Relationship Between Welfare Policy and Healthcare in the UK

Relationship Between Welf be phase angle _or_ system of government and wellness fearfulness in the UKI Health and Public PolicyIntroduction amicable Policy is public polity that relates to wellness, employment, indigence, education and welf be issues and focuses on affable work and welfare state. Social policy is the study of societal welfare and how it relates to governing and society. Social policies refer to government policies relating to welfare, social security and protection of an individual in a state and the ways in which welfare is developed and administered in a state (Hill, 1986). The principal areas of social policy aimed towards government objectives of a welfare state areAdministrative practices and policies of social divine services which include wellness, social security, education, housing, employment and community and social helpPolicies towards tackling social crimes, and problems with unemployment, drug abuse, disability, mental health, learning di fficulties and aged(prenominal) ageSoci all toldy disadvantageous issues of race, gender, poverty and the related incorporated social responses and responsibilities towards these conditionsThe broader subject area of social policy is heavily imagineent on disciplines of sociology, management, policy-making science, philosophy, law, psychology and social work. The aims and objectives of a British Welfare affirm highlight the wideness of well being of e very(prenominal) individual with a range of services provided to protect people in conditions such as sickness, poverty, old age and childhood and in such a sense , welfare is more than needs fulfillment and relates to complete well being of individuals. Welfare provide are based on humanitarian, religious, democratic or practical concerns and involve economic and social benefits such as eradication of poverty and governmental duty and social responsibility (Hill, 1986).In this essay we ordain deal with the relationship of welf are and social policy with health bearing, especially inside the UK by the NHS systems and di vision of health. For an compend of health and public policy within the UK we will analyze the stages of health policy, the rationale for such policies and how these policies are carried out through a health service network.Health guard coverage provided worldwide is given in a comparative chart below. UK, Sweden and France is seen to control the same level of hospital and ambulant give care services with USA designateing lower levels of health care services when compared with worldwide standards.Health Care and Social PolicyThe definition of health can be given in terms of cultural standards in which health is a standard of mental and physical well being jibe to a particular society and a general good health is necessary to perform mental and physical activities optimally. Health is similarly defined normatively as an ideal mental or physical state. Health depends on several(pren ominal) factors such as biological factors, environmental factors, standard of living, social factors, nutrition, and psychological or emotional factors (WHO, 2005). Improving sanitation systems, providing health check care and support systems and clean water supply to pr scourt infectious ailments are the general responsibilities of health administration (Jones, 1995). Inequalities in health especially in the UK can be due to poverty, or differences in social class as certain categories of people whitethorn be more aware of their health and fitness needs than certain others (Graham and Kelly, 2004).Health policy in the UK is implement through a wide health care network provided by the discussion section of health and NHS. The different branches providing health care in the UK include the Hospitals which provide care to long-sufferings for both acute and recollective stay illnesses and provide medical facilities such as emergency treatment, psychiatric care or continuing nurs ing care. The governmental emphasis is to minimize all long term needs which can be considerably expensive and offer a full range of care in the hospitals providing acute services. elementary care is more basic medical treatment and refers to non-hospital care including general family practitioners and general physicians, professions ancillary to medicine and domiciliary health care such as occupational therapy (Allsop, 1995). Ambulatory care is distinct from, yet a category of hospital care as it includes primal care and day care in hospitals.Public health policy is a general care strategy including preventive medicine such as screening and health education and several areas which whitethorn non be directly linked to health services such as housing, water supply, sewage disposal, food hygiene and general poverty and employment conditions which are likewise factors related to health.For health of a population in a state, public health needs and related issues are very important nether the health care policy at a governmental administrative level. For medical care in practice, primary care provided by primary care trusts of the NHS and services of general physicians are important at a more social level. Hospital care and medicines provided involves the highest costs for the NHS, is an important political issue for the UK government and has the highest priority for the NHS health policy implementation (Wall, 1999).Some of the Health policy objectives and strategies on health care place by the NHS and Department of Health are given below (NHS, 2005)Modernization PolicyPrimary Care PolicySecondary Care PolicyIntegrated Care PolicyPatient Centeredness or Patient-centered Care PolicyComplaints PolicyOccupational Health and Safety PolicySocial at tend tos Performance Assessment Policy randomness PolicyWithin the organizational come plans, the NHS health improvement modernization plans (HIMPs) involve a three year planning framework and details roles and respo nsibilities for the NHS primary care trusts (PCTs) and builds on the Planning and Priorities Framework (PPF) guidance issued in 2002. Within this framework PCTs are responsible for developing new Local Delivery Plans (LDPs) and any(prenominal) put upitional PCT owned local plans (NHS, 2005).The planning of Health Policies for modernization and improvement of services within the NHS consists of the following six steps that are to be maintained in every organization and community This is given by the Department of Health official report 2003-2006The areas of responsibility for NHS and Social services for health policy implementation are given in the table below.In terms of Primary care policy, the NHS and social care long term conditions molding laid down health policies and models for long term care to cases already under NHS treatment. Some of the key objectives and aims within the Primary care policy are given as The three levels of the Health care sales pitch system are given by the Department of Health as follows DH, 2005The NHS social care long term conditions model is given as Source NHSOrganizational Health PolicyThe implications of NHSD complaints policy have been emphasized in a new-fashioned NHS report and include the following conditionsComplaints Policy ImplicationsIt has been recognized that how well the policy works depends for the most part on attitudes of individual members and the culture of the organization and although complaints act as potential sources of improvement of health care services, these are also indicative of the high level of dissatisfaction regarding current health care procedures. There is considerably higher(prenominal) level of complaints for family health services as it has been identified that in primary care services are n a belittled scale and conversationally managed and the role of individual practitioners are more important than the organizational network. Satisfactory and prompt resolution of complaints has b een identified as important to improving health care services (Allsop, 1995).Three factors in particular are likely to be central to improving implementation as given by the NHS and Department of Healtha realization that complaints management is an explicit part of the performancemanagement framework.The board of every NHS organization should be held accountable for the performance of theorganization in handling complaints. And the board should ensure that (a) all staff areadequately trained to deal with complaints (b) staff managing complaints have adequateadministrative and technical mental imagerys and also access to managerial supervision and support and (c) the complaints procedure is interconnected into the clinical governance as well as quality framework of the organization.Consideration should be given to the development of a National Service Framework or itsequivalent for the management of complaints. (NHS, Complaints Procedure National Evaluation, 2001)The National stra tegy for IT and computer services help deliver an up to date medical service to its people, through the NHS education policy. Some of the strategic directions of the information policy in the health care sector include (See in Allsop, 1995 Wall 1995 NHS 2001 report)Specifying the level of national direction given for IT by evolving and simplifying management structure and responsibilities within both the DH and NHS at regional and local levelsto deliver change quickly following an implementation approach in phases focus at a time on quickly delivering a limited portfolio of activity, nationally,that can be built on by subsequent phasesmanagement of increased levels of funding with clear central direction and controla structured partnering approach with IT Industry to deliver new IT systems across the NHScoordination, acceleration and simplification of procurements to ensure we get value for money while moving at a fast pace, and cutting down on unnecessary time and cost to the he alth care industryConsideration of radical outsourcing options that can add pace and value to the programmeEmphasis on changed workings practices in the NHSBenchmarking progress against best practice companiesBuilding IT and networking connectivity, so that all staff have the access devices they need to share information andCreating national standards for data quality and data interchange between systems at local, regional and national levels so that even the public can have access to information stored and accessed at a national level.A National Strategic Programme for Health care modernization and improvement and provisions of services in general can be given by the following architectural model provided by the Department of healthInformation Health Policy Source DHConclusionIn this essay we discussed health care and social policy in terms of its stages of development through a three year plan and IT approach specifying levels of health care services that are provided and NHS so cial care through interaction of proper infrastructure, delivery strategies and desired outcomes of treatment. The focus is on reducing waiting times for emergency treatment or health services at hospitals and primary care centers. We highlighted the importance of modernization, updated IT systems, primary care services, complaints policy and patient centered care as important aspects of health policy followed by the NHS laying down strategic programmes, directions and objectives for an general health care system as a social and public policy. In the next discussion we would examine the rationale and effectiveness of such policies within the context of political motivations and welfare objectives.II Effectiveness of Health PolicyIntroductionIn this section we would examine the policies that have been implemented in the finale few years within the NHS and have served as political and administrative tools both as a means of political achievement and measure of social services provi sions (Batchelor, 2005). Evaluation of health policy followed by the department of health can be done by comparing target objectives with the attain levels of service. Evaluation can also be done by analyzing research studies, news reports and NHS and Department of Health yearly reports on what are the specific targets that were achieved and which are the objectives that were identified and yet could not be achieved through their policies. The discussion would thus show the flaws in the health framework, the differences in aims and achievements and analyze why certain objectives could not be reached along with the strengths and weaknesses of the policies in general.According to the DH plans, DH policies are designed to improve on existing arrangements in health and social care, and turn political vision into actions that should benefit staff, patients and the public (Department of Health, 2005). The DH notes that a DH health policy covers many areas of working includingthe way pati ents and the public receive carehow NHS and social care organizations are flirtinformation technology and other facilities that support the delivery of health care. (DH, 2005)A policy is largely evaluated by three features as to whether itcan be implemented quicklyachieves its purposedoes not create an unnecessary burden on NHS and social care staff.A policy is meant to help rather than hinder NHS working and thus it should be easy to implement, evaluate and give quick and pregnant resultants.DH Annual Reports maneuvers and ProgressThe Target analysis given by the DH annual reports shows the targets and the finis to which the objectives have been achieved by the Department of healththe aim to transform health and social care systems so that it produces better and faster services to tackle health inequalities was emphasized along with the objective of improving health outcomes for everyone. (DH report, 2004)TargetReduce substantially the mortality rates from major killers by 20 10 from circulative disease by at least 40% in people under 75 from malignant neoplastic disease by at least 20% in people under 75 and from suicide and undetermined soil by at least 20%. Key to the delivery of this target will be implementing the National Service Frameworks for coronary heart disease and mental health and the NHS Cancer Plan. card cobblers last rate from circulatory disease amongst people aged under 75. Death rate from cancer amongst people aged under 75. Death rate from intentional self harm and injury of undetermined intent.ProgressA small but statistically significant increase in the number of deaths coded to cancers was identified, A small but statistically significant increase in the number of deaths coded to circulatory diseases was identified. Data for 2000-02 (3 year intermediate) show a rate of 16.0 deaths per 100,000 population a rise of 0.6% from the baseline (1995-97). Single year data for financial year 2001-02 show a rate of 313.9 hospital admiss ions per 100,000 population a decrease of 2.3% from the baseline estimate (1995-96). A National Suicide Prevention Strategy was published in September 2002 led by the National Director for Mental Health. As this is implemented it will contribute to reducing the suicide rate. Although not statistically significant, thither has been a small increase in numbers of deaths recorded to suicide and intentional self harm.2. the endorsement aim is to treat people with illness, disease, or injury quickly, effectively, and on the basis of need alone (DH report, 2004)TargetEnsure everyone with pretend cancer is able to see a specialist within two weeks of their GP deciding they need to be seen urgently and requesting an appointment for all patients with suspected breast cancer from April 1999, and for all other cases of suspected cancer by 2000.MeasurePercentage of patients with suspected breast cancer and other cancers able to see a specialist within 2 weeks.Progress99% of patients referred urgently with suspected cancer were seen within 2 weeks during July to September 2003. For the same period for breast cancer this figure stands at 98.2%.3. a third important objective identified has been to enable people who are unable to perform essential activities of daily living, including those with chronic illness, disability or terminal illness, to live as full and radiation pattern lives as possible.TargetImprove the delivery of appropriate care and treatment to patients with mental illness who are discharged from hospital and reduce the national average emergency psychiatric re-admission rate by 2 percentage points by 2002 from the 1997-98 baseline of 14.3%.MeasureAverage emergency psychiatric admission rate.Progress psychiatrical re-admission rate in 2001-02, the last year data was collected on a readmissions within 90 day basis, was 12.7% narrowly missing the target by 0.4 percentage points. However, with the implementation of new service models such as assertive outreac h, early intervention and crisis resolution, further falls in readmission rates are expected, though this might not manifest itself until after 2002-03. (DH reports, 2001)the fourth objective we have chosen for discussion is Improving patient and Carer experience of the NHS and Social Services.(DH annual report, 2004)TargetPatients will receive treatment at a time that suits them in accordance with their clinical need two thirds of all outpatient appointments and inpatient elective admissions will be pre-booked by 2003-04 on the way to 100% pre-booking by 2005.MeasureDH monthly central data collection from January 03. Supersedes the Modernization Agency monthly chuck progress reports.ProgressOn course A monthly DH central data collection was introduced in January 03.The monthly data collection captures full bookings and partial derivative bookings as they are added to the waiting list. This allows rigorous monitoring of progress towards booking milestones and targets. A Data Set C hange Notice was issued in 2000 to the service in support of the new monitoring arrangements The Modernization Agency National Booking Team is assisting challenged Trusts to work towards achieving key booking milestones and targets. The Recovery and Support Unit (RSU) is also working with challenged Trusts. From April 2003, Strategic Health Authorities are responsible for managing and developing booking locally as part of their Local Delivery Plan (DH annual reports, 2004)We have delineated four important objectives among several health care policy plans laid down by the NHS and Department of Health. The first objective discussed is aimed towards providing faster and better services for improving health outcomes of everyone. This was specified as reducing mortality rates from killer diseases such as cancer, coronary heart disease and accidents. The targets however have not been achieved as there has been significant rise in deaths from cancer, heart disease and accidents in the last few years since the target was set. Although there has been a decrease in the number of hospital admissions, deaths due to suicide and intentional self harm have also gone up. From this analysis it is moreover suggested that the target for improving general health outcomes by reducing mortality rates has not been achieved as specified by the Department of Health.Examining the second objective of providing treatment to people effectively and quickly on the basis of need suggest that everyone with cancer or such ailments should be able to lower their GP within 2 weeks of their deciding to see their practitioner and waiting times should be cut down considerably. The progress report shows that 99% of the cancer patients were able to see their GP within 2 weeks of their decision and this suggests that the target objective in this case has been nearly met.The third objective we have highlighted is that harmonise to the NHS plan, most disabled or chronically ill patients should be able to support themselves and perform daily activities and lead as normal life as possible. This was effectively studied by using psychiatric illness as an indicator of chronic disability and hospital readmission rates as important measures of determination out to what extent chronically ill patients are able to lead normal lives or support themselves. Although the readmissions measure shows that targets and objectives were narrowly missed in previous(prenominal) years, in more recent times due to assertive outreach and early intervention and crisis resolution, there were considerable falls in psychiatric readmission rates suggesting that many progress is definitely being made on general improvement of health of people who are chronically disabled.The fourth aim was improving patient and carer experience of NHS and social services provided by beginning pre-booking services and it is emphasized that all clinical services should be pre booked by the year 2005. This is largely a proced ure under the aegis of the NHS modernization agency as pre booking services are also IT related and a general improvement of IT systems are associated with achieving this target. However fit in to DH reports, this target achievement is already on course and most of the health services are now pre booked and waiting times for appointment have reduced significantly.Following an analysis of objectives and aims and the targets achieved by the NHS according to Health care policy, we would take a look at performance of the health care sector and the ratings obtained by primary, secondary trusts. The results of 2002-2003 are given belowOverall there are 579 NHS trusts that have been rated for their performance in 2002/2003. distinguish on Health Policy Implementation IssuesFrom an analysis of DH annual reports on progress and targets that have or have not been achieved in the past few years, we no move on to clinical evidence and research studies that have formed the basic evaluative too l for health policy implementation appraisal. Ujah et al (2004) provided an evaluative study to establish the nature, extent and organization of occupational health services provisions for people within the NHS and reviewed the systems for monitoring NHS performance. Within the NHS trusts, human resource managers and occupational health managers were selected for the study and were invited to complete an interviewer led questionnaire. All the 17 trusts in which the interview was carried out claimed that they do provide occupational health service to their employees and the provisions and organization of these services were under the human resource unit. However only 29% of the trusts could provide a written health policy with 87% of occupational health mangers claiming that they only provide a rather reactive service based on patient needs, rather than health policy objectives. The authors spy considerable variation sin the level, nature and quality of services provided by the NHS trusts and concluded as a result of their findings that there are significant differences in the level of occupational health service available to staff across the NHS in London. From this study it is evident that health policy as an initiative only serves as a framework for achievement and may not ultimately be followed in the same way as there are significant differences in the way policies are implemented in different NHS trusts.New health policies that tend to integrate education and training with research and implementation tend to support new practitioners to perform health care research and Bateman et al (2004) evaluate the policy of supporting health care professionals who have some have-to doe with in research. The authors claim that there may be considerable value in development of research objectives within the NHS RD wing and mention that Future policies may need to address the indicators used in measuring the success of such schemes the relationship between what indivi duals choose to do and its context within national policy on research and development and the sustainability of involvement in research (Bateman et al, 2004, p.83)Evaluating the information systems and up gradation of IT networking within the NHS, Wyatt and Wyatt (2003) argue that evaluating large scale health information systems such as in hospital systems can be lengthy and difficult procedure. However they discuss the reasons for which such evaluation is necessary and the appropriate methods to prolong out these evaluations. This information as they suggest is supposed to be directed towards an assessment of health policy and is thus expected to provide feedback to health policy makers and help in improvement of health and public policies. The authors discuss many experimental designs to carry out their research and also study the impact of communications system within a laboratory setting, the potential problems and how they could be resolved. Wyatt and Wyatt conclude that the correct methods to evaluate health information systems in hospitals and clinics do not depend on the technology being evaluated but on the reliability of answers given for evaluation.Health policies such as patient centered care approach (Webster, 2004), integrated clinical governance (Cauchi 2005) and nurse led intervention services (Lees 2003) have been effectively implemented and successful although posing major challenges to NHS to constantly improve policies according to targets and objectives.Carter et al (2003) evaluated multi-disciplinary team working as a policy and the effectiveness of introducing new organizational structure within the NHS. Although the authors emphasized that as a result of this policy very little have changed so far, but the interests that such a multi-agency working approach has generated suggest that this may be the beginning of medical practice that can link the changes in work practices with improvements in quality of services1. Within the NHS frame work, multidisciplinary team working is developing to expand roles of traditional institutional boundaries and form complex clinical networks. However these networks could become increasingly autonomous from current NHS structures. The authors discuss the possibility of forming chambers for doctors as well as other professionals as a means of working together in groups. Multilevel working at the NHS is as of now a very effective health care policy but needs even further evaluation and suggestions for improvement.ConclusionWithin this particular discussion we have tried to analyze the health care policies and targets and evaluated these objectives in terms of achievement and progress in policy implementation within the health care sector in the UK. For our purposes we have used targets and progress report from annual results published by the DH. Evidential information on policy effectiveness have also been provided where we suggested that health care polici