This week's article
This weekend past was the 87th Birthday of Lord Jack Ashley who has done so much during his life to champion the rights of those who are less able than others – Congratulations from us all at Brunswicks.
Well, what a shocker – Baroness Barbara Young has resigned as Chair of the Care Quality Commission – after a week when the regulator was pilloried in the press and media.
Lets see who replaces her and whether there will be any change in the direction of travel of the regulator. As many readers will already know, I become exasperated by regulators who suggest that ‘adequate’ is not acceptable. CQC has been complaining of just this (see item 47 inside this issue). To suggest such a thing is nonsense.
‘Adequate’ is what the state, through Parliament, has deemed is the expected minimum level of quality. In other words if one is ‘adequate’ one is meeting one’s obligations in law. One should not be criticised, nor should it be suggested that meeting legal requirements is not good enough.
In these cash conscious times, councils may want only to purchase ‘adequate’ services, if to do so also provides a cash saving to the council. In other words ‘good’ and ‘excellent’ services may well experience market pressure to compete with the ‘adequate’ providers in terms of price. There is little doubt in my mind that quality always costs; the issue is who will pay for it – if anyone?
Finally, next week will be our last issue of BHCR before Christmas, we will produce the first issue in Volume 5 on 06.01.2010 – doesn’t that sound fututristic?
Charity Launch Exceeds Expectations
02 December 2009
The Care Professionals Benevolent Fund (CPBF) raised a staggering £107,000 at the recent National Care Awards organised by Caring Times Magazine. The annual dinner and awards ceremony which took place at The Hilton Metropole and which this year was hosted by Ruby Wax was attended by 850 guests. Care workers, independent and group care home owners as well as sponsors and associated guests enjoyed a glittering evening that celebrated the very best in the business.
Mike Parsons, CEO of Barchester Healthcare gave a brief presentation on the charity at the start of the event and introduced the first showing of the charity’s video that featured a couple who had benefited recently financial support from the charity after experiencing illness, hardship and potential eviction from their home.
As well as a raffle and head and tails game, a charity auction, conducted by Mike and which included an African Safari, an exclusive Golf Break and a day at the races raised over £23,000 .
Such was the sense of support on the night Southern Cross Healthcare Group, Hallmark Healthcare, Barchester Healthcare, Caring Homes Group, Avery Healthcare, Four Seasons Healthcare and Milkwood Care Limited each paid £10,000 to become Founding Members of the Charity.
Guy Bosanko, Chair of CPBF said: “The amount of money raised on the evening far exceeded all of our expectations and provided ample proof of the unbelievable generosity of the Care sector.
“This will obviously now give the Charity a fantastic foundation on which we can move forward and support Care professionals in need.
“In addition, we have a number of fund raising initiatives in 2010 and would welcome anyone’s support in helping to organise these events “
To read the full article go to
http://www.cpbenevolentfund.org.uk/article.cfm/id/cpbf-launch
As part of our plans to develop the Care Professionals Benevolent Fund in the Care sector throughout 2010, we are keen to hear from everyone involved in the sector with any ideas for fundraising and profile raising.
To enable this, we have introduced twitter and a facebook group page onto our website, so that anyone can make contributions and help us to achieve our goals of helping as many of our care professional colleagues as we can.
www.cpbenevolentfund.org.uk
Abuse/Dignity
1. Vulnerable adults get new level of protection
30 November 2009 Bournemouth Echo
A new body has been created to help keep vulnerable adults in Poole and Bournemouth safe following a critical report on the way Poole cares for them.
An inspection of Poole council in spring 2009 by CQC, found that some vulnerable adults were found to have been left at ‘avoidable risk’ from abuse or neglect. The service was assessed as ‘poor’ and CQC made 19 recommendations for improvement. Among the measures taken to remedy the failings was establishing an independently chaired monitoring board.
Working with Bournemouth council, Dorset Police, NHS Bournemouth and Poole, the Bournemouth and Poole Safeguarding Adults Board will ensure agencies work together to reduce risk and provide a swift and effective response when harm takes place.
2. The independent Safeguarding Authority
December 2009 Healthcare Business
Article about the changes to the safeguarding landscape following the introduction of the Independent Safeguarding Authority established by the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act.
Business News
3. Fast Track 100
06 December 2009 The Sunday Times
The 100 Fastest-growing UK private companies in the past 12 months
16 Team 24 Medical recruitment
18 Alliance Surgical Surgery group
66 Mayday Healthcare Medical recruitment
88 Balhousie Care Group Care home operator
89 Maria Malliband Care Grp Care Home Group
4. Banks blow £800m on Four Seasons care homes
06 December 2009 The Sunday Times
A group of banks, including RBS, will acknowledge a disastrous lending decision of the debt-fuelled deal boom which will lead to writing off more than £800m of loans to Four Seasons, Britain’s biggest nursing-home chain.
Four Seasons is expected to announce early this week that 30 banks have agreed to convert about half its £1.6 billion of debts into shares. The decision will safeguard 20,000 jobs at the company, which runs 330 homes with 16,000 beds.
RBS will be the biggest loser writing off £300m and will own just under 40% of the care group. Other lenders to lose money include Fortis, Nationwide, Marathon Asset Management and Cheyne Capital.
The management team, led by Geoff Westmore, chairman, and Pete Calveley, chief executive, has been incentivised to stay on and will own 3% to 5% of the company. Calveley said: “This refinancing draws a line under our past and allows us to get on and run the company.”
Paul Saper of LCS International, the healthcare analyst, said: “These are challenging times for the industry and this is a respected management team but it is going to be hard to push through price increases. The company will have to run hard to stand still.”
Four Seasons has been advised by Talbot Hughes Mc-Killop, the restructuring specialist, and Macfarlanes, the law firm. Final negotiations may conclude 07.12.09. Analysts say it will not be the last such deal as companies struggle to meet their interest bills and are forced to renegotiate loan agreements with banks.
Care Homes
5. Care homes 'lack access to specialist doctors'
02 December 2009 – Community Care
Newly published research reveals that care homes residents miss out on access to specialist care from older people's doctors despite guidance backing their use.
A survey funded by the British Geriatrics Society found that only 16% of geriatric medicine departments across England allocated time for care home work - equating to just 1% of total consultant geriatricians' time.
For full report click here
6. Thousands condemned to live in squalid care homes
03 December 2009 The Times
Front page headline: as thousands of frail, older people are said to be living in care homes that are said not to meet the basic standards, claims a damning report by CQC. The CQC says10,000 people are living in squalid conditions and receiving inadequate care.
CQC has threatened to close 400 care homes if they are not immediately improved. It says 3,500 care homes are adequate.
CQC names eight councils which have been called on to explain to ministers why they provide poor care. Southwark, one of those names said the CQC inspection regime is flawed and has called for a Parliamentary Inquiry into its methods.
7. Council accuses elderly care watchdog of undermining public faith in services
03 December 2009 The Times
Shamed, the town halls who betray the elderly
03 December 2009 Daily Mail
CQC was embroiled in a fresh row last night after councils it criticised in a report on the quality of care for older people challenged its competence. CQC named eight local authorities as failing to provide a good enough service for the older and disabled people, and said that it wanted to know why they were using homes judged as ‘poor’ or just ‘adequate’.
Ed. I become exasperated by regulators who suggest, in this instance it is worse in my view as CQC asserts, that ‘adequate’ is not acceptable. To suggest such a thing is nonsense. ‘Adequate’ is what the state, through Parliament, has deemed is the expected level of quality. In other words if one is ‘adequate’ one is meeting one’s obligations in law. One should not be criticised, nor should it be suggested that meeting legal requirements is not good enough.
In these cash conscious times, councils may want only to purchase ‘adequate’ services, if it provides a cash saving. In other words ‘good’ and ‘excellent’ services may well experience market pressure to compete with the ‘adequate’ providers in terms of price. There is little doubt in my mind that quality always costs; the issue is who will, pay for it – if anyone?
8. We need cross-party support for reform
03 December 2009 The Times
Stephen Burke, chief executive of Counsel and Care, correctly identifies that fees paid by councils for care are “inadequate and likely to be squeezed further” – he calls for the promised White Paper on tackling the funding gap and says that there is “an urgent need for cross-party consensus on radical reform”.
9. Care home are part of personalisation, SCIE argues
December 2009 Community Care Market News
The Social Care Institute for Excellence opposes the removal of care homes from the Government’s agenda for care; SCIE says care homes are a vital part of the implementation of the ‘Putting People First agenda.
10. Dramatic cuts in care home use form backbone of council efficiency drive
December 2009 Community Care Market News
Lead article about the DH guidance Use of Resources in Adult Social Care: A Guide for Local Authorities’ the Minister, Phil Hope claims that the approach recommended of using residential care less will contribute to the £670m needed to fund free home care for those with the highest need.
11. Is it just me?
December 2009 Care Management Matters
Robert Chamberlain, Editor in Chief, comments upon the DH guidance Use of Resources in Adult Social Care: A Guide for Local Authorities’ he talks bags of sense; his summary of the guidance – the sector is no longer underfunded, it is spending the money unwisely. Too much of the budget is spent on provision of residential care and people become too dependent.
Ed. Mr Chamberlain proceeds to thoroughly debunk the ‘tosh’ coming out of DH.
12. Fury over DH ‘prejudice’ against residential care
December 2009 Caring Business
A row has developed around ‘Use of Resources in Adult Social Care: A Guide for Local Authorities’ which says councils could make efficiency savings by better use of intermediate care and telecare rather than residential care. All of the national care associations spoke out against the DH approach apart from UKHCA which described the approach as “entirely logical”.
Ed. Logical or not, the DH guidance is divisive, pits different parts of the care system against one another and removes or reduces choice. So much for personalisation and putting people in control!
13. CQC star ratings – used or abused?
December 2009 Care Management Matters
Simon Newton Taylor of Healthcare Property Consultants Ltd considers the evidence so far available concerning the use by councils of the CQC star ratings of care services – he concludes that the star ratings are being ‘used’.
14. Axe or tax?
December 2009 Healthcare Business
Martin Green reflects on the past year and finds the most recent document to come out of DH, The Use of Resources in Adult Social Care which “irritated” him he opines that what is needed is “root and branch review that shifts resources from systems into services”.
15. Is your occupancy 90% plus?
December 2009 Healthcare Business
Paul Brennan talks about achieving the averages in terms of occupancy levels (90%) and fee levels (£500) and if not, how marketing ought to be a central part of your business.
16. If you don’t ask...
December 2009 Healthcare Business
Ian Sutton of Suttons Capital Allowances explains the process of getting far more than you might expect by way of capital allowances from HM Revenue and Customs – almost money for nothing!
Case Reports
Law Reports
17. Regina (A) v Croydon London Borough Council
Regina (M) v Lambeth London Borough Council
The Supreme Court held that where an unaccompanied asylum seeker claimed to be under age 18 the age was an objective fact to be determined by the Court in the event of the claim being challenged.
18. No1 R (Emily Turner and Ors) v Southampton City Council; No2 R (Hilda Milson) v Hull City Council.
Disciplinary cases
Nothing to report
Cases in the news
19. Care workers abused dying patient
30 November 2009 – BBC News
A care worker who taped up the mouth of a dying dementia patient with a colleague to silence him has been given a 12-week suspended jail term.
Abel Bellary, 58, abused 89-year-old Derek Maynard at Kings Park Community Hospital in Bournemouth in 2008. Mr Maynard died four days later, but not as a direct result.
For full report click here
20. Disabled man killed by bed hoist
30 November 2009 – BBC News
An inquest has heard how Michael Powell choked to death after he got trapped in a mechanical hoist which failed as he used it to get into bed.
Mr Powell was paralysed from a motorbike crash, and he became tangled in the hoist at his home in Newport and had no way of calling for help.
The hoist should have been inspected a month before his death on 2008. The council said a review was under way.
For full report click here
21. NHS scientist faces conduct probe
01 December 2009 – BBC News
A medical scientist with NHS Grampian will appear before a misconduct panel amid allegations he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at work.
The incident involved haematology department biomedical scientist Colin MacInnes, happened in September last year during a nightshift, and it is alleged he had difficulty in standing and was talking incoherently.
For full report click here
22. Paramedic struck off for lack of
competence
01 December 2009 Health Professions Council
Brian Jewers has been struck off the HPC Register for failing to demonstrate adequate clinical skills whilst working as a Paramedic for the North East Ambulance Service.
A panel of the HPC Conduct and Competence Committee heard how Jewers failed to thrombolyse when attending an emergency call to a patient who as experiencing central chest pains and left arm pains. The Registrant failed to monitor the adequately monitor the patient and give the correct treatment that was needed.
The Panel further heard that it was later determined that Brian Jewers should undergo additional training. Jewers failed an assessment at a technician level, he was then demoted to the position of Emergency Care Support worker and directed to undergo remedial training.
Brian Jewers was neither present nor represented at the hearing.
23. Nursery abuse case review delayed
02 December 2009 – BBC News
Plymouth City Council has confirmed that a serious case review into child abuse at Little Ted's Nursery will be delayed until the end of March.
Plymouth Safeguarding Children Board announced the review a few days after Vanessa George, 39, who worked at the nursery, was accused of sexual assault in June.
For full report click here
24. Scientist 'drunk' in hospital job
02 December 2009 – BBC News
Medical scientist, Colin McInnes, working at NHS Grampian has been found guilty of misconduct after he admitted being drunk while working in a hospital.
He was found slumped against a lift during his nightshift at the haematology department of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
For full report click here
Children
25. Catholicism and abuse
01 December 2009 The Times, Letters to the Editor
Fr Timothy Radcliffe, OP, writes that much of the abuse of children by clergy “...seems to mainly characterise English-speaking countries...”
26. Baby P inspectors ‘were ordered to get rid of emails’
02 December 2009 Daily Mail
As the litigation between Sharon Shoesmith and her former employer, Haringey, hots up with High Court judge Foskett J asking whether there was an instruction within Ofsted to get rid of evidence. Shoesmith has issued a further writ – possibly against Ofsted.
Ed. This is all tragic for Ofsted and possibly other regulators. They must not be corrupt, they must be seen to be open and beyond reproach and certainly should not be seen to be, or even thought to be conspiring. If there is anything in the court suggestions of jiggery pokery within Ofsted, heads must roll, beginning with Christine Gilbert, Chief Inspector.
27. Irish nuns offer euro128M for permitting child abuse
03 December 2009 Associated Press
Shawn Pogatchnick reports that The Sisters of Mercy, a major Irish order of Roman Catholic nuns, has offered to pay child abuse victims, the Irish Government and charities a further €128 million to compensate for decades of abuse in its schools and orphanages.
The compensation offer to the Irish Education Department is by far the largest from 18 orders of Catholic organisations.
The Sisters of Mercy in a statement said that it "wholeheartedly regrets the suffering experienced by the children in their care" and hoped this latest offer would show that its nuns were being "faithful to the values of reparation, reconciliation, healing and responsibility."
28. Social workers took my son into care because I wouldn’t feed him junk
03 December 2009 Daily Mail
Item about a child who was taken into care for four months following his parents approach to the GP to seek guidance on dealing with their son’s habits – he had become ‘faddy’ and was not eating the healthy home cooking prepared by his mum.
The family have been reunited following an application to the court.
Conferences & Courses
Westminster Health Forum Keynote Seminar
29. Personal budgets and patient choice
9 December 2009
The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG
Our Website | Book Online | Latest Agenda
Seminar
This seminar will examine the role of personal budgets in health and social care, and the practicalities of putting patient choice at the heart of the NHS.
The issues are high on the political agenda with the Health Bill currently passing through Parliament, which aims to give patients greater control and choice over the healthcare services they receive, extending the use of personal budgets and direct payments beyond social care for service users.
The meeting will bring policy makers involved in this area together with stakeholders in the NHS, patients groups, academics and others with an interest in the issues.
Including an examination of the outcomes of Lord Darzi’s High Quality Care for all, and early indications from the personal health budget pilot schemes currently underway, planned sessions will look at:
• Lessons: from the introduction of personal budgets in social care;
• Public information: what measures are in place to ensure that patients are able to make informed decisions about the use of their personal budgets;
Staff training and support: steps being taken to ensure the workforce and NHS Trusts are sufficiently equipped to deliver and support the use of personal
• health budgets;
• Impact: what is the anticipated impact of patient choice on individual NHS Trusts and their links with patients;
• Service users and technology: does the internet provide a unique opportunity to bring knowledge to the patient and what provisions are being put in place for those without internet access; and
More widely: what is being done to increase patient choice, and the role of engagement tools such as NHS choices.
Booking arrangements
Please pay in advance by credit card on 01276 489144. If advance credit card payment is not possible, please let me know and we may be able make other arrangements.
Options and charges are as follows:
• Places at Personal Budgets & Patient Choice (including refreshments and PDF copy of the transcripts) are £190 plus VAT (£218.50);
Concessionary rate places for small charities, unfunded individuals and those in similar circumstances are £80 plus VAT (£92). Please be sure to apply for this at the time of booking.
For those who cannot attend:
Copies of the briefing document, including full transcripts of all speeches and the questions and comments sessions and further articles from interested parties, will be available approximately 7 days after the event for £95 plus VAT (£109.25);
Concessionary rate: £50 plus VAT (£57.50).
Tackling Sexual Violence – 8th December, London
Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) – 9th December, Cardiff
Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults – 26th January, London
Safe Spaces and Positive Activities for Young People – 27th January, London
Public Engagement in Local Government – 27th January, London
Participatory Budgeting Workshop – 28th January, London
Child Poverty Conference – 28th January, London
Smoking Cessation – 28th January, London
Children’s Centres Conference – 28th January, London
Engaging Parents in Children’s Centre Services – 29th January, London
Personalised Care Planning (Interactive Seminar) – 22nd February, London
30. NQSW regional events
16 November 2009
Regional Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) events will be taking place across the country from
early November. These events are the next phase of launching the NQSW framework and promoting the resources and materials available to support frontline staff. The events scheduled in November will also focus on setting up the first phase of NQSW action learning sets. They take place as follows:
?? South West (Exeter) - 12 January 2010
Anyone wanting to find out more about NQSW can attend one of these events. Booking information will be available from Monday 28 September at www.skillsforcare.org.uk in the social work section -
action learning programme.
31. Come and meet the HPC
Division of Clinical Psychologists Annual Conference
09-11 December 2009, Congress Centre, London
Exhibitions are an excellent way for us to get out and meet you. We will be exhibiting at the following events, where representatives from the HPC will be on hand to answer queries, and provide HPC literature for those who would like more information to take away. Why not come along and meet us?
Details from www.dcpconference.co.uk
32. The Manager as Leader of Dementia Practice
Belfast Dates:
• 9-10 December 2009
Stirling Dates
• 18-19 December 2009
This specialist leadership course is designed for people working in supervisory, leadership or management role and will help you create a positive culture of care within your dementia service. You will have the opportunity to reflect on your current style of management and leadership, and to assess your own personal effectiveness. The course uses Kouzes and Posner's 'Five Exemplar Leadership Practices' as the framework for development. Book now to join the course in Belfast or Stirling
Cost: £700. Grant aid is available to participants
within Northern Ireland and may be available for participants from Scotland. For more information email lynsey.manson@stir.ac.uk or phone 01786 467740.
Alternatively, book your place online at Dementia
Shop for Stirling or Belfast.
33. Come and meet the HPC
Division of Occupational Psychologists Annual Conference
13-15 January 2010, Holiday Inn, Brighton
Exhibitions are an excellent way for us to get out and meet you. We will be exhibiting at the following events, where representatives from the HPC will be on hand to answer queries, and provide HPC literature for those who would like more information to take away. Why not come along and meet us?
Details from www.bps.org.uk/dop2010
34. Westminster Health Forum Keynote Seminar
The National Autism Strategy: Scope and Diagnosis
19 January, Central London
Website | Book Online | Latest Agenda
Timed to coincide with the launch of the Adult Autism
Strategy, this seminar will assess the prospects for the strategy – in particular whether it will improve care for all people with autistic spectrum conditions (ASCs), the challenges of implementation and what more can be done to provide a better service to patients and families.
Discussion will also focus on the National Audit Office
report ‘Supporting people with autism through adulthood’ and how this will complement the aims of the government strategy.
Planned sessions will look at:
• Methods currently available to diagnose ASCs in
adults and children;
• The impact on those living with an ASC and their
families;
• The provision of support for children and adults with
ASCs across the UK and how this differs;
• Levels of training provided to enable healthcare professionals
and teachers to recognise those who may
be suffering an ASC; and
• Services available to assist those with ASCs make
the transition from childhood to adulthood.
All delegates will receive free PDF copies and are invited to contribute to the content.
Booking arrangements
To book places, please use the online booking form.
35. Westminster Health Forum Keynote
Seminar
The Cancer Reform Strategy - the impact so
far
26 January 2010, Central London
Website | Book Online
This seminar will examine how effective the UK’s
Cancer Reform Strategy has been at improving the
early detection of cancer, the delivery of cancer services, patient experience and outcomes. It is timed to
coincide with the second annual report from government on the strategy.
Discussion will also focus on Cancer Research UK’s
National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative
(NAEDI), led by the National Cancer Director, which
aims to promote the earlier diagnosis of cancer, increase cancer symptom awareness and develop
greater understanding of the signs to look out for.
Further planned sessions will look at:
• Latest figures for cancer diagnosis and treatment
in the UK;
• Living with and beyond cancer;
• The launch of new initiatives such as the HPV cervical
cancer vaccine and bowel cancer screening;
• Areas for improvement such as the need for
stronger commissioning and a reduction in cancer
inequalities;
• Clinical improvements in the treatment of cancer
and availability throughout the UK; and
• The next steps for improving cancer care.
To book places, please use our online booking form
36. Delivering The National Dementia Strategy
27 January 2010, Radisson SAS Portman Hotel, London W1
Following the launch of The National Dementia Strategy in February 2009, organisations involved in the delivery of dementia care services are drawing up new partnerships and discovering innovative ways of working in order to implement the strategy.
Laing & Buisson has brought together a range of expert speakers including providers and commissioners from across PCTs, mental health trusts, the voluntary sector and community care to discover the impact that the Strategy has had on the provision and delivery of dementia services.
Capita’s 5th National
37. Sheltered Housing Conference
In Partnership with Communities and Local Government
29 January 2010– Central London
Supported by EROSH
Capita’s Sheltered Housing Conference is the 5th in a series of successful events that have tracked the progress of change and reform in the Sheltered Housing sector.
33. Come and meet the HPC
Division of Occupational Psychologists Annual Conference
13-15 January 2010, Holiday Inn, Brighton
Exhibitions are an excellent way for us to get out and meet you. We will be exhibiting at the following events, where representatives from the HPC will be on hand to answer queries, and provide HPC literature for those who would like more information to take away. Why not come along and meet us?
Details from www.bps.org.uk/dop2010
34. Westminster Health Forum Keynote Seminar
The National Autism Strategy: Scope and Diagnosis
19 January, Central London
Website | Book Online | Latest Agenda
Timed to coincide with the launch of the Adult Autism
Strategy, this seminar will assess the prospects for the strategy – in particular whether it will improve care for all people with autistic spectrum conditions (ASCs), the challenges of implementation and what more can be done to provide a better service to patients and families.
Discussion will also focus on the National Audit Office
report ‘Supporting people with autism through adulthood’ and how this will complement the aims of the government strategy.
Planned sessions will look at:
• Methods currently available to diagnose ASCs in
adults and children;
• The impact on those living with an ASC and their
families;
• The provision of support for children and adults with
ASCs across the UK and how this differs;
• Levels of training provided to enable healthcare professionals
and teachers to recognise those who may
be suffering an ASC; and
• Services available to assist those with ASCs make
the transition from childhood to adulthood.
All delegates will receive free PDF copies and are invited to contribute to the content.
Booking arrangements
To book places, please use the online booking form.
35. Westminster Health Forum Keynote Seminar
The Cancer Reform Strategy - the impact so far
26 January 2010, Central London
Website | Book Online
This seminar will examine how effective the UK’s Cancer Reform Strategy has been at improving the
early detection of cancer, the delivery of cancer services, patient experience and outcomes. It is timed to coincide with the second annual report from government on the strategy.
Discussion will also focus on Cancer Research UK’s National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative (NAEDI), led by the National Cancer Director, which aims to promote the earlier diagnosis of cancer, increase cancer symptom awareness and develop greater understanding of the signs to look out for.
Further planned sessions will look at:
• Latest figures for cancer diagnosis and treatment
in the UK;
• Living with and beyond cancer;
• The launch of new initiatives such as the HPV cervical
cancer vaccine and bowel cancer screening;
• Areas for improvement such as the need for
stronger commissioning and a reduction in cancer
inequalities;
• Clinical improvements in the treatment of cancer
and availability throughout the UK; and
• The next steps for improving cancer care.
To book places, please use our online booking form
36. Delivering The National Dementia Strategy
27 January 2010, Radisson SAS Portman Hotel, London W1
Following the launch of The National Dementia Strategy in February 2009, organisations involved in the delivery of dementia care services are drawing up new partnerships and discovering innovative ways of working in order to implement the strategy.
Laing & Buisson has brought together a range of expert speakers including providers and commissioners from across PCTs, mental health trusts, the voluntary sector and community care to discover the impact that the Strategy has had on the provision and delivery of dementia services.
Capita’s 5th National
37. Sheltered Housing Conference
In Partnership with Communities and Local Government
29 January 2010– Central London
Supported by EROSH
Capita’s Sheltered Housing Conference is the 5th in a series of successful events that have tracked the progress of change and reform in the Sheltered Housing sector.
This 2010 conference, in partnership with Communities and Local Government, will launch three of the proposals that have come out of the Ministerial Working Group on Sheltered Housing. This is a unique opportunity for delegates to hear these proposals and learn how Sheltered Housing policy and practice needs to respond to the challenges that lie ahead.
Booking Instructions
Spaces can be booked on this event either by filling in and faxing the booking form on the final page of the brochure (For agenda and booking form please click here) to 0870 165 8989, or by e-mailing me directly with the delegate details. Alternatively you can book online by clicking here and using booking ref code: TSDE. If you have any questions or difficulties please call Dave Eastman on 0207 202 0597 or email dave.eastman@capita.co.uk
For full report go to http://www.mkbcare.org.uk/
current_training.asp
A Capita Interactive Seminar
38. Personalised Care Planning
22 February 2010 – Central London
Lord Darzi’s report, High Quality Care for All, committed the NHS to offering a personalised care plan to all 15.4 million people in England with a long term condition by 2010. Capita’s Personalised Care Planning interactive seminar provides a forum to find solutions to the challenges of meeting this commitment.
Capita’s seminar will give serious consideration to culture change, developing professional skills, the care planning tool, integrated working, commissioning and IT systems. Get advice from those leading the way in implementing personalised care planning and discuss how you can transfer this learning to your own organisation.
Benefits of Attending:
Get an update on the latest guidance and support resources being developed by the Department of Health to help you implement personalised care plans
Gain practical advice from NHS East of England on how to develop the care planning tool in partnership with people with long term conditions
Understand how to develop the necessary culture, skills and behaviour in health and social care staff undertaking the PCP
Explore an IT system designed to integrate care planning by recording and sharing information across multi-disciplinary teams
Learn lessons from a multi-agency steering group set up to co-ordinate care planning across health and social care services
Tailor the agenda to your needs by utilising the built in question and discussion time to find solutions to your unique challenges
Places can be booked on this event either by filling out and returning the booking form on the final page of the conference brochure by fax to 0870 165 8989, or by e-mailing the delegate details directly to dave.eastman@capita.co.uk
39. Westminster Health Forum Keynote
Seminar
Health Inequalities
23 February 2010 – Central London
Website | Book Online
Timed to coincide with the conclusion of Professor Sir Michael Marmot’s review into health inequalities in England - and including a keynote address from Professor Marmot - this seminar will examine the principal conclusions of his report and implications for the future.
The Review follows the publication of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health report, which
Professor Marmot chaired for the World Health Organisation which resulted in a call to national governments to develop an evidence based strategy and implementation guide for reducing health inequalities from 2010.
Focusing on the health inequalities challenge facing England, Professor Marmot’s Review has four main tasks:
• Identify the most relevant evidence;
• Show how it could be translated into practice;
• Advise on possible objectives and measures; and
• Produce a report that will contribute to the development of a post-2010 health inequalities strategy.
This seminar will to discuss key emerging themes including:
• Progress made since the 2003 report Tackling
Health Inequalities: a Programme for Action, findings
of the current Review and a response to its
findings;
• The potential of the Review for reducing inequalities
and improving both patient care and outcomes;
• Options for implementation, including the role of
different agencies and integration with existing
National Service Frameworks and other Government
strategies; and
• Next steps in reducing regional health inequalities
and tackling variations in survival rates.
The meeting will bring key policy makers from government and Parliament together with stakeholders. It is organised on the basis of strict impartiality by the Westminster Health Forum.
Booking arrangements
To book places, please use our online booking form
40. 2010 Annual Extra-Care Housing
Conference
24 February 2010, America Square Conference Centre, London EC3
This thirteenth annual extra-care conference will consider the effect on extra-care of government and Conservative proposals for funding care. Other topics include a balanced review of exit fees, including the OFT’s investigation into them, the attitude of CQC to extra-care and the development of a virtual extra-care scheme. A well known pioneer of extra-care will discuss the reasons why he has recently moved into one of his own extra-care schemes.
41. Mental Health and Employment Law
25 February 2010, London
This conference covers a particularly complex and sensitive area of employment law. Dealing with such important topics as the abolition of the “clinically well-recognised” requirement and the impact that new legislation will have on the duty to make reasonable adjustments, this is a comprehensive analysis of all the top issues including:
• Impact of the Equity Bill on mental health and employment law
• The definition of disability: disabled minds
• Recruiting and managing an employee who is mentally ill
• Reasonable adjustments in relation to mental health
• Stress as a disability?
• Pitfalls in dismissing the mentally ill employee.
To book, ring 0121 355 0900 (Registrar), fax 0121 355 5517 or email registrar@centlaw.com
42. End of Life Care course with Oxford
Bookes University
Oxford Brookes University are running a single module short course on End of Life Care in February
and March 2010 that is particularly relevant to staff working in nursing homes. Follow the link to download the details and application information. Fees are fully covered for staff working in Oxon, Berks and Bucks.
43. AEA National Conference
22 and 23 March 2010 - The University of Warwick
Further details to be released soon……
44. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
15 June 2010
Contact Andrea Carnegie for further details on WEAAD
Tel: 0208 835 9280
Email: andreacarnegie@elderabuse.org.uk
Consultations
Nothing to report
Care Quality Commission, CSSIW &
Scottish Care Commission
45. Adult care services perform well
03 December 2009 – BBC News
Telford and Wrekin Council has been given the excellent rating by the Care Quality Commission for its adult social care services.
Shropshire Council was given a performing well rating and told it needs to ensure more staff are trained to keep adults safe.
For full report click here
46. Adult care services rated 'well'
03 December 2009 – BBC News
Devon’s adult social care has been rated "well" by a government health watchdog.
The rating from the Care Quality Commission was applied to all three of the care provider areas: Devon County, Plymouth and Torbay.
For full report click here
47. Adults' care services 'adequate'
03 December 2009 – BBC News
Cornwall was told to urgently improve adult social care after being rated as just "adequate" by the the Care Quality Commission.
Cornwall Council said the inspectorate praised the county's leadership, partnerships and work on improvements.
For full report click here
48. Social care - the next big issue?
03 December 2009 – BBC News
A look at the report into social care by the Care Quality Commission regulator which suggests that everything is rosy in the sector.
For full report click here
49. Our statement on the quality of adult social care
03 December 2009 CQC
Adult social care has improved but a renewed effort is needed to eliminate poor quality services. CQC’s first major statement on the quality of adult social care in England, based on its publication of the following documents:
An assessment of 148 councils' social care services for adults;
An analysis of whether councils are commissioning the best possible care;
An update on the performance of 24,000 care homes, home care agencies, nursing agencies and shared lives schemes; and
CQC’s formal response to the government's Green Paper.
Main findings: there has been a steady improvement in ratings awarded to councils.
Ratings for adult social care providers have improved but one in six providers are rated ‘poor’ or ‘adequate’.
http://www.cqc.org.uk//newsandevents/newsstories.cfm?cit_id=35577&FAArea1=customWidgets.content_view_1&usecache=false
50. CQC now on Youtube
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) the health and adult social care regulator has published its assessment of 148 council’s social care services for adults, including performance ratings based on seven outcomes set by the government.
Please find below a link to a video of the Chief Executive outlining the publication of its assessment of 148 council’s social care services for adults and what it means for the future.
http://www.youtube.com/user/cqcdigitalcomms#p/a/u/0/8NKnadT3XpI
51. Barbara Young decides to leave Care Quality Commission
05 December 2009 CQC
Barbara Young, Chairman of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), informed the Board of the Care Quality Commission and the Secretary of State for Health on 26.11.09 that, after careful prior reflection, she had decided to stand down as chairman with effect from 01.02.2010.
52. NHS watchdog chief quits after 8 months
05 December 2009 The Times
Baroness Barbara Young of Old Scone, chair of CQC, resigned from that post after a week of bruising encounters with press and media over the regulation and monitoring of NHS hospitals which had been said by CQC to be of good quality whilst patients were dying in significantly larger numbers than the average.
Baroness Young is said to have quit during a “fractious meeting with Andy Burnham, the Health Secretary. She leaves on 01.02.09.
53. Update on the Care Quality Commission
December 2009 Healthcare Business
Paul Birley of Barclays Bank Plc discusses one of a series of conference calls which he has chaired designed to give care businesses access to a range of experience and expertise from the comfort of their own workplace.
Dementia
54. Can Gerry Robinson Fix Dementia Care Homes?
08.12.09, BBC 2, 9pm
Businessman Sir Gerry Robinson tries to turn around three struggling care homes in the private care home industry, an industry worth six billion pounds. Can Gerry change the inadequate service from keeping service users alive to giving them a happy life?
Domiciliary Care
Nothing to report
Ireland, Scotland & Wales
Ireland
55. Families' fears over ward merge
01 December 2009 – BBC News
A decision to treat vulnerable men and women with severe mental health problems in one hospital ward has left some families deeply worried.
Two wards at Knockbracken Healthcare Park near Belfast will be merged into a single unit, but with separate wings for men and women.
The Belfast Trust said patients would have single en suite rooms, but some families are worried about the change, as it means they are all in one hospital ward.
For full report click here
56. Sisters of Mercy in abuse payout
03 December 2009 – BBC News
The Irish Sisters of Mercy will be supplying a 128m euros (£116m) package as reparation for decades of child abuse in its schools and orphanages.
The order of nuns ran five schools named in the damning report, including the notorious Goldenbridge.
For full report click here
57. Rise in outpatient waiting lists
03 December 2009 – BBC News
There was a sharp increase in the number of people who have waited longer than they should have for a first outpatient appointment in Northern Ireland's hospitals, given that the current target states that patients should have an appointment within nine weeks.
For full report click here
58. Health committee in matron call
03 December 2009 – BBC News
After a damning hygiene report into four acute hospitals, members of Stormon’s health committee will call on Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, to give nursing managers matron-type powers to improve hospital hygiene.
For full report click here
Scotland
Nothing to report
Wales
Nothing to report
Learning Disabilities
59. Shops to be havens for vulnerable
03 December 2009 – BBC News
Managers of 100 public buildings and shops in Plymouth have signed up to a new scheme which aims to protect vulnerable people who feel threatened when out.
Safe Place will assist people with learning disabilities and anyone in a distressing or dangerous situation can seek out a safe haven and get help.
They just need to show staff a Keep Safe card with details of an appropriate person who can be called for help.
For full report click here
60. “Here to Stay” a major 5 year research grant awarded to examine the needs of people with learning disabilities from recently arrived migrant communities.
03 December 2009 Association for Real Change
The Big Lottery Fund announced a grant of £478,099 for a joint learning disability research project by the Association for Real Change and the Centre for Health & Social Care Improvement at the University of Wolverhampton.
The “Here To Stay” project will answer two issues:
Research to gain a clearer picture of the number of migrants in England who need support from Learning Disability services. In order to achieve this we will collect numerical data from a number of sources, such as PCTs, local authorities, etc.
Looking at how the voluntary and community sector can engage better with migrants who have a learning disability in order promote well-being and improve life chances? We hope to achieve this through:
stakeholder events;
interviews with migrants with a learning disability; and
the design and implementation of a National set of guidelines which highlight best practice for providing improved services for migrants with a learning disability.
The research will benefit around 2,000 voluntary/third sector organisations involved with learning disability services and about 70,000 people in the recently arrived migrant communities who have or support someone with a learning disability. Research findings will be disseminated by: a dedicated website; in publications; and at conferences or special seminars.
The project will be managed by ARC which will oversee the work carried out by researchers at the University of Wolverhampton, which is anticipated to take 5 years to complete.
Speaking on behalf of the two organisations James Churchill, Chief Executive of ARC and Professor David Sallah, Emeritus Professor at the University of Wolverhampton said:
“This significant BLF grant is an important opportunity not only to establish the facts of how many people with learning disabilities there are in recently arrived migrant communities but also to find out how best to help them. It gives us all the chance to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past when we have largely failed to understand or respond to such needs in earlier migrations. We are delighted to have won this grant in a very competitive research grant round.”
61. First choice for LD providers
December 2009 Care Management Matters
Two pages about a Welsh housing associations which has developed a solution to assist LD providers with supported living. The three experts views are each cautious for a variety of reasons – all meritorious.
Legislation Update
62. No. 3112 The Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009
02 December 2009 – OPSI
For full legislation click here
Mental Capacity
Nothing to report
Mental Health
62. Individual planning and supported living must play a bigger a role in social care, says learning disability charity
03 December 2009 Mental Health Foundation
Responding to CQC’s statement on the quality of adult social care, Barbara McIntosh, Co-Director at the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities (www.learningdisabilities.org.uk), said:
“Whilst we welcome these findings that show an overall improvement in standards, we have a number of concerns relating to the social care provided to people with learning disabilities.
“It is a worry that little improvement has been seen in the quality of care offered to younger adults, particularly regarding staff supervision and the development of individual plans. Everybody should be given choice and control over their own care and support, particularly those who have complex needs, who can be overlooked. All providers need to make a concerted effort to improve on this.
“The findings show that small care homes are more likely to be rated as good or excellent. It is therefore concerning that the average size of a home is increasing year on year. And questions need to be asked about why the numbers of shared lives schemes available are falling rather than rising. Such schemes offer adults with a learning disability a home environment with carers or families and a chance to learn and maintain new skills that enable them to live a more independent life.
Private sector must match quality of voluntary sector and local authority services
“This assessment also highlights the challenge that the private sector faces to match the quality of social care services offered by the voluntary sector and local authorities. There is some good work being carried out by a number of private sector providers from which others could learn.”
63. Secure service referrals surge as prisons overfill
3 December 2009 Health Service Journal
Commissioners are under significant financial pressure from a surge in referrals to secure mental health services fuelled by the recession and crowded prisons.
Miscellaneous
64. Love in a locked-in state
01 December 2009 The Times
Full page article about Marini and Alan McNeilly and how their relationship has developed as they relearnt how to communicate after Mrs McNeilly suffered a series of strokes and who now is ‘locked-in’.
Ed. Locked-in syndrome hit the news last week, see BHCR Vol 4. Issue 49, item 99
65. Have your say on health and social care issues
01 December 2009 Cheshire West & Chester Council
The launch has taken place of the new Cheshire West and Chester Local Involvement Network (LINk) - an independent network of people and organisations who want to improve health and social care services across the borough.
The event was opened by Nora Dolphin, Chairman of Cheshire West and Chester LINk who said: “Cheshire West and Chester LINk – the Local Involvement Network – has important work ahead.
“We have replaced the Patient and Public Involvement Forums and have officially published our work plan . This will provide an excellent opportunity for LINk to shape, develop and improve health and social care services”.
Other speakers included Councillor Mike Jones, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council who said “Local Involvement Networks are important because they are the People’s voice on scrutiny and they encourage members of the public to get involved.
“It will give everyone the chance to comment on their local Social Care and Health Services.”
Anyone can join the LINk and, using the powers available, can help to ensure agencies listen to the needs of communities so that they purchase and deliver services that meet those needs. For further details visit www.cwaclink.org.uk or ring 01606 45920.
66. Medics warned on Facebook flirts
02 December 2009 – BBC News
The Medical Defence Union is warning doctors not to respond to flirtatious approaches on social networking sites.
The body said communicating via sites such as Facebook may be a breach of ethical responsibilities.
For full report click here
67. Dental fear over older population
02 December 2009 – BBC News
The British Dental Association is warning that NHS dentistry is facing a major challenge coping with the consequences of the ageing population.
For full report click here
68. Errors in hospital prescriptions
03 December 2009 – BBC News
Research commissioned by the General Medical Council has found that almost one in 10 hospital prescriptions contain a mistake, ranging from the minor to the potentially lethal.
The study found very few errors would have caused serious harm and found that, contrary to belief, novice doctors were no more responsible for mistakes than the more experienced.
For full report click here
69. Swine flu cases halve
04 December 2009 The Times
Last week the number of new swine flu cases were 22,000 compared with 46,000 the week before.
70. Researching expectations and experiences of complainants
December 2009 In Focus
HPC is undertaking a piece of research to explore the expectations and experiences of those who make a complaint about a registrant to us. We have commissioned IPSOS MORI to undertake this research which was started in September 2009.
The aim of the research is to inform the future development of HPC’s complaints information and to help us in the management of complainant expectations.
A report outlining the findings will be published in 2010.
71. Confusion surrounds personal budgets roll-out
December 2009 Community Care Market News
A report from Demos and Lancaster University suggests service users face a chaotic transitional period in the move towards personal budgets. The research was commissioned by Barchester Healthcare and Casatlebeck.
It shows 80% of service users have little or no understanding of personal budgets and that rises to 92% for older people.
The conclusion is that local authorities and providers must begin to work together to plan for the challenges as the shift to personal budgets takes place.
72. The political limelight stays on care, but wading through the rhetoric ain’t easy
December 2009 Community Care Market News
A review of the political positions taken by the major political parties on the funding of long term care.
73. Righteous Indignation – a view from the other side
December 2009 Community Care Market News
Two pages of comment and information from Yvonne Hossacks, a solicitor known for representing service users who are opposed to opposed to closure of care homes where service users object. She has gone out on a limb on many occasions in the pursuit of he clients' interests. She is a conspiracy theorist, it seems, with cause!
74. Advancement of the associations
December 2009 Care Management Matters
A review of nine of the national provider associations and their current structure and membership – a useful thumbnail sketch of each.
75. The future of inspection
December 2009 Care Management Matters
John Burton considers over several pages the future of inspection of care services in light of the pressure on Government spending. Mr Burton concludes that current inspection represents poor value for money and identifies activities he would like to see removed and some new activities he would like to see brought into play. He thinks that inspection should be based locally in PCTs.
Ed. I agree that the future of inspection will again be overhauled. I too agree that inspection will be returned to local control; I had rather thought that it would be returned to local councils, back where we were 10 years ago!
76. Medications and pharmacy
December 2009 Care Management Matters
Four pages on medication issues following the report by the team from University of London into errors in the administration of medication and a comparison of a variety of systems and products designed to minimise error.
77. Andrea Rowe to call it a day
December 2009 Caring Business
Andrea Rowe, CEO of Skills for Care will retire next year after 10 years in the role.
A day in the life of...Suzanne Near
December 2009 Healthcare Business
Ms Near is a care home manager with Longhurst & Havelok Homes, she manages The Grove near Grimsby.and outlines a typical day.
Make sure you’re claiming your training entitlement
December 2009 Healthcare Business
With some 50% of care homes apparently not claiming all they are entitled to; Tony Wilson offers some guidance.
78. Launch of Barchester Business School
December 2009 Healthcare Business
Barchester has launched its own business school at the International Management Centres Association graduation ceremony – it will provide training from NVQs to a Masters degree in Management.
79. With Friends like these...
December 2009 Healthcare Business
Nancy Ritchie-Noakes of Brunswicks LLP writes about relationships with insurers, how to get the best from it and watch out for the difficult aspects of the relationship between insurer and insured.
80. Investing in activities the best return around
December 2009 Healthcare Business
Barry Sweetbaum explains how his company turned common practice on its head to bring meaningful daily activities into the lives of service users.
NHS
81. Staff suffer on the NHS frontline
30 November 2009 – BBC News
A new law has come into force which deems it a criminal offence for people to cause a nuisance or disturbance in NHS hospitals.
Authorised staff will now be able to throw people off the premises if they are verbally abusive, intimidating or making excessive noise.
For full report click here
82. Trust hits out at hospital rating
30 November 2009 – BBC News
Blackpool’s health chiefs have reacted to claims that their hospital trust is "significantly underperforming".
Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust were one of 12 attacked by monitoring body, Dr Foster.
The trust expressed its concerned about the measures used to rate patient safety, which is of a "very high standard" in Blackpool.
For full report click here
83. Hospital trust dismisses report
30 November 2009 – BBC News
A Merseyside NHS trust that was rated as "significantly underperforming" in a report has dismissed the assessment as "inaccurate and misleading".
St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust was named as one of the 12 worst performing in England by the Dr Foster Hospital Guide 2009.
For full report click here
84. Hospitals score highly on safety
30 November 2009 – BBC News
A hospital trust in Cambridgeshire scored the highest possible rating for patient safety in an assessment by the Dr Foster Hospital Guide.
Cambridge University Hospitals was awarded a "best performing" rating.
For full report click here
85. Top ranking for criticised trust
30 November 2009 – BBC News
The Dr Foster Hospital Guide has put Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust among the country's top five most improved for in-hospital mortality, but the Care Quality Commission (CQC) questioned the trust's safety ranking, and said that it still "had a long way to go".
For full report click here
86. Hospital trust needs to save £40m
30 November 2009 – BBC News
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has announced that it needs to save almost £40m by 2014, because of Government cuts.
The health trust operates the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading and needs to save about 5% of its annual budget each year.
For full report click here
87. Worst hospitals ‘free to go on failing’
30 November 2009 The Times
Following publication of data by Dr Foster on the hospitals with unusually high death rates CQC declined to intervene. The stance is said to have led to a ‘showdown’ between the chair of CQC, Baroness Young, and Ministers.
88. You can’t rank hospitals like football teams
01 December 2009 The Times
Will you be safe in the hands of the St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust? It depends what you read. The latest Dr Foster Hospital Guide, says it is one of England’s least safe hospitals. However, CQC rates the hospital as ‘excellent’ for quality of services.
Ed. This is of crucial importance to me, to be selfish about these things for a minute, as this Trust provides my local hospitals. As I have a completely ‘free’ choice of where I might go for elective consultations and treatment I will be selecting somewhere else. However, what concerns me is:
• who will ensure the Trust improves – not CQC who thinks its OK;
• all the many prospective patients who are not aware of this conflicting information and who therefore cant exercise an informed choice about diagnosis and treatment; and
• back to me, if I need emergency treatment – that is where I will be taken, there will be no choice!
89. NICE highlights guidance to save NHS money
01 December 2009 Health Service Journal
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has collected together evidence it believes could save the NHS hundreds of millions of pounds.
90. Hospitals given nuisance powers
01 December 2009 Health Service Journal
Causing a nuisance or disturbance at an NHS hospital and refusing to leave is now a criminal offence for anyone not seeking medical advice, treatment or care – by virtue of section 119.
The Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 creates a new power, by section 120, for authorised NHS staff to remove a person suspected of committing this offence.
91. Leaked IT cost cuts 'unambitious'
1 December 2009 – BBC News
The Conservative party has said that a leaked document setting out the Government's IT strategy for the next five years is "complacent" and lacks ambition.
The paper outlined plans to save billions through greater use of social media and innovations such as an online "apps store" for civil servants.
For full report click here
92. Watching NHS trusts
02 December 2009 The Times, Letters to the Editor
Cynthia Bower, chief executive, CQC writes saying that to assert that NHS trusts are “free to go on failing” is wrong. She says CQC did not let Basildon go on failing, “strong action” was taken she says because that was what was needed to put things right for patients. CQC does not believe intervention on this scale is necessary at other trusts.”
93. Hospital wards 'far too noisy'
02 December 2009 – BBC News
The World Health Organisation said that hospital wards across the NHS are breaking recommended noise limits, disturbing patients' sleep, well-being and recovery.
Two separate studies found the noise of chattering visitors and loud mobile phones pushed noise levels well over recommended limits.
For full report click here
94. NHS stab vest decision criticised
03 December 2009 – BBC News
A decision to stop issuing ambulance crews in Essex with stab vests has been condemned by a union.
Paramedics in the county have been given the body armour since 2005 in case crews were called into London, but in June this year the East of England Ambulance Service decided not to issue new stab vests, which need replacing every five years, as few call outs were to London.
For full report click here
95. Hospital admits death 'failings'
03 December 2009 – BBC News
Plymouth's Derriford Hospital has admitted a series of failings leading up to the death of a patient.
Cecil Barnes, was admitted to the hospital in July 2008 to undergo bladder surgery but the 79-year-old collapsed on his return to the ward but equipment used to resuscitate him was either faulty or not used properly. He later died.
For full report click here
96. Dr Foster names safety underperformers
03 December 2009 E-Health Insider
The Dr Foster Hospital Guide 2009 names 12 NHS trusts which it says significantly underperformed on its new measure of patient safety.
97. One in 10 prescriptions have errors
03 December 2009 E-Health Insider
One in 10 written hospital prescriptions contain mistakes, most are minor and spotted but some are potentially lethal.
98. Cynthia Bower defends CQC in mortality furore
03 December 2009 Health Service Journal
Care Quality Commission chief executive Cynthia Bower has defended NHS regulation after a string of events threatened to shatter public confidence in the safety of services.
99. Safety outcry is ‘mandate’ for NHS quality
03 December 2009 Health Service Journal
Public outcry about apparently unsafe hospitals gives the health service a mandate to put quality ahead of finance in planning and providing services, the NHS medical director has said.
100. ‘Rich list’ reveals 80 NHS chiefs paid more than Prime Minister
04 December 2009 The Times
As public pressure builds in reaction to the bonuses about to be paid to the banking community the TaxPayers Alliance released figures which show 350 people in the NHS earning more than £150k,
101. Hospitals and schools ‘must share pain of cuts’
05 December 2009 The Times
Item by Jill Sherman about comments by Steve Bundred, recently resigned former head of the Audit Commission, that health budgets should “share the pain” of financial cuts in the public sector – they should not be protected from cuts.
102. NHS policies
05 December 2009 The Times, Letters to the Editor
Dr Peter Draper writes “The ways that we develop policies for the organisation of the NHS are dysfunctional.”
103. NHS watchdog chief quits after 8 months
05 December 2009 The Times
Baroness Barbara Young of Old Scone, chair of CQC, resigned from that post after a week of bruising encounters with press and media over the regulation and monitoring of NHS hospitals which had been said by CQC to be of good quality whilst patients were dying in significantly larger numbers than the average.
Baroness Young is said to have quit during a “fractious meeting with Andy Burnham, the Health Secretary. She leaves on 01.02.09.
Nursing
104. Hospital students 'may withdraw'
02 December 2009 – BBC News
The Nursing and Midwifery Council has threatened to withdraw its students from hospitals in Essex after a controversy over standards.
NMC chief executive Dickon Weir-Hughes said it was considering whether the hospitals provided "suitable learning environments" for its students after a regulator found Colchester Hospital University NHS Trust consistently failed to improve waiting times.
For full report click here
Older People
105. Toe-clipping for elderly people
30 November 2009 – BBC News
Charity Age Concern has merged with the city council and a consortium of GPs to offer a toe-clipping service for elderly people in York after it was highlighted as one of their top health concerns.
It was shown to be one of the top three health concerns in a recent survey.
For full report click here
106. Ageing patients ‘need longer time with GP’
03 December 2009 The Times
GPs demand more money for longer appointments
03 December 2009 Daily Mail
The average 10 min GP appointment is said to be inadequate for the complex needs of an ageing population according to the British Medical Association. Chairman, Dr Hamish Meldrum, says longer appointments would require further investment in GPs’ surgeries.
107.Over 60? Need an eye test? We’ll come to you
National advert by Lloydspharmacy promoting its domiciliary eye test service.
108. Is it time to claw back the benefits of older age?
02 December 2009 The Guardian
David Brindle poses the question and considers whether it is appropriate for wealthy older people to benefit from free travel, discounts, free TV licenses and other universal benefits. The question is prompted by a discussion paper published by thinktank Reform which says £31bn could be saved.
These thoughts are not confined to thinktanks on the ‘right’ of politics; the centre left Institute for Public Policy Research argues for the better targeting of welfare benefits for older people who need it most.
Ed. With thinktanks on both the right and left of politics coming forward with the same issues to be addressed (if not the same solutions) it looks like many of us will not get a free bus pass: perhaps the term ‘Twirlie’ (too early) will become one of the many redundant words!
109. Social contact and activities in care homes – little improvement
04 December 2009, National Association for Providers of Activities for Older People
NAPA welcomes the clear statement from the Care Quality Commission on the quality of adult social care made on December 3rd in their press release. In particular in the main findings, NAPA notes that in care homes for older people ‘a fifth fail to meet the standard on social contact and activities.’
As a national charity committed to promoting a range of activity opportunities, this finding supports our own view that there is still a lot more to be done to improve the quality of life of older people living in care homes.
NAPA supports its members to focus on activities which are based on individual interests and wishes rather than only structured group events. Older residents tell us that they miss the everyday things such as preparing food, going to the shops or seeing children playing.
We provide a range of helpful publications, inspirations bulletins and training events to help managers and care staff put activity at the heart of good care.
Sylvie Silver, NAPA’s Director would welcome opportunities to discuss how real improvements could be made in this core area of service delivery.
Please call 020 7078 9375 or visit www.napa-activities.co.uk
Parliament
Health Professions (Hearing Aid Dispensers) Order 2009 - Thornton
Draft Pharmacy Order 2010 - Baroness Thornton
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
07 December 2009 – House of Commons – Written Question, tabled by Don Touhig, the Labour/Co-Operative MP for Islwyn, which asks the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what action her Department has taken to support people with autism finding long term employment. The Question was answered by Jonathan Shaw MP, Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions, who detailed the Access to Work scheme and described the specialist training that Disability Employment Advisers receive. To view the Written Question and Answer online, please click on the following link: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/
07 December 2009 – House of Commons – Written Ministerial Statement, in which the Minister of State for Care Services, Phil Hope MP, announced the publication of the Government’s new mental health strategy, ‘New Horizons: A Shared Vision for Mental Health.’ To read the Ministerial Statement in full online, click on the following link: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/
Social Care
More rewards for social workers
01 December 2009 – BBC News
New reforms mean that social workers will need a licence to practise in an effort to boost standards.
Pay will be also be improved for the most experienced front-line staff after the Government accepted proposals from its social work task force.
For full report click here
Social workers in line for £15,000 pay rise
02 December 2009 Daily Mail
A report suggests that front line social workers should have salaries beyond the current £35k pa, possibly to match the best class room teachers which would be £50,000.
Workforce
Nothing to report
Article
The Caring Times National Care Awards 2009
This year’s event saw more than 850 people gather to celebrate the awards organised by Caring Times
Special Needs Manager 2009
James Barnett, Home Manager,
Four Seasons Health Care
Highly commended was
Shaun Cooper, Manager
Craegmoor Healthcare
Care Marketeer 2009
Jessica Bell & Laura Jordon, Marketing Manager/Marketing Co-ordinator,
Care UK
Highly commended was
Debbie Skinner, General Manager,
Elizabeth Finn Homes
Care Activities Co-ordinator 2009
Sue Giles, Activities Co-ordinator,
Swallow Court Group
Highly commended was
Dan Gordon, Rehabilitation Liaison Manager,
Oakleaf Care
Care Manager 2009
Barbara Hadley, Home Manager,
Shaw Healthcare
Highly commended was
Helen Hubbert, Care Centre Manager,
Meridian Healthcare
Care Chef 2009
Rebecca Haggar, Catering Manager,
Barchester Healthcare
Highly commended was
Michael Colwill, Head Chef,
Retirement Villages Ltd.
Care Personality 2009
Andrew Larpent, Chief Executive,
Somerset Care
Carer 2009
Marie McCabe, Carer,
Highly commended was
Jan Paul, Senior Care Assistant,
Elizabeth Finn Homes
Care Entrepreneur 2009
Ian Mosley, Chief Executive,
Oakleaf Care
Highly commended was
David Messenger, Managing Director,
Elder Homes Group
Care Registered Nurse 2009
Susan Povey, Registered Learning Disability Nurse,
Hallmark Healthcare
Highly commended was
Patricia Pyne, Head of Care,
Barchester Healthcare
Care Training Manager 2009
Paula Rawding, Centre Manager,
Woodlands Respite Care Centre
Highly commended was
Karen Grapes, Clinical Care Manager,
Hallmark Healthcare
Care Team 2009
Ann Marie Rogan & Sandra McKee, Home Manager/Senior Carer,
Anchor Trust
Highly commended was
Marsha/Sally Tuffin/Smith, Manager/Deputy Manager,
The Abbeyfield Society
Best Resident/Relative Contribution 2009
Kenneth Sims, Resident,
Thomas Pocklington Trust
Highly commened was
Colin Saxton, Relative,
Wren Hall Nursing Home
Lifetime Achievement in Care 2009
Charan Singh, Regional Director,
Choice Support
Highly commended was
Annie Sinnott, Director,
The Old Vicarage Care Home
Dementia Care Manager 2009
Lucy Smith, Registered Nurse,
Wren Hall Nursing Home
Highly commended was
Rejane Le Grange, Service Manager,
The St Monica Trust
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