Balanced Care: Safe Landings and Recovery

In health and social care patient, family and the health care team are united in what is constantly described as a journey. Sometimes there are several, care pathways into territories unknown.

Unknown?

Well yes, if care delivery is personalised (who are we to assume ...?); and yes again even if the patient - the individual concerned is an 'expert' in their condition.

Apart from the metaphysics of life's journey our physical environment can present dangers and yet fewer and fewer corners are truly  unknown. We leave it to astronauts (and oceanographers) to adventure on our behalf. Prior to the Apollo missions it was essential to confirm the nature, solidity of the lunar surface. Would a spacecraft sink and possibly tilt to the extent that return to lunar orbit and Home was impossible?

The Apollo Lunar Module's four legs provided support for a safe landing and take off. A base in every sense.

In health and social care the health career model can provide a base and re-assurance too. Each of the four care domains allied with knowledge and skills - holistic competence - can bring about a successful mission: however the crew and 'success' are defined.

Image source and original text below from:
http://www.robertaonthearts.com/id763.html
Cartier Replica of a Lunar Module
Three individual 18-karat-gold models of the American lunar module were made in 1969 by the jeweler Cartier of Paris on behalf of the French newspaper Le Figaro and presented to the three Apollo 11 astronauts during their post-flight tour in Paris. This model was presented to astronaut Michael Collins.
Image ©Nick Welsh/Cartier Collection 2006