Editorial
Well, well; what a busy couple of weeks for the
sector.
We have seen a Minister, Ivan Lewis, appearing to
‘have a go’ at the Government over it’s failure to stay
in touch with hard-working families – see item 77. I
have been opining for some time that come the next
Government re-shuffle Mr Lewis will be removed
from his current post of Parliamentary Under
Secretary of State for Care Services. I had been
anticipating a promotion – perhaps not now!
We have also had the long awaited announcement
about the new Independent Safeguarding Authority
which will make the decisions about those barred
and to be barred from the social care workforce – it
will become operational in October 2009. And, it will
only add another £28 in regulatory fees to your
overheads! – see items 7 and 26.
And then there was the coming into force of the
Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide
Act on 06.04.08 – what a way to begin the new tax
year! – see item 12.
This week’s article
This week we bring the new NMC Code on standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and
midwives.
The new Code will become operative with effect from 01.05.08.
To read article click here.
Parliament
Parliament is in recess and will sit again on 21.04.08.
Next
Abuse
1. Look at our father after 32 days in a care
home
5 April 2008 - Daily Mail
Item about Ronald Burton, 73, who lost two stones in
a month when living at Rothwell Grange Care Home,
Rotherham run by the council.
Ed. If this had happened at a privately run care
home there would be a reference to the council
Adult Protection Unit. In this case such a referral
would lack transparency – I hope that the council
is brave enough to ask another neighbouring authority
to conduct the investigation.
2. Paedophiles’ e-mail
4 April 2008 - The Times
Sex offenders face website bans
4 April 2008 – BBC News
Under new Government proposals, sex offenders’ email
addresses will be passed to social networking
sites such as Facebook and Bebo to stop them contacting
children.
Offenders who do not give police their address - or
give a false one - could face up to five years in jail.
Websites would be expected to monitor the e-mail
address usage or block them accessing the sites.
For full report click here
Ed. It seems a trite point to make, however, it is
the easiest thing in the world to change email
addresses and to gain additional ones. Seems to
me this change lacks ‘bite’.
3. Zero tolerance approach
4 April 2008 - Champion News
Richard Jones, director of Adult Services, Lancashire
County Council has said there needs to be a "zero
tolerance approach" to abuse of vulnerable adults.
The Lancashire Safeguarding Agenda has been
formed with the police and the NHS. The group has
set up a ‘phoneline and website for the public and
social workers to access advice and report any incidents.
Mr Jones said: "Our aim is to raise awareness among
the public and staff within health and social care services;
to help people recognise what constitutes
abuse; and to explain what to do if someone suspects
abuse. I believe it is everyone's business to protect
the wellbeing of vulnerable adults."
4. We must have a public inquiry into care
home
4 April 2008
A former nurse raised concerns about “shocking conditions”
in a North East care home is seeking assurances
that standards are better at the new centre.
Phil Brown lifted the lid on the appalling working practices
at Bamburgh Court in South Shields which led
to then manager Ann Rigby being struck off by the
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) last week.
For full report go to http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-eastnews/
todays-news/2008/04/03/we-must-have-a-public-inquiryinto-
care-home-61634-20712749/
5. Dignified conclusions
2 April 2008 – SocietyGuardian
A three-year, Government funded study is to examine
the risk of abuse and neglect of older people on NHS
wards and in care homes. How prevalent is the problem,
and how can it be tackled? SocietyGuardian
asked the experts, including Action on Elder Abuse,
Counsel and Care, Help the Aged and Paul Burstow
MP.
Daniel Blake, Action on Elder Abuse said “a good
care home is not necessarily a care home that has no
abuse. A good care home is one that responds appropriately,
robustly and quickly to allegations of
abuse”.
Bridget Penhale, Reader in gerontology, Sheffield
University, said “we need to promote positive images
of residential care, and invest in care homes and their
staff”.
6. Jersey abuse warnings 'ignored'
31 March 2008 – BBC News
The BBC programme, Panorama has found evidence
that warnings about abuse at Haut de la Garenne and
another children’s home in Jersey were ignored. A
former staff member told the programme-makers that
his attempt to blow the whistle fell on deaf ears.
The programme was given exclusive access to the
police investigation and the forensic search also
learned that at two other homes on the island, staff,
who were believed to have seriously abused children,
were simply allowed to resign without punishment.
For full report click here
7. New scheme for protection will be underway
in October 2009
1 April 2008 - GNN
Changes to checks for those working with children
and vulnerable adults will start from October 2009.
The fees structure for the scheme has also been set.
The creation of the Independent Safeguarding Authority
(ISA) is part of the biggest overhaul of vetting
and barring arrangements ever undertaken in this
country. It will cover 11.3 million people wishing to
seek work or volunteer with children or vulnerable
adults.
The ISA scheme will mean a single vetting authority
maintains a constantly updated list of people who are
not allowed to work with children or vulnerable adults
- this will incorporate all existing barring lists.
If a person is not barred from employment with vulnerable
people they will be ISA registered, although
it will remain the employer's decision whether to hire
them. The authority will work alongside the Criminal
Records Bureau, which will continue to issue criminal
records disclosures to help employers make recruitment
decisions.
Home Office Minister Meg Hillier said:
"The Independent Safeguarding Authority is at the
heart of the Government's drive to increase the protection
of vulnerable members of our society.
"The mandatory scheme aims to prevent those who
are deemed unsuitable to work with children and/or
vulnerable adults from gaining access to them
through their work.
"From October 2009 employers will be able to check
that individual staff members have been assessed for
work with vulnerable groups, further enhancing one of
the most robust employment checking systems in the
world."
The ISA is an independent body with its own remit
and barring criteria which will decide on a case-bycase
basis if an individual poses a risk of harm to
vulnerable groups.
Individuals wishing to undertake paid employment
while engaging with vulnerable groups will pay a oneoff
fee of £64. The fee will consist of two components:
an ISA registration fee of £28 and a CRB enhanced
disclosure, currently £36, which provides employers
with details of information held on police records
about potential staff members.
However, there will be no cost for volunteers.
Sir Roger Singleton, ISA Chairman said:
"The Independent Safeguarding Authority will provide
a groundbreaking vetting and barring service to prevent
those deemed unsuitable from working with children
or vulnerable adults from October 2009.
"The go-live date has been reached after consultation
with key strategic partners to make sure that it is not
only operationally feasible, but that it also gives employers
enough time to fully prepare for the introduction
of the scheme.
"This is a complex scheme which will cover 11.3 million
people within a wide variety of workplaces. Starting
in 2009 will allow us to ensure an improved level
of safeguarding as well the development of better
information sharing systems."
8. Bridgend students to make a film about
abuse
31 March 2008 - icWales, Western Mail
Students from Bridgend College have been collaborating
with South Wales Police and Bridgend Council
on the making of a short film to raise awareness of
the abuse of vulnerable adults.
The film – Why Didn’t We See It? – has been written
and produced by the students and focuses on an ordinary
Welsh family – the Joneses – who are all affected
by abuse. Four key types of abuse are highlighted
– financial, sexual, physical and neglect.
The aim of the film is to raise the general public’s
awareness of vulnerable adult abuse and to inform
them of how to get help.
9. Jersey abuse warnings 'ignored'
31 March 2008 – BBC News
The BBC programme, Panorama has found evidence
that warnings about abuse at Haut de la Garenne and
another children’s home in Jersey were ignored. A
former staff member told the programme-makers that
his attempt to blow the whistle fell on deaf ears.
The programme was given exclusive access to the
police investigation and the forensic search also
learned that at two other homes on the island, staff,
who were believed to have seriously abused children,
were simply allowed to resign without punishment.
For full report click here
10. Southern Cross raising cash for World
Elder Abuse Awareness Day
April 2008
John Murphy, Group MD of Southern Cross, is undertaking
a sponsored diet to raise funds for the
campaigning charity, Action on Elder Abuse. Last
year John was ‘kidnapped’, perhaps he thought the
staff might not bail him out a second time!!!
For all those wishing to sponsor John, email
pauline.boyne@schealthcare.co.uk or ‘phone her on
0141 270 2028
Business News
11. Bidders chosen in care home sale
5 April 2008 – BBC News
10 care providers have been shortlisted to buy six
care homes in Leicestershire currently being labelled
as “growing concerns” by the council. The homes
are based in Melton, Thurmaston, Loughborough,
Barwell, Kirby Muxloe and Lutterworth and all current
residents and staff will be able to remain at the
homes.
For full report click here
12. Negligent firms face huge fines for
deaths
5 April 2008 - The Times
An informative item by Legal Editor, Frances Gibb,
about the effect of the Corporate Manslaughter and
Corporate Homicide Act 2007 and what, in general
terms might be expected.
13. Bankers hired to advise NHS on plan to
raise billions in sale of hospitals
5 April 2008 - The Times
See NHS – item 89
14. The real cost of PFI schemes
1 April 2008 - The Times, Public Agenda
Item which opines that the cost of building hospitals
using the Public Finance Initiative model results in
further pressure on the NHS because of budgetary
inflexibility.
Care Homes
15. Annoyed at suggestions that care was
not first-class
4 April 2008 - Hamilton Advertiser, Letter to Editor
We would like to reply to the article concerning Mrs
Maria Burns which appeared in the Advertiser of
March 13.
Craegmoor Healthcare would like to point out that
Mrs Burns was not admitted to Avondale in August as
mentioned in the article.
Her admission date was in fact November 2, 2007,
and she was admitted to Wishaw General Hospital on
February 21, 2008, not February 22 as stated in your
article.
Furthermore, we would wish to make it clear that contrary
to claims in the article, Mrs Burns had no pressure
sores on her back when admitted to hospital.
In addition, the article quotes Mrs Burns’s son Iain as
saying that Mrs Burns had an `electric blanket’ on her
bed. That is simply not true; Mrs Burns was in fact on
a pressure-relieving mattress on the advice of NHS
Lanarkshire's tissue viability department.
Finally, I would like to make it clear that no concerns
about the standard of care Mrs Burns was receiving
were ever raised with Avondale staff by her family.
Day in day out the immensely dedicated and highly
professional team at Avondale provides wonderful
care and they were deeply upset by the article.
Ted Smith, chief executive officer, Craegmoor Healthcare.
Ed. Apparently, before running the apparently inaccurate
story the company had been invited to
comment by the journalist but had not done so.
16. Dedicated nursing teams in care homes
for the elderly could reduce hospital admissions
2 April 2008 – Joseph Rowntree Foundation
A Joseph Rowntree Foundation report this week has
said that introducing dedicated community nursing
and physiotherapy teams into residential care homes
for older people will reduce hospital admissions
and produce large savings.
The report has evaluated a two-year pilot, covering
131 long-term residents of three council-run residential
homes in the Bath and North East Somerset, in a
joint council and primary care trust initiative.
For full report click here
17. REC highlights key role of recruiters in
checking care home workers
1 April 2008 – Onrec.com
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation
(REC), has responded to claims that illegal immigrants
working in the UK’s care homes could be putting
elderly people at risk. REC is the representative
body for recruitment agencies including those specialising
in care workers.
For full report go to http://www.onrec.com/
newsstories/20967.asp
18. CRAEGMOOR ANNOUNCES SUCCESS
OF LARGEST EVER SERVICE USER CONSULTATION
"Involvement in Training, Recruitment and Budgets
agreed" says Craegmoor
1 April 2008
Craegmoor Healthcare, the largest independent provider
of specialist care in the UK, announced the
success of its first annual Your Voice national forum.
The program, created by Craegmoor's Managing
Director Specialist Business Christine Cameron,
designed to give all service users the opportunity to
express opinions on the way Craegmoor provides
care and support.
Elected service user representatives from all of
Craegmoor's divisions met in Worcester where they
had the opportunity to discuss the services the company
provides them at a round table discussion. The
meeting also involved members of the company's
senior management team and was chaired by Chief
Executive Officer, Ted Smith. The meeting marked
the culmination of the largest service user consultation
ever undertaken by a provider, with all of Craegmoor's
4500 service users represented.
Amongst the points raised by service users at the
meeting were:
· Daniel Crock & Scott Lee, who represent the
Specialist South and West division, asking if
service users could be involved in the training
of staff, Craegmoor agreed that this was
a good idea. The company is already putting
together DVD designed by and featuring service
users for the training of new staff.
· All service users present were also keen that
the company includes them in its staff recruitment
process. While this already happens in
some homes Craegmoor is keen to make it a
formal company policy. Over the next few
months service users will be given the opportunity
to ask questions at interviews, show
people round their home and all service users
will meet the interviewees.
· Gerald Phillips representing the Older People
Division suggested that Craegmoor could
encourage residents to get more involved in
the upkeep of their home's garden. Craegmoor
agreed that this was a good idea and
the company is now looking at the possibility
of having a separate budget for service users
to buy tools and more flowers.
Craegmoor's Senior Management Team took note of
all input from the day and during the lively discussions.
The company would like to thank all service
users who were involved and looks forward to working
with them to implement the policy changes discussed.
Craegmoor's Chief Executive, Ted Smith, said:
"The first national Your Voice conference has been a
triumph. I would like to thank everyone for taking the
time to come to the meeting. It has been incredibly
positive and the service users have certainly given us
some interesting things to think about. It is thanks to
the willingness of all our service users to get involved
in the forum that the company has a clearer idea of
their wishes and this will benefit everyone across the
company."
Ed. This seems an appropriate point to remind
readers of the legal obligation to have a system
for evaluation the quality of the services provided
in a care home. It is an offence not to do so and
has been since the Care Home Regulations were
amended in 2006. I have spoken to one client and
one other service provider this week who said
that they were ignorant of the requirement.
National Care Association developed a tool to assist
providers in this regard, it is called ‘Putting
Service Users First’ and is available to purchase –
even by non-members of NCA!
19. Care homes 'employing illegal immigrants'
30 March 2008 – The Guardian
Home Office in illegal immigrants cover-up
30 March 2008 – The Times
'Illegals' get care home jobs
30 March 2008 – Teletext news
A leaked Government report has revealed that hundreds
of illegal immigrants have found work in British
care homes.
The report was produced two years ago but has only
just come to light, revealed that the employment of
illegal immigrants to care for the elderly was
'widespread' and 'significant', following investigations
into 110 suspected cases.
For full report go to http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/mar/30/
immigration.longtermcare
For full report go to http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/
politics/article3646516.ece
For full report go to http://www.teletext.co.uk/news/
national/
1284e9f5c432e9d8e6cf25116f76d7ca/'Illegals'+get+care+
home+jobs.aspx
20. Care home earns award
30 March 2008 – The Press
An inspection by the Commission for Social Care
Inspection has lead to an East Yorkshire care home
receiving a top accolade from the national regulator.
Beaumont Stamford Bridge Care Home is a part of
national care home provider Barchester Healthcare.
For full report go to http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/
yorknews/display.var.2156568.0.care_home_earns_award.php
Case Reports
Law Reports
21. Jilley V Birmingham & Solihull Mental
NHS Trust
The Employment Tribunal made costs orders against
the Claimant, and referred the assessment to a
county court. The potential costs liability was substantial.
Remitting the question of costs to the tribunal, the
EAT stated that:-
it is incumbent on a tribunal to consider whether it is
going to take the paying party's financial means into
account. It is not good enough to delegate that task
to the county court:
a useful option to consider for the tribunal, when referring
costs to the county court for assessment, is to
place a cap on an award to reflect the paying party's
ability to pay.
To read full law report click here Jilley v Birmingham
& Solihull Mental NHS Trust,
Disciplinary cases
Nothing to report
Cases in the news
22. Care home cleared after 10 deaths
3 April 2008 – BBC News
Howard Court, a care home in Ipswich has been
cleared of any blame after an unusually high number
of residents died there in December 2007.
The Suffolk Adult Safeguarding Board was set up by
the Commission for Social Care and Inspection
(CSCI) and found "an unfortunate cluster", but "no
common cause nor any individual with the deceased"
to lead to any suspicion.
For full report click here
Ed. It seems to me that the natural effect of current
Government policy of keeping people in their
own home for 'as long as possible' will arrive in a
care home in a more frail state of health than ever
before and are, in all probability, likely to be
closer to the end of their lives. Accordingly, it is
likely that there will, overall be greater numbers
of deaths in a care home in a given period. I am
aware of a number of local authorities who have
undertaken investigations against such a background.
Doubtless they are nervous not to allow
a 'Shipman to get away with murder' in their area.
However, there does need to be a balance.
23. We must have a public inquiry into care
home
3 April 2008 – JournalLive
A former nurse who blew the whistle on appalling
conditions at Bamburgh Court in South Shields has
called for assurances that standards will improve.
The resulting investigation led to then manager Ann
Rigby being struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery
Council.
For full report go to http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-eastnews/
todays-news/2008/04/03/we-must-have-a-public-inquiryinto-
care-home-61634-20712749/
Children
24. Majority of nursery staff are poorly qualified
2 April 2008 - The Times
As only 7% of nursery heads, nursery nurses and
assistants have post-secondary school qualifications
it is suggested that the education of young children is
being compromised.
25. Ministry of Justice: Care proceedings reforms
– Updated
1 April 2008 – Ministry of Justice
Information given on the Government's reforms to the
child care proceedings system in England and Wales,
after a review of the system was completed in 2006.
The reforms aim to improve the system and provide
better outcomes for children while ensuring that resources
are used in a timely and effective way.
For full report go to http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/
careproceedings.htm
26. Independent Safeguarding Authority to
launch in 2009
1 April 2008 – NCF
Bichard vetting scheme to start a year later
than planned
1 April 2008 – Community Care
Home Office minister, Meg Hillier has issued a statement
stating that the vetting and barring scheme for
people working with children and vulnerable adults
would come into force in October 2009. This is a
year later than originally planned.
The Independent Safeguarding Authority has been
set up to manage the scheme.
For CC report click here
For NCF report click here
To see a more fulsome report of this matter please refer to
Abuse—item 7.
Conferences & Courses
27. Shaping services and implementing
change in primary and community care
Monday 21 April, 2008, 9.30am–4.30pm, King's
Fund, London
As the Prime Minister points to radical reforms in primary
care, this conference will examine how best to
effect service change across primary and community
care. This event forms part of the King's Fund's work
to explore key themes in Lord Darzi's NHS next
stage review.
During the event we will look at the key factors that
will shape the changes to your service including
commissioning, incentives, designing clinical pathways
and how buildings can act as a catalyst in
shaping change in primary care. As an NHS manager
or health professional you will have the opportunity
to explore how to implement these changes.
We are delighted to announce that Mike Farrar,
Chief Executive, NHS North West, will give the
keynote address.
IN FOCUS: Polyclinics – risks and opportunities
The conference will explore the key issues of polyclinics,
with a look at current schemes that fit a polyclinic-
type model – large community-based health
centres housing a variety of primary, community and
secondary care professionals. We will discuss questions
around:
Finance – what is the cost to the health economy?
Quality – what is the impact on quality of care?
Access – what are the implications for access to primary
and secondary care?
We are happy to confirm the following speakers.
Dr Oliver Bernath, Managing Director, Integrated
Health Partners, who will focus on designing clinical
pathways.
Professor Yi Mien Koh, Chief Executive, Hillingdon
Primary Care Trust, on commissioning a primary care
centre.
Keith Palmer, Senior Associate, King's Fund and
Chair, Barts and the London NHS Trust, on using
incentives to support desirable service redesign.
Gregory Penoyre, Partner, Penoyre Prasad LLP, who
will speak on how buildings can act as a catalyst in
shaping change in primary care.
Places at this event are limited so we recommend
that you reserve a place as soon as possible by
downloading a registration form from our website or
booking online. For further information and to
download the full programme, please visit our website
or email us and we will be happy to provide you with
more details.
28. Capita’s 2nd National
Independent Living Conference
The Changing Landscape of Self Directed
Support
Thursday 24th April 2008 – Central London
Please note that we are now taking bookings on this
event, which is CPD Certified and supported by In
Control, the Care Services Improvement Partnership
and the Office for Disability Issues. I would be
grateful if you could find the time to read this and also
forward it on to colleagues to whom it may be relevant,
especially those involved in Care Management,
Direct Payments, Independent Living and Supporting
People, so that all stakeholders have a chance to attend
this timely event.
Please click here to download a copy of the conference
brochure in pdf format, which includes a full list
of speakers, an agenda for the day and a booking
form. If you have any problems with the hyperlink,
please e-mail me at dave.eastman@capita.co.uk and
I will send the brochure as an attachment.
Chaired by Sue Bott, Executive Director, National
Centre for Independent Living, our expert speakers
include:
Jenny Morris, Independent Living Strategy, Office for
Disability Issues
Rita Brewis, Core Team Member and Lead for
“Staying In Control”, In Control
Steve Bailey, Regional Project Manager, Mencap
Beverly Maybury, Head of Modernisation, Adult Social
Services, Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council
Steve Strong, Individual Budget Advisor, Care Services
Improvement Partnership
Capita’s 2nd National Independent Living Conference
captures a crucial transition for public service reform.
Learn from front line practitioners and service users
about how to effectively integrate personal care
budgets, develop peer-led advocacy and achieve
the collective goal of inclusive living in your local
area.
Benefits of attending include:
Hear key content of the five year cross-Government
Independent Living Strategy, and how user-led consultation
will shape the implementation and monitoring
of its future profile
Learn the final results of the Individual Budgets
Evaluation Network and familiarise yourself with the
toolkit designed by Care Services Improvement
Partnership to support workforce reform
Get practical guidance from the pilot authorities on
how to replicate a functioning Resource Allocation
System to address localised shortfalls in provision
Find out how to effectively engage with your
multi-agency partners including user-led organisations
to deliver credible improvements in standards
and choice of care
Impact on the Independent Living agenda as key
stakeholders meet to discuss future policy and legislation
Places can be booked on this event either by filling
out and returning the booking form on the final page
of the conference brochure, or by e-mailing the
d e l e g a t e d e t a i l s d i r e c t l y t o
dave.eastman@capita.co.uk. Alternatively you can
book online by clicking here and using Booking Reference
Code TSDE.
We also have spaces available on our 2nd National
Sheltered Housing conference, taking place on the
30th April in London and supported by ERoSH, Counsel
and Care, and the Anchor Trust. Please click
here for more details.
We offer discounts for Block Bookings of 3 delegates
or more, please call me direct on 0207 808
5309 for more details.
THE BOOKING REFERENCE CODE IS TSDE. YOU
MUST QUOTE THIS WHEN BOOKING.
29. Depression in Later Life Seminar
Underestimated and Misunderstood
Thursday 24th April 2008, London This event is
welcomed and supported by the National Older People's
Mental Health Programme, Care Services Improvement
Partnership and Department of Health.
Stigma and Ageism = Invisibility. There is a resounding
silence around mental health problems in
later life. This groundbreaking event has been designed
in response to demand received from the sector
to have a forum which gives depression in later
life the exposure and recognition that it deserves. It
will look at the issues, the effects and how we can
tackle the issue together.
In just one day, delegates will gain an understanding
of and debate:
- The extent and nature of depression amongst
older people
- What we know about depression in later life and
importantly, gaps in our knowledge
- The policy and research in relation to depression
in later life. Whose responsibility it is?
- Views from third sector organisations that support
people affected by depression and advocate
for their needs.
- The impact that depression in later life has on
health and social care services, including overt
and hidden costs
Delegates will also hear from people who have experienced
depression in later life and understand the
impact on the individual.
Two sets of interactive workshops will also look in
greater detail at: Psychological therapies and services;
protocol development and Suicide and self
harm in older people.
Key speakers include:
- Dr. June Crown CBE, Vice-President, Age Concern
- John Holmes, Senior Lecturer in Liaison Psychiatry
of Old Age, University of Leeds and clinical advisor
on older peoples mental health for Department of
Health
- Nadine Schofield, National Lead Older People's
Mental Health, CSIP
- Barbara Smith - Service User
- Toby Williamson, Associate Head of Service Improvement
& Workforce Development, Mental Health
Foundation
- Dr. Pauline Lane
- Mick Dennis, Reader in Liaison Psychiatry for
Older People, The School of Medicine Swansea
University
- Philip Hurst, Policy Manager, Age Concern
It is a must attend event for:
PCT Managers; Care Homes and Carer Groups; Directors
of Adult Social Services; Providers of Depression
and Mental Health Care and Support Services;
Voluntary Sector Groups; Policy and Research Officers;
Central Government and Regulation and Inspection
Staff; GP's and Primary Care Managers
amongst others.
Please click here for further information and to book,
alternatively contact the conference team on conferences@
careandhealth.com or 0845 0559207. We
look forward to seeing you on 24th April in London.
30. Capita’s Bi-Annual Conference
The Future of the Adult Social Care Workforce
Monday 28th April 2008 – Central London
Please note that we are now taking bookings on this
event, which is CPD Certified and supported by the
General Social Care Council and the Social Care
Institute for Excellence. I would be grateful if you
could find the time to read this and also forward it on
to colleagues to whom it may be relevant, especially
those involved in HR/Personnel, Adult Social Care
Management, Recruitment and Workforce Development,
so that all stakeholders have a chance to attend
this timely event.
Please click here to download a copy of the conference
brochure in pdf format, which includes a full list
of speakers, an agenda for the day and a booking
form. If you have any problems with the hyperlink,
please e-mail me at dave.eastman@capita.co.uk and
I will send the brochure as an attachment.
Chaired by Anne Williams, Immediate Past President,
Association of Directors of Adult Social Services
(ADASS), our expert speakers include:
David Behan, Director General for Social Care,
Department of Health
Mike Wardle, Chief Executive, General Social
Care Council
Elaine Cass, Practice Development Manager,
Social Care Institute for Excellence
Patricia Kearney, Director of Practice Development,
Social Care Institute for Excellence
Dr Philippa Russell, Chair, Standing Commission
on Carers
John Dermody, Head of Adult Social Care
(Commissioning), Borough of Poole
This timely and important event will enable you to
keep pace with the rapidly changing landscape of
adult social care. It is designed to keep you informed
of progress, and includes advice and guidance from
high-achieving authorities on ensuring excellent provision
for all adults in your area. Take away the
knowledge to make your workforce a model of best
practice.
Benefits of attending include:
• Get a crucial update on the Green Paper on social
care funding and discuss the future of the adult
social care workforce
• Hear about progress on regulation, registration
and workforce development
• Learn how to improve recruitment and retention
in your area
• Consider the challenges and opportunities of the
personalisation agenda, the way forward for self
care and Individual Budgets
• Understand how the new National Minimum Data
Set information gathering will ultimately affect local
workforce development
• Take away advice, guidance and best practice
examples on consulting service users and
workforce solutions that have led to real change
and improvement in service provision
Places can be booked on this event either by filling
out and returning the booking form on the final page
of the conference brochure, or by e-mailing the delegate
details directly to dave.eastman@capita.co.uk.
Alternatively you can book online by clicking here and
using Booking Reference Code TSDE.
We offer discounts for Block Bookings of 3 delegates
or more, please call me direct on 0207 808
5309 for more details.
THE BOOKING REFERENCE CODE IS TSDE. YOU
MUST QUOTE THIS WHEN BOOKING.
30. Department of Health Seminar on Mental
Health Commissioning: 7 May 2008
This letter gives advance notice of a one-day seminar
on 7 May 2008 at the Victoria Park Plaza Hotel in
London, focusing on world-class commissioning, integrated
mental health commissioning and mental
health priorities.
For full report click here
31. The Green Paper on the future of Adult
Social Care
What do we want it to say?
30 April 2008, London
To book space at this conference click here
CareandHealth, working with I&DeA have put together
this top level, policy orientated, highly interactive
event looking at the Green Paper' and what it is
expected to outline with regards to the future resourcing
of adult social care. This will be an exploratory
and interactive seminar, investigating and proposing
the kind of resource allocation principles and
systems that the English social care sector would like
to see the Green Paper support. It will start with
exploring the implications of adopting the three
principles of Universal, Enhanced and Personalised
services.
Throughout the conference, delegates will hear from
those driving the energy and policy initiatives and
who are working to ensure the Green Paper will offer
refreshed aims and objectives for the people that
deliver the care and support to those that need it.
Expert Speakers at the Conference include:
- Drew Clode, Policy/ Press Advisor ADASS
( chairing in a per sonal c a p a c i t y )
- Andrew Cozens, Strategic Adviser for Children,
Adults and Health Services, I&DeA
- Nigel Walker, Senior Commissioning Advisor,
Commissioning and Systems Directorate, Department
of Health
- Nick Georgiou, Director of Adult Services at
Hampshire Council
• Alexandra Norrish, Head of Social Care
Strategy, Department of Health
- Julien Forder, Senior Associate, Kings Fund
- Joanna Webber, Deputy Policy Director,
NHS Confederation
Workshops after each set of speaker presentations
will allow delegates to participate fully in the conference
and to put across their opinions to key influencers
on the policy.
32. The HealthInvestor Annual Investing in
Primary Care Conference: “A New Vision for
Health Services and Infrastructure” will take
place on 8th May 2008 at One Great George
Street, Westminster, London.
The emphasis of today’s primary health market on
delivering ‘made to measure’ services to patients
closer to home requires the continual upgrade of
premises infrastructure and capital investment. This
conference identifies how to meet these demands by
engineering flexible premises which are designed to
embrace change, evolution and a wide range of
healthcare providers, supported by fully effective facilities
management. Expert speakers will propose
solutions to barriers to progress and development
and explore recent innovations in primary care.
Visit www.healthinvestor.co.uk for further information
and to book your place at this conference.
Alternatively, please call 0207 451 7050 or email
lukas.hall@healthinvestor.co.uk.
33. SHOWUCARE Event
There is a SHOWUCARE event being held in Tonbridge
on the 15th May.
This event is aimed at managers and operators of
care homes and agencies together with associated
care professionals based in the South East of England.
With no other event being held in the South
East SHOWUCARE TONBRIDGE offers an excellent
opportunity to meet face to face with decision makers
of some of the 6000 care services in the region.
The opportunity exists for companies to join the growing
list of market leaders exhibiting at the event. Companies
such as Boots The Chemist, Lloyds TSB, Capita
Care, CFS Carpets, Cool Blue and Training and
Care Solutions are already sign up to the show. The
state of the art River Centre will host the event and
the quality business environment aids prestige to the
showcasing of products and services.
As a key player in the sector we thought that some of
you might be interested in joining us for the event.
Further details including a tour of the venue can be
found on www.showucare.org
34. How can technology transform the patients'
experience of the NHS?
Tuesday 13 May 2008, 9.30am–4.00pm, King's
Fund, London
In his recent speech on the NHS, the Prime Minister
highlighted the importance of patients becoming more
active and empowered in making decisions and shaping
their own health care. Technology can play a vital
role in this, providing opportunities for patients to
manage their own conditions and access information
about their health.
This conference will enable managers and health
care professionals to gain insight and understanding
into the potential uses of technology in enabling them
to help patients make choices and ultimately in improving
care. The conference will also look at the barriers
and challenges to patients engaging with technology
and how these might be overcome.
The conference will include the following speakers.
Alasdair Liddell, Senior Associate, King's Fund, on
how technology can improve the patient experience.
Ronnette Lucraft, Commercial Director, NHS Direct,
on multi-channel health.
Hazel Price, Telehealth Project Manager, Kent
County Council, on how they are using innovative
technologies to support patients in their care.
IN FOCUS: Interactive session – how can patients
use technology and the challenges to the
NHS
In an increasingly digital environment, where consumers
are given more choice than ever, their expectations
of technology are rising. Patients – or
'health care consumers' – are also becoming more
demanding. The NHS, however, has not kept up in
the technology race with consumer services such as
online banking and social networks. Why is this so?
This session at the conference will explore the barriers
and challenges to the uptake of heatlh technologies
and what needs to be done to overcome them.
The sessions will look at:
• Maintaining health
• Managing a condition
• Receiving care.
Places at this event are limited so we recommend
that you reserve a place as soon as possible by
downloading a registration form from our website or
booking online. For further information and to
download the full programme, please visit our website
or email us and we will be happy to provide you
with more details
35. The HealthInvestor Annual Investing in
Healthcare Conference: “Investment Opportunities
in the UK and Overseas Markets”
will take place on 11th June 2008 at One Great
George Street, Westminster, London
This event offers a clearer understanding of the future
direction of the domestic market and an overview of
the substantial differences and common trends applicable
to the UK, US and European market. Industry
insiders will identify how developments in the US and
Europe and Eastern markets will provide UK investors
with new avenues for innovation and exciting
opportunities for revenue growth and profitability.
Delegates attending will have the opportunity to:
• Identify new markets overseas and analyse key
trends
• Assess rapidly changing demographic need and
to match healthcare services accordingly
• Strengthen their competitive advantage through
comprehensive analysis of the dynamics of the overseas
markets.
• Identify the best prospects for 2008-2009
• Understand how to navigate the obstacles to high
performance
Network with potential future partners
Visit www.healthinvestor.co.uk for further information
and to book your place at this conference.
Alternatively, call 0207 451 7061 or
email lukas.hall@healthinvestor.co.uk or
carolyn.spring@healthinvestor.co.uk;
36. NCA Annual Conference
NCA is holding its 2008 conference on 29 & 30 October
2008 at the Thistle Hotel, Brighton.
We will provide further information when it becomes
available.
Consultations
To follow next week
CSCI, CSSIW, Healthcare
Commission &
Scottish Care Commission
37. Services for people with learning disabilities
in Cornwall
2 April 2008 – CSCI
CSCI's inspection report of Cornwall County Council's
services for people with learning disabilities, carried
out in December, has been published.
For full report click here
38. Fire Precautions in Domestic Childminding
Premises - A Guide for Childminders
1 April 2008 – SCRC
The Chief Fire Officers Association on behalf of the
Scottish Fire and Rescue Services in partnership with
the Care Commission and supported by The Scottish
Childminding Association, has updated guidance of
fire safety in childminding premises.
For full report click here
39. Updated Complaints Procedure
1 April 2008 – SCRC
The Scottish Commission’s updated complaints procedure
has now come into force.
For full report click here
40. How you can contribute to the CSCI review
of eligibility criteria
1 April 2008 – CSCI
'Have your say' on fair access to social care
services
31 March 2008 – CSCI
CSCI is carrying out a review of the eligibility criteria
used by councils when deciding whether or not a
person will receive help from the council with social
care services. CSCI is inviting contributions in carrying
out this review.
For full report click here
For 2nd CSCI report click here
41. Appropriate social care services for
LGBT depend on personalised support from
providers, says CSCI
31 March 2008 – CSCI
CSCI has stated that appropriate social care services
for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
solely depend on personalised support from providers.
For full report click here
42. Watchdog reports on care in private hospitals
and hospices
31 March 2008 – SCRC
The Scottish Care Commission has reported that the
quality of care in Scotland’s 14 private hospitals and
15 voluntary hospices is good.
For full report click here
43. Star ratings – national providers agree to
all ratings being published, including ‘poor’
The Commission for Social Care Inspection has said
that two national care providers have taken the decision
to allow all of the indicative Star Rating assessments
to be published by CSCI on its website. The
two providers are believed to be Barchester Healthcare
and BUPA.
2% of Barchester’s care homes are believed to have
been rated ‘poor’ i.e. no stars.
HOSPITALS
44. Call for hospitals to ensure they are not
exposing patients to unnecessary doses of
radiation
April 2008 - Healthcare Commission
The Healthcare Commission has alerted NHS and
independent sector hospitals to make sure that they
are not exposing patients to the dangers of unnecessary
radiation through x-rays, CT scans and other
procedures. This follows the publication of our first
analyses of incidents reported under the Ionising Radiation
(Medical Exposure) Regulations (2000).
Education
Nothing to report
Ireland, Scotland & Wales
Ireland
45. Health Ministers Unite For Attack Over
NHS Pay Deal
4 April 2008 – The Herald
Health Ministers from Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland have launched an unexpected joint attack on
Whitehall about NHS pay negotiations taking place
behind their back.
All agreed to write to Health Secretary, Alan Johnson,
to call a halt to the proceedings
For full report go to http://www.theherald.co.uk/
display.var.2170641.0.0.php?utag=28804
46. Joint statement on NHS values
3 April 2008 – Scottish Government news
Health ministers in Scotland, Wales and NI have issued
a statement saying they have reached joint
agreement on healthcare principles.
For full report click here
47. New system to vet child workers
1 April 2008 – BBC News
A new system has been implemented from Tuesday 1
April to vet people seeking to work with children and
vulnerable adults. The Government has invested
£2m in the system which can be used by schools,
hospitals and community organisations.
Background checks used to be carried out by the department
of health and social services and police.
For full report click here
Scotland
48. Health Ministers Unite For Attack Over
NHS Pay Deal
4 April 2008 – The Herald
Health Ministers from Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland have launched an unexpected joint attack on
Whitehall about NHS pay negotiations taking place
behind their back.
All agreed to write to Health Secretary, Alan Johnson,
to call a halt to the proceedings
For full report go to http://www.theherald.co.uk/
display.var.2170641.0.0.php?utag=28804
49. Hospital Bug Cases Rise 10% In 3
Months
3 April 2008 – Evening Times
According to newly published figures by Health Protection
Scotland, cases of the hospital superbug
C.diff has increased by 10% in three months.
For full report go to http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/
display.var.2168245.0.0.php?utag=28804
50. Share Your Tales Of NHS Since 1948
3 April 2008 – Evening Times
Patients and staff (including ex-patients/ex-staff) in
Glasgow are being appealed for - to help tell the
story of the NHS over the past 60 years and celebrate
its diamond anniversary.
For full report go to http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/
display.var.2167318.0.0.php?utag=28804
51. Safety fears spark home closure
3 April 2008 – BBC News
Safety fears at a privately-run care home near Oban
has meant that elderly residents were given seven
days to leave. The fire brigade ordered the closure
of Ossians but the owner, Angus Wright, said he was
not given enough time to comply with new fire regulations.
For full report click here
52. Joint statement on NHS values
3 April 2008 – Scottish Government news
Health ministers in Scotland, Wales and NI have issued
a statement saying they have reached joint
agreement on healthcare principles.
For full report click here
53. Care home investigation: 'They would sit,
often alone. They were simply dolls on a
conveyor belt'
2 April 2008 – Scotsman
An undercover reporter working in a care home has
published her experiences. She said she understood
why tasks are rushed through and residents sometimes
not given due attention and said: “five days was
enough for me. I was relieved that I didn't have to do
more. The people who do it, day in and day out, have
my respect and admiration. But I am equally troubled
that this is apparently the best care we can offer our
loved ones in later life”.
For full report go to http://news.scotsman.com/health/Carehome-
investigation-39They-would.3937525.jp
54. Care of the elderly: 'The system falls far
below what most expect'
2 April 2008 – Scotsman
A report following on from the above care home investigation.
For full report go to http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/Careof-
the-elderly-39The.3937612.jp
55. Scots Prescription Charge Reduced To
GBP5
1 April 2008 – Evening Times
Prescription charges drop to £5
1 April 2008 – BBC News
Prescriptions charges in Scotland became cheaper
from Tuesday 1 April as the first move to abolish
charges was enforced. Patients started saving £1.85
a time after the price was cut to £5.
The Scottish Government are planning to phase out
prescription charges completely by 2011, with further
cuts next April, when the charge falls to £4, and in
2010, when it will be reduced to £3.
More than 90% of prescriptions are already dispensed
free.
For BBC report click here
Wales
56. Health Ministers Unite For Attack Over
NHS Pay Deal
4 April 2008 – The Herald
Health Ministers from Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland have launched an unexpected joint attack on
Whitehall about NHS pay negotiations taking place
behind their back.
All agreed to write to Health Secretary, Alan Johnson,
to call a halt to the proceedings
For full report go to http://www.theherald.co.uk/
display.var.2170641.0.0.php?utag=28804
57. Joint statement on NHS values
3 April 2008 – Scottish Government news
Health ministers in Scotland, Wales and NI have issued
a statement saying they have reached joint
agreement on healthcare principles.
For full report click here
58. Minister unveils NHS boards cull
2 April 2008 – BBC News
The Welsh Assembly Government has unveiled proposals
to cut the number of local health boards
(LHBs) in Wales from 22 to 8.
The plans will spell the end for the internal market in
the NHS with direct assembly government funding.
For full report click here
59. Free hospital parking under way
1 April 2008 – BBC News
Free car parking has begun at 120 of Wales’ 130
NHS hospitals and units. The remainder, run by private
companies must reduce costs from June until
contracts have expired.
The move, the first in the UK, was announced last
month in a bid by ministers to end an "unfair expense".
For full report click here
60. Cancer sufferer wins drugs fight
31 March 2008 – BBC News
Jocelyn Hall, 60, of Tonna, Neath has been told that
a health board will now pay for a drug treatment to
prolong his life. Mr Hall claimed his case was exceptional
and threatened to take health officials to a judicial
review after they refused to pay for him to have
the Sunitinib drug.
Mr Hall was diagnosed with terminal kidney cancer in
September 2006.
For full report click here
Learning Disabilities
61. Vulnerable 'need more protection'
2 April 2008 – BBC News
The Commission for Social Care Inspection’s report
has found that Cornwall County Council must do
more to protect people with learning disabilities. The
investigation came after the murder of Steven Hoskin
in 2006.
CSCI’s reported stated that while Cornwall County
Council had made some improvements, there remained
a number of areas of concern.
For full report click here
62. Valuing People Now – ECCA Responds
31 March 2008 - ECCA
The English Community Care Association (ECCA)
has responded to the Department of Health consultation
Valuing People Now – From progress to transformation.
Ann Mackay, Director of Policy, said:
“ECCA welcomes the review of services for people
with learning disabilities to ensure they have equality
of citizenship and that service providers promote independence,
choice and control ECCA’s response
focuses on the important role of residential care as
part of a full spectrum of services offering choice to
individuals. Residential care and the staff who work
in these environments should be valued and respected.
The independent care home sector has the
knowledge and skill to progress the vision of Valuing
People Now. We look forward to working closely with
statutory authorities and others to promote positive
and person-led services for people with learning disabilities”.
63. Substantial progress at Cornwall Partnership
NHS Trust
April 2008 - Healthcare Commission
Acting on recommendations from the Healthcare
Commission (HC) the Health Secretary, Alan Johnson,
announced that he has taken Cornwall Partnership
NHS Trust out of “special measures”. This follows
substantial progress being made in addressing
failings in services for people with learning disabilities
at the Trust.
Following a joint investigation by HC and the Commission
for Social Care Inspection a recommendation
was made in July 2006 that special measures be put
in place at the Trust to safeguard service users.
HC has called for the improvements made to be sustained
in areas ranging from record-keeping to further
involvement of service users and cautioned that there
is considerable work to do by all concerned in Cornwall
to ensure all people with learning disabilities in
the county always get safe, modern services that
meets best practice.
Legislation Update
64. No. 793 The Childcare (Voluntary Registration)
(Amendment) Regulations 2008
2 April 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
65. No. 843 The National Health Service
(Travel Expenses and Remission of Charges)
Amendment Regulations 2008
2 April 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
66. No. 800 (C.39) The Mental Health Act 2007
(Commencement No. 5 and Transitional Provisions)
Order 2008
1 April 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
67. No. 785 (C.35)The Childcare Act 2006
(Commencement No. 4) Order 2008
31 March 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
68. No. 140 The Disability Discrimination
(Guidance on the Definition of Disability)
(Revocation) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008
1 April 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
69. No. 141 The Disability Discrimination
(Guidance on the Definition of Disability)
(Appointed Day) Order (Northern Ireland)
2008
1 April 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
Mental Health
70. Investigation launched into West London
Mental Health NHS Trust
April 2008 – Community Care
West London Mental Health Trust faces
probe over self-harm
1 April 2008 – Community Care
Healthcare Commission launches investigation
into West London Mental Health NHS
Trust
1 April 2008 – Healthcare Commission
The Healthcare Commission (HC) has begun an investigation
into services provided by West London