This week's article
Launch of Chambers UK 2010 edition
Chambers, an independent organisation which reviews the work, activities of lawyers in the UK and whose researchers speak to clients, peers and others who can be expected to have knowledge of a given lawyer and then ranks them amongst their peers says in its 2010 edition, launched on 11.11.2009:
Other Notable Practitioners
At health and social care boutique Brunswicks LLP, Keith Lewin offers an impressively broad practice coupled with niche expertise in Care Quality Commission challenges. He is undisputedly at the top of the care sector market and his loyal clientele value "his dedication, knowledge and understanding of our needs."
Lewin is classed in ‘Health & Social Care: Care Homes’ in Band 1 of those practicing lawyers specialising in advising care homes.
Abuse/Dignity
1. Adult protection: DH 'still considering legislation'
25 November 2009 – Community Care
DH has tried to reassure adult protection campaigners that it is taking seriously the case for legislation on safeguarding vulnerable adults.
DH has been criticised for failing to commit to legislation when it published a report in July on its consultation on revising the 2000 No Secrets safeguarding guidance.
For full report click here
2. Elderly, disabled and vulnerable - who is watching over them?
25 November 2009, 'Week In Week Out' BBC One Wales, 19:30 hrs
A special programme which makes a special investigation into who is taking care of the care industry in Wales, and is focused upon the work of CSSIW. Action on Elder Abuse contributed to the programme.
Business News
3. Lloydspharmacy sells Sapphire Primary Care Developments to Ashley House plc
20 November 2009 Ashley House Plc
Ashley House plc acquired the assets and business of Sapphire Primary Care Developments (SPCD) from Lloydspharmacy for £6.8 million. In addition, AH Medical Properties plc (AHMP) has acquired four completed medical centres with integrated Lloydspharmacy pharmacies from SPCD for £11.8m.
Ashley House specialises in the design, construction and management of primary and social care infrastructure and is the asset manager for AHMP a property investment company with a portfolio of over £100m of primary care assets.
The deal provides Lloydspharmacy with a strategic partnership and a 10% equity stake in Ashley House, enhancing Ashley House’s position in the health centre development market. Lloydspharmacy also gets an exclusive opportunity over the future pipeline of health centre pharmacy opportunities which will be the subject of a joint venture between Ashley House and Lloydspharmacy.
The acquisition will augment Ashley House’s interests in NHS LIFT, adding minority interests in six other LIFTCos. Lloydspharmacy has built up the SPCD business from start-up in 1999. Andrew Willetts, Finance Director of Lloydspharmacy, joins the Ashley House board as non-executive director.
4. Dragon Rouge rebrands care specialist Craegmoor
24 November 2009 Design Week
Dragon Rouge created the new brand for Craegmoor Healthcare.
The consultancy was appointed in January 2009 following a credentials pitch, and was tasked with reviewing Craegmoor’s brand strategy. The appointment was prompted in part by Advent International’s takeover of Craegmoor in July 2008.
The brand logo is an illustrated ‘C’ made up from everyday objects, which, the consultancy says, are meant to illustrate ‘elements of people’s everyday experiences, which can be ordinary to some, yet extraordinary achievements for others’.
5. Primary Healthcare Annual Review
25 November 2009 Colliers CRE
Adam Mehmet ,Jeremy Tasker and Eleanor Jukes contribute to the four page second annual review focusing on the returns to be made from investing in property let to those engaged in providing primary healthcare.
To read the report, click here Primary Healthcare Review
Care Homes
6. Free personal care bill published today
25 November 2009 – Community Care
Legislation to introduce free personal care at home for people with critical needs was published on 25 November 2009.
The Government says that the Personal Care at Home Bill would guarantee free care for almost 280,000 older and disabled people, including 166,000 current recipients.
For full report click here
7. Free home care plan to exclude some with critical needs
26 November 2009 – Community Care
Not everyone with critical care needs would receive free personal care at home under the government's Personal Care at Home Bill as it would apply only to those living at home with high personal care needs - defined as requiring help with four or more activities of daily living, such as washing, toileting or dressing.
For full report click here
Case Reports
Law Reports
8. In re B (a child)(Residence order)
The Supreme Court held that when considering a residence order for a child there is no presumption in favour of a biological parent. The test is what is in the child’s best interests. In this case the child was to remain with his grandmother.
Disciplinary cases
9. Physiotherapist struck off for misconduct
23 November 2009 Health Professions Council
Physiotherapist Julius Wahogo has been struck off the HPC Register for inappropriate patient contact and comments whilst working for the Berkshire West NHS Primary Care Trust.
A panel of the HPC Conduct and Competence Committee heard how Julius Wahogo inappropriately touched vulnerable patients in a sexual nature whilst they were receiving physiotherapy treatment. One patient said at the hearing that they felt increasingly uncomfortable in Mr Wahogo’s company until it reached the point when she did not want to see him ever again.
The Panel further heard that Mr Wahogo approached patients in the coffee area after treatment, making them uncomfortable by getting in close proximity and touching them with his hands. The Panel also heard that he whispered inappropriate and suggestive comments into one patient’s ear, implying that they should engage in “extra-curricular socialising.”
Wahogo was neither present nor represented at the hearing.
10. Occupational therapist suspended for lack of competence
25 November 2009 Health Professions Council
Khaleda Zaman has been suspended from the HPC Register for failing to complete patient assessments and failing to demonstrate standard clinical skills whilst working as a basic grade Occupational therapist when at Tower Hamlets PCT.
Panel Chair Mr Colin Allies commented:
“The Panel finds that Khaleda Zaman’s reflections in her patient notes were incomplete, lacked detail and did not have background information”
“The Panel is satisfied that these wide-ranging and fundamental shortcomings demonstrated a comprehensive lack of competence, Mrs Zaman simply lacked core skills.”
The panel decided the most appropriate action was to suspend Khaleda Zaman from the Register for a period of 12 months.
Zaman was neither present nor represented at the hearing.
Cases in the news
11. Nurse sentenced for patient abuse
23 November 2009 – BBC News
Penelope Rees, who as a nurse abused two 87-year-old men with dementia at a Cardiff hospital has been given a suspended prison sentence.
She was found guilty of two counts of ill treatment and one of neglect at Cardiff Crown Court.
Rees, of Aberdare, wrestled one patient and force fed medication to another at Whitchurch Hospital.
For full report click here
12. Baby P men face torture charges
23 November 2009 – BBC News
Two brothers, Steven Barker, 33, and Jason Owen, 37, who were jailed over the death of Baby Peter Connolly could be charged with torturing their 82-year-old grandmother 14 years ago.
A cold case review into an alleged attack on Hilda Barker in Whitstable in 1995 has been referred by Kent Police to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
For full report click here
13. Disability buggy drink-drive ban
23 November 2009 bbc.co.uk
A 17-year-old – who cannot be named - has been banned from driving for a year after he was caught doing 4mph on a pavement while drunk in a carriage for disabled people.
He and his uncle were driving in battery-driven carriages in Kinmel Bay, Conwy, on 19 October at 12.30am, Prestatyn Youth Court heard.
14. Blaze home register not updated
24 November 2009 – BBC News
An inquiry has heard that residents who had died prior to a fatal fire at Rosepark care home were still listed as staying there on the night of the blaze.
Phyllis West, a staff nurse at the Rosepark home in Uddingston, said the list of residents had not been updated, as she gave evidence at the second week of a fatal accident inquiry into the deaths of 14 people in the fire in January 2004.
For full report click here
15. Apology over removal to care home
24 November 2009 – BBC News
Norfolk County Council has publicly apologised to a Norfolk pensioner who was separated from her husband after more than 60 years after he was taken to a care home.
Marjorie Butcher, 86, of Bunwell, near Diss, was "devastated" when her husband James was removed to a nursing home by the Council and started a claim for false imprisonment against the council.
For full report click here
16. Nurse faces jail for assaulting patients
25 November 2009 Wakefield Express
Nurse guilty of assaults
25 November 2009 teletext.co.uk
A Wakefield nurse has been told she could be jailed after she was found guilty of assaulting two vulnerable, elderly patients in her care.
Wakefield magistrates decided Lynette Freeth, 30, "yanked" one dementia patient across the floor to her bed.
Freeth was found guilty of two counts of assaulting the patients while she was working at Pinderfields Hospital.
17. Care home boss jailed for thefts
26 November 2009 The Star
A South Yorkshire care home manager stole hundreds of pounds from an elderly resident who entrusted her bank details to her.
Alana Cullen, 54, Care Home manager, was one of only two staff at Ashfield House in Cudworth, Barnsley, who had access to the bank card and PIN number belonging to 74-year-old Ivy Mosley, Sheffield Crown Court heard.
Sheffield Crown Court heard that in September 2006 Cullen withdrew cash on four occasions totalling £900 from Mrs Mosley's account and intercepted her mail in order to prevent bank statements reaching her and foiled requests for information regarding her financial circumstances from an independent advisor.
Cullen, of Burton Road, Monk Bretton, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to four counts of theft and was jailed for 10 months
Jailing Cullen, Judge Robert Moore said: "Many elderly people have to end their lives in care homes, often despite the best efforts of the most loving relatives.
"The vulnerable residents and their families are solely depending on the integrity of the care staff.
"In my judgement a nurse or care home worker who is entrusted with the bank card and PIN number of a vulnerable care home resident or patient, then uses those details to steal money, in almost all circumstances can expect an immediate custodial sentence."
18. Rosepark nurse not told fire plan
26 November 2009 – BBC News
Brian Norton, a nurse who was on duty on the night of a fatal blaze at a care home in Lanarkshire was not been told what to do if the fire alarm went off, an inquiry has heard.
He gave evidence at the fatal accident inquiry into the deaths of 14 residents at the Rosepark home in Uddingston in January 2004.
For full report click here
19. NHS trust prosecuted over new mother's death from wrong drug
18 November 2009 guardian.co.uk
A hospital trust in Swindon is being prosecuted for health and safety offences in the case of Mayra Cabrera, a Filipino nurs,e who died when she was given the wrong drug after giving birth.
Mrs Cabrera, 30, suffered a heart attack when bupivacaine, a potent epidural anaesthetic, was mistakenly attached to her intravenous drip in 2004. She died after giving birth to her son Zac at Great Western hospital, where she had worked as a theatre nurse.
The hospital faces prosecution is believed to stem from "risks arising from the storing of drugs and drug errors".
Last year an inquest into Mrs Cabrera's death reached a verdict of unlawful killing - the first ever such verdict against an NHS trust.
Children
20. Ofsted 'feeds child safety fears'
24 November 2009 – BBC News
The Local Government Association has accused Ofsted of "feeding people's fears" over child safety, rather than improving child protection in England.
It said that the watchdog was more interested in "protecting its own reputation" than providing a "calm, measured voice", the Local Government Association said.
An Ofsted spokeswoman responded: "There can be no hiding place for poor practice."
For full report click here
21. Children Looked After in England (Including Adoption and Care Leavers) Year Ending 31 March 2009 - Updated
24 November 2009 – DCSF
Additional tables showing more detailed information on the number of looked after children in each local authority have been added to the statistical release which currently provides information about looked after children in England for the year ending 31 March 2009.
For full report go to http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000878/index.shtml
22. Former East Lancashire teacher in abuse probe
24th November 2009 Lancashire Telegraph
Sam Chadderton reports that Father Paul Symonds a Roman Catholic priest who used to teach at Stoneyhurst College in the 1970s has been arrested on suspicion of child abuse.
Fr Symonds, now a curate in Ballymena, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, has already been asked to leave his job while the probe into the sex abuse claim is carried out.
23. DCSF: Organisation, outcomes and costs of inter-agency training for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
26 November 2009 – DCSF
This research looks at developing an evidence base for inter-agency training to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The study addressed how inter-agency training was organised, and the type of training delivered and its effectiveness and value for money.
For full report go to http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/programmeofresearch/projectinformation.cfm?projectId=14957&type=5&resultspage=1
24. Christian Brothers agree £146m payout for abuse
26 November 2009 The Times
Irish Catholic group offers £145m payout for child abuse
26 November 2009 Guardian
A Roman Catholic group, Christian Brothers, offer money in 'acceptance, shame and sorrow' after damning report on abuse the amount is €161m (£145m) in cash and land to make amends to victims.
The Christian Brothers, which ran the Republic's notorious Industrial Schools and orphanages, said they will hand over up to €30m to an Irish government trust fund, and will also give €4m for abuse victims' counselling services.
In the statement the Christian Brothers said they will also transfer land valued at €127m to joint ownership of the government and the Edmund Rice Schools Trust.
25. Experts: Bishops covered up priests' child abuse
26 November 2009 Associated Press
Shawn Pogatchnik writes that Roman Catholic Church leaders in Dublin spent decades sheltering child-abusing priests from the law and the majority of clerics turned a blind eye, an investigation ordered by Ireland's government concluded Thursday.
Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, released more than 60,000 previously secret church files to the three-year investigation, and said that he felt deep shame and sorrow for how previous archbishops presided over endemic child abuse — yet claimed afterward not to understand the gravity of their sins.
Martin said his four predecessors in Ireland's capital, including retired Cardinal Desmond Connell, must have understood that priests' molestation and rape of boys and girls "was a crime in both civil and canon law. For some reason or another they felt they could deal with all this in little worlds of their own.
"They were wrong, and children were left to suffer."
26. Orders offer abuse compensation
26 November 2009 bbc.co.uk
More religious orders offered compensation for victims who suffered child abuse in Catholic-run institutions in the Irish Republic. It follows the announcement of a 161m euros fund from the Christian Brothers on 25.11.2009 to atone for the crimes of its members.
A further five congregations have offered 43m euros compensation fund between them.
The Ryan report, published in May, found children had been systematically abused in many religious institutions.
27. Child abuse: a victim's reaction
26 November 2009 The Guardian
Patrick Walsh, from the age of two, was locked away with his brothers at the notorious Artane industrial school, north Dublin.
While there he suffered severe physical abuse at the hands of Christian Brothers, the Catholic order charged with running the schools across Ireland.
He is now a businessman living in Camden, north London.
It's a long time coming, both the report and the exposé of the sheer depth and scale of this abuse, and the cover-up.
In 1968 I was subjected to a rigorous interrogation by gardai over my brother's escape from Artane. I realised way back then that the gardai were in collusion with the church and the religious orders. It was obvious they were in cahoots and that is why I did not help the gardai at the time.
Now is the time for the pope to appoint a special representative to Ireland who will help the civil authorities to investigate all the other dioceses and the cover-up of abuse that went on there.
27. HSE apologises to abuse victims
26 November 2009 Irish Times
The Health Service Executive apologised to survivors of child sexual abuse for the past shortcomings of health boards in dealing with victims. It recognised the need to strengthen its childcare data management, and had already begun to introduce a standardised system of referral and assessment throughout the four HSE regions.
"This new system [due to start in January 2010] will see a standardised approach being applied for the collation of data in respect of child abuse allegations," the HSE said.
28. Four archbishops colluded to cover up child sex attacks
27 November 2009 The Times
Two page article. This publication was a day behind others in reporting the issues.
29. MP accuses baby-snatch social workers of kidnap
27 November 2009 Daily Mail
Tim Yeo MP, has entered the argument surrounding a couple ‘forced’ to give up their 11 week-old child for adoption – he accuses the social workers of ‘child kidnap’ – using Parliamentary privilege.
30. Ofsted ‘destroyed Baby P files’
29 November 2009 The Sunday Times
A whistleblower alleges that Ofsted was about to publish a report on Haringey’s children’s service which was highly favourable to the council. Only when the scandal of Baby Peter Connolly became known did Ofsted, it is alleged, delete the draft report from its computers and re-write the report which was critical of the service. Lawyers acting from Sharon Shoesmith believe that she might recover hundreds of thousands of pounds for the way Ofsted and Ed Balls, Children’s Minister, have behaved – she was dismissed after Mr Balls’ intervention.
31. Ofsted’s hidden cult of failure
29 November 2009 The Sunday Times
Major item about the whistleblower who tells Harriet Sergeant that fellow inspectors fret more about the content of a pupil’s lunch box than the level of literacy. The author says that Christine Gilbert, Ofsted’s chief inspector in blaming primary schools for the fact that a third of pupils begin secondary school without a grounding in the basics is disingenuous as it is her body, Ofsted, which has failed to enforce the rules.
32. The Choice
01 December 2009 BBC Radio 4, 09:00 and 21:30hrs
Michael Burke considers the issues confronting social workers in Haringey’s Children’s Service which had responsibilities for Victoria Climbié and Baby Peter Connolly, in particular, former social worker Nevres Kemal discussed how she tried to air her concerns over Haringey’s Children’s Services six months before Baby Peter Connolly’s death and how her actions have destroyed her professionally.
Ed. A brave woman, who did the right thing, despite of everything put in her way. She and her like deserve better from us all. How can we expect another Nevres Kemal to come forward when it counts? We must change the way concerns and those who voice them are treated.
Conferences and Courses
To follow next week
Consultations
33. Personal care at home: a consultation on proposals for regulations and guidance
25 November 2009 DH
A consultation document containing proposals for regulations and guidance made under the Personal Care At Home Bill has been published.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_109139
34. A public consultation on the DPP's interim policy for prosecutors on assisted suicide
Closing Date: 16 December 2009
The message from Keir Starmer QC the Director of Public Prosecutions sent the following to Court Circuit Leaders.
Dear Sir/Madam
I have now published my interim policy on the offence of assisted suicide and launched a public consultation exercise in order to seek the views of everyone who wants to comment.
I thought you would like to have a copy of the policy, together with a document that sets out the ways in which I am asking people to send in their views. You may wish to forward this policy to anyone who you think might be interested to send in their comments. During and after the public consultation period, which is to run between 23 September and 16 December 2009, my team shall be considering all the responses that we receive. After that, I will consider whether, and if so, how to amend the policy.
I intend to publish a summary of responses and the final policy on this very sensitive area of the law by 10 March 2010. This will be available on the CPS website: www.cps.gov.uk
I look forward to hearing from you if you would like to comment on the specific interim policy that has beenpublished.
KEIR STARMER QC
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS
Ed. The consultation document and the instructions document are available on the following weblink: http://www.cps.gov.uk/consultations/as_index.html
35. Revising the National Minimum Standards for Adoption, Children's Homes and Fostering
Closing Date: 17 December 2009
Consultation that seeks views on proposed revisions to the national minimum standards for adoption, children's homes and fostering. It also asks for comments on how to improve the standards further.
For full report go to http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations/
index.cfm?action=consultation Details&
consultationId=1662&external=no&menu=1
36. Consultation on our strategy for 2010-15
Closing Date: 24 December 2009
The Care Quality Commission wants to get views on how it should use our powers and resources to achieve the best possible care for people across England.
For full consultation click here
37. Proposals for Adult and Community
Learning Inspections from 2010: Consultation
Closing Date: 29 December 2009
Consultation seeking views on how Ofsted proposes to develop and use the common inspection framework to focus on improvement in adult and community learning and to ensure inspections for providers who offer a range of programmes are coherent.
38. Direct Payment for Health Care: A consultation on proposals for regulations and guidance
Closing Date: 8 January 2010
Consultation wanting views on the government’s proposals for piloting direct payments for health care. This is part of the wider pilot programme to explore personal health budgets announced in High Quality Care For All.
For full consultation click here
39. Implementing the Health Act 2006: Review of fees for applications to provide pharmaceutical services in England - Consultation document
Closing Date: 12 January 2010
A consultation wanting views on the impact of charging on the NHS, pharmacy and appliance contractors and applicants and whether or not the current fees represent a fair contribution to NHS costs.
For full consultation click here
40. Complaints About Ofsted's Work: Proposed improvements to the process – Consultation
Closing Date: 13 January 2010
A consultation seeking views on proposals to improve arrangements for the handling and investigation of For full consultation go to http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofstedhome/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documentsby-type/Consultations/Complaints-about-Ofsted-s-workproposed-improvements-to-the-process
41. Interim NHS registration fees consultation
2 November 2009
Consultation sets out proposals for an interim scheme of fees for NHS providers, while the registration system is being phased in during 2010-2011.
For full report go to http://www.cqc.org.uk//newsandevents/
newsstories.cfm?cit_id=35508&FAArea1= custom-
Widgets.content_view_1&usecache=false
42. Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 - Draft Guidance
Closing Date: 2 February 2009
The Scottish Government is consulting on draft Guidance designed to help individuals and organisations comply with the terms of the PVG Act and make most effective use of the PVG Scheme.
For full consultation click here
43. NHS Constitution: A consultation on new patient rights
Closing Date: 5 February 2010
Consultation seeking views on proposed new patient rights to treatment within a maximum of 18 weeks from a GP referral and to be seen by a cancer specialist within two weeks from a GP referral, or where this is not possible, for the NHS to take reasonable steps to offer a range of alternative providers. The proposed rights also include NHS health checks for those aged 40 to 74 to assess their risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.
For full report click here
44. Care Planning Placement and Case Review Regulations Consultation
Closing Date: 8 February 2010
A consultation asking for views on the draft Care Planning Placement and Case Review Regulations
(England) 2010 and related guidance.
For full consultation click here
45. Children's Social Care Inspection and
Regulatory Fees
Closing Date: 11 February 2010
Consultation seeking views on annual fees for the inspection of children's social care settings, adoption and fostering agencies, local authority adoption and fostering functions, boarding schools, residential further education colleges, residential special schools and residential family centres.
For full consultation go to http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/
consultations/index.cfm?action=consu ltationDetails&
consultationId=1573&external=no&menu=1
46. NICE: Current consultations
To browse through consultations go to
http://www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?=consultations.current
Care Quality Commission, CSSIW &
Scottish Care Commission
47. Watchdog with no bark and no bite
28 November 2009 Daily Mail
See item 135 under NHS
48. Management of hip fracture in older people
25 November 2009 – SCC
The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network known as SIGN and part of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland has produced a Guideline on the Management of hip fracture in older people, June 2009.
The guideline and a quick reference guide can be found at http://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/fulltext/111/index.html
For full report click here
49. Hospital kit 'covered in blood'
26 November 2009 – BBC News
Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has two hospitals providing care for about 300,000 people in south-west Essex and a new report by the Care Quality Commission found evidence of sub-standard care.
The independent regulator highlighted higher-than-expected death rates among patients, and poor standards of hygiene, including blood-spattered kit.
For full report click here
50. New Scrutiny Bodies 2011
26 November 2009 – SCC
The Scottish Government has published its latest bulletin about the creation of the two new scrutiny bodies due to start in April 2011.
For full report click here
51. Care News Online
26 November 2009 – SCC
The latest issue of Care News Online is now available to read.
For full report click here
52. New Scrutiny Bodies 2011
26 November 2009 – SCC
The Scottish Government has published its latest bulletin about the creation of the two new scrutiny bodies due to start in April 2011.
For full report click here
53. Care News Online
26 November 2009 – SCC
The latest issue of Care News Online has been published.
For full report click here
54. Regulators demand improvement at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
27 November 2009 – CQC
Healthcare regulators, the Care Quality Commission, has been taking action to address concerns around leadership and quality of care at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
For full report go to http://www.cqc.org.uk/newsandevents/newsstories.cfm?cit_id=35557&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&usecache=false
55. Dispute over NHS hospital ratings
28 November 2009 – BBC News
A report says that 12 NHS hospital trusts in England are
"significantly underperforming", despite 8 recently having been rated as good or excellent.
The report by monitoring body Dr Foster also said 27 trusts had unusually high death rates.
For full report click here
56. Call for closer hospital scrutiny
28 November 2009 – BBC News
Health secretary Andy Burnham is calling on the health regulators to assess if any other hospitals require "immediate investigation".
"Patient safety is absolutely paramount and we must make sure that it takes precedence above all else," he said.
For full report click here
Dementia
57. Cash to find cure for dementia is slashed
27 November 2009 Daily Mail
Questions over free care as dementia funding falls
27 November 2009 The Times
Gordon Brown experienced further pressure about how his promise of free care at home for people with the highest needs will be met. Figures show a fall in government funding for dementia research. Ministers insist budgets for research projects into dementia and other diseases were ring-fenced and would not be affected by the “prioritisation” of funding.
Ed. Not many commentators seem to be convinced by the arguments. Looking at the figures last week, it seemed to me that there would be a gap in the funding of community care of some £500m a year.
Domiciliary Care
58. Ministers unsure over free homecare cost
27 November 2009 Health Service Journal
The government has revealed the calculations behind its offer of free personal care at home - and admitted it does not know whether the benefits of the policy outweigh the costs.
Ireland, Scotland & Wales
Ireland
59. Trust hits target on infections
23 November 2009 – BBC News
The Belfast Trust has announced that it has cut the incidence of Clostridium difficile and MRSA in its hospitals by more than the targets set for Northern Ireland.
C. Diff fell from 22 cases in April to 10 at the end of October and for MRSA, the total was halved from eight in April to four in October.
For full report click here
Scotland
60. Care charge lottery exposed in Scotland
23 November 2009 – Community Care
Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act shows that there is a postcode lottery for care charges in Scotland, with service users facing fees ranging from nothing to over £300 a month for similar levels of need.
For full report click here
61. Hospital must 'improve urgently'
23 November 2009 – BBC News
Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon wants "urgent improvements" at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Her demand comes after a Healthcare Environment Inspectorate report highlighting issues needing to be addressed, including cleanliness and infection control.
For full report click here
62. Free elderly care costs rise 11%
24 November 2009 – BBC News
Official figures show that the cost of free personal and nursing care in Scotland rose by more than 11% last year to £358m.
The cost of providing free care for those paying their own way in care homes passed the £100m mark for the first time.
For full report click here
63. Failings 'put children at risk'
26 November 2009 – BBC News
Inspectors have slammed child protection services in Scotland after they found a quarter of councils had failings that put children at risk.
The HMIE report claimed that staff had put children at greater risk by failing to act quickly enough in some areas and it warned that "significant improvements" were needed across the country in order to keep children safe.
For full report click here
64. Years 'living in hospital' over
26 November 2009 – BBC News
NHS Highland chairman, Gary Coutts, said that it has moved on from a time when older patients were staying in hospital for years rather than being cared for at home.
However, the board and Highland Council are having to tackle one of the worst bed-blocking problems in Scotland after Government statistics revealed that some patients have had to wait more than six weeks to leave hospital.
For full report click here
65. Nurse tells of blaze evacuation
26 November 2009 – BBC News
Brian Norton, the nurse on duty on the night of a fatal fire at a care home in Lanarkshire described the desperate battle to bring elderly residents to safety.
He said when the alarm first went off staff were unsure where the blaze was.
For full report click here
66. C.diff a factor in patient deaths
27 November 2009 – BBC News
Clostridium difficile (C.diff) was a contributory factor in the deaths of three patients at NHS Highland.
The health authority said the cases were not related.
For full report click here
67. Free elderly care 'too expensive'
27 November 2009 – BBC News
Harriet Dempster, Scotland’s top social worker said that Scotland may no longer be able to afford free personal care for all its elderly population.
She said spending cuts meant the policy may have to become means-tested.
For full report click here
Wales
68. Inquiry call over care home body
25 November 2009 – BBC News
The Week In Week Out 'Who Cares in Wales' programme looks at whether vulnerable elderly people's rights are adequately protected by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW).
The owner of a care home in south Wales which was at the centre of the investigation failed in an attempt at the High Court to stop the programme from being broadcast.
For full report click here
69. New call for inspectorate inquiry
26 November 2009 – BBC News
There have been more requests for an independent inquiry into the body which inspects care homes in Wales.
The Welsh assembly health, wellbeing and local government committee's chair said he would ask it to look at the issue if the auditor general does not.
The Who Cares in Wales programme, on BBC One Wales on Wednesday, studied whether vulnerable elderly people's rights were being protected by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW).
It included undercover filming at a home, which showed rules being breached, frail elderly people being lifted incorrectly, and the compromise of residents dignity.
For full report click here
Learning Disabilities
70. World class commissioning for the health and wellbeing of people with learning disabilities
24 November 2009 – DH
A practical guide to support commissioners to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities and ensure they are fulfilling their duty to promote equality.
For full report click here
71. Paralympic ban ends
24 November 2009 Mencap Newsletter
“Hello Keith,
I have been swimming since I was four and I currently hold four world and nine British records.
This weekend it was announced that the ban on athletes with a learning disability competing in the Paralympics has been lifted. I’m over the moon.
Athletes with a learning disability have been excluded from the Paralympics since 2000. When the ban was announced I was so devastated I even quit swimming for a while.
Now, I can’t wait to compete in London in 2012. I take my sport seriously and want more than anything to represent my country. I hope I get funding right away to train properly.
Find out more below, along with other learning disability news and information on how to support Mencap.
Best wishes,
Dan Pepper””
Ed. I am delighted that the previous decision, taken after the scandal of the Spaniards who fielded athletes with no disabilities , has been reversed. Many of our paralympic sports men and women will again be able to participate.
72. World class commissioning for the health and wellbeing of people with learning disabilities
25 November 2009 DH
Recent inquiries have demonstrated the health inequalities faced by people with learning disabilities; and the reasonable adjustments needed to overcome them. This is a practical guide to support commissioners to meet the needs of this group, and ensure they are fulfilling their duty to promote equality.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_109088
73. Craegmoor Marks Key Moment Through New Partnership With First Ever International Social Networking Website For People With Learning Disabilities
27 November 2009 Craegmoor
Craegmoor launched its new brand identity which was marked by the announcement of it working with the world’s first ever international social networking website specifically designed for people with learning disabilities.
The news was officially announced at Learning Disability Today 2009 on 25.11.2009 in London - evidence of Craegmoor’s ongoing commitment to making things possible for people with learning disabilities, mental health illnesses and for older people.
Special Friends Online (www.specialfriendsonline.com) – dubbed by many as a ‘Friendly Facebook’ – provides a haven as safe and secure as possible for people with learning disabilities, their parents, carers and volunteers to meet people and make friends with like-minded individuals from 28 countries around the world. Members also have the chance to interact with many of their learning disabled heroes and hear the inspirational stories of others.
In developing the site, founder Martin Harris wanted to make sure that it was readily accessible to as many people as possible – including those who find communicating tricky. To do so, ‘Smiley Talk’ was developed – a special language with smiley face icons, 150 questions and 450 answers all pre-set for use by people who have problems using a keyboard or simply knowing what to say. These can all be translated into 14 different languages.
Through its work with Special Friends Online, Craegmoor hopes to encourage the people it supports, and others throughout the UK, to sign up free of charge with the site. A road show set to begin in January 2010 will also see Special Friends Online go nationwide and to the people.
Carol Anstee, who is supported by Craegmoor said:
“I know people with learning disabilities often feel very isolated and find it difficult to make friends. Special Friends Online looks great and I am sure it will help lots of people and I am looking forward to using it.”
Speaking at Learning Disability Today 2009, Craegmoor’s Chief Operating Officer Christine Cameron said:
“At Craegmoor we believe passionately that every person, regardless of the challenges they face, should have the opportunity to get involved in everyday things, including social networking. So our new brand identity is all about celebrating the extraordinary achievements of the people we support.
“Special Friends Online is an amazing and imaginative project that has already seen thousands of friendships blossom in a safe and supportive environment. With Craegmoor’s involvement, we hope that even more people will come together chat and make friends.”
Martin Harris, Special Friends Online’s creator, said:
“The idea to create Special Friends Online came when I attended the World Special Olympic Games held in Shanghai, China in 2007. I saw so many amazing friendships being formed and I wondered how these people could keep in touch in a safe and secure way – so we developed Special Friends Online.
“Through speaking to people with learning disabilities, their parents and carers, we know that they often find it hard to meet new people and make friends. Special Friends Online makes this very easy. The inclusion of numerous safety features – including 24 hour moderation – also means that everyone can have confidence that users are being protected.
“We are really excited about Craegmoor’s support for this project and hope that the site’s online community will continue to grow and grow worldwide.”
For further information please click www.craegmoor.co.uk
Legislation Update
74. No. 3049 The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (NHS Blood and Transplant Periodic Review) Regulations 2009
23 November 2009 – OPSI
For full consultation click here
75. Health Act 2009 c.21
24 November 2009 – OPSI
For full consultation click here
76. No. 3062 The Medicines (Exemptions and Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2009
25 November 2009 – OPSI
For full consultation click here
77. No. 3063 The Medicines for Human Use (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Regulations 2009
25 November 2009 – OPSI
For full consultation click here
78. No. 3005 (W.264) The National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) (Amendment) (No.2) (Wales) Regulations 2009
26 November 2009 – OPSI
For full consultation click here
79. No. 3071 The Medicines (Pharmacies) (Applications for Registration and Fees) Amendment No. 2 Regulations 2009
26 November 2009 – OPSI
For full consultation click here
80. No. 2752 The General Medical Council (Registration Appeal Panels Procedure) (Amendment) Rules Order of Council 2009
27 November 2009 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
Mental Capacity
Nothing to report
Mental Health
81. ‘I lost the gift of joy for a while. Now I want to preach it from the rooftops’
23 November 2009 The Times
Author Giles Andreae, the man behind the Purple Ronnie cards and books, writes about how he was hit by a violent and unexpected illness, depression and how he came through it.
82. Children's mental health provision criticised
24 November, 2009 Health Service Journal
Inspectors from four watchdogs found that a lack of specific services for children led to the “widespread” practice of placing young mental health patients on inappropriate adult wards.
Staff on paediatric wards may not have training in restraining children, or dealing with eating disorders and self-harm, the report says.
Healthcare Inspectorate Wales deputy chief executive Mandy Collins said: “It’s far more widespread than we anticipated. There’s a lack of specific services for children and adolescents and the only option then is to admit them on to adult wards or paediatric wards. Neither are right.”
83. Applying the NHS Performance Framework to Mental Health Trusts
26 November 2009 – DH
A document informing mental health trusts, primary care trusts and strategic health authorities of the criteria against which mental health performance will be assessed. It should be read alongside Implementing the NHS Performance Framework.
For full report click here
Miscellaneous
84. Home boss in ‘dribbling geriatrics’ jibe
20 November 2009 The Daily Telegraph
Ian Rapley of Consensus Business Group which manages retirement complexes and which has come under pressure about its charges said those complaining were “serial complainers” rather than “dribbling geriatrics”.
Ed. With comments like that Mr Rapley is hardly making his company’s situation easier!
85. Real horse trading begins as Obama health reforms fight reaches Senate
23 November 2009 The Times
Article about the path and pitfalls awaiting the USA plans for reform of its healthcare system.
86. Care for the elderly
23 November 2009 The Times, Letters to the Editor
Lord Lipsey, who has vocally attacked the Government’s proposals for community care and who described the claim that people were better cared for in their own home than in a care home as a “pernicious myth” explains what is behind his thinking.
Ed. Thank goodness someone with the ear of the national media is saying what many of us have expressed for years and during that time have been largely ignored. Hopefully, his voice will be listened to. It certainly deserves to be.
87. Attempt to restart health deal
24 November 2009 – BBC News
Jersey’s Health minister has said that attempts will be made to reinstate the reciprocal health agreement between the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and the UK.
The agreement will let Channel Island and Isle of Man residents get free medical care while visiting the UK, and vice versa, ended earlier in 2009.
For full report click here
88. Cancer research at risk in scramble for care funds
25 November 2009 The Times
Research into cancer and dementia is threatened by Government plans for social care. Health Secretary, Andy Burnham, said millions of pounds would be “reprioritised” from health research and development to pay the costs of the Social Care Bill, published today. Money will also be diverted from public health campaigns such as those on swine flu, sexually transmitted diseases and obesity.
89. Time for conversation about social insurance
25 November 2009 The times
Nigel Edwards, Director of Policy, NHS Confederation opines “fixing the social care funding problem requires more radical action and a very difficult conversation with the public… we need to follow our European neighbours in adopting a social insurance approach to social care”.
90. Personal Care at Home Bill introduced to Parliament
25 November 2009 DH
The Bill that will help individuals with the highest care needs remain independent for longer, has been introduced in Parliament by Health Secretary Andy Burnham.
The Personal Care at Home Bill will help around 400,000 people with the highest care needs. It guarantees free personal care for 280,000 people – including those with serious dementia or Parkinson's disease – and, will also help around 130,000 people who need home care for the first time to regain their independence.
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/clientmicrosite/Content/Detail.aspx?ClientId=46&NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=408971&SubjectId=36
91. Impact assessment for Personal Care at Home Bill
25 November 2009 DH
The impact assessment for the Personal Care at Home Bill is available to download here:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsLegislation/DH_109140
92. Ring-fenced care
26 November 2009 The Times, Letters to the Editor
Author comments that funding of £150m promised by Gordon Brown for respite care in 2008 has not been passed on and argues that “the Government is well aware that its failure to ‘ring-fence’ this grant has caused many PCTs simply to ignore the intended beneficiaries…”
Ed. However politically unpalatable, unless Government ring fences social care budgets councils will find it irresistible not to raid the pot of money for other purposes. Soon the electorate will reject such an approach.
93. Free elderly care 'too expensive'
27 November 2009 bbc.co.uk
Scotland may no longer be able to afford free personal care for all its elderly population, the country's top social worker says. Harriet Dempster, president, Association of Directors of Social Work, said spending cuts meant the policy may have to become means-tested.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8381740.stm
94. From Boots, a few home truths about homeopathy
26 November 2009 Daily Mail
Paul Bennett, professional standards director at Boots told MPs that “There is certainly demand for [homeopathic] products. I have no evidence to suggest they are efficacious”
95. New name for Help the Aged and Age Concern
27 November 2009
Following the merger of the two charities in April 2009 it has been agreed that there will be a new name for the combined charity – Age UK, Age Cymru, Age NI and Age Scotland – the new name will come into use in Spring 2010.
96. King’s Fund names chief executive
27 November 2009 Health Service Journal
Birmingham University professor of health policy and management Chris Ham is to succeed Niall Dickson as chief executive of the King’s Fund.
97. Ofsted - big, bland and bureaucratic?
28 November 2009 – BBC News
News article looking at whether Ofsted has grown to the point where it has lost the sharp focus needed to make a real impact in each of the many areas it covers.
As well as schools, it inspects childcare, local authority children's services, colleges, teacher training, adult education, work-based learning, education in prisons, recruitment and training in the Armed Forces, and the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service.
For full report click here
98. Independent Chair: Staffordshire and Stoke Adults Safeguarding Partnership
28 November 2009 The Times
Staffordshire CC is seeking to recruit a chair for its safeguarding partnership. There will be a daily rate paid of £500. Interested? Visit www.gatenbysanderson.com No closing date mentioned.
99. Unlocking the cruellest prison
29 November 2009 The Sunday Times
Full page article about locked-in syndrome following revelations about Belgian Rom Houben wrongly written off as ‘vegetative’ 23 years ago, but who was conscious and no one knew. Experts believe that there may be 500 such individuals in this country. Steven Laureys the scientist who discovered Mr Houben was conscious has studied 100 such cases and advises one should be careful when diagnosing someone a vegetative.
Ed. The work of Steven Laureys in this and other cases is likely to raise issues of organ donation and euthanasia; I wonder whether brain scans looking for the ‘hallmark’ of glucose consumption will become the norm – the cynic in me says that will not happen until budgetary pressure relaxes. Unless, of course, a family can afford to pay for brain scans privately or insurers step into the fill the gap.
NHS
100. NHS Health and Well-being Review
23 November 2009 – DH
Final version documents of an independent review into NHS staff health and well-being. It includes the final report, the Secretary of State's response to the recommendations and a proposed action plan for the department and the NHS.
For full report click here
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_108799
101. NHS health and well-being review
23 November 2009 – DH
The Department of Health commissioned an independent review of the health and well-being of NHS staff in November 2008 which gathered and analysed evidence relating to health and well-being across the service, to provide the Department with a better understanding of health and well-being in the NHS, and its links to productivity, efficiency, and patient experience.
Dr Steve Boorman led the review and has now and has now produced a final report of his findings.
For full report click here
102. NHS must help staff to be healthier says review
23 November 2009 The Times
As part of the drive to reduce sick leave amongst NHS staff NHS trusts will be told to do more to help doctors and nurses to give up smoking and heavy drinking and improve exercise.
103. NHS mail and NHS Commissioned Primary Care Dental Services
24 November 2009 – DH
This letter draws attention to one of the national services delivered by NHS Connecting for Health that is suited for use in general and personal dental services and is already used by many NHS colleagues to support the delivery of patient care.
For full report click here
104. Study criticises hospital hygiene
24 November 2009 – BBC News
The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) has published a damning hygiene report into Northern Ireland's eight acute hospitals. The report says that considerable improvement is needed in some of them.
Problems were identified at the Ulster Hospital and three Belfast hospitals.
The Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, said he was "gravely concerned by the poor performance in some trusts".
For full report click here
105. NHS demands safer spine drug jabs
24 November 2009 – BBC News
The NHS wants firms to start making safer devices and is threatening to stop using current drug equipment as a result.
The National Patient Safety Agency wants to see an end to universal syringe connectors which can be used for jabs into both the vein and spine.
The watchdog has set a deadline for 2013 - even though separate connectors to stop drug mix-ups are not available.
For full report click here
106. Brown facing party rift over NHS reforms
24 November 2009 The Times
Gordon Brown is facing a rift with his party after slowing the pace of reform in the NHS. DH is due to publish guidelines that limit companies and charities to providing services not already offered or in areas where the existing NHS is failing, prompting allegations that the Government is giving in to pressure from the unions and breaking a manifesto promise to increase competition.
107. Discharge summary target 'to be missed'
24 November 2009 E-Health Insider
This week on EHI Primary Care we have been focusing our attention on the delivery of discharge information. The government has made it a contractual obligation that all hospitals should deliver discharge summaries to GPs within 24 hours from 1 April next year. Sadly, like several other IT deadlines – most notably the original target to deliver 90% of bookings through Choose and Book by the end of 2005 – this one looks likely to be missed by a country mile.
108. Attacks on 999 crews 'increasing'
25 November 2009 – BBC News
Newly released figures reveal that the number of attacks against Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) staff has risen in the past year.
Fifty-one assaults were reported by YAS staff in 2008-09, according to figures from the NHS Security Management Service whereas last year this figure was 45.
For full report click here
109. NHS staff get 24-hour counselling
25 November 2009 – BBC News
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust will be offering its staff a 24-hour counselling service to deal with personal and work-related issues.
The Trust said workers will be able to call advisers about problems ranging from relationships to alcoholism or finances.
For full report click here
110. Credit crunch 'low tech NHS' fear
25 November 2009 – BBC News
The Medical Technology Group says that scrimping on new medical technologies to save the NHS money in the short-term will be counterproductive and will harm thousands of patients.
It also suggested that rulings made by NHS advisers NICE should be legally enforceable.
For full report click here
111. Burnham to ’squeeze’ NHS to pay for free social care
25 November 2009 – NCF
The Health Secretary, Andy Burnham, has revealed that spending on research and development and public health promotions will be cut in order to pay for free social care.
Andy Burnham said that money would be “reprioritised” to pay the costs of the Social Care Bill.
For full report click here
112. Hospital group goes into administration following fraud trial
25 November 2009 Health Service Journal
Cawston Park, which operated three mental health services in the Norwich area, was taken over by Administrators, Deloitte, last week.
In June 2009, the company’s former chief executive Andrew Breeze and former finance director Dominic Wilson were found not guilty of conspiracy to defraud the NHS of more than £2m.
Joint administrator Nick Edwards said: “Our main immediate priority is ensuring continuity and quality of care for patients and [we] are in an active dialogue with the referring local authorities in this regard”.
An NHS Norfolk spokesman said seven of its patients were still using Cawston Park Hospital when the company was declared insolvent. Three of these were being moved to Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Partnership unit and four to an alternative provider. The PCT said it was working with social services to place its 10 patients at the company’s Kelling Park nursing home.
Ed. The demise of the business was forecast last week in BHCR, see BHCR Vol 4, Issue 48.
113. Patient safety reporting still fails to reach boards in 1 in 10 acute trusts
26 November 2009 Health Service Journal
9% 0f hospital trusts have confirmed that they do not regularly report patient safety and outcomes at board level, and this is more than a year after Lord Darzi’s next stage review said care quality should be “at the heart of the NHS”.
The finding, in Dr Foster Intelligence’s annual survey of trusts, comes despite repeated calls for NHS boards to focus on safety - including from Lord Darzi and CQC and in response to the Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust scandal.
114. A workforce fit for the future is possible – if NHS acts now, says The King’s Fund
26 November 2009 – The King’s Fund
The King’s Fund has published a new report which says that workforce planning has to be a core part of the productivity and quality improvement agenda in the NHS.
For full report click here
115. Conservative win could kill local NHS shake-up plans
26 November 2009 Health Service Journal
The Conservatives have pledged to scrap current government proposals for reconfiguration in major services if they are voted into power. What could this mean for the many local changes already being deliberated? Alison Moore reports
116. Tomorrow’s NHS
26 November 2009 The Times, Letters to the Editor
Mary Manning, exec director of Academy of Medical Sciences, raises her concerns about the proposed cuts in the NHS R&D budget (cuts to fund the community care).
117. London hospital managers cleared of bullying
26 November 2009 Health Service Journal
A report into the handling of concerns by doctors involved in the Baby Peter Connolly case will clear hospital managers of bullying and harassment, HSJ understands.
118. A&E services under threat in £20m dispute
26 November 2009 Health Service Journal
Clare Lomas writes that the future of the primary care urgent care unit and ward 21 at University Hospital of North Staffordshire Trust are being reviewed after the trust overspent on the services by £20m.
The GP staffed unit, based in A&E, was set up two years ago to help prevent unnecessary admissions. Ward 21 opened in April 2009 to ease the pressure on A&E by taking direct referrals from GPs and elderly patients from emergency care.
A spokesperson for NHS North Staffordshire, one of two PCTs funding the service, said the future of the unit was due for review and trust and PCT chief executives were meeting on 27.11.09. The meeting between the acute trust, NHS North Staffordshire and NHS Stoke on Trent will be mediated by two directors from the West Midlands strategic health authority.
119. North London acute trusts considering merger
26 November 2009 Health Service Journal
The Royal Free Hampstead Trust and the Whittington Hospital Trust, Highgate confirmed they are “at the early stages of considering the potential public benefits” of merging. Both had put their foundation bids ‘on hold’ earlier this year.
120. Mike O’Brien paints ‘shame’ profiles
26 November 2009 Health Service Journal
Health minister Mike O’Brien, speaking at the Managers in Partnership annual conference on 24.11.09, attempted to defend controversial comments he made earlier this month at a series of other conferences.
He said: “I have been criticised for saying we’d name and shame managers who make slash and burn cuts. Apparently I’m bullying you.”
“You don’t look too cowering today and certainly I think people are very clear about the message.”
Adding: “There would be an outcry if we didn’t name and shame.”
O’Brien went on to list the characteristics of managers who will be at risk.
He said: “It’s those who duck the difficult decisions, who hide in the quiet safety of their offices, or employ consultants to make decisions for them - who won’t put their heads above the parapet, not daring to engage staff and patients, putting off the inevitable for another day and not learning from others.
“These are the ones who should worry. But we will continue to support leaders and managers who show how we can deliver better care for patient”.
Mr O’Brien emphasised that the challenge of saving £15bn-£20bn would be spread over five years and there were two years of funding increases left and called on managers to spend the time planning sensible savings, for example, by cutting infection rates, which he said has already saved the NHS more than £240m.
121. Next year's tariff delayed until mid-February
26 November 2009 Health Service Journal
The Department of Health has warned the payment by results tariff for 2010-11 will be delayed due to the late publication of the pre-budget report this year.
122. Discharge summary target 'to be missed'
26 November 2009 E-Health Insider
The vast majority of NHS hospitals look set to miss the government's target for delivering discharge summaries to GP practices within 24 hours from April 2010.
123. Hundreds of NHS workers attacked
27 November 2009 – BBC News
Over 400 health care workers were attacked in Lincolnshire in the last 12 months with the trend increasing from the previous year.
Figures from health officials show 467 NHS staff reported being attacked, an increase of 27 incidents from the year before.
For full report click here
124. Colchester hospital boss sacked
27 November 2009 – BBC News
Richard Bourne, the chairman of the health trust that ran Colchester's two hospitals was sacked by the regulator, Monitor, for failing to improve its standards.
He was been removed from his position with immediate effect a day after Monitor stepped in at neighbouring Basildon.
For full report click here
125. Sacking at second failing trust
27 November 2009 – BBC News
Urgent action is being taken to raise standards at a second NHS foundation trust after serious failings were uncovered.
Monitor said the trust had consistently failed to improve waiting times and death rates were too high and has, as a result, sacked the chairman of Coldchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust
For full report click here
126. Can we trust the data on hospitals?
27 November 2009 – BBC News
The details of what was uncovered during an inspection in October at Basildon NHS Trust in Essex are shocking and asks whether data on hospitals are truly accurate.
For full report click here
127. Dirty hospital sparks reform call
27 November 2009 – BBC News
The Patients Association is calling for the way hospitals are regulated to be urgently reformed after a report found a catalogue of failings at two hospitals in Essex.
For full report click here
128. 70 Deaths on ward of shame
27 November 2009 Daily Mail
Report calls for urgent action at Essex trust
27 November 2009 Health Service Journal
A highly critical report on the state of care at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals Foundation Trust prompted Care Quality Commission to seek urgent remedial action. Inspectors found unusually high death rates and a catalogue of serious deficiencies which resulted in CQC asking foundation trust regulator Monitor to intervene.
Monitor’s executive chair, Bill Moyes, said Monitor was using its powers to demand immediate action to ensure “the delivery of rapid improvement of services”.
CQC inspectors found blood stains on floors and curtains, blood splattered on trays used to carry equipment and badly soiled mattresses and mould inside equipment.
129. Basildon responds to CQC report
27 November 2009 Health Service Journal
Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals Foundation Trust was forced to take special measures to improve its quality of care following a damning report by the Care Quality Commission and asserts that it has already begun to tackle the problems uncovered by Care Quality Commission inspectors.
It has been told it must work with Monitor to improve standards after CQC inspectors found unusually high death rates, breaches of infection control standards and poor quality of care in accident and emergency and pediatrics departments.
130. Public sector waste 'costs £60bn'
27 November 2009 Health Service Journal
Waste in public services, including the NHS, is costing the taxpayer £60bn a year, shadow Treasury minister Philip Hammond is to tell the Policy Exchange think tank.
131. Monitor sacks Colchester chair
27 November 2009 Health Service Journal
The chair of Colchester Hospital University Foundation Trust has been sacked by Monitor.
132. Community wound scheme yields savings
27 November 2009 Health Service Journal
A Merseyside trust has significantly reduced its costs for treating complex wounds by developing a new discharge pathway with local primary care trusts.
133. Investigation into NHS deaths after hospital scandals
28 November 2009 The Times
3,000 needless deaths every year
28 November 2009 Daily Mail
Richard Bourne, chairman of Colchester Hospital, Essex was sacked when it emerged that death rates were 12% higher than expected during last year. The ‘Roll Call of Tragedy’ listing 26 hospitals identified by the Conservative Party. Colchester had been scored 14 out of 14 by CQC for safety and cleanliness just weeks before serious problems were revealed.
134. Filthy wards but a £20,000 rise
28 November 2009 Daily Mail
Item about Alan Whittle, chief exec of Basildon Hospital, who had a £20,000 pay rise “while filthy conditions ...were contributing to dozens of deaths”.
135. Watchdog with no bark and no bite
28 November 2009 Daily Mail
Item about Care Quality Commission and the ‘tick-box’ approach to quality assessment. Baroness Young, chair, said on BBC Radio 4 ‘Today’ programme that the system of annual checks needs to change she said “We are very clear that its not the way we want to regulate for the future – it covers about 200 indicators and tries to summarise the performance of a very complex hospital in one word – good, exceelent, fair or poor. I don’t think thats right”.
Ed. I imagine that a great many social care providers think the same of the star ratings imposed on their complex services.
I would not be surprised if this unedifying calamity does not put CQC in number one slot for a review by the Conservatives should they come to power after the next general election. The Conservatives want to streamline regulation and, where possible, free business from ref tape. If I was a betting man, I would be prepared to say that for social care the Conservatives would remove regulation from CQC and return the licensing and regulation to local authorities!
136. Revealed: the hospitals you should avoid
29 November 2009 The Sunday Times
Item about the 12 NHS hospital trusts identified as significantly underperforming in terms of patient safety by research undertaken by the consultancy Dr Foster.
137. NHS targets under fire in papers
29 November 2009 – BBC News
The NHS came in for criticism in several of Sunday's newspapers, as a report says 12 hospital trusts in England are "significantly underperforming".
Includes quotes from each newspaper.
For full report click here
Nursing
Nothing to report
Older People
138. Elderly, disabled and vulnerable - who is watching over them?
25 November 2009, 'Week In Week Out' BBC One Wales, 19:30 hrs
See item 2 under Abuse
139. Impact assessment for Personal Care at Home Bill
25 November 2009 – DH
You can download the document at the link below.
For full report click here
140. Free personal care: elderly people want eligibility answers
26 November 2009 – Community Care
Service user groups have voiced their doubts over the numbers of people who would be covered under the government's free personal care pledge.
For full report click here
Parliament
30.11.09 – HoC – Statement into Basildon and Colchester Hospitals by Andy Burnham
Select Committee, Evidence check:Homeopathy
HoL – Oral question: The consolidation of pathology services - Lord Warner
Statement into Basildon and Colchester Hospital Trusts by Baroness Thornton
03.12.09 – HoC - Adjournment debate - NHS Blood and Transplant’s Give and Let
Live donor education programme
Select Committee, Health: Social Care
Witness(es): Caroline Glendinning, Professor of Social Policy, University of York, Peter Beresford, Professor of Social Policy, Brunel University, and In Control; Jenny Owen, President, Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, and Councillor Sir Jeremy Beecham, Vice-Chairman, Local Government Association (at 11.15am)
Location: The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
138. Parliamentary Questions and Debate from the Past Week
The following section is produced in conjunction with specialists in health and social care, PLMR – Political Lobbying & Media Relations – www.plmr.co.uk
24 November 2009 – House of Commons – Oral Questions, tabled by the Conservative Member for the Forest of Dean, Mark Harper MP, which ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish the Government's response to the consultation on the reform of social care and the future status of attendance allowance and disability living allowance for the over-65s. In his response, the Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham MP, stated that the Government would publish its response to the Green Paper consultation in the New Year and stressed that claims that vulnerable people might lose their benefits were “misleading”. To read the Oral Questions and Answers online, please click on the following link:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/
25 November 2009 – House of Commons – Presentation of Bill and First Reading, when the Personal Care at Home Bill was presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham MP, supported by the Prime Minister and Front Bench colleagues. The Bill, which was first announced in this year’s Queen’s Speech, seeks to guarantee free personal care for the 280,000 people with the highest care needs. To read the Presentation of the Bill online, please click on the following link:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/
25 November 2009 – House of Commons – Written Ministerial Statement, in which the Minister of State for Care Services, Phil Hope MP, announced the publication of the consultation document on regulations and guidance for the Personal Care at Home Bill. The Consultation focuses around three core themes: what should be contained in the regulations made under the Bill; what should be contained in the guidance accompanying the regulations; and suggests three ways of allocating funding to councils. To read the Written Ministerial Statement online, please click on the following link: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/
Social Care
139. Ofsted’s hidden cult of failure
29 November 2009 The Sunday Times
See item 31 under Children
140. Queen’s Speech free personal care pledge: sector reaction
18 November 2009 – Community Care
The Queen’s Speech set out the government’s proposal to introduce legislation to give free personal care to those in the greatest need.
For full report click here
141. Social workers get a new national voice to help recovery after Baby P scandal
28 November 2009 The Times
A task force established in the wake of Baby Peter Connelly’s death and the hue and cry which followed is expected to recommend higher pay and status for social workers, the founding of a national college of social work and a clear structure on managing case loads and work flow.
Workforce
Nothing to report
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