Editorial
This week, rather than talk about macro issues
affecting the sector I want to tell you about a micro
issue which, nevertheless, is big news for
Brunswicks LLP.
I am delighted to tell you that we have been joined by
Chris Smith, another lawyer dedicated to advising
and representing the sector.
Chris will be working alongside our four other
lawyers to service the growing demand from health
and social care providers for pragmatic, fast and cost
effective advice and representation.
Chris knows and understands the sector having been
in-house legal advisor to a major private mental
health care provider for the past six years, ultimately
as a board director.
The skills he brings will give us added strength and
depth to the areas of law we practice, additionally,
Chris is deeply knowledgeable about regulation,
employment law and commercial disputes.
Chris’s skills are recognised more widely as he sits
as a part-time judge; something we have encouraged
him to continue as we believe that clients will benefit
from someone who regularly sits as a judge.
You heard it here first!
Press releases will be sent out next week.
This week’s article
This week we have a user’s perspective of NHS GP services. Maria Patterson, External Relations Manager of ECCA, was so struck by the differing level of service which she received from her GPs in two different London Boroughs that she has been moved to write about it.
To read about Maria’s experiences click here
Parliament
Is not sitting until 02.06.08
Next
Abuse
1. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 15
June 2008, this is in its 3rd Year now and we want
to make it an important date in everyone’s diaries,
please join with us in doing an event on the day and
helping raise awareness on Elder Abuse. For more
information email worldelderabuseday@
elderabuse.org.uk or call 0208 765 7000.
Action on Elder Abuse has launched a series of exciting
challenge events, including skydiving, trekking
and running. If you've ever wanted to trek the Inca
Trail, freefall from 10,000 feet or sledge across Lapland
with huskies (to name but a few), visit
www.elderabuse.org.uk for more information.
2. Sex database chief jailed for trading in
child porn
17 May 2008 - Daily Mail
Vincent Barron who had been in charge of the national
database of violent sex offenders was jailed for
two years for possessing almost 4,000 unlawful images.
3. Six tooth found at care home
16 May 2008 - BBC
More finds at Jersey children’s home
16 May 2008 - ReutersUK
The investigations into alleged physical abuse of children
at Haut de la Garenne, Jersey, increased in
intensity in Feb after police found the partial remains
of a child's skull; they have now found six teeth and a
number of bone fragments.
4. Raising voices: views on safeguarding
adults
16 May 2008 - CSCI
CSCI in the current newsletter draw attention to the
report it published in April 2008 concerning arrangements
for safeguarding adults.
Following on from a seminar in May 2007 and a
range of discussions with people who use services,
policy makers and academics, CSCI has collected a
range of stakeholder views on safeguarding adults.
This is a contribution to the debate into safeguarding
started by the Department of Health.
For more info visit CSCI’s website www.csci.org.uk
5. Safeguarding Adults Newsletter
16 May 2008 - Wakefield and District Adult Safeguarding
Board
This issue contains items on the following
No Secrets Review
Safeguarding Unit – changes in the Wakefield Safeguarding
Unit
Annual Safeguarding Adults Standing Conference –
11th April 2008
New Guidance on sexual boundaries for healthcare
staff
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - Sunday 15th
June 2008
Safe Guarding Adults Training – no dates This one
day course will provide the basic knowledge and
awareness needed prior to applying for further
courses: e.g. investigating Adult Abuse, Handling Disclosure,
Recording and Protection Plans and Case
Conferences
Serious Case Review – reminder of issues arising
from the death of Steven Hoskin in St Austell, Cornwall
IMCA – review of first year of activity, 68 cases handled.
Business News
6. Southern Cross Healthcare
17 May 2008 - The Times
Reports the three new care homes – see item 9.
7. Qataris face £100m demand to support
care homes group
16 May 2008 - Daily Telegraph
Bankers to Four Seasons Healthcare are calling on
the ultimate owner – the Qatari state to put up £100m
to stabilise the business while Three Delta tries to
refinance the borrowings of £1.3bn.
It is believed that RBS, which has lent extra money
against Four Seasons' property portfolio and has a
seat on the board, is leading on the discussions.
Three Delta borrowed a sum equal to 14 times the
turnover of Four Seasons and is believed to have invested
as little as £50m of the Qataris' own
money. Most of the borrowing was from Credit
Suisse, but RBS added a high-risk mezzanine
tranche of £130m.
7. Qataris face £100m demand to support
care homes group (continued…)
Other privately-owned care chains are said to be facing
pressure to put in more equity.
Ed. If the cost of borrowing becomes much
‘tighter’ there will be some serious repercussions
throughout the social care sector with care
homes closing and being sold to developers
(when they get the cash) and others, permanently
removing beds from the sector.
8. Excelcare Holdings Plc re-opens extended
home
16 May 2008
Excelcare which has 1,800 beds across southern
England has extended its care home, Ashlyn Care
centre, in Harlow by the addition of 17 beds and refurbished
the premises over 18 months.
The home now has 60 beds and there is a focus on
Alzheimer’s Disease.
9. Southern Cross open three new care
homes
16 May 2008
One home is in Scotland under the Ashbourne Senior
Living brand, another in Scotland providing specialist
care for acquired brain injury patients and a
third in the North East catering for people with Autistic
Spectrum disorders.
The new facilities will add 122 beds, many will
command ‘premium’ payments.
10. BUPA to become Australia’s leading private
health fund
14 May 2008
The Federal Court of Australia has approved MBF’s
change of status, clearing the way for merger with
BUPA Australia to go ahead.
In December last year, the MBF Board announced its
support for BUPA’s A$2.41 billion proposal to combine
the two businesses and create Australia’s leading
private health fund. Since then, approval has
been sought and granted by the MBF Council, the
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission,
MBF policyholders and the Australian Federal Court,
who approved MBF’s change of status today. This
means that MBF can now demutualise in order for the
merger to proceed.
BUPA chief executive Val Gooding said:
“This is the largest acquisition and one of the biggest
days in BUPA’s history. We will be the leading private
health fund in Australia with over three million members.
Bringing MBF and BUPA Australia together is a
unique opportunity to deliver significant benefits for
existing and new customers of both health funds as
well as the wider Australian health sector.
The merged group will have access to a wealth of
health expertise, allowing it to take a leadership role
and, importantly, help keep private health insurance
more affordable for Australians.”
The £1 billion merger between BUPA Australia and
MBF represents both a significant geographic shift for
BUPA and the largest acquisition ever undertaken by
the leading health and care company. As a result of
the deal, for the first time, over half of BUPA’s revenues
will be generated outside of the UK.
11. Business big shot: Bill Colvin
14 May 2008 - The Times
A focus on the background of CEO Bill Colvin, his
views on the social care sector and prospects – comment
on ‘eyeing up’ Craegmoor Healthcare – another
of the UK Goliaths of health and social care.
12. Take care
Southern Cross
13 May 2008 - The Times
It might seem unfortunate for Britain’s biggest nursing
home operator to unveil first-half results on the day
that Alan Johnson, the Health Secretary, calls for
more elderly people to be cared for in their own
homes, but that did not stop shares in Southern
Cross gaining nearly 6 per cent as the company disclosed
that it had secured a better-than-expected annual
fee increase of 5 per cent for more than 85 per
cent of its beds.
That update offset any concerns over a dip in occupancy
rates in the six months to March 31 – which
Southern related to a higher number of deaths over
the winter period after an outbreak of Norovirus – and
prompted upgrades of profit forecasts. The rally in the
shares also reflects an element of relief.
13. Southern Cross Healthcare Group
13 May 2008 - The Times
Report on first-half sales up 28.2%.
14. Southern Cross beats forecasts
12 May 2008 - Reuters
Southern Cross confident as sales rise
12 May 2008 - Cityam.com
Care home operator Southern Cross Health Care
Group reported total revenues in the first half of the
year rose 28.2% to £431.2m, as demand for its services
grow.
Southern Cross earnings were ahead of forecasts
after securing increased fees in excess of expectation.
The company derives 70% of revenue from councils,
nevertheless, the increase in fees was reported as
5%.
"With demand for our services increasing as the UK
population ages, we are confident that Southern
Cross is well placed to make further progress which
is reflected in the re-basing of our interim dividend"
said chief executive Bill Colvin.
Fees rose were negotiated above expectations and
core earnings for the half-year period ended 30
March 2008, after adjustment, rose 41% to £30.8m.
Its interim dividend has been re-based by 50% to
3.75p, "reflecting the group's confidence in future
growth."
15. Southern Cross sales soar on fee-perbed
rise
12 May 2008 - Times Online
Mr Colvin said Southern Cross was interested in buying
Craegmoor which is Britain’s fifth-largest provider:
"We are looking at it, that's all we can say."
Ed. Craegmoor was put up for sale by the private
equity arm of Legal & General last month.
Care Homes
16. NCF supports the National Care Homes
Week
13 May 2008 – NCF
From 2- 6 June 2008, care homes across the country
will be celebrating National Care Homes Week and
will be spearheaded by social care magazine, Caring
Business, which aims to promote excellence in the
sector.
For full report click here
Care Quality Commission
17. ECCA Welcomes CQC Chair
15 May 2008
The English Community Care Association welcomed
the appointment of Baroness Young as the Shadow
Chair of the Care Quality Commission.
Martin Green, Chief Executive of ECCA, said:
“ECCA is looking forward to working with Lady Young
and the new Commission to ensure that the role of
social care is acknowledged and supported by the
regulator. We are particularly delighted that Lady
Young has agreed to speak at ECCA’s national conference
on 12th of November where she will outline
her vision for social care regulation”.
18. Care Quality Commission Chair announced
15 May 2008 - COI
Health Secretary Alan Johnson confirmed the appointment
of Baroness Young of Old Scone, Barbara
Young, as shadow Chair of the Care Quality Commission
(CQC) – she will take over on 01.06.08.
The announcement follows an independent recruitment
exercise conducted by the Appointments Commission
and a pre-appointment scrutiny hearing by
the Health Select Committee, which subsequently
endorsed Barbara Young for appointment as the
CQC Chair.
Barbara Young is currently the Chief Executive of the
Environment Agency.
Barbara Young said:
"I am delighted to be selected for this job. It will be
important to draw on the excellent practices of the
predecessor Commissions and the experience and
commitment of their staff in ensuring fair, high quality
and safe services for users and patients. I am committed
to ensuring that users, patients, their carers
and families are given a voice at the heart of everything
that the Care Quality Commission does."
Ed. Subject to the passage of Health and Social
Care Bill currently going through Parliament, the
Commission will be created in October 2008 with
the intention of taking over, from 1 April 2009,
from the Commission for Social Care Inspection,
the Healthcare Commission, and the Mental
Health Act Commission.
As Chair of the CQC Barbara Young will receive
£79,014 per annum for three days a week, the
post is for four years and may be renewable for a
further term.
Case Reports
Law Reports
19. Re A (child)
The Court of Appeal held that a new care order had
to be made on the basis of a revised care plan where
a judge had refused to allow a grandfather contact
with his grandchild (on the basis of an outdated care
plan, which stated that contact was not supported by
the local authority or guardian) where contact was
not opposed.
20. X v NHS Trust
In a Judicial Review hearing Foskett J held that
where under the Mental Health Act 1983 s.37 a hospital
order had been made, and the 28-day period for
compliance with the order had expired, the order
nevertheless remained valid until set
aside. Therefore, although the detention of the offender
after the expiration of that period was technically
unlawful, the obligation to comply with the order,
albeit late, subsisted and his detention was lawfully
justified.
Disciplinary cases
Nothing to report
Cases in the news
21. Superbug test case can go ahead
14 May 2008 – BBC News
Elizabeth Miller, from Lanarkshire has learned that
she can now bring a test case against an NHS
board. Mrs Miller contracted the MRSA bug in 2001
whilst recovering from a heart operation in Glasgow’s
Royal Infirmary.
Glasgow NHS Board mounted a legal challenge
against her case but lost.
For full report click here
22. Home staff cleared of OAP neglect
12 May 2008 – BBC News
Eight nursing home workers have been cleared of
neglecting a patient after the prosecution dropped the
case in respect of Gladys Thomas, 84. Gladys died
within five weeks of arriving at Bryngwyn Mountleigh
nursing home in Newbridge, Caerphilly, in September
2005.
She was admitted to hospital a month later, where
staff found she had fractures to her collar bone and
rib.
For full report click here
Children
Nothing to report
Conferences & Courses
23. 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
24. The cost of mental health care and delivering
effective interventions
Tuesday 3 June 2008, 9.30am–1.00pm, King's
Fund, London
The announcement of the development of the first
National Dementia Strategy in 2007 and the introduction
of a major new government programme to improve
access to psychological therapies, signals the
importance of mental health service provision in the
NHS. Both initiatives have emphasised the need for
early diagnosis and interventions in improving the
quality of care for those with mental health disorders.
Recognising the impact of mental health in terms of
the overall health of the population and the cost to the
NHS, the King's Fund has commissioned a report into
the future costs of mental health services.
As a mental health professional this conference will
give you the opportunity to hear about how the practical
challenges to delivering cost-effective interventions
can be met and overcome and what the role of
service providers in this is.
This conference will aim to do the following.
Share findings and practical implications from the
King's Fund report.
Feature practical case studies of how services are
being provided from two sides of the spectrum: on
anxiety disorders and depressive disorders, which
affect a large number of people but with fairly low
treatment costs; and on schizophrenia, which has
higher treatment costs but affects fewer people.
Share perspectives from primary care, mental health
trusts and the voluntary sector on how they see their
role in providing cost-effective interventions and how
the challenges to implementation can be overcome.
Keynote speakers:
Professor Martin Knapp, Professor of Health Economics,
Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London
Jenny Owen, Co-lead of National Dementia Strategy
and Adults, Health and Community Wellbeing Executive
Director, Essex County Council.
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.
25. Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum keynote
seminar
Food in Hospitals and other Care Settings – a
fresh approach?
Morning, 4th June 2008, Westminster, SW1
Agenda | Our Website | Book Online
Delegates at this seminar – representing policy makers,
health professionals, and other interested parties
– will examine the current state of hospital food service
across the UK. The agenda focuses in part on
the Department of Health’s Improving Nutritional Care
– A Joint Action Plan.
Discussions will cover the commitments being offered
by the dignity and respect agenda in the plan, and the
implications of the five delivery subgroups: screening,
raising awareness, guidance, training and inspection,
and regulation. There will also be a look at the potential
role of the Quality Care Commission, including
whether there is a need for mandatory regulation of
the quality of food in hospitals across Britain. Delegates
will also assess whether the Action Plan offers
an opportunity for far-reaching and achievable
change, and what next steps are necessary to improve
the provision of food in hospitals.
Organised on the basis of strict impartiality by the
Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum, the event is
supported by Compass Group.
Sessions will look at:
Progress and barriers in providing nutritious hospital
food;
Latest evidence on sustainable food in the care setting
and NHS pilot projects;
Next steps on guidance and training for staff and carers;
Innovative approaches to raising the quality of hospital
food; and
Inspection, regulation and the way forward in policy.
Speakers
We are delighted that Gordon Lishman, Chair of the
Department of Health’s Nutrition Action Plan Delivery
Board, and Director General of Age Concern England,
will be delivering a keynote address at this
seminar; as well as Richard Wilson, Director of Nutrition
and Dietetics at King’s College Hospital, and
Chair of the Awareness Delivery Sub-group for the
Nutrition Action Plan.
Other confirmed speakers include: Jamie Black,
Business Development Director, Compass Group;
Rosie Blackburn, Project Officer, Good Food on the
Public Plate, Sustain: Alliance for Better Food and
Farming; Debbie Dzik-Jurasz, Nutrition Now Project
Lead, Royal College of Nursing; Dr Rekha Elaswarapu,
Lead – Older people, Healthcare Commission;
Professor Marinos Elia, Professor of Clinical
Nutrition & Metabolism, University of Southampton;
Caroline Lecko, Nutrition Lead, Safer Practice Department,
National Patient Safety Agency; Dr Sumantra
Ray, Senior Clinical Research & Teaching Fellow,
University of Dundee College of Medicine, Dentistry &
Nursing; Justine Sharpe, Head of Nutrition & Dietetics
Services, Mayday University Hospital; Emma Smith,
Head of Campaigns and Communications, Coeliac
UK; Ros Speight, National Secretary, National Association
of Care Catering, & Chair of Training & Guidance
Delivery Sub-group, Nutrition Action Plan, Department
of Health; and Kevan Wallace, National
Vice Chairman, Hospital Caterers Association & Assistant
Hotel Services Manager, Frimley Park Hospital
NHS Trust.
Earl Howe, Opposition Spokesperson for Health &
Social Services, has kindly agreed to chair part of this
seminar.
Booking arrangements
To book your place, please use our online booking
form.
Once submitted, all bookings will be taken as confirmed,
and will be subject to our terms and conditions
(listed, below).
Whilst payment should be made in advance by credit
card on 01276 489144, if advance credit card payment
is not possible please let me know, as we may
– in certain circumstances - be able make other arrangements.
For those who cannot attend:
Copies of the briefing document, including full transcripts
of all speeches, plus 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.
26. 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
27. Tackling the Social Exclusion of Older
People
Tuesday 17th June 2008 – Central London
Please note that we are now taking bookings on this
popular event, which is CPD Certified, supported by
Age Concern, The Age and Employment Network
and Help the Aged, and includes a keynote
address from Mike O’Brien QC MP, Minister of State
for Work and Pensions, Department for Work and
Pensions. 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
with Adult Social Services, Social Inclusion, Older
People’s Teams and Independent Living Managers,
so that all stakeholders are given the opportunity
to attend this important event.
Please click here for further details of this conference.
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 Gillian Crosby, Director, Centre for Policy
on Ageing, our expert speakers include:
Ruth Eley, National Programme Lead, Older and
Disabled People, CSIP, Department of Health
Patrick South, Head of Public Affairs, Age Concern
Jacqui Hitchen, Senior Lecturer, Edge Hill University
Angela Whelan, Senior Lecturer, Edge Hill University
Paul McGarry, Principal Programme Manager, Valuing
Older People, Manchester City Council
Chris Ball, Chief Executive, The Age and Employment
Network
Paul Cann, Director of Policy and External Relations,
Help the Aged
Sylvia Brims, Housing for Older People Services
Manager, SLFHA Ltd
Jon Allen, Independent Living Facilitator, Cambridge
City Council
Capita’s National Tackling the Social Exclusion of
Older People Conference brings together expert
speakers from forward thinking organisations. They
will provide practical insight and advice on how local
authorities, housing organisations, health and social
care providers and third sector organisations can
work together to improve the quality of life for older
people in the community.
Benefits of Attending include:
Hear the latest Government strategy for older people
from the Minister of State for Work and Pensions
Discover the practical measures being taken by the
Department of Health to effect positive change in
health and social care for older people
Hear the findings of Age Concern’s Out of Sight, Out
of Mind research project and the practical recommendations
Get to grips with ways to build intergenerational
relationships through joined up activities
Learn how to organise an effective multi agency
older people strategy from a successful service provider
Explore ways to tackle the age discrimination issues
highlighted by Help the Aged’s Less Equal
Than Others public consultation
Consider ways to promote a positive attitude towards
our ageing population
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.
28. 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
29. CSCI national conference
The Commission for Social Care Inspection is
holding its third national conference on Wednesday
25 June 2008 at the QEII Conference Centre,
London.
For more details click here
30. Delivering Quality Care
26 June 2008
One-day case study led conference at Hyatt Regency,
Birmingham offering insight from policy advisors,
CSCI and providers.
Cost £349 plus VAT, discounts for those who register
places before 30.05.08 and multiple bookings of
three or more.
31. Westminster eForum keynote seminar
Personal Data in the Information Age
Morning, 3rd July 2008, Westminster, SW1
This seminar is supported by Information Commissioner’s
Office
Live Agenda | Our Website | Book Online
The amount of data held by organisations has grown
significantly in the past few years, but the centralisation
of information also increases the potential fallout
from any mistake. Banks, high street chains and government
departments have all suffered from significant
data security breaches, leaving in some cases
millions exposed to possible ID fraud.
With misplaced laptops, and disappearing disks, data
lapses, have rarely been out of the headlines in the
past year. Personal Data in the Information Age, organised
in consultation with the Information Commissioner’s
Office, will offer a platform for discussion and
offer an opportunity for the sharing of best practice
and views on the way ahead.
Sessions will look at:
The collection, use and retention of personal data;
The security challenges, and best practice, in securing
held information; and
Future approaches to policy.
I have included a copy of the current draft agenda, to
give you a feel for the morning. You can follow the
updated, live agenda here, at our website.
Organised on the basis of strict impartiality by the
Westminster eForum, this seminar is supported by
the Information Commissioner’s Office
Speakers
We are delighted that David Smith, Deputy Information
Commissioner, Information Commissioner’s Office,
will be delivering a keynote address at this seminar.
Other confirmed speakers currently include: Anna
Fielder, Senior Policy Advisor, National Consumer
Council Hazel Grant, Partner, International Privacy
and Data Protection Group, Bird & Bird; Marlene
Winfield, National Patient Lead, Connecting for
Health; Phillip Webb, Chair, Government Relations
Group, British Computer Society; and Katy Worobec,
Head of Fraud Control, APACS.
The Earl of Erroll, Secretary, All Party Parliamentary
Group for Communications has kindly agreed to chair
part this seminar. Further senior speakers are being
approached.
All delegates will receive free PDF copies and are
invited to contribute to the content.
The Westminster eForum 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. Forum events are frequently
the platform for major policy statements from senior
Ministers, regulators and other officials, opposition
spokesmen and senior opinion formers in industry
and interest groups. Events regularly receive prominent
coverage in the national and trade press.
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 Personal Data in the Information
Age (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.
32. Action on Elder Abuse
Achieving Justice - Supporting Victims
7th July 2008
Ort House Conference Centre, London
Action on Elder Abuse is running a major conference
on abuse, criminal justice and supporting victims in
London in early July. As policy makers and practitioners
increasingly locate their work within a criminal
justice context, this conference poses the questions:
• How do we ensure justice for victims of abuse?
• Can we put victims of abuse at the centre of the
criminal justice system?
• How do we support victims of these crimes effectively?
• Do we need greater clarity of roles and responsibilities
within this work?
With a keynote speech by Deputy Chief Constable
Richard Crompton ACPO lead on vulnerable adults
and Vulnerable and intimidated victims
Speakers have been invited from a number of organisations
including:
Crown Prosecution Service
Victim Support
MIND
The Metropolitan Police Service
Chaired by Keith M Lewin
£126 + VAT for members
£140 + VAT for non-members
Discussing the often complicated relationship between
abuse, safeguarding systems, policies and
procedures and the criminal justice system: This conference
is a must for professionals working with older
people, safeguarding staff and staff from criminal justice
agencies.
A full, detailed programme and booking form will be
available shortly, but to register your interest and request
a booking form, please contact Daisy Goodstien
on daisygoodstien@elderabuse.org.uk or call us
on 0208 765 7000.
If you have any queries please contact us on 0208
765 7000.
Registration will open at 10.00am, coffee will be available.
10.00 Registration opens and welcome coffee
available
10.45 Welcome and introduction - Keith Lewin,
Chair, Brunswicks LLP
11.00 Keynote Address – Deputy Chief Constable
Richard Crompton, ACPO, Lead on
vulnerable adults, and vulnerable and
intimidated victims.
11.35 Dru Sharpling, Chief Crown Prosecutor
of London, Crown Prosecution Service
12.10 Daniel Blake, Policy Development Manager,
Action on Elder Abuse
12.40 Anna Bird, Mind
13.15 Lunch
14.15 Panel Discussion
Participants to be confirmed.
15.15 Rachel Griffin, Victim Support
15.45 PC Gordon Holmes, Operation Stirling,
Metropolitan Police Service
16.15 Chairs Closing Remarks
16.30 END
© Brunswicks LLP 2008 http://www.brunswickslaw.eu Page 12
33. “Implementing the Independent Living
Strategy: Delivering Choice and Control for
Disabled People” Westminster Briefing hosted
by The House Magazine on Wednesday, 9th July
2008 held in Westminster.
The recently launched cross-governmental Independent
Living strategy underlines the Government’s commitment
to supporting disabled people. It aims to provide more
choice and control over how their needs will be met as well
as putting in place measures to tackle barriers in accessing
health, housing, transport, and employment opportunities.
It is designed to make a real and measurable impact on the
lives of disabled people with a commitment to monitor its
impact, year-on-year, in partnership with disabled people.
Delegates at this Westminster Briefing will have the
opportunity to consider how the strategy will be implemented,
its implications and the way forward to
fully achieving the goals of “independent living” for
disabled people. Please refer to the attached
agenda for further details.
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.
T: 020 7096 2916
F: 020 7096 2946
E: nick.rotsides@westminster-briefing.com
34. Westminster Health Forum keynote seminar
Mental Health - New Horizons: after the National
Service Framework
Morning, 17th July 2008, Westminster SW1
Live Agenda| Our Website | Book Online
This seminar will examine issues around the provision
and quality of mental health services, following
on from the National Service Framework (NSF) - and
as the Darzi Review of the NHS is published.
The aim is to bring key stakeholders together with
policy makers from government and Parliament to
discuss what can be done to address stigma associated
with mental health, inequalities in the system,
and the next steps for improving care.
The updated, ‘live’ agenda can be viewed at our website.
The seminar has been structured in consultation with
senior officials at the Department of Health, and is
organised on a strictly impartial basis by the Westminster
Health Forum.
Planned sessions will look at:
The state of mental health in the UK and the impact
of the NSF on mental health services;
The role of early intervention and the next steps for
providing advanced diagnosis and treatment;
Tackling inequalities and stigma in mental health
care; and
Next steps for improving mental health in the UK.
We are delighted that Professor Louis Appleby, National
Director for Mental Health, Department of
Health, and Kathryn Tyson, Programme Director for
Mental Health, Department of Health, will both be
giving keynote addresses at this seminar.
Dr Jo Smith, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, and
Joint National Early Intervention Lead, NIMHE will
also be speaking. Further speakers are expected to
be confirmed shortly.
Output
All delegates will receive free PDF copies and are
invited to contribute to the content.
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 Mental Health – New Horizons: after the
National Service Framework (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.
35. 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.
April O’Donoughue
Tel: +1 (450) 292-3456, ext. 227
Fax: +1 (450) 292-3453
E-mail: info@pal2008.com
Web : www.pal2008.com
36. Delivering effective end-of-life care: developing
partnership working
Wednesday 15 October 2008, 9.30am–4.00pm,
London
Recognition of the need for good-quality end-of-life
care has been steadily increasing, with the release of
the government's End of Life Care Strategy being
imminent. Much pioneering work has been done by a
wide range of organisations across health and social
care. There is now a move towards effective commissioning
and co-ordination of this care, in order to enable
greater choice for those at the end of their life.
Produced in partnership between the King's Fund
and Marie Curie Cancer Care, this one-day conference
will look at how best to deliver end-of-life care.
Key speakers
Professor Mike Richards CBE, Chair, End of Life
Strategy Advisory Board and National Clinical Director
for Cancer
Dr James Beattie, National Clinical Lead, NHS Heart
Improvement Programme and Consultant Cardiologist,
Birmingham Heartlands Hospital
This conference will:
• highlight key challenges for implementation of
the End of Life Care Strategy
• look at how to develop effective service delivery
by ensuring that the right relationships are
developed between organisations and that staff
are well trained to support patients
• identify areas for collaboration and partnership
working across health and social 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.
37. 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
38. CSCI Newsletter
16 May 2008
CSCI national conference
Being excellent - celebrating good practice and
innovation in social care
CSCI is holding its third (and possibly last) national
conference on 25.06.08 at the QEII Conference Centre,
London.
More information about CSCI’s national conference
39. New: PRM reports online
Read annual performance reports on corporate
providers
Our provider relationship manager (PRM) reports
provide an overview on how effective corporate providers
are and what improvements they need to
make.
Find a PRM report online
Ed. Unless the corporate providers have agreed
to the publication of these reports it may be that,
even though the information is almost a full 12
months out of date, there will be challenges.
CSCI is authorised to inspect care homes and
must provide reports on what they find; to use
the words of the Care Standards Act 2000,
[CSCI]... shall prepare a report on the matters
inspected and shall without delay send a copy of
the report to each person who is registered... It
seems to me that, unless there has been an
amendment to legislation that I have missed –
and lets face it, we are being bombarded with
continual change it is hard sometimes to keep
abreast of them all – there is no power for CSCI
to publish this material in the way that it has.
Something which has the potential to affect values
and share prices!
40. Pandemic influenza update for care services
and Care Commission Officers
16 May 2008 – SCRC
The Scottish Government has published infection
control guidance for a variety of settings such as
hospitals and primary care (including care homes),
healthcare, schools and early years or group childcare,
childminders, further education, residential settings
for children and vulnerable adults amongst others.
For full report click here
41. Care Quality Commission Chair announced
15 May 2008 – NCF
Health Secretary, Alan Johnson has confirmed the
appointment of Baroness Young of Old Scone, Barbara
Young, as shadow Chair of the Care Quality
Commission (CQC).
The announcement followed an independent recruitment
exercise conducted by the Appointments Commission
and a pre-appointment scrutiny hearing by
the Health Select Committee.
For full report click here
42. More patients say they receive excellent
care from NHS hospitals in major national
survey
14 May 2008 – Healthcare Commission
Healthcare Commission has highlighted variations in
performance and is now urging poorer performing
trusts to learn from the best
More patients are rating the care provided by NHS
hospitals as “excellent”, according to the survey coordinated
by the Picker Institute.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
newsandevents/pressreleases.cfm?
cit_id=6463&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&useca
che=false
43. Debate on Health and Social Care Bill –
Grand Committee
12 May 2008
Baroness Cumberlege in the debate about detailed
issues said, amongst other things and commenting
upon the clause creating the right for the
Care Quality Commission to seek urgent closure
of a provider/care home – what we currently call
Section 20 Urgent Cancellation (referring to s 20
Care Standards Act 2000):
Closing an establishment is a draconian measure and
affects not only the resident or patient at risk but all
the other residents or patients who share the facility
and who may not be at risk.
I do not doubt that this measure is necessary. I know
that CSCI has used it only nine times in the past year
and, knowing the integrity of that organisation, I have
no doubt that it was used appropriately. However, this
vast new regulator, the Care Quality Commission, will
have to have a depth of administration; we know that
large organisations are much more difficult to manage
and we do not know what level or quality of person
will be involved in making these decisions.
For 12 years I was a JP and I remember being called
in on a Saturday morning or late in the evening to sit
alone and make immediate decisions on some very
difficult cases. I was reliant on the information given
to me by the police or other authority. The cases were
presented as having no alternative. Later, reflecting
on a case, I used to wonder whether other possible
avenues had been explored. I would have welcomed
a prompt to consider the wider issues or, in our context,
for the clerk to remind me that I should be sure
that a decision was proportionate and that action had
been taken to accommodate the other residents or
patients.
To read more... http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/
ld200708/ldhansrd/text/80512-gc0001.htm
Education
44. Clampdown on disability bullying
15 May 2008 – BBC News
Schools Secretary, Ed Balls, has announced that
English schools will be advised on how to stop the
bullying of children with special needs or disabilities.
The charity Mencap says eight out of 10 children with
a learning disability have been bullied, and six out of
10 physically hurt.
For full report click here
Ireland, Scotland & Wales
Ireland
Nothing to report
Scotland
45. 'Virulent' bug hits two hospitals
16 May 2008 – BBC News
Four patients at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and
five at Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow have been affected
by the C.diff infection.
Health Protection Scotland said both clusters involved
the virulent 027 strain of the infection but
were unrelated to each other.
Two of the nine patients have now died, however, C.
diff was said to be a contributory factor but not the
main cause of death.
For full report click here
46. £10m health savings plan proposed
15 May 2008 – BBC News
NHS Borders has drawn up an action plan to meet a
savings target of £10m over the next three years.
The potential cost-cutting measures include plans to
close a palliative care ward at Borders General Hospital
near Melrose, and a number of available beds at
other hospitals in the region would be reduced during
the summer months.
For full report click here
47. NHS Board admits drugs mistakes
12 May 2008 – BBC News
NHS Tayside has issued figures showing over 500
mistakes that had been made when issuing drugs
over the last three years. The errors included the
wrong medicine being prescribed, paperwork issues
and delays in getting drugs to wards.
A patients' group claimed that most of the 539 faults
could have been avoided if doctors were able to
spend more time with those who were ill, whereby
NHS Tayside said not all the mistakes were a serious
threat to patients and they reported even minor errors.
For full report click here
Wales
48. Report on proposed Vulnerable Children
LCO published
14 May 2008 – Children in Wales
The Assembly’s Proposed Vulnerable Children Legislative
Competence Order (LCO) Committee has now
published its report. It agrees, in principle, that new
legislative powers should be conferred on the Assembly
in relation to vulnerable children and child poverty.
For full report click here
Learning Disabilities
49. Clampdown on disability bullying
15 May 2008 – BBC News
For full report see Education—item 44
Legislation Update
Nothing to report
Mental Health
Nothing to report
Miscellaneous
50. You don’t need perfect exam grades to be
a good doctor
16 May 2008 - The Times
Researchers from King’s College London say that
one does need to have top marks at A levels to succeed.
Ed. I guess it is just as well you don’t; in the
same edition there was a headline ‘Don’t expect
your results to be accurate, watchdog warns pupils
– so, that’s OK then!
51. New drug 'can kill MRSA superbug'
18 May 2008 – BBC News
British scientists are working on a drug which can
apparently destroy the most virulent strains of superbug
MRSA. Researchers at Brighton-based Destiny
Pharma are testing the drug and hope that it can be
used in hospitals by 2011.
For full report click here
52. King’s Fund to lead DoH programme on
care of dying patients
15 May 2008 – NCF
The King’s Fund will lead a new £1 million programme
funded by the Department of Health.
Nurse-led teams in 19 NHS trusts and one prison will
work to improve facilities to care for patients at the
end of life, the bereaved and the frontline staff who
care for them.
The projects will be including new palliative care
beds, improvements to facilities for families and visitors,
dedicated bereavement suites and refurbished
mortuary viewing facilities.
For full report click here
53. Innovation for Life Challenge Fund: Letter
from Ivan Lewis to Chief Executives at
Strategic Health Authorities and Primary
Care Trusts
14 May 2008 – DoH
A letter from Ivan Lewis, Parliamentary Under Secretary
of State for Care Services, outlining his personal
challenge to health and social care commissioners to
identify social enterprise solutions that have the potential
to lead to real social change and improvement
in health and well-being.
For full report click here
54. Prime Minister announces Green Paper
debate
12 May 2008
The English Community Care Association responded
to the Prime Minister’s announcement of a Green
Paper debate on the funding of social care.
Martin Green, Chief Executive of ECCA, said:
“This debate must start with a thorough review of the
true costs of care and must be long-term in its scope
so that both individuals and care providers can plan
for the next forty to fifty years. Nothing must be ruled
out of this discussion and the conversation must be
realistic and deal with the difficult issues that we face
in the future”.
55. Brown vows to make care 'fairer'
12 May 2008 - BBC News
Prime Minister Gordon Brown outlined the need for
reform of social care for those in need of long term
care. He said that without radical reform, the care
system in England faces a shortfall of £6bn in 20
years. His speech begins a six-month public consultation
focused on making care services fairer and
affordable.
Ed. I am pleased to see that the seriousness of
this subject has warranted an extended consultation
period – normally one has a max of 12 weeks
to respond to Govt consultation.
56. Quantum Care Celebrates Carers’
Achievement
9 May 2008
Quantum Care held it’s second Care Awards ceremony,
where members of staff were rewarded for
making an outstanding contribution to the lives of
older people living in its 27 Residential Homes.
Over two hundred staff and guests attended the gala
ceremony at a Hertfordshire Hotel. Special guests
included County Councillor Sally Newton, Sarah
Pickup, Director of Adult Care Services for Hertfordshire
County Council, Des Kelly OBE. Executive Director
of the National Care Forum, and Martin
Greene, Chief Executive of the English Community
Care Association.
Maria Ball, Chief Executive of Quantum Care said:
“We created these awards as we wanted to be able to
identify and thank those members of staff who are
committed to excellence and best practice. We are
extremely proud of our staff, and this is a great way to
publicly thank them for the fantastic work they do in
ensuring our residents get the highest quality of care”.
NHS
57. Private patient refused NHS op
18 May 2008 - The Sunday Times