1.1 Identify current government policies relating to health and social care in your chosen country
Local authorities, the National Health Service (NHS) in England, Scotland, and Wales, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) in England, and the Welsh Government in Wales are among the various bodies in the United Kingdom that are responsible for formulating the nation’s health and social care policies. The most crucial goal of this kind of policy is to guarantee that all citizens have access to high-quality medical care that is either completely free at the location where it is received or reasonably priced when it is required.
Several policies have been implemented to achieve this goal, most notably changes such as primary care networks allowing GPs to access more resources while making them available through digital means like apps and reducing waiting times (Kebonkong 2020).
One such policy is the Long-Term Plan for NHS in England. The plan has increased spending on frontline services, new healthcare centres, mental health services and digital transformation (Government of UK, 2019).
The government launched the Mental Health Strategy to ensure that everyone receives proper help when they are dealing with a mental illness or other emotional challenges. This initiative seeks to make sure that individuals who experience common issues such as depression get better access to support like cognitive behavioural therapy as well as counselling sessions offered through primary care networks.
Additionally, there has been an increased focus on preventive measures such as vaccines, along with lifestyle advice initiatives aimed at helping people maintain good physical and mental health even after receiving treatment (Shaikh et al., 2020). Areas funded include specialist medical research into diseases in Britain and globally, mainly focusing on new techniques, new drugs, and other areas.
Other answers in the full document:
- 1.2 Explain the impact of policy on the health and social care sector and on the provision of care within your chosen country.
- 2.1 Outline sources and status of legislation, regulation and guidance in your chosen country.
- 2.2 Analyse the impacts of legislation and guidance on the provision of health and social care provision and on health and social care workers.
- 3.1 Describe the underpinning principles of health and social care.
- 3.2 Outline how these principles impact on the provision of care.
- 3.3 Explain initiatives to promote the fundamental principles among those working in health and social care.