Lansley’s health and social care problems now as much about social care as health | Alastair Campbell

It is somewhat unfortunate for Andrew Lansley that the legislation on which his reputation and legacy will depend is called the Health and Social Care Bill.

Up till recently, it was the health part of the equation that was causing the Health Secretary difficulty, and which led to the intriguing new constitutional development known as a ‘pause’ in the legislative process.

But now the focus is also on the social care issues. This is thanks in part to BBC Panorama’s genuinely shocking film about abuse in a centre for people with learning difficulties, and also because of the financial problems facing Southern Cross, a private sector company looking after 31,000 vulnerable people, many on behalf of local authorities.

READ IN FULL HERE

Publication of DWP research report 741: trial incapacity benefits reassessment: customer and staff views and experiences – DWP

The Department for Work and Pensions today publishes a report of qualitative research into customer and staff views and experiences of trial incapacity benefits reassessment for Employment and Support Allowance, which commenced in October 2010 in the Aberdeen and Burnley areas. Ninety customers were interviewed, as well as Jobcentre Plus and Atos Healthcare staff working on trial reassessment. The main findings were:

The overall customer journey for trial reassessment

Overall, the customer journey for trial reassessment worked well and customers were successfully guided through the different stages of the process by the letters and phonecalls they received from Jobcentre Plus.

Publication of DWP research report 741: trial incapacity benefits reassessment: customer and staff views and experiences – DWP

Carers take Centre Stage – Gateshead

A GATESHEAD charity has organised a host of events for Carers’ Week.

 Highlights from Gateshead Carers Association (GCA) include the launch of a major piece of research into carers’ lives, the chance for carers to speak to the decision-makers and a party in Saltwell Park.

On Wednesday 15 June 2011 from 11.30am to 1pm, carers will meet members of Gateshead Council’s Healthier Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The event is a chance for councillors to find out about the main issues facing carers in their daily lives – and for councillors to find out how services can make a difference.

Places at the event must be booked in advance. The event concludes with a buffet lunch.

The date also sees the  

Melrose man’s complaints over dying wife’s care upheld

A council has upheld a number of complaints from a Borders pensioner about the day care services provided for his dying wife.

David Jamieson, of Melrose, told carers to leave his home after they failed to wear protective clothing when treating critically-ill wife Elspeth.

After her death in December last year he made a series of complaints.

Three were upheld by Scottish Borders Council, and Independent Living Services has apologised to Mr Jamieson.

READ IN FULL HERE

Work & Pensions Committee Press Release 2nd June 2011

ORAL EVIDENCE

Migration from Incapacity Benefit to Employment and Support Allowance

——————————————————————————–

Wednesday 8 June 2011, Committee Room 8, Palace of Westminster

At 9.30am

*   Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, Minister for Employment, Department for Work and
Pensions

This is the final evidence session for this inquiry. It will provide an opportunity
to discuss with the Minister the wide range of issues which have arisen during the
inquiry relating to the Work Capability Assessment and the process for reassessing
incapacity benefit claimants.

The Terms of Reference for the inquiry can be found on our website at

http://www.parliament.uk/workpencom<;http://www.parliament.uk/workpencom>

Further information

Committee membership:  Dame Anne Begg MP (Chair) (Lab, Aberdeen South), Harriett
Baldwin MP (Con, West Worcestershire), Andrew Bingham MP (Con, High Peak), Karen
Bradley MP (Con, Staffordshire Moorlands), Alex Cunningham MP (Lab, Stockton North),
Kate Green MP (Lab, Stretford and Urmston), Mr Oliver Heald MP (Con, North East
Hertfordshire), Glenda Jackson MP (Lab, Hampstead and Highgate), Brandon Lewis MP,
(Con, Great Yarmouth), Stephen Lloyd MP (Lib Dem, Eastbourne), Teresa Pearce MP
(Lab, Erith and Thamesmead)

Specific Committee Information:
workpencom@parliament.uk<mailto:workpencom@parliament.uk> 020 7219 2839

Media Information: bridgespalmerj@parliament.uk<mailto:bridgespalmerj@parliament.uk>
020 7219 0724

Committee Website: http://www.parliament.uk/workpencom<;http://www.parliament.uk/workpencom>
Watch committees and parliamentary debates online:
http://www.parliamentlive.tv<;http://www.parliamentlive.tv/>

Publications/Reports/Reference Material: Copies of all select committee reports are
available from the Parliamentary Bookshop (12 Bridge St, Westminster, 020 7219 3890)
or the Stationery Office (0845 7023474).  Committee reports, press releases,
evidence transcripts, Bills; research papers, a directory of MPs, plus Hansard (from
8am daily) and much more, can be found on
http://www.parliament.uk<;http://www.parliament.uk/>

Bristol care home: a failure on every level

Excellent article from Jim Mansell

The Panorama programme Undercover Care: The Abuse Exposed showed people being subjected to a regime of systematic brutality and torture by the people supposed to be caring for them. Staff carried out this abuse under the noses of the nurses supposed to be managing them, in a private hospital charging huge amounts of money on the basis that people were receiving “assessment and treatment”. One might ask what kind of assessment it is that doesn’t notice people being assaulted every day; what kind of treatment goads and humiliates people at the end of their tether.

But this isn’t just about wicked staff or weak management. It is about the wrong model of care – people with challenging behaviour being shunted off to these institutions because their local health and social services have not got their act together to provide the kind of support they need locally.

READ IN FULL HERE