Partnership Working with People from Ethnic Minority Communities Living with a Long Term Condition - Essay Example

Running head: MULTIAGENCY PARTERNERSHIP WORKING WITH PEOPLE FROM ETHNIC MINORITY COMMUNITIES LIVING WITH A LONG TERM CONDITION Multiagency Partnership Working with People from Ethnic Minority Communities Living with a Long Term Condition Insert Name Insert Affiliation Abstract The research compiled has demonstrated that there are a number of issues blocking necessary communication between multiethnic organizations and main stream sector agencies. This has posed considerable stress in the areas of: healthcare, social work, education, and integration of different ethnicities in diverse communities. The following research discusses and summarizes where the heaviest needs of collaboration between agencies lie and what steps need to be under taken to improve certain organizations for service users. Long term conditions such as: mental health illnesses, terminal diseases, and other disabilities are thoroughly discussed along with the many different issues posing certain problems for joint partnership among community organizations. One of the main concerns that this literature conveys is the shortages among staff in certain specialities, miscommunication, or lack of it, funding issues, and inefficient time allotments. What can be done to correct the problems and retain a partnership between agencies is also included. The conclusion that is discovered is that it will take the assistance of multiple policy holders, legislators, and the communities themselves to bring a better balance on multiethnic differences, especially in the National Health Care System. Introduction: Partnership and Collaboration In the last few years there has been found to be a lack of understanding between a number of organizations in the social aspects of social work, health care, and many community organizations. Two of the leading National agencies, which one is officially being lead by predominantly white officials, and the other being a mixture of BME community organizations, are known to be racially/culturally divided in the areas of 'diversity and community cohesion' (ARVAC 2005). However, a well funded project titled, 'Progress through Partnership' is working fluidly to close the divided gap and to provide an extensive coherence into bringing a mutual awareness to both social areas mentioned and to ensure more thorough contact with one another. Although the factual data shows that these varied cultural organizations carry similar values and beliefs, the problem is that the lack of communication is creating miscomprehensions between them and therefore a division within specific communities that have the largest percentage of diverse ethnic backgrounds; such as the boroughs of Hackney and Newham, in London, is taking place (ARVAC 2005). The research that ARVAC (2005) has pooled together clearly shows an initiative on multiple agencies parts to want to work in collaboration with each other, however the dilemma lies in the basis that there is not quantifiable time to build upon a strong and long lasting relationship. Though the BME and other mainstream sector organizations are aware there is an imperative need to work jointly in areas of: health, social care, and community safety, they are at a stand still as to how to unite together with the limited time and resources that they currently have. Therefore, the consensus between both areas is that it is going to require the skills and abilities of policy holders and legislators; as well as those willing to provide funding to promote a reliable partnership between the various sectors under concern, if there is going to be any improvements made for those in society, to utilize the services available. Also, compiling knowledge and sharing it with each other in order to search for better venues for collaboration among each other is going to be an essential key in achieving the objectives of the BME, mainstream agencies, and other community organizations; and how it will actually affect the VCS in forming a partnership that will hold promise and gain in longevity (ARVAC 2005). IT is essential that some form of unity be instated in this cultural gulf to allow for proper community cohesion, and active citizenship. Without joint assistance and cooperation in the discussed central areas there will continue to be a void in communication between various ethnic community agencies. The most detrimental goal out of forming a equal partnership of communication, knowledge, and strategic positions within multiethnic communities is to promote a stronger, more balanced, and proficient National Health Care System; especially for those suffering with a long term health condition. Promoting a Multiethnic Collaboration in the NHS and its Importance A large concern lies in the fact that there are those in certain communities that are struggling with long term health problems, especially in the area of mental health. These people are unable to get the specific care that they need due to the massive lack of knowledge of their culture and sparse communication in various communities where there is an extreme amount of diversity among different ethnic groups. This has a heavy impact on the NHS because all people regardless of cultural or economic differences are entitled to quality healthcare. Therefore partnership with multiethnic agencies is crucial in providing health care services to people of extensive ethnicity. The NHS needs to ensure that staff providing mental health care, specifically have the necessary qualifications to assist those who are living inside of the communities. The only way to do this is to have a joint partnership so that knowledge can be fairly shared to guarantee that multi ethnic service users are being properly taken care of. Right now the Mental Health Foundation (1996) is showing that only 20% of staff is qualified to serve those of diverse backgrounds efficiently. This leads the users to feel that their needs are not being properly met and makes the NHS appear to be inefficient in supporting the needs of its service users (Clare 2000). This has to be rectified and a solution found quickly in order to get the superior care that is needed, out to the surrounding communities. However, since there is such a shortage of staff to provide beneficial services tot hose that need it, it seems as of now the only possible logical means of correcting the problem is to utilize those who have experience working with the mentally ill but who are not professionally licensed. This would be a temporary solution until the NHS can establish a more suitable type of means. The steps that obviously need to be instituted in a suitable time frame are: As a society there needs to be quality care an support services readily available for those of a different ethnic background The workforce must be dedicated and committed to supplying the various communities with good quality health care Mental health care needs to be established to be a respective and positive career opportunity to correct the current shortage of staff A decent awareness of the diverse backgrounds of the many clients must be ensured so a natural coherence of specific needs can be met (Clare 2000). Following these instructions will benefit not only the staff but the specific users of the service as well. Also it will help workers have more of sensitivity for the well being of their clients. The Ethical Importance of a Multiethnic Partnership in the NHS The importance that is relative to forming a joint partnership with multiagencies is naturally obvious. In order to meet the special needs of every service user there must be the availability of shared knowledge. By accommodating each other the service user will have a more adequate care plan made available to them and the individual needs of each client can be better assessed in a precise manner, with considerate and timely service by the staff. Section 11, which is implemented in the Social Care Act of 2001 demonstrates how important it is to meet the health needs of individual patients as well as emphasizes the legal duty the NHS has to its multi ethnic service users (Department of Health 2004). Furthermore, the Department of Health itself has passed many different statutes to improve upon health care services, one of those being its initiative to make health care readily available and fair to all ethnic communities, regardless of the cultural background. The program, 'Choice, Equity, and Responsiveness' (2003) was solely initiated to give staff, patients, and the general public a better opportunity to let the government know what their needs are and where the deficiencies are in the National Health Care System. The UK government states: Designing services around the wishes and choices of different groups of patients will improve access to care and treatment and reduce health inequalities (Department of Health 2004). Therefore the greatest attribute of forming a multiagency partnership would be found in the reasoning that, equality would finally be felt and the service users would feel their personal choices and decisions on what services they feel they need the most would be being taken into consideration for once. What the NHS needs to do more than anything else is be aware of what the public is specifically telling them and actually do something to bring about a change that will result in a strong partnership with other agencies to always give proper and high quality service to everyone. Also, allowing patient involvement in their own health care plan and sharing knowledge will allow for service users to acquire many benefits, some of the being: Greater confidence in the NHS Reduction in anxiety due to lack of shared knowledge and communication Personal needs finally being met quickly and precisely Better relationships with professionals in the health care field will develop A great number of positive health results will be achieved (Department of Health 2005) Once these initial steps are ascertained within the NHS, it can move on to a more in depth partnership, and fully treat those taking an involvement in the various activities of the organizational processes, as equal partners. This will enforce unison between multiethnic organizations in the community and provide: A recognition of knowledge and experience between all groups Ensure all objectives are clear Share information between themselves as well as patients and the public A formulation on how to best communicate with each other before, after, and during the process of developing a partnership can be obtained (Department of Health 2005). This will allow for patients with chronic conditions such as; osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and many other long term conditions to receive accurate and appropriate care with a clear comprehension of what their treatment plan will consist of. Expert Patient Programme Jointly Developed in the NHS The purpose of this program is directed to aid those who are suffering with long term health conditions. It is a fairly new program that has been instated for about three years now and seems to be promoting better communication between health workers and service users (Patient Plus 2004). Through this very beneficial program, patients feel more in control of their lives because they are better able to manage their own health through gaining a concise understanding about their illness. They can communicate much more efficiently with medical professionals, and also since they have acquired how to manage their illness they lose less time from work and do not suffer as severe bouts of symptoms as they previously did. The total aim of this program through the NHS is as follows: To allow patients to feel more confident and in control of their lives To better manage their condition and its treatment in partnership with health care professionals To have effective communication with professionals and be willing to share responsibility on their treatment Be realistic about the impact of their disease on themselves and their family Use their skills and knowledge to lead full lives (Patient Plus 2004) This plan was able to be developed through a joint partnership with Long-Term Medical Care Alliance, which is specifically oriented with ensuring people with long term conditions get the correct care and guidance they need to live fair and productive lives with clear management of their illness. There are multiple courses patients can take which guide and train them in developing a better awareness of their illness and how to cope with it. The skills patients learn greatly enhance their own abilities to monitor their health and symptoms of their illness. Some of these skills that they acquire through the shared knowledge and training available are: Setting goals Writing an action plan Problem solving skills Fitness and exercise Better breathing (participants are taught diaphragmatic breathing) Fatigue management Healthy eating Relaxation skills Communication with family Working better with health care professionals, including communicating better with them Making better use of medications (Patient Plus 2004) This program is one of the best that has been devised since there has been a growing awareness in the social organizations and health care arenas, of a need for better communication and understanding between communities and these agencies as well as forming the joint partnerships that are so desperately needed to improve mental and physical health care. In conclusion, though there are great advancements going on within the NHS and main sector organizations, as well as smaller community organizations to unite a partnernership to bring equality for multiethnic service users there are still numerous areas of concern and many revisions in some of the programs that have to be made. However, the initiative of all of these agencies is amazing and is all in place due to the awareness by all of them that the community will be better served with a common unity between all health, government, and community agencies. It will assist not only the service users themselves but as has been stated, the staff of these organizations as well. References ARVAC (2005). Promoting Effective Community Action Through Research. Retrieved On 19, January 2006. From: http://www.arvac.org.uk/docs/info_bull97.bhtml Clare, Alison (2000). Filling the Knowledge Gap: The New Certificate in Community Mental Health Care. Retrieved on 20, January 2006. From: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/page.cfmpagecode=PRAR0106 Department of Health (2004). Standards for Better Health: Health Care Standards for Services under the NHS. University of West Minister, p.59 Retrieved on: 23, January 2006. From: http://www.wmin.ac.uk Department of Health (2005). Providing Health and Social Care Policy, Guidance, and Publications. Retrieved on 23, January 2006. From: http://www.dh.gov.uk/homepage Patient Plus (2004). Expert Patients. Retrieved on 23, January 2006. From: http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/40024857 Read More