National health and care standards: consultation analysis

4. Views on proposed Standard 1:I experience high quality care and support that is right for me.

Background

The first four Standards are relevant to everyone. They are based on human rights and the wellbeing of people using services. The Standards set out what people should expect when using a care service and are intended to help them understand what high-quality care looks like. The Standards fit with other guidelines and professional codes of practice.

Question 3: To what extent do you think this Standard describes what people should expect to experience from health, care and social work services?

4.1 401 (91%) respondents to the full consultation and 59 (100%) respondents to the easy-read consultation answered this question.

4.2 Table 3 in Annex 1 shows views by category of respondent to the full consultation. Table 4.1 below summarises these views.

Table 4.1: Views on the extent to which Standard 1 describes what people should expect to experience from health, care and social work services: full consultation

*Percentages may not total 100% exactly due to rounding.

4.3 89% of those who provided a view strongly agreed or agreed that Standard 1 describes what people should expect to experience from health, care and social work services. Individual respondents expressed stronger support than organisations with 60% of the former, compared with 34% of the latter, strongly agreeing with the statement. Relatively few (4%) respondents disagreed.

4.4 Service users were amongst those most strongly supporting the statement with 66% of those responding to this question strongly agreeing that Standard 1 describes what people should expect to experience from health, care and social work services, compared with 46% strongly supporting the statement overall.

4.5 Views of those responding to the easy-read version of the consultation are summarised in Table 4.2.

Table 4.2: Views on the extent to which Standard 1 describes what people should expect to experience from health, care and social work services: easy-read consultation

4.6 All of the respondents who answered this question in the easy-read version of the consultation agreed a bit or agreed fully with Standard 1.

General views in favour of Standard 1

4.7 A few respondents expressed general views in support of Standard 1. The Standard was perceived to be thorough, comprehensive and detailed, whilst retaining clarity. The section on wellbeing was highlighted as particularly welcome; a few respondents identifying the statements for children in their early years as especially helpful. A small number of respondents praised what they perceived to be the focus on independent living.

Broad concerns about Standard 1

4.8 The meaning of the phrase "high quality" in the title of the Standard was considered to be subjective, with one respondent recommending deleting it from the title.

4.9 Four main concerns were raised about Standard 1:

• Standard 1 was seen to be aspirational rather than achievable and may raise unrealistic expectations. Not all of the statements were viewed as achievable in all settings (for example, secure accommodation).
• The Standard was considered by some to be too long, detailed and repetitive, with potential for editing and combining some of the statements.
• Some of the statements were viewed as being too specific and prescriptive.
• Some of the language was perceived to be too subjective ( e.g. "warmth"; "if possible"), which may present challenges to measurement of achievement, and will be open to different interpretations.

Summary of comments relating to each descriptive statement

4.10 More detailed comments were made relating to individual, descriptive statements and are summarised in Annex 2, Table 1.

Views on omissions from the Standard

4.11 The main omissions suggested were:

• Greater distinction made between care at home and care in other settings.
• Rights and views of wider families and carers, often unpaid.
• More emphasis on being listened to and responded to.
• Greater emphasis on making the information required for informed decisions, easily accessible.
• Needs reference to effective collaboration between organisations and professionals to ensure high quality, integrated care and support.
• Reference should be made to privacy and confidentiality concerns throughout.
• Maintaining relationships and social connections should be included.
• Study support and school liaison references are missing.