In an effort to address the NHS's growing waiting lists, care workers will soon receive training to conduct routine health checks, such as blood pressure assessments. This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at reducing unnecessary visits to doctors and enhancing access to essential health services. The announcement was made in light of ongoing concerns over the backlog of cases within the National Health Service.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting detailed that this transformative approach will allow care staff to deliver essential health interventions, including wound care and insulin administration for diabetic patients. The initiative also seeks to support individuals with mental health challenges in managing their care plans. "Patients won't be forced to repeat themselves over and over again, staff will be equipped to deliver the best possible care and it will help free up hospital beds," Streeting stated, underlining the potential benefits of this arrangement.
These developments form part of a comprehensive reform package for adult social care, which is expected to be unveiled in greater detail in the coming days. Central to these reforms is the intention to establish national standards and guidelines for care managers to facilitate investment in advanced technologies that can elevate patient care.
An essential feature of this reform is the creation of a digital platform aimed at enhancing data sharing between social care, general practitioners (GPs), and hospitals. The government anticipates that by 2029, all care providers will be fully digitised, thus ensuring seamless access to complete medical information for healthcare professionals. "There is a revolution taking place in health and care technology, and this government is reforming social care so disabled and older people benefit from the latest cutting-edge tech," Streeting noted.
The initiative not only aims to tackle NHS waiting lists but is also aligned with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's 'Plan for Change,' which includes a commitment that 92 per cent of patients should not wait longer than 18 weeks for elective treatments by 2029. However, the Prime Minister has faced criticism for a perceived lack of action regarding the social care crisis during his government's initial six months in office.
Furthermore, technology is poised to play a pivotal role in the proposed health reforms. The government plans to create what has been termed a 'digital NHS,' enabling various health services to share patient data more effectively, thereby minimising waste.
Dr Vin Diwakar, the national director of transformation at NHS England, affirmed that research indicates "digitising social care and linking up records enables people to live independently for longer." He added that such advancements will free up staff from routine administrative tasks, allowing them to focus more on direct patient care.
Procurement processes within the NHS will also be adapted to improve the quality of care within care homes, particularly through the use of sensor-based technologies aimed at preventing patient falls. This initiative is expected to allow individuals to maintain independence while ensuring families have access to updated information regarding the safest products available in the market.
The overall emphasis on training care workers, expanding access to digital technologies, and improving procurement strategies is indicative of a significant shift in how social care and health services aim to function collaboratively to benefit patients and health professionals alike.
Source: Noah Wire Services