Core Viewpoint - Shandong Province has implemented a government-guided pricing for "no accompanying care" services starting July 1, aimed at alleviating the burden on family members of hospitalized patients and addressing the challenges of an aging society [2][3]. Group 1: Implementation of No Accompanying Care Services - The "no accompanying care" service will be fully available in all public tertiary hospitals in Shandong by the end of 2025, as part of a collaborative effort by multiple government departments [2]. - The pricing structure includes a charge of 150 yuan per day for caring for two or more patients simultaneously, while one-on-one care pricing is determined by the medical institutions [2][3]. Group 2: Role of Caregivers - Caregivers, distinct from nurses, are becoming recognized as professional caregivers, providing 24-hour continuous care that includes companionship, mobility assistance, and fall prevention [3][4]. - The service is based on the informed consent and voluntary choice of patients or their families, ensuring that patients can select the type of care they need [4]. Group 3: Training and Quality Control - Caregivers undergo a rigorous training program consisting of 150 hours of theoretical and practical training before being allowed to work with patients, with a requirement of 100% pass rate on internal examinations [5][6]. - The training covers not only basic skills but also specialized care techniques and emphasizes humanistic care, ensuring that caregivers are well-prepared to meet patient needs [6]. Group 4: Challenges and Adaptations - The transition to standardized yet personalized care presents challenges, particularly in balancing the need for quality care with the individual needs of patients [7][8]. - The service currently applies only to patients requiring level one and level two care, which complicates the continuity of care as patients transition between care levels [8].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges faced by families in caring for elderly patients in hospitals, highlighting the introduction of the "No Accompanying Care Service" as a potential solution to alleviate the burden on families [4][5][60]. Group 1: Current Challenges in Elderly Care - The traditional family structure often leads to a "4-2-1" situation, where one child is responsible for multiple elderly relatives, creating significant caregiving stress [1][3]. - High costs and a lack of professional caregivers exacerbate the situation, with daily rates for private caregivers in major cities ranging from 300 to over 500 yuan [19][20]. - Many families resort to hiring caregivers, who often lack necessary medical experience and may charge exorbitant fees, leading to financial strain [18][21][20]. Group 2: Introduction of "No Accompanying Care Service" - The "No Accompanying Care Service" allows hospitals to take over the caregiving responsibilities traditionally handled by family members, with trained caregivers providing essential support [5][7]. - This service originated in 2017 and has been piloted in various cities, aiming to address the increasing demand for hospital care without relying on family members [8][9]. - The service is not free; for example, in Guangdong, the cost for caregivers ranges from 140 to 280 yuan per day, which is significantly lower than private caregiver rates [38][41]. Group 3: Implementation and Regulation - The service involves collaboration with third-party caregiving companies, ensuring that caregivers are trained and certified [33][34]. - Hospitals are required to maintain a nurse-to-bed ratio of at least 0.6:1, ensuring adequate professional oversight [44]. - Despite the benefits, the service is not yet covered by insurance, placing a financial burden on families [51][70]. Group 4: Potential Benefits and Concerns - The "No Accompanying Care Service" has shown promising results, such as a reduction in pressure sore incidents in hospitals that have implemented it [59]. - However, concerns remain regarding the adequacy of care, especially for critically ill patients who may require constant attention [62][63]. - The shift from family caregiving to professional services raises ethical questions about familial responsibilities and the quality of care provided [64][66]. Group 5: Future Considerations - For the service to be successful, it is essential to address issues related to staffing, funding, and management [78]. - Enhancing the professional capabilities of caregivers and ensuring fair compensation will be crucial for the sustainability of the "No Accompanying Care Service" [75][76]. - The article emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to resolve the caregiving crisis faced by families with elderly members [79].

Group 1: Early Childhood Education and Care Services - The implementation of the "Preschool Education Law" encourages kindergartens to offer childcare services for children under 3 years old, aiming to transition families from "having a place to leave" to "trusting the care" [1] - Over 30% of families with children under 3 express a need for childcare services, yet the actual enrollment rate is only 7.86% due to various factors including industry development and service pricing [3] - Shanghai's Jing'an District has launched the "Seedling Project" to enhance childcare service quality, utilizing kindergarten resources to establish small age-group classes for children aged 6 months to 3 years [5] Group 2: Childcare Class Structure and Parental Involvement - The childcare classes are structured into different age groups: "Mengmeng Class" for 6-12 months, "Yayaya Class" for 12-18 months, "Paopao Class" for 18-24 months, and "Diandian Class" for 2-3 years, facilitating gradual adaptation for children [7] - Parents participate in classes to help their children transition from home care to a structured environment, enhancing interaction with teachers and peers [8] Group 3: Workforce Development in Childcare - There is a significant demand for skilled personnel in the childcare market, with a current shortage of nearly 1 million qualified caregivers, as only about 500,000 certified caregivers are available nationwide [11] - Various regions are ramping up training initiatives, including practical skills training for childcare workers, to address the talent gap [11] - Beijing Technology Vocational College has introduced a new program focused on early childhood care and management, covering essential topics such as child psychology and emergency care [12]

Core Points - The Shandong Provincial Health Commission, in collaboration with other departments, has introduced a plan to standardize the development of non-accompanied care services in medical institutions, aiming to enhance patient experience by 2025 [1][2] - By the end of 2025, all public tertiary medical institutions in Shandong will provide non-accompanied care services for hospitalized patients who need it, with a goal for all secondary and above public medical institutions to offer these services by the end of 2027 [1] - Non-accompanied care services involve nurses or hired medical caregivers providing daily living care based on the patient's condition and self-care ability, with the patient's or family’s informed consent [1] - The plan includes establishing standards for non-accompanied care services, enhancing the workforce of medical caregivers, improving nurse allocation, and creating a monitoring and evaluation mechanism [1] - Medical caregivers will be included in the provincial subsidized vocational skills training program to improve their skill levels, and institutions can conduct skill level assessments with certificates recognized by the human resources department [1] - The plan prioritizes departments with a high proportion of patients requiring special and primary care, and outlines reference content for caregivers, including cleaning, dietary, sleep, excretion, and mobility care [2]

Core Viewpoint - The National Health Commission, along with other health authorities, has launched a pilot program for "unaccompanied care services" in hospitals, aimed at addressing the needs of elderly patients in the context of an aging population in China [1][2]. Group 1: Pilot Program Details - The pilot program will run from June 2025 to June 2027 in key provinces and cities with significant aging populations, focusing on tertiary hospitals with a high proportion of elderly inpatients [1]. - Unaccompanied care services will be provided by nurses or hired medical caregivers based on the patient's condition and self-care ability, with the consent of the patient or their family [1][2]. Group 2: Benefits and Impact - The initiative aims to alleviate the burden on family members who often lack the time or skills to provide adequate care, thus enhancing the quality of care for elderly patients [2]. - The program is expected to benefit not only elderly patients but also their families, allowing them to focus on work and other responsibilities while ensuring their loved ones receive proper care [3]. Group 3: Training and Standards - The program includes the establishment of training and supervision standards for medical caregivers, ensuring that they meet specific service capabilities such as hygiene, diet, sleep, and mobility care [2]. - Existing documents like the "Medical Caregiver Training Outline" and "National Occupational Standards for Medical Caregivers" will support the professionalization and standardization of care services [2]. Group 4: Financial Aspects - The National Medical Insurance Administration has introduced a pricing project for unaccompanied care services, with local governments expected to set price limits, such as Guangdong's maximum of 140 yuan per day for "one-to-three" service [3].

Core Points - The introduction of the "No Accompanying Care Service" aims to alleviate the burden on families of patients who are disabled or semi-disabled, providing professional care instead of relying on family members [2][3] - This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve patient experience and enhance public satisfaction with healthcare services [2][3] Summary by Sections Implementation of No Accompanying Care Service - The National Health Commission has developed a pilot program for "No Accompanying Care Service," which allows hospitals to provide care for patients during their stay based on their condition and self-care ability [2][3] - The pilot will initially focus on departments such as geriatrics, neurology, and orthopedics, with an emphasis on increasing the number of nurses and qualified medical caregivers in these areas [2][3] Benefits for Patients and Families - The service aims to provide patients with professional care, ensuring their safety and comfort, while allowing family members to focus on emotional support rather than physical caregiving [4][5] - This shift is expected to reduce the psychological burden on patients who feel they are a burden to their families [3][5] Professional Caregiver Training and Management - The program emphasizes the importance of training and managing medical caregivers to ensure high-quality service delivery [5][6] - Hospitals are responsible for the training and oversight of caregivers, ensuring they are equipped to handle basic care tasks without replacing medical professionals [2][5] Financial Considerations - The pricing of the service must be accessible to the general public to avoid becoming a luxury service, necessitating careful cost management and insurance coverage [6] - The government is expected to play a role in regulating costs and ensuring that the service is widely available [6] Accountability and Quality Assurance - The introduction of this service does not absolve hospitals of their responsibilities; instead, it requires them to maintain high standards of care and management [6] - Continuous training and adequate staffing are essential to ensure that patient safety and care quality are not compromised [6]

Group 1 - Guangzhou has officially launched a pilot program for "no accompanying care" services in medical institutions, with 32 hospitals participating and nearly 4,000 beds available across 11 districts [1] - The initiative aims to address the common issue of families needing to accompany patients during hospitalization, which increases family burden and affects medical order [1] - By the end of 2025, each district is expected to have at least one pilot institution to explore service standards, operational mechanisms, and support systems [1] Group 2 - The pilot program will prioritize the allocation of appropriately structured and sufficient nursing staff in the no accompanying care wards, implementing a responsibility-based overall nursing model [2] - Nursing assistants must obtain a training assessment certificate and a vocational skill level certificate, providing daily care and assistance under the guidance of nurses, without engaging in technical medical care [1][2] - The program encourages insurance companies to explore including no accompanying care costs in commercial insurance, addressing the diverse protection needs of the public [2]