The Influence of Policies on Health and Social Care Provision – GCSE Health and Social Care CCEA Revision

National Service Frameworks (NSFs)

NSFs are long-term strategies for improving specific areas of care.
They set out standards and identify ways to meet these standards and subsequently measure performance.
They have proved effective in reducing variations in care and treatment and bring about major system-wide improvements in health and social care services.
Notable NSFs have been produced for areas such as cancer care, mental health, and care for older people.

The CQC regulates, inspects, and reviews all health and social care services in the England.
Their role includes monitoring, inspecting and regulating services to ensure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety.
CQC reports and ratings directly influence how care providers operate by highlighting areas of success and those in need of improvement.

NICE provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care.
NICE guidance is influential on government and health and social care organisation policy, as it is based on thorough evidence reviews and reflects best practice.
They publish guidelines that set out the care and services suitable for most people with a specific condition or need.

The QOF is a voluntary annual reward and incentive programme for all GP surgeries in England, detailing practice achievement results.
This incentivises good practice and higher standards in order to improve health outcomes.
GPs and primary care teams are rewarded for the quality of care they provide to patients and for achieving targets in areas such as diabetes management, heart disease and patient experience.

Policies guide provision in health and social care. They set the standards and guidelines for care and ensure that rights and needs of both service users and providers are met.
Policies drive quality assurance and improvement, ensuring that services are of high standard and continually improving.
Furthermore, they encourage accountability. If something goes wrong, policies will guide investigations and ensure any necessary changes are made.
Policies are designed to protect both the service users and the staff, thereby fostering better relationships and communication.