Glossary beginning with P

Palantypistsearch for term
Also known as 'Speech to Text Reporter'. A palantypist reproduces speech into a text format onto a computer screen at verbatim speeds for deaf people to read. Source: EHRCdefinition glossary of terms, http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/new-equality-act-guidance/glossary-of-terms/
PBsearch for term
Personal Budget – an element of the personalisation of social care. Rather than having to fit their lives into existing services an individual who is eligible to receive social care will know how much money is available to support their care (i.e. their individual budget) and they can choose how the money is spent by controlling a personal budget or receiving some, or all, of the amount as a direct payment.
PCDLsearch for term
Personal and Community Development Learning – is what many people think of when they hear the term ‘adult education’. It might cover evening classes in creative writing and flower arranging. Equally, it can include confidence-building courses for people with mental health problems, or working with community groups to develop group facilitation skills. (NB the term is longer in use in current policy documents).
PDsearch for term
Personality Disorderdefinition is a ‘way of being’ that people develop while growing up and as a result, aspects of a person’s personality cause repeated problems in life – particularly with relationships. Troubled relationships can be with family and friends, work and care services – and frequently with all of them. People who have a personality disorder often develop other associated mental health problems (such as depression). PDdefinition is much misunderstood by the public and within some mental health services. Up until 2002, health service staff were taught not to diagnose personality disorder unless they had no other option. When people were diagnosed with it, they were usually ‘written off’ – and excluded from services, often in hurtful ways. It has previously been called ‘a diagnosis of exclusion’ – interestingly it is still excluded from the NHSdefinition Choices A-Z of conditions and treatment.
Perkins' Reviewsearch for term
Commonly used shorthand for referring to the independent review chaired by Rachel Perkins. The review considered how to reduce the number of people with mental health conditions who are out of work. It’s remit was to focus on those people who have not been well served by existing programmes, to gain employment and pursue successful working lives and to make proposals that could realistically be enacted in the short to medium term without any new resources or new primary legislation. The recommendations the review made were published in December 2009: Realising Ambitions: Better employment support for people with a mental health condition (DWPdefinition, 2009).
Personality Disordersearch for term
Any disorder in which an individual’s personal characteristics cause regular and long-term problems in the way they cope with life and interact with other people and in their ability to respond emotionally. Source: DHdefinition (2011) No health without mental health: A cross-government mental health outcomes strategy for people of all ages. London: DH.
PHOsearch for term
Public Health Observatories are part of the NHSdefinition. There is one in each English region. They provide local agencies with public health data and information to inform local planning priorities, policies and good practice. The Association of Public Health Observatories (abbreviated to APHO) is a national umbrella organisation for all of the PHOs across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Population mental healthsearch for term
A measure of the proportion of the population with different levels of mental health at any one time. The spectrum ranges from mentally ill and languishing through to moderately mentally healthy and flourishing. Source: DHdefinition (2011) No health without mental health: A cross-government mental health outcomes strategy for people of all ages. London: DH.
Positive actionsearch for term
Refers to a range of lawful actions that seek to overcome or minimise disadvantages (e.g. in employment opportunities) that people who share a protected characteristic have experienced, or to meet their different needs. If a particular group is underrepresented in a workplace, the law allows employers to take positive action. This can involve giving minority groups of employees’ encouragement to apply for jobs in which that group is underrepresented or programmes such as the further education sector's Black Leadership Initiative. For more information, see: http://www.nbp.org.uk/black_leadership_initiative/
Positive discriminationsearch for term
Refers to treating someone with a protected characteristic more favourably to counteract the effects of past discrimination. It is generally not lawful although the duty to make reasonable adjustments is an exception where treating a disabled person more favourably may be required by law. There is also a lawful exception which allows a form of positive discrimination in training, or in encouraging people from minority groups to apply for particular work if they are underrepresented in the workforce/particular roles. Source: EHRCdefinition glossary of terms, http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/new-equality-act-guidance/glossary-of-terms/
Pregnancy and maternitysearch for term
Pregnancy is the condition of being pregnant or expecting a baby. Maternity refers to the period after the birth, and is linked to maternity leave in the employment context. In the non-work context, protection against maternity discrimination is for 26 weeks after giving birth, and this includes treating a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding. Source: EHRCdefinition glossary of terms, http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/new-equality-act-guidance/glossary-of-terms/
Prejudicesearch for term
Making a judgment about someone or something based on stereotypes.
Prevalencesearch for term
The number of people in a population who have a particular disorder or disease at a specific point in time.
Protected characteristicssearch for term
Characteristics against which the Equalitydefinition Act 2010 prohibits discrimination, including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. Source: DHdefinition (2011) No health without mental health: A cross-government mental health outcomes strategy for people of all ages. London: DH.
Protected characteristicssearch for term
These are the grounds upon which discrimination is unlawful. The characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. Source: EHRCdefinition glossary of terms, http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/new-equality-act-guidance/glossary-of-terms/
Protected periodsearch for term
Refers to the time when the specific prohibition against unfavourable treatment of expectant and new mothers applies. The period begins at the start of a woman’s pregnancy and continues until the end of her maternity leave. Source: EHRCdefinition glossary of terms, http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/new-equality-act-guidance/glossary-of-terms/
PSEDsearch for term
The public sector equality duty - the duty on a public authority when carrying out its functions to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment, foster good relations and advance equality of opportunity. Source: EHRCdefinition glossary of terms, http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/new-equality-act-guidance/glossary-of-terms/
Psychosissearch for term
Psychosisdefinition affects a person’s mind and causes changes to the way that they think, feel and behave. A person who experiences psychosis may be unable to distinguish between reality and their imagination. They may have hallucinations or delusions. Psychosis is not a condition in itself; it is a symptom of other conditions. The most common causes of psychosis are mental health conditions such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Source: DHdefinition (2011) No health without mental health: A cross-government mental health outcomes strategy for people of all ages. London: DH.
PTLLSsearch for term
Preparing to teach in the lifelong learning sector
PTSDsearch for term
Post-traumatic stress disorder – is a mental health condition that can be caused by experiencing/witnessing traumatic events. People who have PTSDdefinition may relive the trauma of the event through nightmares and flashbacks. It can also cause problems with concentration and sleep. People may become isolated and develop panic attacks, anxiety and depression. The symptoms are often persistent and severe enough to have a significant impact on a person’s day-to-day life. Approximately 30 per cent of people who experience traumatic events develop PTSD.
Public authoritysearch for term
Organisations and individuals that carry out public functions - this would include government departments, local authorities, health authorities and hospitals, schools, prisons, and police for example. Source: EHRCdefinition glossary of terms, http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/new-equality-act-guidance/glossary-of-terms/
Public bodiessearch for term
Bodies which have a role in the processes of national Government but are not a Government department or part of one. They operate to a greater or lesser extent at arm's length from Ministers. Source: EHRCdefinition glossary of terms, http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/new-equality-act-guidance/glossary-of-terms/
Public healthsearch for term
Is concerned with improving the health of the population rather than treating the diseases of individual patients. Public mental health is a relatively new term to desctibe the branch of public health concerned with the mental health and wellbeing of the population..
Public Health Englandsearch for term
A body which, subject to passage of the Health and Social Care Bill, will be established within the Department of Health in 2012 and will set the overall Outcomes Framework for public health. It will be accountable to the Secretary of State for Health. Source: DHdefinition (2011) No health without mental health: A cross-government mental health outcomes strategy for people of all ages. London: DH.
Public Mental Healthsearch for term
The art and science of promoting wellbeing and equality and preventing mental ill health through population-based interventions to: • reduce risk and promote protective, evidence-based interventions to improve physical and mental wellbeing; and • create flourishing, connected individuals, families and communities. Source: DHdefinition (2011) No health without mental health: A cross-government mental health outcomes strategy for people of all ages. London: DH.
Public sector equality dutysearch for term
Is the duty on a public authority when carrying out its functions to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment, foster good relations and advance equality of opportunity. Source: EHRCdefinition glossary of terms, http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/new-equality-act-guidance/glossary-of-terms/