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June 2010 In this issue:
2. Health and social care news
3. News from National Voices’ partners and friends
4. Consultations and Involvement opportunities
Dear John
As we enter a new era with a new government, National Voices has welcomed the new Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley, and set out the headline issuesthat we must address to put patients and families at the heart of decision-making.
Please find a link here to the coalition programme for government. We are hoping to hear more details on health and social care during a speech by Andrew Lansley on 8 June (see below) and we look forward to taking forward the resulting challenges and opportunities with our panel members and partners over the weeks and months to come.
Best wishes,
Jules Acton Director of Engagement & Membership
Andrew Lansley event in Bromley-by-Bow on 8 June
Many thanks to everyone who has shown an interest in the forthcoming event on 8 June. We are waiting to hear from the Department of Health on numbers the venue can accommodate. It is likely we will be oversubscribed and we do apologise in advance if we can’t accommodate everyone. We will send out an update as soon as we have confirmation of numbers.
New National Voices’ staff team
We have welcomed two new people to the National Voices team, Jules Acton and Matthew Charlton.
Jules Acton has joined National Voices as Director of Engagement and Membership. Jules has a background in journalism and charity communications, recently working for The Wildlife Trusts as Head of Communications. Jules has also spent a year in an interim role working with NHS organisations across the East Midlands on communications around major service changes.
Matthew Charlton joined National Voices in April as a Policy and Research Intern and will be with us for four months. He recently completed an MA in History at University College London and is now looking to gain experience in the public or third sector. His interests in this field lie particularly in the area of policy research, and he is helping with the creation of our White Paper document before the party conferences later this year.
As many of you know, Lizzy Allen and Mark Platt recently moved on to new roles with Cancer Research UK and the Royal College of Nursing, respectively, and we are sure you all join us in wishing them the very best in their new roles. We are currently in the process of recruiting an engagement and membership coordinator and a policy and research analyst. Meanwhile, please do address any queries to Laurence Whittle on laurence.whittle@nationalvoices.org.uk or julesacton@nationalvoices.org.uk.
We would be grateful if you could bear with us during this period of change, when communications may not be as frequent as usual. Thank you.
Share the Power report Please find attached a report on the Sharing The Power workshops. These were held in March with the members of the National Voices’ Service User Panel and member organizations. Many thanks to all those who took part. Your input is much appreciated and your comments are helping the National Voices team to shape our ongoing campaign work. National Voices in the News National Voices CEO Jeremy Taylor comments on the coalition government on the BBC’s website; and on a new system of appraisals for doctors (revalidation) inMedical News Today.
Click on the following links for extracts from recent articles in the Health Service Journal (HSJ) on the new government; hospital closures and NHS fast track reconfigurations.
We have issued a news release on the new government and have also been quoted in a General Medical Council (GMC) news release.
The Importance of Promoting Young Patients’ Rights in the EU The European Patients Forum is building on its work to date with young patient groups. Launch of new web-page for patient/public versions of NICE guidance National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has launched a new page on its website. It gives NICE guidance written for patients, carers and the public all on one dedicated site. New registration guidance for adult social care and independent healthcare All adult social care and independent healthcare providers that carry on regulated activities must apply to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) under a new registration system from 1 October 2010. The CQC has now opened the first two 'application windows'. The How to apply and How to complete your application form booklets provide information. The CQC has also developed an e-learning module to guide applicants through the correct procedures. New system of appraisals for doctors (revalidation) Many thanks to all those of you who contributed to sessions run by the General Medical Council (GMC) on appraisals for doctors. The GMC received some excellent feedback. Both the GMC and National Voices appreciate your comments. The GMC is compiling a report on this and we will forward a link on to you.
News from National Voices’ partners and friends
Active Fat is a new health awareness campaign/website made possible due to the collaborative work between three of our members, Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK. Hypoparathyroidism UK leaflet Hypoparathyroidism UK ( HPTH UK ), in conjunction with the Society for Endocrinology, has produced the first Patient Information Leaflet on the rare endocrine condition, Hypoparathyroidism. It is available to download from the HPTH UK website Genetic Interest Group becomes Genetic Alliance UK As of 1 June Genetic Interest Group (GIG) will be changing its name to Genetic Alliance UK.
Consultation and Involvement opportunities
The Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice for healthcare, including primary care, and adult social care on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance Closing date: 24 June 2010 This consultation document invites comments on the draft 'Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice for healthcare, including primary care, and adult social care on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance' (the Code)
Review of access to the NHS by foreign nationals Closing date: 30 June 2010 This consultation provides the opportunity to comment on proposed changes to the changing regulations for overseas visitors requiring hospital treatment.
Consultation on proposed regulations on "duty of cooperation" Closing date: 9 July 2010 The consultation follows the publication of the Tackling Concerns Locally Information Management Subgroup Report which was published in March 2009.
Consultation on The Health and Social Care Act 2008 Closing date: 15 July 2010 This consultation draft reflects the inclusion of primary care and independent ambulance services into the Care Quality Commission registration process.
Research into coordination of health care Researchers at the University of Manchester are currently developing a questionnaire to collect people’s views about whether their health care is coordinated or not. To take part or if you would like further information please contact Rachel Foskett-Tharby or Elaine Harkness.
Great Ormond Street Hospital Foundation Trust consultation Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children is seeking views on plans to become an NHS Foundation Trust.
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