“I’ve don’t think we’ve ever been in such a dire situation,” the leader of the Island’s health watchdog has told Isle of Wight councillors.
Joanna Smith, Healthwatch Isle of Wight manager, said systems were under “such pressure”, social care is struggling to meet the needs of people, and something needs to be done “radically”.
Her intervention at County Hall last Thursday (1st October 2026) came during a discussion on Isle of Wight neighbourhood planning.
What is neighbourhood planning?
The latter is intended to bring together health, social care, voluntary sector and community partners to better understand and meet the needs of local populations.
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight and local partners are developing neighbourhood-based-models of care to provide more joined-up services, improve population health outcomes, tackle health inequalities and deliver more care closer to people’s homes.
‘Systems are under such pressure’
Ms Smith said,
“I’ve been here for some years and we’ve been through various cycles of similar reorganisations and reviews but I think we’ve got to the point on the Island now where systems are under such pressure.
“I’ve don’t think we’ve ever been in such a dire situation as we are in at the moment, to be frank. Hospitals are full, the staff are struggling, social care is struggling to meet the needs of people on the Island.
“Something needs to be done, radically. I do agree that we won’t get anywhere without looking at social care, first and foremost.”
Social care and national reform
She added this was reflected in the direction of the government at present and that her only plea was for plans to be focused on what people want.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that a National Care Service will be established in the next Parliament, providing free personal care for older people based on need rather than ability to pay.
NHS response
James Roach, director of neighbourhood health at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said the integrated care board (ICB) works and meets regularly with Joanna and responds to public insights.
Pressure at St Mary’s Hospital
Ms Smith’s comments come after Joe Smyth, chief officer at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said more than one in ten people needing to get into St Mary’s Hospital have been delayed by over 12 hours, at a meeting in August.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
