A recent report by Age UK, It's a Struggle to be Seen, sheds light on the difficulties faced by those aged over 50 in accessing health and social care services. The findings resonate strongly with the experiences of rural residents, who face additional challenges due to their geographic location.

According to the report, over 50’s are finding it increasingly hard to access GP services, hospital appointments, and mental health support. The problem is exacerbated in rural areas where limited transport options, longer distances to medical facilities, and poor digital connectivity further hinder access to essential services.

Key Findings

The Age UK report, which surveyed over 2,600 adults aged 50 and above, revealed that less than half of respondents were confident that any medical issue they had would be adequately addressed by NHS services. Concerns were particularly high among those with long-term conditions and those providing care for others.

• GP Services: Nearly half of those surveyed expressed concern about accessing their GP. This issue is more pronounced in rural areas, where public transport is sparse and distances to healthcare facilities are greater.
• Hospital Appointments: Over 40% of respondents were worried about accessing hospital appointments, with long waits for referrals and treatments being a common complaint. Rural residents face additional delays due to the travel time required to reach hospitals.
• Mental Health Support: More than a quarter of older adults were concerned about accessing mental health services. In rural areas, where services are even more limited, this can lead to significant mental health deterioration.

Rural Challenges

The Rural Services Network (RSN) has long highlighted the unique health and care challenges faced by rural communities. The Winning the Rural Vote campaign emphasises the need for equitable access to healthcare services, fair funding, and enhanced transport options. The campaign's specific asks include:

• Enhancing Hospital Access: Prioritising transport and accessibility for rural patients and expanding transport schemes to support the rural population.
• Strengthening Local Care: Developing multi-disciplinary health hubs in rural towns to offer a range of services locally, reducing the need to travel to distant hospitals.
• Boosting Public and Mental Health Services: Increasing resources for public and mental health services in rural areas and addressing funding disparities.
• Improving Social Care: Implementing fair funding to address the higher costs of delivering social care in rural areas and enhancing engagement with local support services.
• Addressing Workforce Shortages: Offering incentives to attract healthcare professionals to rural areas and incorporating rural placements in medical training.

The Call for Action

Age UK’s findings align with the RSN’s advocacy for better health and care services in rural areas. The RSN urges all political parties and policymakers to consider the unique needs of rural communities in their healthcare strategies, especially as the general election approaches.

"Rural residents deserve the same level of care and access to services as those in urban areas," said Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK. "Our research shows that the current system is failing them, and we need urgent action to address these disparities."

The RSN echoes this sentiment, calling for targeted investments and policy reforms to ensure that rural communities are not left behind. By addressing the specific challenges highlighted in both the Age UK report and the RSN’s campaign, policymakers can make significant strides towards achieving equitable healthcare for all.

Read the report in full HERE.