1.1 Identify current government policies relating to health and social care in your chosen country
The UK government has several health and social care policies which aim to improve the overall quality of services provided to the public. One significant policy is the National Health Service (NHS) Long-Term Plan launched in 2019, outlining priorities for healthcare in England for ten years (NHS, 2019). This plan aims to enhance cancer care, increase mental health support and treatment accessibility, and tackle significant workforce shortages.
Mental Health Policy: This includes efforts to increase funding for mental health services, address waiting times, and tackle the stigma surrounding these conditions.
Living Well With Dementia: National Dementia Strategy: This policy sets guidelines for improving dementia care and providing better support to individuals and their families.
Parity of Esteem for Mental Health (2016): This policy recognises the equal importance of mental and physical health and aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
Social Care Reform Green Paper: This paper sets out the government’s plans to reform the social care system in England. It includes proposals to introduce a cap on care costs, increase funding for social care, and improve the quality of care.
Moreover, underfunding remains an ongoing challenge policymakers face in managing health and social care provision across the UK. For instance, homeless people may suffer due to budget cuts, as local councils facing cuts are reducing or eliminating homeless service programmes.
Economic policies such as austerity measures have made policymakers decide which services to fund. For example, the government reduced funding for adult social care, increasing pressure on health and social care providers. Immigration policies also affect healthcare provision, as many frontline workers in the sector are immigrants who may be affected by visa restrictions (The Guardian).
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.