The Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 became law on 9 May 2016
Further to a recent posting on the enactment of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (ADMC Act) in the Republic of Ireland, we should now point out that on 25th May, the speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Robin Newton , announced: “I wish to inform the Assembly that the Housing (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) […]
Statistics on patients in an inpatient setting with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder and/or behaviour that challenges
A recent parliamentary Q&A exchange emphasises the (lack of) progress regarding inpatients, and suggests how obdurate this ‘problem’ is, despite repeatedly stated ambitions to reduce the numbers. Department of Health Long Stay Patients: Learning Disability Q Asked by Luciana Berger, Shadow Minister (Mental Health) “To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he […]
Department of Health Consultation and Survey on Support for Carers. Have your say now…
The Department of Health has announced an important new consultation: How can we improve support for carers? Details here. “We think that we need a new strategy for carers setting out how we can do more. One which reflects their lives now, the health and financial concerns they have, and gives them the support they need […]
Shadow Health Minister’s response to Queen’s Speech focuses on carers and Care Act
In response to the recent Queen’s Speech (coverage of which was somewhat overshadowed by speculations on the EU Referendum), Barbara Keeley, Shadow Minister for Health addressed what she saw as omissions from the government’s announced programme, focusing on carers, especially older carers. Barbara Keeley, Shadow Minister (Health), 19th May 2016
CQC launches “Better Care In My Hands Report – A review of how people are involved in their care”
The Care Quality Commission has just published a report on how people (including people with a learning disability) are involved with their care. We note especially the comments re inadequate family and carer involvement. e.g. Recommendation for Service Providers: The sustained and supported involvement of families and carers in the care of their loved ones. […]
Disability Benefits Consortium launches survey on move from DLA to PIP
The Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC) has just announced an impact survey ‘Moving from DLA to PIP’, and is inviting people with relevant experience of the migration from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to complete it online. The survey is introduced as follows:
Ministerial Statements on Autism, Learning Disability, Mortality and Life Expectancy
The following exchange (written question and answer) took place in the Commons on 19th April, and should be of interest the family carers of any child or adult with a learning disability or ASD. In recent months charities (notably Autistica) and campaigners have attempted to highlight the issue of premature mortality – an issue which […]
That’s NICE… Guidance on transitions between hospital and community or home care.
Apologies: Published this last year, but never assigned it a valid category (News or Blog)! Still interesting reading though, especially in light of current ‘crisis’ within the NHS, and repeated debates re ‘bed-blocking’ and the interface between health and care services… The pages of the website of NICE (The National Institute for Health and Care […]
Autism Awareness: Failings in the Training of Social Workers
Fewer councils met recommended standards of autism training for social workers last year, an official report has found. The study by Public Health England asked local authorities to rate their progress in 2014-15 on 37 indicators of autism provision. The proportion of local authorities where at least 75% of staff carrying out statutory care assessments […]
The (ever) expanding role of the SCIE
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) describes itself thus: “A leading improvement support agency and an independent charity working with adults’, families’ and children’s care and support services across the UK. It raise its funds by bidding for work from government departments and organisations, and delivering commercial services including training, consultancy, research and evaluation”.