Effects on public services Flashcards
Why is there more of a demand on health services ?
Prevalence of MHP on the rise = puts demand on health and social care services which are there to support individuals with these problems. For example, this means that the tax payer may need to contribute more to finance, or existing funds need to be shared out between more diff types of services, meaning all are stretched.
Historically how was MH care treated ?
not well funded so if more people need help may mean the quality of care goes down as services are more and more stretched. One way of dealing with the increase in people with MHP is to make greater use of ‘care in community’. Up until about 30 years ago, people with M disorders were kept in psychiatric institutions or a ward, but increasingly this is seen as a temporary solution.
The policy is to use these places if sufferers need to monitored closely, need intensive treatment, or need protection from potential harm. If patient is better = discharged back into community. Received meds, treatment at home.
What do critics of community care say ?
this is just a money-swing exercise which puts pressure on families and communities who do not have time, expertise or resources to care for these people. They argue this is why some sufferers end up going in and out of hospitals, or even drop out of society altogether and live on streets.
What do supporters of community care say ?
people are more likely to get better in their usual surroundings, such as where they grew up, where they know and where they can still go to work. They suggest this is more beneficial than professionals trying to isolate them and treat them in a controlled setting.
