshire area and its impact on local residents.
The study is focused on providing a real life picture from organisations and individuals working with, or having knowledge of, groups of people who may be at risk of social isolation.
Social isolation is often associated with older people. One aim of this study was to try and show the diversity of groups and individuals that are considered at risk. Given the rural nature of much of Mid Hampshire another aim was to investigate whether there is a rural dimension to social isolation in this locality.
Action Hampshire was also commissioned by Mid Hampshire Better Local Care to carry out qualitative interviews with older patients in Mid Hampshire.
The overall aim was to help Better Local Care understand patients’ experiences and perceptions of their healthcare – the good, the bad and the ugly. The report gives a thematic overview of what patients told us.
