Abstract

The authors will focus on key developments in the long-term care in last five or ten years, major shortages and problems in geographical disparities in various services, differences between gender and financial barriers to equal access to qualified care and equitable health outcomes across different sectors and population groups.

The oral presentation will address the questions regarding the current system financing and organization of services, and competencies of stakeholders. How the system of long-term care in the Czech Republic has changed in recent years? Is long-term care available for all who need it? How the system works for patients/users and for informal carers? Is the quality of care comparable (equitable) across different settings, services, and sectors? What has been the impact of the Social Services Act (and care allowance) introduced in 2007 on availability, equity and efficiency of long-term care? Were recent changes in health and social systems supportive of integrated care, ageing in place and increased role of local governments? What role private providers and municipalities play (and could or should play) in current system and legislation? Who are the key stakeholders in the Czech long-term care system? Where are major gaps between policy, practice and research? What are the prospects for the availability of formal and informal care and what role may play migration, or information technologies?

The authors will focus on key aspects of current developments and challenges they present for policy and formal long-term care services.

Audio   Slides