Health and Well-being news alert Issue 12

Latest from Regional Voices

Download the latest ‘On the Radar’ update from Regional Voices [83kB, DOC] - the voluntary sector Strategic Partner with Department of Health.

New start date and more funding announced for local HealthWatch bodies

Following feedback from local authorities and local involvement networks (LINks), they now have until April 2013 to work with local health experts and volunteers to establish the local HealthWatch. The new local health bodies are set to replace LINks and will be the local consumer champion for patients, service users and the public. From next year, an additional £3.2m will also be made available to local authorities to establish local HealthWatch.

Extra money to help people leaving hospital

A one-off additional £150m will be allocated to Primary Care Trusts in England, for immediate transfer to local authorities for investment in social care services which also benefit the health system.

This additional investment will enable local services to discharge patients from hospital more quickly and provide effective ongoing support for people in their own homes.

The aim is to reduce the pressure on health services, and particularly hospitals during the winter period.

Safeguarding adults at risk of harm: a legal guide for practitioners

This guide [1.32mB, PDF] is for practitioners working in various settings for organisations involved in safeguarding, but it may also be useful for volunteers and family members.

Free Diversity seminar for all providers of palliative care
25th January 2012

Places are free and on a first come first served basis - please contact ann.pratten@togetherforshortives.org.uk for further information.

Download the programme agenda [22kB, DOC].

Snow wardens and winter workers to help people keep safe this winter

Tens of thousands of people across the country will get help during the cold weather following 163 successful proposals from councils for a share of £20 million of Government funding to help people in the cold weather.

The successful councils have pledged to run innovative schemes to help vulnerable people keep warm and safe and help prevent people needing to go to hospital during the winter months.They are working with charity partners like Age UK and the Community Foundation Network, to put support networks in place. This funding will equip those services to respond to needs and emergencies.

Social Care bulletin: December 2011

The latest edition of the Social Care bulletin has Director General for Social Care, David Behan talking about engagement across the social care system and the National Dementia Strategy.

Transforming Public Health Bulletin: December 2011

In the latest issue of the Transforming Public Health Bulletin, Transition Managing Director, Anita Marsland, provides her update on the new public health system.

JSNAs and joint health and wellbeing strategies explained

To support emerging health and wellbeing boards, the Department has a published an explanation of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNAs) and joint health and wellbeing strategies [180kB, PDF].

JSNAs will be the means by which local leaders work together to understand and agree the needs of all local people, with the joint health and wellbeing strategy setting the priorities for collective action. Taken together they will be the pillars of local decision-making, focusing leaders on the priorities for action and providing the evidence base for decisions about local services.

Any Qualified Provider resource centre

DH has now launched the AQP Resource Centre on the NHS Supply2Health portal. The Resource Centre is intended as a focal point for the NHS and the public to access information about AQP.

Personal Health Budgets

For progress published around personal health budgets - which will have implications for voluntary sector providers, advocates and brokers - see www.personalhealthbudgets.dh.gov.uk.