New PHW survey reveals GP's should offer support on diet and housing
New research by Public Health Wales has found 80% of people believe primary care services should play a role in supporting people with everyday issues like diet, housing, and staying physically active
A new survey has found that 80% of people in Wales believe primary care services (e.g. community pharmacies, optometrists, dentists, and GP practices) should play a role in supporting people with everyday issues like diet, housing, and staying physically active.
According to the latest Time to Talk Public Health survey from Public Health Wales, 74% of people believe healthcare professionals have a significant responsibility to ask patients about non-medical needs (e.g. housing problems, food insecurity or unemployment), which could be affecting their health.
In addition, 80% believe primary care services should refer people to local services that can provide non-medical support (e.g. food banks and housing charities) when needed.
The findings show people in Wales recognise that broader life circumstances impact their health and believe it’s appropriate for healthcare professionals to ask about them.
The survey also found:
- 70% support funding for primary care services being allocated based on community need (e.g. health status, employment levels, environmental quality).
- 51% support this approach even if it means areas with better health would receive fewer primary care services.
- 93% said access to healthcare is one of the biggest factors in determining individual health, followed by access to good quality, warm housing (89%), financial security (78%), strong social connections (77%), and fair working conditions (77%).
People also value flexibility and continuity in healthcare access:
If someone had multiple health concerns, 60% said they would be happy to wait longer for an appointment if it meant they could discuss more than one issue in a single session.
Similarly, if they were seeing a professional for an ongoing health issue, 57% said it was more important to see the same healthcare worker than to be seen quickly (only 20% prioritised speed).
Dr Kerry Bailey, Consultant in Public Health and Lead for Reducing Health Inequalities in the Primary Care Division at Public Health Wales, said:
“As a practising GP, I know some of these findings might spark debate, but this survey highlights that people in Wales want fair healthcare services.
"They recognise that where we live and the conditions we work in also affect our health.
"It also shows strong public support for healthcare services to talk to us about these wider aspects of our lives.”