Editorial
This week my firm has been challenging the content
of inspection reports produced by the Commission
for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).
Of course, the rules which apply to the process are
the rules which CSCI says apply. They make
them. There is no one to oversee them or to
exercise control over them apart, that is, from the
courts.
There are absurdities; for example, an inspection
takes place, perhaps a month later you receive a
draft inspection report. You are allowed 28 days to
raise issues of concern, factual inaccuracies and so
on. That may take you all, or almost all of the 28
days to prepare a detailed written response and to
assemble all of the evidence in support.
You may therefore submit your response on the 28th
day.
However, if you wish CSCI to conduct a formal
review of the report notice must be give to CSCI
within 7 days after the expiration of the 28th
day. Barely enough time for the CSCI office to issue
an acknowledgement of the written response.
The guidance, suggests that there will be a dialogue
between CSCI and the provider throughout the 28
day period for a written response to be made. The
reality is very different, particularly if there are
tensions between the two – invariably the case when
matters become contentious.
Baroness Young, the new chair of the Quality Care
Commission which is due to take over the role of
CSCI (together with those of other regulators) has
recently said that she will not introduce too many
changes when power transfers across. However,
the review process of draft reports is odd and I hope
Baroness Young's team gives it early consideration.
Abuse
1. New powers to stop sex offenders
11 July 2008 - COI
People who commit sex offences against children
abroad will face prosecution in the UK, even if that
offence is not illegal in the foreign country it was
committed, Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker announced.
2. Bunker searched in Jersey child abuse
probe
10 July 2008 - The Independent
The investigation into child abuse at Haut de la Garenne,
the former children's home on Jersey, took a
further twist when forensic officers began searching
a former bunker less than a mile from the home.
Police said six victims of abuse had come forward
alleging "serious sexual crimes" were carried out
against them in the bunker which was built and used
by German artillery when the island was under Nazi
occupation during the Second World War.
3. Disgusting! Care worker convicted abusing
older people
9 July 2008
Nina Strange, a senior care worker at Rutland
Manor, Ilkeston was convicted in court of five
charges of ill-treatment of elderly people in her care.
The full horror of Strange's “disgusting” behavior
came to light when the senior healthcare assistant
was seen by a trainee care worker who “blew the
whistle” on her actions. Giving evidence at a trial at
Derby Crown Court, the 20-year-old trainee said she
had seen Mrs Strange dip a toothbrush into bath water
in which Doreen Walsh, who was incontinent, had
defecated, before using it to brush her teeth.
The court also heard that Strange had hit an 88-yearold
wheelchair-bound woman across the back of the
head, twice hit an 81-year-old man on the head and
pulled an 81-year-old woman's hair as she put her to
bed.
Commenting on the case Gary Fitzgerald, Chief Executive
of Action on Elder Abuse said “the five
charges and conviction of ill-treatment for Nina
Strange, a care worker is both horrendous and
shocking and it’s almost unthinkable that frail, old
people can be treated in such an appalling manner by
another human being! And yet, the reality is that the
level of calls reporting abuse is on the increase to our
free phone number at Action on Elder Abuse – tel: 0
808 808 8141. The helpline has received over
14,000 calls reporting abuse since 2000.
AEA is calling for the new laws that will give older
people the same level of protection as children. The
abuse meted out to Doreen Walsh and to other elderly
victims by Ms Strange, reflects our concerns and
evidence that the level of abuse of the older people
occurs with alarming regularity. The Courts and
Public need to be made aware of just how serious
this problem is and to realise that abuse, as a deliberate
callous act or any form of neglect must not be
tolerated. Abuse of older people is a crime against
society's most vulnerable and the sentencing should
reflect this. We need to send out the message that
society will not tolerate such offences.
Amidst this damning case are the positive and highly
commendable actions of the 20 year-old trainee care
worker who blew the whistle on Ms Strange. We salute
her courage.
Far too many media stories highlight situations where
colleagues turn a blind eye to unacceptable behaviour
or practice because they do not have the confidence
to challenge it. The situations where senior
management or colleagues know of alleged abuse
but fail to act - must stop!
We need urgent attention to be given to this scandal
and we are now calling for ‘everyone’ – including
Government to make a difference. There can be no
secrets and hiding place for the abuse of older people.”
4. New powers to stop sex offenders
Dignity Champions Newsletter
Summer 2008 - DoH
Welcome to the summer edition of the Dignity
Champions Newsletter
The number of Dignity Champions continues to increase
and has now reached 2307, an increase of
almost 500 since the last newsletter and a considerable
step closer to our target of 3000 champions by
the year end.
Along with updates on policy initiatives, news and
events, we are delighted to publish in this edition reports
from dignity champions in Warrington, Royal
Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, and Gloucestershire
on exciting initiatives they are undertaking in
their areas - keep these stories coming.
We would particularly like to highlight changes we
are making to the website. To support the dignity
campaign further, we will be launching a revamped
website this July to support all Dignity Champions.
Full of new features, the website will enable champions
to become more effective in sharing best practice
and networking locally with each other. More
information on the website will be circulated in the
coming month so keep an eye on the champion’s site
or contact Tom Loader at dignityincare@
dh.gsi.gov.uk or call 020 7972 4007
Finally, you will see that we have changed the format
of this edition in an attempt to improve the look of the
newsletter. However, we really want to hear your
thoughts on the content of the newsletter - how useful
is it to you in your role as a champion and what
can we do to improve it further? Send your thoughts
to dignityincare@dh.gsi.gov.uk or call 020 7972 4007
Enjoy your read
LOCAL DIGNITY LEAD CONTACTS ARE
LISTED BELOW:
South West: Nye Harries nye.harries@dh.gsi.gov.uk
South East: Yves White Smith yve.whitesmith@
csip.org.uk
London: Lesley Carter Lesley.
carter@londondevelopmentcentre.org
West Midlands: Philippa Shreeve
philippa.shreeve@csip.org.uk
East Midlands: Marion Gee
Marion.Gee@eastmidlands.csip.nhs.uk
Eastern: Angela Glew angela.glew@dh.gsi.gov.uk
North West: Ged Taylor ged@jgtsolutions.co.uk
North East: Debbie Smith debbiesmith.
csip@yahoo.co.uk
Yorkshire & Humber: Sally Rogers sallyrogerscsip@
aol.co.uk
DIGNITY IN CARE TEAM
Tom Loader tom.loader@dh.gsi.gov.uk 0207 972
4007
Rachel Swallow rachel.swallow@dh.gsi.gov.uk
Karen Dooley Karen.Dooley@dh.gsi.gov.uk
Richard Campbell richard.campbell@dh.gsi.gov.uk
Ruth Eley ruth.eley@dh.gsi.gov.uk
For general enquiries or request the newsletter in
larger font if you receive this newsletter by post,
please email dignityincare@dh.gsi.gov.uk or call
020 7972 4007
Business News
5. CareTech Holdings plc
9 July 2008
The Board of CareTech Holdings PLC announced
that Richard Midmer, Non-executive Director of the
Company, has tendered his resignation as a
Non Executive Director of the Company with immediate
effect; he takes up a role as Finance Director of
Southern Cross PLC.
The Company will in due course seek to appoint a
further non executive Director.
6. Southern Cross Healthcare Group PLC
9 July 2008
Wednesday, 9 July 2008 - Southern Cross Healthcare
Group PLC notes recent press speculation and
today's move in its share price.
The company confirms that, whilst it has received
general enquiries from a number of parties regarding
the company's current situation, it has received
no approach relating to an offer for the company, nor
is the Board seeking to procure any such offer.
The Board of the company remains focused upon the
potential sale of certain of the care home property
assets currently held on balance sheet and necessary
amendments to its existing banking arrangements to
reflect the changed circumstances which now face
the Company. A further announcement regarding
progress of these matters will be made in due course.
7. Castlebeck Announces a New Chief Executive
9 July 2008
Castlebeck has announced that its Managing Director
for Adult Services, Jon Mann, has been appointed as
the company’s new Chief Executive.
Jon is taking over from David Cole who will continue
as Chairman of the group, part of the Lydian Group of
companies which acquired Castlebeck in 2006.
Castlebeck provides particular expertise in delivering
care to those with challenging behaviour and more
complex needs. Castlebeck also operates specialist
treatment centres for adults with autistic spectrum
disorders.
Jon has been with Castlebeck for 10 years. He qualified
as a doctor in 1985, joined Castlebeck as a Consultant
Psychiatrist in 1998 and became increasingly
enthused by the potential for delivering high quality
clinical and support services in the independent sector,
having previously been (and remaining) a strong
advocate of the NHS. After a number of Executive
roles from 2002, Jon became Managing Director.
Jon said: “I would firstly like to thank David for his
huge contribution to Castlebeck over the past five
years and for his commitment to all staff and residents
and for his positive and creative approach over
his time with us.
“I joined Castlebeck ten years ago this summer and
was struck from the outset by the care, commitment,
wisdom and expertise of staff I met then and have
had the opportunity to work with over the intervening
time.
“I am very much looking forward to continuing to
work with the whole Castlebeck team, to do the very
best we can for those who live in our services, and
thus to continue the company’s success.”
8. Property crisis sees Bank of Ireland reins
in commercial lending
8 July 2008 - The Telegraph
The Bank of Ireland has reigned in commercial lending,
telling some British customers it has shut its
doors to new business for three months.
Ed. We carried this news in BHCR last week.
9. Advent closes in on care homes
7 July 2008 - Financial Times
Advent International is expected to complete its purchase
of Craegmoor Healthcare, an operator of residential
care homes, this week, with an expected
price of approximately £300m.
Craegmoor is presently owned by Legal & General
Venture, the private equity arm of the insurance
group, which acquired the group seven years ago.
It employs 6,500 people and has an annual turnover
of approximately £170m. It operates 250 care
homes, day care centres and independent hospitals
in the UK.
Ed. I have no news of whether completion has
taken place.
10. CareTech Holdings plc
7 July 2008
CareTech announced that at a board meeting on
07.07.08 that it had allotted 7,142,857 ordinary
shares of 0.5p each in the Company ('Ordinary
Shares'), following the passing of the resolutions at
an EGM of the Company held earlier that day. Application
has been made for the admission of the new
Ordinary Shares to trading on the AIM market of the
London Stock Exchange on 8 July 2008.
The enlarged issued share capital of the Company
now consists of 44,538,918 Ordinary Shares.
11. Southern Cross Healthcare Grp PLC
7 July 2008
The Company announced that it received notice
that the following Directors/PDMRs purchased the
following number of shares on Friday 4th July 2008.
In addition, Nancy Hollendoner notified the company
of a purchase of 10,000 shares by a connected person
at 91.14p per share and consequently she now
has an interest in 15,919 ordinary shares representing
0.008% of the Company's issued share capital.
12. Proposed Acquisition of 50% of Partnership
Health Group Limited (“PHG”), currently
a joint venture between Care UK and Life
Healthcare Group (Proprietary) Limited
(“Life”)
Proposed Placing of 4,666,666 New Ordinary
Shares at a price of 345 pence per share
Proposed Amendment to the Articles of Association
of Care UK
The Board of Care UK announced that the Company
entered into a conditional agreement to acquire the
50% interest in PHG not already owned by the company
from its joint venture partner, Life, for an initial
consideration of approximately £14.1 million, to be
satisfied through a Vendor Placing on behalf of Life
on Completion.
Director/PDMR No. of Shares Acquired
Price Paid Shareholding following this purchase % now held
Kamma Foulkes 17,751 83.78p 32,751 0.017%
Janette Malham 17,751 83.78p 40,711 0.022%
Ray Miles 118,348 83.78p 163,837 0.087%
William Colvin 500,000 83.78p 1,000,000 0.532%
Christopher Fisher 20,000 83.78p 50,000 0.027%
Richard Midmer 59,173 83.78p 59,173 0.031%
12. Proposed Acquisition of 50% of Partnership
Health Group Limited (“PHG”), currently
a joint venture between Care UK and Life
Healthcare Group (Proprietary) Limited
(“Life”)
In addition to the Vendor Placing, Care UK intends to
raise a further £2.0 million through a Cash Placing to
institutional and other investors. The net proceeds
from the issue of the Cash Placing Shares will be
used for general corporate purposes acknowledging
that further consideration of £2 million may become
payable. The Vendor Placing and the Cash Placing
have been fully underwritten by Investec.
Highlights
• The initial consideration for the acquisition is approximately
£14.1 million, with a single further contingent
consideration amount of £2.0 million payable
should any of the four Wave 1 Independent Sector
Treatment Centres (“ISTCs”) currently operated by
PHG continue to provide services following the end
of their initial contract terms. The remaining shareholder
loan of £2.9 million from Life to PHG, together
with any accrued interest, will also be repaid by PHG
at Completion with Care UK receiving an equivalent
amount;
• The Acquisition, Vendor Placing and Cash Placing
are conditional on approval by Care UK’s shareholders,
the Department of Health (“DoH”) and the
South African Reserve Bank; the latter approval has
already been received;
• The Board considers that full ownership of PHG
would give Care UK’s Health Care division significantly
enhanced scale and a broader range of wholly
owned competencies to enable it to compete successfully
in the emerging market for the provision of
services by the independent sector to NHS patients;
• Directors and senior management are subscribing
for an aggregate of 175,195 New Ordinary Shares
in the Placing;
• The Board believes that the Acquisition will be
earnings enhancing for Care UK in the first full financial
year following Completion.*
* This statement should not be interpreted to mean
that the earnings per share of Care UK following the
Acquisition will necessarily match or exceed the historical
published earnings per share.
13. CareTech Holdings plc
It’s the credit crunch, stupid
July 2008 - Community Care Market News
Market analyst William Laing leads with thoughtful
comments on the current turmoil in the value of businesses
in the care sector – particularly the quoted
companies.
14. Priory appoints chief operating officer
July 2008 - Community Care Market News
Matthew Franzidis has been appointed coo of the
Priory.
Ed. With the new management team in place will
it now seek to expand by picking up bargains
available following the credit crunch, or, will they
have their hands full keeping the ship
steady? Time will tell.
15. Swapping burgers for bedpans
July 2008 - Community Care Market News
Interview with Tim Hammond, MD of Barchester on
the parallels between a social care business and his
previous business TGI Friday’s. The fundamental
principles are the same – a need for good general
managers, training, good staff, all aimed at delivering
an excellent customer experience.
Care Homes
16. Care homes praised for standards
10 July 2008 – BBC News
Sun Court Nursing Home and the Claremont Home,
both in Norfolk have been singled out as delivering
excellent care for elderly people.
These two homes are among just 34 in England to be
singled out.
The gold standard framework is an NHS scheme to
raise the standard of care of private homes.
For full report click here
17. Care home gets deep clean
4 July 2008 – UK Press Google
The Health Protection Agency has revealed that a
care home had to undergo a hospital-style deep clean
after two elderly residents contracted C.diff before
they died.
The cleanup was ordered at Quorns Orchard Residential
Care Home after medical concerns were
raised about the risk of an outbreak.
For full report go to http://ukpress.google.com/article/
ALeqM5j6Ct6iDJ3D1D0aaZP7F9o2B2UvFQ
18. Annual survey of UK local authority baseline
fee rates 2008/09
July 2008 - Community Care Market News - Insert
The latest of a line of 15 years’ of recording the payments
made by councils across the UK to care home
operators. This year 80% of the 209 councils provided
information.
An analysis of the crude numbers is provided in
CMMN.
19. Councils report 3% fee uplifts in 2008/09,
but real increases may be lower
July 2008 - Community Care Market News
Four pages of analysis and comment on fees paid to
social care providers including regional themes.
20. Somerset puts money where the stars
are
July 2008 - Community Care Market News
Somerset becomes another council which will pay
higher fees to care homes getting the better ratings
under the CSCI star ratings system.
Head of adult social care, Clare Steel, did not say
that there will be a move from zero rated homes saying
“We are committed to respecting the choice of
the individual”
21. New ‘fair price for care’ to be launched at
Independent Health and Care Convention
2008
July 2008 - Community Care Market News
On 17.09.08 Laing & Buisson will launch the third
update to the costing tool now in widespread use.
22. Care contracts terminated as commissioners
rewrite rules
June 2008 - Community Care News
Lead article on approach of some councils to fee increases,
namely termination of current contracts and
replacing them with a quality contract payment – the
current rate, plus a bit – reserved for a very few top
performers while everyone else suffers cuts in income.
23. Suffolk moves on with major 30 year PPP
June 2008 - Community Care News
Councillors have approved plans to invite an independent
partner for development of care provision
through a Public Private Partnership scheme.
Case Reports
Law Reports
24. Albonetti v Wirral Metropolitan Borough
Council
The Court of Appeal held that a person who had been
raped, anally or vaginally, must know that he or she
had suffered a grave wrong and that they had suffered
significant injury for the purpose of the Limitation
Act section 14.
Accordingly, A failed to recover damages.
Ed. This was one of a number of cases which
was delayed pending the decision in A v Hoare
(see BHCR Vol 3 Issue 4 etc). For further discussions
of issues relating to the effect of the Limitation
Act and various cases on claims for compensation
for historic abuse visit our podcasts where
you can down load Compensation for Child
Abuse challenging the preconceptions 2006-01-16
from http://www.brunswicks.libsyn.com/
25. Beasley v National Grid
The EAT upheld a tribunal's decision that an ET1 presented
88 seconds out of time was too late.
The Court of Appeal has just upheld the EAT's decision
(see here). Commenting at paragraph 12 that
"There is no grey area for complaints which are only
a bit out of time", Tuckey LJ refused the Claimant
permission to appeal and dismissed his claim.
With thanks to specialist employment law barrister
Daniel Barnett for this item. Daniel’s website
is at www.danielbarnett.co.uk.
26. Hall-Turner v Secretary of State
In a case before the Care Standards Tribunal brought
by H-T who opposed his listing on the POVA list
maintained under section 81 Care Standards Act
2000 and after having heard a day of evidence the
following day the Secretary of State withdrew opposition
to H-T’s application to remove his name from the
POVA List.
Having heard evidence the CST was moved to comment
on the case. The text is worthy of repeating and
a salutary reminder to those in authority that they
must apply a rigorous approach to assessing risk
rather than allowing themselves to be motivated by
other considerations. The CST said:
“As evidence was heard over one day, there are matters
arising from what the Tribunal perceives to be a
catalogue of errors, which the Tribunal would like to
draw to the attention of the parties, especially that of
the Respondent [The Secretary of State]. There were
four matters that caused concern, and it is our intention
to ensure that the decision makers are aware of
the causes of concern:
20. Although outside the jurisdiction of the Tribunal
for the purposes of a remedy, we noted that there
were significant errors in the referral process, both
Knowsley Council, in their failure to identify a clear
reason for the referral and the Secretary of State for
the failure to adhere to the statutory procedure when
the second referral was received.
21. The Adult Protection Strategy Meetings held
between July and December 2006 lacked focus on
the reasons for concern or any structured assessment
of the risk allegedly posed by the Applicant.
On the evidence presented, decisions were
made on the basis of “feelings” and “felt fear” which
were not linked to any formal process of structured
risk assessment, a process which is essential to
identify the risk to vulnerable adults.
22. The SOPO [Sexual Offender Prohibition Order]
contained an incorrect reason, which does not
appear to have been picked up or questioned by any
of the professionals involved in the decision making
process until the hearing of the appeal.
23. Finally, the appeal was opposed without sufficient
consideration being given to the reason for the
apposition or indeed the grounds for opposition, and
an expert’s report prepared based on a false premise
that pornography had been viewed within a care
home, a very serious allegation,. Consequently, the
opposition to the appeals were withdrawn when it
became clear that the evidence did not support that
premise...”
Ed. The comments should serve as a reminder
to those in strategy meetings to ensure that they
apply a rigorous approach to risk assessment
and apply their intellect. Too often I have attended
Adult Protection Strategy Meetings in
which some people have already come to a concluded
view before an investigation has taken
place.
I think I will probably keep the decision with me
when attending such meetings in the future.
27. Howes v Hinckley Borough Council
The Employment Appeals Tribunal handed down
its decision which is authority for the propositions
that:
• New Victoria Hospital v Ryan, holding that legal
advice privilege does not attach to the advice of employment
consultants, remains good law (para 30)
• New Victoria could, in theory, be extended so
that qualified solicitors who do not hold themselves
out as acting in the capacity of a solicitor (e.g. where
part of a firm of employment consultants) may find
that privilege does not attach to their advice (although
the hurdle of holding themselves out may not be
much to get over) (para 32)
• where a document was obtained to both determine
a grievance and in case of any future legal proceedings,
litigation privilege would not apply to it if the
subsequent litigation was not shown to be the dominant
purpose of the advice. (para 42)
Thanks to Daniel Barnett and to Scott Halborg
who acted for the Appellant, for providing
this summary.
Disciplinary cases
Nothing to report
Cases in the news
28. Drug case failure may be last straw for
fraud office
12 July 2008 - The Times
After ‘blowing’ mega bucks (£25m) attempting to
prosecute drug companies over alleged fraud arising
from price-fixing which the House of Lords had previously
decided could not, on its own, amount to fraud,
the Serious Fraud Office faces collapse.
29. Sight drug challenge
11 July 2008 - The Times
RNIB has backed three pensioners to mount a High
Court challenge against Warwickshire PCT refusal to
pay for ranibizumab.
30. Carer guilty of 'sadistic' attack
9 July 2008 – BBC News
Gareth Jones, 22, of Trecastle has been convicted of
a sadistic sexual assault on an elderly dementia patient
he was looking after in a nursing home.
The 77-year-old woman needed emergency surgery
after losing a litre of blood in the attack at The Mountains
Nursing Home in Libanus, near Brecon.
Sentencing has been adjourned 29 July.
For full report click here
31. Two deny care home scalding neglect
8 July 2008 – West Sussex County Times
Two staff members at a Kent residential care home
have pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal neglect
after a teenager they were looking after was scalded
in a bath.
The 19-year-old man spent two weeks in a specialist
burns unit after the incident on 11 November at the
Five Ways home in Kingsdown Park, Whitstable.
For full report go to http://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/latest/
Two-deny-care-home-scalding.4262972.jp
32. Carer jailed for pensioner thefts
8 July 2008 – BBC News
Sharon Grocock, a former carer, has been sentenced
to 2½ years in Jail for stealing thousands of
pounds from Doreen Saville, a 77-year-old woman in
her care.
Sheffield Crown Court was told the 42-year-old stole
£16,065 from the partially-sighted pensioner between
October 2004 and the summer of 2005.
For full report click here
33. C.diff families plan legal action
8 July 2008 – BBC News
Families of patients who died as a result of C.diff after
an outbreak at the Vale of Leven Hospital earlier
this year are taking legal action. Seven families in
total are pursuing the case against NHS Greater
Glasgow and Clyde.
Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, told the Scottish
Parliament the reports she had received suggested
the hospital's surveillance system was "inadequate"
and did not alert health boards to the number and
pattern of cases.
For full report click here
34. Resident dies in care home blaze
7 July 2008 – BBC News
A resident died and another person was taken to
hospital after a fire at The Hockridge, a care home
based in Westgate-on-Sea near Margate. About 45
firefighters tackled the blaze at the home after it
broke out at about 2300 BST on Sunday.
For full report click here
Children
35. Action to improve children's communication
following Bercow Review
* Government pledges £12m to implement recommendations
* A further £40m to support speaking and listening in
early years
Government announced a £52 million package today
to tackle the communication problems that can blight
children's lives.
The funding comes as a result of a ground breaking
independent review by John Bercow MP, commissioned
by Government, which identifies that communication
is the key life skill for every child - if they are
to achieve at school, make friends and be successful
in later life.
Alongside recommendations for Government, John
Bercow urged parents to help their children gain vital
communication skills by sharing activities like family
meals or outings where conversation is the focus.
It also looks at the extreme consequences communication
problems can lead to - from initial frustration at
not being able to express oneself, to bullying or being
bullied at school, fewer job prospects and even the
descent into criminality.
The review was one of the biggest of its kind ever,
with over 2,000 consultation responses - around half
of which were from parents. The onus will now be on
the Department for Children, Schools and Families
(DCSF) and the Department of Health (DH) to make
a real difference for children and families affected by
SLC problems.
A key theme of John Bercow's report is that early intervention
is key to tackling the communication problems
that can ruin young people's later lives.
The Bercow review of services for children and
young people (0-19) with speech, language and
communication needs, is available at http://
www.dcsf.gov.uk/bercowreview
36. Family justice is private – not secretive
11 July 2008 - The Times
Sir Mark Potter, President of the Family Division and
Head of Family Justice responds with his view of the
system which Camilla Cavendish wrote about so passionately.
37. Centre for Excellence and Outcomes for
Children launched
11 July 2008 – NCF
A body has been created to work on six national
themes identified in Every Child Matters - early years;
disability; vulnerable children (particularly children in
care); youth; parents, carers and families; and
schools and communities.
The Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children
and Young People’s Services (C4EO) is a brand new
organisation, developed for the children’s sector, from
the children’s sector.
For full report click here
38. Safeguarding Children: The third joint
chief inspectors' report on arrangements to
safeguard children
9 July 2008 – The Healthcare Commission
The third ‘Safeguarding Children’ report has been
published every three years and is normally published
every three years.
It assesses how well agencies are working at both
national and local levels to safeguard children and
young people.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
_db/_documents/Safeguarding_children_July_2008.pdf
39. Vulnerable children's care fears
8 July 2008 – BBC News
The findings of a report by the chief inspectors of
eight inspectorates including Ofsted, the Commission
for Social Care Inspectorate and HM inspector of
prisons has found that one in ten children’s homes in
England are failing to meet the required standards to
keep youngsters safe.
For full report click here
40. Open family courts
8 July 2008 - The Times, Letters to the Editor
From Dr M E J Wise, Chairman, BMA Medico-Legal
Committee, points out, in response to Camilla
Cavendish’s article that an expert provides an opinion
not for a party to the proceedings but to the court
for its assistance.
41. The secret state that steals our children
7 July 2008 - The Times
Camilla Cavendish reviews in the first of three articles,
this one over four pages, the activities of the
family courts which operate in secrecy and can take
children from parents without permitting them to present
their case properly using experts instructed on
their behalf. Her conclusion, the system much
change.
Conferences & Courses
42. NATIONAL DEMENTIA STRATEGY FORMAL
CONSULTATIONS - 17TH JULY, FARNHAM
AND 23RD JULY 2008, EASTWELL
MANOR, KENT Aimed at all those involved with or
affected by dementia, the two consultation events,
hosted by CSIP South East, offer an opportunity for
attendees to have their say on the recently published
Draft National Dementia Strategy.
To download the full event flyer and book a place,
please go to the dignity in care champions’ network,
www.dignityincare.org.uk or call Fiona Proffitt on
0148 3245113. Booking closes on the 27th June.
43. LONDON DIGNITY CHAMPIONS MEETING
- 14 AUGUST 2008 CENTRAL LONDON
The next London based dignity champions meeting is
to take place on the 14th of August. The meeting is
open to all dignity champions who are encouraged to
share and present the work they are doing around
dignity with other London champions.
Please email Katrina.young@dh.gsi.gov.uk or call
0207 9721337 to secure your place.
44. 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
45. Vulnerability, Risk & Empowerment—
Action on Elder Abuse
17 September 2008
Edinburgh Conference Centre, Heriot Watt University,
Edinburgh
Systems, policies and procedures to protect adults at
risk from abuse have existed prior to the introduction
of guidance and legislation. With the Adult Support
and Protection Act arguably posing as many questions
as it provides answers, this unique and exciting
one day conference hosted by Action on Elder Abuse
will consider a number of key issues contained within
the Safeguarding debate in Scotland including:
• The implication of definitions: Adults at risk/
vulnerable adults or adults vulnerable to abuse
• The current state of protection in Scotland—
interventions and key concepts: where have we
reached?
• The Domestic Abuse Agenda: what are the lessons
for protective systems?
• Advocacy and Empowerment: do we really mean
it?
• Regulation and Protection: two sides of the same
coin or separate activities?
• The Criminal Justice Response to adult abuse: a
crime or something else
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.
46. Capita’s 3rd National Conference
The Future of the Adult Social Care Workforce
Friday 19th September 2008 – Central London
Please note that we are now taking bookings on this
informative and topical event, which is CPD Certified
and includes contributions from Skills for Care and
Skills for Health. I would be grateful if you could
read the following information and also forward it on
to anyone you feel would be interested, especially
those involved with HR/Personnel, Adult Social Care
Management, Recruitment and Workforce Development,
so that all stakeholders have the chance to
attend.
Please click here to download a copy of the conference
brochure in pdf format, which includes a full list
of speakers, an agenda for the day and a booking
form. If you have any problems with the hyperlink,
please e-mail me at dave.eastman@capita.co.uk and
I will send the brochure as an attachment.
Chaired by Jon Glasby, Professor of Health and Social
Care, Director Health Services Management
Centre, University of Birmingham, our expert
speakers include:
• Glen Mason, Director of Social Care Leadership
and Performance, Department of Health
• Kathryn Halford, New Ways of Working Divisional
Manager, Skills for Health
• Jim Thomas, Programme Head, New Types of
Worker, Skills for Care
• Liz West, Learning and Development Manager
for Adult Care Services, Hertfordshire County
Council
• Jonathan Langman, Assistive Technology and
Prevention Services Officer, Norfolk Council
Beverley Maybury, Head of Modernisation, Adult &
Community Services, Oldham Metropolitan Borough
Council
Places can be booked on this event either by filling
out and returning the booking form on the final page
of the conference brochure, or by e-mailing the delegate
details directly to me at dave.eastman@capita.co.uk.
Alternatively you can book online by clicking here and
using Booking Reference Code TSDE.
We offer discounts for Block Bookings of 3 delegates
or more, please call me direct on 0207 808 5309 for
more details.
THE BOOKING REFERENCE CODE IS TSDE. YOU
MUST QUOTE THIS WHEN BOOKING.
47. LCA Annual Conference and Exhibition
(and Charity Gala Dinner)
Thursday 25th September 2008, LCA will be again
holding its annual conference and exhibition "Brave
New World- Transforming Social Care: Personalisation
And Quality". Advance details available on http://
www.lancashirecare.org.uk and booking form will be
available in due course to book your place in advance
e m a i l S a r a h L u t o n a t
sarah.luton@lancashirecare.org.uk
48. 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
49. 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
50. 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.
51. Improving patients' experiences: developing
high quality care
Monday 27 October 2008, 10.00am–1.15pm
The King's Fund, 11–13 Cavendish Square, London
W1G 0AN
Achieving high quality patient care will be the key objective
for the NHS over the coming years, with particular
focus in the NHS Next Stage Review on measuring
and improving the patient experience. Secretary
of State for Health Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP, at the
NHS Confederation Annual Conference, pointed to
new measures which will be introduced to look at the
safety and quality of care, as well as the compassion
with which that care is delivered. Work is already underway
on the development of Patient Reported Outcomes
Monitoring, and the choice agenda is being
rolled out. How should providers and commissioners
ensure they are at the forefront of the movement to
transform patients' experience?
This seminar will:
• develop understanding of patients' experience
and how to involve patients in service design
• provide case studies from the acute sector including
insight into methods for measuring patients' experience
encourage discussion between commissioners, acute
care providers and patients about methods for improving
the quality of care.
Places at this event are limited so we recommend
that you reserve a place as soon as possible by
downloading a booking 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.
52. 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
53. 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.
54. 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
55. Healthcare Commission Annual Report
2007-08: Making healthcare safer for patients
10 July 2008 – Healthcare Commission
Annual report covering the work of the Healthcare
Commission between 1 April 2007 and 31 March
2008.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
_db/_documents/Annual_Report_2007-08_200807105417.pdf
56. Healthcare watchdog urges NHS to seize
opportunity to improve maternity services as
it published national report
10 July 2008 – Healthcare Commission
The Healthcare Commission has urged the NHS to
redouble efforts to improve maternity services by enhancing
the quality of clinical care and the experiences
of women.
The body will be publishing a national report on maternity
services, containing conclusions and recommendations
from a major review involving 150 NHS
trusts in England.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
newsandevents/pressreleases.cfm?
cit_id=6492&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&useca
che=false
57. Self-funders to receive independent resolution
of complaints
9 July 2008 – CSCI
Article by the CSCI announcing that people who fund
their own care will soon be able to take their complaints
to the Local Government Ombudsman.
For full report click here
58. CSCI national conference 2008
8 July 2008 – CSCI
A report on CSCI’s national conference on 25 June
2008 at the QEII conference centre in London.
For full report click here
59. Latest Safeguarding Children review
shows most vulnerable children not yet
benefiting from improvements to services
and outcomes
8 July 2008 – Healthcare Commission
Report by the Healthcare Commission on the landscape
of children’s services since the previous Safeguarding
Children report in 2005.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
newsandevents/pressreleases.cfm?
cit_id=6491&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&useca
che=false
60. Waving, not drowning – CSCI’s head prepares
her goodbyes
June 2008 - Community Care News
Interview of Dame Denise Platt who comments on the
current issues facing the social care sector and reflects
on some of the progress/successes of CSCI.
Dementia
61. The DH gets down to dementia
July 2008 - Community Care Market News
A three page careful review and comment on the
DoH Publication ‘Transforming the quality of dementia
care’ and what it might mean for care homes of all
shades.
Education
Nothing to report
Ireland, Scotland & Wales
Ireland
62. Ambulance cuts denied by minister
8 July 2008 – BBC News
The Irish Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has
denied that plans are in place to reduce funding for
the Ambulance Service.
He announced instead that there will be an extra
£3.8m given after efficiency savings have been
made.
For full report click here
Scotland
63. Scrutiny call after files found
11 July 2008 – BBC News
NHS Lanarkshire has issued an apology after private
patient data was found at a disused hospital building
site in Carluke. The Trust admitted mistakes were
made whilst transferring information between sites.
The data included X-rays marked with patients'
names, photographs and other paperwork.
For full report click here
64. Is the Scottish NHS really the best?
8 July 2008 – BBC News
Article looking at the Scottish Government and its
approach taken on working with its doctors.
For full report click here
65. Private firms face Scots GP block
8 July 2008 – BBC News
Scottish Ministers are planning to close a “legal loophole”
which currently allows private firms to run surgeries
within the GP contract.
Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, announce at a
British Medical Association conference how she intends
to prevent firms getting a foothold in GP care.
For full report click here
66. Rethink call on home care charges
7 July 2008 – BBC News
Mark Hood, Labour councillor has written to Fife
Council to urge them to rethink their new care
charges. His move followed the release of a briefing
document by the council officers on the progress of
home care assessments.
For full report click here
Wales
Nothing to report
Learning Disabilities
67. 'Parents use forced marriage as care option
for learning disabled'
11 July 2008 – Community Care
A parliamentary meeting has heard how some parents
use forced marriage as a long-term care option
for people with learning disabilities.
Haji Saghir Alam, a member of government
disability advisory body Equality 2025, said that
some parents saw forced marriage to make sure their
learning disabled children would be cared for when
they could no longer do the caring themselves.
For full report click here
Legislation Update
68. No. 1798 (C.76) The Children and Adoption
Act 2006 (Commencement No. 2) Order
2008
11 July 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
69. No. 1802 The Protection of Children and
Vulnerable Adults and Care Standards Tribunal
(Amendment) Regulations 2008
11 July 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
70. No. 1804 The Childcare (Fees) Regulations
2008
11 July 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
71. No. 1729 The Childcare (Inspections)
Regulations 2008
9 July 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
72. No. 1740 The Childcare (Disqualification)
(Amendment) Regulations 2008
9 July 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
73. No. 1722 The Childcare (Provision of Information
About Young Children) (England)
Regulations 2008
8 July 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
74. The Mental Health Act 2007
(Consequential Amendments) Order 2008
8 July 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
Mental Health
75. Angela Greatley on a new vision for mental
health
11 July 2008 - Health Service Journal
Next year, the first of the Government's national service
frameworks will come to an end. The adult
mental health framework was published in 1999 as a
10-year plan for improving services and setting out
what patients could expect from them.
76. Boss quit before critical report
9 July 2008 – BBC News
It has emerged that Chief Executive, Sheila Foley,
resigned from Manchester Mental Health Services
Trust days before a report which was very critical of
mental health services in Manchester.
Ms Foley was also in post during lengthy strike action
by Unison in a row over the suspension of an
official.
For full report click here
Miscellaneous
77. Annual Report due
Prof. Sir Liam Donaldson, the Chief Medical Officer,
will publish his annual report on Monday 14 July.
78. Superbug vaccines 'within decade'
13 July 2008 – BBC News
The Government’s chief medical officer for England,
Sir Liam Donaldson has announced that vaccines
against MRSA and C.diff could be available as early
as within a decade.
The two infections currently contribute to more than
8,000 deaths in England and Wales in 2005 and
2006.
Sir Liam said a vaccine against C.difficile should be
available within five years, and one against MRSA
within five to 10 years.
For full report click here
79. Sight drug challenge
11 July 2008 - – The Times
Three elderly patients brought a High Court challenge
against Warwickshire Primary Care Trust’s refusal to
fund sight-saving treatment. Backed by the Royal
National Institute of Blind People, they say that health
chiefs acted “unlawfully and irrationally” in refusing to
pay for the drug ranibizumab (Lucentis). All three
have wet age-related macular degeneration. The
hearing continues.
80. Birmingham University to lead new Third
Sector Research Centre
11 July 2008 – NCF
It has been announced that Birmingham University
will lead a new Third Sector Research Centre dedicated
to analysing the impact of the sector's activities.
It will work jointly with the University of Southampton
and aims to bring about a step change in the
quality and quantity of hard evidence available to
support the work of third sector organisations.
For full report click here
81. UK a world leader in outsourced public
services says review
11 July 2008 – NCF
According to a report on the Review of the Public Services
Industry, the contribution of outsourced public
services to the UK economy has grown 130% since
1995 and now represents the most developed public
s e r v i c e i n d u s t r y i n t h e w o r l d .
For full report click here
82. Personalisation agenda gets it[s] first
leader
July 2008 - Community Care Market News
Jeff Jerome will become responsible for providing
support to councils as they implement the personalisation
programme set out by DoH.
83. Government efforts at community care
are failing
July 2008 - Community Care Market News
The report ‘Shifting the balance of care to local settings’
which looked at the effectiveness of the delivery
of health services in community settings are
‘patchy’. The report was produced by Loop2 and the
King’s Fund.
84. Social care law reform announced, but it
could be far from a quick change
July 2008 - Community Care Market News
Robert Potter considers what can be expected from
the review of the law concerning adult social
care. The Law Commission will task itself with a review
of the many laws and set out its view as to how
to rationalise it and reduce it into one coherent whole.
Ed. If only…
85. Ambitions for Health report published
10 July 2008 – NCF
The Department of Health has published a new
framework for action on social marketing and public
health.
‘Ambitions for Health’ details out how it intends to
use evidence of what motivates people to help them
lead healthier lives through targeted action.
For full report click here
86. Putting people at the heart of health
10 July 2008 - COI
A new framework for action on social marketing and
public health was published today by the Department
of Health. Ambitions for Health sets out how we will
use evidence of what motivates people to help them
lead healthier lives through targeted action. This
builds on the success of programmes like Health
Trainers, which provides one-to-one support to help
individuals tackle health issues.
People are ambitious for their own health and for the
health of their family. This framework shares that
ambition, ensuring that we use evidence and our understanding
about people to design and deliver effective
interventions.
The new framework for social marketing is based on
four key areas:
* Health Capacity: Increasing the skills and knowledge
of public health professionals through a series
of conferences, seminars, and research materials.
* Health Insight: What motivates people to change
their behaviour. A new 'life stage segmentation
model' will be live by Summer 2009, which provides
a '360-degree picture' of the population and individual
behaviour across issues including obesity, drug
and alcohol misuse, and smoking. A new 'one stop
research shop' will also bring together a vast array of
useful data in one place.
* Health Innovations: Putting social marketing into
action locally, nationally, and regionally. Learning
from the successes of programmes like Health Trainers
and Life Checks will inform future innovative ways
to improve people's health.
* Health Partnerships: We have established a £1 million
per annum partnerships capacity building fund to
provide local and regional support for building partnerships.
Ambitions for Health: A strategic framework for maximising
the potential of social marketing and healthrelated
behaviour can be downloaded from: http://
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Choosinghealth/
DH_066342
87. BMA votes for – and against – NHS copayments
10 July 2008 - The Times
Report of a ‘bruising’ debate going both ways at the
BMA annual conference in Edinburgh.
88. New network will develop use of telecare
and telehealth to manage long-term conditions
9 July 2008 – King’s Fund
A new network has been established to help expand
greater use of cutting-edge technologies, such has
telehealth and telecare in health care to help patients
with long-term conditions.
The new network will be known as the Whole Systems
Demonstrator Action Network and will be run by
The Kings Fund and the Care Services Improvement
Partnership, backed by Department of Health funding.
For full report click here
89. White Paper delivers power shift to local