The impact of COVID-19 on Lewisham residents

This report is based on the feedback of 1,030 people, who completed the survey during June and July 2020.

Key findings

Infection Risk and Social Distancing

• 30% of respondents felt at high risk from the virus, those with long-term conditions were most likely to consider themselves high risk
• 15% of respondents had received a letter or text advising them to shield
• 67% of respondents are worried about spreading the virus in the community

Access to Services 

• There remains a considerable reluctance by residents to not access services because of the fear of catching COVID-19 or by being a burden on the NHS. Our data shows that public opinion in July did not differ from comments shared in the previous month
• Patients felt that up to date coronavirus figures, the availability of a vaccine, clear information from services about infection control measures and provision of PPE for staff would encourage them to access services

Mental Health and Wellbeing

• The COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown has had a substantial emotional impact on residents, with people experiencing issues such as bereavement, financial worries, social isolation and anxiety. There are likely to be further emotional impacts from post-lockdown redundancies which may not have been apparent at the time of the survey
• Parents and carers are finding additional responsibilities such as home schooling to be difficult to balance with their work lives/other tasks

Information and guidance

• Respondents felt the best sources for information to keep themselves safe during the pandemic were the daily COVID-19 briefings, news and the NHS and Government websites. 
• The 4 main topics which respondents wanted to receive further information and guidance around were COVID-19 testing, mental health self-help tips, dental services, and any changes to local healthcare services they access.

Digital Technology

• 92% of respondents felt comfortable using digital technology, which is an expected outcome when factoring in the nature of the survey.
• Training and guidance would increase confidence in some people using digital technology to access healthcare.

BAME Experiences 

• Just under a quarter (24%) of respondents identified as Black, African, or Minority Ethnic or from a non-white background
• 35% of respondents considered themselves to be at high risk from the virus