Access to Healthcare Survey Report raises issues on basic health needs of older people

The Scottish Older People's Assembly (SOPA) raised concerns with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and wellbeing of older people as face-to-face contact stopped and access to primary care and dental service were restricted. That’s why in April 2021, SOPA’s Health and Wellbeing Group set up a survey to find out more about people’s experience.

Key findings (opens new window) now reveal that people's feelings of abandonment, fear and anxiety were mostly associated with not being able to access essential healthcare. Many older people are also concerned that the pandemic has provided an opportunity to deliver primary care services online. SOPA calls for people to be given a choice in how they receive this care and asks the Scottish Government for a clear plan to address the issues and concerns raised in this report.