London Borough of Camden’s Post

🌟 Insights that Matter: Understanding Public Satisfaction with Healthcare Systems 🌟 The recent findings from the British Social Attitudes Survey offers a valuable perspective on public sentiment towards the NHS and social care. These insights are instrumental in shaping healthcare policies and services, and at the British Red Cross, we're keen to contribute to this discussion. We believe in the strength of collaboration. Through our partnerships across the UK we work hand-in-hand to support coordination between healthcare and social care services, stopping people from falling through the gaps. Our data, insight and experience, such as our longitudinal data sets on home care, contribute towards constructive solutions. Let's keep this insightful conversation going and collectively shape a healthcare system that meets the expectations and needs of all. #Healthcare #PublicSatisfaction #IntegratedCareBoards #NHS #SocialCare #DataInsights #Collaboration #BritishRedCross (https://lnkd.in/eyCw_ZpB)

This qualitative study examines barriers & facilitators to implementing an evidence-based community health worker (CHW) model. Results highlight barriers placed on CHWs and signal importance of addressing the needs of this emerging workforce in health care. https://ja.ma/3uSNxXD

The Darzi Review: A Call for Integrated Health & Social Care The findings of the Darzi Review, led by Lord Darzi and commissioned by Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP, highlight critical challenges in both the NHS and social care systems. For those who draw on care and support services, the message is clear: health and social care must collaborate to ensure everyone draw on the support they need to live with dignity, choice, and independence. Service fragmentation and underfunding aren’t just abstract challenges; they have real-life impacts on individuals and families. The current system leaves many needs unmet or under-met, creating unnecessary burdens on family carers and straining both the NHS and social care. The review reinforces the urgent need for a coordinated, holistic approach to care—one that integrates health, social care, and community services. Social care must be recognised as an equal partner to the NHS in improving health outcomes and easing pressures on services. Investing in early intervention, prevention, and digital innovation can enable greater autonomy and reduce emergency pressures. People who draw on care and support understand the importance of these upstream solutions, and this is an opportunity to reshape how we approach care and support in the UK. As we move forward, the government must work closely with those who draw on care and support to create a system that ensures our collective health, well-being, and dignity. #SocialCare #NHS #DarziReview #HealthAndSocialCare #Prevention #CareSupport #Integration #DigitalInnovation #CommunityCare #HealthcareReform

Health information and finding our way around health services and systems can be complicated. In our latest BJF Current Issues we explore why health literacy is an important aspect of positive ageing. We include a link to a recently published paper ‘System and Organisational Health Literacy’ by Dr Mike Oliver and also a link to VAST Services (1920) Community Health Champions who promote clear messaging about health. https://lnkd.in/ewJ6r2nV

My editorial for the latest issue of the British Journal of Healthcare Management delves into the results of the most recent British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey, which found the lowest levels of public satisfaction with health and social care since the survey began in 1983. What’s driving this growing dissatisfaction? Unsurprisingly, waiting times topped the list. However, the survey also reflected public concern about both the number of care staff and how they’re treated: ‘inadequate conditions and training for staff’ was the most common reason for dissatisfaction with social care. Meanwhile, the quality of care provided and the behaviour of staff were two of the most uncommon reasons for dissatisfaction. In March this year, the King’s Fund published an analysis of the BSA results, aptly summing up what the public want from the care system moving forwards: ‘they do not want a different model – they want the one they have got to work’. It’s somewhat reassuring to see that the British public still believe in the core principles of the NHS, and appreciate both the vital contribution and the needs of care staff – despite the attempts of some public figures and media outlets to convince them otherwise. In my editorial, I also explore some other key figures from the BSA survey, including conflicting opinions about the integration of services and taxation to fund the care system, as well as variation between demographic groups. You can read the full piece online here: https://lnkd.in/ehiG9vch   

The new Secretary of State for health and social care has been making waves: declaring that it's his department's policy that the NHS is broken and needs fixing, and making his first visit a GP practice, rather than the usual hospital, as part of strong signals that this government intends to shift some resources from hospitals into primary care and prevention. This is bold and welcome. At an event a while before the election, I asked Wes Streeting if he was going to be the first Secretary of State for Health and Social Care that takes social care seriously while he's still in office (more than one Sec of State has had a Damascene conversion to social care, but unfortunately that tends to happen after they've stop doing the job). He gave a convincing response which demonstrated he understands social care is more than just an adjunct to the NHS, or a way to reduce hospital admissions: it's the service that decides whether millions of people live well, or miserably, when they have long term support needs. It must be tempting for Secretaries of State to think: I'll get to the thorny business of social care just as soon as we've made some progress on these huge NHS issues which all the attention is on. Only to realise much later that there was no fixing the NHS without also reinventing, and properly resourcing, social care. So I am waiting hopefully to see the Sec of State and his new Minister for social care, Stephen Kinnock, visiting a social care service in these agenda-setting first days of office, and demonstrating the same sense of urgency and willingness to reimagine - and reinject hope into - social care.

People with low health literacy are more likely to misunderstand warning labels and are less likely to be able to identify their own medications, understand how to take their medications, and recognize the potential side effects. With Health Literacy Month around the corner, check out these six health literacy tips. https://loom.ly/nPl-Hi0 #healthliteracy #healthliteracymonth

Our Foundation received a grant from the Heart of England Inclusive Funds to create a unique health education community play. In collaboration with ‘Women and Theatre’ and ‘Age Concern’ Wolverhampton, we produced a play entitled, ‘Miss Ida – Tek Charge of Yuh Health.' This vibrant and engaging one-woman show, inspired by a retired nurse from the African Caribbean community, is about encouraging elders to pursue healthier lifestyles and take ownership of their general health and well-being. It blends humour, cultural celebration, and practical advice on preventative care, diet, and physical activity. Miss Ida includes rich cultural elements, using Jamaican patois to create a comedic yet relatable experience for elders from the African Caribbean community. This cultural thread, which draws on the warmth and nostalgia of 'back home,' adds an authentic layer to the performance. For health professionals, Miss Ida offers a window into how cultural nuances influence health choices, helping them better understand some of the barriers elders face in accessing healthcare. We hope it will inspire lasting change, encourage elders to adopt healthier habits and help bridge the gap in healthcare for marginalised communities. At its core, Miss Ida carries a powerful message: “Yuh neva too old fi mek good changes.” Audience participation will play a central role in Miss Ida, sparking dialogue and sharing actionable tips that can be applied to everyday life. "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." — Maya Angelou.

"Inclusive and intersectoral: community health improvement planning opportunities to advance the social determinants of health and health equity" Finally published! Really grateful to have been able to work on this study with a great team (especially Yeeli Mui and Ross Hatton, MPA, who have taught me so much!). The spaces and systems around us have a huge impact on population health, and it is more crucial than ever that we use collaborative and systems-level approaches to equitably tackle the structural roots of health inequities. Find our paper here: https://lnkd.in/eC7R2xqz

We are having the fifth session of our ICC Seminar Series 2023/2024 soon! Details are below. I have also attached the poster for you to share with your network. Any non-ICC members should register for the event via Eventbrite for access to the Teams link later. Examining how social workers shape their identities working with health professionals for at risk and vulnerable groups Date: 11th July 2024, Thursday Time: 12.30 – 2.00 PM (GMT) Venue: Online event via Teams https://lnkd.in/ebzbFbWF   This research worked with social workers in local authorities to explore how they navigate and negotiate their professional identities when working with health partners on a daily basis. The research used semi-structured interviews and observations. The research findings focus around: ·         Power dynamics ·         Professional identity ·         Outcomes for service users This topic was chosen due to the developing health and care integration landscape in England and the resultant impact on how social work operates now, as well as in the future. About the speaker: Josepha Reynolds is a Programme Director at Lambeth Together. She is currently pursuing her doctorate at UEL in social work. Lambeth Together is a partnership of the voluntary and community sector, the NHS, Lambeth Council, and others, focused on improving health and wellbeing and reducing inequalities for people in Lambeth through an integrated health and care system.