Health and Social Care Services:

Question 1

What are health care services?

Answer 1

Services available to support individuals with their health and social care needs.

Question 2

Why can access to health care services be difficult?

Answer 2

Availability can vary between different geographical areas.

Question 3

What are examples of health services?

Answer 3

• Urgent/emergency care.
• Sexual health services.
• Mental health services.
• Pharmacy services.
• Dental care.
• Eye care.
• Walk-in centres (for minor illness and injury).
• Home nursing.
• Chronic health care.
• Community health (for screening and preventative care).
• Maternity services.
• Paediatric care.

Question 4

What are examples of adult and children’s social care services?

Answer 4

• Day centres and luncheon clubs.
• Supported living.
• Residential care.
• Benefits (financial support).
• Home care.
• Housing services.
• Children’s services.

Question 5

What services are common to both health and social care?

Answer 5

• Advisory services.
• Advocacy.
• Discharge planning.
• Transport.
• Nursing home care.
• End-of-life care.
• Safeguarding.

Question 6

What are some barriers related to service availability?

Answer 6

• Specialist services or drugs may not be available in certain geographical areas.
• Restrictions on delivery or opening times of services.
• Increased demand (e.g., during winter flu) can cause pressure on services.
• Waiting times may be long due to a lack of specialists or hospital beds.
• Lack of public transport to take individuals to and from services.

Question 7

How can individual circumstances make accessing services difficult?

Answer 7

• Mobility difficulties can restrict physical access.
• Learning or communication difficulties can affect understanding and contact with services.
• Sensory difficulties can impact a person’s ability to find out about and access services.
• Personal circumstances (e.g., caring for others or working long hours) can make attending services difficult.