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