Between 13th June and 12th July 2025, Healthwatch Isle of Wight received 270 pieces of feedback from local people about health and social care services.
Of these, 74% (199 people) were negative, 25% (68 people) positive, and 1% (3 people) mixed or neutral.
Key concerns raised
Access to GP services and NHS dentistry remained the most common issues people reported.
There were continued concerns about potential funding cuts to Mountbatten, and people also highlighted long waits for neurology appointments.
Dentistry and GP services were the two topics mentioned most frequently in the feedback.
Examples of patient experiences
Some people shared positive experiences, such as one patient who said,
“Rang last Tuesday for non urgent appointment with GP. Phone answered immediately. Appointment given for Thursday morning. Seen by Doctor, Can’t fault care from start to finish.” (Brookside Health Centre)
Others described ongoing challenges. One person explained,
“My husband has been poorly for five weeks. We’ve had five phone calls to the surgery and he has still not been seen one face to face.”
Another reported,
“Registered as an NHS patient then told that there weren’t any appointments but could join the private payments plan for treatment.” (IW dental practice)
Action taken by Healthwatch
During this period, Healthwatch organised an event for Patient Participation Group members and GP practice staff to share good practice and reinvigorate their role.
The organisation met with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board to escalate concerns about Mountbatten’s funding.
A Trauma Informed Learning Event was also hosted, involving the Police, Isle of Wight NHS Trust, Isle of Wight Council, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the Ambulance service, to review a serious incident involving all services.
Gathering feedback from the community
Healthwatch provides a statutory information, advice and signposting service, using a telephone advice line, social media, and community engagement to reach people – especially those seldom heard.
Feedback comes via events, partner organisations, post, telephone, the website, face-to-face conversations, text and email.
Regular surveys will soon be launched to find out more about health and social care priorities and people’s experiences.
The human impact of delays and funding issues
One person spoke about the care their relative received at Mountbatten, saying,
“He experienced horrific pain for months. It was only when Mountbatten, and their palliative care expertise, were involved that his pain was finally managed.
“The NHS did their best, but the difference in care was like night and day.”
Another said,
“Can never really get a GP appointment always difficult even when the Doctor has asked for one.
“Long wait for referral appointments.”
A parent described how their son has to wait 18 months for an epilepsy appointment despite several seizures a day, adding,
“GP agrees it’s too long to wait – GP written – no response.”
One dental patient reported,
“I paid upfront for treatment, they then kept cancelling appointments.” (IW Dental practice)
