Editorial
This week we report on the appeals of a whistleblower.
See item 163. The whistle-blower in the
particular case was a teacher responsible for
teaching information technology.
School Governors decided to have a strategic plan
for IT at the school and planned for the upgrade of
equipment.
The teacher reviewed what was being planned and
drew attention to the fact that if implemented in
accordance with the plan, not only would the strategy
offend against the Data Protection principles but the
data held on the system would be insecure – another
breach of the Data Protection principles – and
vulnerable to corruption and damage.
The governors seemingly dismissed the teacher’s
concerns.
To prove his point, the teacher accessed the system
and within minutes had decoded encrypted
passwords and went on to disable certain user
accounts.
When his activities were discovered, there was an
investigation resulting in his receiving a written
warning. His appeals failed. He resigned and
brought an Industrial Tribunal claim, it too failed.
The courts said that the purpose of the whistle-blowing
legislation was to encourage public interest
disclosures to be made internally. This is something
with which Brunswicks can help as we have
experience of providing dedicated whistle-blowing
hotlines for clients.
The joy and value of podcasts
We at Brunswicks like to review technological advances to see how,
if at all, we can use them to deliver added value to our clients,
cheaper or quicker services to our clients. 18 months ago my
business partner, Andrew Dawson, began to consider whether
podcasting was something Brunswicks could utilise. We have always
been involved in providing training and legal education and Andrew
concluded we could also deliver training via the medium of
podcasting.
To learn more, and to access our library of podcasts, click here.
Parliament
19 October 2006 - Provision of health care in Suffolk-
House of Commons.
19 October 2006 - Draft Mental Capacity Act 2005
(Independent Mental Capacity Advocates)
(Expansion of Role) Regulations 2006 - House of
Lords.
Next
Abuse
1. Child abuse 'widespread', UN says
11 October 2006 – BBC News
The UN has released a report showing that violence
against children is widespread and tolerated around
the world. The four-year study is due to be presented
in New York.
For full report click here
Business News
2. iSoft rebellion
13 October 2006 - The Times
The troubled supplier to the national NHS IT project
is facing a rebellion from City investors. There is a
warning the pay deal for the finance director.
3. Southern Cross says looking for more acquisitions
9 October 2006 – Reuters
Southern Cross has announced its intention to seal
more acquisitions as it looks to scale up and increase
the number of its care beds. Chief Executive
Philip Scott said the firm was setting its sights on
Scotland and Northern Ireland.
4. CareTech Holdings Plc
9 October 2006
The major provider of residential services for adults
with learning disability gave a trading update – financial
results to year ended 20 September 2006 to be
published 4 December 2006. Trading was in line
with expectations which were revised upwards in
June following acquisition of additional facilities.
5. ADL plc
AGM Statement and announcement of Interim
Dividend.
ADL has announced that all of the resolutions proposed
at the Annual General Meeting of the Com
pany held today were duly passed. The Directors
also declared a one pence per Ordinary Share Interim
Dividend for the current year ending 31 March
2006.
6. Barchester scoops prize
October 2006—Caring Times, page 4
Barchester Healthcare claimed first prize at the BT
Scotland Award for Excellence in Information Communication
technology at the Highland and Islands’
leading business awards ceremony.
Care Homes
7. Health team aids care home staff
9 October 2006 – BBC News
Darlington Primary Care Trust is piloting a rapid response
team to deal with non-emergency incidents at
care homes. It is hoped that the project will alleviate
pressure on local A&E departments and reduce unnecessary
ambulance call-outs.
For full report click here
8. Survey reveals security failings
October 2006—Caring Times, page 16
A survey conducted by Caring Business in conjunction
with procurement and fulfilment company The
Consortium has found that just one-third of care
home owners’ surveyed felt that criminal record
checks provided peace of mind for recruiting staff.
More than 60 per cent polled said they were unhappy
with the procedures and 37 per cent were satisfied.
These findings are in contrast to the Criminal Record
Bureau’s claim that it has an 82 per cent satisfaction
rate for its procedures.
9. Home owners miss out on tax savings
Care Magazine—Issue 5
E3 Consulting, property taxation specialist for the
sector is claming that the vast majority of UK care
home businesses are overpaying on their tax bills.
The company is now launching a free no-obligation
Property Tax Healthcheck service to help care home
owners in this respect.
Case Reports
10. R (ota Francis Paterson) v General Medical
Council
A period of six month’s suspension awarded by GMC
fitness to practice panel would be replaced by a period
of six month’s conditional registration where the
practitioner did not provide adequate paediatric care
to a boy who developed sepsis following surgery to
stabilise an olecranon fracture without administering
antibiotics.
Children
11. List 99 and childcare disqualification
regulations - consultation
13 October 2006 – DfES
Draft regulations for consultation has been published
meaning that individuals cautioned, as well as convicted,
for sexual offences against children will automatically
be entered on List 99 and barred from working
in schools and other education settings.
The regulations are aiming to uphold a pledge made
by the Government to tighten up the current barring
regime until it is replaced by a new vetting and barring
system which will be introduced by the Safeguarding
Vulnerable Groups Bill, currently going
through Parliament.
For press release click here
For consultation see Consultations section next week
12. Children’s Rights Director challenges
clamp down on out of authority placements
12 October 2006 – Community Care
Children’s Rights Director, Roger Morgan has spoken
about children complaining when they are
brought back from successful placements for financial
or policy reasons as being the “biggest source of
the commission’s casework”.
For full report click here
13. Child abuse 'widespread', UN says
11 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see Abuse—item 1
14. Care Matters: consultation
11 October 2006 – NCVCCO
For full report click here
For consultation see Consultations section next week
15. Care home children face tests for drugs
10 October 2006 - Daily Mail
The Government announced plans to force children
to be tested for drugs from the age of 10. Alan Johnson,
Education Secretary, also said that councils will
be forced to send children in care to the best schools
including independent boarding schools.
16. Schools promise for care children
10 October 2006 – BBC News
The Green Paper on children in care in England
means that schools could be ordered to give places
to children in care, even if they were full. The paper
is proposing a radical shake-up of a system that currently
fails many children.
For full report click here
17. Looked-after children green paper published
9 October 2006 – Community Care
Education secretary Alan Johnson’s comments upon
launching the green paper on children in care.
For full report click here
18. Blair on looked-after children green paper:
lead professionals are key
9 October 2006 – Community Care
Tony Blair’s comments on what the government’s
green paper on children in care will include.
For full report click here
19. Reaction to the looked-after children
green paper
9 October 2006 – Community Care
Comments on the government’s Green Paper by directors
of children’s services.
For full report click here
20. Care children get university cash
9 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report click here
21. Schools pledge for care children
9 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report click here
22. Association of Directors of Social Services
(ADSS)
Confederation of Children’s Services Managers
(Confed)
9 October 2006 – ADSS
The ADSS’s comments on the government’s Green
Paper on children in care.
For full report go to http://www.adss.org.uk/pres/2006/
greenpaper.shtml
23. Why the care system needs improving
9 October 2006 – BBC News
A special report from Karen Spencer, a part-time
worker for What Makes The Difference?, a national
partnership tackling issues affecting young people in
care.
For full report click here
24. 9 October 2006 GNN
Alan Johnson announced that children in care are to
get the right to choose when they leave care once
they reach 16.
25. Children in care statement
Speech by Alan Johnson
9 October 2006 – House of Commons
A transcript of the speech given by Secretary of State
for Education and Skills Alan Johnson.
For full report click here
26. Johnson takes action to improve life
chances for the most vulnerable children
9 October 2006—DfES
For full report click here
Conferences & Courses
27. Disabled Children and Young People's
Services
19 October - Central London
Please click here for further information.
28. The Care Show
Birmingham NEC—25 & 26 October 2006
Bournemouth BIC—20 & 21 March 2007
TV Chef Paul Rankin To Highlight Cookery
Excellence At The Care Show
Celebrity chef, Paul Rankin will be sharing his culinary
expertise as part of a new Cookery Demonstration
Theatre being introduced at the Care Show at the
Birmingham NEC on 25-26th October 2006.
Paul, who has made regular appearances on BBC's
Ready Steady Cook and Saturday Kitchen, will provide
guidance and inspiration for the UK's care
homes in the provision of delicious and nutritious
cuisine for the elderly. The new Theatre will feature
a series of live cookery demonstrations with Paul and
other celebrity chefs providing top tips for increasing
variety, nutritional content, and fresh local produce
within care home menus. The cookery demonstrations
will run throughout the two days of The Care
Show and are free to attend. He is campaigning for
improvements in the quality of food in care homes.
He is calling for an increase in money spent on food
from an average of £18 to £28 a week, allowing care
homes to achieve healthier menus and was recently
appointed by Care Circle's Kingsway Nursing Home
in Belfast, Northern Ireland to develop a new menu,
much to the delight of its residents. He is now working
alongside Barchester Healthcare, which has 160
care homes throughout the UK. You can pre-register
for free on the website.
Details : 01425 470666 www.careshow.co.uk
29. Top UK speakers to address issues on
improving healthcare in a changing world
The conference will take place on 22-25 October at
the QEII centre and will be chaired by Professor
David Haslam, National Clinical Advisor to the
Healthcare Commission and President-elect of the
Royal College of General Practitioners.
For full report go to: http://
www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/newsandevents/
pressreleases.cfm?
cit_id=4220&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&usec
ache=false
30. The Future of Social Enterprises
25 October 2006—London
The potential of social enterprises and the opportunities
and challenges these dynamic businesses present
for investors will be explored in depth. Conference
speakers, referencing successful case studies,
will identify how to overcome the obstacles to establishing
social enterprises and highlight the key benefits
to the private, public and voluntary sector. The
agenda will encompass setting up, financing, expanding
and regulating a social enterprise and will anticipate
how these business models may inform the future
organisation of healthcare services.
For more information click here to download the
event flyer.
31. Referring to the POVA list
A partnership approach
Action on Elder Abuse will host three conferences
targeted towards Care Providers, though they will be
very useful to regulators and adult protection staff
too, with the objective of improving the quality of referrals
to the POVA list. The programme will include
presentations by senior representatives of key organisations,
including:
Department of Health
Commission for Social Care Inspection
Care Standards Inspectorate for Wales
The events will also feature speakers and workshop
facilitators from one of the major care providers, a
lawyer, an adult protection coordinator and representatives
from the Bichard team.
These conferences will take place:
In Llandrindod Wells on 18 October 2006
In London on 27 October 2006
In Leeds on 17 November 2006
Delegates can attend workshops / surgeries with experts
from these organisations; and will be able to
voice and get advice on their real life queries, complaints
and concerns.
The full programme and booking form will be available
shortly, but for more information, or if your organisation
would like an exhibition stall, please contact:
Natalie Fernandez on nat a -
lie@elderabuse.org.uk
32. Modernising the Workforce
30 October 2006, King's Fund, London
In recent years there has been a focus on expanding
health care capacity by increasing workforce numbers,
but the emphasis is increasingly moving to improved
productivity. Our one-day conference, Modernising
the Workforce, considers how to redesign the
workforce, in the long-term, to reflect patient and service
priorities and increase productivity using several
business tools and approaches. It also looks at engaging
both clinical and non-clinical staff.
Keynote speakers include:
Professor Dame Carol Black, Chairman of the
Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.
Sian Thomas, Deputy Director, NHS Employers.
Ian Young, Director of Human Resources, Hammersmith
Hospitals NHS Trust.
Spaces on these events are limited so we recommend
that you reserve a place as soon as possible to
avoid disappointment. For further information please
visit our website to download a registration form or to
book online.
For full report click here
33. ARC Annual Conference 2006: New Perspectives
Tuesday 31 October, Wednesday 1 and Thursday
2 November 2006 at Britannia Country House Hotel,
Didsbury, Manchester
New Perspectives in learning disability
What's your view on where services are going?
Do you understand what pressures are now driving
major changes in the way services are designed
and delivered in learning disability?
Who will really be in control in the future?
If you are a provider of any kind of services to people
who have a learning disability, make sure that you
clear your diary and attend the major UK annual conference
for providers in the sector.
Take a fresh look at services!
In the 5 years since the publication of Valuing People
White Paper there have been a wide range of initiatives
intended to improve the quality and breadth of
services available for people who have a learning
disability - and they keep on coming! Are you up to
date and equipped to cope with it? The ARC Annual
Conference is your chance to catch up with issues
and other professionals too.
What are the Government's new priorities in learning
disability?
What forces are now shaping the market for services?
How will the rise of Individual Budgets affect commissioning
and service providers?
Hear how the 'In Control' programme is changing
peoples views of services.
Topics to be covered in 2006 include
How should providers respond to the move to Individualised
Services and the increased choice and
control by people they have been supporting?
Making Real Change Happen: the National Director's
perspective
Social Firms - what contribution can they make to
increasing options for people who have a learning
disability?
The forthcoming Mental Capacity Act - its implications
explained for our sector
Costing Models for learning disability services - a
friend or foe?
Employing people with a learning disability - success
or not?
News from the Disability Rights Commission review
of Health issues for people who have a learning disability.
Speakers include:
The Minister for Care Services, Ivan Lewis MP
Tom Noon, Management Consultant, Cordis Bright
Rob Grieg, National Director, Learning Disabilities
Professor Chris Cullen, University of Keele
Julie Stansfield, Operations Director, In Control
Sally Reynolds, CEO, Social Firms UK
Belinda Schwehr, Legal and Training Consultant
Dr Steve Beyer, Welsh Centre for Learning Disabilities,
Phillippa Russell, Disability Rights Commissioner
To download the full programme please click here.
Conference fees
All inclusive - 3 days/2 nights:
£435 ARC members (£530 non-members)
Day non-residential:
Days 1 or 2 £125 (£155)
Day 3 £65 (£95)
To download the booking form please click here.
For further information please contact:
Janet Hepburn, email or call 01594 530220
or complete the form below and submit.
Keith Lewin from Brunswicks LLP has been invited for
the third year in succession to attend the conference
at which he holds legal 'surgeries' throughout the
three day conference when delegates can raise legal
issue with him. Advice is provided free of charge.
This programme may be subject to change. Bookings
are made subject to the acceptance of ARC's right to
refuse to accept any booking.
For full report click here
34. NCA Annual Conference 2006
The 2006 NCA Annual Conference and Exhibition will
be held on 1 and 2 November 2006 at the Britannia
International Hotel in the heart of London’s Docklands.
The NCA’s annual conference is seen as a crucial
fixture in the independent care homes sector calendar,
at which care home owners, key MPs and care
industry specialists gather to discuss the state of the
care industry.
The Conference Agenda is almost complete and
speakers already confirmed include David Behan,
Chief Inspector of the Commission for Social Care
Inspection (CSCI) and Rodney Brooks, Chairman of
the General Social Care Council (GSCC).
Sheila Scott Chief Executive NCA said today: “I am
delighted to say that Professor Ian Philp, National
Director for Older People’s Services at the Department
of Health, has confirmed that he will be one of
the keynote speakers.”
Professor Philp, has responsibility for implementing
the national service framework for care of older people
in England with a brief to stamp out ageism in the
NHS.
NCA delighted to announce that the New Minister
for Social Care Ivan Lewis MP is to Address NCA
Annual Conference on 1 November 2006
NCA have announced that the new Minister for Social
Care, Ivan Lewis MP has agreed to address
NCA’s Annual Conference at 9.30am on Wednesday
1 November 2006 at the Britannia International Hotel
in London.
Attendance at the conference is open to all and further
information and a booking form can be obtained
from NCA, 45-49 Leather Lane, London EC1N 7TJ,
0207 831 7090. infor@nca.gb.com or www.nca.gb.com
35. New Approaches to Care for Older People
WANLESS SOCIAL CARE REVIEW SEMINAR
TWO
Venue : King's Fund
Date : 7 November 2006
Time : 9.30am-2.00pm
Half-day seminar
Price
Commercial: £150.00 + VAT = £176.25
Public sector: £100.00 + VAT = £117.50
Voluntary sector: £50.00 + VAT = £58.75
Contact email
events@kingsfund.org.uk
Keynote speakers
Dr Julien Forder | Senior Research Fellow and Deputy
Director, Personal Social Services Research Unit,
London School of Economics
Graham Lovell | Healthcare Specialist, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Download booking form (2714kb)
For full report click here
36. Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable
Adults: Implementing the Bichard Recommendations
15 November 2006
Please click here for further information.
37. Protecting Adults from Abuse – Everyone’s
Business
Thursday 30 November 2006 in Central London
The Department of Health guidance No Secrets
(2000) outlined a framework for the protection of vulnerable
adults from harm, neglect or abuse, placing a
requirement on local authorities to implement multiagency
policies to protect vulnerable adults. While
No Secrets must be complied with by councils except
in exceptional circumstances, it is not statutory. In
March, the government said it would examine the
case for putting adult protection on a statutory footing.
The Association of Directors of Social Services
(ADSS) published a set of national standards in 2005,
Safeguarding Adults – everyone’s business, to further
ensure the protection of adults. It outlines good practice
in safeguarding adults and promoting a ‘zero tolerance’
approach to abuse.
This one day conference will examine the protection
of adults who may be unable to protect themselves
from harm due to reasons of mental or other disability,
age or illness.
Important topics include:
• The role of regulation and inspection in protecting
adults
• Interagency working
• Involving service users to develop adult protection
strategies
• Vulnerable adults and the law
• Whistleblowing
• Care providers
• The disciplinary process
•
Speakers
.. Mark Ivory, Acting Editor, Community Care
.. David Behan, Director General for Social Care,
Department of Health
.. Dwayne Johnson, Halton Borough Council; and
ADSS Safeguarding Adults National Reference
Group
.. Paul Snell, CSCI
.. Gary Fitzgerald, Action on Elder Abuse
.. Kathryn Stone and Adele Medhurst, Voice UK
.. Keith M Lewin, Brunswick Solicitors
.. Jean Maclellan, Scottish Executive Health Department
.. Deborah Kitson, Ann Craft Trust
.. Heather Wing OBE and Cyndy Whiffin, General
Social Care Council
.. Frank Ursell, Registered Nursing Home Association
.. Steve West, Barbara Griffiths and Joanna
Palmer, Greater Peterborough Primary Care Partnership
Consultations
To follow in next week’s issue
CSCI, CSIW, Healthcare
Commission &
Scottish Care Commission
38. Healthcare watchdog expresses concern
as health check shows more than a third of
trusts "weak" on use of resources
12 October 2006 – Healthcare Commission
The Healthcare Commission’s summary its performance
ratings on use of resources of NHS trusts in
England.
For full report go to http://
www.healthcarecommission.org.uk//newsandevents/
pressreleases.cfm?
cit_id=4598&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&usec
ache=false
39. Healthcare watchdog praises high performing
trusts as health check shows mixed
picture on quality of services
12 October 2006 – Healthcare Commission
For full report go to http://
www.healthcarecommission.org.uk//newsandevents/
pressreleases.cfm?
cit_id=4600&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&usec
ache=false
40. Healthcare watchdog shines spotlight on
trusts' declarations on core standards
12 October 2006 – Healthcare Commission
For full report go to http://
www.healthcarecommission.org.uk//newsandevents/
pressreleases.cfm?
cit_id=4597&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&usec
ache=false
41. Kennedy urges NHS to raise its game as
health check reveals mixed picture on performance
12 October 2006 – Healthcare Commission
Sir Ian Kennedy, the chair of the Healthcare Commission
has urged the NHS to raise its game and improve
quality of services and use of resources.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk//
n e w s a n d e v e n t s / p r e s s r e l e a s e s . c f m ?
cit_id=4599&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&useca
che=false
42. Health and Social Care Awards 2006
12 October 2006 – CSCI
You have until 31 October to nominate someone for
this year's Health and Social Care Awards by 31 October
2006. The awards ceremony will be taking
place in London in February 2007.
For full report click here
43. Annual Health Check Ratings
12 October 2006 - Healthcare Commission
All the NHS Trust ratings in one place – and you can
search to find out how your local trust is rated.
For full report go to http://
annualhealthcheckratings.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
annualhealthcheckratings.cfm
44. Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust gets lowest
rating for quality of learning difficulty services
12 October 2006 – Community Care
For full report see Learning Disabilities—item 68
45. NHS health check 2006: Facts and figures
12 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see NHS—item 104
46. Q&A: NHS ratings 2006
12 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see NHS—item 105
47. Trusts in east 'need to improve'
12 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see NHS—item 106
48. Health services given poor rating
12 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see NHS—item 107
49. Mixed results for NHS high flyer
12 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see NHS—item 108
50. Half of NHS trusts 'must improve'
12 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see NHS—item 109
51. Hospital trust weak on two counts
12 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see NHS—item 110
52. London trusts 'must raise game'
12 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see NHS—item 111
53. Hospitals top and bottom of table
12 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see NHS—item 112
54. Hospitals receive 'weak' ratings
12 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see NHS—item 113
55. Annual health check for NHS West
12 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see NHS—item 114
56. NHS ratings 2006: Reactions
12 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see NHS—item 116
57. DoH happy with Healthcare Commission’s
review of hospitals
12 October 2006 – GNN
For full report see NHS—item 117
58. Year zero for the NHS - King’s Fund responds
to Healthcare Commission Annual
Health Check
12 October 2006 – King’s Fund
For full report see NHS—item 118
59. New guidance on management of medication
when care homes change pharmeceutical
supplier
11 Oct 2006 – Care Commission
Experience has shown that when a home decides to
change pharmaceutical supplier, there can be a risk
to the care and continuity of medicines supply to service
users. New guidance has been produced to
highlight issues for consideration when such a
change takes place.
For full report click here
60. Healthcare watchdog to unveil most comprehensive
assessment of NHS performance
9 October 2006 – Healthcare Commission
For full report go to http://
www.healthcarecommission.org.uk//newsandevents/
pressreleases.cfm?
cit_id=4590&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&usec
ache=false
Education
61. Care children get university cash
9 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see Children—item 20
62. Schools pledge for care children
9 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see Children—item 21
Ireland, Scotland & Wales
Ireland
Nothing to report
Scotland
63. Patients ‘paying price’ of the drive to centralise
NHS
11 October 2006 – The Herald
An internal document circulating among the UK’s
powerful medical royal colleges shows that patients
are paying the price for centralisation of hospital services.
The document argues that the longer journey
times to hospital will impact on the health of patients
living farthest away.
64. Scottish Statutory Instrument 2006 No.
484
10 October 2006 – OPSI
The National Health Service Central Register
(Scotland) Regulations 2006
For full legislation see Legislation Update—item 70
Wales
65. Shifting NHS focus from buildings
13 October 2006 – BBC News
An article on plans to centralise care away from
smaller hospitals in Wales and how it is affecting the
Welsh.
For full report click here
66. Welsh residential care services slammed
as 'inconsistent'
12 October 2006 – Community Care
For full report click here
For annual report click here
67. Bed blocking 'cancelling surgery'
10 October 2006 – BBC News
Bed blocking at Cardiff’s University Hospital means
that up to 50 operations a week are being cancelled.
Some of the patients in hospital are waiting for a bed
to become available in a care home.
For full report click here
Learning Disabilities
68. Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust gets lowest
rating for quality of learning difficulty services
12 October 2006 – Community Care
Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust has been given the
lowest rating from the Healthcare Commission for the
quality of its services. The Healthcare Commission
said that this year’s ratings were based on a tougher
assessment of trusts than the previous star ratings.
For full report click here
69. Fear of abuse is the spur for talks
9 October 2006 – Evening News
Worcestershire care home owners have met with
county council bosses with their fears of adults with
learning disabilities being at risk of abuse from their
carers when being supported to live in the community.
They say that organisations supporting the group to
live in the community are not registered nor are they
inspected by the authorities. The care home owners
have called a meeting with the head of social care at
Worcestershire County Council to raise their concerns.
Legislation Update
70. Scottish Statutory Instrument 2006 No.
484
10 October 2006 – OPSI
The National Health Service Central Register
(Scotland) Regulations 2006
For full legislation click here
Mental Health
71. Unit patients slept on beanbags
12 October 2006 – BBC News
Two mental health patients at Bodmin Hospital had
to sleep on beanbags after two wards were amalgamated.
The Cornwall Partnership Trust said that the
situation arose because patients had to be separated
and that it hoped it would not happen again.
For full report click here
72. Mental health home treatment move
11 October 2006 – BBC News
NHS Forth Valley have reduced the number of beds
for mental health patients are a new home treatment
scheme led to a reduction in hospital admissions by
a fifth.
For full report click here
73. Mental illness now 'last taboo'
10 October 2006 – BBC News
A special report on mental illness, currently classed
as the last health taboo.
For full report click here
74. Employers urged to improve way mentally
ill staff are treated
10 October 2006 – Community Care
The government has launched a three-year Action on
Stigma campaign to mark World Mental Health Day
to encourage employers to improve how they deal
with mental health in the workplace.
For full report click here
75. Mental health views 'conflicting'
10 October 2006 – BBC News
Research by the Health Promotion Agency has found
conflicting attitudes to mental health in Northern Ireland.
The findings are being presented at a seminar
to mark World Mental Health Day.
For full report click here
76. Action on stigma: promoting mental
health, ending discrimination at work
10 October 2006 – DoH
For full report click here
77. Firms urged to help mentally ill
9 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report click here
78. 'My company helped me recover'
9 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report click here
79. Businesses hit by mental illness
9 October 2006 – BBC News
New research in Scotland has shown that employers
are losing more than £500m a year to mental illness.
One in four people in Scotland will suffer from a mental
illness, and that one in four have been forced to
resign from a job.
For full report click here
80. Events focus on mental wellbeing
9 October 2006 – BBC News
A reports on events marking World Mental Health
Day.
For full report click here
Miscellaneous
81. Hospital phone ban unnecessary
13 October 2006 - The Times
Mobile ‘phones, first banned from hospitals in the
early 1990s because of fears that they would interfere
with sensitive medical equipment, should now be permitted
according to a report by the Medical Devices
Agency. The Agency discovered that mobiles interfere
with just 4% of common medical devices compared
to 41% disruption by equipment used by ambulance
crews and 35% by hospital porters.
Ed. Patientline, the company which provides bedside
TV and ‘phone services in hospitals (see
BHCR Issue 14, item 5 and Issue 2, item 2) which
is experiencing difficult times, including an investigation
by Ofcom after charging patients up to
49p a minute to receive calls, could be in for an
even more bumpy ride as its services would be
significantly marginalised if patients could simply
use their own mobile ‘phones when in hospital.
82. Final guidance - Safer management of
controlled drugs (CDs): changes to recordkeeping
requirements
Guidance for implementation
12 October 2006 – DoH
The purpose of this guidance is to inform and support
relevant healthcare professionals and organisations
in implementing changes to the record keeping
requirements for controlled drugs required by recent
changes to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.
For full report click here
83. HSE publishes simplification plan
11 October 2006 – National Care Forum
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have published
their plan as part of their aim for continuing commitment
to better, smarter regulation to help businesses
comply and to improve health and safety.
For full report click here
For the plan go to http://www.hse.gov.uk/simplification/
index.htm
84. Private hospital sector rosy
11 October 2006 - Laing & Buisson
L & B has published its Healthcare Market Review
2006-7 in which it says that demand for private treatment
accelerated in 2005, which built on strong demand
the previous year. Excluding NHS pay beds
the revenue generated in the sector is estimated at
£2.7bn. Private mental health services are the
strongest growth area.
Ed. The survey (808 pages) can be purchased for
£330 www.laingbuisson.co.uk.
85. Appeal lost on Alzheimer’s
11 October 2006 - The Times
Early stage sufferers will not get the four available
drugs which are said to slow progress of the condition.
National Institute for Clinical Excellence has
said that the evidence of value for money in those
with the moderate condition, so those in the early
stage will no longer get the medication on the
NHS.
Patients already receiving the medication will not
have it withdrawn.
86. Conservatives right to make health their
number one priority, says King's Fund
9 October 2006 – King’s Fund
The King’s Fund’s comments on the Conservative’s
commitment to making the NHS their first priority.
For full report click here
87. Extra boost for social enterprise trailblazers
11 October 2006 – DoH (GNN)
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt announced financial
support for trailblazing social enterprises who want to
explore innovative ways of providing health and social
care. This is in addition to the investment already
promised from April 2007.
88. ‘The Accolades’ finalists announced
October 2006—Caring Times, page 9
Finalists in the a prestigious awards ceremony celebrating
achievement in workforce development
across England’s social care sector have been announced.
The ceremony will be held in a London
hotel on 27 October.
To view all the finalists see skillsforcare.org.uk
89. The Hallmark health drive
Hallmark Healthcare—Autumn 2006, Issue 7
Hallmark has launched a healthy eating campaign led
by Gerrit Bantjes, an expert in food and nutrition and
who has coached a number of leading sports teams
including the Welsh Rugby Union Squad.
90. Hallmark Goes Green
Hallmark Healthcare—Autumn 2006, Issue 7
Hallmark Healthcare has launched a new initiative
looking to adopt the best environmentally friendly initiatives
aimed at being kinder to the environment.
91. Birmingham gears up for biggest Care
Show to date
Care Magazine—Issue 5
Article about the upcoming Care Show at the NEC on
25-26 October with over 160 exhibitors showcasing
the latest products and services for the care industry.
The event is expected to attract over 2000 healthcare
professionals to Birmingham.
Corporate Manslaughter
92. Death at work law
11 October 2006 – The Times
Public bodies such as Government departments, local
authorities and the like could lose immunity to
charges of ‘corporate manslaughter’ under the Bill
before Parliament. The Home Secretary, John Reid,
has said that public bodies and the private sector
should not be treated differently.
NHS
93. Major new move to shift NHS care closer
to patients
16 October 2006 – DoH (GNN)
Health Minister Lord Warner has announced a nationwide
wave of demonstration projects to help the NHS
carry out millions more operations and tests at the
doctor’s surgery instead of hospitals. There are 30
pilots currently under way.
94. NHS centres ‘rationing consultant visits’
15 October 2006 - The Sunday Telegraph
A third of PCTs have established referrals management
centres which, it is asserted, prolong waiting
times, prevent patients seeing the doctor of choice in
a quest to save cash. GPs claim e scheme prevents
patients seeing consultants sooner than the Government’s
outpatient target of 13 wks.
95. Hospitals bin £6m in untouched food as
elderly go untended
15 October 2006 - The Sunday Telegraph
A report that 37,000 meals a day are thrown away in
the NHS an embarrassment to the Government
which earlier in the year quietly dropped a campaign
headed by Loyd Grossman and costing £40m to
drive up standards of catering in the health service.
Ed. Time for Jamie Oliver to step up to the mark
and challenge the poor standards in the style of
the school dinners furore he began by challenging
the price driven approach.
96. GPs to carry out more operations
15 October 2006 – BBC News
The government is due to launch a nationwide wave
of pilot schemes aiming to end long trips to hospitals
for many minor procedures. Under the schemes,
millions more operations and tests could be carried
out in doctors’ surgeries instead.
For full report click here
97. Committee looks at hospital bugs
13 October 2006 – BBC News
Norfolk County Council’s health scrutiny committee
will be discussion the problem of bugs, such as
MRSA, within hospitals in the region. The Committee
will hear about a new code of practice on hospital
cleanliness now in force as a result of the 2006
Health Act.
For full report click here
98. Arthritis drug access 'a lottery'
13 October 2006 – BBC News
A study shows that there is still a postcode lottery for
those patients who need to obtain advanced rheumatoid
arthritis drugs. This is in spite of National Institute
for Health and Clinical Excellence approval for
anti-TNF drugs. Local health groups are saying that
funding shortages mean that they have to limit prescription
of the drugs.
For full report click here
99. Shifting NHS focus from buildings
13 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see Wales—item ?
100. Audit Commission reveals use of resources
judgements for NHS bodies
12 October 2006 – Audit Commission
The Audit Commission has published judgements
showing how well or poorly individual NHS trusts and
primary care trusts are managing and using their financial
resources. The ratings cover 538 NHS organisations
for 2005/6.
For full report click here
101. Welsh residential care services
slammed as 'inconsistent'
12 October 2006 – Community Care
For full report see Wales—item ?
102. Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust gets
lowest rating for quality of learning difficulty
services
12 October 2006 – Community Care
For full report see Learning Disabilities—item 68
103. Unit patients slept on beanbags
12 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see Mental Health—item 71
104. NHS health check 2006: Facts and figures
12 October 2006 – BBC News
The Healthcare Commission’s ratings and a link for
you to check how your local NHS trusts has fared.
For full report click here
105. Q&A: NHS ratings 2006
12 October 2006 – BBC News
An article explaining what the Healthcare Commission’s
performance ratings for NHS organisations in
England means.
For full report click here
106. Trusts in east 'need to improve'
12 October 2006 – BBC News
How the east of England’s NHS has fared with the
Healthcare Commission’s performance ratings.
For full report click here
107. Health services given poor rating
12 October 2006 – BBC News
The Healthcare Commission’s ratings on NHS services
in the West Midlands.
For full report click here
108. Mixed results for NHS high flyer
12 October 2006 – BBC News
A report on Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospital
NHS Trust in Berkshire and how they fared in the
Healthcare Commission’s ratings.
For full report click here
109. Half of NHS trusts 'must improve'
12 October 2006 – BBC News
A broad overview of the Healthcare Commission’s
ratings and how it impacts across NHS services
across England. 570 bodies were assessed, including
hospitals, ambulance trusts, primary care and
mental health trusts. Each was ranked on quality of
services and financial management.
For full report click here
110. Hospital trust weak on two counts
12 October 2006 – BBC News
How NHS services in the South East have rated in
the Health Commission’s annual review.
For full report click here
111. London trusts 'must raise game'
12 October 2006 – BBC News
Three London NHS trusts have not fared too well in
the Healthcare Commission’s ratings.
For full report click here
112. Hospitals top and bottom of table
12 October 2006 – BBC News
Harrogate hospital were rated as one of the best in
England according to the Healthcare Commission.
For full report click here
113. Hospitals receive 'weak' ratings
12 October 2006 – BBC News
Two South West hospitals have received low ratings
in both categories by the Healthcare Commission.
For full report click here
114. Annual health check for NHS West
12 October 2006 – BBC News
Areas in the West have been rated by the Healthcare
Commission as “weak”.
For full report click here
115. Papers united over state of NHS
12 October 2006 – BBC News
The newspapers are all reporting on the state of the
NHS on their front pages.
For full report click here
116. NHS ratings 2006: Reactions
12 October 2006 – BBC News
Organisations and campaigners voice their reactions
to the Healthcare Commission’s NHS health check,
ranking hospitals, primary care groups, mental health
trusts and ambulance trusts on their quality of care
and financial management.
For full report click here
117. DoH happy with Healthcare Commission’s
review of hospitals
12 October 2006 – GNN
The Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, congratulated
NHS Trusts on the overall results of the Healthcare
Commission’s Annual Health Check saying ‘The best
of the NHS is amongst the best in the world…But I
want to see the best everywhere [in the NHS]’.
118. Year zero for the NHS - King’s Fund responds
to Healthcare Commission Annual
Health Check
12 October 2006 – King’s Fund
The King’s Fund comments on the new ratings system.
For full report click here
119. NHS Reforms : Getting Back on Track
12 October 2006 – King’s Fund
For full report click here
120. Hospital volunteers' vouchers cut
12 October 2006 – BBC News
Hundreds of hospital volunteers who work at Nottingham
City Hospital have had their food allowances cut.
The cash-strapped trust is now only going to give
volunteers up to £2.50 towards their lunch.
For full report click here
121. Speech therapy cuts 'soft target'
12 October 2006 – BBC News
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
(RCSLT) have voiced their concerns over a
trend among NHS Primary Care Trusts to cut their
services as part of their efforts to save cash.
For full report click here
122. Warner challenges NHS to improve the
management of temporary staff costs
11 October 2006 – DoH (GNN)
Lord Warner, Minister of State for Health, told the
NHS that a more significant contribution to balancing
the books could be made by better managing temporary
staff.
123. Critical care centre claim denied
11 October 2006 – BBC News
A plan to install a new critical care hospital to cover
south London and north Surrey is still planned in spite
of the fact that health campaigners reckon the idea
has been dropped.
For full report click here
124. Trust offers staff career breaks
11 October 2006 – BBC News
East London and the City Mental Health Trust is offering
career breaks to try and save up to £4.7m. The
Trust plans to freeze 162 posts (mainly nursing) until
April 2007 when it hopes that it can pay them again.
For full report click here
125. Creating a disability equality scheme a
practical guide for the NHS
11 October 2006 – DoH
This document has practical best practice advice on
how NHS organisations might produce a Disability
Equality Scheme that sets out how they will meet
their statutory duty to promote disability equality,
which comes into effect on 4th December.
For full report click here
126. NHS apologises over patient death
11 October 2006 – BBC News
The family of Eileen Scott, 85 have received an apology
from NHS bosses at Broadgreen Hospital in Liverpool.
The family claimed that Mrs Scott died in her
own excrement due to understaffing at the hospital.
For full report click here
127. NHS trust could cut up to 90 jobs
11 October 2006 – BBC News
Coventry Teaching Primary Care Trust said that they
may need to make up to 90 jobs redundant. It has a
predicted end of year overspend of £11m.
For full report click here
128. Weak hospitals are failing to care for
patients
11 October 2006 - The Times
63 NHS Trusts were responsible for 70% of the NHS
deficit. Patricia Hewitt said trusts running up debts
were likely to be mismanaging patients, have worse
waiting times, cleanliness and MRSA.
129. Cost of curing problems has quadrupled,
say Tories
11 October 2006
The Government has paid £20m on external
‘turnaround’ consultants to tackle NHS deficits. The
Government said in June 2006 that the bill was £5m.
130. Patients ‘paying price’ of the drive to
centralise NHS
11 October 2006 – The Herald
For full report see Scotland—item 63
131. Mental health home treatment move
11 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see Learning Disabilities—item 72
132. NHS improvements must not be at the
expense of social care, says health leader
11 October 2006 – Community Care
For full report see Social Care—item 157
133. Father 'paying for cancer drug'
10 October 2006 – BBC News
John O’Brien from Hanley in Stoke-on-Trent is trying
to raise £20,000 to pay for his treatment after being
diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour. His health
trust will not pay for the drug Temozolomide, as it has
been licensed for use, but not approved as an effective
therapy.
For full report click here
134. MP's 'major concern' for hospital
10 October 2006 – BBC News
Eastbourne Conservative MP Nigel Waterson has
expressed his concern about the treatment of psychiatric
patients and procedures shown in an undercover
TV documentary, Channel 4’s Dispatches.
For full report click here
135. Government publishes its Health Challenge
for England
10 October 2006 - DoH (GNN)
Public Health Minister Caroline Flint has outlined the
government’s radical new approach to improve health
and tackle health inequalities. The Health Profile of
England shows the full scale of public health improvements
and sets out the next stage of action.
136. Query over £12bn NHS IT upgrade
10 October 2006 – BBC News
Scientists are urging MPs to launch an inquiry in an
open letter to the Commons health select committee.
They have expressed their doubts about whether the
£12bn NHS computer upgrade will “work adequately”.
For full report click here
137. Experts warn NHS computer system
may be £20bn flop
10 October 2006
Ed. This is an old story. Reported months ago in
BHCR.
138. NHS trusts are £1/2bn in debt
10 October 2006 - The Times
£547m was the total deficit to the end of the last financial
year.
139. I’ll take the politicians’ fingers out of the
NHS pie, says Cameron
10 October 2006 - The Times
As David Cameron attempts to woo voters and convince
them the Tories are the champions of the NHS,
he said he will give doctors more power, patients
more choice and providers more competition. He
plans to promote an NHS Independence Bill to Parliament
in the new year.
140. Dentists quit the NHS
10 October 2006 - The Times
1,600 dentists quit the NHS in protest at Labour
reforms
10 October 2006 - Daily Mail
1,649 dentists in England left the NHS during the first
three months of the new dental contract.
141. Bed blocking 'cancelling surgery'
10 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see Wales—item 67
142. Dentists quit after new contract
9 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report click here
143. Health team aids care home staff
9 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see Care Homes—item 7
144. Suspended chiefs 'refused cuts'
9 October 2006 – BBC News
A union has claimed that two senior managers of an
NHS Trust were suspended because they put services
and staff before finance. The chief executive of
Scarborough and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust,
Alison Guy, and finance director Bernard Flynn were
suspended in July.
For full report click here
145. 'Waste' of doctors without jobs
9 October 2006 – BBC News
Budget cuts in South East NHS hospital trusts
means that trained doctors are finding it difficult to
get jobs. The British Medical Association said that
250 newly qualified doctors in the UK were unemployed.
For full report click here
146. NHS organisations audited final accounts
surplus, deficits or breakeven position
2005-06
9 October 2006 – DoH
The link sets out a list of all Strategic Health Authorities
and their organisations’ audited final financial
positions, showing those that registered a surplus,
deficit or break even in 2005/6.
For full report click here
147. Hospitals face tougher ‘health checks’
9 October 2006 - The Times
A news item looking ahead to the announcement by
the Healthcare Commission of the results of its review
of NHS Trusts.
148. Tories plan Bill to liberate NHS
9 October 2006 - The Times
Short item on David Cameron’s plan to introduce an
NHS Independence Bill in 2007 to take politicians out
of the day-to-day running of healthcare.
149. Cameron wants 'independent' NHS
9 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report click here
Nursing
150. Trainee nurses 'do have future'
8 October 2006 – BBC News
Following reports of nurses being offered posts at
Cairns Base Hospital in Queensland, Australia, the
chairman of Stoke-on-Trent’s hospital has stressed
that there will be jobs for trainee nurses.
For full report click here
Older People
151. How to cheat the Alzheimer’s test and
get the drugs on the NHS
15 October 2006—The Sunday Telegraph
A short article on how to respond to the MMSE test of
mental function so as to score 20 or less out of 30.
Ed. One can perhaps expect family members to
begin coaching their older relatives how to ‘fail’
the test.
152. Carers can’t help 4ft 9in woman of 99
upstairs in case she falls on them
14 October 2006 - Daily Mail
Brief article about Edna East, 99, and Suzanne
Singer, her daughter – Mrs East lives with Mrs Singer
and her husband. Mrs East needs to go upstairs in
their house, something she is capable of doing, but,
she now needs ‘a bit of supervision’. The domiciliary
provider contracted to provide 45 mins care and support
in the morning and 30 mins in the evening and
the care staff were happy to stand behind Mrs East s
she went up stairs. However, this was stopped when
a risk assessment found there was a risk to staff if
Mrs East stumbled and fell on them – she is 7 stone.
The family have dispensed with the domiciliary support
and have a full-time carer from Slovakia for
whom they fund her English language course.
153. Is this your old-age home?
10 October 2006 - Metro
A look at the Berryhill retirement village, Stoke-on-
Trent and the success of Dr William Thomas’ Eden
Alternative nursing homes in the USA and comparing
them to the traditional UK state provision for older
care.
154. Minister announces push to safeguard
Dignity in Care for older people
10 October 2006 - DoH (GNN)
Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis has launched a
new campaign aimed at securing dignity in care for
older people. He stated his intentions at the Elder
Abuse Guaranteeing Dignity and Wellbeing for older
people conference.
155. Warm words are not enough to secure
dignity in care, says Help the Aged
11 October 2006 – Help the Aged
Help the Aged’s response to the new government
campaign to secure dignity in care for older people.
For full report click here
156. Heartache of elderly couple forced to
live apart after 51 years of marriage
9 October 2006 – ThisisLondon
A devoted elderly couple who have been married for
51 years have been forced into different care homes
by social services. Geoffrey and Margaret Jones
have been split up for the first time since they fell in
love and their family believe their health is deteriorating
further because of the heartache of being apart.
Volume 1 Issue 30
Social Care
157. NHS improvements must not be at the
expense of social care, says health leader
11 October 2006 – Community Care
Jo Webber, deputy policy director of the NHS Confederation
is calling for local health leaders to take
account of the impact of redesigning services on social
care.
For full report click here
158. More intermediate care needed to promote
service user independence
10 October 2006 – Community Care
Anne Williams, vice-president elect of the Association
of Directors of Social Services is calling for a big
increase in intermediate care services to help meet
the government’s objectives of promoting independence
and choice for service users.
For full report click here
159. Wanless: Political consensus on need
for reform of adult social care funding
10 October 2006 – Community Care
Derek Wanless has made a statement that all three
main political parties recognise the current funding
system for adult social care is not sustainable, and
that the means-tested system had to be reformed.
For full report click here
160. Older carers 'need' more support
10 October 2006 – BBC News
The charity IndependentAge has accused social services
of denying essential support to older people
who provide care for family members. Nearly a quarter
of people who support someone for more than 50
hours a week are aged over 80 themselves.
For full report click here
161. Government to alter how care is funded
October 2006—Caring Business, page 4
Article about care associations slamming consultation
as a ‘wasted chance’ and plans as ‘inappropriate’ as
the Department of Health plans to replace the current
local rules with a national framework to make the system
fairer in England.
Staff, employment and
disciplinary
162. Death at work law
11 October 2006 – The Times
For full report see Miscellaneous—item 92
163. Hacked off with the whistle-blowing laws
10 October 2006 - The Times – Law
Article looking at the limits placed on employees.
Concerns the teacher who warned his school’s
governors of the vulnerability of the new computer
system. He was not listened to, so, to prove his point
he accessed the computer, decoded the encrypted
passwords and disabled ‘various user accounts’. He
was disciplined not for whistle-blowing but for unauthorised
access to the computer data. Following his
failed appeal he resigned and brought a claim based
on protection for whistle-blowers. The Employment
Tribunal found against him, as have the courts.
Ed. The purpose of the legislation is to encourage
public interest disclosures to be made internally.
Brunswicks’ can help; we have designed
whistle-blowing hotlines dedicated to your business,
we are seen by the workforce as independent
and they know that their reports will get direct
to the directors of the business. Reports can be
made anonymously. To get more information
click here.
164. Mental illness now 'last taboo'
10 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see Mental Health—item 73
165. Employers urged to improve way mentally
ill staff are treated
10 October 2006 – Community Care
For full report see Mental Health—item 74
166. Mental health views 'conflicting'
10 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see Mental Health—item 75
167. Action on stigma: promoting mental
health, ending discrimination at work
10 October 2006 – DoH
For full report see Mental Health—item 76
168. Firms urged to help mentally ill
9 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see Mental Health—item 77
169. 'My company helped me recover'
9 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see Mental Health—item 78
170. Businesses hit by mental illness
9 October 2006 – BBC News
For full report see Mental Health—item 79
The joy and value of podcasts
“Welcome to this Brunswicks podcast I’m Andrew
Dawson your guide for this edition”…
It was with these words almost a year ago that
Brunswicks took its first step into radio style broadcasts
over the internet. It was done quietly and without
fuss or announcements. That was part of a deliberate
policy of making sure we could produce
something that others would find useful and interesting
– also, we needed to be sure we could master
the new media and associated technology as we did
then and still do all the work in-house ourselves.
In addition to being lawyers we became broadcasters,
editors, producers composers and publishers!
We believe that we were the first lawyers in the
UK to podcast. Those of you reading this article via
email or pdf on your computers know that Brunswicks
likes to be an early adopter of digital technology.
We understand there is considerable demand for
topical updates on legal matters – but not everyone
wants to read or has the time to read; of course,
there is a large community of people who are visually
impaired for whom reading provides additional challenges
– for all these reasons we decided to take the
leap of producing radio style broadcasts. The attraction
of a podcast is that the listener can choose when
and where to listen to the broadcast once it has been
downloaded to his/her computer. It can then be listened
to anytime, anywhere either via the computer,
an mp3 player or iPod synchronised.
There are two main ways of accessing our podcasts
– either by downloading them directly from
www.brunswicks.libsyn.com where you can also find
our ‘show’ notes; or you can access them through a
podcast ‘aggregator’ such as iTunes.
iTunes is a free download from www.apple.com/
itunes/ and you don’t need an iPod to use it although
having an iPod does give you added flexibility. The
great advantage of using an aggregator is that it will
automatically download the latest podcast when it
become available – providing of course the aggregator
is active on your computer.
If you have iTunes loaded on your computer just go
into the Music Store and search for
“Brunswicks.” We should appear readily – all you
then have to do is click on ‘subscribe’. This will ensure
you’ll get all new episodes. If you want to access
and download anything from our “back catalogue”
just click on the “get” button next to the particular
broadcast you want.
Keith and I are officially “artists” on iTunes – and no,
there is no word appearing in front of artist!
Interestingly our existing audience is split 50:50 in
terms of preference! For me I’d use an aggregator
everytime – but then I listen to a wide range of podcasting
materials on my iPod when walking the dog –
its useful to have the latest material to listen to whilst
my labrador is disturbing the local wildlife.
As in any new venture there have been highs and
lows – I well remember doing my very first podcast in
August 2005 (this one was an in-house trial and
never published). I’d spent many hours composing
what I wanted to say and then managed to wipe both
my notes and my recording before having verified I
had published it effectively – it took me until 2:30am
to redo the work and repair the damage. Then there
was one of Keith’s early attempts sitting on a Spanish
beach – no doubt it was idyllic and what he was saying
was truly memorable – but you could hear little of
it above the rushing wind and the lapping sea!
Those lessons were quickly learnt and the bad experiences
long forgotten when we saw the statistics
for those listening to our podcasts growing well beyond
immediate friends and family. One of my
friends has asked me to ensure that I stick to radio
style broadcasts – uttering the immortal line –
“Andrew you have a face for radio!”
It has been fascinating watching the popularity of our
podcasts grow over the year without us even announcing
that they existed.
The BBC started to ‘push’ podcasting in early 2006,
that and the iPod craze has certainly helped us build
an audience. Like many podcasters I have to confess
I’m a statistics junkie – avidly studying the audience
figures for each show and the number of unique internet
addresses used to access them which provides
me with a good idea of how many people have listened
to what we are producing.
Having built up a library of podcast materials for
download we are today formally launching the existence
of the podcast site and will be promoting it
though articles and direct mailings.
We invite you to go and listen to our materials –
there is a series specifically aimed at the health and
social care sector. There is also a range of more
generally applicable materials on health and safety
which will apply to your business.
Do give us ‘feedback’ on our podcasts. Only by our
listening to you can we refine what we produce and
make it more relevant to what you need and find useful.
To directly access the podcast materials click here.
Andrew Dawson