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Issues that affect access to services - Coggle Diagram
Issues that affect access to services
Referrals
Self-referral
Person contacts a care provider personally, by letter, email, phone call or making an appointment
Access to primary healthcare services (e.g. dentists, doctors and opticians) normally through self-referral
Many services are self-referral
Third-party referral
When a friend, neighbour or relative contacts a health or care service on another person's behalf
Services are usually accessible through self-referral
Professional referral
Health or care professional contacts another service provider to request support for a service user
Assessment
Local authorities have a duty to carry out a community care assessment for anyone struggling to look after themselves without additional support
Adult social services department usually responsible for this
The service user may need
Reassurance + info about local or national organisations who can help
Simple devices to help them live independently e.g. equipment to help them use the bath
Higher level of care e.g. domiciliary care or they may need residential care
If a client is supported at home by friends, family etc, they are intitled to a carer's assessment to see whether they need support to carry out their caring activities
Set out in The Care Act (2014)
When this is complete the service users must be provided with a written copy of the report outlining the needs identified + actions agreed
Eligibility criteria
To check someone needs her from the authorities someone, usually a social worker, has to consider whether these needs arise from - they MUST meet both requirements
A physical and/or mental impairment or illness
An inability to achieve at least two of the following daily activities (called outcomes)
Prepare + eat food
Wash themselves or their clothes
Manage their toilet needs
Dress appropriately - especially in cold weather
Move around their home easily
Maintain family or other close relationships - avoid social isolation
Keep their house safe + clean
Access work, training, education or volunteering
Use local facilities, including shops, recreational facilities + other services
Carry out caring responsibilities including caring for their children
Meet the outcomes likely to affect their health and wellbeing
This is called the national eligibility criteria
If eligible service users will receive a personal budget (direct payment) which are cash payments to pay for their care
They take into account your income and cost of you care
Barriers to accessing health and care services
Accessing services can be confusing for service users, particularly those who are unwell or have complex personal difficulties
Therefore, they may not receive what they are intitled to
Some barriers to accessing services may be
Language: may not be their first language
Inconvenient location of the service: especially if user relies on public transport
Financial: cost + difficulty getting childcare
Scarce resources: e.g. long waiting lists and lack of beds available at hospitals
Communication: unable to communicate easily with care providers
Additionally, barriers to accessing care are made worse if an individual is poor or on a low income