Editorial
It was 60 years ago this week that after much tension
and arm twisting the National Health Service came into
being.
The date 05.07.1948
It took many years for the previously mixed estate and
work practices to become more or less harmonised.
It is hard for those of us who do not remember a time
before the NHS just what a difference it would make to
the average citizen. Unless one was wealthy or a
worker people in need of healthcare relied upon charity
– either of the doctor or local charitable hospital.
People died because it was cheaper to administer twopenneth
of green-gunk rather than fetch the doctor. A
burst appendix was common place.
Now, 60 years on – there are excellent facilities and
excellent staff providing excellent care. For the most
part. There are frailties in the system and overhauling
inefficiencies is needed. By the time this issue arrives
on your computer screens Lord Darzi will have
announced the Next Stage Review.
In the past decade we have seen the creation of NHS
Trusts of all kinds and more recently Foundation Trusts
which last week reached the milestone of 100 (see item
94 in this issue) aimed at improving management
efficiencies.
To develop the estate we have seen novel approaches
to funding - Public Finance Initiatives, Public Private
Partnerships and Local Improvement Finance
Trusts. My own local hospital, a former workhouse, is
benefitting, construction work began in late autumn to
build brand new facilities to replace what we have had.
Following inception of the NHS we also gained access
to opticians, dentists and midwives.
And, of course, the NHS now has the largest workforce
in Europe and the third largest on the
planet – beaten only by the Chinese army and the Indian
railways. Happy birthday NHS.
Next
Abuse
1. Parents are kidding themselves over child
protection
29 June 2008 - The Sunday Times
Columnist Rod Little takes a swipe at the overprotectiveness
that has swept the UK in monitoring
the conduct of adults and children following the report
‘Licensed to Hug’ published by the think tank
Civitas during the week, observing that CRB vetting
removes the element of personal judgment.
Ed. John Humphries made the same point during
the week when interviewing Esther Rantzen following
publication of the report.
I have modified my relationship with children – I
well remember 30 years ago scooping up a very
distressed toddler whose parent had carelessly
misplaced her in the supermarket in which I was
shopping. The act of picking her up provided the
child with some comfort while I sought out her
parents or shop staff. I wouldn’t do it today.
2. Elderly abusers to be targeted by Crown
Prosecution Service
28 June 2008 - The Sunday Telegraph
People who pick on and abuse the elderly will be
treated more harshly under a government crackdown
to be announced next month.
New rules to be published by the Crown Prosecution
Service will say criminals should be given longer
sentences if there is evidence they singled out elderly
targets because of their vulnerability.
Victims should also be given more support to enable
prosecutions to go ahead, with the use of video-links
and screens in court.
3. British judge may take over Jersey inquiry
after police release suspects
26 June 2008 - The Times
Following the release of a couple suspected of involvement
in child abuse connected with Haut de la
Garenne children’s home there is pressure on Jack
Straw to appoint an independent judge to oversee the
investigations.
4. AEA launches HomeFront
“21st Century Training for Homecare Workers on
Abuse and Protection”
25 June 2008
Action on Elder Abuse, the only charity in the UK
dealing exclusively with the abuse of older people,
launched a new Training pack, the ‘HomeFront’,
aimed at domiciliary care workers.
The HomeFront training pack offers “off the shelf”
training for workers who are completing their NVQ
Level 2 or Scottish National Vocational Qualification
in Health and Social Care. It can also be used as
general abuse awareness training for agencies and
their staff.
Commenting on the launch Gary Fitzgerald, Chief
Executive of AEA said, “Domiciliary Care is a wonderfully
enabling service that allows thousands of older
people to remain active in their own homes. We are
seeing more money than ever being spent by local
authorities on such services and increasingly workers
are supporting people with very complex needs. This
is also a sector which has experienced increased
regulation, both of organisations and individual workers.
It is therefore essential that training on abuse
and protection for these workers is of the highest
standards.
“We are delighted to be launching our training at the
UKHCA conference as we have enjoyed a fruitful
partnership with them over the last 18 months, including
providing a joint adult protection tool kit. We hope
that member organisations will use this new training
to their advantage, the advantage of their staff, and
most importantly to the advantage and well being of
older people using the service”
UKHCA's head of policy and communication, Colin
Angel said:
"Homecare workers have privileged access to service
user's homes and in many cases homecare workers
and their managers are the only people who recognise
and raise the alert to situations of domestic
abuse and familial neglect, so their role is crucial.
The publication of the HomeFront training pack
for homecare workers is a welcome development in
the fight against abuse of older people."
5. Adults need greater protection from council
investigators
24 June 2008 - Times Online
Imagine an investigator from the council breaking into
your home - without permission. This could shortly be
the scenario if your local authority suspects adult
abuse in a private home, reports Local Government
Chronicle (19 June).
Dwayne Johnson, joint chair of the Association of Directors
of Adult Social Services' older people's network,
has called for an adult version of Every Child
Matters which would allow council staff the right to
break into a private domestic property after an allegation
of adult abuse – reported in Local Government
Chronicle (19.06.08).
6. More arrests in Jersey abuse probe
24 June 2008 - afp.google
Pair held in Jersey child abuse probe
24 June 2008 - Sky News
A 70 yr old man and 69 yr old woman have been arrested
in connection with alleged abuse linked to
Haut de la Garenne. However, it is not alleged that
the offences took place at the former care home.
7. Home Office and DCSF signal duty on UK
Border Agency to protect children
24 June 2008 - COI
The Home Office and the Department for Children,
Schools and Families announced their intention for
the UK Border Agency to have a legal duty to safeguard
and promote the welfare of children as part of
the forthcoming Immigration Bill, which will be introduced
in the next session.
8. Abuse: are you covered?
July/August 2008 - CareManagementMatters
Lindsay Gray writes that many insurers are reviewing
the terms of their policies in view of decisions in
Lister v Hensley Hall (2001) in which care providers
were held vicariously liable for the abuse perpetrated
by staff, even though the providers knew nothing of
what was happening and A v Hoare (2008) reported
extensively in BHCR Vol 3, issue, 4, article on page
15.
In short, keep an eye on your policy wording especially
at renewal time!
Business News
9. The Best Companies 2008
29 June 2008 - The Sunday Times
Interestingly, the cover of this year’s guide proclaims
it to be for 2009 – still, we are all prone to typos!
6th, Denplan, Dental health insurer
9th, Sandwell Community Caring Trust, Care provider
43rd,Foster Care Associates, Fostering agency
10. African Medical Investments Plc (‘African
Medical’ or ‘the Company’)
Admission to AIM
27 June 2008
African Medical is a newly incorporated Isle of Man
registered company, formed to invest or acquire businesses
in Africa operating in the healthcare sector. It
is listed on AIM. The Company has raised £5.1 million
through a placing of 51,000,000 new ordinary
shares at 10 pence per share, giving it a market capitalisation
of £5.6 million.
The Company intends to seek to acquire businesses
which operate in the healthcare sector, and the Directors
expect that they may need to raise additional
finance, either through raising debt and/or through
the issue of further equity, to complete any acquisitions
that the Company may agree.
The Directors, Phil Edmonds, Andrew Groves and
Corne Holtzhausen, have established business contacts
and connections in Africa and intend to use their
experience of working for companies primarily operating
in Africa, to identify prospective targets with scope
for growth. There are no employees of the company
apart from the three directors.
11. US private equity firm to make bid for
Craegmoor Healthcare
23 June 2008 - Telegraph.co.uk
Boston-based Advent International Corp. is said to be
on the verge of entering into exclusive negotiations to
by Craegmoor Healthcare – the price is thought to be
around £300m.
12. Claimar Care Group PLC
Trading update
23 June 2008
24 June 2008 - The Times
In conjunction with the preparation and independent
review by Claimar Care's auditors of its interim results
for the six months ended 31 March 2008, which will
be released on 30 June 2008, Claimar Care has undertaken
a detailed review of current trading and expected
performance for the full year, ending on 30
September 2008.
The detailed review has identified a number of factors
which have started to impact the Group materially
over recent weeks:
• Complete Care has experienced a delay in entering
into of a number of new complex care contracts,
and the Board is not confident the resultant
shortfall will be recovered by the financial year
end;
• The Group has not yet been able to recover from
local authorities the increased cost of providing its
care services, including in particular the increased
costs of fuel, in addition to costs associated with
the working time directive; and
• The conversion rate of applicants for franchises
from SureCare has fallen away significantly as a
result primarily of the tightening of the credit markets,
which has impacted the ability or willingness
of applicants to meet the upfront franchise payments.
Taking into account the above factors, the Board anticipates
that, whilst turnover and pre tax profit will
exceed the equivalent prior year numbers, earnings
per share will fall below those of the prior year and be
materially below current market expectations.
13. Townend new FD for Claimar
23 June 2008
Claimar announced the appointment of Mr Nick
Townend, ACA, as Group Finance Director. He will
join the Group Board on 11 August 2008.
Care Homes
14. Care home fees – another authority
ducks its obligations
29 June 2008
The misinformation and downright deceit on the part
of some local authorities continues
Kent decided, as did a number of other councils, not
to provide any fee increase to care home operators
this year. Mostly the council’s pleaded and continue
to plead ‘poverty’ – despite the Government giving
them cash specifically for care of older people.
Lincolnshire continues to seek to avoid the contractual
obligations in its Framework Agreement and,
apparently, penalises those who have invoked the
‘dispute process’ (whereby if a contracting party is
dissatisfied with the conduct of the other party they
together in good faith seek to resolve the differences
through a set process). Such conduct is an odd way
to build relationships and is far removed from partnership
working.
It seems that Leeds providers are in a not dissimilar
position; however, the council does seem to be making
efforts to work towards a solution. Below is an
extract from the Editor of the Leeds Care Association
newsletter of 25.06.08.
“Fees – Negotiations with Leeds City Council
As reported in our first e – newsletter over the last
few years Leeds Care Association (LCA) has worked
closely with Leeds City Council, Social Services Adult
Care Department to improve the fees paid to members,
who mainly specialise in Older People’s services.
The aim has been to recognise provider’s legitimate
costs of care, as presented using the Laing
Buisson costing model. Throughout the process we
have shared the common goal of placing particular
emphasis on promoting quality care.
This partnership working has resulted in providers on
an individual basis, agreeing a PRICE Social Services
Adult Care, would pay for funded care within
their home. A contract either in the form of a Framework
Contract or as one off spot contract has resulted.
The scope for individual negotiation is possibly a
unique and innovative approach certainly in comparison
to some neighbouring authorities. Leeds Care
Association acknowledges the approach demonstrated
by Leeds Social Services Adult Care and their
commitment to commission quality care needs to be
recognised.
Despite the innovation this does not mean that in
Leeds, the legitimate costs of providing care have
been fully reflected in the PRICE the Authority is prepared
to pay. The pressures of rising costs over the
last two years and as forecast this year is causing
par ticular concern to our members.
There is clear evidence of costs not being fully recognised,
as demonstrated in the results of the Laing
Buisson model costing exercise, which many LCA
member providers have undertaken this financial
year, and in the range of published fees within
homes, both members and non - members.
There are significant differences in many homes of
the rates Social Services Adult Care will pay and
those charged to privately funded clients. It is evident
that using their powerful and dominant bargaining
position, the local authority drive the Price down to a
level that the provider will settle for to agree a contract.
This is a commercial decision that each provider
makes and has given Social Services Adult
Care a range of PRICES that they would normally
expect to pay and a basis for their negotiations.
Our research through a sample of published prices in
CSCI reports and subsequent follow phone calls has
shown the range of Local Authority fees in Leeds
(non dementia) for 2007/08 to be
a) Non members - from £355 - £410 (residential)
and £490 - £535 Nursing (including Registered Nursing
Care Contribution)
b) Members from £370 - £420 (residential) and £507
- £576 Nursing (including Registered Nursing Care
Contribution)
(NOTE THIS IS A SAMPLE - SOURCE CSCI REPORTS
AND SEEKS TO ILLUSTRATE THE LOCAL
AUTHORITY PRICE ONLY NOT THE RANGE OF
FEES CHARGED TO ALL CLIENTS).
The published PRICE for private clients in Local Authority
residential homes (which one would expect to
reflect the cost of care) for the same period 2007/08
was £473.60.
Most Leeds Care Association Members have not
accepted the proposed increase for 2008/09 and
over the last few weeks (and up to early July) have
been attending interviews with the Commissioning
Section to discuss and negotiate on fee levels and
where appropriate the inclusion of third party agreements
in the schedule of a Framework contract.
Whilst a very small number have reached a satisfactory
conclusion the vast majority at the time of writing
this newsletter remain in dispute. They continue to
invoice the authority for the fees notified in February/
March 2008.
Framework Contract
The discussions, which took place on 12th May 2008
between LCA, accompanied by our solicitor Richard
Cramer and Leeds Social Services Adult Care on the
Framework Contract, resulted in some amendments
being agreed but others remain outstanding. Obviously
any improvements achieved will affect the
whole sector both members and non - members. We
are still awaiting the response of the local authority
on a number of issues.
Clause 32 of the Framework Contract provides a dispute
resolution procedure, which may be a course
the members of Leeds Care Association will be
forced to follow if satisfactory outcomes are not forthcoming
both in the fee negotiations and in the
Framework Contract discussions.
So this important issue goes on. I will keep you
informed… keep reading.
I do not say that all providers should be showered
with cash. However, they do deserve to be
properly rewarded for their investment, just like
any other business. If as a society we fail to
strike the right balance, over time the smaller operators
will withdraw from the sector leaving the
very largest – who have economies of scale –
when they get big enough, like any other commercial
outfit they will flex their muscles and will
have a sufficiently powerful position in the bargaining
relationship that they will dictate the
terms on which they will care for the elderly.
If councils are wise, they will recognise that there
is much to be said for plurality in the market
place and that they can benefit from it. They
should regard contracting as entering into a marriage
in which, for it thrive there needs to be
shared values, a bit of give and take, and tolerance.
We all know what happens when there is a bully
in the marriage!
15. Purpose built Milton Keynes care home
receives MP and Mayoral seal of approval
23 June 2008
Excelcare Holdings plc together with associated companies
provides over 1800 beds in 39 homes in the
UK, announced the opening of Water Hall Care Centre
which caters exclusively for the changing needs of
the elderly of South Milton Keynes, Waterhall Healthcare
Ltd will provide high quality care to 76 people
with nursing, residential and specialist residential dementia
care needs.
16. Health on tap Campaign
AEA calls for action to ensure proper hydration in
care homes
23 June 2008
Action on Elder Abuse is calling on Government,
regulators and the care home sector to ensure residents
of care homes are given proper hydration following
the launch of The Health on Tap Campaign.
The campaign being launched on 24th June is the
result an 18-month study by Anglian Water which was
carried out with the help, guidance and support of
health and care professionals.
The main finding of the Anglian Water Study was evidence
that a 50% reduction in falls was experienced
after a programme encouraging the drinking of water
at regular intervals during the day, from mains-fed
water. The new programme also contributed to a dramatic
decrease in GP call outs, less urinary infections,
along with less agitation in residents.
Commenting on the findings Gary Fitzgerald, Chief
Executive of AEA commented, “ Not only do we encourage
all care providers to sign up to a Good Hydration
Charter, but we urge the Government and
CSCI to take immediate action to ensure that good
standards of hydration are the norm for all care home
residents. This should include further research into
the benefits of such hydration polices, along with serious
consideration as to whether we need minimum
standards around hydration that are similar to nutrition.
“It is amazing that something as simple and straightforward
as water could have such wide benefits for
care home residents, including a reduction in falls,
better sleeping patterns and less agitation. However
the benefits of good hydration policies would have
much wider benefits, including reducing pressure on
GP’s and other NHS services, if it was more widely
implemented. Can we really afford not to take immediate
action to ensure the continued good health and
well being of care home residents?”
17. How care home keeps elderly healthy
23 June 2008 – BBC News
A report on a care home in Suffolk, where the elderly
were encouraged to increase their intake of water
and how it made a difference.
For full report click here
18. Euro-Vision on Care
July/August 2008 - CareManagementMatters
National Care Forum led a tour of 11 care facilities in
Belgium, Netherlands and Germany, in this article by
Des Kelly OBE and Sharon Blackburn, each of the
facilities is identified and briefly described. On the
issue of paying for long-term care, each of the three
countries have mandatory social insurance.
Ed. As you know we are in a period of consultation
about the funding of long term care; there is
no doubt in my mind that when the Green Paper
is published by Government in 2009 mandatory
insurance will be a central feature.
19. Purchasing a care home
July/August 2008 - CareManagementMatters
In this article consideration is given to the issues
arising when buying from a company – should there
be a purchase of the assets or the company itself.
The article highlights issues to consider.
20. Night-time care – the lost 10 hours
July/August 2008 - CareManagementMatters
Following publication of research on night-time care
by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation this article considers
some of the simple steps that can be taken to
reduce disturbance of service users, engage meaningfully
with night workers and enhance levels of
care.
21. Falls – inevitable or preventable?
July/August 2008 - CareManagementMatters
Les Bright writes about some of the issues and actions
homes can adopt to reduce falls in the light of
National Falls Awareness Day – 24 June 2008.
Case Reports
Law Reports
22. London Borough of Lewisham v Malcolm
The House of Lords handed down a judgment overhauling
the approach taken in disability discrimination
cases. Whilst in the context of a housing case, it has
substantial ramifications for employment law.
The speeches all consider the meaning of (what is
now) s3A of the DDA 1995, in particular the phrase "a
person discriminates against a disabled person if - (a)
for a reason which relates to the disabled person's
disability, he treats him less favourably than he treats
or would treat others to whom that reason does not or
would not apply".
By a 4:1 majority (Baroness Hale dissenting on most
points), the House held:-
• a person can only be liable for discrimination if
they know that the individual is disabled
• 'a reason which relates to the disabled person's
disability' has to be construed narrowly. So, for example,
if an employer dismisses somebody for being
off work sick for a year, then the reason is the absence
from work, and not one that relates to the underlying
disability itself - which means the employer
will not be liable under the DDA
the correct comparator is somebody to whom the
underlying reason still applies. So, in the above
example, the comparator would be someone who
was absent for a year but was not disabled.
House of Lords held that Clark v Novacold was
wrongly decided by the Court of Appeal.
It's a complicated decision and needs careful
thought. But it is clear that the impact of this decision
will be to make it much harder for a Claimant to succeed
in a claim of disability discrimination.
Case report provided by barrister Daniel Barnett who specialises
in employment and human resources law
www.danielbarnett.co.uk
23. SG&R Valuation Service v Bourdrais
The High Court held that an employer will sometimes
be entitled to force garden leave onto senior directors
even when there is no such right in the contract.
In this case, two directors resigned with the intention
of joining the competition. There was strong evidence
of an intention to misappropriate confidential
information. The employer insisted on a period of
garden leave, so as to delay the date when they
joined their new employer, and sought an injunction
enforcing this. The employees resisted on the
grounds there was no garden leave clause, they had
a right to work, and that by not providing work the old
employer was in breach of contract - entitling them to
leave and go elsewhere.
The court held that the implied right to provide work is
subject to the qualification that they have not, as a
result of some prior breach of contract or other duty,
"rendered it impossible or reasonably impracticable
for the employer to provide work". As there was a
prima facie case on the documentary evidence that
the directors had done just that, the judge held that
they had no right to be provided with work by the old
employer, and so the employer could insist on a period
of garden leave. The injunction was granted.
Case report provided by barrister Daniel Barnett who specialises
in employment and human resources law
www.danielbarnett.co.uk
Disciplinary cases
24. Maypole Three Struck Off For Care Home
Atrocities, UK
20 June 2008 – Medical News Today
Carol Bushell, 48, from West Heath, Birmingham,
Kathleen Smith, 46, from Shirley, Solihull and Mary
Casey, 70, from Harbourne, Birmingham have been
found found guilty of serious misconduct after a
lengthy hearing before an NMC Independent Conduct
and Competence Committee panel.
The ruling followed a string of incidents in which they
failed to ensure that patients received the appropriate
standard of care.
For full report go to http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
articles/112196.php
Cases in the news
25. Woman in High Court sight battle
27 June 2008 – BBC News
Patricia Meadow, from Stratford-upon-Avon, has
been given permission for a test case at the High
Court to try and get Warwickshire Primary Care Trust
to fund her eye treatment. The same drug is available
in other areas, but the trust took a "resourcebased"
decision not to fund treatment, the court
heard.
Ms Meadows suffers from wet age-related macular
degeneration (AMD) in her left eye, and dry intermediate
AMD in her right.
For full report click here
26. Nurse faces disciplinary charges over TV
expose
25 June 2008 – The Daily Telegraph
A nurse has been charged for failing to protect the
interests of patients by not reporting her concerns
directly to management after going undercover to
expose “shocking” conditions at a hospital for a television
documentary.
27. Care home pair unfairly dismissed
23 June 2008 – The Telegraph & Argus
Manager Lisa Holt and deputy manager Julie Hollis
have been awarded over £12,000 compensation.
They were both found to have been unfairly dismissed
from their jobs at Fairmont Lodge by owners
Purefleet Ltd at an employment tribunal in Leeds.
For full report go to http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/
news/local/
localbrad/3176303.Care_home_pair_unfairly_dismissed/
Children
28. Adults 'scared to go near kids'
26 June 2008 – BBC News
A report by think-tank Civitas has claimed that many
adults are now afraid to interact with children because
they fear being labeled as paedophiles.
The Home Office said there was no evidence that
vetting had deterred volunteers and plans to tighten
rules further so that all parents hosting foreign exchange
students will face background checks.
For full report click here
Conferences & Courses
29. 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
30. 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
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
31. “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
32. 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.
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);
33. The Independent Health & Care Convention
2008
16-17 September 2008
The Brewery, London
The second annual Independent Health & Care Convention
is an event to be staged by Britain’s premier
healthcare analysts and publishers Laing & Buisson
in 2008.
Remaining an exciting multi-faceted event, the Convention,
comprises:
• A series of keynote debates pertinent to the independent
health and care sectors and their partners
in the statutory sector. Speakers and contributions
from the floor are invited from across the
private, voluntary and statutory sectors
• An extensive exhibition area - see list below for
exhibitors
• Fringe meetings and workshops
• download the Skills for Health Fringe meeting
topic
• download Information Centre for Health meeting
topic
• A range of other opportunities for networking
Download the convention brochure for full details or
visit our website
www.independenthealthcareconvention.co.uk
TO BOOK YOUR PLACE
To book your place at this event download the brochure
and booking and fax or post , call the Conference
team on 020 7923 5344 or email conferences@
laingbuisson.co.uk
All inf or m a ti on can be found at
www.independenthealthcareconvention.co.uk
34. 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
35. 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
36. Delivering effective end-of-life care: developing
partnership working
Wednesday 15 October 2008, 9.30am–4.00pm,
London
Recognition of the need for good-quality end-of-life
care has been steadily increasing, with the release of
the government's End of Life Care Strategy being
imminent. Much pioneering work has been done by a
wide range of organisations across health and social
care. There is now a move towards effective commissioning
and co-ordination of this care, in order to
enable greater choice for those at the end of their
life.
Produced in partnership between the King's Fund
and Marie Curie Cancer Care, this one-day conference
will look at how best to deliver end-of-life care.
Key speakers
Professor Mike Richards CBE, Chair, End of Life
Strategy Advisory Board and National Clinical Director
for Cancer
Dr James Beattie, National Clinical Lead, NHS Heart
Improvement Programme and Consultant Cardiologist,
Birmingham Heartlands Hospital
Places at this event are limited so we recommend
that you reserve a place as soon as possible by
downloading a registration form from our website or
booking online. For further information and to
download the full programme, please visit our website
or email us and we will be happy to provide you with
more details.
37. 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
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
38. 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.
39. Action on Elder Abuse is pleased to announce
their National Conference for 2009
will be on Monday 23 March 2009 and Tuesday
24 March 2009.
Next year it will be held at East Midlands Conference
Centre
Nottingham Conferences
University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RJ
T: 0115 951 5000
F: 0115 951 5009
nottinghamconferences.co.uk
Consultations
To follow next week
CSCI/Care Quality Commission
(w.e.f. 2009), CSSIW,
Healthcare Commission &
Scottish Care Commission
40. Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Report
26 June 2008 – SCRC
An article to advise someone if they are unhappy with
the Care Commission's response to their complaint.
Complainants then have the right to approach the
Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) to request
an inquiry into the matter .
For full report click here
41. Care Commission the first regulator
"Happy To Translate"
26 June 2008 – SCRC
The Scottish Care Commission has signed up for the
“Happy to Translate” initiative and is the first regulator
in Scotland to do so. The aim is to help people to
better understand, in many different languages, how
to use or choose a good care service in Scotland.
For full report click here
42. Healthcare Commission: Corporate plan
2008-09
25 June 2008 – Healthcare Commission
A corporate plan by the Healthcare Commission setting
out the activities that the body plans to undertake
in 2008-09.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
_db/_documents/Corporate_plan_2008_2009_final_proof.pdf
43. Healthcare Commission to review military
care
25 June 2008 – Healthcare Commission
The Ministry of Defence has asked the Healthcare
Commission to review the standards of medical care
given to military personnel and their families.
Healthcare Commission chief executive Anna Walker
said: "It's only right that the men and women who risk
their lives for their country can also expect that standard
of care."
For full report go to http://
www.healthcarecommission.org.uk//newsandevents/
pressreleases.cfm?
cit_id=6483&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&usec
ache=false
44. Elderly urged to drink more water
24 June 2008 – SCRC
Health Campaigners across the UK are calling for
Government action to help ensure that elderly people
in care across the UK get enough water.
For full report click here
45. CSCI: Disability equality survey
23 June 2008 – CSCI
CSCI would like the views of disabled people who are
using, or have used, social care services.
For full report click here
Dementia
46. Dementia care charging 'unfair'
25 June 2008 – BBC News
A poll by the Alzheimer’s Society of 2,300 people in
England has found that dementia patients are being
unfairly treated by being forced to pay for their care.
Two thirds of patients paid towards care such as help
with washing, eating and dressing, yet the charity
said this should be free as it was linked to a medical
condition, but was often classed as a social care
need and therefore means-tested.
For full report click here
47. 'My wages went on husband's care'
26 June 2008 – BBC News
For full report click here
48. Association of Directors of Adult Social
Services (ADASS)
23 June 2008
ADASS has welcomed the launch of a Government
consultation process designed to inform and guide
the content of its fully-fledged Dementia Strategy due
to be published later this year.
For full report click here
Education
Nothing to report
Ireland, Scotland & Wales
Ireland
49. The healthcare system in Northern Ireland
25 June 2008 – BBC News
Article looking at differences in the NHS after devolution
to national parliaments and assemblies.
For full report click here
Scotland
50. Call to scrap NHS parking fees
26 June 2008 – BBC News
The Scottish Labour party has unveiled plans to scrap
car parking charges at Scottish hospitals.
Paul Martin, Glasgow Springburn MSP, has launched
a members bill on the issue at Holyrood to make it
illegal for health boards to levy fees on patients, visitors
or staff.
For full report click here
51. The healthcare system in Scotland
25 June 2008 – BBC News
Article looking at differences in the NHS after devolution
to national parliaments and assemblies.
For full report click here
52. Details Of 900,000 Ambulance Callers
Lost By Courier
24 June 2008 – The Herald
The Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, has said she
is more than happy to issue an emergency statement
to Holyrood after details of almost a million 999 emergency
ambulance calls, including caller numbers and
patient names, were lost during transit of a data disk.
For full report go to http://www.theherald.co.uk/
display.var.2359581.0.0.php?utag=28804
53. Bug ward closure 'took too long'
22 June 2008 – BBC News
A medical staff member at the Vale of Leven Hospital
has spoken about his concerns that wards were not
closed to new admissions quickly enough after nine
patients died from the C.diff bug.
The boss of the health board running the Dunbartonshire
hospital said no such concern was raised.
The Scottish Government launched an independent
inquiry into the cases.
For full report click here
54. Death Toll Hits 18 At C.diff Hospital
24 June 2008 – Evening Times
Another patient at the Vale of Leven Hospital in Alexandria
has died taking the toll to 18 victims of C.diff.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde today said the patient
was seriously ill from an unrelated condition,
and while C.diff was a contributory factor, it was not
the main cause of death.
A total of nine people have died at the hospital with
C.diff cited as a contributory factor. The superbug
has been listed as the main cause of death in another
nine cases.
For full report go to http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/
display.var.2359897.0.0.php?utag=28804
Wales
55. Sisters lead cleaner wards effort
26 June 2008 – BBC News
The Welsh Assembly Government has announced
plans to make hospitals cleaner, improve patients’
food and give nurses more power on wards.
“Rapid response” cleaning teams will be dispatched
to tackle infection outbreaks such as MRSA and
C.diff on wards.
For full report click here
56. The healthcare system in Wales
25 June 2008 – BBC News
Article looking at differences in the NHS after devolution
to national parliaments and assemblies.
For full report click here
57. Single-sex hospital wards planned
25 June 2008 – BBC News
Health Minister, Edwina Hart, is set to announce that
single-sex wards will be included in all new Welsh
hospitals.
She will also order all hospitals with mixed sex wards
to ensure there are separate areas for male and female
patients and separate bathrooms.
For full report click here
58. Nurse uniform to fight infection
23 June 2008 – BBC News
Welsh nurses will be issued with the same uniform
across the region so patients can easily see who is
control and to help stop infection spreading.
Health Minister Edwina Hart will be announcing plans
to introduce an all-Wales uniform within about two
years.
For full report click here
Learning Disabilities
59. The future of adult LD care
July/August 2008 - CareManagementMatters
Care Management Matters has produced a report on
the future of learning disability care provision for
adults, in this issue an executive summary is provided.
Many of those operating care homes in the LD
sector will have seen referrals declining over the last
18 months as local authorities seek to utilise the supporting
people grant by helping people move into their
own accommodation.
The conclusion is that while residential care remains
under threat the extent of the threat is uncertain. Notwithstanding,
care providers face upheaval, small
providers may be forced from the sector during the
period of uncertainty.
To access a full copy of the report go to
www.caremanagementmatters.co.uk
Legislation Update
60. No. 1512 (W.155) The Commissioner for
Older People in Wales (Amendment) Regulations
2008
27 June 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
61. No. 1512 (W.155) The Commissioner for
Older People in Wales (Amendment) Regulations
2008
27 June 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
62. The Mental Health (Absconding patients
from other jurisdictions) (Scotland) Regulations
2008
23 June 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
Mental Health
63. Prison mental health services - jailhouse
blues
27 June 2008 - Health Service Journal
Faced with huge numbers of mentally ill offenders,
London's forensic mental health services are struggling
to cope. Rebecca Norris reports.
64. Research on eliminating age discrimination
in social services and mental health services
26 June 2008 – DoH
The Department of Health has commissioned two
research studies and two literature reviews on the
costs and benefits of eliminating age discrimination
during the provision of health and social care.
The reports of these reviews and studies are now
publicly available (or will shortly be publicly available)
on the websites of the institutions concerned.
Electronic links to the reports are provided by clicking
on the link below.
For full report click here
65. Minister hails mental health service success
25 June 2008 - COI
Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis congratulated the
NHS on major improvements in key mental health
services. His message came as he cut the turf to
mark the construction of a new mental health unit at
Runwell Hospital in Wickford, Essex.
Latest figures show that, for 2007-08:
* Specialist crisis resolution home treatment teams
provided 106,000 home treatments, supporting people
who would otherwise have had to be admitted to
hospital. In 06-07, the figure was 95,000 (11% increase).
* Early intervention teams treated 8,300 young people
who experienced a first episode of psychosis. In
06-07, the figure was 6,500 (27% increase).
* Assertive outreach teams supported 19,900 people
who have persistent mental health problems but are
hard to engage. In 06-07, the figure was 18,300 (a
rise of 9%).
The improvements mean that more patients are now
receiving more effective and earlier treatments and
reducing the number of hospital admissions, giving
more patients the kind of care they want. Assertive
outreach is also improving engagement and leading
to better long-term health prospects
Miscellaneous
66. Banking on good decisions
Mental Health Foundation
This week we received the above publication – a well
written, easy to read guide to how the Mental Capacity
Act can assist people with their banking.
67. David Matlock, aka Dr Sex, can fix you
down there...
29 June 2008 - The Sunday Times, Style magazine
Article about the boutique cosmetic gynaecological
practice of Dr Matlock of (where else) West Hollywood,
LA. He earns $4m a year carrying out nine
operations a week and seeing patients in just two
clinic sessions a week.
Ed. Elsewhere in the magazine, there is an advert
for Nuffield Health Hospitals cosmetic surgery –
not quite so explicit.
68. Drug watchdog 'set for new money'
27 June 2008 – BBC News
Sir Michael Rawlins, chairman of The National Institute
for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has
announced that his organisation is about to get a significant
amount of Government money to expand its
work.
For full report click here
69. New CRB Business Plan 2008/09
27 June 2008 – CRB
The CRB Business Plan 2008-2009 is now available
on the website.
For full report click here
70. Prime Minister sets out his vision for
world-class public services
27 June 2008 - COI
The Prime Minister outlined his vision for transforming
England's public services. In a Cabinet Office report
‘Reaching World Class: The next stage in improving
public services’, he argues that although public services
have improved dramatically over the past decade
they are not yet world-class and a new stage of
reform is required.
He identifies three key characteristics of world-class
public services:
• empowering citizens who use public services
by: extending choice and complementing it with
more direct forms of individual control, such as
personal budgets; giving people opportunities
to do more themselves; stronger local accountability;
and making sure there is greater transparency
on service performance.
* fostering a new professionalism in the public service
workforce that combines: services responding
more directly to users' needs; consistent quality in
day-to-day practices; higher levels of autonomy from
central government wherever front line professionals
show the ambition and capacity to excel; and greater
investment in workforce skills.
* strong strategic leadership from central government
to ensure that direct intervention is more sharply concentrated
on underperforming organisations, while
creating conditions for the majority of services to
thrive more autonomously.
71. Desert Island Discs
27 June 2008 - BBC Radio 4 09:00hrs
Health Minister Lord Darzi picks his favourite tunes
and talks of his drive and ambition and the challenges
he faced in his early career.
Ed. You can listen to this using the BBC iPlayer
go to the website for ‘Radio 4’ – it is easy to
‘navigate’ to it.
72. Awards for best end of life care
26 June 2008 – NCF
The first 35 care homes in the UK to achieve 'Gold
Standard' accreditation for end of life care have received
awards at a conference in Birmingham on 25
June 2008.
The Gold Standards Framework seeks to improve
the organisation and quality of care for residents in
the last years of their lives, by improving team working
with others and reduce avoidable hospital admissions.
For full report click here
73. Independent brokers ’should be regulated
by service users’
26 June 2008 – NCF
The Department of Health has commissioned a report
by the National Development Team to research into
the role of brokers. The resulting report by social
inclusion charity the National Development Team has
called for brokers who organise support packages for
individual budget users to be regulated by service
users and carers.
For full report click here
74. Coroner reform: stronger powers give
families more involvement
26 June 2008 - UKPolicing.info
New coroners' powers to help prevent avoidable
deaths were announced by Justice Minister Bridget
Prentice in response to views expressed by bereaved
families.
75. Primary Healthcare Review
26 June 2008 - Colliers CRE
Colliers has launched a new market sector review
concentrating on primary healthcare, looking especially
at property requirements and the shift in lease
characteristics – all in a compact four sides.
To access a copy go to http://www.emailcampaigner.com/
download_resource.html?resource_id=541
76. Commissioning to make a bigger difference
– A guide for NHS and social care commissioners
on promoting service innovation
25 June 2007 Department of Health
This 92 page publication dated May 2008 has just
seen the light of day! Its aim is to stimulate thinking
and assess the extent to which a given change idea
is a service innovation. The guide exhorts people to
“Focus relentlessly on improving the quality of care
patients receive and to move away from cost containment
and seeks to harness innovation” – Our NHS
Our Future
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/
Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_085753
77. Cabinet Secretary publishes plan to improve
data security
25 June 2008 - COI
Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell published a review
of information security in government, putting in
place a new framework for the future to improve the
rules, culture, accountability and scrutiny of data handling.
The review, which was commissioned by the Prime
Minister, sets out the wide range of actions that have
already been put in place to improve data security,
and outlines what will be done to strengthen policies
further by building on existing momentum.
The changes announced in the report fall into four
groups:
* Core measures. A series of mandatory minimum
measures is being put in place across government
including encryption and compulsory testing by independent
experts of the resilience of systems.
* Cultural change. All civil servants dealing with personal
data are to undergo mandatory annual training.
The Government will also introduce Privacy Impact
Assessments, recommended by the Information
Commissioner;
* Cultural change. All civil servants dealing with personal
data are to undergo mandatory annual training.
The Government will also introduce Privacy Impact
Assessments, recommended by the Information
Commissioner;
77. Cabinet Secretary publishes plan to improve
data security (continued…)
* Stronger accountability. Data security roles within
departments are being standardised and enhanced
to ensure clear lines of responsibility.
* Increased scrutiny. Departments will report on their
performance, the NAO will look at what they say, and
the Information Commissioner is already planning his
first spot checks
Ed. There is no mention of such mandatory annual
training for ministers - Hazel Blears had
hers stolen recently.
78. Disability dolls: a blessing for kids, or
just a sick joke?
25 June 2008 - The Times
A look, over three pages, at the dolls designed to
represent Down’s Syndrome, blindness, chemotherapy
are apparently a growing market – the debate,
do they help children to cope with disability?
79. The King’s Fund and Marie Curie Cancer
Care announce new partnership role on endof-
life care
24 June 2008 – King’s Fund
The King’s Fund and Marie Curie Cancer Care has
announced an extension to their partnership to improve
end-of-life care.
Starting from September 2008, The King’s Fund Director
of Development, Steve Dewar, will be taking
up a shared post between the two organisations and
will work to develop the contribution of both organisations
to the further improvement of end-of-life services
across the UK.
For full report click here
80. NCF supports National Falls Awareness
Day
24 June 2008 – NCF
The National Care Forum is calling on people to join
in on National Falls Awareness Day to help older
people stay fit, healthy and independent in later life.
For full report click here
81. Wake-up call on health inequalities
24 June 2008 - COI
Health Profiles for every local authority and region
across England have been published by the Department
of Health and the Association of Public Health
Observatories.
The Profiles use key health indicators to capture a
picture of the nation's health down to local level, providing
areas across England with valuable information
to improve their population's health. This year's
data also includes new information on child health
inequalities.
People in England can expect to live longer and
healthier lives, but the health gap between the most
affluent and most deprived wards within each local