Discuss the core values that underpin social and health service delivery and compare th
Social and Community Welfare Provision
Assignment Guidance
(2500-3000 word essay)
Discuss the core values that underpin social and health service delivery and compare the current health service provision with health care services when the NHS first started (LO 2, LO 3)
Please refer to the unit handbook for the learning outcomes and assessment criteria
***The subheadings below are a guide to help with structure and must be removed for the final essay ***
Introduction (Approx 300 words)
Outline clearly to the reader the requirement of the essay. Identify what you will discuss, the structure the essay will take and which specific milestones, values, legislation, policy will be referred to.
Main Body (2400 words)
What were the main forms of health and social care provision prior to the creation of the NHS? How did people access services? Could everyone afford it? Were the provisions adequate?
What were the main reasons behind the Beveridge report? How did this report influence the development of health and social care in the UK?
National Health Service is born 1948 – Core Values:
The NHS was created out of the ideal that good healthcare should be available to all, regardless of wealth. When it was launched by the then minister of health, Aneurin Bevan, on July 5 1948, it was based on three core principles:
• that it meets the needs of everyone
• that it be free at the point of delivery
• that it be based on clinical need, not ability to pay
These three principles have guided the development of the NHS over more than 60 years and remain at its core. Is this still the case? Are people still excluded from accessing healthcare?
Compare and Contrast with the current values, for example, any of the 6 Core Values, 7 Principles and NHS Constitution
How did the creation of the NHS improve health and social care provision? Consider the following: Public health services; availability; accessibility; knowledge; skills; range of partnerships; evidence-based research; advances in service delivery; efficiency; community based; effectiveness; expectations. Consider the relevance of each of these aspects in relation to key milestones and legislation up to the 1980s.
Despite the advances in health and social care provision, what kinds of issues became prominent in the 1980s? For example, medical advances meant people were living longer, the population increased. These and other issues put massive demand on public sector services and there remained inequalities (Black Report 1980); hence came the realisation that funding the NHS was a massive problem. To add depth, you should also consider why inequalities were not identified in the period.
There were several attempts to apply solutions to the problems: Privatisation, increased voluntary sector, public sector job cuts, lack of pay rises, strikes and so on. This has meant that large sections of health and social care provisions are outsourced to save money. However, does this mean a better quality of care? Has there been a fundamental change to the original 3 core values of the NHS?
With rising taxes, increased privatisation, a more educated populous and so on, this has meant greater expectations are placed on health and social care providers. How has this affected the values and ethics of health and social care professionals? Consider the following: behaviours; take responsibility for actions; achievement of excellence; monitoring; development bias/unbiased approach; professionalism.
In light of recent legislations such as the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and the Care Act 2014, consider the following: Public health services; availability; accessibility; knowledge; skills; range of partnerships; evidence-based research; advances in service delivery; efficiency; community based; effectiveness; expectations. Have there been any changes, developments, advances?
Think about the structure of health and social care provision in the future especially considering Brexit. What are the expected changes?
Conclusion (Approx 300 words)
What has been established in your essay? Can you identify any similarities and differences with current and previous healthcare? What are the key improvements? Have the values and ethics changed over time and if so, how? What are the key issues the NHS faces in the future?
Please check the quality and presentation of your work before submission. Your writing should be supported by references, using the Harvard system, with a bibliography attached. For merits and distinctions you also need to be demonstrating analysis, synthesis, evaluation and the comparing and contrasting of information.
