Editorial
It is with great sadness that I report the tragic and
untimely death of Alan Summersell, formerly chief
executive of the Yorkshire Care Group, and his son
Robert.
They were killed in a motorcycle accident.
We at Brunswicks extend our condolences to the
family, friends and colleagues left behind.
A man has been arrested in connection with the
incident.
THIS WEEK IS LEARNING DISABILITY WEEK
Mencap is launching the ‘I want to work’ campaign raising awareness of
the low level of paid work for people with a learning disability.
To learn more about Learning Disability Week go to:
http://www.mencap.org.uk/page.asp?id=3237
Abuse
1. Veganism — lifestyle choice or child
abuse?
15 June—The Sunday Times
After a Glasgow teenager was found to have rickets,
her parents face serious questions says Tom Sanders,
professor of nutrition and dietetics at King’s College
London and suggests that bringing up children
as vegans is a form of child abuse.
Prof Sanders says: “Parents, whatever their dietary
persuasion, have a duty to ensure that their children
are properly nourished. Providing the advice given is
followed, the right of parents to raise their children as
vegans should be respected. Those who fail to follow
this advice are guilty of child abuse.”
Ed. In west Palm Beach, Florida a toddler was
allowed to play outside for 90 minutes without
sun screen – the father is facing child abuse
charges following sunburn to the toddler.
2. Cafcass: Law Lords ruling on abuse
claims will remove confusion
13 June 2008 – Community Care
CAFCASS has announced that a Law Lords judgement
will clear up confusion for child protection practitioners
on what standard of proof is required for
care proceedings.
For full report click here
3. Major abuse charity strongly welcomes
the Law Commission review of adult protection
and social care law
11 June 2008
Action on Elder Abuse (AEA), the leading specialist
charity focusing upon the abuse of older people, has
welcomed the announcement that the Law Commission
is to review the law under which residential care,
community care, adult protection and support for
carers is provided, in order to establish a coherent
legal structure, preferably in the form of a single statute,
for these services.
At least 800,000 older people are directly affected by
such legislation, either in residential care or through
domiciliary care support, while it is estimated that at
least 500,000 older people experience abuse at the
hands of families, friends, neighbours or paid
staff. Despite this, adult protection is provided
through guidance rather than legislation, and social
care is provided through outdated legislation that is
confusing, conflicting and open to interpretation. The
definition of who is considered a ‘vulnerable adult’
varies according to agencies and according to specific
legislation and there is no single, agreed understanding
of the term. This results in variable responses
to abusive situations.
Gary FitzGerald, Chief Executive of Action on Elder
Abuse, said: “This is very timely action by the Law
Commission as this will address a significant area of
long standing concern and one that affects many vulnerable
people. We cannot continue to approach
major issues of care provision, and the protection of
very vulnerable people, in our current piecemeal
fashion and we agree with the Commission that the
law needs to updated. Equally importantly, we need
the protection of vulnerable adults put onto the same
legal basis as the protection of our children.
“As a major charity focussing upon abuse issues we
have welcomed and supported the various initiatives
undertaken by the Government since 2000, but the
reality is that we need care provision, the monitoring
of care provision, and access to protection, put onto a
much clearer and firmer legislative base if we are to
ensure that some of the most vulnerable people in
our society receive the care and support they so desperately
need.
“AEA believes that this initiative should form a significant
part of a much wider strategy to reform social
care and support. While this review will address the
structure, duties and responsibilities associated with
quality care and protective systems, initiatives such
as the dignity in care campaign continue to address
the attitudes and approaches of paid staff. However
abuse within the community, which forms the greater
part of the problem (5), continues to be a major area of
concern.
Concluded FitzGerald: “The reality is that we need a
similar strategy to the protection of older people and
other vulnerable adults as we have seen in the domestic
violence arena. That involved both the legislation
approach, as well as major publicity drives, multiagency
strategies intended to change people’s attitude
and acceptance of domestic violence, and a
zero tolerance of such abuse by the criminal justice
system. The scale of elder abuse is such that it
should receive no less a response. As Ivan Lewis
has often said, if it’s not good enough for your mum
or dad, why should it be okay for mine!”
4. US firms to block child sex sites
10 June 2008 – BBC News
US internet service providers Verizon, Sprint and
Time Warner Cable have agreed to block access to
bulletin boards and websites carrying images of child
sex abuse.
The firms will also provide over $1m (roughly
£500,000) to fund efforts to remove child sex sites.
For full report click here
5. Vulnerable adult protection and housing
Issue 34—Action Points
Imogen Parry, director of ERoSH, and Pete Morgan,
Head of Service Adult Protection, Birmingham identify
barriers to joint working between social workers
and housing managers – they provide ideas and solutions
to meet the challenges identified.
6. Changes in Protection
Issue 34—Action Points
The Public Guardian, Peter Brook, sets out issues
arising from the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the
role played by his office.
7. Developments in the Commission for Social
Care Inspection
Issue 34—Action Points
Business Director of CSCI, Mike Rourke, summarises
a presentation he made in April at the annual
conference of Action on Elder Abuse.
Business News
8. Euromedic fetches £800m
15 June 2008—The Mail on Sunday
One of Europe’s biggest healthcare businesses, employing
4,400 in 153 centres across 14 countries,
has been sold to the private equity part of Merrill
Lynch.
9. Advent to step up Craegmoor approach
11 June 2008—Financial Times
Southern Cross and Advent International are reported
to be about to submit second-round bids for
Craegmoor which was put up for sale by Legal &
General Ventures. The sale is being closely monitored
as a measure of the health of the care sector.
10. It’s the run of the market
June 2008—Caring Business
A look at care home operator Runwood homes and
CEO Logan Logeswaran. This company has made
excellent profits increasing EBITDA from 13% to 23%
between 2003 and 2007, mostly from sales to councils
– 85 90% of the beds are funded by local authorities.
How do they do it?
Ed. The answers, unsurprisingly, are not to be
found in the article – however, there is food for
thought.
Care Homes
11. Care home costs (letter)
9 June 2008 – The Daily Telegraph
A letter was sent in from a lady whose husband lives
in a care home and she says “I cannot speak highly
enough of the home where my husband has resided
for the past nine years, but without third-party top-up
fees it could not survive. It is time that social services
raised the threshold to a more realistic sum of around
£400 per week. Without private homes in the future,
where will we be?”
12. Check! Residents confirm what we’ve
always known
June 2008—Caring Business
Two page item looking at the results of a survey of
about 200 residents of care homes who comment on
issues such as friends and family, concerns, involvement
in decisions about care, choice of meal times
and so forth.
13. New school of thought
June 2008 Caring Business
Item about a novel link between care providers and
schools with some examples. Benefits are severalfold,
first there is the wider educational value of having
young people get quality time with older people,
they both benefit. Then there is the possibility of recruiting
staff from the among pupils.
Ed. Sue Brand, MD of Pembroke Care is referred
to; I had the opportunity of hearing both Sue and
the head teacher of the school Pembroke Care
has linked with, Hove Park School, East Sussex –
it was inspirational to hear what has been
achieved by thinking out of the box!
14. How does your local authority rate?
June 2008—Caring Business
Two page article setting out the fees of some 82
councils across the UK.
Case Reports
Law Reports
Nothing to report
Disciplinary cases
15. AK v (1) Central & North West London
Mental Health NHS Trust (2) Kensington &
Chelsea Royal London Borough Council
A judge was wrong to strike out a mental patient's
claim for damages in arising from negligence against
a mental health trust and local authority on the basis
that such bodies were exempt from common law liability
under the Mental Health Act 1983 s.117.
16. Re: B (Children)
The house of Lords has said that the standard of
proof for the finding of facts necessary to establish
that a child "is likely to suffer significant harm" under
the Children Act 1989 s.31(2), and the welfare considerations
in s.1, is on the balance of probabilities.
Neither the seriousness of the allegation nor
the seriousness of the consequences should make
any difference to the standard of proof to be applied
in determining the facts.
17. P v Nursing and Midwifery Council
The fact that a mental health patient had spent the
weekend away with a psychiatric nurse was such
that it amounted to serious professional misconduct
justifying the removal of the psychiatric nurse’s name
from the register.
Cases in the news
18. Climbie worker made a 'scapegoat'
14 June 2008 – BBC News
Victoria Climbie's social worker has accused London's
Haringey Council of the UK's "worst case of
institutionalised scapegoating".
The Care Standards Tribunal ruled that Ms Arthurworrey
should be allowed to re-register as a social
worker.
For full report click here
19. Care home manager admits allegations
12 June 2008 – Birmingham Mail
Kathleen Smith, 46, former manager of Maypole
Nursing Home, Kings Heath, which was shut down in
2003 has pleaded guilty to six allegations of misconduct
before the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Smith faces being struck off the register and losing
her PIN.
For full report go to http://www.birminghammail.net/news/
birmingham-news/2008/06/12/care-home-manager-admitsallegations-
97319-21062691/
20. Pair face care home abuse charges
11 June 2008 – BBC News
John Darby, 71, and Andrew Chambers, 65, were
charged with sex offences relating to children at care
homes in south London. They are accused of sexually
assaulting eight boys and girls in Lewisham between
1971 and 1983.
For full report click here
21. Care home nurse struck off
8 June 2008 – icWales
Hilary Hold, who didn’t wash her hands after dealing
with excrement and gave patients wrong medicine
has been barred from the profession.
The nurse looked after physically disabled adults and
people with learning disabilities at the Eithinog Leonard
Cheshire residential care home in Colwyn Bay,
Conwy.
For full report go to http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/
wales-news/2008/06/08/care-home-nurse-struck-off-91466-
21039775/
Children
Nothing to report
Conferences & Courses
22. CSCI national conference
The Commission for Social Care Inspection is
holding its third national conference on Wednesday
25 June 2008 at the QEII Conference Centre,
London.
For more details click here
23. Delivering Quality Care
26 June 2008
One-day case study led conference at Hyatt Regency,
Birmingham offering insight from policy advisors,
CSCI and providers.
Cost £349 plus VAT, discounts for those who register
places before 30.05.08 and multiple bookings of three
or more.
24. The Local Government and Public Involvement
in Health Act: Delivering Localised
Health and Social Care
Thursday, 26th June 2008 to be held in Westminster.
Our confirmed speakers include:
• Trevor Hopkins, Principal Consultant – Healthy
Communities Team, Improvement and Development
Agency (IDeA);
• Tim Gilling, Health Scrutiny Programme Manager,
Centre for Public Scrutiny;
• Jenny Singleton, Head of Patient and Public
Involvement and Equalities, Islington PCT; and
Elizabeth Manero, Director, Health Link
We are delighted that Cllr Barrie Taylor, Scrutiny
Commission & Health Scrutiny Chair, Westminster
Council will be chairing this Briefing.
Should you/your colleagues wish to attend, please
complete and return (by email or fax) the reservation
form at your earliest convenience in order to secure
your delegate place(s).
For more details click here
25. Westminster eForum keynote seminar
Personal Data in the Information Age
Morning, 3rd July 2008, Westminster, SW1
This seminar is supported by Information Commissioner’s
Office
Live Agenda | Our Website | Book Online
Speakers
We are delighted that David Smith, Deputy Information
Commissioner, Information Commissioner’s Office,
will be delivering a keynote address at this seminar.
Other confirmed speakers currently include: Anna
Fielder, Senior Policy Advisor, National Consumer
Council Hazel Grant, Partner, International Privacy
and Data Protection Group, Bird & Bird; Marlene
Winfield, National Patient Lead, Connecting for
Health; Phillip Webb, Chair, Government Relations
Group, British Computer Society; and Katy Worobec,
Head of Fraud Control, APACS.
The Earl of Erroll, Secretary, All Party Parliamentary
Group for Communications has kindly agreed to
chair part this seminar. Further senior speakers are
being approached.
All delegates will receive free PDF copies and are
invited to contribute to the content.
Booking arrangements
To book places, please use our online booking form.
Once submitted, this will be taken as a confirmed
booking and will be subject to our terms and conditions
below.
Please pay in advance by credit card on 01276
489144. If advance credit card payment is not possible
please let me know and we may be able make
other arrangements.
Options and charges are as follows:
Places at Personal Data in the Information
Age (including refreshments and PDF copy of the
transcripts) are £190 plus VAT (£223.25);
Concessionary rate places for small charities, unfunded
individuals and those in similar circumstances
are £80 plus VAT (£94). Please be sure to apply for
this at the time of booking.
For those who cannot attend:
Copies of the briefing document, including full transcripts
of all speeches and the question and comment
sessions and further articles from interested
parties, will be available approximately 7 days after
the event for £95 plus VAT (£111.63);
Concessionary rate: £50 plus VAT.
26. Improving the Life Chances of Disabled
Adults Conference
Monday 7th July - Central London
Please note that we still have some spaces available
on this popular event, which is CPD Certified,
supported by Learning Skills Council, Office
for Disability Issues and the Department for Work
and Pensions, and includes a ministerial address
from Anne McGuire MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary
for Disabled People. This conference is an excellent
learning and networking opportunity for anyone
involved with Disability Partnerships, Housing Needs,
Social Inclusion, Equalities and Independent Living.
For conference agenda and booking form please
click here or if the link doesn’t work please ask for a
brochure via e-mail at dave.eastman@capita.co.uk
Chaired by: Mike Smith, Disability Committee Member,
EHRC and Chair, National Centre for Independent
Living
Our expert speakers include:
Bruce Calderwood, Director, Office for Disability Issues
Rebecca Sudworth, Deputy Director, Disability and
Work Division, Department of Work and Pensions
Ellen Atkinson, Associate Director, LLDD, Learning
and Skills Council
Mike Adams, Chief Executive, Essex Coalition of Disabled
People
27. Action on Elder Abuse
Achieving Justice - Supporting Victims
7th July 2008
Ort House Conference Centre, London
Action on Elder Abuse is running a major conference
on abuse, criminal justice and supporting victims in
London in early July. As policy makers and practitioners
increasingly locate their work within a criminal
justice context, this conference poses the questions:
• How do we ensure justice for victims of abuse?
• Can we put victims of abuse at the centre of the
criminal justice system?
• How do we support victims of these crimes effectively?
• Do we need greater clarity of roles and responsibilities
within this work?
With a keynote speech by Deputy Chief Constable
Richard Crompton ACPO lead on vulnerable adults
and Vulnerable and intimidated victims
Speakers have been invited from a number of organisations
including:
Crown Prosecution Service
Victim Support
MIND
The Metropolitan Police Service
£126 + VAT for members
£140 + VAT for non-members
Discussing the often complicated relationship between
abuse, safeguarding systems, policies and
procedures and the criminal justice system: This conference
is a must for professionals working with older
people, safeguarding staff and staff from criminal
justice agencies.
A full, detailed programme and booking form will be
available shortly, but to register your interest and
request a booking form, please contact Daisy Goodstien
on daisygoodstien@elderabuse.org.uk or call
us on 0208 765 7000.
If you have any queries please contact us on 0208
765 7000.
Registration will open at 10.00am, coffee will be
available.
28. “Implementing the Independent Living
Strategy: Delivering Choice and Control for
Disabled People” Westminster Briefing hosted
by The House Magazine on Wednesday, 9th July
2008 held in Westminster.
The recently launched cross-governmental Independent
Living strategy underlines the Government’s commitment
to supporting disabled people. It aims to provide
more choice and control over how their needs
will be met as well as putting in place measures to
tackle barriers in accessing health, housing, transport,
and employment opportunities. It is designed to
make a real and measurable impact on the lives of
disabled people with a commitment to monitor its impact,
year-on-year, in partnership with disabled people.
Should you/your colleagues wish to attend, please
complete and return (by email or fax) the enclosed
reservation form at your earliest convenience in order
to secure your delegate place(s). I would also be
grateful if you could forward the details of this event
to relevant colleagues within your organisation. If you
require further information, have any questions, or are
interested in sponsorship or exhibition opportunities
please do not hesitate to contact me.
T: 020 7096 2916
F: 020 7096 2946
E: nick.rotsides@westminster-briefing.com
29. Westminster Health Forum keynote seminar
Mental Health - New Horizons: after the National
Service Framework
Morning, 17th July 2008, Westminster SW1
Live Agenda| Our Website | Book Online
This seminar will examine issues around the provision
and quality of mental health services, following
on from the National Service Framework (NSF) - and
as the Darzi Review of the NHS is published.
We are delighted that Professor Louis Appleby, National
Director for Mental Health, Department of
Health, and Kathryn Tyson, Programme Director for
Mental Health, Department of Health, will both be giving
keynote addresses at this seminar.
Dr Jo Smith, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, and
Joint National Early Intervention Lead, NIMHE will
also be speaking. Further speakers are expected to
be confirmed shortly.
10.00 Registration opens and welcome coffee
available
10.45 Welcome and introduction - Keith Lewin,
Chair, Brunswicks LLP
11.00 Keynote Address – Deputy Chief Constable
Richard Crompton, ACPO, Lead on
vulnerable adults, and vulnerable and
intimidated victims.
11.35 Dru Sharpling, Chief Crown Prosecutor
of London, Crown Prosecution Service
12.10 Daniel Blake, Policy Development Manager,
Action on Elder Abuse
12.40 Anna Bird, Mind
13.15 Lunch
14.15 Panel Discussion
Participants to be confirmed.
15.15 Rachel Griffin, Victim Support
15.45 PC Gordon Holmes, Operation Stirling,
Metropolitan Police Service
16.15 Chairs Closing Remarks
16.30 END
© Brunswicks LLP 2008 http://www.brunswickslaw.eu Page 9
29. Westminster Health Forum keynote seminar
Mental Health - New Horizons: after the National
Service Framework (continued…)
Output
All delegates will receive free PDF copies and are
invited to contribute to the content.
Booking arrangements
To book places, please use our online booking form.
Once submitted, this will be taken as a confirmed
booking and will be subject to our terms and conditions
below.
Please pay in advance by credit card on 01276
489144. If advance credit card payment is not possible
please let me know and we may be able to make
other arrangements.
Options and charges are as follows:
Places at Mental Health – New Horizons: after the
National Service Framework (including refreshments
and PDF copy of the transcripts) are £190 plus VAT
(£223.25);
30. 17th International Congress on Palliative
Care
23-26 September 2008 at the Palais des Congrès
in Montréal, Canada.
Presented by the Palliative Care Division of the Departments
of Medicine and Oncology of McGill University,
this biennial Congress has grown to become
one of the premier international events in palliative
care. Healthcare professionals, therapists, volunteers
and all those involved in care for the dying
come to renew themselves as providers of care and
to obtain the inspiration that will help them shape the
palliative care of the future. Since the first Congress
in 1976 under the leadership of palliative care pioneer
Dr. Balfour Mount, there has been increasing agreement
in the field that palliative care should be provided
from diagnosis, hence the shift to “Palliative
Care” from “Care of the Terminally Ill” in the title of
the 2008 Congress.
Poster abstracts may be submitted until May 28,
2008.
The early registration deadline is March 24,
2008. For more information, to register or to submit
an abstract, please visit www.pal2008.com or call
450-292-3456 ext. 227.
April O’Donoughue
Tel: +1 (450) 292-3456, ext. 227
Fax: +1 (450) 292-3453
E-mail: info@pal2008.com
Web : www.pal2008.com
31. LCA Annual Conference and Exhibition
2008
“Brave New World - Transforming Social Care:
Personalisation and Quality"
25th September 2008 at Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel,
(J7 M65)
F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n c o n t a c t :
sarah.luton@lancashirecare.org.uk
32. Delivering effective end-of-life care: developing
partnership working
Wednesday 15 October 2008, 9.30am–4.00pm,
London
Recognition of the need for good-quality end-of-life
care has been steadily increasing, with the release of
the government's End of Life Care Strategy being
imminent. Much pioneering work has been done by a
wide range of organisations across health and social
care. There is now a move towards effective commissioning
and co-ordination of this care, in order to enable
greater choice for those at the end of their life.
Produced in partnership between the King's Fund and
Marie Curie Cancer Care, this one-day conference
will look at how best to deliver end-of-life care.
Key speakers
Professor Mike Richards CBE, Chair, End of Life
Strategy Advisory Board and National Clinical Director
for Cancer
Dr James Beattie, National Clinical Lead, NHS Heart
Improvement Programme and Consultant Cardiologist,
Birmingham Heartlands Hospital
Places at this event are limited so we recommend
that you reserve a place as soon as possible by
downloading a registration form from our website or
booking online. For further information and to
download the full programme, please visit our website
or email us and we will be happy to provide you with
more details.
33. Lancashire Care Association Annual Conference
and Exhibition 2008
25th September 2008
"Brave New World - Transforming Social Care:
Personalisation and Quality"
The programme will be out in due course but, as
ever, there will be topics of interest to proprietors and
their businesses, to practitioners, service-users and
to policy-makers and planners, with local and national
33. Lancashire Care Association Annual
Conference and Exhibition 2008
(continued…)
25th September 2008
"Brave New World - Transforming Social Care:
Personalisation and Quality"
speakers. Also note we will again be organising a
Charity Gala Dinner so those of you who can, can let
your hair down, and enjoy a social ‘do’ helping a
good cause. Details will follow.
LWDP Celebration Event - Wednesday 28th May
Blackpool BC/LCA Care Providers Workshop -
Thursday 5th June
LCA/LCC Joint Domiciliary Seminar - 19th June
LCA Board & AGM - Wednesday 25th June
LCA/LCC/UKHCA Social Care Partnership Meeting
- Friday 11th July
34. Mind the Gap! ECCA Conference, November
12, 2008. Book now and save £50!
Book now for our conference on the future of care at
the Holiday Inn, Bloomsbury, London WC1. Email
conference@ecca.org.uk , call 08450 577 677, or
visit www.ecca.org.uk.
Consultations
To follow next week
CSCI, CSSIW, Healthcare
Commission &
Scottish Care Commission
35. Healthcare watchdog announces appointment
of three new Commissioners
12 June 2008 – Healthcare Commission
The Healthcare Commission has announced the appointments
of Patrick Boyle, Dr Fiona Campbell and
Charles Goody as Commissioners, by the Appointments
Commission.
The new appointees will join the twelve current Commissioners,
currently headed by Chairman Professor
Sir Ian Kennedy.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
n e w s a n d e v e n t s / p r e s s r e l e a s e s . c f m ?
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36. Watchdogs publish verdict on NHS reforms
so far
12 June 2008 – Healthcare Commission
The Healthcare Commission & Audit Commission has
published a report ‘Is the treatment working? Progress
with the NHS system reform programme’ detailing
how NHS system reforms have improved management
of the health service. However, the report
says that more time is needed to deliver any significant
benefits to patients.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
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che=false
37. Carers UK welcomes pledge for new
regulator to involve carers
11 June 2008 – Community Care
Carers UK claim victory after lobbying the Government
to bring forward proposals to ensure that the
new Care Quality Commission (CQC) will take into
account all users and carers' views.
An amendment to the Health and Social Care Bill is
expected with a proposal that the health and social
care regulator will publish a statement describing how
it will engage with users and carers and take account
of their views.
For full report click here
38. Carers Week 9 -15 June 2008
10 June 2008 – SCRC
Carers Week has now been running for 14 years.
For full report click here
39. Patient weigh scales: potential for medication
errors due to inaccurate readings
9 June 2008 – SCRC
The Scottish Care Commission has announced a potential
for medication errors due to inaccurate readings
from incorrectly calibrated patient weigh scales
or the use of the wrong type (class) of scales.
For full report click here
Dementia
40. I broke down on live TV over my dad’s
battle with Alzheimer’s. Thankfully, Eamonn
was there to comfort me
15 June 2008—The Mail on Sunday
On Father’s Day, Ruth Langsford, talks of the pain
and challenges presented by her father’s decline and
the burden of guilt that falls on family members.
41. This life
15 June 2008—Mail on Sunday, You Magazine
Marina Lewycha, author of 'Two Caravans and 'A
Short History of Tractors in the Ukraine' talks fondly of
her ‘Pappa’ and the care home in which he now lives.
42. 76 year old gent goes missing
14 June 2008—COI
The Police requested the assistance of the Coastguard
at 8:50pm on 13.06.08 to search for a missing
76 yr old man who was suffering from Senile Dementia
and had last been seen at 12noon.
Ros Evans, Watch Manager, Portland Maritime Rescue
Coordination Centre, says:
"We received a sighting of the casualty at 7:30pm on
Friday, from a member of the life boat crew, the
search was concentrated on the area north east of
Lyme Regis in the Spittles area, with concern regarding
the Black Ven mud flat area.
At first light (05:00 am) the Rescue helicopter from
RAF Chivenor was on scene and the casualty was
found at 05:01am east of the Spittles. He was taken
by helicopter to the lifeboat house where he was met
by his family and the ambulance, where he was
medically assessed.
This has been a large joint effort with the Police Authority
with a positive outcome, I am pleased to say
he is safe and well and is at home with his family.
43. Mental Capacity Act 2005 Deprivation of
Liberty Safeguards Code of Practice and
Regulations: Report on consultation
10 June 2008 – DoH
For full report see Mental Health—item 56
Education
Nothing to report
Ireland, Scotland & Wales
Ireland
44. DH: Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act
2006/Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups
(Northern Ireland) Order 2007 : Independent
Safeguarding Authority (ISA) scheme consultation
document - formal Government response
10 June 2008 – DoH
For full report see Miscellaneous – item 63
Scotland
45. Eight patients killed by superbug
11 June 2008 – BBC News
Eight elderly patients at the Vale of Leven Hospital in
Alexandria have been killed by C.diff in the last six
months.
A subsequent investigation into cases between December
and June found that eight of the 54 patients
who contracted C. diff died as a direct result with the
infection also being a contributory factor in a further
eight deaths.
A review of hygiene procedures and the use of antibiotics
at the hospital is now underway.
For full report click here
Wales
46. 600 hospital beds 'could close'
12 June 2008 – BBC News
Cardiff could lose around 600 hospital beds at two of
its largest hospitals as a result of more patient care
taking place in the community.
Beds in general surgical and medical wards could go
over the next 10 years at Cardiff's University Hospital
of Wales and Llandough, near Penarth, with Cardiff's
Rookwood and West Wing rehabilitation units closing
and a new centre being built.
The modernisation plans are due to be consulted on
later this year.
For full report click here
47. Public will decide on controversial treatments
in Wales
11 June 2008 – HSJ
The Welsh Assembly Government has announced
new plans to set up a panel made up of members of
the public to decide which specialist treatments
should be provided by the NHS.
Edwina Hart, Health Minister said:
“I am not one of those people who believes that lay
people cannot be trusted to be involved in these sorts
of decisions. I am convinced that substantially increased
engagement by members of the lay public in
these profoundly difficult decisions will lead to improved
transparency and public confidence in both
the processes and its outcomes.”
48. Health body 'should be scrapped'
10 June 2008 – BBC News
Specialist treatment review due
10 June 2008 – BBC News
An official report ordered by Health Minister, Edwina
Hart, says that the Health Commission Wales, the
body that controls specialist NHS treatment, should
be scrapped. Fundamental flaws were found in its
establishment and the report said it should be replaced
by an independent body.
For full report click here
For 2nd BBC report click here
49. Silent health suffering of carers
9 June 2008 – BBC News
A new survey undertaken to mark Carers’ Week suggests
that carers suffer health problems in silence
because they do not have time to see a doctor.
The survey has also highlighted the effects of caring
on the physical and emotional wellbeing of carers.
For full report click here
Learning Disabilities
50. Groundbreaking photos of young models
newsletter@mencap.chtah.com
Creative director Gary Harvey has put together stunning
photos of models with a learning disability in a
bid to challenge perceptions of learning disability and
beauty.
Legislation Update
51. The Health Care and Associated Professions
(Miscellaneous Amendments) Order
2008
11 June 2008 – OPSI
For full consultation click here
52. No. 1329 (W.138)The National Health Service
(General Medical Services Contracts)
(Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2008
9 June 2008 – OPSI
For full consultation click here
Mental Health
53. Mental Capacity Act 2005: Deprivation of
liberty safeguards code of practice
13 June 2008 – Ministry of Justice
Justice Minister, Bridget Prentice has issued a written
ministerial statement to Parliament on 13 June
2008 in which she announced a new code of practice
for deprivation of liberty safeguards.
For full report go to http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/
announcement130608b.htm
54. 32 PCTs to spearhead surge in talking
therapies
12 June 2008 - COI
Health minister Ivan Lewis announced the 32 sites
who will begin to roll out talking therapies around the
country. Each will receive a share of the £33 million
first instalment of new money announced for the purpose
by Health Secretary Alan Johnson on World
Mental Health Day last year (10.10.07).
55. Mental Health Foundation responds to
Barnardo’s report
11 June 2008
In response to the launch of the Barnardo’s Family
Minded report on children of a parent living with mental
illness, Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of
the Mental Health Foundation, said:
“The family is the place where children learn to be
happy and healthy so it’s scandalous that at the moment
the system is completely failing families where a
parent has a serious mental illness. Children who are
not given help to cope with their parent’s mental illness
are vulnerable to long-term emotional and behavioural
problems. A range of services including
talking therapies and practical social support need to
be made available to everyone in the family - we
must stop leaving families to struggle on their own to
cope with mental illness.”
More information on parents and mental health can
be found at http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/
information/mental-health-a-z/parents-with-mentalhealth-
problems/
56. Mental Capacity Act 2005 Deprivation of
Liberty Safeguards Code of Practice and
Regulations: Report on consultation
10 June 2008 – DoH
DoH has released a publication reporting on a consultation
on draft code of practice guidance and two
sets of draft regulations on the deprivation of liberty
safeguards introduced into the Mental Capacity Act
2005 by the Mental Health Act 2007.
For full report click here
Miscellaneous
57. I don’t dream about Victoria... I live with
her every day
15 June 2008 - The Mail on Sunday
It is eight years since the murder of Victoria Climbie;
Lisa Arthurworrey, the junior and inexperienced social
worker who was the scapegoat by Haringey Council
for the death of Victoria, gives a ‘raw and emotional’
interview about the guilt and grief she has.
The dreadful way in which Haringey had her put on
the Protection of Children Act (POCA) List and her
appeal against the listing and her appeal against
General Social Care Council’s refusal to register her.
Her appeals to the Care Standards Tribunal succeeded
with the President, Judge David Pearl, suggesting
that Lord Laming’s 44 findings portrayed matters
which were not quite as ‘clear cut...as they might
be’. The CST also indicated dissatisfaction that Ms
Arthurworrey’s professional body, British Association
of Social Workers, failed to provide her with legal support.
She says that there are ‘too many devious hypocrites
in social work’.
58. Surgeon: Legalise organ trade
14 June 2008 - Daily Mail
The market for transplant organs from living donors
should become a licensed trade says Prof. Maqsood
Noorani who practiced at Bart’s and The London
NHS Trust.
In a number of countries donors are paid less than
£1,000 for a kidney, brokers and surgeons sell them
on at up to £40,000.
59. Cancer insurance lifeline
14 June 2008 - Daily Mail
Western Provident Association is directly challenging
the Government over payment for anti-cancer medication
not available on the NHS in England, by offering
to top-up care including those drug interventions
up to a total of £50,000. The twist is that it includes
automatic access to a legal helpline where the NHS
threatens to withdraw other NHS treatment.
Ed. Readers with a good memory will recall that
last year we reported that Western Provident had
obtained a written opinion on the differing treatment
of the NHS in relation to the availability of
medicines in various countries of the UK. See
BHCR Vol 2, Issue 42, item 81.
60. Department of Health Business Plan 2008
- 09
11 June 2008 – DoH
A plan outlining the Department’s plans for 2008–09
to lead and support the Government’s objectives for
health and social care, and how they aim support
Ministers in their accountability to the public and Parliament.
For full report click here
61. Strategic Health Authorities' visions for
better healthcare
11 June 2008 – DoH
Each of the nine Strategic Health Authorities were
involved in the Review and published their visions for
better healthcare during May and early June 2008.
The vision documents will be the basis of Lord Darzi’s
final ‘Our NHS, our future’ report, which should enable
and support the delivery of the same.
For full report click here
62. DH: Communications summary: May 2008
11 June 2008 – DoH
A summary listing DH circulars, publications and consultations
issued in May 2008.
For full report click here
63. DH: Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act
2006/Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups
(Northern Ireland) Order 2007: Independent
Safeguarding Authority (ISA) scheme consultation
document - formal Government response
10 June 2008 – DoH
A report the on consultation previously carried out by
the Department for Children, Schools and Families,
the Home Office and the Department of Health.
For full report click here
64. DH: Self care: a national view in 2007
compared to 2004-05
10 June 2008 – DoH
The Department of Health commissioned Ipsos MORI
to undertake a study to explore attitudes of the public
towards self care.
This report presents the results of that 2007 study.
For full report click here
65. Carers at the heart of 21st century families
and communities: a caring system on
your side, a life of your own
10 June 2008 – DoH
DoH has set out a carers' strategy which sets out the
Government's short-term agenda and long-term vision
for the future care and support of carers.
The strategy is underpinned by £255 million to implement
some immediate steps alongside with medium
and long-term plans.
For full report click here
66. Health Inequalities: Progress and next
steps
9 June 2008 – DoH
A document outlining the Government's plans to meet
the 2010 health inequalities public service agreement
targets.
For full report click here
67. £255 million boost for Carers
10 June 2008 - COI
New ten year programme to give carers short breaks,
more help with employment and support for them to
stay healthy; the Carers Strategy is supported by
£255 million of new investment to implement some
immediate steps.
This money is in addition to the £224 million per annum
given to Local Authorities through the Carers
Grant, the extra £340 million to be spent by the government
supporting the families of disabled children
over the next three years, and £2.7million a year to
fund a new information helpline and website for carers.
The announcement means:
- £150 million extra investment to expand short
breaks for carers over two years;
- £38 million towards supporting carers to enter or reenter
the job market with more guidance for employers,
and more flexible and accessible skills training
for carers;
- Piloting annual health checks for carers to help
them stay mentally and physically well;
- Training for GPs to recognise the role that carers
play and pressures on the carers' own health;
- £6 million towards improving the support for young
carers and more protection from inappropriate caring
for young people;
- Giving carers greater choice and control over their
lives by encouraging increased use of direct payments
- often, carers' lives will be improved if services
to the person for whom they care are better
tailored to their needs.
Health minister Ivan Lewis said:
"In a society where an increasing number of us are
caring for ageing parents or sick and disabled relatives,
it is right that we recognise carers are at the
heart of 21st century families and communities.
"In the next decade elder care will be the new childcare
and it is essential our policies properly meet the
scale of the challenge.
"Thousands of carers, irrespective of their roles or
postcode, have told us they want a support system
that is on their side, rather than a constant struggle
and the right to a life of their own alongside their caring
responsibilities.
"Today's historic announcement is the beginning of a
ten year programme to give carers the recognition
and status they deserve.
"An extra £150m for short breaks will double the
amount of respite care available over 2 years, £6 million
will be made available to support professionals to
ensure no child has their childhood stolen through
taking on inappropriate caring responsibilities and
£38m will help carers who want to combine a job with
their caring role. A further £61m will be aimed at enhancing
support to voluntary organisations and ensuring
NHS and Social Care professionals focus on
the specific emotional and health needs of carers."
68. GPs ‘failing on 48-hour target for appointments’
9 June 2008 - The Times
Some 33% of GP surgeries are not offering patients
appointments within the 48 hr target.
69. RBS/ALLCORA Excellence in Care
Awards 2008
The award nominations opened earlier this month;
there are six categories, each winner will receive a
cash prize of £2,000 and overall winners
£5,000. Entry forms available from Allcora
info@allcora.co.uk
70. Time to create new care system
June 2008 - Caring Business
Item about Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s launch of
a consultation on the future of funding the cost of social
care.
There is to be a six month consultation followed by a
Green Paper in 2009.
Ed. I really am keen to encourage everyone to
engage in the consultation process go to
www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk
71. Long-term care market flawed
June 2008 - Caring Business
Comments by Mike Turley of Deloitte which has published
a report ‘Mapping Care of Older People: Analysis
of England’s long-term care markets’ undertaken
for the Resolution Foundation - the main thrust, care
is a combination of public and private funding and
supply.
Ed. Mr Turley identifies many of the issues which
Gordon Brown seeks views on in his consultation
on shaping the future of care and support. I hope
he shares those views directly with Government
through the consultation – see item 70.
72. Keeping out of the cold
June 2008 - HealthcareInvestor
A look at the social care sector and those businesses
scouring the sector for bargains – could the sector be
adversely affected by a slow-down in the housing
market?
73. Clever politics, uncertain policies
June 2008 - HealthInvestor
John Elledge considers the Tory party’s plans for the
NHS and the involvement of the private sector –
gaps, it is said, have appeared.
74. Cosmetic change
June 2008 - HealthInvestor
Article by Peter Mitchell who considers the prospects
for ‘cowboy clinics’ in the wake of announcements
from the Department of Health to relax regulation in
the use of lasers in cosmetic procedures.
NHS
75. Ministers rethink ban on private drugs in
NHS
15 June 2008 - The Sunday Times
Government rethinking the ban on co-payment by
NHS patients for medication which the NHS will not
pay for.
See item 95.
76. Banned cancer drugs better than NHS
ones
15 June 2008 - The Sunday Times
Privately bought medication up to five times more
effective than those available on the NHS – a look at
the ‘co-payment’ debate.
77. A family battle
15 June 2008 - The Sunday Times
AND
Fireman is denied treatment
15 June 2008 - The Sunday Times
Puts a human slant on the co-payment debate and
the consequences of the Government’s stated position
on the issue.
78. You don’t know me. I don’t know
you. Now, what seems to be the problem?
15 June 2008 - The Sunday Times
Item about patient fears that the concept of polyclinics
will be impersonal, and the rejoinder of Ministers
that getting to see a doctor will become easier. An
example is cited of an individual who saw a series of
doctors in a large clinic, none of whom diagnosed
her problem, it became apparent when she got the
results of an MRI scan which she arranged and paid
for – she had a large brain tumour.
79. Stopping MRSA at the front door
14 June 2008 – BBC News
Ministers are telling hospitals to start rolling out
MRSA screening over next few years as they want to
see all patients tested for the superbug to try to curb
it spreading.
For full report click here
80. The power of complaints
13 June 2008 – NCF
Ann Abraham, the Parliamentary and Health Service
Ombudsman (PHSO) has urged the NHS to improve
the way it handles complaints.
Ms Abraham has issued a new report ‘Remedy in the
NHS’ where she summarises 12 NHS cases previously
investigated by her Office, highlighting examples
of both good and bad practice in dealing with
complaints, concluding that "the cases speak powerfully
for themselves about the individual and public
benefit of effectively resolved complaints."
For full report click here
81. GPs condemn Johnson over polyclinics
plan
13 June 2008 – The Guardian
GPs have overwhelmingly voted a motion of no confidence
in Alan Johnson, the Health Secretary, as a
row over the Government’s plans to shake up the
family doctor service in England turned increasingly
bitter.
82. Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
- The power of complaints
12 June 2008 - COI
Ann Abraham, the Parliamentary and Health Service
Ombudsman (PHSO) urged the NHS to improve the
way it handles complaints.
In a new report – ‘Remedy in the NHS’ - Ms Abraham
summarises 12 NHS cases previously investigated by
her Office, highlighting examples of both good and
bad practice in dealing with complaints. She concludes
that "the cases speak powerfully for themselves
about the individual and public benefit of effectively
resolved complaints."
Some of them identify failings in the service provision
- from poor record keeping and poor communication
with patients, relatives and carers to more serious
clinical failings and, in one case, an avoidable
death. Others involve failings in complaint handling.
When putting things right NHS organisations should
keep in mind the following basic principles:
* If possible, returning the complainant and, where
appropriate, others who have suffered similar injustice
or hardship to the position they would have been
in if the maladministration or poor service had not
occurred.
* If that is not possible, compensating the complainant
and such others appropriately.
* Considering fully and seriously all forms of remedy
(such as an apology, an explanation, remedial action
to prevent a recurrence, or financial compensation).
* Providing the appropriate remedy in each case.
Launching the publication, Ann Abraham said:
"Many of the cases in this collection highlight the
value of a sincere and timely apology, together with a
well reasoned explanation of what went wrong. I'm
aware there can be reputational risks for NHS bodies
associated with my investigations, but I will not hesitate
to draw attention to the bodies involved so that
poor service can be identified and lessons learnt.
"Plans for a two stage complaints system for health
and social care in 2009 will give the PHSO and the
Local Government Ombudsman a sharper focus and
greater prominence. I welcome this move towards a
system based on local resolution with direct referral
to an independent Ombudsman if this should fail.
This is why it is important that people know how the
PHSO will approach a complaint, the standards that
we expect of public bodies in providing their services
and the principles they should be following when
things do go wrong. These standards are set out in
'Principles for Remedy' and 'Principles of Good Administration'
which we published last year. 'Principles
of Good Complaint Handling' is now out for consultation".
You can read the report on the Ombudsman's website
at: http://www.ombudsman.org.uk
83. Waiting times increase
National Patient Choice Survey latest results
12 June 2008 - COI
Report on the National Patient Choice Survey, January
2008, England, and provisional headline results
of the March 2008 survey
The key points from this release are:
* The percentage of patients recalling being offered a
choice of hospital for their first outpatient appointment
was 46% in January 2008, compared with 44% in
November and 48% in the March 2007 survey.
* 43% of patients were aware before they visited their
GP that they had a choice of hospitals for their first
appointment, up from 41% in November and 29% in
the May/June 2006 survey.
* 63% of patients who were aware of choice recalled
being offered choice, whereas 34% of those not
aware of choice recalled being offered it, compared
with 61% and 32% respectively in the November survey.
For full information go to http//http://www.dh.gov.uk/
en/Publ i cationsandsta t i s tics /Publications/
PublicationsStatistics/DH_085329
84. 'New superbug' concerns overhyped
12 June 2008 – BBC News
Infection control experts say that warnings about the
emergence of a "new superbug" have been overhyped.
Writing in the British Medical Journal, Health Protection
Agency staff said that concerns about Stenotrophomonas
maltophilia are unfounded.
For full report click here
85. Report of the National Patient Choice Survey,
England - January 2008
12 June 2008 – DoH
A report showing the final results of around 72,000
responses to the eleventh national patient choice survey
commissioned to assess the implementation of
choice at PCT level.
The surveys were conducted by Ipsos MORI on behalf
of the Department, and monitored patient awareness
of choice and recall of having been offered a
choice of hospital for their first outpatient appointment.
For full report click here.
86. Reform of the NHS in England at critical
point and further progress needed
12 June 2008 – King’s Fund
Anna Dixon, King’s Fund Director has commented in
response to today’s report from the Healthcare Commission
and Audit Commission on NHS reforms.
She said:
“The report shows, for example, that some patients
are being offered greater choice but this is yet to have
an impact on the quality of care. Similarly, there has
been a modest increase in the use of the private sector,
but little evidence of this having had a significant
impact yet on overall quality of care or waiting times.”
“We agree with the report’s recommendations that
greater effort is needed to improve the quality of commissioning,
particularly by engaging GPs better. We
also agree that much more work is needed to ensure
the availability and quality of information about health
care services. Better information will help patients
make better choices, assist GPs in understanding
where the best quality care can be had for their patients
and, above all, help local PCTs have a better
understanding of what health benefits they are getting
for taxpayers’ money. Without such information about
both public and private sector providers it will be impossible
to judge whether the NHS reforms as a
whole have been a success.”
For full report click here
To see the report go to item 92
87. Brown slams GPs over polyclinics
12 June 2008 – BBC News
Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has slammed doctors'
leaders for their "ill-founded" opposition to
planned changes to GP care in England.
The British Medical Association has delivered a petition
to 10 Downing Street signed by over a million
people who support the current services. The BMA
is against what it says is the imposition of polyclinics
and super-surgeries.
For full report click here
88. The polyclinic row - who's right?
12 June 2008 – BBC News
Debate listing the pros and cons of polyclinics.
For full report click here
89. Health union backs strike ballot
12 June 2008 – BBC News
NHS workers in the Unite union have rejected the
Government's three-year pay deal - and also have
voted to ballot for strike action.
That ballot offers either a complete strike, or lesser
action such as an overtime ban.
Ministers said the 8% deal is fair, and they were not
willing to renegotiate.
For full report click here
90. Greater choice for NHS patients
11 June 2008 – BBC News
Western NHS patients will have a greater choice of
privately-run hospitals as an announcement was
made that more Independent Sector Treatment Centres
(ISTC) have been given the go-ahead.
For full report click here
91. Public worried over 'GP threat'
11 June 2008 – BBC News
Over a million people have signed a petition urging
ministers to rethink plans for a network of polyclinics
and super surgeries across England.
The British Medical Association has issued a paper
accusing the government of trying to commercialise
the GP system.
For full report click here
92. Progress on NHS's reforms 'slow'
11 June 2008 – BBC News
The Audit Commission and Healthcare Commission
have said that progress is slower than expected for
NHS market-based reform. They say this means that
some English patients are still yet to see any benefits
from the reforms.
For full report click here
93. Statistical press notice: diagnostics waiting
times and activity data - monthly update
11 June 2008 - COI
Diagnostics waiting times & activity data: month ending
April 2008 and quarterly census for March 2008
This data shows NHS progress in tackling the waiting
times for diagnostic tests like scans. The monthly
data published gives the waiting times for 15 key diagnostic
tests carried out in the NHS. Also published
is the latest quarterly census of all diagnostic tests,
which picks up longer waits in areas outside the 15
monthly tests.
Main findings this month:
* The number of patients, for whom English commissioners
are responsible, waiting over 6 weeks for one
of the 15 key diagnostics tests at the end of April
2008 was 12,000, a decrease of 900 (6.8%) from
March 2008, and a fall of 237,500 (95.2%) from April
2007.
* The number of patients, for whom English commissioners
are responsible, waiting over 13 weeks for
one of the 15 key diagnostics tests at the end of April
2008 was 2,700, a decrease of 800 (22.1%) from
March 2008, and a fall of 103,200 (97.4%) from April
2007.
Diagnostic data: http://www.performance.doh.gov.uk/
diagnostics/index.htm
18 week website: http://www.18weeks.nhs.uk
94. New community hospitals chosen
11 June 2008 - The Times