Management

Discuss the possibilities and the limitations for manager consultations with service users in influencing how services are provided.

This essay will discuss the possibilities and limitations of manager consultations with service users in influencing how services are provided. Firstly, definitions of consultation and service user will be given. I will then discuss the limitations. Finally, a conclusion will be drawn. I am a qualified nurse, my job title is team leader in a nursing home with young adults. I work very closely with my manager, and she took her time to jot down the limitations and possibilities she faces. See appendix 1 In the discussion, I will also provide relevant examples from my work place.

Consultation is defined as, ‘a lower level form of PARTICIPATION in which the opinions of local service users are sought by service managers on a few carefully selected issues.’ref

It is now widely accepted that communication is fundamental to good care, and it is seen as essential that service providers consult service users about their experiences and preferences regarding their care. Service users are taking an acute role to improve both health and social care services. However, increased bureaucracy, tighter budgets and restrictive commissioning services all limit the ability of managers to provide quality care to service users. These limitations cause additional stress for mangers who already work in stressful conditions. The limitations and possibilities that managers face are vast, however this essay, will discuss a few.

Managers face difficulties in keeping to planned arrangements for consultation due to the range of factors which characterise care settings. These include day to day changes in staffing arrangements, flutuations in the well being and needs of service users. (Browyn diary pg 73) Staff often feel that they receive little support from management in their day to day work. My manager expressed that her day to day duties keep...