Health and social care encompasses virtually any support or activity that helps people overcome obstacles in their life. Care provision may be needed in the early or final stages of life, or in response to specific obstacles faced as a result of physical make-up, environment or lifestyle (e.g. physical handicaps, complex needs, learning disabilities, mental health problems or substance misuse). Health and social care is provided in many contexts: residential homes, hospitals or health centres; educational or community settings; advice centres; or in service users' own homes.
Social care has traditionally been provided by a combination of local government, the independent (private) sector and the voluntary sector. While the need for social care provision is well documented, it is also clear that it has to be paid for; funding care provision is an ongoing debate and will remain so for many years to come. The UK has attempted one solution through introducing the highest level of private sector social care involvement in Europe.
STATISTICS
There are currently 440 000 care home residents in the UK. The number of people over the pensionable age is projected to increase from 11.4m in 2006 to 12.2m in 2011 to 13.9m in 2026. The independent sector provides 85% of care in the UK. In 2007 there will be more pensioners than children in the UK. The number of people needing care is expected to increase by 54% over the next 20years. There are 537,500 staff working for independent sector care homes and care providers, 80% of which are privately run.
REGULATION
The Healthcare Commission inspects the quality and value for money of healthcare and public health, informs patients and the public about the provision of healthcare in England and promotes achievements in healthcare and public health. Particular attention is paid to the availability of, access to, quality and effectiveness of healthcare along with the economy and efficiency of the provision of healthcare.
Presently the responsibility for registering, inspecting and reporting on social care services in England falls to the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). However, in the 2005 Budget Report it was announced that the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) will be split between the Healthcare Commission and the schools inspectorate Ofsted by 2008. CSCI and The Healthcare Commission will form a new body to regulate all adult health and social care services while inspecting children's social services, children's homes and fostering will fall under the remit of Ofsted.
The health and well being of persons in England falls to the Department of Health. The Department of Health carries out the decisions made by Whitehall and government ministers in order to provide for the British public. The DH has overall responsibility for monitoring the standard and safety of services in NHS and social care organisations. They ensure the systems are in place to protect patients and services users, and that they work effectively. Local authorities, Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities are all also important opinion formers for any organisation active in the health and social care sphere.
If you interact with any of the organisations and organisation types listed above, then it is important that you get your communcations right.
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