Social Care Nursing Advisory Councils (SCNACs) play a crucial role in the healthcare sector, offering guidance, support, and expertise to enhance social care nursing practices.
While their primary focus is on improving healthcare services in collaboration with Chief Nursing Officers of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), SCNACs can also play a significant role during the Christmas season, a time when the importance of health and social care becomes even more pronounced.
Social care at Christmas is a special time, with the teams, residents and families coming together to celebrate and make the festive period amazing for our communities.
For many individuals, this time of year is filled with festive celebrations, but for some, it can be a particularly challenging period, especially for those who are elderly, vulnerable, or experiencing chronic health conditions.
During the Christmas season, there are unique challenges and opportunities within the healthcare sector that SCNACs can offer support in addressing.
One of these is by promoting a relationship-focused approach to care, providing healthcare providers with guidance and recommendations on how to understand different cultural and religious backgrounds and respect preferences for how individuals celebrate the holiday season. This relationship-focused approach also extends to those who may require additional support during the holiday season, such as individuals with mental health issues, who may experience increased stress or loneliness during this time.
Integrated working is especially crucial during the Christmas season. The people we care for often interact with various healthcare professionals and services, and integrated working ensures that care is coordinated effectively.
During the Christmas season there are also challenges such as increased hospital admissions or the strain on healthcare facilities due to holiday-related accidents and illnesses. SCNACs can provide recommendations on how healthcare providers can prepare for the seasonal increase and impact on services, ensuring that staffing levels are appropriate, resources are allocated effectively, and appropriate protocols are in place to deal with the unique challenges that may arise during this time.
Scarlett MacDonald, New Commissioning Manager with Caring Homes Group and SCNAC Chair for Surrey Heartlands ICB, says: “Working in social care over the festive period is a privilege. Social care has a shining light on it due to the integration that has been developing over the last year, working together to get the best outcomes for people in our communities.
“Our hard-working teams give up time with their own families to go the extra mile to make Christmas special for the people we are looking after.”
Find out more about the SCNACs: theoutstandingsociety.co.uk/case-study/scnac/
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