Rachel's arguement AGAINST...
1. Argument against.
‘The government assumes the ultimate responsibility for care.’
Responsibility is NOT shifted to the family - it is the government that is ultimately responsible for care. I would like to give evidence for this by pointing out the governments role in:
- Current core principles of state run care departments
- Legal policies and procedures in place to regulate and improve care facilities
It is the state that is responsible for care. In April of this year, the Care and Counsel stated that the Department of Health is responsible for ‘the effective delivery of health and social care services in England.’ This responsibility is echoed in other government care providers, for instance the NHS core principles include statements such as:
- The NHS will provide a universal service for all based on clinical need, not ability to pay
- The NHS will provide a comprehensive range of services
- The NHS will shape its services around the needs and preferences of individual patients, their families and their carers
These do not sound like the policies of a government trying to shift responsibility away from themselves and onto carers - in fact it seems quite the opposite as Britain seems to remain welfare and needs focused in its delivery of services.
It is the state that produces relevant legislation, policy and procedure as to how care is conducted and managed - guidance which all care providers must abide by. Policies such as Carers and Disabled Children Combined Policy Guidance Act 2000 and Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 for instance is designed to ensure the rights of carers and the cared for are considered. Such policies are continually under review in an attempt to maintain high standards in care facilities. Such standards are also reflected in the targets for improving and maintaining the physical properties of the NHS. For instance, by 2010 around 40% of the total value of the NHS estate will be less than fifteen years old. State provided care is therefore improving and increasing rather than declining to pass duties on to community care.
It is the state that has established criteria to regulate care facilities to which private facilities and the state themselves are accountable. These national standards ensure that a minimum standard of care is given to service users, and as such the state is the backbone to all aspects of care given.
I would urge you to not to undervalue the benefits and contribution of state care provision and responsibility. Community Care policies do not remove the provision of state services– this option is always available. Instead it simply offers to support an alternative care option for those receiving care.
Question to be read by the FOR side:
I acknowledge that the state provides care services, but how does the government intend to ensure there is a suitable care workforce available to make alternatives to community care a viable option?
Answer to be read by the AGAINST side:
The government has already made plans to ensure that a skilled and highly qualified workforce is in place. In 2000 The NHS Plan Investment and reform for NHS hospitals was produced which displayed the state’s dedication to this.
The document states that plans are being made so that more job vacancies will be created for consultants, G.Ps, nurses and therapists, and that more training places will be made available so that thousands more will have the opportunity to enter into health and care professions.
The Plan also considers a review of the NHS pay system, so that staff are rewarded for what they do, and aims to extend the national recruitment and retention campaign to other staff groups as well as nursing and midwifery. More return to practice courses have been introduced along with effective support and mentoring of newly returned staff.
Overall, an extra £140m was invested in development and training by 2003/04. An additional £8 million to extend occupational health services to GPs and their staff. This is something that the government is taking seriously to ensure that our country can lead the way in public service provision of care.
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Sunday, 25 November 2007
Laura F's against argument: The meaning of the family within community care
Recent policies relating to the care of ‘priority groups’ exemplify the importance of the family and uphold the view that ‘family care is best.’ This has two aspects: first that for dependent individuals care is best provided for ‘at home,’ and second, there is an overriding moral duty for them to provide that care. This argument advocating family care is one which has featured strongly in the deinstitutionalisation debate. The revulsion felt towards the grossest examples of dehumanised care is directly linked with the view that the appropriate alternative in all-cases is family based care. The family, in contrast to the impersonal and cold institution, is viewed as a haven, as repository of warm, caring, human relationships based on mutual responsibility and affection and thus a private protection from the cold, hostile, outside world. The impact of removing a person from the comfort and care of their family can be incredibly strong. Institutionalization deprives people of the invaluable opportunities to develop life skills and meaningful relationships within the community. Institutionalization takes away the rights of those who yearn to participate in society and face the challenges and goals in life. Living in the community allows a person control of their own life and circumstances, and that is indispensible to a patient's personal satisfaction and happiness. It might be argued that institutionalization is actually a way of hiding away those away with physical, behavioural or mental challenges away from mainstream society. Those of us who champion the ‘individual rights’ of people afflicted with such difficulties will surely approve the closing down of such institutions in favour of the more personal, individualised and supportive living opportunities found within families in the community. It might, hence, be inferred that the government does not ‘shift’ care to the families. The family, when faced with the alternative of an inhumane institution, often willingly takes on the role of carer. It is reassuring for the family to know that their loved one is being loved, respected and cared for in comfortable surroundings.
It is relevant at this point to consider the meaning of the family. It has been argued that the family is the ‘social structure that links the individuals in all the known human societies.’ It is perhaps helpful to examine other cultures when looking at the notion of ‘family’. In Asian countries, for example, there is a strong tradition of caring for elderly parents. The elderly live in extended, multi-generational households which rely primarily on their children for personal care and financial support.
In Romania families play a large role in caring for elderly relatives. Grandparents often look after grandchildren as it is usual for both parents to work. It is considered shameful to put an elderly relative in a home for the elderly.
In Spain the family is the long-term provider of care for elderly people. Nearly 70% of Spanish dependent elderly people receive exclusive family care, mainly provided by women and children. There is a preference for care within the family, but this does not disqualify formal care intervention.
We can infer from information such as this that basic family values such as love, caring, warmth and support are not confined to one culture, but permeate through every culture to some extent. They are basic and eternal and intrinsic to the very notion of ‘family’.
The government, hence, does not shift responsibility to the family. The family, I argue, often willingly undertakes the caring role as families feel a commitment and responsibility towards one another, and strive to provide loved ones with the most positive and happy future possible. The key to successful community care is being surrounded by basic family values such as listening, friendship, mutual respect. The individualized one-to-one support found at home far surpasses the impersonal institutionalization that preceded community care. I am not denying that community care is demanding, and government financial and personal support is essential to the wellbeing of both the carer and the cared for. But as the future emerges further solutions to quality of living will evolve and more supportive programs will develop to advance community care even more.
It is relevant at this point to consider the meaning of the family. It has been argued that the family is the ‘social structure that links the individuals in all the known human societies.’ It is perhaps helpful to examine other cultures when looking at the notion of ‘family’. In Asian countries, for example, there is a strong tradition of caring for elderly parents. The elderly live in extended, multi-generational households which rely primarily on their children for personal care and financial support.
In Romania families play a large role in caring for elderly relatives. Grandparents often look after grandchildren as it is usual for both parents to work. It is considered shameful to put an elderly relative in a home for the elderly.
In Spain the family is the long-term provider of care for elderly people. Nearly 70% of Spanish dependent elderly people receive exclusive family care, mainly provided by women and children. There is a preference for care within the family, but this does not disqualify formal care intervention.
We can infer from information such as this that basic family values such as love, caring, warmth and support are not confined to one culture, but permeate through every culture to some extent. They are basic and eternal and intrinsic to the very notion of ‘family’.
The government, hence, does not shift responsibility to the family. The family, I argue, often willingly undertakes the caring role as families feel a commitment and responsibility towards one another, and strive to provide loved ones with the most positive and happy future possible. The key to successful community care is being surrounded by basic family values such as listening, friendship, mutual respect. The individualized one-to-one support found at home far surpasses the impersonal institutionalization that preceded community care. I am not denying that community care is demanding, and government financial and personal support is essential to the wellbeing of both the carer and the cared for. But as the future emerges further solutions to quality of living will evolve and more supportive programs will develop to advance community care even more.
Jen's AGAINST argument..
A tad bit long maybe but we can play around on tuesday...
ARGUMENT 3
Let us consider the real shift in Community Care. It is a shift away from Institutionalised Care..It is a shift towards the rights of Service Users to be treated in their..It is a shift towards Service Users having more choice, more rights and more say!
The 1990 NHS and Community Care Act clearly aims to decrease unnecessary institutionalization, increase the demand for non-statutory community care services, improve collaboration between the private and public service sectors. All of these aims are about the individual having choice.
I would like to take issue with the opposition’s basis for statistics about the population and health changes. I would like to point out that the population is not a static entity in the face of changing health trends. Culture, people and opinion evolve. Furthermore I would like to argue that societal attitudes and demographic changes are well supported by the Community Care Model. For instance, let us take your example of Mental Health. Social Inclusion is now currently high on the government’s agenda, as evidenced by the setting up of the Social Exclusion Unit in 2003. The Social Exclusion Report 2004, highlighted a realistic need for people with enduring mental health conditions to play an active and ‘normal’ part in society. My point, ladies and gentlemen, is that such a fundamental societal expectation and human right as Social Inclusion can not be accommodated through institutionalised care.
Community Care should be celebrated not just for mental health reform but as a way of delivering individualised-tailored care to the masses. In the forward of Caring For People: Community Care in the Next Decade and Beyond 1989 it states the intention of community care clearly as:
Helping people to lead, as far as is possible, full and independent lives is at the heart of the Government’s Approach to Community Care.
People need no longer be ‘patients’ on the ward but can be ‘clients’ in their own home- where people receive professional assessment and care-packages in a collaborative manner (for instance through Care Programme Approach set up in conjunction with the 19900 Care in the Community NHS Act). And subsequence guidance such as ‘working together’ means that professionals are now expected to collaborate in order to provide the best possible care for the client.
We would argue that the model of Community Care does not shift responsibility on to families.
As we have heard, carers are a valuable asset to the concept of community care, not purely from a financial perspective but also from the perspective of person receiving care. In terms of the welfare state, it is only realistic to work within the limits of monetary boundaries and support carers. Even Sweden, famed for its strong welfare state has since the last decade seen the emergence of government policy that supports carers within their system. This was highlighted by the Magnussan and Nolan 2006 paper that explores innovative ways that carers can be supported in Sweden. In the same way I argue that Community Care is a good thing for clients supporting social inclusion and choice. With adequate and innovative support we are not shifting responsibility to carers. Instead we are collectively creating a model of care that empowers individuals- both carers and the cared for alike!
.
Question: What are these innovative ways to support carers?
Answer: you’ll find out on Tuesday!!!
ARGUMENT 3
Let us consider the real shift in Community Care. It is a shift away from Institutionalised Care..It is a shift towards the rights of Service Users to be treated in their..It is a shift towards Service Users having more choice, more rights and more say!
The 1990 NHS and Community Care Act clearly aims to decrease unnecessary institutionalization, increase the demand for non-statutory community care services, improve collaboration between the private and public service sectors. All of these aims are about the individual having choice.
I would like to take issue with the opposition’s basis for statistics about the population and health changes. I would like to point out that the population is not a static entity in the face of changing health trends. Culture, people and opinion evolve. Furthermore I would like to argue that societal attitudes and demographic changes are well supported by the Community Care Model. For instance, let us take your example of Mental Health. Social Inclusion is now currently high on the government’s agenda, as evidenced by the setting up of the Social Exclusion Unit in 2003. The Social Exclusion Report 2004, highlighted a realistic need for people with enduring mental health conditions to play an active and ‘normal’ part in society. My point, ladies and gentlemen, is that such a fundamental societal expectation and human right as Social Inclusion can not be accommodated through institutionalised care.
Community Care should be celebrated not just for mental health reform but as a way of delivering individualised-tailored care to the masses. In the forward of Caring For People: Community Care in the Next Decade and Beyond 1989 it states the intention of community care clearly as:
Helping people to lead, as far as is possible, full and independent lives is at the heart of the Government’s Approach to Community Care.
People need no longer be ‘patients’ on the ward but can be ‘clients’ in their own home- where people receive professional assessment and care-packages in a collaborative manner (for instance through Care Programme Approach set up in conjunction with the 19900 Care in the Community NHS Act). And subsequence guidance such as ‘working together’ means that professionals are now expected to collaborate in order to provide the best possible care for the client.
We would argue that the model of Community Care does not shift responsibility on to families.
As we have heard, carers are a valuable asset to the concept of community care, not purely from a financial perspective but also from the perspective of person receiving care. In terms of the welfare state, it is only realistic to work within the limits of monetary boundaries and support carers. Even Sweden, famed for its strong welfare state has since the last decade seen the emergence of government policy that supports carers within their system. This was highlighted by the Magnussan and Nolan 2006 paper that explores innovative ways that carers can be supported in Sweden. In the same way I argue that Community Care is a good thing for clients supporting social inclusion and choice. With adequate and innovative support we are not shifting responsibility to carers. Instead we are collectively creating a model of care that empowers individuals- both carers and the cared for alike!
.
Question: What are these innovative ways to support carers?
Answer: you’ll find out on Tuesday!!!
A background statement for each?...
Found the following 'Newspaper cutting'-quote - a striking one, me thinks. Wondered about it being used as representative (e.g. in the background) by the 'for' team.
If we did collectively like this idea (can discuss on tues) then we'd have to have a striking quote for the opposition too.
[For statement]
'On Monday Morning you will wake up in a new Britain, a state that 'takes over' its citizens six months before they are born, providing care and free services for their birth, for their early years, their schooling, sickness, workless days, widowhood and retirement. All this with free doctoring, dentistry and medicine- free-bath chairs, too, if needed- for 4/11d out of your weekly pay packet. You begin paying next friday.'
Daily Mail, 3 July 1948
If we did collectively like this idea (can discuss on tues) then we'd have to have a striking quote for the opposition too.
[For statement]
'On Monday Morning you will wake up in a new Britain, a state that 'takes over' its citizens six months before they are born, providing care and free services for their birth, for their early years, their schooling, sickness, workless days, widowhood and retirement. All this with free doctoring, dentistry and medicine- free-bath chairs, too, if needed- for 4/11d out of your weekly pay packet. You begin paying next friday.'
Daily Mail, 3 July 1948
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Question to 'against' argument
Q. Many informal carers partially or fully give up paid employment in order to provide the informal care for one or more family members. This often leads to financial strains and issues surrounding their limited pension contributions. Have the Government taken any steps to overcome such problems and financially recognise carers’ contribution?
A. Carers can access financial support. Carer’s Allowance is the main state benefit for carers, which is currently worth £48.65 a week. There are a number of conditions that must be met to qualify for this benefit, however if a person looks after someone for more than 35 hours a week, it may be unlikely that they will earn more than £95 through paid employment. There is a free telephone help-line and many social workers offer advice or referral to benefits teams set up within local authorities. The Carer Premium is an additional payment available up to £27.15 a week. If a carer receives carers allowance and are on Income Support or income-based job seekers allowance, they should receive carers Premium automatically.
Direct payments allow carers to purchase services they are assessed as needing to support them in their caring role and maintain their health and well-being. This may ease financial burdens if carers were previously purchasing services themselves. Just several examples published by the Government include carers purchasing driving lessons or a short holiday with a direct payment.
The Government have taken on board public opinion and largely in response to the Carers UK’s Fair Deal Campaign, introduced in 2002 a £200 million package of increases in carers’ benefits. This almost doubled the Carers Premium paid to the poorest carers.
The Government also increased the earning limits for carers allowance resulting in more carers being able to work part time without it affecting their benefits. The right to request flexible working in employment also made accessing paid employment around caring easier.
With regard to pensions, there has been improvement to pension provision including the introduction of a second state pension for carers. If someone qualifies for Home Responsibilities Protection or to receive Carers Allowance, they can build up their entitlement to the second state pension. So people with caring responsibilities will not be penalised in their pension if they do not earn sufficient National Insurance contributions to build up the earnings related component to their basic pension.
The Government has taken steps and invested spending to overcome financial difficulties faced by carers. So rather than relying on informal care to save public spending on community care, the Government is increasingly recognising carers contribution and financial needs.
A. Carers can access financial support. Carer’s Allowance is the main state benefit for carers, which is currently worth £48.65 a week. There are a number of conditions that must be met to qualify for this benefit, however if a person looks after someone for more than 35 hours a week, it may be unlikely that they will earn more than £95 through paid employment. There is a free telephone help-line and many social workers offer advice or referral to benefits teams set up within local authorities. The Carer Premium is an additional payment available up to £27.15 a week. If a carer receives carers allowance and are on Income Support or income-based job seekers allowance, they should receive carers Premium automatically.
Direct payments allow carers to purchase services they are assessed as needing to support them in their caring role and maintain their health and well-being. This may ease financial burdens if carers were previously purchasing services themselves. Just several examples published by the Government include carers purchasing driving lessons or a short holiday with a direct payment.
The Government have taken on board public opinion and largely in response to the Carers UK’s Fair Deal Campaign, introduced in 2002 a £200 million package of increases in carers’ benefits. This almost doubled the Carers Premium paid to the poorest carers.
The Government also increased the earning limits for carers allowance resulting in more carers being able to work part time without it affecting their benefits. The right to request flexible working in employment also made accessing paid employment around caring easier.
With regard to pensions, there has been improvement to pension provision including the introduction of a second state pension for carers. If someone qualifies for Home Responsibilities Protection or to receive Carers Allowance, they can build up their entitlement to the second state pension. So people with caring responsibilities will not be penalised in their pension if they do not earn sufficient National Insurance contributions to build up the earnings related component to their basic pension.
The Government has taken steps and invested spending to overcome financial difficulties faced by carers. So rather than relying on informal care to save public spending on community care, the Government is increasingly recognising carers contribution and financial needs.
Thursday, 22 November 2007
Katie's Gender Argument - Against Group
Gender: Evidence to demonstrate the Government are working towards men and women being supported in their roles as carers/cultural issues and employment law
Parent & Family Support Services
Parent and Family Support Services have been put in place, which are run jointly by the Primary Care Trusts (PCT’s) and Local Authorities, linking with Sure Start Children’s Centres. These services are available during and beyond the school day to accommodate working parents. The multi-agency services that are available are important vehicles for delivering better information and support for parents and carers.
The Every Parent Matters document was published in March 2007, acknowledges the changes in family circumstances since the 1970’s, where some families today will be caring for children and elderly relatives. The health-led parenting projects have started in 10 areas across England, the findings will report on how best to deliver high quality, health-led parenting support. The aim is to get parents involved in their child’s development through a coherent set of services.
It is true that evidence collected so far suggests that father’s involvement has been minimal, which is why opening times have been extended, information is available via the web and over the phone. It is an active process where the needs of different cultures are taken into account, the policies are changing to engage fathers.
The Every Child Matters Agenda aims to provide parents and carers with ‘good quality universal support’, which can be obtained locally, where parents and carers feel comfortable, for example from early years settings, schools, primary health care services, through childcare information services, telephone helplines and the web.
Our Health, Our Care, Our Say
This White Paper sets out the government’s vision to provide people in need of social care and/or NHS services with the care they need in the communities where they live.
The NHS is half way through it’s 10 year plan in becoming more responsive to and more convenient for patients needs, to prevent ill health by promoting healthy lifestyles. Social care services are also changing to give service users more independence, choice and control.
Feedback from the 2005 consultations reported that the public see leading a healthy, active and independent life as a key priority
Advances in primary care aim to ensure they can easily access quality GP Services
People want health and social care services that are convenient and integrated to meet their individual needs.
Money is now available to Regional Trusts to develop more community services.
Commissioning powers for local practices will result in improved services for everyone.
Ensuring integrated practices and quality of information available for patients.
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Organisationpolicy/Modernisation/Ourhealthourcareoursay/DH
About Our health, our care, our say
Last modified date:5 March 2007
In 2005 the Department of Health conducted two consultations, Independence, Wellbeing and Choice and a listening exercise, Your health, your care, your say. Independence, Wellbeing and Choice, the adult social care Green Paper, asked for views on how social care services could be improved. The listening exercise, Your health, your care, your say, allowed the public to speak directly to ministers, health professionals, and each other on how improvements could be made to their local services.
What people wanted
Nearly 143,000 people contributed their views on what they expected from their local social care and NHS services. People wanted their local services to:
* understand how they live and support them to lead healthier lives
* help them to live independently if they have ongoing health or social care needs
* be easy to get to and convenient to use
* be nearer to where they live, or easily available in the areas they work.
The White Paper
In July 2005 Liam Byrne announced these two consultations would form the basis of a single White Paper. The Paper would recognise how NHS and social care services work together and identify how the delivery of these services could adapt to provide individuals with the health and social care services they need closer to their homes.
The proposals in the White Paper, Our health, our care, our say: a new direction for community services, aim to:
* change the way these services are provided in communities and make them as flexible as possible
* provide a more personal service that is tailored to the specific health or social care needs of individuals
* give patients and service users more control over the treatment they receive
* work with health and social care professionals and services to get the most appropriate treatment or care for their needs.
Changing the services
To achieve these aims family doctors, primary care trusts and local authorities who have direct contact with patients and service users will have more say in how best to plan and buy services for local communities. Public, private, voluntary and charitable organisations will need to work in partnership to put the interests of the public first, ensure health and social care staff receive the right training and make good health and social care services an essential part of local communities.
Department of Health 'Caring for People' 1989 'provision of services which people who are affected by problems of ageing, mental illness, mental handicap or physical or sensory disability need to be able to live as independent a life as possible in their own homes or in homely settings in the community.'
The 2001 census showed that 21% of population were over 60, so there are more older people than children. In 1951 there were 0.2 million people over 85, but by 2001 there were 1.1 million. This would suggest a dramatic growth in the need for care provision for the elderly.
There are also more women than men in the older age bracket, therefore the statistics will show more women carers.
Local Authority Circulars are sent out frequently to provide practitioners with clarity on law and policy.
• Families are entitled to a Family Needs Assessment under the Children Act 1989
• Under the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004, which came into effect in April 2005, carers were entitled to an assessment of their needs, which included consideration for employment, education & leisure activities
• The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 supports the carer in their caring role, helping them to maintain their own health and well-being
• Since April 2007 an employee has the right to ask their employer for flexible working hours if they are caring for an adult relative, or someone who lives at their address
• Carers also have the right to take (unpaid) time off work for dependents in cases of emergency.
Question:
Why are services designed mainly for women and delivered by women?
Answer:
The Government have put into place services, which are designed to meet the needs of communities. Statistics show (need some stats here) that women are providing the majority of care in this country, so we have made provisions for those who need it. The Government has recognized the need to extend these services to engage men, which is why services are now open beyond the school day, there are also telephone and internet services available.
It is well documented that employment in the area of caring is traditionally dominated by women, however this is changing as men become more involved in caring for their dependents. Our research acknowledges the need for more men in these roles if engaging male carers is to become a success.
Parent & Family Support Services
Parent and Family Support Services have been put in place, which are run jointly by the Primary Care Trusts (PCT’s) and Local Authorities, linking with Sure Start Children’s Centres. These services are available during and beyond the school day to accommodate working parents. The multi-agency services that are available are important vehicles for delivering better information and support for parents and carers.
The Every Parent Matters document was published in March 2007, acknowledges the changes in family circumstances since the 1970’s, where some families today will be caring for children and elderly relatives. The health-led parenting projects have started in 10 areas across England, the findings will report on how best to deliver high quality, health-led parenting support. The aim is to get parents involved in their child’s development through a coherent set of services.
It is true that evidence collected so far suggests that father’s involvement has been minimal, which is why opening times have been extended, information is available via the web and over the phone. It is an active process where the needs of different cultures are taken into account, the policies are changing to engage fathers.
The Every Child Matters Agenda aims to provide parents and carers with ‘good quality universal support’, which can be obtained locally, where parents and carers feel comfortable, for example from early years settings, schools, primary health care services, through childcare information services, telephone helplines and the web.
Our Health, Our Care, Our Say
This White Paper sets out the government’s vision to provide people in need of social care and/or NHS services with the care they need in the communities where they live.
The NHS is half way through it’s 10 year plan in becoming more responsive to and more convenient for patients needs, to prevent ill health by promoting healthy lifestyles. Social care services are also changing to give service users more independence, choice and control.
Feedback from the 2005 consultations reported that the public see leading a healthy, active and independent life as a key priority
Advances in primary care aim to ensure they can easily access quality GP Services
People want health and social care services that are convenient and integrated to meet their individual needs.
Money is now available to Regional Trusts to develop more community services.
Commissioning powers for local practices will result in improved services for everyone.
Ensuring integrated practices and quality of information available for patients.
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Organisationpolicy/Modernisation/Ourhealthourcareoursay/DH
About Our health, our care, our say
Last modified date:5 March 2007
In 2005 the Department of Health conducted two consultations, Independence, Wellbeing and Choice and a listening exercise, Your health, your care, your say. Independence, Wellbeing and Choice, the adult social care Green Paper, asked for views on how social care services could be improved. The listening exercise, Your health, your care, your say, allowed the public to speak directly to ministers, health professionals, and each other on how improvements could be made to their local services.
What people wanted
Nearly 143,000 people contributed their views on what they expected from their local social care and NHS services. People wanted their local services to:
* understand how they live and support them to lead healthier lives
* help them to live independently if they have ongoing health or social care needs
* be easy to get to and convenient to use
* be nearer to where they live, or easily available in the areas they work.
The White Paper
In July 2005 Liam Byrne announced these two consultations would form the basis of a single White Paper. The Paper would recognise how NHS and social care services work together and identify how the delivery of these services could adapt to provide individuals with the health and social care services they need closer to their homes.
The proposals in the White Paper, Our health, our care, our say: a new direction for community services, aim to:
* change the way these services are provided in communities and make them as flexible as possible
* provide a more personal service that is tailored to the specific health or social care needs of individuals
* give patients and service users more control over the treatment they receive
* work with health and social care professionals and services to get the most appropriate treatment or care for their needs.
Changing the services
To achieve these aims family doctors, primary care trusts and local authorities who have direct contact with patients and service users will have more say in how best to plan and buy services for local communities. Public, private, voluntary and charitable organisations will need to work in partnership to put the interests of the public first, ensure health and social care staff receive the right training and make good health and social care services an essential part of local communities.
Department of Health 'Caring for People' 1989 'provision of services which people who are affected by problems of ageing, mental illness, mental handicap or physical or sensory disability need to be able to live as independent a life as possible in their own homes or in homely settings in the community.'
The 2001 census showed that 21% of population were over 60, so there are more older people than children. In 1951 there were 0.2 million people over 85, but by 2001 there were 1.1 million. This would suggest a dramatic growth in the need for care provision for the elderly.
There are also more women than men in the older age bracket, therefore the statistics will show more women carers.
Local Authority Circulars are sent out frequently to provide practitioners with clarity on law and policy.
• Families are entitled to a Family Needs Assessment under the Children Act 1989
• Under the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004, which came into effect in April 2005, carers were entitled to an assessment of their needs, which included consideration for employment, education & leisure activities
• The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 supports the carer in their caring role, helping them to maintain their own health and well-being
• Since April 2007 an employee has the right to ask their employer for flexible working hours if they are caring for an adult relative, or someone who lives at their address
• Carers also have the right to take (unpaid) time off work for dependents in cases of emergency.
Question:
Why are services designed mainly for women and delivered by women?
Answer:
The Government have put into place services, which are designed to meet the needs of communities. Statistics show (need some stats here) that women are providing the majority of care in this country, so we have made provisions for those who need it. The Government has recognized the need to extend these services to engage men, which is why services are now open beyond the school day, there are also telephone and internet services available.
It is well documented that employment in the area of caring is traditionally dominated by women, however this is changing as men become more involved in caring for their dependents. Our research acknowledges the need for more men in these roles if engaging male carers is to become a success.
Idea for first section of the argument against
Under LAC (2002) 13 Fair Access to Care Services, each local authority has the power to determine the eligibility criteria for needs. Most local authorities meet critical and substantial needs. If these needs are recorded in a care plan and met for example through provision of domiciliary services or a direct payment, it may significantly reduce a person’s dependency upon their family. A family may become involved supporting low to moderate needs that cannot be funded by LA, or other forms of support. The duty of care remains with the local authority.
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