policy discussion's blog

The health secretary has been forced to water down plans to allow patients to choose which GP practice they register with, regardless of where they live, in a pay deal with family doctors.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/nov/02/andrew-lansley-patient-ch...
However, millions of patients will be able to remain registered with their family doctors after moving to a different neighbourhood
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8866277/Patients-to-be-allo...

Cuts to mental health services of up to 20 per cent by commissioners will have an adverse affect on already vulnerable groups, warns the Cultural Consultation Service following its recent seminar on mental health commissioning.

http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/document.rm?id=9255

This section is particularly relevant, highlighting as it does the need for identifying resources to back up any theoretical new duties.

"Health inequalities

The Government says it wants to hear our views on the future of care and support. http://caringforourfuture.dh.gov.uk/

What priorities do you think this Government needs to focus on to improve the care and support system?

The issues they have identified as priorities are:

1. Improving quality and developing the workforce
2. Increased personalisation and choice
3. Ensuring services are better integrated around people’s needs
4. Supporting greater prevention and early intervention
5. Creating a more diverse and responsive care market

"The government hopes smarter procurement can help the NHS in England to save more than £15bn over the next three years - and some hospitals are already proving it can be done.

One of London's top teaching hospitals has saved the taxpayer more than £300,000 a year - just by changing its order for rubber gloves."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14971984

There are, of course, questions to be asked. Is the cheapest equipment necessarily the best for the job? Are there longer-term cost implications? Will prices creep up once a supplier has a monopoly?

The NHS White Paper, Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS was published in July 2010 and sets out the Government's long-term vision for the future of the NHS.

Key points within the white paper relate to:

The devolution of power and responsibility for commissioning health care services to GPs and their practice teams working in a consortium. This will pave the way for the abolition of PCTs (Primary Care Trusts) in 2013 and SHAs (Strategic Health Authorities) in 2012/13.

Best practice in developing new models of working through GP consortia will be drawn from ‘pathfinders’ that will have access a new Department of Health Fund of £1m. The first groups of GPs who will take the lead in commissioning health services were announced in early December. The pathfinders will test the new commissioning arrangements to ensure they are working well before more formal arrangements come into place.

In December staff at MRHF held an information day for older people in conjunction with North Manchester African & Caribbean Elders Care Group. Despite the snow local people attended to hear about the services/support offered by the Stroke Association, Age Concern and Manchester Community Health. Members of the Salford African & Caribbean Older People’s Group also attended. MRHF aims to hold other events in the future and wishes to collaborate with local groups in North Manchester so please contact us.

On 10 November the Commission launched an Inquiry into the protection and promotion of human rights of older people in England who require or receive home-based care and support. The Commission wishes to gather the views of older people, their family and their friends about their experience of home care services. They also want to include the views of current and past home carers / personal assistants, and the views of people and organisations that have knowledge and expertise in this area.

This fund was set up to help older people to keep active. Grants of between £250 and £3000 are available to groups that have an annual income of £50,000 or under.

The fund is also available in the Rochdale and Salford boroughs and all applications must be received before the end of February. Activities can be funded up until December 2011. More information about the grant can be obtained from the Community Foundation on 0161 214 0940 or email enquiries@communityfoundation.co.uk
Easy Rhythms – Adults and Older People Only