Changes in Health and Social Care Services - Case Study Example

turnitoutsafely.com Changes in Health and Social Care Services Changes in Health and Social Care Services 1. Introduction Since the legislation of the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom (U.K) in 1948, a lot of change management practices take place. These developments results from both internal and external health issues and impact the health and social services provision (Phillips, 2009, pg. 21). Throughout the period, achieving the best health and social services remains an important focus as opposed to the primary objective of achieving national targets. To ensure effective control of the health and social care services in the U.K Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the activities of hospitals, care homes as well as care services. The researcher therefore focuses at the main factors that drive change in the health sector through cross-examining CQC’s report on Royal United Hospital Bath. 1.2 Key factors that drive change in health and social care services Discussing a number of key factors driving change in the health as well as social services through examining strengths, weaknesses as well as opportunities and threats, therefore, remains essential. Strengths relate to organizational aspects that include resources, both physical and financial, expertise staff and other internal factors of an organization. Through identification of opportunities from the external environment that rhyme with the internal capabilities, organizations capitalize on the strengths. Weaknesses on the other hand amount to deficiencies arising from incompetent resources of an organization (Whitten, 2009, pg. 117). Poor services or bad reputation of an organization serves as the major weaknesses within an organization setup. Leaders and managers, therefore, need to work on correcting those weaknesses that reduce organizations effectiveness as well as damaging the organization. Opportunities arise from external environment changes. Changes in government policies or technology fall under that category. Organizations take advantage of presented opportunities in order to grow current services. Threats, on the other hand, relate to external factors presenting risks to the organization. Change of government policies and technological changes forms the major risks that face existing organizations. Examining the weaknesses and threats posed by these factors will enhance responsible institutions to develop achievable strategies to cope with these challenges. The first factor relates to Legislation. Legislation relates to government programs that involve funding and the NHS as the major body entrusted with controlling the health and social services sector. Government control of the health sector remains an important function to avoid public exploitation from the private sector. Therefore, establishment of the NHS and CQC and their role of controlling the health and social sector remains a major strength. Although the government empowers the NHS to take charge of all health and social issues, the role of funding remains with the government (Sherlock, 2012, pg 77). The continued dwindling healthcare resources place a burden on NHS in allocating these scarce resources among acute as well as community care settings. However, the government through The Health and Social Care Act 2012 introduced a number of changes to curb the threat. Among the changes affected include: giving groups as well as other professionals budgets to use in buying care for their local communities. Consequently, the Act creates a health monitor to check on anti-competitive practices. Shifting of the NHS responsibilities also took place as well as shifting its trusts to foundations. Change in government legislation, therefore, changes heath and social care services as any legislation that affects NHS affects the whole sector health as well as the social care sector. One of the challenges affecting achieving desirable results remains politics. Politicizing every government activity renders NHS ineffective as politics plays a significant role in determining allocations to the body. The second factor relates to demographic issues. As the population of aging people increase, health and social care needs for these people increase. As for the case with many developed countries, the aging population increase in the U.K presents change since it brings the need of increased health and social care. Teenage population and increased teenage pregnancy also remains a key factor that drives change in the whole sector (Pattison, 2010, pg. 397). Due to teenage sex, sexually transmitted infections remain high among the youths prompting the changes. Increased level of sexually transmitted diseases is on the rise amongst gay men that results from the change of society culture. Consequently, growing needs of ethnic minority within the society drives changes within the health sector. Another demographic issue is the media. Media houses play a significant role in changing the society’s perception through information dissemination. Due to high networking among the media, the media inform the general population on advancements or negative effects of arising from any health practice. For example, the media broadcasts changes effected in other nations effecting the change. The strength of the media, therefore, remains a key consideration due to increased public trust upon the media. Global travel, as well as trade, remains a major consideration effecting change within the sector. Currently, traveling around the globe remains on the rise in different destinations where patterns differ. The speed of travel presents a great challenge especially with air as individuals incubating infectious diseases will travel to another country undetected. Traveling does not only present challenges as a result of speed, but also through the nature travel that puts travelers at a risk of infection. Thirdly, technological issues drive change within the sector. Technological advancement remains a dominant feature within the society. Due to increased innovation and inventions by the human beings, technology keeps evolving to help solve individual needs with minimum time. The first consideration of technological advancements relates to assistive technology that boosts the work process of the health and social care sector. Electronic record keeping as well as electronic communication serves as the key advantages enhanced by technology advancement. Initially, health care institutions as well as social care institutes stuck with the manual routine of recording and stored patient’s files. Introduction of information technology and computer-based programs enhances a record keeping and easier tracking of these records with minimum time consumed (Wall, 2011, pg. 345). After recording a patient’s information for the first time, follow up becomes easier. Electronic communication, on the other hand, ensures timely communication between departments as well as between service providing institutions and patients. Through networking, information sharing becomes easier without delays. Lastly, internal factors that include staff, organizational structures as well as systems and skills also play a significant role in changing the health and social sector. Staff with sufficient skills ensures quality service delivery that proves essential in the health sector. The structure of the organization also plays a significant role in enhancing service delivery. Less complex organizational structures ensure effective communication leading to efficient service delivery. 1.3 Challenges Posed by the key factors of change to health and social care services The key drivers of change in the health and social care services sector brings a number of challenges relating to the nature of these factors. As the first consideration, legislation poses challenges in these sectors through shifting the care settings from secondary care settings to primary. The shift raises the issue of resources required for staff training. Allied health care professionals, as well as nutritional nurses, require continued training. Through that shift, quality care maintenance and patient safety remains a major challenge (Kvist, 2010, pg. 67). Another challenge relates to planning service delivery resulting from the uncertainty of the future level funding and its effects on future demand and supply of these services. The increased health expenditure outpaces the GDP as well as total public expenditure. That result from the number of medical staffs and other services provided that include ambulances. It, therefore, remains a challenge to fund these sectors, and government legislation may change in the near future with the aim of fixing the unsustainable budget. In considering demographic and social factors challenges, it proves essential to focus on management and planning of the growing needs presented by demographic changes. The factors pose a challenge of planning in order to meet the needs of an aging population from an aging workforce. Managing the changing demand that result from increasing prevalence of co-morbidities and long-term, complex conditions also proves a major challenge. Lifestyle change within the population presents a challenge of managing their changing expectations regarding the care they receive. Technology as the next factor presents a number of challenges due to its continuous process of evolving. Organizations need to keep up to date with the growing technology to avoid lagging backwards. Another challenge brought by technology relates to cyber crimes. As electronic record keeping assists greatly in enhancing efficient and effective service provision, criminals accessing and altering crucial information remains a major challenge (Mason, 2012, pg. 330). Installation of effective control measures to prevent cyber attacks and viruses on systems remain a major requirement. Lastly, the internal factors challenges relate to low-quality services provision within financial constraints. Shared values within an organization present a challenge of resisting change from staff members. 2.1 A strategy and criteria for measuring recent changes in health and social care Measuring the recent changes in health and social care requires a well-defined strategy and criteria in order to gauge the impact of the change in particular factors within an organization. Technology and technological advancements occur in every aspect of life. In order to thrive in the modern world, adapting to new technology remains a must undertaking for every organization. A questionnaire proves an effective tool of measuring of the recent technological changes. A number of issues relating to new technology will be assessed by the use of a questionnaire. Presentation of questionnaire to relevant parties that know about the organization operations plays a significant role in ensuring reliable feedback (Davino and Fabbris, 2013, pg. 216). First, the questionnaire will measure effectiveness and efficiency of new technology by presenting it to the relevant staff members who initially used manual systems. The questions should relate to the effectiveness as well as efficiency on the job the new technology offers. To assess’ customer satisfaction, questions need formulation relating to the level of customer satisfaction with the introduction of new technology. Comparison of the era before new technology adoption and the current era also proves important. In examining the level of customer satisfaction, questionnaires need to be presented to customers as they best know their level of satisfaction. New technology affects the organization as well as the environment. At some situations, adopting new technology benefits the organization while at the same time harming the environment. The general public and environmental institutions will serve best in filling these questionnaires that relate to the impact of new technology on the environment. Lastly, organizations management considers costs and benefits of every investment before adopting the investment. Through assistance from the finance and accounting departments, managers choose viable investments relating to cost and benefits of the investments opportunities present. Therefore, presenting questionnaires to the management and staff of an organization will enhance in determining the cost and benefit of technology change. 2.2 The impact of recent changes on health and social care services In measuring the impact of recent changes on health and social care services, a questionnaire qualifies in assessing some organizational aspects. These include: effect of the changes on front-line staff by administering questionnaires to the front office staff members and posing direct questions to them. The questionnaire also serves as an effective tool for learning the impact from the direct users of the services. However, to assess services organization within an organization, focus groups structured interview proves more reliable. The structured interview will ensure engagement and contribution from all members of the organization as a group, therefore, limiting the aspect of bias derived from individuals in the case of the questionnaire. A survey represents the best tool to test the effect on service delivery as well as learning the views of families whose members use these services. A survey will enhance a room for questioning and clarification of issues that the interviewee fails to understand. It also presents the interview with a room of making personal judgment regarding the feedback given due to his presence during the survey. 2.3 The overall impact of recent changes in health and social care The four recent changes stem from legislation, demography, technology and internal factors impact the overall change in health and social care in one way or another. First, legislation changes the way of operations in the health and social sector through introduction of new guidelines. As evidenced by the Health and Social Care Act 2001, changes in government legislation impact the health and social care functions (Gislason, 2013, pg. 119). Consequently, the government funds the NHS that regulates the health and social sector, any change in government budget allocation indicates change in the sector. Decisions by the government to restructure the NHS affect the overall sector as change of bureaucracy affects the whole sector. Demography and culture, on the other hand, impacts the health and social sectors as a result of changing lifestyles. Change in lifestyle pertaining from different ages accrues different requirements that force the health and social sectors to change in order to cater for these needs. As evidenced by the aging population and the teenagers in the U.K, different lifestyles, and public expectations affect health and social care sector greatly. Thirdly, technological changes affect the sector through increasing efficiency and effectiveness in organizations. Electronic record keeping as well as electronic communication enhances assistance in coordinating organization activities (Martin and Townroe, 2013, pg. 319). For example, referring to the inspection check carried out by CQC, Lastly, internal factors possess the strengths and weaknesses of every organization. Weak internal factor becomes a challenge in running an organization. Therefore, equipping the staff with the required skills through training and development will ensure effective running of the health and social sector. For example, in the case study conducted by CQC, they realized majority of the staff in the hospital possessed professionalism as well as a caring attitude for their patients. 2.4 Appropriate service responses to recent changes in health and social care services In England the Care Quality Commission (CQC) ensures that all health services providers provide the citizens with safe, and effective as well as compassionate and high quality health services. The CQC ensures adhering to these services through conducting inspections and encouraging the health service providers to adhere to these requirements. Organizations can respond to failures identified by CQC in a number of ways. The first failure is training that will improve as a result of organizations investing in training and development programs that will eventually benefit the employees (Walsh, 2012, pg. 493). The next failure relates to change of management structure that will be achieved through adoption of flat structures as opposed to hierarchical structures. The next failure relates to new staff employment in order to effectively cater for the patients needs. Employing skilled and qualified staff members will ensure a provision of quality services. Another failure relates to change in equipment since some organizations uses outdated health equipments thus creating inefficiency. During the visit at Royal Hospital Bath, CQC members learnt of lack of equipments that measures patients’ health risks as opposed to relying on observing measures adopted by the nurses. Lastly, change in service delivery resulting from delays upon serving patients. Employee motivation and hiring of skilled employees serves will ensure quality service delivery. For example, during the study conducted by CQC in the Royal Hospital Bath, the organization learnt of inefficient use of assistive technology as patients’ record maintenance was poorly handled. 3.1 Key Principles of change management Change management relates to an application of sequence of activities that the project leader or change management team leader follows to complete a project or effect change. The process goes through change preparing, change managing and reinforcing change. John P Kotter, an organizational change management leader describes a model of eight steps useful in understanding and managing change (Fagin, 2012, pg. 312). First, increase urgency through inspiring individuals to move as well as making real and relevant objectives. Secondly, develop a guiding team by getting the right people with the best emotional commitment. Thirdly, establish the right vision to the team. Fourth, communicate for buy-in through involving many people as well as communicating the essentials. Fifth, empower action by removing obstacles that hinder feedback. Sixth, develop short-term wins. Seventh, don’t let up as determination and persistence pay. Lastly, make the change stick through recruitment as well as promotion. The processes occur to create a system useful for change management. Effective application of these components ensures project success as well as minimizing negative aspect of productivity in an organization’s customers. Royal Hospital Bath can incorporate these change processes to ensure the recommendations required by CQC are attained. The process will enhance change in the health and social care sector leading to a new culture in the organization’s health sector. 3.2 Plans of managing changes in health and social care Managing changes in every organization requires focusing and reviewing the NHS guidelines as well as the rules Stipulated by CQC. After clearly considering the two measures an organization needs to ensure that those requirements and rules relate to the following factors that affect the organization. First, focus on vision and mission statements of the organization serves as a guideline in effecting and managing change within the organization. Secondly, clear understanding of the external environment so as to examine the current and possible future influences arising from the environment. Third, consider internal factors so as to assess internal effectiveness and weakness of the organization (Green, 2009, pg. 45). For example, Royal United Hospital Bath needs to ensure all its staff members are well equipped and skilled to ensure quality service provision although majority of the employees seem to be well equipped. Consequently the hospital needs to increase its washing facilities as the study conducted by CQC indicates the patients experience disturbance due to inadequate washing facilities resulting in disturbed sleep (Cqc, 2013. Pg.19). Next, consider the organizations, strengths and weaknesses as well as opportunities and threats. The next consideration relates to strategic issues analysis in order to consider organization’s policies. The last step focuses on option appraisal through exploration of different options of achieving the proposed objectives. In achieving these changes considerations revolves around a number of issues. These include stockholder analysis since they own the organization. Consultations and communication remains a key consideration in order to ensure the right bodies take part in the change process. The management style and communication style mostly top-down or down-top takes consideration. The change from secondary to primary health and social care services provision aimed at developing a flat management style. Consequently, use of informal social systems in addressing the health and social challenges proves essential. Lastly, in order to achieve and effect organizational change, staff development remains crucial. 3.3 How to monitor recent changes in health and social care services Monitoring recent changes in the health and social care services plays a significant role in ensuring whether the changes add value to the organization. The methods used to monitor these changes include first, evaluative research surveys that involve data collection directly from the population (Propper, 2009, pg. 418). The major benefit of the process remains that those collecting the data clarify any ambiguities raised by the sample questions. It thus ensures correct feedback. However, bias in feedback collected limits authenticity of the data collected. It arises especially through internal surveys as staffs feel intimidated to tell the truth. The second consideration relates to customer and staff satisfaction. The process monitors the level of an organization’s activities and its impact on those it intends to serve. It serves as the best measure of monitoring change. A negative feedback from these two groups indicates a risk for the company. The positive feedback, on the other hand, ensures continuity of the organization. Lastly, measure of efficiency of an organization’s operations helps in determining the level benefits the shareholders of the organization drive. Aiming for increased efficiency results at time distracts organizations from engaging in the right actions (Altilio, 2011, pg. 99). For example, aiming at achieving increased benefits over costs will distract an organization from engaging in activities like corporate social responsibility. In conclusion, none of the three techniques stands in ensuring effective monitoring of change within the health and social care services sector. Integration of all the techniques will ensure effective and efficient control measures attainment. References Altilio, T, 2011. Oxford textbook of palliative social work. Oxford: Oxford University Press. CQC, 2013, October 11, Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust Inspection Report. Retrieved December 10, 2014, from http://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/old_reports/RD130_Royal_United_Hospital_Bath_NHS_Trust_INS1-704690602_Responsive_-_Follow_Up_11-10-2013.pdf Davino, C., & Fabbris, L, 2013. Survey Data Collection and Integration [delta]. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg :. Fagin, L, 2012. 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