Better together
Last weekend theIndependent on Sunday reportedthat the number of councils no longer helping adults assessed to have moderate or low needs has risen by 17% in five years. That’s according to a survey of social services leaders carried out by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services. It also cited separate research by the London School of Economics showing that half a million people who would have qualified for care in 2009 are no longer entitled.
For many people working in health and social care, this will confirm their own perceptions. But this is not simply a social care issue. It’s a growing challenge which needs everyone working for the well-being of older people to collaborate on addressing.
Combination
Last week I wrote about theBarker Commission’s findings. In particular, their report advocates the combining of health and social care commissioning. That is just one approach to addressing a major challenge for the current system. The underlying message – however it’s achieved – remains that health and social care budgets need to be allocated to maximum effect.
This almost certainly means investing in out of hospital care – regardless of whether it’s labelled “health”, “social” or “domiciliary” care.
Social investments
There’s some great examples from Kent, Surrey and Sussex of work already underway. The First Community Health and Care (FCHC) Council of Governors has created a community development fund. FCHC works closely with Redhill and Reigate YMCA and has additionally used the fund to support the charity financially. Going forward, it intends to sustain the fund by using retained profits held in reserve to donate to local organisations.
These and other local initiatives are undoubtedly moves in the right direction. The challenge is how we capitalise on them as wide and fast as possible. For many long-term conditions, there is increasing emphasis on care at home and we should not forget that integration needs to empower care givers in all settings to deliver good outcomes; they need to be on the inside and not treated as another separate “provider”. Social investment can have a significant role here.
The key principle as ever is building services around the service user. It’s crucial that the individual interests of separate organisations don’t impede progress. Supporting the integration agenda as part of our focus on the care and well-being of older people is an area in which KSS AHSN can add value. By supporting existing networks to collaborate more closely and sharing best practice more widely, we will help bring the benefits to more KSS residents more quickly.
Hold the date
Just a reminder that the date of our EXPO and awards is 13 January 2015. I look forward to sharing more information with you shortly.
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KSS Patient Safety Collaborative: Proposal Paper for Consultation
The paper explains proposals for the governance, operational structure and initial priorities for the Kent Surrey Sussex Patient Safety Collaborative (KSS PSC), seeking your feedback. There are some particular questions in bold throughout the document that we would appreciate your thoughts on in your response.
A feedback form is sent with thisKSS PSC consultation document, please use the attachedfeedback formand send your comments on this proposal document by Friday 17th October 2014 to:s.wales@nhs.net
NHS and PHE South Region’s sustainability conference: Putting Sustainability into Practice
Where:Reading Town Hall, Blagrave Street, Reading RG1 1QH
When:10.00 – 16.00 on Wednesday 1 October 2014
The overall aim of this event is to share good practice and inspire us to new more sustainable ways of working and living.
The day will include participative workshops on the topics below:
- Adaptation and Resilience
- JSNA – sustainability chapter
- Pharmaceuticals and Medicines – green bags, inhaler recycling
- Optimising Social Value
- Commissioning and Procurement
- Active Transport
- Sustainable Carbon Emissions – measurement and modelling of carbon for providers and commissioners
- Health Co-benefits – making it real
To apply, pleaseclick hereor email Georgina Dove:georginadove@nhs.net
NHS Innovation Challenge Prizes
申请英国国民健康保险制度创新挑战争取荣誉es will be open from September 15 to November 7. It is a £650,000 prize programme that encourages, recognises and rewards innovations from the front line. Anyone working in or with the NHS is eligible to enter if they have an innovation that is proven, has the potential for spread and supports NHS England’s objectives.
Designed with input from a wide cross-section of staff and stakeholders, this year’s challenges include diabetes, infection control, rehabilitation, use of technology and digital patient and clinician engagement. A series of targeted ‘acorn’ prizes will be awarded to small innovations with the potential to make a big difference.
For more information, pleaseclick here.
The Sir Jules Thorn Award for Biomedical Research
One grant of up to £1.5 million is offered annually to support a five-year programme of translational biomedical research selected following a competition among applicants sponsored by the leading UK medical schools and NHS organisations.
UK medical schools and NHS organisations are eligible to submit one application annually.
Prospective applicants should note that:
- The closing date for Preliminary Applications is 3 October 2014
- Only one application per institution is permitted
- The Award may not be used for Cancer or HIV/AIDS related research.
For more details, pleaseclick here.
Future of Health Conference 2014
UCLPartners is joining with NHS England and Dods for the second year running to host Future of Health. The national conference won Event of the Year at the British Media Awards in 2014 for setting the pace of change for long-term conditions, multi-morbidity, and integrated care.
Future of Health will be attended by:
- NHS England Board Members
- NHS England National Directors
- Chairman/Directors from Clinical Commissioning Groups
- Directors from Commissioning Support Units
- Directors from Health and Wellbeing Boards
- Public health/long-term conditions leads from local authority and acute trusts
Future of Health will be an action platform for primary, secondary and tertiary care to join with social care and charities and industry experts to shape the future of person-centred, coordinated care integrated, patient-centred healthcare.
For more information and to register please visit:www.futureofhealth.co.uk