Editorial
Towards the back of this issue of BHCR you will read about a 24
year old woman, Gemma Wilshaw.
Miss Wilshaw was convicted by a Juvenile Court in 2001 of having
stolen £300 from the gym company at which she then worked and
of falsifying the records to conceal the theft.
She was given a 12 month conditional discharge.
Since then, Miss Wilshaw has worked in several posts for which
she needed a CRB Disclosure Certificate. For each post she was
always open and clear about the conviction. It was never a hurdle
to work.
It is now.
Miss Wilshaw had, it seems, set her heart on becoming a
nurse. She applied for and was awarded a place to study nursing
at Northumbria University. She was open about the conviction
and started her course in March, having resigned from a paid job.
Now the University has requested more information about the
conviction and has thrown her off the course without the
opportunity of appeal.
This is an unnecessarily harsh decision for the following reasons:
First, as one of my colleagues graphically comments on youthful
error, ‘every dog is allowed one bite’.
Second, she has always declared the conviction – something
which should count in her favour.
Third, the offence was a long time ago. Her debt has been repaid
to society.
Fourth, it is the one and only time Miss Wilshaw has ever been in
trouble with the law.
Fifth, she has held a number of posts where a CRB Disclosure
was necessary. The employers, rightly in my view, did not
consider the conviction a bar to her employment.
Sixth, clearly, Miss Wilshaw is rehabilitated.
Finally, even if the conviction might give rise to concerns, it is
difficult to see how any patient would ever be put at risk as a result
of the her having committed an offence of
fraud involving £300.
I hope that the University comes to its
senses and allows this young woman the
chance to fulfil her ambition and in the
process contribute considerably to the
wellbeing of society.
Abuse
1. Sir Michael Parkinson and Ivan Lewis promote
dignity campaign in Yorkshire
21 July 2008 COI
Sir Michael Parkinson and Care Services Minister
Ivan Lewis as part of the national dignity visited and
presented the Bethel Road Extra Care scheme in
Barnsley with a cheque worth £3.8 million.
The Dignity in Care Campaign, launched by Ivan
Lewis last year, aims to inspire and equip people to
drive up care standards and encourage people to
become Dignity Champions, spreading best practice
and giving advice to other health and social care
workers. The Government wants to double the number
of dignity champions to more than 3000 by the
end of the year and has recently appointed Sir Michael
Parkinson as the first National Dignity Ambassador
to help raise the profile of this important
agenda.
Dignity Ambassador Sir Michael Parkinson said:
"I am delighted to be in Yorkshire today as part of the
National Dignity in Care tour."
"What really inspires me about this campaign is that
we can all contribute to make it a success. Most of
us will at some point be in contact with care services
- be that in our work, or as a service user, a carer or
a relative or friend. I would encourage everyone to
help drive up care standards, whether that be by reporting
poor care if we see it, or if we witness someone
going that extra mile we should take the time to
show our appreciation.
"Dignity is about being treated as an individual with
respect and compassion. I intend to use my role to
help make a real difference and work to ensure that
everyone who comes into contact with the NHS and
care services gets high quality, dignified and compassionate
care."
Care Services minister Ivan Lewis said:
"With an ageing population, one of the most important
challenges we face is making sure older people
are treated with dignity and respect. I'm pleased to be
here in Yorkshire to help spread our message - that
people want, and have a right to expect, compassionate
services that treat them as an individual.
"We've invested £117 million to help drive the dignity
message home, but this isn't just about money. I want
NHS and Social Care services to apply a simple test -
if it wouldn't be good enough for my mum and dad,
why should it be good enough for someone else's?
"The £3.8million for Barnsley's Bethel Road Extra
Care scheme will help create the kind of accommodation
older people want, where couples can stay together
rather than being forced to live apart and people
with dementia are supported to remain in their
own homes for longer. I look forward to seeing the
improvements come to fruition."
Extra care housing gives people a home of their own
where wide ranges of care and support services are
provided on site. Tenants enjoy greater privacy, dignity
and independence, couples can stay together,
and social and leisure opportunities can be enjoyed
at the resident's convenience. In addition, homeowners
may be able to keep some of the equity in their
property.
2. Soham measures still not adopted by police
17 July 2008 The Times
Sir Ian Magee has criticised police and the Government
for having failed to implement some key proposals
from Sir Michael Bichard in his report into the
events surrounding the murders of Holly Wells and
Jessica Chapman.
The key measures not implemented:
• making greater use of technology to monitor know
dangerous people.
• Electronically reporting sentencing etc to the Police
National Computer.
3. Care home abuse claim is probed
17 July 2008 – BBC News
Longfield Care Centre, Eglington, a home operated
by Southern Cross has seen a member of staff suspended
in connection with alleged abuse. The matter
is in the hands of the police.
For full report click here
Business News
4. RBS takes charge of care-home bail-out
20 July 2008—The Sunday Times
Royal Bank of Scotland will lead the rescue of Four
Seasons Healthcare, the debt-laden nursing-home
chain, after the group’s owner, the Qatar Investment
Authority (QIA), abandoned salvage plans.
4. RBS takes charge of care-home bail-out
(continued…)
Having publicly fallen out with its investment partner
Three Delta, QIA is thought to have approached Paul
Taylor to help RBS work out a solution.
5. Advent International has acquired healthcare
provider Craegmoor Healthcare Group
from UK mid-market firm LGV Capital
18 July 2008—altassets.com
The company was acquired by LGV in July 2001 for
approximately £200m. In 2007, the company reported
a turnover of £164m.
Craegmoor currently supports over 4000 people, employing
more than 6,000 members of staff through
234 specialist care homes, independent hospitals,
specialist adult colleges and supported living
schemes across the UK.
Tom Allen, the Advent director who led the investment,
said, “We have followed Craegmoor for over
seven years and now believe the timing is right for us
to invest in the business. The management team has
implemented some highly-effective operational
changes over the last couple of years which are delivering
tangible results.”
“As new investors, we are able to focus on capitalising
the business' strengths and supporting management
in driving further operational improvement and
business expansion. In the mid-term, we envisage
that Craegmoor will be ideally placed to lead consolidation
in the growing specialist care market.”
6. Advent buys care home firm for £290m
18 July 2008—Financial Times
Advent buys LGV’s Craegmoor
18 July 2008—Thomson Merger News
Advent seals £290m Craegmoor deal
18 July—Healthcare Digital
Advent poised to seal latest healthcare deal
18 July 2008
The sale of Craegmoor to Advent International, the
private equity group, is expected to close today, four
months after the care home operator was put on the
market by owner LGV Capital.
7. ADL PLC – Moves by CSCI to Cancel Registration
of two Care Homes
14 July 2008
ADL, the owner and operator of residential
care homes, announced that it received notice from
the Commission for Social Care Inspection ('CSCI')
that CSCI intends to apply for cancellation
of ADL's registration as an operator of The Knoll,
Bradford.
ADL has not been informed of the grounds for such
action.
Bradford Metropolitan District Council has moved
some 28 residents to alternative homes in the area.
The Company believes that the majority of residents
wish to return to The Knoll and is urgently seeking a
resolution to the dispute.
ADL has also been informed by CSCI of its intention
to cancel the Company's registration as the operator
of Newsham House, Gloucester. This process, which
is being resisted by the Company, follows an investigation
into the home by CSCI in 2005. Since then,
Newsham has continued to operate at or near full
capacity and has been regularly inspected.
The Company's remaining homes are unaffected and
the Company intends vigorously to oppose the action
sought to be taken by CSCI in these two homes.
8. Feeling the squeeze
July 2008 HealthInvestor
Consideration of the some of the issues behind the
turbulence in the share prices of the biggest players
in the care sector.
9. What’s the plan?
July 2008 HealthInvestor
Peter Mitchell investigates what lies behind BUPA
returning to the private hospital business with the purchase
of the Cromwell Hospital in London.
Care Homes
10. CARE HOME FEE INCREASES BARELY
KEEP PACE WITH INFLATION
and homes could suffer as councils impose
quality fee banding
14 July 2008 - Laing & Buisson
Laing & Buisson: Councils linking care home
fees to quality
15 July 2008 – Community Care
Councils across the UK have given care homes for
older people an average three per cent fee increase
in 2008/9 according to the Annual Survey of UK Local
Authority Baseline Fee Rates 2008/9, published by
Laing & Buisson’s Community Care Market News.
However, the full ‘headline’ increases may not flow
through to care homes as increasing numbers of
councils look set to impose quality banding criteria,
sometimes based on their interpretation of the Commission
for Social Care Inspection’s (CSCI) star ratings
system which became effective in May. As
many as half of all local authorities are believed to
now link fees to quality indicators.
Laing & Buisson chief executive William Laing offers
a cautious welcome to this fees-for-quality approach.
He says: “Fees based upon quality appear, in principle,
to be sensible. However, there are concerns
from within the care home sector surrounding the
transparency of these grading systems and whether
councils may misuse them as a convenient means of
cost containment.”
As a result of limited fee increases offered by councils,
which look likely to continue into the next financial
year as well, care home groups have virtually
stopped developing new capacity catering primarily
for council supported residents, whose choices will
continue to be constrained.
As previously, Laing & Buisson found much variation
in fee increases offered around the regions, with care
homes in the north east of England and Cumbria faring
best with average increases of 5.5%. At the other
end of the scale four councils (Oldham, Southwark,
Sutton and Surrey) awarded no increase whatsoever
for nursing care and, with the exception of Oldham,
no increase for residential care either.
The Annual Survey of UK Local Authority Baseline
Fee Rates 2008/9, containing a full listing of the survey
results, is available from Laing & Buisson priced
£60 see www.laingbuisson.co.uk .
For CC report click here
Case Reports
Law Reports
11. A v Hoare
Readers will recollect this matter having gone to the
House of Lords in relation to effect of The Limitation
Act which A won.
She has now brought her claim for compensation in
the High Court which exercised its discretion under
the Limitation Act 1980 s.33 to exclude the three-year
time limit under s.11 in respect of a serious sexual
assault in circumstances where the defendant had
won £7 million on a lottery more than 16 years after
the initial attack, but the claimant had been prevented
from commencing proceedings at the time due to the
defendant's impecuniosity resulting from the fact that
he was serving a life sentence for the assault for
which she now sought compensation.
12. Allen v GMB
The Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in this
very important and controversial case.
The employment tribunal originally held that the GMB
had indirectly discriminated against union members
by recommending acceptance of a 'single status' pay
deal which grossly underestimated the compensation
which should be due to female equal pay Claimants.
Although the objective of securing a fair single
status pay deal was legitimate, the means used by
the union to secure the deal (including grossly misleading
the female back-pay claimants) meant that
they had not pursued proportionate means of achieving
that pay deal.
The EAT reversed the decision and found in favour of
the union.
The Court of Appeal has now restored the ET's decision
- the judgment revolves around some highly
technical analysis of the differences between
'legitimate aims' and 'proportionate means'.
Permission to appeal to the House of Lords has been
refused by the Court of Appeal, meaning that (subject
to a Petition directly to the HofL) compensation will
now fall to be assessed against the union. It is believed
there are about 4,000 claims outstanding
against the GMB and some 7,000 against UNISON.
Provided by specialist barrister Daniel Barnet whose
website is at www.daniel.barnet.co.uk Thanks also to
John Bowers QC for saying this decision was imminent,
and to Chris Quinn, who acted for the successful
Appellants, for sending Daniel a copy immediately
upon it being handed down.
13. Re B (children) sub nom (1) MJ (Mother) &
(2) LB (Father) v Local Authority (2) CB, AB,
MB, (by their Guardian EE)
The Court of Appeal held that where an adoption
agency considered that a child should be adopted, it
was vital that it should provide the adoption panel
with all available material and with material that was
accurate. It is also important that any decision of the
adoption agency to proceed to apply for a placement
order is properly made and minuted.
14. Re R (a child)
The Court of Appeal held that in private law family
proceedings a trial judge in a preliminary fact finding
hearing that involved serious allegations of domestic
violence should never terminate the case without
hearing all the available evidence.
Disciplinary cases
15. GP accused of helping pensioner to die
‘told patients he supported euthanasia’
16 July 2008 - The Times
GP Iain Kerr appearing before the GMC Fitness to
Practise Panel in Manchester.
Cases in the news
16. Working mother’s fight for time with son
wins new right for carers
18 July 2008 - The Times
Mother’s landmark legal win for carers who
work
18 July 2008 - Daily Mail
Millions of carers have won the right to take time off
work to look after disabled and elderly relatives following
ruling by the European Court of Justice which
upheld the rights of a women to care for her disabled
son.
Children
17. Most vulnerable children not yet benefiting
from improvements to services and outcomes
15 July 2008 - Healthcare Commission
Earlier this month the chief inspectors of eight inspectorates,
including the Healthcare Commission,
jointly published ‘Safeguarding children – the third
joint chief inspectors’ report on arrangements to
safeguard children’.
Much has changed in the landscape of children’s services
since the previous safeguarding children report
in 2005. As a result of improved safeguarding arrangements,
most children now feel safe in their
homes and communities, and are receiving the quality
of care and support that they need. But some children
and young people are still not well enough
served by public services. This is particularly the case
for those who are looked after by their local authority,
who are in secure settings or are asylum-seeking
children.
The report highlights that some of the recommendations
made in 2005 have not been implemented.
These include recommendations relating to restraint
techniques in secure settings, the effects of detention
in immigration removal centres on children, and continued
delays in carrying out welfare assessments.
More information on the report
Conferences & Courses
To follow next week
Consultations
18. Towards a Strategy to Support Volunteering
in Health and Social Care: Consultation
Closing Date: 30 September 2008
A consultation seeking views on a proposed volunteering
strategy for health and social care that will
articulate the key actions needed to address the perceived
obstacles to volunteering.
For full consultation click here
19. Consultation on a Statutory Scheme to
Control the Prices of Branded NHS Medicines
Closing Date: 15 July 2008
This consultation seeks views on options for the Government's
use of statutory powers to control the
prices of branded NHS medicines.
For full consultation click here
20. Consultation on Assessment of Adult Social
Care
Closing Date: 8 August 2008
The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) is
seeking views on its proposed modifications to the
body’s performance assessment of adult services in
2008-09.
For full consultation click here
21. The Nursing and Midwifery Council
(Constitution) Order 2008: a paper for consultation
Closing Date: 21 August 2008
A draft order setting out a proposed constitution for
the NMC. It provides details of the composition of the
council, the terms of office of council members, and
criteria for the disqualification, suspension or removal
of members from office.
For full consultation click here
22. Transforming the Quality of Dementia
Care: Consultation on a national dementia
strategy
Closing Date: 11 September 2008
A consultation seeking views on proposals for a national
dementia strategy. It draws on evidence from a
range of reports and stakeholders, a series of listening
events involving more than 3,000 people and the
recommendations of an external reference group.
For full consultation click here
23. Consultation on the Publication of Children's
Homes Inspection Reports
Closing Date: 16 September 2008
A consultation seeking views on whether or not Ofsted
should publish children's homes inspection reports
on its website.
For full consultation click here
24. Volunteering in health and social care
Closing Date: 30 September 2008
A volunteering strategy for health and social care will
initiate the key actions needed to address the perceived
obstacles to making a refreshed vision for
volunteering in health and social care a reality. The
plan is to publish a final strategy and implementation
plan in early 2009.
For full consultation click here
25. The NHS Resilience and Business Continuity
Management Guidance 2008: Interim
strategic national guidance for NHS organisations
– Consultation
Closing Date: 30 September 2008
A consultation seeking views on a set of general
principles to guide all NHS organisations in developing
business continuity management processes.
For full consultation click here
26. Removing or suspending chairs and nonexecutives
of health bodies: consultation on
introducing new powers of suspension
Closing Date: 9 October 2008
A consultation document on proposals to introduce
powers of suspension, and a single approach to the
removal of chairs and non-executives of Strategic
Health Authorities and other health bodies.
For full consultation click here
27. A Consultation on the NHS Constitution
Closing Date: 17 October 2008
This consultation seeks views on a proposed NHS
constitution that aims to empower both staff and patients,
containing clear pledges on the ways in which
the NHS will strive to go beyond the stated rights to
improve the working environment.
For full consultation click here
28. NICE: Current consultations
To browse through consultations go to http://
www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=consultations.current
CSCI/Care Quality Commission
(w.e.f. 2009), CSSIW,
Healthcare Commission &
Scottish Care Commission
29. Number of CSCI Inspectors falls by onethird
15 July 2008 – NCF
Social Care Minister, Ivan Lewis, has revealed that
the number of Inspectors at CSCI has fallen by a third
since 2005 whilst answering a written question in Parliament.
Newly-published statistics show that in 2005 there
were 1318 Inspectors (FTE 1240.9) yet in just three
years this had plummeted to just 829 inspectors (FTE
786.5).
For full report click here
Education
Nothing to report
Ireland, Scotland & Wales
Ireland
Nothing to report
Scotland
30. 24 C Diff Deaths Prompt Call For Review
In Scots Hospitals
14 July 2008 – The Herald
The Scottish Government is facing increased pressure
to publish a detailed breakdown of hospitalacquired
infections across the country.
The demands came on the same day the UK Government's
chief medical officer announced that vaccines
against both C Diff and MRSA will be available within
the next decade.
For full report go to http://www.theherald.co.uk/
display.var.2393185.0.0.php?utag=28804
Wales
31. NHS trusts lose confidential data
17 July 2008 – BBC News
Welsh NHS trusts have had over 150 incidents of
data being lost, putting patient and staff details at risk.
Health Minister, Edwina Hart expressed her horror at
the findings and said that staff losing such data
should be disciplined.
She said staff losing such data should be disciplined.
For full report click here
32. Proposals to streamline the NHS
16 July 2008 – BBC News
Welsh Health Minister, Edwina Hart has announced
a plan for a complete reorganisation of the NHS.
Proposals mean that all of the NHS trusts in Wales
and the 22 local health boards would be scrapped
and replaced with around 7 health organisations taking
over all their responsibilities.
Ms Hart initially suggested a wide scale reorganisation
of the Welsh NHS structure last October when
she said some patients were getting "lost in the
gaps" due to too many local health boards.
For full report click here
Learning Disabilities
Nothing to report
Legislation Update
33. No. 1858 The Mental Capacity
(Deprivation of Liberty: Standard Authorisations,
Assessments and Ordinary Residence)
Regulations 2008
17 July 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
34. No. 1716 (W.163) The Childcare Act 2006
(Provision of Information) (Wales)
(Amendment) Regulations 2008
16 July 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
35. No. 1721 (W.167) The North East Wales
National Health Service Trust (Transfer of
Staff, Property, Rights and Liabilities) Order
2008
16 July 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
36. No. 1728 (W.168) The Education Act 2002
(Commencement No. 12) (Wales) Order 2008
16 July 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
37. No. 1774 The Health Care and Associated
Professions (Miscellaneous Amendments)
Order 2008
16 July 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
38. No. 1784 The Inspectors of Education,
Children’s Services and Skills (No. 3) Order
2008
16 July 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
39. No. 1717 (W.164) THE NATIONAL
HEALTH SERVICE, WALES
The North East Wales National Health Service
Trust (Dissolution) Order 2008
1 July 2008—OPSI
For full legislation click here
40. 2008 NO. 1775 NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE,
ENGLAND
The North Cumbria Acute Hospitals National
Health Service Trust (Change of Name)
(Establishment) Amendment Order 2008
1 July 2008—OPSI
For full legislation click here
Mental Health
41. A report on the development of a mental
health currency model
16 July 2008 - DoH
Document developed from a series of meetings between
three authors during the six months from October
2007, through March 2008.
The authors are all currently working on leading to the
development of mental health PbR currencies and
tariffs.
For full report click here
42. Mark Goldring CBE appointed new chief
executive of MENCAP
15 July 2008
Mark Goldring succeeds Dame Jo Williams DBE, who
announced her retirement from Mencap earlier this
year. He will begin working for Mencap in November.
Mark Goldring has been chief executive of Voluntary
Service Overseas (VSO) for nine years. He previously
held positions at VSO, Oxfam, DFID
(Department for International Development) and the
United Nations Development Programme. He has
been chair of the Revolving Doors Agency and is a
volunteer for disability charity Sense.
He said: "I join Mencap at an exciting time, and I
really look forward to working with and for the 1.5 million
people in the UK with a learning disability, their
families and carers. Fundamental changes in public
policy – with personalisation, employment reform and
the debate on the future of adult social care – all present
Mencap with a great opportunity to make a real
difference to the lives of people with a learning disability."
"I am keen to start work building on Dame Jo's legacy
and take Mencap forward to continue its work as the
voice of learning disability."
Miscellaneous
43. 'This Will Mean So Much To So Many
People'
18 July 2008 – The Herald
Sharon Coleman, an unpaid carer who claimed she
was discriminated against at work because of her
son's disability won a landmark case which effectively
gives new rights to millions of carers.
The working mother said she was forced to quit after
she was refused permission to return to the same job
after maternity leave, as she was accused of being
"lazy" when she needed to take time off to care for
her child and threatened with disciplinary action.
After deliberation, the European Court of Justice in
Luxembourg agreed with her that EU rules had been
breached.
For full report go to http://www.theherald.co.uk/
display.var.2401910.0.0.php?utag=28804
44. World first as Government computers go
green
17 July 2008
The British Government became the first in the world
to announce plans to slash the carbon footprint of its
computer systems.
Information and communication technology (ICT) is
responsible for up to 20% of carbon emissions generated
by Government offices - around 460,000 tonnes
a year. Under the plan announced by Cabinet
Office Minister Tom Watson the Government aims to
make energy consumption of ICT carbon neutral
within four years.
Departments will be asked to take 18 key
steps. They include:
Automatically switching off desktop computers outside
working hours. Turning off every desktop PC in
central Government for the 16 hours that fall outside
the standard working day could save up to 117,500
tonnes of CO2 per year - equivalent to taking 40,000
cars off the road.
Reusing as much computer equipment as possible.
Most of the energy used in the lifetime of a PC is consumed
during manufacture. Extending its use or reusing
it elsewhere will save both energy and money.
Auditing our data centres and server use to make
sure they are running at maximum efficiency. A
server that is switched on but idle still uses up to 70
per cent of the power it consumers when fully operational.
Cabinet Office Minister Tom Watson said:
"Worldwide, computers are responsible for the same
quantity of carbon emissions as the airline industry. It
is a serious problem that requires a serious solution.
"That's why I'm so proud that we are the first Government
anywhere in the world to formally set out exactly
what we're going to do to make our ICT systems carbon
neutral within four years. We won't achieve this
just by offsetting but by making serious changes to
the way we do business.
"But it's not just about the Government. I hope that
the steps we're announcing today - including simple
ideas such as making sure everything is turned off
when not in use, defaulting to double-sided printing
and reusing old equipment for as long as possible -
will also be picked up by private companies and individuals.
Lots of small actions make a big impact. Between
us we can make a real difference in the fight
against climate change."
Copies of the full strategy and Tom Watson's speech
available for download from h t t p : / /
www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Ed. Interestingly, the careless loss of laptop computers
and data storage devices does not feature
in the 18 point plan!
45. A moving response to our justice campaign
17 July 2008 - The Times
Camilla Cavendish reflects on the first responses
(overwhelming in numbers) to the campaign by The
Times for more openness in family court cases.
46. GPs should stay GPs
17 July 2008 - The Times, Letters to the Editor
Dr James Carne of London writes about the mantra
‘that anyone with a little extra training, can do as well
as anyone else’.
47. Impact assessment of the end of life care
strategy
17 July 2008 – DoH
Click on the link below to see the full assessment
document.
For full report click here
48. The King's Fund response to End of Life
Care strategy
17 July 2008 – King’s Fund
The King’s Fund’s chief executive Niall Dickson has
welcomed the publication of the Government’s End
of Life Care Strategy and said:
“For too long our health care system has not done
nearly enough to ensure that care at the end of life is
the best it can be. Too many patients have been denied
choice and relatives and carers have been marginalised.”
“We know that the vast majority of patients want to
die at home yet we have not developed the services
to enable this to happen. This strategy is a wake-up
call – if it is heard we can create a set of services
that provide choice and a better quality of care to
those approaching the end of life.”
“The extra resources are extremely welcome and so
is the emphasis on developing new services and
learning how they work. The proposal to create an
Intelligence Network to bring together researchers
and commissioners of care is a sensible response to
the challenge of developing evidence-based practice
in this complex area.”
For full report click here
49. End of Life Care Strategy
16 July 2008
The English Community Care Association has offered
strong support for the End of Life Care Strategy
which has been developed by the Department of
Health and a range of stakeholders.
Martin Green, Chief Executive of ECCA, said:
“This Strategy has the potential to revolutionise end
of life care and to ensure that all the resources in the
system deliver good quality experiences for people at
the end of their lives and for those who love, care or
work with them.”
“The challenge for PCTs is to ensure that effective
and responsive services are delivered to any person
who requires support at the end of their life regardless
of whether they are in their own home or a care
setting. I want to applaud the way in which the Department
of Health has engaged stakeholders in developing
the End of Life Care Strategy and the Strategy
has the backing and support of all those who provide
services and it will make a huge difference to all
those who receive them.”
50. £286m to improve end of life care for all
16 July 2008 - COI
Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, launched the End of
Life Care Strategy, backed with £286million to provide
high quality care for all adults approaching the
end of their life. It will help more people to die in the
setting they choose, mainly at home surrounded by
loved ones.
This will mean that by 2011 the Government will have
met the 2005 manifesto commitment to double the
investment in palliative care. It will mean better quality
care for patients by making it easier for individuals
to bring about their own preferences around end of
life care; promoting dignity and respect, properly coordinating
services and supporting carers.
The new ten year strategy, the first of its kind, builds
on the progress made in developing end of life care
services since 2000. Areas it will particularly focus on
include:
* Improved community services - asking PCTs, working
with Local Authorities, to ensure that rapid response
community nursing services are available in
all areas 24/7. This will enable more people to be
cared for and die at home if they wish
* Workforce training and development - to train health
and social care professionals in assessing the needs
of patients and carers and providing the best possible
quality care
* Development of specialist palliative care outreach
services - we will encourage PCTs and hospices to
work together to develop specialist services in the
community, which will support all adults regardless of
their condition.
* Setting up a national End of Life Research initiative
- to further understand how best to care for those at
the end of their lives.
* Quality Standards - we will work with SHA Next
Stage Review End of Life Care leads to develop quality
standards against which PCTs and providers can
assess themselves and be assessed by regulators.
Lord Darzi's Next Stage Review focused on End of
Life Care as one of its key pathways, and this strategy
follows on from the Review, helping to make that
commitment a reality.
51. Patient voice improving GP access
16 July 2008 - COI
The Government welcomed the results of the second
annual GP Patient Access Survey which revealed
improvements in patient satisfaction and experience.
The results, published by The NHS Information
Centre, reflect the important role patient feedback
plays in shaping and improving NHS services.
The Access survey, the biggest patient survey of its
kind in the UK, involved almost two million patients in
January-March this year. It was conducted for the
first time last year and the improvements today's results
show are a measure of success for GP practices
which have responded to their patients' needs.
Key findings include:
(Last years figures in brackets)
- 87% of people reported satisfaction with their ability
to get through to their practice on the phone (86%)
- 87% of people who tried to get an appointment with
a GP in 48 hours reported they were able to do so
(86%)
- 77% of people who wanted to book ahead for an
appointment reported they could do so (75%)
- 88% of people who wanted an appointment with a
particular GP (even if meant waiting longer) reported
they could do so (88%)
- 82% of people said they were satisfied with their
GP practices current opening hours (84%). Of the
18% dissatisfied:
- 44% said this was because their practice was not
open on a Saturday
- 31% said this was because their practice was not
open late enough in the evening
Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said:
"The survey results are a real measure of success
for those GPs and their staff who have listened to
what their patients think and who have responded
with even better access to GP appointments. I congratulate
those practices.
"I also want to thank the two million patients who took
the time to respond to the survey as these results
show the difference patients' feedback can make to
the services they receive.
"The NHS now needs to respond to what this latest
data is telling us. It is clear patients increasingly need
access to primary care at more convenient times.
Since the survey took place over a quarter of GP
practices have begun to offer extended opening
hours and from 2009 the 152 new GP-led health centres
around the country will continue to improve provision."
The results of the survey can also be found at:
http://www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/gpps08
52. A new flexible career path for Allied
Health Professionals
16 July 2008 - COI
Allied health professionals (AHPs) will have the
chance to achieve more in their careers under a
range of new measures and reforms announced today
by Health Minister Ann Keen.
As one of the key elements of Lord Darzi's NHS Next
Stage Review, Modernising Allied Health Professions
Careers: A Competence-Based Framework, sets out
new web-based tools for AHPs that will help them
plan a more flexible career path.
Health Minister Ann Keen said:
"These tools provide a win-win situation - they are
good for patients but they are also good for AHPs. It
has always been clear to me how incredibly important
AHPs are to health and social care. They are key to
health promotion whether advising on diet, exercise
or supporting children to communicate so they can
access education. They also have a key role in the
housing, education and social care sectors. They are
truly invaluable to the health service."
53. Our response to Lord Darzi’s review of
the NHS
15 July 2008 - Healthcare Commission
Following the publication of Lord Darzi’s review of the
NHS, on 30 June 2008, Professor Sir Ian Kennedy,
Chairman of the Healthcare Commission said:
“This has a real chance of helping to improve the
quality of care that patients receive. The proposals
should be given a fair wind – they deserve one.”
He added:
“While we welcome the objectives of this review, it is
essential to have an independent assessment of progress.
The document is somewhat short on how this
will come about and the role of regulation. We will be
raising this with the government.”
54. Ambulance staff's care concerns
16 July 2008 – BBC News
Lincolnshire ambulance staff have written an anonymous
letter to Health Secretary, Alan Johnson to tell
him lives are at risk because of unfilled shifts. The
same letter has also been sent to the county’s MPs,
the primary care trust and the Healthcare Commission.
East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) issued a
statement refuting the claims and said it had begun
an investigation. The findings of the EMAS inquiry will
be made public once completed.
For full report click here
55. HSJ launches Healthcare 100
15 July 2008 – HSJ
The Health Service Journal and sister title Nursing
Times has launched the Healthcare 100, which identifies
the top places to work in the health sector.
The awards are going to be in association with NHS
Employers, and will draw on employer and employee
survey results carried out by Ipsos MORI to generate
an overall ranking, as well as top organisations in
specific categories.
The awards are free to enter and open to public and
independent sector healthcare providers.
56. DIAL UK and Scope join forces to extend
advice and information
15 July 2008 – NCF
DIAL UK – the umbrella organisation for a network of
disability advice groups has announced its intention
to merge with leading disability charity Scope. The
move will create an expanded national advice and
information network for disabled people.
The merger will take effect from 1 August – and will
bring significant benefits for both organisations, combining
their resources, skills and infrastructure to create
an expanded national advice and information
network that will meet the needs of a greater number
of disabled people.
For full report click here
57. MOD asks healthcare watchdog to carry
out first ever independent assessment of
military healthcare
15 July 2008 - COI
In a recent joint statement from ourselves and the
Ministry of Defence we outlined plans for the first
ever independent expert assessment of the standards
of medical care offered to Service personnel at
military facilities.
The MOD has invited us to carry out a review of Defence
Medical Services (DMS) Clinical Governance
processes. The review will commence in July and
report on its findings early in 2009.
The services will be assessed against the same standards
used to assess the NHS, bringing regulation of
military and civilian healthcare delivery into alignment
for the first time.
For more information about the announcement go to
http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk//newsandevents/
pressreleases.cfm?
cit_id=6483&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&useca
che=false
58. Clearer, Fairer Funding for the Third Sector
15 July 2008 - COI
Care Services Minister, Ivan Lewis, announced new
funding arrangements for Third Sector organisations
in health and social care that will make funding more
transparent and effective.
The new system, known as the Third Sector Investment
Programme, replaces the 'Section 64 General
Scheme of Grants'. There will be two new funding
schemes for 2009/10, which are now open for applications.
The Strategic Partner Programme will recruit up to 10
organisations to act as Strategic Partners from the
third sector. These partners will receive funding to
act as advocates for the third sector more widely,
making the sure the views of third sector organisations
are represented to the Department and communicating
departmental policies effectively to the third
sector. This new two-way role will improve understanding
between the Department and third sector
organisations.
The Innovation, Excellence and Service Development
fund will fund projects that have the potential for national
impact, contributing to the Departments objectives
of improving health and well-being and creating
better care for all. Organisations will be able to apply
individually, or in partnership with other third sector
organisations.
Bids from potential Strategic Partners and applicants
for the Innovation, Excellence and Service Development
Fund will need to demonstrate that they can
contribute to the following cross- cutting themes.
* Information, advice and advocacy
* Personalisation, dignity and carer support
* Community / user participation and peer support
* Prevention / early intervention
* Reducing health inequalities
Ivan Lewis said:
"These updated arrangements for third sector funding
will make the system clearer, more transparent and fit
for the 21st century and have been achieved through
close partnership and consultation with the sector
itself. I am delighted to announce that the 2009/10
funding is now open for applications.
"Voluntary organisations play a critical role in improving
people's health and wellbeing, particularly for
some of the most excluded and hard to reach groups
in our communities.
"The new Third Sector Investment Programme is
designed to ensure that the Department can support
the sector to contribute its full potential, in the context
of a fair playing field in which to compete for funding."
The new arrangements have been directly informed
by an extensive consultation with over 700 Third
Sector organisations on ways in which the Department
could improve its funding of the health and social
care third sector.
Dame Jo Williams, Chief Executive of Mencap, said:
"The clear objective for health and care services is
for innovative and personalised support and treatment,
leading to improved experience and outcomes
for people's health and well-being. This provides
huge opportunities for third sector organisations to
achieve their full potential in shaping how health and
social care services are delivered in future.
DH has worked very hard to understand the challenges
faced by third sector organisations. The new
'Third Sector Investment Programme' is a hugely
important step forward in building trust and partnership
between DH and third sector organisations at
national level, and supporting the sector, through
Strategic Partners, to engage in the reformed health
and social care system as valued and equal players."
The Third Sector Investment Programme replaces
the Section 64 General Scheme of Grants (project
and core).
Funding support for the Third sector from the Department
will remain the same. Changes have been
made to the design of the schemes and priorities to
make the system fairer and more transparent.
The Third Sector plays a vital role in the evolving
health and social care system but current funding
arrangements needed to be adapted to match the
pace of change in increasing devolution of funding
decisions to local commissioners. The new way of
funding will encourage organisations to engage with
PCTs as a mainstream partner in the delivery of
health and social care services with support through
the Strategic Partner Programme to improve partnerships
at local level.
Under the Strategic Partner Programme organisations
will be able to bid for a maximum of £200k per
year to deliver activities for sector organisations that
increase capability, knowledge and understanding
from the existing budget. Strategic partners would be
monitored closely, meet regularly, be set key milestones
to meet, produce quarterly reports and be part
of an independent evaluation.
More details on both funding programmes is available
at: www.dh.gov.uk/thirdsectorinvestment
Applications for 2009/10 investment are now
open. The closing date is 8 September for stage one
applications.
"Section 64" refers to part of the Health Services and
Public Health Act 1968, which gives Secretary of
State for Health the power to give grants to certain
voluntary organisations for health and social care
services.
59. Vaccines for hospital bugs available
within a decade, says medical chief
14 July 2008 - The Times
Prof Sir Liam Donaldson commenting on the release
of new statistics on prevalence of MRSA and C. diff.
60. Care Services Minister on tour in Leicester
14 July 2008 - COI
Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis will visit Leicester
as part of a national tour to ensure that all people using
care and health services are treated with respect
at all times. He will also hear views from local experts
on shaping the future of the care and support
system.
In the next 20 years the number of people over 85 in
the East Midlands will increase by 34,800 and the
number of people over 65 will increase by 180,400.
The debate on the future of care and support involves
stakeholders, including local councillors, representatives
from local authorities, the NHS and third sector
joining the Minister to discuss their views on how best
to develop a system for care and support that meets
the needs of society well into the future.
The tour, which will visit every region in England,
aims to raise the profile of the Dignity in Care campaign,
and to continue the debate on the future of the
care and support system launched by the Prime Minister
in May.
The Dignity in Care Campaign, launched by Ivan
Lewis last year, aims to inspire and equip people to
drive up care standards and encourage people to
become Dignity Champions, spreading best practice
and giving advice to other health and social care
workers. The Government wants to double the number
of dignity champions to more than 3000 by the
end of the year and has recently appointed Sir Michael
Parkinson as the first National Dignity Ambassador
to help raise the profile of this important
agenda.
61. New telecare and telehealth network established
14 July 2008 – NCF
The King’s Fund and the Care Services Improvement
Partnership have established a new network known
as the Whole Systems Demonstrator Action Network.
This is a step closer to cutting-edge technologies in
healthcare to expand the use of telehealth and telecare
to help patients with long-term conditions.
For full report click here
62. Bursary for deaf and disabled artists
14 July 2008 - Learning Disabilities News Bulletin
Disabled and deaf artists are being invited to apply
for an award worth £5,000.
11/07/2008
More information at: http://www.learningdisabilities.org.uk/
information/news/?EntryId17=30728
63. HealthInvestor Awards 2008
July 2008—HealthInvestor
Corporate financiers of the year—Royal Bank of
Scotland
Accountants of the year—Moore and Smalley
Consultants of the year—LLewelyn Davies Young
Property group of the year—Nightingale Associates
Law firm of the year—Eversheds
IT group of the year—Coldharbour
Primary care group of the year—The Practice
Lenders of the year—Norwich Union
Third sector organisation of the year—Urgent Care
Investor of the year—August Equity
Foundation Trust of the year—Homerton Hospital
NHS Trust
Secondary care group of the year—Asteral
64. Who cares? We do
July – October 2008 - St Helens First
Item about the Princess Royal Trust St Helens Carers
Centre opened by Community Care Minister, Ivan
Lewis, which provides support and advice to local
carers between 09:30 to 16:00 on weekdays.
NHS
65. Surgeons could earn pay bonuses
20 July 2008 – BBC News
The Imperial College Healthcare Trust is considering
a pilot programme to give surgeons bonuses for operations
aimed at rewarding excellence.
The Patients Association said the public would be
"horrified" but the Department of Health said it
wanted to strengthen the Clinical Excellence Awards
Scheme, which rewards consultants for high performance.
For full report click here
66. NHS spurns gift of free cancer drug
20 July 2008 - The Sunday Times
A patient for whom medicine was being provided free
of charge to him by the pharmaceutical manufacturer
could not be administered by the NHS because ‘it
was against management policy’ and that he would
have to pay privately for nurses to administer it.
Ed. This is just plain bonkers!
67. Health select committee announces patient
safety probe
18 July 2008 – HSJ
Committee chairman Kevin Barron of the Health Selection
Committee has announced that an investigation
into patient safety would start in the autumn.
68. Hospital bans staff from making their own
tea
18 July 2008 – Daily Telegraph
Hospital staff are banned from making ‘unofficial’
cups of tea and coffee to help cut costs and save the
environment.
69. Health select committee announces patient
safety probe
18 July 2008—Health Service Journal
MPs on the health select committee are to conduct an
inquiry into patient safety.
Committee chairman Kevin Barron announced yesterday
that the investigation would start in the autumn
70. Hospitals winning the war on MRSA
18 July 2008 - Daily Mail
Department of Health Welcomes Record Annual
Fall in MRSA and C Difficile Infections
17 July 2008 - COI
Target to cut MRSA virtually hit
17 July 2008 – BBC News
MRSA bloodstream infections fell by 30 % last year -
the greatest annual reduction of the last 5 years -
new figures published today have shown.
The quarterly figures on healthcare associated infections
published today by the Health Protection
Agency also show that the number of MRSA infections
have fallen by over 49% compared with the
quarterly average in 2003/04.
The number of C.difficile infections fell by 32% compared
with the same quarter last year, showing significant
progress. For those 65 and over, this quarter
saw an expected seasonal rise, but this was only 6%
compared to the previous quarter, the smallest seasonal
increase to date.
Secretary of State for Health Alan Johnson said:
"The significant reduction in MRSA and C. difficile
infections is a remarkable achievement, the result of
the hard work and dedication of NHS staff and the
right investment in staff and resources.
"We are tackling infections on every front with a relentless
focus on cleanliness, best practice guidance
on antibiotic prescribing, isolating patients and more
infection control staff with more powers to help drive
down infection rates. From April 2009 frontline staff,
including the 5000 matrons we have now - more than
double the number of last year - will also be able to
report any concerns they have to the new regulator,
the Care Quality Commission.
"Our strategy is clearly having an impact, with our
challenging target to reduce MRSA by half now within
touching distance, but this is not an issue we can be
complacent about and we will continue to focus our
efforts on reducing infections further."
Figures released by the Health Protection Agency
show a big drop in MRSA infections. In the same
period, however, the C.diff rate has risen by 6%.
For BBC report click here
71. NHS told it must help patients to choose
where and how to dies
17 July 2008 - The Times
Promise to improve care for dying
16 July 2008 – BBC News
End of Life Care Strategy: Promoting high
quality care for all adults at the end of life
16 July 2008 – DoH
Those terminally ill are to be encouraged to express
their wishes in relation to their forthcoming death;
three case histories are set out.
For BBC report click here
For DoH report click here
72. NHS trust saves £55m from budget
17 July 2008 – BBC News
The East Midlands Strategic Health Authority NHS
Trust has published its first report for a full year’s
budget of £398m, showing that it has underspent by
£55m, after making a saving of £80m in the previous
year.
For full report click here
73. July 2008 Capita named as NHS Choices
preferred bidder
17 July 2008 - COI
The Department of Health announced Capita as the
preferred bidder for the NHS Choices contract for the
next three years.
NHS Choices was launched in June 2007 as the
NHS's online presence to provide patients, carers and
the public with accurate and up-to-date health information.
Usage of the site continues to grow, with approximately
2.5 million visits in June 2008, an increase of
approximately 35% since the start of the year.
The initial 18-month contract to establish and run the
NHS Choices service was won by Dr Foster Intelligence.
This contract is due to end in August 2008.
Re-procurement for the contract commenced in late
2007 and has been conducted under the Official Journal
of the European Union (OJEU) Restricted Process.
Over 70 expressions of interest were received,
with 16 organisations submitting Pre-Qualification
Questionnaires.
Six organisations were subsequently asked to tender
for the contract.
The contract is expected to commence in early autumn.
74. Changing times: Sustaining long-term
performance against 'Call Connect' for NHS
ambulance services
16 July 2008 - DoH
A document setting out suggested performance improvement
tools and best practice examples for ambulance
services. Its key purpose will be to provide
trusts with working solutions that aid sustainable performance
improvement against the clock start measurement
of 'Call Connect', and helps to enhance the
delivery of service to patients through improved quality
of care.
For full report click here
75. GP Patient Survey 2007-08
16 July 2008 – DoH
The results of a survey which reports on the views of
more than two million people registered with a GP in
England on how easy they found it to see or speak to
their GP.
For full report click here
76. Are We Choosing Health? The impact of
policy on the delivery of health improvement
programmes and services
16 July 2008 – Healthcare Commission
A report assessing the impact of Government policies
to improve the health of people in England and
tackle inequalities in health. The paper also looks at
whether these policies have achieved their objectives
and makes recommendations for further progress.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
_db/_documents/Are_we_choosing_health_tagged.pdf
77. Dear colleague letter: Roll out and training
events for NHS Supply2Health procurement
portal
15 July 2008 - DoH
A letter to PCT Chief Executives introducing NHS
Supply2Health, the procurement portal for advertising
services in health and social care (set out in the
NHS Operating Framework 2008/09). It asks PCT
Chief Executives to nominate two NHS Supply2Health
leads from their organisation by Friday 1
August 2008, and gives details of training events to
be run in September 2008.
For full report click here
78. On the State of Public Health: Annual Report
of the Chief Medical Officer 2007
14 July 2008 - DoH
The full Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report 2007
drawing attention to major health challenges requiring
immediate action and details progress made in
key areas identified in previous annual reports.
For full report click here
79. GPs’ skin cancer operations could prove
fatal
14 July 2008 - The Times
Some GPs are performing flawed operations to remove
skin cancers.
80. Chief Medical Officer publishes Annual
Report
14 July 2008 - COI
The Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam
Donaldson, published his 2007 Annual Report, in
which he called for a new focus on teenage health.
The report, which reviews key health problems and
developments over the last year, highlighted the
unique health needs of teenagers.
The teenage years are a risk taking period of life,
closely tied to the rite of passage into adulthood. Although
the majority of teenagers cope well, large
numbers of teens take part in high risk behaviours
such as binge drinking, drug taking and unsafe sex.
There are also teenagers living with chronic illnesses.
Sir Liam's report urged health services to take better
account of the specific health needs of young people
and sets out Top Ten Tips for teenagers.
He also called for:
- A national summit to take stock of health programmes
and services for teenagers.
- More involvement of teenagers in the design of
health services for them.
- A young person's panel to be established to advise
on national campaigns addressing risk taking in teenage
years.
- The legal blood alcohol level limit for drivers aged
between 17 and 20 years to be reduced to zero.
81. The stage is set
July 2008 - HealthInvestor
A consideration of whether the Darzi review of the
NHS signals an intention by the Labour party to privatise
large chunks of NHS delivery.
82. Time to pull the plug?
July 2008 - HealthInvestor
An item about the withdrawal of Fujitsu from the National
Programme for It and whether it is the death
knell of the scheme.
83. Riding to the rescue
July 2008 - HealthInvestor
John Moore asks whether firms will come to the aid of
failing hospitals.
84. If its broke, fix it
July 2008 - HealthInvestor
John Elledge says Lord Darzi will have to address
criticisms of the polyclinic model if investors are to
win contracts.
Nursing
Nothing to report
Older People
85. Over-50s at risk of social isolation,
watchdog warns
17 July 2008 – Community Care
The Audit Commission has warned that most councils
have not yet considered future needs of older
people over the age of 50 who currently do not receive
social or residential care.
The Commission has released a report to this effect
called ‘Don’t stop me now – preparing for an ageing
population’.
For CC report click here
For Audit Commission report click here
86. Councils not prepared for ageing population
- Audit Commission
17 July 2008 - Health Service Journal
Councils are not prepared to meet the needs of their
ageing population, a report from the Audit Commission
says today.
The commission used a "mystery shopper" exercise
to test how well councils dealt with the demands of
over-50s for services such as leisure and transport. It
found that those facing the biggest rises in the proportion
of elderly residents were least able to offer
suitable services.