Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Parties seek consensus
Cross party talks have begun on the future of care and support for the elderly and disabled in England.
Plans for reform of adult care services are due to be published this spring and consensus among the main political parties is seen as integral to their success.
Central to discussions will be recommendations from the Dilnot Commission proposing that payments from people in need of care should be capped at £35,000.
Under the current system, means-testing requires anyone with assets over £23,250 to pay for the entire cost of their care, forcing thousands of people to sell their homes each year when they go into residential care.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Chair of the Commission, Andrew Dilnot says MPs and members of the House of Lords “across the political spectrum” support the principles of his report; and that “Doing nothing is not an option”, as “there isn’t a cheaper and more effective way of making the kind of change we all think is necessary.”
Read more
Next steps for NHS reform – key dates
NHS reforms continue this year with the formation of Health Education England – the body that will oversee workforce planning and education and training of the healthcare workforce; and the NHS Trust Development Authority which will be responsible for governance of the NHS Trusts and hold them to account.
Free dementia toolkit for care homes
Care Fit for VIPs is a free online toolkit to help care homes improve the quality of their dementia care.
The kit consists of three tools:
VIP stands for:
Contact: Simon Foster, 07432 133 381, web: www.e4c.co.uk
Read more
The kit consists of three tools:
- a real time assessment tool – allowing continuous monitoring of progress in providing person centred care and identification of priorities for improvement
- a searchable toolkit of resources – helping individuals to find the best resources online, including video, e-learning, checklists, creative ideas, books, training and resolutions to problems
- an online improvement cycle – aiding the creation and recording of PDSAs (Plan, Do, Study, Act) improvement cycles.
VIP stands for:
- values – recognise the value of all human life regardless of age or ability
- individuals – focussed on each unique person
- perspective – looking at the world through the eyes of the person needing care
- social – seeing and responding to a person rather than a unit of care
Contact: Simon Foster, 07432 133 381, web: www.e4c.co.uk
Read more
Fall detector data available
Presentations from the West Midlands Fall Detector Dissemination event, held in December 2011, are now available on line.
The 14 month long project has been set up to observe the use of fall detectors, and ensure they are deployed in the most efficient and effective way.
Approximately 800 people fall every day in the West Midlands, and for people aged 65 and over falls are a major cause of injury and death.
Direct correlation has been found between recovery and how long people lie on the ground.
Detectors can provide an early alert after a fall, but their use varies across the region and, due to poor design, the gadgets available often fail to meet the needs of some individuals.
Organisations taking part are the West Midlands Region Telehealthcare Network, Warwickshire NHS, The Health Design and Technology Institute of Coventry University, and the JIP West Midlands.
Read more
The 14 month long project has been set up to observe the use of fall detectors, and ensure they are deployed in the most efficient and effective way.
Approximately 800 people fall every day in the West Midlands, and for people aged 65 and over falls are a major cause of injury and death.
Direct correlation has been found between recovery and how long people lie on the ground.
Detectors can provide an early alert after a fall, but their use varies across the region and, due to poor design, the gadgets available often fail to meet the needs of some individuals.
Organisations taking part are the West Midlands Region Telehealthcare Network, Warwickshire NHS, The Health Design and Technology Institute of Coventry University, and the JIP West Midlands.
Read more
Social work college open for members
The College of Social Work has officially opened for business and is inviting social workers to join.
The College has been set up in response to recommendations made by the Social Work Task Force which carried out a two year review of the profession.
Fifteen recommendations were made for improving and reforming social work, including establishment of an independent national college.
The organisation will provide leadership, a clear voice in public debate, policy development and delivery, and set professional standards.
Membership will cost employed social workers £60 a year.
The College has been set up in response to recommendations made by the Social Work Task Force which carried out a two year review of the profession.
Fifteen recommendations were made for improving and reforming social work, including establishment of an independent national college.
The organisation will provide leadership, a clear voice in public debate, policy development and delivery, and set professional standards.
Membership will cost employed social workers £60 a year.
Home improvement funds for older people
Funds have been allocated to help older people remain independent in their own homes, particularly after leaving hospital.
Home Improvement Agencies will be given government funding of £51 million to provide:
An additional £20 million has been confirmed for the Disabled Facilities Grant, bringing the total to £200 million this year.
Home Improvement Agencies will be given government funding of £51 million to provide:
- housing advice and assistance with moving to more suitable accommodation if needed
- handyperson services such as small home repairs, home safety and security adaptations
- energy efficiency advice
- help with arranging for adaptations and home repairs to be made including grab rails, stair lifts and major work such as ground floor extensions.
An additional £20 million has been confirmed for the Disabled Facilities Grant, bringing the total to £200 million this year.
Extra cash for care services
An extra £150 million will be given by the Department of Health to local authorities to help people leave hospital more quickly and be cared for at home.
The money comes from savings made in the DH budget, and will be spent on social care services that people might need to live independently at home.
A further £20 million will be provided for the Disabled Facilities Grant which helps people to live independently at home instead of unnecessarily going into residential care.
The investment builds on collaborative working between the NHS and councils, which lie at the heart of health and social care modernisation plans.
Read more
The money comes from savings made in the DH budget, and will be spent on social care services that people might need to live independently at home.
A further £20 million will be provided for the Disabled Facilities Grant which helps people to live independently at home instead of unnecessarily going into residential care.
The investment builds on collaborative working between the NHS and councils, which lie at the heart of health and social care modernisation plans.
Read more
Substantial savings secured in mental health trial
Results from Birmingham
RAID are a multidisciplinary team of workers based at the City Hospital in Birmingham, providing around the clock care to patients with mental health problems, psychological needs, alcohol and substance misuse disorders.
Evaluation by the London School of Economics (LSE) of the multi-disciplinary approach show improved results for patients and significant financial savings.
The LSE estimates RAID has saved £4 for every £1 invested, and predicts potential savings for the whole health economy based on an average 1,000 bed unit:
RAID are a multidisciplinary team of workers based at the City Hospital in Birmingham, providing around the clock care to patients with mental health problems, psychological needs, alcohol and substance misuse disorders.
Evaluation by the London School of Economics (LSE) of the multi-disciplinary approach show improved results for patients and significant financial savings.
The LSE estimates RAID has saved £4 for every £1 invested, and predicts potential savings for the whole health economy based on an average 1,000 bed unit:
For further details contact: Jon Tomlinson, email: Jon.B.Tomlinson@birmingham.gov.uk .
A seminar for commissioners, mental health service providers and acute hospital service staff to discuss the findings; will be held on 6 February 2012. To attend, contact: Lawrence Moulin, email: lawrence.moulin@westmidlands.nhs.uk or Nick Adams, email: nick.adams@westmidlands.nhs.uk .
Try out for independent social workers
One of only seven adult independent social worker pilot schemes in the UK, has been started by Birmingham City Council.
Following similar successful trials in children’s services, the Department of Health has rolled out the programme to include adult social services.
Under the scheme, social workers will form practices that are independent of local authorities and contracted to provide services to specific client groups.
The plan is to allow social workers to:
Contact: Sheila Rochester, Service Director, Assessment & Support, Telephone: 0121 303 4917.
Read more
Following similar successful trials in children’s services, the Department of Health has rolled out the programme to include adult social services.
Under the scheme, social workers will form practices that are independent of local authorities and contracted to provide services to specific client groups.
The plan is to allow social workers to:
- spend more time with individuals in their care and reduce bureaucracy
- make decisions more responsive to their clients' needs
- feel empowered with more control over the day today management of the practice
- make use of the increased financial flexibility and think more creatively about the way resources are used
- enjoy their jobs more – staff satisfaction levels for the children’s pilot have been high.
Contact: Sheila Rochester, Service Director, Assessment & Support, Telephone: 0121 303 4917.
Read more
Listening exercise shapes NHS reforms
Latest recommendations from the independent NHS Future Forum have been accepted by the government.
The Forum was asked to conduct conversations with health and care professionals, patients and service users; and to provide independent advice on education and training, information, integrated care, and the NHS’s role in public health.
The recommendations have been accepted following the Future Forum’s report, specifically on:
· education and training – employers and professionals will have a greater say in developing the health workforce in the future, and an outcomes framework will be introduced
· integrated care – patient experience of integrated care will be measured as part of the outcomes framework
· the NHS’s role in public health – consultation will be held on a new responsibility for healthcare professionals to promote healthy living through their daily contact with patients
· information – the government will consider the Forum’s recommendation for Discharge Summaries to be made available to GPs and patients at the point of discharge.
The Forum listened to over 11,000 people at more than 300 events, and received contributions online.
The Forum was asked to conduct conversations with health and care professionals, patients and service users; and to provide independent advice on education and training, information, integrated care, and the NHS’s role in public health.
The recommendations have been accepted following the Future Forum’s report, specifically on:
· education and training – employers and professionals will have a greater say in developing the health workforce in the future, and an outcomes framework will be introduced
· integrated care – patient experience of integrated care will be measured as part of the outcomes framework
· the NHS’s role in public health – consultation will be held on a new responsibility for healthcare professionals to promote healthy living through their daily contact with patients
· information – the government will consider the Forum’s recommendation for Discharge Summaries to be made available to GPs and patients at the point of discharge.
The Forum listened to over 11,000 people at more than 300 events, and received contributions online.
Survey confirms appetite for change
Survey findings from Age UK suggest the majority of the public want to see the social care system changed.
A survey of over 1,700 adults show 81% feel more should be done by the government to support the needs of older people. Three quarters of respondents also say they want individual costs capped.
Under the current means-tested system anyone with assets over £23,250 has to pay for the entire cost of their care.
Charity Director, Michelle Mitchell, says the survey shows there is an appetite for change.
Read more
A survey of over 1,700 adults show 81% feel more should be done by the government to support the needs of older people. Three quarters of respondents also say they want individual costs capped.
Under the current means-tested system anyone with assets over £23,250 has to pay for the entire cost of their care.
Charity Director, Michelle Mitchell, says the survey shows there is an appetite for change.
Read more
Biggest service integration gets go ahead
Nearly 1,000 adult social care staff and £153 million will be transferred from Staffordshire County Council to the newly formed Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Partnership NHS, in the biggest integration of local council and health care services in the UK.
The new Trust comes into effect in April 2012 with the aim of removing duplication, streamlining care, and making savings in the order of £30 million every year. It will be responsible for all adult social and community healthcare in Staffordshire and all community healthcare in Stoke-on-Trent, delivering everything from physiotherapy to day services.
The new arrangement seeks to:
· make the best use of hospital and community beds
· reduce delays in transferring patients from hospital back to their homes
· cur the number of people admitted to hospital in a rush
· reduce use of residential care
· increase the amount, quality and safety of care delivered in people’s homes.
Read more
The new Trust comes into effect in April 2012 with the aim of removing duplication, streamlining care, and making savings in the order of £30 million every year. It will be responsible for all adult social and community healthcare in Staffordshire and all community healthcare in Stoke-on-Trent, delivering everything from physiotherapy to day services.
The new arrangement seeks to:
· make the best use of hospital and community beds
· reduce delays in transferring patients from hospital back to their homes
· cur the number of people admitted to hospital in a rush
· reduce use of residential care
· increase the amount, quality and safety of care delivered in people’s homes.
Read more
Joint approach to integration
ADASS and the NHS Confederation have joined forces to advise on the best way to integrate health and social care services.
The organisations are urging service leaders to focus on cultures, behaviours and values instead of formal structures.
In a joint statement, the two bodies advise leaders to make time to work directly with staff, identify key barriers to change, develop multi-disciplinary teams, and fully develop systems to engage with patients.
The statement builds on work carried out by ADASS and the NHS Confederation since 2010 on how to integrate services in a way that improves care for patients.
President of ADASS, Peter Hay, said: “As we approach the formulation of the social care white paper and the response to Dilnot we are moving into a critical phase in the development of integrated work with our health service colleagues. The statement marks a significant step forward in both our organisations’ thinking on the subject, and I commend it to all our health and social care managers up and down the country.
The statement also provides examples of how integrating care can work locally.
Read more
The organisations are urging service leaders to focus on cultures, behaviours and values instead of formal structures.
In a joint statement, the two bodies advise leaders to make time to work directly with staff, identify key barriers to change, develop multi-disciplinary teams, and fully develop systems to engage with patients.
The statement builds on work carried out by ADASS and the NHS Confederation since 2010 on how to integrate services in a way that improves care for patients.
President of ADASS, Peter Hay, said: “As we approach the formulation of the social care white paper and the response to Dilnot we are moving into a critical phase in the development of integrated work with our health service colleagues. The statement marks a significant step forward in both our organisations’ thinking on the subject, and I commend it to all our health and social care managers up and down the country.
The statement also provides examples of how integrating care can work locally.
Read more
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)