Building Blocks | Upper Peninsula
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Download our infographic to have a read of what we are hearing. For more information, please email us at enquiries@healthwatchmedway.com.
What people love
43% mentioned the community as a positive aspect of living in the Upper Peninsula, with 95% speaking about its positive impact on their wellbeing. People described feeling supported, safer and more socially connected.
Residents highlighted how neighbours look out for one another, how local groups make a difference, and how community Facebook groups help people to stay informed.
"We stick together out here. We have to look after ourselves because the council don't do anything to help. Look at wHoo Cares. They are all locals helping locals. They are a lifeline to so many out here."
What are the challenges?
Transport and road quality is a top issue affecting residents across the Upper Peninsula.
- 70% of residents raised concerns about transport and road conditions.
- 30% of people told us that the bus service is poor.
- 32% mentioned poor road conditions, with residents speaking about potholes causing damage to cars and dangerous flooding.
Residents said the poor bus service limits their ability to get to appointments, restricts job opportunities and makes day-to-day tasks harder.
Access to healthcare
More than half of residents (55%) mentioned healthcare, with the majority of comments (94%) being negative.
Residents said:
- They want better access to GPs.
- There are issues with continuity of care.
- The location of the GP in Hoo creates a barrier, especially for people with long-term conditions.
Digital exclusion is also a problem. 27% said lack of computer/internet access prevents them from accessing care. No one under the age of 45 raised this as an issue, and people aged 75-84 were twice as likely to report this as an issue.
“I have diabetes, but they told me it is managed on the computer because the doctor is in Birmingham. I don’t have a computer, so I need to get someone to help me. Luckily for me my daughter comes to see me every week and can do things like that.”
What residents want to see improved
- 34% would like to see improvements to health care services, including more local GP access.
- 32% would like to see an improvement in road conditions.
Engagement took place within community groups and public spaces such as the local library. This means that the feedback reflects the experiences of people already accessing these spaces, and the findings should be interpreted with this in mind.
Within the report, we highlight some differences between demographic groups. Due to small sample size, these differences are not statistically significant, and should be interpreted as indicative trends rather than conclusive evidence.
