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Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Meeting: the National Skills Academy for Social Care
Yesterday afternoon I went to a meeting at the National Skills Academy for Social Care, looking at the role of the Registered Care Manager. It was really interesting to focus on this key role in Social Care and the Academy will be issuing a short questionnaire about the role of the Registered Manager in due course which we will of course circulate to everyone.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Meeting with the Minister / Our Seminars in Brighton and Croydon
This evening, Nadra and I are having dinner with the Minister, Paul Burstow MP.
I had a really helpful meeting with him last week. It was an opportunity to speak about our ideas for making care homes a resource for the whole community.
We are now writing our response and will let our members see it as soon as possible.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Age UK Conference & Day Care
Yesterday I spoke at a conference in Shrewsbury organised by Age UK Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.
It was a wonderful Conference and I was asked to speak about choosing a care home. This is always something I enjoy doing.
One of the key questions I was asked afterwards was from a lady who lives in sheltered housing in Shropshire where consultations are going on about the warden service being removed.
We know this is going on up and down the Country and this reminded me of the number of times I have heard recently about day centres being close down.
If this is happening in your area, have you thought about providing some day care within your own care home?
I am writing an information sheet for members about this at the moment and it will be emailed to members within the next 2 weeks.
It was a wonderful Conference and I was asked to speak about choosing a care home. This is always something I enjoy doing.
One of the key questions I was asked afterwards was from a lady who lives in sheltered housing in Shropshire where consultations are going on about the warden service being removed.
We know this is going on up and down the Country and this reminded me of the number of times I have heard recently about day centres being close down.
If this is happening in your area, have you thought about providing some day care within your own care home?
I am writing an information sheet for members about this at the moment and it will be emailed to members within the next 2 weeks.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Bureaucracy!
I spoke at a care conference in York yesterday afternoon. The delegates had had a long day but the majority of them stayed to the very end of the Conference.
The thing that struck me both as I was speaking and when people spoke to me afterwards is their concern that the sheer volume of bureaucracy and paperwork is taking them away from their caring responsibilities.
We all know that there has to be proper recording of essential paperwork but …… I know that care providers too often feel that they are being asked to complete paperwork for no good reason.
I am going to a meeting with Cynthia Bower the Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission at the beginning of December and I will raise this issue with her then.
If you have any examples of being required to keep records unnecessarily please let me know.
The thing that struck me both as I was speaking and when people spoke to me afterwards is their concern that the sheer volume of bureaucracy and paperwork is taking them away from their caring responsibilities.
We all know that there has to be proper recording of essential paperwork but …… I know that care providers too often feel that they are being asked to complete paperwork for no good reason.
I am going to a meeting with Cynthia Bower the Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission at the beginning of December and I will raise this issue with her then.
If you have any examples of being required to keep records unnecessarily please let me know.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
CQC Inspections
I would be very interested to hear from anyone what is happening with inspections at the moment. Are you still being asked by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to complete Provider Compliance Assessments (PCAs) of some of the Essential Standards? I know that other people are having unannounced inspections. I would be really pleased to hear what is happening in your area.
The unannounced inspections (instead of being asked to complete PCAs) are part of the current CQC consultation which ends at the beginning of December. You can take part in the consultation. For more information click here.
Am off to speak at a conference in York this afternoon.
The unannounced inspections (instead of being asked to complete PCAs) are part of the current CQC consultation which ends at the beginning of December. You can take part in the consultation. For more information click here.
Am off to speak at a conference in York this afternoon.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
National Care Association Annual Conference 2011 - Part 2
Thanks for all your feedback on the article posted yesterday.
Before part two, a quick reminder to please visit the members section of our website for photos, slides and presentations, which I'm sure you'll find helpful.
Following Dame Jo Williams CBE on the second day was Ann Macfarlane OBE, an ’Expert by Experience’ for the Care Quality Commission and service user. She captivated Conference with a powerful plea for the needs of the seriously disabled to be heard. She enlivened her talk by demonstrating how disabled people benefit from personalised individual care budgets, yet warned that people with high support needs are rarely heard. She also voiced real fears about some of the Dilnot proposals, particularly emphasising the distinct differences between a person with a lifetime of disability and someone who becomes disabled in later life.
ITV News Correspondent Chris Choi chaired a lively and successful ‘Question Time’ session that brought together Dame Gillian Wagner of the Residential Forum - who reviewed social changes since the Wagner report, published twenty years ago. Her analysis of current trends echoed the thoughts of other speakers, identifying a need for enhanced training and the encouragement of greater involvement by relatives, friends and the voluntary sector, in the context of current pressures on income and costs in residential care -.and Peter Hay, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services - who urged NCA delegates to contact him to contribute ideas and opinions to shape the current consulation being undertaken by the Department of Health. He emphasised that involvement in the Engagement Process was essential. The Coalition Government had recognised the need to reform the financing of care and was the first Government to commit to such a radical reform with a timetable for delivery.
The following Q&A session produced lively questions from the floor that led to some passionate exchanges with the panel, expertly handled by Chris Choi who kept proceedings moving applying his skill to the vibrant and diverting discussions.
Sir Andrew Dillon Chief Executive of NICE spoke about the standards that NICE writes for the Health Service currently and explained that part of the Health Service reforms was expected to include similar standards being written for social care. This prompted many queries, with concerns expressed about the amassing of more layers of standards. The Conference felt that clarification was desperately needed.
NCA Chief Executive, Sheila Scott OBE, in her closing address announced that the political campaign would continue although the issues might change. Amongst the issues identified at Conference to campaign on were the continued downward pressure on fees without a recognition of the impact by the Commissioners of services. Other areas to be addressed in the coming months included fair and equal access to care for people with a learning disability and making sure that the provider view was heard in the Department of Health’s consultation on the future of long term care.
Nadra Ahmed OBE, Chairman of National Care Association concluded by calling on all providers of care to join National care Association in their next campaign as the last six month’s campaign had demonstrated the real impact that the care sector itself could have by working together.
Before part two, a quick reminder to please visit the members section of our website for photos, slides and presentations, which I'm sure you'll find helpful.
Following Dame Jo Williams CBE on the second day was Ann Macfarlane OBE, an ’Expert by Experience’ for the Care Quality Commission and service user. She captivated Conference with a powerful plea for the needs of the seriously disabled to be heard. She enlivened her talk by demonstrating how disabled people benefit from personalised individual care budgets, yet warned that people with high support needs are rarely heard. She also voiced real fears about some of the Dilnot proposals, particularly emphasising the distinct differences between a person with a lifetime of disability and someone who becomes disabled in later life.
ITV News Correspondent Chris Choi chaired a lively and successful ‘Question Time’ session that brought together Dame Gillian Wagner of the Residential Forum - who reviewed social changes since the Wagner report, published twenty years ago. Her analysis of current trends echoed the thoughts of other speakers, identifying a need for enhanced training and the encouragement of greater involvement by relatives, friends and the voluntary sector, in the context of current pressures on income and costs in residential care -.and Peter Hay, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services - who urged NCA delegates to contact him to contribute ideas and opinions to shape the current consulation being undertaken by the Department of Health. He emphasised that involvement in the Engagement Process was essential. The Coalition Government had recognised the need to reform the financing of care and was the first Government to commit to such a radical reform with a timetable for delivery.
The following Q&A session produced lively questions from the floor that led to some passionate exchanges with the panel, expertly handled by Chris Choi who kept proceedings moving applying his skill to the vibrant and diverting discussions.
Sir Andrew Dillon Chief Executive of NICE spoke about the standards that NICE writes for the Health Service currently and explained that part of the Health Service reforms was expected to include similar standards being written for social care. This prompted many queries, with concerns expressed about the amassing of more layers of standards. The Conference felt that clarification was desperately needed.
NCA Chief Executive, Sheila Scott OBE, in her closing address announced that the political campaign would continue although the issues might change. Amongst the issues identified at Conference to campaign on were the continued downward pressure on fees without a recognition of the impact by the Commissioners of services. Other areas to be addressed in the coming months included fair and equal access to care for people with a learning disability and making sure that the provider view was heard in the Department of Health’s consultation on the future of long term care.
Nadra Ahmed OBE, Chairman of National Care Association concluded by calling on all providers of care to join National care Association in their next campaign as the last six month’s campaign had demonstrated the real impact that the care sector itself could have by working together.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
National Care Association Annual Conference 2011
We had an incredible Conference last week in London Docklands and the following is the first half of an article that we have prepared for the press, which I hope you find of interest.
If you do, come back to my blog tomorrow, I'll be adding the second part then!
NCA 2011 Conference
How ironic to be discussing the effects of the credit crunch on the Care Sector in the shadow of London’s Canary Wharf; symbolic icon of the World’s leading financiers.
The unseasonably hot weather certainly mirrored the temperature inside the conference venue with many delegates I spoke to getting hot under the collar about a number of issues. In particular, the unrealistic expectations to keep delivering a service operating to the highest standards whilst having to cope with crippling across-the-board cost rises and below inflation fee increases.
This year’s two-day conference at London’s Docklands Britannia Hotel, brought together an incredible array of top draw speakers from across social care and Government. On the first day, following opening speeches from Lord Popat and NCA Chairman Nadra Ahmed and Dept of Health Social Care Director General David Behan, Conference divided into three different work streams; Dementia Care; Learning Disability Care and Nursing Care. Delegates were spoilt for choice with such a rich variety of expert speakers covering such a diverse range of subjects.
In opening Conference Lord Dolar Popat remarked that having been elevated to what he called ‘the best day care home in the country’ disguised the fact that his is an important appointment for the care sector and a sign that the contribution made by care home providers would now receive greater recognition.
Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Society focused on the growing, important challenge posed by Dementia Care, highlighting far too many cases of loss of dignity and respect. The RNIB’s Julia Barrand, speaking on Dementia and Sight Loss, widened the debate by showing how loss of sight for older people can impact on their wellbeing and coordination.
An exclusive announcement of an NCA programme to improve the quality of life of service users with Dementia was made by National Care Association Chairman Nadra Ahmed OBE and Chief Executive Sheila Scott OBE.
The NCA programme, which is currently in development, will have seven principles underpinning it; Personalisation, Prevention, Protection, Partnership, Plurality, Productivity and People. The programme will instigate a culture change and training system in care putting service users and their families at the heart of the delivery of care.
Prof Alistair Burns, Dept of Health Clinical Director for Dementia and a practising psychiatrist, delivered an excellent overview of facts about dementia; Dementia dwarfs other diseases such as heart disease, cancer and strokes, yet research budgets are not comparable; 25% of hospital beds are occupied by dementia patients, while in the last 2 years people using memory clinics have increased by 56%!
The conference’s second day started where day one left off… with a broad side from Nadra Ahmed, who did not pull any punches when pointing out the crippling hike in costs to care homes, an undisguised cri de cœur aimed at the CQC’s inspection charge increases, CRB checks, the minimum wage, and fuel rises. This was not whingeing, she said, but justifiable concern at being told to deliver a quality care service for less. Under such duress, something had to give!
She reported that it was concerns about funding that had led to National Care Association launching a political campaign to bring those concerns to the attention of MPs and Peers. Concerns about CQC had also become part of the campaign. There had been external issues too such as Southern Cross and Winterbourne View which had bought social care to the top of the political agenda and lately opposition to the CQC Excellence Award Scheme.
CQC Chair, Dame Jo Williams CBE’ promised that significant responsive changes would be made to the regulatory model. Dame Jo Williams also said that she saw no prospect of the Excellence Award scheme going ahead after it had received a “universal thumbs down” by provider bodies and organisations such as the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services during the recent consultation exercise but she stressed that the final decision would be made by the Minister. Dame Jo also made a commitment to working more closely with the National Care Association.
If you do, come back to my blog tomorrow, I'll be adding the second part then!
NCA 2011 Conference
How ironic to be discussing the effects of the credit crunch on the Care Sector in the shadow of London’s Canary Wharf; symbolic icon of the World’s leading financiers.
The unseasonably hot weather certainly mirrored the temperature inside the conference venue with many delegates I spoke to getting hot under the collar about a number of issues. In particular, the unrealistic expectations to keep delivering a service operating to the highest standards whilst having to cope with crippling across-the-board cost rises and below inflation fee increases.
This year’s two-day conference at London’s Docklands Britannia Hotel, brought together an incredible array of top draw speakers from across social care and Government. On the first day, following opening speeches from Lord Popat and NCA Chairman Nadra Ahmed and Dept of Health Social Care Director General David Behan, Conference divided into three different work streams; Dementia Care; Learning Disability Care and Nursing Care. Delegates were spoilt for choice with such a rich variety of expert speakers covering such a diverse range of subjects.
In opening Conference Lord Dolar Popat remarked that having been elevated to what he called ‘the best day care home in the country’ disguised the fact that his is an important appointment for the care sector and a sign that the contribution made by care home providers would now receive greater recognition.
Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Society focused on the growing, important challenge posed by Dementia Care, highlighting far too many cases of loss of dignity and respect. The RNIB’s Julia Barrand, speaking on Dementia and Sight Loss, widened the debate by showing how loss of sight for older people can impact on their wellbeing and coordination.
An exclusive announcement of an NCA programme to improve the quality of life of service users with Dementia was made by National Care Association Chairman Nadra Ahmed OBE and Chief Executive Sheila Scott OBE.
The NCA programme, which is currently in development, will have seven principles underpinning it; Personalisation, Prevention, Protection, Partnership, Plurality, Productivity and People. The programme will instigate a culture change and training system in care putting service users and their families at the heart of the delivery of care.
Prof Alistair Burns, Dept of Health Clinical Director for Dementia and a practising psychiatrist, delivered an excellent overview of facts about dementia; Dementia dwarfs other diseases such as heart disease, cancer and strokes, yet research budgets are not comparable; 25% of hospital beds are occupied by dementia patients, while in the last 2 years people using memory clinics have increased by 56%!
The conference’s second day started where day one left off… with a broad side from Nadra Ahmed, who did not pull any punches when pointing out the crippling hike in costs to care homes, an undisguised cri de cœur aimed at the CQC’s inspection charge increases, CRB checks, the minimum wage, and fuel rises. This was not whingeing, she said, but justifiable concern at being told to deliver a quality care service for less. Under such duress, something had to give!
She reported that it was concerns about funding that had led to National Care Association launching a political campaign to bring those concerns to the attention of MPs and Peers. Concerns about CQC had also become part of the campaign. There had been external issues too such as Southern Cross and Winterbourne View which had bought social care to the top of the political agenda and lately opposition to the CQC Excellence Award Scheme.
CQC Chair, Dame Jo Williams CBE’ promised that significant responsive changes would be made to the regulatory model. Dame Jo Williams also said that she saw no prospect of the Excellence Award scheme going ahead after it had received a “universal thumbs down” by provider bodies and organisations such as the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services during the recent consultation exercise but she stressed that the final decision would be made by the Minister. Dame Jo also made a commitment to working more closely with the National Care Association.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Last night over dinner we were able to talk at length with Erin about all we had seen during the day and the large differences we have noted between the American model of care and the British model.
I saw a similar disparity when I was on holiday in Australia in February.
Compared to the size of American and Australian care facilities British ones are much smaller so if we are going to find a model of care that will make a real difference to service users and staff then it must reflect that difference.
The homes we went to yesterday all had teams of activities staff.
We do not think this is impossible though but it will need a great deal of thought and planning.
We have also heard about European models based upon small units of residents.
The important thing we have seen is that the difference that can be made to residents even with advanced levels of dementia by connecting them with their past.
I am trying to get more photos from Erin which will demonstrate what we are saying.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Some of you will have been at our Conference in October last year and heard Erin Bonitto speak about the programme that she was implementing in parts of America which included the dementia lounge. There were other parts to the programme but the "lounge" was certainly the element that grabbed everyone's attention.
Many providers were keen to implement something similar in their own facilities.
After that trip to England we had intended to continue discussions with Erin about how something similar could be introduced in England.
That did not happen because within weeks of Erin and her husband Chris returning to America they heard that their dream of adopting two children would soon become a reality. At the beginning of April this year they were able to bring home from Ethiopia a 5 year old daughter and an 18 month old son.
We did not want to allow any more time to elapse so Nadra and I have come to America to visit three facilities for dementia and in particular to witness the Life Enrichment Programme that has been implemented in the facilities by Erin and her colleagues.
On Tuesday we began our Study Tour here in Albany which is the capital of New York State and where we will be staying until our tour ends on Thursday. Erin met us this morning and the three facilities that we are to be spending time in are part of a charity called the Eddy Foundation.
We have visited 2 homes today and have seen so much and heard so much that I am feeling quite overwhelmed but positive that I have already seen some things that enhance the quality of life all residents.
Whether or not his programme would easily transfer to the UK I need to reflect on. The facilities here are much bigger than most in England and of course all on one floor because there is so much land available.
We are going out to dinner now so it will give me the chance to ask loads of questions and I will keep updating the blog as much as I can.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Concerns about the Care Quality Commission
The following is a press release we have sent out this morning. We have done this because at National Care Association we have come to the conclusion that there are steps that can be taken to restore our member’s confidence in the regulator.
As we have said many times recently we need to have a robust regulator who is also a critical friend. We are also of the absolute opinion that the Excellence Award scheme needs at the very least to be deferred.
----
This is the press release:
National Care Association Addresses its Members Concerns about the Care Quality Commission
National Care Association having reflected on the widespread concerns of its members about the performance of the Care Quality Commission wrote to the Minister Paul Burstow at the beginning of June identifying what the Association believes has gone wrong in the last 18 months and suggesting some first steps to begin to restore the confidence of social care providers in the regulator.
The letter was signed by the Chairman of National Care Association and the Chief Executive.
The Chairman Nadra Ahmed OBE said today: “All responsible providers want a robust and challenging regulator but also one that is a critical friend.
The broadcast of the Panorama programme and the disclosure that CQC has 300 staff vacancies have added to the view of so many within the social care provider sector of a failing organisation.
Having reflected and consulted with our members on what they believe has gone wrong in the last 18 months we have identified 3 key issues:
• There does not appear to be a strategic direction towards social care within CQC and our members believe that the regulator is “health led”.
• There are six members of the Board of CQC and only the Chairman would seem to have experience of Social Care. The other five Board Members are from a health or related background. It cannot be expected within the normal workings of a Board that the Chairman would be able to take a strong lead with regard to social care.
• National Care Association believes that although the Care Quality Commission carries out consultations these are not consultations that hear and react to what the provider sector is saying and particularly the private sector. The independent social care sector is a sector which believes its voice is not heard by the regulator.
Much has been made about the regulations being the same for health and social care but that cannot realistically be the case. The outcomes should be the same but the delivery is different and that must be recognised.
National Care Association proposes that the following action is instigated by the Government immediately:
• The social care sector needs to be separated away from health within the Care Quality Commission and then to be led by officers who are experienced in the work of social care.
• The Board of the Care Quality Commission needs to be strengthened with more Social Care expertise including from a stakeholder in the private sector.
• Strategic Direction in the Social Care field needs to be given to the Care Quality Commission by a Committee made up of representatives from stakeholder groups (this committee needs to reflect the fact that the majority of social care is provided by the private sector).
It is essential that the sense of disarray that providers have about the regulator at this time is addressed without delay.”
As we have said many times recently we need to have a robust regulator who is also a critical friend. We are also of the absolute opinion that the Excellence Award scheme needs at the very least to be deferred.
----
This is the press release:
National Care Association Addresses its Members Concerns about the Care Quality Commission
National Care Association having reflected on the widespread concerns of its members about the performance of the Care Quality Commission wrote to the Minister Paul Burstow at the beginning of June identifying what the Association believes has gone wrong in the last 18 months and suggesting some first steps to begin to restore the confidence of social care providers in the regulator.
The letter was signed by the Chairman of National Care Association and the Chief Executive.
The Chairman Nadra Ahmed OBE said today: “All responsible providers want a robust and challenging regulator but also one that is a critical friend.
The broadcast of the Panorama programme and the disclosure that CQC has 300 staff vacancies have added to the view of so many within the social care provider sector of a failing organisation.
Having reflected and consulted with our members on what they believe has gone wrong in the last 18 months we have identified 3 key issues:
• There does not appear to be a strategic direction towards social care within CQC and our members believe that the regulator is “health led”.
• There are six members of the Board of CQC and only the Chairman would seem to have experience of Social Care. The other five Board Members are from a health or related background. It cannot be expected within the normal workings of a Board that the Chairman would be able to take a strong lead with regard to social care.
• National Care Association believes that although the Care Quality Commission carries out consultations these are not consultations that hear and react to what the provider sector is saying and particularly the private sector. The independent social care sector is a sector which believes its voice is not heard by the regulator.
Much has been made about the regulations being the same for health and social care but that cannot realistically be the case. The outcomes should be the same but the delivery is different and that must be recognised.
National Care Association proposes that the following action is instigated by the Government immediately:
• The social care sector needs to be separated away from health within the Care Quality Commission and then to be led by officers who are experienced in the work of social care.
• The Board of the Care Quality Commission needs to be strengthened with more Social Care expertise including from a stakeholder in the private sector.
• Strategic Direction in the Social Care field needs to be given to the Care Quality Commission by a Committee made up of representatives from stakeholder groups (this committee needs to reflect the fact that the majority of social care is provided by the private sector).
It is essential that the sense of disarray that providers have about the regulator at this time is addressed without delay.”
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
12th July - Examining the Issues
We all know that 2010 proved to be yet another year of major changes for the care sector, and this is clearly continuing in 2011. We are holding another series of regional seminars in August to examine some of these issues, including:
• How to demonstrate compliance with CQC’s Essential Standards of Quality and Safety
• Headlines from the Dilnot Report
• What next for the CQC?
There are so many issues to discuss at the moment but also a great deal of practical assistance that we can offer to care homes and domiciliary agencies.
So please, if you're anywhere near Blackburn (9th August), Bolton or Manchester (both on 10th August), and Uttoxeter or Derby (17th August), then do consider attending.
You can contact the office on info@nationalcareassociation.org.uk, asking for a programme and a booking form or phone them on 0207 831 7090. It's only £20 a ticket (and less for Association members).
I do hope that you're able to join us for the day and take the chance not just to meet with us but also with homeowners from your area.
• How to demonstrate compliance with CQC’s Essential Standards of Quality and Safety
• Headlines from the Dilnot Report
• What next for the CQC?
There are so many issues to discuss at the moment but also a great deal of practical assistance that we can offer to care homes and domiciliary agencies.
So please, if you're anywhere near Blackburn (9th August), Bolton or Manchester (both on 10th August), and Uttoxeter or Derby (17th August), then do consider attending.
You can contact the office on info@nationalcareassociation.org.uk, asking for a programme and a booking form or phone them on 0207 831 7090. It's only £20 a ticket (and less for Association members).
I do hope that you're able to join us for the day and take the chance not just to meet with us but also with homeowners from your area.
Friday, July 8, 2011
8th July 2011 - Making Our Voice Heard
It has been a very busy week yet again.
It started with the launch of the launch of the Dilnot Report. This is a report that is well worth reading. We are studying it and reflecting on the proposals and intend to issue a response by the end of August.
On Tuesday I spoke at a really successful event organised by Barclays at their headquarters in Docklands. The speakers that were there were from Barclays, a solicitor from Bristol, a speaker from CQC and myself and it was a well balanced afternoon.
I reminded the care providers there that the consultation on the Care Quality Commission Excellence Award closes on 1 August so it’s time to think about we are all going to say. National Care Association’s position is clear the proposal is “the wrong scheme at the wrong time”.
This is particularly true because providers of care will be expected to pay significant sums of money to be assessed for the award and we believe that there is already too much financial pressure on many providers. You can find the consultation papers at www.cqc.org.uk/yourviews/consultations/excellenceaward.cfm
On Wednesday we met Baroness Jill Pittkeithley at the House of Lords and briefed her about latest developments in the sector.
Yesterday we briefed two more Members of Parliament Mark Lancaster the MP for Milton Keynes South and Iain Stewart the MP for Milton Keynes North. We were very pleased when we were able to agree to organise a meeting for them in Milton Keynes to meet with Care Providers in October.
I have worked at National Care Association for a very long time now and I have never known such a fast moving agenda around social care. I think there is a real will to make the whole system work. It is really important that our voice is heard as well as the purchasers of care and the regulators of care.
Hope you all have a good weekend.
Sheila
It started with the launch of the launch of the Dilnot Report. This is a report that is well worth reading. We are studying it and reflecting on the proposals and intend to issue a response by the end of August.
On Tuesday I spoke at a really successful event organised by Barclays at their headquarters in Docklands. The speakers that were there were from Barclays, a solicitor from Bristol, a speaker from CQC and myself and it was a well balanced afternoon.
I reminded the care providers there that the consultation on the Care Quality Commission Excellence Award closes on 1 August so it’s time to think about we are all going to say. National Care Association’s position is clear the proposal is “the wrong scheme at the wrong time”.
This is particularly true because providers of care will be expected to pay significant sums of money to be assessed for the award and we believe that there is already too much financial pressure on many providers. You can find the consultation papers at www.cqc.org.uk/yourviews/consultations/excellenceaward.cfm
On Wednesday we met Baroness Jill Pittkeithley at the House of Lords and briefed her about latest developments in the sector.
Yesterday we briefed two more Members of Parliament Mark Lancaster the MP for Milton Keynes South and Iain Stewart the MP for Milton Keynes North. We were very pleased when we were able to agree to organise a meeting for them in Milton Keynes to meet with Care Providers in October.
I have worked at National Care Association for a very long time now and I have never known such a fast moving agenda around social care. I think there is a real will to make the whole system work. It is really important that our voice is heard as well as the purchasers of care and the regulators of care.
Hope you all have a good weekend.
Sheila
Monday, July 4, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011: Dilnot and the CQC
Hopefully now we are in July there will be some respite and we will all have the chance to catch up.
Last week was busy for us with social care as a whole seeming to move from one crisis to another. We issued a press release about the Care Quality Commission in which we identify what we believe are gaps in the management of CQC and which we then make suggestions about how the gaps might be filled. We did write to Paul Burstow (the Minister) about this at the beginning of June but we haven’t had a response yet (a copy of the press release is linked below).
In a few hours, the Dilnot Commission will be publishing July its report: ‘Dilnot Commission on the Funding of Long Term Care’.
As expected, there was a build up to the publication of the report in the papers over the weekend and the National Care Association will be giving a series of interviews if the last few weeks is anything to go by.
I have already had one interview recorded which was aired on the Radio 4 Today programme this morning. Actually, it was the most charming interview I have ever done. The BBC took me to a care home in North London where I was interviewed by a 92 year old resident Diane Athill.
Obviously, keep watching this space, I’ll be blogging about the events of this week over the next few days - but right this second, I’m heading over to the launch of the Dilnot Commission Report!
http://www.nationalcareassociation.org.uk/story_detail.asp?story=news&id=666
Last week was busy for us with social care as a whole seeming to move from one crisis to another. We issued a press release about the Care Quality Commission in which we identify what we believe are gaps in the management of CQC and which we then make suggestions about how the gaps might be filled. We did write to Paul Burstow (the Minister) about this at the beginning of June but we haven’t had a response yet (a copy of the press release is linked below).
In a few hours, the Dilnot Commission will be publishing July its report: ‘Dilnot Commission on the Funding of Long Term Care’.
As expected, there was a build up to the publication of the report in the papers over the weekend and the National Care Association will be giving a series of interviews if the last few weeks is anything to go by.
I have already had one interview recorded which was aired on the Radio 4 Today programme this morning. Actually, it was the most charming interview I have ever done. The BBC took me to a care home in North London where I was interviewed by a 92 year old resident Diane Athill.
Obviously, keep watching this space, I’ll be blogging about the events of this week over the next few days - but right this second, I’m heading over to the launch of the Dilnot Commission Report!
http://www.nationalcareassociation.org.uk/story_detail.asp?story=news&id=666
Monday, January 10, 2011
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
I do hope that everyone has had a peaceful Christmas.
After what was an exceptionally busy year for us here at National Care Association and more importantly for each and everyone of you I do hope that 2011 will be a year for consolidation and an opportunity for you to ensure that all the new regulations are firmly embedded in your home and that you have the time to concentrate and what is really important your service users.
At the end of 2010 the Department of Health published a revised copy of the Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.
The Code of Practice has been revised by the Department of Health to take into account the services which will have to be registered by April 2011 which include dental care and ambulance services.
The helpful thing is that the Department of Health has tried to further clarify the point that not all criteria will apply to every regulated activity.
You may wish to download the latest version of the Code of Practice which you will find at:
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_122604
I do hope that everyone has had a peaceful Christmas.
After what was an exceptionally busy year for us here at National Care Association and more importantly for each and everyone of you I do hope that 2011 will be a year for consolidation and an opportunity for you to ensure that all the new regulations are firmly embedded in your home and that you have the time to concentrate and what is really important your service users.
At the end of 2010 the Department of Health published a revised copy of the Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.
The Code of Practice has been revised by the Department of Health to take into account the services which will have to be registered by April 2011 which include dental care and ambulance services.
The helpful thing is that the Department of Health has tried to further clarify the point that not all criteria will apply to every regulated activity.
You may wish to download the latest version of the Code of Practice which you will find at:
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_122604
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