Long waits reported at A&E, St Mary’s Hospital pressures having a ‘sustained impact’ on patient care and delays with GP referrals are key concerns with Isle of Wight health services.
Mixed feedback from Islanders
Between 13th July and 12th August 2026, watchdog Healthwatch Isle of Wight gathered feedback from Islanders which was 63 per cent negative (107 responses), 34 per cent positive (57) and three per cent mixed or neutral (six).
GP and A&E top concerns
The two most prominent topics highlighted in its new Intelligence Report are GP and A&E services, with at least 30 negative responses respectively.
Praise for care homes and A&E staff
Areas with largely positive feedback include residential and nursing care homes as well as urgent care and dentistry.
There was also praise for A&E staff.
Patients describe long waits and delays
Healthwatch heard that one resident was referred to A&E by her GP and waited two hours before being told she would be admitted.
Despite this, she spent the next 24 hours sitting on a chair before reaching a ward, where she then waited over an hour for a bed.
Another said,
“I am writing to highlight the unacceptable difficulties my family has in getting a simple prescription from the GP to the pharmacy to access medicines.
“Every single time we have to reorder his medication there is an issue and my (relative) has to spend hours on the phone to the GP and the pharmacy trying to sort it out.”
A third told the watchdog that as a cancer patient, support from their GP surgery has been “pitiful”.
However, referring to The Bay GP practice, a fourth said they got a phone appointment quickly and easily using an online system.
NHS response
James Roach, director for neighbourhood health at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said,
“We are grateful to Healthwatch for continuing to listen to people and share their experiences of health and care services.
“This insight is valuable in helping us understand what matters to local people, recognise where services are working well and identify where people may be experiencing difficulties.
“We can demonstrate progress in terms of extending GP access, supporting our community pharmacies to extend access and service provision and have an ambitious Neighbourhood Health Plan for the future on the Isle of Wight.
“We take the experiences shared through Healthwatch seriously and will continue to work with our providers and partners to understand the issues raised and use this insight, alongside other information, to help shape and improve services for people across the Island.”
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has been approached for comment.
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
