Life as a health and social care worker is incredibly varied and rewarding. From responsibilities including providing care to family members in troubled situations and caring for those facing conflict in various relationships to providing care to those in care homes, you could find yourself caring for a variety of age groups.

But in a period where the industry is expecting a healthcare workforce gap of 14.5 million by 2030, the sector has never been in more need of intelligent graduates looking for a rewarding career.

This blog explores the reasons why the sector is experiencing a huge rise in demand and how a master’s degree in health and social care can help those looking to further develop their professional skills.

health and social care

Increase in Awareness of Mental Health Issues

Mental health is something that is of increasing importance. It’s important to remember that not all illnesses are visible, and around one in four people in the UK are suffering from mental health problems. This increases the importance of providing access to regular care and resources in the health and social care sector to help people with their struggles. This year has already seen a £150 million boost in government investment for mental health services, but this needs to keep increasing if we are to provide effective support.

In fact, most companies now have mental health experts or HR departments on their payroll to help maintain their employee satisfaction levels and ensure they are happy. If you are looking to make that all-important positive impact in improving the mental health of people in your community, then an MSc in Social Care, Health and Wellbeing can help enhance your professional knowledge of the factors that might be influencing their mental health.

Advancements in Medical Technology

Now, technology and social care probably aren’t words that you’re used to being associated with each other. In fact, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics is a relatively new development in the delivery of social care.

With technology advancing so quickly, it’s difficult to predict the future of medical technology. Covid-19 is one factor that has led to the advancements in medical technology, simply due to the increase in virtual care and remote medicine; causing patients to have routine or minor doctor appointments online.

Technology is also having a major impact on the healthcare treatments that are being rolled out into society, and how they are being administered to patients. With artificial intelligence, wearable medical devices, virtual reality in medicine, and advances in medical imaging, healthcare is becoming more accessible. The health and social care demand is there, what the industry is missing is the qualified professionals to ensure that people of all ages are receiving the care they need.

Study MSc Social Care, Health and Wellbeing

Does this make you want to help improve the care to people in your community? We bet you didn’t know that in just 12 months, you can qualify as a practicing healthcare professional with an MSc in Social Care, Health and Wellbeing?

Want to earn your master’s degree at a university with an excellent record of working with the local NHS Trusts, social care, and community-based services?

At the University of Bolton, we provide our postgraduate students with a teaching-intensive, research-informed approach to prepare them for becoming a future leader in the health and social care sector. The course aims to expand on the skills and knowledge that our students already have with specialist modules that deepen their understanding of areas such as equality and diversity, integration and collaboration in health and social care, and the importance of engaging with service users. Our team of expert lecturers are committed will help you gin critical reflection, analysis, and evaluation skills that will support your ability to learn how to determine the impact of professional interventions in health and social care services.

Click here to read our full course details. For more information, please contact us at enquiries@bolton.ac.uk or call on 01204 900600.

-->