Healthwatch Staffordshire - Cost of living survey

We would really appreciate your help in completing this survey. It is completely anonymous and will help us to understand how the cost of living crisis is affecting people in Staffordshire and their use of health and social care. The demographic questions such as age, gender and ethnicity will help us see how different groups are affected.

Please note that any data you enter may be shared with our national organisation Healthwatch England.

Thank you for participating.

1. How would you describe your current financial situation?

Very comfortable (I have more than enough money for living expenses, and a lot spare to save or spend on extras or leisure)
Quite comfortable (I have enough money for living expenses, and a little spare to save or spend on extras or leisure)
Not very comfortable (I have just enough money for living expenses and little else)
Not at all comfortable (I don't have enough money for living expenses and sometimes or often run out of money)
Prefer not to say
Don't know

2. In the last six months, would you say that your financial situation has...?

3. Thinking about your health in the last two months, how has your physical and mental health been? When we talk about mental health we mean low mood, stress, anxiety and inability to concentrate as well as more severe mental health problems.

	Got a lot worse	Got a bit worse	Not changed	Got a bit better	Got a lot better	Don't know/prefer not to say
My physical health has ...	My physical health has ... Got a lot worse	My physical health has ... Got a bit worse	My physical health has ... Not changed	My physical health has ... Got a bit better	My physical health has ... Got a lot better	My physical health has ... Don't know/prefer not to say
My mental health has ...	My mental health has ... Got a lot worse	My mental health has ... Got a bit worse	My mental health has ... Not changed	My mental health has ... Got a bit better	My mental health has ... Got a lot better	My mental health has ... Don't know/prefer not to say

4. Have you made or are you anticipating making any of the following changes as a result of the current rising cost of living

5. Have you made or are you anticipating making any of the following changes to your health and social care due to the rising cost of living?

	I have made this change	I anticipate making this change	Not applicable	Don't know/prefer not to say
Avoiding booking an NHS appointment because I can't afford the associated costs (e.g. phone calls, internet access)	Avoiding booking an NHS appointment because I can't afford the associated costs (e.g. phone calls, internet access) I have made this change	Avoiding booking an NHS appointment because I can't afford the associated costs (e.g. phone calls, internet access) I anticipate making this change	Avoiding booking an NHS appointment because I can't afford the associated costs (e.g. phone calls, internet access) Not applicable	Avoiding booking an NHS appointment because I can't afford the associated costs (e.g. phone calls, internet access) Don't know/prefer not to say
Avoiding attending an NHS appointment because I can't afford to travel to the appointment	Avoiding attending an NHS appointment because I can't afford to travel to the appointment I have made this change	Avoiding attending an NHS appointment because I can't afford to travel to the appointment I anticipate making this change	Avoiding attending an NHS appointment because I can't afford to travel to the appointment Not applicable	Avoiding attending an NHS appointment because I can't afford to travel to the appointment Don't know/prefer not to say
Avoiding seeking help from the NHS because I can't afford to take time off work	Avoiding seeking help from the NHS because I can't afford to take time off work I have made this change	Avoiding seeking help from the NHS because I can't afford to take time off work I anticipate making this change	Avoiding seeking help from the NHS because I can't afford to take time off work Not applicable	Avoiding seeking help from the NHS because I can't afford to take time off work Don't know/prefer not to say
Avoiding buying over-the-counter medication that I usually rely on	Avoiding buying over-the-counter medication that I usually rely on I have made this change	Avoiding buying over-the-counter medication that I usually rely on I anticipate making this change	Avoiding buying over-the-counter medication that I usually rely on Not applicable	Avoiding buying over-the-counter medication that I usually rely on Don't know/prefer not to say
Avoiding taking one or more items on an NHS prescription because of the cost	Avoiding taking one or more items on an NHS prescription because of the cost I have made this change	Avoiding taking one or more items on an NHS prescription because of the cost I anticipate making this change	Avoiding taking one or more items on an NHS prescription because of the cost Not applicable	Avoiding taking one or more items on an NHS prescription because of the cost Don't know/prefer not to say
Avoiding going to the dentist because of the cost of checkups or treatment	Avoiding going to the dentist because of the cost of checkups or treatment I have made this change	Avoiding going to the dentist because of the cost of checkups or treatment I anticipate making this change	Avoiding going to the dentist because of the cost of checkups or treatment Not applicable	Avoiding going to the dentist because of the cost of checkups or treatment Don't know/prefer not to say
Cutting down on the use of medical equipment at home because of the running costs	Cutting down on the use of medical equipment at home because of the running costs I have made this change	Cutting down on the use of medical equipment at home because of the running costs I anticipate making this change	Cutting down on the use of medical equipment at home because of the running costs Not applicable	Cutting down on the use of medical equipment at home because of the running costs Don't know/prefer not to say
Cutting down on or stopping support from services that I pay for, such as physiotherapy or counselling	Cutting down on or stopping support from services that I pay for, such as physiotherapy or counselling I have made this change	Cutting down on or stopping support from services that I pay for, such as physiotherapy or counselling I anticipate making this change	Cutting down on or stopping support from services that I pay for, such as physiotherapy or counselling Not applicable	Cutting down on or stopping support from services that I pay for, such as physiotherapy or counselling Don't know/prefer not to say
Stopping a special diet needed for a condition that I have	Stopping a special diet needed for a condition that I have I have made this change	Stopping a special diet needed for a condition that I have I anticipate making this change	Stopping a special diet needed for a condition that I have Not applicable	Stopping a special diet needed for a condition that I have Don't know/prefer not to say
Changing, cutting down on or stopping support from paid for carers	Changing, cutting down on or stopping support from paid for carers I have made this change	Changing, cutting down on or stopping support from paid for carers I anticipate making this change	Changing, cutting down on or stopping support from paid for carers Not applicable	Changing, cutting down on or stopping support from paid for carers Don't know/prefer not to say

6. Thinking specifically about the changes that you have already made, what impact have they had on the following areas of your life?

	A very negative impact	A negative impact	Neither a positive nor a negative impact	Quite a positive impact	A very positive impact	Not applicable	Don't know/prefer not to say
Your ability to work (e.g. your fitness levels)	Your ability to work (e.g. your fitness levels) A very negative impact	Your ability to work (e.g. your fitness levels) A negative impact	Your ability to work (e.g. your fitness levels) Neither a positive nor a negative impact	Your ability to work (e.g. your fitness levels) Quite a positive impact	Your ability to work (e.g. your fitness levels) A very positive impact	Your ability to work (e.g. your fitness levels) Not applicable	Your ability to work (e.g. your fitness levels) Don't know/prefer not to say
Your ability to care for others	Your ability to care for others A very negative impact	Your ability to care for others A negative impact	Your ability to care for others Neither a positive nor a negative impact	Your ability to care for others Quite a positive impact	Your ability to care for others A very positive impact	Your ability to care for others Not applicable	Your ability to care for others Don't know/prefer not to say
Your mental health (e.g. your level of stress and anxiety)	Your mental health (e.g. your level of stress and anxiety) A very negative impact	Your mental health (e.g. your level of stress and anxiety) A negative impact	Your mental health (e.g. your level of stress and anxiety) Neither a positive nor a negative impact	Your mental health (e.g. your level of stress and anxiety) Quite a positive impact	Your mental health (e.g. your level of stress and anxiety) A very positive impact	Your mental health (e.g. your level of stress and anxiety) Not applicable	Your mental health (e.g. your level of stress and anxiety) Don't know/prefer not to say
Your ability to manage an existing long term condition (e.g diabetes)	Your ability to manage an existing long term condition (e.g diabetes) A very negative impact	Your ability to manage an existing long term condition (e.g diabetes) A negative impact	Your ability to manage an existing long term condition (e.g diabetes) Neither a positive nor a negative impact	Your ability to manage an existing long term condition (e.g diabetes) Quite a positive impact	Your ability to manage an existing long term condition (e.g diabetes) A very positive impact	Your ability to manage an existing long term condition (e.g diabetes) Not applicable	Your ability to manage an existing long term condition (e.g diabetes) Don't know/prefer not to say
Any feelings of physical pain	Any feelings of physical pain A very negative impact	Any feelings of physical pain A negative impact	Any feelings of physical pain Neither a positive nor a negative impact	Any feelings of physical pain Quite a positive impact	Any feelings of physical pain A very positive impact	Any feelings of physical pain Not applicable	Any feelings of physical pain Don't know/prefer not to say
How often you see friends or family	How often you see friends or family A very negative impact	How often you see friends or family A negative impact	How often you see friends or family Neither a positive nor a negative impact	How often you see friends or family Quite a positive impact	How often you see friends or family A very positive impact	How often you see friends or family Not applicable	How often you see friends or family Don't know/prefer not to say

7. We also want to know about things that are impacting you other than the changes that you have made to cope with the cost of living. How much do the statements below apply to you?

	Not at all	A little	Somewhat	A lot	Greatly	Not applicable	Don't know/prefer not to say
Hearing about the rising cost of living is causing me to worry/feel anxious more often than before	Hearing about the rising cost of living is causing me to worry/feel anxious more often than before Not at all	Hearing about the rising cost of living is causing me to worry/feel anxious more often than before A little	Hearing about the rising cost of living is causing me to worry/feel anxious more often than before Somewhat	Hearing about the rising cost of living is causing me to worry/feel anxious more often than before A lot	Hearing about the rising cost of living is causing me to worry/feel anxious more often than before Greatly	Hearing about the rising cost of living is causing me to worry/feel anxious more often than before Not applicable	Hearing about the rising cost of living is causing me to worry/feel anxious more often than before Don't know/prefer not to say
It has become harder for me to get to medical appointments (e.g. due to cuts in public transport)	It has become harder for me to get to medical appointments (e.g. due to cuts in public transport) Not at all	It has become harder for me to get to medical appointments (e.g. due to cuts in public transport) A little	It has become harder for me to get to medical appointments (e.g. due to cuts in public transport) Somewhat	It has become harder for me to get to medical appointments (e.g. due to cuts in public transport) A lot	It has become harder for me to get to medical appointments (e.g. due to cuts in public transport) Greatly	It has become harder for me to get to medical appointments (e.g. due to cuts in public transport) Not applicable	It has become harder for me to get to medical appointments (e.g. due to cuts in public transport) Don't know/prefer not to say
I pay for or contribute to the cost of social care for myself and the cost has increased	I pay for or contribute to the cost of social care for myself and the cost has increased Not at all	I pay for or contribute to the cost of social care for myself and the cost has increased A little	I pay for or contribute to the cost of social care for myself and the cost has increased Somewhat	I pay for or contribute to the cost of social care for myself and the cost has increased A lot	I pay for or contribute to the cost of social care for myself and the cost has increased Greatly	I pay for or contribute to the cost of social care for myself and the cost has increased Not applicable	I pay for or contribute to the cost of social care for myself and the cost has increased Don't know/prefer not to say
I pay for or contribute to the cost of social care for someone else and the cost has increased	I pay for or contribute to the cost of social care for someone else and the cost has increased Not at all	I pay for or contribute to the cost of social care for someone else and the cost has increased A little	I pay for or contribute to the cost of social care for someone else and the cost has increased Somewhat	I pay for or contribute to the cost of social care for someone else and the cost has increased A lot	I pay for or contribute to the cost of social care for someone else and the cost has increased Greatly	I pay for or contribute to the cost of social care for someone else and the cost has increased Not applicable	I pay for or contribute to the cost of social care for someone else and the cost has increased Don't know/prefer not to say

Healthwatch Staffordshire - Cost of living survey

1. How would you describe your current financial situation?

2. In the last six months, would you say that your financial situation has...?

3. Thinking about your health in the last two months, how has your physical and mental health been? When we talk about mental health we mean low mood, stress, anxiety and inability to concentrate as well as more severe mental health problems.

4. Have you made or are you anticipating making any of the following changes as a result of the current rising cost of living

5. Have you made or are you anticipating making any of the following changes to your health and social care due to the rising cost of living?

6. Thinking specifically about the changes that you have already made, what impact have they had on the following areas of your life?

7. We also want to know about things that are impacting you other than the changes that you have made to cope with the cost of living. How much do the statements below apply to you?

8. Do you have any additional comments on the cost of living crisis and its impacts on your life and health?

9. Please tell us your age

10. Please tell us your gender

11. Is your gender identity the same as your sex recorded at birth?

12. Please select your ethnicity

13. From which of the following sources do you receive income?

14. How many dependent children live in your home (under 18)?

15. Please select any of the following that apply to you:

	I have already made this change	I anticipate making this change	Not applicable	Don't know/prefer not to say
Not travelling to see friends or family	Not travelling to see friends or family I have already made this change	Not travelling to see friends or family I anticipate making this change	Not travelling to see friends or family Not applicable	Not travelling to see friends or family Don't know/prefer not to say
Putting on more clothes than usual to stay warm	Putting on more clothes than usual to stay warm I have already made this change	Putting on more clothes than usual to stay warm I anticipate making this change	Putting on more clothes than usual to stay warm Not applicable	Putting on more clothes than usual to stay warm Don't know/prefer not to say
Not turning on the heating when I usually would	Not turning on the heating when I usually would I have already made this change	Not turning on the heating when I usually would I anticipate making this change	Not turning on the heating when I usually would Not applicable	Not turning on the heating when I usually would Don't know/prefer not to say
Using a local warm hub (e.g. library or church) to avoid putting on the heating at home	Using a local warm hub (e.g. library or church) to avoid putting on the heating at home I have already made this change	Using a local warm hub (e.g. library or church) to avoid putting on the heating at home I anticipate making this change	Using a local warm hub (e.g. library or church) to avoid putting on the heating at home Not applicable	Using a local warm hub (e.g. library or church) to avoid putting on the heating at home Don't know/prefer not to say
Not being able to get to work because of the cost of petrol or public transport	Not being able to get to work because of the cost of petrol or public transport I have already made this change	Not being able to get to work because of the cost of petrol or public transport I anticipate making this change	Not being able to get to work because of the cost of petrol or public transport Not applicable	Not being able to get to work because of the cost of petrol or public transport Don't know/prefer not to say
Cutting down or stopping social or entertainment expenditure (going out with friends, stopping streaming services etc.)	Cutting down or stopping social or entertainment expenditure (going out with friends, stopping streaming services etc.) I have already made this change	Cutting down or stopping social or entertainment expenditure (going out with friends, stopping streaming services etc.) I anticipate making this change	Cutting down or stopping social or entertainment expenditure (going out with friends, stopping streaming services etc.) Not applicable	Cutting down or stopping social or entertainment expenditure (going out with friends, stopping streaming services etc.) Don't know/prefer not to say
Going to bed earlier than I usually would to save energy costs	Going to bed earlier than I usually would to save energy costs I have already made this change	Going to bed earlier than I usually would to save energy costs I anticipate making this change	Going to bed earlier than I usually would to save energy costs Not applicable	Going to bed earlier than I usually would to save energy costs Don't know/prefer not to say
Turning off or avoiding using essential appliances to save energy cots (e.g. not using the oven)	Turning off or avoiding using essential appliances to save energy cots (e.g. not using the oven) I have already made this change	Turning off or avoiding using essential appliances to save energy cots (e.g. not using the oven) I anticipate making this change	Turning off or avoiding using essential appliances to save energy cots (e.g. not using the oven) Not applicable	Turning off or avoiding using essential appliances to save energy cots (e.g. not using the oven) Don't know/prefer not to say
Cancelling or moving my broadband or mobile contract to save money	Cancelling or moving my broadband or mobile contract to save money I have already made this change	Cancelling or moving my broadband or mobile contract to save money I anticipate making this change	Cancelling or moving my broadband or mobile contract to save money Not applicable	Cancelling or moving my broadband or mobile contract to save money Don't know/prefer not to say
Reducing how much food I eat and buy	Reducing how much food I eat and buy I have already made this change	Reducing how much food I eat and buy I anticipate making this change	Reducing how much food I eat and buy Not applicable	Reducing how much food I eat and buy Don't know/prefer not to say
Using a food bank	Using a food bank I have already made this change	Using a food bank I anticipate making this change	Using a food bank Not applicable	Using a food bank Don't know/prefer not to say
Going into debt for the first time or going further into debt	Going into debt for the first time or going further into debt I have already made this change	Going into debt for the first time or going further into debt I anticipate making this change	Going into debt for the first time or going further into debt Not applicable	Going into debt for the first time or going further into debt Don't know/prefer not to say
Buying less healthy food than I would normally	Buying less healthy food than I would normally I have already made this change	Buying less healthy food than I would normally I anticipate making this change	Buying less healthy food than I would normally Not applicable	Buying less healthy food than I would normally Don't know/prefer not to say
Cutting down or stopping things that make me stay fit and healthy (e.g. gym membership)	Cutting down or stopping things that make me stay fit and healthy (e.g. gym membership) I have already made this change	Cutting down or stopping things that make me stay fit and healthy (e.g. gym membership) I anticipate making this change	Cutting down or stopping things that make me stay fit and healthy (e.g. gym membership) Not applicable	Cutting down or stopping things that make me stay fit and healthy (e.g. gym membership) Don't know/prefer not to say
Needing to find cheaper accommodation because I can't afford my rent or mortgage	Needing to find cheaper accommodation because I can't afford my rent or mortgage I have already made this change	Needing to find cheaper accommodation because I can't afford my rent or mortgage I anticipate making this change	Needing to find cheaper accommodation because I can't afford my rent or mortgage Not applicable	Needing to find cheaper accommodation because I can't afford my rent or mortgage Don't know/prefer not to say