Barriers to accessing Health and Social Care
Info
Types of Referral
- Self Referral - A client making an appointment
- Professional Referral - Professional care worker refers an individual
- Emergency Services Referral - Ambulance service taking patient to hospital for appointment
- Recall - A client asked to return for a follow up appointment
Barriers to Care 1. High cost of care 2. Inadequate or no insurance coverage 3. Lack of availability of services 4. Lack of Culturally Competent Care
Barriers can lead to unmet health needs, condition may deteriorate. Access is often based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic, age, sex, disability status, gender identity, residential location
Physical Barriers
Objects that prevent an individual from getting where they must go
Client working shifts - Unable to access services available
Stairs
Lack of adopted toilets
Lack of ramps
Lack of lifts
Lift controls out of reach
Cultural and Language Barriers
Psychological Barriers
Affects the way an individual thinks about a service e.g.) Genetic Disorder which they do not want diagnosed
Fear of losing independence
Stigma associated with some services
Not wanting to be looked after by others
Mental Health Problems
Financial Barriers
This is to do with how much it might cost to access a service
Charges and Fees
Lack of money for transport
Lack of money to provide the service
Geographical Barriers
If specialist service is in a certain area, mobility problems mean that people may not be able to access them
Living in a rural area where facilities are limited
Living in a rural area where transport is not available
A long journey may not be practical
Specialist Treatment may only be available in certain areas
Not being able to drive
No transport in rural areas
No access to chemists
If info is only in one language or uses specialist language an individual
Using English may deter some people from using services
Not having professionals who are of the same sex
Not knowing what is available
Some treatments being considered unacceptable in certain cultures
No knowledge of specific conditions
No understanding of NHS process
Resource Barriers
No access to services due to staff shortages or a lack of money for service
Patients are flagged depending on their condition
Lack of staff
Lack of information about services
Lack of money to fund services
Large demand for a particular service
Overcoming Barriers
- Organisations, professionals and agencies coming to places where service users are (schools)
- Provision of equipment ( buzzer)
- Provision of taxis and buses
- Providing free phone numbers
- Ensuring staff are aware of what is expected of them
Overcoming Barriers
- Provide clear info and reassurance that service providers aim to help and support
- Providing opportunities for service users to feel comfortable in certain environments
Overcoming Financial Barriers
- Providing care and support free of charge
- Voluntary and Statutory Services
Overcoming Barriers
- Ensuring literature is available in different languages
- Involving family
- Ensuring staff reflect cultural variation understanding background and influences
- Providing advocacy services
Overcoming Geographical Barriers
- Provision of transport
-Make info available on the internet about access to services - Providing helplines for service users and relatives
Overcoming Barriers
- Providing info in a friendly way
- Advertise in a GP surgery
- Advertise services on TV at dinner time
- Advertise on news
Language Barriers
- Hand Gestures
- Speech and therapists
- Pictures as communication tool