Healthwatch Oxfordshire says boaters forgotten by GPs

摘要

People who live on canal and river boats need greater support to access health services, an official report has claimed. Healthwatch Oxfordshire, one of the 151 local bodies monitoring access to NHS services, said that 60% of the liveaboard boaters it spoke to had experienced problems accessing healthcare in its area. In addition, more than half of boat dwellers had problems accessing a GP, which is often the gateway to other NHS services. The main findings of the report included that boaters seem to be a 'forgotten' group, with no targeted information and support.