This DIY Health model was co-created by Bromley by Bow Health Partnership (BBBHP, Tower Hamlets, London) in partnership with the community it serves in response to a need identifiable across most general practices across the country. Parents of children under the age of 5 were frequently re-attending St Andrew's Health Centre (one of three surgeries run by BBBHP) for support with managing self-limiting childhood problems. These repeat visits led to a recognition that health care professionals needed to work better with parents and carers to identify how to provide knowledge and skills that ensure they were more confident to manage their children’s health at home, and when to seek further help. The model which this article describes was inspired by Dr Khyati Bakhai’s work during her Darzi Fellowship in Clinical Leadership and was co-produced in partnership with local parents.
Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group have produced this pack to support carers with undertaking the National Care Certificate and can be used as a reference guide for families and personal assistants to promote awareness of certain needs and encourage referral if concerns are identified. It was designed for care workers and carers as they are in the ideal position to recognise changes in an individual’s condition by monitoring them and/or recognising any deterioration in a person’s wellbeing. The booklet aims to increase awareness and supports the care worker/carer to refer on when appropriate. It highlights why different aspects of observation and care are important, what to look for and what action to take.