Care planning survey launched

Survey launched in response to growing concern over 2010 target for care planning

A survey is underway to find out what progress has been made to achieve the Government’s target for care plans for people with long-term conditions. National Voices, the organisation representing users of health and social care in England, and the Royal College of Nursing, will also establish what is happening on the ground for patients, and their views on progress being made on care plans.

The Government has stated that by 2010 everyone with a long-term condition should be offered a care plan. The survey will find out how many people with a long-term condition either currently have a care plan, or have been offered one.
Care planning has three main aims: to improve efficiency and coordination among health and social services; improve the patient experience of these services; and improve patients' health outcomes.

Mark Platt, Director of Policy and Public Affairs National Voices said: “Effective care planning, is the key to ensuring that people are fully involved in their treatment and are able to make choices about how and where they are treated. In a time of economic downturn, care plans are also fundamental to delivering services that match need and therefore ensuring that health services are delivered cost-effectively.”

Commenting on the launch of the survey, Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing said:

“When a patient is diagnosed or living with a long-term condition, they need to have a clear understanding of what support they can expect, as well as having the opportunity to make informed choices about their own care. This includes all of the care on offer from hospital, community and social care services. Nurses are at the forefront of delivering high quality care, so this survey is vital in demonstrating how patients are best served as part of the care planning process.”

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Notes to Editors

1. The Government has committed that by 2010, everyone with a long-term condition should be offered a care plan. This survey defines a 'care plan' as a form of patient-friendly 'roadmap' that records the treatment and social support that a person with a long-term illness needs. Care planning is meant to be done in consultation with the patient. The care planning process is also intended to be flexible, adapting to any changes in the patient's personal circumstances.

2. Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.
3. National Voices is the new umbrella organisation established by and for the national voluntary organisations representing users of health and social care in England to give them a stronger voice in policy-making. National Voices works with policy-makers in Westminster and Whitehall to make sure that the voices of patients, carers and service users are heard and that their diverse needs and preferences are genuinely placed at the heart of policy development. In doing this National Voices will ensure that the views of the people who use health and social care services are heard by the people who shape and provide those services.

For further information please contact:

Julian Tyndale-Biscoe, InHealth Communications, on 07882 985597 (julian.tb@inhealthcomms.com)

RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media