© British Association of Social Workers
On Patient Satisfaction in Cerebral Palsy Care
David Bamford is Professor of Social Work in the School of Social and Community Sciences
Huw Griffiths is a Senior Lecturer in social work specializing in health and disability
George Kernohan has recently taken up the Chair of Health Research in the School of Health Sciences, having worked for 15 years in orthopaedic research. The authors bring together skills in social work, communication and clinical research to challenge the system of service provision wherever weaknesses emerge.
Correspondence to Professor W. G. Kernohan, Room 12J08, University of Ulster, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB
Summary
The value of managing teamwork in health care is well recognized. Yet, for a variety of reasons, it often fails to provide the degree of support required. To investigate the capacity for all-round service provision in Northern Ireland, a survey was carried out to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data on the degree of social and health care support for families with a child affected by cerebral palsy, one of the most serious orthopaedic disorders. Results suggest that, while clinical medical care is generally good, the role of social support in healthcare management seems poorly defined, fragmented and variable.