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A diversity of voices influencing Health & Social Care Week-ending 14 January 2010
1. Chief Executive message 2. National Voices news 3. Health care update 4. Social care update 5. Service user panel news 6. Members news 7. Consultation and involvement 8. Conferences and events 9. Vacancies 10. Get invoved
A very happy new year. It doesn’t need me to tell you that we are in a period of political and financial risk for health and social care. What are the risks? That the good is eroded; that the bad remains untackled; that an election-driven debate about funding, structures and systems misses out the human. In our campaigning and influencing work in the next few months, National Voices will be setting out user perspectives on what works, and needs reinforcing, and what doesn’t work, and needs fixing. Please get involved in this work: we will keep you posted. In the meantime, tell us the one thing you most value about health and social care, and your top bugbear.
Best wishes
Jeremy Taylor
Director of Engagement and Membership An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Director of Engagement and Membership. For more information please visit the recruitment section of our website.
The King’s Fund survey on quality in general practice The King's Fund is running an 18-month inquiry into the quality of general practice in England. As part of this work, they are conducting an opinion survey on the extent to which general practice is currently providing high-quality patient care and the reaction of those working in general practice on current approaches to ‘quality improvement’. We welcome your views. To contribute your views click here. The findings will be used to inform the results of the Inquiry.
New certification scheme for health and social care information The Information Standard is a new Department of Health initiative to give the public a quick way of identifying good quality health information. The Information Standard awards a quality mark to organisations that meet the criteria of producing safe, reliable health and social care information and advice. Organisations can then display this mark on literature and websites.
The Information Standard Certification
Following the official launch at the King’s Fund of The Information Standard, we have put together some guidelines that you will find useful.
Improving the health and wellbeing of people with LTCs The Department of Health has published a guidance document that describes what a good Long Term Condition (LTC) service should look like and suggests actions to take to commission world class services. The actions are linked to each stage of the commissioning cycle and can support achievement of WCC competencies and the quality and productivity challenge.
Performance indicators for health and social care partnerships This paper published by the Department of Health sets out the context for this work, the principles and approach taken to date, and the status of current proposals and work underway to develop new performance indicators for adult social care and health and care partnerships. The paper asks for the input of stakeholders to support the project – both by testing the proposals and commenting more strategically to identify other priorities not covered.
Cash counts for families with disabled children hit by January blues Contact a Family has launched Cash Counts, a new online service dedicated to ensuring families with disabled children are getting every penny. The new service includes features like an online benefits calculator and a top tips guide. You can view the new online service by clicking the link.
Personal budgets for older people – making it happen The Department of Health has published a guide that focuses on how councils can make personal budgets work well for older people and their families. The guide looks at how to ensure personal budgets are accessible, simple to use, flexible and help to achieve the things that matter most to the people using them. You can view the new online service by clicking the link.
Sir Michael Parkinson’s Dignity Ambassador report Sir Michael has recently published a personal account of his year as the nation’s Dignity Ambassador. The Dignity in Care campaign has also launched Dignity Action Day, to take place 25 Feb and – Bright Ideas Grant (B.I.G).
Join our Service User Panel National Voices’ Service User Panel is a continuously growing a diverse body of service users, patients and carers who want to make their voices and experiences heard in order to better national health and social care service design, delivery and evaluation so that it reflects what people really want and need. The Panel informs National Voices’ internal work and is also regularly involved in engagement processes for both national health policy initiatives and the work of other agencies such as regulatory bodies. Please click on the following links for more information about the Panel and its recent activities.
We welcome up to 5 nominated individuals from each of our member organisations to join the Panel. If you work for one of our 225 member organisations and would like to nominate service users from your networks, or find out more about the Panel and check if your organisations is represented on it, then please contact Lizzy Allen (Involvement Co-ordinator) by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on 020 3176 0734.
National Men’s Health Week National Men's Health Week (June 14-20th 2010) will focus on getting more men physically active from walking, cycling and gardening to playing sport. The Week is organised by Men's Health Forum (MHF) which invites organisations - national, regional and local - to take part by running events and activities. To register for free information and a resource pack, go to our website. To find out about becoming a Men's Health Week partner organisation, contact Kristin McCarthy at MHF.
7. Consultations and involvement
Public Consultation - Guide to the technology appraisal appeal process National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has undertaken a review of the Guide to the Technology Appraisal Appeal Process. This guide contains information on how to prepare for an appeal and how appeals are conducted. For more information about the guide and the consultation please visit the NICE website.
Nursing and Midwifery Council consultations: Guidance for raising concerns Since June 2009, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) have been working with a variety of organisations to develop practical guidance to support nurses and midwives. On 6 January 2010, the NMC will launch a 12 week public consultation and In February 2010, they will host five focus groups across the UK Click to book your place if you would like to get involved.
Royal College of Nursing: Consultation on the development of practice standards for nursing projects The Royal College of Nursing have extended the deadline for their consultation on the development of practice standards for nursing projects. There is now the additional opportunity to complete the consultation online. The survey can be accessed through the following link. If you have any questions about the consultation, please contact Chris Watts, Project Manager on 01865 787131 or by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Health: Call 2010 Applicants' Workshop in February To improve the quality of the project proposals submitted, Executive Agency for Health Consumers (EAHC) is organising a training workshop targeted at European public health professionals who plan to submit a project proposal under the Call for proposals 2010. If you would like to attend the workshop, please register now as the number of places is very limited and places will be attributed on a first come-first serve basis. You can visit the EAHC website for more details about the funding of projects, conferences, joint actions and operating grants.
Webinar on Innovative Medicines The European Medicines Dr. Marisa Papaluca-Amati Agency (EMA) is holding a webinar on innovative medicines 27 January for patient representatives. During this webinar Dr. Marisa Papaluca-Amati will give a presentation on innovative medicines, after which participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and make comments on the presentation. Webinar on innovative medicines will be held on 27th of January 2010, from 10:00 to 12:00 GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). Since attendees will be joining remotely, I would like to provide you with some information about Adobe Connect Pro, which will enable you to follow the meeting.
If you have never attended a Connect Pro meeting before, please test your connection here
In order to get a quick overview on this software, please follow this link
Developing Quality Patient Information Date: Tuesday 26 January 2010 Venue: 76 Portland Place, London This one day conference chaired by Mark Duman President Patient Information Forum (PiF), provides an opportunity for you to learn about the latest techniques and methods for writing and developing Patient Information that is accessible, understandable and personalised to patients as individuals on a day to day basis. Contact: For more information please call Hanisha on 020 8541 1399 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit Health care events or download the brochure.
European Forum for Good Clinical Practice – Annual Conference Date: 26 - 27 January 2010 Venue: Résidence Palace, Brussels, Belgium The European Forum for Good Clinical Practice (EFGCP) is pleased to invite you to take part to its upcoming Annual Conference on Aspects of Personalised Medicines for Society – A Challenge Yet to be Met, which will again in 2010 be designed to be as interactive as possible according to the EFGCP format. Conference participation will allow direct interaction with the key European and international experts on this crucial topic. The 6 workshops over the two days will offer the possibility to tackle more into details specific issues while conclusions will be discussed in an open multi-stakeholder forum. Contact: For information you can This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the EFGCP website for details.
PNA Regulations listening events Date: 21, 28 January 2010 Venue: 21st January – Holiday Inn Birmingham. 28th January – Marriott Kensington London Chapter 8 of the Pharmacy White Paper, Pharmacy in England: Building on strengths - delivering the future, identified that there was considerable variation in the scope, depth and breadth of Primary Care Trusts pharmaceutical needs assessments (PNAs). The structure and data requirements for PNAs required review and strengthening. Primary Care Commissioning would like to invite you to two conferences to discuss these issues further. Contact: For more information you can call 0113 398 4031 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
PPE guidance in clinical audit Date: Thursday 18 February 2010. Monday 22 February 2010 Venue: 18 February, The Queens Hotel, Leeds. 22 February, Wellcome Collection, London Health Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) has announced the launch of its Patient and Public Engagement (PPE) strategy with the announcement of two PPE focus group events in February. The sessions in London and Leeds will bring together patient representatives, audit professionals and clinicians. The meetings are designed to promote the new guidance on PPE in audit, and ascertain training needs for successful PPE in clinical audit, with presentations, structured workshop discussions and a working lunch. You can download the audit here Contact: For more information you can call Kim Rezel on 020 7469 251 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the HQIP website
‘I learn - U learn’ Date: March 2010 Venue: Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London The Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) is pleased to announce a series of ‘I LEARN – U LEARN’ meetings in March 2010. This series consists of six interactive meetings in London, Liverpool, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast. The programme for the day is designed to help de-mystify the role of regulation in the health sector. Various exercises will enable you to get involved and you can lend your voice to some ongoing debates in the field of professional regulation. You will also meet representatives from the health professional regulatory bodies, who are working with us to deliver these meetings. Contact: For more information please call CHRE on 020 7389 8030 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can also see draft programmes for each event by visiting their website.
Royal College of Physicians: Chair The Royal College of Physicians seeks a new chair for its patient network. If you are interested, want more information, or want to recommend someone please could you contact the Clinical Vice President Mike Cheshire at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Chainging Faces: Team Support Job Title: Team Support Changing Faces is the leading UK charity supporting and representing people with disfigurements. This is an ideal role for you if you are seeking a first step into the voluntary sector, providing Reception services and administrative support for the 30-strong team. Registered Charity No. 1011222; charity registered in Scotland SC039725. Website: www.changingfaces.org.uk Salary: £17,300 per annum - full-time. Location: Central London - WC1 For full details: Download from www.changingfaces.org.uk or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Closing date: Monday 1st February 2010 (12 noon) Interviews: Monday 8th February
Some 40 well known medicines, including breast cancer therapies, are acknowledged to be in short supply. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) recently warned that the situation was getting worse and urged the Government to take action. Do you know of any instances where patients have been adversely affected? Any material gratefully received that could help National Voices build up a picture from the user perspective and ensure that this informs any official response would be greatly appreciated. If you have any such information please contact Laurence Whittle on 020 3176 0733 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Contributions: If you have any items of information or news that you would like to see in a future edition of 10 Things, please send details to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact Laurence Whittle on 020 3176 0733.
Laurence Whittle Membership Officer
Direct line: 020 3176 0733
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
A diversity of voices influencing Health & Social Care Week-ending 14 January 2010
6. Members news 7. Consultation and involvement 9. Vacancies 10. Get involved
A very happy new year. It doesn’t need me to tell you that we are in a period of political and financial risk for health and social care. What are the risks? That the good is eroded; that the bad remains untackled; that an election-driven debate about funding, structures and systems misses out the human. In our campaigning and influencing work in the next few months, National Voices will be setting out user perspectives on what works, and needs reinforcing, and what doesn’t work, and needs fixing. Please get involved in this work: we will keep you posted. In the meantime, tell us the one thing you most value about health and social care, and your top bugbear.
Best wishes
Jeremy Taylor
Director of Engagement and Membership An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Director of Engagement and Membership. For more information please visit the recruitment section of our website.
The King’s Fund survey on quality in general practice The King's Fund is running an 18-month inquiry into the quality of general practice in England. As part of this work, they are conducting an opinion survey on the extent to which general practice is currently providing high-quality patient care and the reaction of those working in general practice on current approaches to ‘quality improvement’. We welcome your views. To contribute your views click here. The findings will be used to inform the results of the Inquiry.
New certification scheme for health and social care information The Information Standard is a new Department of Health initiative to give the public a quick way of identifying good quality health information. The Information Standard awards a quality mark to organisations that meet the criteria of producing safe, reliable health and social care information and advice. Organisations can then display this mark on literature and websites.
The Information Standard Certification
Following the official launch at the King’s Fund of The Information Standard, we have put together some guidelines that you will find useful.
Improving the health and wellbeing of people with LTCs The Department of Health has published a guidance document that describes what a good Long Term Condition (LTC) service should look like and suggests actions to take to commission world class services. The actions are linked to each stage of the commissioning cycle and can support achievement of WCC competencies and the quality and productivity challenge.
Performance indicators for health and social care partnerships This paper published by the Department of Health sets out the context for this work, the principles and approach taken to date, and the status of current proposals and work underway to develop new performance indicators for adult social care and health and care partnerships. The paper asks for the input of stakeholders to support the project – both by testing the proposals and commenting more strategically to identify other priorities not covered.
Cash counts for families with disabled children hit by January blues Contact a Family has launched Cash Counts, a new online service dedicated to ensuring families with disabled children are getting every penny. The new service includes features like an online benefits calculator and a top tips guide. You can view the new online service by clicking the link.
Personal budgets for older people – making it happen The Department of Health has published a guide that focuses on how councils can make personal budgets work well for older people and their families. The guide looks at how to ensure personal budgets are accessible, simple to use, flexible and help to achieve the things that matter most to the people using them. You can view the new online service by clicking the link.
Sir Michael Parkinson’s Dignity Ambassador report Sir Michael has recently published a personal account of his year as the nation’s Dignity Ambassador. The Dignity in Care campaign has also launched Dignity Action Day, to take place 25 Feb and – Bright Ideas Grant (B.I.G).
Join our Service User Panel National Voices’ Service User Panel is a continuously growing a diverse body of service users, patients and carers who want to make their voices and experiences heard in order to better national health and social care service design, delivery and evaluation so that it reflects what people really want and need. The Panel informs National Voices’ internal work and is also regularly involved in engagement processes for both national health policy initiatives and the work of other agencies such as regulatory bodies. Please click on the following links for more information about the Panel and its recent activities.
We welcome up to 5 nominated individuals from each of our member organisations to join the Panel. If you work for one of our 225 member organisations and would like to nominate service users from your networks, or find out more about the Panel and check if your organisations is represented on it, then please contact Lizzy Allen (Involvement Co-ordinator) by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on 020 3176 0734.
National Men’s Health Week National Men's Health Week (June 14-20th 2010) will focus on getting more men physically active from walking, cycling and gardening to playing sport. The Week is organised by Men's Health Forum (MHF) which invites organisations - national, regional and local - to take part by running events and activities. To register for free information and a resource pack, go to our website. To find out about becoming a Men's Health Week partner organisation, contact Kristin McCarthy at MHF.
7. Consultations and involvement
Public Consultation - Guide to the technology appraisal appeal process National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has undertaken a review of the Guide to the Technology Appraisal Appeal Process. This guide contains information on how to prepare for an appeal and how appeals are conducted. For more information about the guide and the consultation please visit the NICE website.
Nursing and Midwifery Council consultations: Guidance for raising concerns Since June 2009, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) have been working with a variety of organisations to develop practical guidance to support nurses and midwives. On 6 January 2010, the NMC will launch a 12 week public consultation and In February 2010, they will host five focus groups across the UK Click to book your place if you would like to get involved.
Royal College of Nursing: Consultation on the development of practice standards for nursing projects The Royal College of Nursing have extended the deadline for their consultation on the development of practice standards for nursing projects. There is now the additional opportunity to complete the consultation online. The survey can be accessed through the following link. If you have any questions about the consultation, please contact Chris Watts, Project Manager on 01865 787131 or by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Health: Call 2010 Applicants' Workshop in February To improve the quality of the project proposals submitted, Executive Agency for Health Consumers (EAHC) is organising a training workshop targeted at European public health professionals who plan to submit a project proposal under the Call for proposals 2010. If you would like to attend the workshop, please register now as the number of places is very limited and places will be attributed on a first come-first serve basis. You can visit the EAHC website for more details about the funding of projects, conferences, joint actions and operating grants.
Webinar on Innovative Medicines The European Medicines Dr. Marisa Papaluca-Amati Agency (EMA) is holding a webinar on innovative medicines 27 January for patient representatives. During this webinar Dr. Marisa Papaluca-Amati will give a presentation on innovative medicines, after which participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and make comments on the presentation. Webinar on innovative medicines will be held on 27th of January 2010, from 10:00 to 12:00 GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). Since attendees will be joining remotely, I would like to provide you with some information about Adobe Connect Pro, which will enable you to follow the meeting.
If you have never attended a Connect Pro meeting before, please test your connection here
In order to get a quick overview on this software, please follow this link
Developing Quality Patient Information Date: Tuesday 26 January 2010 Venue: 76 Portland Place, London This one day conference chaired by Mark Duman President Patient Information Forum (PiF), provides an opportunity for you to learn about the latest techniques and methods for writing and developing Patient Information that is accessible, understandable and personalised to patients as individuals on a day to day basis. Contact: For more information please call Hanisha on 020 8541 1399 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit Health care events or download the brochure.
European Forum for Good Clinical Practice – Annual Conference Date: 26 - 27 January 2010 Venue: Résidence Palace, Brussels, Belgium The European Forum for Good Clinical Practice (EFGCP) is pleased to invite you to take part to its upcoming Annual Conference on Aspects of Personalised Medicines for Society – A Challenge Yet to be Met, which will again in 2010 be designed to be as interactive as possible according to the EFGCP format. Conference participation will allow direct interaction with the key European and international experts on this crucial topic. The 6 workshops over the two days will offer the possibility to tackle more into details specific issues while conclusions will be discussed in an open multi-stakeholder forum. Contact: For information you can This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the EFGCP website for details.
PNA Regulations listening events Date: 21, 28 January 2010 Venue: 21st January – Holiday Inn Birmingham. 28th January – Marriott Kensington London Chapter 8 of the Pharmacy White Paper, Pharmacy in England: Building on strengths - delivering the future, identified that there was considerable variation in the scope, depth and breadth of Primary Care Trusts pharmaceutical needs assessments (PNAs). The structure and data requirements for PNAs required review and strengthening. Primary Care Commissioning would like to invite you to two conferences to discuss these issues further. Contact: For more information you can call 0113 398 4031 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
PPE guidance in clinical audit Date: Thursday 18 February 2010. Monday 22 February 2010 Venue: 18 February, The Queens Hotel, Leeds. 22 February, Wellcome Collection, London Health Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) has announced the launch of its Patient and Public Engagement (PPE) strategy with the announcement of two PPE focus group events in February. The sessions in London and Leeds will bring together patient representatives, audit professionals and clinicians. The meetings are designed to promote the new guidance on PPE in audit, and ascertain training needs for successful PPE in clinical audit, with presentations, structured workshop discussions and a working lunch. You can download the audit here Contact: For more information you can call Kim Rezel on 020 7469 251 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the HQIP website
‘I learn - U learn’ Date: March 2010 Venue: Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London The Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) is pleased to announce a series of ‘I LEARN – U LEARN’ meetings in March 2010. This series consists of six interactive meetings in London, Liverpool, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast. The programme for the day is designed to help de-mystify the role of regulation in the health sector. Various exercises will enable you to get involved and you can lend your voice to some ongoing debates in the field of professional regulation. You will also meet representatives from the health professional regulatory bodies, who are working with us to deliver these meetings. Contact: For more information please call CHRE on 020 7389 8030 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can also see draft programmes for each event by visiting their website.
Royal College of Physicians: Chair The Royal College of Physicians seeks a new chair for its patient network. If you are interested, want more information, or want to recommend someone please could you contact the Clinical Vice President Mike Cheshire at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Chainging Faces: Team Support Job Title: Team Support Changing Faces is the leading UK charity supporting and representing people with disfigurements. This is an ideal role for you if you are seeking a first step into the voluntary sector, providing Reception services and administrative support for the 30-strong team. Registered Charity No. 1011222; charity registered in Scotland SC039725. Website: www.changingfaces.org.uk Salary: £17,300 per annum - full-time. Location: Central London - WC1 For full details: Download from www.changingfaces.org.uk or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Closing date: Monday 1st February 2010 (12 noon) Interviews: Monday 8th February
Some 40 well known medicines, including breast cancer therapies, are acknowledged to be in short supply. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) recently warned that the situation was getting worse and urged the Government to take action. Do you know of any instances where patients have been adversely affected? Any material gratefully received that could help National Voices build up a picture from the user perspective and ensure that this informs any official response would be greatly appreciated. If you have any such information please contact Laurence Whittle on 020 3176 0733 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Contributions: If you have any items of information or news that you would like to see in a future edition of 10 Things, please send details to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact Laurence Whittle on 020 3176 0733.
Laurence Whittle Membership Officer
Direct line: 020 3176 0733
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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