Deadline approaches for NHS continuing healthcare

The department of health is reminding families the deadline is approaching for NHS continuing healthcare. Anyone who believes that the NHS should have in the past carried out an assessment into paying for their or their loved one’s care due to health reasons has until Sunday 30 September to apply.

The deadline only applies to:

o those who have never received an assessment for NHS Continuing Healthcare – the package of health and social care that is arranged and funded solely by the NHS and is free to the patient; and

o those who believe they may have been eligible for periods of care which occurred between 1 April 2004 and 31 March 2011.

Anyone who meets these two criteria should contact their local Primary Care Trust before Sunday 30 September – details can be found online at NHS Choices www.nhs.uk/ or in the phone book.

They do not need any legal advice to request to be considered for an assessment and they only need to notify their local Primary Care Trust  before the deadline. There is no need to present a full medical history.

Public health minister,Anna Soubry said: “In March we asked the NHS to communicate this deadline as quickly and effectively as possible to local people through whatever means necessary.

“However, if you are not aware of the deadline then please don’t worry. If you believe that you or a loved one should have been assessed for eligibility for a past period of care, then all you need to do is contact your local Primary Care Trust by this Sunday. You can find their contact details online at NHS Choices, or in the phone book.

“The deadline to register for an assessment is fast approaching and we want everyone that should have been entitled to be assessed for a past period of care to be considered as soon as possible.”

NHS Continuing Healthcare is a package of health and social care that is arranged and funded solely by the NHS, subject to the assessment of a person’s care needs – this is free to the individual.

Guidance for care workers to help reduce fire deaths

For the first time care workers are to be given new advice in a bid to cut fire deaths by helping them spot the tell tale signs of someone who is at high risk of having a fire.

Figures in a London Fire Brigade report reveal that one person receiving care is dying from fire every month in London.

According to the statistics, over the last three years, 36 out of 119 accidental fire deaths involved people who had some form of care services. All but three of the deceased smoked, half had mental health issues and 14 were known to drink alcohol.

Care workers in England will now get extra information about fire safety to support their introductory training. The aim is to give them extra potentially life-saving information on how to spot the signs of a person who is most at risk of dying or being seriously injured, should a fire occur.

Fire chiefs are asking care staff to get in touch with their local fire and rescue service if they notice any of the vital early warning signs. Care workers are often the first to see the tell tale signs like burn marks on carpets from cigarettes or a smoke alarm that has run out of battery.

The chair of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority’s Strategy Committee, councillor Crada Onuegbu, said: “This is a great example of London Fire Brigade working with other organisations to make not only London but the nation safer from fire.

“Care staff do a fantastic job of supporting people within our communities and those who have mobility issues. Sadly these people are among the most at risk from dying in a fire. Now care staff will have the skills to spot the warning signs and help prevent these terrible deaths.”

 Sharon Allen the chief executive at Skills for Care said: “This report is a timely reminder that people who use care services are often at serious risk from fire so we welcome this pro-active approach from fire brigades to tackling this problem.

“Brigades across the country have made significant progress in preventing fires so we would urge care workers and their managers to contact their local officers who can offer free expert advice to anyone they think might be at risk.”

Sense tribute to the co-founder of the charity

The co-founder of the charity Sense, Peggy Freeman has died at the age of 94. She was one of the parents who helped to set up the National Deafblind and Rubella Association in 1955, the organisation which later became the charity Sense.

Born in Sutton Coldfield, she is survived by her four children, sons Ian and Robin, and daughters Ann, who lives in Australia, and Bunty, who is deafblind and lives a in a Sense residential home in Birmingham. Her late husband, Peter Freeman, died in April 1992. 

Peggy Freeman contracted Rubella in 1952 just before becoming pregnant with her fourth child, Bunty who was born on 29 January 1953. Doctors assured her that her baby would be alright but Bunty was born deaf, blind and with heart problems. Peggy had no one to turn to for help until a teacher of deaf children introduced her to other parents of deafblind children. 

She met another parent, Margaret Brock, whose son was similarly born with Congenital Rubella Syndrome and together they formally set up the first parents’ Rubella Group in 1955.  

The group began with ten founder families. Today Sense employs more than 3,000 staff and meets the needs of thousands of dual-sensory impaired people from babyhood to old age.

Gillian Morbey the chief executive of Sense and Sense International and president of Deafblind International said: “At a time when people thought deafblind children couldn’t be educated or live full lives Peggy battled, not only for her own daughter, but what has become the whole Sense family. She is our last great ‘trooper’ from the early days of Sense and will be sadly missed.”

Peggy Freeman received an MBE in 1967 for services to deafblind people for her role in co-founding Sense.

Motability car scheme puts 'reliablity' first

Disabled motorists can benefit from added peace of mind by choosing a car that has been hailed for its reliability in a recent WhatCar? Reliability Survey.

Eight of the top 10 most reliable city cars are available from Motability, the car scheme for disabled people, including the top three – the Suzuki Alto, Toyota Aygo and Kia Picanto – all from no Advance Payment, which means no up-front additional costs to pay. 

WhatCar? and Warranty Direct teamed up to carry out the survey and create the ‘Reliability Index’ – a way to score cars based on factors such as the number of times a car breaks down, the average repair cost and the average repair time.

Nine of the top 10 most reliable superminis are also available through Motability, again, all from no Advance Payment. The compact Vauxhall Agila, spacious Skoda Fabia and practical Honda Jazz took the top three spots in this category.

 People who receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement, can exchange this weekly payment to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair through Motability. Insurance, maintenance, servicing and breakdown assistance are also included in the lease.

Further highlights from the survey include Motability cars suited to small families, such as the Toyota Auris, which came in third and the Mazda3.

Mike Betts the chief executive of Motability Operations said: “For many of our customers, the reliability of a vehicle is one of the main areas of consideration when looking for a new car. Research like this is very useful to both us and our customers and it’s great to see that Motability offers such a variety of those highlighted in these categories. We strive to make a wide choice of cars available to our customers to ensure that they are able to get the right vehicle for their needs.”

Full details of all cars are available on the online Car Search tool at motability.co.uk. For more information on leasing a car from Motability call 0800 093 1000.

£1.5m for personal health budget roll-out

To support the roll-out of personal health budgets £1.5 million has been earmarked to help individuals choose the most appropriate care for them.

A pilot programme involving more than 60 PCTs is underway to look at how the budgets can benefit those who need them, what the funding could be spent on and how personal budgets should be implemented.

People whose complex care needs are paid for by the NHS through the NHS Continuing Healthcare scheme, or those with a range of long-term conditions such as stroke, diabetes, neurological conditions, mental health needs and respiratory problems like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, have been involved in the pilots.

The evaluation is due to be completed in the autumn. To be ready as soon as the findings are known the department of health has now identified £1.5m to be made available to support the first stage of a potential roll-out.

The care and support minister Norman Lamb said: “We want to ensure more care is tailored around people’s individual needs and preferences. Giving those with complex health needs the control of how to spend money on their care gives them and their doctors the flexibility to try innovative new approaches to achieve better health outcomes.

“Subject to the results of the current pilot programme, our aim is to introduce a right to a personal health budget for people who would benefit from them most – the scale and pace of this will be informed by the independent evaluation.”

Vitalise video builds on Paralympic mood to salute disabled people

A charity video celebrating people with disabilities after the Paralympics has become an overnight internet hit, with more than 10,000 views in just three days.

The video was produced by disability charity Vitalise and features the disabled guests, volunteers and staff at its Southport respite holiday centre performing Queen’s feel-good anthem ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’.

It pays tribute to the inspiring achievements of Team GB’s Paralympic athletes, such as Hannah Cockroft and Jonnie Peacock, who are featured in the video.

Vitalise made the recording earlier in the year but decided to delay its release to add its own tribute to Team GB’s Paralympians.

Vitalise’s chief executive Chris Simmonds said: “Thanks to the incredible achievements we witnessed at the Paralympics, disability has never had such a high public profile. We really hope this wave of positivity and goodwill continues.

“This video is our way of saying thank you to our Paralympians, but also of celebrating the achievements of people with disabilities in all walks of life.

“Of course not all people with disabilities are Paralympians, but they all confront their own personal hurdles. In overcoming these obstacles they are performing their own quiet heroics, day in, day out. This video is our salute to that indomitable spirit.”

The video can be viewed on Vitalise’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/VitaliseOnVideo or via the link: http://youtu.be/p0a2tqYDT_4

Stelios Award opportunity for disabled entrepreneurs

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou is calling for talented disabled entrepreneurs to apply for this year’s Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs in the UK.

The award, jointly run by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and Leonard Cheshire Disability, recognises the achievements and unique challenges faced by disabled entrepreneurs. Now in its sixth year, it offers a £50,000 cash prize to the winner.

 Applicants have until 5pm on Friday 26 October to apply and the winner will be presented with a cheque at a special ceremony in London on 3 December.

 Sir Stelios said: “I am passionate about encouraging entrepreneurship, and the previous winners of this award offer proof that there are many highly talented disabled entrepreneurs out there.

“With around 50 per cent of disabled adults out of work it is clear that there still is a long way to go. Removing the barriers disabled people face in business is essential, and I hope that the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs goes some way to highlighting their achievements.

 “We want to hear from talented disabled entrepreneurs who are able to show they have got what it takes to run a successful business and meet a real need in the market.”

Helen Carter from Leonard Cheshire Disability, who leads on the award, said: “Disabled people in business experience disadvantage and discrimination everyday, largely through ignorance - this must change.

“Our partnership with Sir Stelios is helping the charity highlight the barriers disabled people face in the workplace and recognise the outstanding achievements of disabled entrepreneurs.”

Last year there were two joint winners, Rob Smith and Huw Thomas who each won £50,000 to develop their business.

Rob’s business, The Active Hands Company www.activehands.co.uk, designs, manufactures and sells gripping aids which allow disabled people with limited hand function to grip a wide variety of items.

Huw’s business, Promove UK www.promove.uk.com, designs, manufactures and supplies specialist slings used to rescue, evacuate and transfer sick, injured, disabled or incapacitated people.

To apply or to find out more about the award see www.lcdisability.org/stelios, e-mail innovation@lcdisability.org or call 0845 671 7173 (option 1).

impower survey finds GPs inflate demand for residential care

A survey has found that more than half of GPs don’t fully understand non-residential care services and 67 per cent said they receive little or no support from local councils.

The research by the local government consultancy, impower, revealed GPs inflate demand for residential care by at least 60,000 older people every year because they are not familiar with the alternatives. 

The Home Truths study based on interviews with older people, social care professionals, GPs and directors of adult social care found 82 per cent of GPs believe that a large proportion of older people could avoid or delay entry into residential care.

Jeremy Cooper the director at impower said the study shows that GPs, social workers and local authorities are “locked in a dysfunctional relationship” with lack of understanding between them generating “unnecessary demand for residential care.”

He said: “With financial pressures increasing we need a new approach to health and social care integration now.”

Richard Parry the corporate director of adults and local services at Cumbria County Council, added: “We need to ‘up our game’ when it comes to delaying entry into residential care and challenge widely held perceptions that residential care is the only option.”

impower’s report argues that current efforts to integrate health and social care should be re-focused on the individual relationships between the people who provide these services, which hold the key to reducing demand.

Jeremy Cooper, said: “Our research identifies a much bigger potential opportunity to tackle the social care funding crisis – by deflating demand. The £600m opportunity to reduce residential care bills we have identified is just the tip of the iceberg.

“If local authorities focused on integrating people and culture, rather than just structures and services, they could save billions of pounds in provision of more appropriate, targeted health and social care for older people.”

For more information http://www.impower.co.uk/

RCN urges investment in specialist nurses for children with epilepsy

Commenting on today’s first national audit of epilepsy care for children and young people, The Royal College of Nursing expressed ‘profound concern’ that fewer than half of children with epilepsy had access to a specialist nurse.

RCN chief executive and general secretary, Dr Peter Carter, said: “Epilepsy is clearly being treated very well in many parts of the country, and specialist nurses have led the way in helping children and their families to manage epilepsy. However, it is a matter of profound concern to us that this is not the case everywhere. 

“The recommendation that all children have access to a specialist nurse is there for a reason – the nurse can offer an unparalleled combination of expert clinical advice alongside practical help for children and their families. 

“Too often, without the right advice many children face needless complications which affect not just their health but their education and other activities. We would urge NHS organisations to give every child access to a specialist nurse to keep them as well as possible and to avoid unnecessary and expensive hospital admissions.”

Alzheimer’s Research UK increases funding commitment to £20m

Alzheimer’s Research UK has pledged a further £5.5m investment in new projects, increasing its current funding for research to more than £20million. 

The announcement, which coincides with World Alzheimer’s Day on 21 September includes awards for 52 new grants aimed at understanding the causes of dementia, improving diagnosis and finding new treatments and preventions.

Studies to benefit include:

• A three-year project led by Prof Patricia Salinas, at UCL in London, to study a protein that plays a key role in the destruction of the connections between brain cells, called synapses. The project will also see researchers test whether different molecules can stop synapses being destroyed – the first step towards the development of new drugs to help treat Alzheimer’s.

• A programme at the University of Manchester to investigate how a person’s genetic profile contributes to their risk of frontotemporal dementia. Researchers will screen DNA samples from 1,500 people with the disease and compare them to 1,500 healthy people, to help confirm newly-identified genes that are thought to raise the risk of the disease.

Deborah Gatesman, whose father James was diagnosed with the disease in 2003 at the age of 74 and now lives in a nursing home, said: “We had a two-year struggle to get a diagnosis for Dad, and watching his decline has been absolutely heartbreaking. His symptoms crept on slowly at first, but he gradually began to lose all concept of time and became more and more confused. He’s now in a home where he can receive the specialist care he needs, and even though it’s lovely to visit him, he no longer recognises me. We desperately need new treatments so it’s great to see new money being invested in research.”

Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading charity specialising in finding preventions, treatments and a cure for dementia. For more information or to donate www.alzheimersresearchuk.org.

Disabled travellers still face access issues

A survey carried out by Adapted Vehicle Hire and the charity, Tourism For All UK, has revealed that 86 per cent of disabled people think the UK travel industry is still not providing sufficient information about disabled access and facilities. 

The study also found that 87 per cent of respondents had been prevented from travelling because of their disability.  

London was identified as the part of UK with the best disabled access and facilities but despite improvements made in the run up to the Paralympics, the Underground was singled out for criticism.

The UK’s airports and train stations also fared badly in the survey with respondents claiming more needed to be done to make them accessible for all.

However, more than 92 per cent of people thought that disabled access had improved overall in the past ten years – 28 per cent thought that access was ‘significantly better’.

Lorraine Farnon the managing director of Adapted Vehicle Hire, said: “The results clearly demonstrate that despite gradual progress, more needs to be done to make the travel industry more accessible for disabled people.”

Carrie-Ann Lightley, Information Officer from Tourism For All UK, said: “Tourism For All has been campaigning for the past 30 years to improve the range of travel options and facilities for disabled people. Our view is that tourism is important to everyone and we support the government’s aim of making UK tourism the most accessible in Europe.

“Access to some rural and historic sites will always present more of a challenge for disabled visitors, but places like airports have scope for significant improvement to better meet the needs of disabled travellers.”

The survey results also identified Cornwall and Devon as the most popular holiday destination, followed closely by Spain and France.

Several venues from across the UK were praised for their ease of access and suitability for disabled visitors including National Trust properties and the Eden Project in Cornwall.

'Health through warmth' npower scheme reaches milestone

The npower Health Through Warmth scheme, which helps vulnerable residents, is celebrating after hitting 75,000 referrals.

Since 2000, Health Through Warmth has worked closely with community professionals, charities and other organisations to help residents in need. It aims to help homeowners whose health is made worse by cold living conditions by helping to fund the installation of heating and insulation measures which they can’t afford themselves. 

The scheme finds funding from different organisations and to date has secured more than £1.4 million of charitable funds, as well as contributing £7.8 million from the unique npower Health Through Warmth Crisis Fund.

Elaine Midwinter, npower Health Through Warmth scheme manager, said: “We’re delighted to have reached such a major milestone.

“We hope to continue to build our relationships with community organisations to help identify people in need, so even more local residents can benefit from the scheme.”

For more information about Health Through Warmth www.healththroughwarmth.com

People to have more control in choosing their care services

The public has been told to expect to see more choice in local care and support services as local councils move a step closer to developing a wider range of services. 

The Developing Care Markets for Quality and Choice programme announced by the care minister Norman Lamb aims to improve choice, provide tailored care and focus care on the outcomes that matter to people.

 Currently some areas are not benefiting from the range of quality services available elsewhere. Local councils have been working hard to meet the needs of their community, however, more change is needed. 

Norman Lamb said: “We can’t have a one-size fits all approach. This new programme will increase choice in the care services provided.”

Exercise attachment for amputees wins award

A Preston-based group of BAE Systems apprentices has won the Make it in Great Britain Challenge – a competition launched earlier this year to find the most innovative ideas in the UK which are not yet on the market.

BedFleX, an elastic attachment for use by recovering amputees and critical care patients, raced to victory in the final part of the challenge after being on display at the Make it in Great Britain exhibition at the Science Museum.

The public were invited to vote on their favourite of five finalists, all of whom had previously been recognised as best in their category. 

BAE Systems won the public vote for its BedFleX, which allows patients to take part in bed-based exercise to aid rehabilitation. 

The business minister Michael Fallon said: “I’d like to congratulate the BedFlex team. They have put the skills they gained from their apprenticeships into creating this winning piece of technology. 

“All of the finalists should be proud of their success at making it to the exhibition. Over 40,000 people came to see their creations alongside those of some of Britain’s leading manufacturers.”

BedFlex enables patients to secure resistance tubing to a stable object, such as the bed, without the risk of the elastic slipping or coming undone – a common problem with existing physiotherapy tools which use resistance tubing.

New Alliance to deliver disability strategy

The government has announced the formation of a new disability action alliance to help respond to the ideas put forward by disabled people and their organisations on living fulfilling lives.

Convened by Disability Rights UK and supported by the Office for Disability Issues, the alliance will consider thousands of suggestions put forward by disabled people earlier this year as part of the ‘Fulfilling Potential’ discussion.

The minister for disabled people Esther McVey said: “The Paralympics truly captivated the hearts of the nation and have undoubtedly helped shift attitudes and perceptions towards disabled people. What we have now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to capitalise on this and to work with disabled people to deliver lasting change.

“I want to ensure that there is a clear focus in place across government and will be working with disabled people and their organisations on developing the new disability strategy so that this country remains a world leader in disability equality.”

Last year the dovernment invited disabled people to help shape a new cross-government disability strategy. The ‘Fulfilling Potential, the Discussions So Far’, published today, summarises the issues raised, and shows how actions are already being taken to address many of the issues.

‘Fulfilling Potential, Next Steps’ sets out the vision and principles; outlines further public sector reforms; and announces a new disability action alliance, involving organisations from across the private, public and voluntary and community sectors.

New meningitis resource to support families

A new resource that will improve the lives of thousands of young meningitis sufferers is being developed by the Meningitis Trust, as the disease heads towards its peak season at the end of September.

 The charity, which supports victims and their families after meningitis and spreads vital awareness of the disease across the UK, is working alongside a number of Royal Colleges, including the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health to produce a journal for young victims. 

The Yellow Book will enable a new Quality Standard measure from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, NICE, to help to ensure that victims and their families receive information and support following the disease.

It will provide information and advice, signpost further help and reading, log follow-up appointments and give a valuable, personal record of any changes to their child’s health or wellbeing.

Dr Alistair Thomson the vice president for education and project lead for the Yellow Book Programme, at The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: “Leaving the hospital and the watchful eye of medical staff can be a daunting prospect for families, so this pioneering new resource – The Yellow Book – will provide those coming to terms with their child’s diagnosis, with much needed reassurance, support and guidance.”

It’s a first for meningitis victims in the UK. The Trust had found previously that some parents were making their own journals for their children to take to doctors’ appointments and into schools.

One Mum who did this for her son was Nicky Price who said: “When Brogan recovered from meningitis, we knew very quickly that there were some complex after-effects from the disease, but it wasn’t until Brogan was at school that we realised the true extent and how this would affect his learning. 

“We wanted to tell people about the impact that this disease had on his life, so that they understood and could give the right support – that’s when I put together his portfolio. I am delighted that the Meningitis Trust is putting together this Yellow Book journal – I wish that had been available when Brogan left hospital, it would have been so helpful to us as a family.”

New minister for disabled people

The work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith today welcomed his new ministerial team - which included the appointment of the Wirral West conservative MP Esther McVey as the new minister for disabled people.

Iain Duncan Smith said the DWP is entering a “challenging but exciting period” as it prepares to put the welfare reforms into reality.

Minister for disabled people Esther McVey said: “The DWP is delivering some of the most important reforms in government. Supporting disabled people to live fulfilling lives and restoring fairness to the welfare system is vital. I am delighted to be joining the department at such a crucial time.”

Employment minister, Mark Hoban, said he wanted to give people all the help and support they need to take up the jobs that are out there.

Challenge fund to help communities combat isolation in old age

More  than a third of people in London would like to help reduce the isolation of elderly people in their community, but over half do not have the confidence to do so, according to a survey for the innovation foundation, Nesta. 

The study comes as Nesta and the Cabinet Office encourage organisations to submit ideas to the Ageing Well challenge that bring people together in new ways to combat loneliness.

Twenty-five entries to the challenge, which is run by Nesta’s Centre for Challenge Prizes and funded by the Cabinet Office, will be shortlisted and given the support and opportunity to develop a detailed plan for their idea. 

Five concepts with the potential for sustainability and scale will then each receive up to £10,000 and professional advice to set up and test their projects. 

The idea that is proving most effective at reducing isolation, and has the potential to be even more effective in the future, will be selected in September 2013 and will be awarded £50,000.

Entry is via online application at www.nesta.org.uk/givingchallenges and the deadline is 14 September 2012.

Technical team keep Paralympians in action

The official technical service team was called on to complete 103 repairs for Paralympians from 52 countries during the first day of competition at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

As the athletes go all out in boccia, racing, tennis, fencing, rugby and basketball the sports wheelchairs face an intense endurance test. 

Working behind the scenes in a specially equipped workshop in the Paralympic Village and nine other repair centres next to the field of play at competition venues, 80 Ottobock Healthcare rose to the challenge. 

Jobs carried out included welding, puncture repairs, wheel castor alignment and leather repairs for a wide variety of wheelchairs. 

Ottobock is supporting all 4,200 competing athletes with a team of expert prosthetists, orthotists and wheelchair technicians, including 12 welders, who have all volunteered their services. The technicians come from 18 countries and speak 14 languages. 

The Ottobock technical service team has been kept busy completing repairs for Paralympians competing across a number of sports