Editorial
It has happened. The Government has engages in
so much public relations spin that it seems to be
acknowledging that the public is distrusting of what it
is told by Government and Government departments.
How do I know?
Well, if you go to item 77 in this issue you will see
that there is a tender invitation to identify an
‘independent operator’ to provide a ‘seal of approval’
assuring the public that the information provided to
them when they are making choices about their
health and care is trustworthy.
What a terrible condemnation of all of our public
bodies that they are not seen as people we can trust.
Call me naive, but I really want the public to be able
to trust what government and government bodies,
including Quangos, tell them. That the information is
authoritative and completely trustworthy.
The fact that there is the tender process must mean
that the Government acknowledges that the level of
trust has been fatally undermined. However, it is the
taxpayer who will end up footing the bill for all of this.
Turning to an error of my own; I am indebted to Hugh
Davis who drew my attention to item 66 in last
week’s BHCR. It contains an error.
The approach adopted by Oxfordshire PCT was
taken not to recover a budget overspend of £23, but,
£23 million!
You will see that the Oxfordshire approach is now
more widely adopted as all GPs are now being asked
to review hospital referrals (see item XXX in this
issue) from which they can earn up to
a further £20,000.
Its an ill wind... as they say.
This week’s article—’The No Secrets consultation—facts and fictions’
In the week that Government announces a consultation on the review of the local authority guidance ‘No Secrets’
Gary Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of campaigning charity Action on Elder Abuse, in the first of several articles sets
out his view of the consultation now underway of the No Secrets document published eight years ago.
Mr Fitzgerald while welcoming a review has identified a number of flaws not only in the review process but in the
muddled thinking surrounding many of the issues challenging those engaged in vulnerable adult ‘protection’ work.
To read article click here.
Parliament
20.10.08 – HoL - Baroness Gardner of Parkes to
ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it will
introduce co-payments for specialist NHS drug
treatments; and under what circumstances copayment
is now permitted in the National Health
Service.
Next
Abuse
1. DH: Government still open-minded on
adult protection law
17 October 2008 – Community Care
Government still open-minded on adult protection
law
17 October 2008—Counsel and Care
Action on Elder Abuse together with Voice UK and
Mind will campaign for legislation to combat elder
abuse. Gary FitzGerald chief executive of Action on
Elder Abuse said the alliance - representing the older
people's, mental health and learning disability sectors
- would seek to shape the Department of
Health's review of the No Secrets guidance.
FitzGerald said the coalition would be based on the
Making Decisions Alliance, which was set up in 2002
and successfully campaigned for a legislative framework
to support decision-making by people who lack
mental capacity in the shape of the Mental Capacity
Act 2005.
For Community Care report click here
2. Charity warns that Government review
must go further, or risk leaving older people
with less legal protection than animals
16 Oct 2008
Action on Elder Abuse has welcomed the consultation
on the review of No Secrets as an important step
towards improving the protection of older people and
other adults at risk of abuse. However, it has expressed
concern that the consultation document
does not adequately address major failings of the
current system, and in particular the need for adequate
funding of adult protection work and a legislative
requirement on agencies to collaborate and take
appropriate action.
Gary FitzGerald, Chief Executive of Action on Elder
Abuse (AEA) said, “While the Department of Health
may have held numerous listening events in order to
prepare this document, they have obviously not been
hearing what has been said to them. It is crucial for
the protection of adults at risk of abuse that we have
robust systems in place, which are appropriately
funded, and which have the necessary legal powers
and duties to ensure genuine protection. It is crucial
that the Government integrates the safeguarding of
adults into their new policy of personalisation if they
are to avoid the abandonment of people in very vulnerable
circumstances. If Scotland can understand
these issues it is unacceptable that Westminster cannot
do so.”
In recent years there have been numerous high profile
cases of extreme abuse, (including Margaret
Panting in Sheffield, Stephen Hoskin in Cornwall, the
Hounslow ‘duty of care’ case, and the failings in the
South Tyneside sheltered housing situation). They
receive either no reference or just a passing reference
in the consultation document, although they are
crucial to understanding why the systems established
under guidance are failing to adequately protect.
Continued FitzGerald, “This review is crucial to the
protection of adults at risk of the most horrendous
abuses. The Government cannot afford to get it
wrong, and must not use it to promote other policies,
such as personalisation. While the current system
involves many practitioners who are hard working
and dedicated to the protection of adults facing
abuse, they are hampered by a lack of clarity on local
governance, lack of powers to intervene, lack of funding,
and the failure of agencies to share information
and to work together. If both AEA and the Association
of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS)
have concluded that this situation needs a legislative
response, it is difficult to understand the Government’s
reticence. While they prevaricate on these
matters, the system continues to fail, and adults (like
Margaret Panting and Stephen Hoskin) continue to
suffer and in some cases die.”
AEA is calling on the Government to introduce legislation
for:
• A statutory basis for the construction and work of
Adult Protection Committees (APCs).
• A duty on agencies to collaborate, actively participate
at a senior level in APCs, and work together
• A duty on agencies to share information.
• The right to access the adult at risk, without hindrance
or coercion
• Data to inform policy planning.
• Adequate funding for adult protection work
Concluded FitzGerald, “The argument is not complex.
We know from child protection and domestic
violence experiences that legislation is needed to ensure
that protection works effectively. We even know
it from animal protection too. If the Government understood
the need, and found time last year, to introduce
the Animal Welfare Act, it is not unreasonable to
ask why they can’t do at least as much for adults experiencing
abuse. Like most people, I like kittens and
puppies. But are they really more important than our
old people?”
3. Elderly to get more protection from thieving
relatives
16 October 2008 - The Times
Pensioners receive less protection from
abuse than pets, campaigners warn
16 October 2008 - Telegraph
The Government is to update its guidance on how
older people can be protected now that increasing
numbers are managing their own care, rather than
local authorities doing it.
The charity Action on Elder Abuse has warned that
new legislation must be brought in to safeguard vulnerable
people and pointed out that pets are already
protected from abuse by law. The consultation asks
whether there should be a new law against illtreatment
of a vulnerable adult.
The charity believes two-thirds of abuse of the elderly
is perpetrated in their own homes by family,
friends of neighbors, and has dealt with 900 cases of
thefts from pensioners by people they know in the
past two years alone.
Gary FitzGerald, its chief executive, said: "The argument
is not complex. We know from child protection
and domestic violence experiences that legislation is
needed to ensure that protection works effectively.
We even know it from animal protection too.
"If the Government understood the need, and found
time last year, to introduce the Animal Welfare Act, it
is not unreasonable to ask why they can't do at least
as much for adults experiencing abuse. Like most
people, I like kittens and puppies. But are they really
more important than our old people?"
Phil Hope, the care services minister, said: "The No
Secrets guidance must be updated to make sure
everyone - individuals, police, care agencies, the
NHS and local authorities prevent abuse, and also
recognise it and stamp it out if it does occur.
"The consultation is particularly relevant as more
people gain control of their own care. I want to help
people maintain this control and independence, free
from fear of abuse. I look forward to hearing people's
views and will not hesitate to take tough action to improve
safeguarding for those in vulnerable situations."
4. Review of vulnerable adult care
16 October 2008 - BBC News
The government is launching a major review of the
protection given to the elderly and other vulnerable
adults.
Charity Action on Elder Abuse says current care guidance
is often ignored, leading to "atrocious" cases of
physical, mental and financial abuse. AEA says financial
exploitation in particular is a growing problem.
It says that in the last two years it has dealt with almost
900 cases of money or assets - including 178
houses - being stolen from older people by members
of their own family.
The thefts amounted to a total of £41.5m.
The AEA is also demanding legalisation to allow the
creation and funding of adult protection committees
across Britain.
The charity cites a number of examples of abuse,
including the case of Stephen Hoskin, a man with
severe learning difficulties who died while under the
care of Cornwall social services in 2006. He was
tortured and murdered after being "befriended" by a
gang and a review later concluded that agencies involved
in his care had missed 40 warnings and
chances for intervention.
For full report click here
5. Government consults on safeguarding vulnerable
adults
16 Oct 2008
Care Services Minister Phil Hope launched a consultation
on how to improve safeguarding policy - the
protection of vulnerable adults - and address abuse in
all its forms in the care system.
The 'No Secrets' guidance for local authorities, the
police and the NHS to work together to protect adults
is already in place. The Government now wants to
make sure it keeps up with changes in the social care
system, with the new emphasis on choice and control
and changing forms of abuse.
Key issues on which Government is seeking views
are:
* Whether there is now a need for legislation,
* The feasibility of a national database of recommendations
from serious case reviews where abuse has
occurred
* What new measures are needed in the face of increased
'personalisation' of care with more people
now being in charge of their own care instead of local
authorities
* What new measures are needed in the face of
changing forms of abuse, such as financial abuse
Phil Hope said:
"I am determined to improve safeguarding of vulnerable
people. We need a greater focus on prevention,
a greater emphasis on safeguarding in commissioning
services and support, and greater empowerment
of people to determine how they wish to be safeguarded.
The No Secrets guidance must be updated
to make sure everyone - individuals, police, care
agencies, the NHS and local authorities prevent
abuse, and also recognise it and stamp it out if it
does occur.
"The consultation is particularly relevant as more
people gain control of their own care. I want to help
people maintain this control and independence, free
from fear of abuse. I look forward to hearing people's
views and will not hesitate to take tough action to
improve safeguarding for those in vulnerable situations."
The consultation on the review of No Secrets will run
from 14th October to 31st January 2009.
The consultation can be found on the Department of
Health website at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/
S o c i a l C a r e / S o c i a l c a r e r e f o r m /
Safeguardinganddealingwithabuse/index.htm
Business News
6. The Sunday Times Britain’s 250 biggest
mid-market private companies
19 October 2008 - The Sunday Times
10 McCarthy & Stone—Retirement home builder
14 Healthcare at home—Healthcare provider
16 Spire Healthcare—Private hospital operator
38 Four Seasons Health Care—Social care provider
48 Barchester Healthcare - Care home operator
84 Waymade Healthcare - Pharmaceuticals
94 The Mawdsley Group - Pharmaceuticals
149 Priory Group—Specialist healthcare provider
7. Four Seasons Healthcare Doesn't Expect
to Be Put Up for Sale
19 October 2008 - Bloomberg
Four Seasons Healthcare Ltd., the U.K. care home
operator that defaulted on £1.2 billion of loans last
month, does not expect to be sold by the Qatar Investment
Authority as talks with creditors continue
according to spokesman Robert Mitchell. The Sunday
Times reported today that the Qatari fund may
put Four Seasons up for sale in the coming weeks
after the company failed to agree a debt restructuring
deal.
Four Seasons may attract offers of £800m or less
from bidders including private equity companies
Blackstone Group LP, KKR & Co. LP and Apax Partners
LLP, the newspaper reported, without saying
where it obtained the information.
8. CareTech Holdings PLC
15 October 2008
CareTech (AIM: CTH) a provider of residential and
supported living services for people with learning disabilities
issues the following trading update.
• Trading for the year is in line with expectations
and reflects continuing progress from both organic
development and acquisition growth.
• Enhanced bank facilities in April, together with the
equity fundraising which was concluded in July
have strengthened the balance sheet and provide
additional capacity for further growth.
During the year, CareTech increased its capacity by a
further 279 beds and now supports over 1,300 clients,
by way of residential and supported living services.
Of this capacity growth, 97 (35%) is attributable to
o r g a n i c d e v e l o p m e n t a n d 1 8 2
beds (65%) arising from the acquisitions of Beacon
Care and Valeo Limited. Both acquisitions are integrating
well and performing ahead of expectations.
Occupancy in established services continues
to run at 94% in line with previous years.
The pipeline of organic development and acquisition
opportunities remains strong and CareTech continues
to actively evaluate those that the Directors believe to
be capable of enhancing shareholder value.
The Board remains confident of the Group's prospects
in its specialist social care niche and looks forward
to reporting further progress.
The Board also announced the following appointments:-
Christa Echtle as a Non-Executive Director
w i t h immediate ef f e c t. Chri s ta, a
trained psychotherapist, has considerable experience
of working with high growth companies. She
was previously the Chief Executive of Reed
Health Group plc.
15 October 2008
the Chief Executive of Reed Health Group plc.
After six years as Finance Director, David Spink will
be retiring in December. Prior to his departure,
David will oversee the completion of the 2008
Report and Accounts, and is ensuring that a smooth
transition is made to his successor, David Pugh.
David Pugh trained with KPMG and has spent 14
years in senior financial posts, most recently as
Group Financial Controller at Carillion PLC. David
joined CareTech during the summer and has worked
closely with the Finance Director and the regional
management teams in preparing the business plan
for the forthcoming year. David Pugh will be appointed
to the Board of CareTech at the same time
that David Spink retires in December. A further announcement
will be made in due course.
The Board of CareTech is pleased to announce
that Christa Iris Echtle, has been appointed to the
Board of the Company as a Non-Executive Director
with immediate effect.
Care Homes
9. Joint operation identifies dangerous gas
appliances
17 October 2008
A joint initiative between the Health and Safety Executive
and Gateshead Council resulted in two care
homes being told to take action over potential dangerous
boilers.
A team of officers from HSE and the council visited a
number of privately rented properties in the Bensham
and Chopwell areas of Gateshead recently. A selection
of residential and nursing care homes were also
visited.
In one residential care home the team discovered a
potentially dangerous back boiler with insufficient
ventilation and a dangerous flue. The boiler was condemned
and its use prohibited. The owner of the
home had to make temporary arrangements to provide
hot water and heating for the residents before
replacing the outdated boiler with a brand new combination
boiler.
In addition a nursing care home was running large
commercial boilers which had been identified as being
"at risk" at the annual safety check. The burners
were damaged and needed to be replaced but the
home had continued to run the boilers for two
months. After the intervention by HSE and the council,
the boilers were replaced.
HSE Inspector, Fiona MacNeill, said: "During our visits
we found that the residential and nursing care
homes all had annual safety checks done on their
gas appliances but they had not always acted upon
the defects identified. The competence of those carrying
out the gas safety checks was also an issue. In
one case a registered engineer who was only qualified
to work on small domestic appliances had
worked on large commercial boilers.
"The visits to private properties found that the majority
of landlords were complying with their duties to
ensure that an annual safety check was being done
on gas appliances by a registered installer. However
landlords did not always act on the information in the
CP12 gas safety certificate.
"Our message to landlords and care home owners is
to heed the warning - don't just file the gas safety certificate
away. Look at it and take immediate action on
the areas requiring attention."
Key Messages for Care Homes
* Ensure that gas appliances and flues are maintained
and serviced yearly
* Have all installation, servicing, maintenance and
safety checks carried out by a registered engineer
* If you have a commercial sized installation
(above 70kW) the engineer carrying out the work
must be competent to work on 'non domestic' installations.
* Ensure that your contract with the service supplier
reflects the need for engineers competent in
commercial size installations
* Ask your home managers to check the engineer's
registration card to ensure that he or she
has the required competency
10. Online radio exclusively for care homes
to be launched
16 October 2008 – NCF
Bettercaring.com is launching England’s first online
radio network on 21 October 2008 which is specially
for care homes.
The 24-hour radio show will be transmitting music,
dedications, games and lifestyle features to Britain’s
care home residents in what is being dubbed “a revolution
in entertainment for care home residents.”
For full report click here
11. Care home residents to get more help
switching to digital
14 October 2008 – NCF
Culture Secretary, Andy Burnham, has announced
that all care home residents will get help with the
switch to digital TV following changes to the Switchover
Help Scheme.
For full report click here
Case Reports
Law Reports
12. R.K. and A.K. v United Kingdom
Parents won compensation for the taking into care of
their baby after a medical misdiagnosis that they
were abusing the child. She was later found to have
brittle bones.
Disciplinary cases
Nothing to report
Cases in the news
13. Staff question over dead care man
15 October 2008 – BBC News
A court has heard that a care home resident who
showed signs of rigor mortis when he was discovered
dead should not have been looked after by agency
staff.
Only permanent staff were supposed to be monitoring
52-year-old dementia sufferer Alan Sayers one-to-one
at the care home in Newbridge, south Wales. Four
carers, two managers and a nurse on duty on the night
of his death are denying the wilful neglect of a patient.
For full report click here
14. Trust fined over scalding death
15 October 2008 – BBC News
Servol Community Trust was fined £10,000 and ordered
to pay an additional £10,000 in costs following
the death of George Inwood, 68, who had Parkinson's
disease who was scalded in a bath.
For full report click here
15. Cumbrian care staff sign up for health
and safety advice
14 Oct 2008
More than 100 care home staff in north Cumbria have
signed up to an event that will bring them up to speed
on the latest health and safety legislation.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is working
with Copeland Borough Council to provide a training
seminar for carers, which will explain exactly how
they can meet all their legal obligations and avoid
potential accidents.
The Care Homes Event in Whitehaven is being
funded by the HSE and run by local authority inspectors.
Those attending can expect to get information
on subjects including lift law, Legionella control, slips
and trips, catering safety and dermatitis.
All delegates will receive a CD-ROM containing each
of the presentations and support materials so they
can produce their own tailored health and safety
package.
Bernice Charnock, the HSE's External Relation's Coordinator,
said: "Over the last year there have been
almost one and a half million working days lost to
work-related illness and injury in care homes across
the UK.
"The overwhelming response from care home operators
in the Copeland area shows that staff and managers
are keen to get their health and safety obligations
right. So many have been interested in the
seminar that we've put on an extra event to accommodate
them, but we're all too happy to support this
worthwhile exercise."
The first full day seminar takes place at 9.30am on
Tuesday October 21 at Cumbria Sports Academy,
Overend Road, Hensingham, Whitehaven. The second
event, organised to meet huge demand, will take
place a week later on October 28.
For further Information: Jason Teasdale, Regional
Information Officer, Tel: 0161 952 4460.
Public enquiries: call HSE's InfoLine, Tel: 0845
3450 055.
16. Care home is cleared of negligence over
death
13 October 2008 – BBC News
A care home has been cleared of negligence over the
death of one its residents from blood poisoning.
A criminal investigation was launched into Victoria
House, in Darlington, after a 75-year-old man died of
septicaemia.
For full report go to http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/
news/3748732.Care_home_is_cleared_of_negligence_over_de
ath/
17. Care home boss faces assault charges
against residents
13 October 2008 – BBC News
Ronald Thomas, 80, has told a court how he was
dragged across the floor by the home's owner after
he asked for a fire to be turned on.
He told North Avon magistrates that the incident happened
at Overnhill House nursing home in Downend
before it was closed by the Commissioner of Social
Care Inspection in January this year.
For full report go to http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Carehome-
boss-faces-assault-charges-residents/article-392134-
detail/article.html
Children
18. Young people from Bristol hospitals have
field trip to Glastonbury
15 Oct 2008
Twelve Bristol teenagers, who have spent much of
their young lives in hospital, have exchanged their
ward classroom for the great outdoors. An excursion
to Glastonbury has allowed many of them to experience
a field trip for the first time.
For three days and two nights, young people
aged between 13 and 16, undertook experiences
which many 'well' young people, take for granted,
including night trekking and cave exploration.
The adventure allowed each one of them to
push their own boundaries and take part in opportunities
not usually available to them.
Conferences & Courses
To follow next week
Consultations
19. Responsible officers and their duties relating
to the medical profession - consultation
document
Closing Date: 24 October 2008
The White Paper 'Trust, Assurance and Safety' set
out an ambitious programme for the reform of professional
regulation including the creation of responsible
officers, who will be senior doctors with personal responsibility
for evaluating the conduct and performance
of doctors and making recommendations on
their fitness to practice as part of revalidation.
For full consultation click here
20. Changes to Arrangements for Regulating
NHS Bodies in Relation to Healthcareassociated
Infections for 2009-10: A consultation
for the NHS
Closing Date: 20 October 2008
A consultation seeking views on proposals for regulations
on the registration requirement for healthcareassociated
infections, a revised code of practice for
the prevention and control of healthcare-associated
infections and enforcement policies.
For full consultation click here
21. Public consultation on NHS plans
Closing Date: 31 October 2008
A public consultation outlining proposed improvements
for the next five years by Leicestershire NHS
Partnership Trust.
The plan is to change the partnership trust into a
foundation trust, which would be accountable to local
people and involve them in decision-making.
For full consultation click here
22. Consultation on Legislating for Sure Start
Children's Centres
Closing Date: 6 November 2008
This consultation is seeking views on proposals to
give Sure Start Children's Centres a specific statutory
legal basis, as part of the forthcoming Education and
Skills Bill.
For full consultation click here
23. Consultation on direct payments regulations
Closing Date: 11 November 2008
Direct payments are crucial to achieving the Government's
aim to increase independence, choice and
control for service users and their carers. The Health
and Social Care Act 2008 extends the availability of
direct payments to those people who lack the capacity
to consent. In addition, Government is reviewing
the current exclusions from receiving direct payments.
Government is now consulting on regulations relating
to these two changes.
For full consultation click here
24. Have you booked your place at our next
forum event?
15 October 2008 – SCRC
The Scottish Care Commission still has places left at
their next consultation event which is taking place on
Thursday 27 November in Stornoway at the Cabarfeidh
Hotel.
For full report click here
25. Consultation on a Regime for Unsustainable
NHS Providers
Closing Date: 3 December 2008
Following publication of 'Developing an NHS Performance
Regime' in 06.08, the DoH has announced
proposals detailing the steps that would be taken if
an organisation failed, either for clinical or organisational
reasons.
The regime aims to:
* underpin the NHS performance regime;
* ensure the public receive high-quality services by
supporting quality regulation;
* reinforce the NHS Foundation Trust regime; and
* protect patients and staff from failing services.
The 'Consultation on a Regime for Unsustainable
NHS Providers' picks up at the point where an organisation
has failed to turn its performance
around. The regime is the last step for providers
who are subject to previous recovery actions by
Monitor or the NHS performance regime. It proposes
that a 'Trust Special Administrator' would be appointed
to take control of the Trust to ensure that it
continues to provide safe and effective services for
patients. They would also be required to produce a
report and consult swiftly on proposals for the future
of the trust.
For full consultation click here
26. Consultation on the European Commission's
proposals for a Directive on the application
of patients' rights in cross-border
healthcare
Closing Date 3 December 2008
On 2 July 2008 the European Commission published
a draft Directive on the application of patients’ rights
in cross-border healthcare. This draft Directive is
looking to clarify and codify existing European Court
of Justice case law on when a patients can exercise
their freedom to obtain health services to which they
are entitled to in the UK, in another European Union
Member State.
For full consultation click here
27. Consultation on public, patients', and
other interested parties' views on additional
uses of patient data
Closing Date: 12 December 2008
NHS Connecting for Health is gathering people’s
views to help it make important decisions about the
ways the NHS can use information it collects about
patients.
Patient data is mainly used to provide care and treatment
but can also have additional uses such as research,
auditing the quality and safety of care, management
planning, etc. This consultation is focusing
on additional uses.
For full report click here
28. Consultation on Minimum Frequency of
Inspection for certain Care Services provided
by The Care Commission
Closing Date: 31 December 2008
The Scottish Government wants responses to a consultation
on proposals to Reduce the Minimum Frequency
of Inspections of Certain Care Services by
the Care Commission from 1 April 2009.
For full consultation click here
29. Consultation on a National Framework
For Assessing Children and young people's
Continuing care
Closing Date: 31 December 2008
A consultation on proposals for a National Framework
for assessing children and young people’s continuing
care. The Framework intendeds to assist Primary
Care Trusts to apply a consistent and transparent
approach to assessing the healthcare needs of children
and young people and to work jointly with local
authorities to provide services in the light of those
needs.
For full consultation click here
30. Government consults on safeguarding
vulnerable adults
Closing date: 31 January 2009
Care Services Minister Phil Hope launched a consultation
on how to improve safeguarding policy - the
protection of vulnerable adults - and address abuse in
all its forms in the care system.
The 'No Secrets' guidance for local authorities, the
police and the NHS to work together to protect adults
is already in place. The Government now wants to
make sure it keeps up with changes in the social care
system, with the new emphasis on choice and control
and changing forms of abuse.
Key issues on which Government is seeking views
are:
* Whether there is now a need for legislation,
* The feasibility of a national database of recommendations
from serious case reviews where abuse has
occurred
* What new measures are needed in the face of increased
'personalisation' of care with more people
now being in charge of their own care instead of local
authorities
* What new measures are needed in the face of
changing forms of abuse, such as financial abuse
30. Government consults on safeguarding
vulnerable adults (continued…)
Phil Hope said:
"I am determined to improve safeguarding of vulnerable
people. We need a greater focus on prevention,
a greater emphasis on safeguarding in commissioning
services and support, and greater empowerment
of people to determine how they wish to be safeguarded.
The No Secrets guidance must be updated
to make sure everyone - individuals, police, care
agencies, the NHS and local authorities prevent
abuse, and also recognise it and stamp it out if it
does occur.
"The consultation is particularly relevant as more
people gain control of their own care. I want to help
people maintain this control and independence, free
from fear of abuse. I look forward to hearing people's
views and will not hesitate to take tough action to
improve safeguarding for those in vulnerable situations."
The consultation on the review of No Secrets will run
from 14th October to 31st January 2009.
Notes to Editors.
The consultation can be found on the Department of
Health website at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/
S o c i a l C a r e / S o c i a l c a r e r e f o r m /
Safeguardinganddealingwithabuse/index.htm
31. NICE: Current consultations
To browse through consultations go to http://
www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=consultations.current
CSCI/Care Quality Commission
(w.e.f. 2009), CSSIW,
Healthcare Commission &
Scottish Care Commission
32. Commission for Social Care Inspection:
Council self-assessment survey report 2008
17 October 2008 – CSCI
This report contains the commission's feedback to
councils about overall trends in performance and delivery
based on councils’ self-assessment statements
for 2007-08. It makes comparisons with previous
years and with councils’ plans for 2008-09 as appropriate.
For full report click here
33. Healthcare Commission: Annual health
check 2007-08
16 October 2008 – Healthcare Commission
A report by the Healthcare Commission showing
every NHS trust in England’s rating. This consists of
two parts: a score for quality of services and a score
for use of financial resources.
For full report go to
http://2008ratings.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
informationabouthealthcareservices/overallperformance/
thebiggerpicture.cfm
34. View the webcast of the annual health
check 2007/08 press conference
16 October 2008 – Healthcare Commission
Link to the webcast of the Healthcare Commission’s
annual health check for 2007/2008 press conference.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
newsandevents/newsstories.cfm?
cit_id=1433&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&useca
che=false
35. Johnson and Kennedy send message of
congratulations to staff at 57 trusts across
the country
16 October 2008 – Healthcare Commission
Health Secretary, Alan Johnson and Healthcare Commission
Chairman, Sir Ian Kennedy today posted letters
publicly congratulating staff at 57 of the best NHS
trusts in the country.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
newsandevents/newsstories.cfm?
cit_id=1424&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&useca
che=false
36. Have you booked your place at our next
forum event?
15 October 2008 – SCRC
The Scottish Care Commission still has places left at
their next consultation event which is taking place on
Thursday 27 November in Stornoway at the Cabarfeidh
Hotel.
For full report click here
37. The King's Fund response to the Healthcare
Commission's health check
16 October 2008 – King’s Fund
The King's Fund's chief executive Niall Dickson has
commented in response to the Healthcare Commission's
annual health check:
“The health service has made significant improvements
which are undoubtedly due in part to the large
increases in funding that have been ploughed into the
system in recent years. The extra cash has been
used wisely and the NHS is showing better financial
management and delivering higher quality care
across the board. But too many trusts remain simply
adequate - all patients deserve to have the highest
standards of health care and many trusts are falling
short.”
37. The King's Fund response to the Healthcare
Commission's health check
(continued…)
“Today’s report shows major achievements in reducing
waiting times and faster cancer treatment for patients
– these are to be applauded. However, the
lack of significant progress on infection control is
very disappointing and widening the use of spot
checks to primary care, ambulance and mental
health trusts is necessary. PCTs in particular still
have significant challenges to meet – patients in a
third of trusts are not getting the access to GPs that
they deserve, and this report once again highlights
that patient choice is not universally available.”
For full report click here
Dementia
38. Button to help dementia residents
17 October 2008 – BBC News
Carers at centres across Nottingham are benefiting
from a new gadget which prevents distress over lost
clothes.
They can put an electronic button into residents'
clothes which contain people's names and room
numbers, saving distress for people with dementia,
and helps retain their dignity.
The 11mm (0.4in) button can be scanned to reveal
who the clothes belong to.
For full report click here
Ed. What a good idea. Issues relating to clothing
frequently 'haunt' care homes, particularly those
caring for those with dementia. This sounds like
it might offer a solution - if it is priced competitively,
it should do well for those marketing the
product.
Ireland, Scotland & Wales
Ireland
39. Inquiry into C. Diff bug outbreak
14 October 2008 – BBC News
The Northern Health Trust will be setting up a public
inquiry to examine the recent outbreak of C. Diff. From
July 2007 to August 2008, more than 60 deaths were
linked to the bug.
For full report click here
Scotland
40. 'Tough targets' on hospital bugs
18 October 2008 – BBC News
Scottish Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon has given
health boards across Scotland tougher targets to
tackle the C.diff bug.
She told the SNP conference in Perth that NHS
boards must reduce the rate of the infection in hospitals
by at least 30% by 2011 and that NHS bosses
would be told they are to be barred from putting
cleaning services out to contract.
For full report click here
41. Unused drugs costing NHS millions
16 October 2008 – BBC News
Dr James Douglas is calling for a recycling scheme to
stop hundreds of millions of pounds worth of unused
drugs going to waste. According to the NHS, as
much as £1 worth of every £20 spent on prescription
drugs is never used by patients.
For full report click here
42. NHS Scotland in probe over phones
16 October 2008 – BBC News
The European Commission is investigating the NHS in
Scotland for breaking European competition laws after a
£30m contract for a new telephone network was
awarded to BT.
Work on the new system may come to a halt although
one health board will switch to the new network shortly.
For full report click here
43. Matron role returns to fight MRSA
14 October 2008 – BBC News
Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon has announced that
senior charge nurses will assume the duties that matrons
used to have as part of the Scottish Government’s
drive to reduce hospital infections.
Nicola Sturgeon said that the move would make sure
that staff, patients and visitors followed hygiene rules
and all nurses should have assumed their new duties
by 2010.
For full report click here
44. Plan To Let Patients Have Treatment
Abroad And Reclaim Cost
14 October 2008 – The Herald
A consultation has been launched to seek views on new
rights for Scottish patients to seek treatment abroad and
claim the cost from the NHS.
For full report go to http://www.theherald.co.uk/
display.var.2460187.0.0.php?utag=28804
45. Mental health plans are approved
13 October 2008 – BBC News
NHS Dumfries and Galloway has approved plans to
develop a £27m state-of-the-art mental health facility
in the area.
The £ building will be situated on land to the east of
the former Crichton Royal hospital and will act as a
replacement for four mental health centres in Dumfries
that have been deemed unfit for purpose.
For full report click here
Wales
46. Failings 'letting down children'
16 October 2008 – BBC News
Keith Towler, the children’s commissioner for Wales
has announced in his first annual review that policies
aimed at helping children and young people are failing
to make a real difference to their lives.
For full report click here
47. New NHS target 'may lead to cuts'
16 October 2008 – BBC News
Finance experts reckon that key Welsh NHS waiting list
targets for next year can not be met without service
cuts. The proposed 3.1% Welsh budget increase may
not be enough to help meet the 26-week treatment
deadline.
For full report click here
Learning Disabilities
48. Oska bright film festival open for entries
20 Oct 08 Learning Disabilities News Bulletin
The 4th national festival of short films made by and
for people with learning disabilities invites submissions
for the 2009 festival.
More information at:
http://www.learningdisabilities.org.uk/information/news/?
EntryId17=31375
49. Minister quizzed on care report
15 October 2008 – BBC News
Richard Benyon, Berkshire MP questioned the public
health minister about a report on the treatment of people
with learning difficulties in the NHS.
The independent inquiry into the deaths of six patients -
including Emma Kemp, from Berkshire - called for
tougher inspections and more staff training but the July
report stated that new laws to ensure equal access
were not needed.
For full report click here
Legislation Update
50. No. 2563 The Inspectors of Education,
Children’s Services and Skills (No. 4) Order
2008
16 October 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
51. No. 2705 (L.17) The Mental Health Review
Tribunal for Wales Rules 2008
16 October 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
HEALTH CARE AND ASSOCIATED PROFESSIONS
52. The Medical Profession (Miscellaneous
Amendments) Order 2008
16 October 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS, ENGLAND
AND WALES
53. The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act
2006 (Prescribed Criteria) (Foreign Offences)
Order 2008
15 October 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
54. The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act
2006 (Transitory Provisions) Order 2008
15 October 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS, ENGLAND
AND WALES
55. The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act
2006 (Prescribed Criteria) (Foreign Offences)
Order 2008
15 October 2008 – OPSI
For draft legislation click here
56. The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act
2006 (Transitory Provisions) Order 2008
15 October 2008 – OPSI
For draft legislation click here
Mental Capacity
Nothing to report
Mental Health
57. Mental Health Foundation responds to
Healthcare Commission’s findings
17 October 2008
In response to improvements in the performance of
Mental Health Trusts found by the Healthcare Commission,
Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of
the Mental Health Foundation, said:
“These improvements seem like a real step in the
right direction, and as a testament to the hard work of
NHS staff and managers they should be welcomed.
However, we shouldn’t forget that too many people in
touch with services still aren’t getting the support
they need. In particular, we need to make sure inpatient
services provide a genuinely therapeutic environment,
not just a place of refuge during a crisis,
and that everyone has a proper care plan when they
leave hospital.
It’s also worth noting that most people with a mental
health problem aren’t in touch with mental health services
at all, which suggests we should start assessing
trusts on how they are meeting actual community
needs, rather than just on the quality of the services
that they do provide.”
58. Mental Health Act 2007: Guidance on the
extension of victims' rights under the Domestic
Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004
17 October 2008 – DoH
Document explaining new duties on hospital managers,
responsible clinicians, approved mental health
professionals and NHS bodies who fund treatment of
domestic violence victims in the independent sector.
For full report click here
59. Mental Health Act 2007: guidance on the
extension of victims' rights under the Domestic
Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004
17 October 2008 – DoH
Because of the Mental Health Act 2007, from 3 November
2008, victims’ rights under the Domestic Violence
Crime and Victims Act 2004 will be extended to
victims of offenders who are detained, or on supervised
community treatment, as unrestricted patients
under Part 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983. This
means that new duties will be imposed on hospital
managers, responsible clinicians, approved mental
health professionals and on NHS bodies who fund
treatment of such patients in the independent sector.
For full report click here
60. NHS Confederation Mental Health Network
calls for tougher standards
16 October 2008 – Community Care
The Healthcare Commission’s annual NHS health
check has found a huge improvement in the performance
of England’s mental health services.
In a review of all 391 NHS trusts in England, the commission
rated 66% of mental health trusts as providing
an “excellent” service. This is compared with
52% in last year’s report.
In all, 84% were rated as either “excellent” or “good”.
Just 8% were rated as either “fair” or “weak” compared
to 23% last year.
For full report click here
61. Mental Health Act 1983 information leaflets
15 October 2008 – DoH
The Department has now updated its model Mental
Health Act 1983 patient information leaflets to reflect
changes to be made by the Mental Health Act 2007
from 3 November 2008.
The leaflets will assist hospitals and local social services
authorities (LSSAs) to meet their legal obligations
under the Act to provide written information to
patients subject to detention and other compulsory
measures under the Act.
However, these leaflets are non-statutory and there is
no obligation on hospitals or LSSAs to use them.
For full report click here
Miscellaneous
62. Why Daniel chose to die
19 October 2008 - The Sunday Times
...But Matt chose to live
19 October 2008 - The Sunday Times
Paralysed in a scrum, rugby player chose assisted
death at age of 23
18 October 2008 - The Times
It’s not a bad life...it’s a different life, says
former England under 21
18 October 2008 - The Times
So terrible I find it hard to contemplate
18 October 2008 - The Times
What right does any human have to tell another
they must live with terror, discomfort
and indignity?
18 October 2008 - Daily Mail
Series of items across all of the press about Dan
James a 23yr old who went to Switzerland to the Dignitas
Clinic to end his life. Two adults a male and
female are helping police with their enquiries – they
are thought to be Mr James’ parents.
Ed. Assisting suicide is a crime in the UK punishable
with up to 14 yrs in prison. Concerned about
its image Switzerland is expected to hold a referendum
on assisting foreigners to die.
63. Care Services Minister on tour in Bristol
on 20.10.08
People in Bristol had the opportunity to shape Government
policy and tell the Care Services Minister
Phil Hope what they think about the future of the care
and support system in England.
The visit to Bristol is part of a national tour, launched
by the Prime Minister in May, to debate the future of
the care and support system. It's a chance for stakeholders,
including local councillors, representatives
from local authorities, the NHS and third sector to
have their say on how best to develop a system for
care and support that meets the needs of society
well into the future.
National Dignity Ambassador, Sir Michael Parkinson,
has been working to help raise the profile of this important
agenda.
Phil Hope will visit Bristol Royal Infirmary, which has
recently made several improvements in order to better
maintain patients' dignity and respect. The mortuary
recently received a £12,000 refurbishment to preserve
the dignity of relatives and to create a more
pleasant viewing room. In the Emergency Department
double curtains were installed to give patients
greater privacy, and new notices have been put up to
make sure patients' wishes on privacy and dignity
are respected.
64. General Medical Council (Constitution)
Order 2008: Constitution report - October
2008 - Response to consultation
This is a summary of responses to a consultation on a
proposed constitution for the General Medical Council.
For full report click here
65. GP salary surge goes into reverse
15 October 2008 – BBC News
GP earnings drop slightly
15 October 2008 - Health Service Journal
Average GP earnings before tax fell by 2.1% between
2005-06 and 2006-07 to £107,667, a report
from the NHS Information Centre has found.
Although gross GP income increased by 1% to
£247,362 in that period, GP tax returns showed a
3.5% increase in claimed expenses.
For BBC report click here
66. Many GPs 'missing waiting target'
15 October 2008 – BBC News
The Healthcare Commission’s annual report for England
has suggested many GPs were missing their waiting
time target.
A review is now being undertaken as doctors should be
able to guarantee patients an appointment within 48
hours under the terms of a new contract.
For full report click here
67. Chair of International Academic Health
Science Centre Designation Panel announced
15 Oct 2008
Health Minister, Ben Bradshaw, announced the appointment
of Sir Alan Langlands as Chair of the international
panel that is being established to designate
Academic Health Science Centres (AHSCs) in England.
The international panel will make a recommendation
to the Secretary of State for Health about the
partnerships that should be awarded AHSC
status. The panel will offer a form of "peer review"
and will identify the organisations best placed to compete
internationally alongside leading AHSCs elsewhere
in the world, such as Harvard, Johns Hopkins
and the Karolinska Institute.
The NHS Next Stage Review announced the government's
commitment to fostering AHSCs in England.
The intention is to identify and work with a
small number of health and academic partners, who
have come together to focus on world-class research,
teaching and patient care. These Centres will take
new discoveries and promote their application in the
NHS and across the world.
68. Warning over health inequalities
14 October 2008 – BBC News
A report by the World Health Organisation shows that
the life expectancy between the world’s richest and
poorest countries could vary as much as 40 years.
The report examined primary health care systems
around the world, and uncovered huge inequalities and
inefficiencies and warns shortcomings have left the
health status of different populations, both within and
between countries, "dangerously out of balance".
For full report click here
69. National Clinical Directors appointed for
Hospital and Community Pharmacy
14 Oct 2008
The appointment of two National Clinical Directors for
Pharmacy was announced by DoH. Their appointment
fulfils the commitment made in the Pharmacy
White Paper to ensure that the proposed initiatives
are supported by strong, authoritative, clinical leadership
at local and national levels.
Jonathan Mason, currently Head of Prescribing and
Pharmacy at City and Hackney Teaching Primary
Care Trust, takes on the role that will focus on community
pharmacy and primary care.
Martin Stephens, who has broad experience at all
levels in hospital pharmacy, and is currently Divisional
Clinical Director, Diagnostics and Therapy and
Associate Medical Director, Clinical Effectiveness, at
Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, takes
the second post that focuses on hospital pharmacy.
Key aspects to both roles will be to devise and implement
effective joint strategies and mechanisms to
promote better patient experience and pharmaceutical
outcomes for people across the different healthcare
sectors.
They will focus on promoting and stimulating the delivery
of service models which best meet the needs
of people going into and coming out of hospital. They
will also have an important part in shaping future
models of care flowing from the primary and community
care strategy.
70. Over half of GP surgeries now offer extended
opening hours
14 Oct 2008
Over 50% of GP surgeries are now offering patients
extended opening hours DoH announced.
Statistics released by the Department show that in
under six months there has been a 40% increase in
the number of practices offering more flexible early
morning, evening and weekend opening. The result
is that GPs have met the challenging Government
target of 50% of practices offering extended opening
hours by the end of this year, three months early. As
at the end of September, over 51% of the 8,275 GP
practices in England are offering extended opening
hours.
Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson, said:
"In a modern NHS, ensuring that busy patients have
access to a GP at a convenient time is a top priority.
I am extremely pleased to announce that so many
practices are now offering greater flexibility in their
opening hours. I also welcome today's agreement on
the new GP contract for 2009/10.
"Thanks to the hard work of GPs and the local NHS
we have achieved our challenging target ahead of
schedule. It is fantastic news for GPs and patients
that over half of GP practices up and down the country
are now offering evening or weekend appointments
and shows the progress achieved in delivering
on the goals set out in Lord Darzi's NHS review.
"GPs play a vital role in offering information and support
to help people make healthy lifestyle choices and
prevent illness and we are making real progress in
addressing health inequalities through improving access
and the record investments in primary care."
The GP extended hours statistics can be accessed at
http://www.performance.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity/
data_requests/gp_extended_opening_hours.htm
Ed. My doctor’s surgery opens from 08:00 until
18:00, Monday to Friday. Not much use to me. I
was rather looking forward to Saturday opening, I
would have used it. Still, I will continue as always...
seeking a domiciliary visit when I am too
unwell to get to the surgery!
71. Government action to fund gaps in health
research
14 Oct 2008
A new £5 million research programme which is intended
to lead to an increase in service quality and
patient safety through better ways of planning and
providing health services was announced today by
Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo, during a visit
to Southampton.
The new Health Services Research (HSR) programme
will provide funding across the country for a
broader range of health services research than is already
covered by the National Institute for Health Research
(NIHR) programmes. These include the
Health Technology Assessment programme (HTA),
the Service Delivery & Organisation programme
(SDO), the Efficacy & Mechanism Evaluation programme
(EME), Programme Grants for Applied Research
and the Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB)
programme.
The first call for expressions of interest will be taking
place in January 2009. For more details and to register
your interest visit http://www.hsr.nihr.ac.uk
72. NHS dentists are accused of extra checkups
to get their cheques up
14 October 2008 - The Times
Dentist face curbs on abuse of salary system
13 October 2008 - The Independent
Dentists 'playing the system'
13 October 2008 – BBC News
It is said that dentists are recalling patients for routine
appointments far sooner than necessary, the suggestion
being that it is to boost pay.
For BBC report click here
73. Ethics expert calls for drugs to ‘enhance’
death
13 October 2008 - The Independent
Prof Robin MacKenzie, director of medical law and
ethics, addressed Exit International and proposed the
use of psycoactive drugs, including ‘ecstasy’, for dying
patients.
74. Medicines shortage looms as winter approaches
13 October 2008 - The Times
Because of the negotiated discounts negotiated by
the NHS on medicines supplied to it are due to come
into effect in January 2009 wholesalers are running
down their stocks to avoid a blow to their profits.
This is likely to result in shortages of some medicines
this winter. Ian Brownlee of Mawdsleys (see
‘Business’, item 8) said that the change should have
been implemented in the summer months to avoid
the problem.
Ed. As with some other negotiations, the NHS
seems to have got this badly wrong.
75. Industrial Action at the CRB
13 October 2008 – CRB
“The CRB does not expect that the current industrial
action by PCS union members at the CRB, from
Monday 13th October, will have any significant impact
on its ability to deliver its service to its customers.
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) will remain
open for business as usual. This action is a protest
against the CRB’s 2008/09 pay award of 3.75% -
which is at the very top end of the Treasury limits for
pay awards in the public sector this year. The CRB
believes that this award represents the best possible
deal for its staff given the current economic climate.”
For full report click here
76. National End of Life Care Programme
Call for Examples of Best Practice/Innovative
Practice
In line with supporting implementation of the National
End of Life Care Strategy and to facilitate and share
best practice NHS is seeking examples of innovative
practice across the following key delivery areas:
Acute Hospitals End of Life Care
And Continuing CareNHS would be interested to
receive examples on all aspects of care/service
delivery and commissioning in these areas. If you
would like to share any work with us via the
National End of Life Care website please use the
attached template and forward to
submission@eolc.nhs.uk
If you would Like to discuss any examples with us
prior to submission please contact us via Rebecca
Unwin rebecca.unwin@eolc.nhs.uk
Ed. I acknowledge with thanks, Maria Patterson
of ECCA who drew this to my attention.
77. Government seeking ‘Charter mark’ as a
seal of approval to improve health and social
care information
The Department of Health has gone out to tender to
find an independent operator for its new scheme to
provide a seal of approval ensuring health and social
care information is reliable.
The new national scheme will provide a "seal of approval"
that will assure people the information they
use when making choices about their health and care
comes from a reliable source. T he scheme will have
a broad impact, allowing the quality mark to feature
on information in any format - from websites to pamphlets.
Ann Keen, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
for Health Services said:- "Ensuring that patients
have access to reliable information is paramount in
maintaining patient choice and quality of care. This
scheme and the quality mark will help reassure people
that health information available to them is trustworthy."
Ed. I am concerned that Government acknowledges
that the public does not trust the Department
of Health and others who should be an authoritative
and completely trustworthy source of
reliable information. I guess that is the penalty it
pays for excessive ‘spin’ over the years. The
problem is that those responsible will not pay the
cost – it will fall to the rest of us, the weary taxpayers
to shoulder another burden that should
not be necessary!
NHS
78. Why didn’t the NHS save my Mady?