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GP services in Wales: the perspective of older people. Older people's experiences of accessing and using GP services in Wales
- Author:
- OLDER PEOPLE'S COMMISSIONER FOR WALES
- Publisher:
- Older People's Commissioner for Wales
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 114
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
This report captures the voices and experiences of older people, setting out their perspective on accessing and using GP services in Wales. Findings are based on information shared by over 1,600 older people from across Wales and a wide range of stakeholders from the public and third sectors. The study finds that there are significant variations in older people’s experiences of GP services, with particular issues around the appointments booking process, the accessibility of GP surgeries and the surgery environment, the time available for appointments, communication and privacy. Specifically, the report indicates that: for too many older people, making an appointment is challenging, inflexible and unresponsive to individual needs and circumstances; the accessibility of many existing buildings continues to act as a barrier to access for some older people; for a number of older people, their GP service is not sufficiently aware of, or responsive to, their individual communication needs, particularly those living with a sensory loss or dementia or cognitive impairment; there is an understanding, whether perceived or explicit, that older people can only raise one issue within a ten-minute appointment – this could jeopardise their ability to have a say in decision making and reduce their confidence; some older people who wish to access GP services in the Welsh language are experiencing; and too many older people find it difficult to provide feedback, or raise a concern or complaint. (Edited publisher abstract)
Ageing prison population: fifth report of session 2019–21
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Parliament. House of Commons. Justice Committee
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Parliament
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 55
- Place of publication:
- London
Sets out findings of an inquiry into the ageing prison population. The number of prisoners over the age of 60 has risen between 2002 and 2020 from 1,511 to 5,176 – an increase of more than 240%. The increase has been driven mainly by more men being prosecuted for sexual offences and by longer sentences across a range of offences, meaning more people grow old in prison. The inquiry found that a large proportion of older prisoners have distinct health and social care needs. Prisoners tend to have worse health than the wider community and experience problems accessing locations or services within prisons. Many of the prisons in England and Wales, especially those dating from the Victorian era, are not designed to accommodate people with accessibility needs. In many establishments there are locations with a lack of step-free access, wheelchair-accessible cells or grab rails. Older prisoners also need more social care than their younger peers. Local authorities in whose area prisons are situated have a duty to provide social care – for example, mobility assessments or help with different types of disability; however, the evidence suggests that the provision of social care services in prisons was subject to a ‘postcode lottery’, with the care needs of some prisoners going unmet in a number of establishments. Though HM Prison and Probation Service has recently published operational guidance on managing older prisoners for prison governors, the report argues that there needs to be an overarching, strategic approach and calls on the Government to produce a national strategy for older prisoners. (Edited publisher abstract)
State of the nation: an overview of growing older in Wales
- Author:
- OLDER PEOPLE'S COMMISSIONER FOR WALES
- Publisher:
- Older People's Commissioner for Wales
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 64
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
This report brings together a range of evidence, research and statistical data to provide an overview of people’s experiences of growing older in Wales. It focuses on the three priorities of the Older People's Commissioner for Wales: ending ageism and age discrimination; stopping the abuse of older people; and enabling everyone to age well. The report highlights serious gaps in the data collected about older people, particularly in relation to abuse. It also sets out the changes that are needed in each of the three priority areas to improve older people's lives. (Edited publisher abstract)
Access to justice for victims/survivors of elder abuse: a qualitative study
- Authors:
- CLARKE Alan, WILLIAMS John, WYDALL Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Social Policy and Society, 15(2), 2016, pp.207-220.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Elder abuse can be conceptualised as a social problem, a crime problem and a human rights issue. This article presents the findings from an evaluation of the ‘Access to Justice’ Pilot Project for victims/survivors of elder abuse, which was launched in 2010 as part of the Welsh Government's six-year integrated strategy for tackling domestic abuse. It was designed to address the needs of older people in domestic settings and facilitate their access to criminal and civil justice options. Between April and July 2012, case study data were obtained for 131 individuals. A total of thirty-three interviews and a focus group were conducted with service providers, potential service users and practitioners drawn from relevant statutory and third sector groups. The article explores multi-agency responses to elder abuse and addresses the victim‒perpetrator dynamic. Reactive and proactive types of perpetrator behaviour are identified and interdependence is described as a feature of the victim‒perpetrator relationship. (Publisher abstract)
Scrutinising changes to community services: guidance for local authorities
- Author:
- OLDER PEOPLE'S COMMISSIONER FOR WALES
- Publisher:
- Older People's Commissioner for Wales
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 25
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
This guidance is designed to ensure that robust Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessments (EHRIAs) are undertaken when changes to community services are proposed, essential to ensure that there is not a disproportionate impact upon older people and that alternative approaches are considered. Non-statutory community services such as day centres, public toilets, libraries and transport are as important to older people’s health, independence and wellbeing as statutory health and social care services but are at risk due to reductions in public spending. Part 1 examines the importance of current Equality Impact Assessments and promotes the need to use Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessments (EHRIAs) when changes to community services are being considered. Part 2 examines the crucial role of scrutiny around changes to community services and is targeted towards elected members and officers in local government. The aim is to improve the quality of scrutiny and ensure that the impact of closing down or reducing the provision of a community service on older people is thoroughly and rigorously analysed and considered. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social care and older prisoners
- Author:
- WILLIAMS John
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work, 13(5), 2013, pp.471-491.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Summary: This article reviews the evidence available on the treatment of older prisoners within England and Wales who are the fastest growing group within prisons. It concentrates on the lack of available social care facilities for older prisoners. Many older prisoners have special needs that are not met within prison, mainly because of the ‘sameness’ principle that is applied. Social care is as important to older prisoners as their health care. Although some social care may be available to older prisoners, it is not provided within the legal framework that applies to older people outside of prison. This article argues that the general legal obligation to provide social care (imperfect though it may be), should also be applied within the prison setting. Findings: Based on the evidence available, older prisoners are often unable to access social care services within prison. This is a breach of international obligations entered into by the United Kingdom. It may also breach the European Convention of Human Rights. The article argues that existing legislation does not prevent older prisoners from accessing social care services. The sameness principle discriminates against older prisoners. Mental health, physical disability, and incontinence are all areas where older prisoners lack access to services available to older people outside of prison. Applications: Considerable progress has been made in raising the profile of older prisoners. However, more needs to be done to embed the social care needs older prisoners may have into the prison system. The ordinary residence rule, the National Service Framework and the Fair Access to Care guidance must be adapted to meet the needs of serving prisoners as well as those preparing for release. Attitudes need to change. There needs to be a willingness to meet the international and domestic legal obligations towards older prisoners. (Publisher abstract)
National review of access and eligibility in adults' social care: overview report
- Author:
- CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES INSPECTORATE WALES
- Publisher:
- Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 19p.
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
In order to manage their resources, local authorities have to apply eligibility criteria in order to identify the people whose needs they will meet and those they will not. The aim of this review was to investigate the issues that impact on access to social services, including the application of eligibility criteria. The review primarily focuses on services for older people. The research involved a survey completed by all 22 local authorities. This was followed by fieldwork in 8 local authorities involving small group, semi-structured discussions with a number of identified officers. The report discusses: the thresholds for accessing social services; whether officers understand and monitor how eligibility criteria are applied; where eligibility criteria fit with the broader issues on access to services; and whether the application of eligibility criteria is fair and consistent. The findings showed that most local authorities (15 out of 22) set their eligibility criteria at critical and substantial. The barrier to getting support is at the stage of first contact where decisions are made regarding who gets through to assessment. The overall picture is of tightening resources, with increasing demand, people presenting with increasingly complex or severe levels of need, and changes to eligibility criteria due to financial pressures.
What are the most effective and cost-effective services for informal carers of older people?
- Author:
- RESEARCH IN PRACTICE FOR ADULTS
- Publisher:
- Research in Practice for Adults
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 6p.
- Place of publication:
- Dartington
Since the community care reforms of the early 1990s, practical support for informal carers has become one of the key building blocks of community care policy in England and Wales. In 2004, Linda Pickard wrote a report for the Audit Commission called 'The Effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness of Support and Services for Informal Carers of Older People'. This summary highlights the key points. The focus is on five services: day respite care, residential respite care, in-home respite, social work/counselling and home care.
Ensuring fair access to the internet for all
- Author:
- RICHARDS Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 10(4), December 2006, pp.19-23.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Low income is a potential barrier towards greater computer ownership, consequently preventing the digital inclusion of millions of older people. This article reports on findings from research conducted by the Welsh Consumer Council. The research is based on annual, face-to-face, Wales-wide representative surveys of around 1,000 adults aged 16 and over. The results found that older people are less likely to go online than other groups. The authors discuss the reasons for this, including cost, relevance, training and accessibility.
Digital communities Wales: digital confidence, health and well-being: process evaluation and theory of change
- Authors:
- BRYER Nia, BEBB Heledd
- Publisher:
- Wales. Welsh Government
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Pagination:
- 109
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
A process evaluation of the Welsh Government’s Digital Communities Wales: Digital Confidence, Health and Well-being programme, which aims to work with organisations to support citizens and staff to become digitally confident, with a focus on being able to manage and access vital health services. The key aims of this first stage of the evaluation are to: review and summarise existing evidence around the relationship between digital inclusion and health; review the effectiveness and efficiency of the delivery of the programme; and present a new Theory of Change model for the programme. The programme focuses on supporting four priority groups: older people aged 50+; working age economically inactive and unemployed; disabled people; and social housing tenants. The evaluation found that the programme was well aligned with Welsh Government’s health and social care sector objectives and its drive to provide people with digital ways of accessing health services and information. The nature of training accessed by organisations interviewed varied and included: basic digital skills; employability or job search; money saving; disability inclusion; learning for life (‘fun’ activities that can be undertaken online); use of online communication tools; and digital skills in the community. (Edited publisher abstract)