Editorial
I applaud the increase in adult abuse alerts; not
because I believe there is increased abuse, rather,
that there is increased knowledge of what might
comprise unacceptable conduct and there is better
understanding of the mechanisms for bringing such
matters to the attention of ‘the relevant authorities’.
Many councillors and officers have, in my view,
become unduly worried about the fact of the increase
in the number of reports themselves – examples are
reported in this issue of BHCR (items 2 & 4). The
statistics to focus on are whether:
1. there was evidence found of abuse/mistreatment;
and, if so,
2. what was done to address the issues identified.
Worryingly, I had a senior officer of a council suggest
this week that an increase in numbers of such alerts
was, in and of itself, an indication of poor care
delivered by care homes! When challenged, the
officer retreated. However, the response betrayed
the no doubt deeply held view that all is not well with
a care provider who is subject of an abuse alert.
Many care providers I now actively encourage
people to raise concerns and to become engaged in
the process on the basis that if there is little wrong
there is little to fear. That will not last. Why?
Because there are some councils who, when an alert
is raised with them the first reaction is not to
investigate. No, the first reaction is to enforce a
‘stop’ on all referrals and placements in the
establishment. And for some, like Birmingham, say
that it will be at least three months before they begin to
investigate. Now THAT IS a scandal.
This week’s article
There are many myths surrounding the issue of radon gas in enclosed spaces, Gareth Thomas of the Health and
Safety Executive seeks to enlighten us all and to remind us of our obligations to employees and others who are in
enclosed spaces such as care homes, hospitals and the like.
We are very grateful to Gareth for taking the trouble to provide us with this article as HSE and councils ramp up
their activities in relation to radon.
To read article in full click here.
Parliament
The Summer recess began on 22.07.08 and lasts
until 06.10.08.
Next
Abuse
1. The vilest mind games
3 August 2008 - The Sunday Times
Full page article about the first UK cop to go undercover
in order to infiltrate the world of paedophiles.
2. 'Serious concerns' over care for vulnerable
Blackburn and Darwen adults
1 August 2008 - Lancashire Telegraph
In a new blow to Blackburn with Darwen’s adult social
care department, until recently rated “excellent”,
the service has been criticised in a new study by the
Commission for Social Care Inspection.
The report, presented to the council’s health scrutiny
committee raised two “recent and ongoing cases of
serious concern” about care providers contracted by
the council and said the council’s safeguarding
adults team lacked sufficient experience and knowledge.
David Kerambrum, acting director of adult services,
said that councils throughout the country were having
to cope with an increase in adult abuse allegations
because more information is being made available
to victims and others.
3. Jersey child abuse: case not closed
1 August 2008 - The Times online
Jersey's Government should take a more robust
stance over the child abuse investigations, and
should prevent closure of a murder investigation.
There was a note of resignation in the statement of
Lenny Harper, deputy chief officer of States of Jersey
Police, that there may never be enough evidence to
mount a murder inquiry into the partial remains of
five children found at Haut de la Garenne.
The Jersey government should take a more robust
stance over what has happened. For Britain, this is a
delicate matter. Jersey, a Crown dependency, is not
part of the United Kingdom and not subject to Home
Office control.
Ministry of Justice officials held talks with those involved
in the case and although there are ways of
intervening - either directly or through the Privy Council
- the British Government is reluctant to do so or
pre-empt the findings of an investigation still under
way. However baffling the case, it remains a homicide
investigation. There is no reason to curtail or
curb it. What happened in the dark cellars of Haut de
la Garenne must be revealed, whatever the financial
or political cost.
4. Big increase in abuse claims
30 July 2008 - Hartlepool Mail
Reports of abuse against vulnerable adults has continued
to increase over the past year. However,
council chiefs say that while increased awareness
about the issue has resulted in more reports being
made, the actual number of investigations has fallen
in the period to April 2008. The number of possible
abuse cases being brought to the council's attention
increased from 148 last year to 229 this year.
Alan Dobby, the council's assistant director of adult
and community services, said: "The number of cases
investigated are relatively small, and national research
suggests that abuse and neglect often goes
unreported.
"The committee is working to raise awareness and
ensure that concerns are picked up and reported."
Councillor Ged Hall, portfolio holder for adult and
public health services, said: "By bringing the issue
into the pubic domain it is a way of showing people
that this isn't being swept under the carpet.
"People should be encouraged to speak up if they are
being abused or if they know of someone that is, because
the support framework is there."
5. Home staff suspended in abuse claim
27 July 2008 - Press Association
Two members of staff have been suspended from
Kerrvale Nursing Home a nursing home in Glasgow
after allegations of abuse were made.
Bosses launched an investigation into the claims approximately
six weeks ago. It is understood the allegations
involve the behaviour of the workers towards
residents, but do not involve sexual abuse.
Business News
6. RJD buys big stake in Raphael
3 August 2008 - Mail on Sunday
Private equity group RJD Partners has bought a
multi-million pound stake in specialist mental health
provider Raphael valuing the women-only mental
health business at £30m.
The company was founded in 2006 by healthcare
entrepreneur John Lamb and Arthur Robinson, a former
NHS Trust Director of Mental Health, with a 30-
bed hospital in Nottinghamshire. It has added 11
beds and new units to that hospital, employing 101
people.
7. The Livingstone brothers, two of the UK's
biggest property investors, have put a
£400m portfolio of care homes on the market
in what could be one of the biggest property
deals of the year
3 August 2008 - Sunday Telegraph/
telegraph.co.uk
The properties are leased to Southern Cross, the
listed healthcare group which itself is trying to sell
property having previously breached banking covenants
on debt relating to care homes.
The Livingstone brothers are selling the properties
through their investment vehicle London & Regional.
Sources said the properties had been offered
to a select group of investors but had not been put
‘on the market’.
With prices dropping by up to 2% a month most investors
are waiting for more pressure to be put on
sellers before they enter the market.
All parties declined to comment.
8. Health group to meet lenders in £1.5bn
debt talks
1 August 2008 - Financial Times
The management of Four Seasons Healthcare and
its advisers will meet with lenders for the first time
next week in an effort to find a solution for a repayment
of its £1.5bn ($2.9bn) debt.
Four Seasons said on Wednesday that Murdoch
McKillop, a partner at Kroll Talbot Hughes, its financial
adviser, was to be appointed to its board. The
company has hired Kroll to "work with the management
team to negotiate the successful refinancing or
restructuring of the Group's capital structure".
Royal Bank of Scotland, the leading lender to Four
Seasons, has made available some £900m in financing
that could be used as part of a sale of the business
or debt restructuring. However, RBS, wants
£60m and a 2.5 per cent arrangement fee for providing
the financing
9. Care UK Plc
1 August 2008
The Board of Care UK announced the Admission of
4,666,666 New Ordinary Shares to trading on the
Official List of the London Stock Exchange had occurred.
Accordingly Care UK announces that the
acquisition of PHG has completed. The New Ordinary
Shares rank pari passu with the Existing Ordinary
Shares of 10p in all respects.
Following Admission of the New Ordinary Shares, the
Company announced that its share capital now consists
of 61,549,098 ordinary shares of 10p each with
voting rights. The Care UK Plc Employee Benefit
Trust holds 519,140 ordinary shares subject to options
in the Company, which it has agreed not to
vote.
Therefore, the total number of voting rights in
Care UK is 61,029,958.
10. Care UK Plc
30 July 2008
Care UK, today announced that the Company
had received written consent from the Department of
Health for the proposed acquisition of 50 per cent. of
Partnership Health Group Limited. The acquisition
remains subject to Shareholder consent at the
General Meeting to be held on 31 July 2008 and Admission
is expected on 1 August 2008 as stated in
the Circular dated 1 July 2008.
Care Homes
11. Watchdog criticises 13 care homes
1 August 2008 – BBC News
For full report see Ireland—item 43
12. Pet pigs 'success' at care home
1 August 2008 - BBC
Owning dogs and cats has long been considered to
have health benefits, but Birmingham care home,
Neville Williams House, operated by Broadening
Choices For Older People has gone a step further
and set up an on-site Pet Farm which has pigs, chickens,
rabbits and guinea pigs.
For full report click here
Ed. I am delighted to see this organisation and
care home, both of which I know well, get plaudits
for a novel a approach which has clearly enriches
the lives of the residents of the care home.
Case Reports
Law Reports
Nothing to report
Disciplinary cases
Nothing to report
Cases in the news
13. HSE and Kent police decide not to investigate
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS
Trust
30 July 2008 - COI
No charges over C. diff outbreak
30 July 2008 – BBC News
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Kent
Police announced the conclusion of a joint review of
a Healthcare Commission report published in October
2007 into outbreaks of Clostridium difficile (C.
difficile) at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS
Trust.
HSE and Kent Police reviewed the Healthcare Commission's
report through a series of interviews with
the Commission's lead investigators and others and
concluded that there is insufficient information to
launch a criminal investigation.
The Healthcare Commission published a report into
failings of infection control at Maidstone and Kent
NHS Trust on 11 October 2007 - the report can be
found at http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk//
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HSE undertook the joint review of the Healthcare
Commission report with Kent Police. Their statement
on today's announcement can be found at http://
www.kent.police.uk/News/Latest_News/index.html
Further information on HSE's work with the Health
Services can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/
healthservices/index.htm
For BBC report click here
14. Body 'lay in care home for two days’
30 July 2008 – Islington Gazette
Islington Council has ordered Care UK to launch an
investigation into why the body of an elderly woman
was left in her room for two days.
A visitor to the Lennox care home in Durham Road,
Holloway reported that flies were buzzing around the
room of 98-year-old Winifred Staines and had started
to smell.
The council has confirmed that Mrs Staines was a
dementia sufferer and she died on July 14. It was
also reported that her body was not taken to the mortuary
and that the coroner was not informed until July
16.
For full report go to http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/content/
islington/gazette/news/story.aspx?
brand=ISLGOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&t
Category=newsislg&itemid=WeED30%20Jul%202008%2014%
3A45%3A13%3A890
15. Patient's sex attack carer jailed
29 July 2008 – BBC News
Gareth Jones, a care worker, has been jailed for nine
years for carrying out a “vicious” sex attack on an
elderly patient at a nursing home. After the attack the
patient needed emergency surgery.
The court had previously heard the assault took place
on the night of 13 February 2007 as Jones was on a
night shift and was putting the woman to bed.
For full report click here
Also reported in BHCR, Vol 3, Issue 27 – item 30
16. Nurses suspended from care home
30 July 2008 – BBC News
Orchard Manor Home, currently owned by Southern
Cross has had seven nurses suspended after an inspection
body ruled that it was currently in breach of
some regulations.
The home said that seven residents were admitted to
Antrim Hospital in the last five weeks and that this
was not unusual.
The Northern Health Trust said that the residents admitted
were with a range of medical conditions.
For full report click here
Children
17. Early years inspections disrupted by pay
freeze dispute
28 July 2008 – Nursery World
Nursery and childminding inspections are being disrupted
due to Ofsted inspectors in early years and social
care being locked in a pay dispute over a three-year pay
freeze.
Unions have warned that the crisis is hitting preparations
for the new inspection framework for the EYFS, which
starts in September, as inspectors are now working a
36-hour week to rule, refusing to do overtime or use their
personal cars for business, which means that many are
unable to complete work allotted to them.
For full report click here
Conferences & Courses
To follow next week
Consultations
18. 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
19. 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
20. 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
21. 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
22. The Council for Healthcare Regulatory
Excellence Draft Regulations 2008: A paper
for consultation
Closing Date: 16 September 2008
Consultation seeking views on proposals for the
membership of the reformed Council for Healthcare
Regulatory Excellence Council. Its proposals provide
details of the terms of office of council members, criteria
for the disqualification, suspension or removal
of members from office, committees appointed by the
Council and transitional arrangements in terms of
appointments.
For full consultation click here
23. 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
24. 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
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. CSCI: Give us your views on Comprehensive
Area Assessment
Closing Date: 20 October 2008
This is a second consultation on the Comprehensive
Area Assessment (CAA) that has been launched. The
CAA is the framework due to be launched in April
2009. This will assess how well councils deliver all
local services to their residents.
For full consultation click here
29. Responsible officers and their duties relating
to the medical profession - consultation
document
Closing Date: 24 October 2008
The White Paper 'Trust, Assurance and Safety' set
out an ambitious programme for the reform of professional
regulation including the creation of responsible
officers, who will be senior doctors with personal responsibility
for evaluating the conduct and performance
of doctors and making recommendations on
their fitness to practice as part of revalidation.
For full consultation click here
30. 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
31. Health services respond to Shipman inquiry
with better monitoring of controlled
drugs
1 August 2008 – Healthcare Commission
But more work still needed, says healthcare watchdog.
The Healthcare Commission has published a report
outlining steps that have been taken to improve the
monitoring of controlled drugs since the Controlled
Drugs (Supervision of Management and Use) Regulations
came into force in England on 1 January
2007.
The report points out that NHS and private healthcare
providers have taken positive steps to improve
the monitoring and management of controlled drugs
following the Shipman Inquiry but also states that
more work is necessary to ensure all concerns are
picked up, investigated and, where appropriate, action
is taken.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
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32. The Safer Management of Controlled
Drugs
1 August 2008
The English Community Care Association has given
strong support for the recommendation relating to
care homes in the Healthcare Commission’s report
‘The Safer Management of Controlled Drugs’, which
states that healthcare professionals who prescribe or
administer medicines to people living in care homes
must ensure that the care home has a written record
of the prescription and/or administration.
Martin Green, Chief Executive of ECCA, said:
“It is vital that care homes are included and respected
by health professionals when they prescribe or administer
drugs. Too often care homes receive criticism
on issues related to drug administration when in
fact it is failures by primary care and medical practitioners
that are at the root of many problems.”
“If we are to ensure safe and appropriate drug administration
to care home residents this must be done
by developing a team approach which has to include
good communication between users, care home staff,
prescribers and those who administer the drugs.”
33. Statement from the Healthcare Commission
in response to Kent Police and HSE's
announcement on Maidstone & Tunbridge
Wells NHS Trust
31 July 2008 – Healthcare Commission
The Head of Investigations at the Healthcare Commission,
Nigel Ellis, said:
“This entire process will undoubtedly have been difficult
for friends and relatives of those who died during
the Clostridium difficile outbreaks at Maidstone and
Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. Our investigation catalogued
failures in management and leadership and
practices on the wards that were simply unacceptable.”
“Since publishing the findings of our investigation, our
focus has been on ensuring that this is never allowed
to happen again. We have conducted two follow-up
inspections at the trust and will be back in again
soon. We note the significant improvements they
have made, but will make our final judgement on progress
when we publish the follow-up report later this
year. “
“The entire NHS must learn the lessons from the
events at Maidstone and Kent hospitals. There are
signs that the recent focus on infection control within
the NHS is starting to turn the tides, with rates of
Clostridium difficile finally showing signs of decline.
This must be sustained and infection rates brought
down further across the country.”
For case report see item 13 in this issue
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
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34. New In Focus bulletin published
August 2008 - Newsletter from CSCI
Providing appropriate services for black and minority
ethnic people.
CSCI has published a new bulletin which aims to
address the needs of black and minority ethnic people
using care services. This is the second bulletin in
our series Diversity matters: Putting people first.
Read the bulletin
35. ‘Regulation 37 notifications’
New notifications forms
August 2008 - Newsletter from CSCI
CSCI has amended the notifications forms so that it
is easier for you to notify deaths, illnesses and other
serious events.
There are now two simpler forms for each type of
service:
• The first is for notifications about people who use
the service
• The second for notifications about the service's
premises, registered provider(s), registered manager,
staff, or statement of purpose
Read guidance on the new notifications forms
36. Appeals against Star Ratings...
CSCI National Quality Board meets next on
02.09.08
The meeting will consider quality ratings nationally,
trends and patterns. There will also be an
update on the CSCI Quality Ratings Review Service
(QRRS).
It is reported that there have been 45 appeals from
homes in relation to inspection reports.
20 have been deemed ineligible for review.
25 reviews are being progressed.
12 have been completed, one has had an improved
rating awarded, one has seen its rating reduced and
10 remained unchanged.
37. Statement from the Healthcare Commission
in response to the independent inquiry
into access to healthcare for people with
learning disabilities
31 July 2008– Healthcare Commission
The Healthcare Commission’s lead on learning disability
services, Fiona Ritchie, said:
"We welcome the findings of the inquiry. This is yet
more evidence that, in too many cases, people with
learning disabilities don't get the health services they
need.”
"We know that people with learning disabilities are
more likely to suffer from serious health problems, yet
they often lack access to healthcare services.”
"We must make sure that the findings of the inquiry
engender real change. Leaders in trusts must assure
themselves that they are providing services to people
with learning disabilities that are robust, fair, or good
quality and compliant with the Disability Discrimination
Act 2005. They should take action where they
are falling short.”
"Strategic health authorities and Monitor should
check up on trusts and take an active role in making
sure that the NHS is meeting the health needs of
people with learning disabilities."
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
newsandevents/pressreleases.cfm?
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38. New health guidance - infection control
1 August 2008 – Scottish Care Commission
Guidance has been issued for Service Providers, the
Public and Care Commission staff involved in regulatory
activities and focuses on the key issues contained
within the Code of Practice highlighting how it
underpins the regulations and national care standards
used by the Care Commission.
For full report click here
To access guidance document click here
39. Give us your views on the Comprehensive
Area Assessment
29 July 2008 – CSCI
The second consultation on the Comprehensive Area
Assessment (CAA) has been launched and the link to
the consultation document can be found in the Consultations
section – item 28.
For full report click here
40. Clostridium difficile - ongoing key messages
28 July 2008 – Scottish Care Commission
The Health Protection Scotland website,
www.hps.scot.nhs.uk now provides current evidence
based information on all aspects of infection prevention
and control.
For full report click here
To read NHS Scotland - Infection Control Standards for Care
Homes document click here
41. Equality Impact Assessment – Inspection
process and the introduction of grading care
services
28 July 2008 – Scottish Care Commission
The Equality Impact Assessment of the 'Inspection
process and the introduction of grading care services'
was approved by the Executive Management Team
on 3 June 2008.
For full report click here
To view the Equality Impact Assessment click here
Dementia
42. Blood pressure drug dementia hope
28 July 2008 – BBC News
American research suggests that a drug normally
used to lower blood pressure could prevent or delay
thousands of Alzheimer’s cases. People who took
angiotensin receptor blockers were up to 40% less
likely to develop dementia than those taking different
blood pressure drugs. Patients who already suffered
from dementia were less likely to get any worse.
For full report click here
Education
Nothing to report
Ireland, Scotland & Wales
Ireland
43. Watchdog criticises 13 care homes
1 August 2008 – BBC News
13 Northern Irish care homes have failed announced
and unannounced inspections by the Regulation and
Quality Improvement Authority.
Ten of the homes look after the elderly and three are
children’s homes.
For full report click here
Scotland
Nothing to report
Wales
44. NHS waiting time failure review
29 July 2008 – BBC News
Welsh Health Minister, Edwina Hart has ordered two
internal reviews into Cardiff and Vale NHS Trusts for
their failure to reach waiting time targets. She expressed
her disappointment and stated her concerns
over the management of waiting lists for orthopaedic
and heart treatments.
For full report click here
Learning Disabilities
45. Residents moved as two homes shut
1 August 2008 – BBC News
Twelve people with learning and physical disabilities
were forced to move from two care homes with just
one week’s notice after the company running them,
shut them down.
The Wey Forward Initiatives Ltd went into liquidation
and closed the homes in Guildford, Surrey.
For full report click here
46. The Protection of Vulnerable Adults list:
an investigation of referral patterns and approaches
to decision-making
31 July 2008 – DoH
The Department of Health has introduced the Protection
of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) list on 26 July 2004,
as part of the implementation of the Care Standards
Act (2000).
This is also a complement to the requirement for the
development of local multi-agency adult protection
policies and procedures.
For full report click here
47. Independent Inquiry into Access to
Healthcare for People with Learning Disabilities:
Dear colleague letter
30 July 2008 – DoH
Disabled 'face suffering in NHS'
29 July 2008 – BBC News
This is a letter from Chief Executive of the NHS in
England David Nicholson announcing the publication
of an independent inquiry into access to healthcare
for people with learning disabilities, which concludes
that people with learning disabilities have worse
health and receive a worse quality of care in the NHS.
For DoH report click here
For BBC report click here
48. Learning disability healthcare report welcomed
30 July 2008 – NCF
Chief Executive of Mencap, Dame Jo Williams said:
“Mencap welcomes the Independent Inquiry report". It
proves that people with a learning disability are being
discriminated against in the NHS, which is leading to
unnecessary pain and death.”
“It is clear that there is a desperate need for mandatory
learning disability training for all health care professionals,
and for people with a learning disability
and their families and carers to be at the centre of all
decisions made surrounding their healthcare".
“The findings and recommendations will bring some
comfort to the families in Mencap’s Death by indifference
report, who bravely told their stories to highlight
the widespread discrimination and ignorance.”
For full report click here
49. People with learning disabilities let down
by NHS, inquiry finds
30 July 2008 - Health Service Journal
The independent inquiry into access to healthcare for
people with learning disabilities has published its
findings and its recommendations have been welcomed
by the NHS Confederation.
Healthcare For All says people with learning disabilities
have higher levels of unmet need and receive
less effective treatment, despite the Disability Discrimination
Act and Mental Capacity Act setting out a
clear legal framework for the delivery of equal treatment.
50. Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
charity responds to “Healthcare For
All” report
29 July 2008
In response to the publication of ‘Healthcare For All’,
report of the independent inquiry into access to
healthcare for people with learning disabilities, Alison
Giraud-Saunders, Co-Director at the Foundation for
People with Learning Disabilities, said:
“While the report it is to be welcomed, it must not be
allowed to join the growing pile of paper promises
that people with a learning disability have become
used to. Immediate action needs to be taken to implement
the inquiry’s recommendations. One Strategic
Health Authority set out comprehensive plans
addressing the health needs of people with learning
disabilities following on from Lord Darzi’s NHS review.
We would like to see other Strategic Health
Authorities follow this good example.
“This report is a blueprint for what needs to happen
to end the difficulties many people with a learning
disability face when trying to access the healthcare
most of us take for granted. It’s completely unacceptable
that anyone should be disadvantaged in our
healthcare system simply because they have a disability.”
Legislation Update
51. No. 1716 (W.163) The Childcare Act 2006
(Provision of Information) (Wales)
(Amendment) Regulations 2008
1 August 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
52. No. 1716 (W.163) The Childcare Act 2006
(Provision of Information) (Wales)
(Amendment) Regulations 2008
1 August 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
53. No. 1971 (C.95) The Education and Inspections
Act 2006 (Commencement No.7
and Transitional Provisions) Order 2008
29 July 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
54. Health and Social Care Act 2008 c.14
28 July 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
55. No. 1972 (C.96) The Health Act 2006
(Commencement No. 5) Order 2008
28 July 2008 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
Mental Health
56. First Office of the Public Guardian Annual
Report Shows Widespread Use of the Mental
Capacity Act
1 August 2008 - COI
More people are taking steps to ensure their rights
and those of their loved ones, are respected by registering
plans setting out what should happen to their
financial and health matters should they lose mental
capacity, according to figures published in the Office
of the Public Guardian's first Annual Report and Accounts.
* Nearly three times more people have applied to register
their Lasting Power of Attorney (LPAs) than in
previous years.
* The number of applications to the Court of Protection
for a finance or health and welfare decision have
significantly exceeded expectations.
* Nearly three times more investigations into the actions
of deputies and attorneys compared to last year.
* More than 50 applications made to the Court of Protection
by the Public Guardian in cases where there
are concerns about a deputy or attorney
The Public Guardian and Chief Executive, Martin
John, said:
"The introduction of the Mental Capacity Act has resulted
in a high volume of applications to register
Powers of Attorney, a sign that people are increasingly
thinking about and planning for their futures.
Due to the unexpected and considerable demands
on our services, we are continually improving our
processes and deploying our staff to help manage
the workload. We expect to see a return to our published
standards over the summer period.”
"We will continue to work closely with customers and
stakeholders to make sure that we can deliver the
service they expect."
57. Implementation of the Mental Health Act
2007: Transitional arrangements
31 July 2008 – DoH
Guidance explaining the transitional provisions associated
with changes to the Mental Health Act that
come into force in November 2008.
For full report click here
58. Mental Health Act 1983 Approved Clinician
(General) Directions 2008
31 July 2008 – DoH
These directions explain the changes to the Mental
Health Act that come into force in November 2008.
For full report click here
Miscellaneous
59. 'I would never know who's in the Priory',
says Philip Scott
3 August 2008 - The Sunday Times
Significant item about Philip Scott:
Born: Belfast, 1964
Education: Orangefield Primary, Belfast; Grosvenor
Grammar School, Belfast
Career:
2008 to date Chief executive, The Priory Group
2002–07 Chief executive, Southern Cross;
2000-02 Managing director, Southern Cross;
1998–2000 UK managing director, Tamaris;
1993–98 UK managing director of Crestacare;
1990-93 manager of an independent care home;
Other interests: football, running
Philip Scott, the chief executive of the Priory, has offered
the NHS fixed-price terms for patients to boost
occupancy – a detailed look at his achievements and
his growth plans for the Priory.
60. Care home bills Aberdeen council for 14
dead residents
3 August 2008 - The Sunday Times
Southern Cross Healthcare Group, the largest UK
care provider, collected £60,000 from debt-ridden
Aberdeen City Council over eight months after failing
to notify the council of 14 deaths. The money has
been repaid.
A council spokeswoman said there had been no
criminal intent on the part of Southern Cross and put
it down to an “unfortunate mistake”.
61. Is the law bleeding the NHS to death
3 August 2008 - The Sunday Times colour supplement
A look over five pages at the cost of medical mishaps
and the cost and compensation which drains some of
the resources away from front-line care – more than
£9bn.
62. The bank that invests in life
2 August 2008 - The Times
A look at Britain’s largest blood cord bank which is
due to open in September.
63. Millions fail to take their medication as
prescribed
1 August 2008 - The Times
More than 8million people failed to take prescribed
medication correctly according to the NHS Information
Centre
64. Elusive doctors
31 July 2008 - The Times
Millions of patients continue to struggle to get a GP
appointment according to a Healthcare Commission
study of 69,000 people in England suggests:
• 41% of people wanting an appointment were seen
on the same working day;
• 33% waited one or two days; and
• 13% waited longer than two days because no appointment
was available.
65. Doctors complain about rating website
Doctors have complained to the Information Commissioner
about the doctors’ rating website iwantgreatcare.
org.
66. London GP patients 'wait longest'
31 July 2008 – BBC News
Patient survey reveals GP delays
31 July 2008 – BBC News
A survey by the Healthcare Commission shows that
some patients in parts of London have to wait longer
than anyone else to see their GP. The poll of over
69,000 found that 25% waited longer than two days
for an appointment, whereby in Tower Hamlets, the
figure rose to 57%.
41% of patients served by east London Primary care
trusts had to wait over two days for a GP appointment
and only 15% of patients in Kingston waited longer
than the official target.
For full report click here
67. The Protection of Vulnerable Adults List:
An investigation of referral patterns and approaches
to decision-making
31 July 2008 – DoH
Research which explores factors leading to the
placement on the protection of vulnerable adults list,
and which in turn helps to safeguard vulnerable
adults in care.
For full report click here
68. Patients praise the care they get in GP
practices and health centres
31 July 2008– Healthcare Commission
A national survey of 69,000 people raises questions
about access to NHS services but overall most patients
say they are “completely satisfied” with care in
GP practices and health centres, with high proportions
saying they are treated with dignity and listened
to carefully.
The survey was coordinated for the Commission by
the Picker Institute Europe and it covered topics such
as access to appointments, waiting times and patients’
relationships with NHS staff.
The Commission will also release on its website a
national overview with comparative scores for all 152
primary care trusts in England, the organisations that
buy services from GPs and dentists.
For full report go to http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/
newsandevents/pressreleases.cfm?
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NHS
69. More improved healthcare facilities
1 August 2008
A new national framework procurement, Express
LIFT, was launched by the Department of Health today
to extend access to the LIFT (Local Improvement
Finance Trust) scheme, to all Primary Care Trusts
who want to make use of it. Currently, about half of
Primary Care Trusts in England benefit from
LIFT, using it to build and finance new, modern GP
surgeries, health centres and walk-in centres.
The national procurement framework will generate a
list of approved private sector partners, each of whom
will have demonstrated a track-record of delivering
the services required of a successful LIFT Company.
The framework is intended to greatly accelerate the
procurement process for infrastructure projects and
vastly reduce costs to bidders compared to the current
process, cutting the length of time for completion
on bids to four to five months (depending on the number
of bidders), with local procurements from the
framework able to be completed within about four to
six weeks rather than two years as is currently the
case.
Mark Britnell, Director General, Commissioning and
System Management at the Department of Health
said:
"LIFT has proved highly successful, allowing Trusts
to upgrade inadequate or ageing facilities around the
country and address the historic legacy of underinvestment
in NHS primary care facilities.
"Allowing the LIFT scheme to rapidly expand will enable
more Primary Care Trusts and local authorities
to take advantage of its benefits - faster builds, improved
working conditions for staff, better care environments
for patients, and better overall facilities
available for the local community.
"Only the best companies will make it onto the framework
list and we know that private sector developers
will welcome this development, both because of the
potential future work and the quicker and cheaper
procurement process."
70. NHS launches online one-stop shop for
mums-to-be
1 August 2008 - COI
The first NHS online maternity guide, offering a
wealth of information on pregnancy and birth, at just
the click of a mouse, has been launched.
The new Pregnancy Care Planner gives the latest
and most comprehensive advice on all aspects of
pregnancy, from getting pregnant, early pregnancy,
the scans, to the birth, and the most up to date comparative
guides to what is on offer at local maternity
units.
Health is the most researched subject on the internet,
and pregnancy is the most researched health subject.
This new service is available on the national NHS
website, NHS Choices (http://www.nhs.uk) and the
link to the planner is: http://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy.
71. Department of Health (National)
(DH) NHS inpatient and outpatient waiting
times figures 30th June 2008
Main Points This Month
Tables available in word document or the Dept of
Health website.
Inpatient Waiting times
* The number of patients, for whom English commissioners
are responsible, waiting over the 26 weeks
standard at the end of June 2008 was 41. Of these
41, none were English residents waiting in Welsh
hospitals.
* The number of patients, for whom English commissioners
are responsible, waiting over 13 weeks at the
end of June 2008 was 37,600, a decrease of 2,400
(6.1%) from May 2008, and a fall of 62,300 (62.4%)
from June 2007.
* The percentage of patients waiting under 13 weeks
was 93.0%, compared to 92.5% in May 2008 and
84.9% in June 2007. The median waiting time of
those still waiting at the end of June 2008 was 4.0
weeks.
Outpatient Waiting times
* The number of patients, for whom English commissioners
are responsible, waiting over the 13 weeks
standard for a first outpatient appointment following
GP referral at the end of June 2008 was 251. Of
these 251, 56 were English residents waiting in
Welsh hospitals.
72. MRSA Screening: Operational guidance
1 August 2008 – DoH
Letter sent from the Chief Nursing Officer and the
Director General of NHS Finance, Performance and
Operations to NHS trusts to give support and guidance
in introducing MRSA screening for all elective
patients by the end of March 2009.
For full report click here
73. NHS 'confusion' over asylum rules
1 August 2008 – BBC News
An article in the British Medical Journal reports that
due to confusion over the rules on NHS care for
failed asylum seekers, many are being turned away
from hospitals and GP practices.
The Department of Health has said that the situation
is currently under review.
For full report click here
74. NHS in East sees £376m turnaround
1 August 2008 – BBC News
The East of England Strategic Health Authority has
managed to move from a £290m debt two years ago
to a £86 surplus in 2007/2008.
This means that this is one of the biggest reductions
achieved so far within the UK.
For full report click here
75. A new website...
31 July 2008 - CSIP
Care Services Improvement Partnership has
launched a new website resource. Visit the new-look
website at www.networks.csip.org.uk and download
the Darzi briefing and information sheets at
www.networks.csip.org.uk/darziSummary
76. HSE and Kent police decide not to investigate
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS
Trust
30 July 2008 - COI
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Kent
Police announced the conclusion of a joint review of a
Healthcare Commission report published in October
2007 into outbreaks of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)
at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.
HSE and Kent Police reviewed the Healthcare Commission's
report through a series of interviews with
the Commission's lead investigators and others and
concluded that there is insufficient information to
launch a criminal investigation.
The Healthcare Commission published a report into
failings of infection control at Maidstone and Kent
NHS Trust on 11 October 2007 - the report can be
found at http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk//
n e w s a n d e v e n t s / p r e s s r e l e a s e s . c f m ?
cit_id=5875&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&useca
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HSE undertook the joint review of the Healthcare
Commission report with Kent Police. Their statement
on today's announcement can be found at http://
www.kent.police.uk/News/Latest_News/index.html
Further information on HSE's work with the Health
Services can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/
healthservices/index.htm
77. Impact Assessment of Moving Ahead with
Electronic Prescription Service (Release)
30 July 2008 – DoH
The report is called Enabling Completely Electronic
Prescriptions in Primary Care and assesses the impact
of switching over to an electronic system for prescriptions
in order to reduce the rising and indirect
cost to NHS organisations and primary care contractors.
For full report click here
78. Hospitals clean-up to cost £3.7m
30 July 2008 – BBC News
A hospital trust is spending £3.7m to tackle superbugs
to avoid the possibility of stiff fines.
Bradford's Royal Infirmary and St Luke's hospital are
spending the money on cleaning measures and other
initiatives to meet targets.
For full report click here
79. Big rise in NHS feeding concerns
29 July 2008 – BBC News
The National Safety Agency has revealed that the
number of incidents related to poor nutritional care
reported by NHS staff has nearly doubled over the
course of three years.
The Agency put this down to better reporting, rather
than an actual increase. The figures included procedures
such as feeding tube insertion and stated that
most incidents resulted in little or no harm to patients.
For full report click here
80. Campaign against medicine 'waste'
29 July 2008 – BBC News
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has revealed that
unused and wasted medicines cost them £24m every
year. The figure was revealed to coincide with a
campaign to persuade patients to help cut waste.
Its statement said the money saved could pay for an
additional 4,000 hip replacements, 3,158 heart bypass
operations and 622 community nurses.
For full report click here
81. Engagement Analysis: NHS next stage
review - What we heard from the 'Our NHS,
Our Future' process
28 July 2008 – DoH
This is a report which sets out a summary of responses
received as part of a review paper 'Our
NHS, our future' which actively engaged, involved
and solicited the views of patients, public, staff and
stakeholders.
For full report click here
82. Bed-blocking costs the NHS £200m a year
28 July 2008 – The Daily Telegraph
Figures released under the Freedom of Information
Act shows that bed-blocking costs the NHS about
£200m a year.
In one case, a patient blocked a bed for six years at a
hospital run by the Bolton Hospital NHS Trust.
Nursing
83. Standards to support learning and assessment
in practice
August 2008 - issue NMC Newsletter
Since the last publication in 2006, the NMC received
a lot of enquiries and comments from teachers about
the best way to use the standards.
The updated publication now includes all of the information
needed to implement the standards in practice.
The NMC also carried out a series of road shows
about the standards to help teachers share best practice.
84. Do you want to be part of the new NMC
Council?
August 2008 - issue NMC Newsletter
Last month we told you about new NMC Council,
which will be in place by the end of this year.
The deadline the post of chair has now passed, and
recruitment will soon start for the remaining 13 lay
and registrant members from each of the four countries
of the UK.
If you are interested in applying, please visit our website
for further information.
Find out more about how to apply to join the new NMC Council
85. English take Welsh nurse degrees
30 July 2008 – BBC News
English would-be nurses are doing their degrees in
Wales because they will automatically receive bursaries
of £6,372.
Currently, student nurses on degree courses in England
the National Health Service bursaries are means
tested.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is calling on the
Government to equalise the system throughout the
UK.
For full report click here
Older People
86. Text of letter sent to participants in the
consultation exercise on the future funding
of long term care
29 July 2008 - Department of Health
For items in BHCR reporting on the consultation see
Issue 28—article.
“Thank you for joining me and officials from the Department
of Health at the Manchester regional stakeholder
event on 16 June to debate the important issues
on the future of the care and support reform system.
I hope you found the event useful and worthwhile.
Your input during the day is invaluable and will
be carefully considered in the development of the
Green Paper on this crucial reform.
I am pleased to attach a summary of the points discussed
on the day. All the feedback we receive from
the events and additional engagement strands - including
the website and citizens events - will be used
to inform the development of the Green Paper, which
is due to be published next year. We are also currently
putting together a package of materials to enable
you to continue the debate by running events
with your own networks. This will be available in
early August for you to download via our website.
For fur ther information, please visit
www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk. The site is being
regularly refreshed so I would encourage you to register
to receive these updates. Alternatively, you can
contact the Green Paper team at careandsupport@
dh.gsi.gov.uk or write to:
Care and Support
Room 543, Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London SW1A 2NS
I look forward to continuing this important debate
with you and hearing your feedback.
Best wishes,
Ivan Lewis
Minister for Care Services
Department of Health”
Social Care
87. Ivan Lewis challenges adult care sector
to deliver
1 August 2008 – Community Care
Care services Minister Ivan Lewis is urging councils
to deliver on opportunities created "by the most profoundly
important year in a generation" for the sector.
For full report click here
88. National Carers' Strategy - regional
events
31 July 2008 – DoH
The purpose of each event will be to help create a
common sense of purpose and foster collective responsibility.
It also aims to ensure that carers have
the services they need in their caring role whilst being
enabled to have a life outside caring.
For full report click here
89. New Deal for Carers: Task force reports
29 July 2008 – DoH
Reports describing the work done by four task forces
in charge of developing a new carers' strategy.
For full report click here
90. The OU wants your views
28 July 2008 – NCF
The Open University’s aim is to investigate how much
is understood about services available and how they
are accessed. This is whether a carer or being cared
for, economic factors and forward planning are key
determinants of what is available and at what cost.
The outcome will contribute to the current government
consultation exercise looking into public expectations
and mapping these against costs and reality.
The survey can be found at www.open2.net/
caresurvey.
For full report click here
Staff, employment and
disciplinary
91. Crackdown on rogue employers
A new Government drive to crack down on rogue employers
who abuse vulnerable workers and undercut
honest businesses has been unveiled.
The strategy includes a single telephone helpline for
vulnerable workers to report abuses to the Government's
workplace enforcement agencies, breaking
down barriers so agencies can share vital information
to catch rogue employers and a £6 million information
campaign to raise awareness of employment rights
and how to enforce them.
This initiative will be overseen by a new Fair Employment
Enforcement Board which will co-ordinate the
work of the government enforcement agencies covering
minimum wage, health and safety, employment
agencies and gangmasters. The new Board will be
chaired by the Employment Relations Minister and
will include representatives from business and trade
unions, as well as the enforcement agencies.
More details here.
With thanks to specialist barrister Daniel Barnett at
www.danielbarnett.co.uk
Radon in workplaces (Care
Homes): HSE and Local Authorities
step up communication
with employers to help to
reduce risks to employees and
others
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that
can seep out of the ground from the sub-soil underneath
buildings to enter through cracks and gaps in
the floor and build up in houses and indoor workplaces.
Radon (more properly known as radon-222)
comes from uranium, which occurs naturally in many
rocks and soils. Since granite contains relatively
high levels of uranium, many people think that it is
only granite areas of the UK, such as the South West
of England, that have high radon levels. This is untrue
and many parts of the country have high radon
levels.
When radon gas is breathed in it can cause significant
damage to the sensitive cells in the lung and it
is now recognised to be the second largest cause of
lung cancer in the UK after smoking. The Government
has designated radon Affected Areas where
there is a significant likelihood of individual buildings
having elevated levels and recommends homeowners
in these areas test for it and take relatively simple
building modifications to reduce it where appropriate.
In workplaces, the Management of Health and Safety
at Work Regulations require employers to assess,
and where necessary reduce, the risks to their employers
.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has carried out
extensive measurements from across the UK over
many years. In November 2007, together with the
British Geological Survey (BGS), they completed collation
of new radon mapping data for England and
Wales and published an Indicative Atlas of Radon in
England and Wales. The new data replace the previous
Atlas, NRPB W26. [Radon maps for Scotland are
due for publication later in 2008.] The areas most
seriously affected by radon are Wales and the South
West of England leading up through West Oxfordshire
and Northamptonshire to Lincolnshire and Derbyshire.
Elevated levels have also been found in
small pockets in many other areas such as Northumberland
and the Grampian and Highlands regions of
Scotland.
HSE has recently revised its guidance on radon in the
workplace in order to take account of the new mapping
data and radon Affected Area identification criteria
and this may be found on the HSE website at:
www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/radon.
They have also taken the opportunity to improve the
user-friendliness of its radon web pages and to clarify
the circumstances in which employers should carry
out radon risk assessments. Advice is also given on
checking the efficacy of radon protection measures
initially installed in accordance with the building regulations,
winter corrected measurement results, and
risk assessment review periods.
HSE and Local Authorities are aware that the vast
majority of employers with workplaces located in radon
Affected Areas have not assessed the radon hazard
in relation to the protection of their employees.
Their inspectors have therefore devised various programmes
of initiatives targeted at increasing the numbers
of workplaces assessed with the longer-term aim
of reducing workplace exposures and any possible
resultant fatalities. Annual radiation doses have been
found to be high in many types of workplaces and the
health risks significant; especially amongst employees
who smoke tobacco.
All employers in the newly defined radon Affected
Areas or those who have parts of their premises below
ground, must assess radon exposure risks in their
workplaces. Some employers who were not in an Affected
Area before publication of the new Atlas will
find that they now are and should therefore be in the
process of assessing the risks to their employees.
All employers in the newly defined radon Affected
Areas or those who have parts of their premises below
ground, must assess radon exposure risks in their
workplaces. Some employers who were not in an Affected
Area before publication of the new Atlas will
find that they now are and should therefore be in the
process of assessing the risks to their employees.
All employers in the newly defined radon Affected
Areas or those who have parts of their premises below
ground, must assess radon exposure risks in
their workplaces. Some employers who were not in
an Affected Area before publication of the new Atlas
will find that they now are and should therefore be in
the process of assessing the risks to their employees.
Radon will be a new topic to some of these
employers and, therefore, HSE encourages safety
practitioners throughout England and Wales to increase
employers’ awareness of radon risks by referring
them to the HSE website guidance.
G Thomas, HM Specialist Inspector of Health and
Safety (Radiation)
HSE Radiation Team