scholarly journals How and why does Local Area Coordination work for people in different contexts?

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 205979912098538
Author(s):  
James Mason ◽  
Chad Oatley ◽  
Kevin Harris ◽  
Louis Ryan
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Local Area ◽  
Realist Evaluation ◽  
Evaluation Methodology ◽  
Isle Of Wight ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Coordination Work

The increasing adoption of Local Area Coordination across the United Kingdom as a strengths-based approach to acting on inequalities which impact on individual health and well-being, and reducing reliance and avoidable use of health and social care services, has catalysed increasing calls for evidence to justify economic commitment. In a time of austerity where extreme pressure is on resources to prove short-term outputs, Pawson and Tilley’s realist evaluation methodology holds significant promise in asking critical questions of how and why programmes work. Ultimately, such philosophical standpoints facilitate opportunities to examine whether the sustainability of programmes are cost-effective for the system in the longer term. This article draws upon the findings of a realist evaluation of Local Area Coordination on the Isle of Wight and establishes how and why the programme works for people and local communities. A blend of realist approaches, Q-method and realist interviews were adopted within this study. The study’s sample was a cross section of 18 people who engaged with the Local Area Coordination programme across the Isle of Wight. The findings of the evaluation established that the Local Area Coordinators’ ability to facilitate a ‘golden triangle’ of listening, trust and time were factors which made Local Area Coordination work. It was also clear that Local Area Coordination worked for different people in different ways, demonstrated through the contextual differences between three subgroups who were categorised based on shared viewpoints, and presented through the holistic narratives and corroborating interview data.

scholarly journals Making Friends at Antenatal Classes: A Qualitative Exploration of Friendship Across the Transition to Motherhood

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 178-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary L. Nolan ◽  
Victoria Mason ◽  
Sarah Snow ◽  
Wendy Messenger ◽  
Jonathon Catling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Services ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Transition To Motherhood ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Constant Comparative Method ◽  
Making Friends ◽  
Qualitative Exploration ◽  
Antenatal Classes

This study explored how friendships made at antenatal classes preserve new mothers’ well-being, postnatally. Eight women from the United Kingdom who had attended antenatal classes in the third trimester were interviewed following the birth of their first baby. Transcripts were analyzed using a constant comparative method. Findings suggest that friendships made at antenatal classes are not only unique but also support women’s mental health and enhance self-efficacy because the women give and gain reassurance that their babies are developing normally. Such friendships may reduce demands on overstretched social and health-care services. Childbirth educators, midwives, and nurses can be encouraged to capitalize on the opportunity provided by antenatal classes to facilitate the formation of friendships that can help mothers to find “a new equilibrium.”

scholarly journals Modernising social care services for older people: scoping the United Kingdom evidence base

2009 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 497-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
SALLY JACOBS ◽  
CHENGQIU XIE ◽  
SIOBHAN REILLY ◽  
JANE HUGHES ◽  
DAVID CHALLIS
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Care For Older People

ABSTRACTIn common with other developed countries at the end of the 20th century, modernising public services was a priority of the United Kingdom (UK) Labour administration after its election in 1997. The modernisation reforms in health and social care exemplified their approach to public policy. The authors were commissioned to examine the evidence base for the modernisation of social care services for older people, and for this purpose conducted a systematic review of the relevant peer-reviewed UK research literature published from 1990 to 2001. Publications that reported descriptive, analytical, evaluative, quantitative and qualitative studies were identified and critically appraised under six key themes of modernisation: integration, independence, consistency, support for carers, meeting individuals' needs, and the workforce. This paper lists the principal features of each study, provides an overview of the literature, and presents substantive findings relating to three of the modernisation themes (integration, independence and individuals' needs). The account provides a systematic portrayal both of the state of social care for older people prior to the modernisation process and of the relative strengths and weaknesses of the evidence base. It suggests that, for evidence-based practice and policy to become a reality in social care for older people, there is a general need for higher quality studies in this area.

scholarly journals Living Alone with Mild-To-Moderate Dementia: Findings from the IDEAL Cohort

2020 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 1207-1216
Author(s):  
Linda Clare ◽  
Anthony Martyr ◽  
Catherine Henderson ◽  
Laura Gamble ◽  
Fiona E. Matthews ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Care ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Living Situation ◽  
Care Services ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Moderate Dementia ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
The Ideal

Background: A significant proportion of people with dementia live alone, but little is known about their specific needs. Objective: To understand the profile of people living alone with mild-to-moderate dementia in the UK and identify any systematic differences associated with living situation. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from 1,541 people with mild-to-moderate dementia and 1,277 caregivers participating in the IDEAL cohort at the first wave of assessment. Results: There were 1,256 (81.5%) people with dementia living with others and 285 (18.5%) living alone, of whom 51 (3% of whole sample) reported little or no informal support. There were relatively few differences associated with living situation and odds ratios were generally small. People living alone were older on average, and more likely to be female, than those living with others. Those living alone were more likely to have higher cognitive ability and self-reported functional ability, and more social contact with those from other households. They were also lonelier, expressed less satisfaction with life, and used home care services and equipment more. There were no differences in symptoms, mood, quality of life, or well-being. Conclusion: The findings support the view that it is possible to ‘live well’ with mild-to-moderate dementia while living alone, given appropriate support, including home care and equipment. Nevertheless, it is important to consider how those living alone may be supported to have a more satisfactory experience, and how health and social care services can best respond to their needs.

Care work and quality of care for older people: a review of the research literature

2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirina Hannan ◽  
Ian J Norman ◽  
Sally J Redfern
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Work Satisfaction ◽  
Well Being ◽  
National Standards ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Health And Social Care

There is considerable research on work satisfaction and stress of care staff on the one hand and on quality of care and well-being of older people on the other. However, very little research in continuing-care settings for older people (nursing homes, residential homes and long-stay wards) links perceptions of workers (work satisfaction and stress) with the process of care (quality of care) and outcomes for residents/patients (well-being). This is a notable omission, given the emphasis of government policy on improving quality of health and social care services for vulnerable elderly people in the UK. The White Papers, The New NHS and Modernising Social Services and the National Priority Guidance for Health and Social Services for 2000–2003, all emphasize the importance of services that are responsive to local needs and which maintain and promote independence. The Centre for Policy on Ageing has been commissioned by the Department of Health to develop national standards for nursing and residential home care services for older people. This work will build upon recommendations of the Burgner Report and Achieving a Better Home Life, which identified areas for benchmarking. The national standards proposed under the forthcoming National Service Framework for Older People will underpin new legislation to regulate care services.

scholarly journals PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE IN ENGLAND

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 39-41
Author(s):  
Jane Randall-Smith ◽  
Catherine Pritchard
Keyword(s):  
Public Involvement ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Local Area ◽  
Patient And Public Involvement ◽  
Consumer Participation ◽  
Social Care Service ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Statutory Authority ◽  
Health And Social Care

Signifcant changes were brought about in health and social care in England in 2013, as a result of the Health and Social Care Act 2012. As part of the changes in 2013, a network of local Healthwatch organisations was set up to act as the people’s champion for health and social care in their local area. Healthwatch Shropshire is one of these local Healthwatch. It gathers experiences and opinions from patients, carers, service users and the wider public about publicly funded health and social care services and uses this information to infuence health and social care service delivery. Healthwatch Shropshire also recruits and trains volunteers to support its work, in particular, specially trained volunteers visit locations where health and social care services are provided and report on their fndings. Healthwatch Shropshire also has information and signposting services, provides volunteering opportunities, and has a statutory authority to visit locations where health and social care services are being delivered.Keywords: patient participation, consumer participation, public opinion

The impact of changes in service delivery in patients with colorectal cancer during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 28-28
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Kamposioras ◽  
Kok Haw Jonathan Lim ◽  
Mark P. Saunders ◽  
Kalena Marti ◽  
Daniel Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Telephone Consultation ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Primary Care Services ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

28 Background: Increased levels of anxiety and distress in both patients and physicians have been reported in response to the significant impact COVID-19 has on cancer service delivery globally. We aimed to investigate how these changes have been perceived by patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer and identify determinants of increased anxiety. Methods: Survey (32-item) of consecutive patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer attending a large tertiary comprehensive cancer centre in the United Kingdom (18 May to 1 July 2020). Self-reported GAD-7 (both paper/electronic forms) was used as a screening tool for anxiety. Statistical analyses of associations:Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and uni- and multi-variable analyses were performed using SPSS v19 and R. Results: A total of 143 patients (response rate 67%), 82% male, and median age of 61-70 years were included. Majority of patients had telephone consultation (78%), including 40% who had scan results discussed over the phone; with favourable feedback received with both respectively. Twenty-three patients (18%) were considered to have anxiety, with 7 (6%) scoring for moderate or severe anxiety. Three items asked patients if they had concerns about getting COVID-19, were worried that COVID-19 would have effect on mental health, and affect their experience of cancer care. Patients answering positively to any of these items were most likely to have anxiety; multivariate analysis – OR 2.361 (95% CI 1.187-4.694, p=0.014), 3.219 (95% CI 1.401-7.395, p=0.006) and 3.206 (95% CI 1.036-9.920, p=0.043), respectively. Majority of the patients did not feel that they needed support during the pandemic period and hence the available well-being services were not used. Patients felt that friends and family had been very supportive but less so the primary care services (p<0.05). However, they felt they were supported by the clinical team. Conclusions: At our centre, during the first-peak of COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, patients with colorectal cancer did not display increased rates of significant anxiety. The findings of this survey suggests that some service changes implemented, including increased telephone follow-up, may have already improved the overall experience of cancer care. Importantly, patients were much more concerned about their cancer treatment than COVID-19, emphasising the need to continue to provide comprehensive cancer care even if we get a “2nd wave” of COVID-19.

The modern context of palliative care

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila Payne ◽  
Sara Morris
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Organizational Boundaries ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Palliative Care Services ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Hospice And Palliative Care

Evidence suggests that in the past support services for patients and family carers of terminally ill people have often been unavailable or inadequate in addressing their needs. This chapter will briefly summarize the context of hospice and palliative care services. The chapter argues that definitions of palliative care are culturally and temporally dependent, exemplified by the changing terminology used in the United Kingdom. One of the challenges facing service deliverers is the necessity to work collaboratively across health and social care services, and statutory and voluntary sector organizational boundaries. The funding and organizational positioning of hospice and palliative care services are often contingent upon health care systems and resources. All roles require careful recruitment, dedicated training, and consistent support to provide effective contributions from volunteers. The chapter ends by providing a short description of three studies investigating the role of volunteers undertaken in the United Kingdom.

scholarly journals The little things are big: evaluation of a compassionate community approach for promoting the health of vulnerable persons

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Pfaff ◽  
Heather Krohn ◽  
Jamie Crawley ◽  
Michelle Howard ◽  
Pooya Moradian Zadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Isolation ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Community Intervention ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Student Volunteers ◽  
Vulnerable Persons

Abstract Background Vulnerable persons are individuals whose life situations create or exacerbate vulnerabilities, such as low income, housing insecurity and social isolation. Vulnerable people often receive a patchwork of health and social care services that does not appropriately address their needs. The cost of health and social care services escalate when these individuals live without appropriate supports. Compassionate Communities apply a population health theory of practice wherein citizens are mobilized along with health and social care supports to holistically address the needs of persons experiencing vulnerabilities. Aim The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of a compassionate community intervention for vulnerable persons in Windsor Ontario, Canada. Methods This applied qualitative study was informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. We collected and analyzed focus group and interview data from 16 program stakeholders: eight program clients, three program coordinators, two case managers from the regional health authority, one administrator from a partnering community program, and two nursing student volunteers in March through June 2018. An iterative analytic process was applied to understand what aspects of the program work where and why. Results The findings suggest that the program acts as a safety net that supports people who are falling through the cracks of the formal care system. The ‘little things’ often had the biggest impact on client well-being and care delivery. The big and little things were achieved through three key processes: taking time, advocating for services and resources, and empowering clients to set personal health goals and make authentic community connections. Conclusion Compassionate Communities can address the holistic, personalized, and client-centred needs of people experiencing homelessness and/or low income and social isolation. Volunteers are often untapped health and social care capital that can be mobilized to promote the health of vulnerable persons. Student volunteers may benefit from experiencing and responding to the needs of a community’s most vulnerable members.

Health and social care in an age of austerity

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles West
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Market Competition ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The Social ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

This chapter examines the impact of austerity policies on health, well-being and social care in the UK. In particular, it considers the health care provided by the National Health Service (NHS) and other health services, as well as the social care that is normally paid for, rather than the wider social support provided by family, friends, neighbours or colleagues. The discussion begins with an overview of the economic case for spending on health and social care, and more specifically the logic in pursuing spending policies that carry a high economic multiplier. The chapter then emphasises the duty of governments and those working in health care to achieve good value for the money spent, citing the case of the UK NHS. It also describes five principles underlying market competition in the context of health care before concluding with an analysis of social care services in the UK.

Micro-Enterprise and Personalisation

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Needham ◽  
Kerry Allen ◽  
Kelly Hall
Keyword(s):  
Social Care ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Independent Variable ◽  
Similar Cost ◽  
Micro Enterprises

Shifts to independent delivery of health and social care services has led to increased numbers of micro-enterprises. Could these tiny organisations with just 5 or fewer employees be the best way of delivering cost-effective health and social care services in the context of decreased budgets and increased demands? What size is 'just right' for a care provider? This book explores size as an independent variable in care services, comparing outcomes and value for money across micro, small, medium and large organisations. Using interviews and surveys with 108 people using services and careers in 27 case study organisations it focuses on the contribution micro-enterprise can make to the care sector. Findings indicate that the quality of service provided by small organisations does support the assumption of an affinity between being small and being personalised. Small and micro-enterprises can deliver more personalised services, particularly in the home. They also offer better outcomes than larger providers for a similar cost. However stability can be a problem for micro-enterprises, particularly those that employ staff and need to have a relatively consistent financial turnover. The Care Act 2014 creates a conducive policy environment for micro-enterprise, as local authorities must stimulate a diverse local market and facilitate personalisation of services. However the challenges of austerity are a powerful counterweight, discouraging the sorts of innovative and experimentation which would allow micro-enterprise to thrive.

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