Women’s Health (1 day)

The history of many women using social support services suggests that staff are somewhat confused about their role in supporting women’s health. The sources of poor health are complex and often this leads to neglect of important health issues for women.
This course aims to identify a range of underpinning issues and to help establish clarity regarding the “duty of care”. The course also aims to help staff develop their confidence so as to best promote healthy lifestyles for female service users.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course learners should have understood:

• Why some women neglect their health:
        -Poverty
        -Domestic violence/abuse
        -Low self-esteem etc
• Why some female service users neglect their health:
        -Mental Health
        -Substance use
        -Learning Disability etc
• The impact of institutional care on women’s health
• How does depression and low self esteem impact?
• The need to support female service users in this area
• The complexity of Human Rights as it relates to self-care:
        -Do we have a right to intervene?
        -Do we have a duty of care?
        -What about choice and independence?
        -What about Person Centred principles?
• When not intervening may be seen as neglect-with references to:
        -Safeguarding legislation
        -The Mental Capacity Act
• A Feminist perspective of the issue
• Areas of health that may require support e.g.
        -Cervical Smears – this has often been an area that is looked at and debated when supporting women with
        Learning Disabilities; are they only needed if the person is sexually active? What work can we do to support
        women to have regular smears (fear and lack of understanding of the procedure can be barriers)
        -Other age appropriate health checks – Mammograms, Cholesterol & Blood Pressure tests for people over 50 etc .
        -Preparing for the menopause and support through it – physical and emotional
        -The Menstrual Cycle-and the impact on mood etc
• Cultural Issues
        -How people prefer to be supported
        -What people are comfortable to talk about and who with etc
• Promoting healthy and positive lifestyles: e.g.
        -Healthy eating
        -Sexual Health
        -Exercise
        -Weight
        -Smoking & Drinking
• How to engage with health professionals
• Meeting and accessing health services, e.g. people with Learning Disabilities are entitled to more time with their GP.
• Advocacy issues-e.g. support at medical appointments
• Complementary practice
• The organisation’s policy

Working methods:

• Tutor presentations
• Word shower method
• OHP/PowerPoint
• Role Play
• Group Work
• Chalk & Talk
• Handouts

CP140/5.9