Independent Public & Private Health Consultant, Clinical Nurse, Writer & Public Speaker. 

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Shanghai Nurses leading the care of the future...

In September, it was great to be back in #Shanghai in person rather than working virtually over the past 3 years. I was honoured to be invited to share my expertise in #communityservicedesign with a selection of nurses 7 doctors from one of the largest military hospitals (circa 2,000 beds) in Shanghai, China. This included a workshop exploring some of the challenges and the solutions to real pressures felt in the provision of healthcare to a growing population need.   

China, like the global community, is attempting to prepare for some of the health issues predicted in the next 5 years such as, a growing number of people entering older age with multiple co-morbidities, increases in non-communicable diseases, a reduction in informal carers & a reduced workforce. 

One of the greatest issues being addressed is the early development of community structures and services that will meet the populations needs where they live rather than at the acute hospital setting. China has a need to serve both urban & rural demands, however with 80% of the hospitals now in the cities, a greater need is required in rural areas. This is not about building more hospitals but developing integrated structures & technology to offer access to all people. 

It is expected that by 2030 half of the Chinese population (circa half of 1.5 billion people) will be aged 60years & over. This will bring some challenges to the services however the Chinese government have developed the #HealthyChina2030Policy which has anticipated this need requesting all municipalities to address health within all their policies. In line with the ethos of #PublicHealth this includes all government departments focusing on population health needs through 4 core principles – Priority, Innovation, Scientific Development & Fairness & Justice 

Whilst #Sláintecare (the Irish health policy) advocates for this approach there have been infantile steps taken to this approach to healthcare. Working together to develop the next stages of care in the community allowed us to express how our profession has the solutions to the imminent problems. A great day of workshops followed with many ideas generated among the nurses, doctors, social workers, & policy makers attending. 

The #ShanghaiNursesAssociation are leading the way in developing services for people anticipated to require palliative care & end-of-life care. This issue & the concept of dying & death are still a taboo topic but were also discussed. There is more work to do…but it was a great day’s work that has opened the conversation, generated enthusiasm, & empowered the nurses and others present to begin to shift all they know about where care is delivered. It was a privilege to share my knowledge, expertise & future thinking with fellow enthusiasts. Please enjoy the photos shared, at the workshop in Chinas largest Hepatobiliary & Oncology hospital.
Please contact me if you require…XieXie