Changes in Health and Social Care - Essay Example

CHANGES IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE By 26 March Changes in Health and Social Care In recent times, the landscape across health and social care has been changing in terms of service provision and utilization. Much emphasis has been placed on efficacy and quality besides the need to protect and prolong human life. Both service providers and patients have developed the urge to benefit mutually from each other through transparent, accountable and clearly defined tools, structures and systems (Adams, Dominelli & Payne, 2009). As a result, professionals in the health sector have been left with no choice other than to adopt proper planning and programming mechanisms. The need to enhance knowledge and skills has also been realized. These changes have been politically, socially, economically and technologically triggered. Decision-making processes concerning healthcare provision also continue to change due to the full action of legal measures and requirements. However much health and social care faces various challenges, the changing landscape has had positive implications (Parton, 2002). During the past few years, social change has transformed operations of the health and social care sector from an independent paradigm to an all inclusive approach. Changing social perceptions and belief systems have necessitated the inclusion and adoption of various reforms. Participation of different players in all spheres of health and social care development has been embraced to the extent of including a wide range of stakeholders. Most leaders around the world are now focused on one agenda which is to improve the implementation of health and social care programs. Different stakeholders from both the private and public sectors have taken an active role in ensuring the health and social care providers meet their expectations (Davis, Finlay & Bullman, 2005). Reforms in the National Health Service (NHS) are enough evidence of the changes that health and social care continue to experience. In the United Kingdom, major health reforms have been realized through the Care Act 2014. The act has presented care providers with necessary support and control that they require to deliver services. For the very first time, this Act was able to limit the cost of health care (Department of Health, 2014). The Act has also given caregivers the right to receive support for their services. Carers are also being granted the legal right in terms of receiving support. They receive this support after being assessed and deemed eligible. Initially, health and social caregivers did not enjoy such privileges. These are just but a few among many other reforms that the Act is implementing (GovUK, 2014). The idea behind enforcement of the laws was to establish a modern system able to keep up with growing demands presented by social change. Main point of focus in the Act is wellbeing. Councils have been granted the responsibility of taking into strict consideration the emotional, physical and mental wellbeing of all individuals who seek care regardless of age, race, ethnicity or social class. Councils are also expected to offer advice and information that will help people plan their future and identify good care. Of late, transparency in care systems is also being closely monitored. Leaders across the globe have realized the essence accessing care. Through various initiatives, citizens have been assured support from the leaders. Other transformations across health and social care landscapes include changes in healthcare systems. This change has diverted the attention of care providers from a physician-centred system to a patient-centred structure. Gone are the days when arguments were based upon what the physician or the social worker does. Today, arguments are based upon what patients need. Most medical professionals are now emphasizing the need for prioritizing patient outcomes over profitability of healthcare services. This has enabled the delivery of healthcare to be organized in a more systematic value-based system (Dziegielewski, 2004). Many organisations have joined in the fight to push for value systems rather than profit oriented systems. Analysts have realized that providing excellent care and improving outcomes contributes directly towards growing and developing the market share and in the long run increasing profits. Organisations that increase the value have also been established to gain the best competitive advantage. These efforts have brought about major improvements. For instance, patients are now able to access healthcare services more conveniently than ever before (Payne & Askeland, 2008). It is also no doubt that organisations have gone miles towards establishing clearly defined goals. In a long time, the main goal of most healthcare providers was centred on profitability. This perception has since changed. Most organisational have realigned their goals with the interests of patients. They have also ensured the goal of profitability does not compromise the outcome. The concepts of adopting goals which are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound have also been integrated into the system (Williams & Torrens, 2007). Integration of systems has provided room for the development of multidisciplinary systems that are systematically organized to address various needs. These integrated systems have largely contributed to the process of identifying areas of need and problem-solving. These systems have also supported important decisions. Patients now have the opportunity to report outcomes regarding the care they receive. A wide variety of services are also being rendered to enhance sustainability (OConnor et al., 2006). Technological advancement has taken shape in various health and social care systems. The use of information and technology platforms, for instance, to convey information has enhanced timely implementation of actions. Accessibility of information has been made easier with care providers now having an easier time to survey and monitor their clients. Machines that make the process of service provision more manageable are also available. Take, for example, the existence of high-resolution cameras, computers, dialysis machines and other sophisticated types of machinery that have helped in sustaining human life. Collaborations and coordination in IT systems are in recent times playing an important role in safety (Williams & Torrens, 2007). Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms have also been improvised. Through such mechanisms, detection of duplicative services has been enabled. The health sector has made it mandatory for health and social care providers to track their costs and outcomes. Resource utilization is also being closely monitored. As a result, the process of rendering services has become more efficient. Factors such as mortality rates can now be tracked with great ease. Improvement in M&E systems in health and social care systems has given room for the provision of relevant, reliable and valid services (Gray, Field, & Brown, 2010). Various M&E policies have enabled service providers to solve complex social problems using qualitative and quantitative methods. This has also given rise to the development of transparent and accountable structures. Organisations have made it a priority to ensure transparent systems give no room for bad care. Those who deliver substandard care are made accountable for their actions (Arts, Meulen, & Mueffels, 2001). The manner in which medical conditions are approached and the way in which specialists are expected to deliver care has also changed. Various health and social care bodies in various countries have resorted to developing strict measures that control the activities of practitioners when dealing with clients. For instance, the concept of teamwork has been introduced in medical practices so as to enhance innovation and creativity. Teams work towards similar goals and review data regarding their performance to help improve health and social care for example through devising more efficient and reliable ways of engaging clients (Nolan, 2005). Health and social care providers are expected to work with other personnel in other relevant fields such as those of education and research to assist in understanding issues. The idea behind is not only to solve the problems that people present to caregivers but also to fix related circumstances and conditions that may arise in the process of treatment or service delivery. Medical providers have also assumed other responsibilities such as providing education and counseling. Such moved have positively contributed to behaviour change alongside normal treatment. Not to forget that professionals in the field of health and social services are being assessed based on their performance rather the number of people they serve on a daily basis (Williams & Torrens, 2007). Changes have also been experienced in the way in which clients are handled. During the early years of the 20th Century, patients were discriminated based on gender, race, and religions. Hospitals and social service centres contributed to this segregation through service provision by offering services to preferred groups of people. It is only until recently that laws have been reinforced to eradicate such disparities. Today, most constitutions consider any discrimination to be unlawful. Health and social care providers have transformed to the extent of accommodating cultural differences within systems (Douglas et al., 2009). The mental health sector has also experienced tremendous changes. Initially, people with mental health problems were among those who experienced discrimination. They were limited in many areas of life. For instance, that had no access to good education, proper housing, and other social services. They mostly relied on the help of family members some of whom ended up abandoning or neglecting those (Southwick et al., 2011). It is only through legislative frameworks that have come into existence in recent years that persons with mental health problems have been assisted. Social and health care providers have been given the responsibility of increasing community awareness regarding mental health problems and the importance of assisting people with disability. In modern societies, discrimination and stigma that is attached to mental disabilities is now a thing of the past. More organisations are propping up each day with programs and capacity building activities that support people with mental illness (Banks, 2010). Through the establishment of special schools, people with mental problems are being educated so that they can be able to cope with various stresses of life that they are exposed to. In the past, it would be very difficult for a mentally ill person to experience complete mental wellbeing. A change in education systems to accommodate these people has greatly contributed to recovery. Some mentally ill people have also been able to regain control of their lives and to develop in a supportive environment. Most constitutions now have provisions that protect the rights of mentally ill people through offering them protection (Dahlberg, Moss & Pence, 2007). These changes in the mental health sector have had a profound impact on families, practitioners and the society at large. Education regarding mental health has helped families to accept these mentally challenged people and provide them with quality care. Superstitions and stereotypes that were earlier associated with mentally ill people have been eradicated to a large extent. Practitioners, on the other hand, have developed outstanding skills and knowledge regarding mentally ill people. This has enabled them to provide the best advice and adopt the best measures of providing help to mentally challenged people (Levin, Petrila, & Hennessy, 2010). The society contributes positively towards supporting initiatives that promote the wellbeing of mentally ill people. Most people in the society have come to accept that mentally challenged people can be as successful as normal people. Society has also gone a step further to promote equality, equity, and human rights practices (Falloon & Fadden, 1995). Social and political drivers in the United Kingdom are also joining forces to ensure inclusive strategies for people with mental challenges are addressed and implemented in the future. With the coming of the general elections in May 2015, different political parties have highlighted various health issues that they hope to address in their manifestos (TheWeek, 2015). The Labour Party, for instance, prioritizes mental health care by stating that mental health services will be given priority for the integration of health and social care services into a ‘whole-person care’ system. They further state that they will recruit more health care workers to provide care to patients. The Liberal Democrats Party also states that high earners will pay more taxes on shares, half of which will be allocated to mental health care. Liberal Democrats are promising that when they return to government, more health targets will follow (BBC, 2015). The barriers and problems to implementing the reforms stated in the manifestos are that without proper planning and coordination nothing will be achieved. Poor allocation of resources will also be another barrier to this implementation. Experts will have to dedicate more time towards decision-making and planning for unpredictable factors that may hamper the full realisation of these aspirations. Policies and control mechanism will also require revision to ensure the mental healthcare sector is well balanced and represented in the event of strategy formulation and resource allocation (Gawande, 2010). The changing health and social care landscape has further experienced welfare reforms that have been achieved through neo-liberal approaches. One such example is the use of outsourcing by the government. Service delivery has been made possible through outsourcing of services to the private sector. Through the civil society, non-governmental organisations have been granted the responsibility of ensuring citizens access basic services more conveniently. The private sector is entrusted with this task due to its efficiency. However, the government is left with the task of providing funds and setting policies (Wheeler & Grice, 2000). Neo-liberal approaches have also led to reforms through the formulation of healthcare policies. The World Trade Organization (WTO), World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are some of the bodies that have had a hand in this. With the main aim of promoting the welfare, these bodies have been lending money to states to implement various developmental activities. These bodies have efficient mechanisms that can detect problems that face the health systems globally. Currently, four major obstacles have been detected. They include exploding costs, inefficiency, inequalities in accessing care and misallocation of resources. They also offer advice to member countries concerning policies. However, the responsibility of formulating policies lies within their mandate (Wheeler & Grice, 2000). Neo-liberal approaches impact service provision both positively and negatively. Positively in the sense that activities that may not have been implemented effectively are otherwise made possible. Technical skills and knowhow are also attained in the process. Moreover, globalization is encouraged hence making health issues a global affair. By so being, states can join efforts in the fight to find lasting solutions. Through strong partnerships, barriers that hinder access to services have been overcome. Partnerships have also helped in addressing training need, promoting effective communication and information sharing and also promoting good leadership (Ibrahim, 2011). Neo-liberal approaches negatively impact service provision because implementers do not enjoy full control of resources and decision-making. Such a situation deprives people the ability to take the most appropriate measures where it is required. Another negative implication is derived from the government’s tendencies to discriminate and restrict service users from accessing care. This situation specifically arises when the government uses power in modernist ways to introduce policies and legislations to make things look right while, in the real sense, people are only being used to pass government agendas. Private companies and the government acquire money, but the money does not directly benefit the people. This leads to a situation whereby people are oppressed as a result of unbalances power structures (Lyon-Callo, 2004). The United Kingdom adopted a Children’s Act 2004 through the Every Child Matters (ECM) initiative to support children with mental health problems. It is a major reform which aims to support children with disabilities. Through the Act, five outcomes are expected. They include; making a positive contribution, being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving as well as achieving economic wellbeing (ChildrenAct, 2004). Using a Common Assessment Framework (CAF), these outcomes are aimed at developing means of rendering services to children through collaborative efforts. It also focuses on problems that children experience both collectively and as individuals. By finding out the things that work best for them, children are supported through various initiatives to realize their potential. Families of children with disabilities are also supported. Through empathy, other people can have a feel of what these children go through while through congruence these children are treated equally. Similarly, through unconditional positive regard the children are accepted just like other normal children. Working together to support children has further contributed to the empowerment, advocacy and the emergence of support networks. Other changes that have been realized through the Care Act 2014 are based on the regulation that requires local authorities to provide advocacy services. Such efforts have positively impacted mental care initiatives (Brayne, Carr, & Goosey, 2015). Not to forget the Care Certificate. This certificate has contributed towards supporting health and social care workers in the United Kingdom. It sets out standards and competencies that all care providers are expected to abide by. Scholars have also been able to come up with theories and approaches that are continuously being applied during the provision of care. Theories such as systems theory have enabled practitioners to understand various systems and how they affect health and social care provision. Approaches such as the Person Centred Approach have contributed towards understanding human behaviour and how it affects individual wellbeing (McMillan, 2004). Reflecting on skills, aptitude and knowledge that I have acquired throughout the program as an ethical practitioner, I realize that I have acquired the necessary knowhow required in the field of service delivery. I have gained profound knowledge that will enable me to ethically and professionally deliver services in my area of specialization. I have also learned that service delivery in the health and social sectors requires commitment, dedication, discipline and willingness. Without these attributes, I realize that my effort will not positively contribute towards improving the wellbeing of individuals. I expect to use the knowledge and skills that I have acquired to inspire other people positively and educate people around me who may be ignorant about health and social care. I also believe that it is my responsibility to ensure people under my care are offered the best services regardless of their age, gender, race and social status among other factors. The acquired skills should enable me to tackle problems outside my scope of work when necessary. I also believe the knowledge acquired should enable me to solve my personal problems without any difficulty or hesitation whatsoever. Moreover, the knowledge acquired will allow me to explore other avenues in and outside my area of specialization. As a matter of fact, I will be in a position to make contributions to policy making and national decision-making processes. Together with other professionals, the knowledge acquired will generate a productive environment through teamwork. In reference to the workplace and career opportunities, significant transformations have also been experienced. Various trends are being adopted at the workplace. For example, employers are progressively insisting on the need for innovativeness and creativeness. They want to engage individuals based on the value they bring to the organisation. Tasks have also shifted from the desk to the field (Esty, Griffin, & Schorr, 1995). In recent times, organizations are getting more involved in field activities than in paperwork. Another trend is the focus on job satisfaction besides delivery of services. Organisations are now ensuring employees achieve job satisfaction due to the common belief that it enhances productivity (Cornelius, 2002). Career opportunities have also changed and given rise to the development of careers that either did not exist or were considered less important. Take for instance psychologists, social workers, and counselors. Some time back, these careers were not highly regarded, but today, services offered by these professionals have become a basic necessity in many social spheres. These three career fields offer great future opportunities for professional and career development (Paludi, 2012). However much significant change has been realized, there is a need for service providers and practitioners to think differently about how quality will be incorporated into health and social care. People should focus on adopting multi-disciplinary learning techniques that are inclusive of various social, political and economic dynamics. The motivating factor behind such effort should be the urge to ensure everyone can access health and social care (Douglas et al., 2009). New outcome frameworks that clearly identify and address areas of need should be of great emphasis. This will positively contribute towards sustainable development. Since the change is inevitable, every individual has the responsibility of indulging in activities that positively contribute to the well-being of the society at large (Block, 2006). References Adams, R., Dominelli, L. & Payne, M., 2009. Social Work: Themes, Issues and Critical Debates, 3rd ed. London, United Kingdom: Palgrave. Arts, W., Meulen, R., & Mueffels, R., 2001. Solidarity in Health and Social Care in Europe. Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers. Banks, S. (ed.), 2010. Ethical Issues in Youth Work, 2nd ed. London, United Kingdom: Routledge. BBC., 2015. Manifesto watch: Where parties stand on key issues. BBC. Available at: [Accessed 25 March 2015]. Block, D. J. 2006. Healthcare Outcomes Management: Strategies for Planning and Evaluation. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Brayne, H., Carr, H., & Goosey, D., 2015. Law for Social Workers. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. Children Act. 2004. Britain: Stationery Office. [Online] Available at: < https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=J11EA97PBboC&printsec=frontcover&dq=children+act+2004&hl=en&sa=X&ei=It8TVbaEE4fOyQPO7oHQDg&ved=0CCIQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=children%20act%202004&f=false> [Accessed 25 March 2015]. . Cornelius, N. (Ed.). 2002. Building Workplace Equality: Ethics, Diversity, and Inclusion. London: Cengage Learning EMEA. Dahlberg, G., Moss, P. & Pence, A. (Eds.) 2007. Beyond Quality in Early Childhood Education and Care, 2nd ed. London, United Kingdom: Routledge. Davis, C., Finlay, L., & Bullman, A. (Eds.). 2005. Changing Practice In Health and Social Care. London: SAGE. DepartmentofHealth. 2014. Care Bill becomes Care Act 2014. Government of The United Kingdom. [Online] Available at:< https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/care-bill-becomes-care-act-2014> [Accessed 25 March 2015]. Douglas, J. et al. (eds.) 2009 A Reader in Promoting Public Health, 2nd ed. London, United Kingdom: Sage. Dziegielewski, S. F. 2004. The Changing Face of Health Care Social Work: Professional Practice in Managed Behaviour Health Care. New York: Springer Publishing Company. Esty, K. C., Griffin, R., & Schorr, M. 1995. Workplace Diversity. Canada: Adams Media. Falloon, I. H., & Fadden, G. 1995. Integrated Mental Health Care: A Comprehensive, Community-Based Approach. New York: Cambridge University Press. Gawande, A. 2010. The Checklist Manifesto: How To Get Things Right. Great Britain: Profile Books. GovUK. 2014. Care Act 2014. Government of the United Kingdom. [Online] Available at: < Retrieved from http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/23/contents/enacted> [Accessed 25 March 2015]. Gray, I., Field, R., & Brown, K. 2010. Effective Leadership, Management and Supervision in Health and Social Care. SAGE. [Online} Available at : [Accessed 25 March 2015]. . Ibrahim, A. 2011. Strengths and Weaknesses of the Neo-Liberal Approach to Development. Germany: GRIN Verlag. Levin, B. L., Petrila, J., & Hennessy, D. (Eds.). 2010. Public Health Perspective. Oxford University Press. Lyon-Callo, V. 2004. Inequality, Poverty, and Neoliberal Governance: Activist Ethnography in the Homeless Sheltering Industry. Canada, Toronto: University of Toronto McMillan, M. 2004. Approach to Therapeutic Change. London: SAGE. Nolan, Y. 2005. Health and Social Care: S/NVQ Level 2. Heinemann Education Publishers. OConnor, I., Hughes, M., Turney, D., Wilson, J., & Setterlund, D. 2006. Social Work and Social Care Practice. London: SAGE. Paludi, M. A. (Ed.). 2012. Managing Diversity in Todays Workplace: Strategies for Employees and Employers. California: ABC-CLIO. Parton, N. (Ed.). 2002. Social Theory, Social Change and Social Work. USA, New York: Routledge. Payne, M., & Askeland, G. A. 2008. Globalization and International Social Work: Postmodern Change and Challenge. Ashgate. Southwick, S. M., Charney, D., Litz, B. T., & Friedman, M. J. (Eds.). 2011. Resilience and Mental Health: Challenges Across the Lifespan. New York: Cambridge University Place. TheWeek. 2015. General Election 2015: who is going to win? [Online] Available at: [Accessed 25 March 2015]. Wheeler, N., & Grice, D. 2000. Management in Health Care. United Kingdom: Nelson Thornes. Williams, S., & Torrens, P. 2007. Introduction to Health Services. Cengage Leaning. [Online] Available at: < https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=4IX8TFzTwo8C&printsec=frontcover&dq=health+providers&hl=en&sa=X&ei=_ecTVa6lN4qL7AahqYBo&ved=0CDUQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=health%20providers&f=false> [Accessed 25 March 2015]. . Read More