| Unit name | Health Care Policies |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SPOL21018 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Lart |
| Open unit status | Open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit starts with the idea of health as a policy issue: what do we mean by health, how can it be measured and how is health (or rather illhealth) distributed amongst different social groups? Why, after nearly 70 years of universal, free, health care in the UK, can we still see such clear differences in health between rich and poor, between ethnic groups and between geographical areas? Do health services actually make a difference, and if not, then what does?
The second part of the unit explores health services and health policy, looking at: the development of health policy in the UK, the delivery of health care, services for different users, and critical analysis of policy in this area. The NHS has always been a highly politicised area of policy, and never more so than at present. What are the challenges it faces, and the futures offered for it?
Some comparisons with other developed societies’ healthcare systems will be made - what are the alternatives to an NHS? Do these alternatives offer better solutions to current challenges?
Aims:
This course aims to develop an understanding of the development of health policy, the role of health policy in the welfare system and how health policy integrates with wider social policy issues, and in particular an understanding of the relationship between health inequalities and the delivery of health care in Britain .
The key learning outcomes are follows. Students are expected:
Lectures and seminars
Assessment will be against the programme criteria defined for the appropriate level. Formative assessment: One 2000- 2500 word essay Summative assessment : Level I - 3 000 word essay
