Wednesday 23 October 2013
In 2012, a two stage research study was undertaken by BMG Research and the University of Nottingham to help identify the barriers Islanders with long-term conditions faced to being included in Island life in Guernsey and Alderney. The research was commissioned by the Policy Council's Social Policy Group as part of the work on the Disability and Inclusion Strategy which is due to be debated at the November States meeting.
The results of both stages have now been published.
In the first stage, Islanders were asked about their health and wellbeing, and the things that stopped them taking part in everyday life - which included everything from personal care and household chores, to school, work and social activities. This was known as the Health, Wellbeing and Social Inclusion Survey.
Around one in four households in Guernsey and Alderney, selected at random, received the Health, Wellbeing and Social Inclusion Survey. The aim of this first stage was to provide statistical data on the overall number of people with long-term conditions in Guernsey and Alderney and the challenges and barriers they face in everyday life.
A key finding from the first stage was that there are 4,000 islanders with a long-term condition who reported experiencing significant difficulty with at least one aspect of day to day life. There are a further 10,000 people with long-term conditions who either did not indicate the degree of difficulty or who reported experiencing some or no difficulty in every day life.
The report's authors, BMG Research and the University of Nottingham, state:
"We believe that the 4,000 people who experience significant difficulty are the group of Islanders most likely to benefit most significantly from the development of Disability and Inclusion policy in Guernsey and in Alderney."
Deputy Chief Minister Jonathan Le Tocq, who chairs the Policy Council's Social Policy Group explained:
"The focus of the Disability and Inclusion Strategy has been based on this important research. It was recognised, by the previous Social Policy Group, that clear data in respect of the numbers of Islanders with a long term condition, as well as the numbers of friends and family providing support for people with a long term condition in Guernsey and Alderney was not available. The answer was for the Policy Council to commission its own research so that it could have robust estimates on which to base its decisions especially for the development of this Strategy."
"I would like to thank all the 2,055 householders who responded to the survey and am pleased that they will be able to read the results in the Stage 1 final report now on the States website."
The data gathered will be a valuable information resource for all States Departments when planning service developments in the future.
The second stage involved face-to-face or telephone interviews with around 300 people with a long term condition who identified themselves to the researchers as wishing answer more detailed questions. A further 100 interviews were conducted with carers who were friends or family of the person they supported rather than professionals or volunteers.
In both cases, the interviews centred on a number of core areas, including: employment, education, accommodation, equipment, social and health care, financial security, accessibility and social participation.
BMG Research and the University of Nottingham explained:
"The data from these interviews cannot be generalised to describe the experience of all disabled Islanders and all carers. Rather, it has given an indicative picture of areas where disabled people and those who support them face particular challenges.
It has also begun to identify some notable differences between various groups of respondents - in particular, differences between the under-24s, the over-67s and the rest of the working age disabled population; and different experiences for people with mental health conditions, communication difficulties and learning- and development-related conditions, compared to the rest of the disabled population."
Deputy Le Tocq pointed out that this finding had led to one of the recommendations of the Strategy:
"We are asking the States to direct the Health and Social Services Department to lead on the development of frameworks for people with learning difficulties, people with autism and communication difficulties and people with dementia. The States approved the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy in February this year which will specifically help provide support and challenge stigma for people with mental health conditions. By providing frameworks, based on the principles of the strategy, it is intended that similar changes can be made for other Islanders."
Professor Bruce Stafford and Dr Simon Roberts at the University of Nottingham's International Centre for Public and Social Policy worked collaboratively with BMG Research to produce reports of both stages.
Both reports - Stage 1, Disability Needs Survey: Review of Prevalence across Guernsey and Alderney, and Stage 2, Disability Needs Survey are available to read or download at www.gov.gg/disabilitystrategy or a hard copy can be requested from Carol Le Page the Strategic Social Policy Officer telephone 717046 or by e-mailing carol.lepage@gov.gg.
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Further information
This research was commissioned by the Policy Council in 2011, after a competitive tender process.
BMG Research worked with the University of Nottingham on this research project.
For enquiries regarding BMG Research please contact:
Jenna Allen
Tel: 0121 333 6006
