Editorial
Keith has spent the past week or so
in his sick-bed.
Accordingly there is no Editorial from
him.
We anticipate Keith’s return this
week.
This week’s article
Following the outcry over Baby P and the conviction of those responsible for
his death Ed Balls as Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families
made a statement in the House of Commons 20 November 2008. We
reproduce that statement in full in this issue of BHCR.
To go directly to the statement click here.
Parliament
26.11.08 – HoL - Baroness Barker to ask Her
Majesty’s Government what research has been
conducted into the impact of economic crises on
demand for health services; and what steps they are
taking as a consequence.
Next
Abuse
1. Our taste for all this misery lit makes ugly
reading
23 November 2008 - The Sunday Times
India Knight writes that ‘misery lit’ as opposed to
‘chick lit’ is unedifying and unnecessary.
2. Final Insult
22 November 2008 - Daily Mail
Mother of Baby P, the child she pleaded guilty to allowing
to die, is considering an application for a permanent
injunction against identifying her, a new
home and new identity on release from prison and
permanent police protection. That will add millions of
pounds to the cost of the scandal. Similar protection
has been given to Maxine Carr the former girlfriend
of the Soham murderer, Ian Huntley.
3. U-turn in Baby P case
22 November 2008 - The Times
Ed Balls has relented and has now decided that the
serious case review can be seen by senior MPs
4. Take me off Sex Offender Register, says
Gary Glitter
22 November 2008 - Daily Mail
Glitter is to appeal against the decision to put him on
the Sex Offenders Register; the hearing is scheduled
for mid Feb 2009.
21 November 2008 - TimesOnline
Police have been told to take a tough line with social
workers when dealing with suspected child abuse
cases.
5. Baby P report is released to MPs
21 November 2008 – BBC News
Ministers will release a detailed report to only a small
group of MPs of mistakes made by authorities in the
case of Baby P. Five MPs will be able to study the
report.
Children’s Secretary, Ed Balls said that he was advised
by Government lawyers not to make the full
“serious case review” available.
For full report click here
6. In today's papers
21 November 2008 – Community Care
There has been an outcry over gag on Baby P report.
Ministers are facing demands for a law change after
their declaration that the detailed report into Haringey
Council's handling of the Baby P case cannot be
made public.
7. Ed Balls: Immediate publication for Haringey
joint area review
20 November 2008 – Community Care
Children's Secretary, Ed Balls, confirmed that the
joint area review on safeguarding in Haringey will be
published early December.
He will receive the review by Ofsted, the Healthcare
Commission and the chief inspector of constabulary
by 1 December, and he said that it would be published
soon afterwards.
For full report click here
8. Websites probed over Baby P posts
20 November 2008 – BBC News
Police are investigating an internet hate campaign on
social network sites that name Baby P’s mother, her
boyfriend and her lodger.
The campaign included photos, addresses and
threats to harm the trio who were found to be responsible
for his death.
For full report click here
9. 'Clear evidence' of Baby P errors
20 November 2008 – BBC News
Children’s Minister, Ed Balls, has declared that there
is “clear evidence” that mistakes were made in Baby
P’s case.
He told MPs people are going to be held to account
for mistakes, and said inspectors had been told to
report back on Haringey Council by 1 December.
For full report click here
10. Social care: how can we help the helpless?
20 November 2008 - Health Service Journal
The death of Baby P has highlighted failings in assessing
risk. Staff must be supported in making tough
decisions if the chances of such tragedies happening
are to be minimised.
11. We are truly sorry: council issues its first
apology over the death of Baby P
19 November 2008 - The Times
Haringey Council leader, George Meehan, expresses
sorrow and apologises for the failure of “all the agencies
involved”.
12. Child abuse 'lessons not learnt'
19 November 2008 – BBC News
Ofsted’s annual report declares that lessons from
serious child abuse and death cases in England are
not being learnt quickly enough. The report also said
that some staff were not adequately equipped to respond
to signs of abuse and neglect.
For full report click here
13. Baby P doctor 'deeply affected'
19 November 2008 – BBC News
The doctor who failed to spot Baby P’s injuries two
days before the tot died in 2007 says she was
“deeply affected” by his case.
Dr Sabah Al-Zayyat, is banned from working unsupervised
and faces an investigation, spoke of the
"shocking and tragic circumstances of his death".
For full report click here
14. Workers 'support Baby P sackings'
19 November 2008 – BBC News
A poll by Community Care has shown that eight out
of ten social workers think that new managers should
be brought in at Haringey Council following Baby P’s
death.
The website survey also found 86% of 250 respondents
felt that the case of Baby P reflected wider
childcare protection problems.
For full report click here
15. Baby P: Ray Jones says government
could take over at Haringey
18 November 2008 – Community Care
Ray Jones, a leading social work expert has predicted
that the government could take control of Haringey
children's services if the safeguarding review
ordered by the Department for Children, Schools and
Families finds serious failings.
For full report click here
16. GSCC: Baby P could trigger first multiple
conduct hearing
Probe into conduct of social workers could
be first of its kind by regulator
18 November 2008 – Community Care
The General Social Care Council has confirmed that
it's investigation into the conduct of social workers
involved in the Baby P case could lead to its first conduct
hearing involving more than one social worker.
The GSCC is making preliminary enquiries and would
not say how many social workers had been referred
or whether this included managers, or when the referrals
had taken place.
For full report click here
17. Baby public inquiry not ruled out
18 November 2008 – BBC News
Ed Balls, Children’s Minister has refused to rule out a
public inquiry into the death of Baby P, but has insisted
measures undertaken so far, by sending inspectors into
Haringey Council were sufficient.
The NSPCC has called on all councils to conduct an
urgent review of children on their protection lists.
For full report click here
18. Child protection plans revealed
18 November 2008 – BBC News
The Government has announced that every area of
England is to be covered by a Children's Trust Board
(CTB).
The boards, will aim to prevent abuse by co-ordinating
child protection workers and follows the failure of social
workers in Haringey to prevent the abuse and death of
Baby P.
Children's Secretary, Ed Balls acknowledged that in
some cases, protection agencies are failing to intervene
early enough.
For full report click here
19. Haringey ‘overruled’ attempt to put Baby
P into care
17 November 2008 - The Times
Ahead of a BBC Panorama programme on TV later
that day revelations that the social worker, Sylvia
Henry, had decided that Baby P should be taken into
care but was overruled by her manager.
20. Cost cutting put children at risk, whistleblower
claims
17 November 2008 - The Times
A male former social worker has come forward to say
that, in his view, Haringey failed to properly look after
children and that this was based on cost cutting an
example of a 16 yr old girl is provided, she was involved
in prostitution and was using crack cocaine –
her support from the council was reduced to five
hours a week.
21. What Happened to Baby P?
17 November 2008 - BBC 1
This TV documentary can be viewed using the BBC
iPlayer available at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/
Business News
22. Care UK Plc
Preliminary Results for the year ended 30 September
2008
Care UK Plc, the leading specialist health and social
care provider, is pleased to announce preliminary
results for the year ended 30 September 2008.
• Including joint venture operating profit; before
amortisation of intangible assets and impairment
of goodwill and intangible assets and, for
2007 only, integration and restructuring costs.
Total borrowing facilities available of £273.7m, with
total funding headroom of over £80m including over
£54m under the main syndicated facility, which is
committed until early 2015; the group remains comfortably
within key covenants with no need to raise
additional finance to fund development plans.
Social Care:
• Aggregate revenue increased by 10% and adjusted
operating profit by 4%, with solid performances
in Residential Care and much of Specialist
Care
• UK's Health Care business now widely recognised
as sector's largest and most influential independent
sector provider of healthcare services to NHS
patients
• Strategic acquisition of 50% of Partnership Health
Group not previously owned completed on 1 August
2008
John Nash, Chairman of Care UK, commented:
“Care UK's strong performance during 2008 demonstrates
the resilience of the group and the benefits of
investment in the emerging healthcare market.
“Both the current Government and the Conservative
party have reaffirmed their strategies for the evolution
of a competitive market for NHS services and we anticipate
further growth in both our Health Care and
Social Care businesses as a consequence. We are
currently bidding for selective opportunities in the
NHS' 'Equitable Access' procurement for primary
care services and we anticipate a further substantial
range of opportunities to flow from the NHS strategy
to separate and introduce competition for PCT Provider
Arms that represent expenditure of around
£10bn per annum.
“Having successfully created competencies strongly
aligned with the integration of secondary and primary
healthcare and with social care services,
Care UK is strongly positioned to benefit from further
service and market reform offering good opportunities
for delivering exceptional long-term value to shareholders”.
Adjusted operating profit, including joint venture operating
profit and stated before amortisation and impairment
charges, is up by 20% to £36.4m (2007:
£30.4m) on revenue, including share of joint venture
revenue, increased by 24% to £341.6m (2007:
£275.7m), and adjusted profit before tax is up by 18%
to £22.5m (2007: £19.1m). Adjusted basic earnings
per share were up by 6% to 27.92p (2007: 26.26p).
The total basic loss per share was (4.98)p (2007:
earnings of 20.27p). Operating cash flow was £46.9m
(2007: £32.5m), an increase of 44%, representing a
cash conversion ratio of 147% (2007: 128%) measured
against adjusted operating profit, excluding
share of joint venture operating profit.
Dividend
The board is recommending a final dividend of 3.10p
per share (2007: 2.80p), an increase of 11%, which
will be paid on 18 February 2009 to shareholders on
the register on 23 January 2009.
Amounts in £m unless stated
30 Sept 2008
30 Sept 2007
Revenue: group and share
of joint venture 341.6 275.7
Operating profit 12.8 23.0
Adjusted operating profit * 36.4 30.4
Profit before group taxation 1.6 14.5
Profit before group taxation,
integration & restructuring
costs, amortisation and impairment
charges
22.5
19.1
Basic (LPS)/EPS (4.98)p 20.27p
Adjusted basic EPS * 27.92p 26.26p
Total dividend, paid and proposed
4.43p 4.02p
Operating cash flow 46.9 32.5
Total net debt 180.2 170.3
23. Nestor Healthcare Group plc
Interim Management Statement - Financial performance
Group results in the period since the release of our
Interim results have remained in line with the Directors'
expectations.
Our Social Care businesses have continued to perform
well with volumes in Goldsborough / Medico
beginning to show growth over the equivalent period
in the previous year. Tender activity remains high
and competitive, and a number of useful new wins
have been achieved. The focus in recent months has
been on individual branch performance with progress
being made in the recruitment of careworkers whilst
at the same time retaining the drive to improve quality
where the Group CSCI (Commission for Social
Care Inspection) ratings continue to improve. Our
two private homecare businesses, Country Cousins
and Patricia White's continue to grow and deliver
excellent returns.
Financial position
The sale of Carewatch, net of expenses, has generated
cash of approximately £36.0m in the month of
October. Borrowings as at 13 November 2008 were
£20.0m, which compares to the last published figure
of £54.1m as disclosed in the Interim statement as
at 4 July 2008. In the period under review the Group
has made a planned payment £0.9m into our existing
defined benefit pension schemes as well as paying
deferred consideration of £0.4m in respect of acquisitions
completed in 2007.
The net proceeds from the Carewatch disposal have
been applied to pay down bank borrowings. As part
of the same agreement with the Group's bankers, our
borrowing margin has been reduced from a maximum
of 2.75% over LIBOR to a maximum of 2.00%
over LIBOR. Financial covenants have also been
amended to figures more consistent with the Group's
balance sheet and income projections following the
Carewatch disposal.
Chief Executive
John Rennocks has continued to fill the role of Chief
Executive on a three day a week basis. A search
process for a full time appointment is ongoing.
Care Homes
24. Are you entitled to a care home rebate?
23 November 2008 - The Mail on Sunday
An item about the error of St Helens Borough Council
in assessing the assets of one of the service users
whose means were wrongly assessed by council staff
who did not follow the CRAG guidelines; resulting in a
service user paying many thousands of pounds for
her care which should have been provided free of
charge. St Helens has refused to conduct a general
review of the assessments of other people.
Ed. If you live in St Helens the message must be to
demand a review if you think the calculation of contribution
may be wrong demand the calculation be rechecked.
Better still, check yourself or seek the help
of others to do so!
25. ECCA fees campaign
English Community Care Association continues to
press for public recognition of the low level of fees
paid by local authorities – ECCA is currently concentrating
on the London area.
26. Home care service licence revoked
19 November 2008 – BBC News
Working Together Specialist Care Agency has had its
registration cancelled after Walsall Council applied to
magistrates to revoke its licence.
The home care provider’s clients were judged to be at
risk after inspectors found that the level of care offered
fell below acceptable levels.
For full report click here
Case Reports
Law Reports
27. R (Purdy) v Director of Public Prosecutions
Lord Justice Scott Baker held in the Queen’s Bench
Divisional Court, by way of judicial review, that a ban
on assisted suicide does not breach a right to privacy
under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human
Rights.
Disciplinary cases
Nothing to report
Cases in the news
28. Care workers 'not fully trained'
21 November 2008 – BBC News
Two carers at Owens Way in Cowley told an inquest
that they were not fully trained in how to use a bath.
Yelena Hasselberg-Langley, 18, suffered 20% burns
after being put into the bath at a care home when the
carers thought the temperature of the bath was controlled
by a thermostat.
For full report click here
29. Charge dropped in home care case
20 November 2008 - BBCOnline
William Davies of Chippenham, Wilts, Pearl Jackson,
of Wakefield, W Yorks, Heather Bolton and Derek
Youds, both from Gloucester, all faced alleged offences
at Newsham House, Gloucester.
After two days of legal argument at Bristol Crown
Court, Judge David Ticehurst ruled the matters
should be "stayed as an abuse of process" following
the arguments.
The four accused said after the hearing they were
relieved at the judge's decision.
Mr Youds, 64, and Ms Bolton, 56, who were employees
at the home, faced 10 and eight charges respectively.
Managing Director, Pearl Jackson, 49, and operations
director, William Davies, 60, of ADL plc faced
eight charges each.
Mr Davies said a full statement on the case would be
issued by ADL after the ruling was published.
30. Bankrupt carer jailed after cruel theft
17 November 2008
A bankrupt who stole from the elderly lady she cared
for has been jailed for 18 months.
Christine Townsend, 54, from Clifton in Bedfordshire,
took nearly £20,000 from June Marden in 2004 after
starting work in her home as a care assistant.
Mrs Marden suffered from dementia and Townsend -
then known as Christine Dunville - took advantage of
her, transferring her victim's life savings into her own
bank account.
The deception came to light after Townsend was declared
bankrupt and her finances investigated by the
Official Receiver. On the transfer being discovered,
Townsend maintained that money was a gift from Mrs
Marden after she told her that she was getting married.
In sentencing Townsend at Luton Crown Court,
Judge Andrew Bright QC said:
"The breach of trust which these offences involved is
as bad an example of taking advantage of a vulnerable
old lady as it can get. In my judgement it is so
serious that the only appropriate sentence for these
offences is imprisonment."
Business Minister Pat McFadden said:
"We are determined to crack down on cheats like
these who profit by deception.
"This prosecution sends a clear message to would-be
fraudsters that they won't get away with it."
Townsend was sentenced to 15 months for two
counts of theft and a further three months for four
bankruptcy offences.
As well as stealing a total of £19,707, Townsend later
failed to provide required information to the Official
Receiver and illegally obtained credit from two banks
without informing them of her bankruptcy.
The stolen savings will now be returned to Mrs
Marden's family.
Children
31. Child safety records scrutinised
21 November 2008 – BBC News
Ofsted’s annual report of children’s services has
found that some English local authorities did not have
adequate child protection.
Last year four authorities fell into this category: Hertfordshire,
Salford, Stoke-on-Trent and Peterborough.
This year's round of inspections is currently under
way and the councils have been defending their records.
Haringey - much criticised following the death of Baby
P - was rated "good".
Ofsted's summary report on the 137 services inspected
during 2007, out of a total of 150, found "a
slightly less positive picture of councils' contribution to
all aspects of the staying safe agenda".
The proportion judged outstanding in 2007 (9%) was
smaller than in 2006 (16%), and the overall proportion
judged to be good or better (70%) was also down
(from 73%).
For full report click here
32. What is a Children's Trust?
19 November 2008 – DoH
A summary leaflet has been produced to explain what
Children's Trusts are, what they do, and the role the
NHS has to play in them.
For full report click here
Conferences & Courses
To follow next week
Consultations
33. 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
34. 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 codfiy 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
35. 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
36. 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
37. 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
38. Consultation on final dates for social service
workers to register with the SSSC
Closing Date: 31 December 2008
A consultation paper has now been issued for the
Introduction of final dates for prescribed descriptions
of social service workers to achieve registration with
the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
For consultation click here
39. Enforcement policy consultation
On 24 October 2008 CQC launched a 12 week consultation
on how it intends to use its enforcement
powers under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
Visit the CQC website to download a copy of the consultation
document. This consultation closes on Friday
16 January 2009.
40. 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
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/SocialCare/
Socialcarereform/Safeguardinganddealingwithabuse/
index.htm
41. Independent Review of Older People's
Engagement with Government: Consultation
Closing Date: 9 January 2009
This consultation seeks views on a report that examines
the current arrangements for the engagement of
older people and the ability of those arrangements to
inform the policy and actions of Government at all
levels.
For consultation go to http://www.dwp.gov.uk/resourcecentre/
ind_review_older_peoples_eng_with_govt.asp
42. Reviewing the Mental Capacity Act 2005:
Forms, supervision and fees – Consultation
Closing Date: 15 January 2009
Consultation seeking views on proposed changes to
three areas of the work of the Office of the Public
Guardian and the Court of Protection following the
implementation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in
October 2007.
It aims to cover a redesign of the lasting power of
attorney forms, the restructuring of the supervision of
deputies by the public guardian and alterations to fee
structures.
For consultation go to http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/
reviewing-mental-capacity-act.htm
43. Care Quality Commission unveils first
two initiatives aims at improving quality and
safety of services
Closing Date: 16 January 2009
The Care Quality Commission has published two
documents which set out how it aims to:
• drive further improvements in how the NHS
deals with healthcare associated infections,
such as MRSA
• use its new enforcement powers to improve
the quality and safety of health and
adult social care services for the people
who use them
The CQC is launching a 12-week consultation with a
wide variety of stakeholders on how it intends to use
its new enforcement powers, together with publishing
guidance to NHS trusts about additional requirements
for registering with the new Commission in relation to
healthcare associated infection (HCAI).
For full consultation go to http://www.cqc.org.uk/news/
hcai_and_enforcement_policy.aspx
44. Consultation: Draft guidance on NHS patients
who wish to pay for additional private
care
Closing Date: 27 January 2009
A consultation seeking views on draft guidance on
how to proceed in situations where NHS patients
want to buy additional secondary care services that
the NHS does not fund.
For full consultation click here
45. Consultation on GP Quality Incentive
Scheme launched
Closing Date: 2 February 2009
Delivering the best possible care for patients and
addressing health inequalities will be at the heart of
proposed changes to the GP quality incentive
scheme, the Quality and Outcomes Framework
(QOF), Health Minister Ben Bradshaw announced
today.
The QOF rewards GP practices for managing some
of the most common chronic diseases such as diabetes
or heart failure; improving health; organising
practices well; how patients view their experience at
the surgery and the quality of extra services offered
such as child health and maternity services.
Under new proposals set out in a public consultation
published today, the National Institute for Health and
Clinical Excellence (NICE) would in future oversee
the annual process of reviewing clinical indicators.
From April 2009, NICE would review the benefits
to patients and the cost effectiveness of the indicators
used to assess the quality of care provided by
GP practices. NICE would be responsible for developing
a more transparent and inclusive review process
with input from patients and carers, primary care
professionals and other stakeholders.
The final choice of QOF indicators would remain a
matter for negotiation with the British Medical Association
(BMA), based on the advice produced by
NICE.
The 12-week consultation is seeking views on how
the new process for assessing evidence for QOF
indicators should work. The key elements that will be
considered in the consultation will be how best to:
* Review existing QOF indicators and develop new
indicators for clinical quality and health outcomes,
based on evidence of clinical effectiveness;
* Allow a range of stakeholders, including patients,
carers and clinicians to identify potential QOF priorities;
* Set up a panel of independent experts that will prioritise
areas for developing new indicators;
* Pilot new indicators with GP practices; and
* Give flexibility to the local NHS to select some indicators
to reflect local health needs.
Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said:
"We have come a long way in addressing health inequalities
thanks to the current GP scheme for quality
incentives and the UK leads the world in providing
incentives to GPs to improve quality of care for patients.
"The latest figures for the Quality and Outcomes
Framework show that practices have continued to
deliver improvements in services for patients. But we
want to ensure that GP practices continue to deliver
more improvements to patient care, and the system
needs to evolve to support practices in achieving
even better outcomes for patients.
"Asking NICE to manage a more independent, open
and transparent process for reviewing QOF indicators
will make sure that we make the best use of our annual
investment in the scheme and continue to support
GPs in delivering the best care possible for patients,
allowing the QOF to adapt and respond to the
latest medical advances."
A full explanation of how the current scheme operates
and details of how to become involved in the consultation
can be downloaded from: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/
Consultations/index.htm
46. Department of Health: Developing the
quality and outcomes framework - Proposals
for a new, independent process
Closing Date: 2 February 2008
Consultation seeking views on proposals for a new
independent and transparent process for recommending
quality outcome framework indicators.
For full consultation click here
47. DH: End of Life Care Strategy: Quality
Markers Consultation
Closing Date: 6 February 2009
The DoH has launched a consultation on Quality
Markers for End of Life Care which was promised in
the End of Life Care Strategy published in July.
The document is aimed at commissioners, performance
managers and providers of end of life care services,
from the NHS, voluntary and independent sectors.
For full report click here
48. Consultation on Statutory Guidance: The
roles and responsibilities of the lead member
for children's services and the director of
children's services
Closing Date: 10 February 2009
This consultation seeks views on updated statutory
guidance that explains the roles of the lead member
and director of children's services and how working
together as a team, they can be most effective in driving
clear improvements in outcomes for children and
young people.
For consultation go to http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations/
conDetails.cfm?consultationId=1583
49. 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
50. Latest Reports and alerts from CSCI
Medical alerts
20 November 2008
The latest alerts from the Medicines and Healthcare
products Regulatory Agency.
Management of controlled drugs in care homes
20 November 2008
Every care home must comply with legislation on the
safe management of controlled drugs in care homes.
Safe disposal of waste medicines from care homes
(nursing)
20 November 2008
This guidance is about the changes to the arrangements
that affect the disposal of medicines in care
homes (nursing).
Immunisation in care homes (nursing)
20 November 2008
This guidance gives our inspectors a guide to good
practice when vaccines are prescribed for residents
and given by registered nurses employed by the care
home (nursing).
Administration of medicines in care homes
20 November 2008
A guide to good practice in how medication should be
administered in care homes.
Christian Scientists and care homes
12 November 2008
Read our guidance for inspectors to be aware of the
needs of residents in care homes who are Christian
Scientists (CS).
51. Principles into Practice Network Awards
20 November 2008 – SCRC
A new Awards scheme has just been launched by the
Principles into Practice Network.
The scheme was set up to recognise best practice in
applying mental health Act principles in Scotland.
Awards will be presented at an event in Glasgow on
March 10th 2009, and will be given to projects or services
that have shown real commitment to putting the
needs and views of services users and carers at their
heart.
For full report click here
52. Consultation on our Corporate Health &
Safety Policy
19 November 2008 – SCRC
The Scottish Care Commission has declared its commitment
to the health, safety and welfare of staff and
visitors to its premises.
For full report click here
53. Tell us your stories about social care
19 November 2008 – CSCI
CSCI is producing 3 short pieces of animation for its
website to explain what social care is and how people
experience it. CSCI would like your help in creating
the animations.
For full report click here
54. Care services need to improve recruitment
practices
17 November 2008 – SCRC
The Scottish Care Commission has said that one in
five care services in Scotland have been found to
have unsafe procedures in place for recruiting staff,
according to its review.
For full report click here
55. Summary of Care Commission Forums
now available
17 November 2008 – SCRC
Each year the Scottish Care Commission holds at
least two Care Commission Forums.
The first event was held in Dunoon and attracted over
60 delegates and the second was in Oban with over
50 people attending.
For full report click here
56. Four senior appointments at Care Quality
Commission
18 November 2008
Four appointments have been made to the senior
management team of the Care Quality Commission.
• Jill Finney has been appointed Director of Engagement
• Richard Hamblin has been appointed Director
of Intelligence.
• Gary Needle has been appointed Director of
Methods
• Jamie Rentoul has been appointed Director of
Regulation & Strategy
Jill Finney is currently Director of Strategic Marketing
and Communications at the British Library. Before
joining the British Library in 2001, she was: National
Marketing Director and Member of Global Marketing
Council for Ernst & Young.
56. Four senior appointments at Care Quality
Commission
Richard Hamblin is currently Head of Information
Policy at the Healthcare Commission. Before joining
the Healthcare Commission he was Business Analysis
Manager, East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health
Authority. He has also worked for the Kings Fund.
Gary Needle is currently Head of Assessment and
Methods at the Healthcare Commission. His previous
posts include Chief Executive of Brighton and
Hove City Primary Care Trust and Executive Director
of West Sussex Health Authority.
Jamie Rentoul is currently Head of Strategy at the
Healthcare Commission. Before joining the Healthcare
Commission Jamie was Executive Director of
Prime Minister's Strategy Unit (formerly called the
Performance and Innovation Unit) based in the Cabinet
Office and Head of the NHS Waiting List team at
the Department of Health.
Cynthia Bower, Chief executive of the Care Quality
Commission, said: "I am delighted that Jill, Richard,
Gary and Jamie will be joining us. They will bring a
vast amount of knowledge and experience to the
CQC and will help us ensure a smooth transition.
"We are in the process of recruiting a further three
Directors who will bring a range of experience from
across social care, mental health and health care
and give us a management team fully equipped to
deliver our vision of making care better for everyone."
The Care Quality Commission's manifesto, which
sets out its vision and values, can be found at http://
www.cqc.org.uk
57. Enforcement policy consultation
On 24 October 2008 CQC launched a 12 week consultation
on how it intends to use its enforcement
powers under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
Visit the CQC website to download a copy of the consultation
document. This consultation closes on Friday
16 January 2009.
58. Guidance for NHS trusts on registering
with CQC in relation to HCAI
Also published on 24 October, CQC has released
guidance for NHS trusts on registering in relation to
healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). From 1
April 2009, all NHS organisations providing care directly
to patients will be legally required to register
with CQC and must operate in a way that protects
patients and staff from such infections.
A copy of this guidance document is available to
download from the CQC website.
Ireland, Scotland & Wales
Ireland
59. Diagnosing the state of health funding
22 November 2008 – BBC News
A look at Northern Ireland’s health service and
whether it has enough money or not.
For full report click here
60. Health funds announced amid cuts
19 November 2008 – BBC News
Irish Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has announced
that new health and social care centres are
to be built in Larne, Carrickfergus and Ballymena.
It is part of a £29m investment in the Northern Health
Trust over three years.
For full report click here
Scotland
61. Sturgeon 'obstacle' To C.diff Probe
21 November 2008 – Evening Times
Holyrood Labour leader Iain Gray has said that
Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, is the "only obstacle"
to a public inquiry into the deadly clostridium difficile
outbreak at Vale of Leven hospital.
For full report go to http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/
display.var.2469715.0.0.php?utag=28804
62. New target for test waiting times
20 November 2008 – BBC News
Scottish Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon has
pledged that patients waiting for key diagnotistic tests
such as MRI and CT scans will have shorter waiting
times from next year.
An Audit Scotland report found the number of patients
waiting more than nine weeks for key tests had fallen
from 10,638 to just two since 2006.
For full report click here
63. C.diff cases at Scottish hospitals
19 November 2008 – BBC News
Scottish health boards have revealed the total number
of C.diff cases they recorded from the period of
December 2007 to May 2008.
Overall, 3,174 C.diff cases were recorded between
December 2007 and May 2008 at 38 hospitals.
For full report click here
64. Care staff not given crime checks
17 November 2008 - BBCOnline
For full report see Workforce—item 108
Wales
65. Wales A&E figures miss key target
20 November 2008 – BBC News
Welsh hospitals have fallen behind key targets for
waiting times at A&E departments again.
The Assembly Government set a target of 95% of
patients spending under four hours in Welsh A&E’s
but the target was missed by Wales as a whole last
year.
For full report click here
66. Foot training to avoid slip-ups
19 November 2008 – BBC News
Care home staff in Flintshire will be trained to understand
the importance of properly fitting footwear in
preventing falls by residents.
According to statistics, badly-fitting footwear like slippers
are one of the major causes of falls for older
people and they can sustain bruising, sprains or
even broken bones.
For full report click here
67. NHS staff suspensions highlighted
17 November 2008 – BBC News
Figures obtained by a Welsh Assembly member shows
that over 400 NHS staff were sacked or suspended
over the past two years. Abuse of patients, sexual harassment,
drug thefts and fraud were among the alleged
offences.
Chris Franks AM subsequently warned that suspensions
for a year or over sometimes put extra pressure
on others working in the NHS.
The figures, obtained using the Freedom of Information
Act (FOI), showed the costs of paying staff while they
were suspended was more than £850,000 over two
years.
For full report click here
Learning Disabilities
68. “I never thought anyone would give me a
real job”
20 November 2008 - MencapNewsletter
My name is Neil Beard and I was supported by Mencap
to get a job at Sainsbury’s. I was recently asked
to be in a Sainsbury’s ‘You Can’ DVD. I was very
nervous but after the first take I started to relax.
For full report go to http://www.mencap.org.uk/page.asp?
id=4816
69. Transfer of Learning Disability SC Funding
and Commissioning from the NHS to Local
Government
19 November 2008 – DoH
A letter to all primary care trusts and strategic health
authorities which updates the transfer of commissioning
responsibility from primary care trusts to local authorities
with respect to non-health care-related expenditure
for people with learning difficulties.
For full report click here
70. Craegmoor Service User Takes Important
Next Step
18 November 2008
Craegmoor Healthcare, congratulated Melanie Farr, a
resident of its Woodpecker Lodge supported living
facility, on moving into a flat of her own.
Melanie, who has been receiving support from Craegmoor
for over 5 years, will now receive 53 ½ hours of
support a week, partly shared, partly one to one, in
her new home. Melanie is one of several people supported
by Craegmoor who benefiting from the development
of the company's supported living services.
At Woodpecker Lodge, people who require
services from Craegmoor can develop their independent
living skills with the aim of living independently in
the community when they feel ready.
Melanie now will move into an apartment complex run
by her local housing association who have been very
keen to work with Craegmoor to provide suitable accommodation
for people who wish to be supported by
the company within the community rather than in a
care home setting. This is an exciting new phase in
Melanie’s life and she is looking forward to choosing
her furniture and decorating her new home. Melanie
is already incredibly active in her local community and
has for a number of years held several voluntary positions.
These include helping out in a resource centre
catering for older people, working in a local bookshop
and assisting at functions held by her local cricket
club.
With support from Craegmoor and the Learning Disabilities
team at Hereford Council Melanie hopes to
use this experience to gain paid employment somewhere
where she can put her people skills to good
use.
Woodpecker lodge manager Anne Fletcher said today:
“I am pleased that Melanie is excited about moving in
and l look forward to visiting once she has moved in
properly. I’d like to thank the team at Hereford Council
for their help and look forward to working with them
to ensure more people who use our services are able
to live the lives they want within the community.”
Craegmoor’s Chief Executive, Ted Smith, said today:
"Mel is taking an important next step in her life and I
am proud that we are able to support her. At Craegmoor,
we are committed to providing innovative options
for people to live independently in their own
homes, and personal choice is always our prime consideration."
71. Clear Thoughts
November 2008
A website has been set up specially for people who
have a learning disability.
The website is aimed at people who have a learning
disability, their family, friends and carers, and professionals
and those supporting the people and their families.
The website project is run by ARC, Association for Real
Change.
To access the website go to www.clearthoughts.info
Legislation Update
72. No. 375 Act of Sederunt (Summary Applications,
Statutory Applications and Appeals
etc. Rules) Amendment (Adult Support and
Protection (Scotland) Act 2007) (No. 3) 2008
19 November 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
73. Children and Young Persons Act 2008
c.23
17 November 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
74. No. 2940 The Children Act 1989 (Contact
Activity Directions and Conditions: Financial
Assistance) (England) Regulations 2008
17 November 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
Mental Capacity
75. Allow dementia sufferers to die, says old
people’s ‘tsar’ Bakewell
17 November 2008 - Daily Telegraph
Joan Bakewell, the newly appointed tsar for older
people has said older people should not be kept alive
indefinitely by technology and that dementia sufferers
should be allowed to die once their identities had
faded away.
Mental Health
76. CAMHS review offers nothing new, says
Mental Health Foundation
19 November 2008
In response to the release of the Child and Adolescent
Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Review by the
Department for Children Schools and Families and
the Department of Health, Simon Lawton Smith,
Head of Policy at the Mental Health Foundation, said:
Nothing new
“This review, by its own admission, suggests no new
policy, and makes no major suggestions for structural
changes to CAMHS or Children’s Trusts. It is primarily
a plea to implement existing policy. The key question
is therefore whether the review’s recommendations
will achieve this, given the patchy implementation
of CAMHS around the country and current funding
pressures.”
New board needs teeth
“A National Advisory Council on Children's Psychological
Wellbeing & Mental Health could help speed
things up. But it will only have an impact if it is given
some teeth and can hold the government properly to
account. We also need to know what powers it will
have over local areas that are slow to commission
comprehensive CAMHS.
“Strengthening the national support programme can
also be welcomed in principle, but we would want
assurances about the level of resources that are
available for an expansion of this work.”
Unrealistic expectations
“Following this review, we expect the welcome, if
slow, improvement to CAMHS to continue. However,
we are not convinced the review will necessarily meet
the Health Secretary’s expectation of a dramatic improvement
in CAMHS services in the next 12
months.”
The purpose of the CAMHS Review was to investigate:
(i) What progress has been made, since the launch of
Standard 9 of the Children’s National Service Framework
and the publication of Every Child Matters in
2004, in delivering services to meet the educational,
health and social care needs of children and young
people at risk of and experiencing mental health problems
(including those with complex, severe and persistent
needs)?
(ii) What practical solutions can those developing
policy and delivering, managing and commissioning
services use to address current challenges and deliver
better outcomes for children and young people
with mental health problems? And how can these
solutions be monitored?
The National Service Framework for Children (NSF),
Young People and Maternity Services was launched
in 2004, a ten year policy document describing what
services and support children and young people
should be able to expect. Standard 9 of the NSF addressed
the mental health and psychological wellbeing
of children and young people.
A key recommendation of the review is the setting up
of a National Advisory Council on Children's Psychological
Wellbeing & Mental Health to oversee the delivery
of mental health services to children and young
people.
Bright Futures: Promoting Children and Young People's
Mental Health, a 1999 report from the Mental
Health Foundation, recommended that a Standing
Commission (Advisory Committee) on the Emotional
and Mental Health of Children and Young People
should be established to provide national leadership
to oversee the production and implementation of the
national framework and to develop a framework for
cross-professional training.
The Mental Health Foundation uses research and
practical projects to help people survive, recover
from and prevent mental health problems. It works
to influence policy, including government at the highest
levels and uses its knowledge to raise awareness
and to help tackle the stigma attached to mental illness.
Log on to www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Miscellaneous
77. 'It isn't easy to say no'
23 November 2008 – BBC News
A case study of Professor David Barnett, and his
work at the National Institute for health and Clinical
Excellence (NICE).
For full report click here
78. Disability minister reveals delay in ratifying
UN rights charter
21 November 2008 – Community Care
Jonathan Shaw, Disabilities Minister, has announced
that the Government is going to delay the ratification
of a United Nations disability rights charter until 2009,
due to ongoing concerns from various Government
departments over its implementation.
For full report click here
79. Health and Care Workers to set up new
social enterprises
20 November 2008
Marking Social Enterprise Day, Care Service Ministers
Phil Hope announced that six projects will share
£450,000 to establish new social enterprises which
will help the elderly, the disabled and the homeless,
and nurses will get more help to set up services that
will help their patients.
The six projects form part of the Government's
'Innovation for Life' Challenge Fund - a fund set up to
promote commissioning of innovative health and social
care services from social enterprises.
The projects to receive funding are:
* Gateshead Council (£61,875) to develop a new initiative
which will train and enable older and disabled
people to offer their skills and knowledge to other
people who need independent assistance.
* Bristol City Council (£40,000) will bring together
partners from the voluntary, community, social enterprise
and public sectors to tackle local health and
well-being challenges.
* NHS West Midlands (£100,000) will set up schemes
for respite care for disabled young people and their
families and improved engagement with groups such
as the homeless.
* Birmingham City Council (£63,750) to encourage
the development of a framework to support the startup
of local social enterprises.
* Croydon PCT and Croydon Council (£85,000) will
set up a Partnership for Older People's (POP) Village,
which will help older people in the borough.
* Kent County Council (£100,000) will engage with
and support PCT commissioning of social enterprises.
A how-to guide, called 'Social Enterprise - Making a
Difference' which will help community health and social
care staff set up social enterprises to deliver new
and improved services, was also launched today.
The "Right to Request" to set up social enterprises is
a commitment within the Next Stage Review of the
NHS published in July 2008. It allows primary and
community care staff to establish independent social
enterprises, providing an opportunity for them to deliver
their services in new ways. This right will help
staff drive up the quality of care by empowering them
to directly address local needs and ultimately improve
the health and well-being of the people they serve.
Phil Hope said:
"Social enterprise can support the development of
vibrant services that improve patient care. For this to
happen, PCTs and councils need to work together to
encourage social enterprise. This funding supports
innovation in organisations that are committed to improvement.
"This guide empowers frontline staff to directly help
the patients and communities they serve. Social enterprises
can also give greater freedom to staff to
use their professional skills to transform services.
Healthcare professionals have a long history of providing
innovative services in a variety of settings so
they are in an excellent position to take advantage of
this 'right to request'".
More information about the Department of Health's
social enterprise programme can be found at: http://
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Managingyourorganisation/
Commissioning/Socialenterprise/index.htm
The 'How To' guide for staff considering a right to
request to set up a social enterprise can be found at
h t t p : / / w w w . d h . g o v . u k and h t t p : / /
www.socialenterprise.org.uk. It was developed in
conjunction with the Social Enterprise Coalition.