UNSPECIFIED (2003) Social work in accident and emergency departments: A better deal for older patients' health? BRITISH JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK, 33 (6). pp. 787-802. ISSN 0045-3102

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Abstract

Well-established internationally, the current development of social work in UK accident and emergency (A&E) departments is part of a conjoint health/social care policy drive to divert older people from 'unnecessary' admission to acute hospital care on social grounds. However, from older service users' standpoint, the prime criterion for assessing A&E social work is not its powers of diversion, but its contribution to optimum health and social care. Our account indicates that A&E based social work can provide important benefits, including help with negotiating the A&E environment and readier access to social services. Nevertheless, continuing professional-service user power imbalances, together with shortages in health and social care services, undermine its positive contribution both within A&E and following discharge. Notably, underresourced community based health and social care can lead to services implemented through A&E, swiftly unravelling. This has serious consequences for older service users facing interlinked health and social problems, and may be implicated in re-attendance at AE.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
Journal or Publication Title:	BRITISH JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK
Publisher:	OXFORD UNIV PRESS
ISSN:	0045-3102
Date:	September 2003
Volume:	33
Number:	6
Number of Pages:	16
Page Range:	pp. 787-802
Publication Status:	Published
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/9260

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