QOF Plus Year 1 - Imperial College London

Self care has been defined as “the actions people take for themselves, their children and theirfamilies to stay fit and maintain good physical and mental health; meet social and psychologicalneeds; prevent illness or accidents; care for minor ailments and long-termconditions; and maintain health and well-being after an acute illness or discharge from hospital.”(DoH, 2005), Self care encompasses a range of methods enabling people to manage their ownhealth, including self monitoring, self help and support groups, self management educationprogrammes, patient access to personal medical information, easy access to high qualityinformation on conditions and services and patient-centred telecare.Figure 11.1Self-care encompasses both minor and long term illness. Specific training can help mitigate the impacton lifestyle by providing individuals with skills to manage their illness.The proposed indicators will help ensure that core information on health and well-being, selfcare,and access to appropriate NHS services is provided for all patients. This will support peopleto adopt healthy choices and take responsibility for their own health.It is proposed that the core content of the PCT Practice leaflet template will include informationin a range of languages informing people of their right to interpreting services duringappointments. Content of the leaflets will also be designed to support increasing uptake ofpreventative services, the appropriate use of services, and identification of undiagnosed chronicconditions.70