We talk about the focus of a personal health budget (PHB) as a means to deliver on the personalisation agenda – well what do we mean by that?
There are lots of definitions out there – NHS Choices describes this as a choice as to how to meet an individual’s needs with a support plan to include what’s important to them, their interests, lifestyle, personal tastes and the people in their life, their hopes for the future, what limitations they have and what they want to change and achieve by managing their support plan and by writing their own outcomes and goals.
In July 2014, the NHS England chief executive, Simon Stevens, announced a new form of “radical, people powered commissioning of health and social care” including personal health budgets and integrated personal commissioning from April 2015 to bring together health and social care funding to enable individuals to have a say in how these funds are spent.
How can I improve someone’s health?
People want to know how their health might be improved by interventions that are not usually available on the NHS and to have more choice, control and flexibility. Many will be attracted to a PHB because it offers access to opportunities for care from a wider variety of providers. Evidence from several years of personal care in social care indicates that people with long-term physical and mental health conditions make innovative choices to help them manage and improve their lives.
Protecting a person’s human rights is even central to political debate, with a delay to David Cameron’s proposals to change the Human Right Act to a controversial bill of rights. The right to private and family life affords the right to develop your personality, have friendships and relationships and to participate in essential economic, social, cultural and recreational activities of the community, all of which follow a personalisation theme.
So, given this context, how do we as “enablers” of people in achieving their goals and personalised care plans, ensure we have the right tools to do this? How do we empower people to flourish?
Energise and flourish
I believe we need to question ourselves as to what our starting point is – for me it’s about having a core belief and value to realise our goals. Personally, I see that goal as to energise people to flourish. The Free Dictionary defines the word flourish as “to grow well”, “to do or fare well”, “to prosper”, “to be in a period of highest productivity, excellence, or influence” and “to make bold sweeping movements”.
Are you ready to enable people to flourish? To do this we need to be self-aware and possess an abundance of skills and attributes. To name but a few, we need to be strong in:
- Assessment – our ability to identify strengths, weaknesses and limitations and to be able to set a clear pathway for what needs improving and an ability to design these tailor made to the individual
- Understanding of the current situation – are they ready to do things differently, what support and networks do they have or need?
- Motivation – how can we use our knowledge and skills to influence to make a difference? How will we communicate the rewards and benefits, how can we be both directive and non-directive in a way which allows the person to recognise their hopes and wishes
- Focus – our ability to be able to set clear, realistic, defined, achievable and measurable goals
- Respect - to be courteous and conscious of diversity and culture and value others beliefs
- Collaborative – do we listen effectively or do we take command of the conversation? Do we build effective rapport and bonds?
- Empathy – can we bolster and develop ability in a compassionate and responsive manner?
- Commitment – do we achieve a standard of excellence?
- Initiative – are we ready to act and advocate? Can we take risks?
- Optimism – be aware of expectations, obstacles and setbacks in pursuit of collaborative goal setting.
- Flexible – it may not go to plan and we may need imagination and creativity!
- Conscientious - are we mindful and self-aware of our impact on others?
- Professional – accountability for the decisions we make
- Representational – our conduct and behaviours are a statement of our organisational reputation
- Trustworthy – is honest y and integrity part of our values?
- Advocacy – do we seek to always act in the persons best interest and on their behalf
- Review and feedback – can we give candid and authentic feedback?
And finally – the most precious resource – our full and un-divided attention!
So - are you ready?
The National Skills Academy for Health is working with Partner2Care and Skills for Health to develop an e-learning course to help professionals acquire the knowledge and thought processes they need to effectively discuss this as an option with patients. Click here to find out more
Content on this page is produced and paid for by Skills for Health, sponsor of the Guardian Healthcare Professionals Network’s workforce development hub
