How long does it take to get from places like Maldon, Burnham-on-Crouch and South Woodham Ferrers (SWF) to appointments at Broomfield, Basildon, Southend or specialist hospitals, on public transport, or in a car which must be parked? How easy is it to use local health services like GPs, pharmacies and dentists? How long is the wait for an ambulance?
On the 14 April, we launched our independent and anonymous academic survey to investigate this.
Peter Blackman, Chair, SWF Health & Social Care Group said:
“In conjunction with The University of Warwick we’re asking patients in Maldon Central, Dengie & SWF Integrated Neighbourhood Team area about their experiences of Accessibility to Healthcare Services. Our report produced with the University of Warwick in 2023: Health, Welfare & Social Care Assessment of the Dengie & South Woodham Ferrers Primary Care Network highlighted an issue of accessibility, which we want to investigate further. This is also an issue raised during the ongoing consultation about future community health services and St Peter’s Hospital, Maldon’s future.”
We are inviting residents of Maldon, the Dengie, and SWF aged 18+ to complete our survey to help form recommendations on accessibility. We’ll use this report to inform the Mid & South Essex Integrated Care Board and other relevant authorities to help guide any potential improvements in accessibility across the area.
📝 Take the Survey Now:
👉 warwick.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2mY0OwsBK4fDLam
🕒 Average time to complete: 20 minutes
📆 Closes: 11:59pm on Bank Holiday Monday, 5 May 2025
This survey is part of an independent research project conducted by South Woodham Ferrers Health & Social Care Group and the University of Warwick. It is not affiliated with the NHS, Essex County Council, the GP Patient Survey, the Friends and Family Test, or the ongoing Community Health Services Consultation. While we will engage with system partners, participation in this survey does not guarantee changes to services.
Study Title: The Maldon Central, Dengie & South Woodham Ferrers Integrated Neighbourhood (INT) area: Accessibility to Healthcare Services
Investigators: South Woodham Ferrers (SWF) Health & Social Care Group & Warwick Medical School
Researcher: Emily Cramb, Masters of Public Health student, Warwick Medical School
Academic Supervisor: Bronwyn Harris, Associate Professor, Public Health, Warwick Medical School
Organisational Supervisor: Peter Blackman, Chair, SWF Health & Social Care Group
This research is independent of the NHS, Essex County Council, the GP Patient Survey, and the Friends and Family Test. It is designed to gather insights specifically on accessibility needs across different healthcare services.
In 2023, South Woodham Ferrers Health & Social Group collaborated with the University of Warwick. Master of Public Health student Sacara Philips at the University of Warwick completed a report titled “Health, Welfare & Social Care Assessment of the Dengie & South Woodham Ferrers Primary Care Network” . The report highlighted the issue of service accessibility within the area. This research intends to build upon these findings. A link to the report can be found here: health-welfare-social-care-assessment-of-the-dengie-south-woodham-ferrers-pcn-jun23.pdf . Accessibility was the top concern of respondents in consultations about future of community health services and St Peter’s Hospital Maldon (Consultations 2024-25).
This study focuses on the physical accessibility to services used by residents within the Maldon Central, Dengie & South Woodham Ferrers Integrated Neighbourhood team (INT) area. INTs represent a collaborative approach in delivering health and social care services in a specific area. These are part of the NHS Long Term Plan published in 2019 and now exist across the UK. By observing accessibility within the INT area, this aims to have a positive effect on providing evidence for enhancing care and equity of service provision.
Contact:
Peter Blackman, Chair, SWF Health & Social Care Group
Email: swfhealthsocial@outlook.com
Mobile: 07966 170623
Voicemail 01245 322079