Editorial
Times are tough for many.
There is the credit squeeze, increasing inflation, lack
of funds from commissioners and bankers
alike. Something has got to ‘give’, or has it?
Ultimately, local authorities will come to recognise
that to discharge their responsibilities properly they
will need to have a cooperative relationship with
those who provide social care. That means that they
must regard the process of contracting not as a
process where they squeeze every last point and
penny from providers, but, must consider the bargain
more as one of long-term marriage not a short-term
arrangement convenient for the moment.
By all means move away from the payment of a
single amount to all providers; do, by all means
reward quality care and incentivise providers to
invest in the future.
If councils do not value providers, first, quality of care
will suffer. Second, many smaller providers will exit
the market selling their real estate to property
developers. Ultimately, councils will find themselves
at the mercy of few mega-sized national providers
who will dictate the financial terms upon which they
will be prepared to accept a publicly funded resident.
A little birdie tells me that there will be a gathering of
north-west councils in Preston scheduled for next
month - the meeting is believed to be concerned with
keeping payments to social care providers tightly
controlled.
My plea to social services directors is: don’t pursue
every last farthing of savings in fees, don’t squeeze
until the pips squeak. Do value the providers in your
area and treat them as you would hope to be
treated. Give consideration to rewarding quality
care. It is only by each of us
treating each other fairly and with
respect can will build what we all
want excellence, everywhere.
Parliament
21.04.08 – HoL - Health and Social Care Bill
Committee [Lord Darzi of Denham] 6th Report from
the Delegated Powers Committee, 15th Report from
the Joint Committee on Human Rights
22.04.08 – HoC - Inspections of children's homes -
Ann Coffey, Adjournment Debate
Next
Abuse
1. Experts set to tackle adult abuse
13 April 2008 – BBC News
Nottingham has set up a board of experts to tackle
the problem of adult abuse in the area. The Nottinghamshire
Safeguarding Adults Board (NSAB) includes
members from the county council, police and
NHS trusts.
In 2007, there were nearly 900 reports of abuse
against adults in the county involving vulnerable people.
These figures included those with mental health
problems.
For full report click here
2. 12 calls to elder abuse helpline
10 April 2008—Essex Echo
In October Action on Elder Abuse and the Essex Vulnerable
Adult Protection Committee together with the
operators of 20 care homes jointly launched a
helpline for people to report abuse in care homes.
However, in six months only 12 calls have been received.
Paul Bedwell, development manager for the
Essex Safeguarding Adult Board, said it had been a
useful experience and a decision will be taken on its
future after reviewing data from the calls.
3. Agenda action to eradicate abuse
7 April 2008 - Blackpool Gazette
An initiative, called Lancashire Safeguarding
Agenda, has been launched in Lancashire to protect
vulnerable adults from abuse County Council. The
council, police and health chiefs are collaborating to
protect over-18s including those who are old, or who
have physical disabilities, learning disabilities or
mental health problems.
A dedicated telephone line, website and leaflet have
been launched to raise awareness of adult abuse and
make it easier for the public and professionals to report
suspected incidents.
Richard Jones, executive director of adult and community
services at Lancashire County Council, said
no-one should tolerate abuse.
"All suspected incidents of adult abuse or neglect will
be investigated fully."
Lancashire County Council has already trained more
than 1,000 staff in both awareness and investigation.
Anyone with concerns can contact Lancashire County
Council via its dedicated Safeguarding Adults telephone
number on 0845 0530 028, or visit online at
www.lancashire.gov.uk/safeguardingadults.
Business News
4. Care UK Plc’s response to Department of
Health Announcement
9 April 2008
Care UK Plc notes today's announcement by the Department
of Health (DoH) regarding the second wave
of Independent Sector Treatment Centre (ISTC) procurement.
The group is pleased to note that the DoH has indicated
that Care UK's two Manchester CATS projects
and Partnership Health Group's ISTC in Southampton
are proceeding towards financial close.
The Essex ISTC contract has now been transferred to
local ownership. We believe that the management of
the Essex ISTC contract by the local commissioning
authorities is a positive step. However, a significant
number of issues remain to be resolved in order for
this project to reach financial close. We continue to
work closely with the local Trusts to achieve this.
Interim results for the six months ended 31 March,
2008 are expected to be announced on 19 May,
2008. Should any of the ISTC contracts reach financial
close prior to this, we will make the appropriate
announcement.
5. Nestor Healthcare
8 April 2008 - The Times
Nestor’s shares slipped to 40pence on news that the
CEO, Stephen Booty, left and the company had rebuffed
takeover offers.
6. A medicine man’s prescription
8 April 2008 - The Times, Public Agenda
Profile of Richard Barker, director general of Association
of the British Pharmaceutical Industry.
7. Nestor healthcare discussions terminated
7 April 2008
“On 4 January 2008, the Board of Nestor Healthcare
Group plc ('Nestor' or the 'Company') announced that
it had received unsolicited preliminary approaches
that may or may not lead to an offer being made to
acquire the Company.
Since that time the Board has pursued discussions
with the potential offerors and whilst the interested
parties have indicated possible interests to acquire
the Company at a significant premium to the current
share price, the Board and major shareholders believe
that the proposed indicative offers materially
undervalue the Company and have decided to terminate
talks with all parties. The Board can confirm that
the Company is no longer in talks regarding a possible
takeover.
Further to the announcement on 29 February 2008,
the Board can confirm that trading in the Company in
the current financial year to date continues to be in
line with the directors' expectations and the Board is
confident of the future prospects for the business.
The Board announces today that Stephen Booty will
stand down as Chief Executive Officer at the end of
this month after four years in his present role. He has
been instrumental in the reshaping of the Group to
begin the process of strengthening management disciplines
and focussing the Group on social and primary
care activities and the Board thanks him for his
significant contribution to Nestor.
He and the Board believe it is appropriate to seek to
refresh the senior management of the Group to enhance
the future growth, and the process of appointing
a successor has commenced. Further details will
be announced in due course.
The Company will be announcing its preliminary results
for the year ended 31 December 2007 on 10
April 2008.”
8. Councils set to tighten care spending
through efficiency toolkits
April 2008 - Community Care Market News
Item looking at the approaches of local councils to
making further savings in the care costs they pay for
adult social care.
9. Future mapped out in Europe for care
firms
April 2008 - Caring Business
A look at the prospects for expansion of care businesses
in Europe.
Care Homes
10. Let’s turn spotlight on the true spirit in
sector
April 2008 - Caring Business
Leading up to National Care Homes Week (2-6 June
2008) a look at the positive work done across the
sector. There are supportive words from Minister
Ivan Lewis.
Case Reports
Law Reports
11. Gopakumar v General Medical Council
The character directions given by a legal assessor
before a Fitness to Practise Panel in respect of a GP
charged with serious professional misconduct were
not analogous to the directions which a judge in a
criminal trial would give to a jury, and did not cast
doubt upon the panel's decision to find the charge
proved.
12. Martland v Cooperative Insurance Society,
The Employment Appeals Tribunal considered
whether a dismissal, when the workforce is immediately
offered re-engagement on new terms and conditions
of employment, amounts to a 'redundancy' dismissal
(entitling the workforce to redundancy payments).
The tribunal found that such dismissals were not redundancy
dismissals, but were dismissals for some
other substantial reason.
The employees appealed, arguing that they had been
dismissed because there was a reduction in the need
for employees to do 'work of a particular kind', i.e.
work under those terms and conditions.
The EAT upheld the ET's decision, holding that 'work
of a particular kind' referred to the generic type of job
- in this case, insurance salesmen. The tribunal was
entitled to find that the job was still essentially the
same, despite the substantial changes to the terms
and conditions of employment.
This employment law case is brought thanks to
Daniel Barnett, website www.danielbarnett.co.uk
13. MC v SC & CC & Others (Children)
(Interveners)
Where the separate representation of children would
add sufficiently to the court's understanding ...of the
issues that arose under Hague Convention proceedings...
to justify the intrusion, expense and delay that
might result, their application to be joined as parties
to the litigation was to be allowed.
Neufeld v A&N Communication in Print Ltd
HHJ McMullen QC affirmed the guidance given by
Elias P., holding that a 90% shareholder of a company
was also its employee. Two additional points of
interest arose:-
the date at which the individual's status is to be considered
is the date of the dismissal, not the date that
s/he is alleged to have entered into a contract of employment
(para. 14); and,
the fact that the individual has offered guarantees
(eg guaranteeing the company's debts to a bank is
not inconsistent with employment status (para. 30).
This employment law case is brought thanks to
Daniel Barnett, website www.danielbarnett.co.uk
Disciplinary cases
Nothing to report
Cases in the news
14. Four to be tried on care home neglect
12 April 2008 - thisisgloucestershire.co.uk
Care home accused appear in court
11 April 2008 – BBC News
The bosses of Gloucester care home, Newsham
House, were told their trial for allegedly neglecting
elderly and mentally ill residents will be in October.
The case is expected to last six weeks.
At a hearing at Bristol Crown Court, Derek Youds,
66, manager, and his deputy Heather Bolton, 56,
were told their trial for a number of charges of neglecting
patients receiving mental health treatment at
the home in Stroud Road would begin on October
27.
William Davies, 60, managing director of Leedsbased
ADL Plc, which runs the care home also faces
nine charges of neglect.
Pearl Jackson, 49, Operations director will face eight
charges of neglecting patients.
The matters alleged go back as far as 2003. About 30
police officers raided the home in July 2005 removing
resident’s records and considerable quantities of paperwork.
For BBC report click here
15. Care home owner who stole from residents
escapes prison stretch
4 April 2008 – ThisistheNortheast
Mary Adamson, a care home owner who stole £2,000
from a resident who had severe learning disabilities
has been spared jail. Judge Brian Forster, QC, said
that because she had repaid the money and lost her
good name, it saved her from a prison sentence.
For full report go to http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/
display.
var.2173547.0.care_home_owner_who_stole_from_reside
nts_escapes_prison_stretch.php
16. Care homes probe: Call for change to
'glorified waiting rooms' attitude
4 April 2008 – Scotsman
Help the Aged in Scotland has called for attitudes to
change against care homes to save them being
viewed as nothing more than “glorified waiting
rooms”. The charity also said it was also seriously
concerned about the widespread staffing problems in
the industry.
For full report go to http://news.scotsman.com/health/Carehomes-
probe-Call-for.3948487.jp
17. Dementia campaigner's calls for care
home inquiry
4 April 2008 – Shields Gazette
A pensioner is calling for a public inquiry into the
treatment of sufferers at Bamburgh Court Care Centre
after it was described by inspectors as the worst
they had ever seen. The inspectors made a surprise
visit in May 2004.
For full report go to http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/
Dementia-campaigner39s-calls-for-care.3950261.jp
Children
Nothing to report
Conferences & Courses
To follow next week
Consultations
18. Review of eligibility criteria
8 April 2008 - CCSI
CSCI is carrying out a major review of the eligibility
criteria that councils use to decide whether or not a
person receives help from the council with social care
services. It aims to make recommendations on how
the 'Fair Access to Care Services' (FACS) system
could be improved.
Read more about the review
19. Your help is needed
CSCI is asking for your help in carrying out this review
either by sending it a written submission or by
using the link below to complete the online survey:
Eligibility criteria review online survey
20. Proposed Revisions to the Standard
Guidance on Writing Disabled Persons' Protection
Policies
Closing Date: 23 May 2008
Document seeking views on a proposed revision of
the standard guidance for train operating companies
on writing their disabled persons' protection policies.
For consultation go to http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/
open/dppp/
21. CSCI begins new study into safeguarding
4 March 2008
CSCI is going to carry out a new study into how well
people are protected from abuse or neglect in adult
social care. The study into safeguarding will look at
how good the way adult social care is provided is at:
• Raising awareness of abuse issues and giving
priority to safeguarding
• Preventing abuse
• Recognising and acting on allegations
• Continually improving safeguarding systems and
practice
CSCI inspectors will, apparently, be asking some
additional questions in key inspections of care services
carried out from 5 to the 16 May.
Between 21 April and 16 May it will also be carrying
out some thematic inspections that focus on safeguarding.
22. Consultation on the Medical Profession
(Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2008
Closing Date: 5 June 2008
A consultation paper asking for comments on a draft
order. The changes proposed in the draft order
seeks to implement two of the reforms set out in the
White Paper: Trust Assurance and Safety. The draft
order also provides an additional route to the Specialist
Register for NHS consultants. All amendments
relate to the functions of the General Medical Council.
For full consultation click here
23. Private and voluntary healthcare: Care
Standards Act 2000. Regulations and national
minimum standards consultation
document
Closing Date: 10 June 2008
DoH plans to make sweeping changes to the way
that health and adult social care is regulated and performance
managed, from April 2009 (a date which
may ‘slip’). The consultation document contains the
proposed changes to the regulations and proposed
changes to the associated National Minimum Standards
(NMS).
For full consultation click here
24. The Future Regulation of Health and
Adult Social Care in England: A consultation
on the framework for the registration of
health and adult social care providers
Closing Date: 17 June 2008
A consultation seeking views on the future regulation
of health and adult social care. It seeks to consider
which health and adult social care services should
require registration with the Care Quality Commission
and what the requirements for registration should be.
It also considers when providers of regulated services
should be required to have a registered manager and
how primary care services should be included in the
new registration system.
For full consultation click here
25. Consultation: Statutory guidance for children's
trusts on the duty to cooperate
Closing Date: 26 June 2008
This consultation seeks views on draft statutory guidance
for children's trusts on inter-agency cooperation
to improve the well-being of children, young people
and their families.
For full report go to http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations/
conDetails.cfm?consultationId=1544
26. NICE Consultation: The 2008 update to
the guidelines manual
Closing Date: 1 July 2008
Consultation seeking views on a draft update of a
manual that describes the detailed process and methodology
used to produce NICE clinical guidelines.
For full report go to http://www.nice.org.uk/aboutnice/
howwework/developingniceclinicalguidelines/
clinicalguidelinedevelopmentmethods/
guidelinesmanualconsultation2008update.jsp
27. Proposals to change NHS structure in
Wales
Closing Date: 2 July 2008
The Welsh Assembly has announced proposals to
change the NHS's structure in Wales.
The proposals are part of a three-month consultation,
include plans to abolish the internal market by providing
funding from the Welsh Assembly or an NHS
Board for Wales directly to trusts and local health
boards.
For full report go to new.wales.gov.uk
28. NICE: Current consultations
To browse through consultations go to http://www.nice.org.uk/
page.aspx?o=consultations.current
CSCI, CSSIW, Healthcare
Commission &
Scottish Care Commission
29. A Joint Prescription To Benefit Care Sector
10 April 2008 – SCRC
The Scottish Care Commission and the Royal Pharmaceutical
Society of Great Britain have signed an
agreement to work more closely on ensuring medicines
are managed safely in Scotland’s care sector.
For full report click here
30. Staffordshire Ambulance Service NHS
Trust took risks with patient and staff safety,
says healthcare watchdog
9 April 2008 – Healthcare Commission
The Healthcare Commission has urged all ambulance
trusts to learn from the investigation of the
Staffordshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.
The investigation revealed that risks were taken with
the safety of patients, staff and volunteers and covered
the period April 2004 to June 2007. It highlighted
problems at the former trust which included
the poor management of controlled drugs,
“community first responders” and the out-of-hours
GP services.
The Commission did however, point out that the trust
was a good performer in terms of response times for
emergency calls and it was considered to be innovative
in its introduction of new equipment and services
with good relationships with patients and the public.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
newsandevents/pressreleases.cfm?
cit_id=6423&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&usec
ache=false
31. Healthcare Commission steps up pressure
on weak trusts
8 April 2008 – Healthcare Commission
Healthcare Commission Chief Executive, Anna
Walker has announced that all 33 trusts rated as
“weak” last year for the services have been followed
up by the body’s inspectors.
She said the Commission was reassured by the way
trusts were responding. However, it was important
that improvements were made and maintained for
patients.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
newsandevents/pressreleases.cfm?
cit_id=6421&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&useca
che=false
32. Healthcare watchdog finds that Royal
Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is on track for
recovery under new leadership team
8 April 2008 – Healthcare Commission
The Healthcare Commission said said that Royal
Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust has made progress in
addressing serious concerns regarding its performance
and the quality of services at the trust.
For two consecutive years the Commission's annual
health check showed the Trust as one of the weakest
performing organisations in the NHS.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
newsandevents/pressreleases.cfm?
cit_id=6420&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&useca
che=false
33. Rule change: re-registered services and
'excellent' ratings
8 April 2008 - CSCI
“We have listened to concerns raised by providers
and amended our rules about awarding an 'excellent'
quality rating to an existing service at the first key inspection
following a re-registrat i o n . ”
Get full details about this amendment
Ed. It looks like the logic of our criticism of the
CSCI approach to assessing quality of providers
(see BHCR Vol 3, Issues 7 and 8) has been looked
on favourably and changes have been made!
So, now to secure a meaningful process for challenging
the content of inspection reports and the
assessment of quality!!
34. Guardian Social Care supplement
8 April 2008 - CSCI
On Wednesday 19 March the Guardian newspaper
published a supplement, in association with CSCI,
which discusses different aspects of social care and
the need for reform in the care sector.
Download a copy of the Guardian Social Care supplement
35. Providing appropriate services for lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender people
8 April 2008 - CSCI
CSCI published an equality and diversity good practice
bulletin looking at how to help social care providers
make their services appropriate for lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender people.
Download the new good practice bulletin
36. Healthcare watchdog calls on NHS to
learn from patients’ complaints
7 April 2008 – Healthcare Commission
The Healthcare Commission’s report highlights that
patients currently have concerns about complaints
handling within trusts.
The Healthcare Commission is urging NHS trusts to
learn from patients’ complaints and improve complaints
handling. Key proposals include apologising
more often when they do make mistakes.
A report shows that complaints about a lack of basic
nursing care, poor communications, overly brisk GP
consultations and a lack of help for mental health
service users are among the key issues patients
raise.
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=6417&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&usec
ache=false
37. Sweet 16? The age of leaving care in
Scotland
7 April 2008 – SCRC
The Scottish Commissioner for Children and Young
People (SCCYP) has published the report called
"Looked after children being "pushed out" of care
and onto the streets".
The law and policy has changed to ensure that Children
and Young People do not leave care at too early
an age and that support is available. Figures suggest
that eight times as many children leave care at 16.
For full report click here
38. Star ratings delay
CSCI will postpone the publication of the new quality
ratings of care homes on its website until 07.05.08 ie
after the local elections – doubtless this followed the
furore which followed the announcement of 300 extra
personnel in police forces to counter the ‘terrorist
threat’.
Ed. There is a convention that for three weeks
before such elections there should be no announcements
from Government so as to avoid
the assertion that the electorate is being influenced
by such announcements.
39. Ratings Rage
April 2008 - Community Care Market News
Article considering the CSCI quality ratings system.
40. CSCI: your voice will not be lost
April 2008 - Caring Business
Short item in which David Walden, director of strategy,
CSCI, says that the needs of social care will not
be overlooked in the new Care Quality Commission.
Domiciliary Care
41. Homecare operators and staffing risks
April 2008 - Community Care Market News
Following reports of care staff falsifying records of 1st
Reach Healthcare Devon County Council is reviewing
its relationship with 1st Reach. The two have a history
of working together over 16 yrs, now the whole
relationship and future of the business is at risk. This
article looks at the management of such risks.
Education
Nothing to report
Ireland, Scotland & Wales
Ireland
42. Call to improve care of elderly
10 April 2008 – BBC News
A report from the Public Accounts Committee has
said that pay and conditions for workers in the care
sector must improve or there is a risk that care standards
for the elderly will deteriorate. He said many
workers are deserting their posts through low morale.
For full report click here
43. New inspection regime for Ireland gets
closer
April 2008 - Community Care Market News
Although no dates have been set for implementation
of new legislation in Ireland there were quality standards
for residential care published in March 2008.
Scotland
44. Volunteer dogs can be 'Therapets'
10 April 2008 – BBC News
Tayside is appealing for more ‘Therapets’ – pet dogs
to visit hospitals, residential homes and even prisons.
There are currently around 20 volunteer owners with
dogs in the area, but a dozen more at least are
needed.
The aim of the project is to boost health, ease loneliness
and improve communication.
Volunteer dogs are required to have an open nature,
be eager to meet people and have their vaccinations
up-to-date. Owners should be able to fully control
their animals and will be given police disclosure
checks.
For full report click here
45. Drugs Chief Asks: Should The Young Get
Priority Over Elderly Patients?
8 April 2008 – The Herald
Dr Ken Paterson, chairman of the Scottish Medicines
Consortium is calling for a debate over whether the
latest medicines should be prioritised for younger
patients over the elderly. He also warned that the
soaring bill for drugs as forecast could bankrupt the
NHS.
46. Sturgeon Backs GBP20k Nurses' Deal
7 April 2008 – Evening Times
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has hailed the offer
of a new starting salary for nurses in Scotland.
The deal tops £20,000 and she confirmed that staff
will be included in a UK-wide pay offer of 8% over
three years which will be worth 2.75% in the current
financial year.
Wales
47. Hospital parking abuse crackdown
12 April 2008 – BBC News
Since car park charges were scrapped in Wales, motorists
abusing free parking at a Swansea hospital
have been warned that their vehicles will be
clamped. The car park is close to the National Pool,
Swansea University and the seafront.
For full report click here
48. Call for more police at hospitals
9 April 2008 – BBC News
Welsh police could be patrolling A&E units under new
plans to cut violence. An assembly Government task
force has also recommended more CCTV cameras to
be installed in hospitals.
The move comes after the Welsh Assembly Government
rejected a new UK government law to give more
legal protection for attacked NHS staff.
For full report click here
Learning Disabilities
49. Cornwall's Nigel Walker calls for swift
learning disabilities changes
9 April 2008 – Community Care
Nigel Walker, Cornwall Council’s lead adult services
councillor says he wants to see “substantial change”
in the authority’s learning disabilities services within
the next year.
He made his statement after a CSCI inspection revealing
the council’s current difficulties with improving
the learning disabilities area.
For full report click here
50. I failed my dying cousin
9 April 2008 - The Times
Article engagingly tells of the regret of a relative who
believes she did not do enough to help her mentally
disabled cousin who died a slow, painful death from
undiagnosed syphilis.
51. How the NHS is failing vulnerable adults
8 April 2008 - Health Service Journal
What does the murder of a man with a learning disability
have to do with the NHS? Not as much as it
should, according to Margaret Flynn, who conducted
an official inquiry into the death of Steven Hoskin in
Cornwall
Ed. The NHS in Cornwall was fortunate that the
Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide
Act 2007 was not in force at the time of Mr
Hoskin’s death. There is no doubt in my mind
that the Trust would be facing the charge of manslaughter.
52. We all have same rights
April 2008 - Caring Business
Andrew Dismore MP, chair Parliamentary Committee
on Human Rights, in discussion about the way people
with learning disability are treated.
Legislation Update
53. No. 974 The Childcare (Early Years Register)
Regulations 2008
11 April 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
54. No. 975 The Childcare (General Childcare
Register) Regulations 2008
11 April 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
55. No. 976 The Childcare (Early Years and
General Childcare Registers) (Common Provisions)
Regulations 2008
11 April 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
56. No. 159 The Sex Discrimination Order
1976 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland)
2008
10 April 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
57. No. 930 (C.45)The Safeguarding Vulnerable
Groups Act 2006 (Commencement No.
1) (Northern Ireland) Order 2008
7 April 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
58. No. 960 The Legislative Reform (Health
and Safety Executive) Order 2008
7 April 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
59. No. 963 The Sex Discrimination
(Amendment of Legislation) Regulations
2008
7 April 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
Mental Health
60. NHS jargon let rapist escape
12 April 2008 - Daily Mail
A report from the South London and Maudsley NHS
Trust says that the politically correct language is confusing
understanding and appreciation of risk. There
is a need to adopt common language.
61. Cleaning 'improves mental health'
9 April 2008 – BBC News
A survey by the British Journal of Sports Medicine
has found that working up a sweat whilst doing your
household chores could improve your own mental
health. Just 20 minutes of sustained exercise a
week – ranging from cleaning to jogging – can impact
upon depression.
For full report click here
62. Craegmoor facility develops ground
breaking technique to combat memory loss
"Consistently raising the standard of treatment"
says Craegmoor.
Craegmoor Healthcare, the largest independent provider
of long term specialist care in the UK has for the
past year been developing a new form of treatment
for patients at its Charles House hospital in Greater
Manchester.
Charles House is a medium secure hospital, providing
support for 24 male patients whose mental health
illness has resulted in neuro-cognitive conditions
such as memory loss. Members of the hospital's
highly skilled Occupational Therapy Team have found
that by using a number of different techniques, patients
can improve their memories and regain skills
they had previously forgotten.
Despite the complex nature of the brain, it is recognised
that small changes to lifestyle can lead to dramatic
improvements in the quality of life of those suffering
from mental illness. At Charles House, the
three-strong, highly skilled motivated Occupational
Therapy team has moved away from the traditional
"nine to five" structure of therapy and activities to offer
support that is more tailored to the needs of the
patients either in one-to-one, or group sessions,
seven days a week.
Craegmoor's policy of employing a variety of highly
qualified staff who specialise in different areas of care
and treatment has proven especially beneficial to patients.
This recruitment strategy has enabled patients
to benefit from a multitude of treatments and allows
staff to identify what best suits each person individually,
thus personalising the care and treatment they
receive.
As part of their treatment, patients are encouraged to
take part in a wide range of activities funded by the
hospital including, bingo, therapeutic trips, men's
health groups, healthy living seminars, cooking
groups, baking, games groups, playing pool, gardening,
learning relaxation techniques, art, music and
social evenings. These sessions allow patients to
gain confidence while developing their skills.
Jordy Hirst, Head of Occupational Therapy at Charles
House said:
"Our patients have commented that they enjoy
the new lively environment and feel that
Charles House reminds them of their own
home. They also know that nothing is too
much trouble and that their needs are catered
for as best they can be by the therapy department."
Julian Spurling, managing director of the Independent
Hospitals division of Craegmoor said:
"At Craegmoor we continuously seek to offer
our clients the most innovative and advanced
care available. We know that by putting an
emphasis on psycho-social therapeutic activities,
individual patients will maximise their
opportunities for rehabilitation into more community
based settings. It is the work of staff
members such as Jordy and her team that
makes this possible. "
Miscellaneous
63. DH poaches GP guarantee payments to
fund pay rise
10 April 2008 – HSJ
The Department of Health is starting to claw back its
minimum practice income guarantee by accepting a
pay recommendation for GPs that gives practices an
average net increase of 0.2 per cent.
64. Pharmacists may get access to patient
care records
10 April 2008 - Health Service Journal
The government has announced it will investigate
how community pharmacy access to the NHS Care
Records Service could be achieved.
65. More consultants 'badly needed'
9 April 2008 – BBC News
The British Medical Association has written to Health
Secretary, Alan Johnson, asking him to take action to
ensure quality care for patients by recruiting more
hospital consultants.
The body said there is a shortfall in many areas,
highlighting emergency medicine, intensive care,
trauma care, acute medicine, paediatrics and obstetrics.
For full report click here
66. Return out-of-hours care 'to GPs'
9 April 2008 – BBC News
The NHS Alliance is calling for GPs to take back the
responsibility for out-of-hours care in England. The
body said that patients had lost confidence in the
care provided by private firms since the GP contract
enabled 90% of family doctors to opt out.
The Government said the current arrangements were
working well.
For full report click here
67. Corporate manslaughter – are you aware
of the Act?
April 2008 - Community Care Market News
Article by Robert Potter on the new legislative landscape
following the introduction of the Corporate
Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 with
comment and views from solicitor Keith Lewin of
Brunswicks LLP.
68. RNCC increase put on hold
April 2008 - Community Care Market News
Postponement of the annual uplift in payments for
nursing care until after decisions have been taken in
relation to the NHS Pay Review Body was described
as ‘incompetence’ by Martin Green of ECCA.
69. Uphill struggle on funds
April 2008 - Caring Business
With care homes considering closure as the underfunding
of the sector starts to make itself felt there is
a look at NorArch’s – Northamptonshire Association
of Registered Care homes – activity in rejecting an
offer of an increase in fees of 1% which resulted in
payments of 3% being agreed.
NHS
70. Patients told: only one illness at a time,
please
13 April 2008 - The Sunday Times
GPs are putting up signs in surgeries instructing patients
that they can discuss only one illness per appointment.
71. Look, no scars: organs removed via the
mouth
13 April 2008 - The Sunday Times
Prof. Lord Darzi has conducted experimental procedures
from which he concludes organs will be capable
of being removed via the mouth. He thinks other
orifices could also be used.
72. Swinidells quits DH ahead of review publication
10 April 2008 - Health Service Journal
The Department of Health's interim chief information
officer Matthew Swindells is to leave the department
to take up a position with consultancy firm Tribal.
73. Trust authorised ambulance teams to
give restricted drugs
10 April 2008 - The Times
The Healthcare Commission has criticised Staffordshire
Ambulance Service NHS Trust, which in a desperate
attempt to improve its performance, issued
staff with medication they were not legally permitted
to have.
74. Care cost changes 'not working'
11 April 2008 – BBC News
Age Concern is claiming that the Government’s attempts
to end the postcode lottery for continuing NHS
healthcare is not working. The charity said differences
for the three months after new guidelines came
in remained huge.
The charity added that tens of thousands of older
people with serious health problems were paying for
care that should be free.
For full report click here
75. Department of Health Response to Consultation:
A code of practice for the use of
powers to counter NHS fraud and security
incidents
10 April 2008 – DoH
The Department of Health has set out its response to
a consultation on a draft code of practice setting out
the requirements that NHS counter fraud or security
management specialists should follow when obtaining,
handling, using and disclosing information obtained
through the use of powers contained in the
NHS Act 2006 and NHS (Wales) Act 2006.
For full report click here
76. Debate around local accountability in the
NHS lacks clarity, says King’s Fund
10 April 2008 – King’s Fund
The King’s Fund is commenting up on the need for
local accountability in the NHS and asking how it can
be achieved.
For full report click here
77. Healthcare Commission publishes results
of survey of staff at every NHS trust in
England
9 April 2008 – Healthcare Commission
The Healthcare Commission has published results
from an annual survey of NHS staff. This was one of
the largest staff surveys in the world.
Surveys were returned by 155,922 employees from
all 391 NHS trusts petitioned, which shows a response
rate of 54%.
Positive points showed that staff were generally satisfied
in their jobs, with responses consistent to previous
years despite the change that has taken place
over that time and that 94% of staff took part in some
form of training. Responses also indicated strong
support from their line managers, with 71% saying
their immediate managers encourage team working
and are supportive in a personal crisis.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
newsandevents/pressreleases.cfm?
cit_id=6422&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&useca
che=false
78. NHS staff see 'harmful incidents'
9 April 2008 – BBC News
A survey as part of a nationwide report by the Healthcare
Commission has found that one in three staff at
the Royal Cornwall Hospital have seen an incident
which could have harmed a patient or member of
staff. Not all of the incidents were reported.
About 37% of staff at Plymouth's Hospitals NHS
Trust, which covers part of Cornwall, reported similar
concerns. In response, health bosses said they were
tackling key issues raised by the survey.
For full report click here
79. More private clinics are approved
9 April 2008 – BBC News
The Government has approved three more private
clinics due to take over minor procedures from NHS
hospitals. There are 2 in Greater Manchester and
one in Hampshire.
The NHS pays the treatment centres a flat fee each
year to perform a certain number of diagnostic tests
and non-elective procedures which include general
surgery, orthopaedics and ophthalmology, thanks to
an investment of £385m over the next seven years,
the government said.
This means that the number of centres across the
country to 10.
For full report click here
80. Medical records found at bus stop
9 April 2008 – BBC News
Five envelopes containing confidential NHS medical
reports have been found at a bus stop in Brighton.
The papers included details of patient names,
addresses, conditions and doctors were discovered at
the marina.
Brighton and Sussex University NHS Trust apologised
and said it has initiated an urgent full investigation.
For full report click here
81. NHS Choices: delivering for the NHS
9 April 2008 – DoH
A document describing the NHS Choices public information
service as an integral part of the health and
social care system. It aims to drive improvements in
healthcare and utilise technologies to re-shape the
way people engage with their own health, each other
and the NHS.
For full report click here
82. Winter Report 2007/08
9 April 2008 – DoH
A report setting out the achievements of the NHS and
its key partners in striving to deliver a high quality of
care during the winter months.
For full report click here
83. More than half of NHS staff feel patient
care is not the priority
9 April 2008 - The Times
A survey of NHS staff by the Healthcare Commission
shows staff not focused on care.
In the survey, on 61% of the 156,000 respondents
said that hand washing facilities were always available
when needed.
84. Hospital is hit by C.diff four days after
£300,000 clean-up
8 April 2008 - Daily Mail
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation
Trust which spent more than £300,000 on a ‘deep
clean’ of its hospital suffered an outbreak of the
deadly C.diff just four days later.
Ed. Is this evidence that ‘deep cleaning’ is not
necessary/ineffective in controlling such
bugs? Or evidence of a poor clean having been
carried out? Or neither? Whatever the case, we
can learn much from the approach adopted in
Norway – see BHCR Vol 3, Issue 6, item 138.
85. NHS pay deal of 8% gets mixed response
8 April 2008 - The Times
Royal College of Nursing and Unison welcomed the
three year pay deal following recommendation of the
pay review body. The British Medical Association
described the offer as “a further slap in the face”.
86. Report on the National Patient Choice
Survey, November 2007 England
8 April 2008 – DoH
A report showing the final results of around 78,000
responses to the tenth national patient choice survey
commissioned to assess the implementation of
choice at PCT level. The surveys were conducted by
Ipsos MORI on behalf of the Department.
For full report click here
87. Care not top priority - NHS staff
8 April 2008 – BBC News
An annual staff survey by the Healthcare Commission
has revealed that under half of NHS staff believe
that patient care is the top priority for
trusts. The rest didn’t believe their trust saw it as a
priority or neither agreed nor disagreed. The poll
was undertaken by 156,000 staff in England.
Three quarters said they were satisfied with their
jobs, although only one in four said they felt valued by
bosses.
For full report click here
88. Bug scandal NHS boss suing trust
7 April 2008 – BBC News
Rose Gibb, the former chief executive of an NHS
Trust where 90 people died in a superbug scandal
has started legal action over the amount of her severance
pay. She resigned from Maidstone and Tunbridge
Wells NHS days before a damning report on
the Trust's handling of C.diff outbreaks, and the Trust
took legal advice, agreeing to pay her six months'
pay, or £75,000.
The trust declined to comment on the latest development.
For full report click here
89. Three-year 8% pay offer to nurses
7 April 2008 – BBC News
Nurses and other NHS staff have been offered a
three-year pay deal worth 8% by the English, Scottish
and Welsh governments.
The proposed deal is set to give over a million staff
an increase of 2.75% from April, followed by further
increases of 2.4% in 2009/10 and 2.25% in 2010/11.
The offer is the highest in the public sector and aims
to heading off the threat of NHS industrial action.
For full report click here
90. Patients 'being let down and ignored by
the NHS,' says damning report
6 April 2008 – Daily Mail
A damning report by the Healthcare Commission
says that elderly patients are being left to starve in
soiled bedclothes in the Health Service. It also said
GPs were rude, allowing patients very brief consultations
and missing signs of deadly diseases.
The report also said women in labour were constantly
left on their own without pain relief.
For full report go to http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/
articles/news/news.html?
in_article_id=557644&in_page_id=1770
Nursing
Nothing to report
Older People
91. Advice from older people on hospital
stays
11 April 2008 – NCF
A new booklet has been issued by the Social Care
Institute for Excellence (SCIE) to offer advice to older
people on what to expect when entering, staying in
and leaving hospital.
The booklet is called 'Helping you through a hospital
stay: Advice from older people' and is based on the
experiences of older people who have stayed in hospital
and then returned to their homes.
SCIE also worked with an advisory group of older
people to find out what information they felt would be
useful for others in a similar position.
For full report click here
92. Age Concern launches campaign to protect
its advice services
11 April 2008 – Community Care
A survey by Age Concern has revealed that dedicated
advice services in 80% of its local branches
faced a funding crisis due to cuts by councils.
The charity has launched a campaign on the issue
this week.
For full report click here
93. No fares please for longest bus ride
10 April 2008 - The Times
Richard Elloway, 61, made the first trip from Land’s
End to John o’Groats on local buses using his one of
the new bus passes for older people. The journey
took one week, six hours and ten minutes.
94. New falls prevention resource launched
for practitioners in run up to national falls
awareness day
8 April 2008 – Help the Aged
Help the Aged is trying to raise awareness of National
Falls Awareness Day 2008 as supported by
Stannah Stairlifts on 24th June 2008.
For full report go to http://press.helptheaged.org.uk/_press/
Releases/_items/
_New+falls+prevention+resource+launched+for+practitioners
+in+run+up+to+national+falls+awareness+day.htm
95. This week we received the following email which
we know will be of interest to many readers.
Social Care
Nothing to report
Staff, employment and
disciplinary
96. Immigrant Workers
The application process for companies wishing to
apply for a licence as a Sponsor under Tier 2 of the
New Points Based System which will replace the existing
work permit system has now started.
The significance of this application process should
not be underestimated. As from later this year, possibly
1st October, any company wishing to take on an
individual on a work permit or apply for an extension
for an individual to their existing work permit, must be
licensed as a Sponsor.
The application process involves an online application
and then the submission of specified documentation
within 10 working days of the application date. Most
applicants will then receive a visit from an officer of
the Border and Immigration Agency as part of the
evaluation procedure.
Thanks to Mark Barnett, Head of Immigration at Steeles
Law and Daniel Barnett for informing us about
this.
Hi,
My name is Michelle and I volunteer to help
spread the word about a new free Alzheimer's
Disease online support group.
As I know this falls within your interest I thought
that you might want to help us in the quest to
reach as many people as possible (the more people
know about the group the better help they
will get). You can support us in many ways (not
financially): telling people you know, linking to it,
writing a blog or forum post and participating in
the group discussions.
Your help is much needed and any support will
be most appreciated.
You can check out the group at:
www.mdjunction.com/alzheimers-disease
Have a great day,
Michelle
Sincerely,
Michelle Savta,
POB 200067, Pittsburgh, PA
The Pinders/Caring Business
Healthcare Design
Awards
Comedy great, Richard Briers, brought a touch of
The Good Life to the annual Healthcare Design
Awards lunch in April.
The audience of nearly 500 were clearly charmed by
Richard’s gentle humour as he presented the awards
in his capacity as an Ambassador for the Alzheimers’
Society. £10,000 was raised for the charity on the
day, thanks to generous sponsorship and audience
donations, whilst Pinders’ Jon Chapman kept the
proceedings on track with his usual brand of wicked
wit.
Now in their thirteenth year, the Awards, which have
become a one of the ‘must-go to’ diary dates, aim to
promote and recognise the very best property developments
in the long term care sector. The six
awards cover all aspects of care, for the elderly and
those with physical or learning disabilities, and is not
limited to traditional nursing or residential
homes. Projects involving assisted living, close care,
care villages and combinations of these various
types of care have all been judged, together with extensions
to existing schemes.
The awards are organised jointly by specialist healthcare
consultants Pinders and Caring Business magazine,
with major banks and brokers providing sponsorship.
CARING BUSINESS/PINDERS HEALTHCARE
DESIGN AWARDS 2008
FINALISTS
Best Elderly Care Development (Traditional
Design)
Best Elderly Care Development (Contemporay
Design)
Best Specialist Care Development
Best Extension to an existing home
Provider Development Location
Somerset
Care
Grovelands Yeovil
CLS Care
Services
Belong:
Macclesfield
Macclesfield
Daughters of
Mary & Joseph
Coloma Court
West Whickham
Provider Development Location
Marches Care
Ltd
Uplands at Oxon Bicton Heath
Life Style Care
(2005)
Ashley Gardens Maidstone
Flagswan Two
Limited
Priscilla
Wakefield
House
Tottenham
Provider Development Location
Swanton Care Bayliss Place Kingston upon
Hull
St Andrew’s
Healthcare
Smyth House Northampton
Home from
Home Care
The Old
Vicarage
Stallingborough
Provider Development Location
Somerset Care Wyndham
House
Minehead
Kingsley Care
Homes
Ashefield Woodbridge
Elmwood
Nursing Homes
Pinewood
Nursing Home
Budleigh
Salterton
Best Independent Living Scheme
Best Revival Project
AND: THE WINNERS...
Congratulations to all. The finalists are
an example to all of us just how the sector
can innovate and provide excellence
in the built environment for the benefit of
service users, staff and visitors.
To discuss anything arising from this article or
any of the matters touched upon contact Keith M
Lewin at keith.lewin@brunswicks.eu or telephone
him on 0870 766 8400
Provider Development Location
Barons Park
Care
Barons Park
Care
Kirby Muxloe
Hurst Manor Ltd Hurst Manor
Care Home
Martock
Wellburn Care
Homes
Grimston Court York
Provider Development Location
St Monica Trust Monica Wills
House
Bedminster
Augustinian
Nursing Homes
St George’s
Retreat
Burgess Hill
Retirement
Villages Ltd
Roseland Parc Tregony
Bridgewater
Housing
Lady Elizabeth
House
Maidenhead
Provider Development Location
CLS Care
Services
Belong:
Macclesfield
Macclesfield
Flagswan Two
Limited
Priscilla
Wakefield
House
Tottenham
Home from
Home Care
The Old
Vicarage
Stallingborough
Kingsley Care
Homes
Ashefield Woodbridge
Augustinian
Nursing Homes
St George’s
Retreat
Burgess Hill
Hurst Manor Ltd Hurst Manor
Care Home
Martock