Sunday, 30 March 2014

Structure of organisations in the health sector

NHS
The professional that holds the highest role in the NHS is the The Secretary of State for Health - their job is to ensure that the structure is functioning smoothly to meet the patients' needs. The Department of Health is next in line where they have to make sure that the health and social care systems are work efficiently. NHS England work closely with the government and they try to come up with new ways to improve the health of the public, such as producing national campaigns to influence the public. Clinical commissioning groups (CCG) are the responsibility to make sure the budget is being spent wisely. All GP's are part of a CCG. Public Health England (PHE) is an organisation that is newly created and their role is to work with local governments to develop campaigns to benefit the public's health. (1)

View large version of the new NHS structure graphic(1)
Primary Care Trusts
This organisation was created to make it easier for the public to come in contact with health and social care professionals - this includes, dentists, GP's, walk in centres and pharmacists. They worked alongside the local authority to make sure that the provisions provided for the public was efficient in meeting their needs and that there were enough services available for the public. The Primary Care Trusts were the ones who made it possible for health and social care systems working together. (2)

Strategic Health Authorities 
This organisation was created by the government to manage local NHS hospitals. They had the responsibility of improving the local health services, increase the capacity so they can help more people and ensuring that national campaigns are involved in local health services. (2)

Hospital Wards
For each hospital wards there will always be a number of professionals present keeping check of the patients residing there. There is always a consultant who is responsible for a patient's medical care; they talk with the patient about their condition and what treatment options are available for them. A group of doctors work with the consultant to provide any help needed for the patient. There are senior nurses who are responsible for a number of wards and help patients when there are no other member of staff to help.There are matrons there to ensure the safety of the patients. A ward sister is in charge of a ward and is there to help with any problems that may arise. Each patient will be assigned a staff nurse who is responsible for that patient alone but may receive assistance from other nurses. A ward housekeeper is in charge in keeping the wards clean and making sure it is a sanitary place for the patients. (3)

Legislations relating to health
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
This legislation was created to ensure the safety of employees and service users in their workplace by taking out extra precautions within the workplace so no one gets hurt. For example, placing wet floor signs on the floor so people know to be careful when walking as they could slip and hurt themselves. (4)

RIDDOR 1995
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) protects our health as if an injury takes place in the workplace then it has to be reported in the accident book and so employers can check it to see what precautions they need to put in place to ensure that it does not happen again. For example, if an employee hurts their back by lifting something that was too heavy for them to carry then it will be reported in the book so the employers know that equipment will be required so no one else gets hurt. (5)

Multi-disciplinary Working
multi-disciplinary working is when different healthcare professionals work together in a team to help patients. The reason why this is needed is because each professional can bring a new set of skills to the team and so they all can contribute to help promote the health of the patient. What healthcare professionals work together depends on what type of care the patient needs. For example, if there was a patient receiving treatment for cancer then the professionals that would be involved are: oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, nurses and GPs. (6)

The most well known multidisciplinary team are the community mental health team (CMHT), the professionals that work together to help treat mental health patients are psychiatrists, social workers, occupational therapists and psychologists. (7)

Bibliography 
1 NHS [2013] The NHS in England Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/about/Pages/nhsstructure.aspx Date Accessed: 29th March 2014
2 NHS [2013] The NHS in England Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/about/Pages/authoritiesandtrusts.aspx Date Accessed: 30th March 2014
3 NHS [2013] Staff on the ward Available at: http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/PatientsAndVisitors/Yourstayinhospital/Staffontheward.aspx Date Accessed: 30th March 2014
4 Unknown [2014] Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Available at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37 Date Accessed: 30th March 2014
5 Unknown [2013] RIDDOR Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/ Date Accessed: 30th March 2014
6 Unknown [2014] Multidisciplinary Teams Available at: http://www.health.nt.gov.au/Cancer_Services/CanNET_NT/Multidisciplinary_Teams/index.aspx Date Accessed: 30th March 2014
7 Unknown [2014] Multidisciplinary Teams Available at: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/2008/06/19/multidisciplinary-teams/#.UzhanvldV1N Date Accessed: 30th March 2014

Saturday, 29 March 2014

Careers in the Health Sector
  
Mental Health
A psychiatrist works with mental health patients; they assess and diagnose patients with mental health disorders. They usually work with a team, such as: nurses, social workers and occupational therapists. Within this team, the psychiatrist discusses the needs for the individual and how they plan on meeting them - they have regular meetings regarding the mental health of an individual. (1)

To become a psychiatrist you will need an undergraduate degree in a social science such as sociology, psychology or health science - life sciences such as biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology can help also. After receiving your undergraduate degree, you will need to apply to a graduate school and then medical school. After medical school you will need to work in an inpatient clinic. You will then be licensed to practice as a psychiatrist. (2)

A psychiatrist will need to have excellent listening skills as they are required to listen to their patient talking about how they feel. As they will have to work within a team of professionals, they need to know how to communicate effectively within the group as how to contribute. They need to enjoy working with other people and have the ability to solve difficult problems that their patients may be feeling. (3)

A psychiatrists has very serious roles to carry out. For instance, to objectively examine a patient without showing any bias. They also have the responsibility to prescribe and administer psychological treatment. They have the role of a team worker also as they cannot treat a patient alone. They have to ensure that they do not share patient's information with any professionals that do not need to know. Another responsibility they have is to produce a care plan that fits the individual and meets their needs. (4)

Midwifery
A midwife's job is to provide support for a pregnant women before and after giving birth. They can work in a range of settings, such as hospitals, homes, GP surgeries and children centres. (5)

The basic GCSEs required to apply for a pre-registration midwife degress are at least 5 GCSEs with a grade C and above in English literature and language and Science. You will also need 2 or 3 A-levels with this equivalent. (6)

Midwives have a caring nature and are able to work with people from different backgrounds and with different situations. They need to be able to think independently and have excellent observation skills. They also need to be patient and be able to remain calm in stressful situations. (7)

Midwives are responsible for the care of the mother and baby. They have to be able to monitor and examine the mother during pregnancy and develop a care plan for them which they will need to evaluate later on. They also work closely with their mother's family members to get them to provide support for her at home. As she is giving birth, the midwife needs to check the condition of the baby and to take care of it during the first few days while the mother rests. (8)

Nursing
To become a nurse you need to get a degree in nursing so you can be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. You will need the same qualifications as a midwife - at least 5 GCSEs with a grade C and above in English Literature, language and science. And at least 2 or 3 A Levels depending on the university. (9)

Nurses need to enjoy working with people and be effective with communicating and listening. It is their job to help calm down patients that may be scared or angry and to not be judemental towards people of a different background to them. Nurses also need to learn how to work in a team as there will be other professionals they will need to talk to, for instance doctors, pharmacists and physiotherapists.(10)

Paramedics 
Paramedics are responsible for treating patients in am emergency situation; they may work alone or with a team of professionals like emergency care assistant or an ambulance technician. They all work together to assess the patient's problem and treat it using the equipment they carry in the ambulance, for example: defibrillators and IV drips. (11)

There are two ways to become a paramedic; one is to take a course in paramedic science at university and the other way is to apply as a student paramedic in an ambulance trust where you will be given training. Whatever course you choose it must be approved by the Health and Care Professions Council. Training can take up to 5 years to complete. (12)

To become a paramedic you need to have a helpful and caring attitude. You need to work well in a team and accept responsibility. They need good communication skills, both verbally and non-verbally. They have to be able to remain calm in stressful environments. They need to be physically fit and active.
They also need a clean driving license for at least a year and they cannot hold a criminal record. (12)

Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy helps the elderly, disabled and injured with their movement. Physiotherapists can work in a range of different environments, such as mental health, intensive care, elderly, paediatricians, sports and long term conditions. (13)

The qualifications needed to become a physiotherapists are at least five GCSEs from grades A - C in English, Maths, Science and language. (14)

As physiotherapists have to work with people who may be reluctant to cooperate, they have to be firm whilst also being sympathetic. Physiotherapists also need to be skilled at report writing, listening to patients and being encouraging to them. (15)

A doctor normally refers a patient to a physiotherapist if they have a problem with their muscles or limbs. Most patients are normally injured from a sports or work-related injury. They will first conduct an initial assessment on the patient where they examine their muscles and limbs. They then produce an exercise plan to help them strengthen their muscles again. The patient may also be given equipment such as crutches or wheelchairs. (15)


Bibliography
1 Dr. P. Timms [2013] What to expect of your psychiatrists in the UK? Available at: http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/treatmentswellbeing/psychiatristswhattoexpect.aspx Date Accessed: 21st March 2014
2 K. Cherry [2014] How to become a psychiatrist Available at: http://psychology.about.com/od/getajobinpsychology/tp/how-to-become-a-psychiatrist.htm Date Accessed: 21st March 2014
3 Unknown [2014] Why become a psychiatrist? Available at: http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/training/careersinpsychiatry/careerbooklet.aspx Date Accessed: 27th March 2014
4 Unknown [2013] Psychiatrist Available at: http://job-descriptions.careerplanner.com/psychiatrists.cfm Date Accessed: 27th March 2014
5 NHS [2014] Midwifery Available at: http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/midwifery/ Date Accessed: 28th March 2014
6 NHS [2014] Midwifery - entry requirements Available at: http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/midwifery/entry-requirements/ Date Accessed: 28th March 2014
7 Unknown [2013] Midwife Available at: http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/midwife Date Accessed: 28th March 2014
8 AGCAS [2012] Midwife Available at: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/midwife_job_description.htm Date Accessed: 28th March 2014
9 NHS [2014] Nursing Available at: http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/nursing/entry-requirements/ Date Accessed: 28th March 2014
10 NHS [2014] Nursing Available at: http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/nursing/skills-required/ Date Accessed: 28th March 2014
11 NHS [2014] Paramedic Available at: http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/ambulance-service-team/careers-in-the-ambulance-service/paramedic/ Date Accessed: 28th March 2014
12 H. Meyer [2012] Paramedic Available at: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/paramedic_entry_requirements.htm Date Accessed: 28th March 2014
13 NHS [2012] Physiotherapy Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Physiotherapy/Pages/Introduction.aspx Date Accessed: 29th March 2014
14 NHS [2014] Entry requirements and training for physiotherapy Available at: http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/allied-health-professions/careers-in-the-allied-health-professions/physiotherapist/entry-and-training/ Date Accessed: 29th March 2014
15 Unknown [2013] Physiotherapist Available at: http://www.careerdirections.ie/ShowJobFull.aspx?job_id=191 Date Accessed: 29th March 2014