Booking a GP appointment was itself described as the barrier, ahead of the appointment
Participants described barriers at the point of booking — being required to use an online form or to telephone at a fixed time — and reported that all booking routes were impractical for people who work, lack internet access or confidence, or lack the physical dexterity to use a phone.
18 one-to-one participants living in PO1–PO6 (3 men, 15 women, ages 38–76, 15 with a long-term condition or disability), plus one event with 6 attendees who work with residents of deprived areas. Self-selected, recruited through community organisations; not a representative sample of Portsmouth. · Qualitative community-based study: one-to-one conversations plus one group event, grouped by topic then thematically analysed. No survey instrument, no percentages, no population estimate. · p.6
Some participants had stopped seeking primary care altogether, and presented later in emergency settings
The report states that many people have given up trying to seek help and either hoped they got better or accessed emergency services once seriously unwell, and links this to pressure on Emergency Departments and Urgent Treatment Centres.
18 one-to-one participants living in PO1–PO6 (3 men, 15 women, ages 38–76, 15 with a long-term condition or disability), plus one event with 6 attendees who work with residents of deprived areas. Self-selected, recruited through community organisations; not a representative sample of Portsmouth. · Qualitative community-based study: one-to-one conversations plus one group event, grouped by topic then thematically analysed. No survey instrument, no percentages, no population estimate. · p.57
Digital-by-default access was the single barrier that recurred across every service area
The report's first key recommendation is that reliance on telephones and the internet acts as a barrier to healthcare, housing and education alike, and that alternatives must be made available rather than assumed away.
18 one-to-one participants living in PO1–PO6 (3 men, 15 women, ages 38–76, 15 with a long-term condition or disability), plus one event with 6 attendees who work with residents of deprived areas. Self-selected, recruited through community organisations; not a representative sample of Portsmouth. · Qualitative community-based study: one-to-one conversations plus one group event, grouped by topic then thematically analysed. No survey instrument, no percentages, no population estimate. · p.59
Where mental health support was obtained, participants described it being withdrawn rather than tapered
Mental health services were reported as not always accessible, with no clarity about who could refer someone, and support that was often withdrawn once gained.
18 one-to-one participants living in PO1–PO6 (3 men, 15 women, ages 38–76, 15 with a long-term condition or disability), plus one event with 6 attendees who work with residents of deprived areas. Self-selected, recruited through community organisations; not a representative sample of Portsmouth. · Qualitative community-based study: one-to-one conversations plus one group event, grouped by topic then thematically analysed. No survey instrument, no percentages, no population estimate. · p.57
NHS dental care was described as closed to some participants entirely — not merely delayed
Dental care was reported as not accessible for all, with some participants unable to join a patient list at all and others facing delays and cancellations.
18 one-to-one participants living in PO1–PO6 (3 men, 15 women, ages 38–76, 15 with a long-term condition or disability), plus one event with 6 attendees who work with residents of deprived areas. Self-selected, recruited through community organisations; not a representative sample of Portsmouth. · Qualitative community-based study: one-to-one conversations plus one group event, grouped by topic then thematically analysed. No survey instrument, no percentages, no population estimate. · p.58
Community groups and centres were the one part of the system participants consistently valued
Support groups, community centres, churches and similar spaces were valued and described as an alternative route to mental wellbeing, but were seen as under-funded and hard to sustain, and public transport limited who could reach them.
18 one-to-one participants living in PO1–PO6 (3 men, 15 women, ages 38–76, 15 with a long-term condition or disability), plus one event with 6 attendees who work with residents of deprived areas. Self-selected, recruited through community organisations; not a representative sample of Portsmouth. · Qualitative community-based study: one-to-one conversations plus one group event, grouped by topic then thematically analysed. No survey instrument, no percentages, no population estimate. · p.58
Qualifying for social housing required meeting several categories of need at once, and applying online
To access housing, individuals needed to use online platforms and email; the report states there is a lack of appropriate social housing in the city and that families must comply with multiple categories of need to qualify.
18 one-to-one participants living in PO1–PO6 (3 men, 15 women, ages 38–76, 15 with a long-term condition or disability), plus one event with 6 attendees who work with residents of deprived areas. Self-selected, recruited through community organisations; not a representative sample of Portsmouth. · Qualitative community-based study: one-to-one conversations plus one group event, grouped by topic then thematically analysed. No survey instrument, no percentages, no population estimate. · p.58
Condition and suitability, not only supply — private landlords not acting, and a shortage of wheelchair-accessible stock
The report states that landlords do not always take the necessary action to keep privately rented housing in an appropriate state, that shared accommodation affected mental health and wellbeing, and that stock suitable for wheelchair users was not considered adequate.
18 one-to-one participants living in PO1–PO6 (3 men, 15 women, ages 38–76, 15 with a long-term condition or disability), plus one event with 6 attendees who work with residents of deprived areas. Self-selected, recruited through community organisations; not a representative sample of Portsmouth. · Qualitative community-based study: one-to-one conversations plus one group event, grouped by topic then thematically analysed. No survey instrument, no percentages, no population estimate. · p.58
The 16–18 transition from school to college was the weakest point described in education
For older children moving from secondary school to college, the report identifies poor information about local provision, the cost of travelling to college, and — for young people with learning disabilities — safety concerns when attending college only a few hours per week, which in turn constrained parents' ability to work.
18 one-to-one participants living in PO1–PO6 (3 men, 15 women, ages 38–76, 15 with a long-term condition or disability), plus one event with 6 attendees who work with residents of deprived areas. Self-selected, recruited through community organisations; not a representative sample of Portsmouth. · Qualitative community-based study: one-to-one conversations plus one group event, grouped by topic then thematically analysed. No survey instrument, no percentages, no population estimate. · p.58
Named incidental costs — holiday clubs and school trips — were described as decisive for lower-income parents
Financial concerns affected working parents and adults seeking education, specifically the cost of holiday clubs and of school trips; the report recommends considering how lower-income parents might be supported to pay for both.
18 one-to-one participants living in PO1–PO6 (3 men, 15 women, ages 38–76, 15 with a long-term condition or disability), plus one event with 6 attendees who work with residents of deprived areas. Self-selected, recruited through community organisations; not a representative sample of Portsmouth. · Qualitative community-based study: one-to-one conversations plus one group event, grouped by topic then thematically analysed. No survey instrument, no percentages, no population estimate. · p.58
Participants wanted to work; the barriers they named were employer understanding, transport and inflexible roles
The report states that participants believed there is a lack of understanding and indeed discrimination among employers regarding disabilities, that local transport options did not support travel to work, and that despite these challenges people did want to work in ways accessible to them. Gaps in a CV or overseas employment history were also described as barriers.
18 one-to-one participants living in PO1–PO6 (3 men, 15 women, ages 38–76, 15 with a long-term condition or disability), plus one event with 6 attendees who work with residents of deprived areas. Self-selected, recruited through community organisations; not a representative sample of Portsmouth. · Qualitative community-based study: one-to-one conversations plus one group event, grouped by topic then thematically analysed. No survey instrument, no percentages, no population estimate. · p.58
For children with SEND, services were described as disconnected, with families passed between teams
The report identifies a further area beyond its original five: health and education for children with special educational needs or disabilities. Services were described as disconnected, with children passed from one team to another; it calls for joined-up working and a single point of access, and notes inconsistent support between schools and inconsistent application of EHCPs.
18 one-to-one participants living in PO1–PO6 (3 men, 15 women, ages 38–76, 15 with a long-term condition or disability), plus one event with 6 attendees who work with residents of deprived areas. Self-selected, recruited through community organisations; not a representative sample of Portsmouth. · Qualitative community-based study: one-to-one conversations plus one group event, grouped by topic then thematically analysed. No survey instrument, no percentages, no population estimate. · p.59