Health report warns vulnerable people risk being overlooked in future planning

The most vulnerable residents in Frimley’s area risk being neglected if care is not taken to include their voices, a report has warned.

Frimley Health, which runs Wexham Park Hospital among other care settings, worked with Healthwatch, an independent organisation with local branches that represents the views of the public in health and social care, to see how to better communicate.

The report, including contributions from Healthwatch Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead, is based on dozens of in-depth conversations with groups that often struggle to access health services.

These include carers and young carers, disabled people, people with learning disabilities, and ethnic minority communities.

Across Windsor and Maidenhead and beyond, there is a widespread frustration with past NHS consultations appeared to be tokenistic, ie people felt they are being asked for their views just for show.

Many groups said they had given up their time previously only to hear nothing back about what had changed as a result.

Without a clear ‘we said, you did’ approach, people said they were unlikely to engage again.

Many of the communities identified as needing to be heard are also those most likely to experience poorer health, the report noted.

Carers described exhaustion, stress and difficulties accessing timely support, while disabled people and those with learning disabilities spoke about anxiety, communication barriers and problems navigating hospital settings.

Groups working with people experiencing homelessness highlighted high levels of physical illness alongside mental health and substance misuses, often made worse by unstable living conditions.

Cost was a recurring barrier to views being heard. Travel expenses, parking, replacement care for carers and the time required to attend meetings were all cited as reasons people struggle to take part.

Groups said involvement needs to be properly funded if it is to be inclusive.

Digital-only engagement was also criticised. While some people prefere online meetings, many older residents, disabled people and those on low incomes are excluded by online-only.

For these reasons, the report repeatedly recommends that Frimley representatives attend existing community meetings in person, rather than expecting residents to travel or log on.

In Windsor and Maidenhead, young carers supported by Family Action said engagement must work around school hours, caring responsibilities and safeguarding requirements.

They warned that without feedback showing what difference their input has made, participation will remain low.

Trust emerged as a central theme. Community leaders said people are far more likely to speak honestly when engagement is run through organisations they already know, rather than unfamiliar NHS teams.

Several groups said they would rather hear updates in person or through short videos than lengthy written reports.

The report makes clear that these are the voices Frimley cannot afford to miss; people facing language barriers, digital exclusion, disability or caring responsibilities are often least able to attend standard consultations, yet are most affected by changes to hospital services.

Without deliberate efforts to involve them early, decisions risk being shaped mainly by those with the time, confidence and resources to respond.

Healthwatch warns that hearing from these groups is essential if Frimley hopes to reduce health inequalities rather than unintentionally deepen them.