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Health and social care of older people: could policy generalise good practice?
- Author:
- CURRIE Colin T.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Integrated Care, 18(6), December 2010, pp.19-26.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article considers the traditional separation of health and social care in relation to the care of older people, arguing that this separation has increasingly unacceptable consequences for the quality and cost-effectiveness of the care provided. With the ageing of the UK population, the care of older people has become the central challenge of both the health and social care systems, yet they have in general failed to establish means to work together. The article discusses evidence to support the view that more integrated care - delivered jointly, promptly and flexibly to meet the changing clinical and dependency needs of frailer older people at home - can minimise unnecessary use of more costly and less preferable care elsewhere, and thus reduce the overall costs of late-life care while improving its quality. This paper considers the background to the widely prevailing culture of separatism, presents quantitative evidence of the current postcode lottery in care, describes examples of current good practice, considers some options on functional and structural integration, and speculates on policy that might deliver better and more cost-effective care for an ageing population at a time of impending stringency in the funding of public services. In particular, the success of two primary care trusts, Torbay and the Isle of Wight, in integrating health and social care services for older people is discussed.
Partial regulatory impact assessment: White Paper: Our health, our care, our say: a new direction for community services
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Department of Health
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department of Health
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 64p.
- Place of publication:
- London
The overarching objective of the White Paper is to improve community health and social care services in England. Underpinning this objective are four key themes: better prevention for improved health and well-being; giving people greater choice and control over the care they receive; providing rapid and convenient access to high quality, cost effective, care closer to home; and support for people with long-term conditions.
Performance indicators for sheltered housing: good practice paper 01-2002; a product of the ERoSH good practice sub group
- Authors:
- PHILLIPS Meic, MILTON Linda, THOMPSON Lyn
- Publisher:
- Centre for Sheltered Housing Studies
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 40p.
- Place of publication:
- Worcester
This report suggests a range of performance indicators for sheltered housing. The benefits of consolidated data can improve the ways in which organisations deliver strategies, monitor performance and service delivery, and direct and target resources.
Care in the balance: evaluating the quality and cost of residential and nursing home care for older people
- Author:
- ACCOUNTS COMMISSION FOR SCOTLAND
- Publisher:
- Accounts Commission for Scotland
- Publication year:
- 1999
- Pagination:
- 66p.,diags.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
Begins by looking at staffing issues and how these affect the quality of care in residential and nursing homes for older people. Goes on to examine other aspects of the quality of care, exploring how much freedom residents have to make choices about their way of life, and the quality of the building and its environment. Analyses the cost of providing these services, and considers the links between cost and quality. Focuses in particular on two groups of factors: those which contribute to high costs without improving quality, and those where quality can be improved without significantly increasing costs. Also includes a chapter on achieving best value.
Evaluation of home help services for older people
- Author:
- -
- Journal article citation:
- Integrate News, 58, March 1996, pp.9-10.
Summarises the main findings and recommendations of an inspection by the Social Work Services Inspectorate of the home help service in Scotland. Taken from the recently published summary report 'A service in transition'.
Home truths
- Author:
- BLAND Rosemary
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 17.6.93, 1993, pp.22-23.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Looks at the results of a study to measure and compare quality of care in local authority, voluntary and private homes for the elderly in Scotland. The study considered cost comparisons and also sought the views of some of the users by sending questionnaires to mentally able residents and their visitors. The findings revealed that quality of care provided is not related to its costs and that resident frailty does not explain cost differences. Concludes the article with stock questions that need to be addressed when looking at residential care.
Statistics release: home care services, Scotland 2003
- Author:
- SCOTLAND. Scottish Executive,
- Publisher:
- Scotland.Scottish Executive National Statistics
- Publication year:
- 2003
- Pagination:
- 6p.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
An assessment of strategies for improving quality of care in nursing homes
- Author:
- WEINER Joshua M.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 43(Special Issue II), April 2003, pp.19-27.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Despite substantial regulatory oversight, quality of care in nursing homes remains problematic. This article assesses strategies for improving quality of care in these facilities. This article reviews the research literature on eight strategies: strengthening the regulatory process, improving information systems for quality monitoring, strengthening the caregiving workforce, providing consumers with more information, strengthening consumer advocacy, developing and implementing practice guidelines, and changing the culture of nursing facilities. Although individual approaches vary, several themes emerge. First, several strategies require substantially more resources and will increase costs. Second, the research literature does not provide much guidance as to the effectiveness of these options. Third, several strategies assume a degree of data sophistication on the part of nursing homes that may not exist. Fourth, regulation is likely to continue to be the main strategy of quality assurance. Finally, the political saliency of nursing home quality issues is uneven.
Statistics release: home care services; Scotland 2002
- Author:
- SCOTLAND. Scottish Executive,
- Publisher:
- Scotland.Scottish Executive National Statistics
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 6p.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
Home care services in Barnet
- Author:
- CENTRE FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
- Publisher:
- Centre for Public Service
- Publication year:
- 2001
- Pagination:
- 27p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
The London Borough of Barnet has a high quality directly provided home care service which is crucial in meeting the increasingly specialist needs of dependent elderly people in the Borough. Staff are highly trained and meet the national quality assurance standards. This best value review suggests a further range of service improvements.