The Different Types of Provision Relating to Health and Social Care, and Their Characteristics

Primary Healthcare Services

General Practitioner (GP): First point of contact for most health issues. GP clinics provide a broad range of services including diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Community Health Centres: Offer services tailored to specific community needs often including mental health, maternity, and paediatric care.
Pharmacy Services: Provide medicines prescribed by GPs, offer health advice and support to maintain and improve wellbeing.

Hospital Services: Provide specialist medical and surgical treatment. Accessed via a referral from a GP or during an emergency.
Mental Health Services: Provide assistance for people suffering from mental health issues, including counselling, medication and cognitive therapies.
Allied Health Services: Include services such as physiotherapy, podiatry, and occupational therapy. Typically accessed through a referral from a GP.

Residential Care Homes: Offer long-term care for individuals who cannot live independently due to physical or mental health conditions.
Homecare Services: Provide personal care, home help or companionship. Support individuals to live independently in their own homes.
Day Centres: Provide social opportunities and therapeutic activities for various groups. These can include older people, disabled individuals or those with specific health conditions.

Health and Social Care Workers: Offer direct care to service users, supporting their physical and emotional needs.
Care Manager: Oversee the operation of a care setting, ensuring standards are met, and care plans are effective.
Social Workers: Assess the needs of individuals and families, then coordinate and implement services to support them.

Regulation and Inspection: Policies exist for the regular inspection of health and social care facilities to ensure standards are being met.
Staff Training and Qualification Policies: Government initiatives encourage training to ensure staff are equipped to provide quality care.
Funding Policies: Direct how resources are allocated in health and social care. This impacts on the availability and quality of services.