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The district's Healthwatch group has launched a survey for any local member of the public to fill in.

Healtwatch, which is the consumer group representing patients, wants to get a sense of whether not people have decided not to seek medical treatment they would normally ask for because of the pandemic.

The survey also has a section devoted to mental health, with questions on how individuals have been affected by lockdown and if they've tried to access help.

There is concern some patients may have deliberately avoided seeking important medical treatment because of the pandemic.

Healthwatch says the findings from the poll will be an important source of information and could be used to help them lobby for improvements to parts of the health service.

Gary Jevon, the CEO of Wakefield Healthwatch, said: “More than ever, it’s vital at this time to make sure we know how local people are coping in the crisis when trying to access, or use, our health and care services.

"By working closely with the people leading the local response, sharing peoples’ experiences in ‘real time’ will help improve local services and learn lessons going forward."

The survey can be found here https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Coronavirus-YourLocalHealthAndCareServices/The public can send any further information or questions to [email protected]

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Have you avoided seeking medical help during COVID-19? Healthwatch Wakefield launches survey