Issues that affect access to services

Question 1

what are the 3 different types of referral ?

Answer 1

self referral, self-party referral and professional referral

Question 2

what is self referral ?

Answer 2

Access to primary healthcare services such as doctors, dentists opticians. Also many social care services for children and adults.

Question 3

what is third-party referral ?

Answer 3

by a friend, neighbour or relative. These referrals are usually to services that are accessed by self referral

Question 4

what is professional referral ?

Answer 4

by HSC professional to another service provider

Question 5

who usually carries out assessments for access to services ?

Answer 5

Local Authorities -duty to carry out community care assessment
Adult social care services usually responsible for this.
Social worker carries out the assessment where the needs may be

Question 6

how do the social workers assess this ?

Answer 6

1 - reassurance and information (Local or national organisations that may help)
2 - Simple devices helping independent living (Aids to open jars/tins, or equipment to help use bath)
3 - higher level of care (domiciliary or residential care)

Question 7

what is the carers assessment ?

Answer 7

Assessment of the needs of the informal carers providing support for a vulnerable person , such as a person with a physical disability, a person with a mental health need or a frail old person.

The Care Act 2014 sets out carer’s legal rights for assessment and support.

Question 8

what does the eligibility criteria contain ?

Answer 8

A physical or mental impairment or illness, plus
An inability to achieve at least two of the following daily activities (called outcomes)

Question 9

what is the national eligibility criteria ?

Answer 9

Criteria applied to decide whether a service user is entitled support from the local authority social services department.

Social care not always free
Financial assessment will decide whether service user must contribute to the cost of care and by how much.
Eligible service users receive a personal budget, sometimes called a direct payment in cash.
Personal budget available to all client groups (older people, people with disabilities, carers).
People with disabilities can purchase care service people/company of their choice.

Question 10

what are some barriers to accessing HSC settings ?

Answer 10

Language
Inconvenient location of service
Financial- childcare during appointment or loss of wages
Scarce resources-long waiting times in hospitals; restricted opening times; limited availability of specialist resources
Communication- discomfort due to fear of discrimination