Author
WALES . Welsh Assembly Government.
Title
National service framework for older people In Wales .
Publisher
Welsh Assembly, 2006.
Summary
This National Service Framework (NSF) is broadly based upon the NSF issued in England by the Department of Health in 2001, but has been updated and amended to reflect the structures, policies and situation in Wales. The draft was consulted upon from July to October 2005. It contains 10 key standards: Rooting out age discrimination; Person centred care; Promoting health and well being; Challenging dependency (new standard); Intermediate care; Hospital care; Stroke; Falls and fractures; Mental health in older people; and Medicines and older people.
Context
Method
Contents
Chapter 1 sets the scene, with an introduction, discussion of the health and social well-being of older people in Wales and of the ageing society of the future, and how the NSF will help to achieve the vision.
Chapter 2 gives the ten standards. Rooting out age discrimination says that health and social care services should be provided regardless of age on the basis of clinical and social need. Users are encouraged to comment on their experiences, good or bad. They can become more involved in representing older people's views. Person centred care states that services should meet individual needs. Users should be given the opportunity to express views which are listened to and respected; receive the care needed when it is needed, regardless of organisational boundaries; understand the reasons if services may not be provided; and know where and how to access ongoing support and information. Promoting health and well-being addresses the various social, economic and environmental factors that influence health and well being, but says there is also much we can do to protect our own health and enhance our chances of a long, active and independent life: a dopt a healthy lifestyle ; keep safe ; make use of preventive services ; and get regular health checks. Challenging dependency makes the points that a s people grow older they may become less mobile and may struggle to do things they have always been able to do for themselves, and therefore may need help with these tasks, but still want to retain independence and control. Certain conditions which are more common as we grow older, such as foot problems, malnutrition and incontinence, can seriously hinder independence but can often be treated. The intermediate care section explains that, while hospital admission may sometimes be necessary, there should be services available in one's own home or another community setting, thus avoiding unnecessary hospital admission. People should not stay in hospital longer than necessary, and help should be available to regain independence as quickly and fully as possible. Hospital care is explained in the next standard, saying that obviously there are times when this is the best place to be. Staff should understand and respect needs as an individual and as an older person, treatment should be of high quality, and safety and well-being should be protected and promoted. Transfer from hospital should be well-planned and co-ordinated. Stroke is discussed next. Chances increase as people age, but many strokes can be prevented. Information on decreasing risk is given. Signs of a stroke are given and what to do are explained. The roles of specialist units and rehabilitation are outlined. The falls and fractures standard explains incidence, effects, preventative measures, what to do if one has a fall, and osteoporosis. Mental health in older age comes next, explaining that some problems are more common in older people and describing depression and dementia and what can be done. Medicines and older people explains that as people age use of medicines increases. The importance of careful management, and the responsibility of those who prescribe, dispense and administer, are discussed.
Chapter three discusses supporting implementation, covering the implementation framework; workforce planning, training and development; information management and technology; and research and development.
Appendices give the implementation plan and a policy gateway summary.
A substantial executive summary and a much briefer summary are available as separate documents.
All contents are in both English and Welsh.
395 references
Executive summary ISBN 0 7504 4002 3
Summary ISBN 0 7504 1003 1