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View Annual Report >Link for the HOBt PCT Annual Report 2009-10
As part of ElderCare Week, 6-12 September 2010, national charity Counsel and Care reveals that there is a severe lack of public understanding of and information available on the care system for older people. In a survey of over 1,300 UK adults (ranging from 18 to 90), Counsel and Care found that just 5% believe the social care system is easy to navigate. Further findings reveal:
Although most of the respondents think that care is provided through personal finance, a worrying 64% said they had not even thought about how to fund their own care. This is even though it is now estimated that one in five of today’s 65 year olds will need care costing more than £50,000 (Andrew Lansley, Health Secretary, press statement 20.07.2010). Seven percent expect to receive full financial support from their local council, leaving just five percent who have already made specific provisions.
Only 21% agree with the current council financial assessment and the means-test for care.*
The survey also highlights respondents’ uncertainty over what care advice and provision they are entitled to from their local council. Worryingly, 42% do not think councils offer a free assessment of an older person’s needs, which is often the first step towards obtaining a care plan and accessing care and support, and is, therefore, an extremely important part of the process. All councils are obliged to provide a free assessment for anybody who appears to be in need, regardless of a person’s finances.
69% believe their council would help if they had physical difficulties, but disturbingly just over half (53%) thought the same would apply for mental health, indicating that there is still a certain amount of confusion surrounding care in this area.
Almost half (48%) are unaware of the range of day-to-day help that their local council might provide.
Most people (69%) turn to the internet for information on care for older people, followed by GP surgeries (58%) and local council or social services (52%).
Counsel and Care has updated its guides and factsheets, of which there are more than 60, that are available free of charge from its website at www.counselandcare.org.uk, and in hard copy. These guides help people to navigate the system, and also highlight the various care options available to them.
“This research demonstrates that there is a fundamental lack of public understanding and knowledge of the care system. In the long term this could prove to be disastrous, especially when examining issues such as funding. It is vital that the public recognises the importance of planning ahead, both on a practical and financial level, to reduce the stresses and costs involved when accessing care in older age.
“The social care system is about to undergo reform with the newly appointed commission on the funding of care set to report by next summer. When this reform takes place, universal information, advice and advocacy must become an integral part of the new care and support system.
“By raising awareness and holding local events through ElderCare Week and our annual debate and Graham Lecture, we intend to highlight some of the main pitfalls of the process and guide people through the care maze. Our new ‘five point plan’ for care and support provides people with signposts to help them plan ahead for their care needs, and by publishing it online and in hard copy, we hope it will be a useful and easily accessible tool.”
Our latest Annual Report states that Members of the Older Persons Group plan to visit housing schemes and sheltered accommodation and source community venues to engage with more diverse groups. They also intend take part in various committees to identify partnership working.
Information about the group’s plans and achievements in the financial year 2009-2010 can be found in the Annual Report.
Two hospitals caring for some of the region’s sickest patients are benefiting from the delivery of more than 20 new pieces of equipment, at an investment of more than £200,000.
The critical care departments at Heartlands and Good Hope Hospitals, both part of Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, received 11 new haemo-filtration machines and 10 new ventilators between them – further improving facilitates and providing an extra boost to the quality of care provided for critically ill patients.
Anne Mutlow, critical care matron, said: “These are vital pieces of equipment for our patients, so we are really pleased to receive this extra investment. Ventilators are used to support a patient’s breathing, while the haemo-filtration machines carry out the work of the kidneys if they have failed following an acute illness.
“Critical care at Good Hope is also due to move to its brand new unit, based within the new £26m ward block building at the Hospital, when it opens early next year. Currently under development, works on the new building are progressing well. All in all, the future certainly looks bright for critical care.”
NHS South Birmingham Community Health’s Learning Disability Service is launching a Single Point of Access for all referrals on 6 September.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC), organisation responsible for the licencing and monitoring of health and adult social care providers, has been introducing new standards of quality and safety across England since April 2010 – with NHS hospitals being the first to enter the new regulatory scheme. The five new standards for NHS hospitals are:
CQC has recently published a guide detailing what the new standards mean to service users.
Paper versions are also available by calling 0870 240 7535.
The Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) gave South Birmingham Community Health Hospitals high ratings in its latest assessment. PEAT assesses all hospitals and in-patient units with more than ten beds.
South Birmingham Community Health manages three hospitals: West Heath, Moseley Hall and the Sheldon Unit. As part of the assessment, West Heath received three ‘excellent’ ratings (in cleanliness, environment as well as patient privacy and dignity). Moseley Hall and Sheldon were rated ‘good’ in environment and ‘excellent’ in the other two categories.
The bcda Learning and Development Service has limited places available on a range of short courses running in September and October. Prices range from £20 to £40. For more information, please contact 0121 303 0990 or bcda@birmingham.gov.uk.
new bus routes start on June 16th 2010 due to the opening of the new Queen Elizabeth hospital.
This group plans to have a very strong focus on the Dignity Care Campaign. Members also intend to work on the area of spiritual care provision, further enhance their network of contacts and identify any common issues affecting the Trust through its quarterly complaints records.
Information about the group’s plans and achievements in the financial year 2009-2010 can be found in the Annual Report.
