Editorial
Brunswicks has seen a substantial increase in the
last couple of months of local authorities temporarily
suspending contracts and placing embargoes on
referrals of new service users to care providers.
The reasons given are invariably about concerns
relating to adult protection.
However, given the number; given the fact that some
local authorities seem to be reluctant to go into print
setting out precisely what matters they are
concerned about, I am beginning to wonder...
In these cash-strapped times as we get closer to the
end of the financial year, some may wonder why the
reasons given for suspending contracts is said
merely to avoid further spending during this financial
year.
Time will tell…
This week’s article
This week we are privileged to be able to bring to you the Briefing Paper circulated to members of the House of Lords last week.
To read article click here.
Parliament
11.03.08 – HoC - Disability Poverty in the UK;
Nursing and Midwifery Council;
13.03.08 – HoC - Debate on the Human Rights of
Older People in Healthcare, HC 378, and the
Government response, HC 72
Continued...
Next
Abuse
1. Police to arrest Jersey Suspects
9 March 2008 - The Sunday Times
Police investigating the Jersey child abuse scandal
centred on the former children’s home at Haut de la
Garenne have indicated that they expect to arrest
three suspects in the next fortnight. Blood found in
the concrete bath earlier in the week was confirmed
as being human in origin.
2. Specks of blood are found in Jersey care
home bath
8 March 2008 - The Times
Police have said that they may begin making arrests
in the next fortnight after specially trained dogs detected
blood in a concrete bath in one of the cellars
suspected of having been used to torture youngsters
living in the care home Haut de la Garenne.
3. No hiding place for child abuse
6 March 2008 - Liverpool Echo
IT’S NOT often I freeze on radio or get stuck for
words.
A radio presenter said that he froze and was stuck
for words last week when a former ‘doorman’ broke
down and wept after he revealed, live on radio, that
he had been sexually abused when he was in his
early teens. The outpouring was triggered by the
media coverage of the care home investigation in
Jersey.
And the reason why this man was in such a state
and why he needed to talk about the horrifying abuse
he suffered all those years ago is the care home investigation
in Jersey.
4. Man claims child abuse on Guernsey
5 March 2008 - The Times
Carl Denning, 49, spent six years at Haut de la Garenne
was moved from Jersey to Guernsey aged 11
and claims he was abused there too.
5. ‘Well over 40 suspects’ in abuse case
4 March 2008 - The Times
At the investigation in Jersey into the alleged deaths
and abuse at Haut de la Garenne it is announced that
there are more than 40 identified suspects, more than
160 alleged victims and a list of unaccounted for former
residents was being compiled.
6. CSCI begins new study into safeguarding
4 March 2008
CSCI is going to carry out a new study into how well
people are protected from abuse or neglect in adult
social care. The study into safeguarding will look at
how good the way adult social care is provided is at:
• Raising awareness of abuse issues and giving
priority to safeguarding
• Preventing abuse
• Recognising and acting on allegations
• Continually improving safeguarding systems and
practice
CSCI inspectors will, apparently, be asking some additional
questions in key inspections of care services
carried out from 5 to the 16 May.
Between 21 April and 16 May it will also be carrying
out some thematic inspections that focus on safeguarding.
Business News
7. Clinics group eyes Nestor takeover
9 March 2008 - The Sunday Times
Assura, owner of private out patient clinics, is said to
be examining a possible bid for Nestor Healthcare
which provides out-of-hours GP services.
8. The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to
work for
9 March 2008 - The Sunday Times
9 Sandwell Community Caring Trust; care provider
32 Stryker UK; orthopaedic/medical devices
43 Foster Care Associates; fostering agency
61 Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals;
pharma manufacturing/sales
69 Medtronic; medical devices
76 Coloplast; medical devices
Reckitt faces inquires over ‘plan’ to maintain
Gaviscon’s dominance
8 March 2008 - The Times
7 March 2008 - BBC TV, Newsnight
Reckitt Benckiser manufacturer of Gaviscon face investigation
from competition regulators after it was
revealed that senior executives of the company allegedly
used a deliberate stalling and other tactics to
keep competitors from producing a generic version of
the medication once the company’s patents had expired.
Reckitt faces inquires over ‘plan’ to maintain
Gaviscon’s dominance (continued…)
The Department of Health Counter-Fraud Service is
examining whether it can conduct and inquiry.
The company’s conduct is said to have kept the cost
of the medicine artificially high, costing the NHS
some £40m a year.
9. Cygnet Health Care in £340m refinancing
7 March 2008
John Hughes, the man credited with turning around
The Priory in the 1980s, has completed a buyout of
Cygnet Health Care for £340 million. Cygnet, was
founded by Hughes in 1987, is one of Britain’s leading
independent providers of psychiatric treatment.
The deal has been completed in conjunction with the
leading healthcare group, Grove Limited. Grove,
acquired a 25% stake in Cygnet in 2004, is also the
owner of Barchester Healthcare.
Cygnet operates 16 centres across the UK with over
600 inpatient beds for private and NHS funded patients.
It provides a broad mix of specialist psychiatric
treatment, focussing on a personalised service to
patients with psychological, emotional and addiction
problems.
The company was valued at £340 million, consisting
of £280 million in equity plus £60 million in
debt. Cygnet’s 450 managers and staff have ownership
of 11% of the business, with the remainder held
by John Hughes, the company Chairman Ken Wilson
and Grove. A consortium of banks led by RBS
have provided facilities of £165m in term
loans, new development lending, and a revolving
working capital loan to Cygnet Health Care. The
refinanced business will be in a position to expand
through acquisition.
10. Priory Announces New Services Division
4 March 2008
The Priory Group has announced the appointment of
Bhavna Jones as Managing Director of its newly
formed Care Homes Division. Ms Jones has experience
in the long term care sector, having held senior
management positions with many current and former
corporate care providers, including Takare, BUPA
and Westminster Healthcare. She will take up her
new post on 1 March 2008.
Having joined the Priory Group in April 2005, she
has, as the Managing Director of the Complex Care
and Rehabilitation division, been directly involved in
the development and maintenance of high quality
care services for Priory clients.
Alison Rose-Quirie, MD of the Priory Group's Secure
and Step Down Services division, will assume responsibility
for those hospitals presently managed by
Ms Jones. As a consequence, the Priory Group will
be able to offer price flexibility and care package pricing,
as Priory's Secure and Step Down Services division
will now offer secure, complex care and step
down services as one service offering.
Philip Scott, recently appointed CEO, said:
"Bhavna's appointment is in keeping with our desire
to expand the range of services currently offered by
the Priory Group and we expect over the coming
months to add a number of care homes to the
Group's portfolio. Those acquisitions will be further
supplemented by the development of a new build
pipeline that will see many new care homes come on
stream in 2009 and 2010. Those care homes are
likely to provide services for both elderly and younger
people with physical and learning disabilities."
11. Caring Homes Limited buys in Fife
4 March 2008
Caring Homes has bought, through Christie & Co,
another care home in Scotland taking the total of
Scottish homes to five. The new acquisition is
Scoonie House and is registered for 36 bed with
scope to add a further 40 beds.
12. Caring Homes hooks massive refinancing
deal
March 2008 - Community Care Market News
Caring Homes is operating under a new corporate
arrangement following what is believed to be a very
large refinancing of the business. Founders Paul
Jeffery, Helena Jeffery and Craig Griffin retain the
majority stake but Bank of Scotland is thought to have
invested £600m.
The company is remaining tight-lipped on the deal.
13. Southern Cross Healthcare acquires The
Portland Group and private care home
3 March 2008
Southern Cross Healthcare Group PLC announced it
has acquired 368 high quality elderly care beds plus
126 daycare placements in seven modern, purpose
built care homes from The Portland
Group for £42m. The freehold interest of the seven
h o m e s , w h i c h are a l l l o c a t e d
in the North East of England, will be sold to a landlord
f u n d a n d S o u t h e r n C r o s s
will retain the operating business for a nominal consideration.
The Company has also acquired a high quality care
home in Worcester that provides a further 54 beds
which will be integrated into the Group’s Ashbourne
Senior Living portfolio which now stands at 81 homes.
The Group also announced that it had agreed terms
to extend its current acquisition facility by £46 million
to £106 million. This increased facility will be used to
fund today’s acquisition and give us more flexibility to
fund future growth.
Since 30 September 2007, the Company has inc
r e ased total r e g i s t e red beds by
7.3%. Southern Cross now operates 36,823 beds in
723 care homes
Bill Colvin, Chief Executive Officer of Southern
Cross, commented:
“We are pleased to announce the acquisition of The
Portland Group which not only adds another seven
high quality, modern care homes to our portfolio but
also expand our care offering to include daycare,
which I believe will become an increasingly important
element of elderly care.”
14. Axa forced to repay £3m
March 2008 - Community Care Market News
The Financial Services Ombudsman has ordered
Axa to refund £3m taken in the mid-1990s as premiums
for long term care after failing to give adequate
risks warnings.
15. Craegmoor’s sale imminent?
March 2008 - Community Care Market News
Speculation that Craegmoor might be put on the
market in the second half of 2008, suggestions that
the price might be £400m and that NM Rothschild is
involved.
16. Stick or twist?
March 2008 - HealthInvestor
Article considering the issues faced by private equity
firms who have invested in hospital portfolios. BUPA
will remain a key player through its role as major purchaser
of privately funded health procedures.
Care Homes
17. Liverpool care home workers protest over
closures
7 March 2008 - Liverpool Echo
Workers have protested outside Liverpool Town Hall
against closure of two care homes. They are unhappy
at proposals to shut Leighton Dene residential
home in Fazakerley, and the Kensington district
Boaler Street rehabilitation unit.
18. Care Homes unprepared for new corporate
manslaughter legislation
5 March 2008 - Southern-housing.co.uk
Care home managers and owners remain unaware of
the potential implications of the new Corporate Manslaughter
and Corporate homicide Act which is due to
come into force in the next few weeks according to a
recent study. The study conducted by insurance broker
Smart & Cook’s specialist care home division,
Gold Direct, sampled the views of 100 care home
owner/managers, 80% didn’t know when the new Act
was due to come into effect, and 40% had no understanding
of the act itself.
For full report go to http://www.southern-housing.co.uk/news/
care-homes-unprepared-for-new-corporate-manslaughterlegislation-
1720-12.html
Ed. Clearly not readers of BHCR then!
19. Families unaware of care failings
5 March 2008 – BBC News
Relatives of elderly residents at the Hillings, in Eaton
Socon, Cambridgeshire said they were not told about
low inspection results and its failing standards of
care. The care home received a warning letter from
CSCI in November 2007.
The CSCI report over November and December
showed some parts of the building had smelled rotten,
it was unhygenic and unpleasant and at one
stage had run out of incontinence pads.
For full report click here
20. Meeting over care home costs
4 March 2008 – Hartlepool Mail
Hartlepool Borough council is discussing proposals to
introduce new arrangements for elderly and disabled
people to pay what they can afford towards the care
they receive to live at home, despite the different services
they may use.
For full report go to http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/
Meeting-over-care-home-costs.3839376.jp
21. Care homes warn of stormy future
1 March 2008 – Evening Telegraph
County Councillors have agreed to increase the
amount given to care homes by up to 3% in the coming
year but the Northamptonshire Association of
Registered Care Homes say it will cause problems for
care homes. The statement came as a gap in funding
for people in care homes was revealed.
For full report go to http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Carehomes-
warn-of-stormy.3832779.jp
22. Workers shocked as two city care homes
face closure
1 March 2008 – Liverpool Echo
Shock news has revealed that two Liverpool care
homes will close. Care workers told of their shock at
hearing the news, as the homes are used by hundreds
of elderly patients, many of whom have illnesses
such as Alzheimer’s or dementia.
For full report go to http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpoolnews/
local-news/2008/03/01/workers-shocked-as-two-citycare-
homes-face-closure-100252-20544438/
23. Hampshire council’s care homes: doubts
raised over claims of cost effectiveness
March 2008 - Caring Times
Hype from Hampshire? The council claims to have
saved £12m by building 12 care homes in the past
five years. However, nothing is said of the 45% cost
over-run.
Ed. I wonder what the effect will be for the ratepayers
of the claims for equal value pay claims
as referred to in the article in BHCR last week
’The State—a hypocritical parent?‘ by Andrew
Dawson!
24. Stamping out good practice – strengths
and weaknesses
March 2008 - Caring Times
Article by Mike Neilens in which he says that CSCI
inspectors who fail to acknowledge the positive nature
of weaknesses identified by quality assurance
processes may give care providers a perverse incentive.
And how a narrow approach to inspection may
result in stamping out the good practice of seeking
the input of external consultants and experts.
25. Care Home Hero Winner 2007
March 2008 - Caring Times
Emma Bellett is the winner. Emma has cystic fibrosis
and is a senior carer in Bickleigh Down Care
Home, Plymouth.
26. Care ratings review: trick or treat?
March 2008 - Caring Times
Bob Ferguson considers the appeals process for providers
against quality ratings – CSCI says the process
is absolutely fair. Bob disagrees, his view is that
the process is to fairness what apartheid was to racial
equality!
Ed. Disappointingly for the sector, I agree with
Bob.
27. Care home costs will double by 2028 –
but insurance sector yet to act
March 2008 - Community Care Market News
Laing & Bussion says average cost of a four year
stay in a care home is £112,000 but, assuming care
home fees increase at 3.5% the cost will increase to
£56,000.
Case Reports
Law Reports
28. Re: S (a child)
In care proceedings, there was no probative value in
allowing an expert witness to access evidence relating
to “mere allegations” and complaints of a father's
alleged sexual misbehaviour in the past which had
not led to prosecution.
Disciplinary cases
Nothing to report
Cases in the news
29. Climbié worker says she was 'crushed' by
the system
7 March 2008 – Community Care
Arthurworrey tells tribunal: 'I live with Victoria
inside my head'
7 March 2008 – Community Care
Lisa Arthurworrey has admitted sending inappropriate
e-mails to the General Social Care Council as a result
of the huge pressure she was under following the
death of a child. She was the social worker at the
centre of the Victoria Climbié case.
She told a Care Standards Tribunal hearing that the
e-mails were sent at a time when she was experiencing
a lot of stress due to harassment at work.
For full report click here
For 2nd CC report click here
30. Bed rails results in £35,000 fine
7 March 2008 - GNN
Care home fined over rails death
7 March 2008 – BBC News
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has reminded
those who care for vulnerable people of the
duty of care they have towards such people. The
warning follows the death of an elderly resident in a
Telford care centre.
Ashbourne Ltd was fined £35,000 and ordered to pay
£33,000 costs by Shrewsbury Crown Court on
07.03.08 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 3
(1) of the Health and Safety at work etc Act 1974.
Rosalind James, aged 89, was a resident at
St.George's Park Care Centre in Telford on 20th April
2005, when she was found slumped over a set of collapsed
bed rails.
For BBC report click here
Ed. As regular readers will now know Section 3
(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
states: "It shall be the duty of every employer to
conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure,
so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons
not in his employment who may be affected
thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their
health or safety."
31. Judge calls for baby row review
6 March 2008 – BBC News
A High Court judge has called for an urgent review of
training and management at Nottingham City Council
after it illegally took a newborn baby into care.
The Council said its social workers "acted in good
faith" but have agreed to an independent review.
For full report click here
32. Killer nurse must serve at least 30 years
5 March 2008 - The Times
Nurse guilty of killing patients
3 March 2008 – BBC News
Colin Norris, 32, from Glasgow, a nurse in Leeds
was sentenced to four life terms for the murder of
four older women in his care has received a recommendation
that he serve at least 30 years in prison.
For BBC report click here
33. Nurse was a serial killer in the process of
perfecting his craft
4 March 2008 - The Times
Summary of the case against Colin Norris, 32, from
Glasgow, a nurse in Leeds who was convicted of
murdering four older women using massive doses of
insulin, also some background info on Norris.
34. How did kidnapper get job in care home?
3 March 2008 – Telegraph & Argus
An article looking at an inquiry currently looking into
how a criminal with convictions for robbery, kidnap
and sexual assault managed to get a job at Fairmount
Gardens residential home in Heaton. Waheed
Qayum, 27, managed to steal over £20,000
from the bank accounts of two elderly and vulnerable
residents.
For full report go to http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/
display.
var.2087246.0.how_did_kidnapper_get_job_in_care_hom
e.php
Children
35. Whistleblower raises child safety fears
5 March 2008 – BBC News
A whistleblower has revealed to the BBC how childminders
and private nurseries have babies left with
them by parents who believe they are leaving them in
the care of highly qualified, strictly regulated and
genuinely caring people. Unfortunately many parents
are wrong.
For full report click here
Conferences & Courses
To follow next week
Consultations
36. Consultation on the design of the annual
health check in 2008/2009 - closing shortly
4 March 2008 Healthcare Commission
On 12 March 2008 the consultation on the design of
the annual health check in 2008/2009 closes. If you
wish to feed back your views they must be provided
by that date.
The Healthcare Commission regards the annual
health check as the most important of its activities to
drive improvements in healthcare for patients. It involves
assessing and rating the performance of each
NHS trust in England.
There are several ways you can send feedback before
the 12 March 2008 deadline. For more information
visit the Healthcare Commission website.
More information on the consultation and how to feed back
your views
37. Health Care and Associated Professions
(Miscellaneous Amendments) No 2 Order
2008 - a paper for consultation
Closing Date: 22 March 2008
An order, the second in a series of orders that will
take forward the reforms of professional regulation
identified in the White Paper "Trust assurance and
safety". It concentrates on reforms set out in the
White Paper, but also includes measures required to
deliver other legislative requirements.
For consultation click here
38. Ofsted Race Equality Scheme: Consultation
Closing Date: 31 March 2008
This consultation seeks views on Ofsted's revised
Race Equality Scheme, which sets out methods to
eliminate discrimination, foster good race relations
and promote equality of opportunity in response to
the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment)
Act 2000.
For consultation click here
39. Proposed Revisions to the Standard
Guidance on Writing Disabled Persons' Protection
Policies
Closing Date: 23 May 2008
Document seeking views on a proposed revision of
the standard guidance for train operating companies
on writing their disabled persons' protection policies.
For consultation go to http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/
open/dppp/
40. CSCI begins new study into safeguarding
4 March 2008
CSCI is going to carry out a new study into how well
people are protected from abuse or neglect in adult
social care. The study into safeguarding will look at
how good the way adult social care is provided is at:
• Raising awareness of abuse issues and giving
priority to safeguarding
• Preventing abuse
• Recognising and acting on allegations
• Continually improving safeguarding systems and
practice
CSCI inspectors will, apparently, be asking some
additional questions in key inspections of care services
carried out from 5 to the 16 May.
Between 21 April and 16 May it will also be carrying
out some thematic inspections that focus on safeguarding.
41. Consultation on the Medical Profession
(Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2008
Closing Date: 5 June 2008
A consultation paper asking for comments on a draft
order. The changes proposed in the draft order
seeks to implement two of the reforms set out in the
White Paper: Trust Assurance and Safety. The draft
order also provides an additional route to the Specialist
Register for NHS consultants. All amendments
relate to the functions of the General Medical Council.
For full consultation click here
42. NICE: Current consultations
To browse through consultations go to http://
www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=consultations.current
CSCI, CSSIW, Healthcare
Commission &
Scottish Care Commission
43. Self assessment forms
6 March 2008 – SCRC
The Scottish Care Commission has now published
self assessment forms for service providers for
your information.
For full report click here
44. Service Providers - Submit Notifications
Electronically
5 March 2008 – SCRC
The Scottish Care Commission are saying if you want
to save time, you can do so by submitting your notifications
to the Care Commission electronically
through the eForms system at any time during the
year.
For full report click here
45. CSCI begins new study into safeguarding
4 March 2008 – CSCI
CSCI will be implementing a new study into how well
people are safeguarded in adult social care. It will
look at how well people are protected from abuse or
neglect in the social care sector.
For full report click here
46. Annual Returns Frequently Asked Questions
3 March 2008 – SCRC
The Scottish Care Commission has updated the list
of frequently asked questions relating to the completion
and submission of the annual returns document
for the 2008-2009 inspection year.
For full report click here
47. The state we’re in
March 2008 - Caring Times
Jef Smith looks at the CSCI report ‘State of Social
Care, England’ and comments on the empty rhetoric
emanating from the likes of the Association of Directors
of Adult Social Services (ADASS).
Ed. I really think that the Association should have
been called the British Association of Directors of
Adult Social Services!
48. Care homes to be graded in Scotland
March 2008 - Caring Times
The Care Commission, the Scottish regulator of care
homes has said it will grade the care homes it inspects
– needless to say, it will be very different from
the system in England.
Domiciliary care
49. Homecare bodies get good practice guide
March 2008 - Community Care Market News
Action on Elder Abuse in conjunction with UK Homecare
Association has produced a guide as to how
dom-care providers can approach protection of vulnerable
adults.
The guide can be downloaded from www.ukhca.co.uk
Education
50. School blanks out faces of pupils
5 March 2008 – BBC News
The NSPCC has criticised a primary school in Essex
for going too far and blurring the faces of pupils on its
website. Cann Hall Primary School, in Clacton-on-
Sea said it blanked out children’s faces on published
pictures “for safety reasons”.
For full report click here
Ireland, Scotland & Wales
Ireland
Nothing to report
Scotland
51. Reluctant GPs Vote To Accept Extra
Hours
7 March 2008 – The Herald
Family doctors passed a vote of no confidence in the
Scottish Government as they reluctantly agreed to a
deal to extend their hours. The move will see surgeries
opening during evenings and weekends.
52. Anger As Scots GPs Back Controversial
Out-of-hours Deal
6 March 2008 – Evening Times
9 out of 10 doctors in Scotland have voted to accept
Government proposals that will see them work at
weekends and after hours, but they said only because
the alternative posed a greater risk to patients.
53. Public Petitions Committee Investigates
NHS Availability Of Cancer Treatment Drugs
6 March 2008 – Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament has announced that the
availability of cancer treatment drugs on the NHS will
be the subject of an inquiry by the Public Petitions
Committee. This follows the Committee’s initial consideration
of a petition from Tina McGeever on the
provision of a cancer treatment drug to her husband
Mike Gray.
For full report click here
54. Drug firm settles NHS price claim
4 March 2008 – BBC News
Goldshield Group, a drug company accused of fixing
the price of medicines supplied to the NHS has
agreed to pay out £750,000 on a “full and final basis
and without admission of liability”.
In 2005, Scottish ministers and health boards lodged
claims against a number of companies over the alleged
formation of price-fixing cartels.
For full report click here
Wales
55. Hospital waiting times defended
4 March 2008 – BBC News
Welsh Assembly Government Minister, Carwyn
Jones has rebuked the UK health minister’s claims
that hospital patients in Wales have to wait longer for
treatments than those in England.
Jones said that Ben Bradshaw's comments were unhelpful
and unfortunate and led to "unnecessary tension".
Bradshaw made his remarks after it was announced
car parking charges will end in nearly all
hospitals in Wales.
For full report click here
56. NHS parking in Wales to be free
3 March 2008 – BBC News
NHS car parking 'sour grapes' row
3 March 2008 – BBC News
The Welsh Assembly Government announced that
free NHS hospital parking will begin from 1 April
unless external contracts are in place. Car parks run
by private companies will have to reduce costs until
contracts expire.
The move means that patients, staff and visitors will
be able to park free at almost every NHS hospital in
Wales by the end of 2011.
For full report click here
For 2nd report click here
Learning Disabilities
57. Care home adults 'being degraded'
7 March 2008
Adults with learning difficulties are subjected to
"abusive and degrading treatment", neglect and carelessness
in healthcare centres and residential homes
in the UK, a report has warned. The report, from Parliament's
Joint Committee on Human Rights, called
for a "culture change" to bring the provision of services
of adults with learning disabilities in line with the
aspirations of the Government's Human Rights Act
and the Duty to Promote Disability Equality.
For full report go to http://ukpress.google.com/article/
ALeqM5gwemWgtIXylGPYwRDIcYpQH7SA1Q
58. The Foundation for People with Learning
Disabilities responds to report on humans
rights
6 March 2008
In response to the release of A Life Like Any Other?
Human Rights of Adults with Learning Disabilities by
the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Barbara
McIntosh, Co–Director of The Foundation for People
with Learning Disabilities, said:
“The Joint Committee is to be congratulated for producing
a report that pulls no punches in describing
the struggles those with learning disabilities have to
go through just to get on with their daily lives. It’s
shameful in this day and age that people continue to
be ignored, abused or discriminated against simply
because they have a learning disability.
What we need now is for the voices heard in this report
to be listened to and acted upon by government
and the Equality and Human Rights Commission so
that all people with a learning disability have full access
to the human rights most of us take for
granted.”
59. Vulnerable people 'denied rights'
6 March 2008 – BBC News
The Joint Committee on Human Rights has said the
human rights of people with learning disabilities are
frequently overlooked and that vulnerable adults are
most likely to be abused and neglected.
In one case that was investigated, a man with cerebral
palsy ate nothing during a three-day hospital
stay, because staff did not know how to feed him.
The report said that improvements are being made,
but a culture based on outdated negative stereotypes
needs to be changed.
For full report click here
60. Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
responds to launch of Independent
Living Strategy
4 March 2008
In response to the launch of the Independent Living
Strategy from the Office for Disability Issues, Alison
Giraud-Saunders, Co-Director of the Foundation for
People with Learning Disabilities, said:
“The commitments in this strategy document are admirable,
but if they are going to have a real impact on
people’s lives they need to be backed by strong legislation
and funding. In particular, we must make sure
that moves to incorporate the Disability Equality Duty
into the Single Equalities Bill do not water down the
obligation on public bodies to actively promote equal
opportunities for disabled people– the last thing people
with learning disabilities need is a paper initiative
that is never implemented.”
Legislation Update
61. No. 473 The Safeguarding Vulnerable
Groups Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions)
Order 2008
5 March 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
62. No. 474 The Safeguarding Vulnerable
Groups Act 2006 (Barring Procedure) Regulations
2008
5 March 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS, ENGLAND
AND WALES
63. The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act
2006 (Prescribed Criteria) (Transitional Provisions)
Regulations 2008
5 March 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS, ENGLAND
AND WALES
64. The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act
2006 (Prescribed Criteria) (Transitional Provisions)
Regulations 2008
5 March 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
65. No. 170 (W.23)The Childcare Act 2006
(Provision of Information) (Wales) Regulations
2008
4 March 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
66. No. 519 The Health and Social Care Information
Centre (Transfer of Staff, Property
and Liabilities) Order 2008
4 March 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
67. Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act
(Northern Ireland) 2008 c.2
4 March 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
68. No. 170 (W.23) The Childcare Act 2006
(Provision of Information) (Wales) Regulations
2008
4 March 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
69. No. 169 (W.22) The Childcare Act 2006
(Local Authority Assessment) (Wales) Regulations
2008
3 March 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
70. No. 169 (W.22) The Childcare Act 2006
(Local Authority Assessment) (Wales) Regulations
2008
3 March 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
Mental Health
Nothing to report
Miscellaneous
71. Free nutritional analysis of your body’s
needs!
8 March 2008
Healthspan has linked with academics to define the
nutrition your body needs for a long healthy lifespan.
One must complete a questionnaire which
takes about 20 minutes. Results are promised within
48 hrs if the questionnaire is completed online and
28 days if a paper questionnaire is submitted.
There is no limit to the number of times you can complete
the process, enabling you to chart progress.
www.healthspan.co.uk
72. Grudging GPs give in and agree to open
evenings and weekends
7 March 2008 - The Times
Average 6,000 patient surgeries will open for an extra
three hours each week between 18:30hrs and
20:00 hrs or at weekends. This was seen as a personal
tussle between the PM and the BMA.
73. Dentists’ new contract has left the provision
of NHS care ‘full of holes’
7 March 200 - The Times
A report from the Patients’ Association says the 2006
Dental contract has failed to resolve problems with
access to dentists. 500,000 fewer dentists were
seen in the past two years.
Younger dentists are deserting the NHS in favour of
private practice.
Ed. However, see item 79 on how the Department
of Health views matters!
74. New website section on National Dementia
Strategy
6 March 2008 – DoH
Published objectives of a project aiming to develop a
national dementia strategy and implementation plan
for publication in October 2008. The strategy will be
addressing three main themes – raising awareness,
early diagnosis and intervention and improving the
quality of care.
For full report click here
75. Cm 7331: Government response to the
Health Select Committee report on the National
Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
6 March 2008 – DoH
The House of Commons Health Select Committee
published its report on the National Institute for
Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) on 10 January
2008, this paper publishes the Government’s response
to the conclusions and recommendations in
that report.
For full report click here
76. GPs reluctantly agree hours plan
6 March 2008 – BBC News
Some 97% of 27,000 GPs have voted their lack of
faith in the government after reluctantly agreeing to
work longer hours.
The British Medical Association survey was run to
gauge opinion on which of two options family doctors
preferred. Both required GPs to work longer to earn
the most under their contract, but they opted for the
one that meant they risked least money if they did
not.
For full report click here
77. Tighter drug trial laws promised
6 March 2008 – BBC News
Government ministers are promising to tighten laws
requiring drug firms to disclose data from clinical trials.
The announcement came after the drugs regulator
announced GlaxoSmithKline would not face criminal
proceedings over claims it withheld information on
Seroxat.
For full report click here
78. Prescription charge increases remain below
rate of inflation
6 March 2008 - GNN
Prescription charge increases will be below the rate
of inflation representing the tenth consecutive year
that the increase has been held below or around that
level, Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo announced.
The increase will mean 25p on prescription charges
in England, taking the charge for a single prescription
item to £7.10 from 1 April 2008.
The latest Statistical Bulletin on Prescriptions Dispensed
in the Community can be found at
http://www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/prescostanalysis2005
Historic prescription data on Prescriptions Dispensed
in the Community Statistics for 1995 to 2005 England,
can be found at http://www.publications.doh.gov.uk/
prescriptionstatistics/index.htm
Ed. Hummmmm! Scotland and Wales have abolished
prescription charges. Any increase is
therefore likely to be unwelcome.
79. Dentistry graduates to complete training
in areas of patient need
5 March 2008 - GNN
New NHS training places will be made available to
dentistry graduates in areas of highest patient need,
Health Minister Ann Keen announced.
Following a Government pledge in 2004 to increase
the number of dental students by 25 per cent, the
first tranche of students will complete their studies
next year and begin one year of vocational training.
The initial 40 extra training places coming through in
2009 will be located in Yorkshire, the North West, the
South West and the South Central and the 170 dentists
graduating every year from 2010 will also be
allocated places according to oral health need or
where demand is greatest.
The Government is making available £32 million to
meet the cost of vocational training for high numbers
of dentistry graduates over three years starting in
2009. This is additional to the £30m the Government
is already investing each year in dental schools for
the increased intake of students.
When the Government introduced the new dental
contract system in 2006, it decided that NHS dental
funding would be ring-fenced until 2009. It has today
decided to extend that ring-fencing for a further two
years in order to provide extra reassurance to patients
and dentists of its continuing commitment to
NHS dentistry.
80. Independent Living
4 March 2008 - The Times, Public Agenda Special
Eight page special addressing a range of issues from
sport for disabled people through personal budgets
to reform of social care and much more besides.
81. Sainsbury doctors set up shop
4 March 2008 - The Times
Sainsbury’s store at Heaton Bridge, Manchester is at
the centre of an experiment; a six month trial of an instore
GP surgery is now underway.
82. Will we really need social workers?
4 March 2008 - The Times
Item by Blair McPherson, director of community services,
Lancashire County Council in which the past,
when social workers were difficult to find and recruit
with the future of self assessment of needs, individual
budgets, user satisfaction monitoring and care brokerage
when the role of social workers will be largely
redundant.
83. Identifying People Who Are Vulnerable in
a Crisis: Guidance for emergency planners
and responders
3 March 2008 – UK Resilience (Cabinet Office)
Newly published guidance to help the development of
local action plans for identifying groups of people who
may be vulnerable in an emergency.
For full report go to http://www.ukresilience.info/news/
vulnerable.aspx
84. Committed to quality care?
March 2008 - Caring Times
Continuing doubts over the fitness, or otherwise, of
the Quality Care Commission is considered by Jef
Smith he has little faith that what follows the current
Quango will in any way represent progress, let alone
save money.
85. POVA, the Wright decision and beyond
March 2008 - Caring Times
Solicitor Lorraine Reed considers the Court of Appeal
decision in Wright v Secretary of State and the forthcoming
arrangements for protection under the Safeguarding
Vulnerable Groups Act which is expected to
become operational in Autumn this year.
86. Direct Payment rates too low for specialist
carers
March 2008 - Community Care Market News
Following a consultation with deafblind people
through national charity Sense, it says Government
needs to address a number of obstacles to its personalisation
agenda – 75% of those surveyed and who
opted for Direct Payments had a negative experience.
Rates were too low to enable carers with the
correct level of expertise to be recruited.
Ed. We at Brunswicks believe that there are other
fundamental problems with Direct payments/
personal budgets – watch out for a future article
on the topic.
87. After all this time, when will it be extra
care’s moment to shine?
March 2008 - Community Care Market News
CCMN looks at the current situation in extra care in
anticipation of the announcement of £80m for the purpose
– see item 112 in this issue. There is also information
relating to planning issues which have
‘dogged’ the development of the market over the past
decade.
NHS
88. 300,000 prescriptions lost by NHS
6 March 2008 – BBC News
The Government has admitted that since 1997, approximately
300,000 prescription forms, carrying
names and addresses of patients have gone missing
whilst being transported around the NHS.
Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said handling
of personal information was "serially incompetent",
but Health Minister Dawn Primarolo refuted the
claim and said the number of prescriptions lost was
less than 0.01% of the total issued.
For full report click here
89. Threat to specialist dental work
6 March 2008 – BBC News
A survey of primary care trusts by the Patients Association
shows that the NHS is struggling to fund specialist
dental treatment in many areas. Over half said
they had trouble funding crowns, bridges, root canal
work and orthodontics.
The association said that patients faced
"unnecessary pain and cost".
For full report click here
90. Prescription costs to rise
7 March 2008 – HSJ
Public Health Minister, Dawn Primarolo has announced
that prescription charges will increase by
25p from 1 April.
The department stressed that the increase is below
the rate of inflation and will take the cost of a single
prescription item to £7.10.
91. PCTs cut continuing care packages
6 March 2008 – HSJ
Figures published by the Department of Health
shows that over a quarter of primary care trusts have
cut the number of adults they give NHS “continuing
care” in spite of guidance intended to boost the provision
of it. The figures given are based on the time
period between April and December 2007.
92. Moving beyond sponsorship: interactive
toolkit for joint working between the NHS and
the pharmaceutical industry
5 March 2008 – DoH
In February 2007, the Ministerial Industry Strategy
Group published its Long-Term Leadership Strategy
for medicines and to foster joint working between the
NHS and pharmaceutical industry it recommended
that the Department should develop an interactive
toolkit to support this.
For full report click here
93. Children's medical records stolen
5 March 2008 – BBC News
A laptop containing personal details of more than 200
children has been stolen from Madeley Health Centre,
in Telford.
Telford and Wrekin Primary Care Trust (PCT) said
one of its language therapists was running a clinic
and had left the laptop in another room, the thief
walked in and took it. It has since been disconnected
from the NHS network but a memory stick with 238
patients' details is still missing.
For full report click here
94. NHS in East publishes data loss
5 March 2008 – BBC News
In the East of England, the NHS has started to publish
information on any loss of data as part of its commitment
to confidentiality and security. The three
cases of missing data include a lost memory stick
listing 35 patients and printed information on 43 patients
which was thrown in a bin. The third case was
a memory stick lost and then found within a week.
For full report click here
95. Young dentists 'reject the NHS'
5 March 2008 – BBC News
'We are just meeting patient demand'
5 March 2008 – BBC News
Fears have been expressed that younger dentists are
turning their backs on the NHS. The NHS Information
Centre data suggests older dentists now focus on
NHS work more than young colleagues – which is a
complete reversal of the situation over five years.
Patient groups are warning that the trend could harm
NHS care.
For full report click here
For 2nd report click here
96. Average NHS wait up under Labour
4 March 2008 – BBC News
New figures show that the average hospital waiting
times have risen under Labour.
Before Labour came to power in 1997 waits of more
than 18 months were not uncommon, but now no-one
waits longer than six months in England, however,
NHS data shows that in 1997-98 median average
waits stood at 41 days, but by last year had risen to
49 days.
For full report click here
97. Surplus forecast for NHS
4 March 2008 - HSJ
The Department of Health figures based on the first
nine months of the financial year forecasts an
NHS surplus of £1.8bn. The gross deficit is expected
to reduce to £143m with 17 trusts remaining in deficit,
and the majority in balance.
98. Cost of NHS Direct
4 March 2008 - The Times, Public Agenda
Each of the calls answered by NHS Direct cost in
excess of £16. Seeing a GP costs between £20 and
£25.
99. £1.8bn surplus forecast for NHS after cutbacks
in patient care
4 March 2008 - The Times
DoH played down the saving by saying it is just 2.3%
of turnover. However, patient groups were highly
critical in the face of cutbacks in care.
100. Hitting the brakes created illusion of efficiency
4 March 2008 - The Times
Nigel Hawkes analyses the NHS savings comparing
it to a supertanker slow to respond and easily over
compensating – he believes the savings will simply
means that the NHS will, next year relax its controls
and the surplus lost.
101. Ipswich Hospitals NHS Trust issued
with improvement notice to change its infection
control practices
4 March 2008 - Healthcare Commission
Ipswich Hospitals NHS Trust was issued with an improvement
notice requiring immediate changes to its
infection control practices. The Healthcare Commission
issued the improvement notice following an unannounced
visit to the trust.
Its inspectors found breaches of the hygiene code
(which outlines 11 compulsory duties to prevent and
manage healthcare associated infections) covering
arrangements for clean and appropriate premises
and decontamination of equipment.
The trust has provided notification that it has complied
with all requirements of the notice.
102. GP warning over database access
3 March 2008 – BBC News
Government ministers are being urged to tighten up
access to the NHS database after doctors say healthcare
assistants get access to patients’ records.
The NHS stated they have access only to basic details
including allergies and medication, not full medical
histories.
For full report click here
103. Bug trust NHS chief stands down
3 March 2008 – BBC News
Ruth Harrison, the former chief of Stoke Mandeville
Hospital, Bucks, which saw 33 deaths in a superbug
outbreak has stepped down from running a review at
two hospitals in London and Surrey. She was reviewing
women's and children's care at Epsom General
Hospital and St Helier Hospital, but campaign group
Health Emergency and the Patients Association had
both complained about her appointment.
For full report click here
104. Patient 'not allowed' to buy drug
3 March 2008 – BBC News
David Swain is furious at being denied a new drug on
the NHS that could extend his life. He has terminal
bowel cancer and wanted to take Erbitux, but NICE
(National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence)
ruled it was too expensive.
Mr Swain offered to pay £2,000 a month for it, but the
NHS told him that if he did he would have to fund all
his care. He plans to appeal against this decision.
For full report click here
105. NHS maintains strong financial position
3 March 2008 - GNN
The NHS continues to forecast a surplus for this financial
year with the vast majority of NHS trusts in
balance, the Department of Health announced.
The new figures are based on the first nine months of
the financial year. Although subject to fluctuation to
the end of the financial year, they show that the NHS
is forecasting a surplus of £1.8 billion at the end of
2007/08 compared to a deficit of £547m at the end of
2005/06. This surplus represents a small proportion
of the overall NHS budget - just 2.3 per cent - and the
money remains within the NHS.
There has also been improvement on reducing the
gross deficit, which is now expected to be £143 million,
compared to £204 million in the first quarter of
the financial year and £917 million at the end of
2006/07.
Commenting on the report David Nicholson, Chief
Executive of the NHS said:
"Today's report not only shows that the NHS now has
a strong and sustainable financial position, but also -
importantly - it shows that we remain on course to
deliver against our key pledges."
106. Blair rushed NHS IT project through,
documents reveal
March 2008 - HealthInvestor
Tony Blair, the Prime Minister is revealed to have repeatedly
asked that the NHS national IT programme
be speeded up prior to the 2005 General Election
according to papers released under the Freedom of
Information Act.
107. Storm in a teacup?
March 2008 - HealthInvestor
Article looking at the squabble about the freedoms (or
lack of them) of foundation trusts.
108. A pretty penny
March 2008 - HealthInvestor
A look at the report published in Feb 2008 by think
tank Reform which sheds light on the row over
whether the NHS denial of medicines to patients who
were prepared to pay for those medicines themselves
by way of making a ‘top up’ payment.
Nursing
109. RNCC Increase awaits Nurses Pay Review
5 March 2008
The English Community Care Association (ECCA)
responded to the Department of Health’s announcement
that increases in the RNCC will be delayed
pending the report of the Nurses Pay Review body.
Martin Green, Chief Executive of ECCA, said:
“The Department of Health has shown both incompetence
and a lack of fairness in the way they have
dealt with the RNCC changes and the news, which
was buried in the depths of the DH website, that increases
in RNCC scales are to await the report of
the Nurses Pay Review body shows that the Department
is not in step with the fact that much of the care
delivered to vulnerable people is delivered in the independent
and not the public sector”.
“There is a serious mismatch between a Department
whose policy is to stimulate the development of a
plural economy of care, but who at the same time
only understands statutory provision. The Nurses
Pay Review is appropriate to the National Health
Service but independent providers have contracts
with their staff which will require uplifts. It is time the
Department delivered policies and pronouncements
fit for the 21st Century rather than a system that was
designed by Beverage”.
110. The dangers of healthcare as one in
three nurses are abused by patients
3 March 2008 – Daily Mail
Researchers say their data shows that almost a third
of nurses are subjected to physical assaults or verbal
abuse at least once a month. The figure for British
nurses is the second highest among ten European
countries, with just France having a higher rate.
For full report go to
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/
news.html?in_article_id=524328&in_page_id=1770
Older People
111. No elderly couple will be split up if they
are forced into care, says Government
3 March 2008 – Daily Mail
Independent living – delivering on choice
and control for disabled people
5 March 2008 – NCF
Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, has pledged that
more elderly couples will be able to live together
rather than being forced apart when one of them is
taken into care. The Government has unveiled plans
to build more "extra care" housing - a form of very
sheltered accommodation with care on hand - for frail
couples to live in.
For full report go to http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/
a r t i c l e s / n e w s / n e w s . h t m l ?
in_article_id=524170&in_page_id=1770
For full NCF report click here
112. (DH) £80 million to keep older people together
in a home of their own
DH: New site section on delivering adult social
care: Housing
March 2008 – DoH
£80m extracare fund launched
4 March 2008 – NCF
Extra Care Housing Fund 2008-2010
4 March 2008 – NCF
Local authorities can share in an £80m of funding
from the Department of Health to build extra care
housing for older people and people with long-term
conditions to live in a home of their own.
People who are unable to continue to live in their own
homes have traditionally had their choices limited to
care homes creating a number of problems including
couples finding they can no longer live together, a
loss of autonomy and not having their own space.
Extra Care Housing offers a real solution to these
problems as it gives people a home of their own
where wide ranges of care and support services are
provided on site. Tenants enjoy greater privacy and
independence, couples can stay together, and social
and leisure opportunities can be enjoyed at the resident's
convenience. In addition, homeowners may be
able to keep some of the equity in their property.
Health and Care Minister Ivan Lewis said:
"Extra care housing is about offering people a choice.
Too often I hear of cases where a couple who have
been together for over fifty years are forced apart because
one requires care and has no choice but to
enter residential or nursing care leaving their partner
at home. I want to change that and extra care housing
will give people a choice about how and where
they choose to spend their later life."
Since 2004, 905 extra care housing schemes have
been built or are under construction in England, providing
over 37,000 homes.
The £80 million made available by the Department of
Health through the 2007 Comprehensive Spending
Review (CSR) for the development of extra care
housing will encourage the continued development of
this type of accommodation.
For DoH report click here
For NCF report click here
For 2nd NCF full report click here
113. Choice in death as we have in life
March 2008 - Caring Times
Sara Quick, a care home owner, sets out the view
that terminally ill older people should be able to discuss
assisted dying and be able to choose the option
of a ‘good death’.
114. Is social insurance the answer to LTC
funding?
March 2008 - Community Care Market News
James Lloyd of the International Longevity Centre,
speaking at the Institute of Actuaries, has suggested
provision could be made for long term care of older
people by a one-off payment into a nationally managed
fund.
115. Care Association successfully stalls
Lancashire’s cut-backs
March 2008 - Community Care Market News
Report on the success of Lancashire Care Association
in persuading Lancashire County Council not
only to reverse its decision to cut the budget for older
people by some £1.6m but to increase it.
See previous report in BHCR Vol 3, Issue 8, item 22.
Parliament
13.03.08—HoL - Lord Patel to ask Her Majesty’s
Government what is their response to the Tooke report
on modernising medical careers.
Social Care
116. National integration of health and social
care records on the cards
4 March 2008 – Community Care
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services
has announced that social care and health records
could be linked up nationwide if four pilot areas prove
to be a success.
The pilots will test methods of integrating social care
record systems with the NHS Personal Demographics
Service and the areas are Cheshire Council, London
Borough of Greenwich, Slough Council and Torbay
Care Trust.
For full report click here
117. Skills for Care says workforce could
double by 2025
3 March 2008 – NCF
Skills for Care has announced that the adult social
care workforce could double to 2.5 million by 2025 to
meet the needs of millions of people who use services.
The State of the Adult Social Care Workforce takes
new data from the National Minimum DataSet-Social
Care (NMDS-SC) to model future workforce needs
scenarios.
For full report click here
Staff, employment and
disciplinary
118. The EAT has handed down a decision reaffirming
the options an employee has when an employer
seeks to foist a unilateral variation of contract on him.
The four choices (para. 20) are:-
• acquiescing in the variation;
• resign and claim constructive dismissal;
• refuse to work under the new terms, and force the
employer to take what steps it thinks appropriate;
or,
• stand and sue, by working under protest and seeking
damages (either for breach, or for unfair dismissal).
In this case, the employee agreed to the changes
'under protest' but then refused to work under the
new terms. The EAT held that the decision to dismiss
him was fair as, having agreed (alebit under protest),
he could not renege on his agreement - therefore he
was refusing to obey lawful and reasonable instructions.
119. Minimum wage rises 21p an hour
6 March 2008—The Times
Unions attacked the latest increase in the minimum
wage as too low after it was set at 3.8 per cent yesterday.
The 21p increase takes the hourly rate for
adult workers to £5.73 from October. Business