Mental Capacity Act Awareness Raising Conference and SCIE Seminars

We held another Mental Capacity Act Awareness Raising Conference on 26 March in Leeds. Although the weather on the day was atrocious and several people called to say they couldn’t make it because of accidents and hold ups on the roads in many ways this was the most interesting of the conferences that we delivered for the Department because of the level of engagement and discussion there was between the presenters and the delegates.

Some really significant discussion took place about the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which are due to be introduced in the coming year. The debate reflected the level of concern there is in the sector. I do believe that it is the advice of the legal profession that will decide the view that the sector takes on this issue. I think the Department of Health are going to have to give much clearer advice than they have given so far.

I left Leeds to travel to Gloucester for a conference there the next day. The weather was appalling as I travelled on the Manchester ring road when I received a call from the Minister. I don’t want you to think that I regularly receive phone calls from Ministers because I most certainly do not. It must be at least 5 years since I had a phone call from a Minister last. The Minister rang to tell me about an announcement he was to make the next day about Human Rights legislation and care homes. I most certainly welcome the clarity which I hope will be bought to the situation. It remains clear to NCA that Human Rights legislation is intended to protect people from abuse by the State (public authorities). We believe that should remain the case.

On 27 March I spoke at the Gloucestershire Care Providers Association Conference at a most beautiful country house hotel. There was a very good turn out of care providers. In the afternoon the conference broke down into seminars dealing with the various categories of care.
I was part of the Learning Disability seminar. This was the fourth meeting I have had with Learning Disability providers this year and at each of the meetings I have struck by the level of concern and anxiety about contractual changes being proposed by local Councils where there has been a failure to consult in a meaningful way with the providers. This is really disappointing but we will continue to support providers wherever they are based to achieve a fair solution to the challenges they are facing.