Health services deeply concerning for rural residents

Rural residents are more concerned about deteriorating healthcare services than any other issue, a new survey has found.

The survey of 1901 people was conducted on behalf of Rural England Community Interest Company by researchers from the Countryside and Community Research Institute based at the University of Gloucestershire, and in partnership with the Rural Services Network.

Health came top of the list of topics of most concern to rural residents, before public transport, rural housing and rural crime.

Largely rural shire areas score badly on some Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHOF) indicators including the provision of health checks, mental health services and late HIV diagnosis, a recent report by the Rural England Community Interest Company found.

Cecilia Motley, RSN chair, said: “Confirmation that health – together I suspect with social care – is the main preoccupation for rural communities will surprise many people who might think other issues are more pressing, as past surveys (by others) have shown.

“This early evidence of concern about healthcare provision comes at a time when many countryside communities face the withdrawal of vital GP services, NHS Service re-configurations and general recruitment difficulties. NHS Providers are already expressing grave concerns about what they are describing as the worse winter in recent history.

“Although rural residents have other concerns – such as lack of affordable housing, poor public transport, often non-existent mobile and broadband connectivity and fears over the future of rural schools – health provision, social care and accessibility has risen sharply up the rural agenda.”