1.1. Explain the aims of health and social care provision
Health and social care provision is aimed at promoting the well-being of individuals, improving their quality of life, and maintaining good health. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.” Therefore, healthcare professionals work together to ensure that people receive comprehensive medical treatment while providing support for their emotional or psychological needs. Other aims include preventing illnesses from occurring through education on healthy lifestyle choices such as exercise routines and balanced diets.
Moreover, supporting those who require care services either temporarily or permanently due to age-related conditions such as dementia also comes under this field’s umbrella. Essentially, it focuses on keeping individuals independent with dignity by offering personalised assistance catering specifically towards each individual’s requirements.
1.2. Describe the organisation of health and social care provision within your chosen country
The organisational structure within the UK’s Healthcare System comprises private organisations that offer paid-for-care packages alongside charitable institutions funded mostly through donations, public funding, and voluntary sectors, yet subject to strict regulatory standards. The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is a publicly-funded healthcare service that provides medical treatment to all residents, irrespective of their ability to pay for such services.
The social care provision in the country operates through local authorities, which provide financial assistance and support with daily living activities such as dressing or meal preparation, amongst others. In recent years, there has been an emphasis on integrating health and social care sectors by bringing both together under one roof called Integrated Care Systems (ICS). This approach aims at delivering better outcomes for patients using available resources effectively.
Care providers who offer these services range from large private sector organisations to small-scale agencies consisting of individual carers providing domiciliary/home-based care. These providers operate within different levels ranging from community hospitals to patients’ homes, depending on the required level of intervention.
1.3. Describe the size of the health and social care sector within your chosen country
The health and social care sector makes up approximately 10% of GDP (£220 billion) and is one of the largest employers within the UK, with an estimated 3.7 million people employed in this field. The sector caters to various medical needs, from primary healthcare services such as GPs to tertiary care hospitals.
Furthermore, social care has seen significant growth over recent years due to demographic changes such as ageing populations requiring more assistance and support for longer durations or those with disabilities needing constant access to aids/equipment, which require maintenance costs adding to increased service delivery expenditure.
Accordingly, local authorities face greater financial constraints regarding social care provision’s cost-effectiveness whilst ensuring adequate quality assurance through regulation governed by national bodies like the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Private organisations offering paid-for-care options have grown exponentially, but they often come under scrutiny given concerns around affordability barriers for individuals who cannot pay out-of-pocket premiums long-term.
1.4 Explain how health and social care provision is funded within your chosen country.
Health and social care provision in the United Kingdom is funded through various means, including public funding, state-funded insurance schemes, private health insurance, social funds, and charitable contributions. Depending on individual circumstances or specific needs, patients may fund treatment privately outside government-provided services, though overall, state-funded programs cover the majority of expenditure incurred.
The current system provides universal healthcare free at point-of-care delivery through general taxation, whereby citizens do not pay directly when receiving medical treatments or consultations. This creates equitable distribution, ensuring everyone receives the same level/type of service regardless of socioeconomic background (Department of Health and Social Care, 20-21).
On another note, social care received from councils/local authorities under Community Budgets usually requires some form of contributory payment called co-payment. These could include domiciliary support. Private health insurance policies are available to those who wish to supplement their state-funded healthcare coverage, allowing them access to faster treatment or specialised medical care services outside public provision.
The funding for the health and social care sector is constantly under review by government departments to ensure that patients receive quality care while keeping expenditures within manageable limits (Department Of Health and Social Care, 2021). In 2020, the UK Government set out plans which increased yearly allocation towards the National Health Service (NHS) to improve provisions. This new funding structure aimed to tackle immediate needs and invest in long-term sustainability through innovation, research, and specialist training, amongst others.
2.1. Outline the points at which health and social care provision may be required during a lifetime.
Health and social care provision may be required at different points during an individual’s lifetime, including infancy, early childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, middle adulthood, and later adulthood. Infants require medical attention to ensure their overall health, as well as maternity services for the mother. Early childhood involves preventative healthcare, such as vaccination programs, with support available through childcare services or preschool education establishments if necessary.
Adolescence is a time when mental health issues are common; therefore, there must be adequate provisions in place to address these issues within the community setting (Mental Health Foundation UK 2021). Medical care provided during this stage includes reproductive health screening.
Early adulthood requires adequate insurance coverage concerning various life factors, such as financial stability against unexpected losses in income from injury or illness that could arise throughout one’s work life (Health Insurance Resource Center n.d.).
Middle adulthood requires long-term medical management of conditions like high blood pressure, which can lead to complications like heart disease, among others.
Later adulthood poses many challenges, requiring more comprehensive care arrangements addressing age-related illnesses like dementia, which places a strain on individuals’ caregiving responsibilities.
2.2. Describe the health and social care services required and provided at different points during a lifetime
At each stage of development or age range presented earlier, there are particular types of services offered by healthcare professionals suited towards maintaining an optimum level of well-being. During infancy, medical services include maternity care and postnatal support for new mothers (NHS, 2021). Early childhood requires vaccination programs to prevent common diseases such as measles or rubella. In adolescence, mental health issues like anxiety and depression require adequate support through community healthcare centres with specialist counselling.
Early adulthood necessitates preventative measures for conditions arising from lifestyles that expose one to higher risks of developing illnesses later in life. Hence, engaging insurance coverage may be required at this stage (Health Insurance Resource Center n.d.). Middle adulthood involves managing long-term health conditions like hypertension alongside lifestyle changes such as a balanced diet. Elderly adults require more specialised attention addressing age-related problems such as dementia while also needing end-of-life palliative care.
2.3. Explain arrangements for long-term care provision
Long-term care arrangements are essential for individuals living with disabilities or chronic illnesses, requiring either institutionalised support provided by nursing homes, hospices, retirement homes, or care facilities that have skilled staff ready to offer round-the-clock assistance promptly when needed. For example, rehabilitation after hospital discharge; they could stay permanently based on the severity of their condition within these settings.
Community-based approaches promoting independent living allow persons with long-term needs access to home-care services where professionals assist in daily activities ranging from personal hygiene routines, and housekeeping duties, including grocery shopping, among others, which enables the individual to remain in their homes (Age UK, 2021). This service may be offered by social services, charities, or private home-care agencies. Family members or friends may also provide long-term care for loved ones at home with support from healthcare professionals.
2.4 Explain how services are accessed at each provision point in your chosen country
Access to health and social care services varies depending on each stage of development or age range. Maternity clinics offer direct access during infancy, while childhood vaccinations are provided through a referral system via GP surgeries, where parents or carers can make appointments for children’s vaccination schedules (NHS 2021).
Adolescents can directly approach community mental health centres offering counselling and other relevant interventions aimed at improving emotional well-being, as required, without referrals usually needed due to the stigma that often exists regarding attending psychiatric facilities.
During early adulthood, with higher risks of injuries due to various lifestyle factors like road accidents, there is an emphasis on engaging insurance providers like national coverage under NHS, which allows individuals who fall ill during working age to receive compensation against loss of income while they recuperate until recovery.
Middle adulthood follows established arrangements embedded within primary care settings registered under one’s local GP surgery, providing access to healthcare services such as routine checkups for blood pressure and chronic disease management.
Elderly adults may receive long-term care provision through social service provisions within their community based on a needs assessment carried out by social workers assigned from the local council (Age UK 2021).
Barriers to accessing health and social care services include regional disparities that could affect accessibility in certain areas, financial or economic factors limiting the affordability of private insurance coverage, and preventing adequate medical attention needed, sometimes making it hard for low-income households who are financially deprived across different age ranges. These obstacles can be addressed through government policies aimed at promoting universal healthcare covering all stages of life, with an emphasis on prevention strategies aimed at reducing lifestyle-related illnesses among various groups (NHS 2021).
3.1. Analyse the different specialist areas within health and social care
Health and social care is a diverse sector that offers numerous specialisations ranging from paediatrics, geriatrics, and maternity to mental health issues (Martin & Henderson, 2018). Paediatrics focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases affecting children’s physical growth and development, such as premature births or chronic illnesses like asthma or diabetes mellitus. On the other hand, geriatric medicine deals with age-related conditions experienced by elderly persons, such as dementia, arthritis, or Parkinson’s disease.
Maternity specialism deals with pregnancy concerns, starting from conception to birth complications encountered during delivery, while providing support for new mothers after childbirth. Mental health specialists focus on diagnosing psychological disorders like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, among others.
Social work covers various areas, including child welfare services; homeless people; eldercare guardianship programmes, as well as community outreach efforts aimed at improving living standards for vulnerable populations (Parker et al., 2019).
These different specialist areas play a vital role in addressing specific needs within healthcare systems but require unique sets of skills which can be attained through further training.
3.2. Describe a range of health and social care professions
In the field of health and social care, several professions contribute towards ensuring effective service provision. Some examples include doctors who are responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. They are highly skilled and trained individuals who work in hospitals, clinics, or private practices (Harrison & Lobb, 2018).
Nurses play a critical role in providing quality care to patients across various healthcare settings. They offer both emotional support as well as administering medication for treating illnesses; they also provide counselling services while monitoring vital signs.
Social workers are essential professionals working with families struggling with poverty or addiction problems, offering mental health support, among other social welfare needs (Parker et al., 2019). Social care workers work closely alongside social workers, providing practical assistance like helping elderly people manage their daily activities like bathing, dressing, meals, and taking them on outings, etc.
Specialists within healthcare professions may include physiotherapists responsible for developing treatment plans aimed at restoring body functions through exercise programmes that help relieve pain caused by physical injuries such as fractures.
Regulatory bodies ensure the standardisation of practice standards within these professions, thereby ensuring public safety in terms of receiving safe, effective treatments by fully qualified practitioners operating under good practice guidelines.
4.1 Assess equality of access to health and social care within your chosen country
There are significant disparities in healthcare provision in the UK based on socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, gender identity, and disability status. Despite efforts to reduce these inequalities through legislation such as the Equality Act 2010 and policies like NHS England’s Accessible Information Standard (AIS), many marginalised communities continue to face barriers to accessing appropriate healthcare services.
For example, research has shown that Black people in the UK are more likely than their White counterparts to experience negative outcomes from medical procedures due in part to a lack of representation among healthcare professionals providing treatment (King’s Fund, 2021). Transgender individuals may also encounter difficulties accessing quality care, given limited awareness among clinicians regarding best practices for supporting this population’s specific needs (Wylie et al., 2016).
Addressing these disparities in access across populations within our society requires innovative solutions that go beyond changes at individual levels alone. There is a need for community-centred approaches that can cater for bespoke localised issues by identifying factors contributing to health inequalities unique to each community group, e.g. ethnic minorities or LGBTQIA+. Such initiatives require engagement with minority groups through an understanding relationship and dialogue, allowing their perspectives to guide interventions tailored to their unique challenges. The NHS can also invest in training healthcare professionals to become more culturally competent and aware of the needs of diverse populations while taking steps to increase diversity within its workforce.
While progress has been made in addressing inequalities in access to health and social care services in the UK through legislation and policy interventions, much remains to be done. Achieving equity will require a sustained effort that involves collaboration with communities experiencing these disparities as well as an ongoing commitment from healthcare providers themselves.
4.2 Explain current public health issues within your chosen country
- Mental Health: This continues to be a pressing issue impacting people’s daily lives across all age groups; however, this is increasingly being recognised by government bodies, given increased investments into mental wellness programmes such as ‘Every Mind Matters’.
- Smoking: Despite a gradual decline over the years following numerous anti-smoking campaigns, there still exist millions of smokers putting themselves at risk for illnesses like cancer or heart disease, which consequently end up consuming large amounts of resources needed elsewhere.
- Obesity and the food environment: Unhealthy eating habits compounded by our everyday environments, coupled with inadequate physical exercise, predispose us towards obesity, making it difficult and sometimes even impossible for individuals affected to lose weight easily, affecting both physical and mental health and ultimately causing long-term conditions. The government’s ‘Better Health’ campaign is aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles.
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR): Antibiotic overuse remains a significant challenge to global health, and the UK continues to be affected by antibiotic-resistant infections. In response, NHS England has launched an AMR programme in which antibiotics are prescribed only when necessary and prioritises research into new antimicrobials.
- Reproductive health and pregnancy planning: Accessing safe reproductive healthcare services proves difficult for women, especially teenagers who require counselling regarding sexual behaviour and birth control measures, while pregnant women requiring antenatal care experience lengthy waiting lists before consultations.
4.3 Describe current issues in the provision of health and social care within your chosen country
In recent years, there have been various notable changes that impact how healthcare is delivered across the United Kingdom. As a result of population demographic shifts towards ageing populations, coupled with prevalent chronic diseases necessitating long-term support amongst others that are likely to persist, the demand for health and social care services has surged. Unfortunately, there is an increasing gap between supply and demand, leading to several issues with provision.
One of the most significant challenges facing healthcare provision in the UK is insufficient funding from government sources, which affects investment into technology such as telemedicine, making it difficult to access remote consultations and telehealth care (BBC News, 2021). The effects have been compounded by low morale amongst NHS staff, who are overworked due to shortages amidst growing demands on their expertise, putting more strain upon individual practitioners trying to cope with heavy caseloads.
Another issue within healthcare provision involves demographic disparities affecting the allocation of resources. Certain regions or populations may be deemed less economically viable when factoring cost-effectiveness, resulting in inadequate support from institutions, thus leaving some communities vulnerable given limited assistance provided, especially those located farther away in the countryside where transport infrastructure is not extensive enough to help them gain easy access to vital services like ambulances quickly arriving at accident scenes.
The state of current provision results in an inability to address deep-rooted inequalities existing within society based on socioeconomic status or ethnicity, significantly impacting certain demographics adversely, creating negative outcomes like premature deaths and disproportionate burdens of preventable illnesses, all linked either directly or indirectly to differentials in opportunity and life choices that deprived groups face, ultimately leading to reduced quality of life across the board unless measures are taken to intervene effectively.
References
- Wolstenholme, E., Monk, D., Smith, G., & McKelvie, D. (2004, July). Using system dynamics to influence and interpret health and social care policy in the UK. In system dynamics conference, Oxford, UK.
- Aujla, N., Frost, H., Guthrie, B., Hanratty, B., Kaner, E., O’Donnell, A., … & Mercer, S. W. (2023). A comparative overview of health and social care policy for older people in England and Scotland, United Kingdom (UK). Health Policy, 104814.
- British Medical Association. (2019) NHS Funding.
- Parker J., Heapy C., & Ziebland S. (2019) New roles and boundaries in health care: an exploration of innovation trajectories through qualitative study. BMJ Open, Vol.9, No.e030951.
- Fazel, M. et al. (2018), Impact of specialist mental health services on violent reoffending among prisoners with mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis, European Psychiatry.
- Al-Mandhari A., Al-Zakwani I., Gilson L. (2016) Oman’s path towards universal health coverage: a call for papers. The Lancet Global Health.
- Curtis, L. A., & Burns, A. (2015). Unit costs of health and social care 2015. Personal Social Services Research Unit.
- Lewis, P. J. (1999). The concepts of community care and primary care in the UK: the 1960s to the 1990s. Health & Social Care in the Community, 7(5), 333-341.
- Luchinskaya, D., Simpson, P., & Stoye, G. (2017). UK health and social care spending. Institute for fiscal studies, 7.
- Martin V., & Henderson E. (2018) Health And Social Care: Level 3 Diploma Candidate Handbook. Pearson Education Limited.
- Martin, G. P., Nancarrow, S. A., Parker, H., Phelps, K., & Regen, E. L. (2005). Place, policy and practitioners: on rehabilitation, independence and the therapeutic landscape in the changing geography of care provision to older people in the UK. Social science & medicine, 61(9), 1893-1904.
- Kaambwa, B., Bryan, S., Barton, P., Parker, H., Martin, G., Hewitt, G., … & Wilson, A. (2008). Costs and health outcomes of intermediate care: results from five UK case study sites. Health & social care in the community, 16(6), 573-581.
- Banks S., Caiels J., & Hoare Z. (2019) The Role Of Professionals In Health And Social Care Governance: A Review Of The Literature. BMJ Quality and Safety in Healthcare, 28(1), pp.60-73.
- Leeson, G. W. (2004). The demographics and economics of UK health and Social care for older adults.
- Maben J., Taylor C.J., Dawson J.: “A Realist informed mixed-methods evaluation: The impact of HR practices on staff Wellbeing And resilience”. Manchester Business School Working Paper Series
- Martin V.E., & Henderson E.M. (Eds.) Health and Social Care Book 1, Sage Publications, London, 2018, pp. 1-256
- Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet – England, (2019) Public Health England.
- Robbins, I., Gordon, A., Dyas, J., Logan, P., & Gladman, J. (2013). Explaining the barriers to and tensions in delivering effective healthcare in UK care homes: a qualitative study. BMJ open, 3(7), e003178.
- Department Of Health And Social Care [DoH]. (2016) Principles of good practice guidance for dementia-care home staff.
