How trauma cards could improve access to care
Background
In 2022, Healthwatch Essex piloted trauma cards – wallet-sized cards that a person with trauma can give to a healthcare professional. The cards explain that the holder has experience of trauma, and link to resources to help provide sensitive, appropriate care.
The hugely successful pilot showed how a simple intervention can make it easier for people who have been through trauma to get the care they need.
In October 2024, we commissioned YouGov to run a nationally representative poll of adults living in England to understand how trauma cards might benefit people more widely. We also analysed stories shared with us about trauma via our webform.
Please note: this report discusses trauma and includes quotes from people who have had traumatic experiences. Some readers may find this triggering.
Download our report
Our key findings
- More than half (59%) of survey respondents said they have experienced trauma at some point, equating to about 34 million people in England.
- Around two thirds (67%) of women and around half (51%) of men say they have experienced trauma at some point.
- Over a third, 39%, of those who have experienced trauma say they think their trauma has negatively impacted their experience of health and care services.
- Nearly a fifth (18%) of people who have experienced trauma say they ‘often’ or ‘fairly’ often avoid services because of their trauma. This equates to around 5.7 million people nationwide.
- Over a third (37%) of people who have experienced trauma have never told a medical professional about it.
- Over a third (35%) of those who have told a medical professional about their trauma found it uncomfortable. The figure was even higher for women at 42%.
- The main barrier to disclosing experiences of trauma seems to be lack of confidence and comfort talking about it to medical professionals.
- Over two in five (43%) of those currently experiencing trauma would be likely to use a trauma card, and nearly a third (30%) of those who have experienced trauma in the past would be likely to use one. This equates to about two million people and about 9.5 million people respectively.
The prevalence of trauma and the impact this has on people’s ability to access healthcare are highly concerning. Stories people have shared with us have shown this can lead to avoidance of crucial care.
“…as a woman who has complex PTSD from her upbringing, and a negative clinical experience… I am falling apart with anxiety because I want to proactively request ruling out the cancers while also being deeply aware that I haven’t had a cervical screening in so long, and what if it is cervical cancer, what if I haven’t been aware of it because I’ve been so scared to go have it done…” - Story shared with Healthwatch England
Our findings show there’s strong public support for trauma cards.
We believe our recommendations can help people with trauma to feel more confident to use services and get the care they need.
Our recommendations
We're calling for:
A national pilot of a trauma card
We are calling for NHS England to ensure support for a national evaluative pilot of a trauma card initiative, allowing anyone across England to order a trauma card and have it delivered to them for free, along with an information sheet that clearly explains how and when to use the card.
National awareness raising among the public and staff
The rollout of a national trauma card pilot should be accompanied by investment in a communications campaign. This should raise awareness among both the public and health and care staff of trauma cards, including their purpose and how to use them.
Improved training on trauma-informed care for frontline health and care professionals
Trauma cards are only one part of the solution. The deeply worrying numbers of people who have experienced trauma having negative healthcare experiences mean further training is needed to ensure all professionals are well equipped to give high-quality treatment.
Download our report
If you need this report in a different format, please email enquiries@healthwatch.co.uk or call 030000 68 3000.
