ACCESSING HEALTHCARE SERVICES FOR OLDER CARE HOME RESIDENTS

Today a short survey aimed at care home managers is being launched by the Older Peoples Specialists’ Forum (OPSF) with the aim of finding out about care homes’ experiences of accessing healthcare services for their older residents, including how much contact they have with specialist healthcare professionals. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is carrying out a review of how well the healthcare needs of care home residents are being met and is currently collecting data from Primary Care Trusts and Councils. Duncan Forsyth, Chair of OPSF said: “We would like to know what care home managers’ experiences are of accessing NHS services so that we can raise awareness of areas of concern. We will use the survey findings to drive improvements to the level of support the care home sector receives from the NHS and local authorities.” The survey can be completed online at www.bgs.org.uk (Select Care Home Managers'Survey) and all responses will be gratefully received. If you have any queries about completing the survey, please contact Mark Stewart on 020 7608 1369 or email committees@bgs.org.uk For further information or to interview Duncan Forsyth please contact Iona-Jane Harris on 020 7608 8573 or 07766 227724 or email press@bgs.org.uk Notes to Editors 1. The Older Peoples Specialists’ Forum (OPSF) is a group of healthcare professionals specialising in the care of older people. Its members include representatives from: The British Geriatrics Society, the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), the Department of Health, the National Association of Primary Care, the Society and College of Radiographers, the College of Occupational Therapists, the British Association of Art Therapists, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Royal College of Psychiatrists (Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry).

Tags: