This assignment will explore and develop a health profile of a community placement area. This will include a brief demographic and socio-economic overview and also recognise the health needs of this area, and discuss the services that are available to meet these health needs.
This community placement area is a small, historic market town in the county of Staffordshire. It is situated on the outskirts of Cannock Chase, and is located between Stafford, Cannock, Lichfield and Uttoxeter (Staffordshire County Council 1979).
The town is historically listed in the Doomsday book (Staffordshire County Council 1979). In the middle ages, this town was known for the iron workings and was also a site for glass manufacturing (British History Online 1959). In the 18th century the economy of this town was helped significantly by the building of the Trent and Mersey canal, which is 93.5 miles in length; this means of transport meant that the area could continue to thrive during the industrial revolution; it then became a junction on the railway network (British History Online 1959). After this time, in the 1950s, this area became the centre of industrial scale, deep shaft coal mining. The seams were much deeper than those in the south of Staffordshire, being around 490 metres deep compared to 290 metres in other areas. By the 1950s Cannock Chase were producing over 6 million tons of coal per year (Cannock Chase History 2018).
This rural town then became the home of two power plants, which were powered by fuel from the local mines; the town became a huge centre for generating electricity (Cannock Chase History 2018). The construction of these two developments led to the town growing at a vast rate and families moved to this area from around the
country to seek employment. This area is growing in size due to its accessibility to neighbouring towns and cities with a suitable public travel network; this area is seen as a more affordable area to live, compared to nearby towns and cities.
The demographic area of this town is a mixed community of ages and wealth; however its ethnicity remains largely white British. The Office of National Statistics (2018) shows that the number of White British is 97%, with a relatively even gender divide of 50.2% being male and 49.8% being female. Public Health England (2018) explains that the highest dominant age group that resides in the area is 40-54. The Office of National Statistics (2018) demonstrates a decrease of the younger age group in Cannock Chase by 2037, but a significant rise in the older population (Office of National Statistics 2018). As a previous mining town, the majority of the older generation are linked to the ex-mining communities. O’Connor (2013) indicates that this area has a reasonably high level of social deprivation, with substantial areas consisting of council or ex-council houses or former National Coal Board housing.
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Public Health England (2018) states that parts of the town are amongst some of the most deprived areas in England, scoring 20.9 on the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD, 2015); this is indicated into the lower 25th percentile of the population of the UK. In light of this, the areas bordering Cannock Chase are more prosperous (Kingdom & Midlands 2018). Department of Work and Pensions (2018) state that this area is slightly over the national average at 14.7% on claiming benefits, whereas the national average for England is 13.5%. This can often be a positive sign of the affluence of the town and give an idea to residents of how hard it would be to gain employment in the area (I Live Here 2018).
I Live Here (2018) state that social grade is a classification based on occupation and it enables a household and all its occupants to be classified according to the job of the main income earner. This area has 20% less residents in higher paid employment which include; managerial, administrative or professionals, in comparison to the national average.
It is deemed that 11.8% of households in Cannock Chase were to be in fuel poverty in 2011 which was above the England average of 10.9% (Census Table 2011). Across the UK 913,138 people were supported by foodbanks establishments by the Trussel Trust in 2013-2014 (The Trussell Trust 2018). The Cannock and District Foodbank was launched in October 2012. Between 2013 and 2014 the foodbank collected 36,299kg of food donated by the local community (Cannock and District Foodbank 2018). More than 34,500kg of food was distributed during this period, with 2,608 adults and 1,292 children served with food parcels. Cannock and District Foodbank (2018) states that the key reasons for people being referred to the Foodbank include changes and delays to the welfare benefits, low income and debt. 200 people who received food vouchers from local providers were unemployed, with at least 110 without a fixed abode (District Needs Analysis 2018).
Life expectancy for men in this area is 79 years, which is comparable to the national average, while women it is 83 years which is lower than the national average by eight months (Cannock Chase 2018). Approximately 1,300 patients die every year with the highest causes being circulatory disease (29%), cancer (27%) and respiratory disease (14 %) (Cannock Chase 2018). These statistics are similar to the
national average. GP practices in this area report that at least one in four people have a long term condition, with one tenth of the population having multiple long term conditions (District Needs Analysis 2018). Around a third of these patients with a long term condition are also overweight, around 14 % are smokers and 19 % ex-smokers. The percentage of patients with multiple long term conditions is more dominant in patients over the age of 65; this number is also predicted to increase (District Needs Analysis 2018).
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GP practices hold QOF registers (Quality and Outcomes Framework) and these indicate that 16.3 % of patients have hypertension, 7.6% of adults have depression, 7.2% have diabetes, 5.7% have asthma, 4.1% have Coronary Heart Disease and 4% Chronic Kidney Disease. These percentages are lower than the national average. (Cannock Chase 2018) This area is known to have the most diabetic patients in the county (District Needs Analysis 2018). This could reflect on the reality that this area is known for having a high number of convenience food stores and public houses in the town, and they are very easy to access. This town is on the doorstep to Cannock Chase which opens up ampoules of opportunity for physical activity. Cannock Chase, is an area of outstanding beauty, has excellent bike trails, woodland walks (Cannock Chase Forest England, 2018). The Royal College of General Practitioners and ParkRun UK have introduced a positive initiative that could see thousands of patients being ‘prescribed’ outdoor physical activity rather than medication (RCGP 2018). The local GP network has taken this on board and is now encouraging patients to access this as they are free, 5km events that take place every Saturday morning all year round, patients can complete this in their own time. It is run by volunteers and has a positive social element as well as the health benefits. Each event is coordinated entirely by local volunteers and they are accessible for people of all ages and abilities (Park Run 2018). The initiative is to help improve the health and wellbeing of health care staff, patients and carers, reducing the need for lifelong medication (RCGP 2018). This area also has a several leisure facilities, one including a swimming pool and offers different leisure activities (Rugeley Leisure Centre 2018). Patients also have access to several weight loss clubs which are available throughout the week (Slimming World 2018).
The local GP network is made up of five GP practices and two of these are health centres that other services can utilise. The main health centre in this placement area has two GP surgeries and also offers other services from the primary care providers including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, community diabetes team and dentist. The District Nursing team for the area is also based here and provide a 24 hour service. This service has recently changed and is now under Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust (MPFT) and is a team of 21 staff members which includes a Team Leader, Registered Nurses, Health Care Support Workers, Phlebotomist and an Administrative Assistant. As of August 2018 they hold a caseload of 612 patients. For the past 12 months the District Nursing Team has piloted a new scheme called the ‘Total Wound Initiative’. This scheme enables the team to keep stock of Wound care products that are on the trust formulary. These products are ordered by the team as required via an Online Non Prescription Ordering Service (ONPOS). This enables the team to gain access to the dressings for patients that same day without having to wait for a prescription from a GP then also having to wait for the pharmacy to order the dressings and wait for them to be delivered. This new scheme allows more effective and efficient patient care as they are accessing the appropriate product for their wounds straight away, enabling faster healing rates. This scheme has shown that it hasn’t only improved quality of care but has reduced wastage of dressings and in turn reduced cost. This scheme has shown overwhelming positive feedback and is now being rolled out to other neighbouring teams to practice.
The GP network have commenced a recently new project with the local surgeries in that the Community Intervention Service (CIS) are allocated to one of residential homes in the town. They telephone the residential home each day to see if there are any patients that need assessing. CIS then visit the patients if required; this is to help reduce hospital admissions and GP visits as they utilise Independent prescribers within their team.
During 2015 there were around 360 people on the palliative care registers across this district, making up to 0.3 % of the population. As part of the District Nursing caseload, they work closely with St Giles Hospice who also offer Bereavement help points in the area. If residents are experiencing or have experienced bereavement (regardless of how long), they are made welcome at one of their weekly sessions. There will be information on coping with both the practical and emotional aspects of losing a relative or friend, a chance to chat over a cup of tea with one of their support volunteers and perhaps meet others in a similar situation (St Giles 2018).
This town has an ageing population and has many groups for the retired residents. One group being the Phoenix activities club and the club is now in its 23rd year. They have progressed from a handful of members to approximately 500 members attending a comprehensive range of physical and social activities (Rugeley Phoenix 2018). This group is mainly aimed at the retired age group who are still actively minded (Rugeley Phoenix 2018). They host a wide range of activities from walking groups to knitting groups and provide something for the community a couple of times a week, so there is something for everyone at a small fee. The group has recently received lottery funding which has allowed them to continue to extend their activities. Age UK host a chair based exercise class three times a week which is held at the local leisure centre (Cannock Chase 2018). Further services include careers advice for 16-25 year olds, craft classes, Tai chi classes, book clubs to name but a few. These can all be accessed online via the Cannock Chase website (Cannock Chase 2018).
In conclusion, due to the history and work force of this small town, it is found to have an ageing deprived population. There is a large population of this age group with chronic diseases and high percentages have multiple conditions which can be complex to manage at times. These conditions are hypertension, diabetes and respiratory conditions. The respiratory conditions in this area have been primarily linked to the mining industry, and the management of long term conditions is a big part of the Community Nursing team’s role. It is important to educate the public and make them aware of the medical problems that are prevalent in this area. It is important to promote self-care and educate how the population can prevent these chronic illnesses from developing and to inform the older population of the services that are available to them in order to improve their care and quality of life.
References
- British History Online (1959). A History of the County of Stafford. Retrieved August 18th, 2018, from www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/staffs/vol5/pp149-162
- Cannock and District Foodbank (2018). Helping Local People in a Crisis. Retrieved August 30th, 2018, from https://cannockdistrict.foodbank.org.uk/
- Cannock Chase District Council (2017). District Needs Analysis 2017. Retrieved August 18th, 2018, from https://www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/sites/default/files/05district_needs_analysis_and_ward_profiles_2017_rpt_-_cabinet_150617.pdf
- Cannock Chase District Council (2018). Activities. Retrieved August 30th, 2018, from https://www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/content-z-tags/activities
- Cannock Chase History (2018). Retrieved 18th August, 2018 ,from https://www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/custom/history.html
- English Indices of Deprivation 2015 – GOV.UK. (2017). Gov.uk. Retrieved 20th, August 2018, from https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-indices-of-deprivation-2015
- I live here (2018) Retrieved August 20th, 2018, from https://www.ilivehere.co.uk/statastics-rugeley-staffordshire-33040.html
- Kingdom, U. & Midlands, W. (2018). Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information. Retrieved August 20th, 2018, from http://www.citypopulation.info/php/uk-england-westmidlands.php?cityid=E34002554
- O’Connor, J. (2013). Amazon Unpacked. Financial Times. p. 2
- Office for National Statistics (2018). Department for Work and Pensions. Retrieved August 20th, 2018, from https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics?departments%5B%5D=department-for-work-pensions
- Park Run (2018). RCGP. Retrieved August 25th, 2018, from http://www.rcgp.org.uk/about-us/news/2018/june/parkrun-uk-teams-up-with-rcgp-to-prescribe-active-lifestyles-to-patients-and-practice-staff.aspx
- Public Health Profiles (2018) Retrieved August 20th, 2018, from http://fingertips.phe.org.uk
- Rugeley Leisure Centre (2018). Retrieved August 30th, 2018, from http://www.rugeleyleisurecentre.org/
- Rugeley Phoenix Club (2018). Rugeley Phoenix Activities Club. Retrieved August 30th, 2018, from https://rugeleyphoenix.org.uk/about/
- Slimming World (2018). Retrieved August 30th, 2018, form https://www.slimmingworld.co.uk/joiningagroup/sitemap/counties/staffordshire/towns/rugeleyhill-(rugeley)/groups
- St Giles Hospice (2018). Bereavement Support. Retrieved September 1st, 2018, from https://www.stgileshospice.com/how-we-can-help-you/our-care/bereavement-support/
- Staffordshire County Council (1979). Rugeley Remembered [booklet]. Staffordshire County Council Education Department No. 34.
- The Trussell Trust (2018). Stop UK Hunger. Retrieved August 20th, 2018, from https://www.trusselltrust.org/
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