The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The cost of living crisis is having an adverse effect on Lincolnshire residents’ mental health, particularly those with long-term health issues and their carers, a charity has said.
Healthwatch Lincolnshire said a recent survey carried out saw 81 per cent of residents surveyed in the county agreed that the rising cost of living is causing them to worry or feel anxious.
With 83 per cent of the 327 respondents having reported their financial situation has worsened in the last six months, 69 per cent said they had experienced a decline in their mental health and 50 per cent in their physical health.
Among the measures respondents were taking to cut costs were cutting down on private services, avoiding buying medication and avoiding going to the dentists.
Other negative changes included people further isolating themselves from friends and family.
A Healthwatch Lincolnshire spokesman said: “While many respondents had been negatively affected by the rising cost of living, some of the most vulnerable in our communities appear to have been disproportionately affected.
“Individuals who seem to have been especially affected by the rising cost of living include carers, those with a disability, those with a long-term health condition and those whose income includes means-tested or disability benefits.
“Healthwatch Lincolnshire recommends greater support for everyone, but especially those already mentioned.
“More resources need to be available for these individuals on where they can get help.
“We will continue to monitor and engage with these groups.
The rising cost of living is likely to have an impact on existing health inequalities and, with this survey, we are likely to have not even reached those who are suffering the most.
“People are putting off prescriptions, doctors’ appointments, and even travelling to them, all because of additional expenses.
“Such measures taken in the name of cost reduction can seriously impact their physical and psychological health, adding to the strain on the already overwhelmed NHS.
“The cost of living should not be a hindrance to health care. Governments and health organisations must act urgently to combat the increasing number of people neglecting essential care.
lHealthwatch Lincolnshire’s chief executive officer Sarah Fletcher was asked to visit the Houses of Parliament last week to speak to its Health and Social Care Committee.
Alongside, Chris McCann, director of communications, insight and campaigns at Healthwatch England, she spoke about repeated calls for better health care in rural areas being continuously ignored, highlighting Lincolnshire’s current problems with access to dentists.
“It is all thanks to the people of Lincolnshire that we’ve been invited to take part,” she said. “I’m delighted to speak on their behalf.
“It’s opportunities like this that demonstrate the collective power of the voice and the people of Lincolnshire”
