The Integration Of Health And Social Care In The Uk

Closer integration of health and social care with the aim of ending the historic divide between NHS and social services has been the goal of successive governments for decades. The rationale for greater integration has been widely accepted in terms of service improvement, better use of resources and meeting the needs arising from future demographic change. The debate about integration continues to dominate government papers and reports - and in 2010 the coalition government set out its intention to break down the barriers between health and social care funding to encourage preventative action. This text provides a systematic assessment of recent policy developments across the UK and introduces the different models of integration which currently operate - from structural integration in Northern Ireland to health and care partnerships in Scotland.

This timely and much needed text book provides a systematic assessment of recent policy developments across the UK and introduces the different models of integration which currently operate - from structural integration in Northern Ireland to health and care partnerships in Scotland. It examines the achievements of integrated working, showing how it can lead to improvements in the quality of services and access to services, as well as create cost efficiencies. It also considers barriers to integration and draw comparisons with experiences in the US, Canada, Australia and Europe to identify lessons for practice in the UK. Supported throughout by case studies and a wealth of illustrative material - including charts and diagrams - this is key reading for students taking degree programmes and foundational qualifications in health and social care, or related degrees in social policy, health studies, social work and nursing.

Partnership Working in Health and Social Care adopts a thematic approach to health and social care partnerships. With chapters by leading international commentators, the book covers key topics in partnership with a dual focus on both policy and practice.

Social Work and Integrated Care draws on the latest research, practice and theory to explore integration within both child and adult services. Although all the home nations in the UK view integrated care as a top priority within health and social care policy, many people continue to experience fragmented care. This book sets out the case for integration, considers the evidence of its impact, and discusses the implementation challenges that must be overcome. Packed full of current examples of integration, from across the UK and internationally, and reflexive exercises which highlight practice issues for social workers, it provides the following key learning outcomes: • An understanding of what is meant by integrated care and why it is seen as vital to a modern health and social system. • A knowledge of the expected impacts in relation to improving the experience and outcomes for individuals and their families, addressing inequalities and promoting health and wellbeing and increasing financial efficiency. • A recognition of the common barriers to integrated care and what such fragmentation can mean for individuals and their families. • A critical review of key approaches to promote integration and their practical implementation. • Reflection on the potential contribution of social workers and their own collaborative practice. Providing a comprehensive and accessible overview of integrated care policies and practice, this book will help prepare social workers for the realities of collaborating with other professions and services. It should be considered essential reading for students undertaking their professional qualification and those who are in practice who are looking to improve their ability to collaborate.

Equity and Excellence : Liberating the NHS: Presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Health by Command of Her Majesty

This book provides a timely review of the contemporary interpretation of the ‘comprehensive health centre’, a building type that was originally advocated by health reformers in the UK in the first half of the twentieth century. The book discusses the development of this idea, the failure under the NHS to apply the idea in practice in the second half of the century and the recent emergence, in all four regions of the UK, of comprehensive health centres providing a wide range of health and social services, often linked to other community facilities. A review of the latest developments in comprehensive health centre design forms the core of the book in the form of detailed case studies of ten exemplary recent projects. Generously illustrated in full colour the case studies include plans, diagrams, photographs and analytical text, providing the reader with detailed information about a range of design approaches. Following devolution, NHS health policies in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have begun to diverge and the role of the comprehensive health centre in the current health service of each country is assessed. Aimed at professionals, healthcare facilities providers and policy makers, the book also considers the opportunities for and obstacles facing the further development of the comprehensive health centre as an integral part of the infrastructure of the NHS in the future.

This is a practical introduction to the areas of leadership, management and supervision for line managers, supervisors and senior practitioners working in health and social care settings. The book explores different aspects of leadership and management including personal effectiveness, strategic thinking, supervision, planning and budgeting, effective change leadership and leading successful teams. Alongside new chapters on leading in an integrated environment, commissioning and self-leadership, this second edition has been greatly enriched through the inclusion of knowledge, experience, insight and expertise from a wide range of contributors, including senior leaders, lecturers, consultants and researchers, each with many years of experience working in health and social care.

The devolution of social care policy has led to key differences emerging between the UK’s four care systems. This book presents research on the perspectives of social care policy makers within the UK’s four care systems, concluding that when given equal capacity to reform, the systems in each nation may take radically different shapes.