Editorial
Local Authorities, encouraged by central Government,
are promoting and encouraging the implementation of
direct payments (see items 61 and 62 in this issue).
Undoubtedly, direct payments offer great flexibility,
choice and a degree of self-determination for those in
receipt of care/support. David Behan, the Department
of Health's Director General of Social Care, has some
truly inspiring stories of how direct payments are being
used creatively to transform lives. However, I have
some concerns.
For those who are able to be self-determinant the
problems and challenges are probably mostly
manageable.
However, what about the person who needs carers and
personal assistants? Such a person, using the direct
payment will become an employer. With all of the
duties and responsibilities which go with that status.
Will the direct payment be automatically increased
when a worker becomes pregnant and takes her full
entitlement to maternity leave?
If so, will the increase be sufficient to take on a
replacement worker?
What will happen when the supported person dies?
Who will meet the redundancy costs?
It seems to me that these questions and many more
have just not been thought through sufficiently for
anyone to be able to confidently provide answers.
I may well return to this
topic, and the wisdom of
receiving direct payments
in a future article.
Parliament
28.04.08 – HoC – Funding of NHS services in York,
Adjournment debate
Next
Abuse
1. Care home finds
19 April 2008 - The Times
Idle of bloody finds at Jersey horror home
19 April 2008 - Daily Mail
It is reported that items have been found in Haut de
la Garenne, Jersey, stained with human blood.
2. SCOTLAND: Survivors of childhood sexual
abuse
18 April 2008 - UKPolicing.info
Increased awareness of childhood sexual abuse, and
better support for adult survivors, should now be
available, thanks to a booklet Yes You Can! Working
with Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse designed
to help health professionals and those working in the
care and voluntary sectors to feel more confident in
applying best practice to support survivors of abuse.
As well as forming part of the Scottish Government's
overall approach to supporting mental wellbeing, the
booklet also ties in with SurvivorScotland, the National
Strategy for Survivors of Childhood Sexual
Abuse.
Public Health Minister Shona Robison said:
"We would all like to think that childhood sexual
abuse doesn't happen. But if people across Scotland
are aware of the reality then it is more likely that
good support and understanding will be available.
"There has, for many years, been a widespread misunderstanding
of the needs of survivors of childhood
sexual abuse and sometimes a reluctance to raise
the issue because of the stigma which can be associated
with this sensitive subject.
"It is essential, though, that health professionals and
all those involved in working with sexual abuse survivors
feel confident, informed and able to provide appropriate
support."
The National Strategy for Survivors of Childhood Sexual
Abuse was launched in 2005.
3. Legislation update
15 April 2008 - The Times, Public Agenda
Barrister Stephen Cragg reflects on issues of depravation
of liberty for people who lack mental capacity
and the fact that the Mental health Act may need to
be amended even before it becomes law because of
an decision anticipated from the European Court of
Human Rights in Strasbourg.
Business News
4. Profit track 100
20 April 2008 - The Sunday Times
Of Britain’s private firms with the fastest growing profits
only one from health and social care is in the top
100. Affinity Healthcare, based in Cheshire and
owned by venture capitalist Duke Street Capital
which paid £75m for the company in 2004. Profits for
last year grew by over 97%.
5. Craegmoor for sale
19 April 2008 - The Times
Craegmoor is up for sale by L&G Ventures with a
price tag of about £300m. Southern Cross will “take
a look” according to Bill Colvin its CEO.
6. CareTech Holdings PLC - Trading update
18 April 2008
CareTech held its AGM at which Farouq Sheikh, Executive
Chairman, gave the following trading update:
Trading in the first half of the financial year was in line
with expectations and reflected continuing progress
as the Group benefits from the investments in capacity
made in the second half of 2007. The acquisitions
of Counticare and One-Step which were made during
2007 have now been fully integrated into the regional
structure introduced last year. This structure is working
well to provide greater scalability and the Directors
believe that further organic and acquisitive
growth can be readily absorbed in line with the
Group's strategy.
During the first half of the year CareTech increased
capacity by a further 48 beds through organic initiatives
and now supports a total of 1,077 clients by way
of residential and supported living services. These
developments include the expansion of services into
Milton Keynes and Leicester, both of which are new
to CareTech and where initial discussions with local
care commissioners indicate significant opportunities
for service expansion. As reported in December
2007, the Group has continued to broaden its range
of services into supported living. The strategy is to
continue to grow these services and I am pleased to
report a further 25 places have been added during
the first six months of this financial year. Further
growth in this service area will form a part of our development
strategy for the remainder of the year and
beyond. Occupancy in established services is currently
running at 95%.
The pipeline of development opportunities remains
strong and we continue to actively evaluate those
which the Directors believe to be capable of enhancing
shareholder value.
The Board of CareTech is confident of the Group's
prospects and looks forward to reporting further progress
during the second half of this financial year.
7. New contract for Quantum
16 April 2008 - Live Care News
Quantum Care has been awarded a new 15 year
contract with Hertfordshire County Council to provide
care for elderly people across the county. The company
has 26 homes within Hertfordshire providing
care for more than 800 people.
8. August Equity exits Healthcare Homes
Group in a £75 million sale to Bowmark
14 April 2008
August Equity LLP ("August Equity"), announced it
completed the sale of Healthcare Homes Group
("HHG”) in East Anglia, to Bowmark Capital LLP
(“Bowmark”).
August Equity originally invested in HHG in August
2005, when the group consisted of 4 homes and 100
beds. August Equity and the management team pursued
a buy-and-build strategy throughout their ownership
which saw the group expand to more than 800
beds across 21 homes. In February 2008, August
Equity announced that HHG acquired Manorcourt
Care Limited, a privately owned care and nursing
home group based in Norfolk, providing HHG with an
additional 87 registered care beds.
Commenting on the sale, Philip Rattle, partner at
August Equity who leads the healthcare team, said:
"We have enjoyed working with Richard Clough and
the management team at HHG. The growth of the
group has been impressive over the past three years
and the team has continued to ensure that the highest
standards of care are offered to the residents of
the homes.”
Richard Clough, chief executive officer of HHG, said:
"We are grateful for the support that August Equity
has provided in driving the growth of the group. We
look forward to working with Bowmark in continuing
our buy-and-build strategy and maintaining the development
of high standards of care that is synonymous
with HHG.”
A recent survey commissioned by August Equity
highlighted healthcare as the sector most likely to do
well in the current market uncertainty. The research,
carried out by Mergermarket’s research arm, Remark,
found that the healthcare sector was perceived by
17% of respondents to be “hot” in the current economic
environment, closely followed by energy, mining
and utilities.
NM Rothschilds advised August Equity on the sale of
HHG to Bowmark.
9. Darling closes property deal loophole
April 2008 - HealthInvestor
The useful and much used (at least by companies
such as Southern Cross) tax avoidance mechanism
of ‘vendor de-grouping’ where one company leaves a
group before another and enabling companies to sell
real estate without paying tax has been closed by the
Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Ed. This mechanism saw Southern Cross build
rapidly over the past couple of years effectively
acquiring operating businesses for zero or close
to zero consideration as once acquired the real
estate was sold on to others, typically banks, effectively
getting the operating company for free!
10. Back Lift
April 2008 - HealthInvestor
Alex Beaumont opines that the Darzi reforms of the
NHS in the form of 150 polyclinics might provide a
boost to the flagging Local Improvement Finance
Trusts (Lift).
11. Four Seasons adds to Jersey portfolio
April 2008 - HealthInvestor
Four Seasons Health Care made its third investment
on the Channel Island of Jersey when it bought Bon
Air Apartments – a 27 bedded nursing home in St
Saviour.
Care Homes
12. Increase of 39p a day for nursing care
17 April 2008 - Live Care News
Care Forum Wales has learned that the average increase
in the contribution for Nursing Care from Local
Health Boards in Wales is just 39p per day. In response
to the derisory fee increase, Care Forum
Wales will embark on a national campaign to win
hearts and minds – as well as funding for the sector.
13. The joys of Spring
April 2008 - HealthInvestor
Peter Mitchell considers the activity of the major players
in the residential care sector and the fact that
higher fees are an unavoidable consequence of the
creation of bigger care groups and the building of
more physical assets (care homes).
Case Reports
Law Reports
14. A v Essex County Council
A claim brought by a severely disabled child against
a local education authority for damages for breach of
the right to education vouchsafed by the European
Convention on Human Rights 1950 Protocol 1 art.2
failed as the decision in Ali v Lord Grey School Governors
(2006) UKHL 14, (2006) 2 AC 363 made unarguable
the proposition that his exclusion from the
school for almost 19 months was unlawful.
15. Moody v General Osteopathic Council
The Court of Appeal held that the Professional Conduct
Committee of the General Osteopathic Council
had been entitled to take into account evidence given
by the osteopath as to how he treated all his patients
in the same way as the complainant, when deciding
on the appropriate sanction to impose.
Cases on employment law can be found under
‘STAFF’ on page 17.
Disciplinary cases
Nothing to report
Cases in the news
16. Nurse muted alarm to see football
15 April 2008 – BBC News
Peter Helps, 44, of Oswaldtwistle, a care home nurse
who muted an alarm-call system so he was not interrupted
while watching World Cup football matches on
television has been struck off the Register by the
NMC having been found guilty of misconduct over
his treatment of residents at Mapleford Residential
Nursing Home in Huncoat.
For full report click here
Children
17. Authorities 'fail' care teenagers
17 April 2008 – BBC News
Charities are calling on the Government and local
authorities to prevent vulnerable teenagers falling
through the care net. There was particular concern
expressed for so-called looked after children between
the ages of 16 and 21.
A spokesman for the Department for Children and
Families said the Children and Young Person's Bill
would give more support for children leaving care.
For full report click here
18. Huge fee hike raises fears of more child
deaths
17 April 2008 - Gazette
The ‘massive hike’ in court fees is expected to lead to
deaths of children because local authorities who fund
applications to court to place a child into care will
from 01.05.08 have to pay a court fee of £5,225 up
from £150 - an increase of 3400%.
19. Funding to vet children's workers
14 April 2008 – BBC News
Jersey has set aside funding of about £100,000 to
deal with changes to the way children’s workers are
vetted. Staff will need to be registered and their suitability
will be considered if anyone raises any concerns
about them. The fee for registering will be £60.
For full report click here
Conferences & Courses
20. 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.
21. 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
22. 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
i n a p e r s o n a l 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 Strate
g y , D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h
- 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.
23. Independent Safeguarding Authority
Public information road-shows explaining the role of
the ISA are taking place across the country. Find your
nearest road-show and register to attend.
May 8 2008 - Bristol
May 23 2008 - London
24. 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.
25. 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 health 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
26. 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
27. Striving for Better Outcomes
National Care Forum’s 5th Annual Conference
Wednesday 14 May - Thursday 15 May 2008 at
Chesford Grange, Kenilworth
Wednesday 14 May
Welcome and introduction from NCF Chairman Andrew
Larpent OBE
Plenary I Barbara Pointon MBE, Alzheimer’s Society
Plenary II Des Kelly OBE, Executive Director, National
Care Forum
Workshops I: Striving for Better Outcomes
• Working in partnership to commission domiciliary
care
• the experience in Somerset
• From residential care to supported living in learning
disability services: understanding and preparing
for change
• Fremantle Trust
• Designing an education and training strategy to
enhance staff confidence and competencies built
on an external customer focus
Cornwall Care
New Homes for Old
a description of the Anchor Trust/Coventry City
Council PFI scheme to develop a range of new specialist
services for older people with dementia
Plenary III Anna Walker, Chief Executive, Healthcare
Commission
Plenary IV Sarah Wood, Director, National Programme
for Third Sector Commissioning, Office of
the Third Sector
Conference dinner
Thursday 15 May
Workshops II: Putting outcomes into practice
• Working with relatives to achieve the best outcomes
– a description of a joint project with the
Relatives and Residents Association
• Dr Gillian Dalley (CEO, Relatives and Residents
Association) and Sharon Blackburn (Executive
Director, Heart of England Housing and Care)
• Lifetime housing – from strategy to delivery
• Luke O’Shea (Department for Communities and
Local Government) and Dr Trevor Edwards (Care
Services Improvement Partnership)
• Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
• Kate Hardy (Department of Health)
• Using “My Home Life” to support commissioning
• Tom Owen (Deputy Director, My Home Life Programme,
City University/Help the Aged)
Plenary VI David Behan CBE, Director General of
Social Care, Department of Health
Plenary VII Julie Jones OBE, Chief Executive, Social
Care Institute for Excellence
Plenary VIII John Dixon, President of Association of
Directors of Adult Social Services
The delegate registration form can be downloaded
from our website www.nationalcareforum.org.uk
28. Westminster Health Forum keynote seminar
Healthcare Associated Infections and Patient
Safety
Morning, 20th May 2008 Local Government House,
Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ
This seminar will examine issues around the control
and tackling of HCAIs, and what more can be done to
provide a better service and ensure patient safety.
The context is new figures from the Office for National
Statistics reporting a 72% rise in Clostridium
difficile related deaths in 2006, and the Healthcare
Commission’s Annual Health Check for 2008/09,
which will include an in-depth look at healthcare associated
infections (HCAIs).
The meeting will bring together key policy makers
from government and Parliament with stakeholders to
discuss how healthcare associated infections can be
minimised, how this might be implemented across the
NHS, and the next steps in improving patient safety.
Speakers
Speakers include: Janice Stevens, Director, MRSA/
Cleaner Hospitals Programme, Department of Health-
Professor Peter Borriello, Chair, Rapid Review
Panel; Vanessa Bourne, Head of Special Projects,
The Patients Association; Dr Jeremy Dennison,
Medical Advisor to Pfizer Anti-Infectives; Dr Georgia
Duckworth, National HCAI & AMR Surveillance
Lead, Health Protection Agency; Peter Ellingworth,
Vice President and General Manager, ConvaTec and
Chairman, The Association of British Healthcare Industries;
Martin Fletcher, Chief Executive, National
Patient Safety Agency; Dr David Jenkins, Director of
Infection Prevention and Control at University Hospitals
of Leicester NHS Trust; Dr Elizabeth Jenner,
Expert in Infection Control Nursing, and Principal Lecturer,
University of Hertfordshire; Karen Jennings,
National Secretary for Health, Unison; Andrew
Large, Director General, Cleaning and Support Services
Association; Wendy Lawson, Infectious Disease
Pharmacist, Imperial College Healthcare NHS;
Sue Lewis, Director of Nursing and Operations and
Deputy Chief Executive, Royal Surrey County Hospital
NHS Trust; John McConnell, Editor, Lancet Infectious
Diseases; Judy Potter, President, Infection Prevention
Society; and Laura Probert, East & South
Kent Regional Representative, National Concern for
Healthcare Infections.
Andrew Lansley MP, Shadow Secretary of State for
Health, and Greg Mulholland MP, Liberal Democrat
Shadow Minister for Health, have kindly agreed to
chair this seminar.
Output
A key output of the seminar will be a transcript of the
proceedings, sent out within a week of the event to
Ministers and officials at DH and other departments
affected by the issues, Parliamentarians with a special
interest in these areas, and other agencies. It will
also be made available more widely. It will include
transcripts of all speeches and questions and answers
sessions from the day, along with access to
PowerPoint presentations, speaker biographies, attendee
list, an agenda and sponsor information. It is
made available subject to strict restrictions on public
use, similar to those for Select Committee Uncorrected
Evidence, and is intended to provide timely
information for interested parties who are unable to
attend on the day.
All delegates will receive free PDF copies and are
invited to contribute to the content.
The Westminster Health Forum is strictly impartial
and cross-party, and draws on the considerable support
within Parliament and government, and amongst
the wider stakeholder community. The Forum has
no policy agenda of its own.
Booking arrangements
To book places, please use our online booking form.
Once submitted, this will be taken as a confirmed
booking and will be subject to our terms and conditions
below.
Please pay in advance by credit card on 01276
489144. If advance credit card payment is not possible
please let me know and we may be able make
other arrangements.
Options and charges are as follows:
Places at Healthcare Associated Infections and Patient
Safety (including refreshments and PDF copy of
the transcripts) are £190 plus VAT (£223.25);
Concessionary rate places for small charities, unfunded
individuals and those in similar circumstances
are £80 plus VAT (£94). Please be sure to apply for
this at the time of booking.
For those who cannot attend:
Copies of the briefing document, including full transcripts
of all speeches and the question and comment
sessions and further articles from interested
parties, will be available approximately 7 days after
the event for £95 plus VAT (£111.63);
Concessionary rate: £50 plus VAT.
If you find the charge for tickets a barrier to attending
please let me know and we will do our best to see
you are not excluded. Please note terms and conditions
below (including cancellation charges).
29. Supporting Witnesses in the Scottish
Justice Scheme Conference
2 June 2008 – Scottish Police College Tulliallan
Castle
This is being hosted by the Victims and Witnesses
Unit in partnership with other stakeholders, with the
aim of raising awareness about the development of
support for victims and witnesses in the Scottish Justice
system through the Vulnerable Witnesses
(Scotland) Act 2004 and other initiatives.
The impetus for the conference is the completion of
the 3 year implementation period of the Vulnerable
Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004
The conference will provide an opportunity for an exchange
of information about policy and good practice
through the use of speakers, seminars and a discussion
panel. The keynote speech will be delivered by
the Cabinet Secretary for Justice. The Lord Advocate
will also be participating, along with senior officers
from the Scottish Government and voluntary organisations.
Contributions will also be made by senior
members of the judiciary, and representatives of the
Law Society of Scotland and voluntary organisations.
A question and answer panel will be chaired by the
well known journalist Pennie Taylor.
The conference is sponsored by the Victims and Witnesses
Unit of the Scottish Government’s Criminal
Justice Directorate working in partnership with the
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Scottish
Court Service, the Scottish Children’s Reporter
Administration, the Law Society of Scotland, the Association
of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, Victim
Support Scotland, the Association of Directors of Social
Work, Justice for Children, Scottish Women’s Aid
and other voluntary organisations.
The conference is targeted at practitioners from
throughout the UK, but will be of particular interest to
those in Scotland especially the legal profession, the
judiciary, those working for voluntary organisations
supporting victims and witnesses, children’s reporters,
academics, and researchers, and staff of relevant
government departments and justice agencies.
Key issues covered by seminars
Access to justice to people with mental disorder
Does the Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004
work for justice?
Child Witnesses – meeting the challenge
Identifying vulnerable witnesses
Using special measures in the courtroom
Why you should attend
An opportunity to see how special measures work in
practice in a mock courtroom
Raise your awareness of how to identify vulnerable
witnesses and how this awareness will assist with
securing a fair trial
How to question child witnesses effectively
The pros and cons of the Vulnerable Witnesses Act –
a chance for debate
A chance to question senior practitioners about the
Act
We hope you find this an exciting programme and
will be able to attend the conference. You can find
out more or request to attend at www.holyrood.com/
supportingwitnesses
30. 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;
31. A New Strategy for Children’s Health:
Prevention, Intervention and Support
Thursday 19th June 2008 in Westminster.
In December, at the launch of the Government’s latest
long term plan for children, the Department for
Health and Department for Children, Schools and
Families announced they would jointly publish the
first ever Child Health Strategy (due to be produced
this Spring). Delegates at this Westminster Briefing
conference will consider the details contained within
the Strategy as well as the future direction of children’s
healthcare provision, funding and delivery.
Topics to be discussed will include (please see the
enclosed agenda for full details):
- Multi agency working and joined up healthcare
and children’s services
- Mental health and behavioural issues in our
young
- Childhood obesity and easting disorders
- Aiming high for disabled children and better
support for families
- Sexual health and teenage pregnancy
- The importance of sport and physical activity
- The health consequences of alcohol, drugs
and smoking
- Closing the gap: the health implications for
children disadvantaged by poverty and social
exclusion
- Birth to 5, early years development
- The age of innocence: how the modern
world affects children’s development
Should you/your colleagues wish to attend, please
complete and return (by email or fax) the enclosed
reservation form at your earliest convenience in order
to secure your delegate place(s). I would also be
grateful if you could forward the details of this event
to relevant colleagues within your organisation. If you
require further information, have any questions, or are
interested in sponsorship or exhibition opportunities
please do not hesitate to contact me.
Nick Rotsides
T: 020 7096 2916
F: 020 7096 2946
E: nick.rotsides@westminster-briefing.com
Website: http://www.westminster-briefing.co.uk/
home.html
32. 17th International Congress on Palliative
Care
23-26 September 2008 at the Palais des Congrès
in Montréal, Canada.
Presented by the Palliative Care Division of the Departments
of Medicine and Oncology of McGill University,
this biennial Congress has grown to become
one of the premier international events in palliative
care. Healthcare professionals, therapists, volunteers
and all those involved in care for the dying
come to renew themselves as providers of care and
to obtain the inspiration that will help them shape the
palliative care of the future. Since the first Congress
in 1976 under the leadership of palliative care pioneer
Dr. Balfour Mount, there has been increasing
agreement in the field that palliative care should be
provided from diagnosis, hence the shift to “Palliative
Care” from “Care of the Terminally Ill” in the title of
the 2008 Congress.
This year’s outstanding programme will feature five
plenary sessions, four day long Concurrent Seminars,
research fora, and over 80 workshops and
symposia. In 2008 for the first time, the Congress
will be a trilingual event, with simultaneous interpretation
of selected sessions, including all Plenaries,
into Spanish as well as French. There will also be a
special focus on palliative care as a basic human
right and how to develop and support programmes
and initiatives in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Poster abstracts may be submitted until May 28,
2008.
The early registration deadline is March 24,
2008. For more information, to register or to submit
an abstract, please visit www.pal2008.com or call
450-292-3456 ext. 227.
E-mail: info@pal2008.com
33. Mind the Gap! ECCA Conference, November
12, 2008. Book now and save £50!
Book now for our conference on the future of care at
the Holiday Inn, Bloomsbury, London WC1. Email
conference@ecca.org.uk , call 08450 577 677, or
visit www.ecca.org.uk.
Consultations
To follow next week
CSCI, CSSIW, Healthcare
Commission &
Scottish Care Commission
34. Nurse Agency Update – Error noted
within the Self Assessment Online Form
17 April 2008 – SCRC
For the attention of all Nurse Agency Service Providers.
The Commission asks you to note that any reference
to SSI 2002/114 Regulation 15 Quality of Independent
Health does not apply to Nurse Agencies as highlighted
within the Self Assessment Online Form.
For full report click here
35. Healthcare Commission welcomes new
national clinical advisor for nursing
15 April 2008 – Healthcare Commission
Senior nurse Ann Close has joined the Healthcare
Commission this month as a national clinical advisor.
She is responsible for providing the Commission with
senior strategic advice on issues related to nursing
and patient care.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
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36. Ipswich hospital NHS trust makes progress
on infection control
15 April 2008 – Healthcare Commission
The Healthcare Commission has announced that Ipswich
Hospital NHS Trust has made the necessary
improvements in infection control by now being compliant
with the requirements of an improvement notice
issued on 21 February 2008. The notice required
immediate changes to infection control practices.
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 ?
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37. Caring About Health: an A-Z Resource
Pack for Staff and Carers
14 April 2008 – SCRC
NHS Health Scotland launched ‘Caring About Health:
Improving the health of looked after and accommodated
children in Scotland’ which took place in Edinburgh
on 8 April 2008.
For full report click here
Education
Nothing to report
Ireland, Scotland & Wales
Ireland
38. No inquiry into 34 broken bones
17 April 2008 – BBC News
Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey said that there
will be no public inquiry into how an elderly lady suffered
34 broken bones. Mrs McGinley, 78-years-old
died in Altnagelvin Hospital in January 2007 and between
her death and coroner examination, her body
sustained numerous fractures, primarily to her rib
cage.
17 April 2008 – BBC News
Internal inquiries at the hospital and the Coroner's
Office failed to establish who was responsible.
For full report click here
Scotland
39. Hospital says 'sorry' for blunder
18 April 2008 – BBC News
John McAndrew, 83, has received an apology after
he spent a week in hospital without seeing a doctor.
He did not receive any treatment at St John's Hospital
in Livingston after a mix-up.
His medical records were sent to Edinburgh Royal
Infirmary but the mistake only came to light after he
asked staff why he had not been seen to.
For full report click here
40. Ambulance Service 'at Breaking Point'
17 April 2008 – The Herald
According to GPs, Scotland’s ambulance service is
chronically short of funding and struggling to cope.
Doctors are expected to call upon the Scottish Government
to increase the money it gives to the service
at a major conference.
41. NHS yet to meet hygiene standard
17 April 2008 – BBC News
A report by Health Protection Scotland has found
that hospital staff have still not yet reached a target
for complying with hand-washing standards. The
investigation revealed that levels were far below the
90% required.
NHS Lanarkshire had the lowest rating at 75%, while
staff at NHS Ayrshire and Arran had a 97% compliance
rate along with those in NHS Forth Valley.
For full report click here
42. Rise in hand washing by NHS staff
17 April 2008 – BBC News
According to an audit in the NHS Highlands, more
staff have been washing their hands than seven
months ago when only 59% of employers met national
hygiene standards.
For full report click here
43. Violence In Scotland Lands NHS
GBP400m Bill
17 April 2008 – Evening Times
Violence across Scotland costs the NHS £400million
a year, shock figures revealed today.
Scotland's top medic Dr Harry Burns has revealed
that violence across Scotland costs the NHS £400
million a year.
He said the level of violent attacks, including youths
in street gangs, was higher than police statistics suggested.
He was appearing before Holyrood's Health
committee to discuss his annual report from November.
44. Bowel cancer drug campaigner dies
17 April 2008 – BBC News
Mike Gray, a cancer sufferer who won his fight to
make NHS Grampian pay for a drug he hoped would
help him live longer, has lost his battle against the
disease.
He died on Wednesday at his home in Buckie, Moray,
with his wife Tina, family and friends around him.
The health board had initially argued that cetuximab
would not be cost effective but following Mr Gray's
protests eventually agreed to pay for the drug.
Mr Gray then spent his final days campaigning for a
fairer system of prescribing drugs.
For full report click here
45. NHS Boss Is Vague Over GBP1.3m Parking
Fees
16 April 2008 – Evening Times
GLASGOW'S NHS boss has admitted that he doesn't
know how £1.3million raised from hospital parking
charges will be used but he defended the charges by
claiming they were necessary to help free up spaces
for patients and visitors.
Mr Divers, the chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow
and Clyde was speaking before the Scottish Parliament's
public Petitions Committee after he ignored
a request from politicians not to impose charges.
MSP Joins Row Over Hospital Parking Fees
15 April 2008 – Evening Times
Labour MSP, Paul Martin, has hit out at health chiefs
today for pushing ahead with controversial hospital
parking charges.
His comments came as NHS managers from two
Scottish health boards prepared for a grilling today by
politicians over the fees.
Wales
46. Quality care hangs in the balance in
Wales
19 April 2008 – Live Care News
Care Forum Wales has discovered that Local Health
Boards in Wales (on behalf of the Welsh Assembly
Government) have decided to contribute to just 39
pence per day or £2.73 per week to nursing care.
The contribution has been described as ‘an affront’
and ‘blatant ageism’ by Care Forum Wales and is
just the latest in several funding shortfalls due to hit
the Welsh care sector.
For full report go to http://www.livecarenews.com/
FrmHeadnews_Detail.aspx?id=4139
47. Day trips to save on NHS fees
17 April 2008 – Daily Express
Thousands of English patients are becoming “health
tourists” by sneaking into Wales to cash in on free
NHS prescriptions.
48. Ward hygiene faces new criticism
16 April 2008 – BBC News
A hospital has been criticised yet again over its hygiene
standards after a visit by Montgomery Community
Health Council. Aberystwyth's Bronglais Hospital
was found with dirty floors in some wards, along with
dirty sluices and toilets less than a year after the
Healthcare Inspectorate Wales raised concerns over
its cleanliness.
But the hospital said it had "some of the lowest infection
rates in Wales".
For full report click here
49. Lack of progress on bed blocking
15 April 2008 – BBC News
A review for the Welsh Assembly Government has
found that little progress has been made in the way
of bed blocking in Welsh hospitals. This is despite a
two year drive to reduce the problem.
For full report click here
50. Hospital trusts agree to merger
14 April 2008 – BBC News
Following a consultation, two of the three NHS trusts
in north Wales have agreed to merge. The trusts will
also write to the health minister asking for a decision
saying the merger would be in the “best interests” of
the local people.
For full report click here
51. ‘How did care home lose my mum?’
April 2008 - Thisissouthwales
The family of a Llanelli pensioner is furious after she
was discovered outside in a muddy nightdress after
going missing from her private care home. 70-yearold
Doris Williams is now recovering in hospital.
For full report go to http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/
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Learning Disabilities
52. How could my boy be racist? He has a
mental age of five
17 April 2008 - The Times
Two page article about the impact of a zero-tolerance
policy on racism under which police have to respond
to any complaint, however minor, on a family with a
teenager with Down’s Syndrome.
The 18-year old Down’s Syndrome boy has a mental
age of 5yrs and was charged with racially abusing a
fellow student, an Asian girl who also had special
needs.
53. Justice system 'fails' sex victim
16 April 2008 – BBC News
The Mental Welfare Commission has ruled that a
woman with a learning disability has been denied
justice after being sexually assaulted. She was not
judged a reliable witness and therefore none of her
attackers were prosecuted, despite reports being
made to the police. The Commission fears that this
may not be an isolated example.
Between 1999 to 2006, Miss A was believed to have
been subjected to no fewer than 12 incidents of rape,
attempted rape and serious sexual assault.
For full report click here
Legislation Update
54. Mental Health Act 2007 c.12
18 April 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
55. No. 1062 The Safeguarding Vulnerable
Groups Act 2006 (Prescribed Criteria)
(Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2008
17 April 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
56. Health and Social Care Bill: The Government's
response to the report of the Joint
Committee on Human Rights
16 April 2008 – DoH
The Joint Committee on Human Rights has published
three reports on its legislative scrutiny of the Health
and Social Care Bill, and the Government has responded
to the first two of the reports.
For full report click here
Mental Health
57. Craegmoor announces multi-million
pound development of independent hospital
division
16 April 2008
Craegmoor Healthcare, the largest independent provider
of long term specialist care in the UK, has invested
significantly in its Independent Hospital Division.
The first hospital to benefit has been The Willows in
West Yorkshire. The hospital has been re-developed
at a cost of over £1 million and now boasts five purpose
built single-gender wards for 43 men and
women with severe and enduring complex mental
illnesses.
The hospital has also expanded its groundbreaking
therapeutic facilities so as to build its reputation
amongst commissioners in the North of England for
"best in class" delivery of a 'recovery' model for
adults with complex mental health problems.
Other hospitals that have been redeveloped include:
Maes Y Dderwen in Cardiff has been repositioned to
provide care and treatment to 17 male offenders with
learning disabilities. The hospital, through its links
with the criminal justice system, provides cognitive
behavioural treatment which helps rehabilitate offenders
with learning disabilities to develop attitudes,
values and skills that support and encourage positive
behaviours.
Longhouse in Cardiff is a newly opened care home
which offers specialist nursing care to three men with
autism and challenging behaviours, all of whom
benefit from the highest standard of care and therapies
which enable quality of life.
Cefn Carnau in Caerphilly, South Wales has benefited
from substantially improved therapeutic facilities.
This has allowed the hospital to build on its
reputation for providing specialist care and treatment
to men with Aspergers Syndrome who require high
levels of observation within a therapeutic environment.
The hospital also specialises in the treatment
of women who display complex and challenging behaviours
because of mental illness or a learning disability.
The new facilities also mean that the hospital
is able to provide a high degree of relational security
within a low secure setting, thus facilitating positive
behaviours and outcomes.
In addition, Craegmoor has several other developments
in the pipeline, which the company looks forward
to announcing in the near future, including the
multi-million pound development of a new wing at its
mental health hospital in Abergavenny.
Julian Spurling, Managing Director of the Independent
Hospitals division today said:
"These developments are a key part of Craegmoor's
growth plans over the next two years, building on an
excellent reputation for providing therapeutic care
and treatment to men and women who may be detained
under the Mental Health Act."
58. Legislation update
15 April 2008 - The Times, Public Agenda
Barrister Stephen Cragg reflects on issues of depravation
of liberty for people who lack mental capacity
and the fact that the Mental health Act may need to
be amended even before it becomes law because of
an decision anticipated from the European Court of
Human Rights in Strasbourg.
Miscellaneous
59. Dental contract pushing up A&E admissions,
say Tories
18 April 2008 - Health Service Journal
Hospital admissions for dentistry have gone up 6%
since the introduction of the new dental contract, according
to figures obtained by the Conservative Party.
Last year, there were nearly 240,000 hospital admissions
for dental treatment, of which nearly 18,000
were emergencies.
60. Child doctors court witness fear
16 April 2008 – BBC News
Doctors have spoken of their reluctance to appear as
expert witnesses in court cases because of past
heavy-handed approaches by regulators.
They claim that the GMC's "disproportionate" ban on
two paediatricians for their conduct in child cases has
led to a climate of fear among doctors.
A no confidence motion is to be tabled at the Royal
College of Paediatrics and Child Health's annual
meeting.
For full report click here
61. Direct Payments are opening up a world
of opportunities
April-July 2008 - St.HelensFirst
Item promoting Direct Payments to those receiving
Community Care Services – promoting the idea of
personal assistants, carers and so forth.
62. Jane’s new life thanks to Direct Payments
April-July 2008 - St.HelensFirst
Story about Jane Parr who has learning difficulties
and how Direct Payments have enabled her to realise
ambitions.
64. Emma is dancing with delight
April-July 2008 - St.HelensFirst
Emma Hough has a Personal Assistant and is able to
attend dance classes and other recreational activities.
65. Alternative remedy
April 2008 - HealthInvestor
John Elledge takes a look at private care and the
chopping and changing that seems to be going on in
terms of policy.
66. Who’s who in Healthcare 2008-09
April 2008 - Published by HealthInvestor
Lists over 4,000 of the sector’s most influential figures
academics, bankers, journalists, lawyers politicians.
NHS
67. How safe is your hospital?
27 Apr 2008 – BBC 1 Panorama 22:15 hrs
A look at the effect of C. difficile in hospitals across
the country.
Sally Magnusson seeks answers in the Trust responsible
for the deaths of 90 patients.
68. Junior doctors’ £5,000 allowance is axed
…by expenses-row Minister
20 April 2008 - The Mail on Sunday
DoH is facing protests as the free accommodation
provided to junior doctors (worth £5,000 a year) will
be withdrawn – effectively reducing their pay by 20%.
69. Man's family appeal PCT refusal
18 April 2008 – BBC News
The family of Tom Davidson has criticised South
Staffordshire Primary Care Trust after it refused to
pay for him to live at a specialist care home. Mr
Davidson has survived MRSA and three spells of
pneumonia and now only has minimal movement in
his arms and legs.
Mr Davidson served in the RAF and operated a
ground radar station during the Berlin airlift in 1948.
For full report click here
70. Patients who go to A&E instead of local
surgery could cost GPs £1bn
17 April 2008 - The Guardian
Inappropriate A&E use could mean fines for
family doctors
17 April 2008 - Health Service Journal
The DoH is apparently considering proposals to
charge back to GPs the treatment cost of patients
who visit accident and emergency departments instead
of their family doctor, HSJ has learned.
The proposals could emerge as part of the Darzi review
this summer.
71. Man refused money for US surgery
16 April 2008 – BBC News
David Gill, a man who went to the US to have a brain
tumour removed has been told the NHS will not refund
the money he paid for the treatment.
He travelled to New York for the surgery after UK
doctors told him it was inoperable after his parents
remortgaged their homes to raise more than £30,000
for the procedure.
Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust said there
were no grounds for compensation in this case.
For full report click here
72. Health managers back polyclinics
16 April 2008 – BBC News
NHS managers have given their backing to polyclinics
and criticised the "knee-jerk" reactions of critics.
Ministers want to have super GP surgeries, housing
doctors alongside a host of other health staff, set up
across England.
For full report click here
73. Union condemns NHS pay deal 'threat'
16 April 2008 – HSJ
Unite has condemned what it says is a threat by NHS
chief executive David Nicholson to stage the 2008-09
NHS pay award if the unions do not back a three-year
pay deal worth 7.999 per cent.
74. Diagnostics waiting times and activity
data - monthly update
16 April 2008 - GNN
Diagnostics waiting times & activity data: month ending
February 2008 .
This data is said by DoH to show the NHS progress in
tackling waiting times for diagnostic tests like
scans. The monthly data published today gives the
waiting times for 15 key diagnostic tests carried out in
the NHS. This data will help the NHS in delivering
the 18 week maximum wait from GP to treatment,
including all diagnostic tests, by end 2008. More information,
including a diagnostic data Q&A, is available