Booth, M.G., O'Neil, E., Haddow, C., Cook, B. and Kinsella, J. (2011) Effect of socioeconomic deprivation and the appointment of Welfare Attorneys. Scottish Medical Journal, 56(4), pp. 220-222. (doi: 10.1258/smj.2011.011183) (PMID:22089044)
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Scott Med J-2011-Booth-220-2.pdf 58kB |
Abstract
Most patients in intensive care unit (ICU) lack decision-making ability. The Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 allows someone to appoint a Welfare Attorney (WA) to act on their behalf should they lose capacity. Scotland has areas of major socioeconomic deprivation associated with lower life-expectancy and with a lack of knowledge about and consequently difficulty accessing services. The effect of socioeconomic deprivation on WA registration was investigated. A complete list of registered WAs was categorized by deprivation. The Public Guardian, Scotland indicated whether patients admitted to ICU at Glasgow Royal (April 2006–May 2009) had a WA registered. All Scottish ICU admissions (2004–2008) were categorized by deprivation. Twelve of 1152 ICU patients at Glasgow Royal had a WA. Of 165,997 WAs registered, 5984 were in the most deprived and 27,970 in the most affluent areas. Overall, 3.9% of the Scottish population had a WA (1.4% in the most, 6.5% in the least deprived population decile). In conclusion, the uptake of WAs was low, especially in deprived areas. The reasons could include a lack of knowledge, not anticipating the need for a WA or not being confident in the process. Any educational package needs to target the most socioeconomically disadvantaged.
Item Type: | Articles (Other) |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Kinsella, Professor John and Booth, Dr Malcolm |
Authors: | Booth, M.G., O'Neil, E., Haddow, C., Cook, B., and Kinsella, J. |
Subjects: | R Medicine > R Medicine (General) |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing |
Journal Name: | Scottish Medical Journal |
Publisher: | SAGE Publications |
ISSN: | 0036-9330 |
ISSN (Online): | 2045-6441 |
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