Editorial
This week we report on stories of perceived waste in
the NHS – doctors on a skiing junket in France (item
102) and NHS Trusts paying through the nose for
agency staff – reports of payments for agency nurses in
excess of £120 per hour (116).
In recent weeks we have reported on stories concerning
lack of funds and resources for community based care
and the judicial review case of Harrow London Borough
Council (BHCR Vol 3, Issue 2, item 9).
Last week we reported on an all too rare reversal of
fortunes for care providers in Lancashire where, as a
result of lobbying by Lancashire Care Association, had
had a budget cut of £1.2m for older people reversed
(BHCR Vol 3, Issue 5, item 81).
The Minister, Ivan Lewis, has announced a review. He
announced it at the end of January.
What those providing care require is a reasonable
return on the investment that they have made and a
more stable business environment - this requires fair
pay for the work done.
This Government has, rightly, raised the standards of
care that people are entitled to, and, as a matter of law
to receive.
Funding is channelled by Government via local
authorities. Funding is said by Ministers to be more
than adequate; however, its not getting through the
councils to the people it is supposed to
help. Doubtless that is one of the driving forces behind
personal budgets - money can go direct to the person
being supported.
It is clear then, that the review must conclude that
money for care must be ringfenced
or paid by central
Government. However, if there were some savings made
in the NHS there would be even more money available.
Pipe dreams?
Abuse
1. Fears over health visitor numbers
8 January 2008 – BBC News
A union has expressed fears that another "Victoria
Climbie scandal is on the cards" due to a lack of
health visitors in Waltham Forest, north-east London.
The health visitor numbers has dropped by 40% in 8
years and staff cannot now guarantee safe practice.
For full report click here
Ed. I think we have just seen it. Northamptonshire
let down baby Jessica Randall, murdered at
just 54 days old by her bestial father.
2. Truth and reconciliation forum to deal with
child abuse legacy
8 February 2008 - Edinburgh Evening News
The Scottish Government announced that a Truth
and Reconciliation Forum is to be set up to support
adults who suffered childhood abuse.
The first focus for the forum will be victims of abuse
in children's homes following findings of ongoing
abuse at the Kerelaw school in Ayrshire. However,
the move will address the legacy of abuse suffered
throughout Scotland.
Children's minister Adam Ingram said: "None of us
should forget the physical, emotional and sexual
abuse that has taken place in Scotland's residential
care homes – perpetrated by the very people who
should have been providing support.
"The system let these young people down in the
most terrible way and it would be inexcusable for us
not to confront what happened."
See previous items on Kerelaw BHCR Vol 1, Issue
34—item 1, Vol 2, Issue 25—items 18 & 19, Vol 2,
Issue 26—item 23, Vol 2, Issue 27—item 44, Vol 2,
Issue 37—item 9 and Vol 2 Issue 40—item 2.
Business News
3. £300m dentists group snapped up by
Merrill
10 February 2008 - The Sunday Times
Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity has taken a majority
stake in Integrated Dental Holdings founded by
David Hudaly in 1996. The sale results in an overall
valuation of £300m for the company. The stake was
taken from LGV Capital which has sold off a number
of its investments in health businesses.
See item 9 in this issue of BHCR for other sales
by LGV.
4. NHS offers potential to Care UK
10 February 2008 - The Mail on Sunday
Item about the prospects for Care UK to further benefit
from a range of business opportunities from both
divisions of the business, hospitals and care homes.
5. Pharma giants hit by £5bn hangover
8 February 2008 - Daily Mail
Item about the pressure GSK and AstraZeneca are
subject to from rival manufacturers producing
‘copycat’ products resulting in a large reduction in the
share prices of the two companies.
6. Virgin Healthcare
Richard Branson’s Virgin Group plans to open dozens
of one-stop medical clinics housing doctors, dentists,
physiotherapists is advanced and there will be
26 road shows to ‘sell’ the concept to doctors.
7. Nursing homes edge towards ‘£80m sale’
7 February 2008 - The Telegraph
Nursing home group Healthcare Homes could be
about to change hands for an estimated £80m. The
company’s owners have appointed investment bank
NM Rothschild to carry out a strategic review, a move
that is likely to lead to a sale of the business.
8. The Health Care Market
6 February 2008 - Christie & Co
A report on the state of the care home market has
been produced and published by Guy Bosanko – Director,
Corporate Care, Christie & Co.
To download your own copy of the report ... http://
www.chr i s t i e update.com/us e rs/ b 7 j 6 d5 e 3 i 2 e 9 c 2 /
r6697656/6697656.pdf
9. SPIRE HEALTHCARE Agrees TO ACQUIRE
CLASSIC HOSPITALS FOR £145M
6 February 2008
Spire Healthcare, the private hospital group owned by
leading private equity firm Cinven, has reached
agreement to acquire Classic Hospitals Group from
LGV Capital for £145 million.
Classic Hospitals is the 6th largest hospital group in
the UK with 10 hospitals around the North and South
East of England, as well as two off-site consulting
rooms. It was bought by LGV from BUPA in July
2005. The hospitals will all be rebranded as Spire
Hospitals.
Following this acquisition, Spire Healthcare, which
was acquired from BUPA for £1.44 billion in June
2007, will have a total of 35 hospitals across and become
the second largest private hospital provider in
the UK.
10. Nursing homes edge towards ‘£80m sale’
7 February 2008 - The Telegraph
Nursing home group Healthcare Homes could be
about to change hands for an estimated £80m. The
company’s owners have appointed investment bank
NM Rothschild to carry out a strategic review, a
move that is likely to lead to a sale of the business.
11. GE Healthcare uses Whatman to build up
life sciences
5 February 2008 - The Times
GE has agreed to pay £363m for Whatman the British
based DNA diagnostic business. The price
represents a 12% premium on the share price.
12. Crunch time
February 2008 - HealthInvestor
Article looking at whether shares in the healthcare
sector are likely to be more resilient to stock market
turmoil – the conclusion is that they are not.
13. On the brink
February 2008 - HealthInvestor
Concern that the credit-crunch will adversely affect
PFI hospitals as much of the financing is underwritten
by the monoline insurers based in the USA and
which are suffering down grading in their rating.
14. Prestigious and ambitious
February 2008 - Care Management Matters
Business clinic looks at the business model of PRV,
Prestigious Retirement Villages, and the concept of
combining hotels for the over 55s with care villages.
Care Homes
15. Joint committee on human rights bid to
fill private care gap
7 February 2008 – Community Care
The joint committee on human rights has proposed a
new plan to close the legal loophole which campaigners
say is leaving residents of independent care
homes at risk of abuse, including evictions.
In a report on the Health and Social Care Bill, the
committee proposed an amendment to ensure that all
independent providers of publicly funded health and
social care services will be liable under the Human
Rights Act 1998.
For full report click here
16. Compulsory dementia training urged
5 February 2008 – Press Association
Campaigners are calling for all care home staff to
receive compulsory dementia training amid signs of
widespread support for the move.
The Alzheimer’s Society is joined in its campaign by
Tony Robinson, their ambassador as a poll by the
Alzheimer's Society found that 97% of respondents
agreed that well-trained employees were an important
factor when it came to choosing a home for a
loved one or relative.
For full report go to http://ukpress.google.com/article/
ALeqM5jg1AbUPva9TcGqXX-QxjOoKVOxnQ
17. 60 felt too young to go into a home
2 February 2008 – BBC News
Article by broadcaster, Ray Gosling and his experience
of facing the reality of going into care.
For full report click here
Case Reports
Law Reports
18. Airbus v Webb
Court of Appeal held an employer can take expired
disciplinary warnings into account when deciding
whether to dismiss an employee.
Webb had been given a final written warning for misuse
of company time, which was stated to last for 12
months. One month after the warning expired, he was
caught watching TV during company time with some
colleagues and was dismissed. His colleagues - who
had not had a previous final warning - were not dismissed.
The Court of Appeal (overturning the ET and the EAT
- see bulletin 15/2/07) held the dismissal was fair.
Report from Luke Menzies of the EEF, instructed by
the successful Appellant and Daniel Barnett specialist
employment law barrister www.danielbarnett.co.uk
19. R (On the application of (1) Trinity Mirror
Plc (2) Times Newspapers Ltd (3) News
Group Newspapers Ltd (4) Newsquest Ltd) V
Croydon Crown Court & others
On Judicial Review it was held that the Crown Court
had no jurisdiction to make an order restraining the
identification of an individual convicted of child pornography
offences in order to protect his children because
such an order was not incidental to its jurisdiction
as it did not relate to his trial, conviction or sentence
and therefore was not within the ambit of the
Supreme Court Act 1981 s.45(4).
20. Re B (children)
Where a care order, made in respect of a child who
had been removed from his father, had completely
failed, and where the father could demonstrate a significant
willingness to improve upon his parental abilities,
it is appropriate to set aside the care order and
reunite the child with his father.
Disciplinary cases
Nothing to report
Cases in the news
21. Nurse is cautioned over threat
6 January 2008 – BBC News
A Belfast-based nurse has received a two-year caution
order for conduct unbecoming of her profession.
Nomantungwa Matilda Mncwabe, 68, worked at
Woodbank Nursing Home when the incident occurred
in March 2006, whereby she used abusive
language to an elderly resident and acted in a threatening
way by holding a pillow above his head.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council did accept that
the incident happened in the context of extreme
provocation and verbal abuse towards the nurse.
For full report click here
22. Care home owner denies cash theft
6 February 2008 – Northern Echo
Mary Adamson, a care home owner, has appeared in
court accused of stealing money from a client with
severe learning disabilities. But she claimed she
simply dipped into the man's savings to help meet a
shortfall in payment for his overnight care.
For full report click here
http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/
display.
var.2021534.0.care_home_owner_denies_cash_theft.php
23. Worker accused of flouting child protection
procedures
6 February 2008 – Community Care
A social worker is due to appear before the General
Social Care Council conduct committee in London,
and is alleged to have breached the GSCC’s code of
practice by not initiating a child protection inquiry,
inform police or child response unit and arrange overnight
accommodation in a safe place for three children
after one of them disclosed physical abuse.
The social worker faces charges of failing to inform
the interim team manager and others of those events
at a strategy meeting, as well as failing to record action
taken after the disclosure.
For full report click here
24. Doctors cleared
6 February 2008 - The Times
The Gloucestershire Coroner has cleared doctors of
responsibility for the death of a pregnant woman and
her unborn child when a chronic bowel condition was
diagnosed as ‘morning sickness’.
25. Inquest jury blames NHS trust for unlawful
killing of mother
6 February 2008 - The Times
Hospital staff at Great Western Hospital, Wiltshire
face potential prosecution over the death of Mayra
Cabrera who as a result of the ‘chaotic’ storage of
medicines was administered with a powerful anaesthetic
via a drip but which should have been an epidural.
26. Nurse denies disliking old people
4 February 2008 – BBC News
A nurse accused of killing four elderly patients has
denied saying that he did not like old people. Colin
Norris, 31, denies murdering the elderly patients and
attempting to murder another by giving them insulin
overdoses at two hospitals in Leeds.
For full report click here
Children
27. How do you judge a court held in secret?
10 February 2008 - The Mail on Sunday
Full page article by William Rees-Mogg in which he
writes about the Family Courts and the fact that its
proceedings are secret in order to protect the child.
The article was prompted because of the prosecution
of a 56 yr old businessman who was imprisoned for
16 months for assisting his wife to flee British social
services when she feared that she would not be allowed
to keep her unborn baby.
28. Beverley Hughes praises efforts on Sure
Start strategy
8 February 2008 – Community Care
Services coalition, Together for Children, has said
that English local authorities are currently on course
to meet Government targets on children’s centres.
The Sure Start Children’s Centre strategy to set up
2,500 centres by March 2008 is part of the government’s
aim to provide a centre for every 800 underfives
by 2010.
For full report click here
29. Children's services outstripping adult
care in funding growth
7 February 2008 – Community Care
According to Government figures, children’s social
services spending grew quicker than expenditure on
adult care from 2005-2006 to 2006-2007.
The Information Centre for Health and Social Care
report found public sector expenditure on children's
care grew by 4% in real terms to £5.1bn in 2006-
2007, whereas spending on the main adult client
groups grew more slowly: by 1% for older people,
2% for physically disabled adults and 3% for those
with learning disabilities.
For full report click here
To read report go to http://www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-datacollections/
social-care/adult-social-care-information/
personal-social-services-expenditure-and-unit-costs:-
england-2006-07
30. Hidden children 'serious problem'
6 January 2008 – BBC News
The Commons Children’s Select Committee heard
that there is a serious problem of needy children
“slipping under the radar” of social services. The
children most at risk were homeless, in care, young
carers or were trafficked.
For full report click here
Conferences & Courses
To follow next week
Consultations
31. Towards a framework for postregistration
nursing careers: a national consultation
Closing date: 15 February 2008
This consultation sets out options for a new careers
framework for post registration nursing. It fulfills a
commitment in Modernising Nursing Careers setting
the direction (2006) to align nursing careers with the
NHS Careers Framework and develop new career
paths for nursing. It proposes a framework built
around patient care pathways and seeks responses
from as many people as possible before any further
work is done.
For consultation click here
32. Comprehensive Area Assessment consultation
launched
Closing Date: 15 February 2008
CSCI is asking for you to have your say on how the
Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA), the new
independent report on whether people are getting
value for money from their local services, will work.
For full report click here
33. Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act
2006/Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups
(Northern Ireland) Order 2007, policy consultation
document
Closing Date: 20 February 2008
The implementation of the Independent Safeguarding
Authority scheme under the Safeguarding Vulnerable
Groups Act 2006 will introduce the most stringent
vetting and barring service yet with the scheme protecting
both children and vulnerable adults by preventing
those who are known to pose a risk of harm
from accessing these groups through their work. The
consultation is seeking views on a wide range of policy
issues that will ensure the successful implementation
of the Act.
For full consultation click here
34. Childcare Act 2006: Future approach to
fees and subsidies
Closing Date: 20 February 2008
Consultation seeking views on the proposed structure
and level of fees payable to Ofsted by childcare providers
joining the Early Years Register or compulsory
part of the Ofsted Childcare Register from September
2008. It also proposes changes to subsidy arrangements.
For full consultation click here
35. Transforming tribunals: Consultation
Document
Closing Date: 22 February 2008
The tribunals service has just produced its consultation
document. This document will have a very significant
impact on the future of the Care Standards
Tribunal.
It is available for downloading on http://www.tribunals.gov.uk/
latestnews.htm
36. Consultation on the Health Care and Associated
Professions Order 2008
Closing Date: 22 February 2008
Consultation seeking views on the Healthcare and
Associated Professions Order, which is the first in a
series of orders that will take forward the reforms for
professional regulation identified in the white paper,
Trust, Assurance and Safety.
For full consultation click here
37. Improving health, supporting justice: a
consultation
Closing Date: 4 March 2008
The publication of this document is the start of a consultation
process on how health and social care services
can be improved for people subject to the criminal
justice system. This is a joint initiative between
the Department of Health, Department of Children,
Schools and Families, Ministry of Justice, Youth Justice
Board and the Home Office.
For full report click here
38. Finding a Shared Vision of How People's
Mental Health Problems Should Be Understood:
Consultation on guidance
Closing Date: 5 March 2008
Consultation seeking views on draft guidance on how
people’s mental health problems should be understood.
The guidance is aimed at everyone involved in
the development and delivery of services, including
people that use services and their carers.
For full consultation click here
39. Removing or suspending chairs and nonexecutives
from PCTs and NHS Trusts: consultation
on introducing powers of suspension
Closing Date: 6 March 2008
A consultation setting out a single approach to considering
whether, and if so how, a chair or nonexecutive
member of a primary care trust, or a chair
or non-executive director of an NHS trust, should be
removed from office. The process can involve seeking
either resignation or the termination of appointment
and also introduces the potential use of a suspension
function.
For full report click here
40. Improving Specialist Disability Employment
Services: Public consultation
Closing Date: 10 March 2008
This consultation seeks views on proposals to reform
the department's disability employment services that
help disabled people who have complex issues to
find, retain and progress in work. The department is
interested to hear from disabled people, employers
and organisations who represent the interests of disabled
people.
For full consultation go to http://www.dwp.gov.uk/
resourcecentre/des-consultation.asp
41. A better life for people with learning disabilities
4 December 2007 - GNN
Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis launched a consultation
to seek views on the priorities for learning disability
for the next three years.
'Valuing People Now - From Progress to Transformation'
is a cross-government consultation which sets
the agenda across a range of issues, including health
and well-being, housing, employment, education and
community inclusion. It builds on the vision set out in
Valuing People (2001) which was the first white paper
on learning disability for thirty years - a vision based
on the four main principles of rights, independence,
choice and inclusion.
The key areas it will focus on are:
* the personalisation agenda - having choice and
control through individual budgets, direct payments,
person centred planning and advocacy;
* what people do - helping people to be socially included
in their local communities, with a particular
focus on paid work;
* better health - ensuring that the mainstream NHS
provides full and equal access to good quality healthcare
and that specialist healthcare services are modernised;
* access to housing - ensuring that people have access
to housing that they want and need with a focus
on home ownership and real tenancies;
• making sure that change happens - making
learning disability partnership boards more effective
and checking that the things we say
should happen do actually happen.
•
The consultation will run until 11th March 2008 and
can be accessed at: http://www.dh.gov.uk
42. 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
43. 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
CSCI, CSSIW, Healthcare
Commission &
Scottish Care Commission
44. Hospital stopping new admissions
4 February 2008 – BBC News
Whipton Hospital in Exeter has stopped admissions
and installed a new matron while it investigates new
claims that its nursing care is still substandard.
The Health Commission upheld two separate complaints
covering safety, hygiene and nourishment but
afterwards, families of patients said relatives still had
problems with services.
For full report click here
45. Dirty hospitals warning for trust
4 February 2008 – BBC News
Healthcare watchdog puts Bromley Hospitals
NHS Trust on notice over cleanliness
and decontamination procedures
4 February 2008 – Healthcare Commission
The Healthcare Commission has issued a warning
against Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust with an improvement
notice after finding filthy commodes and
bloodstains on a bed rail and ward.
The Commission’s two inspections in January also
revealed poor decontamination procedures for surgical
equipment. The Princess Royal University Hospital,
Orpington Hospital and Beckenham Hospital are
run by the trust.
For full report click here
For HC report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
newsandevents/pressreleases.cfm?
cit_id=6189&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&usec
ache=false
46. Good leadership and management are
keys to avoiding failings in patient safety,
says healthcare watchdog
4 February 2008 – Healthcare Commission
Health watchdog criticises NHS on adult
safeguarding
4 February 2008 – Community Care
The Healthcare Commission has criticised NHS
trusts for failing to understanding adult protection
procedures. It reviewed 13 investigations carried out
since 2004 which included failings in learning disability
services in Cornwall and south London and said
that lack of understanding was a “serious problem”.
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=6188&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&useca
che=false
For CC report click here
47. Star Ratings – Against the odds?
February 2008 - Care Management Matters
Andrew Cole considers the lack of objectivity and
challenges presented by a need for consistency in
the new Star Ratings.
48. Smaller voice for sector
February 2008 - Caring Business
Article by Julie Griffiths identifying opposition to the
creation of a new regulator the Care Quality Commission.
49. The hardly very public Bill debate
February 2008 - Caring Business
Opinion of Des Kelly OBE – he considers and comments
on the Health and Social Care Bill going
through Parliament which is set to create the new
super regulator, Care Quality Commission. He wonders
why there is so little coverage in the press and
urges readers to read the CSCI transcript of its January
08 meeting which includes strongly worded exchanges.
50. Alarm as care home place numbers fall
February 2008 - Caring Business
A comment following the publication by CSCI of its
report The State of Social Care in England 2006-
2007.
Education
Nothing to report
Ireland, Scotland & Wales
Ireland
51. Hospital bug linked to 77 deaths
8 January 2008 – BBC News
The Department of Health has announced that the
hospital bug, Clostridium difficile was stated on the
death certificates of 77 people in Northern Ireland last
year. The figure is a rise of 14 from 2006. 30 deaths
were recorded in the last 4 months of 2007.
Health Minster Michael McGimpsey has announced
£9m to tackle hospital bugs.
For full report click here
52. 'New practices' over hospital bug
7 January 2008 – BBC News
The South Eastern Trust based in Ireland has said it
might have to put more efficient practices in place to
enable them to better monitor the hospital bug, Clostridium
difficile.
The Trust said six people had died of the bug last
year, but that it still doesn’t know the number of
course where C difficile was a contributory factor as it
does not get recorded on death certificates.
For full report click here
53. Trust confirms more bug deaths
6 January 2008 – BBC News
The Northern Health Trust has confirmed three more
deaths in its current outbreak of the hospital bug
Clostridium difficile. This brings the total number of
deaths to 23 people.
The Northern Health Trust has also recently identified
a virulent strain called ribotype 027 and it is believed
to be the first time this strain has emerged in
Northern Ireland.
For full report click here
54. Four health boards to be scrapped
4 February 2008 – BBC News
Northern Ireland is scrapping its four health boards
as of April 2009. Health Minister, Michael
McGimpsey that the Boards will be replaced by just
one regional board in the health service shake-up.
For full report click here
55. Family's plea for bug information
4 February 2008 – BBC News
The family of an 82-year-old woman who has been
treated for C. difficile, have said they are angry at the
lack of information from the hospital.
The pensioner was treated at the Causeway Hospital
before Christmas and has now been re-admitted with
similar symptoms.
The woman said the hospital trust has stated that
they are expecting more deaths from the bug, but
that she does not know if her mother is one of those
at risk.
For full report click here
Scotland
56. Health Board funding allocations
8 February 2008 – Scottish Gov News
14 territorial NHS boards and eight special health
boards will share funding due to rise to £8 billion next
year.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Nicola
Sturgeon, said each board would benefiting from an
average increase of 3.3 per cent within NHS Scotland's
overall budget of over £10.65 billion.
Ms Sturgeon said:
"Improving the health of all people in Scotland is a
top priority for the Scottish Government and today's
funding announcement will help us achieve this.
"An additional £257.5 million is being provided to enable
NHS boards to meet the needs of their local
populations in line with the priorities we have set.
"This funding announced today will help health
boards deliver better, faster and more local access to
treatment, particularly in our most deprived communities.
"I am confident it will make a real difference to the
lives of everyone in Scotland."
For full report click here
57. 'Truth forum' for abuse victims
7 January 2008 – BBC News
Children’s Minister, Adam Ingram, has announced
new measures to support adults who were abused in
children’s homes.
There will be a creation of a “truth and reconciliation
forum” to help victims discuss their experiences.
For full report click here
58. GBP270m Bid To Halve Treatment Wait
Times
6 February 2008 – Evening Times
Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has announced
that a total of £270million will be spent on a
drive to halve waiting times for hospital treatment in
Scotland.
59. NHS staff 'meeting' times targets
6 January 2008 – BBC News
Highlands, Argyll and Bute health staff have received
praise from bosses for meeting national waiting times
targets set for 31 December.
NHS Highland chief operating officer, Elaine Mead,
said that internal figures showed they had been able
to meet the Scottish Government's 18-week guarantee.
For full report click here
60. It's Cruel To Move My Dad From Place He
Calls Home
5 February 2008 – Evening Times
A daughter today slammed Glasgow City Council’s
decision to move her 89-year-old father from his
Glasgow care home as "cruel" and "insensitive".
Jimmy Conkie has lived in Eskdale care home,
Easterhouse for eight years but will be moved to alternative
accommodation as Glasgow City Council
shuts its 16 homes and replaces them with five new
centres.
61. Care home OAPS set to foot bill for council
pay
5 February 2008 – Thisisnorthscotland
Almost 50 of Aberdeenshire’s pensioners living in
care homes could be asked to foot part of the bill for
the local authority’s single-status pay deal with workers.
This means they could face a weekly increase of
£46 in their residential care bill.
For full report go to http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/
displayNode.jsp?
nodeId=149212&command=displayContent&sourceNode=2329
19&home=yes&more_nodeId1=149221&contentPK=19776021
62. Row over future of health centres
5 January 2008 – BBC News
Mid-Scotland and Fife Labour MSP Richard Simpson
has accused the Scottish Government of failing to
provide central funding for Scotland’s Healthy Living
Centres.
He said that as a result, 25 of the country's 40 HLCs
were at risk of imminent closure.
For full report click here
63. NHS to be given patient feedback
4 February 2008 – BBC News
Nicola Sturgeon has opened a new research centre
to co-ordinate feedback from patients on what they
think about their treatment in the NHS in Scotland.
Patients will be asked if they have been involved in
decisions taken about their care, and the quality of
their accommodation.
For full report click here
Wales
64. Mental health scheme for veterans
4 February 2008 – BBC News
Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales is setting up a
pilot project for specialist treatment of mental health
problems by war veterans. More than £100,000 has
been invested in the two year scheme by the assembly
government and the Ministry of Defence.
Veterans who live within the NHS trust areas of Cardiff
and Vale, Pontypridd and Rhondda and North
Glamorgan are expected to benefit from the project.
For full report click here
Learning Disabilities
65. Hospital help for patient group
9 January 2008 – BBC News
The Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro has created a
new role to help support patients with learning disabilities.
The trust said according to its figures, a
quarter of people with learning disabilities are admitted
to hospital every year.
Zoe Wood, the new acute liaison nurse, has now
been appointed by the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust.
For full report click here
66. Elderly carers launch help centre
8 January 2008 – BBC News
A group called the Older Carers Floating Support has
been launched in Oxfordshire. This is a self-support
group consisting of elderly carers looking after themselves
with a self-support centre for those with family
who have learning disabilities.
The Group have access to others at meetings held
every six to eight weeks at various day centres, and
aims to set up home-visiting services in the future.
For full report click here
67. Survey shows public want more information
about learning difficulties and mental
health
8 February 2008 – Community Care
In a poll undertaken by consultants PIELLE, out of
300 people, 27% said they would object to plans to
build a care home for people with learning difficulties,
compared to just 6% who said they would oppose
proposals to build a care home for older people.
For full report click here
68. Youth games exclusion 'unlawful'
7 January 2008 – BBC News
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has
ruled that children with learning disabilities can no
longer be left out of the UK schools’ equivalent of the
Olympics. The Commission told the organisers that
the exclusion was discriminatory and unlawful and is
part of a drive to overturn a Paralympics rule barring
athletes who have learning disabilities.
The games have had special events only for physically
disabled youngsters.
For full report click here
Legislation Update
69. No. 468 The Children (Allocation of Proceedings)
(Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland)
2007 2
8 February 2008 – OPSI
For full report click here
70. No. 17 (W.6)THE CHILDCARE ACT 2006
(COMMENCEMENT NO.1) (WALES) ORDER
2008
4 February 2008 – OPSI
For full report click here
71. No. 17 (W.6)THE CHILDCARE ACT 2006
(COMMENCEMENT NO.1) (WALES) ORDER
2008
4 February 2008 – OPSI
For full report click here
Mental Health
72. New research shows rise in GPs prescribing
exercise for depression
8 February 2008 - Mental Health Foundation
The last three years have seen a significant rise in
the number of GPs prescribing exercise to people
with mild to moderate depression, according to new
research from the Mental Health Foundation. The
charity says that 22% of GPs now prescribe exercise
therapy as one of their three most common treatments
for depression compared with only 5% three
years ago.
The new figures also show a change in GPs’ beliefs
about exercise therapy. Almost two-thirds of GPs
(61%) now believe a supervised programme of exercise
to be ‘very effective’ or ‘quite effective’ in treating
mild to moderate depression, in comparison to
41% three years ago. And two thirds of GPs (66%)
who currently do not have access to an exercise referral
scheme say they would use one if it were available.
The Mental Health Foundation has been campaigning
for the last three years to increase the use of exercise
referral for mild to moderate depression. The
charity warns that despite growing interest among
patients and changes to GP attitudes, exercise on
prescription is still not widely available – with less
than half of GPs (49%) able to access an exercise
therapy referral scheme for people with depression.
Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental
Health Foundation, said:
“It is excellent news that GPs are now turning to exercise
therapy to help people with depression. There
is a real need for increased availability of exercise on
prescription so that it is accessible alongside antidepressant
medication and psychological therapies.
Depression is a complex illness – it is important that
GPs have a range of treatments to offer and that people
with depression have a choice.”
Two information booklets about exercise and depression
are available from the Mental Health Foundation
– ‘How exercise can help beat depression’ for patients
and ‘Exercise referral and the treatment of mild
or moderate depression’ for GPs and healthcare
p r a c t i t i o n e r s . D o w n l o a d f r o m
www.mentalhealth.org.uk or telephone 020 7803
1100.
73. GPs struggle to refer depressed patients
for exercise therapy
8 February 2008 – Community Care
A report from the Mental Health Foundation has
found that doctors are more like to now prescribe exercise
alongside anti-depressants for people with depression.
One of the problems is unavailability.
Less than half of GPs are able to actually refer patients
with depression to an exercise therapy scheme,
in spite of 61% of GPs believing in the effectiveness
of a supervised exercise programme for mild or moderate
depression, compared with 41% three years
ago.
For full report click here
74. Mentally ill man killed woman on mixed
ward
8 February 2008 - The Telegraph
Telahum Tedola, 36 and a paranoid schizophrenic,
strangled Rosalind McManus, 58, while both were
being treated in the psychiatric wing of Birch Hill Hospital,
Rochdale, Greater Manchester. He admitted
manslaughter.
Mrs McManus had said that she was in fear of a male
patient on the ward. It remains unclear whether Tedola
was the man who had frightened her.
Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat spokesman on
health, said the case underlined the need for an inquiry
into the "continuing scandal" of mixed wards in
mental health units.
75. Mental health support criticised
6 January 2008 – BBC News
An independent report issued for Devon County
Council shows that people with mental health needs
in the area need much better support services. The
investigation concentrated on adults under 65 who
live within communities.
One of the improvement recommendations included a
dedicated 24-hour phone line.
For full report click here
76. A worrying business
5 February 2008 - The Times, Times 2
A four page article focussing on the statistic that 1 in
3 employees become mentally ill each year and how
business addresses the challenge.
77. Mental health scheme for veterans
4 February 2008 – BBC News
For full report see Wales—item 64
Miscellaneous
78. GPs back down on surgery opening
hours
9 February 2008 - The Times
GPs retreat over surgery hours
9 February 2008 - Daily Mail
Doctors leaders' hours climbdown
8 January 2008 – BBC News
GP poll blow to extra hours plan
7 January 2008 – BBC News
The BMA has agreed that the extended opening
hours of GP surgeries will be introduced in April 2008
and will amount to an additional three hours in the
evening and/or at weekends.
For full climbdown report click here
For full poll report click here
79. Botox safety to be investigated after 16
deaths among patients
9 February 2008 - The Times
USA federal regulators are investigating cosmetic
procedures involving Botox after 16 deaths.
80. Dentists ‘under pressure to treat fewer
children’
8 February 2008 - Daily Mail
Eddie Crouch of the pressure group Challenge has
said to the Commons Health Select Committee that
there is a fear that children will be ‘turned away’ as
NHS Trusts run out of money and put pressure on
dentists to get money from them – from treating
adults who contribute to the cost of care.
81. Call for more hearing specialists
7 January 2008 – BBC News
The Royal College of Physicians is calling for a bigger
increase in the number of English doctors specialising
in hearing and balance problems.
The RCP said half of people can suffer disorders at
any one time but could end up waiting years to see a
specialist.
For full report click here
82. Dental regulator takes company to court
7 February 2008 – HSJ
The General Dental Council has launched legal proceedings
against a company it claims has been illegally
operating a dental business.
Community First for Treatment is accused of receiving
payment for dental work in two practices in Peterborough
and Boston. The GDC claims that, contrary
to the law, the majority of the company's directors are
neither GDC registered dentists nor dental care professionals.
83. Letter: New collection of direct access
audiology waiting time and PTL data information
7 February 2008 – DoH
A letter to inform the NHS of a forthcoming direct access
audiology data collection.
For full report click here
84. New possibilities to complain about care!
7 February 2008 - GNN
Early-Adopter sites prior to national roll-out in April
2009.
A new unified complaints system for health & social
care which will make it easier for people to complain
when things go wrong was unveiled by Health Minister
Ann Keen.
A simple two-stage complaints system focused on
local resolution and then - if unresolved - an investigation
by the Health or Local Government Ombudsman
will replace the often lengthy and bureaucratic
procedures currently in place.
The new arrangements will make the whole experience
of making a complaint simpler, more userfriendly
and far more responsive to people's needs. It
emphasises that health and social care services
should routinely learn from complaints – leading to
service improvement.
Health Minister Ann Keen said:
"I know that people find the current complaints system
confusing. Some may also avoid complaining
because they feel too intimidated or worry about damaging
their relationship with their GP or social
worker. This must change.
"This new streamlined approach will remove the need
to follow a rigid set of procedures and replace them
with a more open, flexible and personal service. It
makes sense for everyone to use a more locally
based system for complaints - one the public feel they
can trust. It is in the interests of health and social
care providers to be more accountable to their local
communities.”
The new unified health and social care arrangements
aim to:
- resolve complaints locally - there will be a more
personal and flexible approach to handling complaints;
- ensure early and effective resolution, and robust
handling of all cases not just those which are more
complex;
- make sure people with complaints have access to
effective support - this is particularly important for
people who find it difficult to make their views heard,
- give people the option of going direct to their primary
care trust with a complaint about their GP, instead
of complaining directly to the GP;
- give people the option of going direct to their local
authority with a complaint where the care has been
arranged by the local authority;
- ensure organisations improve the services they provide
by routinely learning from people's experiences.
With the emphasis on effective and robust resolution
and with independence available through the Ombudsmen,
the additional independent review of NHS
complaints, currently carried out by the Healthcare
Commission, will no longer be necessary.
Ann Abraham, Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman,
and Tony Redmond, Local Government
Ombudsman said:
"The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
and the Local Government Ombudsmen together
welcome this important step towards an integrated
approach to health and social care complaints. We
are confident that the early-adopter sites will yield
valuable lessons for the future. The simpler system
that is being developed will be more responsive for
the complainant and will also help to improve services
for all patients and service users."
The proposed new arrangements for handling health
and social care complaints' is available to download
from the Department of Health website: http://
www.dh.gov.uk
85. New immigration rules to restrict International
Medical Graduates' access to UK postgraduate
medical training
New immigration rules that will restrict international
medical graduates' (IMGs) access to UK postgraduate
medical training were welcomed by the
Health Secretary Alan Johnson.
The Home Office has laid immigration rules implementing
the first part of the new Points Based System,
which is the Tier 1 (General) route for highly
skilled migrants. The rules impose a condition on Tier
1 (General) migrants and Highly Skilled Migrants prohibiting
them from taking a post as a doctor in training.
The new rules take effect from 29th February. They
will not impact on recruitment until 2009 and will prohibit
the following people from accessing postgraduate
medical training posts:
From February 29th
- Migrants from overseas who are applying to the
Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP)
- Migrants already in the UK who are applying to
switch to Tier 1 (General)
From April 1st
- Migrants in India who are applying for entry clearance
as a Tier 1 (General) Migrant.
The following people will be exempt from the regulations:
- Those who currently have leave to remain in the UK
as a Highly Skilled Migrant
- Postgraduate doctors or dentists who are seeking
leave to remain as a Tier 1 (General) Migrant
The new immigration rules are expected to reduce
the potential pool of new migrant applicants by between
3,000 to 5,000 in 2009.
These are temporary changes to the immigration
rules. The Department of Health is considering
longer-term solutions that will ensure the policy of
self-sufficiency is achieved.
The DoH is beginning a consultation setting out proposals
for managing applications to the foundation
and specialty training programmes from Highly Skilled
Migrant doctors with leave to remain in the UK. Our
preferred option is to implement guidance stating that
IMGs should be considered for post-graduate and
specialty training posts in the NHS only if there are no
suitable UK or European Economic Area (EEA) applicants.
The Department consulted on issuing this guidance
for specialty recruitment in both 2007 and 2008. The
Court of Appeal ruled that this guidance was unlawful.
However, the House of Lords is hearing the Department's
appeal on February 28th and we expect a
decision in May. If the Department's appeal is successful,
the guidance could be implemented in time
for the next round of recruitment on June 1st.
Most international medical graduates who come to
work or train in the NHS do not stay very long - over
half leave within four years of joining the
NHS. Ultimately, the NHS loses the trained GPs and
consultants it needs when IMGs leave.
The Department of Health's consultation paper on
International Medical Graduates is available via the
MMC website at http://www.mmc.nhs.uk. The consultation
will end on May 6th.
86. New rules to limit non-EU doctors
6 January 2008 – BBC News
NHS Closes its doors to foreign doctors
7 February 2008 - The Times
New immigration rules now mean that doctors resident
outside the EU can no longer be able to apply
for postgraduate training posts in the UK. The Home
Office’s announcement came amid sustained criticism
from doctors’ bodies that UK graduates cannot
find work due to the competition.
The new rules will come into effect for the 2009 recruitment
round.
For full report click here
87. BMA 'fails to represent doctors'
6 January 2008 – BBC News
Dr Richard Horton, editor of the Lancet medical journal
has publicly attacked the British Medical Association.
Dr Horton accused the BMA of being insulting and
cynical towards the Government and failing to represent
ordinary doctors.
For full report click here
88. New boost for patients with debilitating
diseases
6 February 2008 - GNN
People with debilitating diseases, such as incontinence
or renal failure, may benefit from the development
of new healthcare products through an innovative
new scheme according to Public Health Minister,
Dawn Primarolo.
The pilots will be based at Barts and the London NHS
Trust and, subject to contract, Sheffield NHS Teaching
Hospitals Foundation Trust. The two centres will
each receive £275,000 a year for the first two years,
with the potential for further funding if successful.
The funding has been provided through a range
of organisations working together with a shared goal.
This initiative will involve patients working with professionals
from the outset. It should help to speed up
the development of new technology that will help patients
and deliver new products which are important
to them.
89. Government calls for debate on fluoridation
to improve dental health
5 February 2008 - GNN
Health Secretary Alan Johnson urged the NHS to
consider fluoridating tap water for those areas with
poor dental health to help prevent tooth decay and
reduce health inequalities.
£14 million per annum extra funding will be made
available over the next 3 years by the Government to
those Strategic Health Authorities who, following consultations,
find that the local community is in favour of
the introduction of fluoridation schemes to improve
the dental health.
90. GPs urged to cut back antibiotics
4 February 2008 – BBC News
The Department of Health is urging GPs to tell patients
that antibiotics will not get rid of minor illnesses
such as the common cold to save unnecessary prescriptions.
Bacteria resistance to antibiotics is still rising, a decade
after a national campaign first highlighted that as
a side-effect of antibiotic prescribing.
For full report click here
91. Is there demand for longer GP opening?
4 February 2008 – BBC News
Article about the stalemate reached by doctors and
ministers over extending GP hours.
For full report click here
92. Ministers target GPs over hours
4 February 2008 – BBC News
Alan Johnson, the Health Secretary, is writing to all
GPs in England asking them to accept the Government’s
plans to extend surgery opening hours. He
wants to reach a deal on evening and weekend opening.
The Government has said that it will impose a settlement
if agreement cannot be reached with the doctors'
union, the British Medical Association.
For full report click here
93. GP Opening Hours Deal Sparks Storm
4 February 2008 – Evening Times
Doctors are accusing the government of holding "a
gun to their heads" over a deal to open GP surgeries
at evenings and weekends.
94. Get well soon - without Antibiotics
4 February 2008 - GNN
We must all play a part in conserving antibiotics to
help tackle infections.
The Government launched a national campaign to
remind doctors of the problem of antibiotic resistance
and make clear to patients that antibiotics will not get
rid of the common cold.
Almost a decade after the original national public
education campaign to discourage over-use of antibiotics,
the Government has warned that resistance is
still on the increase and action is necessary to preserve
the efficacy of the drugs that we have.
Copies of the posters and leaflets can be found at
http://www.nhs.uk/antibiotics
95. Council to loosen eligibility curbs
February 2008 - Caring Business
Item about Lewisham Council which is increasing its
budget for adult social care by £3.8m for 2008/9.
96. ‘Ratings? Like Marmite’
February 2008 - Caring Business
A full page in which Sheila Scott, OBE, expresses
her views on a number of topics including CSCI Star
Ratings – to which she is ‘implacably opposed’ and
human rights.
97. A Branson Pickle?
February 2008 - HealthInvestor
Article by Douglas Brown about the plan for Virgin to
move into the primary care market.
98. This Time Its Personal
February 2008 - HealthInvestor
Article by Douglas Brown in which he looks at the
issue of personal budgets, only 48,000 adults took
advantage of the system last year; there are concerns
that it will not be widely adopted.
99. Root to a new dentist
February 2008 - Which?
A two page look at selecting dentists in the current
marketplace.
100. What will 2008 bring?
February 2008 - Care Management Matters
Three page article by Andrew Sidwell of GVA Grimley
in which he looks at the state of the care home market
and what we can expect in 2008. A crash in values
is not on the cards although vendors are unlikely
to see the large multiples applied in summer 2006
and summer 2007.
101. A Fire Inspector Calls...
February 2008 - Care Management Matters
Multi-page series of articles fire and the steps needed
to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety)
Order 2005.
NHS
102. New immigration rules to restrict International
Medical Graduates' access to UK
post-graduate medical training
For full report see Miscellaneous—item 85
103. Hundreds of NHS doctors hit the slopes
during ‘medical education course’
10 February 2008 - The Mail on Sunday
Almost 500 NHS doctors went on a week long conference
in Val d’lsere, with commitments to attend two
training sessions a day they were able to spend the
rest of their time on the ski slopes. It is estimated the
cost could be about £400,000 if all the doctors reclaim
their full entitlements.
104. 1 in 5 patients going home malnourished
8 February 2008 - Daily Mail
Item about the editorial in the British Medical Journal
which says the number of people going hungry in
NHS hospitals have doubled since Labour went into
Government in 1997.
105. 4,000 NHS computer cards ‘missing’
7 February 2008 - The Times
Privacy fear over NHS card loss
6 January 2008 – BBC News
Connecting for Health, the agency overseeing the
NHS National IT Project has reported that over 4,000
smart cards have gone missing, 1,400 in the last
year.
The Agency said the cards could not be used without
a relevant PIN.
429,691 NHS staff have been issued with a card.
For full report click here
106. NHS costing manual 2007/08
7 February 2008 – DoH
A manual setting out the principles and practice of
costing to be applied in the NHS. It is not just designed
to support the production of the National
Schedule of Reference Costs and through this, the
national tariff, but should also be used in developing
and monitoring service and financial frameworks, as
well as developments in and the monitoring and implementation
of National Service Frameworks.
For full report click here
107. NHS reference costs 2007/08: collection
guidance
7 February 2008 – DoH
The mandatory requirements for the 2007/08 reference
costs collection are outlined in this document. It
updates and supersedes previous costing guidance
and should be read in conjunction with the latest version
of the NHS costing manual.
For full report click here
108. Dear colleague letter: Local procurements
of new GP practices and health centres
- performance reporting arrangements
6 February 2008 – DoH
A letter from Ben Dyson setting out the performance
reporting arrangements for the procurement of new
GP practices and health centres and he also makes
a request for the completion and validation of the first
monthly return.
For full report click here
109. Making experiences count: the proposed
new arrangements for handling health
and social care complaints - response to
consultation
6 February 2008 – DoH
The proposals for reform of NHS and social care
complaints arrangements were consulted on between
June and October 2007 and this report summarises
the responses and how the Department has
taken them into account in its response, and sets out
the detail on its intentions to implement reform of the
health and social care complaints processes.
For full report click here
110. Report of the National Patient Choice
Survey, England - September 2007
4 February 2008 – DoH
A report giving the final results of around 92,000 responses
to the ninth national patient choice survey
commissioned to assess the implementation of
choice at PCT level. The series of surveys, conducted
by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the Department,
monitor patient awareness of choice and recall of
having been offered a choice of hospital for their first
outpatient appointment. They were designed to provide
a national overview of choice and summary results
at PCT level
For full report click here
111. Trust denies massaging MRSA data
5 January 2008 – BBC News
Kingston Hospitals NHS Trust has denied ordering a
cut in blood tests to reduce its reported MRSA rates.
The comments came after a senior member of staff
leaked an email that was then circulated to all clinical
staff.
The source said that staff were being encouraged to
question whether blood samples should be taken,
whereas the Trust said the aim was to cut test numbers
to those carried out at comparable hospitals.
For full report click here
112. MP fears EU 'could control NHS'
6 January 2008 – BBC News
MPs were told that the new EU treaty will take some
of the Government’s control over the NHS and can
create a two-tier system to benefit the rich.
Ex-health secretary, Frank Dobson said the Commons
that a new EU directive would allow patients to
travel to Europe for treatment and claim back costs
on the NHS.
"It would clearly give a leg up to the well-off to the
disadvantage of everyone else," he said in the Commons.
For full report click here
113. Wife angry over ward cleanliness
6 January 2008 – BBC News
Rosemary Ford-Nairn, a former nurse, has expressed
her disgust at what she said were filthy conditions she
saw at a Nottingham hospital when she visited her
husband.
Mr Ford-Nairn says he contracted MRSA as a result
of his stay at the Queen’s Medical Centre. His wife
said she saw blood and human waste in corridors.
A hospital spokesman apologised to the couple and
said most patients gave good reports of cleanliness
on the wards.
For full report click here
114. NHS trust looks north for nurses
6 January 2008 – BBC News
A Surrey NHS Trust is looking for nurses and has
turned to Scotland by offering them jobs close to “the
bright lights” of London and the south coast.
Ashford and St Peter's NHS Trust has launched a
major "initiative to recruit Scotland's nurses” and is
sending recruitment specialists to Aberdeen, Dundee,
Glasgow, and Edinburgh.
For full report click here
115. Bug trust's new chief will stay
4 February 2008 – BBC News
Glenn Douglas, the health official who took over
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS last October
after the damning report was issued by the Healthcare
Commission is becoming permanent.
Mr Douglas had been on secondment from a Surrey
NHS trust.
For full report click here
116. NHS £120-an-hour report unfounded
4 February 2008 – BBC News
NHS paid £120 an hour for nurses
3 February 2008 – BBC News
Royal Berkshire trust has said incorrect figures were
provided when it was reported that it paid over £120
an hour for agency workers to cover gaps in staffing.
The true amount paid to agency staff by the Trust
was £20.23 an hour, not the reported £121.59.
For full report click here