An article examined patient-reported access to English primary care for adults with and without physical disability. It said that adults with physical disability experienced worse physical access into primary care buildings than those without, and that access difficulties were associated with unmet healthcare need.
Source: Nicola Popplewell, Boika Rechel, and Gary Abel, 'How do adults with physical disability experience primary care? A nationwide cross-sectional survey of access among patients in England', BMJ Open, Volume 4 Issue 8
Links: Article
Date: 2014-Sep
An article examined the findings from research in south east England on the interactions between disabled forced migrants with care needs and professionals, as well as the legal, policy, and practice context within which the work took place. It said that the legal status of forced migrants had a significant effect on their entitlements and resulted in prolonged periods of destitution for many families. It discussed barriers to responding to care needs, including: national asylum support policies; difficult working relationships with the UK Border Agency; and higher eligibility thresholds and reduced social care budgets of local authorities. The article concluded that the research raised ethical issues for professionals and posed profound questions about whether and how policies, provision, and practice facilitated the meeting of the human rights of forced migrants with care needs.
Source: Gudbjorg Ottosdottir and Ruth Evans, 'Ethics of care in supporting disabled forced migrants: interactions with professionals and ethical dilemmas in health and social care in the south-east of England', British Journal of Social Work, Volume 44 Supplement 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Jun
A report examined the transitions of young people with complex physical health needs as they moved between children's and adults' health services. It said that there were examples of good practice, including consistency in staffing, the provision of adolescent clinics, good communication between the respective parties, and good information about the process. However, the report said that young people did not always receive the necessary care and support during the transition, and that it was made more difficult by issues such as a lack of early planning, insufficient consideration of the needs of carers, and failures to agree over responsibilities for funding. The report made recommendations.
Source: From the Pond into the Sea: Children's transition to adult health services, Care Quality Commission
Links: Report | Summary | CQC press release
Date: 2014-Jun