Latest news - January 2012
National Audit Office: Services for people with long term condition
Since 2005, when the Department of Health introduced its National Service Framework for Long-term Conditions, people with neurological conditions have had better access to health services; but key indicators of quality - such as the rate of emergency hospital readmissions - have worsened. Read the the National Audit Office press release here or download the full report here (PDF).
A Neurological Alliance for Somerset?
 On 24th October a group of people interested in the possibility of establishing a neurological alliance for Somerset met in Taunton. The meeting was a great success and there was real enthusiasm amongst those present to take the initiative forward and to develop a local alliance.
Somerset LINk supported the initiative and, for more information or to be kept up-to-date with developments, please contact Lucy Nicholls at the Somerset LINk Office (contact details below). You can download the presentations from the meeting below (all are PowerPoint documents). For more information about Somerset LINk and to learn about what neurological alliances do, please visit this page of the Somerset LINk website.
| Email |
lucy.nicholls@helpandcare.org.uk |
| Post |
FREEPOST RSAC-KSRE-CZCE (no stamp required)
Somerset LINk
2 Bowden's Business Park
Hambridge
Somerset
TA10 0BP |
| Phone |
01458 250674 |
Download presentations here:
Improving Neurology Services in the new NHS, 14th July 2011
Paddock Stand, Taunton Racecourse
Purpose of the event
- To facilitate PCT level neurological commissioning groups to work together in clusters and regionally,
- To share quality information and consider variation across the region,
- To share information about neurology prevalence, commissioning activity in local systems and examples of good practice ,
- To consider how to develop a sustainable expert resource for GP Commissioning Consortia.
Who should attend?
- Clinicians from Primary, Community and Specialist services,
- Commissioners – PCT and GP Consortia,
- Social Service practitioners and managers,
- Service Users and Carers,
- Community and Voluntary Sector Organisations.
Download the programme here
Download directions here
Book here
Stakeholder event for people living with a long term neurological condition - Friday 20 May at Devizes Sports Club
A 2011 stakeholder event for people living with and affected by long term neurological conditions will be held in Devizes from 10.30 until 3.00 on Friday 20 May at Devizes Sports Club (arrivals from 10.00).
Download a written invitation from Wiltshire NHS and Wiltshire Council here.
Download the programme here.
At the event there will be an update on the work that has been undertaken to address issues and concerns highlighted at last year's stakeholder event. To register for a place simply complete the reply slip at the foot of the invitation letter and return it as soon as possible to:
Darrell Gale
Public Health Office
NHS Wiltshire
Southgate House
Pans Lane
Devizes
SN10 5EQ
Alternatively, completed reply slips can be emailed to jane.edwards@wiltshire.nhs.uk
MS Society publishes results & report following survey of MS nurses
This report, published on 15th March, highlights people's experiences of using an MS nurse and can be viewed directly on the MS Society's website. Read about the MS Society's campaign here.
Along with making the report public, the MS Society is encouraging people with and affected by MS to write to their local MP to ask them to sign it's Early Day Motion in support of MS nurses. NB As at 15th March the server where the database of all EDMs are stored appears to be down.
Where the cuts will fall in the South West in 2011-12
Figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government show changes in the estimated revenue spending power of local authorities for 2011-12, including NHS support for social care.
More info via this link
Second wave of GP pathfinder commissioning consortia could be announced in January
In a recent interview for Pulse magazine, the Department of Health's national managing director of commissioning development, Dame Barbara Hakin, said that the government was ready to announce a second wave of 'many more' GP consortia pathfinders in January.
According to the interview, trailblazers who had missed securing a place in the first wave of pathfinders could be part of the second, which may be ready to go live in February. Listed below are the pathfinder sites announced in December 2010:
Torbay
Baywide GPCC Limited
Number of practices: 21
Population size: 149,000
Plymouth
Sentinel Healthcare Southwest Community Interest Company
Number of practices: 44
Population size: 275,000
Somerset
WyvernHealth.com
Number of practices: 76
Population size: 539,000
South Gloucestershire
South Glos Consortium Ltd
Number of practices: 28
Population size: 249,000
- Visit the Department of Health website for a list of all GP pathfinder consortia by Strategic Health Authority region via this link.
- Visit SWANO's page of local PBC contacts in the South West by PCT area via this link
People living with a neurological condition in Cornwall to lead a review of neurological services
NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly is supporting the work of two groups in undertaking an audit and evaluation of current health and social care services for people living with neurological conditions. The review will be lead by CAN-DO, a countywide neurological alliance, which will ensure that the review is focused on and driven by people living with a neurological condition and their family carers.
The work is supported by Neurological Commissioning Support (NCS), a unique commissioning support initiative from the MS Society, the MND Association and Parkinson's UK, established to support health and social care commissioners to deliver cost-effective, patient-centred services.
 It's also possible to participate via an online questionnaire:
....more information about the service review is available on the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly website.
Taunton & Somerset NHS Foundation Trust's (T&SFT) review of specialist nurses
In May 2010 the MS, PD and Epilepsy specialist nurses at T&SFTwere asked to submit evidence in support of their posts, all of which were to reviewed. There has been a long, drawn out process since during which people affected by MS, PD and epilepsy have, understandably, been extremely anxious about the future, and of course the nurses themselves have lived with uncertainty about their futures throughout. At one stage they understood that their posts were to be discontinued and they were even advised by the trust at one point that their roles were 'not fit for purpose'.
After intensive lobbying by SWANO members, who attended meetings with the trust and provided information in support of the roles, there is finally good news. On 18th November, over six months after the review began, all three nurses were advised, finally, that their posts were to remain.
Letter to all GPs setting out the next steps on GP-led commissioning
The Secretary of State for Health has written to GPs about the proposals for GP commissioning and reiterating the intention that the formation of consortia would be a bottom up approach, led by GP practices
Commissioning for patients - frequently asked questions
SWANO has prepared a page of FAQs and answers based on Department of Health information.
Liberating the NHS:
managing the transition
NHS Chief Executive Sir David Nicholson has written to the chief executive community providing information about the proposed changes set out in the NHS White Paper and the role of NHS leaders in the coming weeks and months. Sir David's communication also provides an FAQ document to provide answers to questions that have arisen during recent engagement with the NHS leadership community, a timeline setting out key dates and a list of regional appointments as referenced in his letter.
Delivering high-quality, patient-centred, cost-effective care: voluntary sector solutions
Ten leading health and social care organisations, representing over 17 million people, have come together to identify ways for the NHS and Social Services to deliver high quality care that improves patient outcomes and saves money.
Download report here >>
PSP Association challenges under-reporting in Death Certificates
Death Certificates of those given a diagnosis of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) rarely show PSP as the underlying cause. They almost always just show the direct cause of death – usually aspirational pneumonia.
Find out more >>
Radical and far-reaching NHS reform announced
 A new White Paper, Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS, was published on 12th July and sets out the government's long term vision for the NHS. It aims to:
- put patients at the heart of everything the NHS does
- focus on continuously improving healthcare outcomes
- empower and liberate clinicians to innovate, with the freedom to focus on improving healthcare services
The Department of Health is consulting on elements of the proposals and details on how to respond can be found in the White Paper, copies of which can be obtained via this link.
Download a four page summary of the White Paper prepared by the Long Term Conditions Delivery Support Team here Read the King's Fund's response to the White Paper here
South West Specialist Commissioning Group
The South West Neuromuscular Network is holding a free information sharing
event for people with a neuromuscular conditions and their carers in Taunton on Wednesday 15 September 2010. Download a flyer here.
For further information please contact the newtork administrator by phone on 0117 330 2597 or by email: swscg.neuromuscular@nhs.net
NB Please note that the network does not cover multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's or motor neurone disease.
How should we define who is a ‘carer'?
A team at King's College London has been commissioned by the Department of health to try and find a suitable definition for the terms ‘carer' and ‘respite care'. They are keen to hear from anyone caring for somebody with a neurological condition and for them to complete a brief online survey. If you would like to take part please follow this link
Free fitness course in Cornwall - 2010 programme announced
Due to the success of Cornwall PCT's free fitness programmes in 2009 a new programme for 2010 has been announced. Find out more information here
The new coalition's programme for government
Read the newly-published programme for government here
Building the National Care Service
The White Paper Building the National Care Service was published on 30 March 2010. It sets out the Government's plans for the creation of a National Care Service for all adults in England. More info here ......
New specialist Myasthenia Nurse for Southhampton
The Myasthenia Gravis Association has provided initial funding for the establishment of a specialist Myasthenia Nurse, to support the Myasthenia Clinic and its patients as part of the service offered by Southampton General Hospital's Wessex Neurological Centre. This is one of a number of posts which the MGA has assisted in creating at neurological centres throughout the UK .
The new nurse is Lisa Joyce and she can be contacted by phone on 07747 473769 and by email: myasthenia@suht.swest.nhs.uk.
Important Care Quality Commission consultation
In February the Care Quality Commision published a consultation Assessment of quality in 2010/11, which includes neurology as one of the subjects for their future special review programme. This represents an important opportunity. Further information here ......
National Carers' Survey
- Do you spend several hours a day caring for an adult aged 18-65 years old with a long term neurological condition?
- Would you like to influence change in services that allow carers to take a break?
If the answer to both of these questions is "yes" then a Kings College research team would like to hear from you. They have been commissioned by the Department of Health to find out about carers' need for and experience of replacement care services (also known as respite care). They would like carers to complete a survey to help them do this. If you are interested further details are available on their website at: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/medicine/depts/palliative/arp/eval/carers.html
Devon news
New specialist Parkinson's nursing service in Devon started by the PCT with financial support from PDS. For further info contact Lee Baxter on lee.baxter@nhs.net
Neurological study day 8th February 2010
South Wiltshire Special Interest Group for
progressive neurological conditions invite you to 'Neurology Matters', a study day aimed at providing a basic overview of some of the most common neurological conditions. Download flyer and booking form here.
Gloucestershire news
Neurological Commissioning Support (a joint initiative between MSS, MNDA and PDS), is completing a review of all neurological services in the county. For further info contact Mike McKevitt on mike.mckevitt@mndassociation.org
Two additional Parkinson's Disease Nurse specialist posts have been established by the PCT with financial support from the PDS - currently being recruited. For further info contact Geoff King on gking@parkinsons.org.uk
New research from the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care
View a South West PCT by PCT breakdown of shortfalls in spending of government funds allocated for breaks for carers. More info here
North Somerset news
A review of Quality Requirements for NSF for LTNCs is underway. For further info contact Ruth Gazzane on Ruth.Gazzane@nsomerset-pct.nhs.uk
Planning care: the patient's perspective
This new report from the Royal College of Nursing and National Voices by Patient View highlights the value of service user involvement at every stage of care planning. Download a copy of the report here
Prevalence figures for MS revised upwards
New research released by the MS Society shows that there are likely to be around 100,000 people with MS in the UK - a 20 per cent increase on previous estimates. This suggests that there are likely to be in excess of 9,000 people living with MS in the SW. More info..>>
Monitoring NSF implementation
SWANO is currently helping the national Neurological Alliance to monitor progress on implementation of the Long-term (Neurological) Conditions National Service Framework (NSF) in the South West. The results will be published on the SWANO website and elsewhere in due course.
PCTs can complete the online survey here.
Levers for Change - 1st May, Taunton
In partnership with the SW Long Term Conditions Team SWANO helped to make the Levers for Change event in Taunton a great success. All presentations from the event can be downloaded from here
SWANO joins national Neurological Alliance
SWANO has joined the Neurological Alliance (NA), a national organisation campaigning to ensure that everyone with a neurological condition can access high-quality services and good information from their first symptoms, throughout their life. Website: www.neural.org.uk
SWANO working with Great Western Ambulance Service
Knowledge of individual neurological conditions amongst ambulance staff is variable and, despite best intentions, personnel are not always fully aware of the complexities of some of the conditions encountered. SWANO is working currently with the Great Western Ambulance Service to support its staff in working with people with different conditions. Watch this space for latest developments.
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