Issues

• ‘Issues’ in health and social care can encompass a wide range of topics. Broadly speaking, they fall into categories of ethical, policy, legal, fiscal, and practical concerns.

• Ethical issues often relate to rights and responsibilities. Practitioners must balance the rights of individuals with the need to provide effective health and social care. These can include issues of patient consent, confidentiality and duty of care.

• Policy issues can involve disparities in health care delivery. They may also involve critiques of existing policies, or proposals for new policies. For instance, discussions might centre around the pros and cons of privatising certain health services.

• Legal issues might engage with legislation such as the Mental Health Act or the Children Act. It’s crucial to understand how such laws affect the provision of health and social care as well as the rights and treatment of patients.

• Fiscal issues might involve debates around funding, from who should be shouldering costs, to how funds should be allocated within the sector. These also involve evaluations on the cost-effectiveness of different interventions and services.

• Practical issues might include workforce shortages, training needs, or the implementation of new technology. The impact of these issues can directly affect the provision of services and patient outcomes.

• Evaluating the pros and cons of SHCC (Safe Haven Community Care) as a method of delivering health care.

• Analyzing how mental health issues are treated in health and social care, alongside discussions surrounding stigma, treatment options and support networks.

• Discussing the unique health and social care needs of different populations such as elderly individuals, those with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and those within the LGBTQ+ community.

• Understanding the ways in which societal attitudes and prejudices can shape health and social care provision, particularly in relation to discrimination and inequality.

• Considering the impact of social determinants on health and wellbeing, such as poverty, education and housing.

• Understanding the concept of person-centred care and its implementation in health and social care practises, policies, and decision-making processes.

• Evaluating the effectiveness of health promotion campaigns and strategies.

• Discussing the role of various professionals in health and social care – including doctors, nurses, social workers, and occupational therapists.

• Considering the implications of problems such as addictive behaviours, obesity, or ageing population, and how they can be addressed within the health and social care context.

• Reflecting on the role and effects of technological advancements in health and social care like telehealth or electronic health records.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but these points should provide a solid grounding in the type of issues you might be required to engage with in this part of your qualification.