A YEAR after the Government committed extra funding for the country’s five million unpaid carers, new research has shown that spending on carers by primary care trusts has fallen by £2.4m this year.
In November 2010 the Government allocated an extra £400m over four years to provide support for carers.
Research by The Princess Royal Trust For Carers and Crossroads Care has now established how the PCTs have invested the added funding this year.
Full Article on This is Wiltshire
Wednesday 30 November 2011
Tuesday 29 November 2011
News that thousands of disabled people will no longer lose the mobility component of disability living allowance
According to The Times, the Government has announced that it will not go ahead with previous plans to remove the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which is replacing Disability Living Allowance, from people living in residential care.
The mobility component provides vital support to allow disabled people who live in residential care homes to get out independently by allowing them to meet some of the extra costs of accessing suitable transport or to purchase appropriate mobility aids.
The Low Review, chaired by Lord Low of Dalston CBE, was an independent review into how the personal mobility needs of people living in state-funded residential care are met.
Full Mencap Response
The mobility component provides vital support to allow disabled people who live in residential care homes to get out independently by allowing them to meet some of the extra costs of accessing suitable transport or to purchase appropriate mobility aids.
The Low Review, chaired by Lord Low of Dalston CBE, was an independent review into how the personal mobility needs of people living in state-funded residential care are met.
Full Mencap Response
Monday 28 November 2011
Government U-turn on scrapping mobility allowance expected
The government looks set to back down from controversial plans to remove up to £50 a week in mobility benefits from disabled people in care homes.
Charities are cautiously optimistic that the government will not now take away the mobility component of disability living allowance from 78,000 residents funded by the NHS or councils as envisaged in the Welfare Reform Bill, which is currently being debated in the House of Lords.
It is thought the government will announce its U-turn next month, though it is uncertain precisely what concessions the government is prepared to make on the mobility component.
Full Article on Community Care
Charities are cautiously optimistic that the government will not now take away the mobility component of disability living allowance from 78,000 residents funded by the NHS or councils as envisaged in the Welfare Reform Bill, which is currently being debated in the House of Lords.
It is thought the government will announce its U-turn next month, though it is uncertain precisely what concessions the government is prepared to make on the mobility component.
Full Article on Community Care
Friday 25 November 2011
NHS shakeup in danger of harming patients, risk assessments show
The government's shakeup of the NHS has led to a decline in public confidence, "may destabilise existing services" and has raised risks to patient safety and safeguarding children to disturbing levels, the Guardian can reveal.
The risk assessments, which are publicly available, were prepared for the September board meetings of regional strategic health authorities and detail the scale of uncertainties and the chances that they will substantially affect the running of the health service for patients.
They come as the NHS published its "operating framework" in which £1.2bn will be set aside to pay for the government's reforms. Two controversial changes also come into force this year. First is that patient "choice" will be measured by an increasing "number of patients being treated at non-NHS hospitals", which critics say amounts to backdoor privatisation.
Full Article on Guardian Society
The risk assessments, which are publicly available, were prepared for the September board meetings of regional strategic health authorities and detail the scale of uncertainties and the chances that they will substantially affect the running of the health service for patients.
They come as the NHS published its "operating framework" in which £1.2bn will be set aside to pay for the government's reforms. Two controversial changes also come into force this year. First is that patient "choice" will be measured by an increasing "number of patients being treated at non-NHS hospitals", which critics say amounts to backdoor privatisation.
Full Article on Guardian Society
Thursday 24 November 2011
Burstow toughens requirements on NHS to fund carers' breaks
The government has toughened requirements on the NHS to fund carers' services after admitting funding allocated for the purpose was not being spent as desired.
Primary care trusts will be mandated to publish how much money they are allocating to support carers and transfer these funds to local authorities, while also publishing plans to support carers by next September, under the NHS Operating Framework 2012-13, published today.
They will also have to set out how many breaks the allocated funding could provide for carers.
Full Article on Community Care
Primary care trusts will be mandated to publish how much money they are allocating to support carers and transfer these funds to local authorities, while also publishing plans to support carers by next September, under the NHS Operating Framework 2012-13, published today.
They will also have to set out how many breaks the allocated funding could provide for carers.
Full Article on Community Care
The Hardest Hit: Please sign the Christmas Card
The Welfare Reform Bill is making its way through the final stages in Parliament. The next month provides us with our last real opportunity as a sector to influence the bill and we need to make our next action BIG and LOUD.
A giant Christmas card has been organised by the Hardest Hit campaign group (DBC (Disability Benefits Consortium). The famous cartoonist and illustrator, Gerald Scarfe, is illustrating the card. We have 2 weeks (deadline 6 December) to gather 10,000 signatures before the card is presented to the Government in early December.
The action is timed for WRB reaching Report Stage in the House of Lords and aims to increase political pressure on the Government by demonstrating mass concern over how disabled people will be affected by proposals within the Welfare Reform Bill, particularly the time-limit on ESA and PIP proposals.
The text of the card is below:
"Dear David Cameron and Nick Clegg,
While we don't expect gifts this Christmas, we do want our basic rights protected and the support to enable us to live independently and with dignity.
Please make the New Year something disabled people can look forward to
by:
*Not bringing in an arbitrary time-limit on Employment and Support Allowance for those who've paid into the system and still need support.
*Making sure that those who rely on Disability Living Allowance continue to receive the financial support they need through Personal Independence Payment"
This is the link to the online action:
Please could you take a minute to click on the link and sign our Christmas card?
We are also asking everyone to ask ten friends or family members to do the same. Please could you forward this to as many people as possible?
If you there is anyone who isn't online who would like to sign please forward their names to campaign@rnib.org.uk and they will add them to the card.
We only have 2 weeks to collect 10,000 signatures so your help is really important.
Thank you!!
The Hardest Hit Campaign
Wednesday 23 November 2011
EVENTS: Wiltshire HealthWatch Workshops
The government plans to introduce changes through the Health and Social Care Bill. One of these changes is to have new Local HealthWatch in place in each area. Wiltshire Council is responsible for ensuring Local HealthWatch is commissioned in Wiltshire. It will be a new independent champion for people who use health and social care and it will:
- make sure local people have a say about health and social care
- make sure local people have advocacy and support to make choices about services
Wiltshire Council are holding some workshop events to decide what Wiltshire people think is most important for our new Wiltshire HealthWatch. There will be lots of opportunities to contribute and have your say in the workshops. Your views and responses will help us to make sure Wiltshire has the best possible HealthWatch. The events will take place on:
DEVIZES | TROWBRIDGE | SALISBURY |
Tuesday 13 December 2011 09:45am – 12:45pm Devizes Sports Club, London Road, Devizes, SN10 2DL | Tuesday 24 January 2012 13:30pm – 16:30pm Trowbridge Civic Centre, St Stephens Place, Trowbridge, BA14 8AH | Wednesday 15 February 2012 09:45am – 12:45pm Salisbury Methodist Hall, St Edmund’s Church Street, Salisbury, SP1 1EF |
We hope that you are interested and would like to attend a workshop. If you are thinking of attending it would help us to plan if you could let us know by calling Dot Kronda on 01225 718306 dot.kronda@wiltshire.gov.uk
If you need any support to attend please contact us to let us know.
Acting Together - 'Experts by Experience'
The Acting Together programme enables people, who have at least 6 months personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses health, social care and/or mental health services, to take part in Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection activities and Mental Health Act visits. They are called ‘Experts by Experience’. They accompany CQC inspectors and Mental Health Act Commissioners on visits where they talk to people who use services and their family carers. The Expert is then required to write a brief report which includes their findings and observations of the environment around them. This report is then used to support the inspector’s judgement on the service and can also be included in the inspection report.
Experts are recruited, trained and supported by a number of different voluntary sector organisations including Living Options Devon, who is your South West support partner for ChoiceSupport, the consortium lead. Experts are paid for the visits they do or they can act in a voluntary capacity.
Experts by Experience are expected to promote Equality, Diversity and Human Rights throughout their role. All Experts who take part in inspections are subject to a criminal records check.
Living Options Devon is currently hoping to recruit the following Experts from Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Avon, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly;
· People with Learning Disabilities / Autism
· People with Physical and Sensory Impairments
· People with experience of Detention under the Mental Health Act
· People with Mental Ill Health
If you are interested in becoming an Expert by Experience in the South West area please complete the attached profile application form <http://www.livingoptions.org/uploads/documents/Expert%20By%20Experience%20Personal%20Profile%20LOD.doc> and send it to Ian Curtis at Living Options Devon, Isca House, Haven Road, Exeter EX2 8DS or contact the office on 01392 456528 for more information.
Closing date for completed application forms – 30th November 2011
Informal interviews will take place on 5th December 2011 in Exeter.
Elderly home care failures breach human rights, report finds
Elderly people are being robbed, left hungry and unwashed and face unchecked "ageism" from council-funded care that is meant to let them live in their own homes, a report has found.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission report into home care, which is commissioned by local authorities to help people dress, wash, eat and take medicines, said there was evidence of a "systematic failure" across the country and that elderly people's human rights were being breached.
The report which is partly based on the experiences of 1,200 older people, their friends and family, found examples of treatment that including cases of physical and financial abuse. Findings included carers neglecting tasks because councils paid for too little of their time. There was also a chronic disregard for older people's privacy and a disregard for clients' dignity when carrying out intimate tasks.
Full Article on Guardian
The Equality and Human Rights Commission report into home care, which is commissioned by local authorities to help people dress, wash, eat and take medicines, said there was evidence of a "systematic failure" across the country and that elderly people's human rights were being breached.
The report which is partly based on the experiences of 1,200 older people, their friends and family, found examples of treatment that including cases of physical and financial abuse. Findings included carers neglecting tasks because councils paid for too little of their time. There was also a chronic disregard for older people's privacy and a disregard for clients' dignity when carrying out intimate tasks.
Full Article on Guardian
Tuesday 22 November 2011
Home care providers in England face inspections
Home care services in England are to be subject to a fresh inspection by the Care Quality Commission from April.
Its reports will be produced before the health watchdog publishes its verdict on the state of home care nationally.
Full Article on BBC News
Monday 21 November 2011
Patients 'struggle to get emergency mental health care'
People with urgent mental health problems are struggling to get emergency treatment in England and Wales, campaigners say.
Its report said responses were all too often slow or not available at all.
Full Article on BBC News
Friday 18 November 2011
Have you been affected by Stroke?
Have you been affected by Stroke?
Would you like people to understand the issues you face?
Wiltshire Voices
Wiltshire Voices is a project that aims to find new ways of reaching out to people who do not, or cannot, attend the council’s meetings. Wiltshire Voices aims to do this by talking and listening to local people and recording their stories.
There will be a total of 12 projects with each project focusing on a specific group of people who normally struggle to get their voices heard. One of these projects is focusing on people affected by stroke.
What will be the outcome of this project?
The results of each local project will be presented in a 30 minute film and a magazine style article. There will also be a guide to accompany the DVD and magazine article. This will be used in group situations to stimulate discussion and action by schools, organisations and the council’s area boards.
Who can be involved?
· We are looking for anyone affected by stroke; that might be a stroke survivor, a family member or carer.
· You need to be living in Wiltshire.
What can I get involved in?
· You can be part of the stakeholder group that oversees the project.
· You can take part in focus groups which will provide information for the magazine article and research for the film.
· You can take part in the film and tell your story in your own words.
When is this project happening?
· The project is running from November 2011 to April 2012.
The launch will take place on Monday 28 November 2-4pm at Melksham Assembly Hall if you would like to attend.
How can I get involved?
The launch will take place on Monday 28 November 2-4pm at Melksham Assembly Hall if you would like to attend.
How can I get involved?
· If you would like to find out more or would like to be involved in this Wiltshire Voices project, please contact Abbi Gutierrez on 01225 718443 or abbi.gutierrez@wiltshire.gov.uk.
Thursday 17 November 2011
Would you like to meet other Carers who look after someone with Autism?
Carer Support Wiltshire is setting up Support Groups for people caring for someone who has autism.
Groups will be facilitated by a Development Worker and a Support Worker and held on the following dates at the following venues:-
Weds 18 January 2012 @ Potterne Wick Scouts Hall 10am - 12noon
Tues 21 February 2012 @ Pounds Art centre, Corsham 10am - 12noon
Weds 14 March 2012 @ Salisbury Carers Centre 10am - 12noon
Tues 17 April 2012 @ Malting Hall, Malmesbury 10am - 12noon
Weds 16 May 2012 @ Cley Room, Warminster 10am - 12noon
Tues 19 June 2012 @ Civic Centre, Wootton Bassett 10am - 12noon
For more information contact Carer Support Wiltshire and ask for Helen Gough or Leonie Jarvill on 0800 181 4118
Groups will be facilitated by a Development Worker and a Support Worker and held on the following dates at the following venues:-
Weds 18 January 2012 @ Potterne Wick Scouts Hall 10am - 12noon
Tues 21 February 2012 @ Pounds Art centre, Corsham 10am - 12noon
Weds 14 March 2012 @ Salisbury Carers Centre 10am - 12noon
Tues 17 April 2012 @ Malting Hall, Malmesbury 10am - 12noon
Weds 16 May 2012 @ Cley Room, Warminster 10am - 12noon
Tues 19 June 2012 @ Civic Centre, Wootton Bassett 10am - 12noon
For more information contact Carer Support Wiltshire and ask for Helen Gough or Leonie Jarvill on 0800 181 4118
Carer Quality of Life Survey
What is the purpose of this study?
Family caregivers are known to be a vital source of support for people with dementia who live at home. Health professionals are increasingly recognising the importance of considering the needs of the carer as well as their relative and questionnaires are a commonly used method of measuring health status and quality of life.
This study seeks to assess the strength of a newly developed questionnaire, the ICECAP-O (ICEpop CAPability measure for Older people). This questionnaire has been developed to measure quality of life for members of the general population aged 65 and over. We are asking you to complete the questionnaire to see how suitable it is for use with carers of people with dementia. The information collected from this survey will form part of a PhD project assessing the use of different quality of life questionnaires in studies involving carers of people with dementia.
The survey will consist of a number of questions relating to your quality of life and living situation. The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. Each person can only complete the survey once, but if you share caregiving with another person they are able to take part in the survey.
All survey responses received by 31/12/2011 will be entered into a prize draw to win a £250 Marks and Spencer voucher.
Participation in the study is entirely voluntary, and you are free to refuse to take part or withdraw at any time, without giving a reason.
Data will remain confidential and participants will not be named or identifiable in the notes or subsequent write-ups.
Here is the link to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Carersurvey
If you have any questions, or require further information please contact:
Carys Jones
Centre for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation
Institute of Medical and Social Care Research
Dean Street
Bangor, Gwynedd
LL57 1UT
Email: c.l.jones@bangor.ac.uk
Telephone: 01248 38 2483
Family caregivers are known to be a vital source of support for people with dementia who live at home. Health professionals are increasingly recognising the importance of considering the needs of the carer as well as their relative and questionnaires are a commonly used method of measuring health status and quality of life.
This study seeks to assess the strength of a newly developed questionnaire, the ICECAP-O (ICEpop CAPability measure for Older people). This questionnaire has been developed to measure quality of life for members of the general population aged 65 and over. We are asking you to complete the questionnaire to see how suitable it is for use with carers of people with dementia. The information collected from this survey will form part of a PhD project assessing the use of different quality of life questionnaires in studies involving carers of people with dementia.
The survey will consist of a number of questions relating to your quality of life and living situation. The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. Each person can only complete the survey once, but if you share caregiving with another person they are able to take part in the survey.
All survey responses received by 31/12/2011 will be entered into a prize draw to win a £250 Marks and Spencer voucher.
Participation in the study is entirely voluntary, and you are free to refuse to take part or withdraw at any time, without giving a reason.
Data will remain confidential and participants will not be named or identifiable in the notes or subsequent write-ups.
Here is the link to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Carersurvey
If you have any questions, or require further information please contact:
Carys Jones
Centre for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation
Institute of Medical and Social Care Research
Dean Street
Bangor, Gwynedd
LL57 1UT
Email: c.l.jones@bangor.ac.uk
Telephone: 01248 38 2483
Personal budgets system not set up for people with dementia
People with dementia are not reaping the benefits of personal budgets because of a lack of information and knowledge among social care professionals, and tightening eligibility criteria, an Alzheimer's Society report warns today (Thursday).
Three in five people with dementia assessed as eligible for social care in the community were not even offered a personal budget, while 15% declined an offer of one, found a survey of over 1,400 people with dementia and carers conducted by the charity in late 2010.
This was despite the benefits they could bring, it said.
Full Article on Community Care
Three in five people with dementia assessed as eligible for social care in the community were not even offered a personal budget, while 15% declined an offer of one, found a survey of over 1,400 people with dementia and carers conducted by the charity in late 2010.
This was despite the benefits they could bring, it said.
Full Article on Community Care
Wednesday 16 November 2011
New toolkit launched to promote equality and fairness in the NHS
All parts of the NHS can now work out how fairly they treat patients and employees in a systematic and robust way following the launch today (10th November) of a new toolkit.
The Equality Delivery System (EDS) will support the NHS in delivering personal, fair and more diverse health services in the future. It will help the NHS to ensure staff from all backgrounds can thrive, develop and deliver the best care possible. It will make the NHS more accountable to all the communities it serves, and give local people a greater say in how the NHS is run.
Full Press Release on Department of Health
The Equality Delivery System (EDS) will support the NHS in delivering personal, fair and more diverse health services in the future. It will help the NHS to ensure staff from all backgrounds can thrive, develop and deliver the best care possible. It will make the NHS more accountable to all the communities it serves, and give local people a greater say in how the NHS is run.
Full Press Release on Department of Health
Thursday 10 November 2011
EVENT: Carers Therapy Day
Are you a Carer living in Wiltshire? Fancy some free pampering?
Friday 24th February 11:00-20:00
The Well Body Centre, Salisbury
There is a choice of free treatments you can choose from:
Friday 24th February 11:00-20:00
The Well Body Centre, Salisbury
There is a choice of free treatments you can choose from:
- Sports massage/ Deep tissue massage
- Swedish Massage
- Hot stone massage
- Reiki and applied energy flow
- Energy healing
- Reflexology
- Hypnotherapy
- life coaching
- Tui na acupressure massage
- McTimoney Chiropractic
Wednesday 9 November 2011
Councils boost reablement services with cash from NHS
Reablement services are being expanded significantly across England on the back of £648m transferred from the NHS to local authorities this year.
Sixty per cent of English councils are expanding or setting up reablement services using money transferred from primary care trusts, making it the most popular use of the health money, Community Care has found.
Freedom of Information requests answered by 117 of the 152 English councils indicate that the £648m is set to be transferred to councils in full, and that most authorities are using it exclusively for adult social care.
Full Article on Community Care
Sixty per cent of English councils are expanding or setting up reablement services using money transferred from primary care trusts, making it the most popular use of the health money, Community Care has found.
Freedom of Information requests answered by 117 of the 152 English councils indicate that the £648m is set to be transferred to councils in full, and that most authorities are using it exclusively for adult social care.
Full Article on Community Care
Tuesday 8 November 2011
EVENT: Children's Disabilities Teams - A Practical Guide to their Services
Are you a Parent or do you care for a child or young person who has a disability and/or special educational needs aged 0-18yrs?
Navigating your way around ‘the system’ can be very daunting and confusing for parents and carers. Children and young people whose needs are more complex or significant may well require extra help and support from a social worker or occupational therapist based within the Children’s Disability Teams (CDTs).
Following an event we held in June, parents and carers told us they wanted more information to help them better understand who is eligible for a service from the CDTs, the role of the Social Worker, the assessment process, how a family’s needs are identified and what services and support is available (eg. direct payments, overnight ‘respite’).
This event aims to provide a practical guide to the CDTs, an opportunity to share your experiences with the Head of Service and to meet other parents and carers. Do come along and find out more!
Refreshments and lunch will be provided and Parents and Carers can claim for childcare and travelling expenses, inc parking
Navigating your way around ‘the system’ can be very daunting and confusing for parents and carers. Children and young people whose needs are more complex or significant may well require extra help and support from a social worker or occupational therapist based within the Children’s Disability Teams (CDTs).
Following an event we held in June, parents and carers told us they wanted more information to help them better understand who is eligible for a service from the CDTs, the role of the Social Worker, the assessment process, how a family’s needs are identified and what services and support is available (eg. direct payments, overnight ‘respite’).
This event aims to provide a practical guide to the CDTs, an opportunity to share your experiences with the Head of Service and to meet other parents and carers. Do come along and find out more!
Booking is essential! Fill in the online booking form or call 01672 569300
Volunteer Champions - Can You Help?
The Care Forum is looking for volunteer champions to help raise awareness of the early signs of bladder and kidney cancer. As a volunteer champion you will be supported to go out into your local community to alert people to get checked out by their GP if they spot blood in their urine. Blood in urine can be a symptom of either bladder cancer or kidney cancer.
It is estimated that earlier diagnosis of this symptom will save almost 1000 lives. By raising awareness of the early signs of bladder and kidney cancer you could be helping to save someone’s life.
The Care Forum is looking for volunteer champions who can raise awareness to communities in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, Somerset and Wiltshire.
If you are interested they would love to hear from you. You can contact their volunteer coordinator Kerri Mann on ( 0117 9589 306 or email kerrimann@thecareforum.org.uk
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)