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23 June 2010 People shaping health and social care
National Voices has been working further to influence the policy agenda. As many of you know, we had an early opportunity to raise our profile with the new Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley, when we co-hosted his first post election speech in East London on 8 June.
Many of our members were able to raise key issues – such as the future of LINks – directly with Mr Lansley and his team. Click for our news update on this, and see below for several mentions in the wider media.
Last week we held the National Assembly meeting where members debated the details of our developing campaigns. We also had the opportunity to discuss the developing government agenda with three excellent guest speakers: Elisabeth Buggins, CBE, Chair of NHS West Midlands who also leads on board development for the National Leadership Council; Nigel Edwards, interim Chief Executive at the NHS Confederation and Paul Streets, Director of Public & Patient Experience and Engagement at the Department of Health.
We will send detailed updates to members. Meanwhile, many thanks to all those who took part in the above events and for all your comments which are invaluable in shaping National Voices’ dialogue with decision makers.
Jules Acton Director of Engagement & Membership
2. National Voices in the news
Our Chief Executive, Jeremy Taylor, commented on access to social care under the new government on the BBC’s website.
We have had several mentions in the media regarding our event with Andrew Lansley earlier this month. Jeremy Taylor has been quoted describing some of the key challenges now faced by the NHS, while other mentions of our involvement in this event have been made on Simon Denegri’s blog, and on UK Net Guide. Meanwhile the National Voices logo made its own appearance on the Guardian webpage and on Reuters.
3. Get involved
Patient experience – Call for evidence The King’s Fund and King’s College London have been commissioned to carry out a programme called Patient experience: evidence base development. This aims to strengthen the evidence base for understanding and improving patient experience, and they are seeking evidence of what matters to people who use health services from the perspective of patient or voluntary sector organisations. Replies can be submitted by completing a form and sending any relevant information either by email or in print to the address provided on the letter.
Research into co-ordination in healthcare Researchers at the University of Manchester are currently collecting views about whether health care is co-ordinated or not. Assessment of new ways of working should include views of people who receive this care, and so they are interested in talking to people about their experiences, using information gained to develop a questionnaire to measure peoples’ views of co-ordination in healthcare.
If you would like to take part, or would like further information, contact rachel.foskett-tharby@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk or 0161 275 7633 (Tuesdays) orelaine.f.harkness@manchester.ac.uk on 0161 275 7649. Volunteers will receive travel expenses and a small payment to compensate for the time and inconvenience of taking part.
Health Foundation publishes report on clinical safety The Health Foundation has published How safe are clinical systems? This summary report of research explores the reliability of systems in seven NHS organisations between 2008 and 2010. This study looks at the extent, type and causes of failures in reliability in different healthcare systems which have the potential to create risk or cause patient harm.
CHRE – Revised performance review process and standards The Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) recently consulted on their proposed changes to the performance review standards and processes. The revised performance review process and standards have now been agreed and are available online along with a report detailing their analysis of the consultation responses.
GMC publishes new guidance on end of life care The General Medical Council (GMC) has published its new guidance on Treatment and care towards the end of life: good practice in decision making, which comes into effect on 1 July. In publishing the new guidance, the GMC seeks to improve end-of-life treatment and care for all patients.
Changes to CQC’s assessment of adult social care The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is currently registering more than 24,000 adult social care establishments under the Health and Social Care Act 2008. In parallel, CQC is phasing out quality ratings (‘star ratings’) for adult social care providers.
The design of a new system to assess quality will be a collaborative effort. This will involve providers, commissioners, people who use services, their carers and other interested parties in its design.
CQC has written out to all providers, councils and PCTs with details of the process. You can find more information on their website www.cqc.org.uk.
Law Commission’s review of adult social care The Law Commission has been asked to bring forward the timetable for their final report and they have agreed to publish the report by the end of April 2011. The deadline for responses is Thursday 1 July. They can be contacted by: - fax: 020 3334 0201, or - by posting a comment on their blog: http://www.lawcom.org.uk/blog For enquiries regarding the new timetable, contact 0203 334 0264.
Great Ormond Street Hospital applying to become Foundation Trust Although formal consultation has now closed, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children still welcomes views on plans to become an NHS Foundation Trust. More information and contact details can be found on their webpage.
Royal Society of Public Health raising awareness for HPV The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) is leading a national Human Papillomavirus (HPV) education programme to raise awareness and understanding about HPV and cervical cancer. More information and programme materials can be found on their webpage.
Hypoparathyroidism UK Patient Information Leaflet Hypoparathyroidism UK (HPTH UK), in conjunction with the Society for Endocrinology, have produced the first Patient Information Leaflet on the rare endocrine condition, Hypoparathyroidism. It is available on their webpage to download or printed copies may be ordered.
HPTH UK News No 4, with details of the first UK clinical trial on the use of parathyroid hormone ( PTH 1-84) for the treatment of Hypoparathyroidism is also available to members. Membership is free.
MdDS Balance Disorder Foundation awareness month June is the MdDS Balance Disorder Foundation’s awareness month. The organisation has released a video on youtube to raise awareness of this little known about and poorly understood disorder.
Professor Ian Gilmore's report on his review of prescription charges The Department of Health has published the report by Prof. Ian Gilmore, President of the Royal College of Physicians, on an independent review on how a prescription charge exemption for people with long term conditions should be implemented.
National Voices CEO Jeremy Taylor, commented:
“The income raised from prescription charges is a very small proportion of total NHS spending. Why not abolish prescription charges altogether? Better access to medication would help people manage their conditions better and reduce the costs of later remedial action, including emergency admissions to hospital. Free prescriptions would need to go hand in hand with a more responsible prescribing culture. There is considerable scope to cut waste. We want the government to take a holistic view of the costs and benefits in its spending review and take full account of patient views and experiences in reaching a decision.”
Healthcare at Home: Lessons from the US Homecare provider Healthcare at Home has released a report, Lessons from the US – using technology to manage chronic disease. While health budgets are frozen, demand for healthcare services continues to rise, particularly among people with long term conditions. This report seeks to find answers to some of these challenges, with the aim to understand what the UK can learn from the way providers and insurers in the US manage patients with chronic disease using new technologies.
Nuffield Council on Bioethics Consultation The Nuffield Council on Bioethics is running an online consultation entitled Give and take? Human bodies in medicine and research. They would like your views on how we should respond to the current demand for organs, sperm, eggs and other human material for use in medical treatment and research.
Brain Cancer UK 10th Annual Conference Brain Cancer UK will be holding its 10th annual conference next month on 7- 8 July in Blackpool. It will be on the latest research and advice for people affected by a brain tumour. It offers an opportunity for patients, families, carers, healthcare workers and fundraisers to share experiences and have questions and concerns answered by experts. More information and booking details can be found on their webpage, or 0845 4500 386.
ACEVO Health and Social Care Conference ACEVO hs a conference coming up on 14 July on the government’s approach to health and social care. Health Minister Andrew Lansley has confirmed he will give a keynote speech. See the webpage for details.
This event on the 10 and 14 July 2010 offers tips and case studies on creating effective and efficient NHS web services. Cost: NHS/Public sector £225, Private sector £295. Seehttp://www.headstar-events.com/nhsweb10/
The King’s Fund Annual Conference 2010 The King’s Fund is holding its Annual ConferenceImproving health care in tough times: integrating and co-ordinating services on 23 November. This conference will explore opportunities for ways of funding, organising and delivering care that cross professional and organisational boundaries.
British Heart Foundation – Fundraising Volunteer Manager The British Heart Foundation is recruiting a Fundraising Volunteer Manager (Home Based).
MIND – Administrative Support Officer MIND is recruiting Administrative Support Officer for the Chief Executive’s office.
MIND is recruiting a Development Officer in the Chester offices.
NICE – Independent Advisory Appraisal Committees The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is recruiting members to join its four independent advisory Appraisal Committees.
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