Scotland is to introduce the UK’s first integrated health and social care workforce plan, which includes the creation of a new national thrombectomy service. Continue reading UK’s first integrated workforce plan published
Tag: Health and Social Care
Housing associations ‘an untapped resource’ in delivery of health and social care
A new report has concluded that housing is an untapped resource which could help Health and Social Care Boards engage better with older people, delivering more effective services as a result.
In the report published today, one of Scotland’s leading housing associations outlines the importance of going beyond traditional methods of engagement. Instead, it highlights importance of understanding the emotional needs of people and the networks which exist within communities. This information helps achieve better outcomes such as increasing happiness and reducing loneliness and isolation.
Hanover Scotland has published the report, Connecting Communities, after completing an action research project to understand how the organisation, staff and residents can work with local communities to help people live the lives they want.
It comes just a few weeks after a report by Audit Scotland highlighted that “More work needs to be done to engage with local communities when making changes to health and social care services.”
Hanover believes the methodology and findings of its own research could provide a template for use in health and social care and wants to see housing organisations more closely involved in the process in future.
As part of the research, a group of Hanover staff were trained to use a relationship-centred approach as developed by Professor Mike Nolan at the University of Sheffield. This describes the need for a sense of security; a sense of continuity; a sense of belonging; a sense of purpose; a sense of fulfilment and; a sense of significance.
Using these principles, the Hanover research team, led by the Chief Executive, was able to gain an insight in to the networks and connections that exist in local communities and what prompts positive emotional responses from people.
The relationships that have been formed and the information gathered will be used to shape Hanover’s future work and demonstrates how housing organisations could be a gateway for health and social care bodies to improve their own engagement and deliver better outcomes.
The four conclusions of Hanover’s report were:
- The home is fundamental to the wellbeing of people and the sustainability of communities. Housing is key to all efforts to integrate and improve health and wellbeing.
- Engagement with older people when shaping services must improve and consider the emotional motivations and needs of individuals to better understand the networks and support which exists within communities.
- Housing organisations are an untapped resource without which it will be more difficult for IJBs to achieve better health and social care outcomes as outlined by Audit Scotland.
- It is essential that housing organisations be offered the opportunity to be fully included in the ongoing integration of health and social care.
Helen Murdoch, Chief Executive of Hanover Scotland, said: “Housing organisations are the gateway through which health and social care bodies can provide outcomes to help people live the lives they want.
“For 40 years, Hanover Scotland has pioneered progressive models of housing and care that support older people to enjoy full and active lives and I am very proud that our team was able to undertake this research throughout our anniversary year. It has taken us across Scotland to speak to people and to a global conference where we were invited to share some of our early findings.
“What our detailed discussions with our residents have given us is a deep understanding of what kind of service they want from us and how we can go about doing that. As a result, this research is going to shape Hanover’s services for years to come.
“We do not pretend to have all the answers but it seems clear to me that were housing organisations included more closely in the integration of health and social care in the future, we could use this kind of model to improve engagement with local communities and deliver better, more effective services across the country.”
Social Care Alba to go the extra mile for employees this winter
Edinburgh based care provider strives to ensure levels of assistance across the city remain consistent over the festive period
One of Edinburgh’s leading care and support providers, Social Care Alba have confirmed that they have already put provisions in place for their employees this winter to ensure that levels of assistance across the city remain consistent for those in need, over the festive period. Continue reading Social Care Alba to go the extra mile for employees this winter
Edinburgh’s Home First policy to tackle bed blocking
Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) has approved plans to accelerate approaches to care for people at home and in a homely setting.
Designed to reduce the number of people being delayed leaving hospital and improve the care patients receive in their own community, Edinburgh’s ‘home first’ approach sets out plans to shift health and social care systems to provide greater support for people in their own or familiar surroundings. Continue reading Edinburgh’s Home First policy to tackle bed blocking
More support for looked after children
More than £8 million of Scottish Government funding was spent last year on projects to improve the attainment of care experienced young people.
Projects as diverse as mentoring programmes, counselling services and driving lessons were supported through the Care Experienced Children and Young People fund.
Now more than £12 million of further funding will be provided this academic year to enhance the support available. Continue reading More support for looked after children
Scottish Tories propose Red Bag trial
The Scottish Conservatives have proposed the trial of the Red Bag Scheme in NHS Lothian. Continue reading Scottish Tories propose Red Bag trial
Social social media messaging can lead to significant health benefits for young people, research finds
A new study led by a research team from Queen’s University Belfast, in partnership with University of Southern California, has found social media messaging, such as Facebook posts and sponsored ads, have a significant positive effect on a range of teenage health behaviors. Continue reading Social social media messaging can lead to significant health benefits for young people, research finds
Volunteer Opportunities with the Health and Social Care VolunteerNet Team!
Do you want to help make a positive difference in someone’s life?
Have you considered volunteering?
Get in touch with the Health and Social Care VolunteerNet Team! Continue reading Volunteer Opportunities with the Health and Social Care VolunteerNet Team!
“First step on a long journey” – EIJB strategic plan approved
Ambitious plans for redefining health and social care services in Edinburgh have been published.
![Edinburgh health and social care partnership](https://i0.wp.com/www.edinburgh.gov.uk/images/smallerHoldingHandscarers.jpg?w=660)
The Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB), which oversees the delivery of services which support the wellbeing of adults in the Capital, says it will radically transform the way Edinburgh delivers its health and social care services over the next three year planning cycle and beyond. Continue reading “First step on a long journey” – EIJB strategic plan approved
Briggs: Alarm over Community Alarms
Community Alarms Postcode Lottery
Scottish Conservative Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has raised concerns over a postcode lottery in the cost of Community Alarms across Scotland. Continue reading Briggs: Alarm over Community Alarms