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The 'OK' Health Check David R. Matthews Now also available
as a fully computer based system with Health Action Plans and Health Care
Records
The Third Edition has been completely updated in response to the White Paper 'Valuing People', and ensures that care agencies meet the requirements of the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) by providing evidence that service users' health needs have been assessed and recognised. The NCSC requires that providers of care must be able to:- '... demonstrate that the healthcare needs of the service users are assessed and recognised and that procedures are in place to address them.' With the 'OK' Health Check in place you have the evidence at your fingertips! If you are developing Health Facilitation and Health Action Planning you cannot afford to be without The 'OK' Health Check. The 'OK' Health Check remains a simple to use, comprehensive system which collects the day-to-day observations of carers about the health of service users. It identifies health needs, staff training needs and many of the unhelpful practices in the care setting which might compromise health. It is an invaluable tool which provides a meaningful framework for health assessment and for training carers to fulfil their responsibilities in respect of health care. New Sections in this updated Third Edition: Health Facilitation For those NHS Trusts who are attempting to meet the demands of the 2001 White Paper and develop the new role of Health Facilitator there is a whole section with a specific model (see below), providing guidance on how they might best function, setting realistic priorities for positive health outcomes. The 'OK' Health Check is an effective tool on which to base their clinical role, providing a clear focus for providing training for carers and for managing important health data. Health Action Plans Health Action Plans are the vital key in making a difference to the health of service users. The 'OK' Health Check provides some valuable guidance on the process, showing how it can be developed simply as an integral part of Person Centred Planning. The brand new PC based version includes everything you need to develop and manage Health Action Plans and Health Care Records. The new PC Based version provides everything you need to implement, record and manage Health Action Plans. For a copy of the Health Facilitation Model on which the 'OK' Health Check is based - Click Here Choice and Consent Few topics of such importance are as misunderstood as choice and consent. The new third edition of the 'OK' Health Check includes a chapter which explores these issues in a practical way, using everyday language to help the Care Assistant/Support Worker understand their responsibilities for meeting their duty of care in a way which is legally, ethically and professionally considered. Improving Health Care for People with Learning Disabilities The 'OK' Health Check has been designed with the help of expert practitioners in the field of caring for people with learning disabilities. It has been in use across the UK since 1997, and is currently the best known comprehensive health assessment system available. It was specially designed to help recognise the health care problems of people with learning disabilities who live in community care settings. It is a comprehensive checklist system which allows carers to participate fully in assessing the health care needs of their clients. The information gathered from the 123 item checklist can be interpreted by the Registered Nurse or General Practitioner to identify health care needs and construct care plans to meet them. This approach to assessment is entirely new, drawing attention not only to the health care needs of the individual, but also to unhelpful care practices and inadequacies in the knowledge of the direct care staff, both of which are often a source of actual and potential health problems for clients. Equally importantly, the 'OK' Health Check can be used as a means of carrying out clinical audit, enabling carers to demonstrate that the assessment of needs is routinely carried out, and that there are outcomes in terms of care plans, staff training and a review of care practices. Details about the Author - David R. Matthews - Click here Independent Reviews of the OK Health Check The Nursing Times Autumn book review appeared in September 1998 and included an excellent independent review of the OK Health Check: Nursing Times, 9th September 1998, 94 (36), pages 64-65. A review was also published in the Journal of
Learning Disabilities, (Churchill Livingstone): Hunt, C., Wakefield, S., Hunt, G. (2001) Community Nurse Learning Disabilities: a case study of the use of a screening tool to identify and meet the health needs of people with learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities. 5 (1), 9 - 18. Howatson, J. (2005) Health action plans for people with learning disabilities. Nursing Standard, 19, 43, 51 – 57. To Purchase The 'OK' Health Check Order Direct from: Fairfield Publications, P.O. Box 310, Preston Central, PR1 9GH The 'OK' Health Check is produced as an Initial User Pack, consisting of a detailed user's guide complete with sufficient assessment materials to assess 5 clients, all contained in a robust, wipe clean binder. The User's Guide is issued with a unique User Registration No. which must be quoted on orders for replacement assessment materials. The initial order must include an Initial User Pack, thereafter users may purchase as many Client Assessment Materials as they wish. Initial User Pack - £50.00 (Not PC Version) Replacement/additional assessment materials - £3.00 each, sets of 10 - £25.00 Post and Packing - Orders £50 and under - P&P £3, Orders over £50 - P&P £5, Orders over £100 Post Free. Universities, NHS Trusts, Local Authorities and Independent Organisations etc may order on official documentation, an invoice will be issued for payment within 30 days. ORDER FORM An order Form is available on this site ready
for you to print out, complete and post. |
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