Health and Social Care Assessment

This report discusses the health and social care assessment, including the structure of NHS, key issues faced by staff, and the contribution of senior carers in providing healthcare services.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL
CARE ASSESSMENT

TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
Employability Skills....................................................................................................................3
1.1 Introduction to my place of work and my duties...................................................................6
1.2 Structure of the place of work...............................................................................................7
1.3 Key issues and challenges that are encountered by staff.......................................................7
1.4 Contribution to Area of Work in Organisation......................................................................8
Reflective Logs............................................................................................................................8
2 Reflective Log using Bolton’s Model.......................................................................................9
2.3 Contribution of Class-Based Learning in Work Setting......................................................14
3.1 Benefits of Reflective Practice in Healthcare......................................................................15
3.2 Benefits of Reflective Record..............................................................................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Health and social care assessment is an important topic where people are facing various
health issues with changing time periods with varied environment patterns and high ethical
issues changing in world. This report explains various cases and parameters pertaining to health
and social care services by doctors in world, with large productive use of technology and latest
health services.
MAIN BODY
Employability Skills
Self-management
I think I have developed the self- management skills in a very
adept manner by working as a senior carer in NHS for such as
long time period. I can effectively multi task by performing
multiple duties that I have been assigned as per my job role in
NHS and I have also learnt how to take care of myself
effectively i.e. not neglect myself or my duties. I can evidence
this form one incident where majority of the junior carers were
on leave and we had too many emergency patients that day
(Arnold and Boggs, 2019). Despite the extra work load and
management I was able to ensure that every patient had a carer
in regular intervals and I myself had to work for that. But I did
not neglect my self management and I completed both my
personal and professional duties with utmost efficiency.
Therefore I can say that my self management skills are very
well developed and in future as well I can manage the critical
situations extremely well.
Problem solving skills
The problem solving abilities are practically a must for
completing the role of senior carer in NHS. On a daily basis
there are so many small and big problems that arise in my job
role that I have been able to develop myself as a quick
decision maker and an effective problem solver. For instance,
there was once a case of girl who was having some kind of
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seizure and we did not have any expert operator at the
moment. I immediately decided to give her Aspirin and CPR
before the doctor could arrive. Later the doctor praised me for
giving Aspirin as t was effective in treating the little girl.
Therefore, I can adequately say that I have developed the
ability of problem solver that can assist me in multiple
manners in my professional career.
Working together and
communicating
I can say that I am well versed with the importance of working
together because in NHS there are several scenarios where we
all have to work in a coordinated and synchronized manner so
that any situation of panic can be avoided. It is necessary that
communication is kept clear at all the hands .e. it is clear from
my side also and the other person also understand what is
being communicated to them (Engel and et.al., 2017). There
was one instance where I clearly noted all the medical history
and current diagnosis of the patient and clearly communicated
it to the attending care taker. She then forgot to attach the past
medical history and only communicated current diagnosis to
the main surgeon. He was very angry and blamed us both as
highly irresponsible but I immediately presented the past
medical history document that I had clearly communicated
with and presented in written to the caretaker. Therefore I
have understood the importance that communication and
working together has in the organisation especially in
healthcare facilities as literally lives of patients are at stake.
Ability to learn and to
adapt
I can reflect that I am not very god at this skill because I am
not in the habit of constantly updating myself regarding the
latest developments that have taken place in our profession or
the innovative quests that are being held. I listen attentively
whenever we are being educated about such things or when
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any new technology is being implemented at our organisation
but I do not take any efforts on my own to research and find
out about the latest developments that are taking place. I can
even quote an incident recently where I was uestioned about
the development of certain vaccine about which almost
everyone else knew but I had no idea. Since then I have
decided that I need to work more on that aspect and therefore I
will be engaging in particular activities etc. that will enhance
my knowledge.
Using IT effectively
This is another area where I can say that I am not very well
developed and do not excel in the use of IT. Though I can
perform all the basic tasks of making excel sheets, using some
planning tactics etc. on the computer and use it effectively, yet
I have not mastered the proficiency with which I should be
using it and I should know it because these are quite useful in
emergency situations (Arnold and Boggs, 2019). For instance
there was a situation where we had to set up some equipment
that was connected and monitored on a computer and I was
unable to do it because I was not very well versed with the
software that had to be used. Then a junior caretaker came and
immediately set up the entire equipment within five minutes.
Though no one blamed me but I felt very bad that I had not
been able to complete such a small task also. Therefore this is
another area on which I intend to work and develop myself in
this area so that I can fulfil IT responsibilities completely.
Positive approach to work
ethics
I have always had a positive approach towards the work that I
am being assigned and even in the hectic times when there has
been too much work load I always tend to work sincerely.
When we had shortage of enough caretaking staff, I even
worked overtime without any complaints because I am
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dedicated towards the job roles that I have been assigned
(Ham, Berwick and Dixon, 2016). Therefore, I can adequately
say that I have a strong, resilient and positive attitude towards
the organisation and its work ethics and this will assist me
immensely in my professional career where I can take benefits
of this strong character and moral code that I possess.
Vocational skills or
knowledge you have
developed
Throughout my role as a senior carer in NHS, I have
developed a variety of skills that have helped me in meeting
my many problems and challenges. I have learnt and
developed quick and effective decision making skills and I
have also been able to attain knowledge that is related to the
primary care that is to be given to the patient in all types of
emergency situations that could have arisen. Further, this
course has helped me in ascertaining that I can be an
extremely efficient care taker with an appropriate balance of
emotions as well as skills that are required while dealing with
the patients.
1.1 Introduction to my place of work and my duties
The organisation which I work for i.e. NHS is the biggest public healthcare organisation in
UK and is properly structured to address the multiple medical and healthcare needs of the
patients. It has many branches that are spread throughout UK and it basically treats patients
either for free or against a very minimal fee that is being charged from them. The major purpose
behind the operation of NHS is to provide cheaper medical treatment to every member in the
public and it increase the access to medical services and treatments amongst the people of UK.
NHS has even been termed as the largest public medical and healthcare system body in the entire
world that is operating with maximum number of branches and is serving or giving medical
services to an abundance of people (Allsop, 2018). My role as a senior carer in the organisation
basically involves ensuring that the patients can get immediate treatment as soon as possible, i.e.
ensuring availability of caretakers, doctors, and medical professionals so that no delay in
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treatment occurs. I also am properly trained and equipped to give the preliminary treatment to the
patient should there be any emergency in the organisation. Therefore, I can adequately say that
my role as senior carer in one of the largest public healthcare organisation in the entire world is
extremely demanding and fulfilling as well.
1.2 Structure of the place of work
The structure of NHS is basically hierarchical where there is a proper chain of command
that is being exercised and followed. After the implementation of the Health and Social Care
Act, 2012, there were huge structural reforms in the entire organisation. The funding of the
organisation is received from the department of health and the NHS England acts as the umbrella
body in the organisation under which the entire healthcare activities are overseen and managed.
Since NHS is an independent body, there can be no interference of the department of health in
their functioning and decision making (Pollock and Roderick, 2018). The Clinical
Commissioning Groups i.e. CCGs and the NHS foundation trusts members also for the major
part of the NHS structure and comprehension overall.
There are hospital services where different hospital staff members have to be available at
all times so that emergency treatment ad care can be provided to patients at all hours of the day.
There is primary care physicist, General practitioners, dentists, etc. medical professionals from
all fields that are there to perform the tasks and duties related to the treatment of patients etc.
However one basic point is that all the employees have to keep in consideration is the fact that
they have human lives in their hands and they should fight until the last breath to save and cure
the patient that is being attended to.
1.3 Key issues and challenges that are encountered by staff
Although NHS as an organisation is very well developed and advanced in all the aspects
however, there are some basic challenges that we as employees have to face in the organisation
while giving treatment and care to the patient. The first major issues is that there is not regular
training and adequate guidance that we should be receiving on a regular basis. We are not
educated about the development that are taking place in our profession and it is expected that we
will learn on our won which is the major reason why I am backwards regarding the current
knowledge (Alderwick and et.al., 2018). Secondly the IT system and software of the organisation
is also very pooled developed i.e. there is no proper system where proper records can be
maintained for a long term and the work of record keeping can be simplified. This is another
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major challenge that we have to face. Although most of the employees are trained in the balance
between the emotional and professional aspect that they have to maintain, yet there are some
instance when the case is very sensitive and in such scenarios there is a lack of compassion that I
find intimidating in our organisation.
1.4 Contribution to Area of Work in Organisation
I worked as a senior carer in the healthcare organisation HSC, where I was tasked with
numerous duties and responsibilities to perform within the healthcare organisation. The most
prominent of my duties and responsibilities was to effectively manage the operations of all the
junior carers and interns that were being trained at the HSC. This task also included assessing
their progress, monitoring their operational performance and appraising them so that they could
perform their roles effectively and grow as healthcare providers. In addition, my role within the
HSC also included coordinating and leading a healthcare team with the intention to provide the
highest standards of healthcare to the patients and ensuring that the healthcare team maintained
relevant records of the healthcare services provided to patients.
Reflective Logs
Bolton’s Model
Once when I was providing healthcare services at the NHS during late hours in the day, a
very sick lady suffering from migraine and recurring seizures came to the hospital to get
treatment for her condition but she was adamant to be only provided care by a female member of
the healthcare staff. As it was quite late in the night, there were no female healthcare providers
readily available to look after the patient’s needs and requirements which when I explained to the
patient only made her more adamant to be provided a female carer, because she did not want or
trust male healthcare providers. Though I found this request to be ignorant at first, seeing her
condition first hand and the pain she was having to endure I immediately went to my supervisors
and detailed them of the patient’s condition and her healthcare preferences (Meyer, Dykes and
Tory, 2018). My superior tasked me with immediately arranging for a female member of the
healthcare staff, which I did post haste. Though it did take some time for the female staff
member to arrive to the scene, she was able to effectively provide the treatment that the patient
required and was also able to understand and be empathetic to the patient’s personal healthcare
preferences. Although I felt at the time that the patient suffering was being childish, I now realise
that people can have healthcare preferences based on their past experiences and from then on
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onwards, I have always made sure that in the hospital at least one male and one female
healthcare providers are always available for patients.
2 Reflective Log using Bolton’s Model
Another time at the hospital, a man with very serious injuries to his body and brain was
admitted late into the night. As per the evidence reports, I found that this man had suffered a
serious car crash and had narrowly escaped death as he was driving in an intoxicated state with
my diagnosis reflecting that his blood alcohol level being threateningly close to lethal levels. I
ordered the man to be rushed to the room 1 of the ICUas he needed to undergo healthcaresurgery
as soon as was humanly possible, if the healthcare providers had any chance to save his life,
which was in a very critical state. I arranged for all healthcare providers to became readily
available in an effective and swift manner for the surgery as it was hospital policy to always be
readily available for critical cases, but just when the surgery was about to begin, I found that the
medical equipment in room 1 of the ICU was not working and that to save the man’s life I would
have to move him to room 2 of the ICU for his surgery (Dykes and Meyer, 2018). I immediately
called the ward boys and had the man switch to room 2 and his surgery was successful. This
entire incident made me feel immensely angry at the lapse in maintenance of the ICU equipment
by the management. From then onwards I scheduled weekly maintenance of all operational
equipment at the hospital so that lapses like these never result in casualties for the patients.
Bolton’s model
I while working as doctor within Health and social care department analysed that there
are various cases of asthma patients within old age population and young adults with high
increase of pollution and nuclear gases being realised within air. I came across severe cases
where people are facing high breathing issues with asthma where more than 50 percent of people
are highly non immune with having a highly lethargic lifestyle (Eboli, Forciniti, and Mazzulla,
2018). There are cases of various people where they are non attentive to their healthcare needs,
not regular in their checkups with doctors which is negatively impacting their healthcare
functions. I felt that the health experts and doctors in local area should be highly present for
attentive needs of patients and be ready for advising them healthcare precautions, strong diet
measures and advise activities through which larger precautions can be taken at an early stage. I
analysed that for providing healthcare services better up-to patients needs and attentive desires
related to healthcare needs there need to be high diversification of knowledge created among
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society. I Plan to establish social campaigns and seminars to productively engage people
suffering from asthma to take care of their health and live highly active life with regular follow-
ups with doctors. These actions will enable people in getting strong treatments of asthma and
functionally bring forward various tools of medical knowledge among society through which
overall society aspects are developed among people. I feel that the asthma patients are highly
immune to breathing disorders and various health issues, which can be improved only with
proper care, nutrition and high precautions by healthcare experts.
Gibbs model
 Description: While working as health and social care expert i have come across various cases
where menstruation has been found among ladies as main problem among tribal ladies due to
non providence of proper facilities. Menstruation is being recognised as taboo among people
in villages and tribal areas where they are unknown to various health issues faced by people
which further impact their body internally (Fragkos, 2016).
 Feelings: I felt that as social and healthcare expert i should bring social campaigns to enlighten
tribal women about various measures and facilities which should be taken while menstruation
cycle. I felt that there needs to be knowledge spread among society strands to guide tribal
women about this, provide them with all necessary knowledge and medical facilities to be
taken care while this period.
 Evaluation: I evaluated the current situation among tribal society is highly drastic because of
misconceptions, menstruation being recognised as taboo and further these affects people
living standards with major internal issues.
 Analysis: I as social healthcare expert analysed that tribal women should be enlightened on these
issues so that they feel more comfortable and confident to share their issues, take medical help
and associate professional help on severe issues.
 Conclusion: I as social healthcare expert conclude on my investigation among tribal areas that
menstruation taboo is being recognised as serious problem by women, which need to be given
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enlightenment by conducting social healthcare campaigns and checkups (Horton-Deutsch and
Sherwood, 2017).
 Action plan: I will conduct social healthcare campaigns among tribal people in villages, bring
forward theirs issues of discomfort from menstruation and provide various safety measures
while they face problems and functional assistance by experts under my supervision.
Kolb’s reflective model
 Concrete experience: I while working as social and healthcare expert went into tribal areas
where I recognized people to not have proper medical facilities, aged people are highly
suffering various health issues of breathing which is affecting various parameters in
enabling them to lead comfortable life.
 Reflective observation: I observed that rural and tribal areas are highly differentiated from social
wellness standards, where the discomfort and functional efficiency among healthcare
services are highly uncommon for people to find. There are no proper funds and financial
resources through which they can take helps of doctors, and areas with nil hospitals and
social care centers have made system more highly uncomfortable and problematic
(Howatson-Jones, 2016).
 Abstract conceptualization: The concept enlightened my knowledge as social health care
provider of various services I should take assistance of local government for bringing
forward various healthcare services among tribal areas.
 Active experimentation: I will make active steps forward by bringing people closer to medical
importance among tribal areas, functionally engaging old people in checkups by doctors and
provide them with free healthcare services for all major health issues. Active participation
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will enable them to take proper healthcare measures and neglect any sort of negligence in
taking help from doctors and in medical checkups may negatively impact their body.
Schon reflective model:
 Reflection in action (at the time of event is happening): I while working as health and social care
expert experienced various cases of people suffering from anxiety issues, large depression
periods in their lives which has been reportedly affecting their health highly. I analyzed that
this problem is being faced by people due to lethargic lifestyle, less openness to outdoor
activities of sports and addiction to unethical practices such as smoking, gambling among
adults. I decided that people should attend counseling sessions and share their mental issues
so as to find getaways by doctors, healthcare experts where people will be encouraged to
share their worries and addiction issues with therapists and professional counselors
(Middleton, 2017).
 Reflection on action (after the event): From this experience I gained knowledge on various
aspects of mental health, how continuous depression can bring remorse in live periods and
highly demoralize people. I gained expertise from my colleagues working as social
healthcare servicer along me that counseling will enable people to gain knowledge on
various productive arenas and therapy sessions will effectively build various parameters
through which depression problems can be lowered effectively for longer periods. Mental
health is being recognized as major health issue which needs to be attended by doctors
services, natural therapy sessions and involving individuals in their passionate activities.
Rolfe’s reflective model:
I while working as social health care service provider came across case of a lady patient
suffering from schizophrenia where the patient is highly facing various anxiety issues and is
non functional to come over the disease side effects. She is facing high depression problems,
long periods of turmoil and functional inefficiency to come up with the depression and she is
often found recalling past actions with her family and friends. I while working as health and
social acre service provider found that she needs to be given counselling sessions, and
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therapies to bring her out of this. This case gave me knowledge how mental health is serious
issue and aged people if not provided with care and proper diet may face various side effects
from this. I gained various knowledge from this case and i further provided aid to people
through therapy sessions, medical support and counselling (Myszkowski, Storme and Tavani,
2019). While this case was my first client and patient suffering from mental health issue, i
developed knowledge of how it becomes big problem when not attended by professional
doctor, psychiatrist who are well experienced of such cases. There has been high
development found in behaviour of that lady when provided proper treatment as i further
checked while my visits. The lady is recovering well and medical help being provided to
them as the period of recovery can have long term impact on her mental health only when
she is taking proper medicines.
Greenaway’s model of reflection:
While working as social health care provider by NHS i was sent for treatment of a
pregnant lady who is suffering large physical issues and has been found to be addicted to alcohol
and smoking for her larger period of time in her life as single . I found that while treating her she
is facing huge anxiety issues, depression and remorse which has been largely found to be the side
effects from her past addiction habits. I found that many times she is not going for regular
checkups too for tests and has been highly neglecting the healthcare which may highly affect her
delivery during birth of child. I reviewed her medical history and prescribed her natural therapies
and counselling sessions through which she can come out of addiction, pay attention towards her
health and function well with high positive medical assistance. I planned that her case should be
more supervised by senior doctors and assistants where they will plan her further recovery plans
so that pregnancy is smoothen. I while working with that lady she in later periods left the
addiction of drinking and smoking and under was full supervision by doctors and healthcare
service providers. This case motivated me to take more cases of pregnancies where female
healthcare is highly an important issue which people are highly being ignoring with fundamental
time period. I further met her for various counselling sessions where she had shown good
recovery from initial phase and has been keeping up with the medicines as prescribed by doctors
and have been practising yoga, walking for regular periods (Nicol and Dosser, 2016).
Gibb’s reflective model:
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 Description: I while working as social healthcare service provider came across case of small kid
having autism where he was facing various issues to communicate effectively in proper
language and to walk properly physically as he is having flat feet issue also. Many times the
child faces problem is communicating with teachers and fellow friends, which affects his
morale to continue studying in school. This problem has been also highly affecting the medical
association with doctors as he is being rigid to take proper therapies.
 Feelings: I while working as health and social care service provider emerged from the fact that
autism is strongly affecting people morale levels if proper action not taken with medical
assistance.
 Evaluation: I while evaluating this case of autism found that the child needs to take therapy
sessions to come out of autism, take counseling sessions and parents love and care will work as
an effective element for further recovery.
 Conclusion: I concluded from this case that autism disease can be effectively treated with
mutual support from family side of patient and medical help by doctors, healthcare experts and
I being working as healthcare service provider by NHS will effectively look after it.
 Action plan: My action plan for this patient will be engaging him in therapy sessions,
prescribing him proper medical facilities and friendly environment for treatments so that he
gets confidence and comes out of trauma (Sanders, 2017).
Schon reflective model:
Reflection on time: I while working as health and service care provider found a case of patient
suffering from thyroid and high obesity problem because of high weight and lethargic lifestyle
where he was not working for most life periods. The patient needed to get active lifestyle,
prescription of strong natural medication and health services providers’ assistance to cover
various health problems and reduce obesity
Reflection on action: I while working as social health care service provider worked towards this
patient helped him with proper, medical history analysis and proper treatment of obesity for
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coming out of thyroid. This patient needs to be given strong care and i advised him with regular
exercises and proper nutritious diet chart through which he comes out of obesity effectively and
do not get more addicted to lethargic lifestyle.
2.3 Contribution of Class-Based Learning in Work Setting
Throughout my academic healthcare studies through the class based learning approach, I
was taught about the importance of a healthcare professional or nurse, respecting the opinions
and views of the patients and their preferences in the healthcare plan designed to provide the
patients with effective healthcare relevant to their condition. Though I found this emphasis on
importance of paying respect to the preferences and views of patients to be self-explanatoryin the
class, only in my professional workplace setting do I realise the immense importance of what
was taught to me through the class based learning. In my professional work setting it is legally
mandated for me to procure the consent of patients relating to the healthcare treatment being
provided to them and respect their views and preferences.
3.1 Benefits of Reflective Practice in Healthcare
Reflective practise in healthcare setting is of immense importance as it allows one to
identify and assess their own strengths and weakness, which can be addressed to enhance the
development of the individual both personally and professionally (Lovejoy, 2018). Reflective
practise has highlighted to me that my management and time management skills and adequate
and strengthen my abilities in healthcare, while reflective practise has also showcased that
improvement in my communication skills can help to grow and develop personally and in
healthcare profession.
3.2 Benefits of Reflective Record
Keeping a healthcare reflective record at work that details the reflections of past
healthcare experiences is also of immense importance with the intention to providing the highest
standards of healthcare services to patients in a timely manner. When I was being trained by my
superiors at the start of my own healthcare profession, we had to deliver a baby who was being
born prematurely. This baby was born still but my superior was experienced of handling the
situation and was able to resuscitate the baby to the relief of everyone involved (Lovejoy, 2019).
I reflected on this experience and kept the journal at my workplace, which proved to be
lifesaving effort, when I too faced the same delivery complication with a patient later in my
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career and was able to use the reflective record to guide me to successful resuscitation of the still
born baby.
CONCLUSION
There are various models of innovation and reflective use of technology framework in
today’s digital media usage where health and social care assessment is highly important topic
worldwide. This report concludes the various parameters of various cases by health and service
care provider where people are facing high health issues with strong time periods. Report
concludes how doctors and healthcare service providers play an important role in enabling
people live healthy life.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Allsop, J., 2018. Health policy and the NHS: towards 2000. Routledge.
Arnold, E.C. and Boggs, K.U., 2019. Interpersonal Relationships E-Book: Professional
Communication Skills for Nurses. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Dykes, J. and Meyer, M., 2018. Reflection on reflection in design study. arXiv preprint
arXiv:1809.09417.
Eboli, L., Forciniti, C. and Mazzulla, G., 2018. Formative and reflective measurement models for
analysing transit service quality. Public Transport. 10(1). pp.107-127.
Engel, J.D., and et.al., 2017. Narrative in health care: Healing patients, practitioners,
profession, and community. CRC Press.
Fragkos, K.C., 2016. Reflective practice in healthcare education: an umbrella review. Education
Sciences. 6(3). p.27.
Ham, C., Berwick, D. and Dixon, J., 2016. Improving quality in the English NHS. London: The
King's Fund.
Horton-Deutsch, S. and Sherwood, G.D., 2017. Reflective practice: Transforming education and
improving outcomes (Vol. 2). Sigma Theta Tau.
Howatson-Jones, L., 2016. Reflective practice in nursing. Learning Matters.
Lovejoy, C., 2018. The benefits of reflection and role models in learning medicine: An interview
with Dr Paquita De Zulueta. Camb Med J, pp.1-3.
Lovejoy, C., 2019. The benefits of reflection and role models in learning medicine. benefits.
Meyer, M., Dykes, J. and Tory, M., 2018. Reflection on reflection in applied visualization
research. IEEE computer graphics and applications.38(6). pp.9-16.
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Middleton, R., 2017. Critical reflection: the struggle of a practice developer.
Myszkowski, N., Storme, M. and Tavani, J.L., 2019. Are reflective models appropriate for very
short scales? Proofs of concept of formative models using the Ten‐Item Personality
Inventory. Journal of personality, 87(2), pp.363-372.
Nicol, J.S. and Dosser, I., 2016. Understanding reflective practice. Nursing Standard (2014+).
30(36). p.34.
Pollock, A.M. and Roderick, P., 2018. Why we should be concerned about accountable care
organisations in England’s NHS. Bmj. 360. p.k343.
Sanders, C., 2017. Student engagement and post-college outcomes: A comparison of formative
and reflective models.
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