www.careforumwales.co.ukWales Care Awards 2021 - To be cancelled<p>Care Forum Wales has decided that our priority has to be the safety and wellbeing of all involved with making the awards happen and it is with regret that we will have to postpone the Wales Care Awards again this year untill 2022.</p>
<p>All nominations that have been submitted in 2020 & 2021 will be carried over and you can continue to make nominations until March 31st 2022. City Hall in Cardiff has been reserved for the awards next year on Friday 21st October 2022, so please make a note in you diary.</p>
<p>We look forward to seeing you all when we can all come together for a celebration to remember.</p>Shield Social Care / Save Lives this Winter<p>Care Forum Wales has launched a new drive to re-energize it’s campaign to Shield Social Care / Save Lives this Winter. At the heart of the campaign is the call for the testing shambles to be sorted out so that the virus can be kept at bay as Wales enters a two-week firebreak national lockdown.<br>To view the press release from this week: <a href="https://careforumwales.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=884ecfae5a1a530b13f61112c&id=083ec03f42&e=21889a3a92">Link</a></p>
<p>Please feel free to use these bilingual logos and strapline, and share them with your colleagues and connections to help Care Forum Wales get our message across to as many people as possible. </p>
<p><a href="https://careforumwales.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=884ecfae5a1a530b13f61112c&id=751181c324&e=21889a3a92">E</a><a href="https://careforumwales.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=884ecfae5a1a530b13f61112c&id=4368aa3aed&e=21889a3a92">nglish Logo</a> / <a href="https://careforumwales.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=884ecfae5a1a530b13f61112c&id=e6a0f82a22&e=21889a3a92">Welsh Logo </a><br><a href="https://careforumwales.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=884ecfae5a1a530b13f61112c&id=5feb2b8534&e=21889a3a92">English Strapline</a> / <a href="https://careforumwales.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=884ecfae5a1a530b13f61112c&id=027050cd4a&e=21889a3a92">Welsh Strapline</a></p>Welsh Government issues toolkit to establish cost of care homes for older people<p>Welsh Government has published its much awaited toolkit for setting care fees 'Lets Agree to Agree' - Toolkit for Commissioners and Providers to Agree Costs of Residential Care for Older People </p>
<p>This is good practice guidance from Welsh Government and sets out a framework for discussing fees. </p>
<p>We would draw a few key points from the principles to your attention:</p>
<ul>
<li>An agreed price has to be negotiated as with any other contract. This requires both parties to come to a shared view on the price and the components that make up the price – neither party can or should impose a price on the other without this negotiation.</li>
<li>That negotiation requires providers to be open about their costs.</li>
<li>There can always be exceptions e.g. the greater cost of providing needed care in a rural area can be recognised.</li>
<li>Return on investment is of fundamental importance for the future of the care market in Wales.</li>
<li>The basis of this toolkit is that commissioners in the public sector should expect to pay a fair and reasonable price for care. It should not be the case that those who are funding their own care are expected to subsidise those who are paid for from the public purse.</li>
<li>For those who want additional services or a higher standard of accommodation a “topup” payment may be required that the public purse would not expect to fund. </li>
</ul>
<p>The toolkit recommends establishing a standing committee of stakeholders to consider the issues arising from the cost of care.</p>
<p>The use of the toolkit will be monitored by the National Commissioning Board reporting to the Welsh Government Care Homes Steering Group but we are keen to hear any initial feedback from members.</p>
<p> If you have any queries about this please contact Mary Wimbury <a href="mailto:mary@careforumwales.co.uk">mary@careforumwales.co.uk</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/FINAL%20AH%20Letter%20to%20Commissioners%20&%20Providers%20Issuing%20Cost%20of%20Res%20Care%20Toolkit%20-%20Sept%202018%20PDF.pdf">/uploads/FINAL AH Letter to Commissioners & Providers Issuing Cost of Res Care Toolkit - Sept 2018 PDF.pdf</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/FINAL-Lets%20Agree%20to%20Agree-Toolkit%20for%20Commissioners%20&%20Providers%20to%20Agree%20Cost%20of%20Res%20Care%20for%20Older%20People-Aug%202018%20PDF.pdf">/uploads/FINAL-Lets Agree to Agree-Toolkit for Commissioners & Providers to Agree Cost of Res Care for Older People-Aug 2018 PDF.pdf</a></p>
<p></p>
Care Forum Wales - updated Privacy Policy<p>Care Forum Wales is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales is a not for profit membership organisation where members have agreed and subscribed to be members and as part of their membership contract expect to receive updates from us on matters of interest. In addition, we have added partners to our update mailing list, with their consent. We will continue to provide you with timely updates unless you notify us you no longer wish to receive them by contacting Janet on <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a> .</p>
<p>This privacy statement describes how we collect and use personal information about you in accordance with the General Data Protections Regulation (GDPR). This policy is effective from 25 May 2018.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Our Responsibilities and Data Protection Principles</strong></p>
<p>CFW is a “data controller”. This means that we are responsible for deciding how we hold and use personal information about you. We comply with data protection law. This says that the personal information we hold about you must be:</p>
<ul>
<li>Used lawfully fairly and in a transparent way;</li>
<li>Collected only for valid purposes that we have clearly explained to you and not used in any way that is incompatible with those purposes;</li>
<li>Relevant to the purposes we have told you about and limited only to those purposes;</li>
<li>Accurate and kept up to date.</li>
<li>Kept only as long as necessary for the purposes we have told you about</li>
<li>Kept securely.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>The kind of information we hold on you…</strong></p>
<p>Personal data, or personal information, means any information about an individual that</p>
<p>can identify that individual. It does not include data where the identity has been removed</p>
<p>(anonymous data). We do not collect, store and use any “special categories” of more sensitive personal information.</p>
<p>We will collect, store, and use the following categories of personal information about you:</p>
<p>Contact details for each member organisation of CFW;</p>
<p>Financial details of organisations that are members for the purpose of collecting membership fees where we have been given permission to do so;</p>
<p>Photographs and videos from our events;</p>
<p>Other information e.g. membership surveys.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Care Forum Wales also acts as the data controller for the Wales Care Awards for whom we hold contact information about those nominated for awards, those nominating them and sponsors.</p>
<p>Application forms for those nominated may contain personal information. This will be used solely for the purposes of judging the awards.</p>
<p>We will maintain contact details with regard to sponsors and sponsorship for this purpose. </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12px;"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12px;">As a member of Care Forum Wales, there are communications we need to send to you to fulfil our membership responsibilities to you:</span></p>
<ul>
<li>Updates and news relevant to the care sector;</li>
<li>Invitations to relevant events and meetings</li>
<li>Opportunities to provide information or views from the care sector</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Testimonials, Videos and Photographs</strong></p>
<p>Photographers attending our events typically roam the event venue taking photographs</p>
<p>of members, guests and speakers. If you do not wish to be included in the event gallery of</p>
<p>photographs, please make yourself known to the photographer so they can act accordingly.</p>
<p>However, if we wish to identify you (such as use a caption with the photograph or video), or the photograph or video just contains you or is of a small group of people including you, we will explain why we are using your image, what it is being used for and who might look at the image and ask for your consent beforehand (if you do not wish to consent then we will not include you in the photograph/video). If we use an agency to take the photographs or video footage, we will ensure the agency obtains the correct permissions.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>How we use cookies on our website</strong></p>
<p>Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer's hard drive by your web browser when you visit any website. They allow information gathered on one web page to be stored until it is needed for use on another, allowing a website to provide you with a personalised experience and the website owner with statistics about how you use the website so that it can be improved.</p>
<p>Some cookies may last for a defined period of time, such as one day or until you close your browser. Others last indefinitely.Your web browser should allow you to delete any you choose. It also should allow you to prevent or limit their use.</p>
<p>Our website uses cookies. They are placed by software that operates on our servers, and by software operated by third parties whose services we use. When you first visit our website, we ask you whether you wish us to use cookies. If you choose not to accept them, we shall not use them for your visit except to record that you have not consented to their use for any other purpose. If you choose not to use cookies or you prevent their use through your browser settings, you may not be able to use all the functionality of our website.</p>
<p>We use cookies in the following ways:</p>
<ul>
<li>to track how you use our website</li>
<li>to record whether you have seen specific messages we display on our website</li>
<li>to keep you signed in our site</li>
<li>to record your answers to surveys and questionnaires on our site while you complete them</li>
<li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Links to other websites</strong></p>
<p>Our website may contain links to enable you to visit other websites of interest easily. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Our communications to you – giving you options</strong></p>
<p>We normally send our communications to you by email. On all our emails, we will provide links to enable you to view this privacy notice and to let us know if you no longer want to be receive communications from us. You can also contact us by telephone or post (details below).</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Data sharing</strong></p>
<p>We only share your personal information on very limited circumstances to enable us to provide you with the necessary service you require. If you are an attendee at one of our events, we may share your personal information with the Speaker(s) and their organisation, so that they are aware of their audience before the event. Otherwise, we will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law. We may use your personal information to send you promotional information about third parties which we think you may find interesting if you tell us that you wish this to happen. We require any third parties to respect the security of your data, and to treat in accordance with the law. We require them to only use your information in respect of the event they are speaking at, and for no other purposes. They only process your personal information on our instructions and where they have agreed to treat the information confidentially and keep it secure.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Data security</strong></p>
<p>We have put in place appropriate security measures to prevent your personal information from being accidentally lost, used or accessed in an unauthorised way, altered or disclosed. In addition, we limit access to your personal information to those agents who have a business need to know. They will only process your personal information on our instructions and they are subject to a duty of confidentiality. We have put in place procedures to deal with any suspected data security breach and will notify you and any applicable regulator (i.e. the ICO) of a suspected breach where we are legally required to do so.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Retaining your information</strong></p>
<p>We will retain your personal information for as long as you are a member and in order to send reasonable reminders about renewal of membership. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Your rights in connection with personal information</strong></p>
<p>Under certain circumstances, by law you have the right to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Request access to your personal information (commonly known as a “data subject access</li>
</ul>
<p>request”). This enables you to receive a copy of the personal information we hold about you</p>
<p>and check that we are lawfully processing it.</p>
<ul>
<li>Request correction or erasure of the personal information that we hold about you.</li>
<li>Object to processing of your personal information where we are relying on a legitimate</li>
</ul>
<p>interest (or those of a third party) and there is something about your particular situation whichmakes you want to object to processing on this ground. You also have the right to object where we are processing your personal information for direct marketing purposes.</p>
<ul>
<li>Request the restriction of processing of your personal information. If you want to review, verify, correct or request erasure of your personal information, object to the processing of your personal data, please contact us (details below).</li>
</ul>
<p>You will not have to pay a fee to access your personal information (or to exercise any of the other rights). However, we may charge a reasonable fee if your request for access is clearly unfounded or excessive. Alternatively, we may refuse to comply with the request in such circumstances.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you have any questions about this Notice, please contact us at</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales, Ellice Way, Wrexham LL13 7YW</p>
<p>or telephone: 01978 755400</p>
<p>or email: <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a></p>
November 2017: Wales Care Awards winners celebrate receiving social care 'Oscars' at Cardiff ceremony<p>The 15th annual Wales Care Awards took place in Cardiff on November 17 with the winners celebrating in style at City Hall in Cardiff.</p>
<ul><li style="text-align: left;"><strong>Scroll down for the full list of Wales Care Awards 2017 WINNERS</strong></li>
</ul><p><strong><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/2017%20Wales%20Care%20Awards/2M1A8007.jpg" alt="Owen Olds, Carer at Mill View Care Home, SilverCrest Care received the 2017 Spirit of Care Awards" width="589" height="392" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></strong></p>
<p>There were 14 main awards plus five special awards announced on the night – the Dignity in Care Award, sponsored by the Welsh Government, the Bryn Terfel Foundation Award for Promoting the Arts in Social Care, the Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award, the Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children & Young People, and the Spirit of Care Award.</p>
<p>The ceremony was attended by the newly-appointed Welsh Government minister for Children and Social Care Huw Irranca-Davies AM, who presented the Dignity in Care Award.</p>
<p>Paying tribute to all of this year’s nominees, Mr Irranca-Davies said: "All of you provide a vital public service and at its centre are the people who work on the frontline. People rely on your skills and your professionalism to deliver their care. You make a difference every single day, every single moment.”</p>
<p>"The environment you're working is has never been more challenging. The need for care and support services is growing and there is pressure to do more and to do it differently, and that's difficult. However it also makes it a very exciting time for social care in Wales and we've recently published our national strategy, Prosperity for All.</p>
<p>"We can only tackle the challenges we face in social care together and by working across boundaries. We will look at how social care supports our economy as we know that social care is a significant economic centre in its own right, and I'm delighted that social care has indeed been identified as one of the priority areas which has the potential to be the greatest contribution to the long term prosperity and wellbeing of the people of Wales.</p>
<p>"As we know, compassionate, dignified care plays a critical part in building strong communities and ensures that people can be healthy and independent for longer. So together we must raise the profile and the status of social care workers so that social care becomes the positive career choice where people are valued and supported responsibly."</p>
<p>The ceremony was hosted by Radio Wales DJ and opera singer Wynne Evans, and entertainment was provided by the Only Boys Aloud choir.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/2017%20Wales%20Care%20Awards/2M1A7075.jpg" alt="Wales Care Awards 2017" width="590" height="392" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></p>
<p><strong>Who were the 2017 Wales Care Awards winners</strong><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>1 - Exceptional Newcomer Award - Sponsor - Coleg Cambria</strong></p>
<p><strong>GOLD -</strong> Sean Paul Doyle, Childcare Practitioner at Options Kinsale</p>
<p><strong>SILVER -</strong> Ashden Prance-Bowen, care assistant at Shire Hall Care Home, Hallmark Care Homes</p>
<p><strong>BRONZE -</strong> Rachel Gavin of Bridgend County Borough Council’s Community Learning Disability Team</p>
<p><strong>2 - Excellence in Catering Award –</strong> <strong>Sponsor - Harlech Foodservice</strong></p>
<p><strong>GOLD - </strong>Richard Thompson, catering manager at Bryn Seiont Newydd, Pendine Park Care Organisation</p>
<p><strong>SILVER - </strong>Carys Davies, second chef at Shire Hall Care Home, Hallmark Care Homes</p>
<p><strong>BRONZE - </strong>Anthony Dyer, Head Chef at Penylan House Community Nursing, Linc-Cymru Housing Association</p>
<p><strong>3 – Excellence in Learning Disability & Mental Health Services Award – Sponsor - Educ8 Ltd and Home Instead Senior Care</strong></p>
<p><strong>GOLD - </strong>Gayle Thomas, Behaviour Practitioner – Wales, at the Consensus Caring Homes Group</p>
<p><strong>SILVER - </strong>Leigh Miller, Day Opportunities Manager at New Horizons Day Centre, Consensus</p>
<p><strong>BRONZE - </strong>Andrea Lock, Registered Manager, Family Housing Association</p>
<p><strong>4 - Leadership & Management in Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Award - Sponsor – AA Health, Safety and HR Consultants</strong></p>
<p><strong>GOLD - </strong>Linda Forrest-Owen, Anglesey Manager at Carelink Homecare Service Ltd</p>
<p><strong>SILVER - </strong>Noel Williams, Managing Director at Calon Lan Community Care Ltd</p>
<p><strong>BRONZE - </strong>Menna Roberts, Area Manager at Cymorth Llaw Ltd</p>
<p><strong>5 - Leadership and Management in Residential Care Services Award – Sponsor - Christie & Co</strong></p>
<p><strong>GOLD - </strong>Susan Lanceley, Registered Home Manager at Rickeston Mill Nursing Home Care Inn Ltd</p>
<p><strong>SILVER - </strong>Anne Thomas, Executive Director at Penylan House Community Nursing Linc-Cymru</p>
<p><strong>BRONZE - </strong>Karen Beech, Clinical Care Manager at Greenhill Manor Care Home, Hallmark Care Homes</p>
<p><strong>6 - Commitment to Training & Workforce Development Award – Sponsor - Cardiff & Vale College </strong></p>
<p><strong>GOLD - </strong>Michele May and Sarah Longhurst, Care Consultants at Pendine Park Care Organisation</p>
<p><strong>SILVER - </strong>Beverley Larkins, Staff Development & Training Officer at Wrexham County Borough Council</p>
<p><strong>7 – Independent Sector Nurse of the Year Award -</strong> <strong>Sponsor - Ontex Healthcare </strong></p>
<p><strong>GOLD - </strong>Tracey Frowen, Clinical Nurse Manager, The Hollies Care Home, SilverCrest Care Ltd</p>
<p><strong>SILVER - </strong>Hannah Leggat, Registered Nurse, Shire Hall Care Home, Hallmark Care Homes</p>
<p><strong>BRONZE - </strong>Jocelyn De Guzman, Registered Nurse, Highfield Care Home Pendine Park Care Organisation</p>
<p><strong>8 - Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner Award -</strong> <strong>Sponsor - Mayberry Pharmacy Ltd, CareGuard and Telbridge</strong></p>
<p><strong>GOLD - </strong>Teresa Francis, Shared Lives Officer at Gwynedd Council</p>
<p><strong>SILVER - </strong>Melanie Walters, Care Practitioner at Radis Community Care</p>
<p><strong>BRONZE - </strong>Owen Olds, Carer at Mill View Care Home, SilverCrest Care</p>
<p><strong>9 - Commitment to Quality in Housekeeping and Hospitality Award – Sponsor - Care Inn Ltd</strong></p>
<p><strong>GOLD - </strong>Brian Lane, Executive Chef & Chef Trainer, Hallmark Care Homes</p>
<p><strong>SILVER - </strong>Karen Saunders, Housekeeper, Ty Bronllys, Orbis Education & Care</p>
<p><strong>BRONZE - </strong>Judy Twidale, Soft Furnishings Assistant, Pendine Park Care Organisation</p>
<p><strong>10 – Excellence in Palliative and End of Life Care Award – Sponsor – SilverCrest Care Group</strong></p>
<p><strong>GOLD - </strong>Ann Atkin, Family Support Officer, St Kentigern Hospice</p>
<p><strong>SILVER - </strong>Karen Wilcox George, Community Manager, Greenhill Manor Care Home, Hallmark Care Homes</p>
<p><strong>BRONZE - </strong>Mark Dunn, Health & Social Care Assistant, Everycare Cardiff Ltd.</p>
<p><strong>11 - Excellence in Dementia Care Award - Sponsor – All Care (South Wales) Ltd and A Baldwins & Company</strong></p>
<p><strong>GOLD - </strong>Sara Wells, Carer at Procare Nursing Agency Ltd</p>
<p><strong>SILVER - </strong>Elizabeth Durlucia, Registered Manager, Ty Bryn Care Home, Amaranth Care Ltd</p>
<p><strong>BRONZE - </strong>Ceri Powell, Activities Organiser, Brocastle Manor Care Home, Hafod Care Association Ltd</p>
<p><strong>12 – Outstanding Service Award - Sponsor – Hallmark Care homes - <a href="https://www.hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk">https://www.hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>GOLD - </strong>Rhian Evans, Shared Lives Enabler Gwynedd & Anglesey Shared Lives Scheme for Anglesey & Gwynedd Council.</p>
<p><strong>SILVER - </strong>Janet Paynter, Registered Home Manager, Treetops Care Home Care Inn Ltd</p>
<p><strong>BRONZE -</strong> June Clark, Home Manager, Plas y Garn Residential Home, Hafod Care Association Ltd</p>
<p><strong>13 - Promoting Fulfilled Lives Award - Sponsor – Boots Healthcare</strong></p>
<p><strong>GOLD - </strong>Elizabeth Hughes, Shared Lives Enabler Gwynedd & Anglesey Shared Lives Scheme, Anglesey & Gwynedd Council, and Christine Lewis, Enrichment/Activities Co-Ordinator, Highfield Care Home Pendine Park Care Organisation</p>
<p><strong>SILVER -</strong> Tracy Davies, Care Giver at Home Instead Senior Care, and Cerianne Gratton, Registered Manager, All Care (S.Wales) Ltd</p>
<p><strong>14 – Residential Care Practitioner Award Sponsor - Older People’s Commissioner</strong></p>
<p><strong>GOLD - </strong>Linda Marie Kinsey, Senior Carer at Picton Court Care Home, Hafod Care Association Ltd</p>
<p><strong>SILVER - </strong>Rebecca Barnes, Senior Care Practitioner at Merton Place Care Home, Clwyd Alyn Housing Association</p>
<p><strong>BRONZE - </strong>Shani Lauren Escott, Care Officer at Pen-Coed Residential Home, Forest Care Homes</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Wales Care Awards 2017 – Top Awards </strong></p>
<p>These special awards are announced on the night and the Dignity In Care Award winners are chosen from candidates in all the other awards categories.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales is grateful to the Bryn Terfel Foundation for its continued support for the Arts in Social Care Award.</p>
<p><strong>The Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children & Young People</strong> - <strong>Sponsor – Citation</strong></p>
<p>Paul O’Donnell & Leonard Drane, Directors at Priority Childcare Ltd</p>
<p><strong>The Sir Bryn Terfel Foundation Wales Care Award for Promoting the Arts in Social Care - Sponsor – Pendine Park Care Organisation</strong></p>
<p>Nia Davies-Williams, Musician-in-Residence at Bryn Seiont Newydd, Pendine Park Care Organisation</p>
<p><strong>The Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award</strong> – <strong>Sponsor – City & Guilds</strong></p>
<p>Tina Donnelly CBE, Director of Royal College of Nursing Wales</p>
<p><strong>Dignity in Care Award - Sponsor – Welsh Government</strong></p>
<p>Ann Atkin, Family Support Officer, St Kentigern Hospice</p>
<p>Elizabeth Durlucia, Registered Manager, Ty Bryn Care Home, Amaranth Care Ltd</p>
<p>Jocelyn De Guzman, Registered Nurse, Highfield Care Home Pendine Park Care Organisation</p>
<p><strong>Spirit of Care Award - Sponsor – Barchester Healthcare</strong></p>
<p>Owen Olds, Carer at Mill View Care Home, SilverCrest Care</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Care Forum Wales welcomes new Social Care Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies<p>Today's Welsh Government reshuffle gives us a new Minister for Children & Social Care - Huw Irranca-Davies, the Assembly Member for Ogmore. One of our members Anwen Care Home in his constituency know him well as a regular visitor - see <a href="http://www.huwirranca-davies.org.uk/life-saving-defibrillator-for-anwen-care-home/">here </a>and <a href="https://www.chriselmore.co.uk/single-post/2017/03/21/Older-Persons-Commissioner-Joins-AM-and-MP-at-a-Coffee-Morning">here</a></p>
<p>Care Forum Wales will obviously be making contact with the new Minister on outstanding issues in the sector and we hope to welcome him to the Wales Care Awards in a fortnight's time.</p>
<p>Vaughan Gething remains the Cabinet Secretary for Health & Social Services and the full list of Welsh Government ministers is available <a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/firstminister/2017/171103wg/?lang=en">here .</a></p>
<p>We would like to thank Rebecca Evans for her work as Social Care Minister and wish her well in her new role.</p>
CSSIW guidance on RISCA changes issued<p>Providers have until November 15 to complete their online SASS as the first step in the transition process of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 which will come into effect from April 2018.</p>
<p>The SASS, which should take around 15 minutes to complete, is to confirm your details are correct and whether you are intending to continue providing a care service after April 2018. If you are, you will need to re-apply for registration by June 30, 2018, if you run a care home and by August 31 if you run a domiciliary care agency.</p>
<p>The online portal will open for registration from February (members will be helping to test the system during December). More information can be found <a data-cke-saved-href="http://cssiw.org.uk/providingacareservice/already-registered-services/sass/adult-care-homes-and-childrens-homes/?lang=en" href="http://cssiw.org.uk/providingacareservice/already-registered-services/sass/adult-care-homes-and-childrens-homes/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. You can also access CSSIW’s presentation for members who attended our spring Essential Updates <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CFW%20essential%20updates%20September%20-%20October%202017.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
<p>CSSIW will be writing to all providers with transitional guidance during October and holding advice sessions on the detail required for registration and the Statement of Purpose. We expect that the transitional guidance will reflect Welsh Government’s response to phase 1 of the RISCA consultation around the role of the Responsible Individual, who should be someone senior within the organisation with sufficient influence to be held accountable (although the provider will still be responsible too).</p>
<p>While we anticipate that there will be no change in regard to this stipulation, we hope that there may be some easing around the frequency of site visits and delegation. We are also working with Social Care Wales on the learning resources for Responsible Individuals to try and address some of the concerns you have raised around how the role fits with the Registered Manager and the Provider.</p>
Welsh government commissions expert to look at fee-setting<p><img alt="Care Foru Wales Professor John Bolton" data-file-id="5091521" data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/images/569db1e5-8cc4-4302-b02c-6c16533d228e.jpg" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/images/569db1e5-8cc4-4302-b02c-6c16533d228e.jpg" style="border: 0px; width: 160px; height: 180px; margin: 0px 0px 8px 14px;" width="160" align="right" height="180">The Welsh Government has commissioned Professor John Bolton (<em>pictured</em>) to work on a framework for local authority / local health board fee-setting issues. If anyone with experience of fee negotiations who would like to be involved, CFW is assembling a group of providers to input into this. Please contact <a data-cke-saved-href="mailto:mary@careforumwales.co.uk" href="mailto:mary@careforumwales.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mary Wimbury</a> to get involved.</p>
CMA care homes investigation – share your views by Oct 30<p>CFW is encouraging members to share their views* with the Competition and Markets Authority as part of its ongoing investigation into care homes.</p>
<p>The survey, which focuses on your business practices with residents (in particular self-funders), will help to inform the CMA’s market study – the study is considering whether the market for the provision of care home and nursing home services (to the over-65s in the UK) is working well for residents and for fairly competing businesses.</p>
<p>Further information about the CMA and this work can be found <a href="https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/care-homes-market-study" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> and you can respond to the short CMA survey <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CMAcarehomessurvey" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. The deadline for responding has been extended to October 30.</p>
<p><em>*If you operate more than one care home, you should only submit a single corporate response on behalf of all the care homes in your group.</em></p>
Overseas nurses – language test revamp<p>An alternative language test to check foreign nurses’ communication skills could occur “within weeks” following an “overwhelmingly positive” response to a consultation on the changes, the Nursing and Midwifery Council has said.</p>
<p>Employers, including Care Forum Wales members, have expressed growing concerns that the International English Language Testing System exam – the only test currently used by the Nursing and Midwifery Council – is too academic, which is exacerbating recruitment problems. Find out more <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/professional-regulation/alternative-language-test-for-overseas-nurses-set-to-be-brought-in-within-weeks/7021502.article" href="https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/professional-regulation/alternative-language-test-for-overseas-nurses-set-to-be-brought-in-within-weeks/7021502.article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
Wales Care Awards shortlist announced – are you up for an award?<p></p>
<p>The Wales Care Awards shortlist has been announced. The annual awards take place on November 17 in City Hall, Cardiff and are one of the highlights of the year for hardworking social care professionals and they help shine a positive light on the social care sector.</p>
<p>This year the awards will be hosted by opera singer Wynne Evans with entertainment from the Only Boys Aloud choir.</p>
<p></p>
<h2>Are you or a colleague shortlisted for a Wales Care Award 2017? Find out below...</h2>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner Award</strong></p>
<p>Melanie Walters, Radis Community Care</p>
<p>Teresa Frances, Gwynedd County Council</p>
<p>Owen Olds, SilverCrest Care</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Residential Care Practitioner</strong></p>
<p>Linda Marie Kinsey, Hafod</p>
<p>Rebecca Barnes, Clwyd Alyn </p>
<p>Shani Lauren Escott, Pen-Coed Care</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Leadership in Residential Care Services</strong></p>
<p><span size="2" style="font-size: small;">Susan Lanceley, </span><span size="2" style="font-size: small;">Care Inn (Rickeston Mill)</span></p>
<p><span size="2" style="font-size: small;">Karen Beech, Hallmark (Greenhill Manor)</span></p>
<p><span size="2" style="font-size: small;">Anne Thomas, Penylan Community Housing</span></p>
<p><span size="2" style="font-size: small;"></span></p>
<p><strong>Leadership & Management in Supported Living or Small Community Award</strong></p>
<p>Linda Forrest Owen, Carelink Homecare Service</p>
<p>Menna Roberts, Cymorth Llaw</p>
<p>Noel Williams, Calon Lan Community Care</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Outstanding Service</strong></p>
<p>June Clarke, Hafod Care (Plas y Garn Residential Home)</p>
<p>Rhian Evans, Gwynedd & Anglesey shared Lives</p>
<p>Miriam Warner, Miracle Workers Agency</p>
<p>Janet Paynter, Care Inn (Treetops Care Home)</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Commitment to Quality in Housekeeping & Hospitality</strong></p>
<p>Judy Twidale, Cae Bryn</p>
<p>Karen Saunders, Orbis Education & Care</p>
<p>Brian Lane, Hallmark Care Homes</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>The Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People</strong></p>
<p>Paul O'Donnell and Leonard Drane, Priority Childcare Ltd</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Palliative & End of Life Care</strong></p>
<p>Karen Wilcox George, Hallmark (Greenhill Manor)</p>
<p>Ann Atkin, St Kentigern Hospice</p>
<p>Mark Dunn, Everycare Cardiff</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Catering</strong></p>
<p>Anthony Dyer, Penylan Community Housing</p>
<p>Carys Davies, Hallmark (Shire Hall)</p>
<p>Richard Thompson, Bryn Seiont Newydd</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Commitment to Training & Workforce Development</strong></p>
<p>Beverley Larkins, Wrexham CB Council</p>
<p>Michele May and Sarah Longhurst, Stepping Stones / Pendine Park</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Dementia Care</strong></p>
<p>Elizabeth Durlucia, Ty Bryn Care Home</p>
<p>Ceri Powell, Hafod Care (Bridgend)</p>
<p>Sara Wells, Procare Nursing Agency</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Exceptional Newcomer</strong></p>
<p>Sean Paul Doyle, Options Kinsale (Kinsale School)</p>
<p>Ashden Prance-Bowen, Hallmark (Shire Hall)</p>
<p>Rachel Gavin, Bridgend County Borough Council (Community Learning Disability Team)</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Nurse of the Year</strong></p>
<p>Tracey Frowen, Silvercrest</p>
<p>Jocelyn De Guzman, Pendine Highfield Care Home</p>
<p>Hannah Leggat, Hallmark (Shire Hall)</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Commitment to Mental Health and Learning Disabilities</strong></p>
<p>Gayle Thomas, Consensus</p>
<p>Andrea Lock, Family Housing Association</p>
<p>Leigh Miller, New Horizons Day Centre</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Promoting Fulfilled Lives</strong></p>
<p>Elizabeth Hughes, Ynys Mon Council</p>
<p>Tracy Davies, Home Instead</p>
<p>Christine Lewis, Highfield Care Home</p>
<p>Cerianne Gratton, All Care (S Wales)</p>
<p></p>
Chief Medical Officer issues advice to care providers on beating flu<p>The Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Frank Atherton, has written to managers of all nursing and residential care homes in Wales to urge frontline staff to get their flu vaccinations up to date.</p>
<p>He said: "As winter approaches I want to remind you of the importance of flu vaccination for care home staff in helping to protect the vulnerable people in our care against catching flu.</p>
<p>"Last winter there were 49 flu outbreaks in Wales, half of which were in residential and care homes. Experience from Australia and other countries in the southern hemisphere over the last few months suggests that the type of flu strain likely to be circulating in Wales this winter will affect older people more.</p>
<p>"Last season, the flu vaccine was not as effective in older people as in previous seasons and so it’s crucial that for this forthcoming winter that we do all we can to protect vulnerable residents from the adverse effects of flu."</p>
<p>For more information, go to <a href="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/93160" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NHS Wales Beat Flu website</a>.</p>
CSSIW proposes changes to DBS checks<p>The way you apply for a DBS check is changing...</p>
<p>The proposal is that from 2018, CSSIW will no longer directly manage DBS checks – these will be managed by an external provider. A DBS fee (currently £44) and an administration charge will be payable for this service.</p>
<p>If you register with the DBS Update Service when you apply for your DBS check, a transitional arrangement will apply which will effectively fund the £13 subscription to the DBS Update Service for the first year.</p>
<p>Have your say on the proposed changes <a href="http://cssiw.org.uk/about/get-involved/proposed-changes-to-how-you-can-apply-for-dbs-checks/?skip=1&lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
Inquiry into costs of caring for ageing population launched – have your say<p>The National Assembly's finance committee has launched an investigation into the cost of caring for an ageing population.</p>
<p>The investigation was launched at the beginning of October and CFW will be providing a written response but <strong>individual providers can also submit responses up to December 8</strong>. Oral evidence sessions will begin after Christmas.</p>
<p>Among the issues being investigated are:</p>
<ul><li>To examine patterns in demand for social care services for those of pension age and the related costs of delivery of residential and non-residential care, taking account of the role of informal carers who provide unpaid services to those requiring care;</li>
<li>To examine the financial pressures on the social care system, such as increases in wages, automatic pension enrolment and staff recruitment and retention difficulties, including the related financial impacts arising from the UK leaving the European Union;</li>
<li>To consider the financial impact of current Welsh Government policies - including recent social services legislation and reforms to social care funding - on local authorities, care providers and service users;</li>
<li>To consider future social care needs and related costs, including the projected increase in the proportion of the population of Wales of pension age;</li>
<li>To assess the fiscal levers available to the Welsh Government to reform the arrangements for funding social care. This will include the consideration of alternative models, including international examples, for the funding of social care to ensure a good quality, fair and sustainable service in a time of increasing demands on the health and social care systems; and</li>
<li>To consider the findings and conclusions of the Parliamentary Review.</li>
</ul><p></p>
<p><strong>Submissions should be sent to: <a href="mailto:seneddfinance@assembly.wales" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seneddfinance@assembly.wales by December 8.</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Find out more about the inquiry on the National Assembly's website <a href="http://senedd.assembly.wales/mgConsultationDisplay.aspx?id=277&RPID=1009748459&cp=yes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HERE</a>.</strong></p>
Deadline approaching for people to claim for their care<p>People who believe their care should have been funded by the NHS are being encouraged by the Welsh Government to register their intent to make a claim.</p>
<p>Continuing NHS Healthcare is a package of care provided free-of-charge by the NHS for people with complex and primarily health-based needs. This can be provided in a care home or an individual’s own home.</p>
<p>People who think they, or someone they care for, may have been eligible for Continuing NHS Healthcare but paid for all, or part, of their care can submit a claim.</p>
<p>Potential claimants have until October 31 to register their intent to make a claim for continuing healthcare costs which were incurred between October 1, 2015 and October 31, 2016.</p>
<p>The NHS will provide advice to claimants and will complete all of the work required to review their case free of charge.</p>
<p>Social Services Minister, Rebecca Evans, said: “Disabled people or those with an illness will sometimes need long-term care to help them, and their families, manage. Some will have paid for that care themselves, when it should have been provided free by the NHS.</p>
<p>“If people, or their families, believe they met the criteria for Continuing NHS Healthcare, but they paid for their care themselves, I encourage them to come forward to make a claim.</p>
<p>Make a claim on the <a href="http://gov.wales/topics/health/nhswales/healthservice/chc-framework/claims/?skip=1&lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Welsh Government website</a>.</p>
Government suspends minimum wage enforcement for sleep-ins<p>The government yesterday (September 28, 2017) announced a further one-month suspension of <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/enforcing-national-minimum-wage-law" target="_blank" rel="noopener">minimum wage enforcement</a> concerning sleep-in shifts in the social care sector to minimise disruption to the sector and seek to ensure workers receive the wages they are owed.</p>
<p>This follows July’s decision to waive all historic penalties in the sector where employers incorrectly paid workers a flat-rate for sleep-in shifts instead of hourly rates. This was in response to concerns over the combined impact which financial penalties and arrears of wages could have on the stability and long-term viability of providers.</p>
<p>Yesterday’s announcement will allow the government to establish how providers’ back pay bills will affect vulnerable people’s care. The evidence base will also ensure any intervention is proportionate and necessary and could be required to satisfy EU State aid rules on government funding for private organisations.</p>
<p>During this temporary pause, the government will develop a new enforcement scheme for the sector to encourage and support social care providers to identify back pay owed to their staff. This will help to minimise the impact of future minimum wage enforcement in the sector while seeking to ensure workers receive the arrears they are owed.</p>
<p>Exceptional measures announced in July will remain in place until guidelines on this new approach are outlined next month.</p>
<p>It remains the government’s expectations that all employers pay their workers according to the law, including for sleep-in shifts, as set out in guidance entitled <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/calculating-the-minimum-wage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Calculating The National Minimum Wage</a>.</p>
Prioritising social care in new Welsh Government strategy a 'game changer' – Mario Kreft<p>Care Forum Wales' chair Mario Kreft has welcomed the Welsh Government's decision to include social care as one of five key priority areas in its new economic strategy, 'Prosperity for All' calling it a “potential game-changer” for the sector.</p>
<p>According to Care Forum Wales, independent care homes and domiciliary care companies are now getting the recognition they deserve for the £3 billion-a-year contribution they help make to the economy and to communities across Wales.</p>
<p>The 'Prosperity for all' announcement by First Minister Carwyn Jones on September 19 was welcomed by the organisation’s chairman, Mario Kreft.</p>
<p><a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/firstminister/2017/170919-new-national-strategy-for-a-more-prosperous-wales/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Welsh Government: Read more about the national 'Prosperity for all' strategy </a></p>
<p>Mr Kreft said it was a particularly timely boost when a number of care homes and home care companies were having to close or give up their contracts because they were not financially viable.</p>
<h2>There has been a shift in direction since making social care a sector of national strategic importance</h2>
<p></p>
<p>Mr Kreft said: “In Wales social care underpins and enables the NHS to function, it provides care for 150,000 people and employs 75,000 people which is over five per cent of the Welsh workforce. Overwhelmingly, their wages are spent in the local communities where they live and work. And their care provision enables others to work – knowing their loved ones are well looked after.</p>
<p>“Between them care homes and nursing homes, have some 23,000 beds – more than double the number provided by the NHS.</p>
<p>“The First Minister’s announcement is a potential game-changer because the Welsh Government, to their credit, have been talking up social care as a sector of national strategic importance for some time.</p>
<p>“There has been a shift in direction since making social care a sector of national strategic importance.</p>
<p>“Now the Welsh Government have gone an important step farther and identified social care as one of the five key pillars of the Welsh economy.</p>
<p>“Care Forum Wales has long believed social care needed to be recognised as an economic priority for Wales because it connects everything that we do.</p>
<p>“Social care is the glue that binds communities together and is fundamentally important to the economic prosperity of communities throughout Wales.</p>
<p>“We need a thriving economy to pay for public services but services have to be maintained even in times of austerity and of course, the vast majority of social care is provided by the private sector and the Third Sector. </p>
<p>“The social care sector pumps £3 billion a year into the Welsh economy but that doesn’t tell the whole story because that figure, big though it is, pales into insignificance when you consider how much the sector saves us as a nation.</p>
<p>“There’s something very Welsh about the whole concept of caring. It’s in our DNA.</p>
<p>“We know about the history of the NHS which is rooted firmly here in Wales but social care is something that also promotes our economy.</p>
<p>“It enables relatives to remain in employment and to keep economically active. By being economically active of course, they’re productive and their sense of health and well-being also benefits.</p>
<p>“Every which way you look at this, that figure of £3 billion is a much smaller figure than the real value to Wales – socially, culturally and economically.</p>
<p>“What we need to see in the future is innovation and by putting social care firmly in the economic portfolio as well as of course, in health and well-being, we are actually starting to tease that out.</p>
<p>“We believe that Carwyn Jones and his government need to be commended for their vision in making this ground-breaking decision because it is a UK first.</p>
<p>“We’ve said for years that we need our leaders to talk up the value and importance of social care, recognising the skill and dedication of the workforce and not to think of the sector negatively as a cost to the nation.</p>
<p>“Social care is an economic positive, always has been and always will be. It needs to be seen as a sector of high status and high value to our society with the people providing the care being properly recognised for their economic value as well as their many other qualities.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>ends</p>
Search starts for Wales’ next Older People’s Commissioner<p>The Welsh Government has started the search for Wales’ next Older People’s Commissioner.</p>
<p>Created by the Welsh Government in 2008, the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales is the independent voice and champion for older people aged 60 and over across Wales. The Commissioner’s work is driven by what older people say matters most to them and ensures their voices are at the heart of all the commissioner does.</p>
<p>The current commissioner, Sarah Rochira, was appointed in June 2012 for a four-year term. Her term of office was extended last year for a further two years and comes to an end in June 2018.</p>
<p>The Welsh Government is now inviting applications from people interested in becoming Wales’ third Older People’s Commissioner. The application process can be found <a href="https://cymru-wales.tal.net/vx/appcentre-3/brand-2/candidate/so/pm/1/pl/8/opp/3675-Commissioner-for-Older-People-in-Wales/en-GB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> – the closing date is October 13.</p>
<p>Following a full public appointments exercise, which will involve representatives of older people, it is expected a new commissioner will be appointed by the First Minister in spring 2018 for an initial four-year term, with the new commissioner starting in the role in June 2018.</p>
Welsh Government's Cost of Care Group gets to work<p>The Welsh Government's Cost of Care Group has begun work to look into how the costs of care are calculated. Interim chief executive Mary Wimbury is a member of the group.</p>
<p>She said: “This is a crucial issue for our sector so it is vital that all members make their views on this known and feed into local fee consultations where possible. We will be happy to advice on any issues so please do keep in touch with CFW on this.</p>
<p>She added: "Local authorities and health boards are going to be required to pool budgets for care homes for older people but different regions are moving towards this in different ways. Get in touch if there are any particular issues in your region."</p>
<p>Drop <a href="mailto:mary@careforumwales.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mary</a> a line to give your views or for more information.</p>
CMA issues report into the care home market<p>The Competition and Markets Authority recently published interim findings on its care home market study and is keen to talk to providers about their proposed remedy proposals, which cover consumer issues including choosing care homes, complaints and redress and consumer protection.</p>
<p>Officers from the CMA will be joining us at the University of South Wales, Treforest, from 4pm on September 27. Please contact <a href="mailto:melanie@careforumwales.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Melanie</a> if you are interested in attending – you do not need to have attended the Essential Update.</p>
<p>Download the CMA report <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5941057be5274a5e4e00023b/care-homes-market-study-update-paper.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
<p></p>
There's still time to book in for Care Forum Wales' Essential Updates<p class="p1"><span class="s1">If you haven't booked yet for our Autumn 'Essential Updates' there's still time. <span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span size="2" style="font-size: small;">These important twice-yearly seminars will provide delegates with an informative, focused and interactive day that will ensure </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span size="2" style="font-size: small;"><b>Registered Providers, Registered Managers</b></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span size="2" style="font-size: small;"> and </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span size="2" style="font-size: small;"><b>Senior Staff </b></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span size="2" style="font-size: small;">who are responsible for providing social care in Wales will leave the seminar with the very latest information on the opportunities that exist for your organisation to stay ahead of the rest.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">DATES AND HOW TO BOOK</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">You can book by downloading a booking form <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CFW%20booking%20form%20Essential%20Update%20Seminars%20-%20Autumn%202017.doc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HERE</a> and emailing it to <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Janet</a> at Care Forum Wales and choose from the following venues:</span></p>
<p><strong>Sept 26: </strong> National Botanic Gardens, Carmarthenshire.</p>
<p><strong>Sept 27:</strong> University of South Wales.</p>
<p><strong>Oct 5:</strong> Optic, St Asaph.</p>
<p class="p1"></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1">Speakers and topics at our Essential Updates, Autumn 2017</span></h2>
<p><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">In the south we will have <strong>Steve Vaughan from National Commissioning Board</strong> who will be talking about the NCB’s work programme which includes market analysis, new models of care and commissioning toolkits. Also the Competitions and Market Authority will be holding a round-table event after the main seminars where they will be asking providers to suggest solutions to some of the issues raised in their recent draft report into care homes (anyone can attend this, even if they didn't attend the update).<br></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>CSSIW</strong> will be providing an update following the consultation on the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care regulations, and we also hope to have a focus on the new Statement of Purpose. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Social Care Wales</strong> will provide up to date information about the proposed new qualifications required for registration – an interactive workshop session giving attendees a chance to talk about the challenges and possible solutions.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Details of speakers for the St Asaph update t/c.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Judith John from the Welsh Government will also be at both South Wales updates to talk about nutrition and what support is available or needed for providers. And CFW's health and safety consultant, Anthony Arcari, will be at all three updates to talk about fire risks.</span></p>
Transforming care and raising standards – please send in your views<p>Social Care Wales (SCW) has launched its formal consultation on transforming the care sector in Wales and Care Forum Wales is urging members to respond to this by the deadline of October 16. The consultation can be found <a data-cke-saved-href="https://socialcare.wales/consultations/transforming-care-in-the-21st-century" href="https://socialcare.wales/consultations/transforming-care-in-the-21st-century" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
<p>Mary Wimbury, acting chief executive of CFW, said: “While the emphasis is on registration for domiciliary care staff which will start next year, the same process will affect care home workers further down the line.</p>
<p>"That's why it's important to read the proposals and give your views. You can also get a briefing on the proposals at our Essential Updates which will be invaluable as representatives from Social Care Wales will be attending to talk about the qualifications that will be needed to register.”</p>
<p>The consultation relates to proposed changes in Social Care Wales registration fees – which would see registered managers’ fees rise to £80 by 2022. Fees for social care workers will start at £10 and increase to £35 pa by 2022. The second proposal is to set the qualification requirement for domiciliary care workers at level 2, based around the first 12 weeks of the Social Care Induction Framework.</p>
<p>There will also be changes to the Code of Practice for Employers relating to their responsibilities regarding workforce registration and to the Fitness to Practice Rules. The consultation runs until <strong>October 16</strong> and we will, of course, be submitting a response – but we want to encourage members to do their own responses.</p>
<p>Submit your response on the <a href="https://socialcare.wales/consultations/transforming-care-in-the-21st-century" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Social Care Wales website</a>.</p>
How will curbs on EU migration impact on Wales' social care workforce? – Listen to Radio Wales' programme<p>A leaked Brexit document has revealed the UK Government's plans for future immigration curbs which will impact on the social care workforce. The document, dated August 2017, <span>proposes measures to drive down the number of lower-skilled EU migrants.</span></p>
<ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/sep/05/leaked-document-reveals-uk-brexit-plan-to-deter-eu-immigrants" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Guardian – Leaked document reveals plan to deter EU immigrants</a></li>
<li><a href="https://fullfact.org/immigration/eu-migration-and-uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Full Fact – EU immigration figures for the year to March 2017</a></li>
</ul><p>Care Forum Wales' chair, Mario Kreft, was interviewed about the impact of the plans on the social care workforce in Wales for BBC Radio Wales on September 6.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #800080; font-size: 12px;">You can listen to Mario Kreft's interview on BBC Radio Wales' 'Wales at Work' programme <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b093x735" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #800080;">HERE</a>.</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><span color="#0951dc" style="color: #0951dc;"><span face="Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span size="3" style="font-size: medium;"><u></u></span></span></span></p>
<p></p>
Grant to help promote the innovative use of Welsh – closing date for applications September 22<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Could your social care business promote the increased use of Welsh? If so you can apply for a grant from the </span><span class="s1">Welsh Government's ‘Cymraeg 2050’ Grant Scheme which is now open to applications – the closing date for application September 22, at 5pm.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Applications for grants are accepted from organisations from the third and private sectors and from public bodies for activities not covered by their statutory Welsh Language Standards regulations.</span></p>
<ul><li class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">Find out more here: <a href="http://gov.wales/topics/welshlanguage/promoting/grants/cymraeg-2050-grant-scheme/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Welsh Government Cymraeg 2050 Grant Scheme</a></span></strong></li>
</ul><p class="p1"><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p>The aims of the scheme are to fund innovative projects that meet one (or more) of the criteria for “innovation” set out below:</p>
<ul><li>projects that increase the social use of Welsh through technology</li>
<li>projects that offer new ideas and activities which aim to promote or facilitate the use of Welsh and which have not been used in the past</li>
<li>projects that offer a new way of working in order to encourage, promote or facilitate the use of the Welsh language</li>
<li>projects that take a risk with the possibility of far reaching impact if successful, but requires the investment in order to pilot the idea and to assess impact before streamlining the project into core activities<br><br></li>
</ul>
How will you mark Age Positive Week this October? – Find out more!<p>Age Cymru is promoting 'Age Positive Week' from <strong>October 1-8</strong> and events are taking place across Wales. The week coincides with the UN International Day of Older Persons on October 1.</p>
<p>Age Cymru is also encouraging organisations to plan their own events. <span>Any event involving older people can be an Age Positive Week event – a coffee morning, an exercise session, an older people’s forum meeting, a bingo session, an exhibition or a day trip.</span></p>
<p><span>If you're organising an event get in touch with Age Cymru and use #agepositiveweek to post about your event social media.</span></p>
<ul><li><span style="color: #800080;"><strong><a href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/get-involved/age-positive-week1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #800080;">Get more information on Age Positive Week from Age Cymru</a></strong></span></li>
</ul>
Arts and care homes partnership to continue to 2019 – would your care home like to take part?<p></p>
<p>Age Cymru has received funding to continue its 'cARTrefu' partnership between artists and care homes which began in 2015.</p>
<p>The project will now continue to 2019 thanks to further funding from the Baring Foundation and the Arts Council Wales. <br><br> A new team of artists is being recruited to deliver cARTrefu and they will be embarking on their first residencies from August. </p>
<h2></h2>
<h2><br> Would your care home like to take part?</h2>
<p></p>
<p>Age Cymru is now looking for care homes that are willing to try something new and original; care homes who will keep an open mind about what their residents can achieve through art. <br><br> So if you’re keen to work with a typewriter artist, would like to try large scale ceramics, or are open to exploring art inspired by dreams, we’d love to work with you! Residencies consist of one two-hour session a week for 12 weeks and are completely free.<br><br> If you’ve applied for cARTrefu before there’s no need to apply again. We’re looking for a mix of care homes new to cARTrefu and those we’ve worked with before. <br><br> For more information, please contact <a href="mailto:reg.noyes@agecymru.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reg Noyes</a> at Age Cymru.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
Government suspends minimum wage enforcement during sleep-ins<p>The UK Government has announced a temporary halt to demands for backpay for sleep-in shifts following pressure from the care sector and warnings payments could force providers out of business.</p>
<p>On July 26 it said it would “temporarily suspend enforcement activity over backpay for sleep-in shifts and will also waive historic financial penalties against employers over sleep-in shift pay in the social care sector”.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales' legal adviser Alison Castrey has issued advice for members – read the guidance document and legal advice <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Guidance%20on%20Sleep-ins%20(Amended).odt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
<p>Melanie Minty, Care Forum Wales' policy advisor, said: “Care Forum Wales, along with other social care representatives, has been actively pressing for action on this via the National Provider Forum.</p>
<p>“This is a complex issue because it affects providers in Wales although the national minimum wage, and backpay, is non-devolved.</p>
<p>“Additionally, the UK government is talking about extra funding for social care providers raised through council tax but this only applies in England and does not apply in Wales.</p>
<p>“We can give members an overview of the issue but as the stakes are so high if you are concerned you should take independent legal advice.”</p>
<p>Read more about this story <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/2017/jul/27/employers-cant-foot-400m-care-worker-back-pay-bill-government-must-act-fast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> and <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/%20http:/www.communitycare.co.uk/2017/07/26/government-bows-care-provider-pressure-sleep-payments/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. </p>
Writer wins Eisteddfod crown with poem about dementia<p>Poet Gwion Hallam used his experience of working with people who suffer from dementia to pen a special poem – and won a crown at the National Eisteddfod in Bodedern, Anglesey.</p>
<p>Gwion, who is a TV producer and has written and published children’s poetry, received the crown for a free verse poem of no more than 250 lines, titled <i>Trwy Ddrych</i> (<i>Through a Mirror</i>).</p>
<p>He wrote the poem under the pen name Elwyn/Annie/Janet/Jiws – a name inspired by the people he met.</p>
<p>The poet, who is from Felinheli, Bangor, said: “It was challenging, I had no experience of working with people with dementia, but it was a great privilege to get to know the residents, their families and friends, and very enjoyable.”</p>
<p>“Hearing the rhymes of their lives reignited my passion for writing again. Sometimes the poems were inspired by a stream of consciousness or just things they talked about in their day-to-day lives or from their memories.”</p>
<p>Read the full story on the <a href="http://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/home/2017/08/10/gallery/poet-gwion-hallam-s-crowning-moment-92561/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">North Wales Chronicle website</a>.</p>
Funded Nursing Care case – Supreme Court rules in favour of local authorities<p>The Supreme Court has today (August 2) ruled in favour of Welsh local authorities in the long-running legal dispute between councils and health boards over who pays for Funded Nursing Care in residential homes.</p>
<p>The NHS pays for people who need 24/7 nursing care, while those who do not qualify for nursing care are funded privately or by the council. But who should pay for those who need some, but not 24/7, nursing care by registered nurses was at the heart of the dispute.</p>
<p>The Supreme Court has now ruled the health boards misinterpreted the law and that the parties should renegotiate. </p>
<p>Care Forum Wales has criticised the dispute, saying the row has meant independent care providers are owed £30m in unpaid fees.</p>
<p>A group of care home owners initially secured a judicial review which ruled in their favour. But the health boards won an appeal, which then went to the Supreme Court today.</p>
<p>Mario Kreft, chair of Care Forum Wales (<em>pictured</em>), said it was scandalous that care providers have had to endure the dispute (legal proceedings began <img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Mario%20Kreft,%20chairman,%20Care%20Forum%20Wales.jpg" width="400" height="266" caption="false" style="float: right;">in 2014) and that the nub of the case came to who should pay pay a £20 a week fee for nursing care provided by care homes.</p>
<p>He added: "It is a national scandal that we have had to endure this long and completely unnecessary legal dispute.</p>
<p>"Everybody is in total agreement that this money should be paid to care homes and it is, after all, taxpayers' money from the public purse.</p>
<p>"It really doesn't matter one jot to Mrs Jones, who needs publically funded nursing care, who is actually going to pay for that care. All that counts to her is that she receives the care that she needs."</p>
<h2>Read more on this story and watch Mario Kreft's interview</h2>
<p></p>
<ul><li><strong><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-40802237" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC news: Health boards 'wrong' not to fund care, Supreme Court Says</a></strong></li>
</ul><p>Previous stories on the FNC dispute</p>
<ul><li><strong><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-39711213" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC news: Councils and health boards dispute £250m care costs</a></strong></li>
</ul>
Phase 2 implementation of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 – workforce aspects<p>Phase 2 implementation of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 – Workforce aspects – covers the requirement for providers of domiciliary services to distinguish between travel time and care time and to provide domiciliary care staff with an alternative to zero-hours contracts.</p>
<p>The consultation also seeks views on opening the register of social care workers to those employed in regulated domiciliary support services from 2018. </p>
<p>CFW would encourage people to respond on these important issues – read CFW's response <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Final%20Consultation%20response%20on%20phase%202%20workforce%20requirements.docx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
<p>The Social Care Wales consultation – on Transforming Care in the 21st Century (more info <a href="https://socialcare.wales/consultations/transforming-care-in-the-21st-century" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>) – follows on and provides some of the further detail planned behind the regulations e.g. in terms of the registration fees and qualifications that care workers will need in order to register.</p>
Regulation & Inspection of Social Care: CFW's response on regulations to replace National Minimum Standards<p>The consultation on regulations under the Inspection & Regulation Act (RISCA) which will replace National Minimum Standards ended on July 25. Another consulation, on the workforce aspects of RISCA implementation phase 2, ends on August 7. </p>
<ul><li>Responses to the consulation on National Minimum Standards will be published <a href="https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/phase-2-implementation-regulation-and-inspection-social-care-wales-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. </li>
<li>Responses to the consulation on workforce aspects will be published <a href="https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/phase-2-implementation-regulation-and-inspection-social-care-wales-act-2016-workforce" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. </li>
<li>Download CFW's full response <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/RISCA%20consultation%20response%2025-07-17%20final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</li>
</ul><p>Mary Wimbury, interim chief executive of Care Forum Wales, said: "CFW's response included points on physical standards, shared rooms, the new inspection regime and exemptions for small providers to have the same person as RI and manager, 24/7 nursing, DBI checks and written materials including service guides and statements of purpose."</p>
<p><strong>Points raised in CFW's response:</strong></p>
<p>• Physical Standards – we have made extensive representations on this issue which means that the current proposals for higher standards in terms of room sizes and requirements for en suites including showers only apply to new builds, extensions and re-registering empty care homes. As well as asking for views on this the consultation explicitly asks whether this should be phased in for all provision;</p>
<p>• In particular providers may have concerns about shared rooms only being allowable in future for those who are related or are sharing at the time the regulations are introduced;</p>
<p>• The new regime puts much more emphasis on the RI and for example requires a given level of seniority in the provider and at least monthly visits. There is currently a proposal for an exemption to allow small providers to continue to have the same person as RI and as Manager.</p>
<p>• There are new proposals on staffing, including ending the requirement for a nurse 24/7 to provide nursing care and requiring at least annual DBS checks.</p>
<p>• There will also be new requirements for all providers including comprehensive requirements around statements of purpose and notification for changes as well as written guides to the service.</p>
<hr><p>FOR A COPY OF CFW'S FULL RESPONSE TO THE CONSULTATION PLEASE CONTACT <strong><a href="mailto:mary@careforumwales.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MARY WIMBURY</a></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
Falls on the rise across the UK – act to prevent loss of independence<p>FALLS among older people is one of the major issues facing the NHS today across the UK with falls being the leading cause of accidental death and disability in older people in England and in Wales. </p>
<p><span>An estimated 230,000-460,000 people over the age of 60 fall in Wales each year. Between 11,500 and 45,900 of these suffer serious injury: fracture, head injury, or serious laceration. And in 2014/15 more than 282,000 people over the age of 65 were admitted to hospital in England because of a fall.</span></p>
<p>These numbers are rising. The cost to the individual and their families is extensive. Falls can reduce the number of disability-free years and destroy confidence, leading to loneliness, isolation and a loss of independence.</p>
<p>CFW's health and safety consultation, Anthony Arcari, would like you to draw your attention to the following article on falls by Ashley Martin, public health project manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) in Public Health Today - you can <a href="http://www.fph.org.uk/uploads/PHT%20Summer%202017_PHT%20Summer%202017.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read the PHT article on page 8</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Find out more:</strong></p>
<p>RoSPA is running a '<a href="https://www.rospa.com/home-safety/stand-up-stay-up/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stand Up, Stay Safe</a>' campaign in England - there are useful tips on its website which apply wherever you live.</p>
The real impact of the Social Services and Well-being Act – your stories wanted<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Social Care Wales is looking for real-life stories about the positive ways in which the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 has helped people.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Rebecca Cicero, sector engagement officer at SCW, says: "We’d like to work with the sector to identify and share stories about how your work has improved the lives of people since the Act came into force, in a way that will help others learn and be inspired to work in a similar way."</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">She continued: "We’d love to speak to you about any stories you may have gathered over the past year. These could be digital or written stories you’ve already produced, or even be stories you’d like some help to develop. The intention is to work with organisations to identify stories that can be promoted and published on the Social Care Legislation in Wales Information and Learning Hub."</span></p>
<ul><li class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">Find out more on the SCW website here: <a href="https://socialcare.wales/hub/news-stories/share-your-stories-about-the-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Your stories about the Social Services and Well-being Act</a></span></strong></li>
<li class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">For more information contact: <a href="mailto:Rebecca.Cicero@SocialCare.Wales" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rebecca Cicero at Social Care Wales</a></span></strong></li>
<li class="p1"><strong><strong><span class="s1">Tel. </span></strong></strong>029 2078 0566</li>
</ul>
Regulation & Inspection of Social Care: have your say on consultations closing soon<p>Two consultations on draft regulations and statutory guidance under phase 2 of implementing the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 are due to close soon.</p>
<p> </p>
<ul><li><strong>The service consultation closes on Tuesday 25 July (see below)</strong></li>
<li>
<p><strong>The workforce consultation closes on Monday 7 August (see below)</strong></p>
</li>
</ul><hr><h2>Service Consultation - Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016</h2>
<p></p>
<p><strong>(The service consultation closes on Tuesday 25 July)</strong></p>
<p>This invites your views on:</p>
<ul><li>draft regulations that place requirements on service providers and Responsible Individuals of the Regulated Services within phase 2:</li>
<li>adults’ and children’s residential care</li>
<li>secure accommodation for children</li>
<li>adults’ and children’s domiciliary support</li>
<li>Residential Family Centres</li>
<li>draft statutory guidance that relates to Parts 3 – 19 of these regulations</li>
<li>draft regulations that provide for a scheme of penalty notices in respect of non-compliance with the requirements</li>
</ul><p></p>
<p><strong>FIND OUT MORE:</strong></p>
<ul><li><strong>The consultation document and details of how to respond to the consultation can be found on the <a href="https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/phase-2-implementation-regulation-and-inspection-social-care-wales-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Welsh Government website</a>.</strong></li>
<li>On 2 May the Minister for Social Services and Public Health also issued a <a href="http://gov.wales/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2017/socialcarewalesact/?skip=1&lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">written statement in connection with this consultation</a>.</li>
</ul><p>These draft provisions aim to improve the regulation of social care, creating a new, stronger regulation and inspection regime which will improve oversight of the whole service an organisation provides.</p>
<hr><h2><strong>Workforce Consultation – Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016</strong></h2>
<p></p>
<p>The workforce c<strong>onsultation closes on Monday 7 August</strong></p>
<p> This invites your views on:</p>
<ul><li>a draft regulation that requires service providers of domiciliary support services to demarcate travel time and care time when arranging services</li>
<li>a draft regulation that requires service providers of domiciliary support services to offer workers on non-guaranteed hours contracts the choice of alternative contractual arrangements</li>
<li>the extension of the Social Care Wales register of social care workers to include domiciliary support staff from 2018 (with mandatory registration from 2020)</li>
<li>challenges facing the supply of social care managers, across the sector<br> </li>
</ul><p><strong>FIND OUT MORE:</strong></p>
<ul><li>These proposals are contained within the consultation document which can be found, together with details of how to respond to the consultation on the Welsh Government website <a href="https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/phase-2-implementation-regulation-and-inspection-social-care-wales-act-2016-workforce" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HERE</a>.</li>
<li>You can also read the related Ministerial statement <a href="http://gov.wales/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2017/riscaworkforceconsultation/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HERE</a>.</li>
</ul><p>These measures seek to support recruitment, retention and working practices in the domiciliary care sector, in order to help it deliver the best possible quality of care.</p>
<p> </p>
Parliamentary review issues imterim report<p>A review into health and social care in Wales has called for a bold vision for the health and care system and says that change in the sector is essential.</p>
<p>The Parliamentary Review interim report on health and social care in Wales has described the case for change as “compelling” and calls for new models of care to be trialled across Wales.</p>
<p>The report recognises that new models will need to be underpinned by action in a number of areas and makes further recommendations.</p>
<p>Health secretary Vaughan Gething said: “This is an insightful interim report. The panel rightly recognises the tremendous commitment of the health and care workforce and its significant achievements.</p>
<p>"The case for change in how health and care services should be organised in future could not be clearer."</p>
<p>Read the interim report on the <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20an%20insightful%20interim%20report.%20The%20panel%20rightly%20recognises%20the%20tremendous%20commitment%20of%20the%20health%20and%20care%20workforce,%20and%20its%20significant%20achievements.%20%20However,%20the%20case%20for%20change%20in%20how%20health%20and%20care%20services%20should%20be%20organised%20in%20future%20could%20not%20be%20clearer." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Welsh Government website</a>.</p>
One in four English care homes are unsafe<div class="articleBodyText version-2 section">
<div class="article-body-text component version-2">
<div class="component-content">
<p><span class="m_first-letter m_first-letter--flagged">O</span>ne in four care homes in England are unsafe according to the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care in England.</p>
<p>In a report issued by the CQC, poor leadership and staff shortages mean residents in a quarter of care homes are going weeks without being cleaned and are served dangerous levels of medication.</p>
<p>The report also reveals that a third of residential nursing homes are failing to provide safe levels of care.</p>
<p>Read the full story on the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/05/one-four-care-homes-unsafe-says-watchdog-experts-criticise-russian/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Telegraph website</a>.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Calls for care home providers to tighten fire safety<p>Following on from the Grenfell Tower fire, England’s care watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) wants all care home providers to re-examine the fire safety checks that take place in care home buildings to avoid a loss of human life in a fire.</p>
<p>In Wales, the Welsh Government has urged social, private and commercial landlords to get samples tested for fire safety and has announced that an expert group will be set up to ensure fire safety at tower blocks and other residential properties.</p>
<p>CFW will keep members updated on any changes or issues which affect social care settings.</p>
<p>For more on this story, go to the <a href="https://www.carehome.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1585731/CQC-tells-care-homes-to-review-fire-safety-in-light-of-Grenfell-Tower-Fire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">carehome.co.uk website</a> and for updated fire safety advice check out the <a href="https://www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk/news/nfcc-launches-specialised-housing-guidance/171632" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Fire Chiefs report</a>.</p>
CFW takes on new shape<p>Discussions about formalising the organisation of Care Forum Wales have taken place to enable it to focus on its key aims in future.</p>
<p>Members present at the May CFW Council meeting agreed the first priority is to create a new chief executive post as part of the move to replace the current informal structure.</p>
<p>Mary Wimbury, senior policy officer for CFW, has accepted the role of interim chief executive.</p>
<p>She said: “The current informal arrangements are creating difficulties with operational and financial arrangements and have proved to be a distraction from the focus on the strategic aims and direction of our organisation.</p>
<p>“The time has come for formal structures and the first task is creating the post of the chief executive.</p>
<p>“We are proposing an initial arrangement that can be developed into a fully-fledged organisation structure. I will take on the post of interim chief executive and this has now been confirmed by our council.</p>
<p>“Mary is working with Mario, Malcolm and Sanjiv in putting together a paper which will look at the role and structure of CFW and its officers.”</p>
Care Home Open Day hits the spot<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CHOD%202017.jpg" caption="false" style="margin: 0 0 8px 14px; float: right;" width="300" height="384">The fifth Care Home Open Day took place on June 16 and many Care Forum Wales members threw themselves into celebrating the day with great enthusiasm.</p>
<p>The theme this year was friendship and many events were celebrated in conjunction with the Big Lunch – an annual event run by the Eden Project in Cornwall which aims to get people together to share lunch, foster friendships and prevent loneliness.</p>
<p>We would love to see your photos from Care Home Open Day. Please share them with us and we will publish them on our website. Please email photos to <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Janet Roberts</a>.</p>
<p><em>Pictured: The Mayor of Conwy Cllr Bill Chapman and the Mayoress Mrs Pat Chapman visited Bryn Marl Nursing Home in Llandudno Junction as part of the National Care Home Open Day on 16th June 2017. The guests attended a coffee morning and took the opportunity of meeting residents and staff.</em></p>
Minister launches new consultation into social care act<p>Minister for social services and public health Rebecca Evans has launched a new consultation into staffing in the sector as part of phase 2 of the implementation of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016.</p>
<p>This consultation, which will run for eight weeks, builds on last year’s consultation concerning domiciliary care in Wales and addresses issues around recruitment and working practices.</p>
<p>According to the minister, the consultation tackles issues such as zero hours contracts and the amount of time spent delivering care and support. It will also look at the retention of managers within the care sector.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales urges members take part in this consultation – read more about it and register your views on the <a href="https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/phase-2-implementation-regulation-and-inspection-social-care-wales-act-2016-workforce" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Welsh Government website</a>.</p>
<p>The government will be holding two information events about the consultation – one in Cardiff on June 21 and the other in Wrexham on July 13. To register for these events, email <a href="mailto:RISCAct2016@wales.gsi.gov.uk?subject=%20Phase%202%20implementation%20of%20the%20Regulation%20and%20Inspection%20of%20Social%20Care%20%28Wales%29%20Act%202016%20%E2%80%93%20Workforce%20Aspects">RISCAct2016@wales.gsi.gov.uk.</a></p>
Plans to curb zero-hours contracts in social care unveiled<p>Plans to curb the use of zero-hours contracts and protect care time in the social care sector have been unveiled by the Welsh Government.</p>
<p>Under proposals that were released on June 12, employers will need to offer workers in the domiciliary care sector on zero-hours contracts the choice of moving to a minimum hours contract after three months of continued employment, if there is ongoing demand for the work.</p>
<p>Social services minister Rebecca Evans said: "While some staff prefer zero-hours contracts, valuing the flexibility they can offer, for many the uncertainty and insecurity they pose can have a hugely detrimental impact on their lives.</p>
<p>"Crucially the plans we are putting out to consultation today will ensure employees have a choice. After three months of employment, they will be able to choose whether to move onto another zero-hours contract, or take up alternative contractual arrangements.</p>
<p>“The proposals I have unveiled today are not only intended to offer staff a fairer deal, but also to safeguard the quality of care and support people receive in their own homes. Research shows a link between the prevalence of zero-hours contracts and a reduced quality of care, due to issues around the continuity of care and communication between workers and those they support. I encourage anybody with a view on these important issues to contribute to our consultation.”</p>
<p>The consultation is available of the Welsh Government’s website and will run for eight weeks, until 7 August 2017. The announcement from Welsh Government is <a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/health-and-social-services/2017/zero-hours/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> and the actual consultation document is <a href="https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/phase-2-implementation-regulation-and-inspection-social-care-wales-act-2016-workforce" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
<p>CFW chair Mario Kreft appeared on the Wales evening news programmes and he was also on Good Morning Wales – listen <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0074hk3/episodes/player" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> for June 12 at about 50 minutes in. </p>
National Minimum Wage workshop highlights employer pitfalls<p>CFW members recently attended a workshop on the National Minimum Wage run by HMRC.</p>
<p>CFW policy advisor Melanie Minty said: “The workshop was very well attended and everyone felt they had learned how to avoid some pitfalls that employers typically make.</p>
<p>“There are many common mistakes that lead providers to unknowingly pay below the NMW. Some mistakes are fairly straightforward, like forgetting to implement the annual increase or not taking account of birthdays in adjusting pay.”</p>
<p>She added: “Some of the more complex are the ones that seemed to surprise most people: deductions from pay (eg for meals, uniform and accommodation) can take someone's wage below NMW, not including additional hours worked in calculating pay (unpaid working time such as shutting up the office). Plus, there is a specific limit to what the employer can offset from pay against accommodation provided.</p>
<p>“The consequences of getting it wrong are quite high – payment of arrears up to six years, the fine is equivalent to 200% of the arrears up to £20,000 per worker and the employer may be named and shamed.”</p>
<p>The manual is a really good resource for checking things out – it includes sections on DBS and registration fees too. Find it on the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/national-minimum-wage-manual" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UK government website</a>.</p>
Initiative to put people 'at heart of social care commissioning'<p>A new commitment from key partners to put people needing support at the heart of the social care commissioning process has been welcomed by Welsh Government social care and public health minister Rebecca Evans.</p>
<p>The 'concordat' between the National Commissioning Board, National Provider Forum (Wales) and the WCVA-hosted Alliance of Alliances was launched at the United Kingdom Homecare Association’s (UKHCA) Annual Domiciliary Care Provider Forum in Cardiff on May 25. </p>
<p><br>Senior policy adviser, Mary Wimbury, said: "Care Forum Wales is very pleased to be part of this as a founder member of the National Provider Forum."</p>
<p>The Concordat sees those who commission and provide social care in local authorities, health boards as well as the third and independent sectors, pledge to focus on delivering quality services based on the needs of individuals as well as delivering value for money.</p>
<p>The Welsh Government is committed to supporting social care, including domiciliary care, investing an additional £55 million in total in the sector in 2017-18. This includes an extra £25 million to help local government respond to the pressures, and an extra £19 million to help manage workforce costs.</p>
<p>The Concordat forms part of the work the National Commissioning Board is carrying out to support regional partnership boards, which were provided for by the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. These bring together health, social services and the third sector to plan and deliver integrated care and support services. From April 2018, all of the partners within Boards will be required to pool their money and jointly commission care home placements for adults, rather than doing so separately as is currently the case.</p>
<h2><span class="liststyle">'Commissioning is key to delivering quality care'</span></h2>
<p><span class="liststyle"></span>The Minister for Social Services and Public Health, Rebecca Evans said: “Commissioning can sometimes be seen as a ‘backroom’ function,<br>rather than a core component of delivering quality care. That is simply not the case.</p>
<p>“That is why I am delighted that commissioners and providers of social care, as well as advocates for citizens and communities, have come together to develop this Concordat. It commits to an integrated approach to commissioning which both provides value for money and improves people’s wellbeing.</p>
<p>“This is in keeping with the vision of our revolutionary Social Services and Well-being Act, which focuses on delivering sustainable care services which put the needs of individuals at their heart. “</p>
<p>Dave Street, Chair of the National Commissioning Board, said: “We are all well aware of the serious challenges confronting health and social care in terms of rising demand, workforce and financial pressures. Commissioners, providers and the advocates of citizens and communities need to work together to find effective solutions to these challenges.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>“The Concordat is designed to help the National Commissioning Board, Provider Forum and advocates for citizens and communities nominated through the WCVA-hosted Alliance of Alliances, to work collaboratively on the shared objective of developing effective commissioning practice across Wales to improve outcomes for people in need of care and support.”</p>
Government pledges extra £20m a year for social services<p>An extra £20m will be invested in social services in Wales <em>every year</em>, minister Rebecca Evans has confirmed. The Welsh Government has already announced a total of £55m extra funding for the current year, which is equivalent to England.<br><br>The funding, which has been made available as a result of consequential funding from the UK Government’s March budget, will help ensure the system is sustainable for the future and responds to the pressures facing local government.<br><br>The recurrent funding will be invested in three priority areas:<br>£9m will increase funding already made available to manage workforce costs, and promote the stability of the social care market<br>£8m will support work to prevent children from entering care and improve outcomes for those leaving care<br>£3m will be provided to local authorities to support respite for carers given the critical role they play<br><br>Minister for Social Services and Public Health, Rebecca Evans, said: “The Welsh Government has long recognised social services as a sector of national strategic importance, which is why we continue to invest heavily in this area. I am pleased today to confirm an extra £20m each year will be invested in social services, as a result of the consequential funding we received following March’s budget.<br><br>“Our focus is on prevention – the funding will have a significant positive impact on people’s lives, while at the same time reducing costs for local government in the longer term.<br><br>“The investment will improve outcomes for the most vulnerable people in society. It will be used to improve the sustainability of the social care market, reduce the numbers of children going into care, and improve support for carers.”</p>
New councillors urged to ditch 'double standards' over expenses and care fees<p>The cost of overnight expenses and meal allowances claimed by councillors can be twice what local authorities pay in care home fees for vulnerable people, it's been revealed.</p>
<p>The 'double standards' have come to light following an investigation by Care Forum Wales. It has compiled a list of the latest fees paid by local authorities for residential and nursing care in Wales.</p>
<ul><li>If they're away on official business, councillors can claim £95 a night for overnight accommodation and £28 for meals, making a total of £123.</li>
<li>The residential care nightly paid by local authorities varies between just £60.57 in Powys and £80.81 in Rhondda Cynon Taf.</li>
<li>Councillors can also claim travelling expenses, including 5p mile for car passengers and 20p a mile for those using a bicycle.</li>
<li>In addition, they can receive up to £403 a month for the cost of providing care for children, elderly or disabled relatives while they're on council business.</li>
</ul><p>According to Care Forum Wales, there was a "curious disparity that some might see as a case of double standards" and they urged the newly-elected councillors to review care home fees "on the basis of fairness".</p>
<p>Senior Policy Advisor Mary Wimbury said: "We certainly don't begrudge councillors the right to claim legitimate expenses while on official duties. Far from it. Councillors do an important job and they must be properly reimbursed and supported.</p>
<p>"But it seems only fair that as a society we provide a similar adequate level of funding for social care for the most vulnerable people in our communities.</p>
<p>"The issue is simply about what is fair and appropriate. With the 22 new councils in place, we have an opportunity to make things fairer for everybody, not least those who receive and provide social care in Wales.</p>
<p>"It seems to me only right that a councillor, who has expenses quite properly to deal with council business, should not be having more than it pays for a profoundly frail older person who has been assessed as needing that care.</p>
<p>"Councillors are reimbursed for real costs and the point we would make is that social care providers are also having to deal with very real costs.</p>
<p>"Nursing care involves paying a nurse to be on the premises 24./7 and staff will need to help, dressing, washing and sometimes moving and feeding residents as well as dealing with incontinence. This level of care is way above and beyond the cost of accommodation and food for a councillor.</p>
<p>"We believe this would be a good time to reflect on our priorities as a society , especially as we all accept that social care is a sector of national strategic importance which underpins the NHS, the economy and communities across Wales.</p>
<p>"As things are the cost of accommodation and a meal for a councillor can be double what is paid in residential care and significantly more than what is paid for nursing care.</p>
<p>"The late announcement of some fee levels has also put pressure on providers in a number of ways, not least the fact they have had to pay minimum pay increases from the beginning of April and need to set budgets for the year, including pay increases for other staff.</p>
<p><em><strong>'We have got our priorities wrong' – Care Forum Wales</strong></em></p>
<p>"We have surely got our priorities wrong and something needs to change because local authorities have looked after their elected members first and foremost.</p>
<p>"You could not reasonably expect registered providers to continue to provide the sort of enhanced care services required under the Social Care and Wellbeing Act for less than some elected councillor gets for one night’s stay.</p>
<p>"There are those who suggest the current system is functional and not at tipping point but the evidence paints a different picture and toolkit models used by local authorities for setting fees condemn social care workers to being amongst the lowest paid in Wales.</p>
<p>"Working within the fees set by local authorities, the wages in social care are being pushed below the base rate of going to work at your local Aldi or Lidl. </p>
<p>"As social care has been designated as a sector of national strategic importance by the Welsh Government, we are calling on councillors to have another look at this issue and Welsh Government to support that. At the end of the day, it is a matter of basic fairness and what is right and proper."</p>
<h2>See this list of the latest fees paid by local authorities for residential and nursing care in Wales</h2>
<p></p>
<table width="507"><tbody><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Local Authority for </strong></p>
<p><strong>24 hours</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>Residential for 24 hours </strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>Residential EMH for 24 hours</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>Nursing for 24 hours </strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>Nursing EMI for 24 hours</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Anglesey </strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£73.88</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£78.19</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£102.29</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£106.71</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Blaenau Gwent</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£67.71</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£86.29</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£97.86</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£109.00</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Bridgend</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£77.43</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£82.57</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£98.57</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£103.71</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Caerphilly</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£79.57</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£86.86</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£99.29</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£107.57</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Carmarthenshire</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£74.61</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£77.90</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£93.31</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£104.24</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Ceredigion*</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£74.29</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£78.57</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£96.86</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£101.14</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Conwy</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£75.43</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£81.57</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£105.71</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£110.29</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Denbighshire</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£72.43</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£78.14</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£102.29</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£106.71</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Flintshire</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£75.27</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£78.14</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£102.29</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£106.71</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Gwynedd</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£72.49</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£80.96</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£105.26</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£109.64</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Merthyr Tydfil*</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£71.43</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£79.57</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£99.43</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£105.14</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Monmouthshire</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£76.57</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£82.29</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£103.71</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£104.14</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Neath Port Talbot</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£76.86</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£80.86</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£98.00</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£102.00</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Newport (average fees)*</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£76.57</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£88.14</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£105.29</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£113.71</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Pembrokeshire</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£78.14</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£81.57</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£100.14</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£104.71</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Powys (average fees)*</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£60.57</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£63.86</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£85.43</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£87.86</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Rhondda Cynon Taff^</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£80.81</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£85.66</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£101.95</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£107.39</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Swansea</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£73.43</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£73.43</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£102.57</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£104.86</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Torfaen</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£76.29</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£89.00</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£104.71</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£112.86</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Vale of Glamorgan</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£80.71</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£89.14</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£101.86</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£110.29</strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td width="181">
<p><strong>Wrexham</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£75.29</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£78.14</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£102.29</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="81">
<p><strong>£106.71</strong></p>
</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Editor's note</strong></p>
<p>Residential care is for people who have had their needs assessed and can no longer remain in their own house while those who receive EMI nursing care are typically are people who would otherwise need care, often in a semi-secure hospital setting.</p>
<p>Cardiff has been excluded from this analysis as they pay individual fees and we do not have full data.</p>
<p>* these authorities have not yet announced 2017/18 fees despite being over a month into the year, therefore 2016/17 figures are used.</p>
<p>^ increase so far agreed - may not be final figure</p>
<p>EMH indicates those with Elderly Mental Health needs i.e. dementia</p>
<p>Nursing costs assume an FNC rate of £148 paid by the Health Board over and above that paid by the local authority. This is a 2016/17 rate as 2017/18 has not been announced yet.</p>
Have your say on RISCA regulations<p><img alt="Care Forum Wales – Mary Wimbury" style="width: 160px; height: 180px; margin: 0px 0px 8px 14px; float: right;" data-file-id="79309" data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/images/Mary_Wimbury.1.jpg" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/images/Mary_Wimbury.1.jpg" height="180" width="160" align="right">The Welsh Government has launched phase two of its consultation on the implementation of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (RISCA) Act. The RISCA regulations will replace the National Minimum Standards and the consultation is open until July 25.</p>
<p>Mary Wimbury, senior policy adviser for CFW, said: “This change really will have a major impact on businesses in the social care sector.</p>
<p>"We will be responding on behalf of members and will email out a copy of our contribution. Let us know if there is something that will affect your business that we haven't covered.”</p>
<p>Four half-day information events for stakeholders (places limited) will be held on June 21 in Cardiff and July 13 in Wrexham. To register your interest in attending, please contact <a data-cke-saved-href="mailto:RISCAct2016@wales.gsi.gov.uk" href="mailto:RISCAct2016@wales.gsi.gov.uk"><u>RISCAct2016@wales.gsi.gov.uk</u></a> by Friday, June 2.</p>
<p>The consultation is available <a data-cke-saved-href="https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/phase-2-implementation-regulation-and-inspection-social-care-wales-act-2016" href="https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/phase-2-implementation-regulation-and-inspection-social-care-wales-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>. The Minister for Social Services and Public Health has issued a written statement which is available <a data-cke-saved-href="http://gov.wales/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2017/socialcarewalesact/?skip=1&lang=en" href="http://gov.wales/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2017/socialcarewalesact/?skip=1&lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</p>
Event aims to honour Welsh language champions<p>The Welsh Government will be honouring individuals, teams and initiatives which provide high quality bilingual care at a special event at the Cardiff City Stadium on October 3.</p>
<p>The event – part of the More Than Just Words campaign – aims to showcase successful initiatives and to share best practice in Welsh language provision in health, social services and social care in implementing the government's strategic framework. As well as awarding the best initiatives, there will be an opportunity to listen to international speakers and speakers from Wales and to learn from them.</p>
<p>This year there are three categories: Innovation, The Active Offer and Leadership. To nominate or for more information, go to <a href="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/welsh" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NHS Wales' website</a>. Download the information leaflet <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/30946_MtW%20Showcase%20Event%20leaflet%20(E)_WEB.PDF" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</p>
Social Care Wales wants your views on 'hub'<p>Social Care Wales plans to develop an information hub for the social work and social care sectors – and the new organisation would like CFW members' views about what it should contain.</p>
<p>The aim of the hub will be to improve practice, but it will also provide other benefits such as guidance and training materials. It's likely to be a free online space for those working in the social work and social care sectors in Wales and it is likely to feature examples and case studies that highlight innovative and notable practice, a library of information that’s relevant to social care and links to other sites and documents.</p>
<p>To give your opinion about the hub, Social Care Wales have created a short survey – go <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/KTXR8BX" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a> for the English version and <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/KMVLDDK" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a> for the Welsh. The closing date is May 10.</p>
Bumper year for Wales Care Awards entries<p>There has been a huge increase in nominations for the Wales Care Awards this year with entries up 40 per cent on 2016.<br><br>Mario Kreft said: "We have received entries from more than 68 different organisations, large and small. It is one of our best years ever and I think it really speaks volumes about how people value the social care sector."<br><br>The nominations will be with the judges by the end of April and the shortlist will be ready by the end of May.</p>
Social care funding battle reaches the Supreme Court today<p>The long-running legal dispute between councils and health boards in Wales over who should pay for funded nursing care reaches the Supreme Court today (April 26).</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The NHS pays for people who need 24/7 nursing care, while those who do not qualify for nursing care are funded privately or by the council. But who should pay for those who need some, but not 24/7, nursing care is to be decided by the Supreme Court.</span></p>
<p>A group of care home owners secured a judicial review which ruled in their favour.</p>
<p>But the health boards won an appeal, which is due to be considered by the Supreme Court today.</p>
<p>Mario Kreft, chair of Care Forum Wales, has criticised the dispute saying the cost of the case could have funded nursing care for 128 people for a whole year.</p>
<p><strong>Daily Post: <a href="http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/1m-court-battle-over-care-12939993" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">£1m court battle 'an outrage and an affront' says North Wales social care leader</a></strong></p>
<p>He said the £1m CFW estimated had been paid in legal fees for the case was "ludicrous" and the money "should have been spent on delivering frontline care".</p>
<p>"Independent providers across Wales are entitled to this money for providing the care of older people," he said.</p>
<p>"This is a pathetic and very expensive squabble. We'd like to have a huge outbreak of common sense in the town halls and health boards in Wales. The public deserve a fairer deal on this," he added.</p>
<h2>Read more on the social care funding legal battle</h2>
<p></p>
<p><strong>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-39711213" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Councils and health boards dispute who pays care costs</a></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
Charity launches creative activities pack for care homes<p>A WELSH charity’s art for care homes programme is launching a new bi-lingual resource pack to help care home staff and residents to run creative activities workshops.<br> <br>Age Cymru’s cARTrefu project is sending a cARTrefu Activity Pack to every care home in Wales.<br> <br>The packs provide ideas for care home staff and residents on running activity sessions covering visual arts, words, performing arts and music.<br> <br>“Since 2015, we’ve been running the cARTrefu arts project and linking care homes with some of Wales’ most creative artists to give older people in care homes access to quality arts activities,” said Reg Noyes, Age Cymru’s cARTrefu project coordinator.<br> <br>“Our artists have enabled hundreds of older people who live in care homes to create their own art through sessions in visual arts, performing arts, words, music.<br> <br>“We’ve now developed the sessions our artists delivered into the cARTrefu Activity Pack, which features colour-coded cards to help care home staff and people who live in care homes to run their own cARTrefu sessions.” <br> <br>The cARTrefu Activity Packs contains activities split into four areas – visual arts, performing arts, words, music.<br> <br>All the activities are designed so they can be delivered without any expert knowledge or specialist equipment.<br> <br>Rebecca Evans, Minister for Social Services and Public Health said: “We know that creative activities can have a very positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing.<br> <br>“The new cARTrefu Activity Pack will enable care homes to run quality arts sessions for residents, providing opportunities to try new activities, express their creativity and engage with other residents.”<br> <br>The pack provides advice on how to lead a creative session, including planning, the importance of getting involved in the activities yourself and the timing of sessions.<br> <br>It also looks at creating the right space for delivering a creative sessions and considerations including playing relaxing background music and encouraging family members and visitors to get involved.<br> <br>“With growing evidence of the positive impact that arts-based activities can have on our health and wellbeing, it’s more important than ever that older people have opportunities to explore and express their creativity”, said the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira.<br> <br>She added: “Age Cymru’s new cARTrefu Activity Pack is an excellent resource, packed full of useful and practical ideas and information that will help to ensure that older people living in care homes across Wales will be able to take part in a wide range of creative activities and enjoy the many benefits these activities can bring.”<br> <br>The cARTrefu Activity Pack has also been welcomed by representatives of care and nursing homes in Wales.<br> <br>“As a long term supporter of the arts in care homes, I am really happy to see the development of this resource”, said Mario Kreft, Care Forum Wales' chairman.<br> <br>“Every year Care Forum Wales hosts the Wales Care Awards to celebrate and promote best practice and the Sir Bryn Terfel Foundation Award for Promoting the Arts in Social Care reflects just how significantly we view the arts.<br> <br>“Having seen first-hand how the opportunity to express themselves through the arts enriches the lives of residents, I would wholeheartedly encourage care homes to get involved and spread a little joy.”</p>
<p>To accompany the cARTrefu Activity Pack, Age Cymru is holding four free training events for activity coordinators, care home staff, and managers around Wales, hosted by My Home Life Cymru’s Suzy Webster and cARTrefu project coordinator Reg Noyes.<br> <br>Each event will be devised and run by a professional team of cARTrefu artists, who have been running creative sessions in care homes around Wales for the past two years. The artists are bringing their knowledge, skills and experience to help give care home staff the ideas and confidence to get creative with residents using simple activities.<br> <br>The events will be: May 2 at Hengoed Court Care Home, Swansea, May 3 at Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon, May 5 at St. David’s Care Home, Rhyl and May 8 at College Fields Nursing Home, Barry. If you work in a care home and would like to attend one of the events please contact Reg Noyes on reg.noyes@agecymru.org.ukor call 029 2043 1576 to reserve a place as places are limited.</p>
<p>More can be found on the <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/health--wellbeing/cartrefu/" href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/health--wellbeing/cartrefu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Age Cymru website</a>.</p>
Changes will widen £40m black hole, says CFW chairman<p>Recent changes to the way residential social care is paid for will widen the £40m-a-year funding black hole, according to Care Forum Wales' chairman Mario Kreft.<br><br>Mr Kreft backs the Welsh Government's decision to increased the capital limit used in charging, but says the policy is flawed because it will plunge the sector into a deeper financial crisis.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-39531020" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">See BBC news, Mario Kreft interview</a> - 'sector is in a dysfunctional state'</strong><br><br>The changes were announced as part of the Welsh Government's five year plan, Taking Wales Forward.<br><br>Mr Kreft said: "The principle that people should be able to retain a decent amount of their own money that they’ve saved during their lifetime has to be correct. The sorts of savings figures that we’re talking about are not considered these days to be excessive.<br><br>"From that point of view I would applaud the Welsh Government, but they must also ensure is proper funding for the sector.</p>
<p>"The problem is that there is already an annual funding shortfall of £40m and this is unfortunately going to exacerbate an already dire situation. If there any loss in funding to providers due to these changes then the Welsh Government needs to make it up."</p>
<p><strong>Read more on this story on the <a href="http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/gwentnews/15220676.Doubts_over____flawed____care_funding_policy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">South Wales Argus website</a>.</strong></p>
Changes on residential care charges let residents keep more of their money<p class="story-body__introduction">Changes allowing people to keep more of their savings when they move into residential care come into effect today (April 10, 2017).</p>
<p>The limit will move from £25,000 to £30,000 as part of a Welsh Government plan to raise it in phases to £50,000.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Social Services Minister for the Welsh Government, Rebecca Evans, launched the changes at the College Fields Nursing Home in Barry (<em>pictured</em>).</p>
<p><span></span></p>
<p><span><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Rebecca-Evans-College-Fields-Barry-April4-2017.jpg" alt="" width="448" height="336"></span></p>
<p><span></span></p>
<p><span>She said: "</span>Older people who have worked hard and paid in all their lives deserve a fairer deal. That is why, over the course of this Assembly, we will double the amount of money that older people can keep when in care. <br><br>“I am pleased that from today people are able to keep £30,000 without this being used to pay for care, and this will rise to £50,000 in the coming years.”</p>
<p><span><br>Local authorities are responsible for funding a person’s care if their capital is less than £30,000, only charging a contribution based on a person’s available income.<br><br>Anybody who thinks they, or a family member, could benefit from the new arrangements, should contact their local authority.<br><br>The Minister added: "</span>This is a really exciting time for social care in Wales. We are starting to see the full impact of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act take effect, with people across Wales really being put at the heart of their care.<br><br></p>
<p class="dummyPTag" msdummy="true">“This Government has prioritised social services as a sector of national strategic importance. In recognition of this, we have announced an extra £55 million for social services in 2017-18.” </p>
Social Services Act one year on – minister issues statement<p>One year after the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act came into force, minister for social services and public health Rebecca Evans has made a statement in the Senedd outlining the changes which have taken place.</p>
<p>In the statement, the minister said that "people have a stronger voice in improving their well-being and deciding what support they need to help them to live independently".</p>
<p>"Care is being co-ordinated with the person at the centre," she continued. "Recognising that they and their family know the situation best – they live it every day," she continues.</p>
<p>The statement goes on to praise the work of the seven regional partnership boards and says that "the citizen voice is increasingly present in the decision-making process".</p>
<p>Read the full statement on the <a href="http://gov.wales/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2017/sswactanniversary/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Welsh Government website</a>.</p>
Welsh Government publishes best practice guides<p>The Welsh Government has issued new guides to best practice aimed at care providers – created with help from CFW's Mary Wimbury, Brian West and Mike Kemp.</p>
<p>The guides, which are available in both Welsh and English, contain helpful advice for providers in what to include in a welcome pack and how to improve the dining experience and were initially created in response to the OPC’s review of care homes.</p>
<p>The guides can be found on the <a href="http://gov.wales/topics/health/publications/socialcare/guidance1/carehomepacks?skip=1&lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Welsh Government website</a>.</p>
New organisation for social care in Wales comes into being<p>A new organisation for social care in Wales has today (April 3, 2017) come into being.</p>
<p>It combines the functions of the Care Council for Wales and the Social Services Improvement Agency and will regulate, support and develop the workforce, and use data and research to improve practice and service delivery.</p>
<p>It's three agreed priorities for improvements to the sector will focus on care at home, supporting people with dementia and looked-after children. </p>
<p>Its new chief executive, Sue Evans (<em>pictured</em>), said: "This is an exciting time for social care in Wales with the coming into being of Social Care Wales. We’re a new voice for the social care sector and our aim is to improve the quality of care and support in Wales, so that people can always rely on it."</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Sue-Evans-Social-Care-Wales-April2017.jpg" alt="" width="229" height="305"></p>
<p>Social Care Wales aims to raise the quality of care and support in Wales, so that people’s lives can be improved. Its main functions are to:</p>
<ul><li>set standards for the care and support workforce, making them accountable for their practice</li>
<li>support the early years and social care workforce so they have the knowledge and skills to protect and support those who need help<br>work with others to improve services for areas agreed as a national priority</li>
<li>set priorities for research to get evidence of what works well<br>share good practice</li>
<li>provide information about care and support.</li>
</ul><h2>Priorities for Social Care Wales from April 2017</h2>
<p></p>
<p>Social Care Wales has agreed three strategic improvement priorities with Welsh Government and the social care sector, which will need to be addressed immediately. They are:</p>
<ul><li>care and support at home</li>
<li>supporting people with dementia</li>
<li>children who are looked after by the local authority.</li>
</ul>
Minister announces another £20m for social care<p><img style="float: right; margin: 0 0 8px 14px;" src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Mark-Drakeford.jpg" alt="" height="180" width="160">Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford, <em>pictured</em>, has announced a further Welsh Government investment of £20m in social care for 2017-18.</p>
<p>The extra funding is on top of the £25m for social care provided to local authorities through the Revenue Support Grant and £10m to help meet workforce cost pressures in the final 2017-18 Budget.</p>
<p>It brings the additional investment for social care to £55m in 2017-18, which is in line with the extra investment made in social care in England.</p>
<p>Mr Drakeford said: “This announcement demonstrates the importance that we attach to our social care sector.</p>
<p>“Despite the cuts we have seen to our budget, we have continued to prioritise funding for social care and taken specific measures to support the sustainability of the social care sector, including investing £60m through the Intermediate Care Fund to support the integration of health and social care.</p>
<p>Minister for Social Services and Public Health Rebecca Evans added: “The social care sector is of national strategic importance to the Welsh Government. When combined, this £55m of funding shows that once again Wales is leading the way when it comes to ensuring that social care is properly financed and resourced.”</p>
<p>Read more on the <a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/finance1/2017/170327soccare/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Welsh Government website</a>.</p>
Nominate now for Wales Care Awards 2017<p><img style="float: right; margin: 0 0 8px 14px;" src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/gold-generic-02.jpg" alt="" height="200" width="300">Does someone in your organisation or across the social care workforce sector deserve to be recognised for their dedication to social care in Wales? Is your organisation committed to Dignity in Care?</p>
<p>If the answer to either of the questions above is YES, then NOMINATE NOW for the annual Wales Care Awards – the nominations deadline is on March 31.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales hosts the gala awards ceremony in association with the Social Care Institute For Excellence and entries are now being accepted for the 2017 awards, which takes place on November 17, 2017, at City Hall in Cardiff.</p>
<p>Download the award categories <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Care%20Award%20Category%20Guidance%20Notes%202017%20JWfinal%20-%2013.02.17.docx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a> and the nomination form <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/WCA%20Nomination%20form%202017.doc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>. Further information can be found on the <a href="http://walescareawards.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Wales Care Awards website</a>.</p>
Consultation launched on administering medicines<p>The All Wales Medicines Strategy Group is consulting on guidance about registered nurses in care settings delegating the administration of medicines to support staff. Have your say on the guidance – which closes on April 7 – <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.awmsg.org/medman_consultations.html" href="http://www.awmsg.org/medman_consultations.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</p>
Winter resilience evaluation – feedback wanted<p>The National Programme for Unscheduled Care Board is asking stakeholders to contribute to an evaluation of the winter resilience of the health and social care system in Wales over the winter period 2016-17.</p>
<p>The questionionnaire can be downloaded <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Questionnaire%20for%20Independant%20sector.doc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>. The deadline for feedback is April 7 and questionnaires should be sent to <a href="mailto:heather.giles@wales.gsi.gov.uk">Heather Giles</a>.</p>
Documentaries tackle social care issues<p>The BBC has tackled the issue of social care – and in particular the lack of staff and funding – in two sister programmes, Panorama and Week In Week Out (in Wales).<br><br>Filming behind the scenes with care workers, reporter Sian Lloyd meets domiciliary care company owners struggling to recruit carers because they can't afford to pay them enough, while others are handing back council contracts because they can't make the numbers work. At the heart of this crisis are the people waiting for care – many of them in NHS beds, fit to go home, but unable to be discharged until a home-care package can be found.<br><br>The two documentaries – <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08k9zgn/panorama-britains-homecare-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Britain’s Home Care Crisis (Panorama)</a> and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08kg6cx/week-in-week-out-the-real-cost-of-caring" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Real Cost Of Care (Week In Week Out)</a> – are both available on the BBC iPlayer.<br><br></p>
Health minister launches public review into health and social care<p>Health Secretary Vaughan Gething has called on the public to have their say on the future of health and social care in Wales and has set up a website to gather information on the sector.</p>
<p>The Review of Health and Social Care asks 10 questions of respondents and Care Forum Wales members should make time to fill in the questionnaire, which can be found <a data-cke-saved-href="https://beta.gov.wales/review-health-social-care/get-involved" href="https://beta.gov.wales/review-health-social-care/get-involved" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</p>
<p>The Health Secretary said: “The topic of health and social care is always a major point of discussion for everyone. It touches all our lives at some point and most people have opinions about the care they’ve received – what went well and what could be done better."</p>
<p>Chair of the Review, Dr Ruth Hussey CB, OBE said:“We want our review to be founded on evidence and on the experiences and understanding of those people who use health and social care services in Wales, as well as those who deliver services.</p>
<p>“Public involvement is central to that process and I, along with rest of the panel members, look forward to hearing their views.”</p>
CFW's fight staves off registration fees in Wales<p>Changes announced by the Care Quality Commission will see health and social providers across the border pay a 10% hike in registration fees – while providers in Wales will have no fees to pay.</p>
<p>The Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England has confirmed changes to its fees for health and social care providers from April 2017 following a public consultation last year. The rise will not apply in Wales – even though the new Regulation and Inspection Act provides the power to impose them – thanks to a long-fought battle by Care Forum Wales on behalf of providers.</p>
<p>The fees providers will pay will depend on the type of care they offer as well as how close their sector is meeting the chargeable cost of their regulation. Read more on the increase in England <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.carehomeprofessional.com/cqc-confirms-changes-to-regulatory-fees/" href="http://www.carehomeprofessional.com/cqc-confirms-changes-to-regulatory-fees/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</p>
Book your place at Care Provider Summit 2017<p>CFW members are being urged to book their places at the Care Provider Summit 2017.</p>
<p>The Care Provider Summit, organised by Cymorth Cymru and Care Forum Wales, is being held on March 22 at the Novotel Hotel, Cardiff and is now in its third year. The summit offers providers of care services a valuable space in which to learn and network.</p>
<p>Confirmed speakers include Rebecca Evans, Minister for Social Services and Public Health, and Sue Evans, CEO of Social Care Wales, as well as CFW's Mario Kreft.</p>
<p>To book your place, go to the <a href="http://www.cymorthcymru.org.uk/en/events-and-training/events/care-provider-summit-2017" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cymorth Cymru website</a>.</p>
Social care costs guide launched by CIPFA<p>The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has issued a new guide which aims to help local authorities and care providers agree fee rates which are affordable, good value for money and 'support market sustainability'.</p>
<p>The guide, called Working with Care Providers to Understand Costs, was commissioned by the Department of Health (DH), the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) as part of a joint programme to support implementation of the Care Act in England, but might be of interest to practitioners in Wales as well.</p>
<p>To download the guide, go the the <a href="http://www.cipfa.org/policy-and-guidance/reports/working-with-care-providers-to-understand-costs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CIPFA website</a>.</p>
Care Council launches five-year home-care strategy<p><img style="float: right; margin: 0 0 8px 14px;" src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/malcolm-perrett.jpg" alt="" height="161" width="300">The Care Council has launched its Care & Support at Home Needs to Improve five-year strategy in Cardiff this month.</p>
<p>The five-year plan, developed by the Care Council for Wales in partnership with local authorities and the social care, health and housing sectors, aims to improve care and support at home and address current concerns with the system. It recognises that change can only be achieved in collaboration.</p>
<p>Our vice-chair, Malcolm Perrett, spoke at the launch (<em>pictured</em>). Responding to the minister, he said: “I welcome the six visions highlighted in the new care at home strategy, but it is simplistic to say to providers that they have to give guaranteed contracts to workers and that this must come from the other end in commissioning services.”<br><br>Sue Evans responded: "Social Care Wales will not shy away from difficult conversations and undertook to take what Malcolm said about providers seriously.”</p>
<p>You can find the document and a live feed of the launch <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news/2017/03/06/care-and-support-at-home-needs-to-improve/" href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news/2017/03/06/care-and-support-at-home-needs-to-improve/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</p>
Nurse cautioned for not doing CPR<p>An experienced nurse has received a 24-month caution after failing to give cardiopulmonary resuscitation to a care home patient “who was almost cold” when she arrived on the scene. A Nursing and Midwifery Council conduct and competence committee issued the caution last month. Read the full story <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/professional-regulation/nurse-cautioned-for-not-doing-cpr-on-dead-patient/7016288.article" href="https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/professional-regulation/nurse-cautioned-for-not-doing-cpr-on-dead-patient/7016288.article" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</p>
CFW calls for budget boost to be ringfenced for social care<p><img style="margin: 0 0 10px 14px; float: right;" src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Mary_Wimbury.1.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="180">Care Forum Wales is urging the Welsh Government to use its £200m budget windfall to boost the “crisis-hit” social care sector in Wales.</p>
<p>The call comes after Chancellor Phillip Hammond announced a boost to England's social care budget and promised £200m for the devolved Welsh Government under the Barnett Formula – but the CFW is concerned that this money will not be used for social care.</p>
<p>Mary Wimbury, CFW's senior policy advisor, said: “The £2bn mentioned in the budget by the Chancellor is specifically for England. Although he also promised an extra £200m in consequential funding for the devolved Welsh Government over the next four years under the Barnett Formula, this can be spent on any devolved area and none of it is specifically earmarked for the care sector.</p>
<p>“There’s a big question mark over exactly how much of this money will go into social care but we are calling for it to be ring-fenced for this purpose.</p>
<p>“The sector is also struggling with a significant number of care homes closing and local authorities are trying to get people to deliver care packages which they are just unable to do.</p>
<p>“We all want to see care sector staff being properly rewarded but just to meet the costs of the minimum wage increase to the sector for 2016-17 and 2017-18 we need £80m.</p>
<p>“The increases we’ve seen in the minimum wage over the past few years haven’t been reflected in the fees paid by local authorities and health boards to the providers of care homes and domiciliary care.”</p>
<p>Read the full story on the <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/crisis-hit-care-home-chiefs-12712826" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WalesOnline website</a>.</p>
Government announces new Social Care Wales board<p>The Welsh Government has announced a new board responsible for improving social care in Wales.</p>
<p>Social Care Wales will bring together the Care Council for Wales and the Social Services Improvement Agency and be responsible for leading and supporting social care. The changes will take place on April 3 as part of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016.</p>
<p>The Minister for Social Services and Public Health Rebecca Evans announced last week that the board will be chaired by Arwel Ellis Owen, who is the currently the Chair of the Care Council for Wales board. The other members will be: Abigail Harris, Aled Roberts, Carl Cooper, Damian Bridgeman, Donna Hutton, Emma Britton, Grace Quantock, Joanne Kember, Jane Moore, Kate Hawkins, Peter Max, Rhian Watcyn Jones, and Simon Burch.</p>
<p>The minister said: “Social Care Wales will be a dynamic and powerful body. It will take on new responsibilities for driving improvement across our social care sector, as well as retaining existing responsibilities for regulating and developing the workforce."</p>
<p>Read the full story on the <a href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news/2017/03/01/minister-issues-written-statement-about-social-care-waless-board/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Care Council for Wales website</a>.</p>
<p></p>
People in residential care could benefit from changes to care home charging<p>The Welsh Government has announced new proposals which could allow people to keep more of their money when in residential care.</p>
<p>In the government's five-year plan, called Taking Wales Forward, it has been proposed that the capital limit used for charging for residential social care be more than doubled, from £24,000 to £50,000. If passed by the assembly, the limit will move to £30,000 from April 10 this year – increasing in phases up to £50,000 thereafter.</p>
<p>Minister for Social Services and Public Health, Rebecca Evans, has encouraged individuals who may benefit from the change, or their families, to contact their local authority. She said: “People who need residential care and who have capital over a certain amount are required to use this to pay for the full cost of their stay.</p>
<p>“This government is committed to supporting older people, and those requiring care, which is why our five-year plan pledged to significantly increase this capital limit. This frees up more of people’s money for them to use as they wish.</p>
<p>“Instead, the local authority will be responsible for funding their care, only charging a contribution based on a person’s available income. I am therefore encouraging anybody who thinks they, or a family member, may benefit from the change to contact their local authority."</p>
<p>Read the full Taking Wales Forward proposals on the <a href="http://gov.wales/about/programme-for-government/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Welsh Government's website</a>.</p>
St David's Day message from CFW<p><strong>Gwyl Dewi Sant hapus a phenblwydd hapus Fforwm Gofal Cymru hefyd</strong></p>
<p><strong>Happy St David’s Day and Happy Birthday to Care Forum Wales too</strong></p>
<p>On behalf of the Chairman, Vice Chair, Council members and Officers of Care Forum Wales, we would like to wish all our members a happy St. David’s Day and recognise that it is 24 years since Care Forum Wales was founded.</p>
<p>As we enter our 25th year, we recognise we have a come along way – we began before devolution – but we have also never faced greater challenges. The sector is under enormous pressure to deliver the highest quality of care and expectations have, quite rightly, increased over the last 24 years.</p>
<p>But fees do not match those expectations. We need to be able to recruit and retain the talent we need to run our services in order to provide the people of Wales with the services they deserve.</p>
We need 'wake-up call' on social care pressures – Mario Kreft<p class="p1"><span class="s1">CFW chair Mario Kreft has appeared on the BBC's Wales Report in a special edition on social care and told viewers that a 'wake-up call' is needed about the pressures on social care providers and the NHS.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Speaking on the programme, which aired on February 8, he said even in a “relatively mild winter we're seeing huge pressures" in Wales and across the UK. "This should be no surprise to anybody," he added. "The reality is that we are a million miles away from where we need to be, where we could've been, and we need a wake up call.”</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Watch the programme <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08d2245/the-wales-report-08022017" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</span></p>
<p class="p1">The Welsh Local Government Association has warned councils face a <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-38290140" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">£92m social care 'black hole'</a> in 2017-18 and experts say the cost of providing care could <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-37619760" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">double to £2.3bn by 2030</a>.</p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s1">Councils in England are being allowed to raise the tax by 6% over two years to plug a care funding gap.<img alt="Care Forum Wales - health minister Rebecca Evans" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/images/f5629dbe-ed3d-473b-842c-5fac93eacc9f.jpeg" width="160" align="right" height="180"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">However speaking on the programme alongside CFW chair Mario Kreft, the Minister for Social Services and Public Health Rebecca Evans (<em>pictured right</em>) said increasing the tax was not "fair" and "not an approach we're taking" although it remains the responsibility of local authorities to set the council tax for their areas within the parameters set in Wales.</span></p>
<p>CFW's lead on dementia care was also in the media this month – listen to Steve Ford on Radio Wales' Eye On Wales alongside Older People's Commissioner Sarah Rochira <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08fwqvk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</p>
Concerns over economy and Brexit overshadow social care worries, survey finds<p>A new survey published today (February 15, 2017) has found the general public put social care only ninth among a list of concerns including Brexit, immigration, housing, unemployment and education.</p>
<p>The NHS is still a major concern for the public but social care - despite being continuously in the news - ranks further down the list and appears to remain a low priority for people.</p>
<p><span>The January 2017 Ipsos MORI/Economist Issues Index shows increasing public concern about the NHS, with almost half (49%) of the British public considering it to be one of the biggest issues facing Britain.</span></p>
<p><span>Brexit leads when the public are asked to name the single biggest issue facing Britain. On this measure, 27% of the public cite Brexit, and 17% say the NHS. </span></p>
<p>Ipsos MORI carried out face-to-face interviews with 970 adults aged 18+ across Great Britain between the 13th and 26th January 2017.</p>
<ul><li><strong>See the full results of the <a href="https://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/3838/Concern-about-the-NHS-jumps-to-the-highest-level-since-2003.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">'issues facing Britain' poll</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>Read the <a href="http://www.careinfo.org/health-and-social-care-poles-part-in-the-public-perception/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Caring Times blog</a> on this issue</strong></li>
</ul>
Care Forum Wales expert joins falls task force<p><img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/images/416bc3fc-4fe7-4d0c-9424-0549b7be19be.jpg" style="float: right; width: 160px; height: 180px; margin: 0px 0px 8px 14px; border: 0; line-height: 100%; outline: none; text-decoration: none; display: inline;" width="160" align="right" height="180">Our health and safety expert Anthony Acari, <em>pictured</em>, has joined the National Task Force for Falls Prevention in Older People.<br><br> The task force – which brings together health, housing, social care and third sector professionals with expertise in falls prevention – works in conjunction with the Steady On Stay Safe campaign in order to raise public awareness to reduce the risk of falls in older people, develop interventions and to develop a data-sharing pathway between the NHS and non-NHS organisations.</p>
<p>As part of the programme, a group of healthcare, public sector and third sector professionals met in Llandudno on January 12mto continue the ongoing national conversation around the future of falls prevention in older people in Wales.</p>
<p>The workshop – Prudent Healthcare: Falls Prevention For Older People – was hosted by 1000 Lives Improvement as part of its falls prevention programme for older people. The event was attended by more than 70 delegates and included a citizens’ panel to enable dialogue between older service users and professionals.</p>
<p>The event included the second meeting of the National Task Force for Falls Prevention in Older People.</p>
Qualifications Wales wants members to join panels<p>Do you want the opportunity to shape the new training programme as part of a review by Qualifications Wales?</p>
<p>The organisation, which is responsible for regulating non-degree qualifications in Wales, is on the lookout for stakeholders to join two new panels linked to health and social care and child care.</p>
<p>To get involved with the Health and Social Care and Child Care Teacher and Lecturer Advisory Panel, go <a href="http://qualificationswales.org/qualifications/vocational-qualifications/health-social-care-and-childcare/teacher-and-lecturer-advisory-panel-10-feb-2017/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>, and for the Health and Social Care and Child Care Stakeholder Panel go <a href="http://qualificationswales.org/qualifications/vocational-qualifications/health-social-care-and-childcare/stakeholder-panel-member-100217/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>. For more information on training in Wales, visit the <a href="http://qualificationswales.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Qualifications Wales website</a>.</p>
CFW members urged to contribute to care home review<p><img style="margin: 0 0 8px 14px; float: right;" src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Sarah_Rochira.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="180">The Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, has written to Care Forum Wales chair Mario Kreft to ask for members' good practice examples as part of her review of the quality of life and care for older people in residential and nursing home care.</p>
<p>The commissioner has undertaken this review as a follow-up to the report entitled A Place To Call Home from 2014.</p>
<p>In the report, the commissioner asked for a number of requirements for action for public bodies – and this review aims to gather best practice from a number of sources across the care sector in Wales.</p>
<p>To take part in the review or to read the report, go to the <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/Reviews/Residential_Care_Review.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Older People's Commissioner for Wales website</a>.</p>
Government issues framework for use of Welsh in social care<p>The Welsh Government has issued a new 'follow-on' framework for the use of Welsh in health, social services and social care settings.</p>
<p>The issue, discussed at this month's Welsh Language in Health & Social Services Partnership Board meeting, is an update from the original More Than Just Words report issued in 2012.</p>
<p>The aim of the framework is to ensure that Welsh speakers receive services in their first language and to build on the original strategy, as well as to reflect changes in the political and legislative context.</p>
<p>As part of the framework, organisations are urged to make an 'active offer' to deliver services in Welsh, rather than expecting patients to ask for them. The framework also includes the establishment of a Partnership Board to oversee implementation.</p>
<p>For more details, go to the <a href="http://gov.wales/topics/health/publications/health/guidance/words/?skip=1&lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Welsh Government website</a>.</p>
CSSIW changes rules on inspection challenges<p>The Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) has made changes to the way in which challenges to inspection reports can be made.</p>
<article class="Page_bodytext"><p>During the CSSIW inspection process, 'registered persons' have the opportunity to comment if they wish on the factual accuracy of inspection reports before they are made available to the public.</p>
<p>Previously, challenges were considered by an area manager but the changes mean that challenges will now be made through a senior inspector. For more news, go to the <a href="http://cssiw.org.uk/news/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CSSIW website</a>.</p>
</article>
Pharmacy group launches falls campaign <p><img style="margin: 0 0 8px 14px; float: right;" src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/minister-falls-campaign.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="167">Community Pharmacy Wales is launching a campaign called Steady On... Stay Safe as part of drive to boost awareness of the issue of falls among older people, the leading cause of fatal injuries in the group.</p>
<p>The campaign, which is run in conjunction with Care & Repair, RNIB and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, aims to raise awareness of the consequences of falls and how best to avoid them. Every year in Wales between 230,000 and 460,000 older people suffer from a fall.</p>
<p>For four weeks in February and March, all 716 community pharmacies in Wales will take part in the campaign, officially launched on February 6. Community pharmacists and their staff will be proactively discussing some of the risks associated with falling including staying active and simple exercises to stay strong, risks in their home environment, the need for regular eye tests and the use of medicines that can contribute to falling.</p>
<p>Read more on this story on the <a href="http://www.cpwales.org.uk/Contractors-Area/Public-Health-Campaign.aspx?lang=en-GB" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Community Pharmacy Wales website</a>. Cardiff & Vales NHS Trust has produced posters for anyone to use – go <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Comm-friendly%20picture%20Stop%20Think%20Falls%20English.pdf">here</a> for English and <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Comm-friendly%20picture%20Stop%20Think%20Falls%20Welsh.pdf">here</a> for Welsh – and you can also sign up for information on the bronze level for Quality Improvement <a href="https://iqt.pembrokeshire.ac.uk/login/index.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</p>
Care Home Open Day kicks off for 2017<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/care%20homes%20open%20day%20logo.png" alt="" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 8px 14px;" width="87" height="150">Care home managers have been urged to register their care homes for Care Home Open Day 2017 – the UK-wide initiative which invites residential care homes to open their doors to the public for one day.</p>
<p>Thousands of care homes across the UK take part in Care Home Open Day each year – which this year is June 16 – welcoming the public and arranging events and activities which help to create lasting links between care home residents and their local communities.</p>
<p>Wales usually has a good turn out for Care Home Open Day and CFW members create good links with the communities in which they work. To register your care home, go to the <a href="http://www.carehomeopenday.org.uk/user/login" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Care Home Open Day website</a>.</p>
HSE to focus on workplace stress with new strategy – health and social care among sectors in spotlight<p>The Health and Safety Executive has recently launched a new health strategy, with a focus on two areas that could have a big impact on businesses and staff working in the care sector – managing stress and musculoskeletal disorders.</p>
<p>It's likely the HSE will look at work-related stress in the care sector because its statistics for 2015-16 show that stress is more prevalent in public service industries, such as education; health and social care; and public administration and defence.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Work-related stress, musculoskeletal disorders and lung disease in HSE's sights</span></strong></p>
<p>Anthony Arcari, CFW's health and safety consultant, says: "The new initiative marks a renewed focus on work related stress and musculoskeletal issues for the executive, which largely withdrew in 2008 from involvement in health issues it said were as easily influenced by employees’ home lives as by their working conditions. The strategy will be underpinned by sector plans for 19 industrial areas, based on industry type and risk profile."</p>
<p>The strategy has three main themes: work-related stress, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and lung disease. Speaking at the strategy launch event in December, HSE chair Martin Temple said that stress and MSDs account for 80% of working time lost to sickness in the UK, while lung disease is responsible for around 90% of work-related deaths. </p>
<p>The sectors include broad industries such as manufacturing, construction and waste and recycling but also more narrowly defined activities including bio-engineering, explosives, fairgrounds and theme parks, onshore oil and gas wells and offshore energy. The plans are still subject to consultation with industry online and at events to be held in early 2017.</p>
<p>The drafts identify the top three strategic priorities for each sector for the next three to five years and the actions the HSE proposes to take to improve health in these areas in the sector.</p>
<p>The regulator’s strategy is separate from the safety and health strategy, Helping Great Britain Work Well, issued in February, which the HSE said sets goals for all stakeholders, including business and industry bodies to help achieve.</p>
<p>“The big part of HSE’s work in this area will be to drive improvements will be engaging with businesses and organisations,” said Temple of the health strategy. </p>
<p>Martin Temple, HSE's chair, said: “But there will always be an iron first in the velvet glove. HSE wouldn’t be doing its job if it didn’t bring to book those who callously or thoughtlessly ruin the lives of others by their actions.” </p>
<p>He said it was important the executive had clear measures of success for each sector so it could measure the strategy’s success. “We are working on this,” he said. </p>
<p><strong><span class="liststyle clear">How will the new strategy impact on the care sector?</span></strong></p>
<p>Well according to its latest Health & Safety at Work statistics for 2015-16: Stress is more prevalent in public service industries, such as education; health and social care; and public administration and defence.</p>
<p>By occupation, jobs that are common across public service industries (such as healthcare workers; teaching professionals; business, media and public service professionals) show higher levels of stress as compared to all jobs. The main work factors cited by respondents as causing work related stress, depression or anxiety were workload pressures, including tight deadlines and too much responsibility and a lack of managerial support. </p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
CFW joins calls to keep EU social care workers<p>CFW has been asked to join the Cavendish Coalition to help lobby the UK government about foreign workers in the NHS and social care sector post Brexit.</p>
<p>Mary Wimbury, senior policy officer for CFW, said: “The coalition, which includes the UK Health Care Assoication and Care England, is calling for guarantees that EU citizens currently working in social care will not lose their right to work here after Britain leaves the EU.</p>
<p>“We are also concerned that social care employers continue to be able to recruit from abroad if they have staff shortages which they are unable to fill from the UK workforce.”</p>
<p>Find out more about the Cavendish Coalition <a href="http://www.nhsemployers.org/your-workforce/need-to-know/brexit-and-the-nhs-eu-workforce/the-cavendish-coalition" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</p>
Nominate now for Wales Care Awards 2017<p>Does someone in your organisation or across the social care workforce sector deserve to be recognised for their dedication to social care in Wales? Is your organisation committed to Dignity in Care?</p>
<p>If the answer to either of the questions above is YES, then NOMINATE NOW for the annual Wales Care Awards.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales hosts the gala awards ceremony in association with the Social Care Institute For Excellence and entries are now being accepted for the 2017 awards, which takes place on November 17, 2017, at City Hall in Cardiff.</p>
<p>Further information and the nomination form can be found on the <a href="http://walescareawards.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Wales Care Awards website</a>.</p>
Extra £10m won't stop social care meltdown<p>A £10m increase in funding for social care has been described as a "sticking plaster" that won't cover a massive funding gap.</p>
<p>The additional money for the sector was announced by Rebecca Evans, AM, the Welsh Government's Minister for Social Services and Public Health.</p>
<p>The announcement was welcomed by Care Forum Wales chairman Mario Kreft MBE, but he warned it was nowhere near enough.</p>
<p>According to the Welsh Government, the new investment will form part of a three-way agreement to be established between the Welsh Government, local government and social care employers to work together to create a more stable social care workforce.</p>
<p>They say the funding will help meet the extra costs associated with the introduction of the national living wage and that it is in addition to the extra £25m for social care, which was announced in the draft 2017-18 budget in October.</p>
<p>But Mr Kreft said: "Any extra funding to a sector in meltdown is to be welcomed, but in reality it is a sticking plaster which will fail to plug the massive funding gap.</p>
<p>“Care providers welcome Welsh Government’s recognition of the pressures the introduction of the national living wage has placed on the sector. We all want to see care workers better rewarded for the vital service they provide and the increasing professionalisation of the workforce as we move towards registration.</p>
<p>"But in the months since October 2015 we will have seen the minimum pay rates of our care workers increase by 12 per cent. We estimate the cost of this to be at least £80m. It will also have a knock-on effect across the board because it will be impossible to maintain pay differentials as we would like.</p>
<p>"We are pleased that the Welsh Government has prioritised social care as a sector of national strategic importance, but there needs to be recognition the sector remains under pressure. The on-going demands of the national living wage increases and registration mean that the value we place on the sector and the funding it receives will need to be revisited with our partners in Welsh Government, local authorities and health boards to make it sustainable.”</p>
<p>"In the meantime, this extra funding should be ring-fenced so we can ensure local authorities spend it on social care.</p>
<p>"The sector is not strong and this will make it neither sustainable nor fit for the future. My view is that we need the new regional partnership boards with equal partners sitting around the table, working with a new spirit of collaboration. They must be more than talking shops – they must deliver."</p>
<p>The announcement from the Welsh Government can be found <a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/health-and-social-services/2017/10m-a-year/?lang=en">here</a>. See Mr Kreft talking about this issue on ITV News on January 9 at 6pm.</p>
Health trust fined after safety failings led to dementia patient’s death<p>A health authority in England has been fined by the Health & Safety Executive after the death of a patient on a specialist dementia ward.</p>
<p>The fine, which has been highlighted for members by Care Forum Wales' health and safety expert Anthony Acari, follows an investigation from HSE which found that the trust did not have sufficient policies or procedures in place for managing the safety of patients.</p>
<p>Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust was fined £366,000 in November after the death of Mrs Joan Darnell, 78, who had been admitted as a patient to the Julian Hospital on 28 September 2014 on the Blicking Ward, a specialist ward for patients suffering with dementia. On the October 16 Mrs Darnell was reported missing and was found face-down in a bath full of water in one of the bathrooms on the ward.</p>
<p>The HSE investigation found that the trust had failed to complete an appropriate risk assessment for the patient and hadn't taken steps to prevent vulnerable patients having unsupervised access to bathrooms. At the time of the incident, the trust did not have adequate systems and arrangements in place to ensure that patients under their care on the ward were effectively monitored, the report stated.</p>
<p>Read the full story on the <a href="http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/crime/norfolk_and_suffolk_nhs_trust_fined_366k_after_78_year_old_patient_drowned_in_hospital_bath_1_4796059" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Eastern Daily Press website</a>.</p>
Christmas message from Mario Kreft<p><img style="float: right; margin: 0 0 8px 14px;" src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Mario%20Kreft,%20chairman,%20Care%20Forum%20Wales.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200">2016 has been a difficult year for those of us in social care with budgets continuing to be squeezed, costs rising and the numbers who need social care continuing to increase with our ageing population.<br><br> But we are starting to see our message about the importance of the sector being heard more clearly by more people, from politicians to the public.<br><br> We will keep pressing the Welsh Government for better funding for social care in 2017 and we hope we will see progress next year.<br><br> In the meantime please accept my best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!</p>
<p align="center"><img style="width: 220px; height: auto;" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/images/holly.png"></p>
Investigation launched into consumer rights in social care<p>The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a market study into care homes for older people to investigate whether current practices breach consumer laws.</p>
<p>The <abbr title="Competition and Markets Authority">CMA</abbr> study will look very closely at reports of potentially unfair practices and contract terms being used by some care homes to assess how widespread these concerns are, how they are affecting residents and whether they are likely to breach the law.</p>
<p>The enquiry covers four areas: </p>
<ul><li>How does the market in care homes work and what are the barriers to entry and pressures affecting sustainability; </li>
<li>What impact does regulation and commissioning and market-shaping by local authorities have on the care home market; </li>
<li>Is sufficient information available to make decisions on choosing a care home; and </li>
<li>Adherence to consumer protection law by care homes.</li>
</ul><p>There are currently 430,000 older people in care and nursing homes across the UK and the <abbr title="Competition and Markets Authority">CMA</abbr> would particularly like to hear from care home residents and their relatives who have encountered issues such as unexplained or ‘hidden’ charges, unexpected fee increases, confusing requests for ‘top-up’ payments or occasions when they feel that complaints have not been handled fairly.</p>
<p><img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/images/Mary_Wimbury.1.jpg" style="width: 160px; height: 180px; margin: 10px 0px 10px 8px; float: right;" width="160" align="right" height="180">CFW policy advisor Mary Wimbury (<em>pictured</em>) said: "We encourage all members to proactively respond to the study too, to showcase positive examples of good care practice. You may also be surveyed, if you need any advice on responding, please do contact us.”</p>
<p><abbr title="Competition and Markets Authority">CMA</abbr> acting chief executive Andrea Coscelli said: "Choosing a care home can be emotional and costly. It’s therefore essential that elderly people and their families have all the information they need to make the best possible choice and then feel secure in the knowledge they will be fairly treated throughout their time there."</p>
<p>For more information on the CMA market study, visit the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-launches-review-of-uk-care-and-nursing-homes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">UK government website</a>.</p>
Putting up council tax 'won't solve social care funding problem'<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Mario%20Kreft.jpg" alt="" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 8px 14px;" width="160" height="240">Care Forum Wales chair Mario Kreft, <em>pictured</em>, has warned that the social care sector will collapse unless the Welsh Government invests more money in independently-run care homes and domiciliary care.</p>
<p>He was speaking after the UK Government gave the go-ahead for local authorities in England to raise more money by raising council tax.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft said: "This is a recognition that social care is in crisis but putting up council tax won't come close to solving the problem.</p>
<p>"What's made the situation even more urgent is the UK Government's decision to raise the minimum wage without knowing where the money is coming from."</p>
<p>The dire situation is underlined by the almost weekly closures of independently-run care homes and nursing homes across Wales, according to Mr Kreft.</p>
<p>Domiciliary care providers are also struggling, with more and more of them having to hand back contracts to local councils because they were financially unsustainable, with prices being driven down in some areas by aggressive procurement tactics.</p>
<p>Referring to the UK Government's decision to allow local authorities to raise council tax to pay for social care in England, Mr Kreft said: "Everyone now agrees that social care is right up there at the top of the political agenda. It would appear from what we're learning in England that they are taking on board that something has to be done and quickly.</p>
<p>"It is, however, also clear that just raising the council tax is not the answer. Last year in England 95 per cent of councils used a social care precept and it raised less than three per cent of what councils plan to spend on adult social care, so it's just scratching the surface.</p>
<p>"It may be that allowing local authorities to access more ring-fenced money via council tax or other means may be a part of the answer, but here in Wales we need a tailored solution that's appropriate for us and whatever we do has to be based on partnership, putting aside prejudice and working together.</p>
<p>"What we need in Wales is an integrated health and social care system and extra funding to local councils needs to be ring-fenced to sustain the care sector," he continued.</p>
<p>The need to integrate health and social care was also recently highlighted by an inquiry by the Welsh Assembly Health, Social Care and Sport Committee into 'winter preparedness'. The report recommended that the independent sector needed to be part of the solution which chimed with the message from Care Forum Wales. Read our story on this report <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/news/cfw-response-to-winter-pressures-in-nhs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</p>
<p>Read the full story on <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38286145" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">UK Government's council tax rises</a> and the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-38290140" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Welsh reaction to England council tax proposals.</a></p>
Winter pressures report: greater integration of health and social care<p>An important report from the Welsh Assembly's Health, Social Care & Sport Committee on winter pressures which quotes extensively from the evidence given by Care Forum Wales.</p>
<p><strong>Download a copy of the report <a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assembly.wales%2Flaid%2520documents%2Fcr-ld10861%2Fcr-ld10861-e.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here.</a></strong></p>
<p>The first recommendation is that the Cabinet Secretary and Minister should, as a matter of priority, focus their attention on the <strong>greater integration of the health and social care sectors</strong>, both in the planning and delivery of services.</p>
<p>The <strong>NHS, social care and independent sectors must be key players in this work</strong>. We await the response from Welsh Government with interest.</p>
<p><img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/images/b1fd7e40-985f-4b1f-a3f9-858007e43eca.jpg" style="margin: 10px 0px 10px 8px; height: auto; float: right;" width="340" height="106">Mario Kreft has responded on behalf of Care Forum Wales calling for the authorities to put "prejudice" about the private sector to one side to solve the crisis facing the NHS this winter.</p>
<p>He stressed the need for everybody to work in partnership following the publication of a report by the Welsh Assembly Health, Social Care and Sport Committee into 'winter preparedness'.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft (<em>pictured</em>) said the key findings chimed with what Care Forum Wales had been saying for many years.</p>
<p>The report's first recommendation was that there needed to be more integration between the health and social care sectors and that, crucially, the independent sector needed to be part of the solution.</p>
<p>The report also highlighted concerns about the financial viability of the sector in the light of care home closures, the problem of domiciliary care contracts being handed back to local authorities and the need for improved training.</p>
CFW chair speaks out over NHS 'gridlock'<p><img style="margin: 0 0 8px 14px; float: right;" src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/NHS_winter_report.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="226">Mario Kreft MBE, chair of Care Forum Wales, is calling for the authorities to put "prejudice" about the private sector to one side to solve the crisis facing the NHS this winter.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft stressed the need for everybody to work in partnership following the publication of a report by the Welsh Assembly Health, Social Care and Sport Committee into 'winter preparedness'. According to Mr Kreft, the key findings chimed with what Care Forum Wales had been saying for many years.</p>
<p>The report's first recommendation was that there needed to be more integration between the health and social care sectors and that, crucially, the independent sector needed to be part of the solution. The report also highlighted concerns about the financial viability of the sector in the light of care home closures, the problem of domiciliary care contracts being handed back to local authorities and the need for improved training.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft said: "Our hospitals are staffed by wonderful, dedicated people. The unprecedented levels of need and overwhelming pressures are not their fault. It's the system that's dysfunctional.</p>
<p>"A study by the respected Joseph Rowntree Trust in England has shown that 30 per cent of the people in hospital shouldn't be there at all. That means there are also many people in hospital in Wales who would be better off somewhere else receiving more appropriate care, more suited to their needs.</p>
<p>"One thing is certain, if the independent sector is not treated as a full and proper partner, the situation will get even worse and catastrophe could be just around the corner."</p>
<p>Read more on this story on the <a href="http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/calls-end-vicious-circle-winter-12307405" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Daily Post website</a>. Download the report <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Winter%20prep%20FINAL%20report%20for%20publication%20e.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a> in English and <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Winter%20prep%20FINAL%20report%20for%20publication%20c.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a> in Welsh.</p>
Care home provider makes residents’ wishes come true<p><img style="float: right; margin: 0 0 8px 14px;" src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/SAM_6852.JPG" alt="" width="380" height="285">Residents from Hallmark's care homes in Wales will write their hearts desire on a star this December and enter the company's Christmas wish-granting competition.</p>
<p>More than 1,000 – including 93-year-old Elizabeth Charlton, <em>pictured right</em> – will be encouraged to enter a competition called Lucky Star. Lucky Star runs throughout December until January 6<sup><span style="font-family: Arial,serif;" face="Arial, serif"></span></sup><span style="font-family: Arial,serif;" face="Arial, serif"> and encourages residents to make a wish, no matter how big or small, and hang it on the Christmas tree in the home. </span></p>
<p>Each resident will have assistance to make a wish from the home’s nominated 'fairy godmother', who will dress up and positively engage with the residents throughout the Christmas period. In the New Year, Hallmark Care Homes managing director Avnish Goyal will review all of the wishes which have been made and will make at least two wishes from each of their 15 homes come true.<span style="color: #222222;" color="#222222"><span style="font-family: Arial,serif;" face="Arial, serif"> </span></span></p>
<p>Mr Goyal said: “All our residents get presents from Hallmark on Christmas Day, but by getting to know what they would really like to do or have gives us an opportunity to truly enhance their happiness and make a difference.</p>
<p>“<span style="font-family: Arial,serif;" face="Arial, serif">We decided to launch this competition because we wanted to give our residents an opportunity to have something or to do something they thought they’d never get a chance to do again. It could be anything from seeing their favourite show in the West End to visiting their place of birth or a long-lost relative. It’s also a great reminiscence activity, particularly for our residents living with dementia.”</span></p>
<p>Wishes that were granted from last year’s competition included reuniting a resident with his teenage sweetheart after 20 years apart and taking a resident to celebrate her 95th<sup><span style="font-family: Arial,serif;" face="Arial, serif"></span></sup><span style="font-family: Arial,serif;" face="Arial, serif"> birthday at the Ritz.</span></p>
<p>The 2016 Lucky Star winners will be announced in the New Year.</p>
Senior care home staff wanted for new leadership course<p>My Home Life Cymru is calling for all care home managers and senior staff to register for their Leadership Programme course – and are offering a limited-time discounted rate for CFW members.</p>
<p>The course, which is a pilot programme initially aimed at care home managers and senior staff, runs for a full year and will take place in Cardiff. The discounted rate My Home Life Cymru are offering CFW members is £1,000 per person for the full year – but be quick as the closing date to register is January 6.</p>
<p>The course is led by Dr. Barbara Johnson, professional development consultant, and Suzy Webster from My Home Life Cymru. The managers/senior staff will become My Home Life Ambassadors and help spread the My Home Life vision across Wales.</p>
<p>The dates are as follows: January 30 and 31 and February 21 and 22 – and then one day a month for the next 10 months (dates TBC). To register or for more information, go to the <a href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/home-and-care/my-home-life-cymru/my-home-life-leadership-programme/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">My Home Life Cymru page on the Age Cymru website</a>.</p>
'Lift' programme aims to help out-of-work adults<p>The Welsh Government has launched a new programme which aims to help people living in households where no one is in work by offering training and linking up with employers to fill vacancies.</p>
<p>Called Lift, the programme is targeted at those who have spent more than six months out of work and is aimed at single parents, adults with few or no formal qualifications, people with poor employment records and disabled people.</p>
<p>Lift is being rolled out through Communities First 'clusters' in Anglesey, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Cardiff, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent and Flintshire. for more information, go to the <a href="http://gov.wales/topics/people-and-communities/communities/lift/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Welsh Government website</a>.</p>
Care home unveils £700k refurbishment<p><img style="float: right; margin: 0 0 8px 14px;" src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/DSC_0363.JPG" alt="" width="400" height="283">A care home in Cardiff has unveiled a £700,000 refurbishment with a little help from the mayor and Wales rugby star Rhys Webb.</p>
<p>Shire Hall, which is run by Hallmark Care Homes, has been given a complete makeover and staff and the home's 90 residents celebrated the new look with a grand launch event with mayor Coun Monica Walsh, <em>pictured third from left</em>, as well as injured Wales scrum half Webb, <em>pictured on the left</em>.</p>
<p>As part of the makeover, the home now boasts an old-fashioned pub, a gentleman’s barbers, a hair salon, café, activities room, garden lounge, farmhouse kitchen, cinema and sensory lounge.</p>
<p>Karen Grapes, general manager at Shire Hall, said: “I was so pleased to be able to host such a successful relaunch event for Shire Hall. We were proud to welcome the mayor and we were also delighted that Welsh rugby star Rhys Webb was able to attend and enjoy the day with us and we would like to thank Britain’s Got Talent finalist Melanie Gilpin for providing fantastic entertainment. </p>
<p>“We look forward to ensuring Shire Hall continues to offer outstanding relationship-centred care to all of our residents.”</p>
Book published for Welsh-speaking dementia sufferers<p>A social enterprise has published a book and related pack specifically designed for Welsh-speaking people with dementia.</p>
<p>Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land Of My Fathers), which is written in Welsh but has English subtitles, is a pack containing a 64-page book, a DVD and postcards in Welsh and has been published by Pictures To Share, a community interest company which specialises in publishing dementia-friendly books.</p>
<p>The aim is for the book to prompt communication and discussion among dementia patients and their carers.</p>
<p>The book features familiar and traditional songs such as Land Of My Fathers and Calon Lan, poems, nursery rhymes, photographs and paintings, with a good dash of humour thrown in.</p>
<p>The book and related pack is priced £20 and is available from the <a href="http://picturestoshare.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pictures To Share website</a>.</p>
Law Commission report into DoLS delayed<p>It's been announced that the Law Commission's review into the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) has been delayed – the report will now be published in March 2017.</p>
<p>The final report, which deals with the law of mental capacity and deprivation of liberty, was due to be published by the end of 2016.</p>
<p>Tim Spencer-Lane, the lead lawyer on the project, told Care Forum Wales: "The reason for the delay is the complexity of the task of drafting legislation on such an important issue. It is vitally important to get the law right here. Badly drafted, over-complicated law is a big part of the problem with the current DoLS and we do not want to fall into the same trap again.</p>
<p>"We are very aware that the project deadline was brought forward at the request of the Department of Health and for a good reason: there is an urgent need for the system to be improved. We know too that many stakeholders are waiting for our report and draft bill and will be disappointed with any delay. For this we apologise."</p>
<p>Read more about the review into DoLS on the <a href="http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/mental-capacity-and-deprivation-of-liberty/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Law Commission website</a>.</p>
Minister publishes results of domiciliary care consultation<p>Minister for social services and public health Rebecca Evans has published the long-awaited results of the consultation into domiciliary care staffing.</p>
<p>The consultation, which included a range of proposals under the title Domiciliary Care Workforce – Improving the Recruitment and Retention of Domiciliary Care Workers in Wales, was launched in September 2015 and has attracted 108 responses from stakeholders. Proposals consulted on included matters relating to zero hours contracts, compliance with the national minimum wage, travel time, call clipping and length of calls, career structure, development and training, occupational status and health and safety.</p>
<p>The minister said: "The Welsh Government recognises social care as a strategically important sector. Within that, the domiciliary workforce plays a crucial role in helping people stay at home and maintain their independence for as long as possible.</p>
<p>"I have asked the Care Council for Wales to consider and use this report in the development of their five-year strategy for domiciliary care in Wales. This work, commissioned by the Welsh Government, will deliver a sector-led plan for improvement in social care and is due to report to me shortly."</p>
<p>For more information and to see the results of the consultation, go to the <a href="https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/domiciliary-care-workforce" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Welsh Government website</a>.</p>
Minister issues report into Social Care Act implementation<p>Rebecca Evans, minister for social services and public health, has released an update report on the implementation of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016.</p>
<p>In a statement to the Welsh Assembly, the minister explained that the report highlighted key changes to workforce-related regulations including:</p>
<ul><li>Clarifying the circumstances in which student social care workers must be registered.</li>
<li>Clarifying that a ‘finding of fact’ will not be made in interim order proceedings, whether before an interim orders panel or a fitness to practise panel.</li>
<li>Amending the constitution of panel regulations to provide more clarity on who may not serve as a panel member.</li>
</ul><p>Read the full report on the <a href="https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/phase-1-implementation-regulation-and-inspection-social-care-wales-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Welsh Government website</a>.</p>
Chancellor raises the National Living Wage but fails to help social care<p>Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond<em></em> raised the National Living Wage from £7.20 to £7.50 from April 2017 as part of his Autumn Statement.</p>
<p>The Chancellor's statement also included extra funding for UK infrastructure, but Mr Hammond faced criticism for failing to set aside money to help deal with social care, which faces a crisis across the border. The Welsh Government sets social care priorities differently to England.</p>
<p>United Kingdom Homecare Association’s chief executive Bridget Warr CBE said: “The absence of reference to funding social care services in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement is exasperating for everyone who supports older and disabled people.</p>
<p>“The amassed evidence from providers, commissioners, sector analysts and colleagues in the health service has presented a consistent picture of a sector under extreme pressure which, should it fail, will let down citizens who rely on state-funded support."</p>
<p>The move comes as a new report has revealed that the National Living Wage has increased the financial pressure on care home providers who are already being hit by reduced funding from local authorities.</p>
<p>The report, which was commissioned by accountancy firm Moore Stephens, states that smaller care homes are under the greatest pressure as part of the National Living Wage. Read more on this story on the <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37966425?SThisFBe" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37966425?SThisFBe" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BBC website</a>.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales will be pushing local authorities and health boards across Wales to take this over 4% increase into account when setting their fees for 2017/18. Please give us feedback on what's happening in your area and how it will affect you.</p>
RCN issues safety guide for lone workers<p>The Royal College of Nursing has released guidance aimed at supporting health and social care staff who work alone.</p>
<p>The guide has been produced after a 2015 survey of RCN members found almost half of nursing staff based in the community have been subjected to abuse during the last two years. In more than 11% of cases, this involved physical abuse or assault as well as verbal abuse.</p>
<p>As well as offering advice on personal safety, the guide also contains a checklist for safety reps who work on negotiating improvements to workplace safety for members and nurse managers who manage lone working staff.</p>
<p>Kim Sunley, RCN senior employment relations advisor, said: “Nursing staff who work alone for long or even short periods of time are more vulnerable to physical and verbal abuse.</p>
<p>“Employers are bound by law to take appropriate measures to protect the safety of their employees and nursing staff can also take practical steps to reduce risk.</p>
<p>“The new guidance aims to support nursing staff and their employers to ensure that everyone is as safe as possible while carrying out their vital work.”</p>
<p>Read the guide on the <a href="https://www.rcn.org.uk/professional-development/publications/pub-005716" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">RCN website</a>.</p>
DWP consultation on work and disability<p>The Department of Work and Pensions is seeking views on what it will take to transform employment prospects for disabled people and people with long-term health conditions.</p>
<p>The government department wants to hear views from a range of respondents including health and care professionals and will use the consultation to shape its future policy. CFW members are urged to take part in the consultation. </p>
<p>The consultation closes on February 17, 2017, and can be seen on the <a href="https://consultations.dh.gov.uk/workandhealth/consult/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">UK government website</a>. </p>
Minister publishes guidance for local authorities<p>New guidance published by Minister for Social Services and Public Health Rebecca Evans will help to evaluate 'how the Social Services and Well-being Act is having a real, positive, impact on people’s lives'.</p>
<p>The minister has published the new approach for all local authorities in Wales as part of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act, which came into force in April 2016 and places a focus on well-being and on how services can help people and their carers, achieve what matters to them.</p>
<p>Minister Rebecca Evans, said: “The Social Services and Well-being Act signalled a transformation of care and support here in Wales. It truly puts people who need care and support, and carers who need support, at the very heart of the social care system and ensures they are involved in all the decisions which affect them.</p>
<p>“The guidance I have published will help to evaluate how the act is having a real, positive impact on people’s lives. It will empower people, together with their local authorities, to identify and improve the progress they are making towards achieving the things that matter to them – for example staying independent in their own homes or living safely with their families."</p>
<p>The guidance is available on the <a href="http://gov.wales/topics/health/socialcare/well-being/?lang=en" target="_blank">Welsh Government website</a>.</p>
Minister releases plans to deal with winter 'surges' in NHS care<p>Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport Vaughan Gething has released plans which detail how the NHS in Wales will deal with 'surges' in demand as winter closes in.</p>
<p>The plans, released as part of a statement to the Welsh Assembly, admits that last winter saw 'peaks above what could be realistically anticipated for emergency ambulances, primary care out-of-hours consultations and emergency admissions to hospital via A&E'.</p>
<p>The minister calls for NHS trusts to fully integrate responses to winter demand as well as laying out plans to increase beds, strengthen ambulance services and increasing consulant cover during weekends.</p>
<p>For the full statement, go to the <a href="http://gov.wales/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2016-new/safeguardingweek/?skip=1&lang=en" target="_blank">Welsh Government website</a>.</p>
Living Wage puts pressure on providers<p>A new report has revealed that the National Living Wage has increased the financial pressure on care home providers who are already being hit by reduced funding from local authorities.</p>
<p>The report, which was commissioned by accountancy firm Moore Stephens, states that smaller care homes are under the greatest pressure as part of the National Living Wage, which came into force in April and currently stands at £7.20 an hour.</p>
<p>Read more on this story on the <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37966425?SThisFBe" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37966425?SThisFBe" target="_blank">BBC website</a>.</p>
Missing adult scheme launched<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial,serif;" face="Arial, serif"><span lang="en">A scheme aimed at helping police to locate missing adults is being piloted by North Wales Police, in partnership with Conwy County Borough Council.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial,serif;" face="Arial, serif"><span lang="en">The scheme, named the Herbert Protocol after a former soldier who suffered from dementia, has already been launched in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Gwent and it is thought it will eventually be rolled out across Wales.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial,serif;" face="Arial, serif"><span lang="en">The initiative encourages family members or carers to fill in an ‘adult at risk’ person profile about their loved one, which includes information such as their name, date of birth, habits and access to transport. The form is designed to help police officers access important information which could help locate a missing person living within a care home as soon as possible.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial,serif;" face="Arial, serif"><span lang="en">Chris Walker, adult safeguarding coordinator at Conwy County Borough Council, said: “If we can save minutes we can save lives. At this distressing time families or friends may struggle to remember information or they may even make errors and provide the wrong details.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial,serif;" face="Arial, serif"><span lang="en">"Giving them the chance to write down the information in advance will hopefully ease the pressure they may feel and provide them with some reassurances." </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial,serif;" face="Arial, serif"><span lang="en">As part of National Safeguarding Week – November 14 to </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,serif;" face="Arial, serif"><span lang="en">18 – </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,serif;" face="Arial, serif"><span lang="en">two awareness raising workshops will be held </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,serif;" face="Arial, serif"><span lang="en">at Venue Cymru to launch the scheme. The workshops will be held on November 14 from 9.30am-11am and from 11.30am-1pm.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial,serif;" face="Arial, serif"><span lang="en">For more information, go to the <a href="http://www.northwalessafeguardingboard.wales/missing-adult-scheme-launch-herbert-protocol/" target="_blank">North Wales Safeguarding Board website</a>.<br></span></span></p>
Age Cymru launches 2016 awards<p>Charity Age Cymru has launched its Wales-wide awards for 2016 – and wants CFW members to nominate individuals or organisations who are 'age-friendly', or make life better for people for older people.</p>
<p>The deadline for nominations is December 9 – for more information, go the the <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/latest-news/the-age-cymru-awards-2016/" href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/latest-news/the-age-cymru-awards-2016/" target="_blank">Age Cymru website</a>.</p>
CSSIW issues report into domiciliary care in Wales<p>The Care & Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) has published its national report into domiciliary care in Wales, which has been compiled as a result of its council inspections and listening to focus groups.</p>
<p>The report highlights the issue of purchasing care at 'low prices' and found that it tends to lead to more problems with recruiting and keeping care workers, causing a knock-on effect to provision and capacity.</p>
<p>As part of the report, the CSSIW has also released the results of the inspections of six local authorities – Carmarthenshire, Wrexham, Cardiff, Denbighshire, Monmouthshire and Swansea – and makes a number of recommendations for all partners involved.</p>
<p>The report will inform CSSIW's five-year domiciliary care strategy and will be discussed with partners to help make improvements. The report also makes suggestions to improve practice and shape the regulations and guidance which are being developed to support the new Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016.</p>
<p><strong>The full report into domiciliary care can be viewed on the <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYxMDI3LjY1NTc0MzMxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MTAyNy42NTU3NDMzMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDkwNzQxJmVtYWlsaWQ9bWFyaW9AcGVuZGluZXBhcmsuY29tJnVzZXJpZD1tYXJpb0BwZW5kaW5lcGFyay5jb20mZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&113&&&http://cssiw.org.uk/our-reports/national-thematic-report/2016/160626-national-review-of-domiciliary-care/?lang=en" target="_blank">CSSIW website</a>.</strong></p>
Ageing Well in Wales launches surveys<p>Ageing Well in Wales, the national programme hosted by the Older People's Commissioner for Wales which promotes innovative and practical ways to make Wales a good place to grow older for everyone, has launched two surveys – and the organisation invites Care Forum Wales members to help get a good number of responses.</p>
<p>The surveys are designed to help capture the views of older people on 'age-friendly streets', in conjunction with <a href="https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/" target="_blank">Living Streets</a> and <a href="http://www.cadr.cymru/en/" target="_blank">CADR</a>, and 'music in hospitals', hosted by <a href="http://www.musicinhospitals.org.uk/" target="_blank">Music in Hospitals</a>, and the organisation plans to collate the responses into reports by the end of the year.</p>
<p>The 'age-friendly streets' survey can be completed in English <a href="http://www.ageingwellinwales.com/streets" target="_blank">here</a> or Welsh <a href="http://www.ageingwellinwales.com/wl/strydoedd" target="_blank">here</a>. The 'music in hospitals' survey can be completed in English <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/S8WGZSW" target="_blank">here</a> or Welsh <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/S8XMVCD" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
Wales Care Awards winners celebrate receiving social care 'Oscars' at Cardiff ceremony<p>The 14th annual Wales Care Awards took place in Cardiff on October 21 with the winners celebrating in style at City Hall in Cardiff.</p>
<ul><li><strong>Scroll down for the full list of Wales Care Awards 2016 WINNERS</strong></li>
</ul><p>There were 15 main awards plus four special awards announced on the night – the Dignity in Care Award, sponsored by the Welsh Government, the Bryn Terfel Foundation Award for Promoting the Arts in Social Care, the Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award and the Spirit of Care Award.</p>
<p>The ceremony was attended by the Welsh Government's Minister for Social Services and Public Health, Rebecca Evans, who praised the social care workers and employers who were at the ceremony saying, "People in this room have excelled due to their dedication and skill and also because they've been encouraged by their employers so I'd like to pay tribute to all of them."</p>
<p>She added: "It is important that we start to reverse the historically low pay in the sector – we need a fair level of pay, travel pay, training and development."</p>
<p>Entertainment this year was provided by singers Hannah Vivian-Byrne and Andrew Matthews.</p>
<p>The ceremony was hosted for the first time by Radio Wales DJ and opera singer Wynne Evans. The crowd enjoyed his singing and banter (including serenading Awards organiser Janet with a rendition of happy birthday) and gave generously to this year's chosen charity, Ty Hafan children's hospice.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/undefined/crowd-clapping.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533"></p>
<h2>Who were the 2016 Wales Care Awards winners</h2>
<p></p>
<p><strong>1. Exceptional Newcomer Award – Sponsor – Coleg Cambria<br></strong>GOLD Jeni Lynne Williams, Halllmark Care Homes Bryn Celyn Care Home, Care Assistant<br>GOLDJames Colburn, Care Inn Ltd Three Cliffs Care Home, Care Assistant<br>SILVER Louise Price, Penpergwm House Residential Home Ltd, Client Liaison Officer<br>SILVER Joshua Wilson, Branas Isaf Branas Isaf Personal Development Centre, Residential Support Worker</p>
<p><br><strong>2. The Social Care Health & Safety Award </strong><br>GOLD Stephen Ivins, Oakville South Wales Ltd The Romilly Nursing Home, Maintenance Officer, Fire Officer & H & S Officer<br>SILVER Ian Fisher, Hallmark Care Homes, Health & Safety Consultant</p>
<p><br><strong>3. Excellence in Catering Award – Sponsor – Woodward Foodservices</strong><br>GOLD Patrick Johnstone, Hallmark Care Homes Ltd Ty Enfys Care Home, Head Chef<br>SILVER Catherine Williams, Barchester Healthcare Ltd Bryn Ivor Care Home, Catering Manager</p>
<p><strong>4. Excellence in Learning Disability & Mental Health Services Award – Sponsor – Carewatch & Home Instead Senior Care</strong><br>GOLD Andrew Papirnyk, The Regard Partnership , Registered Care Home Manager<br>GOLD Neil Jeremiah, Tracscare, Area Operations Manager<br>SILVER Andrew Guy, Cyngor Gwynedd / Gwynedd Council, Day Care Supervisor, <br>SILVER Sharon Jones, Consensus Support, Home Manager</p>
<p><strong>5. Leadership and Management in Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Award </strong><br>GOLD Phillip Stapley, Family Housing Assosiation, Project Manager<br>SILVER Tracy Peers, Cartref Ni Ltd , Head of Operations<br>BRONZE Catrin Hooper, Swanton Care & Community, Service/Registered Manager</p>
<p><strong>6. Leadership and Management in Residential Care Services Award – Sponsor – Christie & Co.</strong><br>GOLD Lorraine Jackson, Consensus Support Ty Hendy Care Home, Home Manager<br>SILVER Helen Beecham, Care Inn Ltd Plasgeller Care Home, Registered Manager<br>BRONZE Gwenda Potter, The Regard Partnership Beudygwyn Farm, Service Manger</p>
<p><strong>7. Commitment to Training & Workforce Development Award – Sponsor – The Pendine Academy of Social Care</strong><br>GOLD Louise Davies Rae, Wrexham County Borough Council, Social Care Development Coordinator<br>SILVER Patricia Brown, Hallmark Care Homes Ltd Greenhill Manor Care Home, Community Manager</p>
<p><strong>8. Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner Award<br></strong>GOLD Gareth Watkins, Q Care Ltd, Support Worker<br>SILVER Emma Ogden, Cartref Ni Ltd, Care-Support Worker<br>BRONZE Carolyn Hall, All Care South Wales Ltd, Domiciliary Care Worker</p>
<p><strong>9. Commitment to Quality in Housekeeping and Hospitality Award – Sponsor – A Baldwins & Company</strong><br>GOLD Lynda Davies, Care Inn Ltd Crosfield House Care Home, Housekeeper<br>SILVER Christopher Gregory, Life Long Learning 4 Living Ltd Llanerchrugog Hall, Assistant Manager / Premises<br>BRONZE Wayne Skinner, Linc Cymru Housing Association Capel Grange Nursing Home and Penylan House , Dual Manager</p>
<p><strong>10. Excellence in Palliative and End of Life Care </strong><br>GOLD Andreea Schiopu, Silvercrest Care Mill View Care Home, RGN/Deputy Manager</p>
<p><strong>11. </strong><strong>Excellence in Dementia Care Award – Sponsor – FISC Healthcare</strong><br>GOLD Jennifer Davies, Care Inn Ltd , Crosfield House, Team Leader<br>GOLD Mandy Zatac, Care Inn Ltd Rickeston Mill Nursing Home, Clinical Lead<br>SILVER Julie Evans, Barchester Healthcare Plas Y Dderwen Care Home, RMN/ENG<br>SILVER Zowie Evans, Osborne Care Homes Ysguborwen House Care Home, Deputy Manager-EMI Unit</p>
<p><strong>12. The Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People Award <br></strong>GOLD Leanne Bennett, Branas Isaf , Registered Children's Home Manager<br>GOLD Lucy Wheen, Bryn Melyn Care , Head of Clinical Services</p>
<p><strong>13. Outstanding Service Award – Sponsor – Hallmark Care Homes</strong><br>GOLD Philip Williams, Vale of Clwyd Mind, CEO / Housing Manager<br>SILVER Celia Callaghan, Integra Community Living Options, Senior Support & Rehabilitation Practitioner<br>BRONZE Sharon White, Silvercrest Care, Nurse</p>
<p><strong>14. Promoting Fulfilled Lives Award – Sponsor - Boots<br></strong>GOLD Sarah McCowan, Ucan Care Ltd, Home Manager<br>GOLD Lynda Wenner, Consensus Support Ty Machen Care Home, Home Manager<br>SILVER Robert Lee Thomas, Hafod Care Association Picton Court Care Home, Activities Coordinator<br>SILVER Luke Jenkins, Hallmark Care Homes Greenhill Manor Care Home, Lifestyles Co-Ordinator</p>
<p><strong>15. Residential Care Practitioner Award – Sponsor – Older People's Commissioner</strong><br>GOLD Helen Kermode, Tracscare, Deputy Home Manager<br>GOLD Gina Ashby, Barchester Healthcare Ltd Rhallt Care Home, Care Assistant<br>SILVER Ruthmar Gaitana, Pendine Park Care Organisation, Highfield Care Home, Senior Care Practitioner<br>SILVER Kelly Collard, Hallmark Care Homes Greenhill Manor Care Home, Senior Carer</p>
<p><strong>16. Nurse of the Year Award – Sponsor – Ontex UK</strong><br>GOLD Sreeja Ranjith, Halllmark Care Homes Greenhill Manor Care Home, Registered Nurse<br>SILVER Cristina Poama, Barchester Healthcare Ltd Rhallt Care Home, Acting Head of Unit<br>BRONZE Angela Rees, Integra Community Living Options, Registered Manager</p>
<hr><h2><br><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong>Wales Care Awards 2016 – top awards <br><br><strong></strong></h2>
<p>These special awards are announced on the night and the Dignity In Care Award winners are chosen from candidates in all the other awards categories.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales is grateful to the Bryn Terfel Foundation for its continued support for the Arts in Social Care Award.</p>
<h2></h2>
<p><strong>The Bryn Terfel Foundation Wales Care Award for Promoting the Arts in Social Care – Sponsor – Pendine Park Care Organisation</strong><br>Music in Hospitals Cymru / Wales</p>
<p><strong>Dignity in Care Award – Sponsor – Welsh Government</strong></p>
<p>Helen Kermode<br>Andrew Guy<br>Angela Rees</p>
<p><strong>Spirit of Care Award – Sponsor – Barchester Healthcare</strong></p>
<p>Tracy Peers</p>
<p><strong>The Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award </strong></p>
<p>Rhian Huws Williams</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
The 14th annual Wales Care Awards take place tonight – good luck to everyone on the shortlist<p>The 14th annual Wales Care Awards take place tonight in Cardiff's City Hall. We will be gathering together to celebrate all the hardworking people who work in social care across Wales.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales chair, Mario Kreft, says: "These people really are the heroes of social care and these awards are so important in celebrating the excellent practice in social care."</p>
<p>Good luck to everyone who's up for an award, whether it's gold, silver or bronze you are all winners in the eyes of your colleagues and, most importantly, the people you help to care for. </p>
<p>Watch this space for a list of the winners after the event – and here's a reminder of who's shortlist:</p>
<p></p>
<h2>Wales Care Awards 2016 shortlist revealed</h2>
<p></p>
<h2></h2>
<p><strong>Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner Award</strong></p>
<p>Gareth Watkins, Q Care Ltd, Support Worker<br>Carolyn Hall, All Care South Wales Ltd, Domiciliary Care Worker<br>Emma Ogden, Cartref Ni Ltd, Care-Support Worker</p>
<p><strong>Residential Care Practitioner Award – Sponsor – Older People's Commissioner</strong><br>Kelly Collard, Hallmark Care Homes Greenhill Manor Care Home, Senior Carer<br>Helen Kermode, Tracscare, Deputy Home Manager<br>Ruthmar Gaitana, Pendine Park Care Organisation, Highfield Care Home, Senior Care Practitioner<br>Gina Ashby, Barchester Healthcare Ltd Rhallt Care Home, Care Assistant</p>
<p><strong>Leadership and Management in Residential Care Services Award – Sponsor – Christie & Co.</strong><br>Helen Beecham, Care Inn Ltd Plasgeller Care Home, Registered Manager<br>Lorraine Jackson, Consensus Support Ty Hendy Care Home, Home Manager<br>Gwenda Potter, The Regard Partnership Beudygwyn Farm, Service Manger</p>
<p><strong>Leadership and Management in Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Award </strong><br>Tracy Peers, Cartref Ni Ltd , Head of Operations<br>Phillip Stapley, Family Housing Assosiation, Project Manager<br>Catrin Hooper, Swanton Care & Community, Service/Registered Manager, </p>
<p><strong>Promoting Fulfilled Lives Award – Sponsor - Boots</strong></p>
<p>Robert Lee Thomas, Hafod Care Association Picton Court Care Home, Activities Coordinator<br>Sarah McCowan, Ucan Care Ltd, Home Manager<br>Luke Jenkins, Hallmark Care Homes Greenhill Manor Care Home, Lifestyles Co-Ordinator<br>Lynda Wenner, Consensus Support Ty Machen Care Home, Home Manager</p>
<p><strong>Commitment to Training & Workforce Development Award – Sponsor – The Pendine Academy of Social Care</strong><br>Louise Davies Rae, Wrexham County Borough Council, Social Care Development Coordinator<br>Patricia Brown, Hallmark Care Homes Ltd Greenhill Manor Care Home, Community Manager</p>
<p><br><strong>Exceptional Newcomer Award – Sponsor – Coleg Cambria</strong><br>Jeni Lynne Williams, Halllmark Care Homes Bryn Celyn Care Home, Care Assistant<br>Louise Price, Penpergwm House Residential Home Ltd, Client Liaison Officer<br>James Colburn, Care Inn Ltd Three Cliffs Care Home, Care Assistant<br>Joshua Wilson, Branas Isaf Branas Isaf Personal Development Centre, Residential Support Worker</p>
<p><strong>Nurse of the Year Award – Sponsor – Ontex UK</strong><br>Sreeja Ranjith, Halllmark Care Homes Greenhill Manor Care Home, Registered Nurse<br>Cristina Poama, Barchester Healthcare Ltd Rhallt Care Home, Acting Head of Unit<br>Angela Rees, Integra Community Living Options, Registered Manager</p>
<p><br><strong>Outstanding Service Award – Sponsor – Hallmark Care Homes</strong><br>Philip Williams, Vale of Clwyd Mind, CEO / Housing Manager<br>Sharon White, Silvercrest Care, Nurse<br>Celia Callaghan, Integra Community Living Options, Senior Support & Rehabilitation Practitioner</p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Dementia Care Award – Sponsor – FISC Healthcare</strong><br>Zowie Evans, Osborne Care Homes Ysguborwen House Care Home, Deputy Manager-EMI Unit<br>Jennifer Davies, Care Inn Ltd , Crosfield House, Team Leader<br>Mandy Zatac, Care Inn Ltd Rickeston Mill Nursing Home, Clinical Lead<br>Julie Evans, Barchester Healthcare Plas Y Dderwen Care Home, RMN/ENG</p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Learning Disability & Mental Health Services Award – Sponsor – Carewatch & Home Instead Senior Care</strong><br>Andrew Papirnyk, The Regard Partnership , Registered Care Home Manager<br>Andrew Guy, Cyngor Gwynedd / Gwynedd Council, Day Care Supervisor, <br>Neil Jeremiah, Tracscare, Area Operations Manager<br>Sharon Jones, Consensus Support, Home Manager</p>
<p><br><strong>The Social Care Health & Safety Award </strong><br>Stephen Ivins, Oakville South Wales Ltd The Romilly Nursing Home, Maintenance Officer, Fire Officer & H & S Officer<br>Ian Fisher, Hallmark Care Homes, Health & Safety Consultant</p>
<p><br><strong>Commitment to Quality in Housekeeping and Hospitality Award – Sponsor – A Baldwins & Company</strong><br>Lynda Davies, Care Inn Ltd Crosfield House Care Home, Housekeeper<br>Wayne Skinner, Linc Cymru Housing Association Capel Grange Nursing Home and Penylan House , Dual Manager<br>Christopher Gregory, Life Long Learning 4 Living Ltd Llanerchrugog Hall, Assistant Manager / Premises</p>
<p><br><strong>Excellence in Palliative and End of Life Care </strong><br>Andreea Schiopu, Silvercrest Care Mill View Care Home, RGN/Deputy Manager</p>
<p><br><strong>The Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People Award – sponsor – MPS Healthcare Ltd</strong><br>Leanne Bennett, Branas Isaf , Registered Children's Home Manager<br>Lucy Wheen, Bryn Melyn Care , Head of Clinical Services</p>
<p><br><strong>Excellence in Catering Award – Sponsor – Woodward Foodservices</strong><br>Patrick Johnstone, Hallmark Care Homes Ltd Ty Enfys Care Home, Head Chef<br>Catherine Williams, Barchester Healthcare Ltd Bryn Ivor Care Home, Catering Manager</p>
<h2>Wales Care Awards 2016 – awards to be announced on the night</h2>
<p></p>
<ul><li>Dignity in Care Award – Sponsor – Welsh Government</li>
<li>Spirit of Care Award – Sponsor – Barchester Healthcare</li>
<li>The Bryn Terfel Foundation Wales Care Award for Promoting the Arts in Social Care – Sponsor – Pendine Park Care Organisation</li>
<li>The Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award </li>
</ul><p></p>
Better co-ordination with independent sector could help ease winter pressures on NHS – CFW chair<p>Care Forum Wales has given evidence to the Assembly's Health and Social Care Committee as part of its inquiry into 'winter preparedness'.</p>
<p>CFW chair Mario Kreft and senior policy adviser Mary Wimbury both gave evidence to the committee, stressing the need for greater joined up planning and working between the independent and public sectors in social care and health.</p>
<p>They made clear that independent providers have capacity to be used to provide step up, step down or reablement services which are not currently being used but could release pressure on the hospital system.</p>
<h2>Read Care Forum Wales' submission to the Health and Social Care Committee</h2>
<p></p>
<p>We believe the Regional Partnership Boards created during the fourth Assembly should become a key component in bringing statutory and non-statutory partners together to deal with complex issues such as winter preparedness.</p>
<p>Such partnership working is at very early stages and our members still see problems which could be dealt with by better co-ordination and recognition of the work of the sector. In some areas we see blockages in the system with patients waiting for assessments by health professionals or social workers before discharge.</p>
<p>Improved joint working could ensure that providers are willing to take on the care of new people, for example, on Fridays, rather than be concerned that the support networks, medical supplies or case notes will not be available and there will not be sufficient community support to take on care safely over the weekend.</p>
<p>Independent providers have capacity to be used to provide step up, step down or reablement services which are not currently being used but could release pressure on the hospital system.</p>
<p>Such partnership working requires better relationships to be built up together with mutual trust between the statutory and non-statutory sectors in terms of what can be provided.</p>
Residential care charges – Welsh Government raises cap on pensioner savings<p>The Welsh Government has raised the capital limit used by local authorities who charge for residential care from £24,000 to £50,000 as part of its new five-year plan entitled Taking Wales Forward, which has been broadly welcomed by social care experts.</p>
<p>The plan also sets out other changes to social care regulations, including a requirement to disregard the War Disablement Pension (WDP) in financial assessments for social care charges.</p>
<p>Rebecca Evans, minister for social services and public health, said: "This government is committed to supporting older people and those requiring care, which is why our five-year plan pledged to more than double the capital people can keep when in residential care.</p>
<p>“This frees up more of people’s money for them to use as they wish."</p>
<p>But Care Forum Wales has warned of a potential funding crisis in social care after pensioners in Wales have been told they will be able to keep more of their savings if they have to move into residential care homes.</p>
<p>Mario Kreft, chair of Care Forum Wales, has warned of a crisis in social care unless the government looks at how the system is funded: "This policy needs to be funded otherwise local authorities or care homes themselves will be picking up the tab at a time when they are already being squeezed financially.</p>
<p>“Our concern is that there is not currently sufficient money in the system to sustain a viable health and social care sector in Wales to meet the needs of the population and there is potential for these changes to make things worse."</p>
<p>To read the full story go to the <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/people-care-homes-able-keep-12037315" target="_blank">BBC Wales website</a>.</p>
Sensory garden opened in memory of much-loved resident<p><img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/images/6db434c8-22c6-4b53-84e0-76ba9695d197.jpg" alt="" style="margin: 0 0 8px 14px; max-width: 160px; border: 0; height: auto; line-height: 100%; outline: none; text-decoration: none; display: inline; float: right;" border="0">A new 'sensory garden' which creates a calming atmosphere for dementia sufferers has opened in memory of a much-loved care home resident, Violet Vaughan who died in March this year, <em>pictured</em>.</p>
<p>Ysguborwen Care Home in Aberdare, a CFW member, has won praise for creating a sensory garden in her memory using the donation she left the home in her will.</p>
<p>Now residents can enjoy the new space, affectionately known as 'Violet's Garden', where there are birds, herbs and an outdoor parlour where they can enjoy an ice cream.</p>
<p>CFW's chair, Mario Kreft, said: "Violet’s Garden is already having a hugely therapeutic effect on the residents and enhancing their well-being.</p>
<p>"Every detail has been carefully thought out to offer residents maximum benefits and I am full of admiration for the home’s continued commitment to delivering care focused on the needs of its residents.</p>
<p>"The power of nature to rehabilitate and restore is well-documented. I’m delighted those living at Ysguborwen can now enjoy the outdoors whatever the weather."</p>
<p>The home's activities manager, Wendy Parker, who has worked there for 25 years said: "It was just a spare piece of land before and one thing led to another and the idea just snowballed.</p>
<p>"The residents absolutely love it. As soon as the sun is out they all go out. It has a very therapeutic effect.</p>
<p>"They’re happier and calmer, and chattier. It has definitely enhanced the home.”</p>
Book now for workshops on the Well-being of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015<p>Care Forum Wales members have been invited to attend one of a number of workshop events held across the country to emphasise the importance of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.</p>
<p>Community Development Cymru is running the events to explore the implications of the act in relation to the role that community involvement can play in securing community well-being.</p>
<p>The events will be held at St Mary's Church, Rhyl, on October 19, The Orbit Centre, Merthyr Tydfil, on October 25, the Media Resource Centre, Llandrindod Wells, on October 26 and Cwmamman Community Centre, Glanamman, on November 1. The events start at 9.30am and run until 3pm – to book a place, email Emma Smart at <a href="mailto:emma@cdcymru.org">emma@cdcymru.org</a> or call 01686 627377.</p>
Care Forum Wales in talks over administering medication in care homes<p><img alt="Care Forum Wales - minister Vaughan Gething" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/images/ca0e10df-301b-45b9-b6fa-a55388d3ae14.jpg" style="width: 160px; height: 180px; margin: 0px 0px 8px 14px; border: 0; line-height: 100%; float: right; outline: none; text-decoration: none; display: inline;" width="160" align="right" height="180">CFW is in discussions with the Welsh Government about enabling delegation of medication administration in nursing homes.<br><br> Our view is set out in the CFW Council statement:</p>
<ul><li>CFW notes recent developments such as the report by SCIE in collaboration with HC One to enable greater delegation of nursing tasks after appropriate training, with appropriate supervision and under appropriate governance.</li>
<li>CFW council reaffirms its position of supporting the enablement of similar developments in Wales with appropriate buy-in from commissioners, regulators (including the NMC) and primary care.</li>
<li>CFW council notes this is not about reducing costs and risk needs to be shared by all partners.</li>
</ul>
International Day of Older People – minister's pledge on older people's rights<p></p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Rebecca-Evans-visits-St-Nicholas-House.jpg" alt="" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 8px 14px;" width="160" height="121">Rebecca Evans, minister for social services and public health, has issued a statement detailing the Welsh Government's commitment to older people and strengthening their rights on the International Day of Older People today (October 1).</p>
<p>Ms Evans, pictured right visiting St Nicholas House, near Montgomery, Powys, said: "<span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span size="3">This is a government that values older people and the contribution they have made - and continue to make - within our communities.</span></span></p>
<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span size="3">"As a government we have listened to what older people have said is important to them," she continued. "We know older people want to stay active and engaged in their own homes and within their local communities for as long as possible. We also know older people want to have voice and control over their lives and to contribute, to and make decisions about, their life as they grow older.</span></span></p>
<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span size="3">"We will ensure our ground-breaking legislation is fully implemented and all the benefits are realised. We want Wales to be a fair society and will continue our work with all protected groups to counter discrimination. In terms of potential future legislation, the First Minister has had initial discussions with the Older People’s Commissioner in relation to strengthening the rights for older people."</span></span></p>
<h2><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span size="3">Rebecca Evans' statement on older people in Wales</span></span></h2>
<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span size="3">To read the full statement, go to the <a href="http://gov.wales/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2016-new/olderpeople/?lang=en" target="_blank">Welsh Government website</a>.</span></span></p>
Deadline approaching for care home cost claims<p>People who believe their care should have been funded by the NHS are being urged by the Welsh Government to register their claim.</p>
<p>Continuing NHS Healthcare is a package of care provided free of charge by the NHS for those people with complex and primarily health-based needs. This can be provided in a care home or an individual’s own home.</p>
<p>People who think they, or someone they care for, may have been eligible for Continuing NHS Healthcare but paid for all, or part, of their care can submit a claim.</p>
<p>Potential claimants have until October 31 to register their intent to make a claim for continuing healthcare costs which were incurred between October 1, 2014, and October 30, 2015. The NHS will provide advice to claimants and will complete all of the work required to review their case free of charge. All claims will be reviewed within six months.</p>
<p>Rebecca Evans, minister for social services and public health, said: “People with an illness or disability can sometimes need long-term care to help them, and their families, manage.</p>
<p>"Some people will have paid for that care themselves, when it should have been provided free by the NHS. If people, or their families, believe they meet the criteria I encourage them to come forward to make a claim."</p>
<p>Information about continuing NHS healthcare, including advice about making a retrospective claim and the new cut-off arrangements, can be found on the <a href="http://gov.wales/topics/health/nhswales/healthservice/chc-framework/?lang=en" target="_blank">Welsh Government website</a>.</p>
Brexit could trigger crisis in social care<p>Leading UK care organisations have warned of a crisis in social care after Britain's referendum decision to leave the EU as migration restrictions could mean a massive shortage of care workers.</p>
<p>National charities <a href="https://www.independentage.org/" data-link-name="in body link" class="u-underline">Independent Age</a> and the <a href="http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/" data-link-name="in body link" class="u-underline">International Longevity Centre UK</a> (ILC-UK) have said failure to tackle workforce shortages would mean thousands of older people would lose out on support within the care sector.</p>
<p>Simon Bottery, director of policy at Independent Age, said: “Care services for elderly and disabled people have come to rely on migrant workers, especially from the EU, so the consequences could be severe if they are unable to work here in future.”</p>
<p>Read the full story on the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/sep/21/brexit-care-older-disabled-people-eu-workers-uk" target="_blank">Guardian website</a>.</p>
National Commissioning Board issues first newsletter<p>The newly-formed National Commissioning Board (NCB)– which counts Care Forum Wales policy advisor Mary Wimbury on its board – has issued its first quarterly newsletter in order to help explain its purpose and roll out its programme for the future.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 115%;">The board was set up earlier in the year in order <span style="font-family: Tahoma,serif;" face="Tahoma, serif">to improve the quality of commissioning in Wales and to develop effective practice in relation to integrated commissioning between local authorities and local health boards.<br></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma,serif;" face="Tahoma, serif">You can download the NCB's August newsletter <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/NCB%20Newsletter-%20Aug%2016.docx" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p>
Could you help improve social care in Wales – find out more<p>The Care Council is looking for people from across Wales, from all walks of life, to get involved in its work and help it improve social care. </p>
<p><br>You can find out more <strong><a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/make-a-difference" href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/make-a-difference" target="_blank">here</a></strong> – roles include: </p>
<ul><li>become a board member; </li>
<li>become a panel member in hearings into complaints against registered workers; </li>
<li>become a care ambassador and raise the profile of careers in care; </li>
<li>work for CCW as a member of staff. </li>
</ul><p></p>
<h2>Interested in joining the Care Council for Wales? </h2>
<p></p>
<p>You can print out the <strong>PDF recruitment poster (bilingual)</strong> <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CCW%20RECRUITMENT%20Sept2016.pdf">HERE</a>.</p>
<p></p>
CSSIW appoint new chief inspector<p>The Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales has appointed a new chief inspector to take over from Imelda Richardson, who is due to retire at the end of September.</p>
<p>Gillian Baranski, who is currently the chief executive at the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) Cymru, will take over the position on October 10.</p>
<p>Chief inspector Imelda Richardson said: "I would like to warmly welcome Gillian to CSSIW in her new role as chief inspector and look forward to continued success for the organisation in the coming years.</p>
<p>"She is taking on an organisation where staff and partners work together with citizens, service providers, sector organisations and other inspectorates to jointly improve care services. </p>
<p>"It has been a privilege to work with and alongside such committed people and professionals at all levels."</p>
<p>For more details, go to the <a href="http://cssiw.org.uk/news/160921-new-chief-inspector/?lang=en" target="_blank">CSSIW website</a>.</p>
STOP PRESS: Wales Care Awards shortlist for 2016 announced<p style="text-align: left;">The Wales Care Awards 2016 shortlist has just been announced. The awards are a glittering occasion and highlight of the year in the social care sector – the 'Oscars' of social care – and help to highlight the hard work and dedication of the social care workforce.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The 2016 ceremony will take place on October 21 in City Hall, Cardiff with guests from across the social care spectrum, voluntary organisations and the public sector.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">There are 20 awards, four of which are special awards announced on the night.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Wales%20Care%20Awards%20crowd%201.jpg" alt="" width="403" height="268"></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Find out who's shortlisted for a Wales Care Award in 2016</h2>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner Award</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Gareth Watkins, Q Care Ltd, Support Worker<br>Carolyn Hall, All Care South Wales Ltd, Domiciliary Care Worker<br>Emma Ogden, Cartref Ni Ltd, Care-Support Worker</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Residential Care Practitioner Award – Sponsor – Older People's Commissioner</strong><br>Kelly Collard, Hallmark Care Homes Greenhill Manor Care Home, Senior Carer<br>Helen Kermode, Tracscare, Deputy Home Manager<br>Ruthmar Gaitana, Pendine Park Care Organisation, Highfield Care Home, Senior Care Practitioner<br>Gina Ashby, Barchester Healthcare Ltd Rhallt Care Home, Care Assistant</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Leadership and Management in Residential Care Services Award – Sponsor – Christie & Co.</strong><br>Helen Beecham, Care Inn Ltd Plasgeller Care Home, Registered Manager<br>Lorraine Jackson, Consensus Support Ty Hendy Care Home, Home Manager<br>Gwenda Potter, The Regard Partnership Beudygwyn Farm, Service Manger</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Leadership and Management in Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Award </strong><br>Tracy Peers, Cartref Ni Ltd , Head of Operations<br>Phillip Stapley, Family Housing Assosiation, Project Manager<br>Catrin Hooper, Swanton Care & Community, Service/Registered Manager, </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Promoting Fulfilled Lives Award – Sponsor - Boots</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Robert Lee Thomas, Hafod Care Association Picton Court Care Home, Activities Coordinator<br>Sarah McCowan, Ucan Care Ltd, Home Manager<br>Luke Jenkins, Hallmark Care Homes Greenhill Manor Care Home, Lifestyles Co-Ordinator<br>Lynda Wenner, Consensus Support Ty Machen Care Home, Home Manager</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Commitment to Training & Workforce Development Award – Sponsor – The Pendine Academy of Social Care</strong><br>Louise Davies Rae, Wrexham County Borough Council, Social Care Development Coordinator<br>Patricia Brown, Hallmark Care Homes Ltd Greenhill Manor Care Home, Community Manager</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br><strong>Exceptional Newcomer Award – Sponsor – Coleg Cambria</strong><br>Jeni Lynne Williams, Halllmark Care Homes Bryn Celyn Care Home, Care Assistant<br>Louise Price, Penpergwm House Residential Home Ltd, Client Liaison Officer<br>James Colburn, Care Inn Ltd Three Cliffs Care Home, Care Assistant<br>Joshua Wilson, Branas Isaf Branas Isaf Personal Development Centre, Residential Support Worker</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Nurse of the Year Award – Sponsor – Ontex UK</strong><br>Sreeja Ranjith, Halllmark Care Homes Greenhill Manor Care Home, Registered Nurse<br>Cristina Poama, Barchester Healthcare Ltd Rhallt Care Home, Acting Head of Unit<br>Angela Rees, Integra Community Living Options, Registered Manager</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br><strong>Outstanding Service Award – Sponsor – Hallmark Care Homes</strong><br>Philip Williams, Vale of Clwyd Mind, CEO / Housing Manager<br>Sharon White, Silvercrest Care, Nurse<br>Celia Callaghan, Integra Community Living Options, Senior Support & Rehabilitation Practitioner</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Excellence in Dementia Care Award – Sponsor – FISC Healthcare</strong><br>Zowie Evans, Osborne Care Homes Ysguborwen House Care Home, Deputy Manager-EMI Unit<br>Jennifer Davies, Care Inn Ltd , Crosfield House, Team Leader<br>Mandy Zatac, Care Inn Ltd Rickeston Mill Nursing Home, Clinical Lead<br>Julie Evans, Barchester Healthcare Plas Y Dderwen Care Home, RMN/ENG</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Excellence in Learning Disability & Mental Health Services Award – Sponsor – Carewatch & Home Instead Senior Care</strong><br>Andrew Papirnyk, The Regard Partnership , Registered Care Home Manager<br>Andrew Guy, Cyngor Gwynedd / Gwynedd Council, Day Care Supervisor, <br>Neil Jeremiah, Tracscare, Area Operations Manager<br>Sharon Jones, Consensus Support, Home Manager</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br><strong>The Social Care Health & Safety Award </strong><br>Stephen Ivins, Oakville South Wales Ltd The Romilly Nursing Home, Maintenance Officer, Fire Officer & H & S Officer<br>Ian Fisher, Hallmark Care Homes, Health & Safety Consultant</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br><strong>Commitment to Quality in Housekeeping and Hospitality Award – Sponsor – A Baldwins & Company</strong><br>Lynda Davies, Care Inn Ltd Crosfield House Care Home, Housekeeper<br>Wayne Skinner, Linc Cymru Housing Association Capel Grange Nursing Home and Penylan House , Dual Manager<br>Christopher Gregory, Life Long Learning 4 Living Ltd Llanerchrugog Hall, Assistant Manager / Premises</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br><strong>Excellence in Palliative and End of Life Care </strong><br>Andreea Schiopu, Silvercrest Care Mill View Care Home, RGN/Deputy Manager</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br><strong>The Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People Award – sponsor – MPS Healthcare Ltd</strong><br>Leanne Bennett, Branas Isaf , Registered Children's Home Manager<br>Lucy Wheen, Bryn Melyn Care , Head of Clinical Services</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br><strong>Excellence in Catering Award – Sponsor – Woodward Foodservices</strong><br>Patrick Johnstone, Hallmark Care Homes Ltd Ty Enfys Care Home, Head Chef<br>Catherine Williams, Barchester Healthcare Ltd Bryn Ivor Care Home, Catering Manager</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Wales Care Awards 2016 – awards to be announced on the night</h2>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br><strong>Dignity in Care Award – Sponsor –Welsh Government</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Spirit of Care Award – Sponsor – Barchester Healthcare</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>The Bryn Terfel Foundation Wales Care Award for Promoting the Arts in Social Care – Sponsor – Pendine Park Care Organisation</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>The Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award </strong></p>
New tool aimed at care homes developed for use in assessing falls<p style="text-align: left;">A new toolkit has been developed for use in care homes when someone has had a fall. It is designed to provide a checklist for clarity when calling for help – and to help decide if it is necessary to call for an emergency ambulance.</p>
<ul><li style="text-align: left;"><strong>You can download a PDF copy of the poster <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/I%20Stumble%20x2.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</strong></li>
</ul><p style="text-align: left;">Called I-Stumble, the checklist includes questions to ask someone who has had a fall and the acronym provides a helpful reminder:</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I = Intense pain</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">S= Suspected collapse</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">T = Trauma to neck/back/head</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">U =Unusual behaviour</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">M =Marked difficulty in breathing/chest pain</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">B =Bleeding freely</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">L = Loss of consciousness</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">E = Evidence of Fracture</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>In all 999 calls remember to keep resident: CALM, STILL & COMFORTABLE.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>If any bleeding is present, apply constant direct pressure with a clean dressing.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
Centenarian has surprise visit from local MP<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Staff%20and%20William.jpg" alt="" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 8px 14px;" width="300" height="225"><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/william_cake.jpg" alt="" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 8px 14px;" width="300" height="169">A care home resident celebrated his 100th birthday recently – and had a surprise visit from his local MP on the day.</p>
<p>William Lewis, who is a resident at Cartref Ael Y Bryn Care Home in Ammanford, turned 100 on September 12 and staff at the care home arranged a birthday party for the special occasion – and Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards dropped in to give his best wishes and to visit residents.</p>
<p>As you can see from the pictures, William had a great time – and enjoyed that fantastic cake!</p>
Health secretary sets out Dementia Action Plan to make Wales a 'dementia-friendly nation'<p style="text-align: left;">The Cabinet secretary for health, wellbeing and sport, Vaughan Gething, set out Wales’ Dementia Action Plan at an event at the University of South Wales last week on September 14.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The university hosted the #USWDEM16 Conference where the theme was ‘Service Innovation and Best Practice’.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">As well as the cabinet secretary there were also talks by Sarah Rochira, the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Judith Major, Keep Safe Cymru (South Wales Police), Mark Jones, of the Young Onset Dementia Service, Cardiff and the Vale UHB, and representatives of the Welsh DEEP (Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project) Network.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">There was a presentation by Karen Kitch entitled Living With Dementia… My Story, the story of award-winning Private Eye cartoonist Tony Husband’s dad’s dementia, entitled Take Care Son: The Story Of My Dad And His Dementia, and by carer Viv Morgan, entitled What’s Best For Alan? A Wife’s Story.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Health secretary Vaughan Gething (<em>pictured below with conference founder Karyn Davies, left, and Nicky Genders, head of the school of care sciences</em>) said: “<strong>We are committed to making Wales a dementia-friendly nation, which requires effort and commitment from everyone – clinicians, educators, carers and people living in our communities</strong>.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Vaughan_Gething_Dementia_conference1.width-1000.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="400"></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Dementia Strategic Action Plan for Wales announced</h2>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Vaughan Gething, the cabinet sectary for health, well-being and sport, said: “The Dementia Strategic Action Plan will help to ensure that Wales is at the forefront of dementia care – and particularly earlier diagnosis – by raising awareness of the positive steps we can all take to reduce our chances of developing dementia.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“It will also set out how the Welsh Government and its partners can work alongside community campaigners so that people understand what it is like to live with this cruel and unforgiving illness.”</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Conference founder and organiser Karyn Davies, senior lecturer in mental health within the university’s Faculty of Life Sciences and Education, added: “It is imperative that the care and support of people living with dementia remains a key priority.”</p>
Give your views on the draft Welsh Language Standards Regulations: events in Swansea and Caernarfon<p style="text-align: left;"><br>The Welsh Government is organising two consultation events in order to collect people’s opinion on the draft Regulations to specify Welsh language standards for organisations in the health sector. We are eager to hear from anyone with an interest in the standards and in the use of Welsh in the health sector.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The events are held on</p>
<ul><li style="text-align: left;">26 September – Y Galeri, Caernarfon – 10:15am – 12:45pm</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">28 September – Liberty Stadium, Swansea - 1:15pm – 3:45pm</li>
</ul><p style="text-align: left;">During the meeting there will be presentations on the draft standards, the use of Welsh in the health sector and an opportunity to discuss the draft standards and give your opinion.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">For more information about the consultation and the draft standards please visit <a href="http://gov.wales/consultations/welshlanguage/welsh-language-standards-improving-services-for-welsh-speakers/?lang=en" target="_blank">www.gov.wales/welsh-language-standards </a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br>To register email <a href="mailto:UnedIaithGymraegWelshLanguageUnit@wales.gsi.gov.uk" target="_blank">UnedIaithGymraegWelshLanguageUnit@wales.gsi.gov.uk</a> by 22 September, stating</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Name ......................................</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Organisation …………………..</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Location Caernarfon 26 September Swansea 28 September</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Please note if you would prefer to contribute in Welsh or English, simultaneous translation will be provided</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">---------------------------</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Ymgynghoriad ar Reoliadau drafft Safonau’r Gymraeg</h2>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn trefnu dau ddigwyddiad ymgynghori er mwyn casglu barn ar y Rheoliadau drafft sy’n pennu safonau’r Gymraeg i gyrff yn y sector iechyd. Rydym yn awyddus i glywed oddi wrth unrhyw un sydd â diddordeb yn y safonau, a’r defnydd o’r Gymraeg yn y sector iechyd.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Cynhelir y digwyddiadau ar</p>
<ul><li style="text-align: left;">26 Medi – Y Galeri Caernarfon – 10:15 am – 12:45 pm</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">28 Medi – Stadiwm Liberty, Abertawe 1:15 pm – 3:45 pm</li>
</ul><p style="text-align: left;">Yn ystod y cyfarfod bydd cyflwyniadau ar y safonau drafft, y Gymraeg yn y sector iechyd a chyfle i drafod y safonau drafft a rhoi eich barn.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Os ydych am fwy o wybodaeth am yr ymgynghoriad a’r safonau drafft ewch i<br><a href="http://gov.wales/consultations/welshlanguage/welsh-language-standards-improving-services-for-welsh-speakers/?lang=cy" target="_blank">http://gov.wales/consultations/welshlanguage/welsh-language-standards-improving-services-for-welsh-speakers/?lang=cy</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I gofrestru ebostiwch <a href="mailto:UnedIaithGymraegWelshLanguageUnit@wales.gsi.gov.uk" target="_blank">UnedIaithGymraegWelshLanguageUnit@wales.gsi.gov.uk</a> erbyn 22 Medi 2016 yn nodi</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Enw ...........................</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Sefydliad ..............................</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Lleoliad Caernarfon 26 Medi Abertawe 28 Medi</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Nodwch a fyddai’n well gennych chi gyfrannu yn Gymraeg neu Saesneg, bydd cyfieithu ar y pryd ar gael.</p>
Three Welsh health boards put under 'increased level of scrutiny' by health secretary<p class="story-body__introduction" style="text-align: left;">Three health boards in Wales have been placed under an increased level of scrutiny and control by the Welsh Government due to doubts about their ability to tackle their challenges.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Cardiff and the Vale, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg and Hywel Dda health boards now face what is known as "targeted intervention", the second-highest of four levels of oversight (one level below being put in special measures).</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">This (special measures) already applies to Wales' largest health board, Betsi Cadwaladr in north Wales, which was taken under direct control in June 2015.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">All three health boards, according to Health Secretary Vaughan Gething, were unable to set out convincing medium-term plans to deal with local challenges.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The organisations are being monitored against a one-year improvement plan.</p>
<h2 class="story-body__crosshead" style="text-align: left;">'Continuing challenges'</h2>
<p style="text-align: left;">The decision, announced in a written statement to AMs, follows a twice-yearly meeting between the Welsh Government, Wales Audit Office and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Meanwhile the Welsh Ambulance Service's escalation level has been downgraded to the lowest level of oversight - following what the Welsh Government describes as "considerable progress" made by the trust.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">All other health organisations in Wales remain at their previous "escalation levels."</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">According to Mr Gething, <strong>Abertawe Bro Morgannwg</strong> - which is responsible for hospitals in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend - in addition to not having an approved three year plan, faced "continuing challenges in respect to unscheduled care and cancer."</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The health board said it had made "significant progress" and made improvements in many areas "but recognise that we are currently facing a number of specific challenges about how to best deliver sustainable services that meet the increasing needs of our population". </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Although <strong>Cardiff and Vale </strong>health board's performance recently improved in "key areas" - the health secretary said it "did not provide me with the necessary confidence that the organisation has a deliverable and affordable plan for the next three years."</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Meanwhile <strong>Hywel Dda</strong> "faces a number of long-standing challenges" - which needs a "strategic solution" to make sure its services are sustainable".</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
Care home resident's secret Second World War heroism in Poland revealed<p></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The secret history of a resident at a Pembrokeshire care home was revealed when guests at his funeral heard of his heroism in World War Two in the Warsaw Uprising.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">John (Janusz) Szuch, who was known as Bob to his friends, died at the age of 91 after a long and brave battle with leukaemia.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">He was a resident at a home in Goodwick near Fishguard which is owned by CFW member Prestige Care.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Mr Szuch retired to Goodwick in 1993 with his partner of 34 years, Teresa Feerick – but it turned out even she didn't know much of his war heroism which was revealed in the eulogy given by his newphew.</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Mr Szuch was a key figure in the Polish resistance</h2>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">What many of Mr Szuch's friends did not know was that he was one of the key players in the 1944 Warsaw uprising, when the Polish resistance tried to liberate the city from Nazi Germany.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Mr Szuch's nephew travelled from Poland to give the eulogy at the funeral. He told mourners that his uncle had been a teenage member of the resistance's child army and an important part of the uprising.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">His young fiancée had also been a child fighter who was tragically shot during fighting and died in his arms.</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span>Praise from Polish president and a presidential wreath for Mr Szuch</span></h2>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">A representative from the Polish Consulate also attended the funeral to speak on behalf of the Polish president and lay a presidential wreath.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">He said how important Mr Szuch was to the country, that thousands of people know about him in Poland and that there were displays in the Warsaw Uprising Museum containing his name.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Even for his partner of more than three decades the stories came as somewhat of a revelation.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">"He never spoke too much about it," said Mrs Feerick. "He used to say little things but his family knew more about it than we did.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">"I knew that his family had tried to help Jewish people get fake documents. John had scars where he had been shot and had had shrapnel all over his body.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">"He was a lovely man. It was so nice of his nephew to come here and tell his story."</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
Call for new members to join Social Care Wales board – appointments process starts<p style="text-align: left;">There are calls for a diverse range of people to come forward and apply for positions on the new Social Care Wales Board which replaces the Care Council for Wales in April 2017.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The appointments process is now open for members of the new board which has had new powers designated to it following the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act. As well as workforce regulation and workforce development, Social Care Wales will be responsible for improvement across the social care sector - a major change for social care in Wales.</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><br><br>'We want people who are 'passionate about improving social care in Wales' – Minister for Social Services and Public Health</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"></h2>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Minister for Social Services and Public Health, Rebecca Evans, said: “Social Care Wales will work with people who use care and support services, and a broad range of organisations, to lead improvements in social care. We are recruiting a board of members who will be passionate about and committed to improving social care in Wales. <br><br>“The board will aim to make sure that the people of Wales can call on a high-quality social care workforce that provides services to fully meet their needs. It will strengthen the protection of people who use social care services, support the workforce to develop, and improve the quality of care and support in Wales. <br><br>“I want to see a board that is as diverse as the people of Wales, made up of individuals with a wide range of expertise, skills and experience of social care. We are actively seeking carers, service users, social care workers and members of the public who can help to improve social care in Wales. If that is you, or someone you know, please take a look at the website.”<br><br>Arwel Ellis Owen, Care Council for Wales Chair who will Chair Social Care Wales for its first two years, reiterated the Minister’s call for a broad range of potential members to come forward.<br><br>He said: “These are exiting times to be involved in public policy in Wales. Social Care Wales will build on the success of the Care Council and its aims of providing public assurance and a professional and sustainable social care and early years workforce, supported by high-quality learning.<br><br>“To achieve this, we need a strong, independent Board. The Board will drive the various improvement agendas, such as care and support at home, looked-after children and dementia.<br><br>“I do hope people are inspired to be part of the Social Care Wales Board. There will be no more than 14 Members from all corners of Wales, and from all walks of life and experiences. It is a unique opportunity to become a new member of a body that will have responsibility for leading the care sector.”<br><br>To find out more about Social Care Wales and to apply, visit: <a href="http://www.wales.gov.uk/publicappointments" target="_blank">www.wales.gov.uk/publicappointments</a></p>
Qualifications Wales launches report into health and social care training<p>Independent regulator Qualifications Wales has launched a report on their review of vocational qualifications for health and social care as well as early years and childcare.</p>
<p>In the report, the organisation, which is responsible for regulating general and vocational qualifications in Wales, tackles a number of issues such as the competency of assessors, quality of assessment and the proposal to reduce comunication skills to Level 2 – all issues which Care Forum Wales has highlighted recently.</p>
<p>The full report can be found on the <a href="http://qualificationswales.org/media/2043/health-and-social-care-childcare-and-playwork-consultation.pdf" target="_blank">Qualifications Wales website</a>.</p>
Your new contacts on the Assembly's Health, Social Care and Sport Committee<p style="text-align: left;">The Assembly's new Health, Social Care and Sport Committee was established on July 5.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">It has a new remit to match up with the Cabinet Secretary for Health's new portfolio areas which include social care and sport. The Deputy Minister for Social Services is Rebecca Evans AM.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br>You can follow the work of the committee on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/seneddhealth?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" target="_blank">@SeneddHealth</a> or email the committee clerk to request briefings: <a href="mailto:SeneddHealth@assembly.wales">SeneddHealth@assembly.wales</a>.</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><br>Who's who on the Fifth Assembly's Health, Social Care and Sport Committee:</h2>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><a href="http://www.senedd.assembly.wales/mgCommitteeMailingList.aspx?ID=448" target="_blank">FIND LINKS to the AMs on the committee </a></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Dr Dai Lloyd (chair), regional AM for South West Wales;</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Dawn Bowden, AM for Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney;</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Jayne Bryant AM for Newport West;</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Angela Burns, AM for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire;</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Rhun ap Iorwerth, AM for Ynys Mon;</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Caroline Jones, regional AM for South West Wales;</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Julie Morgan, AM for Cardiff North and Lynne Neagle, AM for Torfaen.</p>
Care Forum Wales' chair warns of 'triple whammy threat' to care services<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Care Forum Wales' chair, Marlo Kreft, has been interviewed on the BBC's Good Morning Wales programme following his warnings about the 'triple whammy' hitting care homes and domiciliary care companies.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Mr Kreft's warning follows the publication of figures by Public Health Wales predicting that the number of people aged 85 and over will reach 184,000 by 2036 - an increase of 145% since 2011.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">He said that the ageing population, a chronic lack of funding and resources and a huge recruitment problem meant the profession was facing an unprecedented crisis and soclal care is at tipping point. Mr Kreft also told the programme that the impact is likely to be "catastrophic by the winter" when the NHS is under most pressure and relies on the 12,000 nursing beds in the independent sector. </p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Social care sector 'of national importance' – Mario Kreft, Care Forum Wales chair</h2>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Care Forum Wales has been calling for the independent sector to be valued and Mario argued that the system should be recognised as sector of natonal strategic importance.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>The story has appeared on the main BBC news and has been taken up by many newspapers around Wales.</strong></p>
<ul><li style="text-align: left;">See the full story see <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-37157515" target="_blank">here</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Watch the Good Morning Wales interview <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07pjxv3" target="_blank">here</a> (go to 13 minutes in)</li>
</ul><p style="text-align: left;"></p>
Critical care units in Welsh hospitals still under pressure – and some are overcrowded, report finds <p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Some critical care units in Wales have too many patients on them, according to the annual Together for Health report for the critically ill, published by the Welsh Government.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">It shows the pressure being put on services for the critically ill - including from delayed discharges and staff shortages.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">In January 2015, bed occupancy was as high as 107% - significantly above the recommended levels of 65 - 70% set out by the Intensive Care Society.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The report also highlighted delays in discharging patients from critical care. In the year 2014-15, 66% of patients were delayed by over four hours. This affected 4,000 patients.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The report also said with an ageing population, "demand for critical care services will outstrip current supply levels". It added serious staff shortages means "the current workforce is beginning to experience added stresses and uncertainty".</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The report noted that according to the latest workforce survey, 50% of Welsh critical care units do not meet professional standards for consultant staffing and 80% do not meet all the standards for junior staffing.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Welsh Government, according to the report, expects health boards in the next 12 months to develop "a clear plan" to address the shortfall.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The report also warned of too many delays in discharging patients from critical care units, with two thirds (66%) of all critical care patients delayed for more than four hours, affecting almost 4,000 patients.</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Read more on this story</h2>
<ul><li style="text-align: left;">Read the <strong><a href="http://gov.wales/docs/dhss/publications/160826report-critically-illen.pdf" target="_blank">Welsh Government's report Together for Health</a></strong></li>
<li style="text-align: left;">BBC News <strong><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-37195564" target="_blank">Critical care units 'too full and understaffed'</a></strong></li>
<li style="text-align: left;">ITV news<strong> <a href="http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2016-08-26/critical-care-units-overcrowded-says-annual-report/" target="_blank">Critical care units overcrowded says annual report</a></strong></li>
<li style="text-align: left;">BMA<strong> <a href="https://www.bma.org.uk/news/2016/september/concerns-with-high-occupancy-of-critical-care-beds" target="_blank">Concerns with high occupancy of critical-care beds</a></strong></li>
</ul>
Holyhead care home sets high accommodation standards with married couples' rooms<p style="text-align: left;">A care home in Holyhead is bringing back the romance by building a luxurious bridal suite for couples – as well as a fully stocked resident bar for ‘date nights’.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The £500,000 makeover at Gwyddfor Residential Home in Holyhead, a CFW member, has created nine extra bedrooms – including a two-room suite for married couples. There’s also a brand new 2.8m-long bar stocked with the residents’ favourite tipples.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">TV interior designer Mandy Watkins, who is the design expert on S4C’s ‘Cyfnewid’ programme, is leading the revamp, which got underway in November last year. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The initiative has been praised by Care Forum Wales chair Mario Kreft who congratulated the home for continuing to push the boundaries of high quality care.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">He said: “Gwyddfor has created a thriving community which is greatly enhancing the wellbeing of its residents.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">"The home is a shining example of what can be achieved with a can-do attitude to care and I’m sure there will be couple’s queuing to move into its new honeymoon suite.”</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Building a 'micro community' to help combat loneliness and depression</h2>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Former RAF soldier and commercial pilot Glyn Williams, 53, who co-owns the home with 52-year-old Mary, his wife of 34 years, said: “We wanted to build a micro-community in the home – if you can develop that then you’re halfway there.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“The most rewarding thing for me is when someone moves in and says they wish they’d moved here four or five years ago. Most of the time, they’ve been in their own home suffering from loneliness and depression and we quickly turn their life around.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“I’m really proud and looking forward to welcoming our first married couple into the new bridal suite. We want them to arrange it as they please so we’re leaving these two rooms until last to furnish so we can get an input from the new residents.</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Married couples' accommodation an 'amazing idea'</h2>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“It’s quite an unusual move for a care home but we thought there was a market there for married couples wanting the extra room and everybody who has come to look at it has thought it’s an amazing idea.”</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Word has already spread about the bridal suite and Gwyddfor has potential clients wanting to move in.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The suite comprises two rooms with an adjoining door which can be used as two single rooms or a family-style suite with sofa and living area and bedroom, depending on the preference of the couple.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“It’s very homely and that was always the plan. The walls are decorated in Portland Stone and we’re lucky to have the TV designer Mandy Watkins onboard,” said Glyn, who scoured the country with his wife looking for an ideal care home to buy when he retired from the RAF after 25 years.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“She’s absolutely brilliant and we really appreciate her advice. She has done lots of research on dementia-friendly environments. We were determined to build a dementia-friendly environment but wanted to tone it down a little and make it homely. It’s worked really well.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“When people come through the door now they say ‘wow, this is home’ That’s really important to us."</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">New bar is an instant hit with residents</h2>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Gwyddfor's bar has been an instant hit with residents, many of whom are ex-Army, Navy and RAF veterans and are partial to a glass of rum or two. It has become focal part of the social scene within the home which is one of the reasons why the home owners decided to refurbish and expand it. It is also a place married residents can go to remember their courting days.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“At the time of the first extension we had a gentlemen living with us who we used to take down the pub regularly,” said Glyn, an electronics engineer who specialised in long range radar and ground-to-air missile systems while in the RAF.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“Unfortunately, he became quite frail and we couldn’t take him any more so we decided to bring the pub to him which inspired us to build a bar.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“We have a chap for whom going to the pub is his favourite activity. He’s looking forward to the bar coming back online. We also have three ex-navy residents who love their rum. I was in the RAF for 25 years and my facilities manager, Steve, is ex-Army so you can just imagine the banter that goes on between all the veterans.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“The bar really is their pride and joy. It’s important we still create a community in here. We still have pubs in communities. It’s a central focus and meeting place.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“We had a lady with severe dementia living with us. When she went into the bar it was like she was going somewhere else, she used to even ask us to arrange transport. She would dress up and always put something special on. That’s got to be what it’s all about. It’s about making life homely and community based.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“We often have families giving us a bottle of whiskey or rum as a present for behind the bar. We do have to watch the medication, however, and my wife keeps a close eye on who can have a drink and who can’t.”</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
New data on Wales' ageing population prompts renewed calls for politicians to tackle social care's 'perfect storm'<p style="text-align: left;">Recent data on Wales' ageing population has led to renewed calls from social care providers to boost the importance of the social care sector to one of national importance.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The <a href="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/922/page/87233" target="_blank">Measuring Inequalities report </a>published by Public Health Wales on July 28 confirmed Wales' growing and ageing population with its consequent impact on health and social care providers.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">By 2036, according to the report, there will be more than 184,000 people aged 85 years and over in Wales. That equates to a rise of 145 per cent on the figure in 2011.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">This has led to more calls to the Welsh Government to tackle the 'perfect storm' hitting the social care sector.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Last January, Care Forum Wales chairman Mario Kreft sounded a stark warning on the future of a social care sector. He spoke of a combination of years of inadequate funding and the requirement for care homes and domiciliary care companies to fund the – albeit justified – National Living Wage without any idea where the money was coming from, which is threatening the viability of many care providers.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Six months on from his warning – and with the new Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 now enacted and Labour again in power in Cardiff Bay following Assembly elections – Mr Kreft remains pessimistic.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">An ageing population means that in 2036, even if the majority of us are living healthier lives and can remain independent for longer, there is likely to be continued and increased demand for residential and nursing homes places.</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">'Welsh Government needs to act' – social care at tipping point</h2>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Mr Kreft has again said he believes social care is at a tipping point in 2016 and that the new Welsh Government needs to act.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“Labour’s manifesto (for the recent Assembly elections) very clearly stated that they saw social care as a sector of national importance. To me, the suggestion there is that it is as important as say, road and rail,” he said.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“We need a sustainable NHS that people can flow through, and this is where the care sector comes in.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“But the pressure on the NHS today in Wales is directly affected, negatively, by a lack of foresight and planning in social care policy in Wales.”</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">He claims that too often, the NHS – in the form of health boards – and councils do not talk, let alone work together on delivering social care, that the current system is “dysfunctional” and that the aforementioned manifesto statement is not being delivered.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“The reality is that fewer care beds are opening and more are closing,” said Mr Kreft, who warned that the result is pressure being put back on the NHS.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">“The flow back is into the NHS and until we can make health boards work with councils and providers, and get regulators on board, that will continue.”</p>
Government commits to tackling avoidable pressure ulcers in line with Flynn recommendations<p style="text-align: left;">The Welsh Government has followed up on its commitment to tackling avoidable pressure ulcers among care home residents in Wales by creating a new role focusing on the problem.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The move is in line with one of Dr Maragaret Flynn's recommendations published in her 2015 report following a police investigation into care and neglect at six care homes in South Wales under Operation Jasmine which ran from 2005 to 2013.</p>
<ul><li style="text-align: left;">BBC news: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-33513882" target="_blank">Operation Jasmine: Care home doctor 'should have been prosecuted'</a></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://gov.wales/topics/health/publications/socialcare/reports/accountability/?lang=en" target="_blank">Dr Flynn's Report: In Search of Accountablility</a></li>
</ul><p style="text-align: left;">Dr Flynn's review found care providers "impervious" to older people's needs. She said: "Older people's injuries, pain and life-threatening deep pressure wounds were unobserved, unreported, reported inaccurately and/or reported belatedly – and yet, in this case, no crimes were identified by the Crown Prosecution Service."</p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">New national post to tackle avoidable pressure ulcers among care home residents</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"></h2>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Minister for Social Services and Public Health Rebecca Evans today (August 8) announced a new national post to tackle avoidable pressure ulcers among care home residents. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>A senior quality improvement expert will work with the <a href="http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/innovation/our-partnerships/welsh-wound-innovation-centre" target="_blank">Welsh Wound Innovation Centre</a> to introduce a new system to record and publish incidents of avoidable pressure damage in care homes and to work with care home providers to improve pressure ulcer prevention. </strong><br><br>This meets one of the recommendations from Dr Margaret Flynn’s independent report into events in care homes in South East Wales following Operation Jasmine, which investigated neglect in care homes in South East Wales. <br><br>Rebecca Evans said: “A new reporting system will monitor improvement and offer transparency to the public and to families, to the bodies that inspect care homes and to those that commission care home services. <br><br>“The new senior lead will work with care home providers and regulators across Wales to reduce avoidable pressure ulcers. Preventing pressure ulcers involves making change happen across the NHS and care homes. It’s a complex role that requires senior leadership and demonstrates our commitment to continuing to improve the care we provide to frail older people in Wales.”</p>
Abergavenny care provider goes for gold and wins Investors in People award<p style="text-align: left;">A South Wales and borders domestic care provider has seen its Abergavenny branch win a prestigious gold Investors In People (IIP) Award.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Q Care provides personal care, domestic services and social companionship services. Its Abergavenny branch achieved its first IIP Award in 2003 and has been accredited every three years since. Staff were invited to try for a bronze, silver or gold award IIP Award – and were thrilled to achieve the highest level, gold, which will apply from 2016-2019.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Chief executive of Q Care, Tony Dainty, said: "Everyone at Q Care is thrilled with the Gold Award, which is a very public affirmation of our core values. Caring about people is what it’s all about, whether they are our clients, our staff or our business partners.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">"We now take our place among the top seven per cent of the accredited IIP organisations, demonstrating our commitment to high performance through exemplary people management.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">"This means a huge amount to all our staff, but especially those on the front line who are welcomed into our clients’ homes. They know that we take pride in caring for our people, so that they can take the very best care of our clients.”</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/QCare_IIP_GoldAward.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="466"></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p>
New chief medical officer for Wales takes up post with focus on health inequality<p style="text-align: left;">Wales' new chief medical officer, Dr Frank Atherton, has said tackling health inequalities is a priority and that he wants to make sure everyone in Wales has the same opportunities.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Dr Atherton took up the post on 1 August, replacing the retiring Dr Ruth Hussey.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">A recent Public Health Wales report on July 28 (<a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/Public%20Health%20Wales%20said%20men%20can%20expect%20to%20live%20nine%20years%20longer%20and%20women%20seven%20years%20longer%20in%20prosperous%20areas.%20They%20will%20also%20enjoy%20almost%2020%20years'%20better%20health,%20the%20report%20added.%20Measures%20to%20cut%20smoking%20and%20obesity%20could%20have%20the%20biggest%20impact,%20it%20said,%20plus%20action%20on%20background%20causes%20such%20as%20education%20and%20working%20conditions.%20The%20Measuring%20Inequalities%20report%20found%20that%20people%20across%20Wales%20were%20living%20longer,%20with%20life%20expectancy%20increasing%20from%2077%20years%20in%202005-09%20to%2078.3%20years%20in%202010-14." target="_blank">Measuring Inequalities report</a>) has said more needs to be done to tackle inequalities which lead to people living shorter lives in poorer parts of Wales.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">It found that men can expect to live nine years longer and women seven years longer in prosperous areas. They will also enjoy almost 20 years' better health, the report found.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The report said measures to cut smoking and obesity could have the biggest impact together with action on background causes such as education and working conditions.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Dr Atherton said that even though there are some improvements in health experiences and outcomes in Wales, "we can't be complacent" as "health indicators lag behind those in England".</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Originally from Lancashire, Dr Atherton left his role as deputy chief medical officer of health in Nova Scotia, Canada, to come to Wales.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">He is responsible for providing independent professional advice to the Welsh Government.</p>
CFW member hosts new social services minister's first care home visit<p>The new minister for social services and public health, Rebecca Evans, chose CFW member St Nicholas House in Churchstoke, Powys, for her first visit to a care home since taking up her new role.</p>
<p><br>Ms Evans was greeted by owner Sheila Hill for the visit on July 14 (<em>the minister is pictured right with Sheila, left and manager Helen Whithouse, centre</em>).</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Rebecca-Evans-visits-St-Nicholas-House.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="455"></p>
<p>Sheila Hill said: “We had a call from our CSSIW inspector not long after our annual inspection saying the minister would like to visit.</p>
<p>"It followed our recent good inspection report so I felt quite honoured, especially as this was her first visit to a care home in Wales.</p>
<p>"I wasn't quite sure what to expect but she was very nice and asked me if I had any concerns or issues. I was able to raise the concerns we have about our EU workers following the Brexit vote – both they and we are worried about whether they can stay. They're vital to us and we couldn't run the home without them.</p>
<p>"I also raised my concerns about funding for nursing beds," she added.</p>
Two firms fined for 92-year-old resident's death at care home during renovation work<p>A care home management company and a building contractor have been fined after a 92-year-old resident died while renovation work was being carried out at a care home in Moston, Manchester. </p>
<p>Irene Sharples died at the Alexian Brothers Care Centre in Moston when a heavy fire door fell on her during a renovation of the premises. The firms have been fined a total of £30,000 between them plus costs for the incident.</p>
<p>Healthcare Management Trust Ltd, which runs the care home, had hired Rothwell Robinson Ltd to convert a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom into two toilets and a store room. </p>
<p>Almost a week after the work began, the fire door in the former bedroom fell and landed on top of Mrs Sharples, who was suffering from dementia and wandering the halls that night.</p>
<p>It took three people to lift the door off her, and she suffered multiple injuries including a broken hip. She returned to the care home after eight days in hospital, but her condition deteriorated and she died just under a month after the accident.</p>
<p>An investigation into the incident found that both the healthcare firm and building company had failed to ensure the room was locked at the end of each day.</p>
<p>Additionally, several other hazards were also uncovered, including loose skirting boards, exposed wiring, broken glass and rusty nails.</p>
<h2>Care home and building contractor fined for care home death</h2>
<p>The Healthcare Management Trust pleaded guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £7,500 in prosecution costs.</p>
<p>Rothwell Robinson Ltd was fined £10,000 with costs of £7,500 after pleading guilty to the same offence.</p>
<p>HSE Inspector, Laura Moran, said: "Both firms clearly knew there were vulnerable residents living at the care home but they still allowed the door to what was essentially a building site to be left unlocked on numerous occasions.</p>
<p>"Sadly, Mrs Sharples was severely injured when she wandered into the room, presumably looking for her friend, and ultimately lost her life because of the failings of the Healthcare Management Trust and Rothwell Robinson.</p>
<p>"Following the incident, the companies introduced a new procedure which meant workers had to collect and return a key at the start and end of each day, and lock the door when there was no one inside.</p>
<p>"If this system had been in place from the start of the building project then Mrs Sharples would never have been able to get into the room."</p>
Paraffin-based skin products: fire-risk warnings issued<p>Further warnings have been issued by the NHS National Patient Safety Agency about the risks associated with using paraffin-based creams following an inquest into a fire death.</p>
<p>A coroner in Leicester recently raised concerns over the lack of warnings about the fire risks associated with E45 cream (see <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/members/news/coroners-concerns-over-lack-of-warnings-on-e45-cream" target="_blank">fire risk warning story</a> – July 8) and issued a Section 28 letter – copies were sent to NHS England, the manufacturer and the Chief Fire Officers Association who must respond to the coroner with details of the action taken or proposed action to be taken. </p>
<p>CFW's health and safety consultant Anthony Arcari said: "The coroner's letter highlighted the case which involved an individual who was known to smoke in bed and was bed bound. This person was being cared for by a friend and had carers visiting four times a day. </p>
<p>"The carers were responsible for washing and dressing them and assisting them with simple activities of daily living. This included applying E45 daily after washing."</p>
<h2>Download and share the warning posters in English or Welsh</h2>
<p>The following warning posters are available to download from our <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/resources?c=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc99ff;"><strong>members resources section</strong></span></a> of the website (and can also be seen below here).</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/NRLS-1028C-paraffin-based~poster-2007-11-V1-EN.PDF" alt="" width="600" height="847"></p>
<h2>'Risk of future deaths unless action is taken' – HM Coroner</h2>
<p>HM Coroner said: "E45 is highly flammable as it is a paraffin based product, the residue of which acts as an accelerant. In this case there was a distinct lack of awareness of this fact, by the carers and the deceased. The individual was a smoker, known to smoke in bed with no intention to stop smoking at any point.</p>
<p>"During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken.</p>
<p>"E45 is highly flammable as it is a paraffin based product, the residue of which acts as an accelerant. <br> <br>"In this case there was a distinct lack of awareness of this fact, by the carers and the deceased. This was in part due to lack of communication by the GP but also due to the fact that there were no fire hazard warnings on the prescription or product itself. <br> <br>"This product is widely available over the counter to the general public and commonly for vulnerable people such as children and the elderly. Worryingly there would appear to be no warnings on the packaging that this is indeed highly flammable, with the potential risk of ignition."</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/NRLS-1028J-paraffin-hazar~CYM.PDF" alt="" width="600" height="424"></p>
Powys Regional Partnership Board sets priorities for first year of operation<p>The Powys Regional Partnership Board (PRPB) met for the second time on June 27 at the Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO) offices in Llandrindod Wells. </p>
<p>Melanie Minty, CFW policy adviser (<em>pictured</em>), is representing providers on the board which brings together local authority leaders, chief executives and managing directors from Powys County Council and Powys Teaching Health Board, PAVO, the third sector, private organisations who deliver care and citizen representatives.</p>
<ul><li><strong>If you have any questions or issues and you are within the PRPB area please contact our policy adviser <a href="mailto:melanie@careforumwales.co.uk" target="_blank">Melanie</a>.</strong></li>
</ul><p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/melanie-minty.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="600"></p>
<h2>What will the Powys Regional Partnership Board do?</h2>
<p>The role of the board is to ensure the new legislation in regard to Part 9 of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act (SSWBA) is implemented effectively. The Board will have responsibility to deliver on the aspirations of the Act to improve outcomes for the care and wellbeing of people in Powys.</p>
<p>The board will shape and challenge critical issues in health and social care services in Powys.</p>
<h2>Minutes from the PRPB meeting</h2>
<p>The chair, Amanda Lewis, strategic director of people, opened the meeting by sharing a presentation on the arrangements across Wales from a Welsh Government event.</p>
<p>Owen Judd who represents carers at the PRPB was the only citizen in attendance to participate and contribute at this national event from across Wales.</p>
<p>Sue Hughes, partnership support officer at Powys Council, followed with a presentation of the board's proposed future work and priorities for year one of its operation.</p>
<p>She explained the challenge facing the board in how the flow of work is aligned and managed to avoid duplication and the need to work with other partnerships.</p>
<p>She added: "Many projects have already commenced through our joint working and planning arrangements, as well as our commitment under the One Powys Plan and integration with Powys Teaching Health Board.</p>
<p>There are a number of projects currently being undertaken and the board confirmed that it needed to develop a mechanism to prioritise and ensure sufficient time and attention is given to the priority areas under the Welsh Government guidelines."</p>
<h2>Priorities for year one – Powys Regional Partnership Board</h2>
<p>For year one of operation it agreed that the areas for in-depth scrutiny are as follows:</p>
<ul><li>Develop an in depth shared regional population and service assessment that links to Future Generations Assessment</li>
<li>Establish an everybody’s business model for identifying and assessing carers needs (inc champions)</li>
<li>A return to home project for individuals with a learning disability</li>
<li>Ensure Integrated Care Teams are in place for Older People</li>
<li>Establish an Integrated Disability Service for Children with Complex Needs (includes pooled funds)</li>
<li>Agree the strategy and implementation plans for Early Intervention and Prevention Services ensuring that the requirements of the SSWB Act are covered across all age</li>
</ul><h2>Population and Service Assessment a priority</h2>
<p>A second critical area for the board was discussed regarding the Population and Service Assessment.</p>
<p>Diane Reynolds from the council’s corporate insight centre presented the work underway in collating a joint Population Assessment between the council and local health board in understanding the needs for care and support and carers who are in need of support.</p>
<p>Diane explained that the Welsh Government requires performance information for the Act, and the population assessment will form part of this work. However, she highlighted that this is not just a stats exercise or data collection, but needs to draw on local knowledge from staff, service users and citizens by listening and learning to what matters most to people in Powys.</p>
<p>The Population Assessment must be completed by March 2017.</p>
<p><strong>Communications</strong> was also on the agenda to look at developing an identity for the board and how it can collectively share information on its work. A communications steering group met in early June at Ponthafren in Newtown with officers from PCC, PTHB, PAVO and citizen participation from Janet Rodgers, MBE.</p>
<p>The group had looked at the current branding across Powys and collectively agreed on an option to take to the board for discussion. The board accepted the option in principle with a few amends required.</p>
<h2>Powys Regional Partnership Board – next meeting August 22</h2>
<p>The board’s next meeting will be 22 August 2016. If you have any questions in relation to the board and its work, please direct your enquiry to Sue Hughes (<a href="mailto:sue.hughes@powys.gov.uk" target="_blank">sue.hughes@powys.gov.uk</a> or 07917460679)</p>
Book now for our SEPTEMBER Essential Updates – big discount for CFW members<p>Our Essential Updates are designed for social care managers and staff to get the latest information and updates on best practice and legislation.</p>
<p>These important twice yearly seminars will provide delegates with an informative, focused and interactive day that will ensure Registered Providers, Registered Managers and Senior Staff who are responsible for providing social care in Wales will leave the seminar with the very latest information on the opportunities that exist for your organisation to stay ahead of the rest.</p>
<p>The seminars provide incredible value for money as both an awareness raising and CPD learning opportunity. Seminar handout information, refreshments and buffet are included in the cost. (Certificates of attendance are available on the day by request).</p>
<h2>How to book our CFW Essential Updates</h2>
<p>Email <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk" target="_blank">Janet</a> at Care Forum Wales with a booking form - download it here: <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Essential%20Updates%20-%20Autumn%202016.pdf" target="_blank">Essential Updates - Autumn 2016.pdf</a>.</p>
<div>Cost is £35 for members & £85 for non-members if booked before 31st August 2016.</div>
<div>After August £40 for members £90 for non-members.</div>
<h2>Essential Updates – dates for your diary in September 2016</h2>
<p><span>North Wales</span></p>
<p>Sept 20 – Springfield Hotel, Holywell</p>
<p>Sept 21– Conwy Business Centre</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>South Wales</span></p>
<p>Sept 27– National Botanic Garden of Wales</p>
<p>Sept 29 – University of South Wales</p>
Healthcare company fined £100,000 after death of resident from scalding injuries<p>A care home company based in Middlesex has been fined £100,000 plus costs after an elderly resident of a Surrey home died from scalding injuries.</p>
<p>Guildford Crown Court heard how the 89-year-old was receiving personal care from two employees of European Healthcare Group Plc at Old Wall Cottage Nursing Home. She received significant scalding injuries, and subsequently died of her injuries in hospital.</p>
<ul><li>An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident, which occurred on 30 August 2011, found that the bathroom taps in were not adjusted to limit the temperature of the water to a safe level for bathing and showering.</li>
<li>The investigation also found that while the company had policies and procedures in place they were deficient and the company failed to effectively communicate information and instruction to its staff so that the control measures could be implemented effectively.</li>
</ul><p>European Healthcare Group Plc, of Windsor Street, Uxbridge, Middlesex, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs of £50,000.</p>
<h2>'This was a tragic and preventable incident' – HSE inspector</h2>
<p>HSE inspector Michelle Canning said after the hearing: “This tragic and preventable incident highlights the responsibility that all care providers have to protect the safety of people in their care. People who live in residential care and nursing homes are amongst some of the most vulnerable in our society and rely on others to provide a safe environment for them to live in.</p>
<p>“All healthcare premises have a legal duty to control the risks of scalding injuries from bathing or showering and there is guidance that is well established and simple to implement.”</p>
<h2>Get information on how to avoid scalding and burning injuries</h2>
<p>For further information on scalding and burning visit on the HSE website: <a href="http://www.hse.gov.uk/healthservices/scalding-burning.htm" target="_blank">www.hse.gov.uk/healthservices/scalding-burning</a> </p>
North Wales hospice dreams up 'flower power appeal' with a difference at Rhuddlan Castle<p>Care Forum Wales member St Kentigern Hospice in St Asaph is celebrating 21 years of hospice care with a public art project at Rhuddlan Castle in Denbighshire.</p>
<p>The project has seen metal flowers - similar to the metal poppies at the Tower of London in 2014 - being sold in memory of loved ones who have been cared for at the hospice. Funds raised in the 'Flower Power Appeal' are invested back into hospice care.</p>
<p>Red anemones, yellow sunflowers and blue forget-me-nots have been 'planted' in a field directly in front of the castle. The art installation runs until September 1 and will also form part of Rhuddlan’s entry to Wales in Bloom.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/St-Kentigern-Hospice-flowers-600px.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="400"></p>
<p>Eight-bed in-patient hospice St Kentigern delivers specialist palliative care for those with life-threatening and terminal illness and fundraisers were keen to mark its 21-year milestone in a positive and uplifting way – while also generating funds for future care.</p>
<p>The art project has received sponsorship from local firms to cover the cost of colourful metal flowers and 100% of the funds raised will be invested back into hospice care. </p>
<h2>Flower-decked castle a 'truly wonderful and inspiring sights'</h2>
<p>St Kentigern fundraising manager Laura Parry said: "We wanted to mark our 21st anniversary in an inspiring and uplifting way and this project has fitted the bill perfectly. It has also offered many bereaved families a poignant way of remembering their loved ones while also helping to secure the care of future patients.</p>
<p>“It is a truly wonderful sight and everything that we hoped it would be,” she added.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Those who have already sponsored flower will be invited to a VIP viewing of the display on the afternoon of June 30 – and will be able to take their flower home at the end of the exhibition in September. </p>
<p>Mario Kreft, Care Forum Wales' chair, said: "Over the past two decades, St Kentigern Hospice has worked incredibly hard to provide a comfortable and loving environment for people requiring acute care and I can think of no better or more poignant way to mark that dedication and commitment than a sea of bright flowers at one of Wales’ most historic buildings,” he said.</p>
<p>“I wish the fundraisers every success in this project and would like to offer my personal congratulations for reaching this fantastic milestone. I hope that many visitors will turn out to enjoy this wonderful exhibition throughout the summer and appreciate the important care the hospice provides.”</p>
<h2>Do you want to remember a loved one by buying a flower?</h2>
<p>Flowers for the display at Rhuddlan Castle are still available for purchase and cost £12 each.</p>
<p>For more information, call St Kentigern’s fundraising office on 01745 536022 or you can buy online: <a href="http://www.stkentigernhospice.org.uk/event/flower-power-appeal-2016/" target="_blank">www.stkentigernhospice.org.uk/flower-appeal</a></p>
Boxing legend Ronnie reunited with world champion protégé at Cardiff care home <p>A boxing champion turned trainer who coached three world champions and inspired dozens of young boxers to reach for the top has been reunited with the local legend he steered to world title glory.</p>
<p>Former Trinidad and Tobago featherweight champion Ronald Reginald Radcliffe Rodney Rush, known as ‘Ronnie Rush’, trained countless youngsters to boxing success over the years - including three former world champions. </p>
<p>He set up his own boxing school, Ronnie’s Gym, in Ely, Cardiff, 25 years ago and was credited with turning around the lives of many disadvantaged youngsters.</p>
<p>Now carers at <strong>The Forge Care Home, in Ely</strong>, <strong>a member of Care Forum Wales</strong>, have organised for his former protégé and WBO Featherweight Champion Steve Robinson to pay him a special visit.</p>
<h2>Boxing champ visits care home to meet his trainer Ronnie Rush</h2>
<p>Ronnie Rush, 81, who has dementia, moved to the The Forge Care Home in Ely earlier this year and enjoys nothing more than to share his boxing experiences with fellow residents.</p>
<p>His protegee, Ely-born Steve was trained by Ronnie from the age of nine when he was an amateur boxer and during the majority of his professional days including his eight title successes between 1993 and 1995 – and says the trainer taught him everything he knew.</p>
<p>Steve said of Ronnie: “He’s been an inspiration to me and like a father figure,” said the 47-year-old, who lives in Cardiff. The pair are pictured meeting below and you can read more on this story in WalesOnline <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/cardiff-boxing-legend-ronnie-rush-11521606" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Ronnie-Rush-with-boxer-Steve.jpg" alt="" width="411" height="600"></p>
<p>Boxing champ Steve Robinson said of Ronnie Rush: “He always knew I had the talent and pushed me all the way. He would knock on my door at 6am and take me for a run. He was always a world class trainer and we’ve shared some good times.</p>
<p>“It’s quite emotional seeing him again as we lost touch towards the end of my career. But he taught me so much. He is very technical and my style never changed throughout my boxing.”</p>
<p><strong>Ronnie said: “It’s a great moment to see Steve. We go back a long way. They were really special days. </strong></p>
<p><strong>“When you train a lad to become world champion, nothing beats it. It’s very special. And quite a few of mine went on to become champs which makes me very proud.”</strong></p>
<p>Ronnie, who has 11 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, started his early boxing career in the West Indies where he was born. He boxed professionally for 10 years alongside three other professional boxers who together were known as the “Calypso kids”. </p>
<p>Ronnie moved to the UK in 1956 and continued to box professionally for a couple of years before retiring from the sport to help bring up his children. It wasn’t until one of his sons, Randy-Lee, said he wanted to take up boxing himself that he went back into the ring as a trainer.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Among his other proud achievements is previously training Jane Couch MBE, who became the first officially licensed British female boxer in 1998 and who won numerous world titles, and coaching Welsh boxing star Barrie Jones.</p>
<p>His original protégé Steve, who he trained for most of his career, was working in Debenhams as a store man in Cardiff when, with just two days’ notice, he accepted the fight against John Davison in 1993 for the vacant WBO Featherweight title and won the contest on a points’ decision. The defending Featherweight Champion, Ruben Palacios, who had been due to defend his title in Washington in Newscastle, had been stripped of his title after failing an HIV test and a new opponent was needed urgently to face Davison, from England.</p>
<p>Steve, who retired from boxing in 2002 and now runs his own gym in Cardiff, said: “Very few people in Ely don’t know him. He did a lot for this area, not just boxing but because he gave the children a purpose and got them off the streets. </p>
<p>“I was trained the old school way and although I have my own style, the way that Ronnie taught me all those years ago is the way I teach my boxers,” he said.</p>
<h2>Daughter becomes a carer at The Forge after her dad's dementia deteriorated</h2>
<p>Ronnie's daughter Juanita recently got a job as a carer at The Forge so she could be closer to her dad and help look after his needs. </p>
<p>“Dementia is a very cruel illness. I see him struggle and it’s heart-breaking,” she said. </p>
<p>“It robs people of so many things and whatever we can do to make their lives better and make a difference we do it.</p>
<p>“We wanted to organise the visit from Steve to help my dad remember but also before his condition worsens to the stage that he doesn’t recognise people.</p>
<p>“It was amazing to see them together again and my dad was chuffed to pieces. He tells everyone how many champs he has trained but because of his memory condition, some people are not sure whether to believe him. It’s been lovely to show people how special he is.” </p>
<p>Mario Kreft, chair of Care Forum Wales, praised staff at The Forge for making Ronnie’s day. He said: “Clearly Ronnie has been an inspiration to the lives of many, not just former world boxing champions but also local children who greatly benefitted from his service to community life,” he said.</p>
<p>“The Forge was deeply honoured to welcome a former world champion boxer and I’m sure his visit was a real treat for the other residents. It’s not every day you get to meet a real sporting legend after all.”</p>
CSSIW report finds stronger leadership and better communication needed for adults with learning disabilities<p><span>CSSIW's </span>National inspection of care and support for people with learning disabilities has found that more needs to be done by leaders at all levels to support their staff by working in partnership with people with learning disabilities and family carers to shape care and support for the future.</p>
<p>The report sets out the findings of the national inspection of care and support for adults with learning disabilities undertaken by Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW), supported by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW), between July 2015 and February 2016.</p>
<ul><li>The purpose of the inspection was to assess the success of local authority social services in achieving outcomes that matter to people.</li>
<li>Inspectors found that 'leading in partnership with people' was the area of work most in need of significant improvement.</li>
</ul><p>The report says that most of the 22 local authorities who responded to the national survey thought that their performance was good. However, in the majority of the six authorities subject to fieldwork, inspectors concluded that performance either required improvement or was poor. </p>
<h2>Lack of 'clear, trusted and well-established channels of communication'</h2>
<p>However the inspection found strong evidence that the absence of clear, trusted and well established channels of communication with people, carers, providers and other stakeholders makes the job of leaders that much harder.</p>
<p>HIW inspectors found that improvements were needed in communication between health board managers and staff to ensure that those at the front line felt valued in their roles and engaged with the health board’s direction and priorities.</p>
<p>The report states: "When deficits in communication are coupled with a lack of commonly understood vision for the development of care and support - as it was in some local authorities and health boards – then leaders and managers face an uphill task in creating a positive service culture."</p>
<p><span>You can read the report in full or download a copy here: <a href="http://cssiw.org.uk/docs/cssiw/report/160628overviewen.pdf" target="_blank">cssiw.org.uk/report.pdf</a></span></p>
<div class="page" title="Page 4">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<p></p>
<div class="page" title="Page 4">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<h2><span>Key questions the report sets out to answer</span></h2>
<p>The three key questions for the inspection were: </p>
<ul><li>How well does the local authority understand the need for care and support for people with learning disabilities, including support for carers and the development of preventative services, in its area?</li>
<li>How effective is the local authority in providing information, advice, assistance, assessment and care planning that achieves positive outcomes and which respects people with learning disabilities as full citizens, equal in status and value to other citizens of the same age?</li>
<li>To what extent have the arrangements for leadership and governance in the local authority delivered a clear vision for care and support for people with learning disabilities, aimed at improving outcomes, and which has the support and involvement of partners – including people with learning disabilities and carers?</li>
</ul></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p><span></span></p>
Social care stalwarts retire – CSSIW chief inspector and CCW chief executive both announce retirement <p>Two major figures in the social care sector are set to retire with the chief inspector at CSSIW, Imelda Richardson, announcing her retirement at the end of the summer after a 40-year career in social care. She is joined by chief executive of the Care Council for Wales, Rhian Huws Williams, who retired at the end of June after 15 years at the helm.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CSSIW-Imelda-Richardson.jpg" width="200" height="197" caption="false"></p>
<p>In a letter to CFW chair Mario Kreft Imelda Richardson (<em>pictured above</em>) said: “I would like to thank you for your work with the inspectorate supporting our joint commitment to improving the lives of people receiving care in Wales. It has been a privilege to work in Wales with and alongside social care professionals, at all levels, as we strive to make a difference to people’s lives. </p>
<p>"There is never a good time to leave any job, especially one that you love. This decision has not been made lightly but the inspectorate needs a leader who can see CSSIW through the implementation of legislative changes and transition during the next three years." </p>
<h2>Sue Evans takes the helm at CCW</h2>
<p>Meanwhile Sue Evans takes over as chief executive of Care Council for Wales at the end of this month replacing Rhian Huws Williams who retires at the end of June after 15 years.</p>
<p>Sue was previously chief officer for social Care and housing at Torfaen Council and is President of the Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS) Cymru. </p>
<p>Care Council chair Arwel Ellis Owen said: “In Rhian Huws Williams we have had an excellent chief executive, who has led the Care Council since 2001, guiding it to many significant achievements and building it into a successful organisation.</p>
<p>"Now that Rhian is retiring, we are fortunate to have someone of Sue’s calibre to lead the Care Council onto its next stage of evolution and I’m looking forward very much to working closely with her,” he added. </p>
<p></p>
Care home admits health and safety breaches after death of resident<p>The owners of a care home where an elderly woman died of hypothermia have pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations.</p>
<p>Annie Barritt, 91, a resident of the Oaklands Country Rest Home in Kirk Hammerton, near York, was taken to Harrogate hospital after being found unwell in her room in 2012.</p>
<p>Her temperature was found to be 25.3°C, rather than the average normal body temperature of 37°C. Mrs Barritt died that night.</p>
<p><strong>Read more on this story:</strong></p>
<p>ITV news: <a href="http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2016-06-17/owners-of-care-home-admit-health-and-safety-breaches-following-death-of-resident/" target="_blank">Owners of care home admit health and safety breaches following death of resident</a></p>
<p>Daily Mail: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3593554/Care-home-prosecuted-91-year-old-resident-dementia-died-hypothermia-temperature-just-25C.html" target="_blank">Care home prosecuted after 91-year-old resident died</a></p>
<p><strong>An inquest into Annie Barritt's death was held in November 2015 and found that there had been an inappropriately low temperature in her room</strong> <strong>and a failure to provide adequate basic care.</strong></p>
<p>Mrs Barritt had been suffering from dementia and as a consequence was unable to make a decision regulating the regulation of temperature in her room.</p>
<p>Harrogate Borough Council launched its own investigation into the death, which found there had been a serious breach of health and safety legislation.</p>
<p>Maria Mallaband Care Group Limited entered a plea of guilty to the offence at Harrogate Magistrates Court. Magistrates agreed with Harrogate Borough Council that sentencing should take place at York Crown Court as their sentencing powers were not sufficient and that greater punishment was needed.</p>
<p>Sentencing will happen in July.</p>
Chinese officials visit Barry care home to learn about social care practice in Wales<p>On June 24 a party of officials from Chongqing in South West China visited Care Forum Wales care home College Fields in Barry (pictured below).</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Chonging-visitors-june2016-02.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="365"><br><br>The visit was organised by the Welsh Government's European and External Affairs Department and the officials wanted to learn more about elderly care, home-based health care and rehabilitation services in Wales.</p>
Care Council seeks your views on how to present Dementia Learning and Development Framework for Wales<p>The Care Council for Wales will soon be publicising its framework with all those involved with Dementia within health and social care services in Wales, called:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/dementia-care/" target="_blank">Good Work: A Dementia Learning and Development Framework for Wales</a></p>
<p>The framework is intended to support what matters most to the people of Wales, as well as the spirit and requirements of Welsh policy, legislation and guidance regarding the care, support and empowerment of people with dementia, carers, and the health and social care workforce.</p>
<h2>How should the Care Council present the dementia learning and development framework?</h2>
<p>The Care Council is now asking for people, teams and organisations who will use this resource on a regular basis to help inform practice to tell them about the best format in which to present the framework.</p>
<p>Below is a link to a quick survey that presents a few options and a brief explanation of what each one will do and a few past examples of work that the Care Council or other organisations have produced.</p>
<ul><li><strong>Please complete the survey so CCW can produce the most effective resource for you</strong></li>
<li><strong>The survey closes on July 1</strong></li>
<li><strong>Click the <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Dementiaframework" target="_blank">Dementia Framework survey link</a> to respond</strong></li>
</ul><p> </p>
Pontypool care home wins praise for on-site vintage tea room<p>Residents at a Pontypool care home are embracing café culture with daily cappuccinos and cupcakes following the launch of its on-site vintage tearooms. </p>
<p>Luxury coffee, speciality teas, Welsh crumpets and Victoria sponge are just some of the daily treats being rustled up at Rowan House’s new ‘Panteg Pantry’ tearooms – completely free of charge. </p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/rowan-house-vintage-tearoom.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="382"></p>
<p>There’s even a ‘cream tea day’ once a month for those residents who can’t say no to a dash of Welsh clotted cream and a home-baked scone. </p>
<p>The Griffithstown care home, owned by the Summerhill Group, built the old fashioned tea shop in a corner of the main lounge, overlooking the canal, to give residents and their visiting families a café-style environment to catch up on the latest news.</p>
<p>In addition to cakes, biscuits and hot drinks, the tea room’s shelves are stocked with jars of vintage sweets which are weighed out and put into bags with old fashioned scales to enable residents to indulge in their favourite childhood treats of liquorice, rhubarb and custard and rainbow sherbet. </p>
<p>The innovative idea has been so successful that other care homes are now considering a similar facility. </p>
<p></p>
<h2>'Utterly brilliant idea... and a big hit with residents' – Mario Kreft, chair of Care Forum Wales</h2>
<p>Care Forum Wales' chair, Mario Kreft, said: "This is an utterly brilliant idea and it's no surprise that the Panteg Pantry tearooms are such a big hit with the residents and their families.</p>
<p>"I know that other care organisations have been very impressed and I would not be surprised to see a few other tearooms popping up across Wales."</p>
<p>Grandmother-of-one Elizabeth Vowles, 76, who officially opened the facility alongside care home manager Liz Richards-Calnon, enjoys nothing better than tucking into her lactose-free apple cake, hand-prepared by the home’s cooks, in the tearooms as she receives her daily visit from her 82-year-old husband Donald, a retired teacher. </p>
<p>“It’s the best thing since sliced bread,” said the former newsagent who grew up in Croesyceiliog. </p>
<p>“It’s like being in a nice café somewhere. My husband comes in every day to see me so we go to the tea shop and have our cuppa together.</p>
<p>“It’s lovely to see families enjoying the tearooms. It’s doing its job of bringing people together. It has everything from chocolate eclairs and sponges to cupcakes, crumpets and scones. My husband really enjoys it and I have absolutely no complaints, it’s a lovely place.</p>
<p>“It’s ideal for me because I have a lactose-intolerance and have a special diet and they don’t mind accommodating me as well as everybody else.</p>
<p>“I also like to keep up on all the gossip in the home but usually I know everything already!"</p>
<p>The idea for the tea rooms came from care companion Owen Cook. Staff approached the care home directors who were more than happy to fund the project.</p>
<p>A local joinery firm was hired to build the old fashioned counter and shelving at a cost of £3,000. </p>
<p>All of the cakes are all homemade by the home’s cooks Jean Evans and Julie Carter, and are served throughout the day by the carers, as and when the residents place an order. </p>
<p>“The kitchen staff are all very inventive and keep the ideas fresh,” said activities coordinator June James, 56, from Blaenavon.</p>
<p>“We encourage our visitors to come up to the bar and order tea for the residents and themselves. A member of staff is always behind the counter to serve.</p>
<p>“The tea shop provides another stimulus for the residents; the sweet jars are all filled with brightly coloured sweets and the whole setting encourages them to take part and get involved. </p>
<p>“We have vintage scales and weigh out the sweets in little bags. From a dementia point of view, it’s a very stimulating experience and encourages the residents to eat and drink a little bit more which is another aim.</p>
<p>“It also stimulates conversation about the sweets they used to have when they were children.”</p>
<p>June has found a supplier of retro sweets in Pontypool and pays a regular visit to buy the sweets identified in the residents’ conversations. </p>
<p>She explained that it was another way in which the home was pushing person-centred care to enhance the residents’ enjoyment of the home and create a vibrant atmosphere. </p>
<p>“It has really enhanced the residents’ lives and gives them another social venue,” she said. </p>
<p>“We set it in the lounge area so it’s comfortable and there are plenty of chairs already. </p>
<p>“It’s completely free of charge. There’s a donation box on the counter but it’s up to everyone’s discretion. Quite often when a big family comes in and order lots of cakes they like to donate something but no one is ever asked to donate. </p>
<p>“The staff love it because they take part and get involved as well. We all have the odd cake here and there. As soon as the residents and their families are served staff are welcome to have a cake, there’s always more than enough to go around. </p>
<p>“It has been very successful and a real talking point.”</p>
<p> </p>
Care Home Open Day 2016 - see how homes across Wales celebrated the day<p>Care homes across Wales excelled themselves for this year's Care Home Open Day on June 17 with events ranging from Queen's birthday celebrations to Royal Ascot-themed events.</p>
<p>One care home, Gwyddfor in Holyhead, set up a fun casino for residents while College Fields in Barry brought in pygmy goats to meet residents. At Summerhill care homes across the group events ranged from barbecues to a wonderful Alice In Wonderland-themed event at its St Catherine's Care Home.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CHOD%20Collage%202016.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600"></p>
<p></p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CHOD-2016-collage-02.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600"></p>
<p></p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CHOD-2016-collage-03.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600"></p>
CFW's AGM: come along to the meeting in Abergavenny<p>Our AGM takes place in July in Abergavenny and is open to members to attend.</p>
<p>It takes place at:</p>
<p>The Priory Centre, St. Mary’s, Abergavenny, NP7 5ND, Tuesday 12th July 2016</p>
<p>The meeting will begin at 2pm and is expected to last for approximately one hour.</p>
<p>If you wish to attend, please confirm your attendance and notify me of any dietary requirements if at all possible by Friday 8th July 2016 to facilitate catering arrangements: refreshments will be available from 1.30pm. </p>
<p>Please confirm your attendance to <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk" target="_blank">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a> / Telephone 01978 755400.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h2>CFW's 2016 AGM in Abergavenny - agenda</h2>
<p>1. Chairman’s Welcome<br>2. Apologies<br>3. Minutes of last AGM – 30 June 2015<br>4. Matters arising<br>5. Chairman’s Report<br>6. Vice-Chairman’s Report<br>7. Treasurer’s report<br>8. Appointment of Auditors<br>9. Chairman’s closing remarks<br>10. Any other business</p>
Long-serving chair of Care Council for Wales receives Queen's birthday honour<p>The chair of the Care Council for Wales, Arwel Ellis Owen, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours list in recognition of his services to social services and social care in Wales. </p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/arwel-ellis-owen-CCW-chair.jpg" width="240" height="160" caption="false" style="float: right;"></p>
<p>Arwel Ellis Owen (<em>pictured</em>) has been Chair of the Care Council since 2008 and has played an important role in the development of new legislation on regulation and improvement in social care. Since 2011, he has sat on the Ministerial Partnership Forum for Social Services, supporting the Government in implementing its reform agenda for the sector. </p>
<p>More recently, he chaired a panel of stakeholders from across social care to advise the Minister on how new responsibilities can be delivered when the Care Council changes to Social Care Wales in 2017.</p>
<p>He will continue as Chair of the new organisation, having been appointed until 2019.</p>
<p>Read more on this story on the <a href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news/2016/06/10/obe-for-arwel-ellis-owen/#sthash.xSGYPvcQ.dpuf" target="_blank">Care Council website</a></p>
MBE for healthboard nurse who works closely with nursing homes<p>Nurse Tanya Strange has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for services to nursing in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/tanya-strange-nurse-lead-pic.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="160" style="float: right;">Tanya (<em>pictured</em>), who works closely with CFW on several initiatives, has been praised for her work linking the healthboard with the independent care sector.</p>
<p>Policy adviser Melanie Minty said: "We'd like to offer our congratulations to Tanya - the honour is well-deserved. She works closely with nursing homes and CFW in the area on initiatives the CHaT programme, matrons' forum, nurse training, Think About Me etc.</p>
<p>"I think it fair to say that Tanya has a real understanding of the issues facing care homes and is a great exponent of working in partnership. All health boards need a Tanya!" added Melanie.</p>
<p></p>
Warm weather health warning issued by Welsh Government<div id="article-abstract">The current spell of warm weather means people should think carefully about how to keep cool and stay healthy, acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Chris Jones has said today (June 9, 2016).</div>
<div id="article-date"></div>
<div id="article-box">
<div id="article-leftcol">
<div id="article-rightcol"></div>
<div id="article-body">
<p>Dr Jones, a practising cardiologist, said: "We have seen a significant rise in the number of people attending emergency units with cardiac and respiratory related conditions and a corresponding rise in hospital admissions. </p>
<p>“For children and babies, older people and those with long term health conditions, especially those with heart and breathing conditions, there are some simple steps to take to stay healthy. </p>
<p>“Stay out of direct sunlight between 11am and 3am when the sun is strongest, and always use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor. Loose, cool clothing and wearing a hat when outdoors can also help to prevent heat exhaustion and sunstroke. </p>
<p>“People who are physically active also need to be aware of what they can do to stay cool and hydrated. eep well hydrated, drink cold drinks such as water and fruit juice regularly and avoid tea, coffee and alcohol. </p>
<p>“Cool baths or showers, or splashing yourself with cold water or placing your wrists under cool running water can help if you feel you are overheating. </p>
<p>“Don’t forget to check up on friends, relatives and neighbours; older people and people with mobility problems are likely to be affected by the hot weather. </p>
<p>“Getting out in the sunshine can be a real mood-booster, but don’t forget to drink plenty of water and think about what you can do to keep well in warm weather.”</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Care homes shortlisted for NHS Awards for advanced care planning work<p>Five care homes in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area have completed an NHS training programme - and have now been shortlisted for the NHS Awards, along with the Health Board itself.<p>The homes have been working on Advance Care Planning (ACP) and have carried out the NHS Improving Quality Together (IQT) Silver Award, the first time in Wales nursing homes have been supported to gain this award.</p><p>The shortlisted homes are: </p><ul>
<li class="p1"><span class="s1">Capel Grange Nursing Home</span></li>
<li class="p1"><span class="s1">Crick Care Home</span></li>
<li class="p1"><span class="s1">Glanyravon Nursing Home</span></li>
<li class="p1"><span class="s1">Millheath Nursing Home</span></li>
<li class="p1"><span class="s1">Llantarnum Abbey (religious order rather than a home)</span></li>
<li class="p1"><span class="s1">Jill Thomas Lead Nurse Primary Care working with Red Rose Nursing Home</span></li>
</ul><h2>'Projects will set benchmark for end of life care'</h2><p>ACP involves a series of conversations in which a patient's wishes are explored, identified and then recorded.</p><p>The homes have worked in partnership to support care homes in standardising documentation and how ACP should be communicated once agreed and reviewed. Training has included the need to assess mental capacity, 'best interest' decision-making, communication and how to recognise when someone may be ready to start these difficult conversations.</p><p>Tanya Strange, divisional nurse for Primary Care and Networks at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said: "We are absolutely delighted that all the homes who have participated in the IQT Silver Award have passed! Their projects will, we are sure, set the benchmark for improvements in end of life care and improved patient experience across the sector.</p><p>"We would like to say a huge thanks to the nursing homes in our area (and our staff who have delivered training) for proactively supporting the improvement work and enhancing patient experience both within these projects and through their continued participation at the provider forum. </p><p>"A special thanks also to our colleagues in the ABCi Team who have, for the first time in Wales, engaged nursing homes in the IQT Silver Award. Your expertise, delivery, positive encouragement and support to the care homes has been absolutely invaluable."</p></p>
Watch octogenarian skydiver and former Wales Care Awards winner Dilys Price on ITV's Good Morning Britain<p>Former Wales Care Awards winner and daredevil skydiver Dilys Price was on the ITV Good Morning Britain sofa this week to celebrate her 84th birthday on June 3.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Craig%20Thomas%20Dilys%20Price.JPG" alt="" width="250" height="167" style="float: right;">Dilys (<em>pictured right</em>) won the <strong>Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2014 Wales Care Awards</strong> for her work with her Touch Trust charity – she is also the world's oldest skydiver and has completed 1,130 skydives to date. Her skydiving passion was sparket initially as a way to raise funds for charity.</p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.touchtrust.co.uk/news-1/2014/11/04/wales-care-awards-2014-the-craig-thomas-lifetime-achievement-award-dilys-price-obe/" target="_blank">Read more about Dilys' win and her charity Touch Trust</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/news-members/winners-of-2014-wales-care-awards-announced" target="_blank">See a list of all the Wales Care Awards winners in 2014</a></li>
</ul><p>Dilys was chatting to the ITV presenters just ahead of her 84th birthday about her secret to having so much energy at her age – "you've just got to find your passion in life," she said, "find that buzz," she added.</p>
<p>WATCH THE CLIP:</p>
<p><strong>You can watch a clip of Dilys on ITV's Good Morning Britain <a href="http://www.itv.com/goodmorningbritain/news/daredevil-dilys-83-has-completed-over-1000-skydives" target="_blank">here</a>.</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards set for shake-up after Law Commission report<p>The Law Commission has said there is a compelling case for replacing Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards with a system that is less technical, burdensome and costly.<p>It published an interim statement after a public consultation on <span class="s1">the Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. </span><span class="s1">Care Forum Wales was one of 583 respondents to take part in this. </span></p><p><span class="s1">Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) aim to protect people who lack mental capacity, but who need to be deprived of liberty so they can be given care and treatment in a hospital or care home. If a person’s right to liberty needs to be infringed in other settings, an authorisation must be obtained from the Court of Protection.</span></p><ul>
<li class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">You can read the interim statement on DoLS <a href="http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/mental-capacity-and-deprivation-of-liberty/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></strong></li>
</ul><ul>
<li><strong>The DoLS have been criticised since they were introduced for being overly complex and excessively bureaucratic. </strong></li>
</ul><h2 class="p1"><span class="s1">What the Law Commission says on DoLS</span></h2><p class="p1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s1">In its interim statement the Law Commission says it agrees with the majority of respondents that there is a compelling case for replace DoLS with something less technical, burdensome and costly. It has decided to restrict the scheme to those who individuals who are deprived of their liberty and not to extend the system to include “protective care”. This was originally considered a helpful preventative measure for those in danger of coming into the system but would add to complexity and administration. </span></p><p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">A final report with recommendations and a draft Bill is due to be published in December 2016. </span></strong></p><h2 class="p1"><span class="s1">Key issues for care homes in the DoLS shake-up</span></h2><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Responsibility for establishing the case for DoLS will move to the commissioner</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">There will be greater flexibility to enable decision makers to rely on existing care plans rather than having to duplicate assessments.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Coroners will no longer have to be automatically informed of a death unless the medical examiner believes death was attributable to a failure of care - much less distressing for families and reducing work for care homes and coroners.</span></p><p class="p1"></p></p>
Innovative approach to care wins plaudits for North Wales care home<p>Care home residents are enjoying a touch of glamour thanks to a professional nail bar at the Pen-y-Bryn care home in Bagillt, Flintshire – part of an innovative approach to help the home's residents lead fulfilled lives.<p>As well as the nail bar, staff at the home no longer wear uniforms, for example, and are instead encouraged to come to work in bright colours and flowers to brighten the feel of the home and promote interaction between residents. They also carry sensory items like feathers and musical instruments in their aprons to encourage residents to engage in communication. </p><p>CFW chair, Mario Kreft, has praised the home, which specialises in dementia care, for its innovative approach.</p><p>He said: "Helping residents to lead active and fulfilled lives is a priority at Pen-y-Bryn and facilities like the new nail salon have been warmly welcomed by staff, residents and their families,” he said.</p><p> "I’m proud of the team for continually thinking outside the box to bring community life to the home and make a difference to their residents’ wellbeing," he added.</p><p>The professional nail bar is proving so popular with the elderly residents that 10 members of staff have now had to be trained in beauty therapy - just to keep up with demand. </p><p>And it’s not just the women who are benefitting from the new pampering facility; many of the home’s male residents are partial to a hand or foot massage – minus the polish.</p><p><em>Pictured below:</em> Senior Carer Rebecca Hughes does the nails of Joyce Hughes while her friend Brenda Wareham and owner/manager Pam Bochenski look on.</p><p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Nail-bar-at-Penybryn.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="400"></p><h2>'Care has to change from institutionalised homes of the past' – Pam Bochenski</h2><p>Pen y Bryn Care home owner and manager Pam Bochenski added: "Care has to change. We all want to get away from the institutionalised care homes of the past where people sat in their rooms all day. I did a lot of research during the building work and really liked the idea of more holistic care.</p><p>"The residents really like being pampered but who doesn’t? It’s open every day and there’s no need to book, we just open the door.</p><p> "We’ve always offered hand and foot massages but we wanted to ensure residents could go along to a salon rather than just sitting in the lounge.</p><p>"With the hand and foot massages in particular, we find it calms agitation and relaxes everybody. We’ll take a resident along to the salon and they can have their hair done at the same time if they want to or just their nails polished, a manicure or pedicure or just a hand or foot massage.</p><p>"The men go in as well and enjoy a hand or foot massage. A lot of our residents have difficulties with speech but when they come out of the salon they show everyone their nails and this encourages social interaction.</p><p>"They seem to like the funky colours. It was one of our ladies birthdays last week. She was 95 and so we made sure she had her makeup and nails done before going out with her family.</p><p>"We have a lady who’s going to be 100 in November so we’re already planning that," she added.</p><p> </p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p></p>
Social Care Wales - have your say on priorities for the next three years<p>In April 2017, the Care Council for Wales will become Social Care Wales, and will have responsibilities for social care improvement.<p>A consultation has been launched to seek your views on what the improvement priorities for Social Care Wales should be for its first three years. You can also suggest additional priorities for Social Care Wales’ improvement activity and say what you feel are the key issues around the priorities identified.</p><p>Take part in the consultation <a href="http://www.pmnet.co.uk/lgdu/KMS/elab.aspx?noip=1&CampaignId=317&SessionId=78UG35K097" target="_blank">here</a>.</p></p>
All change on health and social care in new Welsh Government<p>Following the Assembly elections on May 5, First Minister Carwyn Jones announced a new cabinet for the Welsh Government which includes a change to the leadership on health and social care.<ul>
<li>Read the full list of <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-36326335" target="_blank">new ministers in the Welsh Government</a>.</li>
<li>Former Deputy Health Minister, Vaughan Gething (<em>pictured below</em>), becomes <strong>Minister for Health, Well-being and Sport</strong>.</li>
<li>Rebecca Evans becomes <strong>Minister for Social Services and Public Health</strong>. </li>
</ul><p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/250px-Vaughan_Gething.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="250">Announcing his plans for the first 100 days of the new Welsh government, Carwyn Jones, also said: "We will seek to establish a Parliamentary Review into the long-term future of Health and Social Care in Wales."</p><p>Read Carwyn Jones' <a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/firstminister/2016/160518fmwales/?lang=en" target="_blank">'Moving Wales Forward' speech</a>. </p><p>Care Forum Wales has written to Vaughan Gething and Rebecca Evans setting out what we see as the priorities for our members. You can login as a CFW member to read the letter. </p></p>
One month to go until Care Home Open Day on June 17 – sign up now to take part in 2016<p>With just over one month to go until Care Home Open Day, which takes place on June 17, CFW members are being urged to sign up and plan their events now.<p>Last year CFW members across Wales arranged all kinds of imaginative events to celebrate the day - from opening an old-fashioned sweet shop for residents, to falconry displays and face painting fun for visiting children. <strong>You can see images from events in 2015 below.</strong> </p><p>Senior policy adviser for CFW, Mary Wimbury, said: "Last year some homes invited well-known local people including musicians and artists to attend events, or themed events around the arts. This year we are encouraging people to invite local politicians, including newly-elected Assembly Members, to help raise the profile of the sector and to showcase the great care that is being delivered across Wales."</p><p>Hints and tips on how to run an event are available on the CHOD website. You need to register - or re-register if you've taken part in previous years - on the site to take part. The website has resources including a pro-forma press release and pre-designed leaflet. Lastly, don't forget to book a professional photographer so that your photos from the day have real impact.</p><h2>Find out more about Care Home Open Day</h2><ul>
<li>Get tips and advice on the <a href="http://www.carehomeopenday.org.uk/" target="_blank">CHOD website</a></li>
<li>Book a photographer: <a href="http://www.freelancedirectory.org/search.php?skill=15&region=11&submitted=Search" target="_blank">NUJ Freelancer Photographers listings website</a></li>
<li>Don't forget to email your photos from the day if you'd like us to show them on our website. Email them to <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a></li>
<li>You can also share photos with us on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/careforumwales" target="_blank">@careforumwales</a> and on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/careforumwales/" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/careforumwales</a></li>
</ul><p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CHOD2015-collage01.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600"></p><p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CHOD-collage2-800px.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600"></p></p>
Care homes turn into polling stations to allow residents easy access to vote<p>Residents at two South Wales care homes doubled up as polling stations for the Welsh Assembly Elections on May 5 enabling 150 residents to vote in the comfort of their own living room.<p>The lounge at Bryn Celyn Care Home in Maesteg Park, Maesteg, and the coffee shop at Ty Enfys Care Home in Pentwyn, Cardiff, were used as polling stations after the homes, which specialise in residential, nursing and dementia care, agreed to open their homes for public use. Both homes are part of Hallmark Care Homes which has 15 care homes across England and Wales.</p><p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/carehome-pollingstation-800px.jpg" width="600" height="300" caption="false"></p><p>General manager at Bryn Celyn Care Home in Maesteg, Mary Richard, said: “As a care provider we work hard to ensure our residents build and keep their relationships with the local community. When the opportunity came up to be a polling station we were thrilled as we knew our residents would love to get involved in the election process.”</p><p>Bryn Celyn resident Ivor Morris Grey, 91, said: “The polling station is very convenient and I feel valued as a resident.”</p></p>
Care home crisis 'tightens its grip' – report shows care home closures on the rise in England and Wales<p>The number of care home insolvencies in England and Wales increased by nearly a fifth in 2015 according to new research published today.<p>As local authority spending cuts bite and the National Living Wage impacts on costs the pressure is mounting on care homes and the sector continues to struggle.</p><ul>
<li>In 2015 total of 47 care homes became insolvent in England and Wales, up from 40 in the previous year and up from 35 in 2012-13, according to figures from accountancy firm Moore Stephens released today (April 25).</li>
<li>Further cuts in local authority spending, coupled with the introduction of the national living wage, will heap further pressure on the sector, said the report.</li>
</ul><p>Mike Finch, of Moore Stephens, said homes are under growing strain and face a sharp increase in their wage bill.</p><p>The sector has complained it will struggle to fund the new National Living Wage of £7.20 an hour introduced this month.</p><p>Mr Finch said: “With funding from local authorities contributing a substantial amount to the revenue of care homes, there is understandable concern of the impact any further spending cuts would have on the sector.</p><h2>Care home sector is at a 'tipping point' – Mario Kreft</h2><p>CFW's chair, Mario Kreft (pictured below), said care homes in the poorest parts of Wales are particularly badly affected because many homes in these areas receive all their funding from local authorities, which have seen their own funding cut.</p><p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Mario%20Kreft.jpg" alt="" width="213" height="320"></p><p>He said: "What the figures show is that actually we are passing the tipping point. There is almost nothing now that can be done to save some of these [homes] that I would consider, very valuable community assets.</p><p>“There are people I know with small rural care facilities, who basically are at 100% occupancy. They are always full with a waiting list.”</p><h2>Read more on this story</h2><p>Walesonline: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/care-home-crisis-tightens-grip-11234359" target="_blank">Care home crisis tightens its grip as cuts bite and living wage adds to costs</a></p><p>Walesonline: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/rhondda-care-home-shut-28-10777555" target="_blank">Rhondda Care home to shut because it couldn't recruit 'suitably experienced nurses'</a></p></p>
Regulation and Inspection Act and what it means for providers – CSSIW has answers for you<p>CSSIW is planning special sessions for individuals and registered care home managers to help them understand what the new Regulation and Inspection Act means for providers.<p>In addition to the special sessions across Wales in May, it has also set up a dedicated email address for people who have queries about the forthcoming changes and has an FAQ section on its website you can check.</p><h2>What you can do to get informed about the Regulation and Inspection changes</h2><ol>
<li>Email CSSIW with your questions about Regulation and Inspection changes <a href="mailto:CSSIW.RISCAct@wales.gsi.gov.uk">CSSIW.RISCAct@wales.gsi.gov.uk<br><br></a></li>
<li>Sign up for a training and information seminar:<br><br>20 May – Conwy Business Centre, Conwy <br>24 May – YMCA, Newport <br>26 May - Haliwell Conference Centre, Carmarthen <br><br></li>
<li>Check CSSIW's website for answers to <a href="http://cssiw.org.uk/about/changes-to-legislation-and-policy/regulation-and-inspection-social-care-bill/?lang=en" target="_blank">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li>
</ol></p>
Free seminar on Friday April 22: Get the latest on brain injury rehabilitation<p>The UK's leading charity on brain injury rehabilitation is holding an inaugural free national forum for professionals working in brain injury.<p>The free seminar is being held in Cardiff on April 22 to present the latest evidence and practice on Neurobehavioural Rehabilitation.</p><h2>Where and when is the seminar on brain injury rehabilitation being held</h2><p>The seminar has been organised by BIRT, the <a href="http://www.thedtgroup.org/brain-injury/" target="_blank">Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust</a>, and is being held at the Hilton Hotel on the Kingsway in Cardiff from 10am-3pm.</p><p class="p1">The Forum will include an exhibition and the opportunity to network with other professionals at registration, during lunch and refreshment breaks.</p><p class="p2"></p><h2 class="p1">How to book your place</h2><p class="p1">Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.</p><p class="p1">To reserve your place, please contact</p><ul>
<li class="p1">Rhian Edwards Telephone: 01554 740 720</li>
<li class="p1">Email: <a href="mailto:rhian.edwards@thedtgroup.org">rhian.edwards@thedtgroup.org</a></li>
<li class="p1">Download the PDF <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/BIRT_Seminar_Ty%20Aberdafen_Dft4.pdf" target="_blank">BIRT_Seminar.pdf</a> for more information on the seminar including speakers and timetable.</li>
</ul><p class="p1"></p><p></p></p>
Group uses power of theatre to deliver innovative dementia training across Wales<p>A group called Re-Live is using the power of theatre to deliver innovative dementia training aimed at the social care workforce.</p>
<p>The training is based around a bilingual play called Belonging / Perthyd which was written to reflect the real-life experiences of people living with dementia, their families and the working lives of health and social care workers.</p>
<p>The play will tour Wales in May and June - for more information contact Karin Diamond, Re-Live Co-Director<br />E: <a href="mailto:Karin@re-live.org.uk" target="_blank">Karin@re-live.org.uk</a><br />T: 07900 000125<br /><a href="http://www.re-live.org.uk" target="_blank">www.re-live.org.uk</a></p>
<p>TRAINING COST: £10 per person<br />TRAINING TIME: 1.5 hours<br /><br /></p>
<p>WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS TRAINING?<br />Enablement teams, care workers, domiciliary care workers, care managers, domiciliary care managers, senior carers, supervisors, day care supervisors, day care workers, social workers, steering groups, strategic officers, volunteers.</p>
<p>LEARNING OUTCOMES<br />Perthyn/Belonging will:<br />• increase knowledge and understanding about dementia<br />• remove the myths and stigma surrounding the illness<br />• address the needs of Welsh language speakers with dementia<br />• share knowledge about behaviour that can be ‘seen’ as<br />challenging<br />• validate the health and social care workers experience<br />• explore the families perspective and new ways of working with<br />families<br />• develop trainees' confidence in connecting with a person with<br />dementia using non verbal communication skills<br />• highlight the importance of environment and routine<br />• promote compassionate communication<br />• demonstrate the importance of knowing a person’s life story<br /><br /></p>Social care research team publishes booklet of care home 'magic moments'<p>A booklet published by Swansea University seeks to highlight the 'magic moments' that happen in care homes that very often go under the radar.</p>
<p>All too often media publicity around care homes is negative and the project, from the School for Social Care Research at Swansea University, seeks to redress the balance.</p>
<p>The Older People's Commissioner, Sarah Rochira, said: "The ‘magic moments’ in this booklet provide real life examples of how small things, such as enabling a resident to assist in the kitchen, can give individuals a sense of value and purpose, as well as providing reassurance that they matter and still have something valuable to share.</p>
<p>"The satisfaction of contributing, however small it may seem to us, can have a big impact upon residents’ lives," she added.</p>
<p>Nick Andrews, a research and practice development officer at Swansea's Social Care Research school, said: "The idea of this ‘magic moments’ booklet came out of the Health Care Research Wales funded Developing Evidence Enriched Practice (DEEP) project work. More often than not, media attention about care homes is focused on the things that have gone wrong, rather than the many things that have gone right. This booklet seeks to address this.</p>
<p>"It contains 50 ‘magic moments’ in care homes, which might have otherwise passed unnoticed. The DEEP project has found that when these short ‘magic moment’ stories are shared and discussed, they encourage and inspire others to create their own ‘magic moments’ in ways that care plans, rules and regulations never could. I hope others will find this booklet helpful in supporting celebration, learning and development within care homes," he added.</p>
<h2>Read and share the Magic Moments booklet</h2>
<p>Download a copy of the booklet with a foreword by the Older People's Commissioner for Wales - <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/MagicMoments_PDF.pdf" target="_blank">MagicMoments_PDF</a></p>Social Services and Well-being Act to bring 'fairer, stronger, sustainable' system for Wales<p>The Welsh Government has said the Social Services and Well-being Act, which comes into force at midnight tonight, will bring a new fairer, stronger and more sustainable social services system to Wales according to the Welsh Government.</p>
<p>Health Minister Mark Drakeford (<em>pictured</em>) called it a 'Made-in-Wales' system. He said: "<span>From midnight tonight, a new made-in-Wales system for the care and <img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Mark Drakeford Health Minister.jpg" width="200" height="200" />support of our most vulnerable citizens</span>, which is fairer and more sustainable, will come into force. It will ensure the right services are available in the right place, at the right time – helping people live their lives in the way they want to.</p>
<p>“We are also giving carers an equal right to assessment for support to those they care for, while new safeguarding powers will help keep vulnerable children and adults safer.</p>
<p>“I’m confident the new system will improve the care and support we provide to people in Wales for the better.”</p>
<h2>What changes will the new law bring from April 6?</h2>
<p><span>The new law is designed to ensure people will have the right support services at the right time, gives carers greater rights and strengthens powers to safeguard vulnerable children and adults.</span></p>
<p>It focuses on earlier intervention, increasing preventative services in the community, helping people maintain their independence and enabling people to get the help they need before their situation becomes critical. This will help to reduce pressure on the NHS and residential care services.</p>
<p>The Act gives carers an equal right to assessment for support to those they care for. Local authorities will have a duty under the Act to undertake a carer’s assessment where carers need support.</p>
<p>In addition, the Act:</p>
<ul>
<li>Ensures easy access to information and advice is available to all</li>
<li>Introduces new eligibility criteria focused on individual need, replacing the current threshold system</li>
<li>Introduces portable assessments, so people who move from one part of Wales to another will receive the services they need in their new area without immediately having to undergo a new assessment</li>
<li>Introduces new arrangements so that, if they want to, young people will be supported to stay with their foster carers until they reach 21 (or 25 if they are in education or training)</li>
<li>Requires local authorities and health boards to come together in new statutory partnerships to drive integration, innovation and service change.</li>
</ul>
<p><span> </span></p>Health minister praises sector for support in implementating Social Services and Well-being Act<div class="page_summary_3col">The Welsh Government's health and social services minister, Mark Drakeford, has thanked staff in social services and organisations including Care Forum Wales for their support in helping to implement the new Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act which comes into force on April 6, 2016.</div>
<div class="page_summary_3col"></div>
<div class="page_summary_3col">Mark Drakeford said: "We could not have progressed so far in this journey without the wholehearted support of the sector, in particular our collaboration partners: the Welsh Local Government Association and Social Services Improvement Agency; the Welsh NHS Confederation; the Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru; Care Forum Wales and the Health and Social Care Alliance. Each have, and will continue to, play a crucial role in making the ambitions of the Act a reality."</div>
<div class="page_summary_3col"></div>
<div class="page_summary_3col">He issued the following statement and update (below) on April 1:-</div>
<div class="page_summary_3col"></div>
<h2 class="page_summary_3col">Implementation of the Act: role of Care Council's Learning Hub</h2>
<div class="page_content_3col">
<p><br />The statutory framework to enable implementation of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 from 6 April 2016 is now fully in place.</p>
<p>Preparation of the workforce for implementing the Act has been led by the Care Council for Wales. It has developed a learning hub (<a href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/getting-in-on-the-act-hub/" target="_blank">Getting In On The Act</a>) to act as a repository for information and training material about the Act. The hub is currently running at 1,000 hits a day. It provides a one-stop-shop for access to the regulations, codes of practice and statutory guidance underpinning the Act. </p>
<p>More than 7,000 priority staff from across Wales are expected to have been reached this month alongside continuing development of new training materials for roll-out. Now thoughts are turning to planning for next year, supported by a further £1 million of Welsh Government funding in 2016-17. An evaluation of this year’s training plan is already underway to help learn lessons for the future and shape 2016-17 activity.</p>
<h2>Praise for former social services minister's key role </h2>
<p><br />From an early stage, we identified that our drive to transform social services in Wales needed collective, engaged and collaborative leadership. To that end, Gwenda Thomas AM, when Deputy Minister for Social Services, set up the National Social Services Leadership Alliance, and has continued to lead it. I would like to thank her for this, for all of the support she has offered me, and for the leadership she has given to the sector, during this crucial period. Under her guidance the Alliance, consisting of the National Partnership Forum, Leadership Group, and Citizen Panel, has provided an invaluable contribution to developing our legislative proposals and bringing them to the point of implementation.</p>
<h2>New national leadership arrangements: National Partnership Board to operate from May 2016</h2>
<p>New national leadership arrangements that build on the best aspects of the current arrangements, while also dovetailing with the new regional planning mechanisms to be established under the 2014 Act, have now been put in place</p>
<p>The new National Partnership Board, to be in operation from May 2016, will draw together a cross-section of citizens as leaders, local government representatives, NHS representatives and those representing wider stakeholder groups for the first time in one board to support and advise Ministers as we collectively reform and improve care and support in Wales.</p>
</div>
<p></p>Privately-funded social or palliative care: Providers must publicise Public Services Ombudsman complaints procedures<p>Officials in the Welsh Government have issued a reminder to providers that they must publicise complaints procedures, if people who've paid privately for social care or palliative care wish the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales to investigate.</p>
<p>The change in the law comes in on April 6, 2016 as a result of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016. </p>
<p>The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 meant that since 1 November 2014 people in Wales who privately arrange or fund their own social care or receive palliative care have been able to make complaints about these services to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.</p>
<h2>What providers must do from April 6</h2>
<p>As a result of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016, a further change in the law means there will be a requirement for care home, domiciliary care and independent palliative care providers to :</p>
<ul>
<li>Take reasonable steps to provide information to the public about their right to make a complaint to the Ombudsman</li>
<li>Ensure sufficient information is provided to the public about their right to complain to the Ombudsman should they remain dissatisfied with how a complaint has been dealt with by the care provider</li>
</ul>
<p>This change brings the publicity requirements on these bodies into line with other bodies the Ombudsman is able to investigate and is scheduled to come into force on 6 April 2016.</p>Evaluation plans set out to monitor new Social Services and Well-being law<p>The Welsh Government's health minister has set out plans to evaluate the effectiveness of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 which comes into force on 6 April 2016. </p>
<p>In a written statement issued on March 31, Mark Drakeford said: "The statutory framework that underpins the Act, which is comprised of Regulations, Codes of Practice and Statutory Guidance, has now been made.</p>
<p>"As we shift our focus from development of this framework to delivering its commitments, it is important that we have adequate evaluation arrangements in place to be able to assess the success of this delivery. I am pleased to announce the following details of the evaluation.</p>
<p>"The evaluation will provide an overview of whether the Act is achieving what we set out to achieve for people who need care and support and carers who need support in Wales. The evaluation will focus on key policies, such as assessment and eligibility to provide the basis for evidenced based policy improvement and development"</p>
<p>Professor Drakeford has also asked officials to set up a stakeholder group to ensure the sector continues to be involved and provides a steer over this important work.</p>
<h2>Three-part evaluation process for Social Services and Well-being Act</h2>
<p>The evaluation will be undertaken in 3 phases:</p>
<ul>
<li><span>The initial phase will be about monitoring policies under the Act during the initial year of implementation to understand whether policy is being implemented as intended and to support policy improvement.</span></li>
<li><span>The second phase will involve on-going evaluation, through the national outcomes framework and the local authority performance measurement framework. Reporting will be undertaken annually and will provide information on whether well-being is improving nationally. The first report of the national outcomes framework will be published in 2016/17 and the first report of the performance measurement framework will be in 2017/18.</span></li>
<li><span>The third phase will be an independent long term one-off evaluation which will commence in the third year of the implementation of the Act. </span></li>
</ul>
<p></p>It's time to nominate for the Wales Care Awards 2016: deadline is March 31<p>There are just over two weeks to go until the deadline for nominations for this year's Wales Care Awards. Nominations close on March 31 so it's time to get cracking - you can nominate a colleague or team for one of 18 awards categories (listed below).</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/WCA-nominations-2016.jpeg" width="600" height="456" /> </p>
<p>Three special awards are announced on the night itself (the Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award, the Spirit of Care Award and the Dignity in Care Award) - with the winners chosen from the nominees in the categories below. </p>
<ol>
<li>Supported Living Care Practitioner Residential Care Practitioner</li>
<li>Residential Care Practitioner</li>
<li>Leadership and Management in Supported Living or Small Group Community Living</li>
<li>Leadership and Management in Residential or Nursing Care</li>
<li>Promoting Fulfilled Lives Catering in Care</li>
<li>Catering in Care </li>
<li>The Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People</li>
<li>Commitment to Training and Workforce Development </li>
<li>Excellence in Dementia Care</li>
<li>Excellence in Palliative & End of Life Care</li>
<li>Exceptional Newcomer</li>
<li>Excellence in Mental Health Care</li>
<li>Outstanding Service</li>
<li>Nurse of the Year</li>
<li>Leading Practice in Learning Disability Services</li>
<li>Commitment to Quality in housekeeping and hospitality</li>
<li>The Social Care Health & Safety Award</li>
<li>Innovation in Residential Child Care</li>
</ol>
<h2>The Wales Care Awards 2016 take place in City Hall, Cardiff on October 21</h2>
<ul>
<li>Click the link to download a Wales Care Awards 2016 nomiation form: <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Care Awards Nomination form 2016.pdf">/uploads/Care Awards Nomination form 2016.pdf</a></li>
<li>For more information email <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a></li>
</ul>
<p></p>Warning over carers' and unpaid travel time – homecare firm could face group legal action<p>A homecare company, MiHomecare, could face a group action lawsuit by care workers over unpaid travel time after it paid £1,250 to one carer in an out of court settlement.</p>
<p>Caroline Barlow had sued the company for not paying for her travel time.</p>
<p>The company says that since last year, it has been correcting carers' pay where it has been found to be wrong.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-35260953" target="_blank">In January MiHomecare paid up to £2,500 each to carers for previously unpaid travel time.</a></li>
</ul>
<p>The law firm Leigh Day, which brought this case, is now considering bringing a group action against MiHomecare and is appealing for other care workers to come forward. They say hundreds of carers - both current and former employees of MiHomecare - could now be owed thousands of pounds for unpaid travel time.</p>
<p>Care workers who look after people in their homes, helping them to wash, dress, eat and take medication, have long argued that they have been paid less than the minimum wage because they were not being paid for the time it took them to travel between clients.</p>
<p>Ms Barlow worked for MiHomecare in Devon where the roads she drove down were often narrow country lanes. It could take her more than half an hour to travel between her elderly clients. That's why she was owed more than £1,000 despite having worked for the company for less than six months.</p>
<h2>Read the full story</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35821338" target="_blank">Care company Mihomecome could face legal action over wages</a></strong></li>
</ul>Swansea care home's nature park recreates memories of feeding the ducks for residents<p>A Swansea care home is transforming a piece of waste ground into a nine-acre nature park. The £100,000 project at Hengoed Court & Hengoed Park Care Home, a member of the Care Forum Wales organisation, has been inspired by the memories of elderly residents feeding the ducks during childhood.</p>
<p>The nature park includes a fish-filled lake, woodland area, wildflower garden, picnic area and viewing platforms enabling visitors and residents to enjoy uninterrupted views of their new wildlife haven.</p>
<p>The care homes sit next to approximately nine acres of unused land which was previously used for grazing horses.</p>
<p>The idea was born out of conversations between elderly residents reminiscing about days spent feeding the ducks in Brynmill Park in Swansea.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/PO_020316_HENGOED HOUSE_04.jpg" alt="" height="392" width="600" /><br />Owner Desmond Davies (pictured above) felt it would be beneficial to develop the land for the benefit of the whole community and asked residents and families what they would most like him to do with it. A nature park was top of the list.</p>
<ul>
<li>Landscaping work began three years ago and is now at the final stages of completion although the park will be subject to ongoing improvements in the future.</li>
<li>The saplings and plants are finally taking shape, producing a stunning view from the home which is expected to be awash with yellow from a sea of Daffodils in the next two months, while the park’s 40 Aylesbury ducklings and two New Zealand swans have now reached maturity allowing residents and their families to take a trip down memory lane by feeding them.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Giving residents' that 'fresh air feeling'</h2>
<p>“It’s a simple philosophy - getting outside in the fresh air and feeling the elements’ produces a positive feeling,” said Tim Williams, Care Home Director.</p>
<p>“There’s a therapeutic effect of connecting with nature for all of us, but especially for those living with dementia.</p>
<p>“We wanted to create a park where people can walk around and look at the trees growing. We were fortunate enough to receive funding from the Forestry Commission to plant 3,000 saplings. It’s been a slow process but they’re now growing really well.</p>
<p>“It’s very much a community area open to local people, families and children. One of the main drivers for it was the conversations our residents had about Brynmill Park in Swansea. It’s always been a popular destination and everyone remembered spending their younger days there. We thought why not bring the park to our care home and that’s what we tried to do.”</p>
<p>During the development, care home staff visited a local farmers’ market where they were able to choose 20 one-week old ducklings and bring them home. Residents were heavily involved in the rearing process – and the odd duckling or two found its way inside the care home lounge to meet their new extended family.</p>
<p>Now that the final touches to the park are being made ready for the summer, the care home has purchased a wheelchair adapted golf buggy to enable less mobile residents to enjoy the area – even on a rainy day.</p>
<p>“Getting out in the fresh air and having a place to walk and feed the ducks and tend to the flowers is really important,” said Tim.</p>
<p>“We’ve had a terrible winter but it hasn’t stopped us from going down to the park. Whenever we have a window of opportunity we head there and spring is just around the corner. The new golf buggy has been a brilliant addition.</p>
<p>“We’ve had thousands of daffodils over the last couple of years. Residents have really enjoyed the gardens.</p>
<p>“The trees are dormant now but we’ll soon be seeing the buds appearing on them. The park is really an avenue for us to encourage wildlife and attract birds to the area.</p>
<p>“We’ve done a bit of research and worked with local schools. One school’s gardening club joined us to try their skills out on a larger area than they have at the school when the trees arrived.”</p>
<p>The lake was built around two years ago and staff and residents had great fun watching it being filled only to discover when all the water disappeared that it had a leak.</p>
<p>“We had quite a journey but now it’s a lovely setting,” said Tim.</p>
<p>The lake is now home to 40 Aylesbury ducks – chosen specifically for their white colour so residents can see them from indoors – and two New Zealand swans which Mr Davies bought from a bird sanctuary.</p>
<p>“We have a couple of ladies whose job every morning is to count the ducks and make sure the fox hasn’t got to them,” he said.</p>
<p>“Many of our residents have looked out on the lake and seen it being built, have held the baby ducks and are now enjoying watching them grow. The residents can really take ownership of this project.</p>
<p>“We’ve recently built some viewing areas so the lake is accessible from every angle.”</p>
<p>This summer will be the first that the nature park is in full bloom with all the original amenities planned in place and care home staff are hoping residents’ families make full use of it when the warmer weather arrives.</p>
<p>“We understand the connection with the outdoors is so important especially for our residents who have dementia,” said Tim.</p>
<p>“We wanted people to have picnics and to take walks with their families. That came up in conversation at residents’ meetings. That’s where the seed was sewn.</p>
<p>“It’s a very large investment but the benefits far outweigh the cost and it’s very much a work in progress. It’s a large area with accessible walkways and seating areas.</p>
<p>“The community has become the home and the home has become the community which is a plus point. We wanted to create an area where people wanted to stay when they visited their loved one. It’s been a real benefit to the home.”</p>
<p>Mario Kreft MBE, the chair of Care Forum Wales, congratulated Hengoed Court on their vision.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft said: "This is an inspiring example of an independent care provider investing in the quality of life for their residents.</p>
<p>"The nature park a sanctuary for all kinds of wildlife and a fantastic amenity that is also a community benefit.</p>
<p>"This is really what the best of the independent sector in social care is all about."</p>Doctors in England call on Chancellor for better funding of social care system ahead of budget<p>Fourteen doctors' leaders have written to George Osborne asking for further funding for social care in England in next week's Budget.</p>
<p>In a letter to the chancellor, they said cuts in social care funding were putting real pressure on the NHS. And they said investing in social care was "vital to the success of the NHS".</p>
<p>CFW chair, Mario Kreft, said: “We wholeheartedly support the message of the doctors in England who are saying that health and social care are two sides of the same coin. It’s something CFW has been saying here in Wales and lobbying the Welsh Government on since it was set up in 1993.</p>
<p>“Delayed transfers of care cost the NHS time and money," he added, "but unless social care is funded properly there won’t be the places available for older people to be able to leave hospital and free up beds for others who need them. Properly funding social care can also help avoid older people having to go into hospital in the first place.”</p>
<p>The UK government said it was already giving local authorities access to up to £3.5bn of new funding for adult social care by 2019-20.</p>
<p>The signatories to the letter are led by Clare Marx, president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, and include the leaders of a number of royal medical colleges and societies.</p>
<h2>Health and social care 'two sides of same coin' say doctors</h2>
<p>In their letter to the chancellor, they describe health and social care as "two sides of the same coin".</p>
<p>The letter describes the impact of an underfunded social care system on the NHS in England, saying patients fit to be discharged are unable to leave hospital because social support is unavailable at home.</p>
<p>This increases the likelihood of infections and falls, they write.</p>
<p>The knock-on effect is that beds are blocked to new patients, they continue, "leading to cancelled appointments and operations".</p>
<p>"This impacts on our ability to provide timely treatment and meet treatment targets, risking patient wellbeing, and is ultimately detrimental to the economy through delayed returns to work," they wrote.</p>
<p>The doctors also said the plans for social care funding contained in the comprehensive spending review "will not suffice".</p>
<h2>Read the full story</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35785848" target="_blank">BBC News: Doctors urge chancellor to increase social care funding</a></p>Older People's Commissioner's report sheds light on living with dementia<p>The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales is calling for action to be taken by public services across Wales to ensure that people living with dementia and those who care for them can access the services, support, information and advice that they need.</p>
<p>It follows the publication of a new report today (March 14) called: <em>Dementia – More than just Memory Loss</em>.</p>
<p>The report captures the voices of people living with dementia and their carers from across Wales, who took part in individual interviews and focus group sessions to share their experiences and the challenges they face in many aspects of their day-to-day lives.</p>
<h2>Read the full story and download the report</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Older People's Commissioner: <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/news/news/16-03-14/New_Report_Gives_a_Voice_to_People_Living_With_Dementia_in_Wales.aspx#.Vuaz3hKLSYU" target="_blank">New report gives voice to people living with dementia in Wales </a></strong></li>
</ul>Book now for our Spring Essential Updates 2016: four events across Wales<p><date></date>CFW holds regular 'Essential Updates' training sessions for members and non-members. These are aimed at care home managers and senior staff to keep them up to date with all the latest changes in legislation, legal and work-related issues.</p>
<ul>
<li>At our events in April Margaret Rooney of CSSIW will be giving the latest information on re-registration which begins in 2019 and will affect all social care providers.</li>
<li>There is a choice of four venues across Wales where CFW members (and non-members) can attend.</li>
<li>The seminars are aimed at Registered Providers, Registered Managers and Senior Staff.</li>
<li><strong>For more information please contact <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>You can download a booking form here: <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CFW booking form Essential Update Seminars - Spring 2016.pdf" target="_blank">Essential Update Seminars: Spring 2016.pdf</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<h2>Dates for spring 2016 Essential Updates are as follows:</h2>
<p><strong>South Wales</strong></p>
<p><span class="s1">April 12 – National Botanic Garden of Wales</span></p>
<p class="p1">April 14 – University of South Wales, Cardiff<br /><br /><strong>North Wales</strong></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s2">April 19, 2016 – Springfield Hotel, Holywell</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s2">April 20, 2016 – Conwy Business Centre, Conwy</span></p>CFW chair blasts 'institutional prejudice' against private social care providers at Five Nations meeting<p>CFW chair Mario Kreft has used his speech at the March Five Nations meeting to hit out against what he called “institutional prejudice” towards proviate companies providing services for vulnerable people.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Five-nations-Mar2016_CFW_01.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="400" /></p>
<p><strong>Above, left to right: CFW chair Mario Kreft, Des Kelly of the National Care Forum, Ranal Mair of Scottish Care, and Welsh Government Health Minister Mark Drakeford</strong></p>
<p>The Five Nations group, which represents social care providers from the four home countries and Eire, met in Cardiff on March 10-11. Among those speaking at the conference were Health Minister Mark Drakeford, Older People's Commissioner for Wales Sarah Rochira and David Francis of CSSIW.</p>
<p>It was the final meeting for Des Kelly of the National Care Forum and Ranald Mair of Scottish Care, both founder members of the organisation.</p>
<p>In his speech Mario said: "It is just intolerable that people working in social care and providing such important services are not better valued.</p>
<p>"We really should learn from the no-blame culture of the aviation industry where people truly work in partnership to make sure planes don't fall out of the sky. We need a new spirit of partnership so the independent sector can work with the NHS, local authorities and other partners to get things fixed,” he said.</p>
<p>"The Social Services and Well-Being Act which comes into force on April 6 is a positive development in Wales and provides a glimmer of hope that the corrosive prejudice against the independent sector that pervades social care can be overcome so that we can build relationships and support best practice within the sector."</p>CFW welcomes the Five Nations Care Forum to Cardiff<p>Care Forum Wales is delighted to be hosting the latest meeting of the Five Nations Care Forum in Cardiff Bay on 10-11 March 2016.</p>
<p>The Five Nations Care Forum is an alliance of 11 professional organisations across the UK and Ireland. Together we represent 11,000 providers who care for over 600,000 people in a variety of settings. Through a collective commitment to information sharing, joint lobbying, shared learning and support, we aim to add value to our members' services by promoting the interests of service recipients, staff and providers. The Forum seeks to encourage a joined up approach to matters that have a UK-wide or European dimension. High on the agenda will be the impact of the national living wage,</p>
<p>Distinguished guests of the Forum include Mark Drakeford AM (Minister for Health and Social Services); Sarah Rochira (Older People's Commissioner for Wales); John Kennedy (independent consultant); Arwel Ellis Owen (Chair Care Council for Wales); David Francis (Assistant Chief Inspector CSSIW) and Lisa Dunsford (Deputy Director for Integration and Policy, Welsh Government). Discussions will centre on the impact of the national living wage, sustainability and nurse recruitment. We will keep you posted on the actions coming out of the meeting.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Music in Care Homes project aims to bring 150 concerts to people in Wales - vote now to support the project<p>The Music in Hospitals organisation is seeking your support for a project to bring music to care homes across Wales.</p>
<p>The project has been nominated for the <a href="https://www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk/about" target="_blank">People's Project Awards 2016</a> which are funded by the Big Lottery Fund and ITV. It's up to the public vote for their favourite projects.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk/projects/view/music-and-memories" target="_blank">Find out details of the Music In Care Homes project and how to vote here</a></p>
<p>If selected, the 'Music in Care Homes' project will bring <span>150 therapeutic concerts to 4,000 people throughout Wales, including older people and those living with dementia. </span></p>
<p><span>Older people sometimes struggle with other activities organised for them but these concerts would mean that audiences can respond in whatever way they want: playing an instrument, singing along, tapping their feet, getting up and dancing – or just relaxing and listening to the music.</span></p>
<p><span><a href="http://www.musicinhospitals.org.uk/" target="_blank">Find out more about Music In Hospitals</a></span></p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/music-in-care-homes.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="281" /></p>
<p><span></span></p>Domiciliary Care Consultation - share your views with the Welsh Government<p>The Welsh Government is holding a consultation on changes it is planning to make to improve the quality of domiciliary care in Wales to improve the retention and recruitment of staff. </p>
<p>The consultation opened this January and closes on April 5, 2016.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, due to a technical problem which has now been rectified, some consultation responses may not have been received.</p>
<p>Anyone who submitted a response between January 19 and February 14 (inclusive) is being asked to resubmit the form to ensure their views are heard.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://gov.wales/consultations/healthsocialcare/workforce/?lang=en" target="_blank">Find out more about the consultation on the Welsh Government website</a>.</li>
</ul>National autism service set up for Wales - focus to be on multi-agency and multi-disciplinary working<p class="p1"><span class="s1">A new national autism service for Wales, which will provide lifetime support for children and adults, will be set up in Wales, Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford today (March 4) announced.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The service is a key part of the Welsh Government’s refreshed <i>Autistic Spectrum Disorder Strategic Action Plan</i>, which is being launched today. It will be subject to a 12-week consultation.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s1">The Welsh Government published its original strategic action plan in 2008, which was the first of its kind in the UK. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The refreshed <i>Autistic Spectrum Disorder Strategic Action Plan</i> focuses on raising awareness of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD); ensuring information, advice and training is available to all; improving assessment, diagnosis and support for people with ASD; addressing support needs and ensuring people have access to a good education and career advice and support.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"> </span><span class="s1">Backed by £6m from the Welsh Government over the next three years, the new integrated autism service, which will be launched this year and will be rolled out across Wales by 2019, will improve support services for children, young people and adults.</span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1">Focus on <span>multi-agency and multi-disciplinary working</span></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The new service will be based on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s best practice standards and will include a focus on multi-agency and multi-disciplinary working, ensuring people with autism receive joined up services and support. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The new integrated autism service will:</span></p>
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">Bring together existing children’s autistic spectrum disorder neurodevelopmental teams within health boards to provide diagnostic, assessment and specialist interventions (therapies) for children with ASD;</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">Develop new specialist adult teams, which will offer diagnostic provision;</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">Develop new community support teams in health board areas, providing behavioural advice, low-level support, access to community services, support programmes and sign-posting. This service will also provide training for parents and carers across the age range;</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">Build on existing services by developing professional capacity and enhancing skills, to improve diagnostic assessment and post-diagnostic support.</span></li>
</ul>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"> </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford said: "</span><span class="s1">The refreshed <i>Autistic Spectrum Disorder Strategic Action Plan</i> sets out the Welsh Government’s commitment to support children, young people and adults with ASD throughout their lives. We want to ensure their needs are understood and there is information and support available to enable them to lead fulfilling lives. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">“The new national integrated autism service for Wales will ensure people are supported to achieve their own wellbeing outcomes by receiving the right support, by the right professional, in the right place, at the right time. It will ensure there is consistency across the country, ensuring people with autism are able to access comparable services across Wales.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">“The service will be rolled out to all health board areas by 2019. As we develop and roll out the service we will include people with autism, to make sure it is meeting identified needs.”</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Other measures in the refreshed <i>Autistic Spectrum Disorder Strategic Action Plan </i>include:</span></p>
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">Continuing to support the ASD national lead role to provide expert advice and guidance about autism to the Welsh Government, professional groups and stakeholders;</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">To support and develop the ASDinfowales website (<a href="http://www.asdinfowales.co.uk/home/"><span class="s2">http://www.asdinfowales.co.uk/home/</span></a>) to provide an authoritative source of information and advice about autism in Wales;</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">The delivery of awareness-raising and training in the priority areas identified by stakeholders, to include schools, nurses, leisure services and employers.</span></li>
</ul>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"> </span></p>One month to go to nominate your Wales Care Awards 2016 social care heroes<p>There is just one month to go to nominate for this year's Wales Care Awards. Nominations close on March 31 so it's time to get cracking - you can nominate a colleague or team for one of 18 awards categories (listed below).</p>
<p>Three special awards are announced on the night itself (the Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award, the Spirit of Care Award and the Dignity in Care Award) - with the winners chosen from the nominees in the categories below. </p>
<ol>
<li>Supported Living Care Practitioner Residential Care Practitioner</li>
<li>Residential Care Practitioner</li>
<li>Leadership and Management in Supported Living or Small Group Community Living</li>
<li>Leadership and Management in Residential or Nursing Care</li>
<li>Promoting Fulfilled Lives Catering in Care</li>
<li>Catering in Care </li>
<li>The Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People</li>
<li>Commitment to Training and Workforce Development </li>
<li>Excellence in Dementia Care</li>
<li>Excellence in Palliative & End of Life Care</li>
<li>Exceptional Newcomer</li>
<li>Excellence in Mental Health Care</li>
<li>Outstanding Service</li>
<li>Nurse of the Year</li>
<li>Leading Practice in Learning Disability Services</li>
<li>Commitment to Quality in housekeeping and hospitality</li>
<li>The Social Care Health & Safety Award</li>
<li>Innovation in Residential Child Care</li>
</ol>
<h2>The Wales Care Awards 2016 take place in City Hall, Cardiff on October 21</h2>
<ul>
<li>Click the link to download a Wales Care Awards 2016 nomiation form: <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Care Awards Nomination form 2016.pdf">/uploads/Care Awards Nomination form 2016.pdf</a></li>
<li>For more information email <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a></li>
</ul>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/WCA-nominations-2016-500px.jpg" alt="Nominate by March 31 for the Wales Care Awards 2016" width="500" height="380" /></p>
<p></p>HealthWise Wales survey to take the nation's pulse: research to help understand nation's future health needs<p>People in Wales are being asked to take part in a confidential online survey to help plan health needs.</p>
<p>The HealthWise Wales project, described as the first of its kind in Europe, hopes to collect information from 260,000 people.</p>
<p>The aim is to build an in-depth picture of the health of the nation, using the data to plan NHS services in future.</p>
<p>Anyone over 16 can take part and the Welsh government said the data would only be used for research.</p>
<p>The project is led by Cardiff and Swansea universities, and some participants will be asked if researchers can access their information and invite them to take part in further studies.</p>
<h2>Want to take in the HealthWise Wales survey?</h2>
<p>You can find out more information by following the link below to the Welsh Government website:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2016/160229research/?lang=en" target="_blank">Largest ever health research project launched</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>BBC Wales: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-35671193" target="_blank">HealthWise Wales survey on nation's future health needs</a></strong></li>
</ul>Dementia tops list of health worries in Wales according to new survey: act now to reduce risk<p>Around eight in 10 people worry about developing dementia in Wales and four in 10 think if someone in their family has dementia they may develop it too, according to a survey published today.</p>
<p>The Welsh Government survey shows 76 per cent of people in Wales are worried about developing dementia in later life but almost half of those surveyed (48%) believe there is nothing they can do to reduce the risk of developing dementia. There are currently 42,000 people aged 30 or over are currently living with dementia in Wales. </p>
<p>However evidence shows that a healthier lifestyle can reduce the risk by up to 60% and the Minister for Health and Social Services, Mark Drakeford, launched a new campaign designed to helped everyone in Wales take simple steps to reduce their risk of developing dementia.</p>
<p>People are being encouraged to act to reduce their risk as the risk of developing dementia increases with age – as more people are living longer, the number of people developing dementia will grow.</p>
<h2>These six simple steps could help reduce your risk of dementia</h2>
<p>The campaign calls on us to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Active (physically and socially)</li>
<li>Check your health regularly</li>
<li>Try new things</li>
<li>Say No to smoking</li>
<li>Only drink alcohol within the recommended guidelines, if at all</li>
<li>Watch your weight</li>
</ul>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<p>Welsh Government: <a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2016/dementia/?lang=en" target="_blank">New campaign launched as dementia tops the list of health worries in Wales</a></p>
<p>WalesOnline: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/special-features/you-worried-developing-dementia-later-10876377" target="_blank">Are you worried about developing dementia later in life?</a></p>Care home group makes dreams come true as teen sweethearts are reunited<p>Hallmark Care Homes' 'lucky star' competition inviting residents to make a Christmas wish has resulted in a reunion for two former teenage sweethearts.</p>
<p>Tony Parkins, 87, who lives at the Anisha Grange care home in Essex, entered the Christmas competition and wished to see ex-girlfriend Grace Duffin, 85, who lives in north London.</p>
<p>The pair had first met at a youth club in 1947 and were teen sweethearts. They each went on to marry other partners but they remained good friends - although sadly they hadn't seen each other for 20 years due to mobility issues.</p>
<p>Tony's wish to meet up with Grace again came true when she was chauffeur-driven to a lunch date after Tony's name was picked as the 'lucky star' competition winner.</p>
<h2>Read the full story</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>When Tony met Grace: <a href="http://www.hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk/2016/02/christmas-wish-reunite-teenage-sweetheart/" target="_blank">Hallmark Care Homes resident reunited with teenage sweetheart</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/tony-grace-reunion-hallmark.jpg" alt="" height="404" width="600" /></p>Funding to support carers to be extended by two years, announces Welsh Government health minister<p>A £2m funding package is being made available over the next two years to continue the support provided to carers in Wales, Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford has announced.<br /> <br />There are estimated to be more than 370,000 carers in Wales and 90,000 carers look after family and friends for at least 50 hours a week. Between 70% and 95% of the care provided to people in communities across Wales is given freely by family and friends.<br /> <br />The Carers Strategies (Wales) Measure 2010 placed a duty on health boards, NHS trusts and local authorities to work together to prepare, publish and implement information and consultation strategies for carers. The Welsh Government has supported this work with more than £4m over the last four years and significant progress has been made as a result. Local partnerships have also been developed, which have helped to enhance the support available to carers.<br /> <br />In April this year, the Carers Strategies (Wales) Measure 2010 will be replaced by the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. The Act will transform the way social services are delivered in Wales and strengthen the rights of carers.<br /> <br />From April, carers will no longer need to demonstrate that they provide a substantial amount of care on a regular basis to be considered a carer. They will have the same right to an assessment as those they care for and if they have needs which are eligible for support, the local authority will have a statutory duty to plan for and meet those needs. The legislative framework also sets out national eligibility criteria to provide a consistent approach to meeting the care and support needs of all individuals in Wales, including carers.<br /> <br />The £2m funding package provides transitional funding for 2016-17 and 2017-18 – £1m for each year – and builds on the progress already made to support carers. It will focus on partnership working across health, local authorities and the third sector and build capacity to take forward work to further enhance carers rights under the Social Services and Well being (Wales) Act.<br /> <br />Professor Drakeford said: “I have always been committed to supporting carers and we continue to support and build on the progress already achieved to date under the Carers Strategies (Wales) Measure 2010. <br /> <br />“I am pleased to confirm a package of £2m to provide transitional funding to protect and expand on the progress already achieved by health boards, NHS trusts and local authorities for carers. <br /> <br />“This will support the NHS and local authorities as we move towards the implementation of our landmark Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act, which will introduce new measures to ensure carers in Wales have equal legal rights to those they look after.<br /> <br />“This will ensure Wales’ 370,000 carers receive the help they need in the ways they need it.”</p>Silver surfer Joy is 'seeing the world' after care home iPad club takes off<p>A 90-year-old care home resident has found ipad classes have given her a new view of the world and helped her connect with relatives abroad.</p>
<p>Joy Storey is a resident at CFW member Penpergwm House near Abergavenny.</p>
<p>Activity co-ordinators at Penpergwm run weekly, hour-long iPad classes for residents and day visitors. The classes help explain touch-screen technology and social media.</p>
<p>Since getting to grips with the technology Ebbw Vale-born Joy has started using an iPad to send emails and to 'see the world' via Google Earth and Google Streetview.</p>
<p>She said: "It is more difficult going out on my own now and it gives me freedom. I like searching for answers for the impossible clues in the newspaper crossword. I love Google Earth – do you know you can sit at the top of a mountain?</p>
<p>"Last week I was up Mount Everest and the week before that Mount Helena. I’ve found my way to my niece’s house in Massachusetts. I just love standing on that yellow line in the road, you can go anywhere.”</p>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<p><strong>South Wales Argus: <a href="http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/14282822.Silver_surfer_Joy__90__leads_the_internet_revolution_in_care_home/?ref=twtrec" target="_blank">Gran, 90, leads internet revolution in care home</a></strong></p>
<p></p>Awareness campaign launched ahead of implementation of Social Care and Well-being Act<p>A national awareness campaign was launched on February 11 to inform people in Wales about the changes being introduced by a landmark Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 which comes into force on April 6. The campaign includes bus and radio adverts, digital adverts and a Facebook and Twitter campaign to make people aware of the changes.<br /><br />The new law is designed to give people more say about how social services assess and deliver their care and support and will "radically transform the way social services are delivered in Wales" and is designed to meet the needs of individuals and make services sustainable for the future.<br /> <br /><em>The Act gives people a stronger voice and real control over the support they need to remove barriers to their wellbeing. It focuses on earlier intervention; increasing preventative services within the community and helping people maintain their independence. </em><br /> <br />It provides a framework to enable people to get the help they need before their situation becomes critical. The Act also promotes integration between health and social care in order to achieve improved wellbeing outcomes and provides for a strengthened approach to safeguarding people.</p>
<h2>New changes coming in under the Social Care and Well-being Act</h2>
<ul>
<li>The Act introduces new eligibility criteria focused on individual need, replacing the current threshold system;</li>
<li>Gives carers an equal right to assessment for support to those they care for;</li>
<li>Ensures easy access to information and advice is available to all;</li>
<li>Keeps children and vulnerable adults safer by making powers to safeguard people stronger;</li>
<li>Requires local authorities and health boards to come together in new statutory partnerships to drive integration, innovation and service change.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Find out more</h2>
<p>Read more on the campaign and the changes that will come in under the Act on the <a href="http://gov.wales/topics/health/socialcare/act/?lang=en" target="_blank">Welsh Goverment website: care and support is changing</a></p>Nurse training places levels to be 'highest since devolution' after £85m funding announcement<p>The number of nurse training places in Wales will increase by 10% in 2016-17 as part of an £85m investment package by the Welsh Government, the Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford has announced.</p>
<p>There will also be more training places for diagnostic radiographers, therapeutic radiographers, clinical scientists, healthcare workers and training for existing staff to build on their skills.</p>
<p>Professor Drakeford made the announcement in the next generation of healthcare professionals on February 10.</p>
<p>Nurse training places will rise by 135 in 2016-17 to 1,418, an increase of 10%, on top of the 22% increase in 2015-16. <strong>This will be the highest level of nurse training places in Wales since devolution.</strong><br /> <br />The £85m investment package includes:</p>
<ul>
<li>An increase of more than 10% in physiotherapy training places, on top of the 26% increase in 2015-16;</li>
<li>An increase of more than 10% in diagnostic radiography training places, on top of the 26% in 2015-16 and a 5% rise in therapeutic radiographers;</li>
<li>Last year the Welsh Government increased the number of places available for clinical scientists by 52% and this year will be expanding investment in healthcare science programmes, including additional training places in genomics, medical physics, biomedical engineering, molecular pathology, bioinformatics, microbiology and lab genetics;</li>
<li>Investment to support the development of healthcare support workers will increase to £1.5m. This will help people gain the right knowledge and skills to deliver care and support career development;</li>
<li>The package of funding will enable 2,697 new students to undertake education and training programmes in 2016-17 compared to 2,498 in 2015-16.</li>
<li>Including those who will be continuing their education this means the total number of students and training places for 2016-17 is 7,384 compared to 6,881 in 2015-16.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Investing in the 'next generation of healthcare professionals at heart of NHS in Wales'</h2>
<p>As well as training new entrants, this investment will fund training opportunities for existing staff to build their skills and ensure opportunities exist for individuals who, for a variety of reasons, have taken a break from their careers.<br /> <br />Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford said: "Highly-trained staff are the heart of the Welsh NHS – this £85m investment will go towards developing the next generation who will provide healthcare to the nation.<br /> <br />“This includes the highest level of nurse training places since devolution and extra training places in key professional areas, including diagnostic radiography and physiotherapy.<br /> <br />“This investment is based on what NHS organisations have told us they need to maintain services. Despite the financial pressures faced during in recent years we have continued to invest in education and training for health professionals in Wales. This year is no exception.”<br /> <br />The number of people directly employed by NHS Wales now stands at 84,000, an increase of a third since 1999.</p>
<p>Read more on this story</p>
<p>Health in Wales: <a href="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/news/40352" target="_blank">Number of nurse training places to increase by 10 per cent </a></p>Project is music to the ears of care home residents in Blackwood, says CSSIW Chief Inspector<p>One of our new members, Glan Yr Afon in Blackwood, Blaenau Gwent, was praised by the Chief Inspector of CSSIW, Imelda Richardson, after she visited it to witness the benefits of music in a care home setting on February 3.</p>
<p>The home is one of the venues participating in the programme of concerts organised by <a target="_blank" href="http://www.musicinhospitals.org.uk/" title="Music in Hospitals" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; color: #008ca8; text-decoration: none; outline: 0px;">Music in Hospitals,</a> a charity improving the quality of life of adults and children through the joy and therapeutic benefits of professionally-performed music.</p>
<p>Ms Richardson was joined by the director of Music in Hospitals Cymru, Robert Aitken, and Glan Yr Afon manager Arleen Testa and residents who listened to concert by Welsh National Opera <a href="http://www.rachellouisemarsh.com/#!biography/c1enr" target="_blank">soprano Rachel March</a> and pianist Philip May.</p>
<p><span style="color: #403e3e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 25.2px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: #ffffff;"></span>After the concert the Chief Inspector said: "Care home residents should have access to high-quality activities and events; sharing in these experiences which enrich their lives.</p>
<p>"The ability of music to enhance their wellbeing, stimulate memories and connect with others cannot be underestimated.</p>
<p>"Activities which allow residents to enjoy being part of a community and share experiences are a key to how we develop regulation and inspection changes in Wales. </p>
<p>"I hope programmes like those offered by Music in Hospitals become commonplace as we develop more care focussed on people in Wales."</p>
<h2>Find out more about the project</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Find out more about <a href="http://www.musicinhospitals.org.uk/" target="_blank">Music in Hospitals</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>CSSIW news: <a href="http://cssiw.org.uk/news/160203-music-in-hospitals-visit/?lang=en" target="_blank">music to the ears of dementia residents</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<p></p>Safe Nurse Staffing Levels Bill passed by National Assembly<p>Assembly Members have passed the Safe Nursing Staffing Levels (Wales) Bill to make sure hospitals have safe levels of nurses on duty at all times.</p>
<p>The Bill, passed by AMs on February 4, aims to ensure that nurse staffing levels within the Welsh NHS are sufficient to provide “safe, effective and quality nursing care to patients at all times”.</p>
<p>Meanwhile the Welsh Government also announceed that <a href="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/news/40352" target="_blank">funding for nurse training places will increase by 10%</a> - an extra 135 - in a £85m Welsh government package. Extra training places for physiotherapists and radiographers is also included.</p>
<p>The Bill also aims to improve working conditions for nursing and other staff and to strengthen accountability for the "safety, quality and efficacy of workforce <br />planning and management".</p>
<p>CFW policy adviser, Melanie Minty, said: "CFW gave evidence to the National Assembly in which we flagged up concerns that the bill may have the unintended consequence of adding to recruitment problems in the independent sector. We are pleased to see that the redrafted bill provides Welsh Government with powers to extend the provisions to other sectors and we will maintain a close eye on the situation to ensure that care homes are not disadvantaged. In the meantime, we are continuing to work with Welsh Government in looking at solutions to the current nursing shortage. "</p>
<p>Tina Donnelly, director of RCN Wales, said: “This law will protect patients in Wales and will empower registered nurses to postitivly influench staffing decisions in our hospitals.”</p>
<p>Liberal Democrat leader, Kirsty Williams, who introduced the bill in 2014 said: "The logic is simple: more nurses on our wards means each nurse can spend more time with each patient, ensuring better care as a result.</p>
<p>"More staff nurses means health boards won't have to fork out for expensive agency nurses, saving our NHS money in the long run."</p>
<p>The bill is now awaiting Royal Assent before it becomes law.</p>
<h2>Read more on this story:</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>RCN Wales: <a href="https://www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/news/welsh-assembly-passes-nurse-staffing-levels-bill" target="_blank">Safe Nurse Staffing Levels Bill passes stage four at National Assembly</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>Research document: <a href="http://www.assembly.wales/Research%20Documents/The%20Safe%20Nurse%20Staffing%20Levels%20%28Wales%29%20Bill/15-005.pdf" target="_blank">About the Safe Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Bill (PDF)</a></strong></li>
</ul>'Get flu jab' appeal to people with chronic kidney disease and social care workers<p>Health experts and charities are urging people with chronic kidney disease to get protected against flu as soon as possible.</p>
<p>People who suffer from chronic kidney disease are at a higher risk of becoming very ill with flu than the general population that’s why it’s so important that they have the free NHS vaccine. Most recent figures show that only around half the people in this clinical risk group have received the free NHS flu vaccine since October 2015, well below the Welsh Government’s 75% uptake target.</p>
<p>This means that although almost 8,000 people with kidney conditions have received the vaccine, many people in this group have missed out and have not protected themselves against flu with a flu vaccine yet this winter.</p>
<h2>Healthcare and social care workers also urged to get flu vaccine</h2>
<p>Healthcare and social care workers with direct patient contact and carers are also recommended to have a flu vaccination, to protect them and the people they care for. Health and social care workers should speak to their employer about getting the vaccine.</p>
<p>“Kidney Wales supports the NHS flu vaccine and believes that patients should protect themselves as soon as they can,” said Roy Thomas, CEO of Kidney Wales Foundation.</p>
<p>"We know that patients with long term kidney conditions are more vulnerable to infections and with flu cases currently increasing across Wales, it's really important to take advantage of the free vaccine by making an appointment with your GP now. It's not too late to get protected this winter."</p>
<h2>'Kidney patients with chronic kidney disease eligible for free flu vaccine'</h2>
<p>The NHS flu vaccine is available free to people who have:</p>
<ul>
<li>chronic kidney disease at stage 3, 4 or 5, chronic kidney failure</li>
<li>nephrotic syndrome</li>
<li>a kidney transplant</li>
</ul>
<p>It is also available for people with other long-term health conditions where there is an increased risk of complications if they catch flu including respiratory illnesses, heart and liver disease, diabetes and certain neurological conditions such as stroke or mini stroke (TIA).</p>
<p>Dr Richard Roberts, Head of the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme at Public Health Wales, echoed the call for action for those in at risk groups to protect themselves against the illness. He said, “Flu vaccination remains the single best way to protect against flu, and can be given to those in risk groups from 6 months of age.</p>
<p>“I would urge all those people in at risk groups to remember that it’s too late to get their free flu vaccine and be protected. It’s also important for anyone in a risk group who does develop symptoms of flu to seek early advice on treatment and try to reduce the risk of spreading flu.”</p>
<h2>Help reduce the spread of flu with these simple actions</h2>
<p>The public is also being reminded to take the proper precautions to help reduce the chances of flu spreading. Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms is encouraged to follow three simple steps to prevent the illness from spreading:</p>
<ul>
<li>‘Catch it’ - always cough or sneeze into a tissue</li>
<li>‘Bin it’ - dispose of the tissue after use</li>
<li>‘Kill it’ - then wash your hands or use hand sanitizer to kill any flu viruses</li>
</ul>
<h2>What to do if you think you need the flu vaccine</h2>
<p>Those in ‘at risk’ groups who think they have flu are advised to contact their GP or NHS Direct Wales (0845 46 47) for advice as soon as the symptoms start as medication may be recommended.</p>
<p>People at high risk of complications from flu can be offered anti-viral drugs which may reduce the risk of serious complications if started within two days of the first symptoms. <br /><br />For more information please visit <a href="http://www.publichealthwales.org" target="_blank">www.publichealthwales.org</a> or <a href="http://www.beatflu.org" target="_blank">www.beatflu.org</a> <br /><br /><br /></p>Wales Care Awards - nominations window is OPEN<p>It's time to nominate your fellow social care professionals for the Wales Care Awards 2016.</p>
<p>The nominations window is open until March 31, 2016 and the awards take place in City Hall, Cardiff on October 21, 2016 - save the date now.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Care Awards Nomination form 2016.pdf" target="_blank">Care Awards Nomination form 2016.pdf</a></strong></li>
<li><a target="_blank" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/Wales%20Care Awards Category Guidance Notes 2016 JWfinal.pdf"><strong>Read the nominations / category guidelines</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/WCA-nominations-2016.jpeg" alt="" height="600" width="789" /></p>Nottinghamshire care home boss jailed for manslaughter after 87-year-old died dehydrated and malmourished<p class="story-body__introduction">A care home boss in Nottinghamshire has been jailed over the death of an 86-year-old woman.</p>
<p>Ivy Atkin died after she was found dehydrated, malnourished and with an untreated bed sore at Autumn Grange, Nottingham, in 2012.</p>
<p>Yousaf Khan, 47, of Nelson Road, Nottingham, admitted manslaughter and was sentenced to three years and two months at Nottingham Crown Court.</p>
<p>His firm Sherwood Rise Ltd was fined £300,000 for corporate manslaughter - the first case of its kind in England.</p>
<h2>Read the full story</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-35499865" target="_blank">BBC News: Nottinghamshire care home boss jailed for manslaughter</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Detectives were shocked by the seriousness of the neglect at Autumn Grange when they were called by a new member of staff worried about the conditions.</p>
<p>The council ended its contract and all the residents were moved out but Ms Atkin died several days later.</p>
<p>A post-mortem report showed her neglect led directly to her death.</p>
<h2>Watch this BBC report on the story</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-35499866" target="_blank">BBC News: Autumn Grange care home was 'horrific and appalling'</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Yousaf Khan's barrister said he wanted to apologise to Mrs Atkin's family and nothing could excuse "shameful and deplorable" conditions.</p>Sign up for event to help social care professionals understand Social Services and Well-being Act<p>The Care Council for Wales has added another 'train the trainer' event to its list in response to demand from social care professionals.</p>
<p>It has already held four events in Swansea, Llandudno and Newtown which have been attended by 150 people to "ensure a network of people will be confident to deliver training on the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act".</p>
<p>Attendees have been provided with training and materials commissioned by the Care Council to support the successful implementation of the Act.</p>
<p>The new two-day event is being held in Cardiff on February 29 and March 1.</p>
<p>Full details can be found on the <a href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news/2016/01/26/train-the-trainer-programme-proves-a-great-success/" target="_blank">Care Council website</a>.</p>
<h2>Book a place by February 10 to attend</h2>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;">Spaces are currently available at the event, so if you’re interested please email Dyfan Jones at the Care Council for Wales at <a href="mailto:Dyfan.jones@ccwales.org.uk" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: none; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: #666666; cursor: pointer; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: #339dc0; background: transparent;">Dyfan.jones@ccwales.org.uk</a> for a booking form.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;">The closing date for applications is 10 February 2016.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>Tougher sentencing guidelines come into force for health and safety, food hygience and corporate manslaughter offences<p>New sentencing guidelines for health and safety, food hygiene and corporate manslaughter offences come into force today (February 1, 2016), says CFW health and safety consultant Anthony Acari.</p>
<p>The news comes as a Nottingham care home boss was jailed for manslaughter after an 86-year-old resident, Ivy Atkin, died and was found to be dehydrated, malnourished and with an untreated bed sore at Autumn Grange, Nottingham, in 2012.</p>
<p>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-35499865" target="_blank">Nottingham care home boss jailed for manslaughter</a></p>
<p><font color="#000000"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">For corporate manslaughter offences, the Sentencing Council Guidelines proposed fines are significant and much larger than the majority of those imposed for corporate manslaughter offences since April 2008.</font></font></p>
<p><font color="#000000"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">Levels of sentencing for all relevant offences are likely to increase significantly and the turnover of organisations will be used as a determinant of size, and therefore level of punishment.</font></font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font color="#000000"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"></font></font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font color="#000000"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/HS-offences-definitive-guideline-FINAL-web.pdf" target="_blank">Read about the sentencing guidelines in full in this article from law firm Eversheds</a></font></font></p>
<p><font color="#000000"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Sentencing guidelines H&S, food hygiene, corporate manslaughter.doc" target="_blank">Sentencing guidelines<font color="#000000"> February 2016: </font> H&S, food hygiene, corporate manslaughter</a></font></font></p>
<p></p>Stroke survival rates in Wales show 'significant' improvement, report finds<p>The number of people surviving a stroke has significantly improved in Wales, with the death rate falling by more than 1,000 a year compared with a decade ago, a new report has revealed.</p>
<p>The third all-Wales annual report for stroke sets out the progress the NHS has made in preventing and treating stroke against the <a onclick="s_objectID="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/all-about/welsh-government_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true" data-action="welsh-government" data-content-type="section-topic" data-track="false" data-type="inline" data-word-count="2" href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/all-about/welsh-government">Welsh Government’s</a> stroke delivery plan.</p>
<p>The report also highlights how awareness campaigns and better prevention have helped to reduce the number of people having strokes, while faster interventions have increased people’s chances of surviving and returning to independence as quickly as possible.</p>
<p>An estimated 7,000 people will have a stroke each year in Wales and there are more than 65,000 stroke survivors living in Wales.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Read more – Welsh Government: <a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2016/160129stroke-report/?lang=en" target="_blank">More people in Wales surviving stroke shows new report</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>Read more - WalesOnline: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/survival-rates-stroke-patients-greatly-10804891" target="_blank">Survival rates for stroke patients greatly improve in last decade, new report reveals</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<h2>Stroke survival rates in Wales - report findings</h2>
<p>Wales has seen a fall of more than 1,000 deaths per year from strokes between 2003-05 and 2012-14, based on a three-year average. While 3,158 people died from a stroke in Wales in 2005, in 2014 the figure dropped by 26% to 2,317.</p>
<ul>
<li>For strokes time matters. Pre-hospital care provided by the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust has been improving over the last year - an average of 82.8% people who suffered a suspected stroke received a package of pre-hospital care from the ambulance service in 2013-14, rising to 93.8% in 2014-15</li>
<li>There is an improved awareness of the symptoms of stroke as a result of campaigns such as FAST or Lower Your Risk of Stroke. These are supporting people to recognise when they are having a stroke and take appropriate action quickly</li>
<li>The number of patients receiving clot-busting drugs (thrombolysis) has continued to increase, from 358 in 2012-13 to 501 in 2014-15</li>
<li>The number of patients admitted to a stroke ward within 24 hours has continued to improve - during 2014-15 access to a stroke ward has increased from 50.1% in April 2014 to 75.4% in March 2015</li>
<li>The percentage of stroke patients spending more than 90% of their time on a stroke unit improved from 63% in 2013-14 to 73% in 2014-15</li>
<li>Since 2013-14, the percentage of patients assessed by therapists within 72 hours has increased for all relevant therapy services; from 75% to 90% for occupational therapists, from 92% to 96% for physiotherapists and from 71% to 81% for speech and language therapists</li>
<li>Welsh services are above the UK national average for the percentage of patients discharged with a continence plan (drawn up within four weeks) and rehabilitation goals agreed within five days.</li>
</ul>
<p></p>Wales' oldest person and Wales Care Awards winner Gwenllian Davies dies aged 110<p>Gwenllian Davies, of Awel Tywi Care Home in Llandeilo, who received the Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement at the 2015 Wales Care Awards, has died aged 110.</p>
<p>Wales' oldest woman (pictured below receiving her award) was told about the award on camera in a short clip relayed to the Wales Care Awards audience at City Hall in Cardiff. Her award was accepted on her behalf by Older People's Commissioner <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/commissioner/Sarah-Rochira.aspx" target="_blank">Sarah Rochira</a>.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Gwenllian-Davies-WCA-2015.jpeg" alt="" height="416" width="618" /></p>
<p>Ms Davies passed away peacefully at the Carmarthenshire Council Awel Tywi Home, Fairfach, Llandeilo on January 17. She was believed to be the seventh old person in the UK when she died, and was the oldest person in Wales.</p>
<p>Born in 1905, the year Albert Eistein published his papers for his theory of relativity, Gwenllian lived through two world wars, and could remember watching from her hilltop farm home above <a href="http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/swansea">Swansea</a> the destruction to the town by the Luftwaffe in the three-day blitz.</p>
<p>She spent the last years of her life in Awel Towi Care Home in Ffairfach.</p>
<div style="overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Read more: <a style="color: #003399;" href="http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Oldest-person-Wales-passes-away-aged-110/story-28598468-detail/story.html#ixzz3yG1GJzcV">http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Oldest-person-Wales-passes-away-aged-110/story-28598468-detail/story.html#ixzz3yG1GJzcV</a> <br /><br /></div>
<div style="overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></div>Funding announced to tackle patients' 'delayed transfers' from hospitals to home or care<p>The Welsh Government has announced £2.5m of funding which will support measures to reduce the number of people – the majority of them older people – who are unable to leave hospital for social care reasons, freeing up hospital beds for patients who need them. The investment is part of the £20m Intermediate Care Fund.</p>
<p>The most recent statistics show 435 people experienced a 'delayed transfer of care' in December 2015. Although this is the third consecutive month there has been a reduction in the number of delays, more than half (53%) of those people were delayed because of community care assessments not taking place quickly enough, delays in older people selecting a care home or when a person was waiting for a care home place to become available.</p>
<p>The Welsh Govenrment says the £2.5m of funding will allow health boards, local authorities, housing and the third and independent sector to work together to ensure people delayed in hospital receive an appropriate package of care and support, allowing them to leave hospital – either to return home with the right package of support or to go to a care home of their choice. It will offer regions greater flexibility to support other people and groups to maintain their independence at home and in the community.</p>
<p>Health boards, as part of regional collaboratives, will receive a share of the £2.5m to work with their partners:</p>
<p>North Wales - £598,000<br />Mid and West Wales - £470,000<br />Western Bay - £433,000<br />Cwm Taf - £243,000<br />Cardiff and Vale - £308,000<br />Gwent - £450,000<br />Details of the successful projects will be announced in due course.</p>
<p>Health Minister, Professor Drakeford, said: "In Wales, we have invested in both our health and social care services, because people, especially the frail and the elderly, rely on both to meet their care and support needs. This investment has led to a steady decline in the number of delayed transfers of care over the last 10 years – bucking the trend seen elsewhere in the UK."</p>Zero hours contracts could be limited for domiciliary care staff after study<p>Research into how to improve retention and recruitment of domiciliary care workers has suggested limiting the use of zero hours contracts, paying the national minimum wage and paying for travel time.</p>
<p>The Welsh Government, which commissioned the research in July 2015, is now launching a consultation on actions it could take to improve the recruitment and retention of domiciliary care workers in Wales.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2016/150119proposals/?skip=1&lang=en" target="_blank">Welsh Government launches domiciliary care staff consultation</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>BBC Wales news: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-35344815" target="_blank">Plan to restrict zero hours contracts for home carers</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>Link to the <a href="http://gov.wales/consultations/healthsocialcare/workforce/?lang=en" target="_blank">Welsh Government's domiciliary care consultation</a> (closes April 5, 2016)</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>It is estimated there are 19,500 home care workers in Wales, delivering about 260,000 hours of care a week to 23,000 people. The sector has a staff turnover of about 32% and a vacancy rate of 6%.</p>
<p>Health and social services minister, Mark Drakeford, said <em>sustainable social care was dependent on a stable workforce</em>. He added: "I am very aware of the significant variations in the workforce and the consequences of this for the quality of care. These matters are particularly acute in domiciliary care.</p>
<p>"The consultation being launched today sets out a range of measures the Welsh government could take to improve the quality of domiciliary care in Wales by having a positive impact on the recruitment and retention of domiciliary care workers."</p>
<h2>'Minimum Wage places financial pressures on sector'</h2>
<p>Professor Drakeford said he was aware the rise in minimum wage over the next few years would place financial pressures on the sector, but said the consultation would help the Welsh government understand the impact of its proposals on the sustainability of care provision.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales chair, Mario Kreft, said: “There's absolutely no doubt that social care workers deserve the living wage and more, but nobody has answered the question [on] how it's going to be funded,” he said.</p>
<p>“Introducing the national living wage over the next four years is going to represent a 30 per cent increase for many workers.</p>
<p>“This will ramp up all pay rates across the sector and this will have to be paid for. Most industries are able to pass such increases on to the customer. However, the overwhelming majority of people in care homes in Wales are supported by local authorities, and health boards who are having their budgets cut.</p>
<p>"That means there is just no money to pay these increases. Something has got to give and I'm afraid it will plunge the social care sector into an even deeper crisis.”</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Read Mario Kreft's comments on <a href="http://www.freepressseries.co.uk/news/14215353.Social_care_revamp_plans_branded__quot_disingenuous_quot_/" target="_blank">Social care's 'perfect storm'</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><strong>WalesOnline: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/670-hour-wages-surprise-industry-10754094" target="_blank">With £6.70 an hour wages - is it a surprise the industry caring for our elderly at home is in crisis?</a><br /></strong></strong></li>
</ul>
<h2>Research shows link between employment terms and quality of care</h2>
<p>The interim research findings by the team at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Business School show there is a clear relationship between domiciliary care employment terms and conditions and the quality of care provided.</p>
<p>Suggested ways to improve the recruitment and retention of domiciliary care staff include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Limiting the use of zero-hours contracts by restricting the number of care hours or the percentage of care hours which domiciliary care providers can deliver by zero-hours contracts</li>
<li>Making sure employers pay domiciliary care workers the national minimum wage by ensuring Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales carries out checks as part of the inspection process</li>
<li>Preventing so-called 'call clipping', a process where calls are systematically cut short as care workers either do not have enough or any time to travel between calls, by making sure care providers pay domiciliary care workers for the time spent travelling to their clients and the time they spend with their clients.</li>
</ul>Nominate your social care heroes now for the Wales Care Awards 2016<p>Do you know any social care heroes you'd like to nominate for a Wales Care Award 2016? Does someone in your organisation or across the social care workforce sector deserve to be recognised for their dedication to social care in Wales? Is your organisation committed to Dignity in Care? If the answer to any of the questions above is YES then NOMINATE NOW for the Annual Wales Care Awards. </p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/WCA-nominations-2016-01.jpg" alt="" height="376" width="495" /></p>
<h2>Nominate now! Closing date March 31, 2016</h2>
<p>Care Forum Wales will this year host the awards ceremony in association with the Social Care institute for Excellence and entries are now being accepted for the 2016 Awards, which takes place on <strong>Friday October 21, 2016 at City Hall, Cardiff.</strong></p>
<h2><strong>How do I nominate someone for a Wales Care Award 2016?</strong></h2>
<p>Check the guidance information and fill out a nominations form (you can download the documents below). Send your completed form to <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a> or email her for the forms if you have trouble downloading them.</p>
<p><strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Care%20Awards Nomination form 2016.pdf">Nominations form</a><br /></strong></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Care%20Award Category Guidance Notes 2016 JWfinal.pdf"><strong>Guidance information</strong></a></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong></strong></p>Regulation and Inspection of Social Care Act receives Royal Assent<p>The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 has today (January 18) been granted Royal Assent by Her Majesty the Queen.</p>
<p>The Welsh Government says the new Act 'reframes accountability' so owners of services can be held to account for failings in care. It says the social care system in Wales will now be judged by what is does for people and the new Act will ensure that everyone will know how good services are and where improvements are needed.</p>
<p>Health and social services minister, Mark Drakeford, said: "<em>This new Act will put in place a reformed regulation and inspection system that ensures our services deliver high-quality services to those who rely on them."</em></p>
<p>It also gives Welsh Ministers the power to remove not just bad services but also bad providers so, where services don’t come up to scratch, people will be able to see action being taken by regulators.</p>
<p>The new Act reflects recommendations arising from the <a href="http://gov.wales/topics/health/publications/socialcare/reports/accountability/?lang=en" target="_blank">Flynn Review</a>, including the introduction of a fit and proper person test for both service providers and responsible individuals.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Read the documents contained in the Flynn Review</strong></li>
<li><strong>Read a Welsh Assembly Research Service blog: '<a href="https://assemblyinbrief.wordpress.com/2015/07/28/reflections-from-the-flynn-report-on-the-neglect-of-older-care-home-residents-in-south-wales/" target="_blank">Reflections on the Flynn Review</a>'</strong></li>
</ul>
<h2>Read what the First Minister, Carwyn Jones, says about the Regulation and Inspeciton Act 2016</h2>
<p>First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones said: "The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 is the second substantial piece of social care legislation this government has introduced since the National Assembly gained new law-making powers in 2011.</p>
<p>“Through our legislative programme, we are using our powers for a purpose – to deliver better social care for the people of Wales.”<br />Following Royal Assent, Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed the new system of workforce regulation will be implemented and operational by April 2017. The Care Council for Wales will be renamed Social Care Wales with a broadened remit by April 2017."</p>
<h2>When will the new systems established by the Act become operational?</h2>
<ul>
<li>The new system of service regulation and inspection established by the Act will be <strong>implemented and operational by April 2019</strong>.</li>
<li>To achieve this all service regulation will come into force in April 2018 to allow sufficient time for the new system to be established.</li>
<li>Work will now start on the significant suite of subordinate legislation which flows from the Act and ensure both the service and the workforce regulator have robust transition plans in place to deliver these changes. </li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p></p>Social care providers and commissioners issue National Living Wage warning to Welsh Government<p>A letter warning of the serious threat to care and support from an underfunded National Living Wage has been sent to the First Minister and Health Minister in the Welsh Government.</p>
<p>The letter, written on behalf of providers and commissioners to underline concerns around the future viability of social care provision in Wales, was issued today (January 11) by the Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru and the National Provider Forum (Wales) of which Care Forum Wales is a member.</p>
<p>The signatories of the letter warned that the additional costs of the new National Living Wage could lead to a <strong>catastrophic failure across care services, unless urgent action is taken to address continued underfunding</strong>. </p>
<h2>Read full text of the letter from ADSS Cymru and the National Provider Forum</h2>
<p>Following the budget announcement for spending plans in Wales, social care commissioners, providers and representative bodies are issuing a collective caution to Welsh Government that the additional costs of the new National Living Wage could lead to a catastrophic failure across care services, unless urgent action is taken to address continued underfunding.</p>
<p>The Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru (ADSSC) and National Provider Forum have written to Ministers on behalf of providers and commissioners to underline concerns around the future viability of social care provision in Wales.</p>
<p>Whilst the recent budget reductions in Wales are smaller than anticipated, the settlement does not reflect cost pressures faced across the sector. This comes at a time when Welsh Government looks to social care services to support an over-stretched NHS, particularly in supporting people to leave hospital promptly.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>"Unless an immediate solution is found then there will be significant consequences across the social care market."</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>The National Provider Forum (NPF) and ADSSC welcome the general principle of increasing the financial rewards for care workers. It may go some way to assisting with the recruitment and retention of care staff who are needed to care for the growing number of people living with long term and complex conditions.</p>
<p>However, <strong>the care sector in Wales will be particularly hard hit by the requirements of the National Living Wage because the vast majority of care provision is paid for by the public sector, which has already seen budgets severely constrained in recent years.</strong></p>
<p>It is also a sector where around two-thirds of costs are based on staff costs. The National Living Wage poses serious cost pressures for both providers and commissioners of care across Wales.</p>
<h2>Social care experts: what they say about the impact of the National Living Wage</h2>
<p><strong><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/ADSS Cymru.png" alt="" height="138" width="364" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Vice President of the Association of Directors for Social Services Cymru (ADSSC), Dave Street</strong>, said: “Without increased funding combined with innovative solutions, the only way councils in Wales will be able to cope with increased costs from the National Living Wage is by commissioning fewer services. Fewer commissioned services will cause considerable distress for people who use care services and their families, lead to providers leaving the sector, increase pressure on NHS services and provide uncertain employment prospects for a significant number of trained and committed care workers.”</p>
<p><strong><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/cymorth-logo.svg" alt="" height="121" width="326" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Director of Cymorth Cymru, Auriol Miller,</strong> said: “The threats posed by the National Living Wage are not just confined to the care sector. Learning disability providers are facing a very bleak future without support, but all providers offering 24-hour support services are at significant risk. Our members have warned that unless urgent action is taken, some services are at risk of collapse this year, leaving many vulnerable people and their families with nowhere to turn.”<br />ADSSC and the NPF have put forward a number of potential solutions. Principally, Welsh Government is urged to increase funding to reflect the importance of the sector to the people of Wales and to the wider health and care system. In addition, more should be done to assist local authorities in applying procurement practices consistently and proportionally, with uniform standards and quality thresholds for commissioning. These suggested solutions will be essential in ensuring a stable, quality system of care provision remains in Wales."</p>
<h2>More information on the National Living Wage</h2>
<p>1. A new National Living Wage comes into force from April 2016 for workers of 25 and over, initially paid at £7.20 / hour and increasing to £9.00 / hour by 2020. This will replace the current National Minimum Wage, which is paid at £6.70 / hour. See more at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-living-wage-nlw">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-living-wage-nlw</a></p>
<h2>Who's a member of the National Provider Forum?</h2>
<p>Membership of the National Provider Forum includes:</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Care Forum Logo new 2009 ©.jpg" alt="" height="226" width="226" /></p>
<ul>
<li>Care Forum Wales</li>
<li>United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA)</li>
<li>Cymorth Cymru</li>
<li>Learning Disability Wales</li>
<li>Carers Trust Wales</li>
<li>Age Cymru</li>
<li>Welsh Alliance for Mental Health - with additional support from the Welsh Reablement Alliance. Wales Alliance on Mental Health and the Expert Reference Group Domiciliary Care Wales.</li>
</ul>
<p></p>Schemes to help vulnerable adults, looked-after children and older people win £22m of grant funding<p>The Welsh Government has announced it has awarded nearly £22m worth of funding to schemes which will help children, vulnerable adults and older people over the next three years.</p>
<p>The new three-year Sustainable Social Services Third Sector Grant replaces four existing grant streams.</p>
<p>The grants will help fund projects and initiatives that support the Welsh Government’s strategic agenda for social services, including the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, which comes into force on April 6.</p>
<p>The funding has been awarded to organisations supporting children, young people and their families, looked-after children and care leavers, older people, people with learning disabilities and autism, people with physical and/or sensory disabilities and carers.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Read more on this story on the Welsh Government website: <a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2016/160111funding/?lang=en" target="_blank">£22m awarded to projects to support vulnerable children, adults and older people in Wales</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<p></p>Carer wins compensation after lift-shaft fall at work<p><span>A carer has been awarded more than £50,000 in compensation after plunging down a lift shaft at a nursing home in a fall where her patient died.</span></p>
<p>Carol Conway, 52, survived falling 20ft (6m) at Pontcanna House Care Home, Cardiff, in 2012 as she reversed May Lewis, 96, in her wheelchair. The Care Council for Wales said her actions were not deliberate or reckless.</p>
<p>Owner Dr Nasik Al-Mufti was fined £100,000 in August for breaching health and safety regulations.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-33880486" target="_blank">BBC News: Pontcanna care home owners fined for lift death</a></li>
<li>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-35222357" target="_blank">Pontcanna House lift fall carer wins £50k compensation</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Mrs Conway, who had been a carer for 29 years, broke her back, ribs, left foot and punctured her lung and was left unconscious. Her patient, Mrs Lewis, had been at the home for just five days, broke 52 bones and died.</p>
<h2>Read more on the BBC website: </h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21263437" target="_blank">Carer Carole Conway 'assumed' lift was there</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-21281714" target="_blank">Pontcanna House head knew of fault</a></p>Season's greetings and happy new year in 2016<p>Care Forum Wales wishes all its members, colleagues and partners a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2016.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/holly-CFW.jpg" alt="" height="164" width="160" /></p>
<p>We look forward to working with you all again in 2016 - which promises to be a landmark year with the Social care and Well-being (Wales) Act which comes into force in April.</p>
<p>When it's implemented there may be changes on the ground that you need to be aware of and we'll keep you posted about these. See the Care Council's Learning Hub for learning resources and up to date information here.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>See <a href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/getting-in-on-the-act-hub/xx/" target="_blank">Care Council for Wales: Getting in on the Act</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<p>We are still awaiting the results of the Judicial Review hearings on Funded Nursing Care which were held in November. Watch this space for updates.</p>
<p>And of course 2016 will soon bring the time for nominations for the next Wales Care Awards and preparations for Care Home Open Day.</p>
<p>In the meantime have a very happy Christmas and see you in 2016!</p>My Home Life Cymru Awards 2016: There's still time to nominate a Welsh care home<p>There's just time to nominate a Welsh care home for a My Home Life Cymru Award in 2016 if you hurry. Today is the last day for nominations for the awards, which take place in Cardiff in March next year (nominations close on December 15).</p>
<p>The annual awards ceremony will take place in Cardiff on March 11 next year to 'reward people who have significantly improved the lives of older people in Wales'. The awards are a great opportunity to raise the profile of good practice in care homes in Wales.</p>
<ul>
<li>Find out more information on the <a href="http://myhomelife.org.uk/news/nominate-a-welsh-care-home-for-the-mhl-cymru-award-2016/" target="_blank">My Home Life Cymru website</a>.</li>
<li>Nominate a care home by telling My Home Life Cymru about the work they do and share stories of the day-to-day life of the home that give people the opportunity to continue to enjoy life.</li>
<li>For further information and to nominate your home for the My Home Life Cymru Award, please contact the team on 029 2043 1555 or email fundraising@agecymru.org.uk.</li>
</ul>
<p><font color="#000000"><font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><font size="4"></font></font></font></p>
<p></p>Nurses jailed for neglect of stroke patients at Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend<p>Two nurses have been jailed for neglecting stroke patients on a ward at Bridgend's Princess of Wales Hospital. A third was given a community order for the same offence.</p>
<p>They failed to carry out blood glucose tests on patients, which should have been done every two hours, then falsified the results. </p>
<p>Sentencing the three Judge Tom Crowther QC said: "This was not a failure to do your job, it was a failure of compassion and humanity.</p>
<p>"This was clear-eyed and calculated deception, the purpose of which was to make the defendants' working time easier."</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Read the judge's full comments on BBC Wales news: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-35090879" target="_blank">Nurses jailed over fake results</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>Nurses failed to check blood glucose levels on multiple occasions</strong></h2>
<p>Rebecca Jones, 31, Lauro Bertulano, 46 and Natalie Jones, 42, were all nurses on a specialist stroke ward at the Princess of Wales Hospital when the offences took place between 2012 and 2013.</p>
<p>During the trial Cardiff Crown Court heard the nurses had failed to check blood glucose levels - which were required to be checked at least every two hours - on multiple occasions.</p>
<p>All three pleaded guilty to multiple charges of wilful neglect.</p>
<p>Rebecca Jones was jailed for eight months, Bertulano for four months and Natalie Jones was given a 12-month community order requiring her to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.</p>
<p>Concerns were first raised about the ward in February 2013 when discrepancies were noticed. It prompted an investigation at the ward, which led to numerous arrests. <a href="http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2015-10-14/two-nurses-are-cleared-of-neglect-after-allegation-against-them-collapses/" target="_blank">Two other nurses from the hospital were cleared of neglect</a> after the case against them collapsed in October.</p>
<h2>Health Board offers 'sincere apologies' to families of patients</h2>
<p>In a statement released after sentencing, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board said it apologised to patients and families and will be offering to meet those affected.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Read more on what the Health Board said in response to the convictions - ITV Wales news: <a href="http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2015-12-14/two-of-the-three-nurses-were-jailed-and-one-given-community-service-after-they-admitted-neglecting-patients/" target="_blank">Two of the three nurses were jailed and one given community service after they admitted neglecting patients</a></strong></li>
</ul>Rise in staffing costs 'due to National Living Wage' and the row over 300 jobs in north Wales<p>Charity <span>Anheddau Cyf, which provides care for adults in communities in north Wales, has said it can't balance its books due to the impact of the National Living Wage and National Miniumum Wage on its costs.</span></p>
<p><span>This led to the charity ending 300 staff contracts and, Unison says, offering to re-employ staff on inferior terms and conditions.</span></p>
<p>It is understood Anheddau, which works with social services, health boards and housing associations to provide social care in Gwynedd, Anglesey, Conwy and Denbighshire, is unable to implement the National Living Wage because the fees it receives from local councils which buy its services do not take into account the additional costs.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Read the full story on WalesOnline: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/welsh-social-care-provider-sacks-10582220" target="_blank">Welsh social care provider 'sacks all 300 members of its staff to deal with budget shortfall'</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>BBC Wales news: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-35060891" target="_blank">Row over 300 care staff jobs at Anheddau Cyf, north Wales</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-35060891" target="_blank"><span></span></a></p>Dates for CFW's Spring Essential Updates released<p>CFW holds regular 'Essential Updates' training sessions for members and non-members. These are aimed at care home managers and senior staff to keep them up to date with all the latest changes in legislation, legal and work-related issues.</p>
<p>This April there is a choice of four venues across Wales where CFW members (and non-members) can attend.</p>
<p><strong>For more information and to book please contact <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a>.</strong></p>
<h2>Dates for autumn 2015 Essential Updates are as follows:</h2>
<p><strong>South Wales</strong></p>
<p><span class="s1">April 12 – National Botanic Garden of Wales</span></p>
<p class="p1">April 14 – University of South Wales, Cardiff<br /><br /><strong>North Wales</strong></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s2">April 19, 2016 – Springfield Hotel, Holywell</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s2">April 20, 2016 – Conwy Business Centre, Conwy</span></p>Wales leads the way on increasing organ donations with 'presumed consent' law<p>Wales has changed the law to become the first part of the UK to make adults 'opt out' rather than 'opt in' for organ donations.</p>
<p>The 'presumed consent' model is aimed at increasing the number of organ donors and will benefit people waiting for transplants.</p>
<p>Organ donation law makes headlines around the world: <a href="http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2015-12-04/wales-presumed-consent-makes-headline-news-in-canada/" target="_blank">ITV news 'Organ donation: Wales' presumed consent law makes headline news in Canada</a></p>
<p><span>After the December 1, 2015 people who have not recorded an organ donation decision (an opt in or opt out) on the NHS Organ Donation Register will be treated as having no objection to donating any of their organs. This is called "deemed consent".</span></p>
<p>Students are included once they have been living in Wales for more than 12 months.</p>
<p>The families of serving members of the armed forces who have moved to Wales to live with them will also be included after they have lived in Wales for more than 12 months.</p>
<p>People who don't have full mental capacity are exempt, and people who have lived in Wales for less than 12 months are also exempt.</p>
<h2>Choices for organ donation in Wales from December 1, 2015</h2>
<h3><span><a href="https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-to-donate/refuse-to-donate/">Opt in</a></span></h3>
<p><span>By registering your choice to be a donor, you can choose to donate all or only specific organs.</span></p>
<div class="optblock">
<h3><a href="https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-to-donate/refuse-to-donate/"><span>Opt out</span></a></h3>
<p>For the first time, you can now register your decision not to be a donor. Also, be sure to tell your loved ones your organ donation decision, so they can make sure it is respected. You can change your organ donation decision at any time.</p>
</div>
<div class="optinfo">
<h3><a href="https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-to-donate/refuse-to-donate/"><span>Do nothing</span></a></h3>
<p><span>After December 1, 2015 if you have not recorded an organ donation decision (opt in or opt out) on the NHS Organ Donation Register, you will be treated as having no objection to donating any of your organs. This is called "deemed consent".</span></p>
<h2><span>Find out what the changes in the organ donation law in Wales mean for you and your family</span></h2>
<p>Find out more at <a href="http://www.organdonationwaleshttp//organdonationwales.org/Organ-Donation-is-changing-in-Wales/?lang=en" target="_blank">www.organdonationwales</a></p>
<p>WalesOnline: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/organ-donation-changing-wales-heres-10432373" target="_blank">Organ donation is changing</a></p>
<p>Welsh Government: <a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2015/organ-donation/?lang=en" target="_blank">Revolutionary new law to increase donor rates comes into force in Wales</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><span></span></p>
<p><span></span></p>
<h3><span><a href="https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/register-to-donate/refuse-to-donate/"></a></span></h3>
</div>New law to reform regulation and inspection of social care in Wales passed<p> A new law reforming the way Wales’ care and support services are regulated and inspected has been approved by Assembly Members.</p>
<p> The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Bill reframes accountability so owners of services can be held to account for failings in care. It also gives Welsh Ministers the power to remove not just bad services but also bad providers.</p>
<p>It is envisaged the Bill will receive Royal Assent in January 2016. There will then be a staged implementation starting in April 2017.</p>
<h2>Law to become 'key driver of improvement'</h2>
<p>Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford said: "This new law means our regulation of social care will become a key driver of improvement in Wales. Ultimately, it will mean better social care in Wales. Where services don’t come up to scratch it will mean people will be able to see action being taken by regulators.</p>
<p>"I am particularly pleased that our social care system will now be judged firstly and foremost by what is does for people. This law will ensure that everyone will know how good services are and where improvements are needed."</p>
<h2>Reflecting Flynn Review recommendations</h2>
<p>The Bill also reflects recommendations arising from the Flynn Review, including the introduction of a fit and proper person test for both service providers and responsible individuals.</p>
<p> The Minister said: "I am grateful to Dr Margaret Flynn and her work on the issues arising from Operation Jasmine. The introduction of a fit and proper person test for both service providers and responsible individuals has placed appropriate accountability at the heart of future regulation.”</p>
<h2>Key features of the new law</h2>
<p>In addition, the new law will:</p>
<ul>
<li>Place new requirements on the social care sector to plan for the future;</li>
<li>Ensure citizens have new and accurate information about care in Wales;</li>
<li>Require regulators to work together for the wellbeing of people in Wales;</li>
<li>Pave the way for the transition to Social Care Wales – a new powerful leader for change;</li>
<li>Place regulation as a key driver to improve outcomes for people in Wales.<br /> </li>
</ul>
<p>The Minister added: "I’m very pleased this important new law has been passed by the Assembly. It will deliver a new, effective system of regulation for Wales’ care and support services.</p>
<p> “I’m pleased to have been able to work with other parties in the Assembly to strengthen the Bill in a number of areas.”</p>
<p> Following the passing of the Bill, the Minister said there will be new opportunities to improve social care. He said: “This Bill allows us to respond effectively to new emerging challenges. For example, I have recently commissioned research from Manchester Metropolitan University about zero hours contracts and other conditions for domiciliary care workers. If concerns about the impact of zero hour contracts on quality of care are borne out in this research, I will consider using the regulation-making power in this new law to impose requirements on service providers about how such contracts should be used in the social care sector.</p>
<p>“Similarly, it will allow the government to deliver on its commitment to require registration of workers in social care in due course, improving public confidence in our system and extending the skills of social care staff on who so many depend.</p>
<p>“That’s the strength of this new law – it gives us the powers to shape a truly Welsh social care system fit for our needs and our citizens.”</p>
<p> </p>Osborne Spending Review: Impact on Welsh social care sector explained<p>George Osborne's Spending Review on Wednesday (November 25) will of course have an impact on social care in Wales although headline announcements such as the 'Council Tax precept' for social care and scrapping of student nurse grants will not have the same direct impact as in England.</p>
<p>Here are the main implications for social care in Wales explained: </p>
<h2>Impact on the Minimum Wage and fee-setting</h2>
<p>Care Forum Wales is disappointed that there was no recognition in George Osborne’s UK Spending Review on Wednesday (November 25) of the implications for the sector of the previously announced increases in the minimum wage.</p>
<p>CFW senior policy adviser Mary Wimbury said: "We are renewing pressure on Welsh Government to earmark funding for this in its local government settlement and on local authorities to recognise the increase in costs in their social care fee setting.</p>
<p>"We understand that Bridgend Council has already offered an increase and discussions are underway in north Wales and the Vale of Glamorgan, with Conwy Council already having increased its fees mid-year to recognise the October minimum wage increase. Please contact your AMs and local councils and raise these issues and let us know what response you are getting."</p>
<h2>Council Tax increases to fund social care – explaining the Welsh situation</h2>
<p>Some members have contacted us about the Chancellor’s announcement with regard to council tax increases to fund social care, Mary Wimbury reports.</p>
<p>In England council tax increases are currently capped at 2 per cent, whereas they are not in Wales. The Chancellor’s announcement was that <strong>local authorities in England</strong> would be permitted to break this cap for social care funding.</p>
<p><strong>Since the cap does not apply in Wales, local authorities are free to do this anyway.</strong></p>
<p>Care Forum Wales' view is that it is a matter for local authorities how they fund an increase in fees, <em>the important point for members to lobby on is that fees are increased to take account of this increase in costs.</em></p>
<h2>Scrapping nurse bursaries – impact on supply of Nurses</h2>
<p>The Chancellor announced that bursaries and grants currently in place for student nurses will be replaced scrapped and replaced with loans. </p>
<p>Again, this only applied in England but CFW is concerned that this will affect the overall supply of nurses. </p>Carers Rights Day - carers' 'invaluable contribution' praised <p>The invaluable contribution carers make to society in Wales has been praised by Minister for Health and Social Services, Mark Drakeford. Meanwhile the mental health charity, MIND, has urged carers to look after themselves as well as the people they care for and to take care of their mental well-being.</p>
<p>Download a booklet from MIND: <a href="http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else/carers-friends-and-family-a-guide-to-coping/#.Vk82zGThCCS" target="_blank">How to cope as a carer</a></p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/carers-rights-day-2015.jpg" alt="" width="568" height="212" /></p>
<p>There are estimated to be more than 370,000 carers in Wales; 90,000 carers look after family and friends for at least 50 hours a week. Between 70% and 95% of the care provided to people in communities across Wales is given freely by family and friends. Many carers juggle other responsibilities, such as work or education, on top of their caring commitments.</p>
<ul>
<li>Download a <a href="https://www.carersuk.org/wales/policy-resources/carers-rights-guide-wales" target="_blank">Carers' Rights Guide (Wales)</a></li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<h2>Social Services & Well-being Act – support for carers to be strengthened</h2>
<p><strong>The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 comes into force on April 6</strong> and will transform the way social services are delivered in Wales to meet the care and support needs of all individuals in Wales.</p>
<p><strong>The Act recognises the key role played by carers and ensures that carers have the same rights to assessments and help to meet their support needs as those that they care for.</strong></p>
<p>The Act strengthens the rights of carers through providing a right to assessment for all carers, regardless of the amount of the care they are willing and able to provide. A local authority has a duty to inform carers of their right to an assessment, and to provide a consistent approach to meeting their support needs.</p>
<p>While carers can have an assessment of their needs under the current legislation, there is no legal duty on the local authority to provide any support following the assessment, even if a clear need is identified. The Act works to address this ensuring carers rights of access to support are equivalent to those provided for those they care for. </p>
<h2>Carers are 'selfless, determined and resilient' – says Health Minsiter</h2>
<p>Speaking on Carers’ Rights Day, Professor Drakeford said: "Caring is characterised by selflessness, determination and resilience. But this can often be at the expense of a carer’s own aspirations, wellbeing and quality of life as they put the care and support they provide to their family, friends and neighbours before their own needs. </p>
<p>“In these challenging times we must all ensure carers are neither taken for granted nor forgotten. I want to send my best wishes to everyone involved in Carers Rights Day 2015 and to all carers for the amazing work they do every day of the year.”</p>Pilot scheme aims to make care home prescribing safer<p>A pilot project has been launched to make care home prescribing safer by using barcodes generated by local pharmacies.</p>
<p>The codes will ensure that the right prescriptions reach the right residents and also cut down on wasted prescriptions.</p>
<p>The pilot project involving 30 care homes in Wales was launched by Welsh Government Health Minister Mark Drakeford at Tower Hill Residential Home, a CFW member, in Penarth on November 19.</p>
<p>Pharmacies and care homes in Swansea, Tondu, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthen are also taking part in the pilot.<br />Read the full story on the Welsh Government website here: http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2015/care-home/?lang=en</p>
<h2>System is safer and has 'reduced medicines wasted by up to 75 per cent' </h2>
<p>Amy Curtis, the manager at Tower Hill where the pilot scheme was launched, said: "We have been using the system since May. It is a PC-based system with a docking station and each member of staff has their own ID number and each resident is easily identified with a picture and full explanation of medical needs including known allergies.</p>
<p>"The system is linked to our local pharmacy and we work in partnership with them sharing information on medication changes, stock totals and son on. With the Welsh Government funding we have been able to use the system and completely redefine our administration of medication."</p>
<p>She added: "The system has reduced wastage by up to 75 per cent. Staff can administer medication in a much more time-efficient manner, freeing them up to spend real time with the residents.</p>
<p>"It's also safer in terms of records which cannot be falsified. I have a clear audit trail of medication in the home. I receive weekly emails with reasons why meds have not been given. It also allows managers to track staff."</p>
<p></p>Annual Provider Summit: 'Allow carers to care' call from Mario Kreft<p>The annual Provider Summit took place in Cardiff on November 17. The summit is a joint event held by CFW and Cymorth Cymru.</p>
<p>Mario Kreft (<em>pictured</em>) spoke at the event and called for 'less paperwork and more care' in Wales. He also challenged everyone to think about whether enough has been done to raise the value of and investment in care workers.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/mario-stdavidsday-award.jpg" alt="" height="220" width="146" /></p>
<h2>Praise for Wales Care Awards – Albert Heaney</h2>
<p>Director of Social Services, Albert Heaney, also spoke at the event. He welcomed the regional partnership arrangements and in particular their role in preparing for the Social Services & Well-being Act coming into force next year. He also noted the need to work with communities to improve social care and praised the Wales Care Awards for its role in highlighting good work in the sector.</p>
<h2>Social care must not be 'Cinderella sector' – John Kennedy</h2>
<p>Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust's director of care services, John Kennedy, also spoke at the summit saying that social care must no longer be the 'Cinderella' sector – it should be viewed as an essential part of our infrastructure, much like the railway network, he said. He also stressed the importance of allowing care sector staff to focus on caring not paperwork.</p>Compulsory registration for domiciliary care workers to be introduced in Wales from 2020<p class="p1">All domiciliary care workers in Wales will need to be registered from 2020 before they can work in the social care sector, with adult residential care workers to follow in 2022, Health and Social Services Minister, Mark Drakeford (<em>pictured below</em>) has announced.</p>
<p class="p1">The move is aimed at recognising and professionalising the social care workforce as well as strengthening public confidence in social care workers. Professor Drakeford said: "<span>“This is an ambitious programme that will significantly strengthen public assurance and professional development in the sector."</span></p>
<p class="p1"><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Mark Drakeford Health Minister.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></p>
<p class="p1">Currently only social workers, social work students, residential child care managers and workers, adult care home managers and domiciliary care <em>managers</em> are required to register in order to work in the sector. </p>
<p class="p1">The new arrangements for the registration of domiciliary care workers will be made possible by the <strong><a href="http://gov.wales/topics/health/socialcare/regulation/?lang=en" target="_blank">Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Bill</a></strong>, which is currently before the National Assembly. <strong>They will come into force in April 2017, if the Bill becomes law.</strong></p>
<h2 class="p1">Regulation & Inspection Bill to recognise and regulation domiciliary care workforce in Wales</h2>
<p class="p1">The Regulation & Insection Bill sets out a comprehensive system for the development and regulation of the workforce, requiring the commitment of individual workers, employers and regulators.</p>
<p class="p1">From 2020, the requirement to resister will be extended to all domiciliary care workers before they can work in the social care sector, with adult residential care workers to follow in 2022.</p>
<p class="p1">Health Minister, Professor Drakeford, said: "Effective provision of social care is dependent on the quality of the social care workforce. A key aspect of this is the registration of workers. </p>
<p class="p1">"I believe it is appropriate to extend the requirement to register to domiciliary and adult residential care workers. These people are at the forefront of some of the most demanding and challenging frontline services. The public deserve assurance that such workers are well trained and fit to practise. People working in domiciliary care will need to satisfy these tests to enter the register. </p>
<p class="p1">"The domiciliary care workforce deserves the recognition, investment in training and support from their employers that registration brings so they have the skills and qualities necessary to provide good-quality social care in these roles."</p>
<h2 class="p2">Timetable for registration of domiciliary care workers set out by Health Minister</h2>
<p class="p1">In recognition that registration places new requirements on the social care sector, the Minister has set out a provisional timetable for extending registration that will allow the sector sufficient time to prepare. </p>
<ul>
<li class="p1">A three-year development programme for domiciliary care workers will start in April 2016 with the register opening in April 2018, requiring these workers to be registered by April 2020. The Welsh Government will set this ambition as one of the main priorities for the funds it provides to support training and development for the social care workforce.</li>
<li class="p1">For adult residential workers, the Welsh Government will establish a similar three-year development programme to start in April 2018 with the register opening in April 2020, requiring these workers to be registered by April 2022. The extra workforce information flowing from service regulation will be available early on in this process from April 2017.</li>
</ul>
<p class="p1"> </p>
<p class="p1"></p>
<p>Read the full story on the Welsh Government website: <a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2015/151112domiciliary/?skip=1&lang=en" target="_blank"><span>New requirement for domiciliary care workers in Wales to be registered from 2020</span> </a></p>Wales Care Awards 2015 - winners celebrate in style at emotional ceremony in Cardiff's City Hall<p>The 13th annual Wales Care Awards, organised by Care Forum Wales, took place in Cardiff's City Hall last Friday (November 6) with Welsh Government Health Minister Mark Drakeford and the Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister Lesley Griffiths among the guests.</p>
<p>The audience applauded as 21 categories of awards were presented at the Black Tie ceremony was compered by BBC Wales' Lucy Owen with beautiful singing entertainment by mezzo soprano Sioned Terry (pictured below).</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/sioned-terry-singer.jpg" alt="" height="267" width="400" /></p>
<p>The awards ranged from exceptional newcomer to excellence in dementia care and the prestigious Dignity In Care award presented by Mark Drakeford.</p>
<p>There was also an emotional special tribute award to the family of Trudy Jones - a care worker at Highfields Care Home Blackwood <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/tunisia-hotel-attack-children-care-9954921" target="_blank">tragically killed on holiday in the Tunisian resort of Sousse</a> this summer. Her family were invited to the event to receive the special honour.</p>
<p>There was also a personal message from Welsh opera star Bryn Terfel, whose <a href="http://www.brynterfelfoundation.org/index.php?page=1" target="_blank">Bryn Terfel Foundation</a> sponsors the Promoting the Arts in Social Care Award, for winner Gillian Green of Live Music Now who said, "I wasn't expecting a personal message from Bryn, I'm quite overwhelmed."</p>
<p>Gwenllian Davies, of Awel Tywi Care Home in Llandeilo, was recipient fo the Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award - Wales' oldest woman was told about the award on camera in a short clip relayed to the audience. Her award was accepted on her behalf by Older People's Commissioner <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/commissioner/Sarah-Rochira.aspx" target="_blank">Sarah Rochira</a>.</p>
<h2>The 2015 Wales Care Awards winners list announced</h2>
<p><strong>1. Exceptional Newcomer</strong></p>
<p>GOLD Susan Lloyd, At Home - Vale Senior Care, Denbighshire</p>
<p>SILVER Angelo Corria, Home Instead, Cardiff</p>
<p>BRONZE Aneurin Brown, Hallmark Care Homes, Greenhill Manor, Merthyr Tydfil</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>2. The Social Care Health & Safety Award</strong></p>
<p>GOLD Sarah Jackson, Ludlow Street Healthcare, Cardiff</p>
<p>SILVER Tracy King, Pendine Park Care Organisation, Wrexham</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>3. Excellence in Catering Award</strong></p>
<p>GOLD Lisa Anderson, Hallmark Care Homes, Cartref Annwyl Fan Care Home, Carmarthenshire</p>
<p>SILVER Daniel Cole, Hallmark Care Homes, Shire Hall Care Home, Cardiff</p>
<p>BRONZE Karolina Raslawska, Embrace Group, Cartrefle Res. Home, Llanwrst</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>4. Excellence in Learning Disability & Mental Health Services Award</strong></p>
<p>GOLD Alexander Smith, Life Long Learning 4 Living, Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham</p>
<p>SILVER Carys Pritchard, Abacare Ltd, Bangor</p>
<p>BRONZE Laura Haysham, Orbis Education & Care Ltd, Cardiff</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>5. Innovation in Care for Children & Young People</strong></p>
<p>GOLD Louise Irving, Afon Goch Children's Homes, Gwynedd</p>
<p>SILVER Helen Rees, Orbis Education & Care Ltd, Bronllys, Brecon</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>6. Leadership & Management in Supported Living or Small Community Award</strong></p>
<p>GOLD Audra West, Pendine Park Care Organisation, Independent Living Ltd, Wrexham</p>
<p>JOINT SILVER Sam Evans, Abacare Ltd, Bangor</p>
<p>JOINT SILVER Wayne Bickford, Ucan Care Ltd, Treharris</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>7. Leadership & Management in Residential Care Services</strong></p>
<p>JOINT GOLD Marina Bowles, Crosfield House Care Home, Rhayader, Powys</p>
<p>JOINT GOLD Martin Taylor, Leadon Court Care Home, Thornhill, Cwmbran</p>
<p>JOINT SILVER Jacqueline Innis, Talbot Court Care Home, Neath</p>
<p>JOINT SILVER Judith Richards, Clwyd Alyn Housing Association, St Asaph, Denbighshire</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>8. Commitment to Training & Workforce Development</strong></p>
<p>GOLD Simon Powell, Tracscare, Swansea</p>
<p>SILVER Brenda Davies, Embrace Group, Cartrefle Residential Home, Llanwrst</p>
<p>BRONZE Joyce Williams, Smartcare Pendine Park Teaching Care Centre, Wrexham</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>9. Nurse of the Year</strong></p>
<p>GOLD Aine Loughran, Greenhill Manor Care Home, Hallmark Care Homes, Merthyr Tydfil</p>
<p>SILVER June Edwards, Talbot Court Care Home, Neath</p>
<p>BRONZE Madel Kuhn, Regency House Care Home, Hallmark Care Homes, Cardiff</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>10. Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner Award</strong></p>
<p>JOINT GOLD Vicky Bailey, Talworth Street Regard Domiciliary Care, Cardiff</p>
<p>JOINT GOLD Sian Roberts, Community Living, Wrexham Council</p>
<p>JOINT SILVER Sharon Aspey, Supported Living North Wales, Embrace Group, Denbigh</p>
<p>JOINT SILVER Wayne Brookfield, Community Living, Wrexham Council</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>11. Commitment to Quality in Housekeeping & Hospitality</strong></p>
<p>GOLD Hannah Clatworthy, Rhondda Care Home, Embrace Group, Ystrad, Rhondda Cynon Taf</p>
<p>SILVER Kath Thomas, Llys y Tywysog Care Home, Barchester, Swansea</p>
<p>BRONZE Deborah Price, Talbot Court Care Home, Neath</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>12. Excellence in Palliative & End of Life Care</strong></p>
<p>GOLD Helen Wooding, Wrexham Council Social Services</p>
<p>SILVER Ceri Breeze, Swn y Mor Care Centre, Aberavon, Neath Port Talbot</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>13. Excellence in Dementia Care</strong></p>
<p>GOLD Cheryl Beer, Grwp Gwalia, Swansea</p>
<p>SILVER Claire Mather, S & S Care Ltd, Caergwrle, Wrexham</p>
<p>BRONZE Shamila Yoganathan, Cartref Ael-y-Bryn, Barleybind Ltd, Ammanford</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>14. Outstanding Service</strong></p>
<p>JOINT GOLD Christine Lovell, Ludlow Street Healthcare, Cardiff</p>
<p>JOINT GOLD Catherine Robinson, Gofal Bro, Caernarfon, Gwynedd</p>
<p>JOINT SILVER Bronwen Morris, Old Vicarage, Ruabon, Wrexham</p>
<p>JOINT SILVER Busisiwe Zuma, Hafan y Coed Care Home, Barchester Ltd., Llanelli</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>15. The Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children & Young People</strong></p>
<p>Hazel & David Owen, Conwy County Council , Colwyn Bay, Conwy</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>16. The Bryn Terfel Foundation Award for Promoting the Arts in Social Care</strong></p>
<p>Gillian Green MBE, Live Music Now</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>17. Promoting Fulfilled Lives Award</strong></p>
<p>GOLD Kate Galloway, Action on Hearing Loss Cymru, Wales Care & Support Team, Cardiff</p>
<p>SILVER Michelle Derrick, Swn y Mor Care Centre, Handsale Ltd, Aberavon, Neath</p>
<p>BRONZE Gareth Moxon, Calon Lan Community Care, Llandudno, Denbighshire</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>SPECIAL AWARD: Trudy Jones Special Tribute Award</strong></p>
<p>Trudy Jones worked at Highfields Care Home in Blackwood and was tragically killed in summer 2015 in Sousse, Tunisia. The award was presented by Health Minister Mark Drakeford and accepted by members of her family.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>18. Residential Care Practitioner</strong></p>
<p>JOINT GOLD Chris Balahura, Fairways Care Ltd, Treborth, Bangor</p>
<p>JOINT GOLD Janet Davies, Tracscare, Swansea</p>
<p>JOINT SILVER Stacey Moore, Procare Wales Ltd, Rhyl, Denbighshire</p>
<p>JOINT SILVER Samantha Thomas, Clwyd Alyn Housing Association – Plas Bod Llwyd Care Home, Newbridge</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>19. Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award</strong></p>
<p>WINNER Gwenllian Davies, Awel Tywi Care Home, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>20. Dignity in Care Award (chosen from winners of the other categories)</strong></p>
<p>WINNER Michelle Derrick, Swn y Mor Care Centre, Aberavon, Neath Port Talbot</p>
<p>WINNER Wayne Brookfield, Community Living, Wrexham Council</p>
<p>WINNER Sharon Aspey, Supported Living North Wales, Denbigh, Denbighshire</p>
<p>WINNER Wayne Bickford, Ucan Care Ltd., Treharris, Rhondda Cynon Taf</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>21. Spirit of Care Award</strong></p>
<p>WINNERS Foster carers Hazel Owen and David Owen of Conwy Council, Colwyn Bay, Conwy</p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
<p><br /> </p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
<p></p>Trudy Jones tribute – family receive Wales Care Award honour<p>The children of a care worker killed in the <a data-action="tunisia-hotel-attack" data-content-type="section-topic" data-track="false" data-type="inline" data-word-count="4" href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/all-about/tunisia-hotel-attack" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/all-about/tunisia-hotel-attack_2";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true">Tunisian beach terror atrocity</a> this summer have spoken of their pride in their social care worker "hero" mother as they face a painful first Christmas without her. </p>
<p><em>The family were guests of honour at the Wales Care Awards ceremony on November 6 when Care Forum Wales' chair, Mario Kreft, paid tribute to their mother during an emotional evening saying she was "devoted to improving the quality of life of people in her care".</em></p>
<p>Blackwood social care worker Trudy Jones, 51, was <a data-action="9543787" data-content-type="news" data-track="false" data-type="inline" data-word-count="5" href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/tunisia-hotel-attack-family-welsh-9543787" onclick="s_objectID="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/tunisia-hotel-attack-family-welsh-9543787_1";return this.s_oc?this.s_oc(e):true">one of 38 people killed</a> when gunman Seifeddine Rezgui began firing at tourists on a beach in the resort of Sousse in Tunisia.</p>
<p>Her heartbroken family, speaking in the moving video tribute played to the <a href="http://www.walescareawards.co.uk/news/" target="_blank">Wales Care Awards</a> audience, have spoken for the first time of how they realised she was among the victims when they saw a newspaper picture in the aftermath of the attack. </p>
<h2><strong>Trudy Jones – 'making other people happy made her happy'</strong></h2>
<p>Trudy's children Ryan, Wayne, Gavin and Danah, spoke movingly about their late mother in the video tribute. Eldest son Gavin said: “Mum was always willing to help others – she loved everyone around her, including all of the people she cared for at work, and she was our hero.</p>
<p>“It wasn’t a job to her. The people mum looked after were her extended family and she did all she could to make their lives better. Making other people happy made her happy.”</p>
<p>Trudy’s sister Jane Lewis, who worked alongside her at <a href="http://www.highfieldscarehomewales.co.uk/" target="_blank">Highfields Care Home in Blackwood</a>, told how her sibling made the residents smile by buying them brightly-coloured slippers with frogs on them.</p>
<p>“They thought it was wonderful. She went out of her way and she bought these slippers herself.</p>
<p><strong>A relative of a Highfields resident said Trudy's spirit was 'infectious'.</strong></p>
<p>A relative of a Highfields resident said Trudy's spirit was 'infectious', adding, “she would do everything to please those people.”</p>
<p>Highfields manager Ken Khan told how Trudy always went beyond what was expected of her. "She always went that extra mile for staff, residents and their families and she has left us with some very good memories,” he said.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/we-saw-photo-paper-knew-10412957" target="_blank">Watch the video on the WalesOnline website</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Tribute paid to Trudy Jones by Care Forum Wales chair at Wales Care Awards 2015</h2>
<p>Mario Kreft, the chair of Care Forum Wales, said: “The aim of the Wales Care Awards is to recognise the unstinting and often remarkable dedication of our unsung heroes and heroines across Wales and no-one epitomises this more than Trudy Jones who was devoted to improving the quality of life of people in her care.</p>
<p>“The care sector is full of wonderful people like Trudy because to them it’s not just a job, it’s a vocation. We need to do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce – they deserve to be lauded and applauded.</p>
<p>“We felt it right and fitting to pay tribute to Trudy in this way by inviting her children as our honoured guests. Trudy was clearly loved by the people she carried for, their relatives, colleagues and, of course, her family.”</p>
<p></p>
<p><br /><br /></p>
<p></p>Annual Wales Care Awards take place in Cardiff today – join us to celebrate the best in social care<p>The 13th annual Wales Care Awards take place in Cardiff's City Hall tonight. We will be celebrating with people who work in all aspects of social care, from catering to looked-after children, from nursing homes and residential care homes to others who work in voluntary organisations.</p>
<p>We hope you are coming tonight, along with esteemed guests including Health Minister Mark Drakeford and others, but if you can't you can follow the live updates on twitter @careforumwales and watch our for news and photos on our website and on Facebook later.</p>
<p>They will be compered by BBC Wales' Lucy Owen with entertainment from singer Sioned Terry (pictured below) who sang at the awards in 2013. </p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/sioned-terry-pic2.jpeg" alt="" width="188" height="268" /></p>
<p>The awards nominees for the prestigious awards come from all over Wales, from Rhyl to Wrexham, Cardiff to Caernafon.</p>
<p>There are 18 categories of awards with the shortlisted candidates in 17 of them listed ahead of the awards night - and one special award announced only on the night.</p>
<p>The awards are always a grand occasion with a black tie reception in Cardiff's City Hall. You can find out more about the awards on the <a href="http://www.walescareawards.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wales Care Awards website.</a></p>
<h2>Find out who is on the Wales Care Awards 2015 shortlist</h2>
<p><strong>Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner Award</strong></p>
<p>Sharon Aspray, Embrace Group, Denbigh</p>
<p>Sian Roberts, Wrexham Council</p>
<p>Vicky Bailey, Regard Partnership, Kingston, Surrey</p>
<p>Wayne Brookfield, Wrexham Council</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Residential Care Practitioner</strong></p>
<p>Chris Balahura, Fairways Care Ltd, Treborth, Bangor</p>
<p>Janet Davies, Tracscare, Swansea</p>
<p>Stacey Moore, Procare Wales Ltd, Rhyl</p>
<p>Samantha Thomas, Clwyd Alyn Housing Association – Plas Bod Llwyd Care Home, Newbridge</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Leadership in Residential Care Services</strong></p>
<p>Jacqueline Innis, Talbot Court Care Home, Neath</p>
<p>Martin Taylor, Summerhill Group, Cwmbran</p>
<p>Judith Richards, Clwyd Alyn. Pennaf Housing Group, St Asaph</p>
<p>Marina Bowles, Careinn Ltd, Rhayader</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Leadership & Management in Supported Living or Small Community Award</strong></p>
<p>Audra West, Independent Living Ltd, Wrexham</p>
<p>Sam Evans, Abacare Ltd, Bangor</p>
<p>Wayne Bickford, Ucan Care Ltd, Treharris</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Promoting Fulfilled Lives Award</strong></p>
<p>Dawn Derrick, Handsale Ltd, Aberavon, Neath</p>
<p>Gareth Moxon, Calon Lan Community Care, Llandudno</p>
<p>Kate Galloway, Wales Care & Support Team, Action on Hearing Loss Cymru, Cardiff</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Nurse of the Year</strong></p>
<p>June Edwards, Talbot Court Care Home, Neath</p>
<p>Madel Kuhn, Hallmark Care Homes, Cardiff</p>
<p>Aine Loughran, Hallmark Care Homes, Merthyr Tydfil</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Outstanding Service</strong></p>
<p>Catherine Robinson, Gofal Bro, Caernarfon</p>
<p>Bronwen Morris, Old Vicarage, Wrexham</p>
<p>Busisiwe Zuma, Barchester, Llanelli</p>
<p>Christine Lovell, Ludlow Street Healthcare, Cardiff</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Leading Practice in Learning Disability & Mental Health Services</strong></p>
<p>Alexander Smith, Life Long Learning 4 Living, Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham</p>
<p>Carys Pritchard, Abacare Ltd, Bangor</p>
<p>Laura Haysham, Orbis Education & Care Ltd, Cardiff</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>The Social Care Health & Safety Award</strong></p>
<p>Sarah Jackson, Ludlow Street Healthcare, Cardiff</p>
<p>Tracy King, Pendine Park Care Organisation, Wrexham</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Commitment to Quality in Housekeeping & Hospitality</strong></p>
<p>Deborah Price, Talbot Court Care Home, Neath</p>
<p>Hannah Clatworthy, Embrace Group, Ystrad, Rhondda Cynon Taf</p>
<p>Kath Thomas, Barchester, Swansea</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Palliative & End of Life Care</strong></p>
<p>Ceri Breeze, Handsale Ltd, Aberavon, Neath Port Talbot</p>
<p>Helen Wooding, Wrexham Council</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Innovation in Residential Child Care & Young People</strong></p>
<p>Louise Irving, Afon Goch Children's Homes, Gwynedd</p>
<p>Helen Rees, Orbis Education & Care Ltd, Bronllys, Brecon</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>The Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People</strong></p>
<p>Hazel & David Owen, Conwy County Council , Conwy Child & Family Service</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Catering Award</strong></p>
<p>Lisa Anderson, Hallmark Care Homes, Cartref Annwyl Fan Care Home, Carmarthenshire</p>
<p>Daniel Cole, Hallmark Care Homes, Shire Hall Care Home, Cardiff</p>
<p>Karolina Raslawska, Embrace Group, Cartrefle Res. Home, Llanwrst</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Commitment to Training & Workforce Development</strong></p>
<p>Simon Powell, Tracscare, Swansea</p>
<p>Joyce Williams, Smartcare Pendine Park Teaching Care Centre, Wrexham</p>
<p>Brenda Davies, Embrace Group, Cartrefle Residential Home, Llanwrst</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Dementia Care</strong></p>
<p>Claire Mathe, S & S Care Ltd, Caergwrle, Wrexham</p>
<p>Cheryl Beer, Grwp Gwalia, Swansea</p>
<p>Shamilla Yoganathan, Barleyblind Ltd, Cartref Ael Y Bryn, Ammanford</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Exceptional Newcomer</strong></p>
<p>Angelo Corria, Home Instead, Cardiff</p>
<p>Susan Lloyd, At Home - Vale Senior Care, Denbighshire</p>
<p>Aneurin Brown, Hallmark Care Homes, Greenhill Manor, Merthyr Tydfil</p>Care home shortage warning for Wales from Public Policy Institute for Wales<p>Care home places could run short as owners retire and homes close with no-one to take over, a report has warned.</p>
<p>The report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) also said financial pressures on care homes had made it more difficult for new entrants to enter the market.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Download a copy of the report: <a href="https://sites.cardiff.ac.uk/ppiw/files/2015/11/The-Care-Home-Market-in-Wales-mapping-the-sector.pdf" target="_blank">The Care Home Market in Wales: Mapping the Sector</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<p>The report, published in October, found Wales less dependent than England on large firms such as Southern Cross, which collapsed in 2011.</p>
<p>But experts said high capital costs, uncertain income and staff shortages deterred existing firms from expanding their operations, and new entrants.</p>
<p>Health Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured below) said the report would help shape the debate about the provision of care.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Mark Drakeford Health Minister.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></p>
<p>Some existing operators were interested in expanding, but the report said they were put off by the capital costs involved, uncertainty over future demand, and the rising costs of care as people needed more intensive support.</p>
<p>Read the full story</p>
<p>BBC Wales: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-34723524" target="_blank">Care home shortage warning as owners retire</a></p>The Wales Care Awards are just a week away – find out who's on the shortlist<p>The 13th annual Wales Care Awards, organised by CFW, take place a week today on Friday, November 6 in Cardiff's City Hall.</p>
<p>They will be compered by BBC Wales' Lucy Owen with entertainment from singer Sioned Terry (pictured) who sang at the awards in 2013. </p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/sioned-terry-pic2.jpeg" alt="" width="188" height="268" /></p>
<p>The awards nominees for the prestigious awards come from all over Wales, from Rhyl to Wrexham, Cardiff to Caernafon.</p>
<p>There are 18 categories of awards with the shortlisted candidates in 17 of them listed ahead of the awards night - and one special award announced only on the night.</p>
<p>The awards are always a grand occasion with a black tie reception in Cardiff's City Hall. This year the Wales Care Awards take place on November 6. You can book a table and find out more about the awards on the <a href="http://www.walescareawards.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wales Care Awards website.</a></p>
<h2>Find out who is on the Wales Care Awards 2015 shortlist</h2>
<p><strong>Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner Award</strong></p>
<p>Sharon Aspray, Embrace Group, Denbigh</p>
<p>Sian Roberts, Wrexham Council</p>
<p>Vicky Bailey, Regard Partnership, Kingston, Surrey</p>
<p>Wayne Brookfield, Wrexham Council</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Residential Care Practitioner</strong></p>
<p>Chris Balahura, Fairways Care Ltd, Treborth, Bangor</p>
<p>Janet Davies, Tracscare, Swansea</p>
<p>Stacey Moore, Procare Wales Ltd, Rhyl</p>
<p>Samantha Thomas, Clwyd Alyn Housing Association – Plas Bod Llwyd Care Home, Newbridge</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Leadership in Residential Care Services</strong></p>
<p>Jacqueline Innis, Talbot Court Care Home, Neath</p>
<p>Martin Taylor, Summerhill Group, Cwmbran</p>
<p>Judith Richards, Clwyd Alyn. Pennaf Housing Group, St Asaph</p>
<p>Marina Bowles, Careinn Ltd, Rhayader</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Leadership & Management in Supported Living or Small Community Award</strong></p>
<p>Audra West, Independent Living Ltd, Wrexham</p>
<p>Sam Evans, Abacare Ltd, Bangor</p>
<p>Wayne Bickford, Ucan Care Ltd, Treharris</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Promoting Fulfilled Lives Award</strong></p>
<p>Dawn Derrick, Handsale Ltd, Aberavon, Neath</p>
<p>Gareth Moxon, Calon Lan Community Care, Llandudno</p>
<p>Kate Galloway, Wales Care & Support Team, Action on Hearing Loss Cymru, Cardiff</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Nurse of the Year</strong></p>
<p>June Edwards, Talbot Court Care Home, Neath</p>
<p>Madel Kuhn, Hallmark Care Homes, Cardiff</p>
<p>Aine Loughran, Hallmark Care Homes, Merthyr Tydfil</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Outstanding Service</strong></p>
<p>Catherine Robinson, Gofal Bro, Caernarfon</p>
<p>Bronwen Morris, Old Vicarage, Wrexham</p>
<p>Busisiwe Zuma, Barchester, Llanelli</p>
<p>Christine Lovell, Ludlow Street Healthcare, Cardiff</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Leading Practice in Learning Disability & Mental Health Services</strong></p>
<p>Alexander Smith, Life Long Learning 4 Living, Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham</p>
<p>Carys Pritchard, Abacare Ltd, Bangor</p>
<p>Laura Haysham, Orbis Education & Care Ltd, Cardiff</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>The Social Care Health & Safety Award</strong></p>
<p>Sarah Jackson, Ludlow Street Healthcare, Cardiff</p>
<p>Tracy King, Pendine Park Care Organisation, Wrexham</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Commitment to Quality in Housekeeping & Hospitality</strong></p>
<p>Deborah Price, Talbot Court Care Home, Neath</p>
<p>Hannah Clatworthy, Embrace Group, Ystrad, Rhondda Cynon Taf</p>
<p>Kath Thomas, Barchester, Swansea</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Palliative & End of Life Care</strong></p>
<p>Ceri Breeze, Handsale Ltd, Aberavon, Neath Port Talbot</p>
<p>Helen Wooding, Wrexham Council</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Innovation in Residential Child Care & Young People</strong></p>
<p>Louise Irving, Afon Goch Children's Homes, Gwynedd</p>
<p>Helen Rees, Orbis Education & Care Ltd, Bronllys, Brecon</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>The Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People</strong></p>
<p>Hazel & David Owen, Conwy County Council , Conwy Child & Family Service</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Catering Award</strong></p>
<p>Lisa Anderson, Hallmark Care Homes, Cartref Annwyl Fan Care Home, Carmarthenshire</p>
<p>Daniel Cole, Hallmark Care Homes, Shire Hall Care Home, Cardiff</p>
<p>Karolina Raslawska, Embrace Group, Cartrefle Res. Home, Llanwrst</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Commitment to Training & Workforce Development</strong></p>
<p>Simon Powell, Tracscare, Swansea</p>
<p>Joyce Williams, Smartcare Pendine Park Teaching Care Centre, Wrexham</p>
<p>Brenda Davies, Embrace Group, Cartrefle Residential Home, Llanwrst</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Dementia Care</strong></p>
<p>Claire Mathe, S & S Care Ltd, Caergwrle, Wrexham</p>
<p>Cheryl Beer, Grwp Gwalia, Swansea</p>
<p>Shamilla Yoganathan, Barleyblind Ltd, Cartref Ael Y Bryn, Ammanford</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Exceptional Newcomer</strong></p>
<p>Angelo Corria, Home Instead, Cardiff</p>
<p>Susan Lloyd, At Home - Vale Senior Care, Denbighshire</p>
<p>Aneurin Brown, Hallmark Care Homes, Greenhill Manor, Merthyr Tydfil</p>Changes to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards guidance – new forms to be used from November 2<p>The Welsh Health Circular (October 2015) has listed changes and revisions to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards forms and guidance. <strong>New forms should be used in Wales from November 2, 2015.</strong></p>
<p>A review of the guidance was agreed after a Supreme Court judgment, often known as Cheshire West, brought into sharp focus the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Since then an expert working group has revised the forms and guidance.</p>
<p class="p1">CFW policy adviser Melanie Minty said: "Care Forum Wales has been involved in producing the new forms and I am grateful to members who gave time to provide comments and feedback.</p>
<p class="p1">"I would recommend that the 'Managing Authority' who has responsibility within the care home takes a little time to read through the guidance, particularly those sections on applying for authorisations and notifying the Coroner of the death of a person within the home who is subject to a DoLS.</p>
<p class="p1">"I will be happy to take up and comments or queries you may have about the forms," she added.</p>
<h2 class="p1">New DoLS forms apply in Wales</h2>
<p>The new forms have been updated and reduced in number to lessen the burden on managing authorities and supervisory bodies, while enabling them to better demonstrate compliance with DoLS.</p>
<p><strong>NB Those using the old forms, edited forms or the DoLS ADSS / DH forms issued in England are at risk of failing to comply with the DoLS requirements in Wales.</strong></p>
<h2 class="p1">Link to the new DoLs forms which apply in Wales from November 2:</h2>
<ul>
<li class="p1">All local authorities and local health board in Wales should use the forms which can be found <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/www http:/gov.wales/topics/health/nhswales/healthservice/mental-health-services/mentalcapacityact/dols/?lang=en" target="_blank">here</a>.</li>
</ul>
<p></p>Social Services National Outcomes Framework – Welsh Government calls for care providers' input<p class="p1">The Welsh Government is inviting members of CFW to contribute to the Social Services National Outcomes Framework before it is published in final form in January 2016. </p>
<p class="p1">Care homes and domiciliary care services will play a significant role in supporting people to achieve outcomes and your views are needed.</p>
<p class="p1">There will be two separate events where you can give your views and input:</p>
<ul>
<li class="p1"><b>November 25, 2015 in Penllergaer Business Park, Swansea</b></li>
<li class="p1"><b>November 26, 2015 in Glyndŵr University, Wrexham</b></li>
</ul>
<h2 class="p1">Book by November 5 to attend National Outcomes Framework events</h2>
<p class="p1">There are 40 spaces available at each event and spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis by sector.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>The closing date for booking is Thursday 5 November 2015</b>. Please complete the booking form and return direct to Welsh Government if you want to attend.</p>
<p class="p1">Download a PDF about the National Outcomes Framework <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Social services national outcomes framework- infographic.pdf" target="_blank">/uploads/Social services national outcomes framework- infographic.pdf</a> (infographic).</p>
<p class="p1">Papers will be issued in advance of the workshops and will include the draft social services national outcomes framework.</p>
<ul>
<li class="p1"><a href="http://gov.wales/topics/health/socialcare/well-being/?lang=en" target="_blank">Read more about the National Outcomes Framework on the Welsh Government website.</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 class="p1">Why is the Welsh Government producing a National Outcomes Framework?</h2>
<p>The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 requires Welsh Ministers to specify outcomes to be achieved in terms of the well-being of people who need care and support and carers who need support. Welsh Ministers must report on the progress made towards the achievement of well-being.</p>
<p>Here's what the National Outcomes Framework aims to achieve:</p>
<ul>
<li>To describe the important well-being outcomes that people should expect in order to lead fulfilled lives. This will give people a greater voice and more control over their lives and enable them to make informed decisions to ensure they engage in improving their well-being.</li>
<li>To set national direction for all services working in partnership with people to understand what matters to them and to build on people’s strengths and abilities to enable them to maintain an appropriate level of independence with the appropriate level of care and support.</li>
<li>To provide greater transparency on whether care and support services are improving well-being outcomes. This will shine a spotlight on what needs to be done to improve well-being rather than focussing on processes involved in delivering care and support</li>
</ul>
<p class="p4"></p>
<p class="p7">The national outcomes framework has been published <a href="http://gov.wales/topics/health/socialcare/well-being/?lang=en" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>Book now for the second annual Wales Care Provider Summit in Cardiff<div class="article_divider">
<h3>Second annual Care Provider Summit: Cardiff</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Come to the <strong>second annual Care Provider Summit</strong> which is being hosted by Cymorth Cymru and Care Forum Wales in Cardiff on November 17. The summit promises a chance to hear from those involved in shaping and changing the social care landscape in Wales, from the Health and Social Services Minister down.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/cymorth-logo.svg" alt="" width="300" height="111" /></p>
<h2>The summit is a fantastic opportunity for care providers to come together and discuss the key issues in social care</h2>
<p>Following on from the first ever Care Provider Summit last year in 2014, this year's event will include workshops to help you in your day-to-day job, opportunities to contribute to the discussion and feedback from the front line of social care.</p>
<p><strong>Key issues for discussion will include:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act</li>
<li>The need for more partnership working across all programmes</li>
<li>The growing pressure on public finances</li>
</ul>
<h2>For more information and booking for the Care Provider Summit 2015</h2>
<p>Visit the <a href="http://www.cymorthcymru.org.uk/en/events-and-training/events/care-provider-summit-2015" target="_blank">Cymorth Cymru website</a></p>
<p></p>
</div>
<p></p>Learning the lessons of the Flynn Report – workshops for providers<p>Two workshops to 'learn the lessons' of the Flynn Report and Operation Jasmine are being held in North Wales in December.</p>
<p>The workshops, to held on December 9 in Llandudno and December 10 in Wrexham initially, aim to bring together those involved in the care of older people to hear Dr Flynn personally talk through her findings and the lessons the review identifies.</p>
<p>It is hoped local authority and University Health Board commissioners, contract compliance monitors, home owners, the police, local councillors, Assembly Members, carers’ associations, older people and other social care professionals will attend.</p>
<p>Places are limited so please book early! <strong>The deadline for booking is Monday November 30.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Please email booking forms to: <a href="mailto:Pauline.bird@denbighshire.gov.uk" target="_blank">Pauline.bird@denbighshire.gov.uk</a></strong></p>
<p>Booking forms are available to download by clicking the links below:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Flynn workshops booking form - English .pdf">English version.pdf</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Flynn workshops booking form – Welsh version.pdf" target="_blank">Welsh version.pdf</a></p>
<h2>On the agenda for the 'Learning the lessons' workshops in North Wales</h2>
<p>The morning session focuses principally on the findings of Dr Margaret Flynn's report for the Welsh Government and the afternoon session on the lessons to be learned from it.</p>
<p>Images will be shared during the events of people who were harmed and, separately, of pressure ulcers that some older people developed. Also, it is possible for extracts from a TV broadcast from 1995 may be viewed during the event – if a PA system and microphones are available</p>
<ul>
<li>Two or more 'Justice for Jasmine' families will attend each event to give an account of their relatives' experiences and similarly.</li>
<li>Dr Margaret Flynn will summarise the key messages and lessons arising from her review.</li>
<li>A local speaker will outline some of the local, good news/ bad news headlines in terms of providing support to frail older people.</li>
</ul>Man impersonating CSSIW staff<p>CSSIW have received reports from two providers in North Wales who have been contacted by a man called "Steve", claiming to be from CSSIW.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The man asked for details about staff on duty, names and telephone numbers. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Please be diligant and do not disclose information to anyone purporting to be from CSSIW unless you are satisfied as to their identity. If you are contacted by CSSIW and have any concerns about the person calling, take their name, contact details and which regional office they are calling from. Then call CSSIW's central phone number on 0300 7900 126, select to be put through to your regional office and request to speak to that person.</p>
<p>If you have any concerns, call 0300 7900 126.</p>Plans to mark Stop Pressure Ulcer Day announced – drop-in event at Welsh Wound Innovation Centre<p>Plans have been announced to raise awareness on STOP Pressure Ulcer day 2015 on November 19 with an <a href="http://www.welshwoundnetwork.org/en/news/come-celebrate-stop-pressure-ulcer-day/" target="_blank">Open Day at the Welsh Wound Innovation Centre</a> in Pontyclun. </p>
<p>This day is geared for the public as well as health professionals who want to find out more about the experience of living with pressure ulcers. </p>
<p>Organisers are inviting you to drop in to event at the Welsh Wound Innovation Centre between 10am and 4pm.</p>
<p>There will be specific sessions on the impact of living with a pressure ulcer held at 10.30am, 12.30 and 2.30pm. </p>
<p><strong>Where is the Welsh Wound Innovation Centre?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Welsh Wound Innovation Centre</strong><br /><strong>Rhodfa Marics</strong><br /><strong>Ynysmaerdy</strong><br /><strong>Pontyclun</strong><br /><strong>Rhondda Cynon Taff</strong><br /><strong>CF72 8UX</strong><br /><strong>01443 443870</strong><br /><strong> </strong></p>Wider public service cuts hit older people's ability to maintain independence, report finds<p>Cuts to public services outside health and social care have made a dramatic impact on older people’s lives in Wales, a report by the Wales Audit Office has said.</p>
<p>The report found that although councils have identified the independence of older people as a priority, cuts to services outside health and social care – including day centres, libraries and other community services – are having a detrimental effect on older people.</p>
<p>The study was supported by a Wales-wide citizen survey which asked people to rate which services were most important in helping them maintain independence.</p>
<h2>Older people 'don't just need health and social care services'</h2>
<p>Auditor General for Wales Huw Vaughan Thomas said: “It is important that the perception that older people are primarily recipients of health and social care services is one that is challenged.</p>
<p>“As this report states there is an imbalance in the emphasis we place on prevention and in line with my recommendations I would be keen to see this addressed in order to allow people in Wales to maintain their independence into older age.”</p>
<p>The report has been backed by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales and the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales Sarah Rochira.</p>
<p>It makes six recommendations for improvement – five to councils in Wales and one specifically for the Welsh Government – including improving engagement with older people over service changes and strengthening strategic planning.</p>
<p>Read the full story: WalesOnline: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/lives-elderly-wales-been-hit-10268611" target="_blank">The lives of the elderly in Wales have been hit hard by public service cuts, finds major new report</a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>Plan to 'abolish social care' charges policy put forward<p>Plaid Cymru has announced it would 'abolish social care' charges if elected to govern in next year's Welsh Assembly elections. It said the changes – costing £226m – would be phased in, with charges not ending completely until a second term of a Plaid Welsh government.</p>
<p>The party also unveiled plans to abolish Wales' health boards and place major hospitals under one body.</p>
<p>Labour warned it would mean "years of chaotic and costly reorganisation".</p>
<p>Under Plaid's re-organisation proposals, which the party said could take three years to bring in, responsibility for planning and running acute and specialist hospitals would be carried out by one national hospital board.</p>
<p><strong>Local authorities would manage community services, but the party said some larger authorities could devolve responsibility to large groups of GPs.</strong></p>
<p>The plans were ridiculed by the Welsh Labour government as "the end of the NHS as we know it",</p>
<p>A spokesman for Health Minister Mark Drakeford said: "Plaid is proposing little more than the break up of the NHS and condemning the health service to years of chaotic, confusing and a hugely costly reorganisation with these nonsensical plans to give local politicians direct control of planning community services, including GP care and mental healthcare, at a time when money should be invested in frontline services."</p>
<p>Conservative shadow health spokesman Darren Millar said "another expensive change" was not the answer to the "significant problems" facing the Welsh NHS.</p>
<ul>
<li>Read the full story: <strong>BBC Wales News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-34465117" target="_blank">Plaid Cymru to abolish social care charges if it wins power </a></strong></li>
</ul>Measuring social services performance: statutory code of practice issued by Welsh Government<p>The code of practice in relation to measuring social services performance has become the first statutory code of practice issued under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.</p>
<p>This code of practice will come into force on commencement of the Act on April 6, 2016.</p>
<p>Local authorities will be required to return national performance information in relation to their social services functions. This information will be reported in 2017, and replace all existing social services performance information.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://gov.wales/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2015/socialservicesperformance/?lang=en" target="_blank">Read more on the Welsh Government website</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>See the <a href="http://gov.wales/topics/health/socialcare/well-being/performance/?lang=en" target="_blank">Performance Measurement Framework for Local Authorities</a></strong></p>
<p></p>New system for reporting avoidable pressure sores in care home patients announced <p>The First Minister, Carwyn Jones, announced yesterday (October 6) that a new public system for the reporting of avoidable pressure sores found in patients in care home would be introduced.</p>
<p>The announcement was made as the Welsh Government responded to recommendations in the report it commissioned, by Dr Margaret Flynn, into alleged neglect of older people in six South Wales care homes.</p>
<p>The care homes were investigated in Gwent Police's Operation Jasmine but the owner of the homes, Dr Prana Das, died before any prosecution could take place. The Welsh Government announced yesterday that, in line with Dr Flynn's recommendations, inquests will now take place into the deaths of patients in the alleged care home neglect scandal. Read more on this - <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/inquests-held-deaths-patients-care-10209317" target="_blank">Inquests to be held into deaths of patients in care home 'abuse' scandal</a>.</p>
<p>The Welsh Government said it will introduce a new monitoring and reporting system to record and publish incidents of avoidable pressure damage in care homes and "increase the support available to address failings in the system".</p>
<h2>The Flynn Report: recommendations on pressure ulcers</h2>
<p>Recommendation two of Dr Margaret Flynn's report deals with the problem of untreated pressure ulcers:</p>
<p>2. that the Welsh Government, in association with Public Health Wales, ensures that:<br />(i) the significance of deep pressure ulcers is elevated to that of a notifiable condition<br />(ii) senior clinicians, including Registrars, General Practitioners and Tissue Viability Nurses, assume a lead role in preventing avoidable pressure ulcers and in developing a National Wound Registry, assisted by the Welsh Wound Innovation Centre<br />(iii) senior clinicians are made responsible for notifying Public Health Wales of deep pressure ulcers and<br />(iv) where Public Health Wales has been informed of the existence of deep pressure ulcers, a process is identified whereby that information is communicated to the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales or the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales and appropriate commissioning authorities as well as to people’s families</p>
<p>The Welsh Government has accepted this recommendation.</p>
<h2>Stop Pressure Ulcer Day on November 19</h2>
<p>This is a European-wide day to highlight the problem of pressure sores. Find out more about this <a href="http://www.epuap.org/news/stop-pressure-ulcer-day-3/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>Inquests to be held into care home deaths after alleged abuse investigated under Operation Jasmine<p>Inquests are to be held into the deaths of patients in an alleged care-home abuse case, First Minister Carwyn Jones has said today (October 6).</p>
<p>The news came as the First Minister Carwyn Jones issued a statement in the Senedd about the recommendations published in the review by Dr Margaret Flynn which the Welsh Government commissioned into alleged abuse at South Wales care homes.</p>
<p>Dr Flynn's report containted 12 recommendations: <strong>Read the <a href="http://gov.wales/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2015/flynnresponse/?lang=en" target="_blank">Welsh Government's statement responding to the Flynn recommendations</a></strong>.</p>
<p>The neglect at six South East Wales care homes was investigated by Gwent Police under Operation Jasmine but the homes' owner, Dr Prana Das, died before any prosecution could take place.</p>
<p>The Flynn Report concluded that Dr Das 'could and should have been prosecuted'. It found evidence of horrific neglect including pressure sores left untreated. The Welsh Government has now announced a new system to record and publish incidents of avoidable pressure sore damage in care homes.</p>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<p>WalesOnline: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/inquests-held-deaths-patients-care-10209317" target="_blank">Inquests will be held into the deaths of patients in care home abuse scandal</a></p>
<p>WalesOnline: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/systemic-abuse-uncovered-six-welsh-2513464" target="_blank">Systemic abuse was uncovered in six care homes, claims MP</a></p>
<p>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22761073" target="_blank">Operation Jasmine inquiry: Justic demand over homes 'neglect'</a></p>
<p>National Assembly for Wales Research Service: <a href="https://assemblyinbrief.wordpress.com/2015/07/28/reflections-from-the-flynn-report-on-the-neglect-of-older-care-home-residents-in-south-wales/" target="_blank">Reflections from the Flynn report</a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>Continuing Healthcare – claims deadline extended by Welsh Government<p>The deadline for people to make a claim if they believe their ongoing care should have been funded by the Welsh NHS is being extended, the Welsh Government announced today (September 28).</p>
<p>Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is a package of care paid for by the NHS for people with complex needs which are primarily health-based. The care may be provided in a care setting or in an individual’s own home.</p>
<h2>Retrospective claims for continuing care – new deadline is October 31, 2015</h2>
<p>Under new arrangements for making retrospective claims, <strong>claimants have until October 31 to register their intent</strong> with their health board to claim for continuing healthcare costs incurred between August 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014.</p>
<p>All health boards are able to provide free advice to people who want to make a claim and they will also complete any necessary work on their behalf. The intention is for all claims to be reviewed within 12 months of submission.</p>
<p>This is not a legal process and there is no requirement for people to appoint a solicitor. However, if a solicitor is used, those costs cannot be reimbursed.</p>
<ul>
<li>Read more on the <a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2015/150928funding/?lang=en" target="_blank">Welsh Government website</a></li>
<li>What is defined as continuing healthcare? See the <a href="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/continuingnhshealthcare" target="_blank">NHS Wales website</a></li>
</ul>
<p></p>Stop Pressure Ulcer Day 2015 – join the campaign<p>CFW is urging care home managers and nursing professionals to help raise awareness of the issue of pressure ulcers ahead of 'Stop Pressure Ulcer Day' on November 19<span>.</span></p>
<p><span>The day is being supported by the <span>European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) again in 2015.</span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span><span>Pressure Ulcer guidelines can be found on the <a href="http://www.epuap.org/guidelines/" target="_blank">EPUAP website</a>.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span>CFW's policy adviser, Melanie Minty said: "This campaign is of relevance to everyone who works in the care sector, particularly in residential care and for social care nurses.</span></p>
<p><span>"We'd like to encourage care home managers to increase awareness among their staff of the debilitating effects of pressure ulcers and if possible promote the awareness day in November."</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span>Awareness-raising materials and a flyer is available <a href="http://www.epuap.org/stop-pressure-ulcer-day/" target="_blank">here</a></span></li>
<li><span>The campaign is being organised by the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel - see the <a href="http://www.epuap.org/stop-pressure-ulcer-day/" target="_blank">EPUAP website</a> for more information</span></li>
</ul>
<h2><span>For more information – SPUD 2015 in Wales</span></h2>
<p><span>An event is being held on November 19 at the <a href="http://www.wwic.wales/" target="_blank">Welsh Wound Innovation Centre</a>. </span></p>
<p><span>To book a place or find out more about this please contact Michelle Owen, a m</span>ember of the Healthcare and Assistive Technology Society for more information on SPUD 2015 in Wales:</p>
<p class="p1">(M) 07872 377145</p>
<p class="p1">(T) 01685 350802</p>
<p class="p1">(F) 01685 350550</p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1">(E) <a href="mailto:michelle@cymruhealthcare.co.uk"><span class="s2">michelle@cymruhealthcare.co.uk</span></a></span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1">(I) <a href="http://www.cymruhealthcare.co.uk/"><span class="s2">www.cymruhealthcare.co.uk</span></a></span></p>CFW to jointly host second annual Care Provider Summit with Cymorth Cymru<p>The <strong>second annual Care Provider Summit</strong> is being hosted by Cymorth Cymru and Care Forum Wales in Cardiff on November 17.</p>
<p>The summit promises a chance to hear from those involved in shaping and changing the social care landscape in Wales, from the Health and Social Services Minister downwards.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/cymorth-logo.svg" alt="" width="300" height="111" /><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Care Forum Logo new 2009 ©.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></p>
<h2>The summit is a fantastic opportunity for care providers to come together and discuss the key issues in social care</h2>
<p>Following on from the first ever Care Provider Summit last year in 2014, this year's event will include workshops to help you in your day-to-day job, opportunities to contribute to the discussion and feedback from the front line of social care.</p>
<p><strong>Key issues for discussion will include:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act</li>
<li>The need for more partnership working across all programmes</li>
<li>The growing pressure on public finances</li>
</ul>
<h2>For more information and booking for the Care Provider Summit 2015</h2>
<p>Visit the <a href="http://www.cymorthcymru.org.uk/en/events-and-training/events/care-provider-summit-2015" target="_blank">Cymorth Cymru website</a></p>My Home Life Cymru – free events for care home managers around Wales in October<p>My Home Life Cymru is inviting social care managers to share good practice and learn more about the work of My Home Life Cymru at a series of free events around Wales in October.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Sarah_Rochira.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="180" /></p>
<p>The <strong>Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira </strong><em>(pictured above)</em>, will be speaking at the events, following on from her report into the quality of life for older people in Welsh care homes.</p>
<p>The events will also provide the opportunity to network with other care home managers and to share good practice</p>
<h2>My Home Life Cymru: free events for care home managers</h2>
<p>These will take place in three venues around Wales in October:</p>
<ul>
<li>The Wellington Centre, Rhyl – 2 October 2015</li>
<li>Newport YMCA – 9 October 2015</li>
<li>Llanelli Library – 29 October 2015</li>
</ul>
<p class="p1"><b>To book a place please email: </b><a href="mailto:mhlc@agecymru.org.uk"><span class="s1"><b>mhlc@agecymru.org.uk</b></span></a><b> stating your name, place of work and the best email address to contact you on.</b></p>
<p></p>Find out who's on the shortlist for a Wales Care Award in 2015<p>The shortlist for the 13th annual Wales Care Awards has been announced. The awards nominees for the prestigious awards come from all over Wales, from Rhyl to Wrexham, Cardiff to Caernafon.</p>
<p>There are 18 categories of awards with the shortlisted candidates in 17 of them listed ahead of the awards night - and one special award announced only on the night. </p>
<p>The awards are always a grand occasion with a black tie reception in Cardiff's City Hall. This year the Wales Care Awards take place on November 6. You can book a table and find out more about the awards on the <a href="http://www.walescareawards.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wales Care Awards website.</a></p>
<h2>Find out who is on the Wales Care Awards 2015 shortlist</h2>
<p><strong>Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner Award</strong></p>
<p>Sharon Aspray, Embrace Group, Denbigh</p>
<p>Sian Roberts, Wrexham Council</p>
<p>Vicky Bailey, Regard Partnership, Kingston, Surrey</p>
<p>Wayne Brookfield, Wrexham Council</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Residential Care Practitioner</strong></p>
<p>Chris Balahura, Fairways Care Ltd, Treborth, Bangor</p>
<p>Janet Davies, Tracscare, Swansea</p>
<p>Stacey Moore, Procare Wales Ltd, Rhyl</p>
<p>Samantha Thomas, Clwyd Alyn Housing Association – Plas Bod Llwyd Care Home, Newbridge</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Leadership in Residential Care Services</strong></p>
<p>Jacqueline Innis, Talbot Court Care Home, Neath</p>
<p>Martin Taylor, Summerhill Group, Cwmbran</p>
<p>Judith Richards, Clwyd Alyn. Pennaf Housing Group, St Asaph</p>
<p>Marina Bowles, Careinn Ltd, Rhayader</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Leadership & Management in Supported Living or Small Community Award</strong></p>
<p>Audra West, Independent Living Ltd, Wrexham</p>
<p>Sam Evans, Abacare Ltd, Bangor</p>
<p>Wayne Bickford, Ucan Care Ltd, Treharris</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Promoting Fulfilled Lives Award</strong></p>
<p>Dawn Derrick, Handsale Ltd, Aberavon, Neath</p>
<p>Gareth Moxon, Calon Lan Community Care, Llandudno</p>
<p>Kate Galloway, Wales Care & Support Team, Action on Hearing Loss Cymru, Cardiff</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Nurse of the Year</strong></p>
<p>June Edwards, Talbot Court Care Home, Neath</p>
<p>Madel Kuhn, Hallmark Care Homes, Cardiff</p>
<p>Aine Loughran, Hallmark Care Homes, Merthyr Tydfil</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Outstanding Service</strong></p>
<p>Catherine Robinson, Gofal Bro, Caernarfon</p>
<p>Bronwen Morris, Old Vicarage, Wrexham</p>
<p>Busisiwe Zuma, Barchester, Llanelli</p>
<p>Christine Lovell, Ludlow Street Healthcare, Cardiff</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Leading Practice in Learning Disability & Mental Health Services</strong></p>
<p>Alexander Smith, Life Long Learning 4 Living, Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham</p>
<p>Carys Pritchard, Abacare Ltd, Bangor</p>
<p>Laura Haysham, Orbis Education & Care Ltd, Cardiff</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>The Social Care Health & Safety Award</strong></p>
<p>Sarah Jackson, Ludlow Street Healthcare, Cardiff</p>
<p>Tracy King, Pendine Park Care Organisation, Wrexham</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Commitment to Quality in Housekeeping & Hospitality</strong></p>
<p>Deborah Price, Talbot Court Care Home, Neath</p>
<p>Hannah Clatworthy, Embrace Group, Ystrad, Rhondda Cynon Taf</p>
<p>Kath Thomas, Barchester, Swansea</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Palliative & End of Life Care</strong></p>
<p>Ceri Breeze, Handsale Ltd, Aberavon, Neath Port Talbot</p>
<p>Helen Wooding, Wrexham Council</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Innovation in Residential Child Care & Young People</strong></p>
<p>Louise Irving, Afon Goch Children's Homes, Gwynedd</p>
<p>Helen Rees, Orbis Education & Care Ltd, Bronllys, Brecon</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>The Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People</strong></p>
<p>Hazel & David Owen, Conwy County Council , Conwy Child & Family Service</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Catering Award</strong></p>
<p>Lisa Anderson, Hallmark Care Homes, Cartref Annwyl Fan Care Home, Carmarthenshire</p>
<p>Daniel Cole, Hallmark Care Homes, Shire Hall Care Home, Cardiff</p>
<p>Karolina Raslawska, Embrace Group, Cartrefle Res. Home, Llanwrst</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Commitment to Training & Workforce Development</strong></p>
<p>Simon Powell, Tracscare, Swansea</p>
<p>Joyce Williams, Smartcare Pendine Park Teaching Care Centre, Wrexham</p>
<p>Brenda Davies, Embrace Group, Cartrefle Residential Home, Llanwrst</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Dementia Care</strong></p>
<p>Claire Mathe, S & S Care Ltd, Caergwrle, Wrexham</p>
<p>Cheryl Beer, Grwp Gwalia, Swansea</p>
<p>Shamilla Yoganathan, Barleyblind Ltd, Cartref Ael Y Bryn, Ammanford</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Exceptional Newcomer</strong></p>
<p>Angelo Corria, Home Instead, Cardiff</p>
<p>Susan Lloyd, At Home - Vale Senior Care, Denbighshire</p>
<p>Aneurin Brown, Hallmark Care Homes, Greenhill Manor, Merthyr Tydfil</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>Join the 'Say NO to ageism campaign' on Older People's Day – October 1<p>The Older People's Commissioner for Wales is urging everyone to 'say NO to ageism' this Older People's Day on October 1.</p>
<p>The international day of older persons celebrates the amazing contribution made by older people across the world – and the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales wants you to join her and Say NO to Ageism.</p>
<p>Older people across Wales regularly share their experiences of being treated unfairly because of their age with the Commissioner and her team, while research shows that more than a third of older people – which equates to more than a quarter of a million older people in Wales – have experienced some form of ageism.</p>
<p>The Older People's Commissioner said in her press statement about the campaign, "Stereotypes of older people are still common and derogatory and disrespectful language is still used so often to describe people once they reach a certain age. </p>
<p>"My position is clear: this is simply not acceptable. By working together to #SayNoToAgeism and highlighting the amazing contribution made by older people in Wales, we can change the way society thinks about growing older and make a big difference to people’s lives!" added the Commissioner.</p>
<h2>How can my organisation say no to ageism on October 1?</h2>
<p>How can you get involved? Using social media you can:</p>
<ul>
<li>Join the Commissioner’s Thunderclap <a href="ttps://www.thunderclap.it/projects/31460-say-no-to-ageism" target="_blank">here</a>, </li>
<li>Tweet a photo of yourself or members of your organisation holding up our campaign sign, with a tweet that reads ‘I’m / We’re supporting the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales and saying NO to ageism #SayNoToAgeism’</li>
<li>Camera shy? You can tweet your support with ‘I’m / We’re supporting the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales and saying NO to ageism #SayNoToAgeism</li>
<li>Follow #SayNoToAgeism and retweet us – let’s get #SayNoToAgeism trending!</li>
<li>Watch and share our campaign video, available here from 1 October: <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/ageism.aspx">http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/ageism.aspx</a></li>
<li>Share our #EverydayHeroes postcards and case studies to highlight the amazing contribution made by older people, available here from 1 October <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/ageism.aspx." target="_blank">here</a> <br /> </li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>Many thanks for your support.</p>New report highlights 'The Value of Apprenticeships to Wales'<p class="p1">A report commissioned by the National Training Federation Wales into the 'Value of Apprenticeships in Wales' claims that government funds spent on apprenticeship training is money well spent, helping to plug the skills gap in our national economy.</p>
<p class="p1">The report was launched at the Senedd on September 16. The launch was attended by Assembly Members, employers, apprentices, providers and other key stakeholders. Malcolm Perrett attended on behalf of Care Forum Wales.</p>
<p class="p1">In its preface to the report the NTfW said: "We believe that this report is an important contribution to the on-going discussions regarding supporting economic growth, up-skilling the Welsh workforce, public investment priorities and ensuring all young people reach their full potential."</p>
<p class="p1">"We believe the evidence presented in this report endorses the continued commitment to apprenticeships in Wales. In a time of pressure on public finances we understand that government must face difficult budgetary decisions, and the information highlights notonly the benefits to individuals, employers, the economy and to society but also endorses the historic decisions to prioritise spending in this area.</p>
<p class="p1">"It is also clear that investment in apprenticeships ensures delivery of other key government targets and priorities such as plugging the skills gap and addressing the number of young people not in education, employment or training."</p>
<ul>
<li class="p1"><a href="https://www.ntfw.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Value-of-Apprenticeships-EN.pdf" target="_blank">Download a copy of the report</a></li>
</ul>Foster carers and residential care workers welcomed at first ever Knowledge Exchange event<p>The first ever 'Knowledge Exchange' day in Wales for foster carers' and residential childcare staff held at Cardiff University on September 9 has been hailed a success.</p>
<p>The Care Council for Wales, Care Forum Wales and CASCADE, the Children's Social Care Research and Development Centre all supported the event which was chaired by Albert Heaney, Director of Social Services and Integration, Welsh Government.</p>
<p>The aim was to bring together foster carers and residential childcare workers to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Share learning and knowledge with a common aim of improving outcomes for Looked After Children & Care Leavers.</li>
<li>Recognise the specific and unique roles of Foster Carers and Residential Child Care Practitioners in contributing to meeting the needs of Looked After Children.</li>
<li>Providing an opportunity to explore the potential for developing an underpinning theoretical framework which would be common to both Foster Carers and Residential Child Care Practitioners.</li>
<li>Celebrate the commitment of Foster Carers and Residential Child Care Practitioners and the contribution they make to making a difference to the lives of children and young people who are looked after.</li>
</ul>
<p>Speakers at the event included Health Minister Mark Drakeford, the Children's Commissioner for Wales, Sally Holland and Rhian Huws Williams, the chief executive by the Care Council for Wales.</p>
<h2>Workshops at the Knowledge Exchange event</h2>
<p>There were presentations and discussions on topics including:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Social Pedagogy – An Underpinning Theoretical Framework for caring for Children and Young People</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The Enhanced Foster Care Model – Use of enhanced foster care to transition young people from residential care to foster care</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Child Sexual Exploitation – The complexities of CSE: vulnerabilities, risks and responses</p>
</li>
<li>Using research to influence practice – Improving educational outcomes for Looked After Children and building resilience in young people in education</li>
</ul>
<h2>Report on the speech by Health Minister Mark Drakeford</h2>
<p>Health Minister Mark Drakeford acknowledged the hugely important role foster carers and residential childcare workers play in the lives of looked after children and young people, saying their work had a huge impact on those in care and could affect the rest of those children' lives.</p>
<p>He recognised the budgetary constraints within the sector, the cuts in services and the impact those cuts had on people using those services. He said that we needed to take a radical look at how cared for children are looked after. <strong>He said that too many children were being taken away from their homes – a 37% increase in only 10 years in Wales, which was hugely out of step with other areas of the UK</strong>. He emphasised the need to reduce the rate at which children are being taking into care and to provide a better deal for those receiving care. Money saved in doing this could be much better spent on providing better support and proper services for children - bringing children back into their own communities.</p>
<p>The minister praised those working in the sector and said this was in no way a criticism of their work. But he suggested that good intentions alone were not enough – as well as wanting to do the best, all need to share best practice and learn new ways of working. He said that a new system was needed so that those providing care would be in better position to provide better care for those they look after or support. He said more needed to be done to develop skills, increase capacity, upskill and most of all, collaborate.</p>
<p>Highlighting the need to bridge gap between the school and home, the Minister said more ought to be done to promote the role and importance of foster carers and educators alike as ones who could influence young children. The Minister suggested the sector could learn from Social Pedagogy in some European countries and, as a devolved Wales, we all needed to look outwards and learn from others. He finished by thanking the sector for all that it did and said he looked forward to working with all in future.</p>New deadline announced by Welsh Government for Continuing Healthcare claims<p>The Welsh Goverment has today announced a new deadline for those who wish to retrospectively claim back the costs of healthcare they paid for themselves – if they think this should have been provided by the NHS.</p>
<p>Health Minister Mark Drakeford said: “There are occasions when people need long-term care to help them cope with an illness or disability. <strong>Some people will have paid for that care themselves when it should have been provided by the NHS</strong>.</p>
<p>“This is why we are calling for those people or their relatives to come forward so we can review whether their care costs should have been paid for by the NHS. If this is the case, those costs will be reimbursed."</p>
<p><strong>The new deadline for potential claimants to make known their intent to claim back costs retrospectively is October 1, 2015.</strong></p>
<h2>What care can you make a claim for?</h2>
<ul>
<li>CHC is a package of care provided by the NHS for people with complex and primarily health-based needs. This can be provided in a care home or an individual’s own home.</li>
<li>Under new arrangements for making retrospective claims for continuing healthcare, potential claimants have until October 1 to register their intent to make a claim for continuing healthcare costs which were incurred between August 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014.</li>
<li>If people, or their families, believe they meet the criteria for having their care paid for via continuing healthcare but they paid for the care themselves they should come forward to make a claim.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>For full details please check the <a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2015/deadline/?skip=1&lang=en" target="_blank">Welsh Government Website</a></strong></p>Groundbreaking conference to bring together residential childcare experts and foster carers<p>A conference being held in Cardiff next week is set to bring together foster carers and residential childcare staff for the first time in a bid to improve outcomes for children in care and when they are leaving care.</p>
<p>The 'Knowledge Exchange Event' is being held on September 9 at Cardiff University and health and social services minister, Professor Mark Drakeford, will attend.</p>
<p>The conference is being hosted by CFW's Looked After Children's Network, CASCADE (Cardiff University’s Children's Social Care Research and Development Centre) and the Care Council for Wales.</p>
<p>Steve Elliott, (pictured) who chairs the Looked After Children's Network said: "We have been working towards this event for a long time and we welcome the chance to get <img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Steve-Elliott.jpg" alt="" height="480" width="320" /></p>
<p>practitioners together to share their knowledge. It can only mean that the result will be better practice for everyone who is involved in caring for children and young people - both in residential care and in foster care. We are grateful for the support of our partners in getting the Exchange Event organised and look forward to yet more collaborative working in the future."</p>
<p>The conference will also explore the development of a common learning framework that will span across the residential childcare and foster care workforces.</p>
<h2>Residential child care practitioner and foster carer event – find out more</h2>
<p>Read the full story on the <a href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news/2015/09/02/conference-to-focus-on-how-children-in-care-can-reach-full-potential/" target="_blank">Care Council's website</a></p>
<p>Find out more including <a href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/events/2015/09/09/residential-child-care-practitioner-and-foster-carer-event/" target="_blank">how to book </a></p>
<p></p>
<div style="position: absolute; top: -1999px; left: -1988px;" id="stcpDiv">CASCADE (Cardiff University’s Children's Social Care Research and Development Centre) and the Care Council for Wales - See more at: http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news/2015/09/02/conference-to-focus-on-how-children-in-care-can-reach-full-potential/#sthash.e3BD7erk.dpuf</div>
<div style="position: absolute; top: -1999px; left: -1988px;" id="stcpDiv">CASCADE (Cardiff University’s Children's Social Care Research and Development Centre) and the Care Council for Wales - See more at: http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news/2015/09/02/conference-to-focus-on-how-children-in-care-can-reach-full-potential/#sthash.e3BD7erk.dpuf</div>
<div style="position: absolute; top: -1999px; left: -1988px;" id="stcpDiv">CASCADE (Cardiff University’s Children's Social Care Research and Development Centre) and the Care Council for Wales - See more at: http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news/2015/09/02/conference-to-focus-on-how-children-in-care-can-reach-full-potential/#sthash.e3BD7erk.dpuf</div>
<div style="position: absolute; top: -1999px; left: -1988px;" id="stcpDiv">CASCADE (Cardiff University’s Children's Social Care Research and Development Centre) and the Care Council for Wales - See more at: http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news/2015/09/02/conference-to-focus-on-how-children-in-care-can-reach-full-potential/#sthash.e3BD7erk.dpuf</div>Rugby star helps raise awareness of pressure ulcers ahead of STOP Pressure Ulcer day<p>Wales rugby star Sam Warburton is supporting this year's World <strong>STOP Pressure Ulcer day</strong> on November 19. The day is being promoted by the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and it is hoped that care providers and organisations will put on awareness-raising events in support of the day.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/SamWarburtonStopPressureUlcersDay2.jpg" alt="" height="230" width="269" /></p>
<p></p>
<p>The organisers of Stop Pressure Ulcer Day would like as many organisations as possible to host educational activities on prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers. Care Forum Wales organiser Melanie Minty said there were plans to include an awareness raising event at the next Nurses Forum, due to be held in November.</p>
<h2>How can you help?</h2>
<p><br />• Organise awareness raising events to share information about pressure ulcers<br />• Reach out to your local community to inform them about pressure ulcers<br />• Make policy makers aware about pressure ulcers </p>
<h2>Find out more</h2>
<p>Go to the <a href="http://www.epuap.org/stop-pressure-ulcer-day/" target="_blank">European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel website</a> to find out more. <strong>You can also download marketing materials if you're organising an event</strong></p>
<p></p>Ring-fencing of mental health spending in Wales: review points way forward<p>The Welsh Government has committed itself to continuing to ring-fence the mental health budget in Wales following an independent review it commissioned into the policy which has been in place since 2008.</p>
<p>The Review of the Financial Ring-fencing Arrangements for Mental Health Services in Wales, by PricewaterhouseCoopers, concluded that the purpose of the ring-fence – to protect expenditure on mental health services – has largely been achieved. However the report contains a number of recommendations which, if adopted, would see expenditure and outcomes being more closely linked.</p>
<p>In 2015-16, the Welsh Government has ring-fenced £587m for mental health services across Wales – up from £389m in 2009-10. Earlier this year, the Minister for Health and Social Services announced an additional £15m of new funding is being made available for mental health services in Wales every year.</p>
<h2>Recommendations on linking mental health services expenditure and outcomes </h2>
<p>The Welsh Government is now considering the PriceWaterhouseCoopers recommendations to improve the linking of expenditure with outcomes – it will publish a further statement later in the year following discussion with stakeholders.<br /> <br />Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford said: "Mental ill health can have a significant impact on life expectancy and is a key cause of health inequalities.<br /> <br />"One in four adults experiences mental health problems or illness at some point during their lifetime, while one in six of us will be experiencing symptoms at any one time. One in 10 children between the ages of five and 16 has a mental health problem and many more have behavioural issues. That’s why mental health is one of my main priorities.<br /> <br />“In Wales, we spend more on mental health services than on any other part of the NHS; today’s announcement is a further demonstration of our commitment to this vital part of the health service."</p>New National Independent Safeguarding Board for Wales: Welsh Government seeks chair and members <p>The Welsh Government is looking for members for a new National Independent Safeguarding Board for Wales which will oversee the work of protecting adults and children in Wales. A chair and up to five members will be appointed for their expertise in safeguarding, protection and related matters.<br /> <br />The new board will work alongside the regional safeguarding adults boards and safeguarding children boards to help improve safeguarding policy and practice throughout Wales.</p>
<p>The national board’s duties will be to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Provide support and advice to safeguarding boards to ensure they are effective;</li>
<li>Report on the adequacy and effectiveness of arrangements to safeguard children and adults in Wales;</li>
<li>Make recommendations to Welsh Ministers about how those arrangements could be improved.</li>
</ul>
<p>The national board is being established under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.<br /> <br /> The chair and members will be appointed by Welsh Ministers through an open public appointments process.<br /> <br />Health and Social Services Minister, Mark Drakeford said: "We are seeking to appoint individuals who can demonstrate the ability to be firm advocates of adult and child protection and to draw on personal experience of safeguarding issues. I would urge anyone with an interest to apply for these important roles."</p>
<h2>Find out more about the National Independent Safeguarding Board roles and how to apply</h2>
<p>Those interested in applying for the posts can find more information at <a href="http://www.wales.gov.uk/publicappointments">www.wales.gov.uk/publicappointments</a>. <strong>The closing date for applications is August 31, 2015.</strong></p>Ammanford care home's inspired beach-themed garden hits the headlines<p>Ammanford care home Cartref Annwyl Fan, a CFW member and part of the Hallmark Care Homes group, saw its residents star in ITV News coverage for its beach inspired garden created by staff this month.</p>
<p>ITV Wales spoke to residents at the home – which specialises in residential, nursing and dementia care – about how they were benefiting from the garden complete with its caravan, beach hut, deck chairs and an imported shingle and sandy shore (<em>pictured below</em>).</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/cartref-care-home-beach-garden.jpg" alt="" height="383" width="680" /></p>
<p>General Manager at Cartref Annwyl Fan, Adele Williams, said: “We decided to create a caravan and beach garden, after we asked our residents what they missed most and they said holidays by the seaside.</p>
<p>“This garden allows them to reminisce about happy times, create conversation and feelings of well-being. It also allows the team and family members to get out and enjoy a little bit of sunshine.”</p>
<p>Resident Betty Potter, 85 said: “Every day I come out to read in the caravan, be out in the fresh air with friends, all enjoying ourselves, it is very nice indeed!”</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Read more on the <a href="http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2015-08-11/lifes-a-beach-for-west-wales-care-home-residents/" target="_blank">ITV website</a> and watch a clip of interviews at Cartref Annwyl Fan</strong></li>
</ul>
<p></p>Older People's Commissioner 'disappointed' at lack of detail over improvements to residential care<p>The Older People's Commissioner for Wales has said she is "disappointed" with Welsh Government ministers and the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales for failing to provide enough detail on how they will improve life for elderly people in care homes.</p>
<p>Her comments follow on from her 2014 Residential Care Review, <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/Reviews/Residential_Care_Review/ReviewReport.aspx" target="_blank">A Place To Call Home?</a>, in November 2014 which found that elderly residents "quickly become institutionalised" in homes seen as places of "irreversible decline". <strong>All public bodies involved in the sector were asked to submit action plans setting out how they would ensure improvements in residents' lives.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Read more on Ms Rochira's comments – BBC news: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-33853282" target="_blank">Elderly care home review responses 'disappointing'</a></strong></p>
<p>The Welsh government said it was taking "strong action" in relation to the care of older people, citing "significant new legislation" on regulation of the care sector. "We have also set up a Care Homes Steering Group to provide leadership and ensure action is taken to improve care and support for older people," a spokesperson added.</p>
<p>Imelda Richardson, chief inspector for Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales, said it completed thousands of inspections a year to ensure people receiving care in Wales were safe and last year it saw a 64% reduction in the number of services considered to be of concern. "We want to re-assure the public that we are an effective inspectorate and regulator - we always put the quality of the care that people receive at the heart of our work," she said.</p>
<h2>Praise for health boards and local councils' 'strong commitment' to improve quality of life</h2>
<p>Ms Rochira, pictured below, has praised health boards and local councils for their "strong commitments" to improve quality of life but was critical of the Welsh government and the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW).</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Sarah_Rochira.jpg" alt="" height="180" width="160" /></p>
<p>She said: "All of the bodies subject to my Review strongly welcomed its findings and I am pleased that many public bodies across Wales who have an essential role to play in driving change within our care home system have given strong commitments to take the action necessary to improve the quality of life of older people living in care homes across Wales. This is a significant and positive step forward.</p>
<p>"In my review I made very clear the impact of not taking action and the price that is paid by older people when public bodies fail to uphold people's rights and protect them," she said.</p>
<p>"I am therefore extremely disappointed that the responses from the Welsh government and CSSIW in many instances failed to provide adequate detail or acknowledge the change that needs to take place to assure me that action will be taken that will deliver real and positive improvements for older people living in care homes."</p>
<p><strong>Read Ms Rochira's comments in full on the <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/news/news/15-08-11/Commitments_made_to_deliver_change_across_Wales_to_improve_the_quality_of_life_of_older_people_living_in_care_homes.aspx#.VdRbVEUZdek" target="_blank">Older People's Commissioner's website</a></strong></p>Call for more nurses to be trained – RCN director<p>The director of the Royal College of Nursing Wales has said that not enough nurses are being trained to meet healthcare needs in Wales.</p>
<p>The call by Tina Donnelly came after Welsh Government figures, revealed after a Freedom of Information request by the Welsh Conservatives, revealed that health boards have spent more than £190m on agency staff during the last four years.</p>
<p>All of the health boards said they have found recruiting new doctors and nurses difficult and social care providers have been highlighting difficulties in recruiting nurses for some time.</p>
<p>The figures show that:</p>
<ul>
<li>Total health board expenditure on non-contracted hospital staff, including doctors and nurses, in Wales increased from £40m in 2011/12 to more than £71m in 2014/15</li>
<li>Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board spent the most each year with 2014/15 reaching almost £30m, double what it spent in 2011/12</li>
<li>Over the same period the Powys Teaching Health Board, the smallest in Wales, saw its bill for agency staff increase from £170,000 to £635,000</li>
</ul>
<p>RCN Wales director, Ms Donnelly, said: "We have not been training sufficient nurses over the last number of years to meet the demands of the health care agenda so we do have to look at the workforce planning."</p>
<p>A Welsh government spokesperson said: "We expect health boards and NHS trusts to address agency and locum spend via a number of different ways, however we must recognise that agency staff play an important role in the Welsh NHS.</p>
<p>"The figures in this FOI represent a small percentage of the £6.7bn budget we spend on health and social services in Wales every year."</p>
<figure class="media-landscape full-width has-caption"></figure>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<p><strong>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-33726026" target="_blank">Not enough nurses being trained, says Welsh RCN chief </a></strong></p>
<p></p>Health Minister visits innovative home-based dementia care project in Monmouthshire<p>Health Minister Mark Drakeford has said he is 'encouraged' at the way an innovative project in Monmouthshire is seeing those with 'complex mental health needs' be cared for at home.</p>
<p>Professor Drakeford today (July 29) visited the Raglan Project, linked to the Gwent Frailty Programme, which provides home care to people living with dementia.</p>
<p>Five full-time staff are employed by the project, which focuses on the social, emotional and physical needs of up to 15 people. </p>
<p>Staff members establish a relationship with the individual before they start to provide care and are supported by management to take decisions about how to provide care, rather than simply provide care focused on achieving certain tasks. </p>
<p>Professor Prof Drakeford met with some of the people being cared for, their families and the staff working on the Raglan Project. He said: "This project has helped people with complex care needs stay in their homes rather than moving into permanent residential care or hospital. Staff have helped people regain some independence and involvement in their local community. </p>
<p>"I’m encouraged by how well this project is working. It is a good example of Monmouthshire Council working closely with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to improve the care older people with mental illnesses receive," he added.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Read the full story on the <a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2015/150729dementia/?lang=en" target="_blank">Welsh Government website</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>Alzheimer's drug that could slow disease in early stages hailed as 'breakthrough'<p>BBC News today reported that data from pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly suggests its solanezumab drug can cut the rate of the dementia's progression by about a third in early stage patients.</p>
<p>It is the first time that a drug has been shown to work on the underlying disease process itself rather than the symptoms, slowing decline in memory and thinking skills.</p>
<div class="fifthPar">
<p>Although trials are continuing and will not end until next year, the treatment could be available for use by 2018 if approved by the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/medicines-and-healthcare-products-regulatory-agency">Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency</a> (MHRA) and The <a href="https://www.nice.org.uk/">National Institute for Health and Care Excellece</a> (NICE).</p>
</div>
<div class="body">
<p>Health experts in the UK said the research demonstrated a 'huge step forward from the current treatment options' while charities hailed the announcement as 'exciting.'</p>
<p>Prof Richard Morris, Professor of Neuroscience, University of Edinburgh, said the announcement was ‘significant.’</p>
<p>“This is not a mouse study, it’s a people study. And that matters,” he added.</p>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<p><strong>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-33617141" target="_blank">Early signs that drug 'may delay Alzheimer's decline'</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Daily Telegraph: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/11755380/First-drug-to-slow-Alzheimers-Disease-unveiled-in-landmark-breakthrough.html" target="_blank">First drug to slow Alzheimer's Disease unveiled in landmark breakthrough</a></strong></p>
<p></p>
</div>Operation Jasmine and the Flynn report: Care Forum leader calls for 'fundamental change of culture'<p>Care Forum Wales' chair, Mario Kreft, has called for a "fundamental change of culture" in the wake of damning review into alleged abuse at six care homes, saying the review had highlighted "abhorrent" cases of neglect that must never be allowed to happen again.</p>
<p>The independent review was ordered by the Welsh Government in 2013 into the allegations at in six homes in South Wales owned by Dr Prana Das. The scandal prompted a massive inquiry called Operation Jasmine which was launched in 2005 and cost £11.6 million. The case collapsed after Dr Das suffered a brain injury and could not stand trial, leaving families "frustrated" in their search for justice.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft welcomed the comprehensive review by Dr Margaret Flynn and its wide-ranging recommendations, saying a fundamental change of culture was now needed to help root out bad practice, encourage people to highlight any problems and then work together to put things right. Mr Kreft stressed that, while it was always important to prosecute wrong-doers, the issue highlighed the importance of more real collaboration and transparency in the sector.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Read Dr Margaret Flynn's report - <a href="http://gov.wales/topics/health/publications/socialcare/reports/accountability/?lang=en" target="_blank">review of neglect of older people living in care homes investigated in Operation Jasmine</a> (link to download the full Welsh Government report)</strong></li>
<li><strong>Read Dr Margaret Flynn's report - <a href="http://gov.wales/topics/health/publications/socialcare/reports/accountability/?lang=cy" target="_blank">Adolygiad o esgeuluso pobl hŷn sy’n byw mewn cartrefi gofal ymchwilio fel Operation Jasmine</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2015/150714-flynn-report/?lang=en" target="_blank">Read the First Minister's statement on the Flynn Report</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>Read <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-33513882" target="_blank">BBC News coverage of the Flynn Report</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<h2>'Abhorrent events' must never happen again – Mario Kreft</h2>
<p>Reacting to the Welsh Government's review conducted by Dr Margaret Flynn into the neglect of older people at six care homes in South Wales, Care Forum Wales' chair, Mario Kreft, said: "We very much welcome this important review and we have to make sure that these abhorrent events never happen again. We must collaborate to work in a very different way in the future - not just in identifying poor services but improving all the services we provide. A great deal of what is being recommended in the report chimes with what Care Forum Wales has been saying for 25 years, that social care providers need to work collaboratively on a local, regional and national level.</p>
<p>"Equally, we believe it fits in with government policy and we would like to see all providers of services to vulnerable people having to be part of these structures because this is something that will enhance quality.</p>
<p>"For too long in Wales we have seen independent social care provision, particularly in care homes, being thought of as being outside public service, so it's almost been a case of the public sector provision being thought of as being good and the private sector as being bad. That has never been the case and this tragic example doesn't prove it.</p>
<p>"What we do know is that we have to work in a different way and the report quite rightly points to the need to regard social care as a sector of national importance, like the road and railway networks.</p>
<p>"We must redefine the relationship between the public and private sectors. You can only improve social care services by having well run, well managed services by people who are competent and trained to do the job.</p>
<p>"In Wales there are far too few people being attracted to the sector and the low level of commissioning budgets means that the terms and conditions for people who work in social care are not at the level they should be."</p>
<p><br /><em><strong>"The vast majority of people working in the sector are very committed and want to do a good job and if we don't encourage people we are never going to have the services we need." – Mario Kreft, CFW chair.</strong></em></p>
<p><br />Mr Kreft continued: "It's absolutely essential we learn lessons from other industries as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation have advocated. They have talked at length about relationship-centred care in places like Essex where there is evidence, if you get the providers, the commissioners and the regulators working together, the quality of services for vulnerable people shows a marked improvement.</p>
<p>"In particular, as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation suggests, we can learn from the aviation industry where a <strong>no blame culture encourages people to come forward</strong> and collectively get it right.</p>
<p><br />"We need to create a climate where people take responsibility, promote transparency and not become even more risk averse than they already are. If we there had been a no blame culture and real partnership in social care 20 years ago in social care in Wales, we almost certainly would not have had the need for this review to be published today.</p>
<p>"We have come a long we but we still have a long way to go. <strong>We have to use this opportunity as an absolute red line to make a real difference</strong>."</p>Dementia care 'patchy' – concern over gaps in services filled by family and friends<p>A survey of GPs by the Alzheimer's Society has revealed that GPs think support for people diagnosed with dementia is patchy, leaving family and friends to create a support network where services are inadequate.</p>
<p>The survey of 1,000 GPs showed widespread concern over levels of care offered by the NHS and social services across the UK.</p>
<p>The Royal College of GPs says until the situation improves, doctors will have to weigh up whether there is any advantage in early diagnosis. </p>
<p>Some GPs surveyed felt there weren't enough local services to help their patients. And when these services were not available, a quarter of doctors warned they would be less likely to refer a person with suspected dementia to specialists to make a firm diagnosis.</p>
<p>Prof Nigel Mathers, of the Royal College of GPs, called for improvements in the "patchy provision of support services in some areas".</p>
<p>He warned: "Until this can be delivered to all patients, regardless of where they live in the country, GPs will have to continue weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of early diagnosis."</p>
<p>The Alzheimer's Society, the charity that commissioned the survey, said the GPs' answers revealed a "deeply worrying lack of support available from health and social services, with relatives left to pick up the pieces alone".</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02wdxcx" class="story-body__link">Jeremy Hughes, chief executive at the society</a>, added: "People can need a lot of help to live well with dementia. Families and friends are a vital source of support but they mustn't be relied on to do everything."</p>
<p>Read the full story</p>
<p>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-33382976" target="_blank">GPs say patchy services fail patients</a></p>
<p></p>CFW chair calls for social care nominees for the 2016 St Davids Day Awards<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/st-davids-day-awards-launched-july2016.jpg" alt="Care Forum Wales - St Davd's Day awards" style="margin-left: 14px; margin-bottom: 8px; float: right;" height="200" />Care Forum Wales' chair, Mario Kreft, has called on social care professionals to nominate people in the sector for the First Minister's St Davids Day Awards.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft received an award in March this year and is now on the judging panel for the 2016 awards which were launched at a special event at the Senedd by Carwyn Jones today (July 6).</p>
<p>The event was attended by large number of past winners including Mario Kreft MBE (pictured second from right), Rhian Burke, Dr Lyn Evans CBE, Yaina Samuels, Sian Phillips CBE and Peter Brewin and William Crawford.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft wants to encourage dedicated and hardworking social care professionals to come forward or to nominate deserving colleagues for the Awards.</p>
<p>Speaking at the event, First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "Our St David Awards keep going from strength to strength. Last year, hundreds of nominations came flooding in from all over Wales. The St David Awards are our national celebration of the very best of Wales. Too often we hear that same mantra repeated: people don’t care about their communities any more; they’re looking out for number one. These Awards, year in year out, prove beyond any doubt that this just isn’t true. Selflessness and sacrifice don’t belong to a bygone era; they’re alive and well today. People can – and do – make a difference."</p>
<h2>Find out how to nominate someone for a St Davids Day Award</h2>
<p>Nominations are now open for the 2016 St Davids Day Awards - the nominations close at midnight on October 27.</p>
<p>Check out past winners and how to nominate someone: <a href="http://stdavidawards.org.uk/news/nominations-open-2016?lang=en" target="_blank">www.stdavidsdayawards.org.uk</a></p>Regulation and Inspection Bill: Health committee calls for strengthened provision on workforce registration <p>The National Assembly for Wales’ Health and Social Care Committee has called for a series of amendments to be made to strengthen the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Bill.<br /><br />The Committee unanimously supports the Bill’s aims, but believes that the provisions need to be strengthened in a number of areas, including workforce registration, the involvement and engagement of the public in the inspection regime and oversight of local authority and local health board social care commissioning.</p>
<p><br />The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Bill was introduced in February 2015 by the Welsh Government’s Minister for Health and Social Services, Mark Drakeford AM and is intended to be a companion to the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. It seeks to improve the quality of care and support people receive in Wales by revising and simplifying the legal framework for the regulation and inspection of social care services and the social care workforce.</p>
<p><br />David Rees AM, Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, said: "Many people in Wales, including some of the most vulnerable in our communities, rely on social care services and the people who deliver them. Sadly, we have all seen and heard examples in which people have been let down by poor care.<br /><br />"The evidence we heard clearly highlighted the need for this Bill to provide a sound basis for a well-regulated social care sector, in which high-quality services are delivered by a properly trained, qualified and regulated social care workforce.<br /><br />"Our 46 evidence-based recommendations seek to strengthen the regulatory and inspection framework set out by the Bill, make sure that it complements the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, and support the development of a robust and sustainable social care sector in which the people of Wales can have confidence."<br /><br />The Assembly will debate the general principles of the Bill in Plenary on Tuesday 14 July 2015. There will also be a debate on a Financial Resolution for the Bill. If the general principles of the Bill are agreed, it is anticipated that Stage 2 proceedings to consider amendments will take place in the autumn.</p>New funding replaces axed Indpendent Living Fund in Wales<p>A new £20m fund to support more than 1,600 disabled people with their care needs came into operation in Wales today (July 1), following the closure of the Independent Living Fund (ILF) by the UK Government.<br /> <br />Disabled people with significant care needs will receive direct cash payments from local authorities to help meet the cost of the care and support they need.<br /> <br />Until Tuesday June 30, when the ILF closed, people received ILF payments to pay for a range of care and support, including help with eating and drinking; cooking and preparing food and drink; assistance with dressing; cleaning, laundry and other domestic duties.<br /> <br />There were 1,648 people receiving ILF payments in Wales, who received a weekly payment to help meet their needs.<br /> <br />The new grant scheme will be delivered by local authorities and will run until the end of March 2017. It was set up following a public consultation last year.<br /> <br />Funding of £20.4m has been ring-fenced for the scheme for July 2015 to the end of March 2016, which is based on the number of people receiving ILF when the current scheme closed on June 30.<br /> <br />Health and Social Services Minister, Mark Drakeford said: “The UK Government’s decision to close the ILF has caused anxiety among those who receive support and their carers.<br /> <br />“The Welsh grant scheme to replace the ILF comes into operation today. It will allow local authorities to pay existing recipients their current level of funding, ensuring people continue to receive this source of support.<br /> <br />“The actions the Welsh Government has taken to ensure this important source of funding continues to be delivered by our local authorities means people who currently receive ILF payments will still be able to get direct payments to sustain their levels of care and support under a new made-in-Wales process.”<br /> </p>John Kennedy addresses CFW AGM – calls for improved status for social care profession<p>Social care should be given a much higher national status - as an industry of strategic importance on a par with roads and railways. That was the message from John Kennedy, director of care services for the charitable Joseph Rowntree Foundation, when he gave the keynote address to CFW members at our June 30 AGM.</p>
<p>The meeting at the Catrin Finch Centre at Glyndwr University in Wrexham was attended by more than 70 independent care providers from across Wales. <br /><br />Mr Kennedy, who has more than 30 years' experience in the care industry, recently produced a milestone report which was widely praised for the insight it showed in putting the sector under the spotlight – Mario Kreft, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, described it as “the biggest dose of common sense in our sector for many a year.”</p>
<p>Mr Kennedy gave CFW members a run-down on the report and how it was prepared over the course of 12 months, which included visiting scores of care homes across England and Scotland to sound out their views.</p>
<p><br />And speaking of the findings he stressed: “Social care has to be of a higher status. In governmental terms it should be an industry of national strategic importance and should be looked at in the same way we look at roads and railways. It is fundamental to our workforce and well-being and the health service is going to collapse unless we get social care sorted out."</p>
<p>Mr Kennedy continued: "In the recent General Election it was never mentioned and the reason is that we have not been able to speak out as effectively to government and ministers as other industries have."</p>
<p><br />Giving the background to his report, he explained: “It seems to me that the care sector has always been in crisis and things never seem to change.<br />“I wanted to get under its skin and find the truth of what needs to be done to ensure that it works properly.”</p>
<p>Mr Kennedy said: “One of the key themes is the relationship between residents and staff in homes. Each individual wants a different type of service, so whatever we do we’ve got to promote the development of good relationships.</p>
<p>“Everyone working in care knows that the quality of the relationship you have with people enhances lives. But those relationships have to be different – you can’t McDonaldise a care home.”</p>
<h2>Care home staff often poorly regarded – despite dedication to the job</h2>
<p>Mr Kennedy said his report had also highlighted the fact that care home staff were often poorly regarded despite their hard work and dedication to the job.</p>
<p>To illustrate this he said: “If, after a stroke, I was not able to look after myself properly I wouldn’t want somebody who was on the minimum wage, a bit under-staffed and not always completely trusted to be responsible for my care.<br />“I would like someone who has the time and empathy to look after me properly. But you have to give people the time to develop that empathy.<br />“If you put me in a situation where I am overworked and under-resourced I will be dehumanised and it will take a great effort by managers to work against that negativity.”</p>
<p>Mr Kennedy said his report had dealt with care home pay and compared rates with those in retail and hospitality. He explained: “I discovered that a large proportion of people are working in care as a vocation but this can be exploitative in terms of pay. But just because people get a lot out of their job doesn’t mean 78 per cent should be on the minimum wage.”<br />He added: “We have to be kind to the workforce because the system treats care homes like factories.</p>
<p>“In this managers have a key role to play but they have no voice and no professional body to represent them. Because of this the sector has not been able to have consistent voice.”<br />Looking at the way care homes relate to their local communities, Mr Kennedy said that they were too often regarded as “the place on the hill with locked doors” but argued that people from outside the homes should be invited in to meet staff and residents more regularly.</p>
<p><br />Another area for improvement, said Mr Kennedy, was the way the care home sector was often portrayed in the press went something went wrong. “This leads to some staff feeling they are constantly under fire but if everyone was more supportive of the sector as a whole we’d probably end up with more care homes and those homes being more human,” he said.</p>
<p><br />On the bureaucracy faced by care home managers, Mr Kennedy said: “I’d ask whether we need all the paperwork that has to be done. There is a huge amount of duplication, with the same things being prepared in a myriad formats for different people."</p>
<p>He suggested that to streamline bureaucracy there could be one suite of “simple and understandable” paperwork which was acceptable to a number of agencies.</p>
<p>Mr Kennedy also advocated a new professional body for care home managers which would help give them a powerful voice.</p>
<p>Mario Kreft welcomed Mr Kennedy's report saying: “John Kennedy said that our workforce is not getting the respect they deserve. We all have to ensure that social care managers are given the support and recognition they deserve to do the job and that we’re not always going to blame them when things go wrong.”</p>Care Home Open Day fun around Wales with CFW members<p>We've had a great response from care homes who took part in Care Home Open Day 2015 on June 19.</p>
<p>CFW members from all corners of Wales took part in the day. Some embraced the arts theme with painting, knitting and outdoor art workshops on offer. Other members combined the day with a fete, barbecue or fancy dress-themed occasion. It's lovely to see people from all ages from the community being welcomed with activities aimed at children such as face painting and a fun 'catch the duck' fishing game.</p>
<p>At Romilly Nursing Home in Cardiff the city's Lord Mayor opened a new residents bar, the Harp and Daffodil. CFW's Malcolm Perrett opened an old-fashioned sweet shop for residents too and there was entertainment and culinary treats for residents and visitors.</p>
<h2>CFW members get into the spirit of Care Home Open Day 2015</h2>
<p>Who's who in the photos? Pictured below are CFW members from Pembrokeshire, the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff:</p>
<ul>
<li>Top row, left to right: Elliots Hill Care Limited, Haverfordwest; Parade House, Monmouth; College Fields, Barry</li>
<li>Middle row: More fun at College Fields, Barry</li>
<li>Bottom row: Old-fashioned sweet shop and culinary treats at Romilly Nursing Home, Cardiff</li>
</ul>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CHOD-collage2-800px.jpg" alt="" height="600" width="600" /></p>Social Services & Well-being Act: Online hub launched to help providers 'Get In On The Act'<p>The Care Council for Wales has launched a new free Learning Hub to help social care providers understand the changes the Social Services and Well-being Act will bring.</p>
<p>The online hub, called 'Getting in on the Act', is available for you to use with your staff or for CPD which will help organisations understand what staff need to know to prepare for the change.</p>
<p>The 'Learning Hub' has been designed to be as a one-stop-shop for the wide range of resources that will be produced as part of this initiative.</p>
<p>Over time, the Hub will include training materials in different formats to help social care professionals implement the legislation in their day-to-day work.</p>
<p>The Hub will be updated constantly, with new information and learning materials being added. So, please check regularly to see what’s new. </p>
<p>Check out the online resources and news: <a href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/getting-in-on-the-act-hub/" target="_blank">Getting In On The Act </a></p>
<p></p>Joseph Rowntree report author to speak at AGM on June 30<p>Care Forum Wales' AGM is being held on June 30 at the Catrin Finch Centre, Glyndwr University, Wrexham with speaker John Kennedy, author of the Joseph Rowntree report 'Care Home Inquiry'.</p>
<p>Come along to hear John Kennedy's talk from 10.30am.</p>
<p>John's talk will be followed by our Annual General Meeting, to which all members are welcome, from 11:30-12:30 followed by the CFW Council meeting after that.</p>
<p>John is one of the key influencers in the sector, who will be talking about the transformation of the health and social care sector in Wales with the passage of new legislation and the publication of the Older People’s Commissioner review into residential care.</p>
<p>Please confirm if you will be coming by 22 June (this is for catering purposes) – email Janet@carefroumwales.co.uk or call her on 01978 7755400.</p>Aberavon care home bags visit by internationally famous artist for Care Home Open Day<p>Care Home Open Day 2015 was taken up enthusiastically by CFW members across Wales – among them Swn y Mor in Aberavon, RMBI Albert Edward in Porthcawl and Queen Elizabeth Court in Llandudno (see pictures below).</p>
<p>Swn y Mor opened its doors to celebrate the 2015 Care Home Open Day art theme by asking people from the local community to submit works of art and Queen Elizabeth Court booked entertainer Tudur Wynn "who interacted with our residents and sang songs from all genres" according to activities co-ordinator Gary Carr.</p>
<h2>Port Talbot-born painter Andrew Vicari visits Swn Y Mor</h2>
<p>Sharon Williams, of Swn y Mor, said: "We were lucky enough to be supported by our local comprehensive and primary schools, the local Stroke club as well as staff, relatives and ladies and gentlemen of Swn y Mor.</p>
<p>"Internationally famous painter Andrew Vicari (<em>pictured below, left</em>) came along with the Mayor and a representative of newly-elected local MP Stephen Kinnock to assist with the judging.<br /> <br />"We were especially touched as the learning disability class of Sandfields Comprehensive made a collage of the local area including our home which they have now donated to us for our wall.<br /> <br />"It was a marvellous day and it celebrates the fact that it doesn’t matter what age or disability we all have an interest in common that we can share," Sharon added.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/swnymor01.JPG" alt="" width="800" /><br /> </p>Today is National Care Home Open Day - What is your care home doing to celebrate?<p>We hope that many of you are participating in the third annual National Care Home Open Day today, 19 June 2015. </p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CHOD2015-logo.png" alt="" height="150" width="87" /></p>
<p>It's a chance to celebrate the sometimes undervalued work that goes on in UK care homes. We hope, whether you're running an event today or on the weekend, you'll be welcoming the public into participating homes and forging long lasting links with local communities. Don't forget to spread the good news with your local media too.</p>
<p>This year's theme is the Arts and Valuing Staff. The <a href="http://www.nationalcarehomeopenday.org.uk/about-open-day" target="_blank">National Care Home Open Day website</a> will have information and reports on organisations and care homes that have participated in National Care Home Open Day this year.</p>
<h2>Get social with National Care Home Open Day online</h2>
<p>Don't forget you can also show your support by joining the social media campaign on Twitter using the hashtag #CHOD215 and by following @CareHomeOpenDay.</p>
<p>Please do share your images with us and we'll create a web page showcasing the best pictures for everyone to see, and share them on Twitter too.</p>
<p>You'll find us on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/careforumwales" target="_blank">@careforumwales</a> - tweet us your images and news and we'll retweet it to our followers!</p>Older people's rights: Older People's Commissioner calls for tougher penalties for abuse and neglect<p>The Older People's Commissioner for Wales has called for tougher punishments for those who neglect, abuse or commit crimes against older people.</p>
<p>Only 1% of crimes against older people led to convictions compared to 19% for all crime, the Commissioner said.</p>
<p>Speaking on Elder Awareness Day today (June 15), Sarah Rochira said: "As it stands, the law simply does not offer sufficient protection for older people who are the victims of substandard care, abuse or neglect, nor does it provide a suitable deterrent to those who deliver substandard care or to those who abuse or neglect older people.</p>
<p>"This is something that needs to change urgently," she said.</p>
<p>She added: "The shockingly low prosecution and conviction rates for crimes against older people tell us that either the evidential test currently used by the Crown Prosecution Service is not fit for purpose, that there is a lack of willingness to prosecute for crimes against older people or that the law itself is not sufficient.</p>
<p>"A person's age cannot be allowed to be a defining factor in whether or not they have the support and protection of the justice system and the clear inequality that currently exists within this system must be addressed as a matter of priority."</p>
<p>Ms Rochira added that it should be easier to prosecute people such as health and social care providers.</p>
<p>The Ministry of Justice said those who abuse vulnerable elderly people "deserve tough punishments".</p>
<h2>Older People's Commissioner: Legal system 'failing' older people</h2>
<p>Read more on this news story.</p>
<p>BBC Wales: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-33113921" target="_blank">Legal system 'failing' older people, says Commissioner</a></p>
<p>ITV News: <a href="http://www.itv.com/news/wales/story/2015-06-15/commissioner-warns-legal-system-failing-older-people/" target="_blank">Commissioner warns: Legal system failing older people</a></p>Read this: Older People's Commissioner publishes report on her work in 2014-15<p>The Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, has today (June 10) published her third report into the work she has carried out on behalf of older people in Wales.</p>
<p>The 'impact and reach' report – entitled ‘Making a Difference for Older People in Wales’ – highlights the action she has taken on behalf of older people during 2014-15. It also outlines the ways in which she has delivered against her priorities as Commissioner, as set out in my Framework for Action 2013-17.</p>
<p>Main areas of work in 2014-15:</p>
<ul>
<li>the biggest Review to date into the quality of life and care of older people living in care homes in Wales (Care Home Review)</li>
<li>work to ensure that older people are safeguarded and protected – tackling a lack of recognition of, and response to, the abuse of older people</li>
</ul>
<p>Follow the link in this article to download a copy of the <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/news/news/15-06-10/Impact_Reach_Report_2014-15.aspx#.VX6-u6YZdek" target="_blank">OPC's Making a Difference for older people in Wales: impact and reach report 2014-15</a></p>
<p></p>Adult mental health services receive funding boost<p>The funding for adult mental health services is to receive an £8m boost, the Welsh Assembly Government announced today.</p>
<p>The additional £8m a year is in addition to an earlier announcement (May 22) promising an extra £7.6m for children's and adolescents' mental health services.</p>
<div id="article-box">
<div id="article-leftcol">The additional funding will be used to develop services to support people with dementia and to increase the availability of psychological therapies across Wales.<br />
<div id="article-body">
<p>More than £4.5m will be invested in supporting people with dementia.</p>
<p>There will be extra investment in occupational therapy and activity support on older people’s mental health wards – two areas which were highlighted in the recent programme of spot checks on these wards in hospitals across Wales.</p>
<p>Professor Drakeford said: "The new funding for services to support people affected by dementia will underpin our <a href="http://gov.wales/topics/health/nhswales/healthservice/mental-health-services/dementia/?lang=en" target="_blank">Wales: a Dementia Friendly Nation initiative</a>, which I launched in April and is in addition to the £1m of funding that I announced at the time."</p>
<h2>Read more on this story:</h2>
<p>BBC News: Adult mental health services' £8m boost in Wales</p>
<p>Welsh Government: <a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2015/150605adult/?lang=en" target="_blank">Additional £8m a year for adult mental health services</a></p>
<p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>Betsi Cadwaladr update: North Wales health board placed in special measures<p>A troubled health board will come under more direct Welsh government control after a report found "institutional abuse" at the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-32904599" target="_blank">Tawel Fan mental health unit</a> at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Denbighshire, which closed in 2013.</p>
<ul>
<li>Welsh Government: <a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2015/measures/?lang=en" target="_blank">Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board placed in special measures</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Health Minister Mark Drakeford made the announcement today (June 8) that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is being placed in special measures. He said the move to special measures reflected "serious and outstanding concerns" about the leadership at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in north Wales.</p>
<p>Its chairman said the board would co-operate fully to improve matters.</p>
<h2>Read more on the Tawel Fan mental health facility report and Betsi Cadwaladr health board</h2>
<p>BBC news: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23073768" target="_blank">Betsi Cadwaladr chairman and chief executive to step down after damning report</a></p>
<p>BBC news: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-32966273" target="_blank">Glan Clwyd Hospital: Disciplinary action promised by Jones</a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>Wales Care Awards organiser rubs shoulders with the Queen<p>Wales Care Awards organiser Sue Thomas, from Wrexham, has been honoured for her work at a garden party with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.</p>
<p>The garden party invitation was a reward for Sue's hard work on the prestigious annual awards which honour the skill and dedication of people who work in social care.</p>
<p>Sue (pictured below, at Buckingham Palace) began work at the Pendine Park care organisation as an administrative clerk more than a decade ago and five years ago was promoted to personal assistant to proprietor Mario Kreft (Care Forum Wales' chair). As part of her duties Sue took on the role of chief administrator for Care Forum Wales.</p>
<p></p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Sue-Thomas-Buckingham-palace-400px.jpg" alt="" height="407" width="400" /></p>
<p></p>
<p>She was nominated for the honour by Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths. Sue said: “It was a lovely day and a great day out. It’s one of those things you will never forget. It’s definitely something to tell the grandkids about.<br /><br />"I got quite close to The Queen. I was about a foot away from her and I could hear her chatting to people. She made people feel welcome.</p>
<p>"I went with my husband Darren. He had a great day, and he feels very proud. We both really enjoyed it. We were there for about three hours, but the time just flew.</p>
<p>"I have to thank Wrexham AM (who is the Welsh Government's Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty) Lesley Griffiths, for nominating me. It’s a real honour and I represented everyone connected with Care Forum Wales as well as Pendine Park."<br /> <br />Sue added: "It’s really humbling that Lesley Griffiths took the time to nominate me. She has always been a huge supporter of Care Forum Wales and Pendine Park."</p>
<h2>Organising the Wales Care Awards is a 'year-round job'</h2>
<p>The annual Wales Care Awards take a great deal of organising and Sue says it’s a rolling programme – she starts work on the next ceremony as soon as the last one finishes.</p>
<p>"My job is to co-ordinate and organise the event and raise sponsorship where I can. The awards seek to reward good practice and celebrate good care among the more than 90,000 employees of our Care Forum Wales members."</p>
<p>Sue explained: "It’s a year-round job collating the information and collecting nominations. We normally receive around 300 nominations for the 22 awards. An independent panel then goes through the nominations and an initial shortlist of six nominees (per category) is prepared. This is then reduced to three nominees who attend the awards ceremony which is usually held in October in Cardiff City Hall – this year it's on November 6 (book a place by contacting <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk)">janet@careforumwales.co.uk)</a>.</p>
<p>"The nominees all receive either a gold, silver or bronze award. It’s a wonderful occasion which, quite rightly, celebrates the excellent work that often goes un-noticed by the general public.</p>
<p>"We are really very lucky because we have some wonderful sponsors and I am eternally grateful to them because the Wales Care Awards simply wouldn't happen without their generosity."</p>
<h2>Praise from Welsh Government Minister for Sue Thomas' Care Forum Wales work</h2>
<p>Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths said: "Sue is a shining example of the exceptional people who care for the most vulnerable in our society.</p>
<p>"In addition to her work at Pendine Park, Sue is also a chief administrator of Care Forum Wales. Representing hundreds of care homes and social care providers across the country, Sue’s work aims to promote partnership and improve and advance the social care sector across Wales."</p>
<p>Mario Kreft, who is the Chair of Care Forum Wales and the founder of the Wales Care Awards, said he was "absolutely thrilled" for Sue.</p>
<p>He said: "The invitation to the garden party with the Queen is richly deserved as recognition of the fantastic work Sue has done – and continues to do – to make the Wales Care Awards such a great success."</p>
<p></p>Tawel Fan care scandal: Minister apologises for mental health ward failings<p>Health Minister Mark Drakeford has apologised for failings on the Tawel Fan mental health ward at Glan Clwyd Hospital which came to light last week (BBC news, May 28: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-32904599" target="_blank">'Patients kept 'like animals in a zoo'</a>.).</p>
<p>An independent report published last week said patients in the Tawel Fan unit suffered "institutional abuse". The findings by report author, Donna Ockenden, included:</p>
<ul>
<li>A lack of professional, dignified and compassionate care</li>
<li>Unsupervised patients</li>
<li>An environment which does not promote independence, resulting in restraint</li>
<li>Regimes/routine/practice on the ward which may violate individual patients' human rights</li>
</ul>
<p>Mr Drakeford said an "urgent meeting" will consider putting Betsi Cadwaladr health board into special measures. The minister apologised for the "gross departures from basic standards of care" as the assembly held an urgent debate on the scandal on Wednesday.</p>
<p>First Minister Carwyn Jones had already promised that disciplinary action would follow.</p>
<ul>
<li>Read the full story on the BBC news website: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-32990805" target="_blank">Minister sorry for Tawel Fan scandal</a></li>
</ul>Boost for mental health funding for children and young people announced<p>The Welsh Government has announced an additional £7.6m in funding for mental health services for children and young people in Wales.</p>
<p>The announcement was made today (May 22) by health minister Mark Drakeford who said the additional funding will help improve specialist child and adolescent mental health services’ (CAMHS).</p>
<p>The aim of the funding is to help CAMHS to improve services including:</p>
<ul>
<li>responding out of hours and at times of crisis</li>
<li>expanding access to psychological therapies for young people</li>
<li>improving provision for children and young people in local primary mental health support services</li>
<li>ensuring services intervene early to meet the needs of young people who develop psychosis</li>
</ul>
<p>Funding will also be available to develop services for the most vulnerable young people who are already in – or are at danger of entering – the youth justice system.</p>
<p>Professor Drakeford said: "The additional funding I’m announcing today will help to drive a range of important improvements in child and adolescent mental health services across Wales.</p>
<p>"A considerable amount of work is now underway to move CAMHS forward. I have always been clear that money alone is not the answer for all the challenges facing the NHS, but the changes we are seeking to make to these services are the most significant for many years and ensuring appropriate resources are available will help to achieve the right outcomes for children and young people."</p>
<p>Read more on this story</p>
<p>Welsh Government news: <a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2015/10182787/?lang=en" target="_blank">£7.6m funding boost for children and young people’s mental health services in Wales</a></p>Enhancing life in care homes: events for care home managers<p><br />My Home Life Cymru is running a series of three free events for care home managers in June to showcase the successful Age Cymru Burdett Trust Grant project. The events will give care homes the opportunity to see how the projects have enhanced the quality of life of residents, relatives and staff.</p>
<p>There will be opportunities to learn from the projects and gain support by talking to the project leads.</p>
<h2>Events for care home managers taking place in June</h2>
<p>The events will take place:</p>
<ul>
<li>Carmarthen Leisure Centre, Carmarthen, SA31 3NQ – Wednesday 3rd June 2015 from 10am-4pm</li>
<li>Wellington Community Centre, Rhyl, LL18 1LE – Wednesday 17 June 2015 from 10am-4pm</li>
<li>The Village Hotel, Coryton, Cardiff, CF14 7EF – Thursday 25 June 2015 from 10am-4pm</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<h2>Improving the quality of life in care homes – the projects being showcased</h2>
<p><strong>End of Life Care Project</strong> <br />A project that provides training for staff in advance care planning, early identification of a person nearing the end of their life, building skills and confidence in caring for someone who is dying to enable them to die at home if this is their choice.</p>
<p><strong>Music and Motivation</strong><br />A new way of using music, focusing on life story, taste and choice. Involving residents, relatives and staff in this project to bring music into the home for group sessions and one to one work.</p>
<p><strong>Gofalu yn Gymraeg</strong><br />Caring in Welsh is a project recognising that residents take great pride in their Welsh heritage. Staff are provided with Welsh language development training. The project provides Welsh themed activities, entertainment, conversation and literature for residents.</p>
<p><strong>Nature Park</strong><br />Connecting with nature to improve well-being. This project uses a number of different techniques to ensure residents can enjoy the great outdoors, providing activities of interest and inviting the local community in.</p>
<p><strong>Want to attend?</strong></p>
<p>If you would like to attend a Burdett Showcasing event please email <a href="mailto:mhlc@agecymru.org.uk" target="_blank">mhlc@agecymru.org.uk</a> informing us of which event you'd like to attend and if you have any specific dietary or access needs.</p>
<p>Alternatively, please get in touch with Suzy Webster, My Home Life Cymru Programme Officer, Age Cymru, on tel. 02920 431558</p>Changes to way care is assessed should help stop 'cliff-edge decisions', says Welsh health minister<p>Major changes to the way people’s needs are assessed to decide if they need a package of care and support in Wales have been unveiled by Health and Social Services Minister, Mark Drakeford today (May 11).<br /> <br />Under the changes to the eligibility criteria for social care the rules will be simplified so that people receive 'the right care in the right place' and will, it is hoped, remove the current 'cliff-edge decisions' where people receive care and support services only when their needs are at or near crisis point. </p>
<p>The current approach to eligibility and assessment is sometimes inconsistent and the new model is designed to bring these processes under one framework while recognising the different needs of children and adults. The aim is to provide a more individualised approach that will require local authorities to put in place an appropriate response for individuals - and wherever possible the emphasis should be on preventive care.<br /> <br />The new arrangements will focus on local authorities working with people and their carers and families to identify strengths, capacity and capability to maximise an individual’s wellbeing and independence. This approach will ensure that people can stay in control of decisions made about their care and support.</p>
<p>The new approach will reduce the number of people who require a care and support plan by introducing opportunities to help people retain independence, and access early intervention and prevention services, without the need for a formal plan. Intervening in the right way, at the right time will mean that many people can be supported in their own communities outside the formal social care system, and families can be supported to stay together.</p>
<h2>Care reforms to take effect by April 2016 </h2>
<p>The changes are being introduced as part of the most wide-ranging reforms to social care law in Wales in 60 years, when the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 comes into force in April 2016.<br /> <br />Welsh Government health minister, Mark Drakeford, said: "The new Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act does not just change a few rules here and there. The changes being outlined today will ensure people have much stronger control over the care and support they need to live their lives. This is not simply a case of adjusting what we do now. <br /> <br />"It replaces and rewrites the legislative basis for care and support in Wales. It represents a new social care landscape in Wales. It is a wide-ranging reform of which Wales should be proud.<br /> <br />"At its core is an approach that focusses on people, in a way which strengthens their voice and gives them more control over their lives. It focuses on people’s abilities as well as needs – acknowledging that people themselves want to stay in control of what happens to them.<br /> <br />"The proposed changes are crucial to enable current and future generations to live their lives as fully as possible, providing the correct level of support to promote their wellbeing and to help sustain them in their families, networks and communities."<br /> <br /><br /></p>Care at home, not in hospital: £20m boost to Intermediate Care Fund announced<p><br />The Welsh Government is set to invest £20m in the Intermediate Care Fund which is designed to support people in their own homes and local communities, reducing pressure on hospitals. Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford announced the extra funding on April 28.<br /> <br />The Welsh Government will invest a further £17.5m in the Intermediate Care Fund this year to continue projects which have proved successful in helping older and vulnerable people remain in their own homes. The fund will support schemes which improve out-of-hospital care and helping people to return home from hospital.<br /> <br />It is hoped this will help reduce pressure on A&E and hospital admissions and make new resources available to offer community-based care. The £20m for the Intermediate Care Fund is part of the additional £70m investment the Welsh Government is making in the Welsh NHS in 2015-16 to develop local health services, integrating health and social care.<br /> <br />The remaining £2.5m in the Intermediate Care Fund will be used to identify areas of good practice within the regional partnerships and ensure they are spread across Wales.<br /> <br />The new funding builds on the £35m which was invested in 2014-15 in schemes to enhance integrated working by health and social care services and will continue the focus on improved outcomes for older people and help address the pressures on unscheduled care.<br /> </p>
<h2>Intermediate Care Fund - how the money is being allocated by region </h2>
<ul>
<li>North Wales - £4.78m</li>
<li>Mid and West Wales - £3.76m</li>
<li>Western Bay - £3.46m</li>
<li>Cwm Taf - £1.94m</li>
<li>Gwent - £3.6m</li>
<li>Cardiff and Vale - £2.46m</li>
</ul>
<p>Professor Drakeford said: "The £20m we are investing in community-based services will help keep people out of hospital and in their own homes. This will help ease pressures on hospital-based services.<br /> <br />"The investments we’ve already made over the last 12 months have enabled health, housing and social services, along with the third and independent sectors, to work together on some very innovative projects across Wales.<br /> <br />"This is helping to make a real difference to the lives of older people across Wales, and I’m pleased we are able to continue investing in these vital projects."<br /> <br /><br /> <br /> <br /> </p>Tea with the Queen for CFW's Sue Thomas<p>Care Forum Wales's Sue Thomas has been recognised for her work in organising and promoting the Wales Care Awards. Sue is due to have tea with the Queen at a Royal tea party at Buckingham Palace on May 28.</p>
<p>She was nominated by Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths for her tireless enthusiasm, organisation and hard work in support of the Awards over the years since they first began in 2003.</p>
<p>Sue began work at Pendine Park care organisation as an admin clerk more than a decade ago and five years ago was promoted to Personal Assistant to proprietor Mario Kreft MBE. As part of her duties Sue took on the role of chief administrator for Care Forum Wales including organising the Wales Care Awards.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/sue-thomas-tea-with-queeen02-400px.jpg" alt="" height="600" width="400" /></p>
<p>Sue, pictured, says she was left speechless after discovering her work with Care Forum Wales had led to the invitation to the Buckingham Palace garden tea party with the Queen. She said: “I was absolutely thrilled, surprised and delighted. I have never been invited to anything remotely similar before. It really is amazing.</p>
<p>"I have to thank Wrexham AM and Welsh Government Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, Lesley Griffiths AM for nominating me. It’s a real honour and I will be representing everyone connected with Care Forum Wales as well as Pendine Park Care Organisation.<br /><br />"It’s really humbling Lesley Griffiths took the time to nominate me. She has always been a huge supporter of Care Forum Wales and Pendine Park."</p>
<p>Sue added: "Care Forum Wales works hard to raise the profile and celebrate the hard work and dedication of the social care workforce. My job is to co-ordinate and organise the event and raise sponsorship where I can.<br /><br />"It’s a year-round job collating the information and collecting nominations. We normally receive around 300 nominations for the 22 awards. An independent panel then goes through the nominations and an initial shortlist of six nominees is prepared. This is then reduced to three nominees who attend the awards ceremony which is usually held in October in Cardiff City Hall.<br /><br />"It’s a wonderful occasion which, quite rightly, celebrates the excellent work that often goes un-noticed by the general public. We are really very lucky because we have some wonderful sponsors and I am eternally grateful to them because the Wales Care Awards simply wouldn't happen without their generosity."</p>
<p>Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths, who nominated Sue Thomas, said: "Pendine Park is a fantastic organisation and a leading social care provider in our community. Without the hard work and dedication of the staff, Pendine Park would not have been able to achieve their highly respected reputation. </p>
<p>"Sue personifies the excellent care and expertise the organisation provides and is a shining example of the exceptional people who care for the most vulnerable in our society.</p>
<p>"In addition to her work at Pendine Park, Sue is also a chief administrator of Care Forum Wales. Representing hundreds of care homes and social care providers across the country, Sue’s work aims to promote partnership and improve and advance the social care sector across Wales.</p>
<p>"I am delighted her nomination has been successful and I am sure Sue, along with her husband Darren, will have a wonderful day at Buckingham Palace."</p>
<p></p>Dementia awareness training seminars – free for CFW members<p>Care Forum Wales's group lead on dementia, Stephen Ford, is offering members the chance to attend one of two free dementia awareness training seminars in May. The seminars will include a mixture of information, myth-busting and role-play activities as well as updates on the latest information and research available.</p>
<p>The training is aimed at all care workers, nurses and managers working in any setting where they are likely to encounter people with dementia. A maximum of two delegates per home or agency can be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.<br /> <br />** FREE FOR CARE FORUM WALES MEMBERS / NON-MEMBERS £35 per person **</p>
<h2>Dementia Awareness Training – topics will include:</h2>
<p>Types and prevelance of dementia</p>
<ul>
<li>Progression of the dementia process</li>
<li>What helps (and what doesn't) make a difference to the lives of people with dementia and their families</li>
<li>Myth-busting – we'll explore some commonly-held beliefs about dementia and use role play to develop safe care interventions</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>When, where and how to book</strong><br /> <br />6TH MAY 2015 – CONWY BUSINESS CENTRE 9am – 1pm<br /> 7TH MAY 2015 – SPRINGFIELD HOTEL, LLANDUDNO (A55) 9am – 1pm<br /> <br /><strong>To book a place please contact Janet at CARE FORUM WALES</strong>: TEL: 01978 755400 or e-mail <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk" target="_blank">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a></p>Proposal to create single body to oversee NHS workforce planning and training welcomed<p>The proposal by an independent review for the NHS in Wales to create a single body to oversee workforce planning and the commissioning of training and education places has been welcomed.</p>
<p>Such a body would also oversee commissioning of training for nurses in the independent sector where there is currently a recruitment crisis.</p>
<p>CFW's policy adviser Melanie Minty said: "We welcome this proposal which should improve recruitment for nurses both in the NHS and the independent sector.</p>
<p>"We would hope to be part of the consultation process in the light of the nurse current recruitment crisis in the independent sector," she added.</p>
<p>The Health Professional Education Investment Review was commissioned by the Welsh Government and was led by Mel Evans OBE. It looked at the way the Welsh Government currently invests in the planning, development and commissioning of health professional education and workforce development in Wales.</p>
<p>The review panel found the current arrangements for planning and commissioning education and training places are over-complicated and fragmented – medical and healthcare professional places are commissioned by separate organisations – and while there were areas of innovation and collaboration across Wales the arrangements largely focused on maintaining the current delivery models.</p>
<h2>Advantages of a single NHS body to oversee workforce planning and training</h2>
<p>In its report The Health Professional Education Investment Review said that a single NHS body would:</p>
<ul>
<li>Build stronger relationships with professional regulators</li>
<li>Meet the need for a refreshed strategic vision for NHS Wales to 2030</li>
<li>Create a greater emphasis on providing young people with opportunities to experience the wide range of career opportunities in the NHS</li>
</ul>
<p>Health Minister Mark Drakeford welcomed the publication of the review and said: "I am grateful to the review panel for this report. The NHS workforce is key to delivering the services we require in the future and it is important the investment we make in training and education help to deliver the changes we need going forward.</p>
<p>"I commissioned this report to establish whether the current arrangements represent the best value for Wales or whether changes are required.</p>
<p>"The report proposes some fundamental changes and I want to take the views of others into account before making any decisions on the way forward. I encourage all with an interest to feed in their views during this period of engagement," he added.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Read the full story on the Welsh Government website:</strong> <a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2015/150414training/?lang=en" target="_blank">Major changes proposed to maximise investment in NHS education and training in Wales</a></li>
</ul>
<p></p>National Care Home Open Day: time to get involved for 2015<p>Care Forum Wales is supporting National Care Home Open Day 2015 on June 19 which this year has twin themes of The Arts and Valuing Staff (you can see how CFW members celebrated the day in 2014 <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/news/national-care-home-open-day-2014-celebrations" target="_blank" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;">here</a>).</p>
<p>CFW's policy adviser, Melanie Minty, said: "Please register your care home now to take part in <img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/images/29eccc8e-cc73-4be7-be5b-f6acb13d070e.png" style="width: 87px; height: 150px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 0px; border: 0; line-height: 100%; outline: none; text-decoration: none; display: inline;" height="150" align="left" width="87" />2015 as the day is nearly upon us. This applies even if you took part last year.</p>
<p>"This is a UK-wide initiative inviting care homes to open their doors to their local communities. Many Care Forum Wales members were among the thousands of care homes across the UK who took part last year, welcoming the public and arranging events and activities to help create lasting links between care home residents and their local communities."</p>
<p>Melanie (pictured below) added: "We are also using social media to promote the Day and we urge members to use the resources provided on the NCHOD website and relevant hashtag for Twitter to help spread the word too."</p>
<p>The organisers of National Care Home Open Day said: "This is all about showing people what excellent care homes are really about and how they can be at the centre of local communities, developing relationships across the generations.</p>
<p>"We're making some positive noise - and we want you to be part of it!"</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Mel-NCHOD-tw.jpg" alt="" height="457" width="500" /></p>
<p></p>
<h2>Find out how to get involved in National Care Home Open Day on June 19</h2>
<ul>
<li>You can find information, resources, tips and ideas on the NCHOD website <a href="http://www.nationalcarehomeopenday.org.uk/" target="_blank" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;">here</a>.</li>
<li>Don't forget to tweet your images (showing the 'I'm supproting Care Home Open Day' wording) to @CareHomeOpenDay #CHOD2015 - like this, showing CFW chair Mario Kreft below!</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<ul>
<li><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/mario-NCHOD2015-twitter.jpg" alt="" height="385" width="333" /></li>
</ul>
<p></p>Wales Care Awards: Nominations deadline extended to April 20 - find out how to nominate!<p>You've just got time to nominate your social care heroes for the Wales Care Awards 2015 if you hurry – the nominations deadline has been extended to April 20.</p>
<p>It's easy to do – just follow the links below for information and, if in doubt, call Janet at CFW on 01978 755400 and she can help you with your nomination.</p>
<p>The awards really are the 'Oscars' of the social care sector in Wales (and a great night out for you and your colleagues) so we'd love to hear your nominations. </p>
<div class="article_divider">
<p>If you know someone who goes the extra mile in social care, from catering staff to nurses, managers to new recruits, now is the time to nominate them for a Wales Care Award 2015.</p>
<ul>
<li>The nominations window for the awards closes on March 31 giving you just two weeks left to nominate. You can now do this easily by filling out a <a href="http://www.walescareawards.co.uk/newnominationform" target="_blank">nominations form</a> online.</li>
<li>Guidance notes can be found <a href="http://www.walescareawards.co.uk/guidancenotes.html" target="_blank">here</a> and supporting information can be emailed separately to <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Meet some of our 2014 Wales Care Awards winners</h2>
<p>Some of the fabulous 2014 Wales Care Awards winners are pictured below. Nominate now to join them in 2015!</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/WCA2014-selection-collage.jpg" alt="" height="536" width="800" /></p>
</div>Welsh Government reveals plans to make Wales a 'dementia-friendly nation'<p>Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford today (April 2) said he wants health boards to work towards a 50% dementia diagnosis rate by 2016. In addition, Mr Drakeford announced that residential and nursing homes will be provided with additional support to train staff and make their buildings more dementia-friendly.</p>
<p>The Alzheimer’s Society estimates that 57% of people with dementia in Wales have not yet been clinically diagnosed. In 2014, there were an estimated 43,477 people in Wales living with dementia - that number is expected to increase to more than 55,000 by 2021.</p>
<h2>Making Wales a 'dementia-friendly nation'</h2>
<p>The Welsh Government’s ambition is to make Wales a dementia-friendly nation and build on progress to improve care and support for dementia sufferers and their families.</p>
<p>Ministers are providing an extra £1m to support the new dementia policies, with £800,000 to fund the new primary care support workers.</p>
<p>This is in addition to the £130m invested in new elderly mental health facilities across Wales; funding for the Alzheimer’s Society to provide special patient information packs; supporting a free, 24-hour Wales Dementia Helpline and providing books on prescription about dementia in every public library.</p>
<h4>The new plan for dementia in Wales includes:</h4>
<ul>
<li>A new target for health boards to improve dementia diagnosis rate to at least 50% by 2016.</li>
<li>Funding for 32 new primary care support workers, who will provide face-to-face support, information and advice on accessing the right care and services for people diagnosed with dementia. They will also work in their local communities to raise awareness of dementia and help people with the disease to live longer in their communities;</li>
<li>New funding for four additional primary care link nurses who will visit the 675 residential and nursing homes in Wales to provide training for staff about how to identify dementia, provide post-diagnosis support, link up with local GP services and advise how to make buildings more dementia-friendly;</li>
<li>Increasing the number of people in Wales trained as dementia friends who are able to spot signs of the illness and help sufferers and create more dementia supportive communities. There are currently more than 9,800 dementia friends in Wales and 400 champions. The Welsh Government will provide funding for the next three years for the Alzheimer’s Society’s dementia friends campaign;</li>
<li>Publishing a new guide on the steps people can take to reduce their risk of developing dementia;</li>
<li>Encouraging more GP surgeries to take up Welsh Government-funded dementia training - to date 30% of GP practices in Wales have already completed the training, with virtually all of them subsequently agreeing a dementia lead and action plan.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Read more on this story: Wales' plans for dementia sufferers</h2>
<p>Welsh Government: <a href="http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2015/150402dementia/?lang=en" target="_blank">New dementia targets & staff unveiled</a></p>
<p>Nursing Times: <a href="http://www.nursingtimes.net/home/specialisms/mental-health/extra-dementia-nurses-and-support-workers-announced-for-wales/5083930.article" target="_blank">Extra dementia nurses and support workers announced for Wales</a></p>
<p></p>New dementia targets and staff unveiled by Welsh Government <p>A new £1m to plan to recruit new primary care support workers to help people diagnosed with dementia has been unveiled as part of a new Welsh Government drive to tackle the disease.<br /><br />Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford also said he wants health boards to work towards a 50% diagnosis rate by 2016. The Alzheimer’s Society estimates that 57% of people with dementia in Wales have not yet had it clinically confirmed.<br /><br />Residential and nursing homes will be provided with additional support to train staff and make their buildings more dementia-friendly.<br /><br />The policies are part of the Welsh Government’s ambition to make Wales a dementia-friendly nation and builds on progress to improve care and support for dementia sufferers and their families.</p>
<p>Ministers are providing an extra £1m to support the new dementia policies, with £800,000 to fund the new primary care support workers.</p>
<p>This is in addition to the £130m invested in new elderly mental health facilities across Wales; funding for the Alzheimer’s Society to provide special patient information packs; supporting a free, 24-hour Wales Dementia Helpline and providing books on prescription about dementia in every public library.<br /><br />In 2014, there were an estimated 43,477 people in Wales living with dementia - that number is expected to increase to more than 55,000 by 2021.</p>
<h2>The Welsh Government's 2015 plan for dementia in Wales</h2>
<p>Targets set out in the plan include:</p>
<ul>
<li>A new target for <strong>health boards to improve dementia diagnosis rate to at least 50% by 2016</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Funding for 32 new primary care support workers</strong>, who will provide face-to-face support, information and advice on accessing the right care and services for people diagnosed with dementia. They will also work in their local communities to raise awareness of dementia and help people with the disease to live longer in their communities;</li>
<li>New funding for <strong>four additional primary care link nurses who will visit the 675 residential and nursing homes in Wales</strong> to provide training for staff about how to identify dementia, provide post-diagnosis support, link up with local GP services and advise how to make buildings more dementia-friendly;</li>
<li><strong>Increasing the number of people in Wales trained as dementia friends</strong> who are able to spot signs of the illness and help sufferers and create more dementia supportive communities. There are currently more than 9,800 dementia friends in Wales and 400 champions. <strong>The Welsh Government will provide funding for the next three years for the Alzheimer’s Society’s dementia friends campaign</strong>;</li>
<li>Publishing a new guide on the steps people can take to reduce their risk of developing dementia;</li>
<li>Encouraging more <strong>GP surgeries to take up Welsh Government-funded dementia training</strong> - to date 30% of GP practices in Wales have already completed the training, with virtually all of them subsequently agreeing a dementia lead and action plan.</li>
</ul>
<p><br /><em>Professor Drakeford said:</em> “Our aim is to improve dementia diagnosis rates across the country and better support people who have been diagnosed with the illness. We must make sure both they and their families have access to the best information and care available.</p>
<p>“Currently one in five people over 80 have dementia but in the next six years the number of people in Wales with dementia is set to increase by almost a third.</p>
<p>“Our society will need to change to meet this demand, becoming more aware of the signs and symptoms of dementia. All those who work in our health service will need to become more aware of the disease and know what care, advice and support they can offer to improve people’s lives.”</p>
<p>The Alzheimer’s Society responded to the news saying: "There are currently 45,000 people living with dementia in Wales. However, behind this statistic there are real people, many of whom are struggling to cope. We therefore welcome the Minister’s focus on dementia and Welsh Government’s ambition to make Wales a dementia-friendly nation.</p>
<p>"The plan outlined by the Minister is an important stepping stone to transforming people’s lives. Every person with dementia should have access to the certainty of a diagnosis and the right support to come to terms, and live well, with the condition.</p>
<p>"It is important that we see meaningful changes to truly transform the lives of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s Society looks forward to working with Welsh Government to achieve this."</p>Last chance to enter your social care heroes for the Wales Care Awards 2015<div id="content">
<div id="content_left">You've just got time to nominate your social care heroes for the Wales Care Awards 2015 if you hurry – nominations close tomorrow (March 31). It's easy to do – just follow the links below for information and, if in doubt, call Janet at CFW and she can help you with your nomination. The awards really are the 'Oscars' of the social care sector in Wales (and a great night out for you and your colleagues) so we'd love to hear your nominations. <br />
<div class="article_divider">
<p>If you know someone who goes the extra mile in social care, from catering staff to nurses, managers to new recruits, now is the time to nominate them for a Wales Care Award 2015.</p>
<ul>
<li>The nominations window for the awards closes on March 31 giving you just two weeks left to nominate. You can now do this easily by filling out a <a href="http://www.walescareawards.co.uk/newnominationform" target="_blank">nominations form</a> online.</li>
<li>Guidance notes can be found <a href="http://www.walescareawards.co.uk/guidancenotes.html" target="_blank">here</a> and supporting information can be emailed separately to <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a></li>
</ul>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/WCA-nominations%202015%20image.jpg" alt="" pagespeed_url_hash="1473438522" onload="pagespeed.CriticalImages.checkImageForCriticality(this);" width="400" /></p>
<p></p>
<h2>The Wales Care Awards - rewarding excellence in social care for 12 years and counting</h2>
<p>First held in 2003, the Wales Care Awards are an annual fixture in the social care calendar. They reward the champions of the sector and raise public awareness of the vital contribution made by the social care workforce to the health and wellbeing of the people of Wales. The Wales Care Awards have helped to raise the status and profile of the work of the social care workforce in Wales.</p>
<p><strong>See images of the 2014 winners and like our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/walescareawards" target="_blank">Wales Care Awards Facebook page</a>!</strong></p>
<p>Each year there are 21 awards categories ranging from excellence in leadership and management to nurse of the year, excellence in catering to dementia care. The generous support of our sponsors makes it possible to invite guests from more than 100 representative organisations from the public, voluntary and private sectors.</p>
<p>In 2015 Wales Care Awards will take place on Friday 6th November at City Hall, Cardiff.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>Regulation & Inspection Bill update: Plans to change Care Council role and name<p>The Minister for Health and Social Services, Professor Mark Drakeford, has issued a written statement on plans for the Care Council for Wales to be transformed into a new body, Social Care Wales (SCW).</p>
<p>SCW will have improved powers and is set to begin its work in April 2017. An advisory panel will be established this year to support the transition process.</p>
<p>In the statement issued today (March 27) Prof Drakeford said: "During introduction of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Bill into the National Assembly for Wales, I referred to how the Bill will confer new service improvement powers on the Care Council for Wales and provide for a name change to Social Care Wales (SCW).</p>
<p>"Changes of this importance require careful and detailed consideration. To assist in this work I therefore have been pleased to have support from the Strategic Improvement Steering Group (SISG), chaired by Sally Ellis."</p>
<p>The group has now reported back to the Minister having consulted with key stakeholders and Prof Drakeford thanked the group and stakeholders for their input and hard work.</p>
<p>Prof Drakeford added: "I have now received the report from SISG on the future of SCW. It is supportive of our proposals to develop the Care Council’s role, as a powerful, strategic body for improvement in Wales with a focus on innovation and collaboration. It sets out the potential for this body with responsibility for social care workforce regulation and workforce development and crucially service improvement throughout Wales. </p>
<p>"I have fully considered the SISG report. I am pleased to be able to accept the broad direction of travel set out, and the significant majority of the detailed recommendations."</p>More than a million days 'lost' due to patients being unable to be discharged, new figures reveal<p>NHS England statistics released in March show that in the past 12 months there have been more than a million days 'lost' due to patients being unable to be discharged.</p>
<p>In total 1,042,434 'excess bed days' were lost due to patients being unable to be discharged, an increase of 19 per cent on the previous year’s 873,415 lost days.</p>
<p>As well as the increasing strain on NHS resources, 300,000 fewer people over the age of 65 are receiving state-funded social care services in England compared with 2010. With adult social care support reduced, the number of over-90s rushed to A&E by ambulance has increased by half since 2010 – from 202,537 in 2009-10 to 302,284 in 2013-14.</p>
<p>Labour has promised to integrate physical and mental health and social care services in England, with people given a personal care plan and a single point of contact for those with the greatest need. </p>
<p>Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham said: “Care cuts are in fact NHS cuts ... Back in 2010 I said it would be irresponsible to safeguard the NHS budget if the way you pay for it is by raiding social care. This Parliament has borne that out completely. Care costs are the root cause of the A&E crisis."</p>
<h2>Knock-on effect of delayed transfers hitting community and mental health services too</h2>
<p>King’s Fund chief executive Chris Ham said: “<strong>Many delayed transfers of care are caused by problems accessing other parts of the NHS, such as community and mental health services, while increasing pressures on social care are also a factor</strong>. The solution must be sought in better co-ordination... and adequate funding both for the NHS and social care.”</p>
<p>A Department of Health spokesman said: “In fact, <em>proportionally fewer patients are being delayed in hospital as the NHS helps record numbers of patients</em>. We’ve given a record £700m this winter for thousands more NHS staff and beds, alongside £37m for local authorities to help more people go home from hospital promptly.</p>
<p>“We’re also bringing health and social care services together for the first time next month to further reduce A&E admissions and get people out of hospital more quickly.”</p>
<p>The Department of Health said that between 2011-12 and 2013-14, the total number of days of delayed transfers rose by 2.9 per cent, but over the same period hospital admissions grew by about 3.5 per cent. In that time the delayed days attributable to social care fell by 13.6 per cent, a source said.</p>
<p>The Government has given an extra £37m to local authorities to tackle delayed discharges from hospitals to the social care system, and has set up a new national “Helping People Home” team to provide support to local areas in reducing delayed transfers.</p>
<h2>Read the full story</h2>
<p><em>The Independent</em>: '<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/nhs-feels-the-strain-as-hospital-bedblocking-by-elderly-patients-hits-record-levels-10125422.html" target="_blank">NHS feels the strain as hospital bed-blocking by elderly patients hits record levels</a>'<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p>Just two weeks left to nominate your social care heroes for Wales Care Awards 2015<p>If you know someone who goes the extra mile in social care, from catering staff to nurses, managers to new recruits, now is the time to nominate them for a Wales Care Award 2015.</p>
<ul>
<li>The nominations window for the awards closes on March 31 giving you just two weeks left to nominate. You can now do this easily by filling out a <a href="http://www.walescareawards.co.uk/newnominationform" target="_blank">nominations form</a> online.</li>
<li>Guidance notes can be found <a href="http://www.walescareawards.co.uk/guidancenotes.html" target="_blank">here</a> and supporting information can be emailed separately to <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a></li>
</ul>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/WCA-nominations 2015 image.jpg" alt="" width="400" /></p>
<p></p>
<h2>The Wales Care Awards - rewarding excellence in social care for 12 years and counting</h2>
<p>First held in 2003, the Wales Care Awards are an annual fixture in the social care calendar. They reward the champions of the sector and raise public awareness of the vital contribution made by the social care workforce to the health and wellbeing of the people of Wales. The Wales Care Awards have helped to raise the status and profile of the work of the social care workforce in Wales.</p>
<p><strong>See images of the 2014 winners and like our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/walescareawards" target="_blank">Wales Care Awards Facebook page</a>!</strong></p>
<p>Each year there are 21 awards categories ranging from excellence in leadership and management to nurse of the year, excellence in catering to dementia care. The generous support of our sponsors makes it possible to invite guests from more than 100 representative organisations from the public, voluntary and private sectors.</p>
<p>In 2015 Wales Care Awards will take place on Friday 6th November at City Hall, Cardiff.</p>
<p></p>Independent Living Fund: £20m grant scheme to support severely disabled announced by Welsh Government<p>A new £20m fund to support more than 1,600 severely disabled people in Wales with their care needs will be devolved to local authorities when the existing UK fund closes at the end of June, Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford announced today (Friday 13th March).<br /> <br />The Independent Living Fund (ILF), which makes direct cash payments to disabled people with very significant care needs so they can meet the cost of the care and support they need, will be closed by the UK Government on June 30, 2015.</p>
<p>Following a consultation on options to provide ILF support after June 30, the Welsh Government has decided to set up a special grant scheme, administered by local authorities to pay existing ILF recipients their current level of funding.<br /> <br />The grant scheme will run from July 2015 until the end of March 2017. Funding of £20.4m has already been confirmed for the period July 2015 to end of March 2016. This is based on the number of people receiving ILF when the current scheme closes on June 30. Funding beyond this date is subject to the next UK Spending Round.<br /> <br />ILF payments can be used for a range of things, such as assistance with eating and drinking, cooking and preparing food and drink, and help with dressing, cleaning, laundry and other domestic duties.<br /> <br />As of January 30, there were 1,648 people receiving ILF payments in Wales, who received on average just over £335 a week each to meet their needs.<br /> <br />Health Minister Professor Drakeford said: "The UK Government’s decision to close the ILF has caused anxiety among those who receive support. I’m pleased to confirm the future arrangements I am putting in place to support current ILF recipients to continue to live independently.<br /> <br />"Having carefully considered the responses to our consultation, I have decided to implement a special grant scheme, administered by local authorities, to pay existing ILF recipients their current level of funding.<br /> <br />"I hope the actions the Welsh Government is taking will alleviate some of the concerns expressed by ILF recipients and that they will be able to maintain their current care and support packages under a new process and remove employment concerns raised by their carers."</p>St David's Day Award honour for Care Forum chairman Mario Kreft<p>Care Forum Wales' chair, Mario Kreft (<em>pictured below</em>), has been honoured by the First Minister with a <a href="http://stdavidawards.org.uk/news/2015-winners-announced?lang=en" target="_blank">St David's Day Award</a>.</p>
<p>The awards honour the exceptional achievements of people in Wales and acknowledge people who are making a real difference, at home and abroad. They were first introduced in 2014.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft received the award for his contribution to social care, including in setting up the Wales Care Awards, at a glittering ceremony at the Senedd on March 12. Award winners each received a specially commissioned trophy, designed and made by the leading Welsh sculptor Gideon Petersen.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/mario-stdavidsday-award.jpg" alt="" width="292" height="439" /></p>
<p>Mr Kreft was one of the winners in nine awards categories who also included the actor Michael Sheen (international award) and cyclist Geraint Thomas (sport).</p>
<p>As well as establishing the Wales Care Awards, Mr Kreft owns the Pendine Park Care Organisation founded in 1985. Pendine Park employs more than 600 people in seven care homes in Wrexham. Its centre of excellence for people with dementia is dedicated to Mr Kreft's grandmother who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease in later life.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft said: "I was delighted to be nominated in the first place so to actually receive the award is a fantastic honour. This is the perfect 30th anniversary present for Pendine Park.</p>
<p>"None of this would have been possible without the huge contribution of my wife Gill whose expertise, energy and creativity have provided foundation for everything we have achieved."</p>
<p>He added: "The award is also a recognition of the huge contribution of social care in communities right across Wales, including the teams at Care Forum Wales and Pendine Park.</p>
<p>Congratulating him on his award, Wrexham AM and former social services minister Lesley Griffiths said: " I am delighted Mario has been been honoured in this way. This recognition for all his pioneering work and dedication for 30 years is richly deserved. Mario leads by example and is an eloquent and effective champion for the social care sector in Wales," she added.</p>
<ul>
<li>You can watch a video of Mr Kreft talking about his nomination for the award <a href="https://youtu.be/zPl6gP2iVvY" target="_blank">here</a>.</li>
<li>Find out more about the awards, the Welsh version of the Queen's New Year's Honours list, on the <a href="http://stdavidawards.org.uk/about-the-awards/?lang=en" target="_blank">Welsh Government website</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h2>St David's Day award winners 2015</h2>
<p><strong>Bravery </strong>Derek Pusey, Leonard Walters and Clive Williams, Cardigan RNLI</p>
<p><strong>Citizenship </strong>Rhian Burke</p>
<p><strong>Culture </strong>Siân Phillips CBE</p>
<p><strong>Enterprise </strong>Mario Kreft MBE</p>
<p><strong>Innovation and Technology </strong>Peter Brewin and William Crawford, Concrete Canvas</p>
<p><strong>International </strong>Michael Sheen OBE</p>
<p><strong>Sport </strong>Geraint Thomas MBE</p>
<p><strong>Young Person</strong> Richard Davies</p>
<p><strong>First Minister’s Special Award </strong>NATO Newport 2014</p>Think About Me: Good care guide pilot website launched<p>A pilot project offering a new web guide to care homes where relatives can leave reviews online has been launched today (March 9).</p>
<p>The 'Think About Me: Good Care Guide' aims to make it easy for care home residents and their families to research the quality of homes and review them online in a way familiar to users of travel review website Trip Advisor.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Good_Care_Guide_copytemplates%20090215.jpg" width="200" /></p>
<p>The guide will initially be piloted across Gwent and could be rolled out across Wales if it proves to be a success.</p>
<p>The scheme, in association with the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) and the South East Wales Academic Health Science Partnership, has already seen 78 local nursing and residential homes sign up.</p>
<p><strong>Partners include Care Forum Wales, Age Cymru Gwent and the 1000 Lives initiative.</strong></p>
<p>Care Forum Wales' policy adviser Melanie Minty attended the launch today (March 9). Melanie Minty Said: "Care Forum Wales is delighted to be involved in the Think About Me initiative.</p>
<p>This is a great tool to help people make informed choices about their future home at what is often a very distressing time. It is also an important opportunity to celebrate the excellent care found in most care homes that is so often over shadowed by the minority".</p>
<p>Tanya Strange, ABUHB's divisional nurse of primary care and networks, said: “Residents and relatives will be able to leave feedback about the home and this will enable providers to respond quickly to that feedback.</p>
<p>“Lots of organisations with an interest in care homes have come together to develop this initiative where people can review care through the eyes of those living there and make informed decisions.”</p>
<p></p>New starters qualification launched by Care Council for Wales with emphasis on dignity and respect<p>The Care Council for Wales has announced a new qualification aimed at giving new social care employees a better understanding of the importance of dignity and respect.</p>
<p>Supported by Agored Cymru and City and Guilds, the qualification is designed for those starting in care jobs to develop the knowledge and understanding they need to be better prepared for their roles. It can be completed before starting work or during the induction period.</p>
<p>The qualification builds on the existing social care induction framework (SCIF), first launched in 2001, which all new starters already complete in their first 12 weeks of their jobs.</p>
<p>The new qualification was launched today (March 3) at an event at Cardiff's Chapter Arts Centre. The event saw the premiere of a film, <em>Home From Home</em>, which highlights the difference good induction can make to the quality of care provided for an older person who moves to a residential home.</p>
<p>The Care Council's chief executive said: “A good induction into the workplace is essential for social care workers in Wales. When it’s carried out properly, it can help new starters understand the importance of treating each person as an individual and the values they should bring to their day-to-day work.</p>
<p>"We believe this new qualification, and the resources that go with it, will make it clear what staff should be achieving as part of their induction. In particular, helping them realise the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect."</p>
<p>She added: “We want to make sure all new social care workers in Wales get a good induction and the right start for their careers. There are many examples of good practice across the country, but the picture isn’t consistent. This means we need to strengthen the national approach to induction, as it’s essential people understand the importance of values right from the start."</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Find out more about the new qualification, and the film, on the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news/2015/03/03/new-award-to-help-achieve-better-care-in-wales/">CCW Website</a></strong></li>
</ul>My Home Life Cymru award win for CFW member<div itemprop="articleBody">
<p>A Pembrokeshire care home which last year took its residents on a cruise of the Norwegian fjords has won the My Home Life Cymru award at the Age Cymru annual gala dinner and awards ceremony.</p>
<p>Pen-Coed Care Home, near Saundersfoot, won the My Home Life Cymru Award at the awards ceremony in Cardiff on February 27. The award was one of six presented by Age Cymru.</p>
<p>The My Home Life Cymru programme is aimed at improving the lives of people who live in, visit and work in care homes.</p>
<p>Pen-Coed's registered manager, Sue Mason, said: “The team at Pen-Coed has truly broken the mould with regard to the expectations of its residents. We have a strong belief that living with dementia should not stop people living a full life.</p>
<p>“It’s not a question of days out for our residents, but full-blown foreign holidays. In April 2014, we organised a cruise to the Norwegian fjords.</p>
<p>“For some of the residents this was their first time abroad so it was so they also had the excitement of applying for a passport, shopping for new clothes and packing their suitcases – as well as the new experience of going on a cruise.</p>
<p>“There were so many activities on board throughout the day and in the evening everyone dressed up for dinner and enjoyed dancing too if they wanted.</p>
<div class="articleInsert clearfix">“We have also taken residents on holiday to destinations including Madeira and Spain,” she added.</div>
<p>Pen-Coed Care Home is part of the Dale Road Group which has five care homes in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.</p>
<p>The My Home Life Cymru team said: "Pen-Coed Care Home is committed to the My Home Life Cymru programme and ensures the residents is at the heart of the relationship centre care they provide.They strongly believe people living with dementia should not stop living as fulfilled life."</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Read about the award and watch the video on the<a href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/get-involved/awards-and-gala-dinner-2015/my-home-life-cymru-award/" target="_blank"> Age Cymru website</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>Read the Western Telegraph's coverage of this story: <a href="http://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/11843861.National_award_for_care_home/?ref=eb" target="_blank">National Award for care home</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</div>Care home dog Ellie-May becomes finalist in 'Friends for Life' category at Crufts<p>A Powys care home's much-loved resident dog, Ellie May, is one of the four finalists at the prestigious Crufts dog show this year in the 'Friends for Life' award category.</p>
<p>Ellie May (pictured below with care home residents), lives at Oaklands Residential Home in Llangynidr, near Crickhowell, Powys. She is a firm favourite with residents and manager Julie Cashell says, "She has made our care home a home".</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Ellie May.jpg" alt="" width="250" /></p>
<p>The nine-year-old Lhaso Apso initially lived with manager Julie until she decided she'd rather live at the home with the residents when she was a few months old.</p>
<p>Residents of the home, which is a Care Forum Wales member, are now appealing for the public to vote for Ellie for the Eukanuba Friends For Life competition 2015 which is organised by the Kennel Club.<strong> The deadline for votes is March 7, 2015.</strong></p>
<p>Julie Cashell said: "What she does all day is look out for everyone. If somebody is distressed, if somebody is unhappy, if somebody is confused Ellie May has naturally herself gone looking for them to make sure that they're OK.</p>
<p>"A big feature of having Ellie May here is encouraging older people to come out for a walk with us, encouraging people to keep mobile and as part of the community," she added.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>WATCH THIS: You can watch a video of Ellie May in action at Oaklands <a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/crufts/videos/all/ellie-may" target="_blank">HERE</a> </strong></li>
<li><strong>VOTE FOR ELLIE! Find out how to vote online <a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/crufts" target="_blank">HERE</a> (votes by March 7)</strong></li>
</ul>
<p></p>New Regulation and Inspection legislation must herald 'new era of collaboration', warns social care leader<p>A social care leader has welcomed new legislation to beef up regulation of the sector but warns it will not work unless there is a "fundamental change of culture".<br /><br />Care Forum Wales' chair, Mario Kreft, said it was vital to "change the DNA in Wales" to ensure everybody involved in [social care] worked together in collaboration. CFW is also calling for the people from local authorities and health boards who commission social care services to be regulated so that their decisions are based on quality not price.</p>
<p>The new law to strengthen the regulation and inspection of the social care sector was announced yesterday (February 23) by Health Minister Mark Drakeford. According to the Welsh Government, care home owners will become more accountable for the services they provide to protect children and adults.</p>
<p><em><strong>"This new law will go some way, but if we don’t fundamentally change the way we do business, if we don’t fundamentally change the way we work collaboratively, if we don’t fundamentally value providers and their workforce and just hit them when it goes wrong, then quite frankly this will not make the progress and provide the framework that the minister wants it to do," warned Mario Kreft.</strong> </em><br /><br />Prof Drakeford said the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Bill, would put delivering success at the heart of a "revised and streamlined legal framework".</p>
<p>Mr Kreft said: "“Care Forum Wales would want to support the overall thrust of the legislation. It is some time since the current regulations and legal system were put in place and, as the minister said, we’ve got many more people with complex needs receiving services at home. The people living in care homes have very complex needs, much more so than 20 years ago.</p>
<p><strong><em>"It is therefore absolutely the right time, on the back of the Social Services Bill which has created this new framework, that we now match that with a new regulatory framework, and there are certain aspects that we would certainly welcome.</em></strong><br /><br />"But there are also areas of concern. The reality is that in Wales today we have a struggling health and social care system. It's struggling because of demand and because we are not harnessing the resources that we already have at our disposal.<br /><br />"People in Wales are not working in partnership in the way that the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has shown in other parts of the UK makes a real difference in terms of efficiency of resources, quality of service delivery through we call relationship centred care. Unfortunately, this new legislation will change little unless we really harness all the resources at our disposal and particularly recognise that social care is a fundamental cornerstone of the NHS in Wales.</p>
<h2>Independent care sector being 'decimated' by flawed commissioning practices and low morale – Mario Kreft</h2>
<p>CFW chair, Mario Kreft, said: "Independent social care in Wales is being decimated by flawed commissioning practices which put price before quality. As a result, morale in the sector among providers and the workforce is very low.<br /><br />"It means we cannot attract enough of the right quality of people, because the economic model that most local authorities are using does not make it possible to make this a career to be proud of with all the things that you would expect for those skills.<br /><br />"While the big stick will always be what you require when things go terribly wrong, we’ve really got to have a new approach. We are calling for the commissioners from local authorities and health boards to be regulated in their commissioning strategies and procedures.<br /><br />"At the moment, the way social care is commissioned does not support quality services and this is backed up by the findings of the recent report by the Commissioner for Older People. We’re really talking about what the Commissioner for Older People also wants - that’s a better quality of life. It has to be about support, it has to be about, building for the future, and particularly respecting and valuing social care workers who provide those services.<br /><br />“<strong>The most important thing that we can do in Wales is to change within our DNA so that we work collaboratively and see social care as a great positive, as a part of our community</strong> in the way that it underpins the economy and the NHS - and underpins indeed our society.<br /><br />"We’ve had now nearly 20 years whereby social care funding for independent sector organisations has been held within local authorities. The progress that we’ve made is lamentable. Yes there are pockets of good practice, but that’s not good enough for a small nation of three million people. We should have got this right by now."<br /><br /><br /></p>Regulation and Inspection Bill to 'rebalance accountability' in social care system<p><strong>New law to strengthen the regulation and inspection of social care in Wales unveiled</strong><br /> <br />Care home owners will become more accountable for their services under a new law to strengthen the protection of children and adults and improve the quality of care and support in Wales, the Welsh Government has announced.<br /> <br />The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Bill, being introduced before the National Assembly for Wales by Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford today (Tuesday February 24), will put delivering success at the heart of a revised and streamlined legal framework for the regulation and inspection of care and support in Wales. It will also ensure no service escapes the regulatory regime.<br /> <br />In Wales, the latest figures show there are 1,780 regulated social care and support settings which fall within the scope of the current regulatory regime. More than 70,000 staff work in the sector.</p>
<p>The Bill is <strong>part of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Social Services for Wales: A Framework for Action</strong> programme to transform the provision of care and support for the citizens of Wales. It complements the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, which focuses on a model of care and support which has the citizen at its heart and is based on the concept of wellbeing and improved outcomes for people.</p>
<h2>Bill to 'rebalance accountability' in social care system</h2>
<p>The Bill rebalances accountability in the social care system, away from just those working on the frontline to ensure employers and company owners and directors also share the responsibilities in law. Each service provider will be required to designate an owner or board member as a ‘responsible individual’ as part of their registration, ensuring a clear line of sight from the boardroom to the frontline.<br /> <br />It will also introduce a new model of regulation, which will allow regulators to press for improvement across one care setting site or across a provider’s entire range of services – including care homes - if deemed necessary. It will make it easier for the regulator to act where care is considered beyond repair and, if necessary, cancel the registration of those providers, services and settings which fail to implement improvements. It also includes stronger penalties for certain offences.<br /> <br />In addition, the Bill will:<br /> <br />· Shift the emphasis from minimum standards to an outcomes-based approach and provides for service inspections to include an assessment of the wellbeing of the people receiving services;<br />· Ensure for the first time annual reports are produced and published by all providers of social care in Wales so performance can be scrutinised and compared;<br />· Introduce a new requirement for local authorities and Welsh Ministers to consider and publish reports on the stability of the care sector, in the present and in the future;<br />· Introduce new powerful duties on regulators to share information when necessary;<br />· Provide powers for regulators to award ratings of services following their inspections;<br />· Continue the targeted approach to workforce regulation with powers to add new groups as required;<br />· Reconstitute the Care Council for Wales as Social Care Wales. This is a step change for the social care sector in Wales and for the first time will combine responsibility for workforce regulation, workforce development and service improvement within one body.<br /> <br />Health Minister Mark Drakeford, pictured, said: “The delivery of social care has changed significantly over the last 15 years with far greater numbers of people being cared for in the community. People living in residential care also have more complex health and care needs than they did 15 years ago. <br /> <br /><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Mark Drakeford Health Minister.jpg" alt="" width="150" />“The foundation of our social services has been transformed through our Social Services and Well-being Act, and the system of regulation now needs to change to reflect this.<br /> <br />“We have learned lessons from Southern Cross, Mid Staffs, Winterbourne Operation Jasmine and other scandals where people being cared for were badly let down by services. We need to ensure our regulation regime reflects modern practice and the ever-changing world of social care.<br /> <br />“High-quality care and support is about more than just meeting essential needs and minimum standards – it is about understanding the impact which these services have on people’s lives and on their wellbeing.<br /> <br />“This new Bill is the next step in ensuring social services in Wales are sustainable and fit for the future. It will, if passed, create a regulation system geared to support success, not simply to identify failure. But where failure is identified, it will speed up the regulatory response. Our approach will be to regulate for improvement and success.<br /> <br />“Regulation of the social care sector already delivers real benefits for the people who rely on the services they provide. Our new approach is a strong, robust policy to build on this success to ensure the safeguarding of all with a care and support need.”<br /> <br />The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Bill, which is the final primary legislative step in this process, will give people a stronger voice and more control over their care and will shift to measuring the expectations of and outcomes for the citizen.</p>Do you work in Residential Childcare? CCW wants your views for its short survey<p>The Care Council for Wales has commissioned a survey to help it understand more about what it means to you to work as a residential child care worker.</p>
<p>The aim of the survey (which can be completed online in no more than 6-7 minutes) is to help the Care Council understand the profile, motivations and aspirations of employees across Wales to help in:<br />• encouraging people with potential to join this important workforce<br />• understanding how you regard the qualification<br />• understanding what makes people leave the sector<br />• understanding what makes you proud or not to be in this job<br />• developing appropriate strategies to support workers and managers in residential child care<br />• facilitating learning and development that will enable you to best meet the needs of children in your care</p>
<p>Ann James, workforce development manager for CCW, said: "We would very much like YOU to participate. The more people who join in the better the survey will be in giving us useful information. The questionnaire is anonymous unless you would like to tell us your contact details."</p>
<p>The questionnaire is being carried out by an independent research company, Vector Research Ltd, which will undertake the data gathering and analysis on CCW's behalf.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>A link to the survey can be found <a href="https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=142383857761" target="_blank">here.</a> </strong>Please complete all questions as individual question responses lead into subsequent sections of the survey. </li>
</ul>
<h2>Need help or further information on the residential childcare survey? Contact the Care Council</h2>
<p>If you need help or advice with any of the questions or there are any other queries then do please contact Ann James, workforce development manager at the Care Council at its St Asaph office:</p>
<p>by email to <a href="mailto:ann.james@ccwales.org.uk" target="_blank">ann.james@ccwales.org.uk</a></p>
<p>or telephone 01745 586 866.</p>
<p><br />If you have any queries on how the data is stored and utilised please contact Paul Baker – Director at Vector Research by email to pbaker@vector-research.net<br />Thank you in anticipation.<br />Ann James, Workforce Development Manager, Care Council for Wales</p>Innovative project to bring the arts into care homes across Wales: get involved for free<p>Age Cymru is offering care homes the chance to get residents involved in an innovative Wales-wide project that aims to encourage residents and staff to participate in the arts.</p>
<p>Called 'cARTrefu', which means ‘to reside’ in Welsh, the project seeks to improve the quality and provision of art in care settings across Wales, and is jointly funded by the Baring Foundation and Arts Council Wales.</p>
<p>The project will provide 8-week artist residencies in care homes free of charge. Artists will run weekly workshops for residents in the performing arts, music, words or visual arts.</p>
<p>cARTrefu Project Coordinator Reg Noyes said: "We’re thrilled to be able to offer this project free of charge. We will provide your care home with an 8-week participatory arts residency, led by a professional artist. This artist will run weekly 2-hour workshops with the residents in your care in one of four art forms."</p>
<p>He added: "We have a real desire to improve the quality of life for older people through direct access to the arts so the workshops will be designed to be as fun, engaging, flexible and responsive to participants' needs as possible. The aims of the project are to increase opportunities for residents and staff to participate in the arts, as well as for Age Cymru to develop professional artists’ practice so they become experts within the Arts and Older People field.</p>
<p>"The cARTrefu model has already had great success throughout England, so Age Cymru is proud and very excited to now be able to offer this project to care homes in Wales."</p>
<h2>Get in touch if you'd like to participate in cARTrefu!</h2>
<p>Age Cymru would love to hear from care home managers who would like the residents of their care home to be involved in cARTrefu. If you’re interested, please contact cARTrefu Project Coordinator Reg Noyes for an application form: <a href="mailto:reg.noyes@agecymru.org.uk" target="_blank">reg.noyes@agecymru.org.uk</a>.</p>Care home residents should have primary care 'at least' as good as those living in own homes, confirms Minister<p>Health Minister Mark Drakeford has placed a new emphasis on the rights of care home residents to have primary care 'at least' as good as those living in their own homes.<br />Giving <img data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/images/mark_drakeford3cadd4.JPG" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/images/mark_drakeford3cadd4.JPG" style="margin: 10px 10px 0px 0px;" width="129" align="left" height="152" />the Welsh Government's response to the Older People's Commissioners report into residential care in the Senedd on February 12, he said: "I entirely agree with the Commissioner’s conclusion that basic services in audiology, optometry and dentistry, for example, must be of at least an equal standard for people in residential care as for anyone living in their own homes."<br /><br />CFW senior policy adviser, Mary Wimbury, said: "We know this is not the case at the moment and members are asked to let us know of any problems or issues in accessing these services for care home residents, which would be freely available to them if they lived in their own homes."</p>
<p>Prof Drakeford also said: "Discussions are also under way with Community Pharmacy Wales to expand the discharge medicines review service to the care home setting." CFW's Melanie Minty is on the task group charged with looking at this.<br /><br />"In the field of mental health, community mental health teams have links to and support care homes already when required, but I want to see these links formalised so that staff in residential care homes have a key contact within those teams," he added.<br /><br />Prof Drakeford promised 'enhanced' dementia training for care home staff across Wales, saying that those who work in social care are "the sector's principal asset".</p>£80m investment boost to increase number of student healthcare trainees<p>The number of training places for student healthcare professionals is set to increase by 16 per cent over the next year (2015-16) in Wales, the Welsh Government has announced today (February 11). <br /><br />The government said it would spend £80m to increase the number of trainees to provide "the next generation" of NHS workers.</p>
<p>The funding will pay for nearly 2,500 extra places – including for student nurses, paramedics, occupational therapists, dental hygienists and speech and language therapists.</p>
<h2>Read more on this story:</h2>
<p>WalesOnline – <a target="_blank" href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/number-student-places-healthcare-set-8625472">Number of student places in healthcare set to increase by 16% after £80m funding boost</a></p>
<p>Welsh Government – <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2015/150211nhs-staff/?lang=en" target="_blank">More NHS staff to be trained as £80m invested in health education</a></p>
<p></p>Dental healthcare funding boost includes £320,000 for older people in care homes<p>The Welsh Government has announced it will boost funding for oral healthcare services for older people by £700,000, with £320,000 of it targeted improving dental care for those in care homes.</p>
<p>The other £370,000 of the funding, spread over the next two years, will go towards improving dental healthcare for people with disabilities and complex health conditions.</p>
<p>There are around 23,000 older people resident in care homes in Wales at any one time (according to CSSIW figures from September 2014). Many residents have poor or inadequate oral health when they move to their care home, often as a result of deteriorating health and mobility during the preceding years.</p>
<p>Improving older people's oral health was one of the issues highlighted in the Older People's Commissioner's recent 'A Place To Call Home?' report. It recognised the importance of oral hygiene and the need for "timely and appropriate dental care for older people in care homes throughout Wales".</p>
<p>In an announcement on February 9, deputy health minister, Vaughan Gething (pictured below), said: "We have been clear about the need to improve oral health across Wales. This investment is targeted at vulnerable people who are not able to access conventional community dental care services.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/250px-Vaughan_Gething.jpg" width="250" height="250" />“People who have disabilities or complex medical conditions need dental services, which are suitable for their needs, including appropriately trained and equipped dental teams.”</p>
<p>He added: “With this funding, we will improve access to special care dentistry services across Wales and ensure there is a consistent approach to dental healthcare for people in care homes.”</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h2>What this means for oral healthcare in care homes</h2>
<ul>
<li>As part of the funding to improve oral health for older people in care homes, care homes will be required to have a mouth care policy and at least one named oral care champion, responsible for promoting best practice.</li>
<li>All residents will have an oral risk assessment carried out by qualified care home staff within the first seven days of moving to the home and at appropriate agreed intervals afterwards.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<p>WalesOnline: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/welsh-government-invest-700000-oral-8605921" target="_blank">Welsh Government to invest £700,000 for oral healthcare for older people in Wales</a></p>
<p>Welsh Government: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2015/150209dental-older/?lang=en" target="_blank">Investment in improved access to dental health for older people</a></p>
<p><a title="Improving oral health care for older people in care homes" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/resources?c=9">Welsh Health Circular 2015 -001</a></p>Mark Drakeford: Child sex abuse inquiry should include Welsh representatives<p>Wales’ Health and Social Services Minister, Mark Drakeford, has called on the UK Government to ensure Wales is fully represented on the <a href="https://childsexualabuseinquiry.independent.gov.uk/" target="_blank">Independent Panel Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse</a>.<br /> <br />In a letter to the Home Secretary, Theresa May, Mr Drakeford welcomed the appointment of New Zealand's Attorney General, Justice Lowell Goddard, to chair the independent panel but has repeated his calls for the appointment of members, "with distinct representation from Wales."<br /> <br />Mark Drakeford said: "I have again made clear to the Home Secretary our very clear expectation that the panel’s membership and work should be representative of Wales and the landscape within which the devolved and non-devolved agencies have exercised their responsibilities for responding to allegations of abuse from children and the safeguarding framework for preventing that abuse. <br /> <br />"I have reaffirmed in the strongest possible view of both the Welsh Government and the National Assembly for Wales that the appointment of panel members should include distinct representation from Wales. It has been, for some time, our view that the panel membership lacked experience and understanding of the Welsh context.<br /> <br />"I have asked the Home Secretary to set out, as soon as she is able, her proposals for the appointment of the new panel members and the timeframe within which she proposes to take this forward, as well as her proposals for engaging the Welsh Government in that process."</p>
<p>Read more on this story</p>
<p>Welsh Government - <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2015/150205childsexabusepanel/?lang=en" target="_blank">'Child sex abuse panel should have representation from Wales'</a> – health minister</p>Welsh Government reveals strategy to 'better the life chances' of Wales' looked-after children<p>The Welsh Government has launched a new strategy to raise the ambitions and educational attainment of Wales' nearly 6,000 looked-after children today (February 3).<br /> <br />Launched jointly by Education Minister, Huw Lewis, and Health and Social Services Minister, Mark Drakeford, the strategy sets out proposed arrangements to "further support the educational attainment of children who are looked after, primarily those of compulsory school age but also includes aims to help with transition to further and higher education."</p>
<p>In March 2014, there were more than 5,700 children looked after in Wales. 3,700 of whom were of compulsory school age. Welsh Government data shows that the educational performance of children who are looked after is significantly below that of other mainstream pupils at all Key Stages.</p>
<p>Mr Lewis said: "We owe it to all young people to give them the best chance to succeed in life. This is especially true of children that, often for no fault of their own, have found themselves placed in the most challenging of circumstances."</p>
<p>Professor Drakeford said: "A good education with successful exam results may not prevent children who are looked after from making the wrong life choices, but having a strong foundation in education will stand them in good stead for life and will help open up opportunities and inform better life choices.</p>
<p>"This will only be possible if education services, social services and others work effectively together to ensure all children who are looked after receive help and support which enables them to achieve educational outcomes at least on a par with their peers."</p>
<h2>Aims of the strategy for looked-after children</h2>
<ul>
<li>to raise the educational aspirations of children who are looked after and of those who care for them</li>
<li>to reinforce accountability and leadership across ourselves, local authorities and the education system</li>
<li>to ensure that education remains a priority even during unsettling periods in a child’s life</li>
<li>to make better use of data to aid practice, policy making and monitoring or educational outcomes</li>
<li>to promote and share good practice</li>
</ul>
<h2>What do the statistics show? Current educational achievement levels for Wales' looked-after children</h2>
<ul>
<li>Results for Key Stage 4 children from 2013 showed that 53% of all pupils achieved Level 2 inclusive – the equivalent figure for children who are looked after is just 13%.</li>
<li>In 2014, some 45% of 19-year-old care leavers were Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET). From 2007 to 2010, this figure stood at 51%.</li>
</ul>
<p><br />The consultation also sets out the Welsh Government’s intention to change the arrangements to support children who are looked after through the Pupil Deprivation Grant. From April 2015 regional education consortia, working with schools and authorities, will be responsible for the delivery of effective support and outcomes for looked-after children. Consortia will also have flexibility to support the education of former looked after children who have been adopted.<br /> <br /><a target="_blank" href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/educationandskills/2015/150203-looked-after-children/?lang=en"><strong> Read more on this story on the Welsh Government website</strong></a><br /><br /></p>
<p>ends</p>Wales Care Awards 2015: Nominations window opens<p>It's that time of year again... Nominations for the Wales Care Awards 2015 are now being accepted from now until March 31.</p>
<p>Does someone in your organisation or across the social care workforce sector deserve to be recognised for their dedication to social care in Wales?<br />Is your organisation committed to Dignity in Care? If the answer to either of the questions above is YES then NOMINATE NOW for the Annual Wales Care Awards. </p>
<p>Care Forum Wales, in association with the Social Care institute for Excellence, will host the awards ceremony later this year, on <strong>November 6, 2015</strong>, and entries are now being accepted for the 2015 Awards which take place at City Hall, Cardiff (pictured below at the 2014 ceremony).</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/WCA2014-room-160.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>The awards have been going since 2003 and this will be the 13th year of celebration the 'unsung heroes' of social care at the ceremony. Each year there are 21 awards in categories ranging from team awards to individual awards for carers, nurses, catering staff, managers and many more.</p>
<p>Find out who won awards in 2014 on the <a href="http://www.walescareawards.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wales Care Awards website</a>.</p>
<p>Visit our Facebook page for more Awards news and to see pictures of the winners: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/walescareawards" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/walescareawards</a></p>
<h2>NOMINATE NOW……Closing date 31st March 2015.</h2>
<p>Simply download a nomination form and return it by post to Janet at Care Forum Wales, PO Box 2195<br />Wrexham LL13 7WL.</p>
<ul>
<li>Call Janet on 01978 755400 or email her if you have any queries: <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a></li>
<li>Read <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Care Award Categories Guidance Notes 2015.docx" target="_blank">Guidance notes for awards categories</a></li>
<li>Download a PDF <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/2015 Wales Care Awards Nomination form.pdf" target="_blank">nomination form</a><br /><br /> <br /><br /></li>
</ul>
<p><br />How do I nominate?</p>
<p>Or simply complete the enclosed nomination form.<br /> <br />We would be grateful if you could circulate this information across your organisation and other representative organisations that you have links with.</p>New Children's Commissioner for Wales announced: Sally Holland replaces Keith Towler in April<p>The new Children's Commissioner for Wales has been announced as Professor Sally Holland of Cardiff University's Cascade Centre which specialises in children's social research.</p>
<p>Prof Holland, pictured below, said she is "delighted and honoured" to be offered the job. She will take over from Keith Towler in April this year – he is stepping down after seven years in post and well-publicised delays over finding a successor.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Sally-Holland-childrenn's-commissioner.jpg" alt="" width="250" /></p>
<p>Ms Holland is a well-respected academic and director of the Cascade Centre in Cardiff. She has worked closely with CFW's special interest group, the Looked-After Children's Network, which is allied to the Centre, on a number of joint initiatives.</p>
<p>The LAC Network's chair, Steve Elliott, welcomed the appointment of Prof Holland. He said one of the projects the group had been working on with Sally Holland and the Cascade centre was to arrange a national conference to share practice as well as considering the role of research in the care and support of looked-after children.</p>
<h4>Mr Elliott said: "We know that Prof Holloand has fine a great deal of work promoting the rights of children and, in particular, on improving outcomes for all looked-after children. We welcome that this will be a key element of her focus as the new Children's Commissioner."</h4>
<p>Ministers said Prof Holland is "internationally acclaimed" for her work representing children's views through her academic research work.</p>
<p>Ms Holland said; "Children and young people face new opportunities and challenges in contemporary society. I will work with the children and young people of Wales to ensure that their rights are safeguarded and promoted."</p>
<h2>New Children's Commissioner for Wales: Read more on this story</h2>
<p>BBC News – <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-31004801" target="_blank">Sally Holland is new Children's Commissioner for Wales</a></p>
<p>BBC News – <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-30973037" target="_blank">Children's Commissioner Keith Towler 'frustrated' at job delay</a></p>
<p></p>£70m additional funding for Welsh NHS: 'We will help move care closer to people's homes' – Minister<p>The Welsh Government has announced that £70m made available to it following George Osborne's Autumn Statement in December last year will be spent on improving services in the Welsh NHS and in helping to integrate health and social care, "helping moving care closer to people's homes".</p>
<p>In an announcement made today (January 28), Health Minister Mark Drakeford said it will go towards developing local health services, <strong>integrating health and social care</strong> and delivering improvements to cancer, cardiac and stroke services.<br /> <br />Following the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement in December, Finance Minister Jane Hutt announced that the £70m being made available to the Welsh Government by the UK Government in 2015-16 would be allocated to the Welsh NHS. The £70m is in addition to the extra £295m being invested by the Welsh Government in health and social care in 2015-16. This means the budget for Health and Social Services in Wales in 2015-16 will be £6.7bn – the highest it’s ever been, and will account for 43% of the total Welsh Government budget.<br /> <br />The £70m investment will go towards:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>£30m to develop primary care services</strong> across Wales: this will build on the Welsh Government’s primary care plan to shift more services from hospitals and improve access to preventative, integrated community, primary and social care services.</li>
<li><strong>£20m to take forward projects funded by the Intermediate Care Fund </strong>this year that have proved effective across community and acute environments, linking out-of-hospital care and social care to strengthen the resilience of the unscheduled care system.</li>
<li>£10m to implement measures in 10 key delivery plans including cancer, cardiac, diabetes, mental health, stroke care, eye health and respiratory health, to take forward service reconfiguration.</li>
<li>£10m for the creation of an “efficiency through technology” fund, which will accelerate the adoption of new technologies, and new ways of working which drive efficiencies in the Welsh NHS.</li>
</ul>
<p> <br />Professor Drakeford said: "The £70m additional funding for the Welsh NHS in 2015-16 will go to develop specific projects that will have a real impact on high demand services and on reforming our health service.<br /> <br />“Moving care closer to people’s homes is a priority for me, so we will invest £30m to develop primary care services across Wales. £20m will be invested in community-based services that help keep people out of hospital and in their own home. This will help ease pressures on our hospital-based services.</p>
<p>“We’re also investing £10m to deliver our plans in areas such as cancer, cardiac, diabetes and stroke care, ensuring the NHS delivers the services necessary to support people suffering with these conditions.<br /> <br />“Over two years we’ve increased investment in our Welsh NHS by more than half a billion pounds. This means the total budget for Health and Social Services in Wales in 2015-16 will be £6.7bn, a record high. This demonstrates our clear commitment to a sustainable health and social care system in Wales.”<br /> </p>How can we improve domiciliary care commissioning? Improvement group's call for providers' views<p>A group focusing on improving domiciliary care commissioning in North Wales is calling on care providers to give their views on on how the commissioning can be improved.</p>
<p>The <strong>North Wales Social Services Improvement Collaborative's domiciliary care project group</strong> is made up of six North Wales Local Authorities and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The partners have previously collaborated to develop the North Wales Regional Domiciliary Care Agreement (contract) and the North Wales Domiciliary Approved Provider Process</p>
<p>The aim of the group is to explore options to modernise domiciliary care services across North Wales to ensure sustainable models of services are being commissioned to help people live at home.</p>
<p>Project manager for the group, Maria Bell, said; "We are also keen to hear about what providers consider to be 'notable practice' either within North Wales or further afield. Initial engagement is via a written consultation document (see documents below). Responses will help shape ongoing development work - where possible, helping commissioners to refine processes, in an effort to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness."</p>
<p>The group is calling for initial responses to be returned by January 31.</p>
<h2>Want to give your views?</h2>
<p>You can download the provider consultation document <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Provider consultation proforma V2.Dec.14doc.doc">in English</a> or <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Provider consultation proforma V2 Dec 14 WELSH VERSION.doc">in Welsh</a>. This document explains further the group's aims, funding and remit.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>Book now for your spring Social Care Essential Updates: discount if booked by March 1<h2>Book now for our Social Care Essential Updates</h2>
<p>These important twice-yearly seminars provide delegates with an informative, focused and interactive day. The sessions are aimed at ensuring <strong>Registered Providers, Registered Managers and Senior Staff</strong> who are responsible for providing social care in Wales will leave the seminar with the very latest information on the opportunities that exist for your organisation to stay ahead of the rest.</p>
<p>The seminars provide incredible value for money as both an awareness-raising and CPD-learning opportunity. Seminar handout information, refreshments and buffet are all included in the cost. (Certificates of attendance are available on the day on request.)</p>
<p><strong>All seminars will commence at 9.30am and end at approximately 3.15pm</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Download a booking form <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CFW booking form Essential Update Spring 2015.doc" target="_blank">here</a> and email it to <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>Spring 2015 Essential Updates: Where and when?</strong></h2>
<p><strong>North West Wales</strong><br />March 10<br />Conwy Business CentreConwy</p>
<p><strong>North East Wales</strong><br />March 17<br />Springfield Hotel<br />Holywell</p>
<p><strong>South West Wales</strong> <br />April 14 <br />Nat Botanic Garden of Wales<br />Carmarthen </p>
<p><strong>South East Wales</strong> <br />April 16<br />University of South Wales<br />Treforest </p>
<h2>Book before March 1 for a discount</h2>
<p>Cost per delegate: £35 - to CFW Members (if booked before 01/03/15)<br />Cost per delegate: £85.00 - Non CFW member (if booked before 01/03/15)</p>
<p><strong>Book after March 1:</strong></p>
<p>Cost per delegate: £40 - to CFW Members<br />Cost per delegate: £90.00 - Non CFW member</p>Council cuts to care are 'major cause' of A&E crisis, says Age UK<p>Older people in England are being left "high and dry" by councils cutting back on the care they provide, the charity Age UK says. It said the cuts were one of the major causes behind the growing pressures on A&E units.</p>
<p>Research by the charity published by the BBC today (January 21) showed the numbers getting help has fallen from just over one million three years ago to 850,000 last year.</p>
<p>But councils said they had been left with little choice because they were "chronically underfunded". The overall cut in numbers getting help from councils represents a drop of one-fifth.</p>
<h2>Fewer getting help with washing, dressing and meals on wheels</h2>
<p>But the research - based on an analysis of official figures - also provided a detailed breakdown of which individual services had been cut.</p>
<p>It found between 2010-11 and 2013-14:</p>
<ul>
<li>The numbers getting help at home for tasks such as washing and dressing fell by a third to just over 370,000</li>
<li>Day care places have dropped by two-thirds to just under 60,000</li>
<li>The numbers getting meals on wheels fell to 29,500 - a decline of 64%</li>
</ul>
<h2>Read the full story</h2>
<p>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30902555" target="_blank">Social care cuts 'major cause' of A&E problems</a></p>Older People's Commissioner information request: Advice for providers as deadline approaches<p>CFW is urging all providers to make sure they respond to the request from the Older People's Commissioner, Sarah Rochira, for information by her deadline of February 2.</p>
<p>This is a legal requirement and, since the responses will be published online, your response should also contribute to the reputation of the care you provide. The OPC's initial request for information came in a letter dated November 3. A follow-up letter was sent on December 2.</p>
<p>CFW's policy advisers Mary Wimbury and Melanie Minty have put together a helpful Q&A document (below) to answer some of the questions you may have.</p>
<ul>
<li>See the <strong>table of requirements for care home providers</strong> <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Table of Requirements for Care Home Providers November 2014 MFW amends.docx">HERE</a></li>
<li>The OPC's office has also supplied <strong>further information on what is meant by a dementia champion</strong> which should be of use to care home providers when they are submitting their evidence against the requirements for action. Read the OPC additional documents <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/What does the Commissioner mean by a Dementia Champion ENG.docx">in English</a> or <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/What does the Commissioner mean by a Dementia Champion - CY.doc" target="_blank">in Welsh</a>.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Read our Q&A advice for providers</h2>
<p><strong>1. Where do I find the OPC’s Requirements for Action?</strong><br />The OPC sent a copy of the report, “A Place to Call Home?” under cover of a letter to all care home providers on 3 November 2014. However, if you did not receive a copy of the report or have mislaid it, you can download a further copy <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/Reviews/Residential_Care_Review.aspx" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a>.<br /><br />The OPC then wrote again to care homes on 2 December having responded to queries by producing a pro-forma for care homes to use to respond (which is also available via the link above).</p>
<p><strong>2. Do I have to answer the OPC’s request for information?<br /></strong>Yes, for both legal reasons and practical reputational reasons. Under Regulation 4 of The Commissioner for Older People in Wales Regulations 2007, the OPC can require care home providers (amongst others) to “provide … information” in connection with a report such as “A Place to Call Home?” This appears to be the legal provision the OPC is relying on in asking for a response by 2 February 2015.</p>
<p>The practical and reputational reason is that the OPC proposes to publish all of the responses (or lack of them) on the OPC website, together with a commentary by the OPC as to whether each home’s response is sufficient to comply with the Requirements. The power to do this is in section 18(4) of the Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Act 2006, as the OPC will argue that such disclosure is in the public interest.</p>
<p><strong>3. Does this mean we also have to fulfil all of the Requirements for Action?</strong><br />Technically, no, as the OPC has no direct powers to enforce this. However, as noted above, the OPC is going to publish your response so everyone will know the stance your home is taking. Anything that you promise to do is likely to be adopted by CSSIW as the standard for inspection and tested against what happens in practice in the home.</p>
<p>Similarly, if in your response to the OPC you say you have not or will not comply with the OPC’s Requirements for Action, and if you do not have a good reason for this, CSSIW are still likely to adopt the Requirements for Action as standards against which they will inspect. This is because the Requirements for Action are fairly consistent with the Care Homes (Wales) Regulations 2002 (as amended) and could be taken as the benchmark for compliance on these areas in 2014 and beyond.</p>
<p><strong>4. I’m not sure what care homes have to do, and in what order?</strong><br />CFW has prepared a simplified version of the response proforma setting out only those Requirements which are directly aimed at care homes and also including the ‘compliance deadlines’. These are in chronological order for compliance rather than the order in the report or the proforma, but we hope this will help you order your thoughts and plans. The simplified table is attached to this guidance note, but we suggest that before you send in your response to the OPC you read the original version and the OPC’s report as well, in order fully to understand the context.</p>
<p><strong>5. I have already submitted my response to the OPC. Having read this guidance note, I think I might have ‘over promised’ and want to change what I have submitted. What can I do?</strong><br />Contact the OPC immediately and say that you have given the matter further thought. Ask them to ignore what you have already sent in, and to confirm they will not publish it. Say you will put in a further response by the deadline of 2 February 2015.</p>
<p> </p>How to 'realise quality' in care homes for older people on the agenda at My Home Life Cymru conference<p>The focus of this year's annual My Home Life Cymru conference will be how to realise quality in care settings for older people.</p>
<p>Presentations and workshops at the conference, which takes place on <strong>March 4, 2015</strong> at the Village Hotel, Cardiff, will examine the themes highlighted in raised in the Older People’s Commissioner’s 2014 report, A Place To Call Home?. The Commissioner, Sarah Rochira, is also set to attend the conference.</p>
<p>There will be a choice of eight workshops to attend (see below for info), and presentations including on how to realise quaity in care homes. The event will also be attended by home managers, residents and relatives who can give their first-hand accounts and help explain what 'quality' looks like to them.</p>
<p>Presentations at the event: </p>
<ul>
<li class="p1"><strong>Supporting the sector in moving forward</strong></li>
<li class="p1"><strong>Realising quality in care homes for older people</strong></li>
<li class="p1"><strong>cARTrefu – Art workshops in care homes across Wales</strong></li>
<li class="p1"><strong>Why My Home Life works?</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Workshops at the conference:</p>
<ul>
<li class="p1"><strong>Connecting older people with their hobbies, passions and memories</strong></li>
<li class="p1"><strong>REAL communication</strong></li>
<li class="p1"><strong>Health and safety in care homes – Busting the myths!</strong></li>
<li class="p1"><strong>Book of you - Working to help people with dementia share their life story</strong></li>
<li class="p1"><strong>Living with dementia</strong></li>
<li class="p1"><strong>Menus count in care</strong></li>
<li class="p1"><strong>Identifying, understanding and developing good practice </strong></li>
<li class="p1"><strong>cARTrefu – Art workshops in care homes across Wales</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>HOW TO BOOK YOUR PLACE</strong></p>
<p>You'll need to <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/My Home Life Cymru Conference 2015 Flyer and Booking form FINAL 6.01.15.pdf">download a booking form</a> and email it to <a>mhlc@agecymru.org.uk</a>Or post your form to: My Home Life Cymru, 13 Neptune Court, Vanguard Way, Cardiff, CF24 5PJ</p>
<h2>Find out more about My Home Life Cymru</h2>
<p>See more information on Age Cymru's My Home Life Cymru initiative on the <a href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/home-and-care/my-home-life-cymru-home/" target="_blank">My Home Life Cymru section of the Age Cymru website</a></p>A&E crisis: Social care cuts highlighted as part of "huge problem" in emergency care<p>The impact of cuts to social care budgets are being cited as one of the causes of the current crisis in accident and emergency units in England and Wales.</p>
<p>A&Es in England have recorded their worst ever performance and A&E services in Wales have also come in for criticism as politicians argue over the causes of the problem.</p>
<p>Labour's shadow health spokesman, Andy Burnham, has accused English health secretary Jeremy Hunt of failing to anticipate the impact of cuts on local authority social care budgets which he says are leaving frail elderly people "trapped in hospital".</p>
<p>In his letter to Mr Hunt he also blamed difficulties getting GP appointments and staff shortages for the delays.</p>
<p>Mr Burnham told ITV's Good Morning Britain (GMB) today (January 7) that health and social care should be brought together as "one budget", saying it did not make sense trying to save money on social care but then spending "thousands" on people who end up in hospital.</p>
<p>He told GMB: "I repeatedly warned throughout this parliament that if you cut social care, if you take away support from older people in their homes, in the end that falls back on the NHS because people end up going into hospital and they become trapped there."</p>
<p>He added: "I think the time has come actually to see them as one budget, not seeing the council (social care) budget and then the NHS budget over here. See them as one budget and start to care for older people very differently. Start in their own homes and support them there."</p>
<p>Read more on this story:</p>
<p>The Guardian: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jan/07/why-nhs-trouble-a-and-es-struggling?view=classic" target="_blank">Why is the NHS in trouble: 7 reasons why A&Es are struggling</a></p>
<p>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30705689" target="_blank">Labour seeks summit to find A&E 'fix'</a></p>
<p>Good Morning Britain: <a href="http://www.itv.com/goodmorningbritain/health/hospital-bosses-struggle-to-cope-with-demands" target="_blank">Andy Burnham 'We'll bring health and social care together'</a></p>
<p>Press Association via Yahoo News: <a href="https://uk.news.yahoo.com/labour-urges-e-emergency-summit-002103504.html#RHbFGTk" target="_blank">Labour urges A&E emergency summit</a></p>New advice issued on Older People's Commissioner's information request<p>We are urging all providers to respond to the request from the Older People's Commissioner, Sarah Rochira, for information by February 2.</p>
<p><br />This is a legal requirement and, since the responses will be published online, your response should also contribute to the reputation of the care you provide.</p>
<p><br />The OPC's initial request for information came in a letter dated November 3. A follow-up letter was sent on December 2 (download a copy of the proforma letter <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/reviews/residential_care_review/proforma.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>).</p>
<p><br />CFW will also be issuing further advice to providers who are having difficulty filling in the form. This will be emailed out and posted on this website in the new year.</p>Christmas wishes from Care Forum Wales<p><span><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/holly-leaves-with-berries-hi.png" alt="" width="151" height="99" />I'd l</span>ike to thank all our members for their continued support and welcome all our new members as we prepare for Christmas 2014.</p>
<p><span>There have been a</span> number of important events this year including the publication of the report, following the Older People's Commissioner's Residential Care Review, 'A Place To Call Home?'.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales welcomed the report and supports Sarah Rochira's demand for a new approach which would see services being commissioned for quality rather than reinforcing a "culture of compliance to the bare minimum".</p>
<p><span>As well as the 12th annual <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/news/wales-care-awards-2014-night-to-remember" target="_blank">Wales Care Awards</a>, we've run Essential Updates for members and social care practitioners, helped organise the first ever <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/news/care-provider-summit-success" target="_blank">National Provider Summit</a> in Wales and revamped our website to include sections where members can advertise job vacancies (see <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/jobs" target="_blank">www.careforumwales.co.uk/jobs</a>) or share their positive news stories (email our <a href="mailto:nancy@purpleandgreen.co.uk?subject=Enews%20story%20from%20CFW%20member" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="mailto:nancy@purpleandgreen.co.uk?subject=Enews%20story%20from%20CFW%20member">news editor</a> Nancy Cavill to share your news).</span></p>
<p><span>We've also introduced membership benefits in the form of <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/benefits" target="_blank">Care Forum Extra</a>. You simply need to use your membership number to login and see the benefits (email <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a> if you need a reminder).</span></p>
<p><span>Last but not least we've made great progress with the initiative which has seen Wales' first ever professional body for social care staff, the <a href="http://www.academyofcarepractitioners.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.academyofcarepractitioners.co.uk/">Academy of Care Practitioners</a>, set up. Take up of membership is on the rise and we've appointed former social services minister Gwenda Thomas to head up the organisation.<br /><br />Join us in our new year's resolution to continue to work hard to promote excellent standards of care across Wales.</span> Nadolig Llawen!</p>Providers urged to put their 'Welsh into action' - and enter Welsh Government awards<p>Independent social care providers are being encouraged to enter the <strong>Welsh Language in Health, Social Services and Social Care Awards 2015</strong>.</p>
<div>
<p>You can nominate groups or individuals who have gone the extra mile to ensure that patients or services users receive care through the medium of Welsh as a natural part of their care. Care Forum Wales is keen to get as many providers to enter the awards as possible in 2015, said CFW adviser Melanie Minty who will be one of the awards judges.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>She said: "Last year we highlighted the fact that independent social care providers, as well as NHS staff, do great work in providing care through the medium of Welsh. This prompted the awards organisers to make sure the awards are open to independent care providers. We know that great work is going on in the sector and this is our chance to prove it! We hope as many providers as possible will nominate colleagues or staff for the 2015 awards."</p>
</div>
<h2>Entering the Welsh Language in Health, Social Services and Social Care Awards - what you need to know</h2>
<ul>
<li>The awards will be presented at the <em>Words into Action</em> Conference held at Venue Cymru, Llandudno on July 2, 2015</li>
<li>The <strong>deadline for nominations is March 27</strong> – find out how to nominate on the <a href="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/page.cfm?orgid=415&pid=75877" target="_blank">Welsh Language Policy Unit website</a></li>
<li>There are 10 awards categories to enter to reflect the priorities in <em>More than just words</em></li>
<li>Prize money of up to £1,000 in some categories is on offer</li>
<li>There is a 'Minister's Special Award' for the best overall initiative<strong><br /></strong></li>
</ul>
<div><strong>Nominations are welcome from:</strong></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Teams, groups and organisations within the NHS.</li>
<li><strong>Teams, groups and organisations within Social Services and Social Care.</strong></li>
<li>Voluntary organisations</li>
<li>Higher and Further Education organisations</li>
<li>Local authorities</li>
<li>Private providers of social care</li>
<li>Individuals for the Learner of the Year category</li>
<li>Nominations from the public are welcomed for all categories.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Read more about the categories of awards and get more information</strong> – click <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Words into Action 2015_PDF.PDF">here</a> (PDF document)</p>
</div>
<div> </div>
<p> </p>
<div> </div>Health Minister promises continuing improvement on NHS response to needs of Welsh speakers<p>Welsh Government health minister Mark Drakeford has reiterated the government's commitment to offering people the choice to be cared for in Welsh and has promised to continue to improve the way the NHS in Wales meets the needs of Welsh speakers.</p>
<p>Measures will include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Making sure Welsh has equal parity with English and is not treated less favourably</li>
<li>Strengthening the ability to provide Welsh language services for all patients</li>
<li>Asking all staff to record their Welsh language skill level in order to have an accurate picture of the primary care sector’s language skills</li>
<li>Ensure that language choice and the 'active offer' is understood in primary care by providing guidance to all sectors within the NHS about what is required</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Read more on this story on the <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2014/welsh/?lang=en" target="_blank">Welsh Government's website</a></strong></p>One week left to nominate a care home that 'goes the extra mile' for My Home Life Cymru award<p>The organisers of the My Home Life Cymru scheme in Wales are calling on members of the public and social care staff to nominate care homes which they believe work to enrich the lives of their residents. Nominations must be received no later than one week today, by December 15.</p>
<p>The winners will be announced at an Age Cymru Awards gala dinner on 27 February 2015 which honours those who have made a special contribution in their work on an Age Cymru project in 2014.</p>
<h2>Regonising good practice and a life-enriching ethos...</h2>
<p>The My Home Life Cymru Award recognises good practice that epitomises and recognises the My Home Life ethos and approach.</p>
<p>My Home Life Cymru is a successful project which works with care homes across Wales to ensure residents enjoy fully enriched lives. Last time around we had joint winners for this award in <a href="http://hengoedcourt.co.uk/" target="_blank">Hengoed Court Care Home</a> near Swansea and Sŵn y Môr Care Home in Port Talbot (a CFW member).</p>
<h2>Nominate a care home now before December 15 deadline</h2>
<p>Find out how to nominate: <a href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/get-involved/awards-and-gala-dinner-2015/awards-nomination-process/">http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/get-involved/awards-and-gala-dinner-2015/awards-nomination-process/</a></p>
<p>There is a nomination form link on this page. You can nominate your own home or one that you know.</p>
<ul>
<li>Read about 2013 award winners <a href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/get-involved/awards-and-gala-dinner-2015/award-winners-2013/" target="_blank">here</a></li>
<li>Find out more about Age Cymru's 2014 awards and book a place at the dinner <a href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/get-involved/awards-and-gala-dinner-2015/" target="_blank">here</a></li>
</ul>Tax break helps those who employ independent carers at home as Chancellor announces autumn statement<p>George Osborne has announced in his autumn statement that old or sick people who employ carers to look after them will be able to access a Government allowance that eases the burden of national insurance costs for them as 'small scale employers'.</p>
<p>The Chancellor also used his autumn statement to give hospices a VAT rebate worth more than £4million a year in recognition of the "compassionate support" they provide for hundreds of thousands of people. In addition, the Carer’s Allowance has also been increased from £102 to £110 to make sure increases in the minimum wage do not mean carers with part time jobs lose their support payments.</p>
<p>Emily Holzhausen, director of policy at Carers UK which represents people who care for their own family members, said the measure “goes some way” to reducing the cost of paying for care for families but more needs to be done to bring down the overall costs of care.</p>
<p>She said many of the 1.4 million people providing more than 50 hours unpaid care for loved ones every struggle to afford replacement care when they need support looking after older, sick or disabled loved ones often avoiding employing outside help until they “reach breaking point”.</p>
<p>She said: “Paying the high costs of replacement care creates huge problems for families who need time away from caring to work, look after children or just have a break to look after their own health.</p>
<p>“Families can struggle to afford the care services they need when they are already coping with the financial impact of lost earnings and higher household bills. Many continue without much-needed care services until they reach breaking point.”</p>
<h2>Read the full story: Osborne helps those who pay for private carers</h2>
<p><strong>Daily Telegraph:</strong> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/georgeosborne/11271637/Old-or-sick-people-who-employ-carers-to-look-after-them-handed-tax-break.html" target="_blank">Old or sick people who employ carers to look after them handed tax break</a></p>
<p> </p>Free menu-planning website for care homes: Initiative praised by Older People's Commissioner<h2 class="null">Praise for menu-planning website</h2>
<p>A new <a href="http://menuscount.org.uk/" target="_blank" data-cke-saved-href="http://menuscount.org.uk/">menu-planning website</a> has been launched to help nursing and residential care providers improve the quality and nutritional value of meals they provide – <img style="width: 238px; height: 146px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 0px;" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/images/1c9bd220-4c42-4cec-b8bf-613afe57fafa.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="98" align="left" data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/images/1c9bd220-4c42-4cec-b8bf-613afe57fafa.jpg" />and to ensure they meet or exceed required standards.</p>
<p>The initiative is being backed by Sarah Rochira who attended the launch in Cwmbran on December 4. The free resource, a joint venture between Torfaen Council and Aneurin Bevan Health Board offers:</p>
<ul>
<li>menu planning for up to four weeks ahead</li>
<li>recipes including some fortified options (over 350)</li>
<li>recipes with pictures for use in homes where residents use pictorial recognition (useful for dementia residents)</li>
<li>valuable advice on changing allergen labelling (relevant from Dec 13, 2014)</li>
</ul>HSE warning as care home fined for resident's fatal fall: Check window restrictors to avoid falls<p>Care homes have been warned to check their window restrictor fittings after a care home was fined for failing to ensure an elderly resident’s safety. The 92-year-old died after she managed to overcome a restrictor device to open a window and fell from her first floor room.</p>
<p>Following the hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, HSE Inspector Janet Viney warned: “Falls from windows are a very well-known risk in the health and care sectors. For example between 2005 and 2010 there were 21 fatal accidents from this cause across the UK.</p>
<p>“It is therefore essential that care homes take measures to ensure vulnerable residents are kept safe. They should carry out a risk assessment and where it identifies that individuals are at risk from falls from windows then adequate restrictors should be fitted."</p>
<p>The care home's owner pleaded guilty to one charge under the Health and Safety at work act and was fined by the Health and Safety Executive on November 19, over the incident which took place in 2010. The care home had fitted window restrictors but the HSE found they were unsuitable because they could be easily over-ridden.</p>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<p><a href="http://press.hse.gov.uk/2014/welsh-care-home-company-fined-following-elderlys-residents-death/?eban=govdel-health-services&cr=20-Nov-2014" target="_blank">HSE: Welsh care home fined following elderly resident's death</a></p>Minister pays tribute to Wales' army of nearly 400,000 'extraordinary' carers on Carers' Rights Day<p>Health and social services minister Mark Drakeford has paid tribute to the hard work done by Wales’ 370,000 carers on Carers’ Rights day today [November 28].</p>
<p>An estimated 370,000 carers in Wales, 90,000 of them looking after friends or family for at least 50 hours a week, are set to have equal legal rights to the people they look after when a landmark Welsh law comes into force in April 2016.</p>
<p>Under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, these carers – defined as someone, of any age, who provides unpaid care and support to a relative, friend or neighbour who needs care and support – will no longer need to be providing “a substantial amount of care on a regular basis” to be eligible for a carers’ assessment. This means Their local authority will have a duty under the Act to provide a carer’s assessment where it appears they have a need for support.<br /> <br /><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Mark Drakeford Health Minister.jpg" alt="" width="160" /><br /> <br />Professor Drakeford (<em>pictured above) </em>said: "Between 70% and 95% of the care provided to people in communities across Wales is given freely by family and friends. As we mark Carers’ Rights Day, I want to pay tribute to the work they do and say diolch yn fawr to the thousands of people across Wales who care.<br /> <br />"This dedication and commitment is nothing short of extraordinary. Our carers provide an invaluable service to those that they care for. Without their commitment, our health and social care services would collapse.<br /> <br />"As a government, we want to do all we can to support our carers. That’s why, from April 2016, we will introduce new measures to ensure carers in Wales will have equal legal rights to those they look after. This will ensure carers receive the help they need, in the ways they need it," he added.<br /> <br /> </p>NHS workers in Wales get separate Wales-only pay deal for first time<p>NHS workers in Wales learned yesterday, November 20, that their unions have accepted a Wales-only pay deal negotiated with the Welsh Government.</p>
<p>It's the first time that NHS staff in Wales have had a separate pay deal from their English counterparts. The deal covers 77,000 workers but excludes doctors and dentists.</p>
<p>The pay rise was agreed after negotiations between unions, NHS managers and Welsh Government officials at a meeting in Wrexham. The deal includes a cash payment this year, the introduction of the living wage for the lowest paid from January, and a 1% rise across the board from April.</p>
<p>The agreement means that strike action that has been affecting hospitals in England has now been suspended in Wales. Health Minister Mark Drakeford said:"This two-year, made-in-Wales pay deal demonstrates our ongoing commitment to staff working in the NHS in these challenging financial times.</p>
<p>"Our overriding priority has been - and continues to be - to maintain jobs at the frontline of NHS Wales against a backdrop of severe cuts to our budget. I am pleased that in Wales we have been able to avoid significant strike action by agreeing a mutual position - this is a credit to all parties," he added.</p>Wales' first National Provider Summit hailed a success<p>The first National Provider Summit in Wales, jointly organised by Care Forum Wales and Cymorth Cymru, has been praised by health minister Mark Drakeford in a speech at the conference held on November 11 in Cardiff.</p>
<p>More than 150 people attended the summit which also saw Andrew Goodall, the chief executive of NHS Wales, use his speech to address the issue of nurse shortages in the independent sector.</p>
<p>The health minister also praised the role of Care Forum Wales in helping to push the 'commissioning for quality' agenda in social care and the appointment of former social services minister Gwenda Thomas as president of the Academy of Care Practitioners.</p>
<p>Senior policy adviser for Care Forum Wales, Mary Wimbury, said: "The health minister was pleased that no issues of neglector safeguarding had been picked up in the recent Residential Care Review by the Older People's Commissioner for Wales. He also made it clear that he wants to move the agenda beyond compliance and towards commissioning for quality, in line with Care Forum Wales' view.</p>
<p>"He also praised the fact that we'd worked together with Cymorth Cymru to organise this event and he made it clear that he sees us as partners in delivering the future agenda," she added.</p>
<p>There are hopes that the summit will now become an annual event.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Care Forum Wales backs Commissioner's call for quality care<h1><strong>Care home bosses back calls for urgent reforms</strong></h1>
<p>Care home bosses in Wales have backed a call for urgent reforms of the way services are commissioned and paid for.</p>
<p>A review into the quality of life and care of older people in care homes in Wales conducted by the Older People's Commissioner has revealed worrying flaws in procedures for commissioning social care.</p>
<p>According to Sarah Rochira's report, A Place to Call Home?, the way care is procured is often more about "contractual frameworks and service specifications" rather than the quality of life of older people.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales, which represents 500 independent care providers, welcomed many of the findings saying they reinforced what it has been saying for years. Chair Mario Kreft said the report had also highlighted the fact that it was less viable to run care homes in Wales than it was in England.</p>
<p>As a result he said an increasing number of homes are closing because they are not viable - at a time when the need for them is growing because of the increase in the number of older people in Wales.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales, he said, supports Sarah Rochira's demand for a new approach which would see services being commissioned for quality rather than reinforcing a "culture of compliance to the bare minimum".</p>
<p>Mr Kreft said: "The report is an important piece of work but it does not fully recognise what is being achieved despite the system and does not give enough credit to the good quality care being provided by many good people across Wales.</p>
<p>"Yes, the standard of care can be inconsistent in places and where there is bad practice it should be rooted out, but the majority of providers are doing a remarkable job in the circumstances.</p>
<p>"Most care homes and nursing homes provide a very good standard of care while there are many examples of excellent, life-enhancing quality care taking place, often under difficult circumstances and with extremely limited resources because of the chronic underfunding of social care in Wales.</p>
<p>"Many of the report's findings and recommendations, however, chime with what Care Forum Wales has been working hard to achieve, particularly in relation to importance of treating vulnerable people with dignity and respect and designing services to improve quality of life.</p>
<p>"I am pleased the report praised the Dignity in Care Toolkit developed by Care Forum Wales which is now being used extensively to provide training and create a positive mindset in terms of the importance of treating people with dignity and respect.</p>
<p>"The report acknowledges there are examples of excellent, empowering care and the unsung heroes honoured at the recent Wales Care Awards are testament to the skill and dedication of people working in social care. Our mission at Care Forum Wales is to share best practice for the good of all and we are aiming to enlist the help of our partners from local government and local health boards to achieve our aims.</p>
<p>"Among the report's important recommendations is the call to reform the deeply flawed commissioning process which encourages a tick box mentality rather than fostering a person-centred, outcome-based attitude which is about ensuring the best possible quality of life.</p>
<p>"Unfortunately, the social care sector in Wales is blighted by many years of chronic underfunding which causes a whole raft of problems, not least the fact that it suppresses pay levels for staff.</p>
<p>"The commissioning process should be about quality and securing value for money and not about paying the lowest possible price."</p>
<h2>Running residential care and nursing homes 'less viable in Wales than England'</h2>
<p>CFW chair, Mario Kreft, said of the A Place To Call Home? report: "It [the report] has underlined that it is less viable in Wales than it is in England to provide these vital, community based services - and that surely cannot be right when we owe so much to the people for whom we are providing care.</p>
<p>"It is essential that residential care homes and nursing homes are viable businesses otherwise the whole network will collapse.The fundamental problem is that in Wales we don’t commission for quality - it's more about price - and we then work backwards from the fee that we’re given by local authorities and local health boards.</p>
<p>"The commissioner rightly calls for consistency but unfortunately we are working in a system that has 29 different commissioning bodies and this militates against consistency. On top of that, we don’t regulate against the service that is being commissioned so we are regulating for a service that in many ways would be an ideal service with unlimited resources.</p>
<p>"There are a total of more than 20,000 beds in the independent social care sector in Wales and of those 11,500 beds are for people who need nursing care - these beds are underpinning the ability of the NHS to function.</p>
<h2>Warning over viability of independently provided care in Wales</h2>
<p>Mario Kreft said: "The report makes no distinction between the private, public and third sectors but the fact remains there are simply not enough new homes being built in any sector to replace the ones that are being lost and this will affect communities across Wales.</p>
<p>"If we don’t sort this quickly the closures are going to accelerate much more quickly than new investment is coming in - all at a time of soaring demand in an ageing society and when the NHS is also bursting at the seams.</p>
<p>"Another important the theme we are glad the Commissioner has picked up on is the importance of staff training and development in key areas.</p>
<p>"It is vital that social care is recognised and valued as profession which is why Care Forum Wales has championed the creation of a new professional body, the Academy of Care Practitioners, to represent staff in the social care sector.</p>
<p>"We are already working on providing support and professional development training for registered managers which is another area where more resources are needed. The sector itself has already produced some of the best training and development programmes in the UK - what we need to do is ensure best practice is shared rather than starting all over again to replicate something that already exists.</p>
<p>"That way we can ensure there are even more care homes that are enabling, flexible, welcoming and friendly and which enhance the quality of life of their residents in a safe, supported environment. We all know you can only build quality into the system.</p>
<p>"Our strategy should be interlinked so that we can work in partnership with our colleagues in health boards, with Welsh Government, to ensure that we’re attracting the right people into social care.</p>
<p>"The commissioning process has to reflect the people that we need to employ and retain.</p>
<p>"We have to make working in the independent domiciliary and residential care sector a profession with status, recognising its value to the community and that it underpins our National Health Service.</p>
<p>"What this all points to is the need for Wales as a nation to re-evaluate the importance we place on social care and the resources we allocate to provide it. As well as providing vital, community based resources that bind our society together, care homes are also important economic drivers and important employers.</p>
<p>"We need to invest in older people's services because we know this makes sense but to achieve the improvements we need it will be imperative that everybody works together in partnership.</p>
<p>"The way we treat vulnerable people is an important measure against which we should judge our society and I hope this report will be a catalyst for positive change.</p>
<p>"Some of our care home services are world class - why don't we have a system that mirrors the best."</p>Residential Care Review: Report finds significant differences in quality of life offered by care homes<p>The report by the Older People's Commissioner for Wales following her Residential Care Review, A Place To Call Home?, was published today (November 10) saying that many older people have a poor quality of life in Wales's care homes and quickly become institutionalised. However Sarah Rochira also said that there were many "excellent examples of truly person-centred care" too with the picture across Wales a mixed one.</p>
<p>Ms Rochira's reports follows 100 unannounced visits to residential care homes across Wales earlier this year during which she and her team interviewed residents. Her team also gathered evidence from residents and their families via 2,000 questionnaires, from public bodies and care providers and experts.</p>
<p>The report found that many older people in care home "lose meaningful choice and control over their lives, have their emotional needs neglected and do not have their basic rights upheld".</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Read more: <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/A+Place+to+Call+Home+-+A+Review+into+the+Quality+of+Life+and+Care+of+Older+People+living+in+Care+Homes+in+Wales.pdf" target="_blank">Download a copy of the Residential Care Review (PDF)</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<p>The review looked at factors that can impact upon quality of life, such as social participation, the care home environment, access to healthcare services, diet, staff capacity and training, as well as service commissioning, regulation and inspection.</p>
<p>The review also found that the care delivered in many care homes "often fails to meet the needs of an individual, focusing instead on a one-size-fits-all approach".</p>
<h2>Care home review the biggest of its kind in Wales</h2>
<p>Ms Rochira said: "My review... has the voices of older people and their families at its heart.</p>
<p>“While my Review found excellent examples of truly person-centred care, enabling and empowering care that delivers the very best outcomes for older people, there are significant variations across Wales that result in too many older people living in care homes having an unacceptable quality of life.</p>
<p>“My Review report therefore sets out for all of the bodies subject to my Review requirements for action to deliver the change required within our care homes and ensure that quality of life sits at the heart of the delivery of residential and nursing care across Wales."</p>
<p>The Commissioner added: “The findings of my Review make for hard reading, but in failing to acknowledge the changes required, we undermine the good care there is and prevent ourselves from delivering the very best of care for all older people.</p>
<p>“It is essential that my requirements for action are delivered to ensure that quality of life sits at the heart of our care home system, at every level from commissioning to frontline care delivery.</p>
<p>“I understand that this will be no easy task given current financial constraints, but my Review makes very clear the impact of failing to get it right upon the people living in care homes and the price that is paid when failures occur, which, for too many, is simply too high.”</p>
<h2>Sarah Rochira's Residential Care Review hits the headlines</h2>
<p>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-29976769">Care home lifestyle unacceptable says Older People's Watchdog</a></p>
<p>WalesOnline: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/many-older-people-care-homes-8077896" target="_blank">Many older people in care homes in Wales 'have an unacceptable quality of life', says damning report</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Privately arranged social and palliative care to be subject to Ombudsman scrutiny in Wales<p>People receiving privately-arranged social care and palliative care in Wales are to have the right to complain to the Public Services Ombudsman. Previously the right to complain to the ombudsman has only applied to those receiving services arranged by local authorities or health boards.</p>
<p>The move by the Welsh Government, which has made a change to the law to cover private care providers, will mean that these providers will also now be subject to scrutiny by the ombudsman. The change in the law came into force on Saturday, November 1, 2014.</p>
<p>Health Minister Mark Drakeford said: "Extending the remit of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales to cover privately arranged or funded social care and palliative care services is a significant enhancement for citizens and will contribute to our overall objective of improving care and support for all people.</p>
<p>"These new powers clearly demonstrate that everyone who makes a complaint about care they receive has a right to be listened to and have their concerns addressed effectively."</p>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<p>Welsh Goverment: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2014/141101new-right-to-complain/?lang=en" target="_blank">New rights to complain about private social services and palliative care services come into force</a></p>
<p>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-29849847" target="_blank">Private palliative and social care providers face scrutiny</a></p>Dementia leading cause of women's deaths in England and Wales, statistics show<p>Dementia is the leading cause of death among women in England and Wales for the second consecutive year, according to statistics released by the Office for National Statistics.</p>
<p>The disease now far outstrips breast cancer as a cause of death and causes thousands more deaths than heart attacks or strokes.</p>
<p>The statistics released on October 29 also show dementia as the third most common cause of death among men in England and Wales. Coronary heart disease remains the leading male killer but dementia deaths are also on the rise among men.</p>
<p>In the decade from 2003 to 2013 dementia deaths rose to 6% of male deaths, up from 2%, and to 12% of female deaths, up from 5%.</p>
<p>The ONS says this could be partly due to better diagnosis by doctors. More people are also surviving heart attacks and living longer. Its report stated: "Some of the rise over the last few decades may also be attributable to a better understanding of dementia. This means that doctors may be more likely to record dementia as the underlying cause of death."</p>
<p>Hilary Evans, director of external affairs at Alzheimer's Research UK said: "The figures highlight dementia as a huge problem that we cannot shy away from any longer.</p>
<p>"Encouragingly, the statistics reveal that other health conditions, such as heart disease, are beginning to be tamed and this has come about due to improved research into treatment, prevention and better public health.</p>
<p>"We must now turn our attentions to dementia - our greatest health challenge - and invest in research that will drive better prevention and treatment of the condition," she added.</p>
<h2>Dementia deaths on the rise in England and Wales</h2>
<p>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29815518" target="_blank">Dementia is leading cause of death for women</a></p>
<p>See the <a href="http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_381807.pdf" target="_blank">ONS report in full</a> (PDF)</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Wales Care Awards: packed-out ceremony was an 'inspirational' night <p>The Wales Care Awards ceremony on Friday, October 24, in Cardiff's City Hall was a packed-out night to remember which saw 56 finalists presented with awards in 21 categories ranging from excellence in dementia care to innovation in care for children and young people. The winners of the top three awards of the night – the Dignity in Care Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Spirit of Care Award – were all chosen from among the finalists in the 18 other categories.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.walescareawards.co.uk/" target="_blank"><strong>See the full list of the 2014 Wales Care Awards winners</strong></a></p>
<p>The ceremony was attended by social care professionals there to support colleagues, policy makers, politicians and sponsors of the awards, now in their 12th year. Entertainment was provided by soprano Ffion Perrett (pictured below) and the compere was BBC Wales news reader Lucy Owen.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/ffion-perrett-01" alt="" width="400" /></p>
<p>Mario Kreft, the chair of Care Forum Wales, told the packed City Hall ballroom that "Wales deserves a night like this" and long-time supporter of the awards Howard Crackle, head of healthcare in Wales for Barclays, told the crowd: "You are the cream of your profession".</p>
<p>The night was filled with inspiring stories, none more so than the Lifetime Achievement Award winner Dilys Price who founded the Touch Trust which offers movement programmes for people with disabilities. The skydiving octogenarian (recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as one of the world's oldest skydivers) said she felt "proud and validated" to win an award for her achievements.</p>
<p>The night also saw a surprise announcement by Mario Kreft about the Academy of Care Practitioners, the innovative body set up to represent and champion social care workers across Wales.</p>
<p>He announced that Jan Wood would become its honorary chief executive and that former social services minister Gwenda Thomas was to be its honorary president.</p>
<p>The Wales Care Awards will be back in 2015 on November 6.</p>
<p> </p>Wales Care Awards 2014: List of winners announced<p>The winners of the 2014 Wales Care Awards were announced at a packed-out ceremony at Cardiff's City Hall on Friday, October 24, 2014.</p>
<p>There were 18 awards categories plus three final awards, the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Dignity in Care Award and the Spirit of Care Awards.</p>
<p><strong>Promoting Fulfilled Lives Award</strong></p>
<p>Winner = Matthew Palamarczuk, Pendine Park Care Organisation</p>
<p><strong>Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner Award</strong></p>
<p>Joint Winners = Martin Reynolds and Christopher Isles of Tredomen House, Hengoed</p>
<p><strong>Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People</strong></p>
<p>Winner = Mark Adams, Branas Isaf, Corwen</p>
<p><strong>Leadership and Management in Residential Care Services Award</strong></p>
<p>Winner = Gwyneth Virgo, Thomas Gabrielle EMI Residential Care Home</p>
<p><strong>Leadership and Management in Supported Living or Small Group and Community Living Award</strong></p>
<p>Winner = Nicola Bolton, Integra Community Living Options, Llanelli</p>
<p><strong>Commitment to Training and Workforce Development Award</strong></p>
<p>Winner = Catherine Rowell, Coleg Cambria, Flintshire</p>
<p><strong>Exceptional Newcomer Award</strong></p>
<p>Winner = Julie James, Cilymaenllwyd Care Home, Llanelli</p>
<p><strong>Nurse of the Year Award</strong></p>
<p>Winner = Elizabeth Richards-Calnon, Millheath Nursing Home, Newport</p>
<p><strong>Outstanding Service Award</strong></p>
<p>Winner = Amanda Gladstone, Gwynedd Council Shared Lives / Adult Placement Scheme</p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Dementia Care for Care Practitioners Award</strong></p>
<p>Winner = Jane Geraghty, RMBI, Queen Elizabeth Court, Llandudno</p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Learning Disability and Mental Health Services Award</strong></p>
<p>Joint Winners = Jenny Steadman, Torfaen County Borough Council and Judi Roberts, Cae Bryn EMI Nursing Home, Wrexham</p>
<p><strong>Social Care Health and Safety Award</strong></p>
<p>Winner = Hilary Cardwell, Anheddau Cyf, Bangor</p>
<p><strong>Commitment to Quality in Housekeeping and Hospitality Award</strong></p>
<p>Winner = Irene Christ, Cambian, Pengwern College, Denbighshire</p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Palliative Care and End of Life Care Award</strong></p>
<p>Winner = Dinah Hickish, St Kentigern Hospice, St Asaph</p>
<p><strong>Innovation and Care for Children and Young People Award</strong></p>
<p>Winner = Tina Ruane, Cambian, Pengwern College, Denbighshire</p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Catering Award</strong></p>
<p>Joint Winners = Gareth Matthews, Shire Hall Care Home, Cardiff and Clare Wilkins, Cwrt Enfys Care Home, Swansea</p>
<p><strong>Residential Care Practitioner Award</strong></p>
<p>Joint Winners = Michael Stanbank, Woodside Grange Care Home, Conwy and Claire Venables, Highfield Nursing Home, Wrexham</p>
<p><strong>Bryn Terfel Foundation Award for Promoting the Arts in Social Care</strong></p>
<p>Winner = Trevor Whymark, Three Cliffs Care Home Swansea</p>
<p><strong>Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award</strong></p>
<p>Winner = Dilys Price of Touch Trust</p>
<p><strong>Dignity in Care Award</strong></p>
<p>Joint Winners = Liam Heaney, Bradshaw Manor Care Home, Rhyl, Sarah Hill, Cambian Pengwern College, Rhuddlan, Bridget McCann, Romilly Nursing Home, Cardiff and Rhian Thomas, Cartref Ael y Bryn, Ammanford</p>
<p><strong>Spirit of Care Award</strong></p>
<p>Winner = Paul Goodridge, G4S HMP Bridgend</p>
<p> </p>BBC1 Wales documentary tonight: Prioritise dementia care to take strain off the NHS, call from geriatrics professor<p>A documentary on dementia care in Wales, to be screened on BBC1 Wales tonight, will carry a warning that the NHS in Wales will grind to a halt unless more is done to help care for dementia patients in the community.</p>
<p>In the programme 'Who will care for mum, dad or me?', Cardiff University Professor of Geriatrics Anthony Bayer says that with one in three people dying with dementia today, it’s already posing a challenge to society and a lack of support means too many patients are ending up in hospital.</p>
<p>"One in four people in district general hospital beds have dementia," Professor Bayer told the Week In Week Out programme makers.</p>
<p>"If you actually shifted more resource into the community then you could stop a lot of these unnecessary admissions, and if people did go into hospital you could get them home much more quickly.</p>
<p>"Ultimately it’s going to save money, but you have to actually shift the resources first and the savings will come later. If we don’t do anything then the whole system is going to grind to a halt," he added.</p>
<ul>
<li>Read more on WalesOnline: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/nhs-wales-will-grind-halt-7968556" target="_blank">NHS in Wales 'will grind to a halt' unless problems with dementia care are tackled, university expert warns</a></li>
<li>Who Will Care For Mum, Dad or Me is on BBC1 Wales tonight (Oct 21) at 10:35pm</li>
</ul>
<h2>Age Cymru calls for dementia to be a national priority in Wales</h2>
<p>Age Cymru Wales' chief executive, Ian Thomas, says that with around 45,000 people living with dementia in Wales and the numbers continuing to rise year on year, dementia needs to be a national priority for Wales.</p>
<p>Mr Thomas was commissioned to write a report in 2011 for the Welsh Government, A National Dementia Vision for Wales, on how to tackle the issue of growing numbers of people with dementia. However he says the strategy which "would have made a monumental difference to people's lives" has not been fully implemented by the Welsh Government. "It [the plan] would have given us better services - it would have given us more joined-up thinking and put dementia as a national issue and a national priority," said Mr Thomas.</p>
<ul>
<li>Read Ian Thomas' <a href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/professional-resources/blogs/the-national-dementia-vision-for-wales/" target="_blank">blog on the National Dementia Vision for Wales</a></li>
</ul>
<p>"Dementia needs to be a national priority for Wales," says Mr Thomas, who also appears in the Week In, Week Out BBC Wales documentary about dementia tonight (October 21).</p>
<p>“With 45,000 people in Wales living with dementia, and that number set to rise on average by 35% over the next 20 years, dementia remains one of the key challenges for the government and people of Wales." </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Wales Care Awards 2014: Shortlist announced for sell-out event on October 24 in Cardiff's City Hall<p>The prestigious 'social care Oscars', the Wales Care Awards, will take place one week from today, on October 24, in Cardiff's City Hall.</p>
<p>This year marks the 12th year of the awards which honour the unsung heroes of social care as well as those leading the way with best practice and excellence in care. They cover the whole spectrum of roles with the social care profession, from catering to dementia care, to health and safety, housekeeping and nursing. Everyone from leaders and managers to the newest recruit has the opportunity to be nominated.</p>
<p>A total of 21 awards will be presented on the night. The winners of the three final awards, the Dignity in Care Award, the Spirit of Care Award and the Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award, will all be picked from among the finalists in the 18 other awards categories.</p>
<p>The awards will be hosted once again by BBC Wales' Lucy Owen and this year's singer is Ffion Perrett (pictured), a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music who began her musical studies while still at school, studying with the respected Cardiff soprano Gail Pearson.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/ffion-perrett-400-wca.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="392" /></p>
<p>Ffion has already made a stellar start to her professional career and has performed with choirs including the Pendyrus Male Voice Choir, the Barry Male Voice Choir, the Castell Coch Choral Society and the London Welsh Male Voice Choir.</p>
<h2>Find out who's on the 2014 Wales Care Awards Shortlist</h2>
<p><strong>Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner Award</strong><br />Martin Reynolds / Christopher Isles (joint nomination), Tredomen House, Ystrad Mynach<br />Leighton Sanders, Q Care Aberdare<br />Helen Beddington, Elliots Hill Care, Haverfordwest<br />Emma Murray, Vale Senior Care, Denbigh</p>
<p><strong>Residential Care Practitioner Award</strong><br />Michael Stanbank, Woodside Grange Care Home, Colwyn Bay<br />Claire Venables, Pendine Park Care Organisation Wrexham <br />Shirley Gillings, Swn y Mor Care Centre, Port Talbot<br />Pamela Ann Williamson, Clwyd Alyn, Ruthin</p>
<p><strong>Leadership & Management in Residential Care Services Award</strong><br />Gwyneth Virgo, Thomas Gabrielle EMI Residential Home, Cwmbran<br />Tracey Cuthill, Pendine Park Care Organisation, Wrexham<br />Shirley Morris, Fairhaven Care Home, Colwyn Bay</p>
<p><strong>Leadership & Management in Supported Living or Small Community Award</strong><br />Nicola Bolton, Integra Community Living Options, Llanelli<br />Sharon Burke, Anheddau Cyf, Bangor<br />Dave Massey, Elliots Hill Care, Haverfordwest</p>
<p><strong>Promoting Fulfilled Lives Award</strong><br />Matt Palamarczuk, Pendine Park Care Organisation, Wrexham<br />Karina Sobczyk, Greenhill Manor Care Home, Merthyr Tydfil<br />Liam Heaney, Bradshaw Manor Care Home, Rhyl</p>
<p><strong>The Bryn Terfel Foundation Wales Care Award for Promoting the Arts in Social Care</strong><br />Trevor Whymark, Three Cliffs Care Home, Gower</p>
<p><strong>Exceptional Newcomer Award</strong><br />Julie James, Cilymaenllwyd Care Home, Llanelli<br />Rhiannon David, Crosfield House, Rhayader<br />Simoney Steadman, Ty Enfys Care Home, Cardiff<br />Karen Jefferies, Maesteilo Care Home, Llandeilo</p>
<p><strong>Nurse of the Year Award</strong><br />Sebasitan Werys, Cwrt Enfas Care Home, Ystradgynlais<br />Elizabeth Richards Calnon, Millheath Nursing Home, Newport<br />Rimple Rimple, Shire Hall Care Home, Cardiff</p>
<p><strong>Outstanding Service Award</strong><br />Amanda Gladstone, Gwynedd Council Shared Lives / Adult Placement Scheme, Caernarfon<br />Andy Watters, Elliots Hill Care, Haverfordwest<br />Janet Blythe, Springbank Nursing Home, Barry</p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Dementia Care for Care Practitioners Award</strong><br />Jane Geraghty, Queen Elizabeth Court, Llandudno<br />Edflor Madrid, Quarry Hall Care Home, Cardiff<br />Nicole Hauptfleisch, Ty-Cerrig, Caergwrle, Wrexahm</p>
<p><strong>Leading Practice in Learning Disability & Mental Health Services Award</strong><br />Tony Doyle, Care Without Compromise, Neath<br />Jenny Steadman, Torfaen County Borough Council<br />Judi Roberts, Pendine Park Care Organisation, Wrexham<br />Jayson Hughes, Integra Community Living Options, Thomastown</p>
<p><strong>The Social Care Health & Safety Award</strong><br />Hilary Cardwell, Anheddau Cyf, Bangor<br />Julian Edwards, Belgrave House, Abergavenny<br />Nick Mannion, Ty Enfys Care Home, Pentwyn, Cardiff</p>
<p><strong>Commitment to Quality in Housekeeping & Hospitality Award</strong><br />Janet Hicks, Regency House Care Home, Cardiff<br />Gail Henderson, Oak House Care Home, Cardiff<br />Irene Christ, Cambian Pengwern College, Rhuddlan</p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Palliative & End of Life Care Award</strong><br />Paul Goodridge, G4S, HMP Parc, Bridgend<br />Rhian Thomas, Cartref Ael y Bryn, Barleybind Nursing Homes<br />Dinah Hickish, St Kentigern Hospice, St Asaph</p>
<p><strong>Innovation in Care for Children and Young People Award</strong><br />Colette Macko Afon Goch Children's Home, Caernafon<br />Tina Ruane, Pengwern College, Rhuddlan</p>
<p><strong>The Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People Award</strong><br />Mark Adams, Branas Isaf, Llandrillo<br />Sarah Hill, Cambian Pengwern College, Rhuddlan<br />Tom Wade, Cambian Pengwern College, Rhuddlan</p>
<p><strong>Catering in Care Award</strong><br />Gareth Matthews, Shire Hall Care Home, Cardiff<br />Clare Wilkins, Cwrt Enfas Care Home, Ystradgynlais<br />Barry Howells, Cartref Ael y Bryn, Ammanford<br />Victoria Kingdom, Swn y Mor Care Home, Port Talbot</p>
<p><strong>Commitment to Training & Workforce Development Award</strong><br />Bridget Mary McCann, Romilly Nursing Home, Cardiff<br />Catherine Rowell, Coleg Cambria, Connah's Quay<br />Hilary Jones, Cartrefi Cymru, Newtown</p>
<p><strong>Dignity in Care Award</strong><br />To be announced on the night</p>
<p><strong>The Spirit of Care Award</strong><br />To be announced on the night</p>
<p><strong>The Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievment Award</strong><br />To be announced on the night</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Nursing recruitment crisis: task force wins RCN approval<p>Plans for a task force to promote collaborative working between the independent sector and the NHS over a nursing recruitment crisis have been given the thumbs up by the Royal College of Nursing.</p>
<p>The task force plan was unveiled at the All Wales Nurses Conference, organised by Care Forum Wales, in Llandudno on September 17 in response to the closure of several nursing homes because of the nursing recruitment crisis and in response to difficulties over recruiting qualified nursing staff in other homes across Wales.</p>
<p>The task force will also investigate ways in which the independent sector and the NHS can co-operate more closely and share good practice.</p>
<p>Nigel Downs, primary care and independent sector adviser in Wales for the Royal College of Nursing, said: "We are all fighting for the same nurses, so we need to look at how our workforce development is planned over the next 10 years.</p>
<p>"Anything to do with collaborative working should have a beneficial effect on both the independent sector and the NHS and help to improve standards of patient care.</p>
<p>"There is currently a shortage of qualified nurses in Wales," he added.</p>
<p>"In fact, a recent paper on the NHS acute sector shows that while the average care ratio is one staff nurse to every eight patients in the rest of the UK, in Wales it is one to every ten patients."</p>
<h2>Read more on the nursing recruitment crisis in Welsh care homes</h2>
<p>Care Forum Wales: <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/news/nursing-recruitment-crisis-task-force-set-up">Joint task force set up to address shortage of qualified nurses in social care</a></p>
<p>South Wales Evening Post: <a href="http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Care-homes-face-risk-closure/story-23070901-detail/story.html" target="_blank">Swansea care homes face 'risk of closure' because of nurse shortage</a></p>
<p>Care UK: <a href="http://www.carehome.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1565421/task-force-set-up-to-tackle" target="_blank">Task force set up to tackle nurse shortage in Welsh care homes</a></p>
<p> </p>Give it a go: Providers encouraged to take part in 'shwmae' day on October 15<p>Care providers are being encouraged to say 'shwmae' (or 'sumae' in North Wales) on October 15 to encourage the active use of Welsh in care homes. </p>
<p>'Diwrnod Shwmae / Su’mae' is being promoted by the Welsh Government's Health and Social Services Welsh Language Policy Unit as part of its bid to encourage the 'active offer' of Welsh to those who receive social and health care. Health boards and social services providers are being encouraged to suppport the day.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales' policy adviser Melanie Minty said: "The idea behind this day is to encourage members of staff in care settings to start with something as simple as saying shwmae (or sumae) as this can have a real impact on people using care services whose first language is Welsh."</p>
<p>Posters are available to download and print out to encourage care providers to support the day - see links below. </p>
<p><strong>What does the 'active offer' of Welsh mean in care settings?</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>This means moving the responsibility from the user to ask for the service [in Welsh] to the service provider offering the service.</li>
<li>Service users are welcome to use the Welsh language as part of their care… this may not be possible at all times but it is important that they receive the offer when it is possible.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Download a poster to encourage active use of Welsh on October 15</h2>
<p><a title="Shwmae Day A4 poster PDF" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/23375_Shwmae%20Sumae Day poster_PRINT A4.pdf">Shwmae / sumae day A4 poster: PDF to print out</a></p>
<p><a title="Shwmae Day A3 poster" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Shwmae%20Su'mae Day poster_PRINT A3.pdf">Shwmae / sumae day A3 poster: PDF to print out</a></p>
<p>If you'd like more information about the posters please contact Dylan Williams at the Welsh Government.</p>
<p class="p1">Dylan’s contact details are 02920 825583 / </p>
<p class="p1"><a href="mailto:dylan.williams@wales.gsi.gov.uk%20">dylan.williams@wales.gsi.gov.uk</a></p>Joint task force set up to address shortage of qualified nurses in social care<p>Following the All Wales Nurses Conference held in Llandudno on September 17 a task force has been set up to tackle the issue of nurse shortages in social care settings across Wales.</p>
<p>The joint task force will be made up from NHS officials and representatives of the independent care sector which is bearing the brunt of nurse shortages.</p>
<p><strong>Read more: WalesOnline: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/joint-task-force-set-up-7879583" target="_blank">Taskforce to investigate shortage of nurses</a></strong></p>
<p>Some care homes have already been forced to close because of the shortage of qualified nursing staff. Two <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/two-bridgend-county-care-homes-7533937" target="_blank">homes owned by HC-One in the Bridgend area announced they would close</a> over the summer but the shortage is a national one. Recently CFW chair Mario Kreft told the BBC that c<a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/news/lack-of-trained-care-home-nurses-situation-reaching-crisis-point" target="_blank">are homes faced a recruitment crisis</a>, particularly those homes registered for nursing care.</p>
<p>He said: "If we don’t bring more nurses into the independent sector then we’re going to find that the closures which will inevitably come about will mean that more people will have to reside or find their services in a hospital bed.</p>
<p>"If you’re assessed as needing nursing care in a care home registered for nursing, the only feasible alternative if that home is to close is that either that you go to a similar establishment or a hospital bed.</p>
<p>"That means we are sleepwalking into a perfect storm unless urgent action is taken," added Mr Kreft.</p>
<h2>Chair of CFW nurses forum also warns of need to recruit nurses from abroad</h2>
<p>In CFW's July Enewsletter, <strong>Kim Ombler (pictured below), chair of CFW’s chair of the north Wales nurses forum</strong> and director of Anglesey Nursing Home, Quality Care Wales, said: “We are facing this issue and I know of other nursing homes in Anglesey and Gwynedd who are <strong>having to go abroad to recruit staff. I will be looking at recruiting nurses from Spain – we have tried to recruit locally for the last six months without success.”</strong></p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/kim-ombler-nurses-group-lead.jpg" alt="CFW Kim Ombler nurses group" width="112" height="112" /></p>
<p>She continued: “It’s a combination of factors that is causing this. There’s sometimes seen to be a stigma attached to working in nursing homes because of negative press and a perception that we offer a lack of career structure, but this isn’t true. We also know that when planning student nursing numbers the needs of the independent sector have not been taken into account although we have recently addressed these issues with the Chief Nurse.</p>
<p>"This is something that needs to be looked at urgently, at government level. We are concerned that this crisis in recruiting nurses will also be replicated across the sector,” she added.</p>
<p> </p>Food in some care homes criticised by Older People's Commissioner <p>The Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, has told the BBC that some care home residents were becoming 'malnourished' because not enough care was going into the food they were offered.</p>
<p>Ms Rochira made the comments following her Residential Care Review of 100 care homes across Wales which was carried out earlier this year.</p>
<p>She called for an increased focus on providing nutritionally balanced meals and choice for vulnerable people. She said: "It is unacceptable that in some parts of Wales older people are malnourished in the place they should be able to call home.</p>
<p>"If we don't get it right we'll have people who are frailer than they need to be, more people admitted to hospital than there needs to be."</p>
<h2>Local authority takes action to improve care home meals</h2>
<p>Torfaen has acted to improve meals for older people after trading standards officers found some care homes were offering 800 calories of food a day to residents, while others were offering far more than the recommended level of about 2,000 calories, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-29448187" target="_blank">according to this BBC report</a>.</p>
<p>It is developing a "unified menu planning system" and aims to provide an easy-to-use website which would be available to councils and care homes in other parts of Wales.</p>
<p>Sarah Herbert, a dietician with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said good diet can help avoid the risk of bed pressure sores, falls and acquired infections such as pneumonia.</p>
<p>"Care homes we've spoken to so far seem keen to engage with us to improve things. Hopefully we can develop a website to make it easier for people to get the right advice about portion sizes and what makes up a good menu," she said</p>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<p>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-29448187" target="_blank">Older people in Wales' care homes 'malnourished' says watchdog</a></p>
<p> </p>Five Nations Care Forum makes its mark online<p>The Five Nations Care Forum, of which Care Forum Wales is a member and supporter, now has an online presence to set out its remit, objectives and plans for the future.</p>
<p>The Five Nationsl Care Forum is an alliance of the professional associations representing the care sector across the UK and Ireland. As well as Care Forum Wales, the members include the United Kingdom Home Care Association, the Independent Health & Care Providers group, the National Care Forum, Nursing Homes Ireland, Scottish Care and Care England.</p>
<p>Members of the group met in Wales in October last year for discussions and guests at the meeting included First Minister Carwyn Jones (pictured, centre).</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Five-Nations-line-up-Oct-2013.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="400" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Five Nations Care Forum collective is committed to information sharing, joint lobbying, shared learning and support. The Forum seeks to encourage the development of a joined-up approach to matters which have a UK-wide or European dimension.</p>
<p>For more information about the Five Nations Care Forum see the new website: <a href="http://www.fivenationscareforum.com/" target="_blank">www.fivenationscareforum.com</a></p>
<p> </p>Number of 'very old' Britons surpasses 500,000 mark<p>Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that the number of older people in Britain who are 'very old' has surprassed half a million.</p>
<p>The figures for 2013 show that there were 527,240 people aged 90 or over living in the UK. The number of those over 90 has almost tripled in the last 30 years.</p>
<p>The ONS figures, released today (September 25) showed that the numbers reaching very old ages continue to increase. </p>
<p>The <em>Daily Telegraph</em> reported that the Department for Work and Pensions now has a seven-strong “Centenarian team” dedicated to keeping information on Britain’s oldest citizens up to date after the number of people over the age of 100 jumped by 70 per cent in a decade.</p>
<div class="thirdPar">
<p>New estimates also published by the Office for National Statistics show that there are now almost 14,000 people over the age of 100 living in the UK, a five per cent rise in a single year.</p>
<ul>
<li>Read more on this story: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/11121184/Queens-birthday-card-team-expands-to-cope-with-surge-of-100-year-olds.html" target="_blank">Queen's 'birthday card' team expands to cope with surge of 100-year-olds</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2>Number crunching: data on the 'very old' from ONS</h2>
<p>Although the 90 and over group account for only a very small proportion of the UK population (0.8% in 2013) the size of this age group relative to the rest of the population has also increased over time.</p>
<p>In 1983, there were 322 people aged 90 and over per 100,000 population; by 1993 this had increased to 487; by 2003 it had reached 662 and the latest figures for 2013 show there were 822 people aged 90 and over per 100,000 population in the UK (Figure 1).</p>
<ul>
<li>Read more on this story: <a href="http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/mortality-ageing/estimates-of-the-very-old--including-centenarians-/2002---2013--england-and-wales--united-kingdom-/stb-2002-2013-estimates-of-the-very-old.html#tab-The--Oldest-Old--Population-in-the-UK" target="_blank">ONS estimates of the very old 2002-2013</a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>Care home residents show they've got 'art'<p>Residents of the Romilly Nursing Home in Cardiff showed off their artistic prowess over the summer with an exhibition of famous paintings they'd recreated.</p>
<p>One of the residents, a graduate of London's Slade school of Art, was particularly overjoyed: she broke down after completing a painting after admitting she never thought she could paint again. </p>
<p class="p1">Take a look at the images recreated for the exhibition including, top left, Welsh baseball legend <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/welsh-baseball-legend-paddy-hennesseys-7697079" target="_blank">Paddy Hennessey</a>'s Van Gough tribute:</p>
<p class="p1"><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/romilly-art-collage-800px.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" /></p>
<p class="p1"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>CFW welcomes integration of health and social care at cabinet level following Welsh Government reshuffle<p>Care Forum Wales chair, Mario Kreft, has welcomed the integration of the social services and health portfolios following a cabinet reshuffle by First Minister Carwyn Jones last week (September 11). </p>
<p><img src="/uploads/Mark Drakeford Health Minister.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="200" /></p>
<p>While the passion and drive of deputy minister for social services, Gwenda Thomas, will be missed Mr Kreft said Care Forum Wales is looking forward to working with the health minister, Mark Drakeford (pictured), who now assumes responsibility for social care.</p>
<p>He said: "Care Forum Wales looks forward very much to working with the Health Minister, Professor Mark Drakeford. We know Professor Drakeford will bring a new approach, a different standpoint no doubt, on a number of issues and one welcome new development will be the integration of health and social care at Cabinet level.</p>
<p>"I think we’ve got a foundation and now we’ve really got to deliver on that for the people of Wales and I think to recognise the achievement of Gwenda Thomas and I don’t think there is any more fitting legacy than for the new Act to bring about the changes that we all so desire and look to in the future."</p>
<p> </p>Mario Kreft praises 'visionary' long-serving social services minister after surprise departure<p>Mario Kreft has praised the former Welsh Government deputy social services minister, Gwenda Thomas, after her surprise departure from government following Carwyn Jones' September cabinet reshuffle. Social services will now come under the wing of health secretary Professor Mark Drakeford.</p>
<p>Mrs Thomas made history when she shepherded Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Bill that will transform how social care is delivered in Wales through the National Assembly. The bill is one of the largest and most complex ever considered by the Assembly and will eliminate postcode lotteries by creating national eligibility criteria.</p>
<p>Mario Kreft MBE, the chair of Care Forum Wales, worked closely with Mrs Thomas, the AM for Neath, over a number of years. He said: "I have huge admiration for Gwenda Thomas who is a visionary politician with great integrity. She is the doyenne of social care in Wales.</p>
<p><img src="/uploads/mario-and-gwenda-thomas-pic.jpg" alt="" width="570" height="384" /></p>
<p>“It will be a huge loss to all those who have worked so closely with her to get through what has been the most important and far reaching legislation that has so far been passed by a Welsh Government. We as an organisation and those in the independent sector, particularly those in the private sector, have found new hope really thanks to her wise stewardship.</p>
<p>"We know that we operate in a country where a lot of people do not see necessarily the value or agree that a lot of independent social care services should even exist.</p>
<p>"But being the pragmatist, understanding the intricacies and indeed the quality that exists, Gwenda Thomas brought together not just a political consensus around the new act but importantly a sector consensus.</p>
<p>"While her departure from the front rank is a huge loss, she leaves a fantastic legacy that we will all be remembering for decades if not generations to come because it will provide a new framework for Wales."</p>
<h2>Grateful for support for Wales Care Awards</h2>
<p>Mr Kreft spoke of his gratitude to Gwenda Thomas for her support of social care as a profession. He said: "Something else that set Gwenda Thomas apart was her passion to make social care a profession to be proud. We are grateful for her tireless support of the <a href="http://walescareawards.co.uk/">Wales Care Awards</a> and her vision in ensuring there was a Dignity in Care Award [category] to raise the standing of the profession.</p>
<p>"Last but not least, we greatly valued her support for the creation of an academy for social care workers, the <a href="http://www.academyofcarepractitioners.co.uk/" target="_blank">Academy of Care Practitioners</a>.</p>
<p>"Gwenda Thomas will go down in history as someone who made an immense contribution to social care and ushered in a golden age of partnership between the public and private sectors," added Mr Kreft.</p>
<h2> </h2>
<p> </p>Welsh Government cabinet reshuffle: Long-serving social services minister steps down<p>The long-serving deputy minister for social services, Gwenda Thomas, announced she was stepping down from her post yesterday (September 11) during a day in which First Minister Carwyn Jones carried out a surprise reshuffle of his cabinet. The move was announced on Twitter.</p>
<p>The health minister, Professor Mark Drakeford, stays in his post with Vaughan Gething announced as his deputy.</p>
<p>Leighton Andrews has rejoined the cabinet as minister for public service, 15 months after he resigned. He will be responsible for delivering local government changes in a newly-created post.</p>
<p>Jane Hutt, Edwina Hart and Huw Lewis are all staying in their jobs while Jeff Cuthbert and John Griffiths are both to leave the cabinet.</p>
<p>Housing Minister Carl Sargeant moves to natural resources and Lesley Griffiths moves to communities and tackling poverty.</p>
<h2>Read who's in and who's out in the cabinet reshuffle:</h2>
<p>BBC news: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-29156951" target="_blank">Leighton Andrews rejoins cabinet in reshuffle</a></p>
<p>WalesOnline: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/welsh-government-cabinet-reshuffle-leighton-7755230" target="_blank">Welsh Government cabinet reshuffle</a></p>
<p>WalesOnline gallery: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/gallery/welsh-government-cabinet-reshuffle-new-7757065">See the new cabinet line-up</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Burden of care costs falls unfairly on dementia sufferers, says Age UK<p>Age UK has said that the cost of care for those with dementia averages £32,242 a year per patient - with only a third of this covered by NHS or council help.</p>
<p>Alzheimer's Society chief executive Jeremy Hughes said the figures were "staggering" and the lack of paid-for care was, in effect, a "dementia care tax".</p>
<p>"If you have cancer or heart disease you can quite rightly expect that the care you need will be free.</p>
<p>"That is just not the case for people with dementia. Families are forced to break the bank to pay for basic care for a loved one."</p>
<p><strong>BBC news: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29126357" target="_blank">See the table of dementia care costs</a></strong></p>
<h2>Cost of caring for dementia patients - how it breaks down</h2>
<p>The figures emerged from research carried out by the London School of Economics and Kings College London and was carried out to help Age UK update figures compiled in 2007. Experts looked at care provided by the NHS and paid for by councils as well as the private care market and amount of unpaid support provided by family and friends.</p>
<p>They found that caring for dementia patients cost the UK the equivalent of £26.3bn overall, but estimated that £17.4bn - two-thirds - came from private care services or in the form of unpaid care.</p>
<p>For the individual, that works out at £32,242 a year - £21,322 of which was not from the state.</p>
<h2>Read the full story</h2>
<p><strong>BBC news: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29126357" target="_blank">Dementia patients 'face unfair care tax'</a></strong></p>Care Council review of social care code of practice: your views wanted<p>The Care Council for Wales is currently running a public consultation to review the code of practice for social care workers and it's seeking your views. It is particularly keen to hear from anyone currently working in social care so please share the link to the consultation (below) with your colleagues.</p>
<p><img src="/uploads/care-council-logo.png" alt="" width="250" height="68" /></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>The consultation opened in June and closes at 5pm on September 30.</strong></li>
<li>The consultation documents and link to an electronic response form are on the Care Council's website <a href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/consultations/2014/09/30/consultation-on-the-review-of-the-code-of-practice-for-social-care-workers/" target="_blank">here</a>.</li>
<li>Hard copies and copies in other formats such as large print can be obtained by contacting Jeni Meyrick on 029 2078 0672 or emailing <a href="mailto:jeni.meyrick@ccwales.org.uk" target="_blank">jeni.meyrick@ccwales.org.uk</a></li>
</ul>
<p>The consultation focuses on a refreshed version of the Code of Practice for Social Care Workers, which was originally published in 2002. It is particularly important that a revised Code of Practice reflects modern social care provision in Wales and is consistent with important developments such as the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.</p>
<h2>About the social care code of practice</h2>
<ul>
<li>The Code sets out the standards all social care practitioners should work to and what is expected of them by employers, individuals receiving services and the public.</li>
<li>The Code of Practice is particularly significant for those groups who have to register with the Care Council, as it is taken into account when there are doubts over a person’s fitness to practise as a result of allegations about their conduct.</li>
<li>The existing Code of Practice remains in place. Registrants will be notified when a revised Code is agreed sometime in 2015. Regular updates on the publication of the revised code will be provided via the Care Council website and e-bulletins.</li>
</ul>Social services minister on Inspection & Regulation bill in Wales: 'We have learned lessons from care scandals'<p>Deputy minister for social services, Gwenda Thomas (pictured), has said today that she believes the new Regulation and Inspection Bill, to be introduced in the National Assembly in early 2015, will strengthen the protection for and further improve the quality of care and support available in Wales.</p>
<p>She said that the forthcoming Bill takes into account the lessons learned from scandals such as those at <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/oct/26/winterbourne-view-care-staff-jailed" target="_blank">Winterbourne View</a>, which saw six care workers given prison sentences for abusing residents, the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9851763/Mid-Staffordshire-Trust-inquiry-how-the-care-scandal-unfolded.html" target="_blank">Mid Staffordshire Trust</a> public inquiry, Southern Cross <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-27761188" target="_blank">Orchid View care home serious case review</a> and other cases.</p>
<p><img src="/uploads/gwenda thomas resize2.jpg" alt="" width="105" height="126" /></p>
<p>Speaking during a visit to a care home in Aberavon today (September 9), the minister said: "Regulation of social care has been a success story in Wales – it has delivered real benefits for those who rely on our care homes and social care services but we are not complacent. Our new approach is a strong, robust policy that builds on this success to ensure the safeguarding of all people with a care and support need and the promotion of well-being."</p>
<p>She said that next year's Regulation and Inspection Bill will "improve the system even further. Regulation and inspection will be built around people’s well-being and the outcomes people want."</p>
<p>She added: "Our new Bill has been developed in line with the changes made to the foundation of social services through our Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act, and recognising the lessons learnt from serious incidents such as Southern Cross, Mid Staffs, Winterbourne and other cases."</p>
<p>“That’s why we need to ensure our regulation regime reflects modern practice and the ever changing world of social care. I’m confident the changes we are making will deliver that.”</p>
<p>Read the full story on the Welsh Government website: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2014/140909care-home-inspections/?lang=en" target="_blank">care homes keeping people safe</a></p>Poll highlights worries over care in old age in England <p>A YouGov poll of almost 4,700 people in England shows only a quarter have faith that they will receive proper care in their old age.</p>
<p>The research was carried out for a coalition of charities and voluntary organisations involved in working with older people.</p>
<p>The poll shows that voters currently rank the care of older people second in importance - health and the NHS come top - as an issue when it comes to casting a vote in the 2015 general election.</p>
<p>Richard Hawkes, chairman of the Care and Support Alliance, said: “Care is well and truly an election issue. The message from the public is loud and unambiguous. It’s a real vote of no confidence.</p>
<p>"They are worried about who will care for them or their loved ones, if they can no longer do basic things for themselves. Above all they want the Government to invest more money in the system," he added.</p>
<h2>Care in old age: how good will it be?</h2>
<p>The YouGov poll revealed:</p>
<ul>
<li>One third of the population in England relies on the care system in some way (either for themselves or a relative)</li>
<li>Only 27 per cent are confident that they or a loved one would receive adequate help with basic tasks such as washing and getting out of bed</li>
<li>The confidence people have in the system drops sharply the older people get with almost three quarters of over-60s saying they do not have faith that the care system will enable them to maintain a good quality of life as they get older</li>
</ul>
<h2>For the full story see:</h2>
<p>Daily Telegraph: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/11063984/Only-one-in-four-have-faith-in-system-to-care-for-them-in-old-age.html" target="_blank">Only one in four have faith in system to care for them in old age</a></p>Get ready for an action-packed autumn of conferences, the Wales Care Awards & our Essential Updates<p>Social care workers can look forward to an action-packed schedule of events this autumn with opportunities for learning, networking and socialising.</p>
<p>CFW is involved in supporting two major conferences - on October 9 our chairman Mario Kreft will chair the 10th <strong>Annual Care Conference for Wales</strong> in Cardiff at the Cardiff City Stadium. And on November 11 Cymorth Cymru and Care Forum Wales will be holding Wales’ inaugural <strong>Care Provider Summit</strong>.</p>
<p>September 17 will see the free, <strong>All Wales Nurse Conference</strong> held in Venue Cymru, Llandudno. It is being hosted by Care Forum Wales, North West Wales Nurse Forum and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. There's still just time to book a place by contacting <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk" target="_blank">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a>.</p>
<p>October will also see the return of CFW's invaluable twice-yearly <strong>Essential Updates</strong> aimed at registered providers, managers and senior staff working in social care in Wales. Not forgetting the glittering annual event, the <a href="http://walescareawards.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wales Care Awards</a>, which take place in <strong>Cardiff's City Hall on October 24</strong>. </p>
<h2>Social care professionals: Book your conference places now</h2>
<p>Annual Care Conference for Wales: This October 9 event, held in association with the <em>Caring Times</em>, will will see the Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, discussing her review into the quality of life and care of older people in Wales' care homes. CSSIW's David Francis will be speaking about the drive for improvement in the care sector and the opportunities to do so presented by the White Paper on Inspection and Regulation.</p>
<p><strong>Find out more</strong>: <a href="http://www.careinfo.org/wales/" target="_blank">BOOKING INFO FOR THE ANNUAL CARE CONFERENCE EVENT: OCTOBER 9</a></p>
<p>The November 11 event, also in the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, will bring together care providers from across the private and third sectors as the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act continues to move forward. Confirmed speakers include Gwenda Thomas AM, Deputy Minister for Social Services, and Dr Andrew Goodall, Chief Executive of the NHS Wales.</p>
<p><strong>Find out more</strong>: <a href="http://www.cymorthcymru.org.uk/event-2014-11-11-care-provider-summit.php" target="_blank">BOOKING INFO FOR THE CARE PROVIDER SUMMIT: NOV 11</a></p>
<h2>Book now for our Essential Updates</h2>
<p>In addition CFW members and other social care professionals can sign up for our twice-yearly Essential Updates with sessions in south, west and north Wales on:</p>
<p>Oct 1 – Treetops Country Club, Swansea.<br />Oct 2 – University of South Wales, Treforest.<br />Oct 7 – Conwy Business Centre, Conwy.<br />Oct 8 – Springfield Hotel, Holywell.</p>
<p>Find out more or BOOK YOUR PLACE: <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk" target="_blank">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a></p>
<p> </p>Older People's Commissioner's Review of care homes on agenda at care conference<p>The 10th 'Annual Care Conference for Wales' will see the Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, discussing her review into the quality of life and care of older people in Wales' care homes.</p>
<p>The conference, which is being chaired by CFW's Mario Kreft, takes place on October 9 in Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff.</p>
<p>The Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, will also address the conference and CSSIW's David Francis will be speaking about the drive for improvement in the care sector and the opportunities to do so presented by the White Paper on Inspection and Regulation.</p>
<p>The conference is being organised by <em>Caring Times</em> in association with Care Forum Wales. The conference organisers say: "The long-term care sector in Wales is currently experiencing unprecedented change, creating a number of challenges to owners, operators and caring professionals.</p>
<p>"This conference will keep you up to date with legislation, training and inspection as well as giving time to focus on the future of your business. It will also provide an excellent opportunity to speak to fellow care professionals and a range of business professionals, to share and debate the issues currently facing us all.</p>
<p>"In an ever-changing environment the 2014 Conference will demonstrate there is a positive future and show how the next few years may look."</p>
<h2>Other topics for discussion at the Annual Care Conference, Cardiff</h2>
<p>A range of high profile speakers will also introduce the following topics, and there will be networking opportunities over coffee and lunch:</p>
<ul>
<li>Improve the value of your business</li>
<li>Improving your profitability</li>
<li>Care Home Design</li>
<li>Compliance</li>
<li>Safeguarding and getting the best outcomes</li>
</ul>
<h2>BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW for a discount </h2>
<p>If you book online you're currently eligible for a 10 per cent discount. Click here for the agenda and <strong><a href="http://www.careinfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Cardiff2014_02.pdf" target="_blank">BOOKING FORM</a></strong></p>Funding announced to help Mid and West Wales older residents remain in own homes<blockquote>
<div>
<p>The Welsh Government has today (August 21) announced an £8.4m package of investment in services to support older people in Mid and West Wales, particularly the frail elderly, to maintain their independence and remain in their homes.</p>
<p>The funding, from the Welsh Government’s £50m Intermediate Care Fund (ICF), was announced by the Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas. She said: “The £8.4m that’s been awarded to more than 70 projects across Mid and West Wales will provide an excellent opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of older people.</p>
<p>“The investment will enable health, housing and social services, along with the third and independent sectors, to work together on some very innovative projects to support older people to maintain their independence and remain in their own home.”</p>
<p>A range of intermediate care services are being delivered across Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Powys. The ICF funding will support local authorities to work with partners from health, housing, and the third and independent sectors.<br /><br />The ICF was established to provide improved care and support for older people, at home or in the local community. The fund is aimed at helping ease pressure on the NHS by preventing unnecessary admissions to hospital and residential care and delayed discharges from hospital.<br /><br />The investment will fund a range of proposals within the region, including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Development of an integrated health and social care workforce to provide rapid response and other services;</li>
<li>Improving therapy input into ‘reablement’ services;</li>
<li>Development of integrated ‘twighlight’ services providing responsive transport home from hospital and home-based mobility support to prevent admissions;</li>
<li>A project led by Care and Repair which will speed up minor adaptations and provide services to help keep people in their homes;</li>
<li>Further development of supported accommodation, including dementia ‘move-on’ flats in Pembrokeshire, and Extra Care housing;</li>
<li>Extending and embedding telecare services into Community Resource Teams.</li>
</ul>
<p>The fund formed part of the 2014-15 Welsh budget agreed jointly with Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Liberal Democrats.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>Social care workers' morale and motivation 'lowest it has ever been'<h2>Social care workers' morale and motivation 'lowest it has ever been' </h2>
<p>Mario Kreft, Care Forum Wales' chair, has said that Care Forum Wales members across the board have reported problems with staff morale and motivation.</p>
<p>He said: “What we are picking up from our members and others is a level of morale and motivation that is probably the lowest that it has ever been.</p>
<p>"We urgently need a whole sector solution, we need more nurses in Wales both in the NHS and in the independent sector."</p>
<p>Mr Kreft was speaking after it emerged that two homes in the Bridgend area, Abergarw Manor in Brynmenyn and Southmead Grange in South Cornelly, were to close.</p>
<p>The owner of the homes, HC-One, blamed "a national shortage of nursing staff" for the "very difficult decision" to close the homes.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-28839946" target="_blank">BBC News: Care homes face nurse recruitment 'crisis' claims forum</a><br /></strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Mr Kreft said: "Our strategy should be interlinked so that we can work in partnership with our colleagues in health boards, with Welsh Government, to ensure that we’re attracting the right people into social care."</p>
<p>He continued: "The commissioning process has to to reflect the people that we need to employ and retain.</p>
<p>"We have to make working in domiciliary and residential care homes a profession with status, recognising its value to the community and that it underpins our National Health Service," he added.</p>Independent sector nursing recruitment crisis spells disaster for NHS, says Mario Kreft<p>Care Forum Wales' chair Mario Kreft has said that the lack of medically-trained care home nurses is pushing the independent sector towards crisis point.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft spoke out after it was revealed two homes in the Bridgend area were closing. He has called for fundamental changes to tackle a dire shortage of nurses in Wales which is leading to nursing home closures which will, in turn, push the NHS beyond breaking point, according to Mr Kreft.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-28822454" target="_blank">BBC News: Care homes face nurse recruitment 'crisis'</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<p>HC-One, which owns Abergarw Manor in Brynmenyn and Southmead Grange in South Cornelly, blamed “a national shortage of nursing staff” for the “very difficult decision”.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft said: "We know there are major issues affecting the care sector in Wales, particularly in care homes registered for nursing.</p>
<p>"The owners of the two homes in Bridgend have been quite clear that for them the overriding issue was the lack of nurses, the inability to recruit enough nurses of the right calibre.</p>
<p>"That is something that is reflected across Wales, but it is also partly due to the fact that the commissioning arrangements make it very difficult to attract people to do that particular type of work." </p>
<p>Mr Kreft continued: "In Wales we don't, in all truth, commission for quality it's more about price and we work backwards from the fee that we’re given.</p>
<p>"The problems are compounded because we don’t regulate against the service that we’re actually commissioning so we regulate for a service that in many ways would be an ideal service with unlimited resources."</p>
<h2>Independent sector beds 'underpin' NHS</h2>
<p>Mario Kreft said the issue of nursing recruitment in the independent sector will have a knock-on effect on the NHS in Wales because the sector's 11,500 beds 'underpin' the NHS.</p>
<p>He said: "We have a sector of 11,500 beds and this is just the nursing homes, not the residential care homes, and those beds are underpinning the NHS.</p>
<p>"If we don’t sort this relatively quickly the closures are going to accelerate much more quickly than new investment is coming in - all at a time of soaring demand when the NHS is also bursting at the seams.</p>
<p>"If we don’t bring more nurses into the independent sector then we’re going to find that the closures which will inevitably come about will mean that more people will have to reside or find their services in a hospital bed.</p>
<p>"If you’re assessed as needing nursing care in a care home registered for nursing, the only feasible alternative if that home is to close is that either that you go to a similar establishment or a hospital bed.</p>
<p>"That means we are sleepwalking into a perfect storm unless urgent action is taken.</p>
<p>"Care Forum Wales has been very clear that three aspects are working against the independent sector, and therefore undermining the NHS.</p>
<p>"One is the huge, massively significant growth of the need. At the same time we have this very real reduction in resources and we have a workforce [recruitment] problem.</p>
<p>"In this case we are talking about a shortage of qualified nurses but they are supported [sic] by social care workers."</p>
<h2> </h2>
<p> </p>Social Services Minister: New Act 'will strengthen Welsh language provision in social care'<p>The Welsh Government's Social Services Minister, Gwenda Thomas, has said that the new Social Services (Wales) Act which comes into force in 2016 will greatly strengthen Welsh language provision within social services and social care in Wales.</p>
<p>Speaking on the Maes at the National Eisteddfod in Llanelli, Ms Thomas, said: "I fully support the promotion of Welsh language service provision in social care.</p>
<p>"This new law puts people at the very heart of social services. It ensures they have a say in the services they need to live their lives in the way they want to."</p>
<p>She added: "I am firmly committed to promoting the Welsh language and to securing its proper place in our public services. So I’m very pleased we have been able to legislate to ensure that the NHS and local government work together to support those who want to live their lives through the medium of Welsh, and to provide the services to allow them to do so."</p>
<h2>How the Welsh language is making its voice heard in social care</h2>
<p>Welsh Government: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2014/140806welsh-language-social-services/?lang=en" target="_blank">New law strengthens Welsh language provision in social services</a></p>
<p>Welsh Government's More Than Words campaign: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/publications/health/guidance/words/?lang=en" target="_blank">strategic framework for Welsh language in health and social care</a></p>More over-50s fear dementia than cancer, study finds<p>More of the over-50s are afraid of suffering from dementia as they get older than are afraid of cancer, a new study has found.</p>
<p>In a survey of 500 adults aged over 50 from across the UK two thirds said they feared developing the condition while only one in 10 feared developing cancer. Four per cent of those questioned said they feared developing a heart condition and less than one per cent were worried about getting diabetes.</p>
<p>Currently there are an estimated 800,000 people in the UK who suffer from dementia but the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/11000270/Soaring-numbers-diagnosed-with-dementia.html" target="_blank">number diagnosed is already soaring</a> thanks to an ageing population.</p>
<p>''As an increasing number of people are diagnosed with dementia more people are seeing the profound impact that it can have on both the individual as well as the wider family,'' said Paul Green, director of communications at over-50s company Saga, which conducted the survey. ''However whilst these fears are completely understandable, it's important that education around the condition is enhanced to give a greater understanding of the benefits of early diagnosis - and how this can help those living with the condition continue to lead fulfilling lives.'' </p>
<p>Alison Cook, director of external affairs at the Alzheimer's Society, said: '''The possibility of losing the very essence of what makes you the individual that you are is a frightening prospect.</p>
<p>''But fear can mean people don't get a diagnosis and can often miss the opportunity to access treatments (which are only effective for people in the earlier stages of the condition) and the time to make important decisions about their future. We urge anyone concerned about dementia to speak to their GP and get in touch with Alzheimer's Society as there are lots of ways we can help.''</p>
<p><strong>Read more on this story:</strong></p>
<p>Daily Telegraph: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/11008905/Older-people-are-more-scared-of-dementia-than-cancer-poll-finds.html" target="_blank">Older people are more scared of dementia than cancer, poll finds</a></p>New streamlined social services complaints system comes into force in Wales<p>A new system that streamlines the way people can make complaints about social services in Wales comes into force today (August 1). The system replaces the current one which has been in place since 2005.</p>
<p>According to Gwenda Thomas, social services minister, it will offer, "a more straightforward and citizen-centred approach that is consistent with other public services".</p>
<p>The new two-stage process includes an informal stage during which all those who raise a complaint are offered a discussion to resolve the matter, while still offering people recourse to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.</p>
<p>The new system brings the social services complaints and representations process in line with the Model Concerns and Complaints Policy and Guidance which has been adopted across public services in Wales and make the social services complaints process consistent with the NHS complaints process. </p>
<p>Local authorities will be required to ensure that the new two stage process is accessible and flexible and operates in a timely manner in line with the Regulations and Guidance brought into force today.</p>
<p>Service users have the right to choose to use the Welsh language to proceed through the complaints process. </p>
<p>The Welsh Government has produced guidance for local authorities and provided practitioner workshops in north and south Wales to support implementation.</p>
<h2>Read more on this story:</h2>
<h2><a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2014/140801social-services-complaints/?lang=en" target="_blank">Modernised and streamlined system for Social Services complaints introduced in Wales</a></h2>
<p> </p>AMs pass declaration of rights for older people<p>Wales has set out its stall as a leading supporter of the rights of older people with the official adoption of a Declaration of Rights of Older People.</p>
<p>The Declaration received cross-party support in the Senedd and was formally adopted on July 16. The Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, called the Declaration "another world-leading step for Wales in the drive for equality and human rights".</p>
<p>Sarah Rochira, the Older People's Commissioner for Wales, said: "The Declaration will remind our public services about the rights that older people have, illustrating in a practical way what this means on a day-to-day basis for older people and their duties around supporting and engaging effectively with older people across Wales. It also provides a clear framework and standard that can be used by older people themselves to ensure that they receive the support and services they need to live fulfilled independent lives."</p>
<h2>Declaration aims to make sure older people fully understand their rights</h2>
<p>The aim of the Declaration is to make sure that older people are more aware of their rights, helping them understand their rights more effectively and how they relate to current equality and human rights laws in Wales.</p>
<p>It will also help those responsible for the development and delivery of public services, by making clear how they can support and engage effectively with older people across Wales.</p>
<p>The Declaration is based on the UN Principles for Older Persons and sets out what older people have said they value and what rights they feel would support and protect them as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I have the right to be who I am</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I have the right to be valued</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I have free will and the right to make decisions about my life</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I have the right to decide where I live, how I live and with whom I live</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I have the right to work, develop, participate and contribute</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I have a right to safety, security and justice</span></li>
</ul>
<h2><span style="font-size: 10pt;">More on this story</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://wales.gov.uk/docs/dhss/publications/140716olderen.pdf" target="_blank"><strong>Read the full Declaration</strong></a> (link to PDF document)</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2014/140516declaration-of-rights-for-older-people/?lang=en" target="_blank">Welsh Government announces a 'world first for Wales'</a></span></strong></p>Row over 'under-publicised' deadline for continuing healthcare claims<p>The charity Age Cymru has criticised the Welsh Government saying it has not adequately publicised the deadline for backdated claims over wrongly paid care home fees.</p>
<p>The claims are over nursing home fees paid by families which should have been covered by the NHS on 'continuing healthcare' grounds. The charity fears many families are likely to miss out as the deadline for claims approaches on July 31.</p>
<p>However the Welsh Government says it has "proactively published" the deadline as well as <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/nhswales/healthservice/chc-framework/?lang=en" target="_blank">new guidance issued on July 1</a>.</p>
<p>People who paid for nursing care between 1 April 2003 and 31 July 2013 - in some instances families were forced to sell an elderly relative's home to pay for care which should have been funded under CHC rules - have until the end of this month register their intent to appeal and then until 31 December complete and submit their documentation.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/home-and-care/nhs-continuing-healthcare/" target="_blank">Read the Age Cymru guide to NHS Continuing Healthcare in Wales</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Age Cymru's head of policy and public affairs, Graeme Francis, said</strong>: "I don't think there's been a huge amount of pro-active publicity given about this deadline. I think that's wrong because people need to have the right information and need to know whether they can apply or they might miss the opportunity."</p>
<p><strong>The Welsh government denied failing to alert people to the limited time left to claim refunds.</strong></p>
<p>"We wrote to a range of bodies throughout the health, local government, user groups and the independent sector - including Age Cymru - announcing to them the new arrangements." a spokesperson said.</p>
<p>"Local health boards worked with their own communications teams to distribute these materials. Welsh government has placed adverts in 12 newspapers across Wales."</p>
<p>The CHC claims process will affect many care providers who will can be asked to provide evidence about residents or former residents going back to 2003 in support of claims by family members or relatives.</p>
<p><strong>Care Forum Wales chair Mario Kreft said:</strong> "We'd like to remind care home owners of their obligations to provide information when contacted about CHC claims. However if you need to do this you may make reasonable charges for copying."</p>
<h2>Who is eligible for NHS help with care costs?</h2>
<p>The NHS is responsible for paying the fees for people who receive care primarily for health reasons, regardless of the person's financial circumstances or whether the care was in a nursing home or in their own home.</p>
<ul>
<li>Continuing healthcare guidance for adults - find out if you or your relative is eligible: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/publications/health/guidance/healthcare/?lang=en" target="_blank">Read the Welsh Government CHC guidelines</a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>UK scientists' Alzheimer's test hailed a breakthrough in predicting disease<p>A blood test to detect which people with failing memories will go on to develop <a title="More from the Guardian on Alzheimer's" href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/alzheimers">Alzheimer's</a> disease has been developed by British scientists, who hope it may prove a breakthrough in the hunt for a cure.</p>
<p>The King's College London scientists, working with UK pharmaceutical firm Proteome Sciences, have published a study identifying a set of 10 proteins in the blood which can predict the onset of Alzheimer's in the next 12 months in people with memory problems with an accuracy of 87%. It could cost £100-£300 and be available within two years.</p>
<p>The new test is aimed at people with the kind of memory loss called mild cognitive impairment, 60% of whom will go on to develop dementia. Those are the people scientists now want to recruit into trials to prevent, or at least delay, the onset of Alzheimer's.</p>
<p>"Alzheimer's begins to affect the brain many years before patients are diagnosed with the disease," said Professor Simon Lovestone from King's College. "Many of our drug trials fail because by the time patients are given the drugs, the brain has already been too severely affected.</p>
<p>"A simple blood test could help us identify patients at a much earlier stage to take part in new trials and hopefully develop treatments which could prevent the progression of the disease."</p>
<h2>Read more on this story:</h2>
<p><em>The Guardian</em>: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jul/08/blood-test-predicts-onset-alzheimers-disease?CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2" target="_blank">Blood test breakthrough in search for Alzheimer's cure</a></p>
<p> </p>Minister appoints new Care Council for Wales member <p> </p>
<p>The Welsh Government's deputy minister for social services, Gwenda Thomas, has appointed Pembrokeshire Councillor Simon Hancock as a new member to the Care Council for Wales (on July 1).</p>
<p> </p>
<div>Mr Hancock has been a member of Pembrokeshire County Council since 1995 and served on his local town council for more than 27 years. He is currently the cabinet spokesperson for Adult Services, Health & Well-being and Equalities. He has very wide experience across local government and his previous roles include three years as chair of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (2006-9).</div>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<div>The Care Council for Wales regulated social workers and social care workers in Wales. It has the responsibility to set and promote high standards of conduct and practice among social workers and social care workers and high standards in their training.</div>
<p> </p>
<div>Gwenda Thomas said<font size="3"><font face="Arial">:</font></font> “I’m pleased to announce the appointment of Councillor Simon Hancock to the Care Council for Wales. I’m confident his considerable local government experience will be of great benefit to the Council.”</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Mr Hancock will serve a three-year term until June 30, 2017.</div>
<p> </p>
<div><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></font></div>
<p> </p>Care Forum Wales Council - new elected representatives <p>Following elections in June, CFW's Council has a new set of elected representatives from across Wales' 22 local authorities.</p>
<h2>CFW Council officers 2014</h2>
<p>Mario Kreft (Chair)</p>
<p>Malcolm Perrett (Vice Chair)</p>
<p>Steve Bradshaw will be handing over as Treasurer and Secretary to Sanjiv Joshi in the next 3 months.</p>
<h2>North Wales CFW Council members 2014</h2>
<p>Kim Ombler (Chair regional council)</p>
<p>Ceri Roberts</p>
<p>Clive Nadin</p>
<p>Glyn Williams</p>
<p>Hazel Jones-Beach</p>
<p>Jacqui Jones</p>
<p>Jennifer Roberts</p>
<p>Kevin Hughes</p>
<p>Mario Kreft</p>
<p>Paul Thompson</p>
<p>Peter Regan</p>
<p>Steve Ford</p>
<p>Steve Elliott (co-opted by Council as lead on Looked After Children). </p>
<h2>South East Wales CFW Council members 2014</h2>
<p>Brian West (Chair regional council)</p>
<p>Alex Kelleher</p>
<p>Anne Thomas</p>
<p>Brian Hadley</p>
<p>Grant Santos</p>
<p>Keri Llewellyn</p>
<p>Malcom Perrett</p>
<p>Mike John</p>
<p>Mike Kemp</p>
<p>Philip Batchelor</p>
<p>Priscilla Llewelyn </p>
<p>Rachel Kemp</p>
<p>Ramesh Patel</p>
<p>Sanjiv Joshi</p>
<h2>South West and Mid Wales Council members 2014</h2>
<p>Tom Watson (Chair regional council)</p>
<p>Adele Williams</p>
<p>Anthony Lovell</p>
<p>Anthony Ramsey Williams</p>
<p>Eileen Coyle-Jones</p>
<p>Helen Maiello</p>
<p>Margaret Jenkins</p>
<p>Mark Lewis</p>
<p>Michelle Martin (co-opted by Council as lead on Younger Adult residential care)</p>
<p>Mike Davies</p>
<p>Nick Oulton</p>
<p>Robert Davis</p>
<p>Sharon Williams</p>
<p>Thasan Yoganathan</p>
<p>Tudur Williams</p>Health and safety in care homes guidance 'extensively' re-written<p>The guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive and aimed at care home providers and managers has been extensively rewritten. A new version of the guidance was published at the end of June 2014 and contains a number of new topics. It brings together a list of key risks to both workers and residents and should be essential reading for anyone working in social care.</p>
<p>The guidance comes at a time when two firms - one a construction firm, the other a healthcare provider - have been sentenced following a court case after the death of an elderly resident at a care home in Manchester.</p>
<p>Irene Sharples, 92, was living at Alexian Brothers Care Centre on St Mary’s Road in Moston when a heavy fire door fell on her during renovation work. She died just under four weeks later as a result of her injuries. Ms Sharples had dementia and had wandered into a building site at the home.</p>
<ul>
<li>Read HSE news: <a href="http://press.hse.gov.uk/2014/firms-in-court-over-manchester-care-home-death/?eban=govdel-health-services&cr=18-Jun-2014" target="_blank">Firms in court over Manchester care home death</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg220.htm?eban=govdel-health-services&cr=24-Jun-2014" target="_blank">Buy a copy of the new edition of the HSE in care homes guidance</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Download the new HSE guidance for care homes</h2>
<p>Click through to our <a href="/resources">public resources section</a> of the website to download a FREE COPY OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CARE HOMES GUIDANCE</p>CFW members from Swansea and Wrexham win plaudits<p>Two Care Forum Wales member organisations won plaudits for their commitment to workforce development, training and motivation in June.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://hengoedcourt.co.uk/" target="_blank">Hengoed Court Care Home</a></strong> in Swansea was the employer of the year, Wales, winner in the VQ awards which celebrate vocational achievement. And <strong><a href="/dev/searchresults?county=&region=&care_category=&keyword=Life+Long+Learning+4+Living" target="_blank">Lifelong Learning 4 Living</a></strong>, which offers adult social care from its base near Wrexham, has been awarded gold under the Investors in People scheme.</p>
<p>Nichola Williams, who manages Hengoed Court, which opened in 1987, said Mr Davies of Hengoed Court has been named employer of the year. The VQ Day Awards organisers said: "Hengoed Court has very loyal staff thanks to the support and opportunities they are provided with. The home has worked with Gower College Swansea for the past seven years to provide and deliver a range of qualifications for staff - a real commitment to promoting and identifying development opportunities to upskill, motivate, empower and stimulate staff."</p>
<p>The home's approach to care and training has been recognised by other care providers and the local authority in Swansea, who have been to visit Hengoed Court to learn from its good practice. All catering staff, care staff and senior staff are well on their way to becoming 100 per cent QCF qualified.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.vqday.org.uk/vq-awards" target="_blank">Find out more about the VQ Awards</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><img src="/uploads/Life Long Learning 4 Living image.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Lifelong Learning 4 Living</strong>, at Llanerchrugog Hall at Rhosllanerchrugog near Wrexham, which won two <a href="http://walescareawards.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wales Care Awards</a> in 2013, has now achieved gold status under the Investors In People scheme. </p>
<p>Manager Peter Greenwood said: "We became involved with Investors In People three years ago [seeing it] as an opportunity to benchmark where our small family-run residential home for adults with learning disabilities stood within this nationally-accredited scheme. We achieved a bronze award in 2011."</p>
<p>Former teacher Mr Greenwood who runs the home with the help of son George (both pictured above), continued: "The outcome of our re-accreditation in April this year showed we have continued to improve and we were awarded the gold standard, one of only a very small number of organisations in Wales to achieve this in the adult care sector. The team who gave us the award highlighted our commitment to training and workforce development and particlarly noted the Wales Care Awards we received in 2013.</p>
<p>"We are a small organisation and we are really pleased to share the news of this positive achievement."</p>
<p>Read more: <a href="http://northwalesextra.com/triple-awards-celebration-father-son-team-wrexham-care-home/" target="_blank">Triple awards for father and son team at Wrexham care home</a></p>
<p> </p>'Seismic shift' towards regional partnership groups and leadership forums welcomed by CFW's chair<p>Care Forum Wales' chair Mario Kreft has welcomed the announcement by the deputy minister for social services of a new structure for social services with regional partnership groups and leadership forums taking centre stage.<br /> <br /> The new structure will mean bringing local government, health, third and private sectors together which Mr Kreft called a "seismic shift".<br /> <br /> <img style="width: 80px; height: 90px; margin: 10px; border: 0; line-height: 100%; outline: none; text-decoration: none; display: inline;" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/files/gwenda_thomas.jpg" alt="" width="80" height="90" align="right" />Announcing the changes at the ADSS Cymru conference in Llandudno on June 26, Ms Thomas (pictured) said: "Our ability to deliver transformation for people is dependent on our national and regional leadership, with a commitment to working together as full partners across local government, health, the third and private sectors. Bringing people around that table too as full partners must be a priority for us.<br /> <br /> “We have already demonstrated how we can break down barriers, innovate and drive change through our national leadership arrangements. I now want to see those successful arrangements replicated at regional level. Specifically, I want to see each region operating a Partnership Forum and Leadership Group model from this year, and a Citizen’s Panel from 2015-16."<br /> <br /> Mario Kreft said: "The new regional structure is an important step in the right direction. As somebody who sits and works at that national level, I know for a fact that bringing the statutory bodies, the third voluntary sector and the private sector together is making a difference. This is already happening at national level and to have a Minister saying that this must [happen] by the end of the year be replicated on a regional basis is a seismic shift."</p>Minister announces national leadership arrangements to be replicated at regional level to 'transform' social care<p>National leadership arrangements for social services in Wales are to be replicated at a regional level to help deliver a "transformational change" in social care and ensure people who use services and their carers are at the centre of changes, the Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, has announced (on June 26, 2014).</p>
<p>The new regional leadership model will be based on the existing Local Health Board footprint.</p>
<p>The Welsh Government is making £1.5m available in this financial year, via the Sustainable Social Services – Delivering Transformation grant, to local government to support implementation of the Sustainable Social Services agenda.</p>
<p>The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 will introduce the biggest change in the way social care services are delivered in Wales for more than 60 years. The Welsh Government intends for the Act to be implemented and the new system of social care to be operational from April 2016.</p>
<h2>Strengthening regional leadership to deliver a 'transformational change in social care'</h2>
<p>Gwenda Thomas said: “Our ability to deliver transformation for people is dependent on our national and regional leadership, with a commitment to working together as full partners across local government, health, the third and private sectors. Bringing people around that table too as full partners must be a priority for us.</p>
<p>“We have already demonstrated how we can break down barriers, innovate and drive change through our national leadership arrangements. Together we are able to focus on our key priorities and ensure that we drive forward integration across health and social services.</p>
<p>“I now want to see those successful arrangements replicated at regional level. Specifically, I want to see each region operating a Partnership Forum and Leadership Group model from this year, and a Citizen’s Panel from 2015-16.</p>
<p>“This will mean bringing local government, health, third and private sectors together. It signals the change we must make, and demonstrates our determination to pick up the pace and scale and drive the transformation that is needed. I am grateful to local government that they will lead this approach recognising that local government is the home of social services.</p>
<p>“The Delivering Transformation grant will help support this in the first instance but this must be a key and ongoing local government priority.”</p>CFW members celebrate National Care Home Open Day on June 20<p>More than 3,000 care homes across the UK, including many CFW members, opened their doors on June 20 as part of National Care Home Open Day. Some held World Cup-themed parties and others participated in a virtual ‘mexican wave’ with photos and videos posted to Twitter showing the progress of the ‘wave’.</p>
<p>Among the CFW members taking part was Cartref Ael-y-Bryn in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire. Managing director, Thasan Yoganatha, said: “We opened up our care home and served tea and cakes to residents and their families. We were also visited by a group of physiotherapy students who hadn’t visited a care home before, so it was great to be able to show them around and talk to them about the type of work we do.”</p>
<p>Alex Kelleher, director of nursing for the Summerhill group, which had eight care homes participating across Newport, Torfaen and Cardiff, said: “All our homes chose different themes. Some chose a country like France or Spain for their theme and dressed up and organised entertainment to fit with that. One did a pantomime and a picnic and another had a ‘Ladies’ Day’ at Ascot them which was great fun. We always have a good turn-out from families and it’s great for the staff who work so hard to be able to enjoy the day too.”</p>
<p><strong>Images below © Care Forum Wales members: please credit us if you wish to share them</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/NCHOD-montage.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1000" /></p>
<p>The aim of the day was to help reach out to the public with positive messages about care homes – research commissioned by the National Care Home Open Day committee found that those with first-hand experiences of residential care homes have a more positive view of the sector and are more likely to show an interest in volunteering to help out with activities for those in residential care (41%) compared with the general public (28%).</p>
<p>Gloria Hunniford, National Care Home Open Day Ambassador, said: “With only a quarter of people visiting a care home in the last year, the perceptions that most people have of care homes are not based on personal experiences, but instead on old stereotypes and on media coverage when things go wrong.</p>
<p>“Such misperceptions are damaging to the care sector and do a disservice to the large number of devoted carers working in the residential care sector.”</p>
<p>She added: “Last year's National Care Home Open Day was a great success, and this year we are taking it to a whole new level with older people and care homes from across the world getting involved and showing their support for the care sector." </p>
<p> </p>Health and social care workers recognised for Welsh language initiatives<p>An awards ceremony celebrating successful initiatives which strengthen Welsh-language services in health and social care took place on June 19 at the Wales Millennium Centre, in Cardiff Bay.</p>
<p>This year saw the introduction of categories for workers in social care.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales' senior policy officer, Mary Wimbury, said: "We'd like to congratulate the winners and to encourage all our members to enter the awards next year to showcase this important aspect of social care work. We'd encourage all members to make the most of the Welsh skills of their staff in providing care for Welsh speakers."</p>
<h2>The Welsh Language in Health, Social Services and Social Care Awards winners</h2>
<p><strong>Welsh Language in Healthcare Awards 2014 - Winners</strong></p>
<p><strong>Work done with priority groups - families, children and young people</strong><br />WINNER</p>
<p>Alison Parry, Health Care Support Assistant and Baby Massage Sessions in<br />Rhosllannerchrugog wrecsam@twfcymru.org alison.parry2@wales.nhs.uk</p>
<p>TWF - Wrexham and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board<br />Bethan Williams, Twf Outreach Officer was looking for a new location to run Twf sessions, therefore she suggested to Alison Parry- Health Care Support Assistant that they could run the course together. After working in the post for nearly 30 years, Alison Parry has regained confidence in her Welsh and is able to hold simple conversations through the medium of Welsh. During the 6 week course everyone learnt Baby Massage techniques and sang accompanying Welsh songs - this meant that there was plenty of repetition and therefore everyone's confidence in using Welsh had increased by the end of the course.<br />Over the past few years Alison has realised how important it is that families receive services through the medium of Welsh. She is keen for parents to make informed decisions themselves about the benefits of bilingualism. This is why she ensures that information is available visually on the clinic walls in the form of Twf posters, and she also distributes the Twf CD to parents after talking to them.</p>
<p><strong>Work done with priority groups - older people</strong></p>
<p>WINNER</p>
<p>Brockerage Team, Contracting Unit, Business Services, Adults Health and Well-being<br />Department, Gwynedd Council MeilysHeulfrynSmith@gwynedd.gov.uk</p>
<p>The Brokerage Team acts as a contact point between social workers, older people receiving home care and home care providers. In 2013/14, in response to More than just words work has been undertaken to ensure that all care plans outline clearly the language need of the service user.<br />Previously, although contracts had noted the expectation to provide services according to language need the service was only offered in English.<br />As far as is known, this is the only Brokerage Team in the home care sector which provides a fully bilingual service and which is taking very practical steps to ensure that Welsh language provision is directed towards need. Providers are therefore increasingly aware of the fact that the council will not accept deviations from its contractual obligations, namely that providers are required to meet the requirements of More than just words.</p>
<p>SPECIAL RECOGNITION</p>
<p>Llys Jasmine Extra Care Scheme (Adult Social Services for Older People)<br />Flintshire County Council, Community Services Directorate Christy.j.jones@flintshire.gov.uk</p>
<p>Llys Jasmine Extra Care Housing Scheme is a cutting edge alternative housing project for older people and older people with dementia, offering state of the art supported accommodation to help people live independently for as long as possible. It has plans to develop new Welsh language conversation groups for tenants and members of the community as well as a bilingual dementia café.</p>
<p><strong>Work done with priority groups - mental health service users</strong></p>
<p>WINNER</p>
<p>'Mental Health Matters' project<br />Communication Department, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board helen.granton@wales.nhs.uk</p>
<p>The 'Mental Health Matters' project has been developed to extend the early intervention and prevention work carried out by the North Wales Children and Young People Mental Health Service. Over the last year, the Children and Young People Mental Health Service, in partnership with the Health Board Communication Unit, young people and schools have developed resources to deliver a programme which includes a website, a mental health wall, posters, leaflets<br />and business cards.<br />Mental health is an intense and complex area and children will feel much more comfortable talking about problems and feelings in their first language. Through the Mental Health Matters project, children are told that this service is available bilingually and therefore they are more prepared to approach the service. This service is a valuable one which can improve and even save lives.</p>
<p><br /><strong>Innovative Practice in Primary Care Responding to Patients' Need for a Bilingual Service</strong></p>
<p>WINNER</p>
<p>Makaton Advisors on the innovative children's programme 'Dwylo'r Enfys'; input for the monitoring group to develop the Welsh language Makaton workshop; work on producing a training DVD on Makaton core vocabulary.<br />Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board non.thwaite@wales.nhs.uk lowri.roberts3@wales.nhs.uk</p>
<p>Dwylo'r Enfys is an innovative television programme and a public platform for children with communication needs in Wales. The programme uses Welsh Makaton language to help Welsh speaking children with special learning needs. Following the success of the programme a workshop and resources were developed to accompany the programme as there was nothing available in Welsh. The workshops will be delivered across Wales by Makaton tutors from September 2014 onwards.</p>
<p><strong>Education and Training which increase the Capability / confidence of the workforce to provide</strong><br /><strong>Welsh Language Services</strong></p>
<p>WINNER</p>
<p>A Welsh course that would enhance the relationship between social care staff and the older service user<br />Learning and Development Department, Carmarthenshire County Council Tlarkin@carmarthenshire.gov.uk</p>
<p>A 'Welsh Course for Carers Working with the elderly' which aims to help care staff to use the<br />Welsh language when caring for elderly Welsh speaking residents. The 5 week course focussing on Welsh for greetings and weather, care tasks, food choices, clothing and areas of the home has been tailored to the setting and client group and aims to enhance the relationship between social care staff and the older service user.</p>
<p>SPECIAL RECOGNITION</p>
<p>Welsh Language Team - Building Confidence course<br />Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Alaw.Griffith@wales.nhs.uk</p>
<p>The Welsh Language Team works diligently to improve the provision of bilingual services for patients. Historically courses for learners have been provided but a building confidence course was also considered for front-line staff with some Welsh language skills to provide services through the medium of Welsh. Following the success of the course, 'Cwmni Iaith' was asked to prepare a unique pack for a second similar course. The course not only built confidence in using the language but also discussed the value of using Welsh when working with clients.</p>
<p><strong>Working in partnership</strong></p>
<p>WINNER</p>
<p>Derwen (Disabled Children Integrated Team)<br />Gwynedd Council and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Eleri.Hughes-Jones@wales.nhs.uk</p>
<p>Derwen is a key service for disabled children and their families as it provides intervention and support by responding to referrals for assessments / provision for them bilingually. Historically the majority of Health Board staff who joined the team were not bilingual and as a result a service was not always provided in the family's preferred language. When establishing Derwen, there was an opportunity to address the gap in the service. Guidelines were drawn up to deal with specific elements of the service, such as offering a bilingual service from the start, recording language choice, carrying out assessments and intervention in the individual's language of choice. This new system means that parents are able to communicate through the medium of Welsh and they therefore receive an improved service as they feel happier to contribute to discussions.</p>
<p><strong>Care based on the Active Offer</strong></p>
<p>2 WINNERS</p>
<p>'Your next patient is a Welsh speaker - make an active offer'<br />Welsh Language Officer, Education and Development and Corporate Nursing,<br />Aneurin Bevan University Health Board rhiannon.davies4@wales.nhs.uk</p>
<p>This project ensures that all members of staff make an 'active offer'. The Health Board developed<br />a poster and information sheet for staff on the active offer supported by the 'patient's story', highlighting the positive difference which the 'active offer' can make. The patient described how receiving an active offer had made a world of difference to her stay in hospital. Staff ownership<br />was recognised as being essential and evidence of the negative effect of failing to make an active offer was seen as being crucial to success, and this is why using the patient's story was so important.<br />The resources can be shared and developed with others, perhaps with the individual health boards developing a local patient's story to ensure local ownership.</p>
<p>Pharmacy Department, Ysbyty Gwynedd Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board berwyn.owen@Wales.nhs.uk <br />An attempt was made to raise awareness of the concept of the 'Active Offer', and materials and<br />protocols developed to help staff give patents and customers a language choice. As a starting point a survey was carried out of the service by distributing questionnaires. Following the results of the survey, steps were taken to raise staff 's awareness of the importance of offering out-patients and customers a language choice. The following has been developed:<br />. A protocol for teaching patients in accordance with the British Pharmaceutical Society<br />standards but including an addition on language choice<br />. A series of Welsh instructions for patients explaining the purpose of their medication<br />. Greetings for the dispensing reception<br />. Welsh language notice-board for staff<br />The concept of offering a language choice is now part of the patient's safety agenda and ensures<br />that the patient is central to the service and not staff.</p>
<p><strong>IT and the Welsh Language</strong></p>
<p>WINNER</p>
<p>Caring Through Welsh App produced by the College of Human and Health Sciences and Academi Hywel Teifi from Swansea University, Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and Galactig. G.ffrancon@abertawe.ac.uk</p>
<p>This interactive App devised for mobile phones is based on an adaption of the book 'Caring through Welsh' by Dr Angharad Jones, Swansea University, and based on the booklet 'Wneith Hyn Ddim Drwg.' by Carwen Earles, Swansea University. The App can be used by students, academics and health care practitioners and can be downloaded free from iTunes and the App Store. Being available on easy-to-use and popular devices means that there is a potential to further increase its use.</p>
<p><strong>Welsh Learner of the Year -more than two years</strong></p>
<p>Winner - David Hill, Ysbyty Gwynedd, BIP Betsi Cadwaladr David.Hill2@wales.nhs.uk<br />Special recognition - Gareth Morgan, Llanelli, BIP Hywel Dda Gareth.Morgan5@wales.nhs.uk<br />Special recognition - Louise Gillam, Merthyr Tydfil, BIP Cwm Taf louise.gillam@wales.nhs.uk</p>
<p><strong>Learning Welsh - Supporting Learners</strong></p>
<p>WINNER</p>
<p>Rhian Baker, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board<br />Rhian Baker is a personal assistant within the pharmacy department at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. (E-mail address to follow)</p>
<p>She is also the department's Welsh Champion and promotes the Welsh language at every opportunity, by looking at ways the language can integrate the language into everyday life. She is recognised by her colleagues as being a great ambassador for the Welsh language and has been instrumental in encouraging others to start speaking Welsh again. She informs colleagues of courses available to learn Welsh and helps them to practise and realise that normal everyday Welsh is acceptable and that it doesn't have to be perfect in order to converse with patients and colleagues. She is very supportive of anyone who is learning Welsh and inspires others to go further with their own learning.</p>
<p><br /><strong>The Minister's Special Award for the best initiative</strong></p>
<p>WINNER</p>
<p>Makaton Advisors on the innovative children's programme 'Dwylo'r Enfys'; input for the monitoring group to develop Welsh language Makaton workshops; work producing a training DVD on Makaton core vocabulary, Betsi Cadwaladr university Health Board.</p>
<p>'Dwylo'r Enfys' is an innovative television programme which is a public platform for children with communication needs in Wales. The programme uses Welsh Makaton language to help Welsh speaking children with special learning needs. Following the success of the programme a workshop and resources were developed to accompany the programme as previously there was nothing available in Welsh. The workshops will be delivered across Wales by Makaton tutors from September 2014 onwards.</p>
<p>OTHERS SHORTLISTED</p>
<p>Mental Health Matters', Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board</p>
<p>The 'Mental Health Matters' project has been developed to extend the early year intervention and prevention work carried out by the North Wales Children and Young People Mental Health Services. Over the last year, the Children and Young People Mental Health Service, in partnership with the Health Board Communications Unit, young people and schools have developed resources to deliver a programme which includes a website, a mental health wall, posters, leaflets and business cards.</p>
<p>The service and all the resources are available bilingually. Mental health is an intense and complex area and children feel much more comfortable talking about problems in their first language. As the service is bilingual children are more prepared to approach the service.</p>
<p><br /><strong>Llys Jasmine Extra Care Scheme (Adult Social Services for Older People)</strong><br />Flintshire County Council, Community Services Directorate</p>
<p>Llys Jasmine Extra Care Housing Scheme is a cutting edge alternative housing project for older people and older people with dementia, offering state of the art supported accommodation to help people live independently for as long as possible.</p>
<p>An initial Welsh language pilot conversation group was established which took place on St David's Day. Flintshire recognises that this initiative is only the beginning, and that it has allowed Flintshire to make some big improvement in improving its Welsh language provision for older people. Staff who attended the groups reported that the experience has inspired them to work more creatively in relation to the Welsh language provision they provide.</p>
<p>Your next patient is a Welsh speaker - make an 'active offer' Welsh Language Officer, Education and Development and Corporate Nursing, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board</p>
<p>This project ensures that all members of staff make an 'active offer'. The active offer is a key principle in More than just words which involves placing the onus on the service provider to provide a service in Welsh without the service user having to ask for it.<br />The Health Board developed a poster and information sheet for staff on the active offer supported by the 'patient story', highlighting the positive difference which the 'active offer' can make. The patient described how receiving an active offer had made a world of difference to her stay in hospital. Staff ownership was recognised as being essential and evidence of the negative effect of failing to make an active offer was seen as being crucial to success, and this is why using the patient's story was so important.</p>
<p> </p>Landmark 'do not rescuscitate' ruling has implications for care providers<p>A court ruling over 'do not rescuscitate' orders has made it a legal requirement for doctors to include patients and families in decisions. Guidelines for doctors already recommend that patients and families are involved in such decisions, but the court ruling now makes it a legal requirement.</p>
<p>The issue was raised in a landmark judgement by the Court of Appeal that found doctors at Addenbrooke's Hospital, in Cambridge, had acted unlawfully in the case of Janet Tracey, who had terminal lung cancer and died there three years ago.</p>
<p>Her family say she and they were not consulted when a DNR notice was placed.</p>
<p>The issue has implications for care providers as well as hospitals and CFW will be issuing guidance on this issue shortly.</p>
<p>In the meantime, you can read the full story about the ruling on the<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-27886265" target="_blank"> BBC News website</a>.</p>Southern Cross care home deaths: case review finds 'inadequate focus on care'<h1>Case Review finds older people were put at risk by troubled care home operator's inadequate focus on care</h1>
<p>A Serious Case Review into failings at the Orchid View Care Centre, a now closed Southern Cross-owned care home in West Sussex, has found that there was an "inadequate focus on care" by managers which "put vulnerable people at risk".</p>
<p>The Review was commissioned by the West Sussex Adult Safeguarding Board after an inquest in 2013 into the unexplained deaths of 19 older people at the home found evidence of "institutionalised abuse".</p>
<p>The review has made 34 recommendations. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has also admitted a series of failings. <em>BBC News</em> - <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-27761939" target="_blank">Orchid View care home scandal review 'not enough'</a>.</p>
<p>The Review found that the financial problems of care home operator Southern Cross, which once owned 700 homes across the UK, contributed to the poor care residents at the home received. <em>The Guardian</em> - <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jun/09/financial-strategy-southern-cross-care-homes-blamed-deaths-old-people" target="_blank">Financial strategy of Southern Cross homes blamed for old people's deaths</a>.</p>
<p>The report states: "We are concerned with the implications when such [financial] arrangements fail, as in the case of Southern Cross Healthcare in its management of Orchid View. The impact of this was felt directly by vulnerable people who experienced poor-quality care and their relatives who experienced anxiety and distress at the way their loved ones were cared for. There was a significant additional cost to the public purse.</p>
<p>"The end result of what happened with Southern Cross Healthcare was that its financial strategy and inadequate focus on care by its responsible managers put vulnerable people at risk."</p>
<p>Read the Serious Case Review document <strong><a href="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/rbi-communities/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2014/06/Orchid-View-Serious-Case-Review.pdf" target="_blank">here</a></strong></p>
<h2>Read more about the Serious Case Review into Orchid View care home</h2>
<p>Daily Telegraph:<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/10886947/Families-left-in-the-dark-about-care-home-dangers-Orchid-View-deaths-inquiry.html" target="_blank"> Families left in dark about care home dangers - Orchid View deaths inquiry</a></p>
<p>Community Care: <a href="http://www.communitycare.co.uk/2014/06/09/orchid-view-serious-case-review-calls-scrutiny-private-care-homes/#.U5byIXbZdop" target="_blank">Orchid View serious case review calls for more scrutiny of private care homes</a></p>Award for Care Forum Wales' chair Mario Kreft<p>Care Forum Wales' chair and owner of Wrexham-based care organisation Pendine Park, Mario Kreft, has won a prestigious award recognising his leadership qualities.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft, came top in the private sector category of the Leading Wales Awards and received his honour in a ceremony in the Hilton Hotel, Cardiff, this week.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft set up Pendine Park in 1985 and founded Care Forum Wales in 1993, won the award for leadership in the private sector category. The awards are organised in assocation with Cardiff Metropolitan University and aim to recognise the contribution of leaders as a driver of economic growth in Wales.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft was awarded an MBE in 2010 for his contribution to social care in Wales and has also been named as one of the 50 most influential people in social care in the UK by the magazine, Caring Business.</p>
<p>He said: “Social care is one of the most challenging areas of work and winning this sort of accolade gives us the motivation and the confidence to aspire to do even more in the future.</p>
<h2>Find out more about Mario Kreft's award</h2>
<p><a href="http://leadingwalesawards.co.uk/" target="_blank">Leading Wales Awards</a> website</p>
<p>North Wales Extra: <a href="/Leading Wales Award" target="_blank">http://northwalesextra.com/wrexham-social-care-pioneer-mario-kreft-wins-leading-wales-award/</a></p>New chair for West Wales health board announced by health minister<p>THE new chairman of Hywel Dda University Health Board was announced by the Health Minister Mark Drakeford today (June 9).</p>
<p>Bernardine Rees OBE (<em>pictured</em>) will take over from Chris Martin who retired this month. Mrs Rees takes up her role from July 1 and will serve a four-year term until July 31, 2018. Mrs Rees is currently serving as a non-executive director of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust. She will resign this position to assume her new role at Hywel Dda University Health Board. </p>
<p><img src="/uploads/Bernadette-Rees-pembs-health-board-chair.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="250" /></p>
<p>Mrs Rees, who trained as a nurse and lives in Ceredigion, was chief executive of the former Pembrokeshire Local Health Board and Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire local health boards between 2003 and 2009.</p>
<h2>Read about Mrs Rees' background and career history</h2>
<p>Western Telegraph: <a href="http://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/11266085.New_health_board_chairman_announced/?ref=eb" target="_blank">New health board chairman appointed</a></p>
<p> </p>New rights for Wales' carers - announcement by Gwenda Thomas to mark Carers Week<h1>New rights for Wales’ 370,000 carers to come into force from April 2016</h1>
<p>Deputy minister for social services, Gwenda Thomas, has announced that those who care for loved ones or family members in Wales will have rights equal to those they look after - and that their needs and views, including training needs, will need to be taken into account by local authorities from April 2016.</p>
<p>This means that an estimated 90,000 people who freely give more than 50 hours' care a week will be entitled to a carer's assessment - there are an estimated 370,000 carers in total in Wales - and the local authority will have a duty to undertake this where it appears they need support. </p>
<p>The change to carers' rights will come into force in April 2016 thanks to the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.</p>
<p>Announcing equal rights for carers today (June 9), Ms Thomas said: “My commitment to carers and their needs is unwavering. They provide an invaluable service to those that they care for. Without their commitment, our health and social care services would collapse.</p>
<p>“I’m delighted to be able to announce during Carers’ Week that these measures will come into force in 2016. The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act addresses real-life issues which matter to carers. It ensures that carers receive the help they need, in the ways they need it.</p>
<p>“I am committed to ensuring I do everything I can to support carers across Wales and thank them for the invaluable work they do day in, day out,” she added.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Read this story in full on the Welsh Government website</strong>: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2014/140609carers-rights/?lang=en" target="_blank">New rights for Wales’ 370,000 carers in April 2016, Gwenda Thomas announces</a></li>
</ul>Call to check nurses are covered by professional indemnity insurance ahead of legal changes<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; color: #000000;"> From July 17 a change in the law is expected to make it a legal requirement for nurses to have professional indemnity insurance before they can be registered with the <a href="http://www.nmc-uk.org/Registration/Professional-indemnity-insurance/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Nursing+and+Midwifery+Council&utm_campaign=4178284_Employers+and+managers+28+May+2014&dm_i=129A,2HJZG,E1ZMF2,9204R,1" target="_blank">Nursing and Midwifery Council</a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; color: #000000;">Providers are being advised to check that their insurance will cover nurses in their employ - and to make staff aware of the changes in the law if they will not be covered so that they can make their own arrangements.<br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; color: #000000;">Nurses should make sure they are covered, either by their employer or independently. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; color: #000000;">Nurses who work for the NHS will already have an appropriate indemnity arrangement. The NHS self insures for its employees, which means nurses are covered if a claim is made against them.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; color: #000000;">Why the law has changed on professional indemnity insurance for nurses</span></h2>
<p> </p>
<p>EU legislation on this took affect from 25 October 2013 and is now being adopted by the UK government. The legislation has now been laid in the UK Parliament and the Scottish Parliament and is expected to come into force on 17 July 2014, subject to parliamentary and Privy Council approval.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The UK government consulted on this legislation in 2013 and has now published its response to the consultation. It will make professional indemnity insurance mandatory for all healthcare professionals. This is being introduced following a requirement of EU legislation.</p>
<h2>Nurses - advice on professional indemnity insurance from the NMC</h2>
<p>Once the UK legislation comes into force, all nurses and midwives will be required to have in place an appropriate indemnity arrangement.</p>
<p>• When applying to join the NMC register or renewing registration, nurses and midwives will be required to self declare that they have in place, or will have in place, an appropriate indemnity arrangement when the practise in the UK.</p>
<p>• It is the professional responsibility of each nurse and midwife to ensure that they have sufficient cover in place which reflects the risks associated with their scope of practice. The cover that they have in place should be relevant to the risks involved in their practice, so that it is sufficient in the event that a claim is successfully made against them.</p>
<p>• The need to have in place an indemnity arrangement will also become a mandatory requirement of the NMC Code. The current guidance on professional indemnity insurance can be found in the Code.</p>
<p>• It is vitally important to understand that by signing the self declaration nurses and midwives have specifically declared that whenever they practise they will ensure that an approriate indemnity arrangement is in place.</p>
<p>• If it is discovered that a nurse or midwife is practising without an appropriate indemnity arrangement in place, they will be removed from the register. Removal from the register means that they will no longer be able to practise as a nurse or midwife.</p>
<p>• We strongly suggest that nurses and midwives ensure that they have in place an appropriate indemnity arrangement that covers all of their practice now and not wait until the legislation comes into force.</p>
<p><strong>Find out more about <a href="http://www.nmc-uk.org/Registration/Professional-indemnity-insurance/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Nursing+and+Midwifery+Council&utm_campaign=4178284_Employers+and+managers+28+May+2014&dm_i=129A,2HJZG,E1ZMF2,9204R,1" target="_blank">nurses' professional indemnity insurance</a> on the Nursing and Midwifery Council website</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Local authority care fees: we announce who's set fees for 2014-15<p>CFW is keeping up the pressure on local authorities to set their fees for care providers for 2014-15. While our work continues, some local authorities have now set fees - the table below shows which have done so to date. We'll be updating this periodically so keep an eye on our web news and Enews communications to keep up to date:</p>
<ul>
<li>All amounts are rounded to the nearest pound.</li>
<li>Nursing figures do not include the FNC element paid by NHS.</li>
<li>Figures marked * are negotiated individually. Figures for Powys are the assumed minimum payment to providers who have not completed the open account book exercise.</li>
<li>? denotes not yet settled or not shared with providers.</li>
</ul>
<table width="655">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Local Authority</strong></p>
</td>
<td colspan="2" width="111">
<p><strong>Residential</strong></p>
</td>
<td colspan="2" width="111">
<p><strong>Residential EMI</strong></p>
</td>
<td colspan="2" width="96">
<p><strong>Nursing</strong></p>
</td>
<td colspan="2" width="117">
<p><strong>Nursing EMI</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong>% </strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>13-14</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>14-15</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>13-14</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>14-15</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>13-14</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>14-15</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>13-14</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>14-15</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Anglesey </strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>451</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>458</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>493</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>502</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>506</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>514</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>530</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>539</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong>1.7-1.73</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Blaenau Gwent</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>414</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>427</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>531</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>547</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>473</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>487</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>541</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>558</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong>2.9</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Bridgend</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>489</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>501</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>521</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>534</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>489</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>501</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>521</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>534</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong>2.46</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Caerphilly</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>496</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>543</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>489</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>540</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Cardiff</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>428</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>437</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>487</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>499</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>428</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>437</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>487</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>499</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong>2</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Carmarthenshire</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>448</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>463</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>428</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>492</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Ceredigion</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>472</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>492</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>486</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>516</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Conwy</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>473</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>481</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>508</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>517</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>508</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>517</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>551</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>561</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong>1.69-1.81</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Denbighshire</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>451</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>493</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>506</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>530</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Flintshire</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>451</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>458</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>493</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>502</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>506</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>514</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>530</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>539</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong>1.7-1.73</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Gwynedd</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>421</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>458</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>503</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>502</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>513</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>514</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong> 553</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>539</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong>2</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Merthyr Tydfil</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>465</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>526</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>496</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>534</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Monmouthshire</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>478</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>486</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>503</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>514</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>496</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>508</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>510</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>517</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong>1.37-2.4</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Neath Port Talbot</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>461</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>479</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>461</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>479</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>461</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>505</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>486</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>505</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong>3.9</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Newport</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>509</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>587</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>535</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>587</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Pembrokeshire</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>485</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>493</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>504</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>513</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>488</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>497</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>518</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>527</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong>1.9</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Powys</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>306*</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>450*</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>412*</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Rhondda Cynon Taff</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>503</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>533</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>503</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>537</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Swansea</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>470</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>470</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>485</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>500</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Torfaen</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>509</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>587</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>535</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>587</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>?</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Vale of Glamorgan</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>499</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>524</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>553</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>580</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>499</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>524</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>499</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>580</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong> </strong><strong>4.9-5</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="151">
<p><strong>Wrexham</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>451</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>458</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>493</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="55">
<p><strong>502</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="53">
<p><strong>506</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="44">
<p><strong>514</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="60">
<p><strong>530</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="57">
<p><strong>539</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="69">
<p><strong>1.7-1.73</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>Health Minister: 'We need to end our dependence on hospitals for care'<p>Wales needs to end its dependency on hospitals and embrace a preventative, primary and community care-led NHS which is integrated with social care, Welsh Government Ministers said today (June 3).</p>
<p>Speaking during a debate in the Assembly, health minister Mark Drakeford and deputy social services minister Gwenda Thomas told AMs that more than 90 per cent of patients' contact with the NHS takes place in primary care.</p>
<p>Ministers said the Welsh Government’s aim is to shift resources towards multi-disciplinary primary and community care teams, working closely with social care, to meet people’s needs at, or close to home. Action is being taken to "rebalance the health and social care system" so that it promotes self care, and further reduces unnecessary emergency admissions.</p>
<h2>Action taken to improve primary care and integration across health and social care</h2>
<p>According to ministers the action taken to improve the integration of services across the health and social care sector includes:</p>
<ul>
<li>The number of GP practitioners in Wales in 2013 was 2,026 - 30 more than 2012 and an increase of 204 since 2003. </li>
<li>Three quarters of GP practices are now open for daily core hours or within one hour of the daily core hours and 95% of practices now offer appointments at any time between 17:00 and 18:30 at least 2 week days. </li>
<li>Establishing a £9.5m Health Technology and Telehealth Fund – this enables care to be provided outside of hospital settings, by primary care providers, in community settings or remotely in patient’s homes.</li>
<li>Establishing the £50m Intermediate Care Fund as part of a Budget agreement with Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Liberal Democrats – this enables investment in services to support older people, particularly the frail elderly, to maintain their independence and remain in their own home.</li>
<li>Introducing ‘Add to Your Life’ (Over 50s Health Check) Programme.</li>
<li>The Integrated Family Support Service - our flagship early intervention models to focus on families where children are at risk of being taken into care because of parental alcohol or substance misuse. This is now available across all parts of Wales.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<p>Welsh Government website: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2014/140603primary-care/?lang=en" target="_blank">Wales needs to end its dependency on hospitals and embrace the shift to care in the community</a></p>Patients and relatives asked for their experiences of NHS waiting times<h1>Wales Audit Office conducts survey of experiences of NHS Wales waiting times</h1>
<p>The Wales Audit Office is undertaking a survey to guage patients' and relatives' experiences of waiting times in the NHS in Wales.</p>
<p>The study is aimed at finding out what contributes to waiting times for planned operations - they are seeking the views of those who've experienced a planned operation in the last three years in Wales.</p>
<p>The survey was launched in May and closes at the end of next week, on June 13 at 4pm.</p>
<h2>Fill out the survey online - it takes less than five minutes to complete</h2>
<p>Survey: <a href="http://www.nhswaiting.wao.gov.uk/" target="_blank">Share your planned operation experiences</a></p>
<p>Read more about the survey: <a href="https://www.wao.gov.uk/news/patients-and-relatives-asked-their-experiences-nhs-waiting-times" target="_blank">Findings will form part of national study by the Auditor General for Wales</a></p>Help for the frail elderly to remain at home: details of projects to get share of £50m fund announced<p>Details of projects that have received funding from a £50m Welsh Government investment in services for the frail elderly have been announced by deputy minister for social services, Gwenda Thomas.</p>
<p>The Intermediate Care Fund aims to ease pressure on the NHS by preventing unnecessary admissions and delayed discharges from hospital and residential care homes. The fund was set up to invest in services that support older people, particularly the frail elderly, to maintain their independence and remain in their own homes. It also aims to foster joint working between local authority social services, health and housing departments, third and independent sector partners.<br /> </p>
<p>The funding has been allocated to the regions of Cardiff and Vale, Cwm Taf, Mid and West, North Wales, Western Bay and Gwent. Projects that have been funded include:<br /> </p>
<ul>
<li>In<strong> Cardiff and the Vale</strong> - a ‘<strong>Smart House</strong>’ will be created to raise awareness and provide an opportunity for older people and their family to see and try out what can be provided in the home environment. Specialist accommodation teams will be established to work with health and social care to develop appropriate housing responses for older people at point of admission and discharge.<br />In <strong>Cwm Taf, an integrated @home service</strong> will focus on maintaining older people’s independence at home and avoiding hospital admission. The <strong>Butterfly project</strong> will be extended to improve practice for older people with dementia – to cover more residential and nursing homes as well as extending to domiciliary care.</li>
<li>In<strong> North Wales, a 24/7 Health and Social care support service</strong> will be established to provide a overnight planned and crisis intervention support service, delivered by appropriately trained generic support workers, in order to avoid untimely admissions to hospital and residential care.</li>
<li>In <strong>Gwent</strong>, there will be an<strong> increased provision of services for older people at home and in care homes/sheltered housing</strong>. A new service to support people with dementia and stroke in their own home will also be developed.</li>
<li>In the <strong>Western Bay</strong> area, there will be additional reablement services including<strong> occupational therapists to support independence at home</strong>. They will also establish common access points to direct people to appropriate services or interventions according to need.</li>
<li>In <strong>Mid and West Wales</strong>, additional flexible <strong>intermediate care beds, intermediate care flats and dementia ‘move-on’ flats</strong> will be established. There will also be support by the third sector to develop twilight services for people when they return home from hospital.<br /><br /></li>
</ul>
<p>Gwenda Thomas said: “Our £50m Intermediate Care Fund provides an excellent opportunity to make a real difference to older people across WaleS. “The investments I’m announcing today will see health, housing and social services, along with the third and independent sectors, work together on some very innovative projects to enable older people to maintain their independence and remain in their own home.</p>
<p>“This will help ease pressure on the NHS by preventing unnecessary hospital and residential care admissions, and will also help prevent delayed discharges from hospitals and other care settings for older people, particularly the frail elderly.</p>
<p>“The investments will also promote and maximise independent living opportunities, including ensuring increased provision of timely home adaptations in response to referrals from health and care services, as well as support recovery and recuperation by increasing the provision of reablement services.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>NHS Wales: new NHS head and director for health and social services announced<p>Dr Andrew Goodall has been appointed as the Welsh Government’s new Director General for Health and Social Services and Chief Executive of NHS Wales, the Permanent Secretary, Sir Derek Jones announced today (May 16).</p>
<p>During his 23 years in the NHS Dr Goodall has worked in a number of planning and operational positions across South Wales.</p>
<p>He has been an NHS Chief Executive for nine years, taking up the role in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board in June 2009.</p>
<p>As well as local responsibilities, he has led a number of national programmes and initiatives, including regional service changes, effective services for vulnerable people, quality initiatives for the 1000 Lives programme and unscheduled care. Most recently he has supported a Ministerial Review into the handling of complaints, which is due to report shortly.</p>
<p>In his new role, Dr Goodall will head up the Welsh Government’s Department for Health and Social Services, and will be responsible and accountable to the Minister for Health and Social Services and Deputy Minister for Social Services for all health, public health and social care policy in Wales. In addition, he will also serve as Chief Executive of NHS Wales.</p>
<p>Health Minister Mark Drakeford welcomed the appointment saying: "I am pleased to welcome Dr Goodall to the role of Director General, Health and Social Services and NHS Wales Chief Executive. He has a wealth of experience at all levels across NHS Wales and has shown that he can lead successful organisations, delivering improvements in performance and care. This experience will be essential in sustaining improvements across NHS Wales."</p>
<h2>Read more on this story:</h2>
<p>Welsh Government: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2014/140516dg-hss/?lang=en" target="_blank">Dr Andrew Goodall appointed to lead health and social care in Wales</a></p>Trusted To Care: Spot-checks into care of older people in Welsh hospitals ordered<p>The care of older people in all major hospitals in Wales will be inspected following the publication of a damning report into care provided by a South Wales health board, Health Minister Mark Drakeford has said today (May 13).</p>
<p>Prof Drakeford said a series of unannounced spot checks focusing on the delivery of medication, hydration, night time sedation and continence care will be conducted by experts at district general hospitals in Wales.</p>
<p>The announcement follows the publication of the damning <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/may/13/welsh-hospitals-report-appalling-care-failings" target="_blank">Trusted To Care report</a> into care at Bridgend’s Princess of Wales and Neath Port Talbot hospitals. It followed the neglect of patient Lilian Williams, 82, who died after being treated at both hospitals.</p>
<p>Her family complained and a review was ordered by Health Minister Mark Drakeford into levels of care offered by both hospitals.</p>
<p>The review team catalogued a series of failings at the two hospitals, describing "a sense of hopelessness" in its care for frail and elderly patients. It found "poor professional behaviour" and a "lack of suitably qualified, educated and motivated staff." One patient told the review team: "I am in Hell."</p>
<p>Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University (ABMU) Health Board subsequently apologised and admitted the case had been "completely unacceptable".</p>
<h2>Mark Drakeford's recommendations following the review</h2>
<p>The Trusted To Care report makes 18 recommendations, including four for the Welsh Government, which have been accepted in full.</p>
<p>As a result of the report, the Health Minister has ordered:</p>
<ul>
<li>Immediate improvements to standards of care at Princess of Wales and Neath Port Talbot hospitals.</li>
<li>A series of unannounced spot checks by a ministerial team of experts to check standards of care for elderly patients at district general hospitals in Wales. The spot checks will focus on the delivery of medication, hydration, night time sedation and continence care. This work will be overseen by Prof June Andrews and Sir Ian Carruthers, who has held a number of senior roles in the NHS, including chief executive of NHS South of England.</li>
<li>A new task group, including the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer, will lead the operation of the spot checks and report back to the Health Minister.</li>
</ul>
<p>Mark Drakeford said: “This review does not make easy reading; it will be particularly difficult for all concerned with the care of older people in these hospitals.</p>
<p>“As the Health Minister, I give my unreserved apology to those individuals and their families whose care has fallen short of what they might expect from the Welsh NHS. I have been shocked by some of what I have read in this report.</p>
<p>“I am determined that nothing of this sort will be tolerated in these two hospitals, in this health board or indeed anywhere else in Wales in the future. I am not going to pick and choose parts of this report. The actions we need to make have been made clear and must be taken as a whole.</p>
<p>“That is why I have ordered a series of actions to ensure that the standards that we demand of our health service are being delivered and to reassure patients.</p>
<p>“I have met the chair and chief executive of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board and made it clear I expect immediate improvements to patient care at both hospitals.”</p>
<h2>Read more on this story:</h2>
<p><strong>Walesonline: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/princess-wales-hospital-unreserved-apology-7112673" target="_blank">Elderly care in all major hospitals to be inspected following shocking report into failings within South Wales health board</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-27390919" target="_blank">Spot checks into OAP hospital care</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Welsh Government: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2014/140513trustedtocare/?lang=en" target="_blank">Minister takes action on Trusted To Care findings</a></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Social Services Wales: transformation set for 2016 says minister<p>Social Services Minister Gwenda Thomas has said that the promised transformation of social services following the newly-passed Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act will take effect from April 2016.</p>
<p>Ms Thomas was speaking at the North Wales Social Care in Partnership annual conference in Llandudno today (May 8) about the "transformational" Act which promises a strong statutory framework for the protection of adults and has provided for strong national leadership arrangements for safeguarding people.</p>
<p>The Act will also ensure people have access to clear information, advice and assistance and will place their voice and rights at the centre of decisions about their care and support.</p>
<p>Ms Thomas, pictured <img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/gwenda thomas resize2.jpg" alt="" width="167" height="233" /> said: "It is the most extensive and significant Act to be passed by the National Assembly for Wales since devolution 15 years ago. It will have a direct impact on the lives of many of our citizens, if not most of them.</p>
<p>“It is also one that has been built by us all together. I want to thank you all for the positive and constructive engagement during the scrutiny of this legislation. But throughout we recognised that we are working for the same goals – a sustainable and citizen-centred care and support system in Wales.</p>
<p>“In some ways the hardest work is ahead of us. Implementation of these changes will need all of us to work together, from the front line to my office door. I am committed to turning on the main elements of the Act in April 2016. That means we will have to turn ourselves to the task of getting ourselves ready for that date. This is a major task, but one I know we are all equally committed to.”</p>
<h2>Inspection and Regulation of Social Services: Bill timetable announced</h2>
<p>Gwenda Thomas, speaking today (May 8) at the North Wales Social Care in Partnership annual conference, also announced that the new bill to reform the regulation and inspection regime for social care in Wales will go before the National Assembly in February 2015.</p>
<p>Ms Thomas said: "The Bill will be the sibling of the first. It will reform our regulation and inspection regime in social care in Wales to reflect the new world we are creating.</p>
<p>“It will require a new focus on wellbeing in our system, and refocus the regulation of social care towards outcomes for people. It will establish a new Institute of Care and Support, building upon the good work of the Care Council for Wales but going further to create a strategic hub for improvement in the social care sector.”</p>
<p> </p>Health complaints - numbers show significant rise across Wales since 2009<p>The number of complaints against health boards across Wales has risen significantly in the last four years, according to figures obtained by Plaid Cymru.</p>
<p>The data shows that between 2009-2010 and 2012-2013, the all Wales total for complaints increased by more than 40%.</p>
<p>Cardiff and Vale UHB, which runs Wales’ largest hospital, the University Hospital of Wales, received the most complaints in 2012-2013, with the total standing at 1,883 – up 114% from 2008-2009.</p>
<p>ABMU Health Board saw a rise of 188% between 2009-2013, from 298 complaints to 858.</p>
<p>Between 2008-2009 and 2012-2013, Aneurin Bevan UHB saw an increase of 56%, Hywel Dda UHB recorded a rise of 36%, Cwm Taf UHB recorded a 32% increase and Powys Teaching Health Board had a 16% increase. Between 2011-2012 and 2013-2014, Betsi Cadwaladr UHB saw complaints rise by 19%.</p>
<h2>Read more on this story:</h2>
<p>WalesOnline: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/significant-rise-complaints-health-boards-7062420" target="_blank">Significant rise in complaints to health boards in recent years</a></p>Powys care home in spotlight over mistreatment of resident<p>A social services report on the abuse of a 73-year-old woman resident in a Powys care home is due out today.</p>
<p>Veronica Teal, a resident in the Bethshan Nursing Home in Newtown, Powys since November 2013, was seen being verbally abused and neglected in footage from a camera secretly installed by concerned family members.</p>
<p>The footage showed a carer challenging Mrs Teal on why she was not eating, calling her "selfish" and asking her if she wanted to die.</p>
<p>It also showed her catheter bag was not emptied for 26 hours, leaving her in significant pain.</p>
<p>Mario Kreft, Care Forum Wales' chair, was interviewed on Radio Wales' Good Morning Wales programme today (May 2) and said he was very disappointed to learn of the abuse at the home which is a member of Care Forum Wales.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft said: "CFW exists to promote and support members and I think what people have to recognise is how difficult this job is.</p>
<p>He continued: "These things have gone wrong and it's very clear that the management [of this home] understand that.</p>
<p>"An investigation has been carried out, people have been disciplined and I think we have to look at individual cases and where people don't follow process and where management isn't as strong as it should be and put that to one side.</p>
<p>"That doesn't necessarily mean that that home is not a good home, but clearly there have been failings and we fully accept that."</p>
<h2>Ensuring appropriate standards of care</h2>
<p>Mr Kreft added: "What we will be doing is offering the trustees of that charity and the management our support, particularly the manager, because I think people really do need to work in care homes to understand the complexity these days, how difficult the job is and the challenges that staff [in the sector] face.</p>
<p>"Nobody would possibly say that anything we've seen, we've witnessed, is correct however - of course it's not - and we really do think that Mrs Teal has had poor care in that circumstance."</p>
<p>On Thursday (May 1) Tina Donnelly, director of the Royal College of Nursing in Wales, criticised Mrs Teal's treatment and said she would ask the Care Council for Wales to investigate.</p>
<p>The trustees of Bethshan Nursing Home said they deeply regretted the verbal abuse and said that the employee involved had been disciplined and was undergoing further training.</p>
<ul>
<li>LISTEN: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04266x1" target="_blank">Radio Wales interview with Mario Kreft</a> [at 01:07 minutes]</li>
<li>READ MORE: BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-27248857" target="_blank">Report into Veronica Teal's abuse due out</a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Social Services Wales: Landmark legislation gains Royal Assent<p>The Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act has today (May 1) achieved Royal Assent, with First Minister Carwyn Jones hailing it as, "one of the most significant the Assembly has passed since it acquired full law making powers in 2011."</p>
<p>He added: “There is nothing more important to this Government than protecting our most vulnerable citizens and helping to improve their health and wellbeing. In doing so, we need to provide for the right kind of support when it is needed. This Act will do just that.”</p>
<p>Deputy Social Services Minister, Gwenda Thomas, who led the development and delivery of the Act, said: "It will ensure a strong voice and real control for people, of whatever age, enabling them to maximise their wellbeing. It will set the legal framework and infrastructure to transform services to meet changing social expectations and changing demography."</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/gwenda thomas resize2.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="200" /></p>
<p>Ms Thomas added: "These are just part of the once in a generation transformational framework that we have created for social services in Wales."</p>
<h2>How will Social Services change in Wales?</h2>
<p>The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 will provide, for the first time, a coherent Welsh legal framework for social services. It will transform the way social services are delivered, promoting people’s independence to give them a stronger voice and more control. It will also encourage a renewed focus on prevention and early intervention.</p>
<p>The Act will:</p>
<ul>
<li>Strengthen powers for the safeguarding of children and adults, so that vulnerable people at risk can be protected more effectively;<br /> Ensure people are assessed on what they need, rather than just on what services are available locally;<br /> Introduce portable assessments, which means if people move from one part of Wales to another they will not need to worry about whether they will receive services in their new area;<br /> Facilitate an increased take up of direct payments to meet people’s care and support needs, meaning people will have more control over how these needs are met;<br /> Introduce a National Outcomes Framework to set out very clearly what children and adults can expect from social services, to measure achievements and see where improvements are needed;<br /> Introduce equivalent rights for carers so that people who care for someone such as an elderly or disabled relative or friend would get similar rights to the people they care for; and<br /> Establish a National Adoption Service to improve the outcomes of children in need of a permanent family.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Secretly filmed care home footage shown on BBC's Panorama programme<p>BBC1's Panorama programme last night (April 30) aired secretly filmed footage which showed mistreatment of residents at a care home in Essex.</p>
<p>Now seven members of staff have been sacked and one suspended at the Old Deanery in Essex following the undercover investigation.</p>
<p>The filming at the Old Deanery in Braintree, Essex, showed some residents being taunted, roughly handled and one was slapped.</p>
<p>The home said it was "shocked and saddened by the allegations".</p>
<p>Care minister Norman Lamb described the images as "absolutely disgusting" and said there "could be a role" for the use of CCTV in care homes. Another care provider, HC-One has already said it is considering introducing CCTV in its care homes across the UK (see previous story: )</p>
<p>The Care Quality Commissionsaid it would work with the care sector to improve standards, but it was determined to ensure problems were addressed.</p>
<p>Its new chief inspector of social care, Andrea Sutcliffe, said she was "shocked and really angry" about the poor care Panorama had found.</p>
<h2>Read more on this story:</h2>
<p>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-27234969" target="_blank">Panorama film prompts seven sackings at Essex care home</a></p>
<p>BBC News:<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27128011" target="_blank"> Staff sacking and supsensions over poor elderly care</a></p>
<h2>Watch the programme on iPlayer</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b042rcjp" target="_blank">Behind Close Doors: Elderly Care Exposed</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Welsh Government: Inspection and regulation White Paper consultation results published<p>The Welsh Government has published the results of its consultation on the White Paper on the future of Inspection and Regulation of care and support in Wales. </p>
<p>Care Forum Wales has been working hard to make views of providers and those working in the independent care sector known to the government.</p>
<p>Some areas of the consultation were unpopular with respondents - there was negative feedback on registration and fees for registration of service providers.</p>
<p>CFW's views are represented in the summary of responses in a number of areas including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Annual reports - we say they could be useful but we must be mindful of the burden they place on providers and overlapping workload</li>
<li>Problems with time-limited registration; aggravated regulatory breaches</li>
<li>Registration of the workforce - registration of managers, negative registration</li>
<li>The establishment of National Institute of Care and Support and co-operation, collaboration and information sharing;</li>
<li>Other common themes in respect of services that should be brought within the regulatory regime include personal assistants and direct payment services.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<h2>Read the White Paper consultation responses in full</h2>
<p>You can download all the documents which summarise the responses to the consultation on the Welsh Government website.</p>
<p>Welsh Government: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/support/?lang=en" target="_blank">summary of responses to White Paper consultation</a></p>
<p>Download a <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/untitled/140415summaryen.pdf">PDF of the summary of responses to the White Paper</a></p>CCTV in care homes: HC-One considering cameras to monitor older people's residential care<p>Care homes provider HC-One is considering installing CCTV cameras in residential care homes to monitor the standards of care older people receive.</p>
<p>The move aims to "protect the wellbeing and dignity of those we support," according to HC-One chairman Dr Chai Patel.</p>
<p>The company carried out a survey of 2,000 adults earlier this month which showed 36% strongly supported the installation of visible cameras in care homes and a further 44% somewhat supported it. Only 14% said they opposed the idea. </p>
<p>The company announced it was considering introducing CCTV in its homes ahead of a BBC1 Panorama programme to be aired this week which will show secretly filmed footage of residents in care homes (one home owned by HC-One) which showed them being mistreated and neglected. </p>
<p>Dr Patel, who has seen the footage which dates back to 2012, said the filming had revealed "shocking and distressing failings" that had been acted upon as soon as it was drawn to the company's attention. But he added that more needed to be done to ensure the safety of residents. He said: "We do not tolerate this kind of behaviour and we remain deeply sorry to the resident and their family. As soon as we became aware of the situation we took immediate action."</p>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<p><em>The Guardian</em>: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/apr/28/care-homes-chain-to-use-cctv-residents-rooms-to-stop-abuse-hc-one" target="_blank">Care homes chain to use CCTV in residents' rooms to help stop abuse</a></p>
<p><em>Nursing Times</em>: <a href="http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/clinical-zones/older-people/care-home-provider-considers-using-cctv-to-protect-residents/5070328.article?blocktitle=News&contentID=4385" target="_blank">HC-One may install CCTV in care homes in wake of secretly filmed abuse</a></p>
<p><em>Inside Housing</em>: <a href="http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/care/care-provider-considering-cctv-in-all-homes/7003418.article" target="_blank">Care provider considering CCTV in all homes</a></p>Social care gap: older people could be without relatives to care for them by 2017<p>A report by the Institute for Public Policy Research has said that the number of older people needing care could outstrip the number of relatives able to care for them by 2017.</p>
<ul>
<li>The report, part of a series resulting from the IPPR's 'Condition of Britain' social policy project, says that by 2017 "the number of older people in need of care is expected to outstrip the number of family members able to provide informal care for the first time in 2017."</li>
<li>The report also says that the number of people aged 65 and over without children to care for them will almost double before the end of the next decade and that by 2030 there will be more than 2 million people in England without a child to care for them if needed.</li>
<li>About 230,000 of these will be in need of more than 20 hours' care a week and will have no informal support, according to the report's authors.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Personal care crisis?</h2>
<p>The report also reveals that around 800,000 older people who need personal care are not receiving this, either because eligibility criteria has been cut back (87 per cent of councils in England are now providing care only for those with ‘substantial’ or ‘critical’ needs) or because they are unable to afford paid care.</p>
<h2>Read more on this story:</h2>
<ul>
<li>Read the IPPR’s <a href="http://www.ippr.org/publications/the-condition-of-britain-interim-report" target="_blank">Condition of Britain interim report</a></li>
<li>The final report from the Condition of Britain project will be published in June 2014.</li>
<li>Read the Guardian's coverage of this story: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/apr/24/elderly-care-outstrip-relatives-ippr-2030" target="_blank">Numbers of elderly needing care will soon outstrip relatives able to help</a></li>
</ul>Welsh Government's 'invest to save' scheme to benefit older people with mental health needs<p>A scheme aimed at helping meet older people's mental health needs is set to benefit from £500,000 funding under the Welsh Government's £17.8m 'Invest-to-save' fund to transform public services in Wales.</p>
<p>The funding will be used to set up a Cwm Taf University Health Board Psychiatric Liaison Service for older people with mental health needs. </p>
<p>The initiative was announced by Jane Hutt on a joint visit to the Mental Health Unit at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant with the Health Minister, Mark Drakeford today (April 15).</p>
<p>The ministers also heard about the health board's plans to set up a new Acute Assessment Service that will cover all unscheduled care activity between 9am and 6pm. The new services will ensure patients are assessed more rapidly when arriving at the hospital; shorten patient’s length of stay, reduce A&E waiting times and improve patient experience. The initiatives are forecasting savings of some £3m by 2018. </p>
<p><strong>Read more on this story</strong></p>
<p>Welsh Government: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/finance1/2014/140415i2s/?lang=en&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">£17.8m funding to transform Welsh public services announced by Jane Hutt</a></p>David Cameron plans 'personalised care' for older people in England and better access to GPs for 7 million people<div class="firstPar">
<p>Nearly a million elderly and vulnerable patients are to be given personalised care by their GPs including regular visits from doctors and nurses, the Prime Minister was set to announce today (April 13).</p>
</div>
<div class="secondPar">
<p>More than £400 million is being targeted at over 75s with long-term conditions to help them remain in their homes and prevent unnecessary admissions to accident and emergency departments.</p>
<p>Ministers want to shift care for older people from the “hospital to the home” in an attempt to ease pressure on struggling hospitals, especially A&E departments.</p>
<p>Under the plans 800,000 people with the most complex needs, almost all of whom are aged over 75, will be given personal care plans overseen by their GPs.</p>
<p>Doctors, nurses and other health care professionals will review the plans on a regular basis in an attempt to anticipate problems and prevent admission to hospitals.</p>
<p><strong>Read the full story</strong></p>
<p><em>Daily Telegraph</em>: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/10764421/Cameron-plans-more-access-to-GPs-and-better-care-for-elderly.html" target="_blank">Cameron plans more access to GPs and better care for elderly</a></p>
<h2>Extended GP opening hours also on the agenda in England</h2>
<div class="thirdPar">
<p>David Cameron will also unveil plans to extend the opening hours of more than 1,000 GPs’ surgeries in the evening and at weekends and offer consultations by phone and on Skype, the video call service.</p>
</div>
<div class="fourthPar">
<p>More than 7.5 million people in England will benefit from increased access to their GPs, including seven day opening and 8am to 8pm appointments. The opening hours are being extended using the £50 million GP access fund.</p>
<p><strong>Read more on this story</strong></p>
<p>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-27015353" target="_blank">More than 7 million people to benefit from new GP opening hours</a></p>
<p><em>The Guardian</em>: <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/apr/13/gps-surgeries-open-all-hours-50m-pound-reform" target="_blank">GP surgeries to open all hours in £50m reforms</a></p>
</div>
</div>Residential care fees: Summary of local authority fees published by Care Forum Wales<p>Local Authorities are beginning to announce care home fee levels for 2014-15 - you can see how they compare across Wales by following the link to our <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Residential%20Care Fee Summary 2013 - 2015.docx">public resources page</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Residential%20Care Fee Summary 2013 - 2015.docx"> </a></p>
<p><a title="Residential Care Fees" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/resources">careforumwales</a></p>
<hr />
<p> </p>
<p>Not all Local Authorities have set fees yet and we will be continue to monitor and work for a speedy resolution for providers.</p>Care home provider fined after resident choked on fish and chips<p>The UK’s biggest care home provider, Four Seasons Health Care (England), has been ordered to pay £170,000 in fines and costs after a vulnerable resident choked to death on fish and chips during an entertainment evening at its premises in Chorley. The case was heard at Preston Crown Court in March 2014.</p>
<p>The provider was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an investigation found that 75-year-old Rita Smith should only have been provided with pureed food as she had swallowing difficulties and was at risk of choking - however Preston Crown Court was told she was given fish and chips in a cone during an entertainment evening on December 1, 2010, two weeks after being admitted to the home. A post mortem found the primary cause of death was choking.</p>
<ul>
<li>Ms Smith suffered from dementia and motor neuron disease.</li>
<li>The HSE found that the Euxton Park Care Home was made aware that she needed pureed food and supervision by a carer while eating but that this had not been communicated to staff.</li>
<li>A care plan and risk assessment had also not be completed by Four Seasons for Miss Smith on her arrival at the home, which would have identified the need for a care worker to feed her pureed food during meal times.</li>
<li>The HSE investigation into the incident found neither of the staff who organised the film and supper evening had been made aware that Miss Smith could not eat solid foods.</li>
</ul>
<p>Four Seasons Health Care (England) Ltd, part of the Four Seasons Health Care group which runs more than 500 care homes and specialist care centres in the UK, pleaded guilty to a single breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.</p>
<p><strong>Read more on this story</strong></p>
<p>HSE website: <a href="http://press.hse.gov.uk/2014/uks-biggest-care-home-provider-fined-over-fish-chip-death/?eban=govdel-health-services&cr=13-Mar-2014">UK's biggest care home provider fined over fish and chip death</a></p>
<p> </p>Minister announces increase in maximum weekly fees to be paid for non-residential care<p>The deputy minister for social services, Gwenda Thomas, has announced (March 17) a planned increase in the maximum fees people will be asked to pay for non-residential social care from April 2014. <br /><br />The maximum of £50 per week will rise to £55 from this month and go up to £60 per week from April 2015.<br /><br />The minister also reiterated her commitment to reforming arrangements for paying for care in Wales.<br /><br />While she said she still wants to be well informed of how the UK government plans to reform this in England before making final decisions - she said that it was appropriate that the interim arrangements in Wales are reviewed.</p>
<p>Ms Thomas said: "I have decided on balance to implement a revision of the maximum charge as I outline above. This is to maintain the real terms affect of this. While I acknowledge the very real financial pressures that both local authorities and service users are experiencing I do not feel it is appropriate to make no change to the maximum, or to reduce it so as to further reduce local authorities’ income from charging.</p>
<p>"That said, I feel it is equally inappropriate in the current climate to expect the older and disabled service users of Wales to be able to be charged an increased maximum charge 20% and subsequently 40% higher than its present level. I will therefore be laying amending regulations before the National Assembly to effect the change in the level of the maximum from April 2014 to increase this to £55 per week. I will do a similar thing next year for the increase from April 2015 to £60 per week.</p>
<p>"The future level of the maximum charge beyond 2015 will then, of course, be considered as part of the wider paying for care reform.<br /><br />Read the full statement on the Welsh Government website: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2014/payingforsocialcare/?lang=en" target="_blank">Paying for social care - update</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Care Forum launches new 'Care Forum Extra' discount package for members<p>We've launched a new discount package for Care Forum Members which offers savings on everything from grocery shopping to glasses, travel to treats for members and their families plus discounts on car and home insurance and many other savings. The savings could potentially add up to more than the cost of annual membership - we think it's a brilliant benefit to becoming a Care Forum member.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CFX_logo_100px.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="100" />Members also get a monthly e-newsletter, a quarterly magazine, free advice from our policy advisers, discounted CRB checks, discounted legal advice and much more. See our <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/benefits" target="_blank">benefits page</a> for more information.</p>
<p>To get the discounts all you need is to join Care Forum Wales and use your membership number to log in and save. So don't delay, join CFW today - find out how by emailing <a href="mailto:janet@careforumwales.co.uk">janet@careforumwales.co.uk</a></p>
<p>Some of the companies offering discounts include:-</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/sky_apple_logo.gif" alt="" width="61" height="75" /> <img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/sky_HotelStayUK_logo.png" alt="" width="150" height="36" /> <img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/sky_shebang_retailers.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="75" /> <img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/sky_vision_express_logo.gif" alt="" width="150" height="40" /> <img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/sky_flowers_direct_logo.gif" alt="" width="100" height="60" /> <img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/sky_cinema_benefits_ticket.gif" alt="" width="150" height="57" /></p>
<p> </p>Read the latest version of Care Forum Wales' members' magazine, Fforum<p>To download a copy of the latest CFW members' magazine, Fforum, from Care Forum Wales please click one of the links below:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/eForum7-march2014.pdf">English</a> eForum</p>
<p><a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/eFforwm7-march2014.pdf">Welsh</a> eForum</p>Health Minister announces change in A&E and ambulance targets to be trialled<p>The way in which the performance of A&E and ambulance services are monitored and measured is to be overhauled, the Health Minister Mark Drakeford announced today (March 26). The new system of monitoring will begin in April.</p>
<ul>
<li>The move comes on the same day in which figures showing a big drop in ambulance response times were published: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-26744803" target="_blank">Read the BBC story about ambulance times</a> and WalesOnline: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/ambulance-response-times-nearly-half-6879419" target="_blank">Nearly half of ambulances fail to reach most urgent calls within eight minutes</a></li>
</ul>
<p>The Welsh Government says that current monitoring is too narrow and does not give an indication of quality - and that faster responses to more urgent calls and care needs are overshadowed by the emphasis on response times.</p>
<h2>'Patient-focused' health targets on the agenda</h2>
<p>New indicators for the ambulance service and A&E will focus on three key treatment areas - care for people who have had heart attacks, strokes or fractured hips.</p>
<p>They are likely to involve an assessment of how successful ambulance crews are at detecting these conditions early and therefore diverting these patients away from A&E and into the appropriate departments or surgery - resulting in more effective treatment and also reducing pressures on A&E departments.</p>
<p>However the old system of targets is not to be scrapped while new criteria are trialled.</p>
<div class="story-feature narrow">Health Minister Mark Drakeford said: "I want us to judge the success of our services by measuring things which make a difference to patients and the effectiveness of the treatment they receive.</div>
<div class="story-feature narrow"> </div>
<div class="story-feature narrow">"It's about giving patients the right care, at the right place, at the right time," added Mr Drakeford, speaking on BBC Radio Wales.</div>
<div class="story-feature narrow"> </div>
<ul>
<li class="story-feature narrow">Read more about this story...BBC news: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-26740677" target="_blank">Overhaul of ambulance and A&E targets in Wales trialled</a></li>
<li class="story-feature narrow">Welsh-Government: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2014/140326tar/?lang=en" target="_blank">Move to patient-focused health targets begins in April</a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>Paying for social care in Wales: reform is still our plan - Deputy Social Services Minister<p>Gwenda Thomas, the Deputy Minister for Social Services, has said she is committed to reforming how social care services are paid for in Wales.</p>
<p>In a statement issued today (March 20) the Minister said that she was progressing her plans as far as possible - bearing in mind that similar reform plans in England have not yet been finalised.</p>
<p>In her initial statement in March 2013, Ms Thomas she set out her aim of delivering a fairer and less complex system of paying for care than the present arrangements, and which is affordable and sustainable in the longer term.</p>
<p>Ms Thomas said in her statement: "Instrumental in achieving this is our Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill.</p>
<p>"As I indicated last year I want reform in Wales to be tailored to our particular circumstances. There are important differences in key aspects relating to paying for care between England and Wales which mean that the reform planned in England is not necessarily the reform that is appropriate in Wales. For example in relation to demography, incidence of disability, personal wealth, property values and ownership, and a range of other factors. We also need to recognise the distinctive differences in values and principles regarding public service provision we hold dear, as enshrined in the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill," she said.</p>
<p>Ms Thomas also announced in her statement that she has awarded a contract to an independent research study on the future of paying for care in Wales.</p>
<p>The study, being undertaken by LE Wales, a leading economics consultancy specialist in public policy economics, is due to be completed by September 2014.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<h2>Read the Minister's statement in full <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2014/payingforsocialcare/?lang=en" target="_blank">here</a></h2>
</li>
</ul>Landmark Social Services and Well-being Bill for Wales is passed<p>Assembly Members yesterday (March 18) voted to pass the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill which is aimed at transforming how people access and receive care and support in Wales.</p>
<p>The landmark legislation - one of the largest and most complex pieces of legislation to be debated in the Senedd - will become law once it has gone before the Queen to become an Act.</p>
<p>The Bill aims to simplify laws that regulate social care and make sure councils assess carers' needs and "revolutionise the way social services are delivered through an approach that is focused on achieving the outcomes which promote a person’s well-being - as an individual, as part of a family and as part of their community."</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/gwenda thomas resize2.jpg" alt="Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Social Services Wales" width="150" height="150" />Gwenda Thomas, the Deputy Minister for Social Services, thanked all the organisations who had worked together with a common aim to bring the legislation to fruition. She said: "This is a Bill for people, with the well-being of the individual at its very heart.</p>
<p>"Throughout the legislative process, the Bill has been subject to robust scrutiny, and is all the better for it.</p>
<p>"We are getting closer to fulfilling our ultimate goal - to make a real difference to the lives of those who need care and support in our society.</p>
<p>"This has only been made possible by a number of organisations working together towards this shared ambition, and I sincerely thank all of those who have played their part."</p>
<h2>Find out more about the changes the Social Services and Well-being Bill will bring</h2>
<p>Some key changes to be brought in include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Ensuring people are assessed according to their needs, regardless of where they live</li>
<li>"Portable assessments", meaning people will not have to be re-assessed if they move to a different local authority</li>
<li>A national adoption service</li>
<li>Giving carers equivalent rights to support as those they care for</li>
</ul>
<h2>Read more</h2>
<p><strong>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-26023814" target="_blank">Equal access to care aim for Bill</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-21237216" target="_blank">Carers' needs assessed under Bill</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Welsh Government: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2014/140318socialservicebillpassed/?lang=en" target="_blank">Landmark social services legislation passed</a></strong></p>
<p> </p>'Transformative' Social Services and Well-being Bill - final National Assembly vote today<p>The Social Services and Well-being Bill which the Welsh Government says will transform social services in Wales reaches its final stage in the National Assembly today after nearly three years in the making.</p>
<p>Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, said the bill will "make a difference to the lives of those who need care and support in our society" and will help make social services in Wales, "sustainable for generations to come".</p>
<p>The Bill is designed to help meet the challenges faced by public services in Wales including</p>
<ul>
<li>demographic changes</li>
<li>increased expectations from those who access care and support</li>
<li>continuing economic pressures</li>
</ul>
<p>The aim of the Bill is to address these issues and also to give people greater freedom to decide which services they need while offering consistent, high-quality services across the country.</p>
<h2>What will the Social Services and Well-being Bill change?</h2>
<p>The changes in the Bill include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Ensuring people are assessed according to their needs, regardless of where they live</li>
<li>"Portable assessments", meaning people will not have to be re-assessed if they move to a different local authority</li>
<li>A national adoption service</li>
<li>Giving carers equivalent rights to support as those they care for</li>
</ul>
<p>Speaking ahead of the debate in the Senedd, Gwenda Thomas said: "By placing a clear focus on the rights of an individual and by making sure services are based on outcomes, we can [also] be confident that social services in Wales are focused on what people need most.</p>
<p>“Throughout its passage through the Assembly, this landmark Bill has been subject to robust scrutiny. We have listened, debated at length, and dealt with more amendments than ever before. I am confident that the Bill is all the stronger for it and I welcome the contributions from all parties which have been included as it has developed.</p>
<p>“I look forward to the next stage of debate and to the final vote, with a great degree of pride in what we have achieved so far and with every confidence in the abilities of everyone involved in social services to deliver the changes that this legislation will require.”</p>
<h2>Read more about the Bill</h2>
<p><strong>Welsh Government: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/socialcare/bill/?lang=en" target="_blank">About the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>BBC News: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-26628640" target="_blank">Final vote on Social Services overhaul</a></strong></p>
<p> </p>Concerns raised over ex-Deputy Older People's Commissioner's £27,000 ex gratia payment<p>Concerns have been raised over an ex gratia payment to the former Deputy Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Stone, who took voluntary redundancy in 2012.</p>
<p>Sarah Stone was given compensation of £27,000, plus £26,000 extra as a redundancy payout last year following changes made after Sarah Rochira took over from Ruth Marks in 2012. The payments emerged in the <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/Publications/pub-story/13-08-12/Audited_Accounts_2012-2013.aspx" target="_blank">Commissioner's 2012-13 audited accounts</a> which are in the public domain on the Older People's Commissioner's website.</p>
<p>Shadow Minister for Older People, <a href="http://www.darrenmillaram.com/" target="_blank">Darren Millar</a>, said: "A substantial ex gratia payment like this would be better spent on frontline services and further improving standards of care. This payout will rightly be questioned by taxpayers and I remain unconvinced that it represents value for public money."</p>
<p>A spokesman for the Older People's Commissioner's office said: "The payment was made following independent HR and legal advice that confirmed this was the most appropriate approach to manage any potential risks around the restructuring process.</p>
<p>"The commissioner undertook a restructure to ensure that the most effective internal roles and competencies were in place to deliver her statutory duties as well as to reduce the overall recurrent senior management cost base.</p>
<p>"The process was open and transparent and the payment was fully disclosed in the commissioner's annual accounts, which have been audited and are in the public domain."</p>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>BBC news: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-26528569" target="_blank">Concerns over ex-deputy commissioner's £27,000 compensation</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>Mark Drakeford defends performance of Welsh NHS after London ministers' attacks<p>The Welsh Government's health minister Mark Drakeford has defended the record of the Welsh NHS on Radio 4's Today Programme and in a debate at the Senedd after attacks by Westminster Conservatives including Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.</p>
<p>Mr Drakeford said Conservatives' criticism of the Welsh NHS was a disgraceful and partisan attempt to" drag the reputation of the NHS in Wales through the mud".</p>
<p>Jeremy Hunt (on March 5) said that the lessons of Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust appeared not to have been learnt in Wales. Speaking in the house of commons he added: "Although health is a devolved issue, unfortunately failures in care in Wales are now having a direct impact on NHS services in England with a 10% rise since 2010 in the number of Welsh patients using English A&E departments, leading to very real additional pressure on border town hospitals."</p>
<p>The criticism followed the Freedom of Information Request which saw the release of an email written by Sir Bruce Keogh, director of NHS England, to his counterpart Dr Chris Jones, director of the NHS in Wales, to raise the issue of mortality rates in Wales.</p>
<p>Mr Drakeford said that far from not learning the lessons of the (Mid Staffs) Francis Inquiry much has happened in Wales as a result of its findings. He cited changes including:</p>
<ul>
<li>investing £10m in more nurses to care for patients</li>
<li>a review of the current complaints procedures</li>
</ul>
<p>Mr Drakeford added: “As Mr Hunt is all too aware, A&E attendances have risen across England in the last four years – to blame this trend solely on Welsh patients is misleading."</p>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<p><strong>Listen: <a href="http://audioboo.fm/boos/1973740-welsh-nhs-not-underperforming" target="_blank">Welsh NHS not under-performing</a> (Mark Drakeford speaking on Radio 4's Today Programme)</strong></p>
<p><strong>Read: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/drakeford-hits-back-westminsters-attempts-6777861" target="_blank">Drakeford hits back at attempts to drag Welsh NHS through the mud</a> (WalesOnline)</strong></p>
<p><strong>Read: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/jeremy-hunt-accuses-welsh-government-6775663" target="_blank">Jeremy Hunt says Welsh Goverment hasn't learned Mid Staffs lessons</a> (WalesOnline)</strong></p>
<p><strong>Read: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/investigation-death-rates-hospitals-ruled-6728908" target="_blank">Investigation into death rates at Welsh hospitals ruled out</a> (WalesOnline)</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Calls for new system of Welsh-only hospital data to be introduced by the autumn<p>A team of senior clinicians has found that Welsh and English hospital mortality indicators are not comparible and has called for a new system for Welsh hospitals only to be in place by the autumn.</p>
<p>Health Minister Mark Drakeford asked a team of senior clinicians, information specialists and patient representatives to examine whether the continued use of current mortality indicators covering Wales and England was clinically meaningful.</p>
<p>The 'Transaperency Taskforce' team was led by Dr Chris Jones, the deputy chief medical officer. It concluded that risk-adjusted hospital mortality rates (RAMI) cannot be used to compare the quality of care between different healthcare systems.</p>
<p>“To be useful in identifying what is really happening, mortality figures need to be monitored and published at a number of levels within a single health service," said Dr Jones. "No one way of measuring mortality gives a clear picture of the overall position within a hospital or the whole system.</p>
<p>“We therefore suggest that the Welsh Government works closely with health boards to implement a new system relating to Welsh hospitals only, to be implemented by this autumn,” he added.</p>
<p>The Taskforce's findings on mortality rates echo the Government Statistical Service’s conclusion that certain hospital mortality indicators are not comparable between countries.</p>
<p>Caution about use of such figures was recently expressed by Professor Nick Black, an academic leading an official review into the use of mortality indicators commissioned by the Department of Health in England.</p>
<p>The report recommends that mortality measures are treated with caution, and should always be published and considered alongside more direct measures of service quality, such as patient feedback and untoward incidents. </p>
<h2>Calls for data to be easier to find and understand for patients</h2>
<p>The Transparency Taskforce findings published today (March 5) also call for more clinical data to be made easily available to patients in Wales.</p>
<p>Taskforce leader Dr Chris Jones said: “The taskforce report recognises that the NHS in Wales has already taken significant steps to become more transparent, such as the introduction of the <a href="http://mylocalhealthservice.wales.gov.uk/#/en" target="_blank">My Local Health Service website</a> which offers clear and easy to understand data about the Welsh NHS.</p>
<p>“However, it is clear that some of the information currently available is too technical, and too hard to find and use," added Dr Jones.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Dr Chris Jones said:</p>Intelligent computer 'avatar' could help care for older people in own homes in future<p>A computer-generated 'avatar' or screen-based intelligent hologram could help monitor the health of older people so they can remain living independently in their own homes for longer in future, according to researchers.</p>
<p>A team from the University of Kent is developing an avatar which would appear as a 'humanised' figure on a tv screen, computer or tablet in the home of an older person which could:</p>
<ul>
<li>Monitor heart rate, blood pressure and remind people to take medication.</li>
<li>Alert a doctor or the emergency services if an older person fell over or was in pain.</li>
<li>Analyse the speech, movement and facial expressions of older people to detect their mood and respond accordingly</li>
<li>According to the developers the system would not require computer literacy and would be no more challenging to operate than switching on a television.</li>
</ul>
<p>The idea came about as part of a project to support the UK's aging population through the use of responsive and interactive avatars.</p>
<p>The University of Kent's <a href="http://www.kent.ac.uk/sspssr/ccp/">Centre for Child Protection</a> is heading a consortium of partners developing a project, known as Responsive InTeractive Advocate (RITA), which has won a share of £2.4m in funding from the UK's <a href="https://www.innovateuk.org/">innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board</a> (TSB) as part of an initiative aimed at developing new cost-effective ways of helping elderly people to continue to live comfortably and independently in their own homes if they want to.</p>
<p>Dr Jane Reeves, co-director of the University of Kent's Centre for Child Protection, said: 'There is a major debate about how we provide care for vulnerable people across all age-groups and this project is seeking to meet one of our biggest challenges, which is ensuring older adults can remain independent for as long as possible. </p>
<p>'Although this project is at an early stage, with a number of technical, moral and ethical issues to be addressed, the development of RITA in the form of a humanised avatar could revolutionise how an individual’s personal, social emotional and intellectual needs are met in the future.<br /> 'RITA would exist as a digital champion, an advocate in the form of an avatar, providing a friendly interface between the individual, family, friends, professions and services.'</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Residential Care Review visits to care homes start next week<p>The Older People’s Commissioner Sarah Rochira, <em>pictured below</em>, is to begin making the first of 100 visits to residential care homes across Wales’ 22 local authorities in the <strong>first week of March</strong> as part of her Residential Care Review.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Sarah_Rochira.jpg" alt="Older People's Commissioner Sarah Rochira" width="160" height="180" /></p>
<p>There will be a mixture of announced and unannounced visits. Evidence-gatherers will use the ‘Ascot Measure’ as the basis for face-to-face interviews with older people to capture information about their quality of life.</p>
<p>* <strong>If you're a CFW member, log in above to get our advice on visits by the review team</strong></p>
<p>Ms Rochira said: "My Review will highlight the best of care, but it will also clearly illustrate the impact that poor quality of life and care has upon the lives of older people.</p>
<p>"I recognise that much work has taken place over the past decade within Wales, by a range of agencies and Welsh Government, to address specific aspects of residential care and that the forthcoming Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill will, for the first time, put safeguarding older people on a statutory basis. Whilst these have been important steps, my engagement with older people makes it very clear that we are not yet in a position where all older people living in residential care in Wales can be assured that they will be safe, well cared for and have a good quality of life."</p>
<ul>
<li>Older People's Commissioner for Wales: <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/Reviews/Residential_Care_Review.aspx" target="_blank">find out more about the Residential Care Review</a></li>
<li>Following her review, the Commissioner will publish a series of recommendations which the public bodies under review will be expected to comply with</li>
<li>The review aims to give a voice to older people to ensure those who are accountable for and run services understand the day-to-day realities of living in residential care in Wales</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>Adult social care providers in England facing 'workforce timebomb' <p>A report by the International Longevity Centre called <a href="http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/index.php/publications/publication_details/the_future_care_workforce" target="_blank">The Future Care Workforce</a> has said that the adult social care sector in England will need to add approximately 1 million workers by 2025 to cope with the country's ageing population.</p>
<p>The figure also takes into account a predicted increase in the number of people with disabilities who will require adult care services.</p>
<p>The report was published by the International Longevity Centre and not-for-profit housing group <a href="http://www.anchor.org.uk/about-anchor/anchor-news/report-calls-men-defuse-care-workforce-timebomb" target="_blank">Anchor</a> which commented on the report saying: "A staggering 40 per cent of England's working age population will need to enter the care profession to tackle a staffing timebomb. If current trends continue England could face a shortfall of 718,000 care workers by 2025."</p>
<p>The study, which draws on figures from the NHS and Office for National Statistics, concluded that a drive to attract more men into the profession is urgently needed to help plug the gap. Women currently make up 82% of the care workforce, according to the report.</p>
<h2>Why care workers are in short supply according to the report</h2>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="position: absolute; top: -1999px; left: -1988px;">A staggering 40 per cent of the projected increase in England’s working age population will need to enter the care profession to tackle a staffing timebomb. If current trends continue, England could face a shortfall of 718,000 care workers by 2025, and an unprecedented number of men are needed to bridge the gap. - See more at: http://www.anchor.org.uk/about-anchor/anchor-news/report-calls-men-defuse-care-workforce-timebomb#sthash.Js4zOmVs.dpuf</div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="position: absolute; top: -1999px; left: -1988px;">A staggering 40 per cent of the projected increase in England’s working age population will need to enter the care profession to tackle a staffing timebomb. If current trends continue, England could face a shortfall of 718,000 care workers by 2025, and an unprecedented number of men are needed to bridge the gap. - See more at: http://www.anchor.org.uk/about-anchor/anchor-news/report-calls-men-defuse-care-workforce-timebomb#sthash.Js4zOmVs.dpuf</div>
<ul>
<li>Workers are typically low paid and there is evidence of some providers curtailing minimum wage laws.</li>
<li>While working in the care sector can be rewarding it can also be emotionally challenging. The vast majority of care workers have faced verbal abuse (93%) and a significant proportion physical abuse (53%).</li>
<li>Staff turnover is generally high, with higher staff turnover linked to an increased chance of death for those in care.</li>
<li>The prevalence of training and qualifications across the sector is low adding to the perception that there are few learning and development opportunities.</li>
<li>Women make up the vast proportion of the care workforce (80%) and there is also a high proportion of non-British workers (18.2%). It will be difficult to meet expected demand for care if recruitment focuses solely on these demographic groups. </li>
</ul>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<ul>
<li>Daily Telegraph: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/10658275/Ageing-population-could-lead-to-718000-carer-shortfall-in-decade.html" target="_blank">Ageing population could lead to 718,000 carer shortfall in decade</a></li>
<li>Anchor: <a href="http://www.anchor.org.uk/about-anchor/anchor-news/report-calls-men-defuse-care-workforce-timebomb" target="_blank">Report calls for men to defuse care workforce timebomb</a></li>
<li>International Longevity Centre: <a href="http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/index.php/publications/publication_details/the_future_care_workforce" target="_blank">The Future Care Workforce</a></li>
</ul>CFW joins new National Advisory Board set up by CSSIW<p>The new National Advisory Board set up by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales (CSSIW) has met for the first time.</p>
<p>CFW’s Mary Wimbury (pictured) attended the introductory meeting – the first official meeting takes place on February 19. She said: “I'm pleased CFW is represented on the new National Advisory Board and hope to be able to influence CSSIW’s work in a positive way for providers.”</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Mary_Wimbury.1.jpg" alt="CFW senior policy adviser Mary Wimbury" width="160" height="180" /></p>
<p>It is hoped that as well as providing a critical overview the board will also provide positive suggestions and solutions to the challenges facing care and social services in Wales. The board will meet quarterly at locations across Wales.</p>
<ul>
<li>Read more about the new board <a style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://cssiw.org.uk/about/get-involved/national-advisory-board/?lang=en" target="_self">here</a>.</li>
</ul>South Wales health boards' plans to shake-up services face uncertainty after alternative proposal<p class="introduction">Plans to centralise key services at a reduced number of south Wales hospitals which will affect patients across the whole of South Wales and South Powys face uncertainty after one health board rejected a key recommendation.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cwmtafuhb.wales.nhs.uk/">Cwm Taf</a> Health Board went against the proposals relating to moving some services around A&E, specialist care for mothers, newborn babies and children away from the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant.</p>
<p>Cwm Taf backed the most of the proposals, but instead of moving services from the Royal Glamorgan, it proposed an alternative which would see the Royal Glamorgan and Princess of Wales (which comes under ABM health board) sharing services as a "starting point" to centralising units.</p>
<p class="introduction">The other four health boards - <a href="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/863/home">Abertawe Bro Morgannwg</a>, <a href="http://www.cardiffandvaleuhb.wales.nhs.uk/home">Cardiff and Vale</a>, <a href="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/866/home">Aneurin Bevan</a> and <a href="http://www.powysthb.wales.nhs.uk/">Powys</a> - backed the recommendations that would see services concentrated at up to five hospitals:</p>
<ul>
<li class="introduction">Swansea (Morriston)</li>
<li class="introduction">Bridgend (Princess of Wales)</li>
<li class="introduction">Merthyr Tydfil (Prince Charles)</li>
<li class="introduction">Cardiff (UHW)</li>
<li class="introduction">a new hospital to be built in Cwmbran</li>
</ul>
<h2>Background on the re-organisation of South Wales key health services plans</h2>
<p>The plans to centralise services follow concerns they are spread too thinly across the region. Services considered include obstetrics, neonatal, paediatrics and A&E - although managers insist no individual A&E department would close.</p>
<p>However, some opponents warn patients could face greater risks if they have to travel further for treatment.</p>
<p>Since the start of 2012, senior managers and medical professionals from five health boards - <a href="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/863/home">Abertawe Bro Morgannwg</a>, <a href="http://www.cwmtafuhb.wales.nhs.uk/">Cwm Taf</a>, <a href="http://www.cardiffandvaleuhb.wales.nhs.uk/home">Cardiff and Vale</a>, <a href="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/866/home">Aneurin Bevan</a> and <a href="http://www.powysthb.wales.nhs.uk/">Powys</a> - have been working together in the <a href="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/SWP/home">South Wales Programme</a> (SWP) to develop proposals involving hospitals from Swansea to Newport.</p>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>BBC: South Wales NHS: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-26159249" target="_blank">Cwm Taf Health Board rejects shake-up recommendation</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>BBC: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-26173678" target="_blank">South Wales health boards consider specialist shake-up</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>South Wales health boards meeting to discuss plans for reorganisation of key services<p>Health boards in South Wales are meeting today to discuss plans for reorganising key services and locating them at five hospitals across the region.</p>
<p>The controversial plans would see consultant-led maternity and neonatal care, inpatient children’s services and emergency medicine (A&E) centralised at the following hospitals:</p>
<p>Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend</p>
<p>A new hospital to be built in Cwmbran</p>
<p>Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil</p>
<p>Cardiff University Hospital of Wales</p>
<p>Morriston Hospital, Swansea</p>
<p>The plans are controversial because some hospitals, such as the Royal Glamorgan hospital in Llantrisant, would see services downgraded. However the proposals would see the Royal Glamorgan become a "beacon site" for developing a new model of acute medicine for people with chronic illnesses.</p>
<p>Services are currently spread across eight hospitals in South Wales and the concern is that these are spread 'too thinly' to be sustainable in the future.</p>
<p>The plans for the reorganisation of services were first announced in 2012 and have been the subject of much debate. The plans were put together by senior managers and medical professionals from the five health boards (<a href="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/863/home">Abertawe Bro Morgannwg</a>, <a href="http://www.cwmtafuhb.wales.nhs.uk/">Cwm Taf</a>, <a href="http://www.cardiffandvaleuhb.wales.nhs.uk/home">Cardiff and Vale</a>, <a href="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/866/home">Aneurin Bevan</a>, <a href="http://www.powysthb.wales.nhs.uk/">Powys)</a> and the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/www.ambulance.wales.nhs.uk">Welsh Ambulance Service</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>English councils paying below recommended minimum for personal homecare<p>The UK Homecare Association (UKHCA) says most councils in England are paying below the recommended minimum price for homecare services of £15.19 per hour.</p>
<p>A Freedom of Information request by the UKHCA - which represents independent, voluntary, statutory and not-for-profit homecare providers - revealed that in only four out of 101 cases was the minimum price for homecare being met.</p>
<p>The UKHCA calculated the minimum it said should be paid for quality homecare services to take into account the minimum wage (in February 2014) and the time needed to travel between homecare clients.</p>
<p>Homecare services including help with washing, dressing and eating are paid for by councils for older people and younger disabled adults in their own homes if they qualify for help after a means-tested assessment. </p>
<p>Colin Angel, of the UK Homecare Association, told <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26021026" target="_blank">BBC News</a> that the fees being paid were too low. He said: "Many councils exploit their dominant purchasing power in local markets to reduce prices."</p>
<p><strong>And he urged councils to work with providers to ensure a sustainable care sector was maintained.</strong></p>
<p>Mr Angel added in a statement on the UKHCA website: "The price of an hour of homecare is a vital question for local and central government, statutory regulators, trades unions and the public.</p>
<p><strong>"It is essential that a viable, regulated homecare sector is available to support the care of older and disabled people who choose to remain at home.</strong></p>
<p>"The prices councils pay for care must cover the costs of the workforce including - as a minimum - full compliance with the prevailing national minimum wage, including the time spent travelling between service users' homes."</p>
<h2>Read more on the fees paid for homecare </h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26021026" target="_blank">BBC News: Councils in England 'pay too little for homecare'</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ukhca.co.uk/downloads.aspx?ID=434" target="_blank">UKHCA's briefing document: the minimum price for homecare</a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Claims that increase in number of over-90s using ambulance services linked to social care cuts<p>The number of older people in the 90+ age group using the amubalance service to get to hospital since 2009-2010 has risen by 81% according to new figures.</p>
<p>Analysis by the <a title="More from the Guardian on Labour" href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/labour">Labour</a> party showed that 300,370 people over the age of 90 were taken to A&E by ambulance in the last year, a big increase compared with previous years. In 2009-10, the figure was 165,910.</p>
<p>The data comes from tables of ambulance activity in England, published by the <a href="http://www.hscic.gov.uk/article/3884/Clarification-AE-arrivals-by-ambulance" target="_blank">Health and Social Care Information Centre</a>.</p>
<h2>Update by Health and Social Care Information Centre - analysis of figures shows 48 per cent increase in A&E visits for over-90s</h2>
<p>An updated statement on published by the <a href="http://www.hscic.gov.uk/article/3884/Clarification-AE-arrivals-by-ambulance" target="_blank">Health and Social Care Information Centre</a> website said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>A&E attendances (excluding planned attendances) in 2009/10 HES recorded 202,537 attendances with an arrival method by ambulance of patients aged 90 and over at A&E departments in England. In 2012/13 the HES figure for attendances of the same was 300,039. <strong>This represents a rise of 48.1 per cent.</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<p>The Labour party said the figures confirmed that cuts to social care funding were driving up the need for hospital attention among the elderly, who often suffered a range of conditions.</p>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jan/29/use-ambulances-over-90s-hospital" target="_blank">Guardian: use of ambulances by over-90s to A&E rises by 81%</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-news/81-increase-in-ambulance-trips-for-over-90s-/" target="_blank">AgeUK: 81% increase in trips to A&E for over-90s</a></p>Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire councils acted unlawfully over payments <p>The appointed auditor for Wales has criticised Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire councils over unlawful payments to chief executives in two separate reports published today (January 30).</p>
<p>Anthony Barrett's reports show that Pembrokeshire's Bryn Parry Jones and Carmarthenshire's Mark James had been given the go-ahead to opt out of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) to avoid potential tax payments following a change in the law on pensions relief for high earners.</p>
<ul>
<li>They were given cash payments in lieu of pension contributions so they could make private pension arrangements. The report states that this was unlawful.</li>
</ul>
<p>Mr Barrett's report on Pembrokeshire Council also reveals senior officers were also given the option to opt out of the LGPS. It states: "The decision to allow certain senior officers at Pembrokeshire Council to receive payments equivalent to the employers’ pension contributions if they opt out of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) - to avoid potential tax liabilities - was ‘unlawful’."</p>
<ul>
<li>Carmarthenshire Council was also criticised on a separate issue. The report says that chief executive Mark James was also unlawfully given an indemnity for a libel counterclaim.</li>
</ul>
<p>The auditor concludes that, "the council does not have the legal powers to make such payments and there were inadequacies in the processes adopted by the Council when making the decision."</p>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.wao.gov.uk/news/pensions-opt-out-payments-pembrokeshire-council-unlawful" target="_blank">Wales Audit Office: Pensions opt-outs at Pembrokeshire Council 'unlawful'</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wao.gov.uk/news/pensions-opt-out-payments-pembrokeshire-council-unlawful" target="_blank">Wales Audit Office: Carmarthenshire Council's pension and libel payments 'unlawful' </a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-25948610" target="_blank">BBC news: Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire made unlawful payments, says watchdog</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/councils-acted-unlawfully-over-tax-6645809" target="_blank">WalesOnline: Councils acted unlawfully over tax avoidance payments to executives</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Dementia Friends in Wales set for launch<p>The Alzheimer's Society is launching its successful Dementia Friends initiative in Wales. The scheme has already been set up in England and is set for launch in Wales at an event at the Senedd on February 19.</p>
<p>The Dementia Friends scheme aims to give people an understanding of dementia and the small things they can do that can make a difference to people living with dementia - from helping someone find the right bus to spreading the word about dementia in their community and even online.</p>
<p>The Alzheimer's Society's aim is to get 4,000 people in Wales to attend a Dementia Friends session by 2015. It's hoped this will lead people to turning their better understanding into practical action to help someone living with dementia in their community.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/" target="_blank">Find out more about the Dementia Friends intiative</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/article/about-friends/what-is-a-friend" target="_blank">What is a Dementia Friend? - and find out how to register</a></p>
<h2>Invitation to Dementia Friends in Wales launch event</h2>
<p><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The Alzheimer’s Society will be launching the Dementia Friends initiative in Wales on:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> Wednesday 19th February </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">In the Penderyn Awen Foyer at the Wales Millennium Centre at 6.30pm</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Actress Ruth Jones MBE will also be attending</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">the event</span></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">If you would like to attend please contact Amy Kitcher of the Wales Alzheimer's Society:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">You can email: <span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><a href="mailto:amykitcher@alzheimers.org.uk"><span style="font-weight: normal;">amykitcher@alzheimers.org.uk</span></a> </span></strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Or call:</span><strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> 029 2047 5585</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Show your support for vulnerable people on Dignity Action Day 2014<p>Dignity Action takes place on February 1 this year to highlight the need to be respectful towards vulnerable people young and old. People working in health and social care are encouraged to make a special effort to promote dignity in their place of work.</p>
<p>The day is the brainchild of the National Dignity Council and is supported by high-profile Dignity In Care Ambassador, Dame Joan Bakewell. </p>
<p>She said: <em>"Dignity Action Day highlights a more respectful way of behaving towards vulnerable people. The very old and the very young clearly need our respect, but it wouldn't do any harm to spread the dignity message across the population then we can all benefit."</em></p>
<p>The aim of the day is to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Raise awareness of the importance of Dignity in Care</li>
<li>Provide someone with an extra special day</li>
<li>Demonstrate that everybody in the community has a role to play in upholding Dignity in Care</li>
<li>Remind the public that staff have a right to be treated with dignity and respect too</li>
<li>Provide a great community networking opportunity.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Want to join in? There's lots you can do for Dignity Action Day</h2>
<p>Find out more about how you can show support here: <a href="http://www.dignityincare.org.uk/Dignity_Action_Day/What_is_Dignity_Action_Day/">http://www.dignityincare.org.uk/Dignity_Action_Day/What_is_Dignity_Action_Day/</a></p>Be happy - research shows link between emotional and physical well-being in old age<p>Researchers at the University College London have investigated the link between emotional and physical well-being and found that happy older show slower declines in physical function as they age.</p>
<p>According to the researchers happy older people are, "less likely to develop impairments in activities of daily living such as dressing or getting in or out of bed, and their walking speed declines at a slower rate than those who enjoy life less".</p>
<p>Dr Andrew Steptoe said: "<strong>The study shows that older people who are happier and enjoy life more show slower declines in physical function as they age</strong>.</p>
<p>"This is not because the happier people are in better health, or younger, or richer, or have more healthy lifestyles at the outset, since even when we take these factors into account, the relationship persists," he said.</p>
<p>"Our previous work has shown that older people with greater enjoyment of life are more likely to survive over the next eight years. What this study shows is that they also keep up better physical function."</p>
<p>Dr Steptoe added: "<strong>Our results provide further evidence that enjoyment of life is relevant to the future disability and mobility of older people</strong>.</p>
<p>"Efforts to enhance well-being at older ages may have benefits to society and health care systems."</p>
<h2>Facts about the study</h2>
<ul>
<li>The UCL researchers assessed 3,199 men and women aged 60 years or over living in England.</li>
<li>They examined the link between emotional and physical well-being over the space of eight years.</li>
<li>The participants were divided into three age categories: 60-69, 70-79 and 80 years or more - and were asked about their enjoyment of life.</li>
<li>The study was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Read more on the study</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0114/21012014-Enjoying-life-keeps-you-healthy-Steptoe" target="_blank">UCL publishes study findings</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.cmaj.ca/content/early/2014/01/20/cmaj.131155" target="_blank">Read the full paper published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal</a></p>
<p>Read the Daily Telegraph's coverage of this story: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10584657/Happiness-is-the-key-to-health-in-old-age.html" target="_blank">Happiness key to health in old age</a></p>
<p>Read the Daily Mail's coverage of this story: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2542733/How-happy-make-FIT-Cheerful-people-walk-faster-active-old-age-unhappy-people.html" target="_blank">Cheerful people walk faster and are more active in old age </a></p>New study shows care for older people at home cut by a third in five years<p>A new study by academics from the London School of Economics has revealed that care for older people in their homes in England has been cut by a third in the last five years.</p>
<p>The group which commissioned the study, the <a href="http://careandsupportalliance.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Care and Support Alliance</a>, an umbrella group of 75 charities working with elderly and disabled people, says new analysis (January 14) of figures it released in December reveals: </p>
<ul>
<li>Overall adults receiving community-based care fell by almost a third (31%) since 2008.</li>
<li>Over the same time people receiving care support in a residential or nursing home fell by only 8%.</li>
<li>The numbers of older people receiving help at home and in their community fell by 36%.</li>
<li>The numbers of working aged people with a physical disability receiving help at home and in their community fell by 29%.</li>
</ul>
<p>The squeeze on the number of frail and elderly people receiving care at home comes at a time when the number of older people is rising faster than that of the general population. Between 2005 and 2012 the number of over-65s in England leapt by a million – or 12.5 per cent – to 9.1 million.</p>
<p>The study of NHS figures in England was carried out by academics from by the London School of Economics and the University of Kent under the auspices of the Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU). It relates to care provided in England where the UK Government's Care Bill is currently (January 14) being scrutinised by MPs. </p>
<h2>The study figures - read more</h2>
<p>The study by the Personal Social Services Research Unit (2013), <em>Changes in the patterns of social care provision in England: 2005/6 to 2012/13</em>, London: London School of Economics, is available online at: <a title="http://www.pssru.ac.uk/archive/pdf/dp2867.pdf" href="http://www.pssru.ac.uk/archive/pdf/dp2867.pdf">http://www.pssru.ac.uk/archive/pdf/dp2867.pdf</a><a href="http://www.pssru.ac.uk/archive/publications.php"><br /> </a></p>
<ul>
<li>Read more on this story in the <em>Daily Telegraph:</em> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/10569760/NHS-care-at-home-for-elderly-and-disabled-quietly-slashed-by-a-third.html" target="_blank">NHS care at home for elderly and disabled quietly slashed</a></li>
<li><a href="http://careandsupportalliance.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Read the Care and Support Alliance - news and blog</a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Call to nominate providers who support use of Welsh in social care<p>The Welsh Government is calling for nominations for the <strong>Words Into Action Awards 2014</strong> which honour providers who support the provision of bilingual services in the health, social services and social care sectors.</p>
<p>Previously known as the Welsh Language in Healthcare Conference and Awards, the awards will take place during the Words into Action Conference on June 19 at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.</p>
<p>As well as giving the awards a new name, the organisers have broadened the scope of the awards this year to include those working in social services and social care as well as health. The new name for the awards is also designed to reflect the objectives of the More Than Just Words strategic framework. <br /> </p>
<h2>New awards categories for 2014</h2>
<p>New categories have been introduced for 2014 which include:</p>
<ul>
<li>‘Care base on the Active Offer’ [sic];</li>
<li>‘IT and the Welsh Language’;</li>
<li>‘Supporting Learners’ and</li>
<li>‘Exceptional commitment to providing Welsh Language service.</li>
</ul>
<p>In addition, for the first time, there will be a minister’s Special Award for the best overall nominee. The aim of this prize is to reward an exceptional nominee (or project or service) who has made the greatest contribution to realise the objectives of More Than Just Words.</p>
<p><strong>The closing date for nominations is the 14th March 2014.</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Find out how to nominate:</strong> please contact the Welsh Language Policy Unit on 029 20823135 or email <a href="mailto:please%20contact the Welsh Language Policy Unit on 029 20823135 or uned-yr-iaith@wales.gsi.gov.uk." target="_blank">uned-yr-iaith@wales.gsi.gov.uk</a>. </li>
<li><a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2013/130711awards/?lang=en" target="_blank"><strong>See the Welsh Government website to find out who won awards in 2013</strong> </a></li>
</ul>Nominate Now for Wales Care Awards 2014<h1>Nominate for Wales Care Awards 2014</h1>
<p>Nominations are now open for the annual Wales Care Awards which will take place on Friday 24th October 2014 at City Hall, Cardiff.</p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB">The Wales Care Awards are an annual event run by Care Forum Wales to showcase best practice across the care sector. The 2014 Wales Care Awards will take place on Friday 24th October in Cardiff’s City Hall. <font color="#ff0000"><br /></font></span></p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB">Anyone involved in the care industry can nominate an individual or a team for an award. So whether you’d like to nominate an outstanding nurse, think your catering team are unsung heroes or you have a hard-working manager whose efforts deserve recognition, this is a chance to have your say. </span> </p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB">The awards ceremony, sponsored by Barclays Bank, is open to all who wish to attend. </span> </p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB">The Awards will be presented in three categories – gold, silver and bronze – and are an important part of raising the profile of care workers and educating the public about the vital work we do.</span> </p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB">Attending the ceremony is also an occasion to mingle with fellow care sector staff, compare best practice and, of course, to have some well-deserved fun. So come along and enjoy the evening – this is your time to shine. </span></p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Care%20Awards Nomination form 2014.doc">Click here </a>to download nomination form.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Care%20Award Category Guidance Notes 2014.doc">Click here </a>to download category guidance for each award.</span></p>Wales Care Awards 2014 - nominations to open soon<p>Nominations for the 2014 annual Wales Care Awards will open soon.</p>
<p>This year the awards will take place at Cardiff City Hall on Friday 24th October.</p>
<p>Further details to follow.....watch this space.</p>CFW's response to Inspection & Regulation White Paper is published<p>Care Forum Wales is publishing its response submitted in response to the consultation on the Welsh Government's Inspection and Regulation White Paper.</p>
<p>This response, compiled by senior policy adviser Mary Wimbury, was submitted ahead of the deadline for consultations on January 6, 2014.</p>
<p>You can read our responses to consultation questions is below, in full:</p>
<p><strong>The Future of Regulation and Inspection of Care and Support in Wales <br /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Response from Care Forum Wales, January 2014 </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<p><strong>Section 3 – A Citizen Centred Approach</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>What, if any, challenges will there be to introducing an outcomes-based approach to regulation and inspection?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p> </p>
<p>Care Forum Wales believes regulation can reasonably look at welfare, risk and safety, including safeguarding: effectively an MOT for care homes. Commissioning and therefore contract monitoring needs to focus on quality and outcomes.</p>
<p>Currently there are issues around duplication of the two functions with commissioning / contract compliance taking little account of the role of the regulation and inspection process and vice versa. We are concerned that, without a clear focus on commissioning, this will be perpetuated and become increasingly entrenched through a more outcomes focussed approach to regulation and inspection. There is a danger that regulator will effectively be commissioning by the back door unless commissioners are bound and regulated to ensure they are commissioning a service based on outcomes.</p>
<p>Outcomes need to be built effectively into commissioning and contract monitoring to ensure they are realistic against what is commissioned and paid for. It should then be the job of the inspection and regulation regime to inspect commissioning to ensure it is appropriate, as well as inspecting providers. Otherwise our fear is that commissioners commission the bare minimum and that providers are judged on quality of life outcomes. This will put considerable strain on providers. We already have situations where the provider is put in an invidious position: being told by commissioners, that that is the level they are commissioning at but by the inspector that they should have refused the work if that was all they could provide at that price. In summary commissioning against outcomes must be the first step and should be built into the work to take forward the Memorandum of Understanding <em>Securing Strong Partnerships in Care.</em></p>
<p>If Welsh Government wishes to regulate and inspect against outcomes it needs to be borne in mind that:</p>
<ul>
<li>Outcomes are difficult to define (e.g. how it will look on the ground and be meaningful for the citizen) and even more difficult to measure in a transparent and consistent fashion;</li>
<li>Outcomes need to be drawn up against an appropriate baseline e.g. how much has service intervention improved, say quality of life, compared to how it was previously, the expected outcome, alternative forms of provision;</li>
<li>There is a need to define through a Person Centred Planning Process what outcomes matter to service users, their families and society as a whole; Outcomes are also often determined by commissioners with little reference to service users.</li>
<li>Outcomes need to be realistic compared to what is being commissioned and paid for. The fees paid can impact on and determine the extent to which outcomes can be fully realised.</li>
<li>Social outcomes are often overlooked for older people and these should also be included;</li>
<li>Finally consideration would need to be given into how an outcome based regulation and inspection regime would tie in with enforcement and prosecution and this may require a review of National Minimum Standards to ensure that they reflect outcomes and are fit for purpose.</li>
</ul>
<p>The body or bodies responsible for regulation and inspection should also use its role to promote and share good practice within the sector.</p>
<p>Finally consideration would need to be given into how an outcome based regulation and inspection regime would tie in with enforcement and prosecution and this may require a review of National Minimum Standards to ensure that they reflect outcomes and are fit for purpose.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>What, if any, benefits will there be to introducing an outcomes-based approach to regulation and inspection?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>An outcomes-based approach to regulation and inspection would require significant work to be done with regulatory and inspection bodies to ensure consistency. We are already seeing regulation move from objective to subjective and would argue this is not appropriate, is hard to maintain consistency and is not the role of regulation. Traditionally inspection and regulation has been focussed on minimum standards and more specifically compliance with regulations and it has been up to commissioning to build in quality. Commissioners are still struggling significantly to commission against outcomes and without this it is difficult to see how any inspection and regulation based on outcomes can be built. Any regulation and inspection system should benefit those using services by focussing on outcomes for them. An outcomes focus could also provide benefit if the advantages from particular courses of action are clearly identified and enabled to be spread.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>What is your view of our requirement for service providers to produce an annual report? </strong></li>
</ol>
<p>An annual report could be a useful tool to allow prospective users, commissioners and families to compare and contrast service provision. However, it needs to be clarified whether these are in addition to or a development of existing requirements e.g. the Service Review under Regulation 33 in Children’s Homes.</p>
<p>Any such additional requirement needs to be mindful of the burden on providers and make similar and at a similar time to other demands for information e.g. CSSIW SDF and SASS, returns for SCiP etc., requests from commissioners. This is a particular issue for SMEs.</p>
<p>The report should make use of and bring together other publicly accessible and easily identifiable and verifiable information such as the scores on the doors for food hygiene rather than expecting providers to reinvent the wheel.</p>
<p>We would also suggest a statement of financial viability being included or added to the accounts from either the homes accountants or their banks .</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>What information do you think should be included in the annual reports? </strong></li>
</ol>
<p>In addition to those areas outlined we would like to see other independent accredited awards, such as Investors in People encouraged and included in a ‘scores on the doors’ type format, together with membership of any professional organisations, such as Care Forum Wales. Any measures would obviously need to be carefully considered and readily understandable by the public e.g. a high level of POVAs may well indicate a robust reporting mechanism but might signify a problem to the public. Staff turnover might be could be included, but would need to be compared to similar services e.g. CSSIW, local authorities, NHS.</p>
<p>We would also expect to include a commentary on or response to the CSSIW report from the provider and comments from service users and families.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>Do you think a quality judgement framework will be a useful tool for the citizen? Why/why Not?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>A quality judgement framework could be useful if it is properly developed, robust and is subject to an independent appeals process. We would question how well this can this work with the current snapshot inspections which give a picture of the service on one day rather than the more rounded view experienced by residents, other service users and families throughout the year.<a name="_GoBack"></a></p>
<p>Lessons should be learned from the trial of a quality framework in Newport and Torfaen, which focussed on tick boxes rather than outcomes and took a considerable amount of provider time for little result.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>Are there any other ways we could provide citizens with more control over the care and support they receive?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>There needs to be an understanding that in the same way some citizens will feel more comfortable holidaying in a homely B&B and others in a more clinical chain hotel, citizens will make different choices about service provision. Such legitimate differences and choices should be understood and expected.</p>
<p>Some of these differences are matters of taste. However, we also need to be realistic that unless public funding for social care is significantly increased we have a two tier system for care homes for older people in the UK. The quality expected and provided in some care homes in affluent areas, mostly in England, where the majority are private payers cannot be provided on current public sector fees. But these are the areas where significant numbers of new care homes are being built. In Wales, where the vast majority of social care is is paid for by the public purse there often seems to be denial of this.</p>
<p>There may also be situations where citizen (or family) rights cannot be met by service. There may be problems where citizen control collides with the Mental Capacity Act, or where people make choices that are not deemed appropriate e.g. they would prefer not to be re-abled. It also needs to be recognised that there are particular issues with looked after children, who need an element of control in order to feel safe as any child does.</p>
<p>We need to recognise that for citizens to genuinely have more control over services, service providers need to have permissions to be innovative in the way they work. Over the past two decades it has become much more difficult to be spontaneous or to encourage people using services to take the day to day life ‘risks’ that we all experience without thinking about. For example, it is insulting to ask people to prepare or help clear up after meals using plastic utensils and washing up bowls on dining room tables, when a few months ago they may have been managing their own household. There is something very limiting about the way we treat older people, who after all have more life experience than the rest of us.</p>
<p>Managers are striving for families and people using services who are completely happy with everything, to satisfy inspectors when we all know that people who are in control and empowered are far more likely to provide constructive criticism (if we are fortunate). Citizens must have more control over the care and support they are offered and that must start with an assessment process that seeks to find out what support the person believes they need, rather then what the professionals think they need. We all have to change the way we perceive people who access services and the power of the professional, the regulators need to lead the change and that means very different attitudes. We have to have far more than ‘informed consent’ to move this forward and we have to work in genuine partnership to achieve it, this means that we all have to recognise our prejudices. There must be a genuine equal partnership with independent providers in both the voluntary and private sector. This is difficult when some professionals and regulators reinforce deep negative preconceptions.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>How could the service regulator involve citizens further in their work?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Residents, other service users and their families should have an ability not just to respond to pre-inspection questionnaires but to comment on inspection reports and have their comments considered and incorporated in or published as an appendix to the published report. In order to give the citizen voice, choice and control it does not seem reasonable that their home can be subject to subjective comments widely available on the internet, increasing numbers of which are not seen as accurate, with no right of reply.</p>
<p>Like tripadvisor, CSSIW should allow verified comments and a right of reply on inspection reports.</p>
<p>There is also a need to consider how to effectively engage with children and young people in this process as the approach will probably need to be different to that used with adults.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>Are there any other ways we could strengthen the voice and control of the citizen in regulation and inspection that you believe we should consider?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>We believe there would be greater understanding of and support for the inspection and regulation system if there were an independent appeals mechanism for inspection reports. We believe this would also ensure there was greater consistency in inspection reports between different inspectors. Good inspectors can communicate well with citizens, but we believe this is an area where further training is required for some. Again there is a need to consider how to communicate effectively with children and young people as questionnaires are not the most effective means. There is also a need to make effective use of information from the Older People’s and Children’s Commissioners.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p><strong>Section 4 – Firm and Broad Regulation</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>What, if any, risks are there to a service based regulatory system?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>It is important to ensure each setting is still inspected appropriately and that there is a level playing field in inspection between smaller and larger organisations. Managers of individual parts of the service must be clear that responsibility rests with them, not with head office. It also needs to be clear that if one part of a service has difficulties there is not an automatic judgement made against the service as a whole.</p>
<p>It is particularly important to ensure that this new model closes any current loopholes and does not create any others: in particular we are aware of the current situation of domiciliary care agencies operating in Wales but only registered in England which needs to be rectified.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>What, if any, benefits are there to a service based regulatory system?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>It would be clear who holds the ultimate corporate responsibility and would seem to make sense and allow for service innovation provided the points above are addressed.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>Are there any services that are not currently regulated that you feel should be? Why/why not?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>We believe that there should be regulation of those providing care to people in receipt of direct payments from the public purse and also of agencies matching service users with personal assistants. Our view is that the latter are effectively an unregistered domiciliary care agency and the lack of regulation in this area is a major safeguarding issue. Regulating supported living arrangements, staffing and employment recruitment agencies should also be considered to ensure a level playing field and safeguard the citizen.</p>
<p>We also need to ensure that any new models fit within the regulatory framework e.g. extra care housing in the grounds of a care home. This may well make care more sustainable and allow innovation. There also needs to be clarity about responsibility when you have health professionals e.g. district nurses going into a care home, they are responsible for the care they deliver, not the home.</p>
<p>Consideration should also be given to regulating NHS services, as they are in England, as this was key in identifying issues in mid Staffs. Combining the work of Health Inspectorate Wales and CSSIW should also be considered. This is particularly important for nursing beds where the same person may be under one regulator one week and another the next without their needs having changed substantially as they move from hospital to a care home or vice versa.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>Should local authorities be required to produce an annual report which will provide the basis of inspection by the service regulator? Why/why not?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>We believe local authorities should be required to produce a public report for inspection and that this would provide a level playing field with those providing services. In particular we would like to see them report on their commissioning of services in a way that can provide a framework for inspection. As addressed earlier the link between commissioning, payment and quality needs to be drawn out. At the moment we feel it is too easy for the inspectorate to hold providers responsible for commissioning failures and too hard for them to hold commissioners to account. Effectively providers are held to account for others’ failings, even though they are beyond their control.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>How could the regulator assess whether the Responsible Individual is a fit and proper person?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>We would expect a DBS check and an interview to ensure the Responsible Individual understands their responsibilities and has sufficient standing within their organisation to deliver on them and with the appropriate level of accountability.</p>
<p>Also need to assess how the RI views the discharging of statutory; contractual and professional duties.</p>
<p>There should be clarity for regulators of the role and expectations placed upon the RI and ways of ascertaining ‘fitness’. For instance it has become quite common for the RI to be asked to complete the Level 5 Diploma required of Registered Managers. As this is a competence based qualification it is unlikely that all RI’s will be able to complete this with any integrity, as their role will not always match the NOS on which the qualification is based. This leads to the question why if RI’s are asked to complete the competence based qualification required of the RM and deputies we need two clearly identified roles?</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>Do you think the requirement for service providers to undertake a risk assessment about continuity of service would help prevent provider failure? Why/why not? </strong></li>
</ol>
<p>This feels like a reaction to the last problem i.e. Southern Cross rather than the next one. In Wales we are heavily dependent on small, family providers to operate – particularly in rural areas. The demands on them should not be so onerous as to make their continuation impossible.</p>
<p>Better solutions might be for the local authority to consider the risks of its own commissioning position, including whether too much of the local market was with one provider, particularly if it is a large national provider, without significant local links . Co-operative or mutual solutions to provide continuity drawing on the expertise of other local providers could also be considered. </p>
<p>We would also like to see risk assessments on extended stays in hospital for older people, so that a fair comparison can be made between care in care homes and in hospital.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>In the event of provider failure, would local authority contingency plans help ensure the continuity of service provision? Why/why not? </strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Local authorities and LHBs should have a responsibility to prepare such plans or approve providers’ plans. The detailed contract between providers, the LAs and UHB in Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Merthyr and RCT was prepared by agreement of representative of all parties. The contract makes detailed provision to allow the commissioners to enter into homes, pay existing staff until orderly arrangements are made for the well being of service users. Such a contract could be implemented across Wales and there would be a double safeguard and managed transitions would be possible that would be in the interests of service users. Please also see our answer to the previous question.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>Do you think a registration fee should be introduced for organisations registering to provide care and support services? Why/why not?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>A survey of Care Forum Wales members in November indicated unanimous opposition and that none thought it would improve the quality of regulation and inspection. So far, we haven’t found anyone who think this proposal will improve regulation and believe other organisations have found the same. Given that the vast majority of care and support within Wales is funded by the public purse we believe the transaction costs involved in recycling public money around the system will outweigh any gain and do not believe this will improve the quality of inspection and regulation. An independent appeals mechanism would be far more likely to do that.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>Do you think a fee should be charged for organisations providing care and support services to renew registration?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>No for similar reasons to our answer to question 16.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>What, if any, challenges would there be to introducing time limited registration, in particular circumstances, for organisations providing care and support services?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Time limited registration could well force a provider in difficulties under as there would be a disincentive to use such a service and an incentive for staff and current users to look to move elsewhere. Access to finance and capital could also be a problem. There is currently provision for CSSIW to close a service down with immediate effect and therefore we do not see why this additional provision is needed. Also prior to getting to the stage of closing a service CSSIW can issue compliance notices which do require the provider to address a particular issue relating to the service not meeting regulatory requirements within a specified timescale to report back once the compliance matter has been addressed which gives CSSIW the opportunity to carry out a further inspection if felt necessary.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>What, if any, benefits would there be to introducing time limited registration, in particular circumstances, for organisations providing care and support services?</strong><strong> <br /></strong></li>
</ol>
<p>We cannot see any benefit or need based on the above comments.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>Do you think that the service regulator has sufficient enforcement powers? Why/why not?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Yes – as stated above homes can and are closed under the current system. Often such closures are against the wishes of residents and families and this needs to be considered as we increase the emphasis on citizen control.</p>
<p>Other compliance measures can also be imposed with time scales for remedial action to be taken.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>Should the existing offence of providing false or misleading information in an application form be extended to the provider’s annual report to the inspector? Why/why not?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>We agree that it should in order to protect good providers. However, such an offence should also apply to expert inspectors.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>What are your views in relation to making provision for ‘aggravated’ versions of certain regulatory breaches which would </strong><strong>provide stronger sentencing powers to the courts in relation to the most serious regulatory breaches?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>At the present time it is difficult for many providers to recruit staff, nurses and managers and there is a particular shortage of managers in adult care. We feel the pressure staff, and managers in particular, are placed under by, for example safeguarding investigations, is discouraging staff from seeking such positions. We feel any hardening of such regulatory breaches would only be likely to make the situation worse.</p>
<p>Furthermore, if such sanctions could apply to the workforce it would need to be ensured that they were compatible with employment law.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p><strong>Section 5 – Strong and Professional Delivery</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>Are there any groups in the care and support workforce that are not currently registered, that you think should be? Why/why not? </strong></li>
</ol>
<p>In an ideal world we would like to see all those working in the care sector registered. Our first priorities would be:</p>
<ul>
<li>Personal assistants – we are aware of people switching from domiciliary care after incidents which may make them unsuitable;</li>
<li>Social work assistants</li>
<li>Commissioners</li>
<li>Contract monitors</li>
<li>Inspectors</li>
</ul>
<p>That said we recognise this is aspirational. It will take a long time to professionalise a workforce that is generally unrecognised and certainly undervalued for the work it does by professionals and to some extent the general public who do not rely upon their support. Support should be given to the Academy of Care Practitioners to further professionalization of social care.</p>
<p>Whilst the Care Council for Wales has worked steadily towards professionalization for over a decade, during the past two years their influence has been diluted by changes outside their control which fall within the remit of education and training. Social care must be the only profession that does not have a strong Professional Body of its own or indeed any way of regulating or managing those who assess and train the staff who will be responsible for facilitating the change in power balance and control of services. For the change to be successful monitoring and regulation of social care training should be firmly in embedded within social care and ‘owned’ by the sector. </p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>What, if any, challenges would there be to extending registration of the care and support workforce? </strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Financing it would be challenging. We have already highlighted recruitment problems and would expect requiring care workers to pay a registration fee to make recruitment more problematic.</p>
<p>The implementation would also need to be carefully thought through. The current manager shortage has been exacerbated by a failure to allow suitable candidates reasonable time to obtain the qualification.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>What, if any, benefits would there be to extending registration of the care and support workforce? </strong></li>
</ol>
<p>We would expect to see a more professionalised workforce and more reliable staff. There would also be a public assurance benefit and we would expect the positive feedback and reinforcement to lead to a better trained social care workforce.</p>
<p>There is also evidence that regulation of the workforce can contribute to workforce development and therefore service improvement.</p>
<p>Such a change could also provide data that would support the creation of a National Data Set.</p>
<p>To make transition easier and assess gains registration could be introduced at varying levels for different groups.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>If registration is extended, what are your views about extending protection of title to other groups in the care and support workforce?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Currently this primarily relates to social workers. However we would like to see consideration given to protecting the title of Manager. Given the current shortage of managers this could enable a service to be designated as having an unregistered manager rather than being non-compliant.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>If registration is extended, what are your views about extending protection of role to other groups in the care and support workforce? </strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Should include those working for people receiving direct payments i.e. personal assistants</p>
<p>Social work assistants</p>
<p>Commissioners</p>
<p>CSSIW inspector</p>
<p>Residential Child Care Staff – to raise their professional profile that reflects the complexity of their role.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>What is your view of the proposal to require social care managers to only register with the workforce regulator?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>We believe it makes sense to only register with one. However, this would need to include a fit person test rather than basing registration on qualification alone. The Inspector would also need to be required when inspecting a service to inform the workforce regulator of any relevant issues involving the manager. It is important that management skills are seen as a primary need rather than an over-focus on social care practice.</p>
<p>Currently the system feels one-sided in that the regulator can assess if a provider has an appropriate manager in place as part of the performance of the provider. However the provider is still fully responsible for the calibre of their manager. There need to be clear guidelines on the person specification of a manager.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>What are your views on our plans to remove voluntary registers?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>We would like to see a move towards compulsory registration of the social care workforce. In the meantime there is a need to consider the impact on those registrants who have registered on a voluntary basis if access to the register for them is removed.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>What, if any, risks are associated with negative registers? </strong></li>
</ol>
<p>We believe negative registers involve the bulk of the costs of positive registration without many of the benefits. We would prefer to see a positive register.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>What, if any, benefits are associated with negative registers?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>They may identify some people who shouldn’t work in sector who are not currently picked up.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>Do you think we should adopt negative registration in Wales? Why/why not?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>We believe considering the costs and benefits it would be better to plan to roll out compulsory registration and in the meantime rely on DBS and employment checks as well as the on-going employment processes of supervision and appraisal.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p><strong>Section 6 - Taking the next step to Improvement and Professionalisation</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>What are your views on the proposal to introduce a National Institute of Care and Support? </strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Care Forum Wales believes it is important to have a strong voice for social care in Wales. We understand the call for a National Institute based on the Care Council; however, we believe that it might provide better continuity to call such a body the Care and Support Council. We would not want to see the ground the Care Council has already covered and what it has achieved to date in terms of profile and reputation which could be lost with a change of name.</p>
<p>There is also the cost of ‘rebranding’ which we believe adds to the view that more could be lost than gained.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>What functions should the Institute be responsible for? </strong></li>
</ol>
<p>We would see the Institute or Council as a strong voice for improvement in Social Care in Wales which is responsible for the current remit of the Care Council plus regulation and registration of training companies within the care sector. We would like to see it continue to take into account the voice and experience of the registered and regulated to ensure they can influence current practice – we believe this contributes enormously to the strength of the current Care Council. We would like to see a regulation of social care training, the promotion and dissemination of good practice and the commissioning of research to develop and inform practice, although the latter function should be in conjunction with SCiE. We would strongly urge continued support for SCiE, which provides a powerful well-funded voice with an all UK remit, where Wales gets significant benefits for a relatively small input.</p>
<p>This body could also have an overarching remit or ‘watching brief’ over the activities of regulators and commissioners of social care provision to ease and facilitate the change process to citizen lead services across Wales.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p><strong>Section 7 – Working Together</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>Do you think that the functions of service and workforce regulation should be carried out inside or outside of the Welsh Government? Why?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Whichever model is adopted two things are important:</p>
<ul>
<li>The public are clear who is ultimately responsible – the Minister or a Board?</li>
<li>Users and providers are part of the governance structure as is currently the case with the Care Council. Their involvement is vital and both should have a voice in the governance of the service and workforce regulator.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p><strong>Other</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p><strong>The Welsh Government is interested in understanding whether the changes proposed in this White Paper will have an impact on groups with protected characteristics. Protected characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex, and sexual orientation.</strong></p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Do you feel that the changes outlined in this White Paper will have any positive impacts on groups with protected characteristics? If so, which changes and why/why not?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Anything that improves the status and improvement role within social care in Wales will have a positive effect on those who use such services, specifically older groups and those with disabilities. Citizen led services apply to all the citizens of Wales.</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Do you feel that the changes outlined in this White Paper will have any negative impacts on groups with protected characteristics? If so, which changes and why/why not?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>no</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>What are your views on any costs associated with the changes outlined in the White Paper?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Costs are very closely linked to the quality of what is commissioned. This will depend in part on the quality demanded from providers and on the recognitions of increasing demographics.</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>What opportunities do the proposed changes set out in this White Paper provide to reduce or replace the current system of regulation and inspection?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>We have already highlighted the burden of duplication on providers from regulators, inspectors and commissioners. Any time and resource that is freed up from this can go into directly improving care provision.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><ol>
<li><strong>We have asked a number of specific questions. If you have any related issues which we have not specifically addressed, please use this space to report them.</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>We would like to see improved process for sharing appropriate information with providers as fellow professionals with social workers, and NHS workers to the benefit of those being cared for as well as with safeguarding agencies and commissioners.</p>
<p>It is also important to build on what is clearly working ‘some things are not broken and do no need fixing’ and avoid introducing legislation in response or reaction to things that have gone wrong e.g. Southern Cross which could be seen as isolated examples (albeit with a major consequence). History tells us that such action is likely to have other adverse consequences.</p>
<p>Finally we would like to urge more integration between different departments of Welsh Government. Firstly since the vast majority of social care providers are SMEs we would like to see greater co-operation between the Health and Social Care, Local Government and Business departments to promote home-grown welsh businesses, and development and commissioning which encourages spending the welsh pound in Wales. Secondly there is a role for Education, Business and Social Care to come together to develop employment skills needed for social care and grow our own workforce.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<table style="height: 56px;" width="13">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>Christmas wishes from Care Forum Wales<p><img style="float: right;" src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/holly-leaves-with-berries-hi.png" alt="" width="300" /></p>
<h1><strong>Message from Mario Kreft, Care Forum Wales Chair<br /></strong></h1>
<p>We are looking forward to some big changes in 2014 – we hope the Inspection and Regulation White Paper will result in a bill being brought forward once all the consultation responses have been considered.</p>
<p>In the new year we will be continuing to work hard for all Care Forum Wales members, making sure we have an input on Welsh Government proposals when they impact on our sector, and working with our partners to help make sure social care services are as integrated as possible for those we care for.</p>
<p><em>Best wishes for a safe and happy festive season,</em></p>
<p><em>Mario Kreft</em></p>
<p> </p>Care home owner praises "fabulous" staff for helping to save residents <div class="tmRow span-24 article-page">The owner of the fire-damaged Hafod y Green rehabilitation and nursing centre in Trefnant, near Denbigh in North Wales, has praised his “fabulous” staff for saving the lives of the home's 32 residents.</div>
<p>David Wynne, who owns the specialist home for people with brain injuries and young adults with physical disabilities, spoke to the <em>North Wales Daily Post</em> after the fire which broke out on December 16 just after 5.30pm. Six fire crews were called and all residents and staff were evacuated safely.</p>
<p>Mr Wynne told the paper: “I’m gutted but it could have been worse. Nobody has lost their life.</p>
<p>“The staff were fantastic. They are well trained and did such a great job getting people out to an outdoor activities area.”</p>
<p>Mr Wynne praised his workers as “absolutely fabulous”.</p>
<p>He added: “It (a fire) is always tragic. We have got vulnerable adults and in real terms Hafod y Green has become their home.</p>
<p>“But we were fortunate in one respect - it was only down to the training of the staff and their hard work and their due diligence that a fatality was prevented.</p>
<p>“We were evacuating people to as far away as Corwen - and our own staff were doing that. I can’t thank the staff enough.”</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/care-home-fire-owner-praises-6413419" target="_blank"><strong>See images and more on this story on the Daily Post website</strong></a></li>
</ul>Residents and staff safely evacuated after Denbighshire nursing home fire<p>More than 50 staff and residents were safely evacuated from a nursing home in Denbighshire last night after a fire broke out at the Hafod-y-Green Rehabilitation and Nursing Centre in Trefnant near Denbigh yesterday evening (December 16).</p>
<p>North Wales Fire and Rescue Service was called and six fire crews helped residents and staff out of the building. Ambulances were also called to the scene but no-one was injured during the fire which began just after 5.30pm on Monday evening. </p>
<p>A Welsh Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "No one was taken to hospital but more than 30 residents were transported to a holding area at Denbigh Infirmary."</p>
<p>The roof space of the building was badly damaged during the fire - an investigation into its cause will now take place.</p>
<p>Mario Kreft, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, who lives in Denbigh, visited Trefnant yesterday to offer his support. He said: "Mercifully, nobody appears to have been injured in this fire. We are grateful to the emergency services for their efforts in tackling the blaze and arranging for the residents to be taken to safety.</p>
<p>"It was, nevertheless, a deeply shocking incident and we will provide all the support we can to the owners at this difficult time.</p>
<p>"This is the worst nightmare for any care provider which is why we spend so much time and effort on staff training in relation and I am sure this will have been crucial in terms of the safe evacuation of the residents when the fire started."</p>
<h2>Read more on the Trefnant Nursing Home Fire</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-25410048" target="_blank">BBC: Trefnant nursing home blaze tackled by six fire crews</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/50-staff-residents-evacuated-after-6411902" target="_blank">North Wales Daily Post: 50 staff and residents evacuated after nursing home fire in North Wales</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-25412670" target="_blank">BBC: Hafod-y-Green care home fire inquiries get underway</a></p>Welsh Government consultation on Declaration of Rights of Older People opens<p>The Welsh Government has now opened its consultation on plans for a Declaration of Rights of Older People. The consultation will be open until March 15, 2014.</p>
<h2>Benefits of the declaration</h2>
<ul>
<li>The proposed declaration would clearly set out the rights that older people have. This information would help statutory bodies and service providers who work for, or on behalf of older people to know what is expected in Wales.</li>
<li>It would include guidance on what is expected to ensure older people receive the support and services they need. It would also help older people to know what their rights are by clearly setting out their entitlements.</li>
</ul>
<h2>How to make your views known</h2>
<p>The Welsh Government would like views from people of all ages but particularly would welcome comments from:</p>
<ul>
<li>Older people</li>
<li>Young people</li>
<li>Families</li>
<li>Carers</li>
<li>Black and Minority Ethnic interest groups</li>
<li>Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender interest groups</li>
<li>Residents Associations</li>
<li>Housing associations</li>
<li>Credit unions</li>
<li>Care and support workers</li>
<li>Organisations made up of older people</li>
<li>Organisations which provide services to older people</li>
<li>Organisations which work for or on behalf of older people</li>
<li>Employers</li>
<li>Education and Training provide</li>
</ul>
<p>You can either email your views to: <a href="mailto:Strategyforolderpeople@wales.gsi.gov.uk">Strategyforolderpeople@wales.gsi.gov.uk</a></p>
<p>Or post them to:</p>
<p>Strategy for Older People Team, Integration Policy and Delivery Division<br /> Welsh Government<br /> Floor 4 (North Core), Crown Buildings<br /> Cathays Park<br /> Cardiff<br /> CF10 3NQ</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Additional information: Telephone: 029 2082 6928 </strong></li>
<li><a href="http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/consultation/?lang=en" target="_blank"><strong>Refer to the consulation webpage</strong></a></li>
</ul>G8 dementia summit promises new focus on research and raises hopes of a 'cure'<p>The G8 summit on dementia in London yesterday (December 11) has raised hopes that more focus on dementia and more funding will lead to a leap forward in dementia treatment.</p>
<p>David Cameron, who attended the summit, announced increased funding in the UK to fight the disease and spoke of his hopes for a "cure".</p>
<p>The Prime Minister invited health chiefs from the world's richest countries to the UK to discuss what to do about dementia, with the number of sufferers <a title="" href="http://www.alz.co.uk/research/G8-policy-brief">predicted to treble to 135 million globally by 2050</a>.</p>
<div class="thirdPar">
<p>At the summit he announced that GlaxoSmithKline will be investing a further £200m in UK life sciences and that the <strong><a href="http://www.mrc.ac.uk/index.htm">Medical Research Council</a></strong> will spend £150m more on clinical infrastructure for dementia and genomics.</p>
<p>He also said a scan that can rule out Alzheimer's will be available on the NHS from now on. The first patient is due to undergo a scan today (December 12) in London's Charing Cross Hospital, part of Imperial College NHS Trust.</p>
</div>
<div class="fourthPar">
<p>Mr Cameron said, "It doesn't matter whether you're in London or Los Angeles, in rural India or in urban Japan: this disease steals lives, it wrecks families, it breaks hearts.</p>
</div>
<div class="fifthPar">
<p>"And that is why all of us here are so utterly determined to beat it."</p>
<h2>Read more about the G8 dementia summit</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/dec/11/dementia-research-doubled-david-cameron-alzheimers-nhs" target="_blank"><strong>Dementia research funding to be doubled by 2015 - The Guardian</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/dec/11/dementia-research-funding-cancer-alzheimers" target="_blank"><strong>Charity's call for dementia research funding to be on same footing as cancer - The Guardian</strong></a></p>
<h2>Alzheimer's research</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.alz.co.uk/research/G8-policy-brief" target="_blank"><strong>Alzheimer's Disease International - The global impact of dementia study</strong></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>Welsh Government moves to create Declaration of Rights of Older People<p>The Welsh Government's Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, has today (December 10) set out plans for a public consultation on a formal Declaration of Rights of Older People in Wales. The move would be a first for Wales and, if adopted, the declaration would clearly set out the rights of older people in Wales which are underpinned by existing legislation.</p>
<p>Setting out plans for the consultation Gwenda Thomas said: “Human rights and equality are enshrined in the Government of Wales Act 2006. They are essential if we are to achieve our ambition to build a fair and inclusive Wales, and communities in which everyone can participate.</p>
<p>“We must dispel old-fashioned stereotypes of people based on their age, and recognise and value the enormous contributions that older people make in all of our communities across Wales.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/news/Commissioners-blog.aspx" target="_blank">The Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira</a>, who will chair a working group on how the declaration can enhance the rights of older people, welcomed the move. She said: “Introducing a Declaration of Rights for Older People in Wales would mark a significant step forward and would provide a clear framework and standard that can be used by older people themselves to ensure that they receive the support and services they need to live fulfilled, independent lives.</p>
<p>“The Declaration will also, for the first time, provide clear expectations to those who are responsible for the development and delivery of public services about how to support and engage effectively with older people across Wales."</p>
<h2>What would a declaration or rights do for older people?</h2>
<ul>
<li>Under the proposals, the declaration would make clear to statutory bodies and service providers what older people’s expectations are and what their rights are when accessing and using services.</li>
<li>It would also help older people to understand their rights more effectively and how they relate to current equality and human rights laws in Wales.</li>
</ul>
<h2>How can I have my say?</h2>
<p>The public consultation opens on December 16. To find out how to make your views known <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/olderpeople/?lang=en" target="_blank"><strong>visit the Welsh Government's consultations page</strong></a>.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2013/131210olderpeoplerights/?lang=en" target="_blank"><strong>Read the full story about this consulation on the Welsh Government's website</strong></a></li>
</ul>Physical exercise may have positive impact on symptoms of dementia, new study indicates<p>A new study published on December 4 is among the research first to show that exercise may improve the lives of people already living with dementia - helping to improve memory, attention and cognitive function rather than simply slowing their deterioration.</p>
<p>The research was carried out by a team at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, and published at the <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006489.pub3/abstract" target="_blank">online Cochrane Library</a> on December 4.</p>
<p>The authors of the study, led by Dorothy Forbes, say: "There is promising evidence that exercise programmes can have a significant impact in improving ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) and possibly in improving cognition in people with dementia."</p>
<p>The authors also add that exercise may therefore indirectly benefit caregivers and healthcare providers by reducing some of the burden of dementia.</p>
<p>Dr Doug Brown, director of research and development at the Alzheimer's Society, commented: "Even in the later stages of dementia people can benefit from different types of activities such as gardening or singing or even seated exercises, when they're no longer able to stand."</p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006489.pub3/abstract" target="_blank">Read the abstract from the study: Exercise programs [sic] for people with dementia</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/dec/04/regular-exercise-progression-dementia-memory" target="_blank">Read the Guardian story: Regular exercise may help slow down progression of dementia</a></strong></li>
</ul>First Minister announces inquiry into alleged care home neglect investigated under Operation Jasmine <p>The First Minister, Carwyn Jones, yesterday (December 4) announced that an independent review would investigate alleged historical abuse and neglect at six South Wales care homes.</p>
<p>The review follows a seven-year £11.6m Gwent Police inquiry, called Operation Jasmine, which was funded by the Home Office and set up in 2005.</p>
<p>The inquiry led to charges against the owner of two of the homes, Dr Prana Das. The case collapsed in March 2013 after the doctor suffered a brain injury and could not stand trial.</p>
<p>The families of the 100 older people who were identified as possible victims (many of whom have since died) were left frustrated in their quest for answers.</p>
<p>Announcing the independent inquiry, Mr Jones said he did not want the alleged events of the past to be repeated. "I believe that we need a full and independent review of these events to understand whether there is anything else the social care sector and policy makers need to learn, anything else we need to put in place," he told assembly members.</p>
<p>"I expect the review to speak with the families of those involved as well as the local authorities involved, the police, the professionals and the regulators."</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/news/news/13-12-04/Comisiynydd_Pobl_H%C5%B7n_Cymru_yn_croesawu_Adolygiad_Annibynnol.aspx" target="_blank">Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, welcomed the announcement</a>. She said: “I strongly welcome the independent review announced today as the most appropriate way to ensure that the families get the information and the answers they have told me they need. I know that the families also strongly welcome the First Minister’s announcement."</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-25218006" target="_blank"><strong>Read more on this story on the BBC news website</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/first-minister-announces-independent-review-6370792" target="_blank"><strong>Read the Western Mail's coverage of this story</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p>Background to the story:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21685428" target="_blank"> BBC: Dr Prana Das will not stand trial</a> (March 2013)</li>
<li><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4630617.stm" target="_blank">BBC: Council's concern over care home (2005)</a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>Safeguarding arrangements - concerns raised with chair of National Safeguarding Advisory Panel<p><strong>Safeguarding concerns raised with National Safeguarding Advisory Panel chair </strong></p>
<p>The chair of the National Safeguarding Advisory Panel, Phil Hodgson, attended CFW’s Council in November to listen to members’ concerns over new strengthened adult and child protection arrangements proposed in the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill.</p>
<p>Concerns of members which were fed back to Mr Hodgson included:</p>
<ul>
<li>How managers and care practitioners are to be represented at hearings</li>
<li>Ensuring that evidence gathered would not be one-sided (proportionality)</li>
<li>The need for a level playing field for everyone involved at hearings</li>
</ul>
<p>Other concerns mentioned in a wide-ranging discussion included:</p>
<ul>
<li>The need to rasie the profile of the care sector and make care work a positive career choice</li>
<li>The role and impact of the media</li>
<li>The need to acknowledge the positives</li>
<li>The need to value care workers</li>
</ul>
<p>After the meeting, Mr Hodgson said: ""We were grateful for the opportunity to egnage with [CFW] Council members formally and informally [during the meeting]. The National Independent Safeguarding Board will have a key role in considering, and I anticipate, addressing some of these issues.</p>
<p>"My colleague Andrea Giordano and I both enjoyed the opportunity to provide background infromation about the work of the Safeguarding Advisory Panel and the next stage of our work in contributing to the development of regulations and guidance in response to the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill," he added.</p>
<p>If you have concerns over safeguarding plans or issues, please get in touch initially with either <a href="mailto:mary@careforumwales.co.uk">mary@careforumwales.co.uk</a> or <a href="mailto:melanie@careforumwales.co.uk">melanie@careforumwales.co.uk</a></p>
<p> </p>'Scores on the doors' food hygiene ratings must now be displayed at care homes<p>The Welsh Government’s food hygiene scheme has now become compulsory (on November 28) – and it applies to anywhere where people eat out including residential care homes and hospitals as well as restaurants, cafes and takeaways.</p>
<p>Establishments must now display their ‘scores on the doors’ (food hygience ratings) prominently at a front door or window as well as at every customer entrance.</p>
<p>The statutory scheme introduced by the legislation will be based on the current voluntary Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, operated by local authorities in partnership with the Food Standards Agency (FSA)</p>
<p>Food outlets will be rated from 0-5 on criteria such as how the food is prepared, cooked and stored and the condition of the premises and how food safety within the business is managed. A rating of 5 means hygiene standards are very good and 0 means urgent improvement is necessary.</p>
<p>Local authority officers will enforce the statutory scheme in their area and ensure ratings are correctly displayed and should be contacted by businesses which need advice on the display of stickers and how the legislation will apply to them.</p>
<p>Local authorities will issue new stickers from the end of November and businesses will be required to display these. As well being displayed at businesses’ premises, ratings will also continue to be available on the FSA website.</p>
<p>Health Minister Mark Drakeford said of the scheme: "For consumers, the rating will mean they are able to make informed decisions about where they choose to eat or shop for food.</p>
<p>“For businesses, good food hygiene means a good hygiene rating which could increase trade, as well as meeting food law requirements and protecting their customers from food-borne illness.”</p>
<h2><strong>Find out how Scores on the Doors' affects your residential care home</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Welsh Government: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2013/131114foodhygieneregs/?lang=en&utm_source=131115&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=welsh_government_news_en">More food hygience ratings to be seen by end of November</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>BBC: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-25119724" target="_blank">Food outlets will be forced to display food hygiene ratings</a><br /> </strong></p>
<p> </p>Winter deaths up by nearly a third on previous winter, ONS figures show <p>There were an estimated 31,100 excess winter deaths in 2012/13 in England and Wales compared with the previous winter, figures released by the Office for National Statistics today reveal. Age UK called the figures "shamefull" and "unnecessary".</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/subnational-health2/excess-winter-mortality-in-england-and-wales/2012-13--provisional--and-2011-12--final-/index.html" target="_blank">See the ONS figures on winter deaths for 2012/13</a></li>
<li>The majority of deaths occurred among those aged 75 and over</li>
<li>There were 25,600 excess winter deaths in this age group in 2012/13 compared with 5,500 in people aged under 75</li>
<li>The figures represent an increase of 29%, or nearly a third, compared with figures for the previous winter</li>
<li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/nov/26/excess-winter-deaths-up-29" target="_blank">Read more analysis of the figures - map and longer-term trends</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Responding to the figures, Age UK’s Charity Director, Caroline Abrahams, said: 'It should be a cause of national shame that last year’s cold weather claimed so many lives unnecessarily.</p>
<p>"Excess winter deaths are preventable and today’s figures are a damning indictment of our failure to address the scandal of cold homes in this country."</p>
<p>She continued: "Cold homes are caused by a number of factors including poor insulation and high energy costs, and are a major cause of excess winter deaths.</p>
<p>"In fact those living in the coldest homes are three times more likely to die a preventable death than those living in warmer ones.</p>
<p>"We strongly believe that the only sustainable solution is investment to increase the energy efficiency of our housing stock so cold homes become a thing of the past. The Chancellor must take urgent action on this in next week’s Autumn Statement," she added.</p>
<h2>Join Age UK's 'Spread The Warmth' campaign</h2>
<p>The charity is urging people to ‘Tell your MP we need warm homes’. Anyone who wants to add their voice to Age UK’s campaign can visit <a href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/get-involved/spread-the-warmth/">www.spreadthewarmth.org.uk</a> or call <strong>0800 028 5535</strong> to order a postcard to send to their MP.</p>Older People's Commissioner publishes 'state of the nation' report<p>The Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, has published her 'state of the nation' report into the views and needs of Wales' older people calling on all of us to stop thinking of older people as a 'timebomb' and instead focus on their contribution and well-being.</p>
<p>In it she details the results of her meetings with more than 6,000 older people all over Wales as part of the 'Engagement Roadshow' she established on taking up her post in June 2012.</p>
<p>Ms Rochira said: "When older people have a strong voice, they have greater choice and control over their lives and can ensure that their needs are not ignored when decisions are made, continuing to engage with and shape their communities.</p>
<p>"This is why public services across Wales must get much better at listening to the voices of older people, using their wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience to make sure that Wales gets it right for all older people, not just those in the ‘lucky box’."</p>
<h2>The Older People's Commissioner's findings include:</h2>
<p><strong>We should recognise the contribution older people make to society</strong> - and avoid focusing on older people as a 'burden' on society. Older people contribute to society through volunteering, providing care and support to family members and paying taxes, a contribution valued at nearly £1bn a year in Wales.</p>
<p><strong>Older people are also suffering in difficult economic times</strong> - yes many benefits for older people are currently protected from cuts, but around a fifth of older people in Wales (more than 120,000) live in poverty and many more struggle to make ends meet on limited and fixed incomes.</p>
<p><strong>Health and social are not the only issues of interest to older people</strong> - services such as adult education, leisure, housing, transport, community facilities and support to remain in employment are also important.</p>
<p><strong>Loneliness and isolation is rated as a higher risk to people’s health than smoking</strong> - and it is already a growing problem in Wales - for example, we see rising levels of alcohol abuse among older people left alone or isolated. The hidden epidemic of loneliness will have consequences for public health and for older people’s quality of life.</p>
<p><strong>Cutting non-statutory services now will impact on health and social care budgets in the longer term</strong> - among the cuts that undermine older people's ability to get out and about and stay healthy are cuts to transport services and facilities like public toilets.</p>
<p><strong>Support for ageing well and staying healthy is vital</strong> - frailty and dependence are not a given, and a little help goes a long way.</p>
<ul>
<li>Read the <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/State+of+the+Nation+Briefing+(3).pdf" target="_blank"><strong>State of the Nation Report by the Older People's Commissioner for Wales</strong></a> (PDF)</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Ombudsman calls for 'structural change' in delivery of health and social care<p>The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, Peter Tyndall, today (November 21) has said that the way in which health and social care outside hospital is delivered needs to be radically transformed.</p>
<p>Mr Tyndall said the system is too complex and argues that one body should oversee the delivery of both health and social care in the community.</p>
<p>He said the complexities of the system puts a strain on families and carers: "We need to be much better at delivering integrated packages of care than we are at the moment and that will need structural change," he said.</p>
<p>"Many more people are living in the community and receiving support - particularly older people.</p>
<p>"Often that support is coming from private or voluntary bodies; on the other hand, you have nursing care from the district nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists and so on.</p>
<p>"We need to look at that as a single joined-up entity instead of the fragmentation we currently have," he added.</p>
<ul>
<li>Mr Tyndall made his comments in an interview with BBC Wales ahead of leaving his post next week - <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-25027676" target="_blank"><strong>read the full BBC Wales story</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Welsh Government's 'Intermediate Care Fund' to support 'collaborative working'</h2>
<p>The Welsh Government responded to Mr Tyndall's comments saying: "A significant amount of work is taking place in this area as a result, including consultation over the summer on how we can meet the health and social care needs of older people with complex needs.</p>
<p>"Our draft budget for 2014-15 includes proposals to establish a £50m Intermediate Care Fund, which will support collaborative working between social services, health and housing.</p>
<p>"It will be used to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions, or inappropriate admission to residential care, as well as preventing delayed discharges from hospital.</p>
<p>"The aim will be to support people to maintain their independence and remain in their own home, as well as ensuring beds are available for those people who really need them.</p>
<p>"The solution does not lie in structural change but in encouraging people and organisations to work collaboratively," the spokesperson added.</p>New law puts food hygiene ratings on menu for residential care providers<p>A new law passed by the Welsh Government will put food hygiene ratings on the menu for residential care providers with more establishments that serve food required to display their food hygiene rating at their premises.</p>
<p><strong>The law comes into force on November 28</strong> and will apply to schools, hospitals and children's nurseries as well as residential care homes and other businesses like supermarkets.</p>
<p>The statutory scheme will be based on the current voluntary Food Hygiene Rating Scheme operated by local authorities in partnership with the Food Standards Agency (FSA). As with restaurants and cafes now, <strong>ratings will have to be displayed in a prominent place, such as a front door or window, and at every entrance</strong> (pictured, below).</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/food-hygiene-ratings.jpg" alt="Food Hygiene Ratings must be displayed prominently" width="460" height="270" /></p>
<p>Food outlets will be rated from 0-5 on criteria such as how the food is prepared, cooked and stored and the condition of the premises and how food safety within the business is managed. A rating of 5 means hygiene standards are very good and 0 means urgent improvement is necessary.</p>
<p>Health Minister Mark Drakeford welcomed the move saying: "For businesses, good food hygiene means a good hygiene rating which could increase trade, as well as meeting food law requirements and protecting their customers from food-borne illness.”</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2013/131114foodhygieneregs/?lang=en&utm_source=131115&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=welsh_government_news_en" target="_blank">Read the full story on the Welsh Government's website</a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>A third of care providers could quit in next five years, survey reveals<p>A survey by Care Forum Wales has revealed the extent of pressures on care homes in Wales - with more than a third of care home owners in Wales saying they don't expect to be in business in five years' time and 800 nursing home beds lost in Wales in the last four years.</p>
<p>Our survey revealed that care home owners are increasingly fed up with the chronic underfunding of the sector and difficulties in recruiting staff.</p>
<p>If homes continue to suffer these pressures and either go out of business or close down this will put yet more pressure on the NHS which is already facing severe pressures on its services.</p>
<h2>Key findings of the Care Forum Wales care homes survey:</h2>
<ul>
<li>34 per cent of respondents expect to quit the sector in the next five years</li>
<li>73 per cent have difficulty recruiting staff</li>
<li>60 per cent are unhappy with the current inspection regime</li>
<li>800 nursing beds lost in Wales in the last four years</li>
</ul>
<p>Care Forum Wales' chair, Mario Kreft, said: "Sadly it's not surprising that people feel so despondent that they are really thinking of throwing in the towel.</p>
<p>"I think it particularly affects the smaller homes that have in the region of 20 or 30 beds.</p>
<p>"People have to understand that care homes are only paid an extra 72p an hour above residential care rates. For that you have to contend with a whole raft of extra responsibilities and legislation. For one thing you have to have a 24/7 full-time registered nurse," he added.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft called for investment to retain the nursing beds that currently underpin the NHS. He said: "What we've got to realise is that there are almost as many beds registered for nursing care in independent homes in Wales as there are in the NHS.</p>
<p>"The demographics tell us there is going to be a doubling of over-85s in Wales in a relatively short space of time and we're going to need to sustain a lot of those nursing beds - but what we're seeing is that there are 800 beds which have gone out of the system in the last four years."</p>
<p>Mr Kreft added: "There are care homes in administration, and often they are community-based nursing homes where the next nearest home is miles and miles away.</p>
<p>"It begs the question about where these vulnerable people are going to go, especially when hospital beds are at a premium because the system is not joined up. It's just going to put more and more pressure on the NHS," he added.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2>Coverage of this story - read more and listen again</h2>
<p>The BBC has covered this story on its website - <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-24874688" target="_blank"><strong>Almost 800 nursing home beds closed in last four years</strong></a></p>
<p>BBC Radio Wales dedicated its <strong>Eye on Wales</strong> programme to the issue on Sunday - listen again <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/%20http:/www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/b03hd3s2" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>First Minister praises CFW's work at Five Nations conference<p><br /><img style="width: 350px; height: 189px; margin-bottom: 8px;" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/images/Five_Nations.jpg" alt="Care Forum Wales - the Five Nations group" width="350" height="189" align="none" data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071/images/Five_Nations.jpg" /></p>
<p>First Minister Carwyn Jones praised the work of Care Forum Wales at the Five Nations Conference hosted by CFW in Cardiff on October 17. CFW was a founder member of the group which represents the four home nations and the Republic of Ireland.</p>
<p>Mr Jones praised Care Forum Wales for making an invaluable contribution to improving standards in social care: “By building a strong working relationship with the Welsh Government over the last 10 years, Care Forum Wales has provided significant support for our commitment to continuous improvement in care provision in Wales.</p>
<p>"It is a credit to organisations like Care Forum Wales that they are able to build relationships on so many levels to work to secure the best possible future for older people in Wales. Their work is invaluable to us in the Welsh Government in helping to ensure that we hear the voices of older people.”</p>
<p>CFW chairman Mario Kreft said: "I think the First Minister appreciates that Care Forum Wales is taking responsibility within the Five Nations as a leading voice for change and as a force for good within in social care.</p>
<p>"Our 20th anniversary year [this year] is a hugely important year for Care Forum Wales and we have developed into a highly professional and influential organisation in that time.</p>
<p>"We have some wonderful success stories behind us and some very interesting projects which we are working on, not least the Academy of Care Practitioners."</p>CFW welcome's First Minister's support for Five Nations Group<p>The First Minister, Carwyn Jones, opened the Five Nations social care conference in Cardiff last week (October 17).</p>
<p>The event marked the 20th anniversary of Care Forum Wales and it was the second time the Five Nations Group - membership includes care associations from the UK home nations and the Republic of Ireland - has been hosted in Wales.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales welcomes the support of the First Minister for the group which is working together on pan-UK and Ireland issues in the social care sector.</p>
<p> </p>Wales Care Awards 2013 - winners honoured at social care 'Oscars'<p>Last Friday (October 18) saw the 11th annual Wales Care Awards ceremony - the Oscars of the social care sector - take place in Cardiff's City Hall. The event is hosted by Care Forum Wales. It was compered by BBC Wales newsreader Lucy Owen and entertainment was provided by Welsh mezzo soprano Sioned Terry (pictured below).</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Wales Care Awards 2013 images/Wales Care Awards-Sioned-Terry-2013-600px.jpg" alt="Sioned Terry sings at the 2013 Wales Care Awards" width="600" height="448" /></p>
<p>Guests at the awards included the Welsh Government's Deputy Minister for Social Services, Minister for Local Government, Lesley Griffiths and representatives of the Five Nations Group from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.</p>
<p>The awards were also featured on <strong>S4C's Heno programme</strong> - watch the <a href="http://194.168.30.200/clic/e_level2.shtml?programme_id=511155330" target="_blank"><strong>clip here</strong></a> (the Wales Care Awards item is around 38 minutes into the programme).</p>
<p><strong>Mario Kreft, Care Forum Wales' chair, said: ""This has been a</strong> <strong>truly inspirational evening with many wonderful stories about the positive work achieved in the social care sector in Wales</strong>.</p>
<p>He continued: "The calibre of nominees this year has been extremely high and demonstrates the fantastic work that is ongoing across our sector.</p>
<p>"An evening like this underlines the importance of the social care sector," he added. "It is the glue thatbinds our communities together, both socially and economically. There are more than 150,000 people in Wales receiving social care and the sector employs more than 80,000 people - that's equivalent to five per cent of the Welsh workforce.</p>
<p>"Tonight we celebrated all the nominees, those selfless men and women who provide care and support to vulnerable people across Wales. Every single one of them is a winner - and this is a celebration of all that's best within the social care sector in Wales.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2>Wales Care Awards 2013 winners and runners up</h2>
<p>The full list of winner and runners up at the Wales Care Awards is below.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong>Innovation in Care for Children and Young People Award </strong></p>
<p>Sponsored by Prospects for Young People, representing will be John Moore, Program Manager, My Home Life</p>
<p>Presenter: Cllr Siobhan Corria, Cardiff Council Cabinet Member, Children’s Services.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Helen Wynne</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Blythwood Childcare Services</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Gold</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong>Catering in Care Award </strong></p>
<p>Sponsored by: Woodwards Food Service – Leah Carter, Area Manager</p>
<p>Presenter - Cllr Huw Thomas, Cardiff Council Cabinet Member, Health and Adult Social Care, Cardiff Council</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Jayne Lee</p>
</td>
<td colspan="7">
<p>Cartref Annwyl Fan Care Home (Hallmark) Gold </p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Joanne Parry</p>
</td>
<td colspan="7">
<p>Bodawen Nursing Home, Porthmadog, Gwynedd Silver </p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Christine Tracey</p>
</td>
<td colspan="7">
<p>Pendine Park Care Organisation, Wrexham Bronze</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong>Nurse of the Year Award </strong></p>
<p>Sponsored by Tena Products – Karen Jackson, National Account Manager at SCA</p>
<p>Presenter – Nigel Downes - Primary Care & Independent Sector Adviser, RCN Wales</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4">
<p>Rebecca Roberts</p>
</td>
<td colspan="3">
<p>The Forge</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Gold</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4">
<p>Rhian Evans</p>
</td>
<td colspan="3">
<p>Cariad Care Homes</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Silver</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4">
<p>Terri Broderick</p>
</td>
<td colspan="3">
<p>Highfield Nursing home</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Bronze</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong>Commitment to Training and Workforce Development Award </strong></p>
<p>Sponsor – Pearson, Jane Metcalf, Senior Standards Verifier, Care Sector</p>
<p>Presenter – Mr Arwel Ellis Owen – Chair, Care Council for Wales</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Peter Greenwood</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Llanerchrugog Hall</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Gold</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Neil Edmunds</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Sevacare</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Silver</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Helen Wynne</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Blythwood Childcare Services</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Bronze</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong>Excellence in Learning Disability & Mental health Services Award </strong></p>
<p>Sponsor – Barchester Healthercare – Helen Maiello, Senior Regional Operations Director</p>
<p>Presenter – Tadyg Daly – CEO – Nursing Homes Ireland</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Jane Kelso</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Elliots Hill</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Gold</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Jason Williams</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>WCBC</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Silver</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Peter Greenwood</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Llanerchrugog Hall</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Bronze</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong>Excellence in Dementia Care Award </strong></p>
<p>Sponsor – Fisc Healthcare , Angela Gillespie, National Accounts Manager, SCA Hygiene Products UK Ltd</p>
<p>Presenter – Sue Phelps – Operations Director, Alzheimers Society Wales</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Nanette Jones</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Bank House BUPA</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Gold</p>
<p> </p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Phillip Pengelly</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Cilymaenllyd Care Home Barleybind</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Silver</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Ann Elizabeth Lane</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Plas Maesincla Gwynedd CC</p>
<p> </p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Bronze</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong>Leading Practice in the Management of Social Care Award </strong></p>
<p>Sponsor – Christie & Co – Rob Kinsman, Regional Director</p>
<p>Presenter – Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive, English Community Care Association</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Gwen Hughes</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Cyngor Gwynedd Council</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Gold</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Selwyn Lloyd Jones</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Cyngor Gwynedd Council</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Gold</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Sarah Louise Bladen</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>The Firs CwmBran</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Silver</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Cheryl Cox</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Sevacare</p>
<p> </p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Silver</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong>Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner Award </strong></p>
<p>Sponsor – Pendine Park Teaching Care Centre – Ann Farr – Centre Manager</p>
<p>Presenter – Mike Padgham, Chair, UKHCA</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Neil Roberts</p>
</td>
<td colspan="4">
<p>Elliots Hill</p>
</td>
<td colspan="4">
<p>Gold</p>
<p> </p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Heather Jasper</p>
</td>
<td colspan="4">
<p>Calon Lan</p>
</td>
<td colspan="4">
<p>Silver</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Paul Pritchard</p>
</td>
<td colspan="4">
<p> </p>
<p>The Regard Partnership</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</td>
<td colspan="4">
<p>Silver</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong>Promoting Fulfilled Lives Award </strong></p>
<p>Sponsor Boots Care Services, Asif Aziz, Head of Care Services and Business to Business</p>
<p>Presenter – Des Kelly OBE, Executive Director, National Care Forum</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Andrew and Shan Dyke</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Shared Lives Gwynedd CC</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Gold</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Amanda Francis</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Hallmark</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Silver</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Janet Atherton</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Gwynedd CC</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Bronze</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong>Commitment to Quality in Housekeeping and Hospitality Award </strong></p>
<p>Sponsor – Swanton, Jacqui Orrells, Regional Operations Director</p>
<p>Presenter – Mr Hugh Mills, Chief Executive, Independent Healthcare providers, Northern Ireland</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Christine Jones</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Cartref Anwyl</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Gold </p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Ann Pugh</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Rickeston Mill</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Silver</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Sandra Jenkins</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Hallmark</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Bronze</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Sharon Knight</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Hallmark</p>
<p> </p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Bronze</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>End of Life Care Award </strong></p>
<p>Sponsor – Barclays Corporate – Howard Crackle, Head of Healthcare, Wales</p>
<p>Presenter – Lesley Griffiths, Minster for Local Government and Government Business</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Margaret Jones</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Barchester</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Gold</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Ben Perkins</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Care in Hand</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Silver</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>The Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People </strong></p>
<p>Sponsor – ACT Training, Cardiff, Susan Connolly, Health & Social Care Route Manager</p>
<p>Presenter – Lesley Griffiths</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Prof Karen Graham</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Glyndwr University</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Gold</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong>Exceptional Newcomer Award </strong></p>
<p>Sponsor – Coleg Cambria, David Jones, Principal, Chief Executive,</p>
<p>Presenter – Lesley Griffiths</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Olivia Thomas</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Pendine</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Gold</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>George Greenwood</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Llanerchrugog Hall</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Silver</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Philip Disson</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>H-C One</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Silver</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong>Residential Care Practitioner Award </strong></p>
<p>Sponsor – Older Peoples Commission – Sarah Rochira, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales</p>
<p>Presenter – Lesley Griffiths</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">
<p>Clare Hudson Jones</p>
</td>
<td colspan="3">
<p>Hallmark</p>
</td>
<td colspan="3">
<p>GOLD</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">
<p>Irene Millar</p>
</td>
<td colspan="3">
<p>Plas Gwyn</p>
</td>
<td colspan="3">
<p>Silver</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">
<p>Lynda Jones</p>
</td>
<td colspan="3">
<p>Hillbury Care Home</p>
</td>
<td colspan="3">
<p>Bronze</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong>The Social Care Health and Safety Award </strong></p>
<p>Sponsor – Public Health Wales, Beverley Warburton, Principal Practitioner Workplace Health</p>
<p>Presenter – Lesley Griffiths</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Len Newman</p>
</td>
<td colspan="6">
<p>Care Inn Swansea</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Silver</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Steve Williams and Nico Burgui</p>
</td>
<td colspan="6">
<p>Innovate Trust</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Bronze</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Tessie Thomas,Shelley Jones, Pat Scanlon</p>
</td>
<td colspan="6">
<p>College Fields</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Gold</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong>Outstanding Service Award </strong></p>
<p>Sponsor – Hallmark Care homes – Avnish Goyal, Director</p>
<p>Presenter – Lesley Griffiths</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Sophanit Francis</p>
</td>
<td colspan="6">
<p>Towy Castle</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Silver</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Lisa Bowen & Jane Heath-Coleman</p>
</td>
<td colspan="6">
<p>The Old Deanery</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Gold</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Michele Williams</p>
</td>
<td colspan="6">
<p>Hallmark</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Bronze</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong>The Bryn Terfel Foundation Wales Care Award – Promoting the Arts in Social Care</strong></p>
<p>Supported by Arts & Business Cymru – Rachel Jones, Director</p>
<p>Presenter – Lesley Griffiths</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Hidden Talents</p>
</td>
<td colspan="6">
<p>William Mathias, Caernarfon</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Gold</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong>The Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award</strong></p>
<p>Sponsor – Care Forum Wales supporters</p>
<p>Presenter Lesley Griffiths</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2"><ol>
<li>Gordon Cole<strong><br /></strong></li>
<li>Mike Parsons</li>
</ol></td>
<td colspan="6">
<p>Independent adviser</p>
<p>Barchester Healthcare</p>
</td>
<td>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong>Spirit of Care</strong></p>
<p>Sponsor – Barchester Healthcare, Mike Parsons, CEO</p>
<p>Presenter – Lesley Griffiths</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Philip Disson</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>HC One</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Gold</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="9">
<p><strong>Dignity in Care Award</strong></p>
<p>Sponsor – Welsh Government</p>
<p>Presenter – Gwenda Thomas , Deputy Minister for Social Services</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Ben Perkins</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Pembrokeshire</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Gold</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Sophanit Francis</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Carmarthenshire</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Gold</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Neil Roberts</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Pembrokeshire</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Gold</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Janet Atherton</p>
</td>
<td colspan="5">
<p>Gwynedd CC - North</p>
</td>
<td colspan="2">
<p>Gold</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>It's time to honour social care heroes at the Wales Care Awards<p>The Wales Care Awards take place in Cardiff's City Hall tonight (October 18) where we'll be honouring the hardworking heroes of social care from all over Wales.</p>
<p>This year, the 11th year of the Awards, there are 47 nominees for a total of 15 categories ranging from Exceptional Newcomer to Nurse of the Year and everything in between.</p>
<p>We honour those who work with people with mental health issues, children and young people, managers, staff on the ground and the all-important hospitality and catering staff.</p>
<p>We have the honour of being entertained by Welsh mezzo soprano Sioned Terry and our compere is once again BBC Wales' Lucy Owen (pictured below).</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Wales Care Awards Lucy Owen.jpg" alt="BBC Wales' Lucy Owen" width="200" height="200" /></p>
<h2 class="p1">A reminder of who's on the Wales Care Awards shortlist <strong>2013</strong></h2>
<h3 class="p2"><strong>Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Neil Roberts, Elliots Hill Care Ltd, Pembrokeshire</p>
<p class="p1">Heather Jasper, Calon Lan Community Care, Gwynedd</p>
<p class="p1">Paul Pritchard, The Regard Partnership, Gwynedd</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Residential Care Practitioner Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Clare Hudson Jones, Bryn Celyn Care Home, Bridgend</p>
<p class="p1">Irene Millar, Cariad Care Home - Plas Gwyn Nursing Home, Gwynedd</p>
<p class="p1">Lynda Jones, Hillbury Care Home, Wrexham</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Leading Practice in the Management of Social Care Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Gwen Hughes, Gwynedd Council</p>
<p class="p1">Selwyn Lloyd Jones,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Gwynedd Council</p>
<p class="p1">Sarah Louise Bladen, The Firs Residential Home, Cwmbran</p>
<p class="p1">Cheryl Cox, Sevacare, Monmouthshire</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Promoting Fulfilled Lives Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Andrew and Shan Dyke, Gwynedd Shares Lives, Gwynedd Council</p>
<p class="p1">Amanda Francis, Greenhill Manor Care Home, Merthyr Tydfil</p>
<p class="p1">Janet Atherton, Gwynedd Shares Lives,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Gwynedd Council</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Commitment to Training and Workforce Development Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Peter Greenwood, Life Long Learning 4 Living Ltd, Wrexham</p>
<p class="p1">Neil Edmunds, Sevacare, Newport</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Exceptional Newcomer Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Olivia Thomas, Hillbury Care Home, Wrexham</p>
<p class="p1">George Greenwood, Life Long Learning 4 Living, Wrexham</p>
<p class="p1">Phil Disson, Atlantic View Care Home, Cardiff</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Nurse of the Year Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Rebecca Roberts, The Forge Care Centre, Cardiff</p>
<p class="p1">Rhian Evans, Cariad Care Homes, Gwynedd</p>
<p class="p1">Terri Broderick, Highfield Nursing Home, Wrexham</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Excellend in Learning Disability & Mental Health Services</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Jane Kelso, Elliots Hill Care Ltd, Pembrokeshire</p>
<p class="p1">Jason Williams, Wrexham Council</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Outstanding Service Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Sophanit Francis, Towy Castle Care Home, Carmarthen</p>
<p class="p1">Lisa Bowen and Jane Heath-Coleman, The Old Deanery, Denbighshire</p>
<p class="p1">Michele Williams, Bryn Celyn Care Home, Bridgend</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>The Social Care Health and Safety Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Len Newman, Care Inn Ltd, Swansea</p>
<p class="p1">Steve Williams and Nico Burgui, Innovate Trust, Cardiff</p>
<p class="p1">Tessie Thomas, Shelley Jones and Pat Scanlon, College Fields Nursing Home, Vale of Glamorgan</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Commitment to Quality in Housekeeping and Hospitality Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Christine Jones, Cartref Anwyl Fan Care Home, Carmarthen</p>
<p class="p1">Ann Pugh, Rickeston Mill Nursing Home, Pembrokeshire</p>
<p class="p1">Sandra Jenkins, Cwrt Enfys Care Home, Swansea</p>
<p class="p1">Sharon Wright, Cherry Tree Care Home, Cardiff</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>End of Life Care Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Margaret Jones, The Rhallt Care Home, Powys</p>
<p class="p1">Ben Perkins, Care in Hand, Pembrokeshire</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Innovation in Care for Children and Young People Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Helen Wynee, Blythwood Childcare Services, Wrexham</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Excellence in Dementia Care Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Nanette Jones, Bank House Care Home, Ebbw Vale</p>
<p class="p1">Phillip Pengelly, Cilymaenllyd Care Home, Llanelli</p>
<p class="p1">Ann Elizabeth Lane,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Gwynedd Council</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Catering in Care Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Jayne Lee, Cartref Annwyl Fan Care Home, Carmarthenshire</p>
<p class="p1">Joanne Parry, Bodawen Nursing Home, Gwynedd</p>
<p class="p1">Christine Tracey, Pendine Park Care Organisation, Wrexham</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>Official's 'be prepared' warning for care homes ahead of fire strike<p>The Director of Social Services and Integration, Albert Heaney, has warned that the timing of this Saturday's strike by firefighters may mean there is more potential for fire or rescue incidents to occur than during the last strike period.<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: black;"><br /></span></p>
<p><strong>The Fire Brigades Union has called a strike on SATURDAY 19th OCTOBER 2013 AT 1800 HRS UNTIL 2330 HRS</strong><br /><br /></p>
<p>Mr Heaney said: "Therefore there is a need to remain vigilant and take sensible precautions to reduce the risk of such incidents during this time, taking account of the specific guidance on fire safety from the Fire and Rescue Service."</p>
<p>He added: "The Welsh Government will monitor the situation during the strike through its Emergency Co-ordination Centre (Wales), which will be staffed from 1730 hours until midnight.</p>
<p>"I would ask that you forward this notification to all relevant parties / stakeholders you feel ought to be aware of this strike to ensure they are prepared. We are separately notifying care homes, but commissioners may also wish to ensure that the homes where they have placements are aware of this and have taken appropriate action."</p>
<h2>Guidance on fire prevention in residential care premises</h2>
<p>An example of the guidance in relation to residential care premises can be found on the link below – Guide 4:</p>
<p><br /><a href="http://www.southwales-fire.gov.uk/English/business_fire_safety/guides/Pages/default.aspx">http://www.southwales-fire.gov.uk/English/business_fire_safety/guides/Pages/default.aspx</a><br /><br /><br />Please note: If there are fire and rescue incidents that occur during this strike period that other parts of the social services sector may benefit from knowledge of, please let us know by e-mailing <a href="mailto:gareth.griffiths@wales.gsi.gov.uk">gareth.griffiths@wales.gsi.gov.uk</a> , copied to <a href="mailto:david.goulding@wales.gsi.gov.uk">david.goulding@wales.gsi.gov.uk</a> . We will then circulate that information more widely.</p>
<p> </p>Concerns over 'variations in care' prompts Residential Care Review<p>The Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, has launched a Residential Care Review after receiving "increasing correspondence" about variations in residential care across Wales.</p>
<p>Sarah Rochira said that the review would focus on the "quality of life and care of older people living in residential care in Wales". She is calling for older people across Wales, their friends and families to share their experiences of residential care.</p>
<p>The Commissioner and her team will also be visiting around 100 residential homes across Wales, meeting with older people to hear directly from them about their experiences. The team will also be gathering evidence from residential care providers, social care staff and public bodies.</p>
<p>Ms Rochira said: "I have travelled extensively across Wales, meeting with many older people living in residential care and have seen for myself the positive impact that high quality care can have on people’s lives.</p>
<p>"However, I have also received an increasing amount of correspondence in the past year about the quality of life and care of older people living in residential care and I have spoken publicly about what I consider to be unacceptable variations across Wales."</p>
<ul>
<li>Older People's Commissioner's - read her <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/news/news/13-10-11/Residential_Care_Review.aspx" target="_blank">reasons for the Review</a></li>
<li>Review of care for older people launched - read <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/review-care-older-people-launched-6180156" target="_blank">WalesOnline's coverage</a> of this story</li>
</ul>
<h2>Concerns over lack of provider representative on Review advisory panel</h2>
<p>Care Forum Wales' chair, Mario Kreft, said he supports the overall aims of the Review and its stated methodology but expressed his <strong>disappointment that no provider expert was to be included on the Review advisory panel</strong>.</p>
<p>He said CFW's disappointment would be shared by many providers.</p>
<blockquote>He said: "As far as we can see, no-one who has lived in, worked in, managed or owned a care home is represented on the Panel. In our view, this misses the opportunity for partnership working and to engage the sector fully into the Advisory Panel."Care Forum Wales could have brought to the review a greater balance and expertise in assessing the evidence of the link between the commissioning process and the funding formulas and their impact on providing care services in these challenging times."</blockquote>
<p>However Mr Kreft added: "We look forward to contributing to the Review and working with the Commissioner to find ways of addressing the inequalities in the provision of services for older people and highlight the initiatives and partnerships that will continue to improve our services into the future."</p>
<p> </p>Alzheimer's research breakthrough hailed a 'turning point'<p>Scientists working at the University of Leicester have found a chemical that prevents the death of brain tissue in mice - a breakthrough that has been hailed by scientists as a 'turning point' in Alzheimer's research.</p>
<p>More work is needed to develop a drug that could be taken by people but scientists say the research could be potentially very important in halting the brain degeneration associated with conditions including Parkinson's and Huntington's as well as Alzheimer's.</p>
<p id="story_continues_3">The scientists who made the discovery were working at the Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit based at the University of Leicester. Their research was published in<a href="http://stm.sciencemag.org/content/5/206/206ra138"> Science Translational Medicine</a>. </p>
<h2>Research shows chemical halts neurodegeneration in mice</h2>
<p>The scientists' research showed mice with prion (degenerative brain) disease developed severe memory and movement problems and died within 12 weeks.</p>
<p>However, those given the chemical compound in question showed no sign of brain tissue wasting away.</p>
<p>Lead researcher Prof Giovanna Mallucci told the BBC news website: "They were absolutely fine, it was extraordinary.</p>
<p>"What's really exciting is a compound has completely prevented neurodegeneration and that's a first.</p>
<p>"This isn't the compound you would use in people, but it means we can do it and it's a start."</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/The%20study, published in Science Translational Medicine, showed mice with prion disease developed severe memory and movement problems. They died within 12 weeks. However, those given the compound showed no sign of brain tissue wasting away. Lead researcher Prof Giovanna Mallucci told the BBC news website: "They were absolutely fine, it was extraordinary. "What's really exciting is a compound has completely prevented neurodegeneration and that's a first. "This isn't the compound you would use in people, but it means we can do it and it's a start."" target="_blank"><strong>Read the full story on the BBC website</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>Care budget cuts by councils put rights of older people at risk<p>A report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has warned that councils are cutting care budgets so much that in some cases they do not cover the cost of actually delivering care for older people. The report says that older people's human rights are being put at risk as a result.</p>
<p>A key reason for this breach of rights, said the watchdog, was that carers neglected tasks because councils paid for too little of their time.</p>
<p>The EHRC report into home care – help with dressing, washing, eating and taking medicines – echoes yesterday's report by the Leonard Cheshire Disability charity which found that the number of councils providing 15-minute care visits was on the increase in England.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/news/Increase%20in%20number%20of%20short%20care%20visits%20branded%20a%20disgrace%20by%20charity" target="_blank"><strong>Read our coverage of the story on the increase in 15-minute visits </strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p>The EHRC report follows an investigation two years ago. In its latest report the watchdog said: "The way home care is commissioned by local authorities may be increasing the risks of older people suffering human rights abuses. In particular, the rates some local authorities pay care providers do not always appear to cover the actual costs of delivering care, a significant proportion of which are workers' wages which should include travel time."</p>
<p>It added: "Poor working conditions may lead to a high turnover of staff and increase the risks to the human rights of older people."</p>
<p>Katie Hall, chairman of the <a title="More from guardian.co.uk on Local government" href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/localgovernment">Local Government</a> Association's community wellbeing board, said: "As the report acknowledges, the social care system is under enormous strain, with unprecedented cuts to council funding making it increasingly difficult to meet the escalating demand for care which is being caused by our ageing population.</p>
<p>"While this means councils have to seek greater levels of efficiency, the quality of care remains the primary concern."</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>'Care budget cuts by councils putting older people at risk</strong>' - <strong><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/oct/08/care-budget-cuts-put-older-peoples-rights-at-risk" target="_blank">read the story on the Guardian website</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Charity attacks rise in number of 'disgraceful' 15-minute care visits<p id="story_continues_1" class="introduction">Short care visits to elderly and disabled people are "disgraceful" and on the rise, a charity has claimed.</p>
<p>In England, 60% of councils use 15-minute visits, which are not long enough to provide adequate care<strong> Leonard Cheshire Disability</strong> says.</p>
<p>The charity says such visits "simply do not allow enough time to deliver good-quality care". It said these visits can, in some cases, "force disabled people to choose whether to go thirsty or to go to the toilet".</p>
<p>But care managers insisted some short visits could be "fully justified and fully adequate".</p>
<p>The Local Government Association (LGA), said social care was "substantially underfunded" and councils were under increasing pressure.</p>
<p>"Significant cuts to council funding mean local authorities are struggling to meet the rising demand for home care visits," said Katie Hall, chairwoman of the LGA's community and wellbeing board.</p>
<p>She said 15-minute visits "should never be the sole basis for care", but added: "In some circumstances such as administering medication they can be appropriate, but only as part of a wider comprehensive care plan involving longer one-to-one visits."</p>
<ul>
<li>Read more on this story on the BBC website: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24424785" target="_blank">www.bbc.co.uk/news/short-care-visits</a></li>
<li>Read the Leonard Cheshire Disability report: <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/15%20min care report final.pdf" target="_blank">15-minute care (PDF)</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Data points to rise in number of short care visits</h2>
<p>The Leonard Cheshire Disability report on '15-minute visits' analysed data from 63 English local authorities which pointed to a 15% rise in such visits in the last five years. It showed that in some councils more than 75% of care visits were carried out in less than 15 minutes.</p>
<p>The charity's latest research looks at England alone, but in August Unison accused many councils in Scotland of providing "care on the cheap" by arranging 15-minute home visits, and in June the union said 83% of Welsh councils were doing the same.</p>
<p>Research by the UK Homecare Association published last year suggested 87% of home visits in Northern Ireland lasted 30 minutes or less, the highest proportion in the UK (73% in England and 42% in both Scotland and Wales).</p>
<p><strong>'Councils put stricter time limits on care visits'</strong> - <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18347303" target="_blank">Read the reserach by the UK Homecare Association</a></p>CFW issues mixed response to Regulation & Inspection White Paper<p><strong>CFW hits at over White Paper plans to re-introduce registration fees</strong></p>
<p> The possible re-introduction of registration fees proposed in the Welsh Government’s White Paper on the inspection and regulation of social care, published on September 30, has been criticised by Care Forum Wales.</p>
<p>Mario Kreft, CFW’s chair, <strong>welcomed the outcomes-based approach set out in the paper</strong> – where listening to the people receiving social care in care homes or the community is key.</p>
<p>However he <strong>criticised the possible re-introduction of registration fees</strong> saying: “Registration fees were scrapped by the Welsh Government 12 years ago we all agreed the inspection regime was generating a bureaucracy that was putting more pressure on the providers and the public purse.</p>
<p>"I would argue that we're now in a worse place than we were when that decision was taken – [then] there was money being pumped into social care and the economy was thriving. Registration fees will not make registration better.”</p>
<p>Mr Kreft added: "You can only build quality into a system, you can't regulate quality into a system.</p>
<h2>Read CFW's full response to the Regulation and Inspection White Paper</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>CFW issued a statement in response to the publication of the White Paper as follows:</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of Care Forum Wales, said: "We welcome the broad sweep of the White Paper. We're very pleased that we're looking at an outcomes-based approach where we're listening to the people who are receiving social care in care homes or the community.</p>
<p>"Recent high profile cases have shown that you can't have enough transperancy and Care Forum Wales welcomes the introduction of an annual reporting mechanism. We would qualify that by saying that the detail has yet to worked.</p>
<p>"Nine out of 10 people in Wales receiving care in Wales do so via the public purse and we need to know those services are well provided so that the outcome-based measures can be interpreted in a way that means something to people.</p>
<p>"We all understand the principle that regulation has to be paid for but the difficulty is that we have the perfect storm if registration fees are reintroduced.</p>
<p>"The vast majority of social care is being provided by the independent sector through the public purse either from local government or health boards who all say they are not going to have money for many years to come.</p>
<p>"At the same time, everybody knows the independent sector is being under-funded so if the millions of pounds of extra cost - on a service that's vital to the community -has to be picked up by the provider, there are going to be casualties.</p>
<p>"Registration fees were scrapped by the Welsh Government 12 years ago we all agreed the inspection regime was generating a bureaucracy that was putting more pressure on the providers and the public purse.</p>
<p>"I would argue that we're now in a worse place than we were when that decision was taken - there was money being pumped into social care and the economy was thriving. So why are we looking back?</p>
<p>"Registration fees will not make registration better. However, the link between the regulator and the contract monitor is vital to ensure there no over-regulation and duplication.</p>
<p>"You can only build quality into a system, you can't regulate quality into a system.</p>
<p>"The main concern Care Forum Wales has is that sadly we are a long way from a really joined up where independent providers are fully integrated into policy at a local level through local government and health boards. It's better at national level in a policy sense but what happens at local level is crucial.</p>
<p>"We have double the number of beds in the independent sector in Wales than we have in the NHS , with almost as many of them registered to provide nursing care as we have in the NHS.</p>
<p>"We have to be very careful this legislation doesn't put more pressure on the very services we're going to need in the short to medium term.</p>
<p>"The population of over 85 year olds is going to double in Wales in the next 15 to 15 years so it stands to reason we're going to need to protect these vital community services.</p>
<p>"Much of the regulation will target the buildings that might be seen as being out-dated but the key is how we move from where we are now over the next 10 to 20 years, how that transition is going to be managed.</p>
<p>"Our real concern is that we haven't got the mechanisms at a local and a regional level to really understand the independent sector.</p>
<p>"If we lose these vital community services, we have not got enough money in the system to replace them. To replace the existing assets in Wales it would cost £4 billion and that's just for the people we have and does not take into account the doubling of the over 85s population.</p>
<p>"All of this is against a backdrop of hospital closures and bed reduction - we're talking about care in the community but anybody receiving 15 minute calls at the moment would beg to differ."</p>
<p> </p>
<p>ends</p>
<p> </p>White Paper on regulation and inspection of social care published <p>The Welsh Government's White Paper on the inspection and regulation of social care has been published today.</p>
<p>It sets out proposed reforms of the care and support legislative framework, including a new National Institute of Care and Support and a shift to measuring against outcomes rather than minimum standards.</p>
<p>The White Paper contains proposals to promote radical changes to social care and support.</p>
<p>It describes how a "renewed and revitalised regulation and inspection regime" will ensure the new way of delivering care to meet our expected standards and provide public assurance.</p>
<p>The consultation period begins today and ends on 6 January 2014.</p>
<p>Launching the White Paper, Deputy Minister Gwenda Thomas said: "The foundation of social services has been changed through our Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill and now the regulatory framework needs to reflect this."</p>
<p>She continued: "This White Paper outlines our proposed programme of new policy and legislation, which we believe will enable the regulators to carry out their functions and duties that will achieve the ambitions we have set for better care and support in Wales. I ask everyone, especially those who receive care and support services, to consider the ideas within this paper. I hope that you will contribute to the consultation so that we can, together, build the best regulatory system for Wales.“</p>
<h2><strong>Find out how to have your say on social care inspection and regulation</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/support/?lang=en">Visit the Welsh Government's website</a> for more information on the White Paper</li>
<li>Email your response to: <a href="mailto:socialservicesregulationandinspection@wales.gsi.gov.uk">socialservicesregulationandinspection@wales.gsi.gov.uk</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Or write to: Social Services Regulation and Inspection White Paper Team Department of Health and Social Services Welsh Government Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Number of older people aged 100+ soars in England and Wales<p>The number of older people aged over 100 years old has soared in England and Wales, official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show.</p>
<p>In 1981, there were just 2,420 people aged 100 and over, but by 2012 the figure had shot up to 12,320, the ONS said when it released new data on September 27.</p>
<p>It estimates that of the latest figure, 610 people are aged 105 or more.</p>
<h2>More statistics from ONS on our ageing population</h2>
<ul>
<li>In 2012 there were estimated to be 465,500 people aged 90 and over living in England and Wales, just under 1% of the total population.</li>
<li>Between 2002 and 2012 there has been a 33% increase in the number of those aged 90 and over.</li>
<li>In 2012 in England and Wales, the number of centenarians (those aged 100 and over) was estimated to be 12,320.</li>
<li>There were estimated to be 2.6 women per man aged 90 and over and 5.9 women per man aged 100 and over in England and Wales in 2012.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/27/number-over-100-soars-england-wales" target="_blank">The number of centenarians soars</a> (report in The Guardian)</li>
<li>Read the <a href="http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/mortality-ageing/estimates-of-the-very-old--including-centenarians-/2002-2012/stbevo2012.html#tab-Centenarians" target="_blank">data released by the ONS on centenarians</a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>Welsh NHS must 'get it right for all older people' - Older People's Commissioner<p>The Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, yesterday released her report detailing the experience of older people in hospital in Wales saying she has seen evidence of improvements in care but more still needs to be done.</p>
<ul>
<li>Her report, <strong>Dignified Care: Two Years On</strong> is the second report following her review into whether older people are treated with dignity and respect while in hospital.</li>
<li>Ms Rochira said: "“My second progress report shows that there are<strong> improvements taking place in respect of the 12 areas I identified for improvement</strong>, but it is now for the NHS in Wales to make sure that safe, effective, high quality care is delivered to all, not just some."</li>
</ul>
<h2>Dementia care and continence care 'key areas for improvement'</h2>
<p>Ms Rochira said she had been provided with evidence of a wide range of actions underway that are designed to improve patient care and are making a positive impact in many cases.</p>
<p>However, she said, "<strong>the NHS in Wales must now rapidly translate these actions into improved outcomes for all older patients</strong> across Wales at ward level, particularly in key areas such as dementia and continence care."</p>
<p>She continued: "Quite simply, <strong>I expect the NHS in Wales to get it right for all older people</strong>. At our best, our healthcare in Wales is outstanding, and we have many dedicated healthcare staff, but still, too often, we are failing to get the basics right and this has a devastating impact upon individuals and their families."</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Read the Older People's Commissioner's full progress report into dignity in care for older people in hospital in Wales</strong> - <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/news/news/13-09-23/Older_People_s_Commissioner_for_Wales_publishes_Dignified_Care_Two_Years_On.aspx" target="_blank">read the report and download a copy of it</a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>Wales Care Awards shortlist for 2013 announced<p>The Wales Care Awards shortlist has been announced for 2013. There are a total of 15 awards categories and 47 nominees this year. Thanks to everyone who nominated someone for the awards and to our judges for the carrying out the tough job of narrowing down the list of nominees to the shortlist below. </p>
<ul>
<li>This year's ceremony will take place on October 18 in Cardiff's City Hall.</li>
<li>To see photos & updates on the Wales Care Awards please like our Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/walescareawards" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/walescareawards</a></li>
<li>Read the full awards shortlist <strong>below</strong></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<h2 class="p1"><strong>Wales Care Awards shortlist 2013</strong></h2>
<h3 class="p2"><strong>Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Neil Roberts, Elliots Hill Care Ltd, Pembrokeshire</p>
<p class="p1">Heather Jasper, Calon Lan Community Care, Gwynedd</p>
<p class="p1">Paul Pritchard, The Regard Partnership, Gwynedd</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Residential Care Practitioner Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Clare Hudson Jones, Bryn Celyn Care Home, Bridgend</p>
<p class="p1">Irene Millar, Cariad Care Home - Plas Gwyn Nursing Home, Gwynedd</p>
<p class="p1">Lynda Jones, Hillbury Care Home, Wrexham</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Leading Practice in the Management of Social Care Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Gwen Hughes, Gwynedd Council</p>
<p class="p1">Selwyn Lloyd Jones,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Gwynedd Council</p>
<p class="p1">Sarah Louise Bladen, The Firs Residential Home, Cwmbran</p>
<p class="p1">Cheryl Cox, Sevacare, Monmouthshire</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Promoting Fulfilled Lives Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Andrew and Shan Dyke, Gwynedd Shares Lives, Gwynedd Council</p>
<p class="p1">Amanda Francis, Greenhill Manor Care Home, Merthyr Tydfil</p>
<p class="p1">Janet Atherton, Gwynedd Shares Lives,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Gwynedd Council</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Commitment to Training and Workforce Development Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Peter Greenwood, Life Long Learning 4 Living Ltd, Wrexham</p>
<p class="p1">Neil Edmunds, Sevacare, Newport</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Exceptional Newcomer Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Olivia Thomas, Hillbury Care Home, Wrexham</p>
<p class="p1">George Greenwood, Life Long Learning 4 Living, Wrexham</p>
<p class="p1">Phil Disson, Atlantic View Care Home, Cardiff</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Nurse of the Year Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Rebecca Roberts, The Forge Care Centre, Cardiff</p>
<p class="p1">Rhian Evans, Cariad Care Homes, Gwynedd</p>
<p class="p1">Terri Broderick, Highfield Nursing Home, Wrexham</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Excellend in Learning Disability & Mental Health Services</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Jane Kelso, Elliots Hill Care Ltd, Pembrokeshire</p>
<p class="p1">Jason Williams, Wrexham Council</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Outstanding Service Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Sophanit Francis, Towy Castle Care Home, Carmarthen</p>
<p class="p1">Lisa Bowen and Jane Heath-Coleman, The Old Deanery, Denbighshire</p>
<p class="p1">Michele Williams, Bryn Celyn Care Home, Bridgend</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>The Social Care Health and Safety Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Len Newman, Care Inn Ltd, Swansea</p>
<p class="p1">Steve Williams and Nico Burgui, Innovate Trust, Cardiff</p>
<p class="p1">Tessie Thomas, Shelley Jones and Pat Scanlon, College Fields Nursing Home, Vale of Glamorgan</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Commitment to Quality in Housekeeping and Hospitality Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Christine Jones, Cartref Anwyl Fan Care Home, Carmarthen</p>
<p class="p1">Ann Pugh, Rickeston Mill Nursing Home, Pembrokeshire</p>
<p class="p1">Sandra Jenkins, Cwrt Enfys Care Home, Swansea</p>
<p class="p1">Sharon Wright, Cherry Tree Care Home, Cardiff</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>End of Life Care Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Margaret Jones, The Rhallt Care Home, Powys</p>
<p class="p1">Ben Perkins, Care in Hand, Pembrokeshire</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Innovation in Care for Children and Young People Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Helen Wynee, Blythwood Childcare Services, Wrexham</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Excellence in Dementia Care Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Nanette Jones, Bank House Care Home, Ebbw Vale</p>
<p class="p1">Phillip Pengelly, Cilymaenllyd Care Home, Llanelli</p>
<p class="p1">Ann Elizabeth Lane,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Gwynedd Council</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h3 class="p1"><strong>Catering in Care Award</strong></h3>
<p class="p1">Jayne Lee, Cartref Annwyl Fan Care Home, Carmarthenshire</p>
<p class="p1">Joanne Parry, Bodawen Nursing Home, Gwynedd</p>
<p class="p1">Christine Tracey, Pendine Park Care Organisation, Wrexham</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<p> </p>Providers urged to check contingency plans for fire strike<p>The Welsh Government's Fire and Rescue Advisor and Inspector for Wales has urged social care providers to check their contingency plans and risk assessments ahead of next week's planned firefighters strike.</p>
<p>The Fire Brigades Union confirmed (September 17) that its members will launch a four-hour strike over a pensions dispute next week on September 25, from noon until 4pm.</p>
<p>In his letter dated September 12, Lee Howell, recently appointed Fire and Rescue Advisor and Inspector for Wales, said: "I would also urge you to consider any potential impact a national strike might have on the operation of your organisation. I also encourage you to review your own business continuity arrangements and, where appropriate, take the necessary steps to deal with any particular risks."</p>
<p>He said businesses should check the advice and plans of the three Welsh Fire and Rescue Authorities:-</p>
<ul>
<li>South Wales Fire and Rescue Service - <a href="http://www.southwales-fire.gov.uk/English/home/Pages/homepage.aspx" target="_blank">business fire safety advice</a></li>
<li>North Wales Fire and Rescue Service - <a href="http://www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk/news/2013/9/18/take-extra-care-during-firefighters-strike.aspx?lang=en" target="_blank">take extra care during firefighters strike</a></li>
<li>Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service - <a href="http://w3.mawwfire.gov.uk/English/Newsroom/Industrial-Action/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">news on strike action</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Further advice on how to deal with the firefighters strike</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/housingandcommunity/safety/fire/fire-brigades-union-dispute/?lang=en" target="_blank"><strong>See the Welsh Government's advice on the strike</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Welsh Government fire safety tips for businesses</h2>
<ul>
<li>Review your risk assessment and emergency plan – make sure it’s up to date</li>
<li>Make sure your fire detection system is working effectively and everyone in the building understands what they need to do should it activate</li>
<li>Practice your emergency evacuation plan to ensure staff and visitors can escape quickly and easily – don’t forget that people with disabilities may need extra help</li>
<li>Ensure fire wardens are trained</li>
<li>If you have a fire, call 999: you will get a response</li>
<li>Reduce fire hazards – keep sources of ignition well away from flammable materials or substances</li>
<li>Ask staff to be vigilant to the risk of fire and report any concerns</li>
<li>Keep escape routes free clear and check signage and emergency lighting</li>
<li>Keep fire doors shut – they should always be shut anyway</li>
<li>Switch off electrical equipment when not in use</li>
<li>Make sure any fire fighting equipment you have works and that everyone expected to use it knows how to o so safely</li>
<li>Reduce the risk of arson – minimise the build up of rubbish and store it in a safe place. Keep your building secure</li>
</ul>Older people waiting longer than most in under-pressure A&E<p style="text-align: left;">A report published today (September 12) by the auditor general for Wales, Huw Vaughan Thomas, says unscheduled (emergency) care services across Wales are deteriorating.</p>
<p>The report highlights problems for NHS emergency care services including staff shortages, confusion over whether people should attend A&E and the flow of patients through hospitals.</p>
<p><strong>A particular problem is that too many patients, especially older people, are staying too long in A&E - sometimes spending more than 12 hours in accident and emergency departments.</strong></p>
<p>Since the last report by his department in 2009, Mr Thomas says A&E waiting times have generally increased and that problems then identified as urgently needing attention have not gone away.</p>
<h2>Problems highlighted in the Auditor General's report into 'unscheduled care' in Wales in 2013</h2>
<ul>
<li>Patients face a "complex and confusing" range of options when in an emergency situation, such as whether to call 999 or go to A&E. This needs to be simplified.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The need for older patients to be admitted quickly to wards is hindered by problems with bed availability and the speed at which specialist doctors can come to A&E to assess patients.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>At times of peak demand, problems with patient flow through the hospital result in significant pressure being placed on A&E departments, which become over-crowded, with patients facing long waits and ambulances needing to queue outside A&E departments to hand over people needing treatment.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The time it takes for ambulances to hand over patients to hospitals has got worse since 2009.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Problems recruiting doctors in Wales has made the pressure on emergency units worse. No A&E departments in Wales are able to meet the College of Emergency Medicine standards for consultant presence on the "shop floor".</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>There can also be problems with the recruitment and retention of doctors to work in GP out-of-hours services.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Read more on this story</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-24055861" target="_blank">Deterioration in emergency care in Wales</a> - BBC news</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/emergency-care-wales-nhs-under-5911688" target="_blank">Emergency care under "significant pressure"</a> - WalesOnline</strong></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>Better care for older people outside hospitals needed - health secretary<p><strong>UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has called for better care for older people outside hospitals.</strong></p>
<p>In an article for the <em>Daily Telegraph</em>, published yesterday (September 9), Mr Hunt said: "Looking after vulnerable people outside hospital is not just better value – it’s better health care."</p>
<p>Older people often feel there is no reliable alternative to hospital, Mr Hunt said in the article, as he called for improved care from GPs.</p>
<p>He blamed GP contract changes brought in by Labour in 2004 which he said had, "undermined the personal link between GPs and the people on their lists".</p>
<p>Clare Gerada, chair of the Royal College of GPs, responded saying the problem was "nothing to do with the contract".</p>
<p>"It's to do with the fact we are 10,000 GPs short," she said.</p>
<p>But Mr Hunt went on, "Critics are wrong to give up on the NHS. If we play to its strengths, the service can play a key part in making Britain one of the best countries in the world to grow old in.</p>
<p>"But only if we make one radical reform: a transformation of the way we look after people outside hospitals. All the international evidence is clear: prevention is cheaper than cure."</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/10296418/Jeremy-Hunt-A-single-reform-that-can-sustain-our-NHS.html" target="_blank"><strong>Read Mr Hunt's article in the Daily Telegraph</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24026646" target="_blank"><strong>Read the BBC's coverage of this story</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>Early dementia assessments 'could lead to over diagnosis' claim<p>Dementia and geriatric medicine specialists writing in the British Medical Journal say that two thirds of over-80s could be diagnosed with dementia in future because doctors are subjecting older people to unnecessary tests and treatments.</p>
<p>Writing in the BMJ, the British and Australian experts in dementia, public health and geriatric medicine said the trend towards older people having their risk of dementia assessed could lead to over-diagnosis.</p>
<p>In the article they said: "The current prevalence of dementia is thought to be 10-30% in people over the age of 80, but the adoption of new diagnostic criteria will result in up to 65% of this age group having <a title="More from guardian.co.uk on Alzheimer's" href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/alzheimers">Alzheimer's</a> disease diagnosis and up to 23% of non-demented older people being diagnosed with dementia."</p>
<h2>Drive to early diagnosis a 'worrying trend'?</h2>
<p>"Only 5% to 10% of people with mild cognitive impairment will progress to dementia each year, and as many as 40%-70% of people do not progress or their cognitive function may even improve," write the authors, who include Carol Brayne, professor of public health at Cambridge University.</p>
<p>The authors of the article claim that an early diagnosis can lead to patients taking unproven therapies such as gingko biloba to try to delay the onset of dementia, suffering stress, distress and possible stigma, or even contemplating suicide or euthanasia.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/10/dementia-over-diagnosis" target="_blank">Dementia 'campaign' could lead to over-diagnosis</a> - The Guardian</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>However supporters of early diagnosis say knowing that someone may develop dementia can let them draw up instructions for their future care, put their financial affairs in order and make lifestyle changes, such as eating healthily and taking more exercise, that will slow the disease's progress.</p>
<p><strong>The Alzheimer's Society condemned the analysis.</strong></p>
<p>Its chief executive, Jeremy Hughes, said: "It's astounding to hear talk of an 'unwanted war' on dementia when in fact we need nothing less than an all-out fightback. We should be backing doctors up and down the country who are helping ensure people with dementia are diagnosed."</p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents.php?categoryID=200341" target="_blank">Facts and information for anyone worried about dementia</a> - the Alzheimer's Society</strong></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bmj.com/specialties/dementia" target="_blank"><strong>Facts from the BMJ on dementia</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>Dementia 'reminiscence pods' pop up in hospitals <p>‘Reminiscence pods’ designed to help people with dementia have been popping up in hospitals across Wales, according to the Western Mail (September 8).</p>
<p><img src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/rempod-400px.jpg" alt="Reminiscence pod at Llandough Hospital - Source: WalesOnline" width="400" height="266" /></p>
<p>The pods – like the one at Llandough Hospital in Cardiff, pictured above – come fitted out with furnishings and household devices from the 1950s, 60s or 70s. The 70s ‘rempod’ even comes complete with music from Abba, swirly wallpaper and lava lamps.</p>
<p>Llandough nurse ward manager Gail Evans said the units have been hugely popular with patients and were being used to make imposing clinical spaces seem less foreboding.</p>
<p>“They’ve been hugely popular with the patients there and have proved to be a brilliant distraction if someone is feeling upset, anxious or restless,” she said.</p>
<p>The pods are the brainchild of BBC Dragon’s Den winner Richard Ernest, from Gloucester, who became friends with a neighbour who’s wife had dementia.</p>
<p><strong>Read the full story:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/dementia-patients-wales-take-part-5844084">http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/dementia-patients-wales-take-part-5844084</a></li>
</ul>Older people contribute more than £1bn to Welsh economy <p>Census data released by the Office for National Statistics has revealed key changes in the way people over 65 are living in England and Wales.</p>
<p>The data, from 2011 and 2011, analysed by ONS showed there are a million more older people living in England and Wales in 2011 than in 2001.</p>
<p>And the proportion of the population aged 65-74 who were economically active in 2011 was almost double the proportion in 2001 (up by 413,000 since 2001).</p>
<p> </p>
<h2><strong>Older people and the care sector</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li>Across the UK 14 per cent of older people living in households in England and Wales provided unpaid care in 2011, compared with 12 per cent in 2001. The largest increase in proportion was for those aged 65 and over providing 50 hours or more unpaid care a week: up from 4.3 per cent (341,000) in 2001 to 5.6 per cent (497,000) in 2011.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li>In Wales, where the average age of the population is rising more rapidly than England’s, older people are contributing more than £1bn to the country’s economy through volunteer work and childcare, according to the <strong>Older People’s Commissioner for Wales</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p>She said that there are 767,429 people over the age of 60 living in Wales, with over 65s making a net contribution of just over £1bn to the Welsh economy in 2010, through childcare, caring for their partners and volunteering.</p>
<p>A spokeswoman for the Commissioner told the <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/over-65s-contribute-1bn--economy-5850008">Western Mail</a>:</p>
<p>“In Wales there are nearly 800,000 older people, so that is a big, big proportion of the population and what people talk to us about is that they want their voice heard and they want to have choices in their lives.</p>
<p>“They want to do the things that they want to do, they want to feel safe, to live in a place that suits them and get the help they need when they need it. In short, they want to have lives that have value, meaning and purpose.</p>
<p>“People are living longer and hopefully they are living healthier for longer, as there is more information out there about how to stay healthy.”</p>
<h2><strong>Read more on this story</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23988342">The number of older people in work on the rise, ONS report</a> - BBC report</li>
<li><a href="http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census-analysis/what-does-the-2011-census-tell-us-about-older-people-/what-does-the-2011-census-tell-us-about-older-people--short-story.html">What does the 2011 census tell us about older people - ONS report</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census-analysis/what-does-the-2011-census-tell-us-about-older-people-/what-does-the-2011-census-tell-us-about-older-people--full-infographic.html">What does the 2011 census tell us about older people - ONS infographic</a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>Elder care crisis 'claims a million family homes' <p>Research has estimated that more than a million families have been forced to sell their homes over the last five years to help meet the cost of residential care.</p>
<p>The estimated figure is based on a polling carried by ICM for insurer NFU Mutual into families' experiences and is higher than current UK government estimates.</p>
<p><em>Charities and pensions experts claim the poll highlights the 'hidden cost' of funding care for our ageing population.</em></p>
<p>Alison Cook, director of external affairs for the Alzheimer's Society, said: "A person can find themselves paying tens of thousands of pounds a year for their care, just because the disease they have happens to be dementia. It's sadly not surprising to see more than one million families selling their home within five years. These financial worries add an unfair burden to those living with dementia and their families.</p>
<p>"While the government has started to address these issues, if we are to see a solution, we have to go further than token gestures and ensure that people aren't being financially penalised."</p>
<ul>
<li>The research also concluded that <strong>as many as three quarters of people who go into residential care in old age might eventually have to sell their home to pay for it</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p>And it warns that millions of younger people who are currently relying on an inheritance to fund their own retirement could be facing serious financial problems if they do not make alternative plans urgently.</p>
<p>The research also highlighted how councils have been forced to cut spending on residential care in the last four years despite efforts to shield the sector from the effect of cuts in budgets.</p>
<h2>Read more</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/10283259/Elderly-care-crisis-claims-a-million-family-homes.html">Read the Telegraph's report on this story</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=1773">Read the Alzheimer's Society's response to this story</a></li>
</ul>Gap between care home bills and incomes widens, new figures reveal<p>The gap between pensioners' incomes and care home bills has widened - with figures for Wales, where pensioner incomes are among the lowest in the UK, showing the widest disparity.</p>
<p>Across the UK bills have risen by more than nine per cent in the last two years, at a time when the fees councils pay to care homes for those who are unable to fund their own care are being increasingly squeezed as economic cuts bite.</p>
<p>According to a report published by <a href="http://www.prestige-nursing.co.uk/company_news_details.php?NewsID=587">Prestige Nursing</a>, a care agency with centres across the UK, the average cost of a room in a residential care home is now more than double the average pensioner income.</p>
<ul>
<li>Its survey found the average cost of a residential care home place had increased by 3.5% in the last year and by nearly 10% (9.3%) in the last two years.</li>
</ul>
<p>Michelle Mitchell, director general of Age UK, said: "The underfunding of social care is already having a devastating impact on frail older people and their families.</p>
<p>"More and more are having to pay a greater share of the cost of social care, either because they have been pushed out of the system as a result of tightened eligibility thresholds or because of increased fees and charges.</p>
<p>“This is an area of real concern,” she added.</p>
<h2>Regional differences</h2>
<p>The figures show the gap between pensioner income and care home fees is widest in Wales - where average pensioner incomes are £12,948 but annual care home fees averaged £25,012 in 2012 and £28,464 in 2013. The gap between cost and income was £15,516, up from £12,064 in 2012.</p>
<ul>
<li>See the full <a href="http://www.prestige-nursing.co.uk/company_news_details.php?NewsID=587"><strong>table of regional differences in fees and incomes</strong></a> on the Prestige Nursing website</li>
</ul>
<p>Jonathan Bruce, managing director of Prestige Nursing Care, said: “As the cost of care continues to outpace pensioner income, pensioners’ shrinking savings pots are contributing to the worrying financial conundrum of how later life <br /> care can be funded.</p>
<p>“In trying economic times, relying on family members to foot the bill isn’t always a viable option, while the governments’ purse strings are tighter than ever with £11.5billion of spending cuts planned.</p>
<p>“While the government’s proposed care cap [in England] will help some older people, they will still have to incur a significant financial outlay to reach the cap.”</p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/10274530/Care-home-bills-rise-by-2400-in-two-years.html">Care home bills rise by £2,400 in two years</a> - read the story on the Telegraph's website</strong></li>
</ul>
<h2>Other figures at a glance</h2>
<ul>
<li>The South East became the most expensive region for elderly care homes this<br /> year, overtaking the South West with an annual cost of £32,048.</li>
<li>A room in the South East is £7,405 more per year than in the North East where <br />prices are lowest.</li>
<li>The North East also boasts the smallest care cost gap of £10,602, which is almost £7,000 less than the biggest care cost gap <br />of £17,579 in the South West.</li>
<li>The East of England was the only region to experience a decrease in the care cost <br />gap, which fell from £17,004 to £15,699 this year.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>HSE prosecutes care home over legionella failings<p>A private care home in Wallasey, Merseyside has been ordered to pay £40,000 in fines and costs after it failed to manage the risk of elderly residents catching a potentially fatal form of pneumonia.</p>
<p>Mother Redcaps Care Home Ltd was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after it failed to comply with an Improvement Notice to assess the risk from the legionella bacteria.</p>
<p>Liverpool Crown Court was told (August 23) that the care home did not have a system in place for managing its hot and cold water. It was first served with an Improvement Notice requiring a risk assessment in November 2011, following a visit from a HSE inspector.</p>
<p>The company was given two extensions to a deadline to comply with the notice. However, it had still failed to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment by May 2012, despite being offered help and guidance on what was required.</p>
<p>Without proper controls legionella bacteria can build up in water systems where the temperature is between 20 and 45 degrees celsius, creating the risk that small droplets containing the bacteria could be breathed when water becomes airborne, such as in showers.</p>
<p>The court heard that up to 50 residents, as well as the nursing home's employees, could have been put at risk of contracting Legionnaires' disease if the bacteria had been present.</p>
<p>Mother Redcaps Care Home Ltd, of Greenside Gardens in Leyland, was fined £6,525 and ordered to pay £33,475 in costs after pleading guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2013/rnn-nw-mother-redcaps.htm?eban=govdel-health-services&cr=23-Aug-2013" target="_blank"><strong>Read the full story on the HSE website</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>More information on Legionnaires' disease is available at <a id="contentContainerhttpwwwhsegovuklegionnairesindexhtmwwwhsegovuklegionnaires" href="http://www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/index.htm">www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>Videos launched to explain new criminal records-checking system<p>The UK Home Office has launched two new videos to explain to employers and employees how the new Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Update Service works.</p>
<p>The videos feature real employers and employees who explain how the service (formerly known as CRB checks) works and how it benefits them.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service" target="_blank">Apply to use the Update Service here</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>See the videos about the Update Service for yourself</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://youtu.be/k2p2k2MQvRE"><strong>Watch the video for employers here</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/k2p2k2MQvRE" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://youtu.be/GF9W7WOwdhY">Watch the video for employees / applicants here</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GF9W7WOwdhY" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>Book now for Annual Care Conference for Wales offer<p>The annual Care Conference for Wales is being held in Cardiff on October 9 - and if you book now you can take up a special offer on tickets.</p>
<ul>
<li>The normal ticket price is £140 plus VAT but currently if you <strong>buy two tickets you get one free</strong></li>
<li>There is a special rate for independent operators of £99 plus VAT</li>
<li>Book online - <a href="http://www.careinfo.org/2013-events/the-annual-care-conference-for-wales-2013/" target="_blank">there's 10% off online bookings HERE</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Conference programme and speakers</h2>
<p>The conference organisers say the speakers and debates will help, "keep you up to date with legislation, training and inspection" at a time of "unprecedented change" in the long-term care sector.</p>
<p>Speakers will include David Sheard - founder / chief executive of Dementia Care Matters.</p>
<ul>
<li>View the <a href="http://www.careinfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Cardiff2013-lo-res.pdf">full conference programme</a> here</li>
<li>Find out more about the conference from <a href="http://www.careinfo.org/2013-events/the-annual-care-conference-for-wales-2013/" target="_blank">Care Info.org 's website</a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="position: absolute; top: -1999px; left: -1988px;">The long term care sector in Wales is currently experiencing unprecedented change, creating a number of challenges to owners, operators and caring professionals.<br /> • This conference will keep you up to date with legislation, training and inspection as well as giving time to focus on the future of your business.<br /> • A variety of leading professionals involved in the long term care sector in Wales will provide their views.<br /> • Their presentations will cover differing perspectives on the market with the overall focus being to look to the future.<br /> • In an ever-changing environment the 2013 Conference will demonstrate there is a positive future and show how the next few years may look.<br /> • The conference will give delegates the stimulus to review and share ideas on how to approach your business in the future and how you make the most of operating a care home in Wales.<br /> • It will also provide an excellent opportunity to speak to fellow care professionals and a range of business professionals, to share and debate the issues currently facing us all. - See more at: http://www.careinfo.org/2013-events/the-annual-care-conference-for-wales-2013/#sthash.9kzQfEpL.dpuf</div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="position: absolute; top: -1999px; left: -1988px;">The long term care sector in Wales is currently experiencing unprecedented change, creating a number of challenges to owners, operators and caring professionals.<br /> • This conference will keep you up to date with legislation, training and inspection as well as giving time to focus on the future of your business.<br /> • A variety of leading professionals involved in the long term care sector in Wales will provide their views.<br /> • Their presentations will cover differing perspectives on the market with the overall focus being to look to the future.<br /> • In an ever-changing environment the 2013 Conference will demonstrate there is a positive future and show how the next few years may look.<br /> • The conference will give delegates the stimulus to review and share ideas on how to approach your business in the future and how you make the most of operating a care home in Wales.<br /> • It will also provide an excellent opportunity to speak to fellow care professionals and a range of business professionals, to share and debate the issues currently facing us all. - See more at: http://www.careinfo.org/2013-events/the-annual-care-conference-for-wales-2013/#sthash.9kzQfEpL.dpuf</div>Merger of English care associations welcomed by CFW<p><strong>The merger of the two largest groups representing social care providers in England has been welcomed by Care Forum Wales as a move which will strengthen the Five Nations group of bodies representing independent providers across the UK and Eire.</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>The English Community Care Association (ECCA) and the National Care Association (NCA) will be known as Care England from January 2014.</li>
</ul>
<p>Mario Kreft said: "It’s a very positive development and it brings together the two leading voices in England. It also has a wider significance as it is very helpful in the context of the Five Nations group because of the more unified voice in England."</p>
<p>The Five Nations group is made up of representative bodies for independent providers in Wales, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Eire.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft, “Having a single voice is essentially what we felt was necessary when we set up Care Forum Wales in 1993. Now we have a very strong voice in each of the five nations."</p>
<p>The Five Nations group has been working on pan-UK care sector issues such as a recent campaign on VAT.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft added that the creation of Care England would also, "support the sector across the five nations, contributing a strong voice for social care and emphasising the importance of the workforce.</p>
<p>“Raising the bar in terms of training and workforce development is relevant to the social care sector in each of the five nations and is a great example where greater cooperation can lead to greater benefits.</p>
<p>“Importantly, Care England will [also] provide a place to go for politicians and decision-makers so they can work with the key people who represent the social care sector," added Mr Kreft.</p>
<p>ECCA chairwoman Jane Ashcroft and NCA chairwoman Nadra Ahmed said in a joint statement: “Our sector faces a period of considerable challenge which will require robust representation on behalf of our membership.</p>
<p>“For some time now our two organisations have been working together so it felt like the natural next step in our relationship.<br /> <br />“We believe that combining the two strong and respected organisations together will strengthen the voice of health and social care and give our membership a wider range of services.”</p>
<h2><strong>Read more on this story</strong></h2>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.careindustrynews.co.uk/2013/08/merger-of-care-associations-a-welcome-move/">www.careindustrynews.co.uk/merger-of-care-associations</a></strong></p>Phone app to help Welsh care staff given thumbs up<p>A new phone app designed to help care professionals communicate in Welsh has been given the thumbs up by staff working in the social care sector.</p>
<p>The Caring Through Welsh app is free to download to mobiles and tablets (currently only for Apple devices) and was designed by Swansea University and funded by the <a href="http://www.colegcymraeg.ac.uk/en/" target="_blank">Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol</a>.</p>
<p>It was launched at the National Eisteddfod this summer and is already getting good reviews from professionals in the sector. Senior policy adviser for Care Forum Wales, currently a Welsh learner, said: "I've tried it and I'm impressed."</p>
<p>Her colleague, CFW policy adviser Melanie Minty, also welcomed the introduction of the app saying, "It should be really useful for nurses and care practitioners."</p>
<p>Voiced by S4C television presenter and Swansea University graduate Nia Parry, the app features the alphabet, numbers, and useful phrases and can be downloaded free of charge on any Apple device.</p>
<p>It was created in 2011 by Angharad Jones, a senior lecturer in biomedical sciences at the University's College of Human and Health Sciences.</p>
<div style="overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><strong>Read more</strong> on this story: <a href="http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/App-help-Welsh-care-staff/story-19641786-detail/story.html#ixzz2ccOF5a2p%20">www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/App-help-Welsh-care-staff</a><br /><br /></div>
<h2>Download your free copy of the app for an Apple device</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/gofalu-trwyr-gymraeg/id668425270?mt=8" target="_blank">Get the app from itunes here</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>Ombudsman: 'Toxic cocktail' stops hospitals learning from mistakes<p>The NHS Ombudsman for England, Julie Mellor, has revealed that a 'toxic cocktail' of a reluctance to complain by patients and a defensive attitude among staff is stopping some NHS hospitals learning from their mistakes.</p>
<p>Feedback from patients and complainants, carers and frontline staff was gathered as part of the research into how the NHS handles complaints - following UK Government review ordered after the failings identified at the Mid Staffordshire Foundation NHS Trust.</p>
<p>The research revealed that poor communication and the defensive culture within the NHS towards complaints were the key issues for patients and complainants.</p>
<p>Staff feedback showed:-</p>
<ul>
<li>a fear of being blamed, rather than being acknowledged for trying to put things right</li>
<li>a confusing variation in complaints procedures between hospitals</li>
<li>a feeling that there is too much deference to senior colleagues on wards</li>
<li>the need for more training in how to handle complaints</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<h2>Calls for urgent changes to complaints procedures</h2>
<p>The Ombudsman called for urgent changes in NHS complaints procedures including for:</p>
<ul>
<li>moving towards an open culture of feedback and improvement</li>
<li>a fresh focus on putting things right on the ward</li>
<li>replacing the culture of deference and hierarchy with a new culture of collaboration between leaders and staff to listen to concerns and improve services</li>
</ul>
<h3>Read more on this story</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.ombudsman.org.uk/about-us/news-centre/press-releases/2013/ombudsman-research-proposes-steps-to-address-toxic-cocktail-of-reluctance-to-complain-and-organisational-defensiveness-in-nhs-hospitals" target="_blank">Research proposes changes to combat 'toxic cocktail'</a> - Ombudsman's research</li>
<li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10238221/Ombudsman-Patients-suffer-from-a-toxic-cocktail-in-NHS.html" target="_blank">Ombudsman: Patients suffer from 'toxic cocktail' in NHS</a> - Telegraph</li>
<li>Read the report 'Desiging good together' - transforming hospital complaint handling (<strong>download it <a href="http://www.ombudsman.org.uk/improving-public-service/reports-and-consultations/reports/health/designing-good-together-transforming-hospital-complaint-handling2" target="_blank">here</a></strong>)</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Health board apologises over failure to control C.difficle rates<p>North Wales' Betsi Cadwaladr Univerisity Health Board has today (August 13) apologised to patients over a rise in C.difficile infections in one of its hospitals.</p>
<p>The apology comes after an inquiry into higher than normal Clostridium difficile (c.difficile) infection rates at Denbighshire's Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.</p>
<p>The inquiry was carried out by Cardiff University's Professor Brian Duerden, an expert in hospital acquired infections.</p>
<p>His report said more needed to be done to improve infection prevention and control. Professor Duerden was brought in by the health board in June to investigate a rise in the number of patients with C.difficile at the hospital between January and May this year.</p>
<p>A previous report by Public Health Wales had already highlighted problems with the systems in place to monitor and manage infection control issues within the health board.</p>
<h2>Health Board's apology to patients</h2>
<p>Newly appointed executive director of nursing, midwifery and patient services at the Betsi Cadwaladr University Healthboard, Mrs Angela Hopkins, said today: “First we must apologise to the people of North Wales that our infection control practices have not been as good as they should have been.</p>
<p>“This has again been made clear in Prof Duerden’s important and helpful report and we are acting quickly to make sure that the shortcomings that he has identified are addressed.”</p>
<p>She added: “We have made it clear that we have an attitude of ‘zero-tolerance’ to preventable infection across the organisation. As an immediate step I have brought in a leading expert in infection prevention to work with us in North Wales as we improve our wider infection control services."</p>
<h3>Read more on this story:</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/were-sorry-betsi-chiefs-apologise-5713215#.UgoV35q06Js.twitter" target="_blank">We're sorry: Betsi chiefs apology for C.difficile failures</a> (Daily Post)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/health-board-apologises-patients-over-5713374" target="_blank">Health Board apologises to patients over poor infection control</a> (WalesOnline)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23678685" target="_blank">Infection control failures: Helath boss makes Glan Clwyd apology</a> (BBC News)</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Cash injection plans for England's over-stretched A&E units<p>David Cameron is set to announce a <strong>£500m cash injection to relieve pressure on England's A&E departments</strong>.</p>
<p>During a visit to Salford Royal Hospital's accident and emergency department today, the Prime Minister said there needed to be "profound changes" to the way in which A&E departments work. </p>
<p>Mr Cameron said the pressure on A&E had been caused by an extra one million people visiting A&E compared with three years ago and that without the cash boost in the short term there would be further problems at stretched A&E units next winter.</p>
<p>"Services and staff can find themselves under pressure during the busier winter period," he said. "While A&E departments are performing well this summer and at a level we would expect for this time of year, I want the NHS to take action now to prepare for the coming winter. The additional funding will go to hospitals where the pressure will be greatest, with a focus on practical measures that relieve pinch points in local services."</p>
<p>The funding will go to A&E departments facing the worst pressure following a review by the English health regulator, Monitor, and NHS England.</p>
<h2>Emphasis on caring for older people in community</h2>
<p>Ministers are working on plans to take the pressure off A&E services, including possible local measures for quicker treatment, seven-day social work, and more attention paid to the health needs of older people.</p>
<p>Mr Cameron told BBC Breakfast: 'It’s true that we need to make the more profound changes to deal with the pressures on A&E.</p>
<p>"So the money helps in the short term, but in the longer term, what we’ve got to do is get our hospitals working better with GP surgeries and also get our hospitals working better with our social care departments so that the frail elderly, who are often the ones going in and out of A&E are better cared for in <br />the community.</p>
<h2>Read more on this story</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2386580/Over-crowded-A-E-units-500million-David-Cameron-warns-needs-to-elderly-casualty.html" target="_blank">Prime Minister warns more needs to be done to keep older people out of casualty</a> - read the Daily Mail's story</li>
<li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/aug/08/accident-emergency-wards-extra-money" target="_blank">A&E wards to be given £500m bailout</a> - read the Guardian's story</li>
</ul>Services at Wales' biggest hospital severely criticised <p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff has been severely criticised following a study by the Royal College of Surgeons into services at the hospital.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Their report (published July 26, 2013) said patients were at risk because of increased waiting lists. It said people waiting for heart operations were "dying regularly" and warned that some children were also suffering because their operation waiting times were being affected too.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The seven-page report said that A&E and ITU departments were often grid-locked with patients often forced to wait in corridors and in ambulances.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The most frequent complaint was from surgeons who were unable to admit patients for 'non-urgent' surgery - some of which could save patients from suffering further complications.</span></p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/university-hospital-wales-branded-dangerous-5325648" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read more on the surgeon's report at WalesOnline</span></a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jul/26/wales-hospital-dangerous" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read a report in the Guardian about problems at UHW</span></a></strong></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Care providers warned to be prepared as heatwave spreads<p><span style="font-size: medium;">With temperatures still soaring and the heatwave heading West from South East England towards Wales, care home providers and managers are being warned to be prepared to take responsibility for monitoring the weather and respond appropriately.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">A leading public health institute, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, has estimated that there have been 60-100 extra deaths in Wales, most of them among older people, in Wales during the second week of July alone. The over-75s are particularly at risk, said the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23367459" target="_blank">report</a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Nava Navaratnarajah</span>, who chairs the <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Cardiff Residential and Nursing Care Provider Forum</span>, said: "<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">As care providers and managers the responsibility is ours to prepare and not wait around for alerts for advice [sic].</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">"Public bodies, agencies and organisations that need to respond in the event of a heatwave will need to remain vigilant over the summer months. They will need to take responsibility for monitoring public weather services and the media, and responding appropriately.</span><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">" </span></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Useful links and <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/summerhealth/pages/heatwave.aspx" target="_blank">NHS advice on coping with a heatwave</a></span></span></span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Read <a href="http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/heathealthwatch/" target="_blank">heat health-watch advice from <strong><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">NHS Direct Wales</span></span></span></strong></a></span></span></span></strong></li>
</ul>
<h2><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Need to know: the 'heat health-watch' system</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">A 'heat health-watch' system operates in England and Wales from June 15-September 15. The Department of Health and Welsh Assembly system monitors heat levels and issues alerts that require <span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">social and healthcare services to target specific actions at high-risk groups including the very young and older people.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">The alerts are triggered when the Met Office confirms threshold temperatures for one or more regions have been reached for one day and the following night, and the forecast for the next day is greater than 90% confidence that the day threshold will be met. <br /></span></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Currently a level 3 (the second highest level) alert is in force for England and this could spread to Wales as the area affected is the western part of England.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Find out more about the Met office <a href="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/heathealth/" target="_blank">heat health-watch system</a></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Be prepared: <strong>download the <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/protection/environmental/publications/heatwave/?lang=en" target="_blank">Welsh Government's heatwave plan for Wales</a></strong></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"> </span></span></span></p>Dementia risk in UK decreasing, new study suggests<p>Older people's risk of suffering from dementia is decreasing, new research published in the Lancet has found.</p>
<p>The study, carried out by Cambridge University researchers in three areas of England compares dementia rates in people born 20 years apart.</p>
<p>Based on 1991 trends, experts had predicted 8% of over-65s would have dementia in 2011.</p>
<p>The actual figure for 2011 turned out to be just over 6%, the team discovered. Applied to the whole UK, it would mean there are 214,000 fewer cases of dementia than predicted - a 24% reduction.</p>
<p>This also suggests there are currently 670,000 people living in the UK with dementia, rather than the 800,000 - 900,000 figure that experts currently cite.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23326061" target="_blank">Read the full BBC report on decreasing dementia risk </a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>Consulants speak out over North Wales health board<h2><strong>Top doctors criticise North Wales health board</strong></h2>
<p>Senior doctors at one of Wales’ biggest hospitals – Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor – say they’ve lost confidence in management at Wales’ biggest health board, Betsi Cadwaladr.</p>
<p>In a letter to the chair of the Assembly’s public accounts committee, the consultants warned that they lacked faith in the ability of managers to make the changes necessary for good patient care.</p>
<p>The consultants' letter (July 9) came on the day AMs on the public accounts committee was hearing evidence from the health board's senior managers following a recent damning official report into mismanagement.</p>
<ul>
<li>BBC story: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23235262" target="_blank">A senior Ysbyty Gwynedd consultant speaks out </a></li>
</ul>Welsh response to Stafford Hospital scandal unveiled<p>The Welsh Government yesterday unveiled plans to protect Welsh NHS patients in the wake of the Stafford Hospital scandal.</p>
<p>Health Minister Mark Drakeford said that the Francis report into failings at Stafford Hospital had led to a “critical eye” being cast over the NHS in Wales.</p>
<p>He announced a review of the NHS budget to ensure that patient safety and quality of care were protected.</p>
<p>He also announced measures including allocating £10m of funding to recruit 290 more hospital nurses, changes to the NHS complaints system and a ban on gagging clauses.</p>
<ul>
<li>Read the full story here: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23216563">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23216563</a></li>
<li>Wales to learn Stafford hospital lessons: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21353892">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21353892</a></li>
</ul>Welsh Ambulance service shake-up revealed<p>Health Minister Mark Drakeford announced (July 9) a major shake-up of the Welsh Ambulance service amid concerns over missed targets and poor performance.</p>
<p>Under the new system ambulance services will be directly commissioned by health boards and will be responsible to a new body made up of the seven health boards.</p>
<p>Funding arrangements will be simplified with the new body - the national delivery organisation - overseeing direct financial flow from health boards to the organisation.</p>
<p>The Welsh Ambulance Service will also undergo a name change and local health boards and the ambulance service have been asked to prepare a staged plan for the separation of emergency services and patient transport by September.</p>
<ul>
<li>Ambulance services to answer to local health boards <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-23227397">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-23227397</a></li>
<li>Read the full story here: <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-ambulance-service-overseen-new-4891871">http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-ambulance-service-overseen-new-4891871</a></li>
</ul>1990s report into North Wales care homes abuse claims published<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">A report into abuse claims at North Wales children's homes which was commissioned in the 1990s by the former Clwyd County Council* has been published 17 years after it was written <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">following a Freedom of Information Request by the BBC</span>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The 1996 report by John Jillings, a former director of social services for Derbyshire, was commissioned following claims of abuse at North Wales homes including at the Bryn Estyn children's home in Wrexham.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mr Jillings' report was commissioned to find out whether abuse in North Wales children's homes was more widespread than was previously thought. Later, the Waterhouse investigation, which took four years to complete and was published in 2000, uncovered mistreatment of children over a period of 20 years.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Last year fresh claims of abuse in North Wales children's homes emerged after the Savile scandal. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">A victim claimed the Waterhouse inquiry had not uncovered the full extent of abuse and there were calls for the previously unpublished Jillings report to be made public. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Two new investigations were set up to investigate these claims - Operation Pallial and the review by Mrs Justice Macur. </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read Mr Jillings comments</span> - <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23199905" target="_blank">report made public after 17 years</a> (BBC story)<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read the <a href="http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/council/news/jillings.htm" target="_blank">redacted version of the Jillings report</a> (downloadable PDFs)<br /></span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20218054" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">BBC Q&A into North Wales abuse scandal</span></a></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">* Successor councils to the former Clwyd County Council (from April 1996) are Conwy County Borough Council, Denbighshire County Council, Flintshire County Council, and Wrexham County Borough Council.</span></p>
<p> </p>Extra funding for councils to maintain £50-a-week home care costs cap<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The Welsh Health Minister and Deputy Minister for Social Services have agreed to provide an additional £3.2 million a year to local authorities in Wales to ensure that the £50-a-week cap on home care charges remains sustainable for the future.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The cap was introduced in April 2011 but since then local authorities have reported an increase in the number of people receiving services for which a charge could be levied. Inflation has also affected the cost of providing the home care services for eligible vulnerable people.<br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, said: "</span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I am conscious of ensuring that our First Steps Improvement Package - of which the cap was part - remains sustainable and does not become an untenable financial pressure on local authorities. The Health Minister and I are providing additional funding to ensure this does not occur. </span></p>
<div><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">“The £50 maximum charge has now been set for over two years with over 5,250 service users a year benefitting, around 30% of those charged. During this time, however, inflation has affected the cost of service provision, while greater demand for services and changes in welfare benefits have also increased costs for local authorities in operating the cap on fees. </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">“I intend to revise the weekly maximum charge from April 2014 to take account of changes. I also intend to consider the wider impact and level of the maximum charge from April 2015 to ensure it remains sustainable in the longer term."</span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">She added: “I hope this will assure service users and local authorities of the Welsh Government’s commitment to maintaining a maximum weekly charge for home care and other non-residential social services.”</span></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read more about the <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2013/130704carecap/?status=close&lang=en" target="_blank">cap on home care costs on the Welsh Government's website</a></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">.</span></p>
<p> </p>Health Minister hails 'historic day' for organ donation in Wales<p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Wales will become the first place in the UK where people are presumed to have given their consent to donate their organs after death unless they opt out.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">AMs voted in favour of the 'presumed consent' system after <span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">a five-hour debate on the <span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Human Transplantation (Wales Bill) </span></span></span></span>in the Senedd on July 2 - a move the Health Minister, Mark Drakeford, called "historic". </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Mr Drakeford said: "I am proud that Wales will be the first nation in the UK to take this step. As a society we have shown we are prepared to take action to increase organ donation and to provide hope to those people waiting every week for a transplant."</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The legislation could come into force in 2015. Donated organs will go to help those on the list waiting for transplants, a UK-wide system which currently operates with people voluntarily signing up to carry a donor card.<br /></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The Welsh Government says it hopes the new system will increase donations and save the lives of those waiting for transplants - according to the Kidney Wales Foundation, one person waiting for an organ transplant dies in Wales every week. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Mr Drakeford added: "I expect the rest of the UK to be watching with great interest when the legislation is implemented in 2015."</span></span></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read more - the BBC's coverage of <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-23157446" target="_blank">changes in the organ donation laws in Wales</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">See what the <a href="http://www.kidneywales.com/index.php?interface=news&cat=58&story=813" target="_blank">Kidney Wales Foundation has to say on organ donation opt-out </a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read about the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22104275" target="_blank">fall in organ donations in Wales from 2012-2013</a></span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<h3><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Organ donation in figures*</span></h3>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The aim of the Bill is to increase the number of organs available from Wales, potentially by 25%</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">On latest figures this would see the number of donors rise from around 65 donors to 80.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The average number of transplants anticipated from 15 additional donors would be approximately 26 kidneys, 10 livers, two hearts and four lungs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Just over 30% of organs donated in Wales are transplanted into people living in Wales</span></li>
</ul>
<p> * Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-23157446</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Study finds older people feel stereotyped and a 'burden'<p><span style="font-size: small;">A three-year study backed by the Royal Voluntary Society has found that two thirds of older people feel stereotyped and 61 per cent of over-65s think society sees them as a burden.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Shaping Our Time study into the views of the over-65s was backed by funding from the Big Lottery Fund and was carried out in partnership with the <a href="http://www.brunel.ac.uk/shssc/research/ccp" target="_blank">Centre for Citizenship Participation at Brunel University</a> and the <a href="http://www.dmu.ac.uk/research/research-faculties-and-institutes/health-and-life-sciences/centre-for-social-action/working-for-the-community.aspx" target="_blank">Centre for Social Action at De Monfort University</a>. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The report's findings also say:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">More than half of the respondents (56 per cent) said they felt ignored and 66 per cent <span style="font-size: small;">said they felt </span>stereotyped </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">62 per cent said they don't feel as old as they are and 61 per cent don't see age as important</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">57 per cent hold the media responsible for encouraging the idea that older people are a problem</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Nearly two thirds (57 per cent) do not use services specifically for older people (16 per cent because services were stereotyped - one comment was they didn't want to be herded into an "old people's creche")<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Of those that did use services for the elderly, one in 10 said these were not the services they wanted</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Only a third said they felt the contribution of older people to society was recognised</span></li>
</ul>
<h2><span style="font-size: small;">Find out more about the Shaping Our Time study into older people</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Read more about the <a href="http://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/news-and-events/news/-major-new-report-reveals-flawed-approach-in-traditional-services-for-older-people" target="_blank">'Shaping Our Time' RVS study into well-being and ageing</a></span></p>
<p><a href="http://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/our-impact/reports-and-reviews/involving-older-age-the-route-to-twenty-first-century-well-being" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Download a copy of the Shaping Our Time report</span></a></p>
<p> </p>Osborne calls for 'seamless' health and social care in England <p><span style="font-size: small;">The Chancellor George Osborne has called for the creation of a 'seamless' health and social care system in England.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">During his spending review today (June 26) he called for <span style="font-size: small;">£3bn to be set aside in 2015-16 to stop older people falling into "the cracks" between the two systems.</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">It comes after he announced local government would get a 10% cut.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The NHS is already committed to spending £1bn a year on joint projects with local government so this represents an extra £2bn.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The chancellor told the House of Commons: "Many older people do not just use the NHS they also use the social care system and if we're honest they often fall between the cracks of the two, being pushed form pillar to post and not getting the care they want."</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">He said this money would be spent on services that would be jointly commissioned between the health and social care - although it would come from the NHS England pot.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">"Let's stop the tragedy of people being dropped in A&E on a Friday night to spend the weekend in hospital because we can't look after them properly in social care," he added.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Read the full story on the BBC website:</strong> <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23060040" target="_blank">Osborne calls for more integrated health and social care services</a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Death rates in England's care homes may be monitored by CQC<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Care Quality Commission, England's health and social care regulator, is looking into how it could record death rates to pick up on poor care in nursing and care homes. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The move follows a BBC Panorama investigation 'Elderly Care: Condition Critical?' broadcast on Monday (June 17) which <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">reported that some homes had not notified the authorities</span>. <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Care homes are required to report to the CQC when a resident dies.</span><br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Reports said the CQC said it was now considering how to assess whether a high number of deaths at a care home would spark an investigation. <br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Brian Jarman, a professor at London's Imperial College who co-founded the health statistics and research service Doctor Foster, said he had analysed data from the social care system and found "considerable variation in nursing homes". </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Professor Jarman told <em>The Guardian</em>: "You have to remember that this includes people with learning disabilities as well as the elderly. We are some way off having an indicator like standardised mortality rates that we have for hospitals but it can be done."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jarman said he had met David Behan, the head of the CQC, to discuss the findings. A spokesman for the CQC said they were considering the data from Panorama and would be looking into how to record the statistics.</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Watch a clip from the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b02zg3h2/Panorama_Elderly_Care_Condition_Critical/" target="_blank">BBC's Panorama programme Elderly Care: Condition Critical?</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Read the Guardian story about the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jun/17/nursing-home-death-rates-monitored" target="_blank">CQC's plans to monitor care and nursing home death rates</a></span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Domiciliary care in spotlight over CCTV footage<p>Domiciliary care was in the spotlight today as the BBC obtained CCTV footage of a woman who was distressed at the lack of dignity provided by her home carers.</p>
<p>The footage, shown on the BBC's lunchtime news, shows 83-year-old grandmother Muriel Price in distress because her carer is late - she is incontinent and had been in bed for 13 hours before the carer arrived (55 minutes late).</p>
<p>The video seen by the BBC, which covers the period of a month, does show good examples of care - but there are also examples where carers were late, did not arrive at all or behaved with a lack of respect for the woman's dignity.</p>
<p>CCTV cameras were installed by the woman's grandson to help monitor her movements in case she should fall (she lives alone). He said he regretted the way his grandmother had been cared for saying: "To see someone in your family treated with no respect, no dignity, you question yourself and in a way you feel guilty. You're the one who's put that home care company in there, you've trusted this company to look after them."</p>
<p>The company said "At no time were any issues raised with Mosaic by the family. Any concerns would have been dealt with via the appropriate channels.</p>
<p>"Mosaic go [sic] above and beyond their legal requirements when employing carers to ensure all staff are capable of delivering quality care to their clients. The care of patients is of paramount importance to Mosaic."</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22885514">Read the full story on the BBC website</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>UK Care Minister condemns poor care</h2>
<p>The BBC showed the footage to UK Care Minsiter Norman Lamb ahead of his meeting today (June 13) with English domiciliary care providers and carers. He said the current system resulted too often in poor care, low wages and neglect.</p>
<p>"It's just shocking and depressing because this is neglect in your own home," said Mr Lamb in reaction to the videos.</p>
<p>Talking about the wider domiciliary care sector, he added: "We know this is not an isolated case. There is some very good care, and we should celebrate that, but where poor care exists we should not tolerate it."</p>
<p> </p>Audit Office warning over continuing healthcare claims backlog <p>A Wales Audit Office (WAO) report has warned that a backlog over Continuing Healthcare (CHC) claims is unlikely to be cleared by the June 2014 deadline set by ministers.</p>
<p>The claims have been made by families trying to claw back money paid for health and social care at home, or care home fees, which they believe should have been funded by NHS Wales.</p>
<p>According to the WAO report, only 13 per cent of retrospective claims had been processed by September 2012. The deadline for processing claims made before 2010 is now only one year away.</p>
<p>In August 2010, Welsh Government ministers introduced a new national framework to try to speed up the process as well as clarifying the rules under which people are eligible for continuing healthcare (CHC).</p>
<h2>Slow processing of claims 'unfair' on families</h2>
<p>The Wales Audit Office said in its report: "The claims are being processed by a national project or by individual Health Boards, depending upon the date of submission. The national project has made only limited progress and, despite additional funding, there remains a significant risk that a deadline of clearing all claims by June 2014 will not be met.</p>
<p>"No deadline has been set for the claims being dealt with by individual Health Boards, but there is no common process across Health Boards for dealing with these claims and, by September 2012, only 13 per cent of the 1,264 retrospective claims and disputes had been resolved."<br /> <br /> It continued: "Failure to deal promptly with retrospective claims is unfair on the individuals concerned. Many of the retrospective claims that are still being dealt with by the national project relate to periods dating back many years and, given the timescales involved, more than four in every five cases are being pursued by family members on behalf of a relative who has died.</p>
<h2>Find out more about CHC claims</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.wao.gov.uk/news/pressreleases_5218.asp" target="_blank">Read the WAO report </a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22878917" target="_blank">Read the BBC's coverage of this story</a></strong></li>
</ul>Baroness Joan Bakewell to be Care Home Open Day ambassador<p><span style="font-size: small;">The broadcaster Baroness, Joan Bakewell has been announced as the public face of National Care Home Open Day on June 21.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The event will see care homes across the UK open their doors to the public in a bid to promote better understanding of the work they do for older people.</span></p>
<div dir="ltr" data-font-name="g_font_p0_7" data-canvas-width="16.359839566612244"><span style="font-size: small;">The campaign is aimed at all care homes across the UK, both big and small, private providers and those run by third sector organisations and local authorities.</span></div>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">It's hoped the day will encourage people to visit their local care home and perhaps even spur them on to become care volunteers in future.<br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The former BBC journalist who became a Labour peer in 2011 is a long-standing champion for older people. She said: "</span><span style="font-size: small;">The National Care Home Open Day is an important event that I encourage everybody to participate in. It is a great opportunity for people to see the range of care services at the heart of their communities.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> <br /></span></p>
<div dir="ltr" data-font-name="g_font_p0_97" data-canvas-width="111.20543705406187"><span style="font-size: small;">“Care homes, and most importantly the residents who live there, are an invaluable part of our communities. The National Care Home Open Day will help connect the residents and staff with their local communities.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" data-font-name="g_font_p0_97" data-canvas-width="3.254399913787842"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" data-font-name="g_font_p0_97" data-canvas-width="123.39935673103328"><span style="font-size: small;">“The National Care Home Open Day will be an important occasion where the whole nation should show its support for</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" data-font-name="g_font_p0_97" data-canvas-width="77.59871794433593"><span style="font-size: small;">older people and for the care sector."</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" data-font-name="g_font_p0_97" data-canvas-width="93.68351751823428"> </div>
<div dir="ltr" data-font-name="g_font_p0_97" data-canvas-width="347.1652708032608"><span style="font-size: small;">She added: "It will also be a great opportunity to invite members of the local community to consider becoming a volunteer in their local care home."</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" data-font-name="g_font_p0_97" data-canvas-width="347.1652708032608"> </div>
<div dir="ltr" data-font-name="g_font_p0_97" data-canvas-width="347.1652708032608">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Go the National Care Home Open Day website - find out <a href="http://www.nationalcarehomeopenday.org.uk/" target="_blank">more about National Care Home Open Day</a> - it's not too late to register to take part</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Public inquiry call after collapsed care homes neglect trial<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, has called on the Welsh Government to set up a public inquiry after the collapse of a trial into alleged neglect in a string of South Wales care homes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The trial followed Gwent Police's seven-year Operation Jasmine <span style="font-size: small;">investigation</span>, set up in 2005, which identified more than 100 potential cases of alleged neglect and abuse in care homes in South Wales. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">The court case against Dr Prana Das, Paul Black and their firm Puretruce collapsed in March after Dr Das suffered a brain injury and could not stand trial.<br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Now the Older People's Commissioner for Wales, speaking to the BBC's Week In, Week Out programme, has said that she is concerned for the families affected over still unanswered questions "about what happened to their loved ones, who was responsible and how neglect and abuse on the scale alleged could have taken place". </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-size: small;">Call for public inquiry</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Sarah Rochira has called on the Welsh Government to undertake a public inquiry that looks at: </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">What the factors were that led to such significant levels of alleged neglect and abuse</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Why safeguarding arrangements were apparently insufficient</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">What happened to the individuals concerned and who was responsible</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Whether there have been sufficient improvements in safeguarding arrangements across Wales</span></li>
</ul>
<h2>Find out more about this story</h2>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Read the BBC's news coverage of the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22761073" target="_blank">Operation Jasmine inquiry call</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0228w0y" target="_blank">Watch the Week In, Week Out programme on iPlayer</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Go to the Older People's Commissioner's website: <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/news/news/13-06-04/Commissioner_calls_for_Public_Inquiry.aspx" target="_blank">Commissioner calls for public inquiry</a></span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>Welsh Government announces £8m grant to boost social care training<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">The Welsh Government today announced a grant of more than £8 million to boost training for the social care workforce.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">The £8.16 million grant is earmarked to help ldevelop the social care workforce and is part of a £11.66 million package for 2013-14. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">As well as training the grant is <strong>aimed at helping boost the status of the social care profession in Wales</strong>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, who announced the grant said: "</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">We need to ensure that people delivering front line care have the <strong>essential skills to carry out their roles to the best of their ability</strong> in line with our ambition to <strong>increase the status and profile of the social care workforce in Wales</strong>.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">“I set out an ambitious and deliverable programme in <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2011/111115transform/?lang=en&status=closed" target="_blank">Sustainable Social Services: A Framework for Action</a> which I believe is improving provision of social services across the spectrum.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">“This funding is a result of the Welsh Government’s commitment to raising standards of practice. We want to boost the esteem in which social work and social care is held in the public eye, <strong>recognising the good work that goes on and enabling us to recruit and train the best people</strong>.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">The Welsh Government will provide 70 per cent of the total value of the social care workforce development programme with local authorities responsible for the remainder.</span></span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Find out more about the boost for social care training in Wales</span></span></span></h2>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Read more on this story on the BBC website: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22710340" target="_blank">Social care workers £8m training boost</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Read the Welsh Government press release: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2013/130530social/?status=closed&lang=en" target="_blank">Investing in the social care workforce</a></span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>Care homes in spotlight as Older People's Commissioner launches review<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, has announced a review into the quality of life for older people in care homes across Wales. </span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Ms Rochira will also seek the views of older people in care homes about the quality of care they receive. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The study will also involve speaking to families and carers, as well as older people living in care homes, with the aim of achieving more consistent services across Wales.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">As part of the review, the Older People's Commissioner will also use her legal powers to seek the views of local authorities, health boards, care home providers, regulators and inspectors.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Ms Rochira said: “Since I took up post, I have spoken extensively about the need to ensure that older people living in care homes in Wales are safe, well cared for and have a good quality of life. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">"I have visited many care homes and have seen for myself much good practice across Wales, but I have spoken many times about my concerns that this is not consistent and that we are not getting it right for everyone. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">"We must remember that a person’s home is so much more than bricks and mortar, it is where you should feel and be safe, well cared for and happy,” she added.<br /></span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Review to help ensure better services for all</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The evidence gathered by the Older People's Commissioner will be used both to: </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">highlight the best care in Wales </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">make robust recommendations</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">state improvements needed to ensure that the rights of older people in all care homes in Wales are upheld </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">to ensure older people in Wales' care homes have the best possible quality of life</span></li>
</ul>
<h2><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Find out more about the review into older people's care</span></h2>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read more about <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/news/news/13-05-28/Commissioner_launches_Review_into_the_quality_of_life_and_care_of_older_people_in_care_homes_in_Wales.aspx" target="_blank">why Sarah Rochira launched the review</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Watch how the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22679982" target="_blank">BBC covered the story</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/care-elderly-wales-investigated-new-4020669">Walesonline's coverage of the story</a></span></li>
</ul>Plans to cap care costs could become irrelevant, think-tank warns<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Government plans to introduce a cap on care costs in England, outlined in the Care Bill which had its second reading in on May 21, could become irrelevant a think-tank has warned.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The report by the King's Fund - Paying for Care: Beyond Dilnot - found that the number of people receiving help with care has dropped as councils are hit by cuts. <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The report argues that criteria for receiving support have now become so tight that a long-awaited cap on care costs could be irrelevant because only a minor would ever qualify for support.</span><br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">It found:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">According to an analysis of Government figures the <strong>number of people over 65 receiving publicly funded in England care fell below the one million mark to 989,905 last year</strong> - down from 1.2 million four years earlier</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Over the same period the number of older people has grown sharply as a result of the ageing population - the <strong>number of over-85s are up by more than 20 per cent</strong></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Figures from councils show that while they have largely preserved their overall care budgets they have been forced to <strong>tighten up their criteria [for support with care costs</strong>] - meaning that only those assessed as having the most serious needs get any help </span></li>
</ul>
<h2><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Paying for care: Beyond Dilnot - call for new social care 'road-map'<br /></span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The King's Fund report </span>welcomed the UK Government reforms being implemented in the wake of the landmark recommendations by the 2011 Dilnot Commission aimed at preventing people being forced to sell their homes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">But it called for a re-focusing of the debate and a new 'road-map' for social care reform including:<br /></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The government should ensure proper preparation and planning for implementing the Dilnot proposals, to establish a new framework for planning and cost-sharing.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The 2015/16 Spending Review should be used to move towards a single strategic budget settlement for the NHS and adult social care, and closer alignment of local authority and clinical commissioning group (CCG) budgets around individual needs.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Health and wellbeing boards have a crucial leadership role to play in ensuring care reform is part of a wider transformation of local health and care services.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">There should be a fresh debate about the options for funding the quantity and quality of care needed in future, and how to overcome dividing lines between the ways health and social care are paid for.</span></li>
</ul>
<h2><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Find out more on this story</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong>Read the King's Fund report:</strong> <a href="http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/press/press-releases/new-government-reforms-wont-solve-social-care-funding-challenge" target="_blank">Paying for care: Beyond Dilnot</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong>Read the Daily Telegraph's story:</strong> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/10068789/Care-cap-becoming-irrelevant-as-crisis-mode-system-excludes-all-but-a-few-report-finds.html" target="_blank">Care cap becoming 'irrelevant'</a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"></p>Hospitals in South Wales face shake-up<h1><strong>Hospitals in South Wales face shake-up</strong></h1>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Plans to shake-up hospital care across South Wales have been announced by five health boards in South Wales.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Health officials say proposals to streamline care have been drawn up in response to <strong>doctors’ shortages, an ageing population and financial pressures</strong> which have all resulted in <strong>care being spread ‘too thinly’</strong>.</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The proposals have focused on A&E, obstetrics, neonatal and pediatric care</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Currently eight hospitals in the region provide these services but the proposals would see services concentrated in four or five hospitals. <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The plans will now go out for consultation for two months.</span><br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Read <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/Hospital%20in%20South%20Wales%20face%20shake-up%20Plans%20to%20shake-up%20hospital%20care%20across%20South%20Wales%20have%20been%20announced%20by%20five%20health%20boards%20in%20South%20Wales.%20Health%20officials%20say%20proposals%20to%20streamline%20care%20have%20been%20drawn%20up%20in%20response%20to%20doctors’%20shortages,%20an%20ageing%20population%20and%20financial%20pressures%20which%20have%20all%20resulted%20in%20care%20being%20spread%20‘too%20thinly’.%20The%20plans%20have%20focused%20on%20A&E,%20obstetrics,%20neonatal%20and%20pediatric%20care.%20Currently%20eight%20hospitals%20in%20the%20region%20provide%20these%20services%20but%20the%20proposals%20would%20see%20services%20concentrated%20in%20four%20or%20five%20hospitals.%20More%20on%20this%20story:%20http:/www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22625907%20" target="_blank">more on this story on the bbc news website</a></span></p>
<p> </p>Doctors to push for dramatically improved dementia diagnosis rates<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Doctors in England are to push for dramatically improved dementia diagnosis rates which <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">currently </span>mean that more than half of people with the disease do not have a diagnosis.</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Figures show that currently only 350,000 of an estimated 670,000 living with the condition have been diagnosed.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">By 2015 NHS England aims to see two-thirds of people with dementia identified and given access to treatment.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt</strong> said: "For too long diagnosis rates have been shockingly low, leaving too many people living in the dark trying to cope with this terrible condition undiagnosed, unable to get the help they need and deserve. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">"Dementia is a serious and growing problem so this ambitious drive to see a clear majority of people identified and supported is a major step forward."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>Jeremy Hughes, the chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society</strong>, welcomed the government's announcement.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">He said: "There is surely no other condition where we would tolerate people living without treatments, without support and in the dark about what is happening to them. This is exactly what is faced by the 54% of people with dementia who never receive a diagnosis.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">"This ambition from the NHS to significantly improve diagnosis rates in two years demonstrates real leadership. It is a key step in improving the lives of people with dementia."</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Get more information</span></strong></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read the <a href="http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=1580" target="_blank">Alzheimer's Society's</a> views on this story</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/may/15/doctors-told-improve-dementia-diagnosis" target="_blank">Guardian's story</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Find out about Prime Minister David Cameron's <a href="http://dementiachallenge.dh.gov.uk/" target="_blank">Dementia Challenge</a></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>Call by GPs to screen carers for depression<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has said that unpaid carers should be screened for depression - and that more should be done to improve the support and services available to them.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The doctors' leaders say an estimated one in 20 patients is providing unpaid care - the charity Carers UK says 6.4 million people are currently caring for an older relative, disabled family member or sick friend.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">And they say about 40 per cent of carers are at risk of depression or stress because of their role - and that a general screening 'test' asking them about their mood and mental well-being would help ensure carers' needs are met.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Check-list drawn up to help identify carers' needs</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The RCGP has drawn up a list aimed at clinical commissioning groups and GPs that plan health care to ensure carers' needs are met. The points include: </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Improve GP access by allocating routine appointments and vaccinations at convenient times for carers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Appoint a carers' "champion" in all GP surgeries</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Maintain a carers' register within the GP practice</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Carry out audits to measure improvements in carer support</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22478706" target="_blank">Read more on this story</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">For help and advice if you are a carer - <a href="http://www.carersuk.org/about-us" target="_blank">contact Carers UK</a></span></li>
</ul>Cap on elder care costs in England promised in Queen's Speech<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">In the Queen's speech today (May 8) the Government announced its intention to cap the costs of care for older people at £72,000.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The figure is just over double the one recommended by the £35,000 Dilnot Commission in 2011 but nevertheless Norman Lamb, UK Care Minisiter, told the Daily Telegraph, "This is the most important piece of care legislation for decades."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The Care Bill will also include measures for tougher checks on hospitals, following the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust care scandal earlier this year. There will also be an Ofsted-style system of checks for care homes and hospitals.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The care cap, which will apply in England, is due to be introduced in 2016 (not 2017) and is lower than the £75,000 earlier mooted.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Care laws updated </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The measures are part of a package that ministers say will join up health and social care to boost protections for patients and simplify the system.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The Bill will also bring together numerous existing care laws to enable elderly and disabled adults needing care to transfer their support packages if they move to another part of the country. There will also be a legal entitlement to personal care budgets, which can be paid directly, will be introduced. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Following the financial collapse of the Southern Cross care home group, protections for the vulnerable if a provider goes out of business will also be outlined.<br /></span></p>
<ul>
<li><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read the full story in the Telegraph <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/queens-speech/10043617/Queens-Speech-Elderly-care-costs-to-be-capped-at-72000.html">here</a></span></strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="fourthPar">
<p> </p>
</div>
<div class="fifthPar">
<p> </p>
</div>Festival celebrates creativity of older people<p>A month-long festival to celebrate and encourage creativity in older people starts today (May 1)</p>
<p>The Gwanwyn Festival, held annually during May, celebrates older age as time when people can take a renewed interest in creativity - and provides opportunities for older people to get involved in creative events from drama and storytelling to literature and dance.</p>
<p>There are events for the over 50s across Wales in the festival which is run by Age Cymru with support from the Welsh Government and the Arts Council of Wales.</p>
<h2><strong>Arts events near you</strong></h2>
<p>Philip Thomas, Gwanwyn’s Coordinator said: “The Gwanwyn Festival is back this year with another packed and stimulating programme of arts, events and experiences for over-50s right across Wales."</p>
<p>“There are also showcase events taking place in Caernarfon with the Vamos Theatre company; in Mold we’ve got picnic plays at Clwyd Theatr Cymru, and a Bob Marley-inspired reggae event at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff on 25 May."</p>
<p>Events include:</p>
<ul>
<li>drawing workshops in Brecon</li>
<li>an art, craft and photography display in Newport</li>
<li>portrait exhibition in Barry. </li>
<li>a model-making demonstration and workshop in Monmouthshire</li>
<li>a dance workshop and a series of film nights for older people in Cardiff</li>
<li>painting workshops in Dolgellau</li>
</ul>
<p>Find out about more events from the <a href="http://gwanwyn.org.uk/lang/en-gb/category/events/" target="_blank">Gwanwyn website</a></p>
<p>Find out more about the Gwanwyn festival from <a href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/latest-press/gwanwyn-is-coming/" target="_blank">Age Cymru's website</a></p>GPS tracking devices being used for dementia sufferers in Sussex<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">GPS locators are being used to help people with dementia in Chichester whose carers and partners are worried about them going missing and having accidents. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Chichester District Council runs the Chichester Careline which monitors the 'MindMe' locating devices worn by dementia sufferers on key rings along with their house keys.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Now Sussex Police has purchased a number of devices to help people with dementia who regularly go missing.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The council says the devices <a href="http://www.chichester.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=21982" target="_blank">have already helped save a number of lives</a> and says that people are not being tagged: "This technology is providing independence and saving lives," it says.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">National Pensioners Convention says tracking is 'papering over social care cracks'</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Plans to use GPS tracking devices on dementia patients in Sussex are a symptom of a social care crisis not a solution, Dot Gibson, general secretary of the National Pensioners' Convention, has said.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme today (May 1): "This is another way of putting a sticking plaster over a problem that arises because there are cuts and budget problems in the social care system."<br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">She added that there was a "crisis in social care" where there is a lack of proper care services for dementia patients.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">A spokesman for the National Pensioners Convention, Neil Duncan-Jordan, added: "We're also concerned about what safeguards are in place [where tracking devices are used]. Who has the right to determine if a tracking device is used and do individuals have the right to stop wearing a device?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">"<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">We can't deny there may be an occasion where someone happens to have a tag on a key fob and it helps but it's not really the bigger picture. </span>There are 800,000 dementia sufferers in the UK. We've got increasing demand and falling funding so this [situation] is not going to be solved by tagging people."</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read more on this story on the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-22330233" target="_blank">BBC website</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read this story on the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10029716/Tagging-dementia-patients-is-putting-a-plaster-over-social-care-problems.html" target="_blank">Telegraph's website</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">See <a href="http://www.chichester.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=21982" target="_blank">Chichester District Council's report on the tracking devices</a></span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Welsh Health Minister announces plans to tackle delays discharging patients awaiting care decisions<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">New Welsh Government Health Minister Mark Drakeford has pledged to tackle delays in discharging patients caused by wrangling over who will pay for future care.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">'Bed-blocking' delays can occur when the NHS and social services argue who needs to pay for a patient's ongoing care. They can also occur while patients wait for a place in their care home of choice.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Mr Drakeford said patients should leave hospital as soon as they are ready to be discharged and not continue to occupy beds.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Bed-blocking delays are exacerbating the pressures on A&E departments which some consultants and nurses have recently described as being at breaking point.</span></p>
<h2><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Minister promises 'suitable care setting' while issues solved</span></strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">In a statement to AMs Mr Drakeford promised a change of policy which will see patients transferred to suitable "out of hospital" interim accommodation while funding issues are resolved.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">He said they, "should not, and in future will not, remain in hospital until the financial issue is resolved."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">In some cases patients remain in hospital because they are waiting for a place to become available at a home of their choice. Such people should go to interim accommodation, Mr Drakeford said.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">"Of course, anyone must have the right to pursue the long-term care arrangements which are best for them," said Mr Drakeford.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">"That does not, and cannot, amount to a right to occupy an acute hospital bed while those arrangements are being realised," he added.</span></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-22270813" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read how the BBC covered this story</span></a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>Social services minister puts 'Wellbeing' at heart of services<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Social Services Minister Gwenda Thomas has published a document aimed at improving the well-being of those who receive care and of carers.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The document, called the Well-being Statement, sets out the things which can improve a person's well-being which include the ability to be able to have a voice in decisions which affect them.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">It also makes clear to organisations - for example care providers - what will need to change in order to encourage the well-being of those they provide a service for.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The document has been drawn up in collaboration with many service users, particularly those who use social care services.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read more on the Well-being statement and watch the video about it <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2013/130416outcomes/?lang=en" target="_blank">here</a><br /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Nurses warn 'culture of fear' deters whistle-blowers<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">At its annual conference in Liverpool the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned that a "culture of fear and intimidation" is stopping its members speaking out about poor care in some workplaces.<br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The RCN surveyed more than 8,000 of its members in the poll and almost half (44%) revealed they would think twice about whistle-blowing because of worries about victimisation or reprisals. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The union said this showed a "culture of fear" in workplaces was stopping nurses speak out about concerns over patient safety and care.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Nurses who took part in the survey also said that they had been bullied or be-litttled when they raised issues.</span></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22252425"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read how the BBC covered this story</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/news/article/uk/rcn_nursing_staff_must" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read the RCN's survey story 'staff must feel confident to raise concerns'</span></a></li>
</ul>
<h2><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Welsh nurses raise concerns but fear reprisals</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Of the Welsh nurses who took part in the RCN survey on whistle-blowing:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">65% said they'd had to raise concerns about patient safety with their employer.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">44% said worries about reprisals or victimisation would make them think twice about reporting concerns</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">34% said they would be confident about whistle-blowing</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">54% who complained cited concerns about staffing levels</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">18% of concerns raised were about patient safety</span></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/rcn-wales-culture-fear-intimidations-2993167" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read more on this story at WalesOnline</span></a></p>
<p><br style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;" /><br /></p>
<p> </p>PM defends proposals to make trainee nurses do 'basic' care work<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has today (April 22) defended proposals to ensure trainee nurses in England undertake a year's work as healthcare assistants in hospitals before starting their nursing degree.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The plans, which came to light in late March, are controversial but Mr Cameron said the NHS needed "to do better in the level of care" it provides.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Under the plans, before starting their nursing training applicants would need to work for a year learning "some of the quite mundane tasks which are absolutely vital to get right in hospital", Mr Cameron added.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The proposals by UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt came in the wake of the Francis Report into the failings at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust which highlighted issues including poor care and neglect.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">RCN criticises healthcare work proposals<br /></span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Royal College of Nursing (RCN) president Andrea Spyropoulos said she was astounded when she heard the Government's proposals to get student nurses to work as healthcare assistants before starting their degree. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">She said: "I don't believe it will happen. I believe it is a really stupid idea that will not benefit patients."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The RCN has criticised the proposals and called for guarantees on minimum staffing levels to ensure quality of care because nurses are already over-stretched.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">RCN General Secretary Dr Peter Carter pointed out that the proposal was not one of the 290 recommendations of the Francis Report. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">He said: "There seems to be a view out there that somehow they [trainee nurses] spend all of their time in universities. That simply isn't the case. Student nurses in their training spend over 50% of their time in clinical areas."</span></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22209634"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read the BBC's coverage of this story</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/mar/26/nurses-basic-care-training"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read Society Guardian's coverage of 'basic care' requirement</span></a></li>
</ul>One week left to nominate care heroes for Wales Care Awards<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The deadline for nominations to the Wales Care Awards 2013 has been extended until April 22.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">There's just one week left to nominate in categories including:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Nurse of the year</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Residential care practitioner</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Newcomer of the year</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Spirit of care</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Craig Thomas lifetime achievement</span></li>
</ul>
<h2>Care is a team effort...</h2>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Because we recognise care is a team effort - and there are many people who receive care, young and old, in many different settings - there are also awards for: </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Peter Clarke award for promoting excellence in services for children and young people</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Supported living care practitioner</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Excellence in catering</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Social care health and safety</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Excellence in housekeeping and hospitality</span></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">See the full list of awards and details on <a href="http://walescareawards.co.uk/" target="_blank"><strong>download a form to nominate</strong></a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read the list of <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/care%20forum%20wales%20winners%202012.pdf" target="_blank"><strong>2012 Wales Care Awards winners</strong></a></span></span></p>One in six dementia sufferers feel lonely and isolated, report reveals<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">More than 60% of people who have Alzheimer's say they feel anxious or depressed and just over a third say they've lost friends since being diagnosed with the disease, according to a new report published by the Alzheimer's Society on April 9.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The report, <em>Dementia 2013: The hidden voice of loneliness</em>, looked at how well people with dementia are living - and found that those who live alone are particularly likely to feel isolated. Nearly two thirds (62 per cent) of those in the UK with diagnosed Alzheimer's (currently 250,000 according to the Society's figures) say they feel lonely.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Other key findings of the report about people with dementia include:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">70 per cent say they have stopped doing things they used to because of a lack of confidence</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">63 per cent say they feel anxious or depressed</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">35 per cent say they've lost friends since their diagnosis</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">21 per cent rely on family and friends for social contact but talk to them less than once a month on the phone</span></li>
</ul>
<h2><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Reaction to the report in Wales</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">According to the charity there are more than 17,000 diagnosed with the disease in Wales - an increase of 800 since last year.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Sue Phelps, director of Alzheimer's Society Wales, said: "We need to put a stop to this epidemic of loneliness, not only to improve quality of life but also to save thousands from reaching crisis point and being admitted to hospital unnecessarily or care homes early."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">She added: "It's time for us all to play a part in helping people with dementia live well with the condition."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">A Welsh Government spokesperson responded to the report saying: "The Commissioner for Older People in Wales has established a new five-year Ageing Well in Wales programme. One of the four areas that the programme is initially looking at is creating dementia-friendly and supportive communities - five sites in Wasles have already committed to action."</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Find out more about dementia and loneliness</span></h2>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read the Alzheimer's Society report in full - <a href="http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=1542" target="_blank">Dementia 2013</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Find out more about the <a href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/Ageingwell/The-programme.aspx">Ageing Well in Wales programme</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read the <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2013/04/09/dementia-one-in-six-suffer-loneliness-once-diagnosed-finds-poll-91466-33142444/" target="_blank">Western Mail's report on Alzheimer's and loneliness</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">See the Welsh Government's <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/publications/health/guidance/dementia/?lang=en" target="_blank">National Dementia Vision for Wales</a></span></li>
</ul>Care homes review site reveals mixed reviews<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">A report about comments received by the <a href="http://www.goodcareguide.co.uk/eldercare/" target="_blank">Good Care Guide</a> website has highlighted a number of complaints about neglect and a lack of dignity shown to older people in some of its care home reviews.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">A story in the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/9974244/Neglect-and-lack-of-dignity-in-care-homes-found-in-new-study.html" target="_blank">Daily Telegraph</a> reports that almost one in seven families who used the site to give feedback on their loved ones' experiences in care homes said there was a lack of respect and, in some cases, neglect.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The figures are based on the website's first 2,000 reviews. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The site, launched in 2012, operates in a similar way to the travel review site Trip Adviser, allowing people to find and rate care providers. It also rates childcare providers.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Just under 25,000 care homes and homecare agencies are listed on the site although not all have been reviewed. Where providers are reviewed the Guide promises, "honest, impartial views" (some negative reviews have been investigated by the owners of the site).</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Good Care Guide reveals comments <br /></span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">An analysis of the Good Care Guide's first 2,000 reviews revealed some poor care experiences including:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> one woman whose 73-year-old father with Alzheimer's walked out of his care home without being stopped</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">one woman said her father had been left in the bathroom for two hours in the night </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">one said their father had been dressed in someone else's clothes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">one said their parent's drink of water had been left out of reach</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">For more on this story see: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/9974244/Neglect-and-lack-of-dignity-in-care-homes-found-in-new-study.html" target="_blank">www.telegraph.co.uk/elderhealth/Neglect-and-lack-of-dignity-in-care-homes-in-new-study</a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Fifth of hospitals in England not treating elderly with dignity
<p>The Care Quality Commission has found that fewer hospitals in England are treating older people with dignity than in previous years.</p>
<p>Nearly a fifth of hospitals are failing to offer dignity in caring for their older patients or offer them the respect or privacy they need.</p>
<p> The findings come after a dedicated review into dignity, privacy and nutrition carried out by the CQC during 2012.</p>
<p>CQC inspectors visited 50 hospitals in 2012.</p>
<p> It said "disappointingly
fewer" hospitals were respecting people's privacy and dignity – 82% last
year (2012), compared with 88% of the 100 hospitals inspected in 2011. Nearly
one in five was not treating elderly patients as well as it should.</p>
<p>The CQC also inspected 500 care homes and found 84% respected people's privacy and dignity and 83% met their nutritional needs. <br /></p>
<h2>'Good care is not complex or time-consuming'<br /></h2>
<p> </p>
<p>The CQC chief executive, David Behan, said: "We found good care and
care that had improved. However, it is disappointing people are still
not being given enough privacy when receiving personal care and that
they are left alone when they call for help.</p>
<p>"This is basic care
and getting it right can transform a stressful experience for an older
person into a supportive and caring one. Safe, good-quality care is not
complex or time-consuming. Effective leadership and staff who feel
supported make this happen every day. We want services to learn from the
best."</p>
<p> Read the CQC's findings <a title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.cqc.org.uk/public/reports-surveys-and-reviews/themed-inspections/dignity-and-nutrition-older-people">here</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Read more on this story <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/mar/19/hospitals-older-patients-dignity">here </a><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p> New health minister for Wales announced in surprise reshuffle
<p>First Minsiter Carwyn Jones announced a new health minister for Wales in a surprise cabinet reshuffle today (March 14).</p>
<p>AM Mark Drakeford replaces Lesley Griffiths as health minister at a time when of potential upheaval for the NHS in Wales with potential plans to re-organise hospital services.<br /></p>
<p>The health portfolio is one of the biggest jobs in the cabinet with a departmental budget of almost £6bn.</p>
<p>Mr Drakeford, elected Labour AM for Cardiff West in 2011, was
previously chairman of the Assembly's cross-party health and social
care committee. </p>
<p>A professor of social policy at Cardiff University, he was an
adviser to former First Minister Rhodri Morgan, who he succeeded in
Cardiff West.</p>
<p>Find out: <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-21791432">What's on Mark Drakeford's to-do list</a><br type="_moz" /></p>
<p> </p> Dementia now 10th leading cause of death in UK
<p>According to research published in medical journal The Lancet today (March 5) the number of Britons dying from dementia and Alzheimer's has soared over the past two decades.</p>
<p>The two conditions (dementia and Alzheimer's) are now the 10th most common cause of death in the UK - 20 years ago this was only the 24th most common cause of death.</p>
<h2> Wake-up call<br /></h2>
<p>Campaigners said the figures were a "wake-up call" and that they showed the impact of Britain's ageing population - as well as increased reported of dementia.<br /></p>
<p>Commenting on the figures, Andrew Chidgey of the Alzheimer's Society statement said: "These figures lay out the challenge that <a href="http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents.php?categoryID=200120">dementia</a>
poses to the UK but in many ways are not surprising. In fact as the
condition is often not recorded as a cause of death this may even be an
understatement. <a href="http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents.php?categoryID=200120">Dementia</a>
is now one of the top 10, and fastest rising causes of death. As well
as the untold human cost, dementia costs the economy £23 billion a year.</p>
<p>"Despite these statistics and the fact one in three people over the age of 65 will develop it, funding for <a href="http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents.php?categoryID=200422">dementia research</a>
lags far behind other conditions like cancer. With numbers soaring and
costs trebling we need urgent action to find more effective <a href="http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents.php?categoryID=200348">treatments</a> and ultimately defeat dementia."</p>
<p>Find out <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=1508">how the Alzheimer's Society reported the story</a><br /></p>
<blockquote> </blockquote>
<p> </p>Warning over scam aimed at private care sector businesses
<p>A warning has been issued by CFW's legal adviser about an advertising sponsorship scam being targeted at businesses in the private care sector - particularly those in North Wales.</p>
<p>A group known to be based in north west England is calling businesses to seek 'sponsors' for a supposed local police community liaison team's child protection training.<br type="_moz" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">In a similar scam several years ago one unsuspecting CFW member paid a lot of money on repeat 'advertising' for charity booklets that weren't properly distributed. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">The scam is being operated by a
group of people based in the North West of England, well known to the
authorities.</span></p>
<p><span style="">Here is some brief
info: <a href="https://www.tapa.co.uk/police-advertising-scams.php">https://www.tapa.co.uk/police-advertising-scams.php</a></span></p>
<p><span style="">If you receive a suspicious phone call along the above lines the advice is: </span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="">Don't hand over any money</span></li>
<li><span style="">Check if the call is genuine by asking for a landline number to call back on</span></li>
<li><span style="">Hang up</span></li>
</ol><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></strong>
<p> </p> Record numbers in care homes have dementia
<p>A new <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21579394">report by the Alzheimer's Society</a> published today (February 26) reveals that record numbers of people in care homes have either dementia or severe memory problems.</p>
<p>It says that 80 per cent of care home residents - more than anyone thought before - have dementia but that less than half of these enjoy a good quality of life.</p>
<p>The report, Low Expectations, reveals that only 41 per cent of relatives surveyed thought their family members had a good quality of life in their care home. Despite this, however, three quarters of relatives (74%) said they'd recommend their family member's care home - illustrating the low expectations many have for living with dementia.</p>
<h2>Care homes' poor image</h2>
<p> The report also includes the results of a YouGov poll commissioned by the Alzheimer's Society which show that 70 per cent of UK adults would be either scared or very scared of going into a care home.</p>
<p>The charity argues that people with dementia can can live a good quality of life and that expectations and standards of care are too low.</p>
<p>Read the full story: <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=1498">Alzheimer's Society reports record number of dementia sufferers in care homes</a></p>
<p>Read more on this subject: <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21018520">BBC reports thousands in Wales with Alzheimer's go undiagnosed</a> </p>
<p><br type="_moz" /></p>
<p> </p>Domiciliary care managers urged to register with Care Council
<p>The Care Council for Wales has issued a reminder that all domiciliary care managers <span class="side-news-title">must</span><span class="side-news-main"> register with the Care Council for Wales from 28 February.</span> </p>
<p>Domiciliary care managers are the latest group of practitioners in Wales to join the Register of Social Care Workers - managers of care homes for adults and care homes for children must already join the register. </p>
<ul>
<li>This applies to all managers of domiciliary care
agencies registered with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales
(CSSIW).</li>
<li>After 28 February, a registered agency risks committing an offence if
it appoints a manager not registered with both CSSIW and the Care
Council.</li>
<li>New and existing managers will be given until 31 December to get the
qualifications they need and register with the Care Council.
</li>
</ul>
<div id="side-bar">
<div id="tabbed-box">
<div style="display: block; visibility: visible; height: auto; min-height: 140px;" id="tab-content-1" class="content active">
<div id="spread">
<h2>CFW welcomes professionalisation of social care workforce</h2>
<p>The Welsh Government has introduced the new regulations as the next
stage in the professional recognition of the social care workforce and
to ensure practitioners work to a consistently high standard.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales <span style="font-size: 11pt;">supports the Welsh Government's aim of professionalising the social care
workforce. Chair of CFW, Mario Kreft said: "We are glad that they have listened to our concerns about
timescales and the appropriateness of registering managers occupying strategic
rather than caring roles. We have asked for some clarification on a few issues
and will provide a further update on these as soon as possible."</span></p>
<ul>
<li> Any CFW members who foresee problems should please let us know as soon as
possible to that we can seek clarification and help them through the changes. Please contact <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="mailto:melanie@careforumwales.co.uk?subject=Re%20domiciliary%20care%20managers%20registering%20with%20CCW">melanie@careforumwales.co.uk</a> for further information and guidance.</li>
<li>Read more <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news/2013/02/20/reminder-to-domiciliary-care-managers/">information from the Care Council on the changes</a><br type="_moz" /></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p> Over 65s population growth to have huge impact on NHS and social services, Lords told
<p><br />Warnings about Britain's rapidly ageing population have emerged prompting fears about how social services and the NHS will cope with the dramatic increase in those aged over 65.</p>
<p>In an article on the <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/feb/24/britain-ageing-population-lords-inquiry">impact of demographic change</a> published in the <em>Guardian </em>yesterday (Feb 24) Lord Filkin, chair of the Committee on Public Service and Demographic Change, said the committee has been told:</p>
<p>• Half of those born after 2007 can expect to live to over 100.</p>
<p>• Between 2010 and 2030 the number of people aged over 65 will increase by 51%.</p>
<p>• The number of people aged over 85 will double during the same period.</p>Lord Filkin said the prospect of living longer was a "gift", and added that
studies suggest people's happiness peaks after retirement. But six
months of evidence-gathering has revealed the huge impact such changes would
have on almost every aspect of public life.
<p>The most
dramatic warnings to the Lords committee, which focused on 2020-2030,
were for the NHS. Filkin warned health bosses must make
detailed forecasts as evidence from experts showed the scale of the
crisis facing hospitals, specialist services and care homes.</p>
<h2>Numbers expected to live to 100 on the rise<br /></h2>
<p>Sarah Harper, professor of gerontology at Oxford University, told the
peers there were about 8 million people in the UK who would be expected
to live to at least 100, and some experts believe at least 50% of
children born since 2007 will live until 103.</p>
<p>In the shorter term,
the Department of Health expects the number of elderly people aged over
65 to grow by 51% in the two decades to 2030, and those aged over 85 to
rise even more steeply, by 101%.</p>
<p>Read the full story <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/feb/24/britain-ageing-population-lords-inquiry">here </a><br /></p>
<p> </p> Free dementia care conference aimed at North Wales care providers
<p> </p>
<p>A free dementia care conference has been organised by CFW in collaboration with the 1,000 Lives Programme.</p>
<ul>
<li>'Dementia Care in Wales Today' will take place on March 26 in Venue Cymru, Llandudno.</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;"><strong>Key note speakers at the conference will include David Sheard
(Dementia Care Matters) and Prof. Bob
Woods. </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;">The aim is to help spread good practice, improvement
methods and useful dementia care ideas within the residential care sector. The event is aimed at </span><strong><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US">providers of
residential nursing and care homes in North Wales.</span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US"></span></p>
<h2><strong><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;">About the 1,000
Lives Programme</span></strong> </h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 37pt 0pt 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;">1000
Lives is the national improvement programme, supporting organisations and
individuals to deliver the highest quality and safest healthcare for the people
of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Wales</st1:country-region></st1:place>. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;">It
aims to ensure reliable implementation of evidence based interventions in local
settings and the tracking of outcomes. It incorporates mental health targets for
general and mental health services, including 5 Dementia Care targets that were
launched at a national Collaborative in January 2011. Work on Dementia target 3
aims to support improvement in the appropriate prescribing of anti-psychotic
medications in dementia care in community and residential settings, and joins
with a 1000 Lives Plus Medicines Management Target which was launched in October
2011. <o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 37pt 0pt 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0cm 37pt 0pt 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;">Betsi
Cadwaladr Health Board Medicine Management leads and teams, together with
Clinical leads and local teams delivering Dementia Care Target 3 are invited to
for this local collaborative event which is <strong>targeted at </strong></span><strong><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US">providers of
residential nursing and care homes in North Wales</span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US"> and</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p /></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;">Local
CSSIW Reps e.g. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US">Regulatory Managers/Inspectors & Team Leaders </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US">Care Home Liaison Nurses & CMHT managers</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US">Community & Care Home pharmacists </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US">Dementia Coordinators </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;">The
collaborative event is co-hosted by <strong>Care Forum
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Wales</st1:country-region></st1:place></strong></span></li>
</ul><span lang="EN-US"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></strong></span>
<h2><span lang="EN-US"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 2.3pt 0pt 0cm;"><strong><font face="Calibri"><font size="6">How to book</font></font></strong></p>
<p>Please book your FREE place at the event online <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="https://www.eventsforce.net/nliah/frontend/reg/thome.csp?pageID=101598&eventID=375&eventID=375">here</a> </p></span></strong></span></h2><span lang="EN-US"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 2.3pt 0pt 0cm;"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US">For further information please contact <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="mailto:leslie.rudd@wales.nhs.uk%20?subject=Dementia%20Care%20in%20Wales%20conference"><st1:personname w:st="on"><u><span style="color: blue;">leslie.rudd@wales.nhs.uk</span></u></st1:personname><u><span style="color: blue;"> </span></u></a></span><a onclick="" title="" target="" href="mailto:leslie.rudd@wales.nhs.uk%20?subject=Dementia%20Care%20in%20Wales%20conference"> </a>078
666 79064.</strong></p></span></strong></span>
<div onmouseout="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.hideMenu(event)" onmouseover="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.showMenu(this, event)" style="display: none;" id="skype_pnh_menu_container" class="skype_pnh_menu_container">
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action">Call</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action">Send SMS</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text" class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text">Add to Skype</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_info"><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_callcredit">You'll need Skype Credit</span><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_free">Free via Skype</span></div>
</div>
<div onmouseout="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.hideMenu(event)" onmouseover="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.showMenu(this, event)" style="display: none;" id="skype_pnh_menu_container" class="skype_pnh_menu_container">
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action">Call</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action">Send SMS</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text" class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text">Add to Skype</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_info"><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_callcredit">You'll need Skype Credit</span><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_free">Free via Skype</span></div>
</div>Basic home care help 'breaching human rights' in England
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; font-weight: bold;" id="story_continues_1" class="introduction">Basic care for the elderly in their own homes in England is so bad it breaches human rights at times, an inquiry says.</p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left;">The home care review by the Equality and Human Rights Commission highlighted cases of physical abuse, theft, neglect and disregard for privacy and dignity.</p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left;">It said on many occasions support for tasks such as washing and dressing was "dehumanising" and left people "stripped of self-worth".</p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left;">The findings have added weight to calls for a complete overhaul of the system.</p>
<p>For further details : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15836500 </p> Calls on Welsh Government to fund social care costs cap
<p>There have been calls for the Welsh Government to bring forward plans to offer a cap on social care costs following UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt's announcement yesterday of plans to cap social care costs at £75,000 in England.</p>
<p></p>
<p>In a statement the charity Age Cymru welcomed the “principle of a
cap†and called on the Welsh Government to bring forward similar
proposals “without delayâ€.</p>It said: "Age Cymru calls on the Welsh Government to examine these proposals
and to bring forward similar plans without delay, to provide people in
Wales with certainty over care costs.
<p>“Social care has been ignored for far too long and government in
Cardiff Bay and Westminster must act to bring older people fairer access
to care support when they need it most.â€</p>
<p>A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We recognise the current
arrangements for paying for social care are outdated and need reform.
While Andrew Dilnot’s report relates to England, this is an issue of
vital importance for people in Wales and the rest of the UK.</p>
<p>“The Welsh Government has a long-standing commitment to building a
new system of paying for social care that is fair, affordable and
sustainable in the long term.</p>
<p>“We have already introduced a £50 per week cap on charges for home care.</p>
<p>“Paying for care is a complex issue that has profound consequences
for many people. It will be important to understand the detailed
implications for the people of Wales of what is being proposed by the UK
Government and how they will differ from the recommendations that had
been made in the Dilnot report.</p>
<p>“We would need to see the sums in England before doing our own
analysis and deciding what the best policy on paying for care in Wales
should look like.</p>
<p>“There has been extensive consultation on this issue in Wales over a
number of years including a Green Paper. Over the last nine months we
have been consulting with key stakeholders in Wales to ascertain what
kind of system would command broad public support here and whether such
reforms should be built on the Dilnot proposals.</p>
<p>“A report on the outcome of that will be issued with the next few weeks with a ministerial statement on this important issue.â€</p>
<div style="overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br />Read more: Wales Online <a style="color: #003399;" href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2013/02/11/concern-that-taxes-collected-in-wales-will-fund-england-s-social-care-91466-32790343/#ixzz2KgkINrbA">http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/welsh-politics/welsh-politics-news/2013/02/11/concern-that-taxes-collected-in-wales-will-fund-england-s-social-care-91466-32790343/#ixzz2KgkINrbA</a><br /></div>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Hunt: social care funding cap in England to give 'peace of mind'
<p>UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has set out his plans to cap the amount people should pay for social care in England at £75,000.</p>
<p>He told MPs the cap, higher than the £25,000-50,000 recommended in 2011 by the <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.dilnotcommission.dh.gov.uk/our-report/">Dilnot report</a>, would give people "greater peace of mind" and would help avoid "ruinous" costs that see around 40,000 people every year forced to sell their homes to pay for care.</p>
<p>The Health Secretary said the proposed new framework, due to come into force in 2017, would bring "greater certainty, fairness and peace of mind". </p>
<p>The government is proposing to cap the amount that anyone will have to pay in their lifetime at £75,000. </p>
<p>This figure would only cover the cost of nursing care and
people would still have to pay for accommodation and food - although
some support will be provided.</p>
<p>For more on this story: <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21403679">Hunt's plans aim to bring greater peace of mind </a></p>
<p>Mr Hunt confirmed that the proposed changes - expected to cost £1bn - will be funded by a freeze on inheritance tax thresholds which currently stand at at £325,000 for individuals and £650,000 for couples.</p>Read more: <a title="" target="" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/feb/10/inheritance-tax-freeze-social-care">Inheritance tax freeze to fund social care cap</a>
<h2>Means test threshold for care to rise <br /></h2>
<p>It is understood that the government is also proposing increasing the means-tested
threshold for social care support - designed to ensure the less well-off get state help towards
their care costs. </p>
<p>Currently anyone with assets of more than £23,250 has to pay
for their care. Under the plans, the threshold would rise to £123,000,
reflecting the fact that rising property prices over the years have
effectively meant any home-owner falls outside the state system.</p>
<p>Find out more: <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21394998">means tested support: threshold to change</a><br /></p>
<p>Q&A: <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13454411">how the social care system currently works in England</a><br /></p>
<p> </p> Staffordshire NHS scandal: key findings and conclusions at a glance
<p>The report into failures at Stafford Hospital, following the public inquiry carried under chairman Robert Francis, was published on February 6, 2013. It includes 290 recommendations, many of which have implications for the wider NHS.</p>
<p>As well as failings locally, the 1,800-page report says patients and their families were failed by local GPs and MPs; the local primary care trust which oversaw the hospital; the Department of Health and even the Health Commission (although it exposed the hospital's failings it was criticised for not detecting them them earlier or preventing them).</p>
<ul>
<li> <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21357532">More detail on the key findings</a> below can be found in a summary on the BBC website.</li>
<li>A <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21275826">Stafford Hospital Q&A</a> document can also be found on the BBC website. <br /></li>
</ul>
<h2>Key findings</h2>
<ol>
<li>The hospital's board at the time should take ultimate responsibility - for reacting too slowly to events and failing to appreciate the scale of the problems</li>
<li>The local primary care trust, which oversaw the hospital at the time, failed to put in place systems to pick up problems.</li>
<li>The regional health authority was too ready to put its faith in the hospital's management when concerns were raised. <br /></li>
<li>GPs and MPs did not do enough to help people who came to see them.</li>
<li>The Department of Health was criticised for being too remote and not putting patients' needs first.</li>
<li>The Healthcare Commission was given credit for exposing the problems but the report said it should have detected and prevented problems earlier.</li>
</ol>
<h2>Conclusions</h2>
<p>The report cautioned against apportioning individual blame - because the removal of key individuals could risk being seen as a panacea (whereas the failings are more systemic - Francis said the scandal should not be seen as a one-off).</p>
<p>The report called for a "fundamental change" in the culture of the NHS - putting patients' needs first. However it also noted that one factors behind the problems at Stafford Hospital was the 'constant upheaval' in the NHS.</p>
<p><strong>Other recommendations</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>It should become a criminal offence to withhold information about poor care or to provide care that results in serious harm. </li>
<li>Better regulation of managers and healthcare assistants is
needed, while the regulation of all care functions should be brought
under the umbrella of one organisation (at the moment <strong>in England</strong> it is spread across two - Monitor and the Care Quality Commission).</li>
</ul>
<p>For more on this story and related stories:</p>
<p><a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21358905"> Five other hospital trusts to be investigated following Stafford Hospital failings</a></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><br type="_moz" /></p>
<p> </p>Does your business work creatively with the arts? Enter for an award now!
<p>The search is on to find businesses in Wales which work creatively with arts groups or bodies - nominations for the 20th Arts & Business Cymru Awards are now open (February 7, 2013).</p>
<p>The Awards ceremony will take place in Cardiff at the Wales Millennium Centre on July 8, 2013.</p>
<p><img alt="Arts and Business Wales" src="http://www.aandbcymru.org.uk/images/logo-wales.png" /></p>
<h2> Enter for an award today<br /></h2>
<p>If you think your organisation deserves recognition for creative thinking linking business and the arts or support of the arts, the awards categories are:</p>
<p></p>
<ul>
<li>Arts, Business & Brand Identity, sponsored by <strong>Arup</strong></li>
<li>Arts, Business & the Community, sponsored by <strong>Wales & West Utilities</strong></li>
<li>Arts, Business & Young People, sponsored by <strong>Hugh James</strong></li>
<li>Arts & Small Business, sponsored by <strong>Principality Building Society</strong></li>
<li>Arts, Business & the Environment, sponsored by <strong>West Coast Energy </strong></li>
<li>Arts, Business & Employees, sponsored by <strong>Lewis and Lewis</strong></li>
<li>Arts, Business & Long Term support, sponsored by <strong>Hospital Innovations </strong></li>
<li>Business Adviser of the Year, sponsored by <strong>University of Wales, Newport</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Admiral </strong>Business of the Year Award<strong></strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Legal & General</strong> Arts Award <br /></li>
</ul>
<p>An awards panel of judges who have expertise in business and the arts will decide who will win Awards trophies which are being specially commissioned from Llantrisant-based artist <strong>Laura Thomas</strong>.</p>
<p>To download a nomination form see the <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.aandbcymru.org.uk/news/2013/02/07/searching-for-perfect-partners/?force=1">Arts and Business Cymru website</a></p>
<p>Or email <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="mailto:contactus@aandbcymru.org.uk?subject=Arts%20%26%20Business%20Cymru%20Awards">contactus@aandbcymru.org.uk</a></p>
<p> </p>Keep clinical practice knowledge up to date with our Nurses Forum
<p>If you work in nursing you need to keep your clinical practice knowledge up to date - so why not book your place at our next Nurses Forum which takes place on March 7 in Cardiff?</p>
<p>Our speakers for the event are:</p>
<p>Liz Smith - NILAH / 1,000 Lives Project</p>
<p> Sue Thomas - RCN Wales Primary Care and Independent Sector Adviser</p>
<p>Dilys Price - Director, Touch Trust Foundation</p>
<p>Paula Martyn - CFW Nurse Adviser<br /></p>
<p> <!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--></p>
<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1027"/>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: 20pt;" helvetica","sans-serif";"=""></span><span style="font-size: 20pt;" helvetica","sans-serif";"=""></span></p>
<p> </p>
<h2>Book your place now</h2>
<p> The event takes place on March 7 in the All Nations Centre, Cardiff. To book please email <a href="mailto:grachel.kemp@gmail.com?subject=Please%20book%20my%20Nurses%20Forum%20place" onclick="" title="" target="">grachel.kemp@gmail.com</a><br /></p>
<p class="body1" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><img src="file:///C:\Users\Nancy\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg" align="left" hspace="6" vspace="6" /> <br /></p>
<p> </p> Carers who look after family could get help under new bill
<p>Carers who look after family members could get more help under proposals in the new Social Services and Wellbeing Bill introduced by the Welsh Government in January.</p>
<p>The Bill would give carers the same legal rights to support as the people they look after. Under the proposed legislation local councils would have to assess carers' needs to find out if they are eligible for help from social services.</p>
<ul>
<li>The process would look at how much care they can provide and consider whether they want to work or take part in education.
</li>
</ul>
<p>Criteria on who is eligible for what kind of help will be set down in regulations after the bill comes into law.</p>
<h2>Time off for carers? <br /></h2>
<p>The new Bill could result in workers stepping in to give carers time
off, help around the home or garden, or a direct payment so carers can
decide what help they need.</p>
<p>The Welsh government said the bill would "transform" the way people are looked after.</p>
<ul>
<li>Read more on the <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-21237216">Social Services and Wellbeing Bill's implications for carers</a></li>
</ul>
<p> </p> Social Services bill starts progress through National Assembly<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif";">The Social
Services and Well-being (Wales)
Bill was introduced in to the National Assembly for Wales today (January 28, 2013). </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif";">Read the full details of the new <a href="http://www.senedd.assemblywales.org/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=5664" onclick="" title="" target="_blank">Social Services & Well-being (Wales) Bill</a> (link includes PDF copy of the bill)</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The National Assembly website also includes explanatory notes
which set out a range of information about the scope, content and costs of the
Bill </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Stage one of the Bill, which is being scrutinised
by the Health and Social Care Committee, starts from today. </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Find out who's who on the </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.senedd.assemblywales.org/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=227"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Health and Social Care Committee</span></a> <br /></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Tomorrow (Tuesday, January 29), the
Minister for Health and Social Services will formally be introducing the Bill with
a statement to plenary.</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If you have questions
about the Bill you can email them to the<u> <span style="color: blue;"><a onclick="" title="" target="" href="mailto:SocialServicesBill@wales.gsi.gov.uk">SocialServicesBill@wales.gsi.gov.uk</a></span></u></span> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">mailbox.</span> </li>
</ul> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object
classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<p> </p>Last chance to make your views known on Older People's Strategy
<p>Do you want to help shape the future of the older people's services in Wales? If so, the Welsh Government wants your views which will be fed into its <strong>Strategy for Older People</strong>. <br /></p>
<ul>
<li><a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/olderpeople/older/?lang=en">Today is the last day for contributions - find out how to respond </a><br /></li>
</ul>
<p>The Welsh Government wants to hear from: </p>
<ul>
<li>older people</li>
<li>those who work with older people </li>
<li>volunteers in social care sector / working with older people </li>
<li>everyone with an interest
in ensuring Wales is sensitive to the needs of its older
population</li>
</ul>
<p> </p> Fine care home owners for abuse 'on their watch' urges MP
<p class="introduction" id="story_continues_1">Companies who own care
homes in England where abuse is carried out should face unlimited fines
and criminal sanctions, the former English care homes minister says.</p>
<p>Lib Dem Paul Burstow says tougher laws are needed to ensure
care providers are held criminally accountable for abuse and neglect on
their premises. In cases such as at Winterbourne View, he says firms must be responsible for abuse "taking place on their watch". </p>
<p>Ministers have suggested they would be prepared to look at the proposal.</p>
<p>The MP, who was care services minister until leaving the
government in September 2012, will outline proposed legislation in the
Commons today [January 16] which he says would see justice done for future
victims of abuse and their families.</p>
<ul>
<li><a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21024832">Read the BBC report - MP calls for care home abuse penalties</a></li>
<li><a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://paulburstow.org.uk/en/article/2013/649842/unlimited-fines-and-criminal-sanctions-for-care-home-companies-who-allow-abuse-former-care-services-minister-paul-burstow-mp">Read the MP's call - in his own words</a><br type="_moz" /></li>
</ul>
<p> </p> Apply now for Social Care Accolades awards
<p>The deadline for nominations for the <strong>Social Care Accolades</strong> awards, open to all teams, groups and organisations across the social care sector in Wales, is approaching. <br /></p>
<p>Nominations for the biennial Care Council-supported awards close on February 1. Winners will be announced at a ceremony on June 21 this year. </p>
<p>So if you're one of the estimated five per cent of Wales' population working in the private, voluntary and statutory social care sectors, now's your chance to apply.</p>
<h2>Accolades - awards categories</h2>
<p>There are six categories of awards: </p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li>Leadership to achieve confident, competent and professional workers</li>
<li>Citizens controlling services</li>
<li>Better outcomes through working together</li>
<li>Developing a sustainable workforce</li>
<li>Excellent outcomes in the care of older people, which is sponsored by Barchester Healthcare</li>
<li>Excellent outcomes in the care of younger people/children/early years</li>
</ul>
<p> Gwenda Thomas AM, Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services, who
has supported the Accolades since 2007, said: “All sectors need role
models and examples of how boundaries have been pushed back to improve
services. By recognising the success of teams, groups and organisations,
and facilitating the sharing of good practice, the Social Care
Accolades play an important role in helping raise standards of care
services in Wales.</p>
<p>Find out how to enter on the<a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news/2012/10/10/a-time-to-shine-2013-social-care-accolades-are-launched/?force=1"> Care Council website</a> <br /></p>
<p> </p> New guide aims to help care homes staff improve dementia care <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A new
guide to help care home workers and managers improve life for those with
dementia has been issued by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It is
the result of nine month’s work which took place to capture the experiences of
staff, relatives and those with dementia.</span> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span>The guide includes a
toolbox of techniques to help tackle the most common dementia care challenges
faced by care homes staff including: </p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">managers
finding it difficult to motivate their team</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style=""><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">staff
feeling they don’t have the time to engage effectively with residents </span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style=""><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">staff
feeling residents don’t respond to them, no matter how hard they try</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 14.25pt; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It is divided into three sections – a section for care
home managers, a section for care home staff and an invaluable A to Z of the
most commonly used tools, including a description of what they are, who should
use them and where to find them.</span></p>
<p><a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.institute.nhs.uk/care_homes/programme/capturing_and_understanding_the_experiences_of_people_living_with_dementia%3a_an_improvement_guide.html">Find out more about the guide</a></p>
<p> Download the guide<br /></p>
<p> </p>Practical guide for care home staff on how to help with hearing loss
<p>My Home Life Cymru and Action on Hearing Loss Cymru have launched new guidance on how care home managers and staff can help support older people who have hearing loss.</p>
<p>More than 70 per cent of older people have some form of hearing loss and the consequences of hearing loss can be debilitating. </p>
<ul>
<li>It can lead to
loneliness, isolation and depression and this can be especially acute in
a care home setting. </li>
</ul>
<h2>Research provides practical tips and guidance<br /></h2>
<p><a href="http://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/about-us/wales.aspx">Action on Hearing Loss Cymru</a> teamed
up with the My Home Life Cymru programme to develop a practical
resource to support care home staff. </p>
<p>The guide <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/news-and-events/wales/news/my-home-life-cymru-celebration-event-at-the-senedd.aspx">“Quality of Life for
Residents with Hearing Lossâ€</a> aims to </p>
<ul>
<li>help care home staff identify signs
of hearing loss </li>
<li>suggests tips on how to ensure that residents with
hearing loss can be part of activities in residential settings</li>
<li>identifies that care home staff need better information and training
on hearing aid maintenance </li>
</ul>
<p>The guide signposts resources that can be
of help for staff. The bilingual booklet will be distributed free to all
740 care homes in Wales. </p>
<h2>Resources for you and your staff</h2>
<p>Download guidance: <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/How%20to%20help%20with%20hearing%20loss%20(Eng)%20-%20guidance%20for%20care%20home%20staff">How to help with hearing loss</a><br /></p>
<ul>
<li><a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/How%20to%20help%20with%20hearing%20loss%20(Cym)%20-%20guidance%20for%20care%20home%20staff">How to help with hearing loss</a> - Welsh version</li>
<li><a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/hearing_aid_care_plan.pdf">Hearing aid care plan</a> (eng)</li>
<li><a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/hearing_aid_care_plan%20cym.pdf">Hearing aid care plan</a> (cym)<br type="_moz" /></li>
<li><a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/hearing%20aids%20poster%20final%20(2).pdf">Hearing aid poster</a> (eng) </li>
<li><a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/hearing%20aids%20poster%20final%20(2)%20cym.pdf">Hearing aid poster</a> (cym) <br /></li>
</ul> Means test winter fuel payments to fund elderly care call
<p>Former UK care services minister Paul Burstow has said that means testing the universal winter fuel benefit for pensioners could help fund care for older people in England.</p>
<p>The proposal came in a report '<a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.centreforum.org/assets/pubs/delivering-dilnot.pdf">Delivering Dilnot - paying for elderly care</a>' edited by the Lib Dem MP and issued by the Centre Forum partnership on January 3.</p>
<p>Mr Burstow told the BBC that <strong>targeting the allowance would help pay for a fairer social care system</strong> as recommended in the Dilnot report of last summer. <br /></p>
<ul>
<li>In 2012 the Dilnot Commission recommended that the cap on the amount
individuals have to pay towards their social care be set at £35,000
over a lifetime. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The commission, set up by the government, argued that such a
move would protect people from catastrophic care costs that result in
them having to sell their homes.</li>
</ul>
<p>Under the proposals from Mr Burstow and the Centre Forum, the <strong>cap on
the amount people should pay towards social care costs in England would be set at
£60,000 but the amount of assets people could hold would rise to
£100,000</strong>.</p>
<ul>
<li>They said winter fuel allowance should be limited to those receiving pension credit to help pay for this change.</li>
</ul>Mr Burstow said: "Social care
isn't free, but it could be a lot fairer for those who have worked hard
all their lives.
<p><strong>"By concentrating the winter fuel payment on those eligible for pension credit [the poorest pensioners], we can pay for a cap on care costs." </strong></p>
<p>He said there were 100,000 pensioners with incomes of more
than £100,000 a year and questioned whether it was "right" to continue
to pay them winter fuel allowance as many of them admitted to using the
money for other things. </p>
<ul>
<li><a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20887547">Read the full interview with Mr Burstow</a> <br /></li>
</ul><br />
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Happy New Year - and a New Year's resolution <strong>Here at Care Forum Wales we'd like to extend our best wishes to you for a Happy New Year in 2013.</strong>
<p><strong> </strong>And if you're in the mood to make a New Year's resolution, why not <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/join"><strong>become a Care Forum Wales member</strong></a> </p>
<ul>
<li>Together we'll have a stronger voice when it comes to improving care for everyone in Wales who needs our help.</li>
</ul>
<p>As a member you'll get our quarterly publication, <strong>Fforum</strong>.</p>
<p>And our <strong>monthly e-newsletter</strong> to help you keep up with all the latest legislation, regulations and training opportunities for those working in social care.</p>
<p><em>We look forward to your company over the next 12 months and beyond! </em></p>
<p>PS Don't forget to sign up to follow us on Twitter <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/careforumwales">@careforumwales</a></p> A Christmas message from Mario Kreft
<p>We end the year on a high note, with praise for our <a href="www.academyofcarepractitioners.co.uk/" target="_blank" title="" onclick="">Academy of Care Practitioners</a> initiative... more <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/members/news/Assembly%20committee%20praises%20Academy%20of%20Care%20Practitioners%20initiative" target="_blank" title="" onclick="">here</a>.<br /></p>
<p>If you haven’t told your staff about it yet, get them on board and together we can work to give social care the recognition as a profession that it deserves.</p>
<p>Best wishes for a Merry Christmas from everyone at Care Forum Wales, see you in 2013.</p> Older People's Commissioner: we must change attitudes to whistleblowers
<p>The Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, has published a report calling for a change in workplace attitudes to whistleblowers who raise concerns about poor health and social care practices.<br /></p>
<p>Her report, 'Protection of older people in Wales: Raising concerns in the workplace', published today (December 20), was based on extensive research carried out for her by Cardiff University.</p>
<p>Ms Rochira said her report, "makes a strong case for change in workplace culture in health and social care in Wales so that older people, and others, are better protected from harm". </p>
<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></p>
<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]--> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">She added: "As Older People’s
Commissioner, I have a particular role in ensuring that older people are
safeguarded and protected, which is why I commissioned extensive research on
workplace culture and raising concerns.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""></span><span style="">“Today I publish a
report that identifies the ways in which workplace culture can affect the
extent to which workers feel able to raise concerns about poor care and
mistreatment. The report gives voice to those who work with older people on a
daily basis, many of whom are unrecognised for the valuable work they do,
highlighting the need for greater assistance in raising concerns at an early
stage.</span> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>She announced her intention to set up a National Development Board with partners, including Jan Wood of the Academy of Care Practitioners, to collaborate on changing workplace culture. </p>
<p>The board will meet three times a year and work out strategies for tackling workplace culture so that people working in health and social care feel more able to report unsafe practices.<br /></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li> Read the Older People's Commissioner's <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/news/news/12-12-20/The_Older_People_s_Commissioner_for_Wales_establishes_strategic_partnership_to_achieve_change_in_workplace_culture_in_Wales.aspx">call for change in workplace culture</a><br /></li>
</ul>
<p> </p> National Assembly committee issues report on residential care
<p> </p>
<p>The National Assembly's Health and Social Care Committee has issued a report today calling for a change in the way we care for older people - making their lives more stimulating and increasing their ability to lead independent lives.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Committee chairman Mark Drakeford said: "Considering care options for
our later years can be an incredibly difficult process, as it is a
recognition either of our own diminishing independence or that of those
we love.</p>
<div class="audioInStoryC"> </div>
<p>"Part of this process is to make information on all the
available options as clear and simple as possible so that everyone
involved in the process, including older people and their families, can
make informed choices."</p>
<p>The report said that families need simple and accessible information
about the options available for elderly relatives, noting that many
elderly people who pay for their own care were unaware of the help
available to them to continue to living at home rather than in
residential care. </p>
<ul>
<li>Read the BBC's report <a title="" target="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-20701123">here</a></li>
<li>Read the Health and Social Care Committee's full report <a title="" target="" href="http://www.senedd.assemblywales.org/documents/s12268/Residential%20care%20for%20older%20people%20in%20Wales%20-%20Report%20-%20December%202012.pdf">here</a><br /></li>
</ul><br />
<p> </p>
<ul></ul>
<p> </p> Two months left to enter 2013 Social Care AccoladesThere are now just two months left to enter the Social Care Accolades 2013 which recognise best practice by those working in social care, social work and early years and childcare services in Wales.<br /><br />Led by the Care Council for Wales, the biennial Accolades are awarded to teams and organisations who have invested in the learning and development of their staff to deliver excellent services and support for communities.<br /><br />There are six categories to enter and the deadline for entries is February 1, 2013 with the winners announced in a ceremony on June 21, 2013.<br /><br />Care Council for Wales Chair, Arwel Ellis Owen, said: “There are now less than two months left to enter the Social Care Accolades and we would urge everyone to take the time to put forward the good work which is transforming social care for people in our communities.<br /><br />“For 2013, the entry categories for the Accolades are focused on attracting submissions that demonstrate how initiatives are meeting the agenda of the Welsh Government’s policy paper, Sustainable Social Services for Wales: A Framework for Action by investing in their staff and creating a new level of professionalism.<br /><br />“We know there is much innovative work taking place across Wales to transform social care so it can meet peoples’ needs, and this is the time to celebrate and share this good practice.â€<br /><br />
<h2>Which of the six categories for the 2013 Social Care Accolades will you enter?</h2>
<ul>
<li>Leadership to achieve confident, competent and professional workers, which is</li>
<li>sponsored by Educ8 Training</li>
<li>Citizens controlling services</li>
<li>Better outcomes through working together</li>
<li>Developing a sustainable workforce</li>
<li>Excellent outcomes in the care of older people, which is sponsored by</li>
<li>Barchester Healthcare</li>
<li>Excellent outcomes in the care of younger people/children/early years</li>
</ul>
<p>For more information see the <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/social-care-accolades-2013/">Care Council for Wales</a> website<br /></p>
<p>*For further information please contact Malcolm Williams on 029 2078 0634, or email <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="*For%20further%20information%20please%20contact%20Malcolm%20Williams%20on%20029%202078%200634,%20or%20email%20malcolm.williams@ccwales.org.uk">malcolm.williams@ccwales.org.uk</a><br type="_moz" /></p>Care home staff brave floods to ensure residents' safety
<p>Staff from a North Wales care home braved floods to make sure residents were safe when the River Elwy burst its banks in St Asaph recently.</p>
<p>The Old Deanery care home, which has 21 residents the oldest of whom is 98, was one of around 400 properties affected by the flooding in St Asaph which saw many have to leave their homes and take refuge with family and friends until flood waters subsided.</p>
<p></p>
<p>
Manager, Lisa Bowen said: “I live in nearby Rhyl and there was no
problem with flooding over there, so the first I knew that things were
getting really serious in St Asaph was when my sister, who lives in
the town, rang me about 6am to say the river had come over and that she
had been evacuated by the emergency services. </p>
<p>
“The river is not far away from the Old Deanery, so my first thought was for the safety of our residents. </p>
<p>
“When I got to the bottom of the road the home is on, things
looked pretty bad. The water was already very deep but I just knew I
had to reach the home, so I waded in. </p>
<p>
“It was really cold and the water was up to my waist but the adrenalin
must have kicked in and I just kept going. Further along the road a
firefighter shouted at me to stop because of the danger. But I told him
who I was and that I was trying to reach the Old Deanery. He then led me
the rest of the way there.†</p>
<p>
Ms Bowen’s colleagues, Jane Heath Coleman and deputy manager Caroline Barker, also battled their way to the Old Deanery through the floodwaters. Ms Coleman, who waded through flooded gardens to get there, even borrowed two sets of ladders from home-owners to get over
the perimeter wall and into the home. </p>
<p>
She said: “I didn’t think about what I was doing at the time. I just
knew I had to get to the home to see the residents were alright because I
wasn’t sure who else from the staff would manage to get there.†</p>
<p>
Ms Bowen added: “Jane got there 10 minutes before me and we saw the
water was coming in through every nook and cranny. It wasn’t too deep
but it was very worrying. </p>
<p>
“I phoned the county council who sent some sandbags and we put them
everywhere we could see the water appearing, which stopped it. By then
other staff members, some of whom were not even on duty, started to come
in, and a couple of them were wearing fishing waders. </p>
<p>
“We got all the residents into the lounge, reassured them everything was
fine, made sure they were warm and gave them their breakfast. There was
no panic at all. By about 8.30am the firemen, who were brilliant, had
pumped out all the water and outside it looked like nothing had
happened. </p>
<p>
“A few of the residents had to temporarily move out of their rooms
because some water had got in, and we also had problems with the central
heating boiler and the electrics of the lift but everything was soon
fixed and we quickly got back to normal. I’ve never seen anything like
the flooding before in my life but all the staff were incredible and
just pulled together – it was the real Dunkirk spirit – and we are happy
that not one drop of flood water reached our residents.†</p>Mario Kreft, chair of Care Forum Wales, the body that represents the
independent care sector, praised the staff and said: “The staff of the
Old Deanery certainly went above and beyond the call of duty.
<p>
“The response of Lisa and her team during the catastrophic flooding in St Asaph was nothing short of magnificent. </p>
<p>
He added: “Their first thought was for the residents in their care. They
are a shining example of all that is best about social care in Wales
and I believe their heroic efforts should be recognised with an award.
It is proof, if any were needed, of the calibre of people we have
working in social care in Wales.†</p>
<p><br /></p>New body to carry out criminal records checks from Dec 1
<p>A new body which will oversee criminal records checks is being launched tomorrow. The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is being created following the merger of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) and <strong>comes into force on December 1</strong>.</p>
<p> From tomorrow onwards if you need to carry out a criminal records check, or if you wish to make a referral to the Independent Safeguarding Authority - for example if you have dismissed an employee because you believe they pose a risk to children or vulnerable adults - you will need to contact the new body.</p>
<p>The new body will continue to process requests for criminal records checks and you
should continue to submit applications in the same way you normally do.
The only changes you will find is that the application form,
continuation sheet, certificate and associated guidance will have been
rebranded as DBS. </p>
<ul>
<li>Find out more about changes to CRB application forms and certificates <a title="" target="" href="http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/crb/about-crb/crb-changing/forms-cert-changes/">here </a><br /></li>
<li>You can download a PDF 'CRB is changing' <a title="" target="" href="http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/agencies-public-bodies/CRB/crbchanging-docs/crbchange-presentation">here</a></li>
<li>A link to the current ISA website is <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.isa.homeoffice.gov.uk/">here</a><br type="_moz" /></li>
</ul>
<h2>New contact details for DBS</h2>
<p> <strong>DBS customer addresses:</strong><br />PO Box 110, Liverpool, L69 3EF (for any disclosure application issues)<br />PO Box 181, Darlington, DL1 9FA (for any barring referrals)<br /></p>
<p><strong>Freedom of Information / Data Protection / Subject Access Requests:</strong><br />All enquiries should be addressed to the relevant department via this address:<br />PO Box 165<br />Liverpool<br />L69 3JD<br /></p>
<p><strong>DBS customer contact numbers:</strong><br /></p>
<ul>
<li>For enquiries about DBS checks, call customer services: <span class="skype_pnh_print_container_1354265773">0870 90 90 811</span><span skype_menu_props="{'numberToCall':'+448709090811' , 'isFreecall':false, 'isMobile':false, 'isRtl':false}" onmouseout="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.hideMenu(event);" onmouseover="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.showMenu(this, event);" tabindex="-1" dir="ltr" class="skype_pnh_container"><span class="skype_pnh_mark"> begin_of_the_skype_highlighting</span> <span dir="ltr" class="skype_pnh_highlighting_inactive_common"><img class="skype_pnh_logo_img" src="chrome://skype_ff_extension/skin/numbers_button_skype_logo.png" /><span class="skype_pnh_free_text_span">FREE </span><span class="skype_pnh_text_span">0870 90 90 811</span></span> <span class="skype_pnh_mark">end_of_the_skype_highlighting</span></span></li>
<li>For DBS referrals and safeguarding matters please contact: <span class="skype_pnh_print_container_1354265773">01325 953 795</span><span skype_menu_props="{'numberToCall':'+441325953795' , 'isFreecall':false, 'isMobile':false, 'isRtl':false}" onmouseout="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.hideMenu(event);" onmouseover="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.showMenu(this, event);" tabindex="-1" dir="ltr" class="skype_pnh_container"><span class="skype_pnh_mark"> begin_of_the_skype_highlighting</span> <span dir="ltr" class="skype_pnh_highlighting_inactive_common"><img class="skype_pnh_logo_img" src="chrome://skype_ff_extension/skin/numbers_button_skype_logo.png" /><span class="skype_pnh_free_text_span">FREE </span><span class="skype_pnh_text_span">01325 953 795</span></span> <span class="skype_pnh_mark">end_of_the_skype_highlighting</span></span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<div onmouseout="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.hideMenu(event)" onmouseover="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.showMenu(this, event)" style="display: none;" id="skype_pnh_menu_container" class="skype_pnh_menu_container">
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action">Call</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action">Send SMS</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text" class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text">Add to Skype</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_info"><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_callcredit">You'll need Skype Credit</span><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_free">Free via Skype</span></div>
</div>
<div onmouseout="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.hideMenu(event)" onmouseover="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.showMenu(this, event)" style="display: none;" id="skype_pnh_menu_container" class="skype_pnh_menu_container">
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action">Call</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action">Send SMS</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text" class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text">Add to Skype</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_info"><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_callcredit">You'll need Skype Credit</span><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_free">Free via Skype</span></div>
</div>Reminder issued about importance of window restrictors
<p>A reminder has been issued about the importance of regularly checking window restrictors in nursing and residential care homes.</p>
<p>Melanie Minty, Care Forum Wales policy adviser, said: "<strong>We would like to remind all our members that regular checking of window restrictors is vital to make sure tragedies do not occur</strong>.</p>
<p> "Back in January we saw a case where the owner of Plas Rhosnesi Nursing Home in Wrexham was sentenced after an elderly
resident defeated the window restrictor of his first floor bedroom and
fell 12ft to the ground below."</p>
<p>After a hearing in Chester Crown Court in January the company previously known as Hallmark Healthcare (Wrexham) Ltd, now Care Homes
Wrexham Ltd, was fined £66,000 and ordered to pay £43,287 in costs after the death of a resident, Stanley Tilston, 79,who was suffering from dementia. </p>
<p>Mr Tilston had repeatedly tried to break open the window's chain restrictor and on June 1, 2008 he was found lying on the ground outside the nursing home with head injuries. He died in hospital a few days later.</p>
<p></p>A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that the
company had failed to complete a risk assessment on the risk of
residents falling from windows, and failed to implement and review its
window restrictor policy.
<p>For the full HSE report on this incident click <a title="" target="" href="http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/coi-w-wrexhamcarehome.htm">here</a> <br /></p>
<p>Care Homes
Wrexham Ltd. of Woodbank Crescent, Radford Way, Billericay (previously known as Hallmark Healthcare (Wrexham) Ltd), pleaded
guilty to a breach of Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc
Act 1974.</p>
<p><br /></p>Care standards in England 'under pressure' - CQC report
<p>The health watchdog in England, the Care Quality Commission, has said that care standards for older people are suffering and key standards are being failed in hospitals and care homes because services are under increasing pressure.</p>
<p>In its State of Care Report 2011/12 - based on data from 13,000 inspections - the watchdog noted that more people are suffering from complex issues than ever before and that this had put pressure on health and social services providers. </p>
<p>However the regulator this had resulted in staff becoming increasingly unable to focus on the individual needs of people for whom
they were caring.</p>Among the most commonly failed areas were the standards relating to
dignity and respect, nutrition, care and welfare and the workforce,
which covers both numbers and skills of staff. <br />
<h2>Findings by sector: providers failing key standards<br /></h2>
<ul>
<li>22% of the NHS failed on at
least one key standard</li>
<li>19% of independent healthcare providers failed on at
least one key standard</li>
<li>28% of social
care service providers failed on at
least one key standard</li>
<li>12% of dentistry providers failed on at
least one key standard</li>
</ul>
<p>In the social care sector - where the report looked at care homes, nursing homes and home care - it found the problems were most acute in nursing homes. <br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "While there is much to praise
about the NHS and social care today we still need to do much more to
raise standards of care across the board. </p>
<p>"I've made it absolutely clear that quality of care needs to
be valued as highly as the quality of treatment. And that there can be
no hiding place for those providing poor care or sub-standard practice."
</p>
<p>Read the BBC report here: <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20442760">www.bbc.co.uk/news/CQC-report</a></p>
<p>Read the full CQC report here: <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.cqc.org.uk/public/reports-surveys-and-reviews/reports/state-care-report-2011/12">www.cqc.org.uk/state-care-report-2011/12 </a><br /></p>
<p> <br /></p> Catch up on the latest from Care Forum Wales with our November e-news
<p>You can read a digest of our November news here: <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=f3a8b0c109c5f5c0d6fe28071&id=8e6c99aa8d">Care Forum Wales e-news</a><br /></p>
<h2>In it you'll find news including</h2>
<ul>
<li>Find out what our specialist groups are up to</li>
<li>Check out conference dates</li>
<li>Catch up with a report on the Wales Care Awards </li>
<li>Read a message from Mario Kreft, our chairman</li>
<li>Get policy updates and other news from the sector </li>
</ul>
<p>We hope you enjoy it - look out for our December e-news before Christmas.</p>
<p>If you have news you'd like to share with us we'd love to hear your news. Please email <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="sue@pendinepark.com">sue@pendinepark.com</a> and we'll do our best to include you in our next e-newsletter.<br /></p>Welsh Government wants your views to help transform social services <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<p class="MsoNormal">The Welsh Government is seeking your views to help it set the ‘direction of travel’ in the
transformation of social services in Wales.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It has launched a consultation on its
approach to developing a National Outcomes Framework for social services in
Wales.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">During the <strong>consultation, which runs from November
12-February 4</strong> – the Welsh Government wants the views of practitioners
and social care organisations to help it develop the outcomes to be included in
Framework.</p>
<h2>Promoting well-being for all <br /></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Welsh Government's overall aim is to ensure that social services in Wales
promote people’s well-being and enables them to have a stronger voice and real
control.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The high-level National Outcomes Framework will help support
the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill due in 2013.</p>
<p>For more information see the Welsh Government's written statement on the <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2012/wellbeingnationaloutcomesframework/?lang=en">Well-being and National Outcomes Framework For Social Services</a></p>
<p>Your views needed on<a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/outcomes/?lang=en"> transforming social services in Wales</a><br type="_moz" /></p>
<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]--> </p> Gold award for 101-year-old 'shows value of older people in society'
<p>An award given to a 101-year-old at the 2012 Wales Care Awards for her work in her community on Anglesey shows the value of older people in our society, according to Care Forum Wales chair Mario Kreft.</p>
<p>Mary Augusta Edwards MBE, also the UK's oldest community councillor and school governor, was awarded the Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award at the Wales Care Awards on October 26. Unable to attend the glittering awards ceremony in Cardiff's City Hall, Mario Kreft presented her with the award at Rhos care home in Malltraeth, on Anglesey, where she still helps out every Friday. A video of her receiving her award was shown in front of the packed ceremony. </p>
<h2>Serving her community with distinction</h2>
<p>Mary dedicated the
honour bestowed by the Wales Care Awards to the community she has
served with such distinction over many years saying, "I am absolutely overwhelmed because I feel I don't deserve it. I feel there are so many people doing so much good work that they deserve it more than I do."</p>
<p>Mario Kreft said: "The Wales Care Awards organisation is just delighted to
be able to present this award to Mrs Edwards and for me personally it's a
great privilege and honour.</p>
<p>"There is no question that Mrs Edwards richly deserves this award
for her work in the community over countless years, doing good work and
providing community cohesion which is so important.</p>
<p>"She is a truly remarkable lady and a shining beacon and an exemplar for other people doing good work.</p>
<p>"The award is really something that shows the value of older people in our communities.</p>
<p>"She is an absolute pillar of the community and embodies all that is good about public life and public service in Wales."</p>
<h2>Watch the video here <br /></h2>
<p>See a video of Mrs Edwards receiving her award and read more about her here: <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/tm_headline=uk-s-oldest-community-councillor-gets-lifetime-achievement-award%26method=full%26objectid=32169012%26siteid=55578-name_page.html">Modest Mary receives her award</a><br /></p>
<p><br /> </p> Free dementia care conference to take place in Swansea: December 5
<p>A free conference on caring for people with dementia is being held in Swansea on December 5.</p>
<p>The event, to be held at the city's Liberty Stadium, is aimed at providers of residential and nursing care in Wales. Keynote speakers include <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;"><strong>David Sheard
(Dementia Care Matters) and David Francis (CSSIW)</strong> who will also address
changes to the structure of care home registration.</span></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Scroll down for the conference programme </strong><br /></li>
</ul>
<p>It is being co-hosted by Care Forum Wales and the 1,000+ Lives Programme - the national improvement programme to support organisations and individuals delivering the highest quality healthcare for the people of Wales.</p>
<p>There will be workshops and speakers and the event should be of particular use to: <br /></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;">Health
Board medicines management leads and teams</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;">Clinical leads and
local teams delivering Dementia Care Target 3 </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US"></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US"></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;"></span> <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;">Local
CSSIW Reps e.g. r</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US">egulatory managers / inspectors & team leaders </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;"></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US">Care home liaison nurses & CMHT managers</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;"></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US">Community & care home pharmacists </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;"></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US">Dementia co-ordinators</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><br /> <br /></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Please
book via </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US"><a href="mailto:Kelly.king@wales.nhs.uk" title="mailto:Kelly.king@wales.nhs.uk"><span title="mailto:Kelly.king@wales.nhs.uk">Kelly.king@wales.nhs.uk</span></a> or fax
to 01443 233334. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US">For further information please contact or <u><span style="color: blue;">leslie.rudd@wales.nhs.uk </span></u></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">07866 679064.</span></li>
<p> </p>
<h2>Programme outline</h2>
<p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></p>
</ul>
<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US"></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">09.30
<em>Registration & Coffee & exhibition stands </em></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">10.00</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US"> <strong><u>Welcome & introduction</u></strong> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US">Dr Les Rudd, Programme Manager Mental
Health Targets, NLIAH </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US">Steven Ford, Care Forum Wales</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US"> 10.15 </span><strong><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">Learning
from the 1000+Lives target & appropriate use of anti-psychotics in dementia
care</span></u></strong><strong><u><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US"> </span></u></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US">Rhiannon Davies, Medicines Management Programme
Support, Powys LHB</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US"> 10.30 </span><strong><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">Implementing
‘mattering’ (not drugs) works in a dementia care home </span></u></strong><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US"> </span></u><u><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US"> </span></u></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US">David Sheard – Dementia Care Matters </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: #1f497d;" lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">11.00 </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">Plenary
discussion </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">11.15 </span><strong><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">Alternative
approaches to behaviour that challenges </span></u></strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US">Prof Bob Woods, Bangor Univ, BCUHB </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">11.45 <em>
Tea/coffee</em></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">12.15 </span><strong><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">Parallel workshops – learning with service improvement tools</span></u></strong></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">1.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;" lang="EN-US"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">Mountains Care Home, Brecon, Making it Happen </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US">Jane, Stephanie, Deb, Rhi</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">2.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;" lang="EN-US"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">Understanding Behaviour that Challenges, </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US">Bob Woods</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">3.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;" lang="EN-US"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">Responding
to challenging behaviour – an individualised approach </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US"></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt; text-indent: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US">Dr Mike Bird, Bangor Univ </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">4.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;" lang="EN-US"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">Dementia
awareness training resources - </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US">Kerry
MacDonald, BCUHB & Karyn Davies, ABMHB</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">5.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;" lang="EN-US"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">Gold
standards for GP’s – getting their support & ownership </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US">Dr Alison Niesser </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">6.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;" lang="EN-US"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US">David Sheard</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">
workshop (morning only)</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US"></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">1.15
<em>Lunch& exhibition stands </em></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">01.45 </span><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">Regulating
for better outcomes in dementia: What inspectors will be looking for:- </span></strong><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US">David Francis, CSSIW. </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">Plenary Q/A </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US"></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">2.15</span><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">
Parallel workshops 1-5 repeated </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US"></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US"></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">03.15 </span><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US"> <u>What can I
do next? Action Planning – Next steps </u></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">Accessing the resources & web-ex. Planning for
spread </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US">03.45</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";" lang="EN-US"> Close</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: blue;" lang="EN-US"> <br /></span></p>
</p>
<ul> </ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><font size="3"></font></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';" lang="EN-US"></span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 9pt;" class="403352916-09112012"><font size="3"></font></span></p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-US"><span class="403352916-09112012"></span></span>
<div onmouseout="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.hideMenu(event)" onmouseover="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.showMenu(this, event)" style="display: none;" id="skype_pnh_menu_container" class="skype_pnh_menu_container">
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action">Call</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action">Send SMS</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text" class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text">Add to Skype</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_info"><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_callcredit">You'll need Skype Credit</span><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_free">Free via Skype</span></div>
</div>
<div onmouseout="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.hideMenu(event)" onmouseover="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.showMenu(this, event)" style="display: none;" id="skype_pnh_menu_container" class="skype_pnh_menu_container">
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action">Call</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action">Send SMS</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text" class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text">Add to Skype</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_info"><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_callcredit">You'll need Skype Credit</span><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_free">Free via Skype</span></div>
</div>
<div onmouseout="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.hideMenu(event)" onmouseover="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.showMenu(this, event)" style="display: none;" id="skype_pnh_menu_container" class="skype_pnh_menu_container">
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action">Call</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action">Send SMS</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text" class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text">Add to Skype</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_info"><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_callcredit">You'll need Skype Credit</span><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_free">Free via Skype</span></div>
</div>
<div onmouseout="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.hideMenu(event)" onmouseover="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.showMenu(this, event)" style="display: none;" id="skype_pnh_menu_container" class="skype_pnh_menu_container">
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action">Call</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action">Send SMS</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text" class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text">Add to Skype</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_info"><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_callcredit">You'll need Skype Credit</span><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_free">Free via Skype</span></div>
</div>
<div onmouseout="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.hideMenu(event)" onmouseover="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.showMenu(this, event)" style="display: none;" id="skype_pnh_menu_container" class="skype_pnh_menu_container">
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action">Call</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action">Send SMS</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text" class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text">Add to Skype</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_info"><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_callcredit">You'll need Skype Credit</span><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_free">Free via Skype</span></div>
</div>
<div onmouseout="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.hideMenu(event)" onmouseover="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.showMenu(this, event)" style="display: none;" id="skype_pnh_menu_container" class="skype_pnh_menu_container">
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action">Call</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action">Send SMS</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text" class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text">Add to Skype</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_info"><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_callcredit">You'll need Skype Credit</span><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_free">Free via Skype</span></div>
</div>
<div onmouseout="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.hideMenu(event)" onmouseover="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.showMenu(this, event)" style="display: none;" id="skype_pnh_menu_container" class="skype_pnh_menu_container">
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action">Call</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action">Send SMS</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text" class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text">Add to Skype</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_info"><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_callcredit">You'll need Skype Credit</span><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_free">Free via Skype</span></div>
</div>
<div onmouseout="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.hideMenu(event)" onmouseover="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.showMenu(this, event)" style="display: none;" id="skype_pnh_menu_container" class="skype_pnh_menu_container">
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action">Call</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action">Send SMS</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text" class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text">Add to Skype</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_info"><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_callcredit">You'll need Skype Credit</span><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_free">Free via Skype</span></div>
</div>
<div onmouseout="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.hideMenu(event)" onmouseover="SkypeClick2Call.MenuInjectionHandler.showMenu(this, event)" style="display: none;" id="skype_pnh_menu_container" class="skype_pnh_menu_container">
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2call_action">Call</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action" class="skype_pnh_menu_click2sms_action">Send SMS</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype"><a id="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text" class="skype_pnh_menu_add2skype_text">Add to Skype</a></div>
<div class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_info"><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_callcredit">You'll need Skype Credit</span><span class="skype_pnh_menu_toll_free">Free via Skype</span></div>
</div>Will new technology slash dementia diagnosis times? Trial planned
<p>New technology which aims to slash the time it take to diagnose dementia from the current 18 months to three months is set to be trialled in a UK Government-backed scheme.</p>
<p>According to reports the Prime Minister, David Cameron, is planning to announce a trial of the new digital diagnosis system at an event later this week.</p>
<p>The new digital
diagnosis system is set to be piloted on 200 patients at two "brain
health centres" in England early next year and combines computer-based
tests of memory and thinking with computerised analysis of MRI brain
scans.<br /><br /></p>
<h2>How will digital dementia diagnosis work?</h2>
<p> </p>
<p>Under the process, GPs will carry out initial memory tests
using iPad-compatible software that differentiates between patients with
normal and abnormal memory in 10 minutes.<br /><br />Those who need further
investigation are then sent to a specialist brain health centre where
brain scans and more detailed computer tests are carried out using a
specially designed programme.<br /><br />Scientists claim that if deployed
nationally, the technology will raise diagnosis rates close to David
Cameron's target of 80% - a doubling of the current average.<br /><br />More
than 400,000 people in the UK are suffering from dementia but are
denied the care and support they need because their condition is
undiagnosed, according to the Alzheimer's Society.<br /><br />The Prime Minister is expected to announce the launch of the pilot scheme at an event later this week, according to reports.<br /><br /><a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/356220/Dementia-diagnosis-trial-planned">Find out more about this story</a><br /></p> First Minister to meet Children's Commissioner over child abuse inquiry calls
<div class="emp-decription" id="meta-information">
<p>First minister Carwyn Jones will meet Wales' children's
commissioner tomorrow (Tuesday Nov 6) after calls were made for a fresh inquiry into
child abuse at North Wales care homes in the 1970s and 80s.</p>
<p>The First Minister began his monthly news conference today
(Monday Nov 5) with a statement on the issue, urging abuse victims who felt
their cases were not properly investigated to contact the police.</p>
<p>This follows recent claims by one of the victims that he was abused by a Conservative politician during that era.</p>
<p>A three-year inquiry into the abuse which spoke to 650 people was published in 2000 by Sir Ronald Waterhouse.</p>
<p>For more on this story <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-20207914">see the BBC Wales website</a></p>
<p>And read more on the BBC website here on the <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20204687">UK implications of this story</a><br /></p>
</div> Wales Care Awards 2012, a 'night to remember' - find out the winners here
<p>The glittering Wales Care Awards 10th anniversary ceremony was held in Cardiff's City Hall on Friday, October 26.</p>
<p>Attended by both the Welsh Government's Health Minister Lesley Griffiths and the Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services Gwenda Thomas, the awards are an annual celebration of all that's good about social care.</p>
<p>This year the ceremony included a surprise 10th anniversary award for Gwenda Thomas who has worked so hard to promote good practice across the sector.</p>
<p>Compered by BBC Wales' Lucy Owen, it was at times an emotional ceremony - particularly the moment when the audience saw a video clip of 101-year-old Mary Augusta Evans, a volunteer at Rhos Residential Care Home on Anglesey, hear news of her Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award.</p>
<p>There was also an unprecedented moment when the 'winner of winners' Spirit of Care Award went to joint winners for the first time - Cerys Williams<br />of Abbey Dale House, Conwy and Samantha Broom of Home Instead Senior Care Ltd, Cardiff were the worthy recipients.<br /></p>
<h2>Find out who won a gold award<br /></h2>
<p>Catering in Care Award - Andrew White, Llys Y Tywysog Care Home, Swansea </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Commitment to Training and Workforce Development Award - Ann Farr, Smartcare Training, Wrexham</p>
<p>Leading Practice in Learning Disability and Mental Health Services Award - Dafydd Lewis, Mental Health Care, Denbighshire</p>
<p>Innovation in Residential Care for Children and Young People Award - Mat James, Orbis Education, Vale of Glamorgan<br /></p>
<p>Nurse of the Year Award - Susan Fryatt, Plasgwyn Nursing Home, Plasgwyn</p>
<p>Leadership and Management in Residential Care Services Award - Ann Hughes, Rhos Residential Care Home, Anglesey <br /></p>
<p>Leadership and Management in Supported Living or Small Group Community Living Award -Haydn Osborne, Ty Nant Care Home, Cardiff</p>
<p>Residential Care Practitioner Award - Andrew Bain, Pentwyn House Care Home, Cardiff<br /></p>
<p>The Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services to Children and Young People Award - Hayley Knowles, Afon Goch, Gwynedd</p>
<p>Supporting Living or Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner Award - Emma Price, Sudbury House, Swansea</p>
<p> Promoting Fulfilled Lives Award - Sharon Young, Quarry Hall Care Home, Cardiff and Tim Williams, Hengoed Court, Swansea</p>
<p> Social Care Health and Safety Award - Anthony Acari, Health and Safety Consultant, Care Forum Wales, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire</p>
<p>Commitment to Quality in Housekeeping and Hospitality Award - Julie Davies, Cwrt Enfys Care Home, Swansea</p>
<p>Palliative Care Award - Susan Fryatt, Plasgwyn Nursing Home, Gwynedd</p>
<p>Exceptional Newcomer Award - Cerys Williams, Abbey Dale House, Conwy</p>
<p> Outstanding Service Award - Helen Randall, Quarry Hall Care Home, Cardiff<br /></p>
<p>Dignity in Care Award - Andrew Bain, Pentwyn House Care Home, Cardiff and Emma Price, Sudbury House, Swansea<br /></p>
<p>Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award - Mary Augusta Edwards MBE, Volunteer, Rhos Residential Care Home, Anglesey</p>
<p>Spirit of Care Award - Cerys Williams, Abbey Dale House, Conwy and Samantha Broom, Home Instead Senior Care Ltd, Cardiff<br /></p>
<p>Wales Care Awards 10th Anniversary Award - Gwenda Thomas AM, Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services<br /></p>
<h2>Discover all our bronze, silver and gold winners </h2>
<p>See our special Winners PDF for the full run-down - <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/care%20forum%20wales%20winners%202012.pdf">click here for all winners</a><br /></p>
<p><br /></p> Minister welcomes 'real consensus' on social care bill proposals
<p>The Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, has said there is a "real consensus" on the "broad proposals" in the Social Care Bill (Wales) which is due to be brought forward in January.</p>
<p>She said she was pleased that the response to the proposals about the draft Bill - now being re-named the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill - was extremely constructive.</p>
<p>She said: "I have been pleased to
find that there is a real consensus for our broad proposals to safeguard
and protect. This level of public engagement is absolutely critical to
the success of our plans."</p>She added: "I am grateful for the support shown by individuals and organisations
from across Wales in this Bill and it shows once again the important
part that social services and social care play in all of our lives."
<div style="overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br />Read More <a style="color: #003399;" href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2012/10/22/broad-proposals-in-our-social-services-bill-have-a-real-consensus-91466-32077854/#ixzz2AEXuN6QX">http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2012/10/22/broad-proposals-in-our-social-services-bill-have-a-real-consensus-91466-32077854/#ixzz2AEXuN6QX</a><br /></div>
<p> </p>
<p> </p> One week to go until Wales Care Awards - are you on the shortlist?
<p>The Wales Care Awards are just one week away. We hope you'll join us to celebrate at the 10th anniversary of the annual ceremony held to honour Wales' unsung care heroes is being held in Cardiff's City Hall next Friday, October 26.</p>
<p>Scroll down to find out if your name, or one of your colleagues' names, is on the shortlist in one of the 19 awards categories.</p>
<h2>Catering in Care Award</h2>
<ul>
<li>Joanne Parry, Bodawen Nursing Home, Gwynedd</li>
<li>Paul Johnson, Cartref Ael Y Bryn, Ammanford</li>
<li>Andrew White, Llys Y Tywysog Care Home, Swansea</li>
</ul>
<h2>Commitment to Training and Workforce Development Award</h2>
<ul>
<li>Gordon Williams, Procare Wales Ltd, Denbighshire</li>
<li>Amy Curtis, Cardiff and The Vale of Glamorgan College, Vale of Glamorgan</li>
<li>Ann Far, Smartcare Training Ltd, Wrexham</li>
</ul>
<h2>Leading Practice in Learning Disability & Mental Health Services Award</h2>
<ul>
<li>Lauren Wardman Davies, Mental Health Care<br /></li>
<li>Sandra Richards McNally, Inspiration Lifestyle Services, Carmarthenshire</li>
<li>Dafydd Lewis, Mental Health Care, Denbighshire<br type="_moz" /></li>
</ul>
<h2>Innovation in Residential Care for Children & Young People Award</h2>
<ul>
<li>Hayley Knowles, Afon Goch, Gwynedd</li>
<li>Mat James, Orbis Education, Vale of Glamorgan</li>
</ul>
<h2>Nurse of the Year Award</h2>
<ul>
<li>Susan Fryatt, Plasgwyn Nursing Home</li>
<li>Dafydd Lewis, Mental Health Care, Denbighshire</li>
</ul>
<h2>Leadership & Management in Residential Care Services Award - Mental Health Care</h2>
<ul>
<li>Tracey Smith, Highfield Nursing Home, Wrexham</li>
<li>Nicola Williams, Hengoed Court, Swansea</li>
<li>Ann Hughes, Rhos Residential Care Home, Anglesey</li>
</ul>
<h2>Leadership & Management in Supported Living / Small Group Community Living Award</h2>
<ul>
<li>Carol Davies, Procare Wales, Denbighshire</li>
<li>Sheena Umanee, Care in Hand, Laurel House</li>
<li>Hadyn Osbourne, Integra Community Living Options</li>
</ul>
<h2>Residential Care Practitioner Award</h2>
<ul>
<li>Josephine Villanueva, Cartref Annwyl Fan Centre Care Home, Carmarthenshire</li>
<li>Kirstie Davies, Crosfield House, Powys</li>
<li>Samantha Withers, Cwrt Enfys Care Home, Swansea</li>
<li>Andrew Bain, Pentwyn House Care Home, Cardiff</li>
</ul>
<h2>Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children & Young People</h2>
<ul>
<li>Donna Marubbi, Prospects for Young People, Wrexham</li>
<li>Hayley Knowles, Afon Goch, Gwynedd</li>
<li>Tracey Morgan, April Complete Care, Bridgend</li>
</ul>
<h2>Supported Living / Small Group Community Living Care Practitioner Award</h2>
<ul>
<li>Peter Fletcher, Cyngor Gwynedd, Cynllun Lleoli Oedolion, Gwynedd</li>
<li>Tony Caseres, Procare, Cardiff</li>
<li> Emma Price, Sudbury House, Swansea</li>
</ul>
<h2>Promoting Fulfilled Lives Award</h2>
<ul>
<li>Gary Bastable, Crosfield House Ltd, Powys</li>
<li>Tim Williams, Hengoed Court, Swansea</li>
<li>Tracey Green, Pendine Park Care Organisation, Wrexham</li>
<li>Sharon Young, Quarry Hall Care Home, Cardiff</li>
</ul>
<h2>The Social Care Health and Safety Award</h2>
<p>TBA <br /></p>
<h2>Commitment to Quality in Housekeeping and Hospitality Award</h2>
<ul>
<li>Gerry Losmagos, Oak House Residential Home, Cardiff</li>
<li>Ellen Griffith, Hillbury House Care Home, Wrexham</li>
<li>Julie Davies, Cwrt Enfys Care Home, Swansea</li>
</ul>
<h2>Palliative Care Award</h2>
<ul>
<li>Liz Pugh, Beacon of Hope, Bronglais</li>
<li>Susan Fryatt, Plasgwyn Nursing Home</li>
</ul>
<h2>Exceptional Newcomer Award</h2>
<ul>
<li>Samuel Harrison, All Care (S Wales), Vale of Glamorgan</li>
<li>Samathan Broom, Home Instead Senior Care, Cardiff</li>
<li>Julie Ward, Cherry Tree Care Home, Monmouthshire</li>
<li>Cerys Williams, Abbey Dale House, Conwy</li>
</ul>
<h2>Outstanding Service Award</h2>
<ul>
<li>Gwyn Jones, Cartref Ni Ltd, Denbighshire</li>
<li>Sioned Williams, Bodawen Nursing Home, Gwynedd</li>
<li>Helen Randall, Quarry Hall Care Home, Cardiff</li>
</ul>
<h2>Dignity in Care Award</h2>
<ul>
<li>Andrew Bain</li>
<li>Carol Davies</li>
<li>Emma Price</li>
<li>Gary Barnstable</li>
</ul>
<h2>The Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award</h2>
<p>TBA <br /></p>
<h2>Spirit of Care Award</h2>
<ul>
<li>Samantha Broom <br /></li>
<li>Cerys Williams<br /></li>
</ul>
<p><br /></p>
<p><br type="_moz" /></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><br type="_moz" /></p>
<p><br /></p>Responses to Welsh social care bill consultation published
<p> Following a consultation on the proposed new Social Services (Wales) Bill which ran from March 12 to June 1 this year, the Welsh Government has published a report summarising the responses it had from across the sector from staff and experts working in the field.</p>
<p>The full report and some of the responses can be viewed <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2012/consultationreaponsedraftssbill/?lang=en">here</a><br /></p>
<div>
<p>The Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, said: "I am delighted to have received 275 written responses from
a variety of stakeholders; and I will publish them all in full, where
consent has been given, prior to the introduction of the Bill in January
2013. </p>
<p> "I am grateful for the support shown by individuals and
organisations from across Wales in this Bill; and it shows once again,
the important part that social services and social care play in all of
our lives. </p>
</div>
<div>"The premise for this consultation was to gauge the opinions of the
experts –these are the commissioners and providers of services from
across the public, Third and independent sectors; the people that use
these services; and the people that care for those that use them. Every
comment has been carefully considered and those comments have been
central in bringing the Bill forward to this point."</div>
<p><br /></p>Wales Care Awards are just two weeks away - the countdown begins
<p>The countdown to the Wales Care Awards has begun... it's exactly two weeks until we discover who'll be honoured as this year's social care heroes.</p>
<p>The awards - now in their 10th year - will take place during the evening of October 26 at Cardiff's City Hall.</p>
<p>Winners will be presented with their awards by the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, Gwenda Thomas.</p>
<p>BBC newsreader Lucy Owen will again compere, with entertainment this year from mezzo-soprano Sioned Terry.</p>
<p>There are 21 categories of awards including the Care Practitioner of the Year, Registered Manager of the Year, Commitment to Training Award and the Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award.</p>
<p>Find out more <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://walescareawards.co.uk/">about the awards</a>.</p>
<p>We look forward to seeing you there!<br type="_moz" /></p> Get up to date on CSSIW inspection changes with October Essential Updates<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<p>THIS month Care Forum Wales is running <strong>Essential Update courses</strong> in south and north Wales which will provide members with up-to-date information on <strong>CSSIW inspection changes</strong>.</p>
<p> Also on the programme will be speakers from Action on Hearing and the RNIB talking on sensory loss; Public Health Wales on workplace health, Apetito on nutrition.</p>
<h2>Health and safety advice on the agenda <br /></h2>
<p>CFW's health and safety adviser, Anthony Arcari, will talk to members at the workshops about the dangers of legionella and also window restricters.</p>
<p>The Care Council for Wales will give an update to members at the workshops in Swansea and Cardiff (October 30 and 31 respectively) on workplace development and registration.<br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Workshops are being held at:</span></strong></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><strong>October 24:</strong> Conwy Business Centre, Conwy</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><strong>October 30:</strong> Tree Tops Country Club, Swansea</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><strong>October 31:</strong> Best Western, Maldron Hotel, Cardiff</span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: #000000;">Seminars run from 9.30-3pm and cost £25 per delegate (members) and £85 for non-members. Find out more about <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/events">CFW members' training</a>.</span><br /></span></p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]--> Social care funding cuts costing economy £5bn a year
<p>THE crisis in social care funding is costing the UK economy an estimated £5bn a year, a new report claims.</p>
<p>Cuts to the social care budget as part of the UK Government's austerity measures are resulting in more people than ever giving up their jobs to care for older or disabled relatives because they can't get help to pay for care.</p>
<p>The report says the result is £4bn is being lost in pay which would have otherwise gone back into the economy - with an estimated loss of £1bn in taxes on earnings also affecting the Treasury's coffers.</p>
<p>There are no separate figures available for Wales but it's thought that the figures are likely to be proportionally similar as local authority budget cuts are also biting into state-funded social care provision here too.</p>
<p>The£5bn figure is equivalent to 0.3% of the UK's gross domestic product (GDP) according to researchers behind the report issued by Age UK and Carers UK in conjunction with the London School of Economics.</p>
<p>For more on this story and the number of people giving up work to care for relatives click <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/crisis-in-social-care-costs-britain-over-5bn-a-year-8176109.html">HERE </a>.</p>
<p>ends </p>
<p> </p> One month to go until Wales Care Awards - book your table now!
<p>There's just one month to go until the annual <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://walescareawards.co.uk/">Wales Care Awards</a> bash - the Oscars of the social care sector world.</p>
<p>The ceremony will be held in Cardiff's City Hall with BBC Wales newsreader Lucy Owen as compere and entertainment from mezzo-soprano Sioned Terry.</p>
<p>If you've got a colleague who's been nominated, why not bring a group and book a table to offer your support. It's always an entertaining night out.</p>
<p>It's the care sector's chance to shine - so come along and help celebrate the hard work we all know that takes place, often with very little recognition, in social care.</p>
<p>
<ul>
<li>To book a table click <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/">HERE </a>(you'll need to scroll down the home page to download a booking form).<br /></li>
<li>Watch this space for the announcement of the shortlist soon. <br /></li>
</ul>
</p> Delivering dignity - free conference planned for Oct 1
<p>A free one-day conference on ensuring dignity for older people in health and social care is planned for 'Older People's Day' on October 1.</p>
<p>The conference, jointly organised by Age Cymru, the Older People's Commissioner for Wales and the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, will take place at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells.</p>
<p>During the day there will be both plenary and workshop sessions to debate how social care and health providers can help older people maintain their dignity when they are receiving help from carers and health professionals.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales will run a session explaining its <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/dignityincaredownloads">Dignity In Care Toolkit</a> - which provides useful, practical guidance on delivering dignity to social care recipients. </p>
<p>Other speakers will include Phyllis Preece of the National Pensioners' Convention Wales and the Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira. </p>
<p>Conference themes will include:</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li>What dignity means to older people<br /></li>
<li>Older people's right to dignity<br /></li>
<li>Practical ways to deliver dignity<br /></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>To book a place download the booking form on Age Cymru's website: <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/professional-resources/delivering-dignity-conference-2012/">click here </a></strong></p>
<p><strong>To see the conference agenda: <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/Global/Age-Cymru/Policy_and_Campaigns/Delivering%20Dignity%20Conference%20Agenda%20-%20ENGLISH.pdf">click here</a> (English version) or <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/Global/Age-Cymru/Policy_and_Campaigns/Delivering%20Dignity%20Conference%20Agenda%20-%20CYMRAEG.pdf">here </a>(Welsh version) </strong></p> Care home closure guidance being developed
<p>The Welsh Government is working with the Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, to establish guidance to ensure older people's rights are protected when care homes close.</p>
<p>Ms Rochira, who took over as Older People's Commissioner in June this year, said: "There is currently a lack of guidance that specifically outlines good practice when closing care homes as a result of a policy decision.</p>
<p>"I am pleased to have been asked by the Welsh Government to chair a working group that will advise them as it develops statutory guidance on this matter." </p>
<p>Recent figures obtained by BBC Wales revealed that the trend towards closing council-run care homes has continued with the <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-19476586">loss of 600 beds over the last five years</a>. </p>
<p>The Welsh Government guidance is still being developed but Ms Rochira has sent letter to all local authorities in Wales outlining her expectations when care home closures or the transfer of care to the private sector is being considered.<br /></p>
<p>These include: </p>
<p>
<ul>
<li>conducting meaningful consultation and engagement<br /></li>
<li>providing independent advocacy<br /></li>
<li>carrying ongoing impact assessments<br /></li>
<li>securing the human rights of care home residents <br /></li>
</ul>
</p>
<p> She added: "I will be closely monitoring the way that care home closures across Wales are managed so that older people's rights are upheld."</p>
<p>More on this story: <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/news/news/12-09-05/Older_People_s_Commissioner_s_guidance_on_decisions_about_care_homes.aspx">www.olderpeoplewales.com/news </a></p> Figures show five-year decline in number of council-run care home beds
<p> </p>
<h1>Number of council-run care home beds declines <br /></h1>
<p class="introduction" id="story_continues_1" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; "><span style="font-size: 1.077em; ">Research by the BBC has revealed that more than 600 council-run care home places have been lost in Wales over the last five years </span><span style="font-size: 1.077em; ">and forecasts are that the trend will continue</span><span style="font-size: 1.077em; ">.</span><br /></p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; ">The figures, obtained by BBC Radio Cymru's Post Cyntaf programme, show one in five beds have been cut in the past five years as local councils close residential homes and opt for care delivered to residents in their own home or in private sector care accommodation.</p>
<h2>Trend towards care at home and in private sector accommodation set to continue</h2>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; "><span style="font-size: 1.077em; ">Mark Drakeford, chair of the Welsh assembly's Health and Social Care Committee, said the transfer of care to private sector providers was a long-term trend that</span><span style="font-size: 1.077em; "> had been going on for 10 years or more, and was expected to carry on into the next decade, but he added that "on the whole it's not necessarily bad news".</span></p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; ">"Local authorities have invested money into creating services that allow people to stay at home for longer, where on the whole, we think people prefer to be." </p>
<div class="story-feature narrow" style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; position: relative; margin: 0px -160px 16px 16px; width: 144px; float: right; display: inline; overflow: hidden; clear: right; font-size: 13px; "><a class="hidden" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-19476586#story_continues_2" style="color: #4a7194; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; position: absolute; top: -5000px; left: -5000px; ">Continue reading the main story</a>
<h2 class="quote" style="margin: 0px 0px 12px; padding: 6px 0px 5px; font-size: 1.231em; border-top-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #d8d8d8; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #d8d8d8; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-indent: -500px; background-image: url(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/view/3_0_2/cream/hi/shared/img/story_sprite.png); position: relative; clear: both; background-position: 0px -188px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">“<span style="display: block; margin: 0px 0px 5px; text-indent: -5000px; ">Start Quote</span></h2>
<blockquote style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; float: left; display: inline; font-weight: bold; ">
<p class="first-child" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px 0px 12px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.231em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; clear: left; ">The fact the local authority may not have any homes under its direct control may not mean that there are not choices for peopleâ€</p>
</blockquote><span class="quote-credit" style="display: block; margin: 0px 0px 8px; clear: both; ">Mark Drakeford</span><span class="quote-credit-title" style="display: block; margin: 0px 0px 8px; clear: both; ">Chair, assembly Health and Social Care Committee</span>
</div><span class="cross-head" style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-size: 1.231em; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; "><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; ">He said local authorities had "diversified into other forms of residential care" and moved away from the traditional residential care home set-up.</span><br /></span>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; ">"I think it is important to maintain a diversity within the residential care market. The fact the local authority may not have any homes under its direct control may not mean that there are not choices for people.</p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; ">"There may be homes in the private sector and in the not-for-profit sector, as well, but it is important that every local authority takes careful steps to manage the market in their own area."</p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; ">He said money was not the "key driver" behind the changes in social care, insisting people preferred to remain in their own homes.</p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; ">"We have an ageing population so the age in which someone enters a residential care home is quite different to what it would have been half a century, a quarter of a century, ago," he added.</p>
<p>More on this story: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-19476586" target="" title="" onclick="">bbc.co.uk/wales/news </a></p>
<p> </p> Inquiry launched into use of Welsh in health and care sectors
<p>The Welsh Assembly's Welsh Lanugage Commissioner, Meri Huws, is to launch an inquiry into the use of the Welsh language in the health and social care sectors.</p>
<p>Ms Huws announced the inquiry at the National Eisteddfod today, August 8. It will be her first since taking up the post of Welsh Language Commissioner six months ago.</p>
<p>In May the British Medical Association, which represents GPs in Wales, said that the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-18081303" target="" title="" onclick="">Welsh language should not be a priority</a> when delivering health care and that such an emphasis could hamper recruitment into the health service at a time when it is already proving difficult.</p>
<p>One community health council said that, while it was sympathetic to the issues, it was a time for realism - again citing the difficulties of recruiting staff to work in the NHS and care sectors in Wales. </p>
<p>However Welsh language pressure group, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (the Welsh Language Society) said that Welsh could be crucial to older with dementia who may lose their ability to speak their second language of English as their condition progresses.</p>
<p>For more on this story see: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-19176168" target="" title="" onclick="">www.bbc.co.uk/wales/welsh-in-healthcare </a></p>
<p><br /></p> Concerns raised over planned changes to care home categories
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">CONCERNS
have been raised over plans by CSSIW to <strong>phase out the use of care home
categories and replace them with more detailed statements of purpose</strong> and “increased
provider accountabilityâ€.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Stephen
Ford, CFW’s dementia care adviser, said he was not convinced such a radical
move was necessary but, he said, “I advise care home members to prepare for the
changes which will<strong> affect every care home in Wales in the next three years
starting in 2013</strong>.â€<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">The
new CSSIW rules will mean that care homes which are currently registered to
provide specialist dementia care (EMH) and mental health and learning
disabilities care will no longer be assigned these specific registration
categories.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Instead,
all care homes will be called one of the following: <o:p /></span></p>
<p style="text-indent: -18pt; " class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"> </p>
<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">care homes for adults</span><br /></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">care homes for adults with nursing</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt; ">care homes for children</span></li>
</ul><!--[if !supportLists]-->
<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">The
different types of care on offer will then be reflected in each individual care
home’s statement of purpose – which must be legally watertight and will need to
be comprehensively reviewed to comply with the new rules.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><strong>CSSIW
says this will leave fewer care homes open to legal challenges because their
statement of purpose will make it clear precisely what range and level of care
they can provide, and for whom</strong>.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Stephen
Ford, who runs two specialist dementia care homes with nursing care, said: “To
care for someone who is in the mid to late stages of dementia remains a
speciality. <o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">“I
am concerned that some non-dementia care providers will claim expertise in
their statement of purpose but how robustly will CSSIW enforce this? I am
worried that abandoning care categories will leave many people even more
vulnerable. <o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">“What’s
claimed in their statement of purpose may not necessarily be reflected in
reality when it comes to dementia care expertise,†he added.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">David
Francis, CSSIW assistant chief inspector, said: “We currently have<strong> unreliable
categories which can be confusing and misleading</strong>. They are not set against
agreed standards and are therefore hard to police. <o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">“They
can also create unnecessary discrimination and limit choices for people looking
for care. We need to look at individual needs and not place people into
categories. <o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">“There
will always be a need for specialist care but this is best expressed though the
service’s statement of purpose.â€<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Mr
Francis added: “A number of providers are currently registered for [sic]
dementia and mental infirmity and claim they provide specialist care but the
actual evidence on the ground is that they do not.â€<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">He
said that, following a study undertaken by Bangor University for CSSIW in which
a wide range of people were consulted, CSSIW will be announcing its decision in
July and providing a six-week period for feedback <o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Mr
Francis continued: “We will be expecting statements of purpose to provide a
detailed narrative of what care can be provided, for whom and how this is [will
be] being delivered in terms of the service’s approach to care, staff training
and the care home environment. <o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">“CSSIW
will be looking closely at how providers monitor delivery though their in-house
quality audits.â€<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><strong>Stephen
Ford will be available to CFW members to explain the impact of the CSSIW
changes in greater detail – watch this space for details.</strong><o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">He
said: “It’s such a radical change. Care providers will obviously need help with
these major adjustments which will be phased in over the next three years.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">“I’m
far from totally convinced that de-categorisation will be helpful but clearly
we should be working closely with CSSIW during this time of change,†he added.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">“I
understand the rationale for the proposals but I am not sure this is the best
way to achieve them.â€<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p> </p> Social services White Paper on agenda at UKHCA Wales conference
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-GB"><font face="Verdana">The implications for homecare providers of the Welsh Government's White Paper on Sustainable Social Services will be the focus of the <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.ukhca.co.uk/index.aspx">UK Home Care Association</a> (UKHCA) conference in Wales this year.</font></span></p>
<p> <span style="font-family: Verdana; ">The conference, to be held on September 26 in the <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.metropole.co.uk/">Metropole Hotel</a>, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, will also feature workshops and discussions on the practical issues currently facing homecare providers. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Verdana; ">Domiciliary care registration, dementia care and the national minimum wage are among the break-out session topics for discussion during the afternoon.</span> </p>
<p><span style="font-family: Verdana; ">The conference's keynote speaker will be Gwenda Thomas AM, the Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services. There will also be speakers and representatives from:</span><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; ">local government</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; ">regulatory bodies</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; ">advisory groups</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana; ">service user groups</span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-GB"></span></p>
<p> <span style="font-family: Verdana; ">The conference costs £100 +VAT for UKHCA members and £190 +VAT for non-members. To book your place and for more details, please go to:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; "><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.ukhca.co.uk/pdfs/WalesConference2012.pdf"><span style="">http://www.ukhca.co.uk/pdfs/WalesConference2012.pdf</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: Verdana; "><u><font color="#0000ff"> </font></u></span></span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><font face="Verdana"> </font></p> Study finds drinking alcohol can increase dementia risk
<p>A US study has found that drinking alcohol, even in moderation, can increase the risk of dementia in older people.</p>
<p>The study findings, presented at the<a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.alz.org/aaic/wed_2amct_alcohol_use.asp"> Alzheimer's Association International Conference</a> in Vancouver today (July 18), contradict previous research which had shown that drinking small amounts of alcohol could be beneficial in older people and possibly reduce the risk of dementia.</p>
<p>The study was carried out by the Veterans Health Research Institute in San Francisco. Researchers followed 1,300 women from age 65 and tracked their health over 20 years.</p>
<p>They found the risk, ranging from mild cognitive impairment to full-blown dementia, was higher among those who reported drinking more alcohol.</p>
<p>The scientists found that:</p>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #424242; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; list-style: url(http://www.alz.org/aaic/images/arrow_blue.png); text-align: left; " class="bodyContent">
<li style="margin-bottom: 10px; ">Women who reported drinking more in the past than at the beginning of the study were at 30% increased risk of developing cognitive impairment.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 10px; ">Moderate drinkers at baseline or at midpoint had similar risk of cognitive impairment to non-drinkers; however, moderate drinkers in the late phase of the study were roughly 60% more likely to develop cognitive impairment.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 10px; ">Women who changed from non-drinking to drinking over the course of the study had a 200% increased risk of cognitive impairment.</li>
</ul>
<p> For more on this story see: <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18856658">www.bbc.co.uk/healthnews</a></p>
<p>For a fuller description of the paper presented at the conference see: <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.alz.org/aaic/wed_2amct_alcohol_use.asp">www.alz.org/alcohol_research</a></p> UK Government delays plans for social care costs cap
<p>The UK Government has today [July 11] announced it cannot yet commit to bringing in the cap on social care costs proposed after a major review last year.</p>
<p>The Dilnot Commission proposed there should be a £35,000 cap on social care costs that individuals must pay - to avoid people having to sell their homes to pay for care.</p>
<p>However the announcement that the cap plan was being delayed - unveiled alongside a White Paper and Draft Bill setting out other changes to social care in England - has disappointed many who'd campaigned for it. </p>
<p>Ministers say they need to explore cheaper options first due to the current financial climate. These include:<br /></p>
<p>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; ">a higher cap on care costs</span><br /></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; ">asking people to pay a fee to opt-in to the system (those who did not could face unlimited costs)</span><br /></li>
</ul>
</p>
<p>Other proposals announced by UK Health Secretary Andrew Lansley included:</p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; " id="story_continues_3">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.077em; ">From 2015 there will be a national standards in England setting out who is entitled to help at home and residential care places (currently each of England's 152 councils can set is own eligibility criteria for care of the elderly and disabled).</span><br /></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.077em; ">Those who face the largest costs will also be able to defer payment until after their death.</span><br /></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.077em; ">This loan scheme, which is already available in some areas, means those who need to go into care homes and are not entitled to state funding - anyone with assets of more than £23,250 does not get help - will have their fees paid for and then recovered from their estate.</span><br /></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 1.077em; ">Interest would accumulate on the loan.</span> <br /></li>
</ul>
<div>For more information see: <a onclick="" title="" target="" style="font-size: 1.077em; " href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18783157">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18783157</a></div>
</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; "><br /></p>
<p> </p> Carers and users to get greater say on social services policy
<p>THE Welsh Government has announced it will create a 'citizens' panel' to give carers and service users a voice on decisions it makes on social services.</p>
<p> The decision to create the panel, which will be able to make its views felt on strategic Wales-wide policy, was announced by the Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, at a conference on social services in Llandudno on June 28-29.</p>
<p>She said: "The most important change we can make is to give users and carers a way to influence the really big decisions taken at an all-Wales level.</p>
<p>"In 2011 I set up a partnership forum which brings all the major stakeholders in social services together. Now the forum and I will be able to listen to the experiences and views of the most important people, the citizens who rely on these services every day."</p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; ">She also told the conference that a framework will be developed to monitor whether people are receiving better services and a new standards, performance and improvement team will be introduced to encourage sharing of good practice and excellence in social services.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; "></span> Details have not yet been given about how the 'citizens' panel' will be chosen and when it will come into effect.<br /></p> Social care proposals set for White Paper in 2013
<p>Proposals on the regulation of social care services have been dropped from the Social Services (Wales) Bill and will now be the subject of a <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2012/120628citizens/;jsessionid=LJ2fP0dPThjKGnxHLdnyqZVlY6nnbNH6LNTxFG2LnHQQTXX4qLYl!545803488?lang=en&status=close.">White Paper in 2013</a>, the Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, has announced.</p>
<p>The proposals will form the basis of a bill on social care regulation separate from the Social Services Bill which is now set to be published in early 2013.</p>
<p>CFW's vice chairman, Mike Kemp, welcomed the announcement saying: "We are pleased that Assembly members will now be able to give social care regulation and inspection their undivided attention as this will now come under a separate bill. We hope this will enable them to look at the very important issues surrounding social care in a focused way."</p>
<p>The Minister made the announcement during a major social services conference in Llandudno last week (June 28-29). </p>
<p>Speaking at the conference Ms Thomas said: "<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">We have decided not to include the proposals for regulation and inspection of social care services and workforce which had originally planned to be included in the [Social Services (Wales) ] Bill. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">"This will now be the basis of a White Paper next year, setting out proposals for a separate Bill on regulation.â€</span></p>
<p>The Welsh Government will published a detailed response to the Social Services bill consultation in July. Explaining why the bill is being delayed she said: <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">“I am grateful for the large number of responses to our recent consultation on the forthcoming Social Services (Wales) Bill. This is a significant achievement that indicates how much people value social services. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">"The responses have given us a lot to think about and to ensure we get this vital piece of legislation right it has been agreed the Bill will be introduced to the National Assembly at the beginning of 2013. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; ">"We must fully consider the important issues raised" she added.</span></p> Care Council for Wales launches mobile app for care staff
<p>A mobile app launched today will give social workers and social care workers in Wales a new way to look up their code of practice.</p>
<p>The new bilingual app, the first to be developed by the Care Council, provides a simplified version of the Code of Practice for Social Care Workers, which sets the standards expected of paid staff in their daily work. The app also includes examples to illustrate what each of the standards means in everyday work situations.</p>
<p>Click here for further details: <a href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news/2012/06/18/new-mobile-app-for-social-care-workers-in-wales/">http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news/2012/06/18/new-mobile-app-for-social-care-workers-in-wales/</a></p> Guidance for new social care staff updated by Care Council
<p>An updated induction framework setting out the standards expected of social care workers in their first 12 weeks of employment has been launched by the Care Council.</p>
<p>The Induction Framework for Wales, originally published in 2008, has been developed for workers new to the social care profession or experienced staff starting in a new role. It outlines what a worker has to know and do in their first three months. </p>
<p>The framework covers the knowledge social care workers need to gain during their induction period, and specific knowledge, such as policies and procedures or how to use communication techniques in a particular workplace.</p>
<p>Click here for further details: <a href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news/2012/06/19/social-care-week-launch-of-national-standard-for-new-starters-in-social-care-jobs/">http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news/2012/06/19/social-care-week-launch-of-national-standard-for-new-starters-in-social-care-jobs/</a></p> Charities warn unpaid carers being 'let down' by social care system
<p id="story_continues_1" class="introduction">The UK's "army of unpaid carers" is being "let down" by the failing social care system, campaigners warn.</p>
<p>Eight leading charities, including Age UK and Carers UK, have joined together to highlight the plight they face under the umbrella of Carers Week.</p>
<p>For further details click: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18456546">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18456546</a></p> Call for older people & carers to beware bogus investments
<p>The <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://news-insolvency.bis.gov.uk/Press-Releases/OLDER-PEOPLE-TARGETED-IN-28M-INVESTMENT-SCAMS-67b4f.aspx">Insolvency Service</a> has issued a warning that older people and their carers, and vulnerable adults, should <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/jun/15/warning-financial-scams-targeting-older-people?newsfeed=true">beware bogus finance schemes</a> as scams have netted £28m over the last three years.</p>
<p>The warning to watch out for bogus retail and investment schemes aimed at older people comes on on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day [June 15]. The warning is being supported by Age UK, the Alzheimer's Society and Action on Elder Abuse.</p>
<p>The Insolvency Service figures reveal that 78 rogue companies in England and Wales raked in more than £28 and have been shut down since 2009. Close to 2,000 investors fell victim to scams between April 2009 and March 2012 - the oldest person targeted was 92 years old. <br /></p>
<p>Scams included:</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li>selling plots of land for 'building' that didn't exist or were on greenbelt protected land<br /></li>
<li>wine stocks that didn't yield any profits<br /></li>
<li>retail products sold at inflated prices including burglar alarms, mobility scooters, 'heritage' coins and stair-lifts <br /></li>
</ul>
<div>
<p>For advice on elder abuse see <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/health-wellbeing/relationships-and-family/protecting-yourself/">Age UK</a>'s website.</p>
<p>For advice on caring for a person with dementia see the <a href="http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents.php?categoryID=200343" target="" title="" onclick="">Alzheimer's Society</a> website. </p>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p><font face="Arial, sans-serif, Helvetica, Verdana"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; ">For more on the work of <a href="http://www.elderabuse.org.uk/index.html" target="" title="" onclick="">Action on Elder Abuse</a> see its website for campaigns information.</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial, sans-serif, Helvetica, Verdana"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; "><strong><br /></strong></span></font></p> Older People's Commissioner calls for 'robust legislation' on elder abuse
<p>The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, has said that tackling elder abuse in all its forms is a key priority for Wales.</p>
<p>In comments made on June 14, ahead of last week's World Elder Abuse Day Ms Rochira urged the Welsh Government to ensure the forthcoming Social Services Bill will include 'robust legislation' to better protect older people at risk of harm.</p>
<div>
<p>Ms Rochira attended an event in Barry,Vale of Glamorgan, organised by the Older People’s Strategy Forum to highlight the need to end elder abuse in Wales.</p>
<p>Ms Rochira said: “Abuse of older people in our society is unacceptable. Almost daily we hear stories in the news about older people being mistreated or abused. How we treat our older people says a lot about us and elder abuse is a disgraceful shame on the face of our nation.</p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p>“Wales has the highest prevalence of elder abuse in the UK and there is wide recognition that this must be addressed. The current legislation in place to protect older people is confusing and can be difficult to use effectively.</p>
<p>“I am pleased that legislation to offer greater protection for older people will be included in the forthcoming Social Services Bill, which is something the Older People’s Commission has been calling for several years.</p>
<p>“It is vitally important that the legislation that is introduced by the Welsh Government achieves the best outcomes for older people that may be risk of harm and I will work in partnership with other organisations to ensure that this is the case, holding to account those who are responsible for addressing this if they fail to deliver.â€</p>
<p><a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/en/news/news/12-06-14/Tackling_elder_abuse_in_all_its_forms_is_a_key_priority_for_Wales.aspx">www.olderpeoplewales.com/elderabuse </a></p>
</div>
</div> Figures reveal council spending on older people varies dramatically across Wales
<p>The BBC has obtained figures which show that the amount councils spend on social services for older people can vary by as much as <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-18414568" target="" title="" onclick="">£3,000 per person in different authorities</a>.</p>
<p>A survey of 14 local authorities, based on information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, compared how much each authority spent on delivering older people's services and how many people they help.</p>
<p>The BBC said that the results do not include health spending - some councils provide services for older people that are provided by the NHS in other areas.</p>
<p>The story comes as an alliance of national voluntary organisations working with older people hold a conference today [June 13] in Cardiff called <a href="http://www.agealliancewales.org.uk/Conference/" target="" title="" onclick="">Wales: A Good Place to Grow Old?</a> at which they are calling on policy makers, health professionals and local government officials to work together to ensure that Wales is a good place for people to grow old in.</p>
<p>The Welsh Government said it would work with a range of partners on the issue.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p> </p> Good Practice Guide for Residential Care Staff - available here
<p>The Children & Young People's Care Home Group, launched to protect and promote the interests of children in care in Wales, has released a Good Practice Guide to Placement Planning. This guidance is intended to support and provide best practice in placement planning, set alongside the roles and responsibilities of the local authority.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/e3137%20care%20forumgoodpracticeguide%20final%20no%20crops.pdf" onclick="" title="">Click here</a> to download.</p>Nurses in social care - new seminar dates announced
<div style="text-align: left; ">
<p class="MsoNormal">Care Forum Wales has organised a series of seminars aimed at
nurses working in the social care sector.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A meeting is being held in Cardiff on June 13, followed by a
North Wales seminar at the Conwy Business Centre on July 4. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The workshops will provide an opportunity to network and share
professional best practice among nurses in social care.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sue Thomas, of Care Forum Wales, said: “The meetings also
offer CFW members support on a professional and personal level, and a chance to
meet commissioners and planners of care services.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“It is also a chance to keep up to date with the latest
<a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/socialcare/olderpeople/?lang=en">Welsh Government</a> policy and guidance.â€</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Care Homes Nursing Group – one of CFW’s 10 <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/groups">special interest
groups</a> designed to support members working in different social care sectors – is
planning more events across Wales in future.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Watch this space for future events – and <a onclick="window.open(this.href, 'click_link to download', 'width=600,height=50');return false;" title="" target="popup" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Nurses%20seminars%20booking%20form">download a form</a> for
the June and July seminars. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<ul>
<li>Seminars cost £5 per delegate for Care Forum Wales
members (£35 for non-members) </li>
<li>Meetings run from 9.30am to approximately
3.30pm<br /></li>
<li>Cardiff meeting - June 13, <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.allnationscentre.com/">All Nations Centre</a><br /></li>
<li>Conwy meeting - July 4, <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.conwy.gov.uk/doc.asp?cat=3159&doc=14741">Conwy Business Centre</a> <br /></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Contact <strong>Sue Thomas at CFW</strong> for further information on <strong> <span class="skype_pnh_print_container_1338454453">01978 755400</span><span class="skype_pnh_container" dir="ltr" tabindex="-1"><span class="skype_pnh_mark"> begin_of_the_skype_highlighting</span> <span class="skype_pnh_highlighting_inactive_common" dir="ltr" skypeaction="skype_dropdown" title="Click to make a low cost call with Skype"><span class="skype_pnh_left_span" skypeaction="skype_dropdown" title="Skype actions">Â </span><span class="skype_pnh_dropart_span" skypeaction="skype_dropdown" title="Skype actions"><span class="skype_pnh_dropart_flag_span" skypeaction="skype_dropdown" style="background-position: -2001px 1px !important; ">Â </span>Â </span><span class="skype_pnh_textarea_span"><span class="skype_pnh_text_span">01978 755400</span></span><span class="skype_pnh_right_span">Â </span></span> <span class="skype_pnh_mark">end_of_the_skype_highlighting</span></span></strong> or email
<a onclick="" title="" target="" href="mailto:enquiries@careforumwales.co.uk?subject=Nurses%20seminars">enquiries@careforumwales.co.uk</a></p>
</div> New voice for social care heroes
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3">Care Forum Wales has launched a new organisation to look after the army of unsung
heroes who provide social care for vulnerable adults and children
across Wales.</font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3">The
Academy of Care Practitioners is the first body of its kind to be
established in the UK and it's expected to inspire a network of similar
organisations in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.</font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3">The
launch took place at the Senedd in Cardiff on May 21 at
a ceremony hosted by the </font></font><font color="#000000"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3">Minister
for Health and Social Services, Lesley Griffiths, and the Deputy
Minister for Children and Social Services, Gwenda Thomas.</font></font></font></p><font size="3"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">The Academy </font></font><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3">has been set up as a company limited by guarantee with the aim of it
becoming a charity and Glyndwr University, in Wrexham, will be its
main base for the foreseeable future.</font></font>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><strong><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
aim is to promote, support and develop Care Practitioners and raise
standards in social care provision – and raise the status of the
"undervalued profession". The
launch came after a successful 12-month pilot programme.</span></font></font></strong></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3">Mario
Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales, is passionate about the
need for the new Academy: "P</font></font><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3">eople
rightly talk about safeguarding service users, vulnerable people who
receive a care service, but in my opinion not enough is considered in
terms of safeguarding the social care workers," he said. "The
whole social care system in Wales, and indeed the whole NHS system,
is predicated on tens of thousands of people getting up early every
morning and doing a really difficult job.</font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3">"It’s
high time that group of people had the opportunity to join a
professional body for vocationally qualified social care workers that
is dedicated 100 per cent to them.</font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3">"By
showing respect for people who work in social care you’re also
showing respect for the people they care for. I
think those members of the public who either receive or are close to
family members who receive social care know
that they’re getting a good service. </font></font> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3">"But
I think it's fair to say that social care is seriously undervalued as
a profession and this is a means of raising their status.</font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3">"Until
now social care policy had developed in Wales without their input
because there was no organisation to represent them but they really
do deserve a place at the top table," he continued. "For
the first time, this army of unsung heroes and heroines across Wales
will have their own voice. This is history in the making.</font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3">"What
we’re doing in Care Forum Wales, with our partners, is making it
happen and the aim is for the Academy to be independent, democratic
and owned by social care workers. The
creation of the Academy dovetails with Welsh Government policy and is
in accordance with the codes of practice of the Care Council for
Wales.</font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3">The
development of the Academy is being watched closely by members of the
Five Nations group, made up of </font></font><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3">organisations
representing the care sectors in the four UK nations and Ireland, who
are keen to follow suit.</font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3">Health
Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “This development will add to the
reputation of social care work as an attractive and challenging
occupation making a real difference to the everyday lives of people
in Wales.â€</font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3">Gwenda Thomas, </font></font><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3">Deputy
Minister for Social Services</font></font><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><font size="3">, said: "The Academy
addresses the need for a professional body for social care workers,
giving them more direction in their professional development and a
louder voice when it comes to developing social care policy.â€</font></font></p>Number of older people receiving free care in England falls
<p> </p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; " id="story_continues_1" class="introduction">The number of older people in England getting council-funded care has fallen by 11% in the last two years, figures obtained by the Labour party released today (May 16) suggest.</p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; ">The figures were obtained under the Freedom of Information Act and data from 121 English councils showed they provided free care to 59,056 over-65s in 2011-12, down from 66,342 in 2009-10.</p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; ">The drop comes despite the rise in over-65s due to the ageing population as councils struggle with squeezed budgets.</p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; ">Campaigners said the figures proved the social care system needed urgent reform<span style="font-size: 14px; ">.</span> </p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; ">Care Services minister Paul Burstow said a White Paper would be published soon on how the government planned to reform social care. The paper was originally expected to be published at Easter this year.</p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; ">Mr Burstow said: "We are working hard to secure cross-party agreement to find a sustainable long-term solution on social care funding."</span> </p>
<p>Labour's Shadow Minister for Care and Older People said: "These services are a lifeline for older people and crucial to helping them stay living independently in their own homes."</p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; "> <span style="font-size: 19px; "><strong>For more on this story see: </strong></span> <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18026534">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18026534</a><br /></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1.077em; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; "><br /></p>
<p> </p> CFW to launch Academy of Care Practitioners for social care staff
<p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 15pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">The first body to represent staff in
the social care sector is set to be officially launched a week from today in Cardiff Bay
on Monday, May 21.<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 15pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">The Academy of Care Practitioners will
be launched at a reception at the Senedd hosted by the the Health and
Social Services Minister Lesley Griffiths and the Deputy Minister </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; " lang="EN-US">for Children
and Social Services</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">, Gwenda Thomas.</span><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "><o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 15pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Plans for the Academy were announced by
Care Forum Wales on April 20 at a conference at Wrexham’s Glyndwr University. <o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 15pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Speaking at the conference Health
Minister Ms Griffiths said she welcomed the creation of the Academy of Health
Practitioners – the first such body in the UK –following a successful pilot
scheme.<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 13.5pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">She said: “This development will
add to the reputation of social care work as an attractive and
challenging occupation making a real difference to the everyday lives of
people in Wales.â€</span><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "><o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 15pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Mario Kreft, Chair of Care Forum Wales,
said: "One of the biggest issues in our view is that vocationally-qualified
social care workers are a profession without their own professional body.
We believe it's about time that was put right.</span><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "><o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 15pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">"It's really about providing a
support mechanism, helping people with their personal and professional
development, and gaining added value benefits.</span><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "><o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 15pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">"This innovation will create the
first body of its type for social care workers in the UK and it is fitting that
it should be created in Wales where we have seen a great deal of innovation in
recent years."</span><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "><o:p /></span></p>
</p> CFW welcomes fee increases for continuing health care rates
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; ">CFW has welcomed an increase in fees
by the three Health Boards which were paying continuing health care
(CHC) rates below funded nursing care (FNC) rates.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; ">CFW’s policy adviser, Mary Wimbury,
said: “We’re pleased the three health boards - Hwyel Dda Local Health Board, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board - have recognised the problem and
shown significant increases this year. <o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; ">“We’re also pleased the Welsh NHS has
set up a review into the NHS (fees) figure which is due to report in
September.†<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; ">The majority of Welsh councils have
now set their fees and residential fees have been set at more than £400 in
every county – except Powys (set at £354). The highest fee is set in Newport (£509).
<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; ">Nursing fees range from £530 in
Carmarthenshire to £655 in Newport – which includes the £120.56 nursing
contribution from the NHS. <o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; ">Mary added: “Some local authorities
are still negotiating. CFW is always
happy to provide advice and support on fee negotiations.â€<o:p /></span></p>
<p> </p> Warning on film licences shown in care homes
<p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">A company called the Motion Picture Licensing
Company has been contacting care homes offering to sell them a licence to show
DVDs and films in communal areas, <strong>reports
CFW’s senior policy officer, Mary Wimbury</strong>.<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Mary said anyone who is approached by the company
should get in touch with her for advice as she has been looking whether or not
care homes actually need a licence to show films in this way.<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">She explained: “A number of our members have
reported being contacted and asked to buy a licence.<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; "> “We’ve been
taking legal advice on this and whether care homes need a licence or not is not clear-cut.<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">“So far we have not been able to establish whether MPLC
definitely has the rights to sell the licence they offer. <o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">“We also don’t know for sure whether those rights
include the sorts of DVDs or videos that care homes are likely to play for
residents – often residents enjoy older films which may not fall in the
category of needing a licence.<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; "> “We are also
taking advice on whether showing films in a care home environment requires a
licence in the first place,†she added.<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Members who have been in touch have said that, when
they didn’t respond to MPLC's demands, there have been no consequences to date
but, added Mary, “If you do have any concerns about this please do contact us,
or consider taking your own legal advice.â€<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; "> <o:p /></span></p>
</p> Welsh Residential Childcare Conference ‘could become annual event’
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; ">Wales’ first residential childcare
conference since the Waterhouse Report more than a decade ago was held on April
26 in Cardiff – and the event was hailed such a success it could become an
annual event.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: white; ">Steve
Elliott, of Prospects Care, who chairs CFW’s Residential Childcare Special
Interest Forum, was one of the organisers of the conference. He said: “The
level of interest in the conference was hugely encouraging – we had more than
100 delegates and there is a possibility it could become an annual event.</span><br /></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">“It
has given this sector a much-needed boost, enabling it to emerge publicly from
the shadows of the Waterhouse Report more than a decade ago.â€<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">The
conference was organised by Care Forum Wales in partnership with the Care
Council for Wales to draw attention to the positive contribution residential
childcare can make to meeting the needs of the most vulnerable children and
young people in society. <o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Steve
Elliott explained: “One of the key messages that came out of the conference was
that we need to find improved ways of working with local and national
government to develop more flexible programmes of care.<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">“As
a result of the conference, our CFW special interest group will be seeking a
meeting with the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services to see how the
private sector should be responding to current challenges. We will also be
developing a manifesto for the group to set out what we would like to change
and improve in the coming years.â€<o:p /></span></p> Nurses Forum Workshops
<p>New dates announced for Care Forum Wales Nurses Forum</p>
<p>13th June 2012 - All Nations, Cardiff</p>
<p>4th July 2012 - Conwy Business Centre, Conwy</p>
<p>For further details contact <a href="mailto:sue@careforumwales.co.uk">sue@careforumwales.co.uk</a> or call 01978755400.</p>Nominations deadline extended for Wales Care Awards 2012
<p>The deadline for nominations for the <strong>Wales Care Awards 2012</strong> has now been extended to <strong>Monday May 21, 2012</strong> - giving an extra three weeks for you to nominate your <strong>unsung care sector heroes</strong>!</p>
<p>The awards are an annual event - held in the glamorous surroundings of Cardiff's City Hall. The 2012 Wales Care Awards will be on <strong>October 26</strong>. If you know someone who <strong>works hard to make life better for older people in need of social care</strong>, don't let them be a shrinking violet - why not <strong>nominate them, and bring a group along</strong> for the awards night too!</p>
<p>There are <strong>21 awards categories</strong> including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Excellence in leadership and management<br /></li>
<li>Nurse of the year<br /></li>
<li>Excellence in catering<br /></li>
<li>Excellence in dementia care <br /></li>
<li>Residential practitioner award <br /></li>
</ul>
<p> For more on the awards see: <a title="" onclick="" href="http://walescareawards.co.uk/" target="">www.walescareawards.co.uk</a></p>
<p>Book your table now! <a title="" onclick="" href="http://walescareawards.co.uk/awardsbookings" target="">www.walescareawards.co.uk/bookings</a><br /></p>
<p>Last year's event was attended by <strong>Health Minister Lesley Griffiths</strong> and was <strong>hosted by BBC news reader Lucy Owen</strong> - and the winners (and runners-up) all had a thoroughly good night.</p>
<p>Don't forget, it's the one night in the year when you can get <strong>recognition for your - or a colleague's - hard work</strong> - not just from your peers but from <strong>leading figures in social care in Wales</strong>. </p>
<p>Download a nomination form here: <a title="" onclick="" href="http://walescareawards.co.uk/news/213" target="">www.walescareawards.co.uk/nominate</a></p> CFW helps organise Wales' first residential childcare conference in more than decade
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.3em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">TODAY sees the first national conference on residential child care to be held in Wales for more than 10 years.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.3em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">The conference, being held in Cardiff, was organised by Care Forum Wales in partnership with the Care Council for Wales, to look at how far residential childcare has come in Wales since the publication of the Waterhouse Report in 2000 on findings from an inquiry into the abuse of children in care.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; ">The aim is to show how residential childcare can make a positive contribution to meeting the needs of the most vulnerable children and young people in society today. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; ">It will also focus on the responsibility of everyone in the care sector to supply high-quality workers to deliver the best-possible residential care for children in Wales.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.3em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">Speakers at the event include Gwenda Thomas AM, Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services; Keith Towler, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, and Richard McCann, the Sunday Times No1 best-selling author, whose first book, ‘Just a Boy’ sold almost 400,000 copies and has been translated around the world.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.3em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">There will also be contributions in words, artwork and film from children and young people who have had experience of residential childcare. </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.3em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">A range of workshops will focus on specific practice issues, including attachment therapy and person-centered planning. They will also include a joint workshop run by the Care Council and the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW), which will focus on the future development agenda for residential childcare workers in Wales.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.3em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">Steve Elliott, chair of Care Forum Wales’s Residential Childcare Special Interest Forum, said: "Since the publication of the Waterhouse Report there have been significant developments in Wales including the advent of a Children’s Commissioner and the registration of residential childcare workers and managers. The partnership between the Care Council for Wales, Care Forum Wales and other key organisations has helped continue the development of the residential childcare workforce and provides the foundation for us all to aspire to a high-quality residential childcare service in Wales."</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.3em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">Arwel Ellis Owen, chair of the Care Council for Wales, said: "We are pleased to be working with Care Forum Wales to deliver this conference which provides an ideal opportunity to evaluate the progress of residential childcare and education over the past 10 years. The Care Council’s focus is on securing the best workforce possible by making sure it is made up of staff who have the right skills and are properly trained and supported to deliver this hugely important service."</p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; ">The conference is being held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cardiff today (26 April 2012).</span> </p>
<p><a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news-and-events/19348">www.ccwales.org.uk/residentialchildcareconference</a><br /></p> Plans for first professional body for social care workers announced today
<p>Plans for the first body to represent staff in the social care sector were announced today (Friday, April 20) by Care Forum Wales. </p>
<p>Speaking at a conference at Wrexham's Glyndwr University, Welsh Government Health and Social Services Minister, Lesley Griffiths said she welcomed the creation of the Academy of Health Practitioners - the first such body in the UK - following a successful pilot scheme.</p>
<p style="line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">She said: “</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; ">This development will add to the reputation of social care work as an attractive and challenging occupation making a real difference to the every day lives of people in </span><st1:country-region style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; " w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wales</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; ">.â€</span> </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">The <st1:placetype w:st="on">Academy</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Care
Practitioners</st1:placename> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">will be officially launched at the Senedd in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cardiff</st1:place></st1:city> on Monday, May 21, at a reception hosted
by the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">the Health and Social Services Minister</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "> and the Deputy Minister </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; " lang="EN-US">for Children and Social Services</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">, Gwenda Thomas.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">The news was
welcomed by social care workers -</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; "> there is currently no professional body to raise the
profile and the status of people working in social care, unlike in social care and nursing.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Teresa Pritchard, who took part in the pilot project for the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Academy</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Care Practitioners,</st1:placename></st1:place></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; "> said: "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; ">The concept,
has been widely supported for some time and the pilot project we have
undertaken has shown overwhelming support of care practitioners themselves. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; "></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; ">"P</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; ">rofessional bodies can be a real source of support and
greatly assist in promoting best practice and raising standards to the benefit of
service users," she added.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Mario Kreft,
Chair of Care Forum Wales, said: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; ">"One of the
biggest issues in our view is that vocationally qualified social care workers </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; ">are a profession without their own
professional body. We believe it's about time that was put right.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">"It's really
about providing a support mechanism, helping people with their personal and
professional development, and gaining added value benefits..<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">"This
innovation will create the first body of its type for social care workers in
the UK and it is fitting that it should be created in Wales where we have seen
a great deal of innovation in recent years."<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">The initiative was also welcomed by Professor Mike Scott, Vice Chancellor of Glyndwr University, which has
agreed to support the initiative for the first two years while it
establishes itself.<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10pt; line-height: 115%; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; ">Professor Scott said: "Glyndŵr
University has recognised the need for an independent body helping to assure
the profession, the government and stakeholders to have confidence in the
important work of social care across the country.</span><br /></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10pt; line-height: 115%; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">"It
is delighted therefore to work with Care Forum Wales to host and thereby help
facilitate the creation and development of the new <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Academy</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Care
Practitioners</st1:placename></st1:place> as a significant step forward for
the profession."<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 115%; " class="MsoNormal"><strong style="line-height: 115%; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">For more information about the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Academy</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Care Practitioners</st1:placename></st1:place> ring Sue Thomas on
01978 752500 or email her at <a href="mailto:sue@careforumwales.co.uk">sue@careforumwales.co.uk</a></span></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.academyofcarepractitioners.co.uk/" target="" title="" onclick="">www.academyofcarepractitioners.co.uk </a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>ends</p>
<p> </p> New all-Wales body for social care staff to be launched
<p>The launch of the first all-Wales' training and support organisation for workers in the social care sector is set to go ahead.</p>
<p>The organisation is being launched in response to demand from social care staff for their own representative body. It will offer training, career development advice and support to staff working at all levels in the care sector across Wales.</p>
<p>Care Forum Wales believes that professionalising the social care workforce is the key to driving up standards in social care for the benefit of those who need to access these vital, yet often overlooked, services.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Watch out for more details about this tomorrow.</p> Latest Care Forum Wales Newsletter
<p>Please find link below to latest CFW newsletter.</p>
<p><a target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/eforummarch2012.pdf" onclick="" title="">English eforum</a></p>
<p><a target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/efforwm4march2012.pdf" onclick="" title="">Welsh efforwm</a></p>Charity criticises cancer care for older people
<p>Charity Macmillan Cancer Support has today (March 26) warned that cancer mortality rates in older people are failing to match improvements in mortality rates for younger patients.</p>
<p>More than half of all people who've been newly diagnosed with cancer are over 70 - and although some are frail, increasingly more are fit and active.</p>
<p>The charity says 'under-treatment' among older patients and a failure to take into account the effects of age are to blame - adding that if mortality rates for over-75s matched US levels there would be 14,000 fewer deaths a year among the older generation.</p>
<p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.3em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: #777777; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; text-align: left; "><span style="color: #006f51; font-size: 1.3em; ">It is calling for:</span><br /></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; color: #777777; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; text-align: left; ">
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Older people to be offered treatment and care based their physical fitness rather than their age</li>
<li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Older people to be given the practical help they need so they don’t miss out on treatment and get the right support at home.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left; ">
<p>For more on this story see:</p>
<p><a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/mar/26/cancer-care-older-people">www.guardian.co.uk/cancer-care-older-people</a> </p>
<p><a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.macmillan.org.uk/AgeOldExcuse">www.macmillan.org.uk/AgeOldExcuse</a></p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</p>National minimum wage to increase in October
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; ">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; ">
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">Care home managers who employ staff earing the national minimum wage will be affected by an increase in pay rates from October this year it has been announced today (March 20, 2012).</span></p>
<p> <span style="font-size: 10pt; ">The Government announced that the national minimum wage for workers aged
21 and over will increase by 11p to £6.19 per hour. However the
minimum wage for workers under the age of 21 will remain unchanged.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">The 1.8% increase in the minimum wage is lower than the current rate of inflation, as measured by the
Consumer Prices Index, which rose by 3.6% for the year ending January.</span> <span style="font-size: 10pt; ">However the
Low Pay Commission's recommendations on the national minimum wage are more
in line with average earnings which increased by 1.4% for the same
period.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; "><br />
The rate for apprentices will increase by 5p to £2.65 per hour.<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; "> <o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">The Rates are:</span></strong></p>
<table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; " width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" class="MsoNormalTable">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-top-style: inset; border-right-style: inset; border-bottom-style: inset; border-left-style: inset; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #dc143c; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-top-style: inset; border-right-style: inset; border-bottom-style: inset; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-color: initial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #dc143c; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: white; ">1 October 2012</span></strong></p>
</td>
<td style="border-top-style: inset; border-right-style: inset; border-bottom-style: inset; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-color: initial; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #dc143c; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: white; ">1
October 2011 </span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-right-style: inset; border-bottom-style: inset; border-left-style: inset; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; ">
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-bottom-style: inset; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-bottom-color: initial; border-right-style: inset; border-right-width: 1pt; border-right-color: initial; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; ">
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-bottom-style: inset; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-bottom-color: initial; border-right-style: inset; border-right-width: 1pt; border-right-color: initial; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; ">
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-right-style: inset; border-bottom-style: inset; border-left-style: inset; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; ">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">Aged 21 or over</span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-bottom-style: inset; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-bottom-color: initial; border-right-style: inset; border-right-width: 1pt; border-right-color: initial; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; ">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">£6.19</span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-bottom-style: inset; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-bottom-color: initial; border-right-style: inset; border-right-width: 1pt; border-right-color: initial; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; ">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">£6.08</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-right-style: inset; border-bottom-style: inset; border-left-style: inset; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; ">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">Aged 18 - 20</span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-bottom-style: inset; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-bottom-color: initial; border-right-style: inset; border-right-width: 1pt; border-right-color: initial; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; ">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">£4.98</span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-bottom-style: inset; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-bottom-color: initial; border-right-style: inset; border-right-width: 1pt; border-right-color: initial; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; ">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">£4.98</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-right-style: inset; border-bottom-style: inset; border-left-style: inset; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; ">
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">Aged
16 - 17 </span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">(above
school leaving age but under 18)</span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-bottom-style: inset; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-bottom-color: initial; border-right-style: inset; border-right-width: 1pt; border-right-color: initial; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; ">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">£3.68</span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-bottom-style: inset; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-bottom-color: initial; border-right-style: inset; border-right-width: 1pt; border-right-color: initial; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; ">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">£3.68</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-right-style: inset; border-bottom-style: inset; border-left-style: inset; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; ">
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">Apprentice
rate aged under 19 or in their </span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">first
year</span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-bottom-style: inset; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-bottom-color: initial; border-right-style: inset; border-right-width: 1pt; border-right-color: initial; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; ">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">£2.65</span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-bottom-style: inset; border-bottom-color: #696969; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-style: inset; border-right-color: #696969; border-right-width: 1pt; padding-top: 1.5pt; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; ">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; ">£2.60</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt; "> </span> </p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #666666; "> </span> New social services bill 'historic opportunity' to end postcode lottery over care
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Independent care providers in Wales have warned a historic opportunity to reform social care could be squandered unless councils are prepared to work in partnership with them.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Care Forum Wales, which represents more than 500 members, believes the new legislation has the potential to end the post code lottery that has plagued social care services.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">According to Chair Mario Kreft MBE, it is significant the Welsh Government chose the Social Services (Wales) Bill as their first piece of legislation under the Assembly's new powers.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The Bill includes the introduction of national eligibility criteria so that people receive the care they need regardless of where they live.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Other key elements are the creation of portable assessments so that people's needs don't need to be re-assessed if they move to live in different area and a new national framework contract.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Social Services and Children, launched a three-month public consultation on the legislation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Mrs Thomas says the legislation is designed to give people greater freedom to decide which services they need while offering consistent, high quality services across Wales.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The proposed Bill has been warmly welcomed by Mr Kreft who said: "We would like to commend the Deputy Minister, Gwenda Thomas AM, for the leadership she has shown and her commitment to transforming social care.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"We have been campaigning for many of these initiatives since Care Forum Wales was established 19 years ago.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"We certainly welcome this radical Bill and if we together seize the opportunity to focus our efforts this could be a historic achievement.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"Radical reform of the planning and delivery of services is long overdue and we need to create a culture where the independent sector works in true partnership with public sector bodies.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"If we have that shift, we can achieve a great deal but if we don't I'm afraid we're going to fall short and this would be deeply disappointing for those requiring services.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"This Bill is the first piece of legislation brought forward by the Welsh Government under the new powers so clearly they have accepted this is a priority because sadly the service is currently failing on too many fronts.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"Social care for vulnerable people is simply too important to be allowed to fail.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"The national eligibility criteria and portable assessments should help end the current postcode lottery in social care.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"We have always campaigned to have the right services in the right place at the right time. It should not matter where you live.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"It is going to be important to develop a transformation agenda to new services while we hold on cross Wales to those important services that we are still going to need.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"That is going to require a change of mindset and one of the important aspects is the Memorandum of Understanding to develop a partnership approach between the independent and the public sectors in relation to the commissioning of social care.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"We understand that the Deputy Minister is passionate about the MoU because she has recognised that without this change of culture, a new approach to partnership working, a lot of what's contained in the Bill will not be delivered.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"The national eligibility criteria and the portable assessments are vital elements of providing a consistent and fair service to the people of Wales. It is also important to empower people and the national framework contract will assist in this.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"The current postcode lottery is simply not acceptable. With a population of just three million, Wales does not need 22 variations on a theme with different councils doing things differently.There are also seven local health boards and we must have a more joined up approach.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"Like the Deputy Minister, we are not prepared to sit by as fewer and fewer people receive the support they need.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"In reality, we have seen far too much growth in bureaucracy, the growth of the back office at the expense of front line services.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"Anybody who's going to look seriously at this consultation has got to recognise that the whole social care system in Wales is predicated on tens of thousands of decent hard working people working people are at the bottom end of the pay scale.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"Independent sector wages are effectively set in county hall and we must value the contribution of social care workers in Wales.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"The tender arrangements that local authorities are adopting in relation to domiciliary care across Wales are designed to drive down price at all cost, regardless of quality.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"Everyone knows the cheapest price is often not the best value and the same is true in social care.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">"We're never going to have the high quality services that we need unless we recognise the workforce agenda has to be transformed and these people are supported and remunerated in the way they deserve."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">At the launch of the consultation period, Gwenda Thomas said: "This Bill is an excellent example of how we are using the new powers of the National Assembly to make a real difference to the lives of the people of Wales.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">“This Bill is about giving people a stronger voice and real control over the social care services they use, and to help meet their changing needs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">“The Bill will drive the development of new models of service that maintain and improve the wellbeing of people in need.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">“There will be a stronger focus through the Bill on preventative and early intervention services, based on greater partnership working and integration of services between local authorities and partners.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">“Service users and their carers must be involved. This means assessments must be about the outcomes that are important to them, not just about eligibility for a particular service.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">“This Bill will help us all tackle the many challenges facing social services in Wales but will also allow us all to seize the opportunities before usâ€.</span></p>Drugs hope for advanced Alzheimer’s sufferers
<div class="widget storyContent article widget-editable viziwyg-section-1024 inpage-widget-6138699 articleContent">
<p><span class="storyTop "> </span></p>
<p>Alzheimer’s sufferers in the advanced stages of the disease could benefit from drug treatment, according to a new study published this week.</p>
<p>The study, published in the <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.nejm.org/">New England Journal of Medicine</a>, found that drugs used to slow the disease in its early stages also work when the condition is advanced,
greatly extending the population who could be treated<span class="storyTop "></span>. Advanced
Alzheimer’s is marked by the progressive loss of cognitive skills and
physical control and leaves individuals stripped of their dignity and
personality. <br /></p>
<p> </p>
<div class="body "> </div>
<p><span class="storyTop "> </span></p>
<p>The finding could double the number of patients
currently on treatment from 50,000 to over 100,000 in the UK and extend
treatment to millions more worldwide. Only one in five of the 500,000
patients with Alzheimer’s in the UK, a third of whom have advanced
disease, are currently receiving drug treatment because of a shortage of
clinics to diagnose them. </p>
<p>Professor Robert Howard of the
<a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.kcl.ac.uk/iop/index.aspx">Institute of Psychiatry</a>, Kings College, London, who led the study, said: “For the first
time we have robust and compelling evidence that treatment with these
drugs can continue to help patients at the later, more severe stages of the
disease.</p>
<p><span class="storyTop ">“</span>Patients were better able to remember, understand, communicate
and perform daily tasks for at least a year longer than those who
stopped taking the drugs.†<br /></p>
<p>The National Institute for Clinical
Health and Excellence (NICE) came under fire when it initially refused
to approve donepezil – brand name Aricept –
and associated drugs on the grounds that they were not cost-effective. It
said the drugs worked in only 40 per cent of cases but later it
reviewed its decision and recommended the drugs in the early and
moderate stages of the disease – but not in the late stages. Although its current advice says the drugs should only be withdrawn when doctors
consider they are no longer of benefit, the latest findings mean its position may now have to be reviewed. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Researchers led by
Professor Howard studied 295 patients with severe Alzheimer’s over a
year and found continued use of donepezil slowed the deterioration
characteristic of the disease by one third, equivalent to four months of
improved quality of life. Those who took a second drug, memantine, in combination, did even better. </p>
<p>Professor
Clive Ballard, director of research at the <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://alzheimers.org.uk/">Alzheimer’s Society</a>, which
funded the study with the Medical Research Council, said the drug was
not a cure but significantly relieved the symptoms: “If I had Alzheimer’s
disease or my relative did I would want them to have [the
combination].â€</p>
<p>Read the full story <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/alzheimers-treatment-in-late-stages-of-disease-does-slow-progression-7544408.html">here</a>. <br /></p>
<div class="body ">
<p><br /></p>
</div>
</div> Nominate now for Wales Care Awards 2012
<h1>NOMINATE NOW FOR 2012 WALES CARE AWARDS.</h1>
<p><a target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/care%20awards%20form%202012%20with%20category%20guidance.doc" onclick="" title="">CLICK HERE </a>FOR NOMINATION FORM</p>Report finds care home fees are rising as Government cuts biteCare home fees are on the rise as local authority budget cuts begin to bite in the social care sector.
A report today says thousands more pensioners may have to sell their family homes to afford inflation-busting increases in residential care fees.
Wales has seen one of the lowest increases in fees - research has found there has been a 1.94% rise in residential care home fees and an 8.2% rise in nursing care fees in Wales since 2010.
Average fees are on the rise across the whole of the UK as councils are forced to deal with cuts. In many cases they are slashing the amount they are prepared to pay for poorer residents to live in care homes.
For more on this story see http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensions/article-2107029/Soaring-care-fees-force-thousands-pensioners-sell-homes.htmlDeputy Minister welcomes CSSIW reportThe Deputy Minister for Social Services Gwenda Thomas has welcomed the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) Chief Inspector’s annual report for 2010-2011, published Monday 20 February.
The report can be found here:
http://wales.gov.uk/cssiwsubsite/newcssiw/news/5754182/?lang=en
In her response to the report Ms Thomas said: “I’ve read the report carefully and recognise the important insights it gives policy-makers and service commissioners as we look to secure the best possible services for those who need them.
“I welcome the way the inspectorate has engaged with people who use services and carers and included their voices in the report."
CSSIW annual report: the key findingsThe Care and Social Services Inspectorate (CSSIW)'s chief inspector, Imelda Richardson, published her annual report 2010-2011 on February 20.
The key findings from the report included:
Local authorities and other social care services are increasingly working together across regional and organisational boundaries to deliver innovative and sustainable services for the people of Wales.
The best care homes and domiciliary care services combined good leadership with clear vision and purpose, recruited good staff locally and took care to look after them and those using services.
The people involved in providing social care are better skilled and qualified and care providers are listening more to their customers.
The lack of continuity of staff continues to be a concern for people who use services.
Good safeguarding practice and joint working between agencies can weaken once the initial crisis is over.
Quality of outcomes for people across Wales varied. More needs to be done to consistently deliver good quality assessments and care management for both children and adults.
In children’s services improvements are needed to achieve better support services for children in need and improved support for looked after children from local authority education services.
In services for adults there are significant waiting lists for some services and more needs to be done to achieve a notable shift towards supporting older people in the community rather than in care homes.
Transforming services, in line with the aspirations of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Social Services will require vision coupled with medium and long term planning in partnership with Health Services.Workshops to explain new E.coli prevention rules for care homes
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt">Workshops to explain new E.coli prevention rules
<p> </p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif">An environmental health expert ran the first of two workshops yesterday in North Wales to explain new Food Standards Agency (FSA) procedures introduced in 2011 to prevent serious food poisoning outbreaks caused by bacteria including E.coli 0157. Over 70 people attended this event with another planned for the 14th of February.
<p> </p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif">Phill Alcock, a former senior Environmental Health officer with more than 35 years’ experience in local government, the NHS and the private sector, will set out how the new rules completely change how cross-contamination should be managed in kitchens.
<p> </p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif">He said: “</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif">The procedures are complex and they fundamentally change how kitchens should be arranged and managed.
<p> </p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif">“This workshop has been specially designed to guide you through the new procedural requirements.
<p> </p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif">“The new FSA regulations apply to all catering businesses, including care homes, and failure to comply can result in kitchens being temporarily closed down – which would impact on both care home managers and residents.â€
<p> </p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif">The procedures are designed to prevent cross-contamination during food preparation which can lead to potentially deadly food poisoning outbreaks caused by bacteria including E.coli 0157, campylobacter and salmonella.</span></p>
<p>To book please <a target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/booking%20form%20ecoli%20workshop.doc" onclick="" title="">click here.<br /></a></p>New dementia care guide launched
<p>Care Forum Wales’ <strong>dementia care</strong> advisor, Stephen Ford, has released a new guide to <strong>dementia care</strong> to help carers deal with difficult situations that sometimes arise when dealing with older people with dementia.</p>
<p>He has called his guide ‘A CHAMPIONS’, which stands for Assessment of Challenging and Management Problems Initiating Options for New Solutions (Dementia Care).</p>
<p>The guide is free to download from our website <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/champions_document.pdf">HERE</a>.</p>
<p>The guide offers a range of scenarios which can trigger difficult behaviour from dementia sufferers - and offers a series of ideas and solutions to deal with this. </p>
<p>Stephen is managing director of Pembroke Nursing Homes in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, and he has 37 years’ experience in caring for vulnerable adults.</p>
<p>He runs CFW’s <strong>All Wales Dementia Group</strong> and is a member of local and regional dementia care interest groups.</p>
<p>He said: “Switched-on care providers should know when anti-psychotic medication is of little therapeutic value. In exceptional circumstances, their use should be time-limited and never the first choice for managing difficult behaviour.â€</p>
<p>Stephen can be contacted at <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="mailto:pembrokehomes@aol.com">pembrokehomes@aol.com</a> </p>Read how the national press reported the Welsh Government's new social care proposals
<p>Read how <strong>The Guardian</strong> covered the Welsh Government's proposal to introduce <strong>new legislation aimed at giving people greater control over care budgets</strong> here: http://bit.ly/yvLjuE</p>
<p> </p>Professionalising social care workforce key to preventing elderly abuse, says CFW
<p>Recognising the importance of social care as a profession and promoting best practice among its workforce is the key to preventing elderly abuse, the senior policy adviser for Care Forum Wales has said.</p>
<p> In a letter to the <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/letters-to-the-editor/western-mail-letters/2012/01/25/eu-won-t-welcome-independent-wales-91466-30193363/" target="" title="" onclick="">Western Mail</a>, CFW's Mary Wimbury criticised a report in the paper on January 23 (Abuse of Our Elderly) for giving the impression that all social care workers were liable to abuse the older people they care for.</p>
<p> She said: "Anyone reading your article, Abuse of our elderly, on January 23 might be forgiven for assuming that all paid care workers are charlatans. In reality the vast majority are from reputable agencies and are caring, well-train and undertake a little-respected role diligently and professionally."</p>
<p>She went on to say that Care Forum Wales, which represents 500 independent care organisations across Wales, is continuing to strive for improvements. </p>
<p>She added: "We'd like to see local authorities contracting [out services] to provide care that focuses on standards and decency - and not care by tick-box.</p>
<p>"We'd like to see them awarding contracts for care not on lowest price, but at a rate that will ensure a sustainable service caring for vulnerable people, where staff are properly rewarded, supported and supervised."</p>
<p>One of the goals of CFW is to get greater recognition for the social care workforce. "To that end we are working with the Welsh Government and other partners to establish a professional body to spread good practice and professionalise the role of the care worker," Ms Wimbury continued.</p>
<p>"When we're facing such challenges to the public purse we really do need to redirect our resources to important front-line services." </p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; font-size: 12px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; "><br /></p>CFW welcomes social care bill - 'most important change in a generation'
<p>Care Forum Wales (CFW) has welcomed the Welsh Government's social care bill as, "the most important change to social care in two generations".</p>
<p>The bill, introduced by Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services Gwenda Thomas today, will now go out to public consultation and a bill could be introduced as early as October this year. She said the bill had been prompted by demographic changes and increasing demand for social services across Wales.</p>
<p>It promises to give the thousands of people across Wales who receive social care greater control over the care they receive - and a chance to be in charge of their own care budgets. </p>
<p>The bill could also lead to the establishment of a single adoption agency for Wales - there are currently 23 operating.</p>
<p>CFW believes that more effective working with the independent sector could help to reduce bed-blocking and provide more cost effective social care.</p>
<p> Chairman Mario Kreft said: "We're delighted with the legislation because it recognises that, at a time of increasing need with dwindling resources, this is a blueprint for action. </p>
<p>"It's potentially the most important change to social care in two generations. We hope it will cut bureaucracy and focus resources and services on where people need them."</p>
<p>He added, "At a time of austerity this is about doing things better and more cost-effectively. It's a victory for common sense."</p>
<p>For more on this story see: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-16707248" target="" title="" onclick="">www.bbc.co.uk/news/social_care_bill</a> </p>
<p>For the full Welsh Government outline see: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2012/5700746/;jsessionid=s0MWPfNh1j3TGVnB994TcmvMThmZhy2WJ4yKZCJQWvfhZZcmlCCp!-1747186160?lang=en" target="" title="" onclick="">www.wales.gov.uk/social_care_bill</a></p>
<p style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-rendering: auto; clear: left; "><span style="font-size: 19px; "><br /></span></p>
<p> <br /></p>Care Council for Wales promises 'step change' for social care profession in 2012
<p>Rhian Huws Williams, the chief executive of the Care Council for Wales (CCW), has made achieving a higher level of professionalism in the social care sector in Wales top of her New Year's resolutions list. </p>
<p>In an article in the Guardian (January 3), Ms Williams promised: "The Care Council will play a leading role in delivering a new professionalism that will mark a step-change for the profession in Wales."</p>
<p>She promises the Care Council, which was set up 10 years ago to monitor and improve standards in the social care sector in Wales, will adopt a "fresh approach to the Care Council's regulation and development work."</p>
<p>She says CCW will work closely with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) to develop a new model of regulation with a focus of improving standards and building the public's trust in the sector.</p>
<p>One of the key ways CCW plans to do this is to gather evidence and identify what makes a high-quality manager - and to use these characteristics to share best practice and work on improving care.</p>
<p>It is also hoped that the Care Council and CSSIW will be able to work together to provide a single point of contact for members of the public seeking information about social care provision and standards.</p>
<p>For the full article see: </p>
<p><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/social-care-network/2012/jan/03/a-plan-to-build-trust-in-welsh-social-services?newsfeed=true">http://www.guardian.co.uk/social-care-network/2012/jan/03/a-plan-to-build-trust-in-welsh-social-services?newsfeed=true</a><br /></p>Dilnot's hopes for cross-party support on elderly care reform
<p>The architect of last year's report on proposed reforms to long-term elderly care, Andrew Dilnot, has said there is "a real chance" of winning cross-party support from Labour and the Coalition on improving the system, according to a Daily Telegraph report here:</p>
<h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; color: #404040; font-size: 1.6em; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.2em; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; "><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/8991123/Elderly-care-reforms-could-get-cross-party-agreement-says-Andrew-Dilnot.html">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/8991123/Elderly-care-reforms-could-get-cross-party-agreement-says-Andrew-Dilnot.html</a> <br /></h2> Judge finds in favour of Pembrokeshire care homes in second fees ruling
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; " lang="EN-US"><font size="3">A landmark judgment in <u></u><u></u>Cardiff<u></u>’s High Court has been welcomed by owners of care homes and care providers across <u></u><u></u>Wales<u></u><u></u>.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; " lang="EN-US"><font size="3">Mr Justice Beatson came down in favour of seven care home owners and against Pembrokeshire County Council in a High Court judgment affecting how much local authorities pay for care.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; " lang="EN-US"><font size="3">He ruled that the Council had failed to give due consideration to the need for a return on capital invested by owners, and should have considered paying less to providers who had not invested money to improve their homes as much as other providers had done.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; " lang="EN-US"><font size="3">The judgment follows a similar decision against the Council 12 months ago.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; " lang="EN-US"><font size="3">The decisions have been welcomed by Mario Kreft, chairman of Care Forum Wales, an association of independent care providers which has called on local authorities across <u></u><u></u>Wales<u></u><u></u> to work more closely with the private care sector to ensure the highest possible standards of care.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; " lang="EN-US"><font size="3">He said: “These are very important decisions by the judge which we very much welcome on behalf of residents and their families, care workers and care home owners because they put people and communities first.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; " lang="EN-US"><font size="3">“This isn’t just about a care home getting more money to do what the law requires it to do, it’s about the future of care services for the people of Wales and 90 per cent of those services are provided by the private sector.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; " lang="EN-US"><font size="3">“We’re committed to the highest standards of care and this has obvious resource implications and the fact that there are so many care homes in financial difficulty shows there are issues.â€<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: windowtext; " lang="EN-US"><font size="3">One of the care home owners involved in the case, Mike Davies, said: “Our over-riding concern from the outset has been the need to provide high quality, sustainable services for the people for whom we provide care.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: windowtext; " lang="EN-US"><font size="3">“This latest judgment has therefore come as a huge relief, most importantly for the residents of the homes involved and the dedicated staff who look after them.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: windowtext; " lang="EN-US">“It is also a huge relief for the families of those residents and they too have been very supportive of our efforts to resolve this issue</span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: windowtext; ">.â€<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: Arial; " lang="EN-US">Last year a similar decision resulted in Pembrokeshire offering to increase its weekly payment for each care home resident from £390 to £464 but the seven homes involved in the action </span><span style="font-family: Arial; ">disputed the method used by the council to arrive at the figure.<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><font size="3">That led to the latest judgment and Mario Kreft added: “Pembrokeshire has chosen to play hard ball and this is the result.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><font size="3">“The judgment is a victory for equality and for the principle that if a care provider invests in providing services then he or she should not be out of pocket.â€<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><font size="3">“The judgment took account of the current financial climate. What we want now is to work together with the Welsh Government and local government to ensure a proper, sustainable service for the people of <u></u><u></u>Wales<u></u><u></u>.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><font size="3">“More than 70 per cent of the people in care homes in <u></u><u></u>Wales<u></u><u></u> are receiving their care from public funds so the criteria for that funding should be equal across the country and be sustainable.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><font size="3">“We have been campaigning for 20 years for the local and national governments to sit down with us and work out a proper approach.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><font size="3">“It’s not just about more money, it’s about sustainable services and how they link with the rest of social care and the NHS.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><font size="3">“There are more than 23,000 beds in care homes in <u></u><u></u>Wales<u></u><u></u>. It’s a hugely important part of the tapestry of social care in the country.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><font size="3">“At Care Forum Wales we want to work within the context of a public services ethos so that we plan for what communities need in terms of social care, both residential and domiciliary.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><font size="3">“The judgment is a very positive step towards resolving this long-running difficulty of getting local authorities and health boards to recognise the true costs of running care homes, but the next step is to work together to provide sustainable services.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><font size="3">“This isn’t about business operators, it’s about people and the service provided can only be sustainable if we work together under the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed up to by all those involved in social care.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); line-height: 18px; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; "><font size="3">“We need to move forward in the spirit of partnership and Care Forum Wales is writing to the Welsh Government and the WLGA to reconvene the Memorandum of Understanding as a matter of urgency early in the New Year.</font></span></p>
<p>MORE INFORMATION: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16220178">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-16220178</a> </p> Tips from Alheimer's Society on helping dementia sufferers deal with their money
<p style="margin-top: 2pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt; " class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; ">Alheimer’s Society
tips for helping dementia sufferers manage their finances<o:p /></span></strong></p>
<p style="margin-top: 2pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 2pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; ">Following its report on December 14
on how dementia sufferers are being targeted by unscrupulous con artists and
sales people </span><a href="http://alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/press_article.php?pressReleaseID=742">http://alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/press_article.php?pressReleaseID=742</a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; ">, <o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 2pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; ">the Society has come up a series of
tips for helping older people deal with their finances.<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 2pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 2pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; ">These are:</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; "><o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 2pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; "> <o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 35.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; ">1.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #222222; "> </span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #222222; "> </span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; ">Discuss money management with your family</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; "> – Money can be a difficult
subject to talk about but it’s important you plan how you want your finances to
be managed if you became unable to look after them yourself.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; "><o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 35.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; ">2.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #222222; "> </span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #222222; "> </span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; ">Set up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; "> - This enables a person with
dementia to choose someone they trust to make decisions on their behalf about
things such as paying bills and collecting income once they are no longer able
to take those decisions. However, LPAs need to be set up while a person with
dementia still has capacity.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; "><o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 35.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; ">3.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #222222; "> </span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #222222; "> </span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; ">Speak to the local bank manager</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; "> – People with dementia and their carer should talk to their bank
manager as soon after a diagnosis as possible. The discussion can look at extra
support that may be available as their condition progresses and ways of managing
money, eg using a signature card instead of a PIN number</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; "><o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 35.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; ">4.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #222222; "> </span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #222222; "> </span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; ">Stop junk mail and unwanted telephone calls</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; "> – There are a number of ways to
do this, such as signing up to the Mailing Preference Service at <a target="_blank" href="http://mpsonline.org.uk/"><span style="color: #1155cc; ">mpsonline.org.uk</span></a> and
joining the Telephone Preference Service register.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; "><o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 35.7pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; ">5.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #222222; "> </span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #222222; "> </span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; ">Put a ‘no cold callers’ sign on the door</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; "> - These can be obtained from
the local trading standards department. Six of the major energy
suppliers will not knock on doors which have a ‘no door to door salesman’
sticker/sign on them.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; "><o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 2pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.25pt; " class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; "> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; "><o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> Judge finds in favour of care homes in second landmark ruling
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">Care Forum Wales ......Press release Friday 16th December 2011</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">A landmark judgment in <city w:st="on">Cardiff</city>’s High Court has been welcomed by owners of care homes and care providers across <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region>.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">Mr Justice Beatson came down in favour of seven care home owners and against Pembrokeshire County Council in a High Court judgment affecting how much local authorities pay for care.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">He ruled that the Council had failed to give due consideration to the need for a return on capital invested by owners, and should have considered paying less to providers who had not invested money to improve their homes as much as other providers had done.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">The judgment follows a similar decision against the Council 12 months ago.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">The decisions have been welcomed by Mario Kreft, Chairman of Care Forum Wales, an association of independent care providers who has called on local authorities across <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region> to work more closely with the private care sector to ensure the highest possible standards of care.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">He said: “These are very important decisions by the judge which we very much welcome on behalf of residents and their families, care workers and care home owners because they put people and communities first.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">“This isn’t just about a care home getting more money to do what the law requires it to do, it’s about the future of care services for the people of Wales and 90 per cent of those services are provided by the private sector.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">“We’re committed to the highest standards of care and this has obvious resource implications and the fact that there are so many care homes in financial difficulty shows there are issues.â€</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; color: windowtext">One of the care home owners involved in the case, Mike Davies, said: “Our over-riding concern from the outset has been the need to provide high quality, sustainable services for the people for whom we provide care. </span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; color: windowtext">“This latest judgment has therefore come as a huge relief, most importantly for the residents of the homes involved and the dedicated staff who look after them.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; color: windowtext">“It is also a huge relief for the families of those residents and they too have been very supportive of our efforts to resolve this issue</span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: windowtext">.â€</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">Last year a similar decision resulted in Pembrokeshire offering to increase its weekly payment for each care home resident from £390 to £464 but the seven homes involved in the action </span><span style="font-family: Arial">disputed the method used by the council to arrive at the figure.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span style="font-family: Arial">That led to the latest judgment and Mario Kreft added: “Pembrokeshire have chosen to play hard ball and this is the result.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span style="font-family: Arial">“The judgment is a victory for equality and for the principle that if a care provider invests in providing services then he or she should not be out of pocket.â€</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span style="font-family: Arial">“The judgment took account of the current financial climate.<span> </span>What we want now is to work together with the Welsh Government and local government to ensure a proper, sustainable service for the people of <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region>.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span style="font-family: Arial">“Over 70 per cent of the people in care homes in <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region> are receiving their care from public funds so the criteria for that funding should be equal across the country and be sustainable.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span style="font-family: Arial">“We have been campaigning for 20 years for the local and national governments to sit down with us and work out a proper approach.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span style="font-family: Arial">“It’s not just about more money, it’s about sustainable services and how they link with the rest of social care and the NHS.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span style="font-family: Arial">“There are over 23,000 beds in care homes in <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region>. It’s a hugely important part of the tapestry of social care in the country.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span style="font-family: Arial">“At Care Forum Wales we want to work within the context of a public services ethos so that we plan for what communities need in terms of social care, both residential and domiciliary.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span style="font-family: Arial">“The judgment is a very positive step towards resolving this long-running difficulty of getting local authorities and health boards to recognise the true costs of running care homes, but the next step is to work together to provide sustainable services.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span style="font-family: Arial">“This isn’t about business operators, it’s about people and the service provided can only be sustainable if we work together under the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed up to by all those involved in social care.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; margin: 6pt 0cm"><span style="font-family: Arial">“We need to move forward in the spirit of partnership and Care Forum Wales is writing to the Welsh Government and the WLGA to reconvene the Memorandum of Understanding as a matter of urgency early in the New Year.â€</span></p>Dementia sufferers in Wales 'scammed' out of £5million
<p class="MsoNormal">Dementia sufferers in Wales are falling victim to con
artists who target them with cold calls, mail scams and mis-sold policies
according to charity, The <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/press_article.php?pressReleaseID=742">Alzheimer’s Society</a>.<br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Research, published in its report, Short Changed: Protecting
People With Dementia From Financial Abuse on December 14, shows that people
with dementia in Wales have victims of scams totalling more than £5million.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The report calls for people with the condition to be better
protected from financial abuse.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It reveals that 62%
of carers in Wales, England and Northern Ireland said the person they look
after had been approached by unscrupulous door-to-door salesmen and 70%
regularly received telephone cold calls.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; ">Read More: <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/12/14/con-artists-cheat-5m-out-of-dementia-sufferers-in-wales-91466-29949783/#.TuhpF8Vj7z0.twitter#ixzz1gbJuhKtf">WalesOnline/dementia_sufferers_conned</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p>
<p> </p> Report on elderly home care in England published today
<p>A report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission into care of the elderly at home in England is published today following a 12-month inquiry.</p>
<p>The report, 'Close To Home: Older People and Human Rights in Home Care' follows an investigation into what extent public authorities promote and protect the human rights of older people (aged 65 and over) who need home-based care and support.</p>
<p>Among its conclusions, the report found:</p>
<p>
<ul>
<li>Many older people receive care at home which respects and enhances their human rights but this is by no means a universal experience<br /></li>
<li>There are areas of real concern in the treatment of some older people and significant shortcomings in the way that care is commissioned by local authorities <br /></li>
<li>
<li>There is a legal loophole so that the majority of older people who receive care at home – if they pay for all or part of it themselves or if it is delivered by a private or voluntary sector organisation – are not protected by the Human Rights Act</li>
</li>
</ul>
</p>
<p>The authors of the report said: "We hope our report will make a difference to the lives of older people and assist the process of Government's planned reforms to adult social care.</p>
<p><span style="color: #3d3939; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">"There are significant risks to the human rights of older people who require or receive home based care and support, yet the <strong>duties and responsibilities of those providing, commissioning, funding or regulating the care and support system to protect and promote human rights are far from clear.</strong></span></p>
<p>"We want older people to continue to enjoy their human rights and freedomes which everyone expects. After all, one day we may need home care ourselves or know someone who does."</p>
<p>For the executive summary of the report see: <a style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: small; " target="_blank" href="http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/homecareFI/home_care_exec_summary_final.pdf">http://www.<wbr />equalityhumanrights.com/<wbr />uploaded_files/homecareFI/<wbr />home_care_exec_summary_final.<wbr />pdf</a></p>
<p>For the full report see: <font style="color: #0000cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; " face="Arial" size="2"><a style="color: #0000cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; " target="_blank" href="http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/homecareFI/home_care_report.pdf">http://www.<wbr />equalityhumanrights.com/<wbr />uploaded_files/homecareFI/<wbr />home_care_report.pdf</a></font> </p>
<p><br /></p>First Minister honours work of Care Forum Wales chairman
<p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #742979; text-decoration: none; font-size: large; text-align: left; " class="main-copy-title"><span style="font-weight: 800; ">Award for Care Forum Wales' Mario Kreft</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; font-size: small; "><span style="color: #0f0f0f; background-color: #ffffff; ">The chairman of Care Forum Wales, Mario Kreft, has been recognised by the Welsh Government for his pioneering work in social care.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; font-size: small; "><span style="color: #0f0f0f; background-color: #ffffff; ">Also the proprietor of care home Pendine Park in Wrexham, Mr Kreft was honoured with a special Recognising Achievement award from First Minister Carwyn Jones during a ceremony at Ruthin Castle on November 10. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; font-size: small; "><span style="color: #0f0f0f; background-color: #ffffff; "><img height="200" width="300" align="" alt="Mario Kreft receives his award from First Minister Carwyn Jones" src="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Mario%20award%20with%20First%20Minister.jpg" /><br /><br />Mr Kreft is the chair and a founder member of Care Forum Wales. "One of my proudest achievements was founding the Wales Care Awards which celebrates the skill and dedication of the unsung heroes and heroines of social care," said Mr Kreft. The event will be celebrating its 10th anniversary next year. <br /><br />Among the first to congratulate Mario was Welsh Government Health Minister Lesley Griffiths. She said: "I am delighted Mario's hard work, determination and commitment has been recognised in this way. <br /><br />"I know he will say this honour is a team award but every team needs a leader and he always leads from the front and is very deserving of this accolade." <br /><br />Mr Kreft added: "The Achievement Award is recognition of the huge contribution of social care in communities right across Wales, including the teams at Care Forum Wales and Pendine Park. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; font-size: small; "><span style="color: #0f0f0f; background-color: #ffffff; ">"It's a huge team effort and a reward for all the work we've been doing together over the years to raise standards in social care and promote the profession."</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; font-size: small; "><br /><span style="background-color: #0f0f0f; "><span style="color: #5f7a78; "></span><span style="color: #5f7a78; ">ends</span></span></p> New campaign highlights six in 10 Alzheimer's cases go undiagnosed
<p>A new UK Government campaign being launched in England will highlight the fact that six out of 10 cases of dementia in elderly people go undiagnosed - because relatives often confuse the normal signs of ageing with symptoms of dementia.</p>
<p class="introduction">As part of the campaign, which is aimed at encouraging early diagnosis, families are being urged to look out for the warning signs of dementia when they visit their elderly relatives during the coming festive season.</p>
<p>Experts believe Christmas is a time when many people realise family members may have a memory problem. They are now being warned to act on it and seek help sooner rather than later.</p>
<p>The Department of Health advert, part of a £2m TV and national press
campaign on the issue, tells the story of a man in the early
stages of dementia, and his daughter, who feels she is losing her
father. </p>
<p>It highlights the importance of contacting a GP if you or a relative have symptoms like memory loss, confusion and anxiety.</p>
<p>Pilots of the Department of Health initiative suggest it helps people realise
that early diagnosis of dementia can lead to better treatment and the
slowing down of symptoms.
</p>
<div class="secondPar"> </div>
<div class="thirdPar">
<p>
At the moment, as many as six out of 10 people who develop conditions such as
Alzheimer’s go undetected. Only a third of adults over 40 are thought to
understand the differences between normal signs of ageing and the onset of
dementia.
</p>
</div>
<div class="fifthPar">
<p>
The overall cost of dementia to society – affecting some 634,030 people in
England alone – is put at £23bn a year. It is expected to rise sharply as
better medical care, healthier lifestyles and improved living standards mean
more and more people survive into old age.
</p>
</div>
<p> A lot of relatives first notice problems when they visit family
members over Christmas, prompting a big increase in calls to the
Alzheimer's Society's helpline. In January 2011 it recorded a 43% rise in calls.</p>
<p><a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://alzheimers.org.uk/">Alzheimer's Society</a> chief executive, Jeremy Hughes, said: "It's when you see
someone you perhaps haven't seen for a while that you can see the
difference. </p>
<p>"If their memory is going, if they're getting confused, if
they have sudden mood changes, that's the time to say, 'Maybe you should
see your doctor.'."</p>
<p>More than 800,000 people in the UK have dementia - and many
are never diagnosed. There is no cure, but with the right treatment, the
symptoms can be slowed down.</p>
<p>For help understanding the symptoms of dementia see: <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents.php?categoryID=200341">www.alzheimers.org.uk/dementia_symptoms</a></p>
<p>READ MORE: <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/8870998/2m-ad-campaign-to-highlight-early-dementia-diagnosis.html">www.telegraph.co.uk/elderhealth/early-dementia-diagnosis</a><br />Read more: <a style="color: #003399;" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2058307/Dementia-6-10-Alzheimers-cases-undiagnosed.html#ixzz1d0snncMo">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2058307/Dementia-6-10-Alzheimers-cases-undiagnosed.html#ixzz1d0snncMo</a><br /></p> Full list of Wales Care Awards announced
<p><strong>Supported Living Care Practitioner Award</strong><br />Jakub Nowak<br />GOLD<br /><br />Beverley Millington<br />SILVER<br /><br />Lisa Taylor<br />BRONZE<br /><br /><strong>Residential Care Practitioner Award</strong><br />Rebecca Griffiths<br />GOLD<br /><br />Stacey Howells<br />SILVER<br /><br />Rhian<br />Thomas<br />BRONZE</p>
<p><strong>Leadership and Management in Residential Care Services Award</strong><br />Deborah Wellington<br />
GOLD</p>
<p>Mari Jones<br />SILVER (JOINT)<br /><br />Ann Hughes<br />SILVER (JOINT<br /></p>
<p><strong>Leadership and Management in Supported Living Care Practitioner Award</strong><br />Michelle Willis<br />
GOLD<br /></p>
<p>Jaymylee Colyer<br />SILVER<br /><br />Lucie Williams<br />BRONZE<br /><br /><strong>Promoting Fulfilled Lives Award</strong><br />Keith<br />
Jones<br />
GOLD<br /></p>
<p><br />
Gerry<br />
Humphries<br />
SILVER<br /><br />Peter<br />Gough<br />BRONZE (JOINT)<br /><br />Wendy Parker<br />BRONZE (JOINT)<br /></p>
<p><strong>Commitment to Training Workforce Development Award</strong><br />Anne Dwyer Thomas<br />GOLD<br /><br />Sarah House<br />SILVER<br /><br />Wendy Harvey<br />BRONZE<br /></p>
<p><strong>Exceptional Newcomer Award</strong><br />Laura Emery<br />
GOLD<br /><br />Karl Houldsworth<br />SILVER<br /><br />Jamie Jeffries<br />BRONZE<br /></p>
<p><strong>Nurse of the Year Award</strong><br />Karen Woods<br />GOLD<br /><br />Colin Short<br />SILVER<br /><br />Sarah Coleman<br />BRONZE<br /><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Outstanding service Award</strong><br />Joyce Royal<br />
GOLD<br /></p>
<p>Nina Wright<br />
SILVER<br /><br />Rosalyn Wilmott<br />BRONZE<br /><br /><strong>Excellence in Dementia Care Award</strong><br />Mark Bailey<br />GOLD<br /><br />Catherine Ellis<br />
SILVER</p>
<p>Sarah Coleman<br />BRONZE<br /><br /><strong>Leading Practice in Learning Disability Services Award</strong><br />Linda Jones<br />GOLD<br /><br />Dorian Williams<br />SILVER<br /><br /><strong>The Social Care Health and Safety Award</strong><br />Brian Harris<br />GOLD<br /></p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Housekeeping and Hospitality Award</strong><br /> Jo Davies<br />
GOLD<br /><br />Elizabeth Evans<br />SILVER<br /><br />Shani Withers<br />BRONZE<br /><br /><strong>Innovation in Residential Care for Children and Young People Award</strong><br /> Nicola Graham<br />GOLD<br /></p>
<p><strong>The Peter Clarke Award in Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People Award</strong><br /> Darren Jackson<br />GOLD<br /><br />Karen Hodges<br />
SILVER</p>
<p>Julie Jones<br />BRONZE<br /></p>
<p><strong>Excellence in Mental Health Award</strong><br />David Davies<br />GOLD<br /><br />Ann Chapman<br />SILVER<br /><br />Kathryn Taylor<br />BRONZE</p>
<p><br /><strong>Catering in Care Award</strong><br />Jayne Lee<br />GOLD (JOINT)<br /><br />Steve Coote<br />GOLD (JOINT)<br /><br />April Caldwell<br />BRONZE<br /><br /><strong>Dignity in Care Award</strong><br />Linda Jones<br />GOLD<br /><br />Peter Gough<br />GOLD<br /><br />Karen Woods<br />GOLD<br /><br />Gerry Humphries<br />GOLD</p>
<p><br /><strong>Spirit of Care Award</strong><br />Darren Jackson<br />WINNER</p>
<p><br /><strong>The Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award</strong><br />Eurwen Edwards, OBE, BEM<br />WINNER<br /></p>
<p><strong>Care Forum Wales Care Award for Exceptional Services to the independent social care sector</strong><br />Shokat Babul<br />WINNER<br /><br /> </p>Consultation on the use of the ‘dementia’ category in care homes in Wales
<p class=" "><strong>Consultation on the use of the ‘dementia’ category in care homes in Wales </strong><big><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JZWHZMW" class="moz-txt-link-freetext" title="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JZWHZMW">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JZWHZMW</a></big></p>
<ul type="disc" style="margin-top: 0cm">
<li class=" ">Currently in Wales, the Care and Social Services Inspectorate (CSSIW), the regulating body for adult social care, requires a care home to have gained registration within the ‘dementia category’ if they provide care for people with a dementia. </li>
<li class=" ">But in reality it is likely that many people with dementia are being cared for in places without the dementia registration. Current estimates suggest that two thirds of care home residents have a dementia, but only a third of care home beds are registered for the dementia category. </li>
<li class=" ">There is an argument that the current practice offers a disincentive to diagnose dementia in those who are already resident in a care home, in case they are required to move to a home registered within the dementia category. </li>
<li class=" ">Others argue that a dementia diagnosis in itself says little about a person’s needs, and it is ensuring that the person’s needs are met which should be the focus. </li>
<li class=" ">In England, categories of registration are no longer used. Instead, people are encouraged to refer to the care home’s ‘statement of purpose’ when deciding whether a care home can meet the needs of a person with dementia. </li>
</ul>
<p class=" "><br />These and related issues have prompted the CSSIW to commission DSDC Wales to undertake a consultation in relation to the potential impact of making changes to the categorisation of care homes in relation to dementia care in Wales. We would be most grateful for your views on the current situation, which will inform our recommendations concerning the potential impact of discontinuing the use of the ‘dementia category’. <span> </span><br />We would be extremely grateful if you could follow the link below and respond to the questions within the next two weeks. All answers will remain confidential. </p>
<p><br /><big><big><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JZWHZMW" class="moz-txt-link-freetext" title="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JZWHZMW">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JZWHZMW</a></big></big></p>
<p><br />For further details contact:</p>
<p>Professor Bob Woods <br />DSDC Wales, Bangor University, <br />43 College Road, Bangor LL57 2DG <br />Tel: +44 1248 383719 <br />e-mail: <a href="mailto:b.woods@bangor.ac.uk" class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" title="mailto:b.woods@bangor.ac.uk">b.woods@bangor.ac.uk</a> <br />web-site: <a href="http://www.bangor.ac.uk/dsdc" class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" title="http://www.bangor.ac.uk/dsdc">www.bangor.ac.uk/dsdc</a> <br />DSDC – the Bangor Centre for Research & Development on Dementia Care Services <br /></p>Wales Care Awards 2011 a resounding success
<p>More than 500 people attended the Wales Care Awards at City Hall, Cardiff on Friday October 21 in an awards ceremony highlighting the vital role of care workers and the social care sector to the people of Wales.</p>
<p>In a lively ceremony, ably hosted by BBC Wales newsreader Lucy Owen, nearly 50 care workers and managers received awards for their services to the social care sector in Wales.</p>
<p>Guest singer Shân Cothi wowed the crowd at the awards dinner where guests included the Welsh Government Health Minister, Lesley Griffiths, who presented all the winners with their awards.</p>
<p> Also present at the ceremony was Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Ruth Marks, along with politicians and hundreds of business people with links to the social care sector, as well as many social care workers themselves.<br /></p>
<p>To see the full list of winners: <a target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Wales%20Care%20Awards%20%20Winners%202011.pdf" onclick="" title="">WALES CARE AWARDS WINNERS 2011 </a></p>Wales Care Awards take place tonight
<p>THE Wales Care Awards take place in Cardiff's City Hall tonight (October 21).</p>
<p>The aim of the awards, first held in 2003, is to raise
public awareness of the vital contribution made by the social care
workforce to the health and wellbeing of the people of Wales. </p>
<p>Sponsored by Barclays Corporate, they will be held in the presence of The Right Honorable the Lord Mayor of the City and County of Cardiff and The Lady Mayoress, Councilor Professor Delme Bowen and Ms Pamela Morgan. </p>
<p>The awards will be presented by Mrs Gwenda Thomas, AM, Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services and are hosted by BBC Wales' TV news anchor Lucy Owen.<br /></p>Wales Care Awards shortlist announced
<h1>Wales Care Awards shortlist announced</h1>
<p><br />THE shortlist for the prestigious Wales Care Awards, which take place in Cardiff on October 21, has been announced.<br /><br />A total of 46 staff and organisations are up for one of 17 awards ranging from Nurse of the Year to the Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People. Categories where awards are given also include mental health care, dementia care, health and safety and catering.<br /><br />Mario Kreft, chairman of Care Forum Wales, said: “We look forward to celebrating the best practice in social care and the dedication of the workforce at the Wales Care Awards 2011.â€<br /></p>
<h2>Wales Care Awards - the shortlist in full: see <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/news/189">www.careforumwales.co.uk/care_awards</a><br /></h2>
<h2></h2><br />Wales Care Awards shortlist in full1 Supported Living Care Practitioner Award<br />Jakub Nowak<br />Senior Support Worker<br />Barchester Healthcare Ltd, Maesteilo Care Home<br />Carmarthenshire<br /><br />Beverley Millington<br />Care Practitioner<br />Independent Living Options<br />Wrexham<br /><br />Lisa Beckmann<br />Health Care Support Worker<br />April Complete Care Solutions Ltd<br />Bridgend<br /><br />2 Residential Care Practitioner Award<br />Rebecca Griffiths<br />Senior Care Practitioner<br />Highfield Nursing Home<br />Wrexham<br /><br />Stacey Howells<br />Assistant Manager<br />Barchester Healthcare - Maesteilo Care Home<br />Carmarthen<br /><br />Rhian Thomas<br />Care Assistant<br />Barleybind Ltd, Cartref Ael y Bryn<br /> <br />3 Leadership and Management in Residential Care Services Award<br />Mari Jones<br />Matron / Manager<br />St Catherine's Nursing Home (Summerhill Group)<br />Newport<br /><br />Deborah Wellington<br />General Manager<br />Barchester Healthcare Ltd, Maesteilo Care Home<br />Carmarthenshire<br /><br />Ann Hughes<br />Owner / Manager<br />Rhos Residential Home<br />Anglesey<br /><br />4 Leadership and Management in Supported Living Care Practitioner Award<br /><br />Jaymylee Colyer<br />Registered Manager<br />Care Management Group, Rogerstone House<br />Newport<br /><br />Lucie Williams<br />Registered Manager<br />Calon Lan Community Centre<br />Conwy<br /><br />Michelle Willis<br />Managing Director / Registered Manager<br />Carelink Homecare Service Ltd<br />Conwy<br /><br />5 Promoting Fulfilled Lives Award<br />Peter Gough<br />Care Assistant<br />Hallmark Healthcare, Cartref Annwyl Fan<br />Ammanford<br /><br />Keith Jones<br />Bridgend Practice Leader<br />Hafal Care<br />Bridgend<br /><br />Gerry Humphries<br />Activities Manager / Coordinator<br />Pendine Park Care Homes<br />Wrexham<br /><br />Wendy Parker<br />Activities Coordinator<br />Osbourne Care Homes Ltd (Ysguborwen)<br />Rhondda Cynon Taf<br /><br />6 Commitment to Training Workforce Development Award<br />Anne Dwyer Thomas<br />Training & Development Officer<br />Leonard Cheshire Disability - Llanhennock Lodge<br />Newport<br /><br />Sarah House<br />Training Manager<br />Ludlow Street Healthcare<br />Cardiff<br /><br />Wendy Harvey<br />Care Supervisor<br />All Care (South Wales)<br />Vale of Glamorgan<br /><br />7 Exceptional Newcomer Award<br />Karl Houldsworth<br />Support Worker<br />Cartref Ni Ltd<br />Flintshire<br /><br />Laura Emery<br />Care Practitioner<br />Care Inn, Beacon Lodge<br />Brynmawr, Ebbw Vale<br /><br />Jamie Jeffries<br />Support Worker<br />Elliots Hill Care Ltd<br />Pembrokeshire<br /><br />8 Nurse of the Year Award<br />Karen Woods<br />Registered Manager<br />Three Cliffs Care Home (Heart of Wales Ltd)<br />Swansea<br /><br />Colin Short<br />Clinical Nurse Specialist<br />Mental Health Care, Alexander House<br />Denbighshire<br /><br />Sarah Coleman<br />Deputy Manager<br />Craegmoor Healthcare, Willows Care Home<br />Rhonnda Cynon Taf<br /><br />9 Outstanding service Award<br />Rosalyn Wilmot<br />Care Support Worker<br />Leonard Cheshire Disability - Llanhennock Lodge<br />Newport<br /><br />Nina Wright<br />Registered Manager<br />Cartref Ltd<br />Cardiff<br /><br />Joyce Royle<br />Deputy Care Manager<br />Kinmel Health Care, Glen Devon<br />Denbighshire<br /><br />10 Excellence in Dementia Care Award<br />Mark Bailey<br />Managing Director<br />Fairways Care Ltd, Glyn Menai Dementia Care Centre<br />Bangor<br /><br />Sarah Coleman<br />Deputy Manager<br />Craegmoor Healthcare, Willows Care Home<br />Rhonnda Cynon Taf<br /><br />Catherine Ellis<br />Registered Manager<br />Gwynedd Council, Llys Cadfan<br />Gwynedd<br /><br />11 Leading Practice in Learning Disability Services Award<br />Linda Jones<br />Managing Director<br />Seren Ffestiniog Cyf. <br />Gwynedd<br /><br />Dorian Williams<br />Registered Manager<br />Ocean Community Services (Witla Court)<br />Cardiff<br /><br />12 The Social Care Health and Safety Award<br />Brian Harris<br />Facilities & Maintenance Manager<br />Aran Hall School<br />Gwynedd<br /><br />13 Excellence in Housekeeping and Hospitality Award<br />Elizabeth Evans<br />Domestic Supervisor<br />Oakville South Wales Ltd, Pentwyn House Nursing Home<br />Cardiff<br /><br />Shani Withers<br />Domestic Hallmark Healthcare, Cwrt Enfys Care Home<br />Swansea<br /><br />Jo Davies<br />Facilities Manager<br />Ludlow Street Healthcare<br />Cardiff<br /><br />14 Innovation in Residential Care for Children and Young People Award<br />Nicola Graham<br />Referals & Transitions Manager / CBT Therapist<br />Aran Hall School<br />Gwynedd<br /><br />15 The Peter Clarke Award in Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People Award<br />Darren Jackson<br />College Principal<br />Beechwood Court Ltd (Beechwood College)<br />Vale of Glamorgan<br /><br />Julie Jones<br />Registered Manager<br />Prospects for Young People<br />Wrexham<br /><br />Karen Hodges<br />Support Worker<br />ND Care and Support<br />Cardiff<br /><br />16 Excellence in Mental Health Award<br />David Davies<br />Service Manager of the Recovery Service<br />Wrexham County Borough Council Adult Social Care<br />Wrexham<br /><br />Ann Chapman<br />Registered Manager<br />Bodlondeb Care Home<br />Wrexham<br /><br />Kathryn Taylor<br />Clinical Nurse Specialist<br />Mental Health Care Ltd, Alexander House<br />Denbighshire<br /><br />17 Catering in Care Award<br />Jayne Lee<br />Head Chef<br />Hallmark Healthcare, Cartref Annwyl Fan<br />Carmarthenshire<br /><br />Steve Coote<br />Kitchen Supervisor<br />Leonard Cheshire Disability - Llanhennock Lodge<br />Newport<br /><br />April Caldwell<br />2nd Chef<br />Barchester Healthcare, The Rhallt<br />Powys<br /><br />ends<br /> Don't let cuts 'drive down quality of residential childcare' callTHE chairman of CFW's Residential Childcare Special Interest Forum has
said that providers need to work even harder to promote quality
placements for children in the face of cuts to social services budgets.<br />
<p><br />
Steve Elliott, who chairs the special interest group, said: "We're
facing a big challenge in the provision of placements for children who
need residential care as local authorities try to drive down the cost of
placements.<br /><br /> "The challenge for the sector is that we must
continue to ensure placements are based on children's needs," he said.
"We must continue to set targets for the best possible outcomes.<br /><br />
"As a group we have an important role to play in this and we must make
sure our voice is heard in these difficult times," added Mr Elliott.<br /><br />
The residential childcare workforce in Wales, including managers, is
estimated at around 2,200, compared with around 70,000 who work in the
broader social care sector. Yet the number of children needing
residential and specialist childcare is on the increase as recession
impacts on already struggling families.<br /> </p>Wales Care Awards only one month away - time to book your place
<p>The Wales Care Awards, which take place in Cardiff's City Hall on October 21 and are set to be hosted by BBC1 newsreader Lucy Owen, are just over a month away - and there's still time to book your place.</p>
<p>Tickets, priced at £84, include a three-course meal in the grand surroundings of City Hall. It's a great opportunity to network - including with Welsh Government deputy minister for children and social services Gwenda Thomas. </p>
<p>And it's your chance to celebrate the achievements of Wales' best carers and care providers.</p>
<p>If you'd like to book a place or a table, contact Sue Thomas at Care Forum Wales on 01978 752500<br type="_moz" /></p>Employers face 'RIDDOR' reporting changes from April 2012<u>RIDDOR reporting</u>
<p class=" ">Responsibility for lost time working accident to change from over 3 day to over 7 day reporting</p>
<p class=" ">From April 2012. For further details <a target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/HSE%20update.pdf" onclick="" title="">click here</a></p>Welsh Government launches anti-jargon guide to continuing healthcare assessment<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><strong>Welsh Government launches anti-jargon guide to continuing healthcare assessment </strong><br /><br />The Welsh Government has launched a document for frontline healthcare workers – and the general public – setting out in plain English how entitlement to continuing healthcare is decided.<br /><br />The document is primarily designed to be a communication aid for those assessing a person’s continuing health care needs. <br /><br />It aims help staff explain, in clear language, how a person’s needs are assessed – for example, that these are based on health needs rather than financial situation. <br /><br />However it is also hoped the document will be a useful guide for members of the public who may have a relative being assessed for continuing health care eligibility.<br /><br />A summary of the assessment process is included along with a guide to how long the process should take.<br /><br />The document can be found at: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/documents/continuingnhshealthcarecommunicationtoolv1.pdf<br /><br />More information: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/continuingnhshealthcare</span><br />Older People's Commissioner seeks assurance elderly patients' dignity
<p><strong>Older People’s Commissioner seeks assurance on dignity for elderly patients</strong><br /><br />The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Ruth Marks, has asked for further reassurance from health boards that robust measures to protect the dignity of elderly people in their care will be put in place.<br /><br />Health boards across Wales were given three months to respond to the damning report, published in March 2011, which said that older patients were being denied their basic human rights and hit out at “shamefully inadequate†care in some hospitals.<br /><br />In a letter to each of the health boards, Ms Marks said: “I have received many good responses, however no health board has provided me with enough information to fully assure me that the interests of older people will be safeguarded and promoted in hospitals in Wales.â€<br /><br />Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/cardiffonline/cardiff-news/2011/07/28/older-people-s-commissioner-more-needs-to-be-done-to-safeguard-dignity-91466-29134864/#ixzz1VBCfY8To <br /></p>
<p> </p>Come to CFW's autumn seminars - listed here
<p class=" " style="text-align: center;" align="center"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US"><font size="3">DIARY MARKERS FOR MEMBERS – EVENTS FOR MEMBERS</font></span></u></strong></p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US"></span><strong><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US"><span>C</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US">alling all nurses – workshops to support nurses in the independent sector.</span></u></strong></p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US"><font size="3">Care Homes Nursing Group Workshops </font></span></em></strong></p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US"><font size="3">– <span class="312562915-18072011">Thursday 22nd September 2011 - Optic Centre, St Asaph, North Wales and </span></font></span></em></strong></p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US"><font size="3"><span class="312562915-18072011">Wednesday 5th October 2011 - All Nations Centre, Cardiff.</span></font></span></em></strong></p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US"><font size="3">A new training network for nurses in the independent sector.<span> <a target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Booking%20Form%20Nursing%20Group%20workshop%20autumn%202011.pdf" onclick="" title="">Click here </a>to download b<span class="312562915-18072011">ooking form.</span></span></font></span></p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US"><font size="3"><span><span class="312562915-18072011"></span></span></font></span><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US"><font size="3">Keeping at the forefront of information and how to use it.</font></span></strong></p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: justify;" align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US"><font size="3"><u>Essential Update Seminars – commencing <span class="312562915-18072011">September</span> 2011</u></font></span></em></strong></p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US"><font size="3">The seminars will be held in partnership with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales (CSSIW), Care Council for Wales (CCW) and include CFW policy advisors presentations.<span> <a target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CFW%20booking%20form%20-%20Essential%20Update%20Seminars.doc" onclick="" title="">Click here </a>to download booking form</span></font></span> </p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US"><font size="3"><span><span class="312562915-18072011">Tuesday 20th September - All Nations Centre, Cardiff</span></span></font></span></p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US"><font size="3"><span><span class="312562915-18072011">Tuesday 27th September - Springfield Hotel, Holywell, North Wales</span></span></font></span></p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US"><font size="3"><span><span class="312562915-18072011">Thursday 29th September - Treetops Country Club, Swansea</span></span></font></span></p>CFW welcomes 'portable' CRB checks move
<p>CARE Forum Wales has welcomed the news that CRB checks for care staff are set to become 'portable' - saving care workers and their employers from re-applying and waiting for a CRB check every time an individual moves jobs.</p>
<p>The new regulations are set to take effect soon - details will follow for CFW members in our forthcoming series of Essential Update seminars - following a long campaign by CFW and other care sector organisations to streamline the CRB-checking process for staff with a valid, current check in place.</p>
<p> See website for list of seminars - to be announced soon.<br /></p>Elderly care crisis 'to get much worse' warns Radio 4 programme File On 4 today
<p id="story_continues_1" class="introduction">The government is set to begin a <a href="http://www.dilnotcommission.dh.gov.uk/"><font color="#1f4f82">major review</font></a> of the funding of elderly care in England. But in the face of massive financial pressures and an increasingly elderly population, what is going to be the true cost of balancing the books?</p>
<p>New figures seen by the BBC reveal struggling care homes are facing average real term cuts of 2.5% in fees from local councils.</p>
<p>Experts have warned this could mean many more face the same fate as Britain's biggest care provider <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13786633"><font color="#1f4f82">Southern Cross</font></a>, which this month narrowly avoided being forced into administration.</p>
<p>Preliminary figures from leading health economist William Laing reveal the extent of the squeeze across the sector.</p>
<p>Mr Laing carries out an annual survey of the fees councils pay to care homes. This year, there has been an average rise in fees across the UK of just 0.5%. This equates to a real terms cut of 2.5% after inflation is taken into account. </p>
<div class="story-feature narrow">Most councils have completely frozen their fees, which means a 3% real terms cut.</div>
<p class="story-feature narrow">Tonight File on 4 investigates how cutbacks are leaving elderly people with insufficient care, and councils with a major financial headache.</p>
<p class="story-feature narrow">The programme also hears from small care home providers who say they are being forced out of business because the fees local authorities now pay them are too low.</p>
<p class="story-feature narrow">For more information - File on 4 is on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday 28 June at 2000 BST and Sunday 3 July at 1700 BST. Listen again via the BBC iPlayer or download the podcast or click the link <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13896362" title="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13896362">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13896362</a></p>Learn about the Renewable Heat Incentive and modern wood heating
<p align="center" style="text-align: center; margin: 2.85pt 0cm"><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 120%; color: rgb(18,86,135); font-size: 24pt">Cool Heating</span></strong><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 120%; color: rgb(0,112,192); font-size: 8pt"> <br /></span></strong></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center; margin: 2.85pt 0cm"><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 120%; color: rgb(151,148,53); font-size: 18pt">Learn about the Renewable Heat Incentive and modern wood heating</span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; margin: 2.85pt 0cm">Learn how to save thousands on your heating bills. This government scheme should be of interest to all SME's with large heating bills. It is also particularly good if you have access to your own woodland. You may have heard of the feed in tariff scheme for renewable electricity, well the government have recently launched a similar scheme to encourage renewable heat:<br /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; margin: 2.85pt 0cm"><br /></p>
<p style="text-align: left; margin: 2.85pt 0cm"><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 120%; color: rgb(151,148,53); font-size: 14pt">Come to our free seminar to learn:</span></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 2.85pt 0cm 2.85pt 36pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; color: windowtext"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext">About the RHI and how it works</span></p>
<p style="margin: 2.85pt 0cm 2.85pt 36pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; color: windowtext"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext">Work out how save £’000’s on you or your client’s heating bills</span></p>
<p style="margin: 2.85pt 0cm 2.85pt 36pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; color: windowtext"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext">Explore how modern wood fuel boilers work in the real world</span></p>
<p style="margin: 2.85pt 0cm 2.85pt 36pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; color: windowtext"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext">Ensure wood fuels promote excellent air quality, and conform to sustainability standards</span></p>
<p style="margin: 2.85pt 0cm 2.85pt 36pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; color: windowtext"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext">Network with experts in policy, installation, boiler manufacturers and fuel suppliers </span></p>
<p style="margin: 2.85pt 0cm 2.85pt 36pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; color: windowtext"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext">Visit projects and speak to organizations who already use modern wood heating</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; margin: 2.85pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext"><br /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; margin: 2.85pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext">This ‘Cashback’ mechanism has a Government guaranteed fund of £860 million until 2014 and pays clients for 20 years who invest in a range of renewable heat technologies such as modern wood heating (wood chip and pellet boiler systems), plus solar water heating, heat pumps and bio-methane. <br /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; margin: 2.85pt 0cm"><br /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; margin: 2.85pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext">The</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: rgb(151,148,53)"> <strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.r-e-a.net/heat/Woodfuel-heat/coolheating" title="blocked::http://www.r-e-a.net/heat/Woodfuel-heat/coolheating">Cool Heating Campaign</a> </strong></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext">has been organized by Woodfuel Wales and the Renewable Energy Association (REA) inform clients and partners about the investment potential of the new Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) It is supported by the Forestry Commission and the Carbon Trust</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; margin: 2.85pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 120%; color: rgb(79,98,40); font-size: 8pt"> </span><br /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; margin: 2.85pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 120%; color: windowtext; font-size: 10pt">For more i<a target="_blank" href="http://www.woodfuelheat.org.uk/" title="blocked::http://www.woodfuelheat.org.uk/">nformation click here:</a></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; margin: 2.85pt 0cm"><a target="_blank" href="http://coolheatingnorthwales.eventbrite.com/" title="blocked::http://coolheatingnorthwales.eventbrite.com/"><span lang="EN-US" title="blocked::http://coolheatingnorthwales.eventbrite.com/" style="line-height: 120%; color: windowtext; font-size: 10pt">North Wales</span></a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; margin: 2.85pt 0cm"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 120%; color: windowtext; font-size: 10pt"><a target="_blank" href="http://coolheatingwales.eventbrite.com/" title="blocked::http://coolheatingwales.eventbrite.com/">South Wales</a><br /></span></p><br />Please get back to me if you would like more information, or if you know of other groups, businesses or organisations who may like to attend.<br /><br />Kind regards, <br /><br /><em>Liz Sleeper<br />On behalf of Wood Fuel Wales and REA Cool Heating<br /></em><font size="1">Mobile 07786 518 736</font><br /><br /><br />Elderly care in spotlight on Radio 4 tomorrow
<p>A Radio 4 documentary, File On 4, is set to tackle the controversial subject of elderly care in its latest programme on Radio 4 tomorrow night (Tuesday, June 28). </p>
<p>Care Forum Wales was among the professional bodies which provided views on
the issue of care for the elderly for the progamme which will be aired at 8pm on Radio 4 tomorrow night. </p>
<p>You can follow the programme link here: <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01247gy">www.bbc.co.uk/elderlycare</a></p>
<p> </p>Funding boost to help older people remain at home
<div id="article-abstract">It has been announced by Huw Lewis, Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage that the Care & Repair movement in Wales is to receive new funding of £1.5 million for Independent Living Grants (ILG) to help older people in Wales remain safe and well in their own homes.</div>
<div></div>
<div>Read more: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/housingandcommunity/2011/110616carerepair/?lang=en">http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/housingandcommunity/2011/110616carerepair/?lang=en</a></div>Wards to be spot-checked for dignified care of elderly
<div style="border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; text-align: left; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none;">
<p itxtnodeid="594" itxtharvested="0">UNANNOUNCED spot-checks are to be used to assess whether older patients are being treated with dignity on Welsh hospital wards.</p>
<p itxtnodeid="593" itxtharvested="0">Health Minister, Lesley Griffiths, today charged Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) with carrying out the checks, three months after Ruth Marks, Wales’ Older People’s Commissioner, published a damning report revealing how many elderly patients had been stripped of their dignity while being treated in hospital.</p>
<p itxtnodeid="592" itxtharvested="0">The report, Dignified Care?, which was published in March, contained shocking examples of how older patients had been denied their basic human rights and received “shamefully inadequate†care in Welsh hospitals.</p>Read More <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2011/06/14/wards-to-be-spot-checked-for-dignified-care-of-elderly-91466-28871574/#ixzz1PY49UlhQ" style="">http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2011/06/14/wards-to-be-spot-checked-for-dignified-care-of-elderly-91466-28871574/#ixzz1PY49UlhQ</a>
</div>£2m campaign aims to alter attitudes to mental health in Wales
<div style="border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; text-align: left; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none;">
<p itxtnodeid="558" itxtharvested="0">A MAJOR campaign to tackle stigma and discrimination of people with mental health problems will be launched in Wales today.</p>
<p itxtnodeid="557" itxtharvested="0">Three charities – Mind Cymru, Hafal and Gofal – have secured almost £2m to run the Time To Change Wales campaign.</p>
<p itxtnodeid="556" itxtharvested="0">The campaign hopes to emulate the success of Time To Change in England, which has featured England cricketer Marcus Trescothick, who gone public about how he has suffered from depression, and the Scottish See Me scheme, which was launched nine years ago.</p>Read More <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2011/06/13/2m-campaign-to-alter-the-attitudes-to-mental-health-91466-28866869/#ixzz1PY4iBH9i" style="">http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2011/06/13/2m-campaign-to-alter-the-attitudes-to-mental-health-91466-28866869/#ixzz1PY4iBH9i</a>
</div>Deputy Minister pledges continued work to stop elder abuse
<p>Following Health Minister Lesley Griffiths’ announced spot checks to ensure dignity in care, Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services Gwenda Thomas has also expressed a personal commitment to protecting older people.</p>
<p>She said:</p>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px">
<p>“It is over 10 years since the Welsh Government published ‘In Safe Hands’. At the time this guidance was a ground-breaking policy that looked at developing and implementing local arrangements for protecting vulnerable adults, many of whom were elderly."</p>
<p>The publication by the Welsh Government in March of ‘Sustainable Social Services in Wales: A Framework for Action’ gave a very clear statement that it was a basic right for everyone to be free from exploitation, abuse and neglect regardless of age. It also set out the Welsh Government’s intentions for the future which include establishing a National Safeguarding Board for Adults and Children.</p>
<p>Read more: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2011/110615elder/?lang=en">http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2011/110615elder/?lang=en</a></p>
</blockquote>Deputy Minister shows support for Carers' Week
<p>The theme of Carers’ Week 2011 is ‘The True Face of Carers’. The campaign aims to find out more about the reality of caring in the UK in 2011: how hard a carer’s life is; the biggest surprises encountered by those taking on a caring role; to what extent caring is a perpetual struggle or a richly rewarding experience; and how much support carers receive.</p>
<p>At least 70% of the care provided to vulnerable people in communities across Wales is given freely by unpaid carers, often family and friends. </p>
<p>Carers’ Week is an opportunity to celebrate their contribution and to raise awareness of some of the issues those carers face and to look at ways to give them the support they need.</p>
<p>Read more: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2011/110613carers/?lang=en">http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2011/110613carers/?lang=en</a></p>Launch of Nursing Group 'will help staff share best practice' - CFW
<p>TODAY sees the launch of a new initiative from Care Forum Wales (CFW) - the launch of a special interest group for nurses working in the care sector.<br /></p>
<p>The new Care Homes Nursing Group kicks off today with a seminar in Cardiff's City Hall. This will be followed next week by a seminar for North Wales-based staff with a meeting in Conwy Business Centre on June 15.<br /></p>
<p>The initiative is aimed at supporting CFW's nurse members by providing them with a forum in which they can share best practice and professional knowledge.</p>
<p>The Care Homes Nursing Group will be split into three branches - one in South East Wales, one in South West Wales and one in North Wales.<br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Mario Kreft, chief executive of Care Forum Wales, said: "These groups will provide a vehicle for the dissemination and sharing of information, providing support on professional and personal issues. It will also provide a link to the Welsh Government and commissioners and planners of are services."</p>
<p>Once established, the Nursing Group will identify its own agenda and define its future purposes. Members are welcome to book a place to attend the next meeting, in Conwy on June 15, or contact CFW for further information. Non-members are also welcome to attend for a small fee (£35 per delegate).<br /></p>
<p> </p>ends<br /><br />
<p> </p>Three English hospitals failing in care of elderly, Care Quality Commission inspection finds
<p>THE Care Quality Commission (CQC) today (May 26) published the first 12 reports from an inspection programme which will see it examine whether elderly people receive essential standards of care in 100 NHS hospitals in England.</p>
<p>Inspections will focus on whether people are treated with dignity and respect, and whether they get food and drink that meets their needs. A national report into the findings of the programme will be published in September.</p>
<p>These first 12 inspection reports identify three hospitals as failing to meet the essential standards required by law; Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust and Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust. Less serious concerns were identified in a further three hospitals, with the remaining six found to be meeting essential standards. All the hospitals where concerns have been identified must now tell the regulator how and when they will improve. The three hospitals failing to meet essential standards could face enforcement action by the regulator if improvements aren’t made.</p>
<p>While the reports document many examples of people being treated with respect and given personalised, attentive care, some tell a bleak story of people not being helped to eat and drink, with their care needs not assessed and their dignity not respected.</p>
<p>Recurring concerns relating to nutrition included:</p>
<ul>
<li>people not being given the assistance they needed to eat – meaning they struggled to eat and in some cases were physically unable to eat meals</li>
<li>their nutritional needs not being assessed and monitored – for example, not being weighed throughout their stay, making it impossible to determine if they were losing weight; or identified as malnourished without an action plan being put in place to address this</li>
<li>people not being given enough to drink – water left out of reach or no fluids given for long periods of time. In one case, a member of clinical staff described having to prescribe water on medicine charts to ensure patients got enough to drink. </li>
</ul>
<p>Recurring concerns around dignity and respect included:</p>
<ul>
<li>People not involved in their own care – their treatment not explained to them; being told what would happen to them without consent being sought or concerns addressed; staff addressing patients’ relatives rather than the patient themselves</li>
<li>Staff not treating people in a respectful way – spooning food into people’s mouths from above without engaging with them; discussing personal patient information in open areas. </li>
<li>Staff speaking to people in a condescending or dismissive way. One man told us that staff “talk to me as if I’m daft. “</li>
</ul>
<p>However, inspection teams also observed examples of excellent care delivered by nurses and other healthcare staff who took the time to explain every aspect of a patient’s care to them in a way they could understand, interacted with each patient as an individual, spoke to them with respect and ensured their dignity was maintained. And in many hospitals, nutrition and hydration were recognised as an important part of the patient’s recovery, and real efforts were made to ensure that people got meals they enjoyed in a pleasant environment - and the help they needed to eat it. One patient told us “I cannot praise them enough. I am made to feel that I am the most important person.†</p>
<p>Commenting on the publication of the first reports, Jo Williams, Chair of the CQC, said:</p>
<p>“CQC inspectors have been joined by a practising nurse and an ‘expert by experience’ in our dignity and nutrition inspections ,This has been invaluable to help us build a detailed picture of the care that older people are receiving in NHS hospitals today.</p>
<p>“Many of these reports describe people being ‘cared for’ in the truest sense. Sadly, however, some detail omissions which add up to a failure to meet basic needs - people not spoken to with respect, not treated with dignity, and not receiving the help they need to eat or drink. These are not difficult things to get right – and the fact that staff are still failing to do so is a real concern.</p>
<p>“I will be writing to the Chair of every hospital where this inspection programme has identified poor care to ask what they plan to do address these issues. The key elements that every hospital must have in place are a compassionate staff culture which is driven by strong leadership and supported by good systems.</p>
<p>“These are the basics that help ensure every patient is treated like an individual – not a nuisance to be ignored or a task that must be completed. This is what we expect for ourselves and for our own families, and what every patient should expect from the people who care for them.â€</p>
<p>Commenting on the publication of the first reports, Rt Hon Andrew Lansley the Secretary of State for Health, said:</p>
<p>“Everyone admitted to hospital deserves to be treated as an individual, with compassion and dignity. We must never lose sight of the fact that the most important people in the NHS are its patients – that’s why I wanted the CQC to look into the treatment of older patients and stamp out poor care fast. I also believe nursing expertise is vital to improve patient experience, which is why I asked the CQC to ensure these would be nurse-led.</p>
<p>“The inspection teams have seen some exemplary care, but some hospitals are not even getting the basics right. That is unacceptable.</p>
<p>“Where the inspections uncovered appalling levels of care, the CQC will be able to use its enforcement powers to ensure that real improvements are made. By measuring what is important and then publishing the results, I believe we can enter a new era of high quality NHS care for patients.</p>
<p>“In the future, I want our proposals for local HealthWatch organisations to be able to carry out unannounced independent inspections and hold local services to account by drawing on experience from patients and their families.â€</p>
<p><strong>- ends - </strong></p>Dementia patient's hospital treatment 'degrading'
<p class="introduction">A Scottish hospital has been severely criticised over the care of an 80-year-old woman with dementia. </p>
<p>The woman was admitted to a hospital ward with a chest infection which meant she had difficulty swallowing. </p>
<p>Before her death, she was given dozens of sedative doses over 16 days in ways the Mental Welfare Commission watchdog deemed distressing and unnecessary. </p>
<p>Both the woman, known as Mrs V, and the hospital have not been named to protect the identity of the woman's family. </p>
<p>Mrs V was admitted to a ward for the elderly in the general hospital in December 2008 after she developed a chest infection. She also had dementia. </p>
<div class="story-feature narrow"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13551728#story_continues_1" class="hidden">Continue reading the main story</a>
<h2 class="quote">“<span>Start Quote</span></h2>
<blockquote>
<p class="first-child">Our investigation revealed that nursing attitudes, medical decision-making and monitoring of medication were poorâ€</p>
</blockquote><span class="endquote">End Quote</span> <span class="quote-credit">Dr Donald Lyons</span> <span class="quote-credit-title">Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland</span>
</div>
<p id="story_continues_1">Over 11 days she was given no food and became increasingly agitated because she could not understand why people around her were eating. </p>
<p>She was given sedatives rectally 57 times and by injection 29 times, an amount described in a report as "astonishing". </p>
<p>Eventually, when she was allowed to eat small amounts, she became calmer and did not need as much sedation. The woman later died in hospital. </p>
<p>The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, which examined the case, said her treatment was degrading, unnecessary, and may have breached her human rights.</p>
<p>The commission's report, Starved of Care, said Mrs V was given repeated, uncomfortable and undignified administrations of sedative medication.</p>
<p><strong>'Not typical'</strong></p>
<p>Dr Donald Lyons, chief executive of the commission, said: "We found this to be a wholly inappropriate way to treat a person with severe dementia and life-threatening physical illness.</p>
<p>"Our investigation revealed that nursing attitudes, medical decision-making and monitoring of medication were poor, and that there was a complete lack of a shared view on the best way to manage people with dementia who become physically ill."</p>
<p>Several recommendations for improvement and better training have been made and subsequent visits to the hospital found care had been improved. </p>
<p>The recommendations to the NHS board involved included training on the management of delirium and use and misuse of medication, along with risk assessment guidance and triggers for advice from mental health specialists.</p>
<p>The commission added that visits to a range of general hospitals suggested the case was not typical of the care which people with dementia receive.</p>
<p>A Scottish government spokesman said the care given was "unacceptable".</p>
<p>He said: "Many of the issues the report identifies are already being addressed through the national dementia strategy published last summer. Work is well under way at national and local level to make these improvements and we expect that to continue over the coming months.</p>
<p>"For example, the strategy - Scotland's first ever for dementia - was clear that general care in acute hospitals needs to get better at identifying and supporting people who have dementia."</p>
<p>Standards of care for people with dementia are due to be published next week.</p>
<p>A spokeswoman from the Scottish Human Rights Commission said: "The possible infringements of core human rights principles as highlighted in the report - the right to dignity and to be free from degrading treatment - need to be taken seriously and lessons learned by all."</p>Elderly care costs could treble says OECD
<p id="story_continues_1" class="introduction">The cost of caring for the elderly could treble by 2050, according to a report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.</p>
<p>The body, which represents the most industrialised nations, estimates that 10% of people in OECD countries will be more than 80 years old by 2050.</p>
<p>That is up from 4% in 2010 and less than 1% in 1950.</p>
<p>The OECD <a blqgotrackinghref="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/go/news/health-13437528/ext/story-body/www.oecd.org/-/http://www.oecd.org/document/23/0,3746,en_2649_34629_47659479_1_1_1_1,00.html" href="http://www.oecd.org/document/23/0,3746,en_2649_34629_47659479_1_1_1_1,00.html"><strong><font color="#1f4f82">report</font></strong></a> said member countries are spending 1.5% of GDP on long term care.</p>
<p>It predicts spending as a share of economic output will double or even triple in the next forty years.</p><span class="cross-head">Overhaul</span>
<p>The report said countries must face up to the challenge of caring for ageing populations. It said a vision of long term care was needed and that "muddling through" was not an option.</p>
<p>Angel GurrÃa, OECD Secretary-General, said: "With costs rising fast, countries must get better value for money from their spending on long-term care.</p>
<p>"The piecemeal policies in place in many countries must be overhauled in order to boost productivity and support family carers who are the backbone of long-term care systems."</p>
<p>However, the report warns against relying too heavily on family members. It says low pay and hard working conditions result in a high turnover of care workers and that many countries were struggling to meet demand.</p>
<p>It says Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden had all increased retention by boosting pay and improving working conditions.</p>
<p>The OECD also said there was likely to be an increased need for migrant workers. </p>Workshops offer support for nurses in the independent sector
<p class=" " align="center" style="text-align: center"><strong><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri">DIARY MARKERS FOR MEMBERS – FREE EVENTS FOR MEMBERS</span></u></strong></p>
<p><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri">Calling all nurses – FREE workshops to support nurses in the independent sector.</span></strong></p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: justify"><strong><em><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri">FREE Care Homes Nursing Group Workshops – 8<sup>th</sup> and 15<sup>th</sup> June 2011</span></em></strong></p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri">A new training network for nurses in the independent sector.<span> </span>Dates for the workshops are 8<sup>th</sup> June – City Hall, <city w:st="on" />Cardiff</city /> and 15<sup>th</sup> June, Conwy Business Centre, Conwy.<span> To book <a target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CFW%20booking%20form%20nursing%20group%20seminar.doc" onclick="" title="">click here</a></span>.</span></p>
<p> </p>New Health Minister admits 'massive challenge' to improve Welsh NHS
<p><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">WALES’ new Health Minister has spoken of the “massive challenge†ahead of her as she pledged to target poor ambulance response times and flagging waiting lists.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="578" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">Lesley Griffiths, the first <place w:st="on">North Wales</place> AM to hold the health portfolio, said she would listen to and act on the concerns of frontline NHS staff.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="577" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">Speaking during her first ministerial visit to the University Hospital of Wales, in <city w:st="on">Cardiff</city>, where she toured the emergency department, Ms Griffiths said her immediate priority would be to deliver Labour’s key manifesto commitments.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="576" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">These include extending GP opening hours in the evenings and on Saturday mornings and introducing free health MoTs for the over 50s.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt"><!-- Copyright 2008 DoubleClick, a division of Google Inc. All rights reserved. --><!-- Code auto-generated on Fri May 06 09:30:48 EDT 2011 -->She said: “My priorities have to be those that were set out before the people of <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region> – better access to <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/##" id="itxthook0"><span class="itxtrstitxtrstspanitxthookspan"><u><span style="color: darkgreen"><span id="itxthook0w0" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 0%; font-color: inherit">GPs</span></span></u></span></a> at weekends and in the evenings and introducing health checks.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="573" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">“We have a shrinking budget from <city w:st="on">Westminster</city> so we will have to look at priorities and where we can save money but we are not going to go the way of the UK Government – we don’t want to see privatisation.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="572" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">“I also want to look at ambulance response times, which is something I’ve picked up from my own advice surgeries and I need to look at waiting times. We have met these targets but I don’t want to see them slip.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="571" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">“Priorities have to include taking forward things like an organ donation bill and in terms of access to GPs, I need to look at the GP contract to make sure we can negotiate these issues.â€</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="570" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">Asked why she will not reconsider Labour’s flagship free prescriptions policy to save money – a manifesto pledge put forward by the Welsh Conservatives – she said: “People really value free prescriptions. It keeps people in work and we know that worklessness leads to poor health.â€</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="569" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">Ms Griffiths is <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region>’ fourth health minister, taking over from previous incumbent Edwina Hart, who has been appointed Business Minister in the new Labour administration.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="568" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">Like previous health ministers, she has been quick to say she will listen to frontline staff, saying: “By going out and meeting frontline staff I can pick up things that can be taken forward.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="567" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">“I have a lot of friends in the NHS – they are so dedicated and committed. You rarely find anyone who hasn’t gone into it without that commitment and I don’t just mean doctors and nurses.â€</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="566" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">Ms Griffiths, a former medical secretary who worked in the NHS for 20 years, assumes political control of the NHS at a time when it is facing an “unprecedented†financial situation – 10 years of growth in the health budget are now over.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="565" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">The NHS faces three years of a real-terms reduction in its budget at the same time as demand for its services is increasing as a result of an ageing population blighted by long-term chronic ill health and by rising patient expectations.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="564" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">Orthopaedic waiting times are continuing to breach the Government’s 26-week target in <place w:st="on">South Wales</place>, although Mrs Hart had previously pledged extra money to reduce waiting times.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="563" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">Ms Griffiths will be responsible for delivering the Government’s long-term vision of a world-class health service, which treats more patients closer to home.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="562" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">Her tenure as Health Minister will also coincide with a series of tough decisions about what services the NHS provides – and where.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="561" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">A series of controversial clinical reviews questioning the future of emergency and consultant-led services at hospitals in <place w:st="on">North Wales</place> has already been opposed by patients and health professionals. Those reviews are expected to recommence following the elections.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="560" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">Other health boards are likely to follow suit as they look for ways to save money while still providing core services.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="559" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">Ms Griffiths, AM for Wrexham, said: “Some people have said you will never win and I suppose it’s true you can never have enough money.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="558" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">“The NHS is something that people in <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region> hold dear to their hearts – all of us use the NHS; all of us will have an experience and something to say about it but I think we have an NHS that we should be immensely proud of.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="557" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">“It is a massive challenge but I’m hugely privileged and this is something I am looking forward to.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="556" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">“As the First Minister said, it’s about delivering and I know I have to deliver.</span></p>
<p itxtnodeid="555" itxtharvested="0"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">“We have to make sure the policies going forward are the right ones. We will be judged very much on what happens this term, which is why we have to get it right.â€</span></p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 9pt">Read More <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/05/18/new-wales-health-minister-s-massive-challenge-91466-28713262/#ixzz1MhTbTSVd"><span style="color: #003399">http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/05/18/new-wales-health-minister-s-massive-challenge-91466-28713262/#ixzz1MhTbTSVd</span></a></span></p>Call for social services to be top of agenda for new Welsh Government
<p>Care Forum Wales has launched a manifesto which calls for the 'renewal' of social care services in Wales - and for social care to be put at the top of the new Welsh Government's political agenda.</p>
<p>According to CFW, the challenges facing newly-elected AMs include:</p>
<p>* listening to people in Wales who use services and respecting their choices about where and how their needs are met</p>
<p>* recognising the value of the social care workforce by promoting workforce training initiatives</p>
<p>* ensuring public sector agencies recognise the contribution and role of the independent care sector</p>
<p>* making sure 'value for money' takes into account the quality of care being delivered<br /></p>Other key aspects of the manifesto call for funding that enables quality services to be provided, making sure services specified are proportionate to the costs of providing them - and ensuring the services provided are based on the needs of the person, not "bureaucratic criteria". Edwina Hart makes way for Lesley Griffiths as Health and Social Services Minister
<p>It's all change at the department for health and social services at the Welsh Assembly Government following First Minister Carwyn Jones' announcement of his new cabinet today (May 13).</p>
<p>He announced former health minister Edwina Hart would move to the business portfolio - making way for former skills minister, Lesley Griffiths, as Health and Social Services Minister.</p>
<p>Labour AM for Wrexham Ms Griffiths was born and raised in north east Wales and spent 20 years working in the NHS for Wrexham Maelor Hospital before embarking on a career in politics. She was elected as AM for Wrexham in 2007 and was appointed as Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills in December 2009.<br /></p>
<p>Gwenda Thomas has been reappointed as Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services, a role she held in the last Assembly.</p>
<p>For full details of Mr Jones' new cabinet follow the link: <a onclick="" title="" target="_top" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/admin?option=news&edit=1&">wales.gov.uk/newsroom/firstminister/2011/cabinet</a></p>
<p>For more about the new Health Minister, follow the link: <a onclick="" title="" target="_top" href="www.lesleygriffiths.org/about.html">www.lesleygriffiths.org/about</a><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>ends<br /></p>
<p><br /></p>Information given to care home residents 'improving' - OFT report
<p>CLEARER information on fees and contracts is now being given to potential care home residents and their families, according to a new report by the Office of Fair Trading (report of May 6).</p>
<p>In its report, the OFT compared the quality of information being given now to would-be residents with that in 2005. It found that more care home users are now being given a contract with terms and conditions and that it was easier to get a detailed breakdown of fees.<br /></p>
<p>The research, carried out by GHK Consulting, was based on interviews with care home residents, a survey of care homes, a mystery shopping exercise, and
a survey of local authorities. </p>
<p>It revealed:</p>
<ul>
<li>94 per cent of care homes say they provide residents with a
contract or statement of terms and conditions, compared with 82 per cent
six years ago</li>
<li>90 per cent of mystery shopper callers were able to obtain
information on fee levels, and 79 per cent of care homes surveyed now
report that they provide detailed price lists to prospective residents </li>
<li>following an OFT recommendation to establish a 'one stop shop'
for information, the First Stop Care Advice service was set up which,
alongside the Care Information website and helpline in Scotland, has
seen high rates of satisfaction.</li>
</ul>
<p>Care Forum Wales' Mike Kemp, who contributed to the research, said: "We aim to promote best practice among our members who run care homes and care homes groups - and this includes providing clear information to would-be residents and their families. I am pleased to have been able to help contribute to this research and that the picture is improving across the country."</p>
<p>To read the full report: <a onclick="" title="" target="_blank" href="www.oft.gov.uk/news-and-updates/press/2011/57-11">www.oft.gov.uk/news/carehome_information</a><br type="_moz" /></p>
<p>ends<br type="_moz" /></p>Free 'introduction to social care' course up for grabs
<p>A free course offering an introduction to health and social care is up for grabs for care sector staff. The course includes modules on making care safer and different care settings - and would be ideal for newcomers to the sector or as a refresher for experienced staff to<span lang="EN-GB"> build confidence and
skills, and provide a career boost. </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB">The course which is delivered by the Open Unisersity, is described by the </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">organiser, the Community Lives Consortium in Swansea, as "broad, interactive and practical".</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB"></span><span lang="EN-GB">It says, "This course takes you into the lives of
care workers and care service users by using the latest interactive study
techniques delivered by the Open University. You will complete frequent
activities to set you thinking – drawing on your own ideas and experience to
deepen your learning and help you understand the essentials of good
practice."</span></p>
<p>The course, normally costing £650, is being sponsored by the Open University and Unison and is<span style="font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB"> open to non-union members* (*although Unison members get priority). </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #7b3dff;">To sign up contact Karen or Nicola on 01792 646640</span>.</span></p>Course modules:
<ul>
<li> making care safer</li>
<li>diverse communities and resources for care</li>
<li>people and places: care settings</li>
<li>the shaping of care services in the UK</li>
<li>who cares? the sensitivity of care situations</li>
<li>working with life experience: care needs<br type="_moz" /></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB"></span></p><span style="font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #7b3dff;"><br /></span></span>Sign up for FREE dignity in care workshops - help make your organisation a 'dignity champion'
<p class=" " style="text-align: center;" align="center"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US">DIARY MARKERS FOR MEMBERS – FREE EVENTS FOR MEMBERS</span></u></strong></p>
<p class=" "><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US">How to make your organization a Dignity Champion.</span></strong></p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US">FREE Dignity in Care Workshops – 5<sup>th</sup>, 17<sup>th</sup>, 19<sup>th</sup> & 26<sup>th</sup> May 2011 </span></em></strong></p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US">Time - 9.30 - 3.15</span></em></strong></p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;" lang="EN-US">Care Forum Wales is being supported through the Welsh Assembly Government Dignity in Care initiative to provide members with an important <strong>FREE</strong> training opportunity. Please see newsletter and <a target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Booking%20form%20Dignity%20in%20Care%20Workshops.doc" onclick="" title="">booking form </a>for further details.</span></p>
<p> </p>Four days left to nominate for Wales Care Awards 2011
<p>The deadline for nominations for the Wales Care Awards has been extended to April 29 - so you have just under a week to nominate some of the unsung heroes of the care industry.</p>
<p>The Wales Care Awards 2011, which will take place on Friday October 21 at City Hall, Cardiff, are the brainchild of Care Forum Wales which aims to raise the status of the social care profession - and emphasise the value of the many thousands of social care workers who provide such an important service across Wales. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Short-listed nominees will receive either a bronze, silver or gold Wales Care Award, invitation for themselves and a guest to the Gala Award Ceremony including free overnight accommodation at a 5* hotel.</span></p>
<p>To nominate, and find out about the many awards categories, please <a target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Care%20Awards%20form%202011%20with%20category%20guidance.doc" onclick="" title="">click</a> to download form: <a target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Care%20Awards%20form%202011%20with%20category%20guidance.doc" onclick="" title=""></a></p>New senior policy adviser for Care Forum Wales
<p>Mary Wimbury joins Care Forum Wales as senior policy advisor. She takes over from Barry Latham who retired recently after 13 years service with Care Forum Wales.</p>
<p>Mary Wimbury joins Care Forum Wales from the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust, an educational charity, which she was director for just over five years. She has previously worked in London, undertaking a variety of lobbying and communications roles, for the BBC and local government organisations. Mary moved to North Wales in 2010 following her husband’s appointment to a job based in Colwyn Bay.</p>
<p>Mary can be contacted at <a href="mailto:enquiries@careforumwales.com">enquiries@careforumwales.com</a></p>
<p> </p>Barry Latham retires from Care Forum Wales after 13 years service
<p>Barry Latham, senior policy advisor for Care Forum Wales retired in April after 13 years' service with Care Forum Wales.</p>
<p>Mr Latham, from Abergele won the Lifetime Achievement Award at last year's Wales Care Awards in Cardiff. He started his working life as a chartered civil engineer. He retired from local government after 20 years in 1996 and became a CFW policy adviser in Ocotober 1997.</p>
<p>"It's been a very interesting and rewarding job," said Mr Latham. "I am a civil engineer by profession but I've had a lot more satisfaction out of this role."</p>
<p>Mario Kreft, honorary chief executive of Care Forum Wales, paid a heartfelt tribute to Mr Latham, thanking him for his "immense contribution" to the independent care sector in Wales. </p>
<p>He said: "The detailed policy work that Barry did for us has played a vital role in supporting people in the front line of social care. We wish him and his wife Andrea a long and happy retirement."</p>
<p>Mr Latham plans to hitch up his caravan for some serious home and abroad touring in retirement - happy travels!</p>CFW launches Manifesto
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">A campaign has been launched to give government care inspectors greater powers to stop local authorities flouting statutory guidance.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">According to Care Forum Wales, there are numerous examples of “irrational behaviour†when councils commission services to look after elderly and vulnerable people.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">The organisation, which is the main representative body of the care sector in <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region />, is calling for stricter enforcement of official guidelines..</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">The plea to the new Welsh Assembly Government is contained in a manifesto published by Care Forum Wales. Click here to download the <a target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CFW_Manifesto.pdf" onclick="" title="">CFW Manifesto</a>.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">Honorary Chief Executive Mario Kreft explained: “The important part of the manifesto is putting service users and social care workers at the heart of all we do in <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region />.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“We’re seeing still some quite irrational behaviour by social service departments as they try to balance budgets without fully involving service users, care providers and the social care workforce.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt"><span> </span>“The new Government needs to give the Care Standards Inspectorate for <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region /> greater powers to ensure that they follow statutory guidance when they are commissioning services.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“One of the most important aspects is that the people who are affected by change are being consulted and that primarily is service users.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt"><span> </span>“A couple of years ago we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)and the other signatories included the Welsh Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“It was a ground-breaking agreement in the <country-region w:st="on" />UK</country-region /> to provide a framework for working together but already there is little evidence in some areas that it’s worth more than the paper it’s written on.</span>
<p> </p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“We want to go back to those basic principles on which good partnership working is based..</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“At the moment we seem to be faced with departments obsessed with cutting budgets but they don’t seem to have the wherewithal to understand the problems and get a much better service with the providers they’ve got.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“There are authorities that have changed their arrangements without working with providers and consulting with service users and their families.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt"><span> </span>“There is an irrational approach to tendering. Social care is different to buying a widget for a car or something that can be easily imported from another country in <place w:st="on" />Europe</place />.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“We don’t have to go down the route of compulsory competitive tendering. We have agreed and accepted in <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region /> that the market alone should not be the determining factor in commissioning services.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“A tendering process driven by purely market forces is contrary to the public service ethos.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“The bottom price will almost certainly not provide the level and quality of services of the reliability and sustainability that we want.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“Under European legislation, there is an opportunity to work with existing providers<span> </span>and others to bring about a new way of working.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“What we’re seeing in far too many local authority areas is this irrational behaviour playing out and closing off the opportunities for innovation we would like to adopt.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“We need to streamline the commissioning process so that we can deliver better and more cost-effective services for <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region />.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“There’s a lot to be said for spending the Welsh pound in <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region />. We don’t necessarily need to bring in multi-national companies to provide a first class service.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“We can work with very good small and medium social care enterprises that<span> </span>already exist and do a damn good job.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“There is lack of understanding in social services departments that they can get the outcomes that they want as a local authority by working through local partnerships as agreed in the MOU.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“We have rising demand and scarce resources. We don’t need to follow a one size fits all tendering process – we can be imaginative.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“How can it be right that a voluntary or not for profit organisation offering a fantastic service can be excluded from the tendering process if they are not part of an approved list which is effectively a closed shop over a fixed term.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">Sadly, our experience suggests that unless, the Assembly gives the Care Standards Inspectorate greater powers including sanctions we may well be having the same discussion in 10 years’ time when many of <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region />’s social care enterprises have been consigned to history.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“What we want to ensure that local government is made to follow the law and comply with statutory guidance.<span> </span></span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“We all have to abide by the law and we expect best practice in terms of commissioning social care services.. </span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“It seems to me unforgiveable that, in a country that was the first in the world to appoint and Older Person’s Commissioner, that the people affected by changes are not being consulted about them.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“The inspectorate is already looking into the situation in <city w:st="on" />Cardiff</city /> where service users were not engaged and we are now urging the new Government to look into a similar situation in <place w:st="on" />North Wales</place />.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“We have the highest proportion of older people in the <country-region w:st="on" />UK</country-region /> and it is now time to show leadership and an understanding of the medium to long term effects of policy.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt">“Something has to be done and we are hoping the new Government is going to get a grip of the situation.â€</span></p>
</p>
<p> </p>FREE Commissioning Workshops
<p class=" " align="center" style="text-align: center"><strong><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri">DIARY MARKERS FOR MEMBERS – FREE EVENTS FOR MEMBERS</span></u></strong></p>
<p class=" "><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri">Planning for Success - Is your business well placed to meet the challenges of the next 5 years?</span></strong></p>
<p class=" "><strong><em><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri">FREE Commissioning Workshops<span> </span>- 19<sup>th</sup> , 20<sup>th</sup> and 28<sup>th</sup> April 2011</span></em></strong></p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri">A series of three <strong>FREE</strong> events on commissioning guidance are being organized in April.<span> </span>Please see newsletter for further details.<span> </span>To book – complete the <a target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CFW%20booking%20form%20commissioning%20guidance.doc" onclick="" title="">application form</a>.</span></p>FREE Essential Update Seminars – commencing June 2011
<p class=" " align="center" style="text-align: center"><strong><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri">DIARY MARKERS FOR MEMBERS – FREE EVENTS FOR MEMBERS</span></u></strong></p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: justify"><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri">Keeping at the forefront of information and how to use it.</span></strong></p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: justify"><strong><em><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri">FREE Essential Update Seminars – commencing June 2011</span></em></strong></p>
<p class=" " style="text-align: justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri">The seminars will be held in partnership with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales (CSSIW), Care Council for Wales (CCW) and include CFW policy advisors presentations.<span> </span>Further details to follow.</span></p>
<p> </p>Charities to launch 'toolkit' to safeguard elderly from abuse
<h4>Charities to launch 'toolkit' to help safeguard elderly people from abuse</h4>
<p class="intro">Age Cymru and Age UK are to launch an 'elder abuse awareness' toolkit in Cardiff on May 5.</p>
<p>Designed to help Third Sector organisations develop and promote good practice among staff and volunteer teams when it comes to safeguarding elderly people from abuse, the toolkit is being launched at a series of workshops in England and Wales.</p>
<p>Louise Hughes, elder abuse programme manager at Age Cymru, will give a keynote speech on the importance of identifying and preventing abuse. </p>
<p>And a local government member of staff will explain how Third Sector organisations can make a valuable contribution to 'safeguarding' in Wales.</p>
<p>The workshop will take place in the Marriot Hotel, Cardiff on May 5 starting at 12 noon, with registration and networking opportunities over lunch. </p>
<p>Speeches and activities will begin at 1 pm and finish at 4 pm. Reasonable travel expenses to the event, in excess of £30, will be reimbursed. </p>
<p>For more information and to book a place email <a href="mailto:ffion.jones@agecymru.org.uk">ffion.jones@agecymru.org.uk</a> or visit <a href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/professional-resources/elder-abuse-resources/">http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/professional-resources/elder-abuse-resources/</a><br /></p>Older People's Commissioner's report condemns care of elderly in Welsh hospitals
<p>A report by the Old People's Commissioner in Wales, Ruth Marks, has hit out at the "shocking" care some elderly patients with dementia receive in Welsh hospitals.</p>
<p>Ruth Marks said: "The treatment of too many older people in Wales is shamefully inadequate,". She went on, "What I found really shocking was the difference in experience that older people have in hospitals in Wales."</p>
<p>The report, Dignified Care, was released today (March 14, 2011). Among its 12 recommendations, the report calls for stronger leadership on hospital wards and better training for staff especially on caring for people with dementia.</p>
<p>The Commissioner has called for ‘fundamental change’ to ensure that older
people are always treated with dignity and respect when they are in
hospital - and reminded health organisations that she has legal powers
to bring about change if necessary.
<br /></p>
<p>While it highlights good practice in some Welsh hospitals, the report
also includes distressing testimony from patients, their families and
from an independent panel of inquiry.</p>
<p><a onclick="" title="" target="" href="www.olderpeoplewales.com/index.php?id=504&L=0">www.olderpeoplewales.com/index.php?id=504&L=0</a></p>
<p>Read More <a style="color: #003399;" href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2011/03/14/damning-report-blasts-the-care-of-elderly-in-hospital-91466-28329549/#ixzz1GaDidEY9">http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2011/03/14/damning-report-blasts-the-care-of-elderly-in-hospital-91466-28329549/#ixzz1GaDidEY9</a><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><br type="_moz" /></p>Local taxpayers' £278,000 bill after Pembrokeshire care home fees row
<p>THE legal battle over the fees paid by Pembrokeshire County Council to four local care homes has cost council taxpayers more than a quarter of a million pounds, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act.</p>
<p>The figures, obtained by the Western Telegraph last week (March 9, 2011), show that the case which ended after a High Court judicial review, has cost £278,000. </p>
<p>This figure includes legal costs, a back payment of £69,506 ordered by the court, plus an interim payment of £24,784 made during the case, according to the paper. </p>
<p>The judicial review in December 2010 followed fears that four Pembrokeshire care homes could be forced to close - they said the weekly fees paid by the council were too low. </p>
<p>However after the review the council was ordered to increase its payments to care homes and a weekly fee of £448 per resident, per week was set for 2010 to 2011. </p><a name="commentsList"></a>
<div id="commentsList" class="comCol"><a name="show"></a></div>
<div id="three">
<div id="innerCol">For more information:<a target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/8899473.Pembrokeshire_council_tax_payers_face___278_000_care_home_court_case" onclick="" title=""> www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/care_home_court_case</a></div>
</div>
<p> </p>Brain scans to help early Alzheimer's diagnosiswww.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12653306 Collaboration to strengthen clinical research in Wales
<div id="article-abstract">An initiative to increase clinical research capacity and build links with industry and other research funders has been launched by Wales’s National Institute for Social Care and Health Research (NISCHR).</div>
<div>
<p>The initiative has been established to create an all-Wales collaboration between health boards, NHS trusts and universities to strengthen clinical research.</p>
<p>This underlines Wales’ commitment to creating a dynamic research environment that contributes to the health and wealth of the country.</p>
<p>As well as aiming to increase collaboration with the commercial sector, the initiative will increase cross-working between universities and the NHS in Wales to maximise leading-edge research, innovation in health services and transferability of knowledge into clinical practice.</p>
<p>NISCHR is launching the Academic Health Science Collaboration (AHSC) at an event at the Millennium Stadium.</p>
<p>Wales’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Jewell, will chair the event and speakers include a number of recognised figures in the clinical, commercial and higher education fields.</p>
<p>Further information available from <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2011/110303collaboration/?lang=en">http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2011/110303collaboration/?lang=en</a></p>
</div>Care Forum Wales celebrates 18th birthday
<p>Care Forum Wales today (March 1) celebrates its 18th birthday.</p>
<p>Honorary chief executive of Care Forum Wales, Mario Kreft, said, "It's happy birthday to St David and happy birthday to us.</p>
<p> "We look forward to continuing to serve the independent care sector in Wales for another 18 years, working to improve standards across the sector so we can ensure all those who need it get the best possible standards of care."<br /></p>Appointments to the Care Council for Wales
<div id="article-abstract">Three members have been re-appointed to the Care Council for Wales (CCW), the Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas has announced.</div>
<div>
<p>The Care Council for Wales is responsible for regulating the social care workforce, regulating training and discharging workforce development functions.</p>
<p>The re-appointed members are Stephen Elliott, Amelia Lyons and Kate Hawkins</p>
<p>Mrs Thomas said:</p>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px">
<p>“I am very pleased to announce these re-appointments to the Care Council of Wales as each Member brings specific expertise and years of experience that reflect the wide range of interests in the field of social care.â€</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The Care Council for Wales is an Assembly Government Sponsored Body with the remit for regulation of social workers and social care workers. It has the responsibility to set and promote high standards of conduct and practice among social workers and social care workers and high standards in their training. </p>
<p>The Council strives to promote high standards and quality care services to ensure that children and adults who are receiving services have confidence in the safeguards in place so that they can rely on a workforce that is properly trained, appropriately qualified and effectively regulated.</p>
<h5><u>Biographies</u> </h5>
<p><strong>Stephen Elliott (Professional Organisations)</strong> </p>
<p>Stephen Elliott is a practitioner within social care and social work and is a member of the Social Care Association and a committee member of BASW Cymru. He is on the UK Register of Expert Witnesses, and joins the Council to represent the views of professional organisations. He is Co-Director of Prospects for Young People, which he co-founded in 1994, and has considerable experience in both field and residential social work settings at practitioner and management level. He was a Children’s Guardian for over 15 years, and was involved in both public and private law proceedings. Stephen is a member of the Investors in People North East Wales Recognition Panel, and Chair of the North Wales Barnardos Adoption and Fostering Panels.</p>
<p><strong>Amelia Lyons (Education and Training)</strong> </p>
<p>Amelia Lyons is Dean of the School of Health & Social Services at the University of Wales, Newport. Having formerly worked in management research and consultancy for the leisure and tourism industry, Amelia then trained and practiced as a counsellor and supervisor, before joining the University of Newport in 1990 as a lecturer. She later became Head of Department and then Dean of School. The work of the school includes social work, youth work, psychology, criminology, health, sport and counselling. Amelia’s interests include troubleshooting, team building and how the development of self awareness can enhance the individuals’ ability to learn. Amelia is also now a training Group Analyst and is currently investigating online methods of support for individuals and groups.</p>
<p><strong>Kate Hawkins (Education and Training)</strong> </p>
<p>Kate Hawkins is a senior social care lecturer based in Pembrokeshire. She has established a range of generic and specialised social care training courses for paid staff, volunteers, and unpaid carers who are part of the social care workforce in West Wales. She has worked collaboratively with a range of organisations to promote high standards of care and a shared value base. Kate was an integral part of the pilot scheme for delivering the City & Guilds Certificate in Personal Care and Learning for Unpaid Carers, which won a Social Care Accolade in 2005. Most recently, Kate has worked with Agored Cymru to set up an Access to Higher Education pathway which gives an opportunity for adult learners to progress to a Social Work degree.</p>
</div>Assembly social services plan welcomed by Care Forum Wales' chief executive
<p>Mario Kreft, chief executive of Care Forum Wales, has welcomed the Welsh Assembly Government's proposals which will see councils team up in future to deliver social care.</p>
<p>Speaking to the Western Mail after the launch of the new framework, Sustainable Social Services For Wales: A Framework For Action, Mr Kreft hailed the new plans as "a victory for common sense".</p>
<p>The document, launched by Deputy Social Services Minister Gwenda Thomas yesterday (February 17, 2011), recognises that 22 separate council departments can no longer deal with a
rising demand and tackle a national postcode lottery in care unless they work together. </p>
<p>Local authorities have until the end of the year to outline
proposals to the Assembly Government as to how they will work together
in future. Officials have made it clear that the status quo is not an
option.</p>
<p>Mr Kreft added: "We, like many other organisations, have been stressing that we simply
cannot sustain 22 different ways of commissioning services with
different eligibility criteria.â€</p>
<div style="overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br />Read more <a style="color: #003399;" href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/02/18/councils-social-services-pushed-into-co-operation-91466-28191247/#ixzz1EKo6HK1U">http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/02/18/councils-social-services-pushed-into-co-operation-91466-28191247/#ixzz1EKo6HK1U</a><br /></div>
<p> </p>
<div style="overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /></div>
<p> </p>New social care blueprint is victory for common sense
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">A new blueprint for looking after vulnerable people and children in <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region> has been hailed as a victory for common sense. T<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">o download the guidance <a target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/FINAL%20VERSION%20ENGLISH.pdf" onclick="" title="">click here</a>.</span></span> </p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">The Welsh Assembly Government’s White Paper on social care will help to slash red tape and concentrate resources on front line services.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">The document, Sustainable Social Services for <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region>: a Framework for Action, was unveiled in <city w:st="on">Cardiff</city> today (Wednesday, February 17) by <personname w:st="on">Gwenda Thomas</personname>, Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">The aim is to create three regional hubs to take over responsibility for commissioning services from the 22 local authorities in <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region>.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">The White Paper was welcomed by Care Forum Wales (CFW), the main body representing the independent social care sector in <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region>.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">According to Care Forum Wales, it was particularly pleased that plans for a national approach to assessing the needs of vulnerable people would help to end the postcode lottery in care and help to reduce pressure on the NHS.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">The White Paper was published against a backdrop of cash-strapped local authorities paying “unrealistic fees†to independent care providers and a “lack of partnership working†from them.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">CFW believes a better integration of the independent sector will help to reduced bed blocking in hospital by providing more appropriate and more cost-effective care in the community.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">Chief Executive <personname w:st="on">Mario Kreft</personname> said: “Care Forum Wales would like to commend the Deputy Minister, <personname w:st="on">Gwenda Thomas</personname>, for the leadership she has shown and her commitment to the dignity in care and partnership agenda.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“Mrs Thomas and her colleagues have done an exemplary job in devising a new and coherent vision for the future.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US"><span> </span>“It’s been based on a wide-ranging consultation through an independent commission and it’s an opportunity we must seize.â€</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“We’re delighted with the White Paper because it’s a victory for common sense.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“It recognises that at a time of increasing need; with dwindling resources, this is a blueprint for action.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“The White Paper will enshrine in law the importance of the contribution of the independent sector in providing social care.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“In a couple of weeks Care Forum Wales will be coming of age when it celebrates its 18th anniversary.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“This is the only organisation that represents the whole of the independent sector in <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region> and the independent providers who are going to have a place at the partnership table.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“According to the Welsh Assembly Government, we will be able to play a full role in developing provision and shaping the commissioning process – and this is music to our ears.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“At a time of austerity, this is about doing things better and more cost-effectively.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“We, like many other organisations, have been stressing that we simply cannot sustain 22 different ways of commissioning services with different eligibility criteria. </span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“In the case of social care, we also have local health boards to deal with so you can be a provider in <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region> with 29 contracts. It flies in the face of the current financial reality.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“This new approach will mean that resources can be focused on the sharp end where they need to be.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“The changes will also mean <span></span>more people can remain independent at home and those who need 'step-up' or 'step-down' facilities don’t need to go to hospital but can find another more appropriate service.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“Equally, those in hospital will be able to be discharged more promptly and more safely and supported in an appropriate community setting.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“The most damning failure of the current system is the lack of a national eligibility framework and portable assessments of need which led to a postcode lottery of care and huge, unnecessary pressure on the NHS.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“At Care Forum Wales, we have been calling for the proposed national framework since 1993 and we are delighted that this is a central plank of the new policy.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“The idea of having a single set of eligibility criteria that are transferable has to be right. It defies logic to have so many different contracts when we can streamline the service.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“This blueprint sets out a new approach and the ways of working in the past are no longer acceptable or fit for purpose.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“We need a new start and this provides us with a direction of travel. The fact that this is policy and that we are looking seriously at having three commissioning areas means that we can bring together the energy, experience and innovation that will be needed for the services of tomorrow.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“It’s right that social services is left within the sphere of local government as the delivery arm but it surely has to follow national policy in relation to provision and commissioning guidance.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“It’s essential that local authorities work in partnership and, importantly, within the legal framework.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“Another important element of the White Paper is the commitment to the development and professionalisation of the workforce which certainly chimes with our priorities.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">“As the Health Service Ombudsman in <country-region w:st="on">England</country-region> <span> </span>pointed out earlier this week, some of these issues are not about resources – they are about compassion and treating people with dignity and respect."</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">It was revealed yesterday that Fron Yw, a nursing home in Llandyrnog, in Denbighshire, is closing. </span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">Meanwhile, the Southern Care Group, which has nine homes in Wrexham, Abergele, Prestatyn and <place w:st="on">Colwyn Bay</place>, went into administration last year and Cardiff City Council is cutting the number of agencies currently providing care at home services to the elderly and infirm from 56 to 11 as part of a “fundamentally flawed†process.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">A recent High Court judgement in relation to four care homes in Pembrokeshire found that the County Council there had acted unlawfully because it had not followed Assembly guidance.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US">The judge made it clear that this can no longer continue and councils will have to show compelling reasons if they deviate from that guidance.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>ends <br /></p>
<p class=" " style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-US"></span></p> Increase Alzheimer's funding or face 'catastrophe' warning
<p>Britain faces a “dementia catastrophe†unless Alzheimer’s is tackled with the
same 'aggression' deployed in the fight against Aids, charities have warned today (Feb 9).</p>
<div class="secondPar">
<p>
A million people in Britain will suffer some form of dementia within two
decades yet research into the condition is under-funded compared to the funding for cancer research, says the charity Alzheimer's Research UK.</p>
<p>In its report today, the Daily Telegraph says: "12 times as much is spent each year on cancer research, and there are six
times as many scientists working on how to treat tumours. Currently, as many
as two-thirds of people who develop dementia are never diagnosed while the
best treatments can only help reduce symptoms and cannot prevent the
degenerative disease progressing."
</p>
</div>
<div class="fourthPar">
<p>
At the launch of a campaign by Alzheimer’s Research UK to increase the
“pitifully low†investment in dementia, Sir Terry Pratchett, the author who has early onset Alzheimer's,
said: “Alzheimer’s is a large number of small tragedies usually played out
behind closed doors, so in spite of the numbers living with it, the world
still doesn’t take much notice.
</p>
</div>
<div class="fifthPar">
<p>
“When the world was shocked by HIV in the Eighties, we saw a crash programme
of research which has helped tame it enormously. We need the same kind of
aggressive action on dementia now.†<br /></p>
</div>
<div class="body">
<p>
Currently 820,000 people in Britain are thought to suffer dementia,
progressively losing their memory and struggling to cope with everyday
activities. The most common cause is Alzheimer’s disease.
</p>
<p>
A million people are likely to develop the condition within the next 15 years
as the population ages and 1.7 million will be living with it by 2051,
placing a significant burden on informal carers, the NHS and care homes.
</p>
<p>
Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of The Alzheimer’s Society, added: “Dementia is
the biggest challenge facing the UK and people are right to be worried. It
is a devastating condition that robs people of their lives. Yet with the
right treatments and support it is possible to live well with dementia. We
must gear up to tackle this challenge by investing in research and support
or else face a dementia catastrophe.â€
</p>www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8311049/Britain-faces-dementia-catastrophe-without-aggressive-research-drive.html<br />
</div>
<p> </p> WAG calls for providers to join web-based care-planning system
<p>The Welsh Assembly Government is calling for care providers to sign up for its free online 'care needs projection system'.</p>
<p>It wants providers to sign up for the web-based system (called 'Daffodil') by February 11, 2011 so that it can complete its roll-out of the system by April 1. <br /></p>The Assembly Government launched Daffodil in October last year. The system has been designed for use by local authorities and local health boards to support joint planning and the development of commissioning strategies. The system pulls together in one place the statistical information needed to plan future care services.<br />
<p>Daffodil covers children and young people, adults and older people and will be of use to planners, commissioners and service managers. It provides data on an all-Wales basis, on an individual local authority basis and on a regional local health board basis.</p>
<p>So far only NHS and public sector employees can use the system but the aim is to roll out the system to allow access for care providers by April 1.</p>
<p>If you would like access to Daffodil when it becomes available to providers you should e-mail your organisation's details (by Feb 11) to: </p>
<p>sue.lloydselby@wales.gsi.gov.uk</p>
<p>The information I will need is your organisation’s website address i.e. the part that appears after the www (this part of the address is generally what will appear after the ‘@’ in your organisation's email addresses).<br /></p>
<p>If you have any queries you can contact Susan Lloyd-Selby, senior project manager for 
Value Wales on 07812 601973.<br /><br type="_moz" /> </p>Community Care Survey - for CFW members
<p><font size="2" color="#000000" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Verdana">Dear </span></font><font size="2" color="#000000" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Verdana">member,<br /> <br /></span></font><font size="2" color="#000000" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Verdana"><font size="3">CFW</font> is working with <a href="http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Home/" title="blocked::http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Home/
http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Home/"><font size="3" color="#800080" title="blocked::http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Home/"><span title="blocked::http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Home/" style="font-size: 12pt">Community Care </span></font></a>magazine to uncover the true effects of cuts in council budgets on social care providers and their clients. We need your help.<br /> <br />Community Care have put together a short survey which can be completed online in about 10 minutes asking questions about the size of the cuts in council contracts you are seeing and what you anticipate in the next year.</span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="#000000" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Verdana">You can complete the survey from the following link:<br /> <br /><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FKC8YYM" title="blocked::http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FKC8YYM
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FKC8YYM"><font size="3" title="blocked::http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FKC8YYM"><span title="blocked::http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FKC8YYM" style="font-size: 12pt">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FKC8YYM</span></font></a><br /> <br />If you could take the time to fill it out it would be appreciated. Community Care will be sharing data about the social care sector with CFW</span></font><font size="2" color="#000000" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Verdana">. The more providers that let us know what is happening on the ground, the better the picture we will be able to paint.<br /> <br />The survey will close at the end of <strong><strong><font face="Verdana"><span style="font-family: Verdana">Thursday 10th February</span></font></strong></strong>.</span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="#000000" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Verdana">Many thanks.<br /></span></font></p>Have your say on councils' homecare charges
<div class="item-title">
<p>The Welsh Assembly Government is seeking your views on changes to the way local councils charge for their homecare and other non-residential services.</p>
<p>The aim is to introduce more consistency in the way local councils charge for these services to avoid a future 'postcode lottery' over rates.</p>
<p>To make your views known by the February 4 deadline, log onto: www.wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/charging<br /></p>
<p>By law local councils can charge for homecare and other
non-residential social services if they wish. </p>
<p>The consultation document states: "Research has shown that
older and disabled people in Wales currently experience wide variation
in the charging undertaken and in the level of charges set by councils.</p>
<p>"The Welsh Assembly Government made a commitment in its 'One
Wales' document to address this by securing the necessary powers and then making
the legislation enabling it to introduce more consistency in the charging
councils undertake."</p>
<p> </p>
<p>ends<br /></p>
<p><br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><br /></p>
<p> </p>
</div> Pembrokeshire care home ruling 'to cost council £1.5m'
<p>Latest news from BBC Wales website regarding Pembrokeshire Judicial Review:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-12345482">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-12345482</a></p>
<p>Further details to follow.</p>Pembrokeshire care homes ruling 'to cost council £1.5m'
<p class="introduction" id="story_continues_1">Pembrokehsire County Council says a December court
judgement ordering it to pay higher fees to around 30 private care
homes will cost it an extra £1.5m this year.</p>
<p>The High
Court told Pembrokeshire council to review its fees after four homes
said they were not paid enough to meet their costs.</p>
<p>The council is raising its payment from £390 a week per resident to £448.</p>
<p>The
High Court told the council in December to review the fees it paid
after four homes were successful in obtaining a judicial review.</p>
<p>Pembrokeshire
council said the increase would now be back dated to the start of the
financial year and applied to all the privately-run care and
residential homes in the county.</p>
<p>It will also make an
additional one-off payment to reflect the loss of interest which could
have been earned if the new fee had been paid since April.</p>
<p>Council leader, John Davies, said: "This new fee means an additional cost to the council of almost £1.5 million."</p>
<p>For more on this story see: <a onclick="" title="" target="" href="www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-12345482">www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-12345482</a> </p>Get your entries in for social care 'Oscars'
<p> </p>
<p>It's not just the awards season in Hollywood - Welsh care providers, teams and individuals are being urged to submit their entries for the Care Council for Wales' bi-annual awards, the Social Care Accolades.</p>
<p>The deadline for the awards in on Friday, February 4. The 2011 awards ceremony will be held on June 23 at Cardiff's City Hall.<br /></p>
<p>Led by the Care Council for Wales, the bi-annual awards are a national showcase for excellence and celebrate good practice across Wales. <br /></p>
<p>The Accolades, being held for the fourth time, will see awards for teams, partnerships and organisations who have transformed social care services by investing in the learning and development of their carers.</p>
<p>The winning work is then shared with other organisations in learning workshops helping to raise standards in the sector across Wales.</p>
<p>Winning an Accolade is a recognition of achievement and showcases best practice and the positive contribution the care sector makes to society. </p>
<p>For more information on the awards go to the Care Council for Wales website at: www.ccwales.org.uk/news-and-events/social-care-accolades/accolades-ask</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Pembrokeshire Councils Response to Judicial Review to be announced today
<p>An announcement with regard to Pembrokeshire Councils response to the Judicial Review should be announced shortly. </p>
<p>Further details to follow......</p>Dementia home support an absolute travesty - says charity
<p id="story_continues_1" class="introduction">The home support given to people with dementia and their carers is an "absolute travesty", a charity says.</p>
<p>The Alzheimer's Society study - based on feedback from carers, health workers and patients - said the problem was causing unnecessary admissions to hospital and care homes.</p>
<p>The authors called for better training for staff and access to services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.</p>
<p>The government said the charity was right to highlight the issue.</p>
<p>About 750,000 people in the UK have dementia, two-thirds of whom are living at home with support from loved ones and sometimes social services.</p>For further information: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12269708">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12269708</a>CSSIW Annual Report released
<p><font face="Arial">We are pleased to let you know that CSSIW Annual Report is now available on their website. Please click on the link below to access this: </font><a href="http://wales.gov.uk/cssiwsubsite/newcssiw/publications/annualreports/annrep0910/?lang=en" title="blocked::http://wales.gov.uk/cssiwsubsite/newcssiw/publications/annualreports/annrep0910/?lang=en"><u title="blocked::http://wales.gov.uk/cssiwsubsite/newcssiw/publications/annualreports/annrep0910/?lang=en"><font size="2" face="Arial" color="#0000ff" title="blocked::http://wales.gov.uk/cssiwsubsite/newcssiw/publications/annualreports/annrep0910/?lang=en">http://wales.gov.uk/cssiwsubsite/newcssiw/publications/annualreports/annrep0910/?lang=en</font></u></a> </p>
<p> </p>New Welsh board member for SCIE
<p>Mario Kreft MBE, Chief Executive of <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/">Care Forum Wales</a> (CFW), has been appointed as the Welsh representative on the Board of the <a href="http://www.scie.org.uk">Social Care Institute for Excellence</a> (SCIE), a national organisation based in London.</p>
<p>The announcement’s been made by SCIE Chair of trustees, Allan Bowman, who has given Mario a warm welcome to the board. </p>
<p>Mario has been providing domiciliary and residential care services in Wales for 25 years, and earlier this year he was honoured by the Queen who appointed him an MBE for his services to social care in Wales.</p>
<p>Click here for further details: <a href="http://www.scie.org.uk/news/mediareleases/2011/100111.asp">http://www.scie.org.uk/news/mediareleases/2011/100111.asp</a></p>Flu kills 12 in Wales this winter
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; text-align: left; border-left: medium none; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; overflow: hidden; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none; text-decoration: none">
<p>TWELVE people have died after contracting flu in Wales, the Assembly Government said last night.</p>
<p>And flu was a contributory factor in a further 45 deaths since October, the figures revealed.</p>
<p>But experts believe the true number of people who have died as a result of flu this winter in Wales will be far higher.</p><br /><br />Read More <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2011/01/07/12-flu-deaths-in-wales-this-winter-91466-27944013/#ixzz1ALJrJEgq" style="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2011/01/07/12-flu-deaths-in-wales-this-winter-91466-27944013/#ixzz1ALJrJEgq" style="color: #003399">http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2011/01/07/12-flu-deaths-in-wales-this-winter-91466-27944013/#ixzz1ALJrJEgq</a>
</div>Seasonal Flu - Protect yourself and others
<p>Find out all you need to know about flu for further information: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/protection/immunisation/seasonalflu/?lang=en">http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/protection/immunisation/seasonalflu/?lang=en</a></p>Chief Medical Officer’s advice on protecting patients and hospital staff from community infections
<div id="article-abstract">Wales Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Jewell has issued further advice to the public as to how they can help to avoid passing on infections such as norovirus - the diarrhoea and vomiting bug, which is more prevalent during the winter.</div>
<div>For further information visit: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2011/100105infections/?lang=en">http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2011/100105infections/?lang=en</a></div>Moves to help the most vulnerable in our society starting to bear fruit
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; text-align: left; border-left: medium none; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; overflow: hidden; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none; text-decoration: none">
<div class="span-47 colborder">
<div class="span-47 last">
<div class="article main">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; text-align: left; border-left: medium none; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; overflow: hidden; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none; text-decoration: none">
<p>Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Social Services, looks back at 2010 and outlines her priorities for 2011</p>
<p>The beginning of a new year is always a good time to reflect on the previous year. 2010 was a particularly busy and productive time for those of us who work in social services in Wales.</p> It had its highs and its lows but, most importantly, the Assembly Government moved forward with many of its One Wales commitments to help some of the most vulnerable citizens.
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; text-align: left; border-left: medium none; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; overflow: hidden; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none; text-decoration: none">
<p>Many of you know I have long been a dedicated campaigner for carers, having been a carer myself for many years. I know first hand the pressures involved in caring for a loved one.</p>
<p>After many hours of discussions and consultations the Carers Strategies (Wales) Measure 2010 received its Royal Assent in November.</p>
<p>This was a very welcome piece of news as it will ensure carers in Wales will be kept informed not only about their rights but about how and where to receive the help they need in order to access the support that is available to them.</p>
<p>The Measure addresses some of the most important concerns carers and carers organisations have shared with me over the years.</p>
<p>Wales is a small country in size but its vision and aspiration for fairness is great and developing world-first policies is a real bonus.</p>
<p>When, in 2008, we developed the autism strategy it was considered to be the first of its kind in the <a target="undefined" href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2011/01/03/moves-to-help-the-most-vulnerable-in-our-society-starting-to-bear-fruit-91466-27922823/#" style="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2011/01/03/moves-to-help-the-most-vulnerable-in-our-society-starting-to-bear-fruit-91466-27922823/#" id="KonaLink1" class="kLink" style="position: static; text-decoration: underline !important"><font color="#0000ff" style="position: static; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue !important; font-weight: 400"><span class="kLink" style="position: relative; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: blue !important; font-weight: 400">UK</span></font></a>, if not the world. Quite an accolade for us.</p>
<p>The work to support this strategy is ongoing but the significant announcement for 2010 was confirming Robert Lloyd Griffiths as Wales’ autism employment ambassador – again a world first.</p>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; text-align: left; border-left: medium none; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; overflow: hidden; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none; text-decoration: none">
<p>As a director at the Institute of Directors, he is perfectly placed to influence business decision-makers across Wales and promote the advantages of employing an adult with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).</p>
<p>I know he will throw all his energies into making this role a great success and raise the profile of those with ASD and support their eagerness to join the workforce.</p>
<p>We are fast becoming an ageing society and the sooner we all understand this, the sooner we can make good decisions about how we effectively plan for these demographic changes.</p>
<p>These changes should be embraced not shunned. The national partnership forum for older people in Wales (NPF) and the local authority 50-plus forums are my eyes and ears to these changes in society and I welcome all opportunities for developing innovative ways of engaging with our ageing population.</p>
<p>My appeal for 2011 is for all older people to engage. If you don’t participate, you don’t have a voice and if you are not heard we won’t know what you need.</p>
<p>A website is being launched later this month by the NPF – www.npfolderpeople.net Blogging and posting comments should not only be the domain of the young and this interactive website has been developed to meet these changing needs.</p>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; text-align: left; border-left: medium none; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; overflow: hidden; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none; text-decoration: none">
<p>In early December I launched a consultation into the legislation and guidance needed to introduce the First Steps improvement package from the Social Care Charges (Wales) Measure 2010.</p>
<p>This is Wales’ opportunity to put in place a more consistent charging policy for non-residential social services, such as home care or day care.</p>
<p>It will mean that the wide charging inconsistencies that currently exist between local councils will be significantly reduced.</p>
<p>This package of reform includes my intention to introduce a £50-a-week maximum charge for all the services covered by the Measure and, where councils provide transport to day services, these will be free.</p>
<p>Although there is not much time to sit back and reflect, I look forward to seeing the benefits of our work start to bear fruit this year with the ultimate aim of helping the most vulnerable in our society in Wales.</p>Read More <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2011/01/03/moves-to-help-the-most-vulnerable-in-our-society-starting-to-bear-fruit-91466-27922823/#ixzz1ALtk2XKW" style="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2011/01/03/moves-to-help-the-most-vulnerable-in-our-society-starting-to-bear-fruit-91466-27922823/#ixzz1ALtk2XKW" style="color: #003399">http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2011/01/03/moves-to-help-the-most-vulnerable-in-our-society-starting-to-bear-fruit-91466-27922823/#ixzz1ALtk2XKW</a>
</div><br /><br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Vital care home services saved by landmark legal ruling
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">A Welsh council is being forced to recalculate the fees it pays to four care homes in Pembrokeshire after a landmark legal ruling.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">At the High Court in Cardiff, a judge said that the way the fees paid by Pembrokeshire County Council were worked out was both “irrational†and “unlawfulâ€.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">It emerged that that council had not adhered to the legal guidance issued by the Welsh Assembly Government.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">The council was also criticised because it did not have a strategic plan in relation to providing social care services.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">The judgement came at the end of a Judicial Review in December 2010 secured by the homes’ owners who claimed the council were guilty of “chronically underpaying†the fees.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">Interim costs of £85,000 were awarded against the council.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">Experts </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">say the judgement sets an important precedent for service users and care homes across Wales whose services may be at risk as a result of underfunding by their local authority.</span></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">During the case, the council admitted it had made mistakes in the way it worked out the fees which they set at £390 per week for the residents of independently run care homes.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">They were also criticised by the Judge for a lack of written records or documentation relating to the meetings when the decisions were taken.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">The Judge quashed the council decision to set the fee level at £390 per week and directed them to re-take the decision about the fees for 2010-11, by 31 January 2011. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">The Council will now have to take account of the judge’s rulings on the process used by the council to determine the amount they were originally prepared to pay to Pembrokeshire Care Homes.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">Among the key issues in the case were:</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span><span><em>1.<span style="" times="" new="" roman=""> </span></em></span><span> </span>Whether the Council could pay care homes less than the true cost of providing the care and accommodation</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span><span><em>2.<span style="" times="" new="" roman=""> </span></em></span>Whether smaller homes should be supported financially if their services were needed, even though they cost more to run than larger homes</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span><span><em>3.<span style="" times="" new="" roman=""> </span></em></span>Whether the Council could decide to reduce the standard of care required, in order to save money</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span><span><em>4.<span style="" times="" new="" roman=""> </span></em></span>What factors need to be taken into account, and how much needs to be recorded, when the Council makes a decision about fees</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span><span><em>5.<span style="" times="" new="" roman=""> </span></em></span>How much of that detail must be made available to care homes and even residents (or their representatives)</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">
<p> </p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">T</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">he four homes at the centre of the hearing were Pen-coed, in Saundersfoot, Langton Hall, in Fishguard, Woodfield Care Home, in Narberth and Woodland Lodge, in Tenby.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span>All of them have received excellent ratings from the care homes regulator, Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW).</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">Closure would have meant the 86 elderly and frail residents having to move elsewhere.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">The judge has now ordered the council to re-set the fees before the end of January using the Welsh Assembly Government’s official commissioning guidance</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">The judgement came as a huge relief to Mike Davies and Sue Mason, the directors of the four homes.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">Mr Davies said: “Our over-riding concern from the outset has been the need to provide high quality, sustainable services for the people for whom we provide care. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">“The judgement has therefore come as a huge relief for all concerned, most importantly for the residents of the four homes involved in this case and the dedicated staff who look after them.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">“We would like to thank the relatives of our clients and members of the community who have shown immense support.<span> </span>It was greatly appreciated and helped sustain us throughout this difficult and time-consuming legal process.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">“When the council come to consider resetting the fees by the end January, we hope that they are set at a level that enables the homes to carry out essential repairs and to plan for the future, safeguarding high quality care homes for the people of Pembrokeshire.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">“In the meantime, we will continue to work hard over Christmas and the New Year to provide the best possible care for our residents whose welfare is paramount.â€</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">The judgement was welcomed by Care Forum Wales, the social care sector’s main representative body in Wales.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">Senior Policy Officer Barry Latham said: “We are pleased that the judge has ordered the council to retake its decisions about fees for 2010-11.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">“This must come as a great relief to the residents and their relatives who have been extremely concerned about the impact which the closure of the homes would have had on their well-being and ability to keep in touch with their friends and relatives.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">“Hopefully, the council will now set a realistic fee that will enable the homes to meet all their legal obligations, maintain and improve services for the residents and attract and retain good staff.â€</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">It also sets an important precedent for service users across Wales whose services may be at risk as a result of underfunding by their local authority.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;"><span> </span>“It is a matter of great regret that the owners of the care homes have had to resort to judicial review proceedings to resolve this matter which they tried unsuccessfully to resolve by negotiation. In the end they felt that this was the only course open to them to protect their residents from the threat of closure of the homes.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;"><span> </span>“The Pembrokeshire judgement sets an important precedent with regard to the approach which other Authorities in Wales adopt to fee setting. It is now clear that it is no longer acceptable for authorities to adopt an arbitrary approach to determining the amount they are prepared to pay for care services.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">“The Welsh Assembly Government issued statutory guidance in 2003, which it updated and expanded in 2010, and yet local authorities all over Wales have largely ignored the guidance.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">“The judgement makes it quite clear that this can no longer continue and councils must do what the Government has said they must do.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;">“At a time when there is an ever increasing need to provide high quality, cost effective services, we firmly believe that the independent sector is an important partner for local authorities and we hope that the sector can now move forward with a partnership rather than confrontational approach.â€</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>ends <br /></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<div>
<div>
<div onmouseout="msoCommentHide('_com_1')" onmouseover="msoCommentShow('_anchor_1','_com_1')" id="_com_1" language="JavaScript">
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><font size="2"><font face="Calibri"></font></font></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>Care homes win fees row with Pembrokeshire Council
<p>Four care homes which went to court over the fees Pembrokeshire County Council was paying them for caring for elderly residents have won their case in the High Court in Cardiff today (December 21).</p>
<p class="introduction" id="story_continues_1">The council will now have to pay higher fees for residents at four private care homes, following the judge's ruling.</p>
<p>The care homes - Pen-coed care home in Saundersfoot,
Langton Hall in Fishguard, Woodfield in Narberth and Woodland Lodge, in
Tenby - argued that the fees they were being paid were unsustainable.</p>
<p>The court ordered Pembrokeshire council to review the £390 a week it pays for each resident it funds.</p>
<p>For more on this story see: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12053467<br /></p>
<p> <br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Care home fees judgment due tomorrow
<p>THE owners of four care homes which took Pembrokeshire County Council to court following claims over the "chronic underpayment of fees" will hear the outcome of the case tomorrow (December 21).</p>
<p>In the judicial review, which ran into a fourth day at the High Court in Cardiff on Friday, Pembrokeshire council conceded that errors had been made while calculating the fees it pays to care homes looking after vulnerable and elderly people.</p>
<p>The four care homes - Woodland Lodge, Pen-Coed, Woodfield and Langton Hall - had disputed the amount the council pays them for each resident per week and will be paid £25,000 between them, the amount under-paid during this financial year.</p>
<p>Full details of the case, Forest Care Homes v Pembrokeshire County Council, will be published on this website after The Honourable Mr Justice G Hickinbottom concludes with his judgment tomorrow.</p>
<p>ends <br /></p>
<p><br type="_moz" /></p>Christmas and New Year Greetings from Care Forum Wales<span times="" new="" roman?;="" font-size:="" 12pt?="" style="font-family: "> <span times="" new="" roman?;="" font-size:="" 12pt?="" style="font-family: "><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f" id="_x0000_t75" /> </shapetype /><shape type="#_x0000_t75" o:ole="" id="_x0000_i1025" style="width: 351pt; height: 263.25pt" /></span></shapetype /><shape type="#_x0000_t75" o:ole="" id="_x0000_i1025" style="width: 495pt; height: 371.25pt" /></span>Elderly and vulnerable should get flu jabs now, says Public Health Wales
<div>Following a recent rise in seasonal flu rates Public Health Wales has issued a warning that people in at-risk groups should get their flu jabs.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In the last week, cases of confirmed seasonal flu have increased and doctors are treating patients with antivirals where necessary.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The latest statistics collected by Public Health Wales show that in the week ending December 12, there were 22.52 GP consultations for flu-like symptoms for every 100,000 people living in Wales, compared with 11.71 per 100,000 in the previous week.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>This is within the average range for the time of year and flu levels have not reached epidemic proportions but Public Health Wales says people should remember that flu can be a serious illness and that vaccination is available.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Vaccination against seasonal flu is offered in Wales to people over the age of 65 - as well as to people with health conditions that make them more likely to suffer complications from flu, and to frontline healthcare workers and pregnant women.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The latest uptake rates show that only 5.9 per cent of pregnant women have been vaccinated against seasonal flu this year in <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region>, while 56.1 per cent of people over 65 and 37.6 per cent of younger people in an at-risk group have taken up vaccination.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Dr Roland Salmon, regional epidemiologist for Public Health Wales, said: “We are aware that in the last week, the number of cases of flu in <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region> has almost doubled, and we expect to see increased flu activity for the next six to eight weeks. There have been outbreaks of flu in schools across <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region> and our laboratories have confirmed that both flu A and flu B strains are circulating.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“This year we are still seeing cases of H1N1 (swine flu) across Europe because, while the pandemic is over, this virus is one of this year’s seasonal flu strains. The seasonal flu vaccination protects against H1N1.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“Anyone who is eligible for vaccination but has not yet received their jab should be aware that flu is a potentially serious illness and vaccination offers the best protection.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“We would urge anyone not yet vaccinated to speak to their GP as soon as possible,†he added.<br /></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Public Health <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region> has written to GPs and hospitals across <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region> to remind them that oseltamivir (tamiflu) can now be prescribed for people in at-risk groups with flu-like symptoms.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In accordance with national guidance, antivirals become available for use in <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region> when it is confirmed that flu A or B is circulating widely.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>People with flu-like symptoms who do not have other health conditions can treat themselves at home with over-the-counter remedies and should limit contact with others to avoid the spread of the infection.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Anyone with concerns about their health should contact their GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>More information on flu is available from the Public Health Wales website at: <a href="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/43745">http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/43745</a></div>Decision anticpated on fees row
<p>A DECISION on the fees row affecting four Pembrokeshire care homes is expected at the High Court in Cardiff today.</p>The owners of four Pembrokeshire care homes are challenging what they claim is “chronic underpayment†of fees by Pembrokeshire County Council.
<div>
<div style="border: medium none; overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<p>The homes are Pencoed, Langton Hall, Woodfield Care Home and Woodland Lodge. If they have to close, it would mean 86 elderly and frail residents having to move elsewhere.</p>
<div class="article">
<div class="mpu-ad mpu2"> <noscript><a
href="http://trinitymirror.grapeshot.co.uk/wales/redirect.cgi?target=http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/jump/icwales2.5293/article_mpu;slot=article%5Fmpu;sect=wales%2Dnews;templ=page;cat=News;reg=Wales;st=r2;oid=27820162;sz=300x250;gs_cat=GS_CHANNELS;tile=4;ord=799135731?"
target="_blank"> <img
src="http://trinitymirror.grapeshot.co.uk/wales/redirect.cgi?target=http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/ad/icwales2.5293/article_mpu;slot=article%5Fmpu;sect=wales%2Dnews;templ=page;cat=News;reg=Wales;st=r2;oid=27820162;sz=300x250;gs_cat=GS_CHANNELS;tile=4;ord=799135731?"
width="300" height="250" border="0" alt="article_mpuAdvertisement" /> </noscript>All of the homes have received excellent ratings from the
Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW). They say the council has failed
to recognise their legitimate costs.</div>
</div>
<p>Pembrokeshire County Council maintains the level of fees it pays to private care homes is fair.</p><span>Read More <a style="color: #003399;" href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/12/14/judicial-review-of-care-home-fees-91466-27820162/#ixzz18GvNqJt0">http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/12/14/judicial-review-of-care-home-fees-91466-27820162/#ixzz18GvNqJt0</a></span>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>Information: Severe winter weather - information websites
<p><font size="2" color="#000000" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Verdana">As the severe weather continues, here is the link to information for Wales on keeping well this winter:<font face="Verdana"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><strong> </strong></span></font></span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="#000000" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Verdana"><font face="Verdana"><span style="font-family: Verdana">Keep Well This Winter: <a href="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/improvement/index/winter/?lang=en">http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/improvement/index/winter/?lang=en</a></span></font>; </span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" color="#000000" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Verdana"><strong><strong><font face="Verdana"><span style="font-family: Verdana">Weather: <a href="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/">http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/</a></span></font></strong></strong></span></font></p>Calling shining examples of social care teams for 2011 awards
<p class=" " style="text-align: center;" align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 20pt;" lang="EN-GB">A Time To Shine - Launch of Social Care Accolades 2011</span></strong></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">The search is now on for <span style="color: #1f497d;">high</span> performing teams and organisations in the Welsh social care sector to have their work recognised by entering the 2011 Social Care Accolades.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">Led by the Care Council for Wales, the biennial awards are a national showcase for excellence and celebrate good practice across Wales.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">The Accolades, which are now being held for the fourth time, will be awarded to teams, partnerships and organisations who have transformed social care services by investing in the learning and development of people.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">The winning work is then shared with other organisations in learning workshops helping to raise standards in the sector across Wales.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">Care Council for Wales Chief Executive Rhian Huws Williams said, “This is the social care workforce’s time to shine and we would urge teams, groups and organisations from across Wales to take advantage of this opportunity to highlight the good work that they do in providing vital services to so many people.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">“The aim of the Accolades is to uncover, acknowledge and celebrate good practice that has helped transform social care services.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">“Winning an Accolade is not only a recognition of achievement but enables best practice to be spread to others which in turn improve<span style="color: #1f497d;">s</span> services for users and carers across Wales.â€</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">Around five per cent of the total workforce in Wales is involved in some form of social care, equivalent to a workforce of around 88,000, working with people of all ages who have different needs.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">The Social Care Accolades have nine categories and are open to all teams, groups or organisations across the whole social care sector in Wales; private, voluntary or statutory agencies. </span></p>
<p class=" " style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Services can be residential or community-based, large or small; working with children or adults. </span></p>
<p class=" " style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Entries that support the aims of the Welsh Assembly Government ten year social care strategy to modernise services and provide more accessible, personalised care for people are encouraged.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">The nine categories for 2011 are;</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB"><span>·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;"> </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">Effective recruitment and retention</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB"><span>·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;"> </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">Learning together</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB"><span>·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;"> </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">Maintaining independence</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB"><span>·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;"> </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">Supporting effective intervention with children and their families</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB"><span>·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;"> </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">Career of choice</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB"><span>·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;"> </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">Users and carers shaping services</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB"><span>·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;"> </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">Social workers for tomorrow</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB"><span>·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;"> </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">Improving Welsh Language provision</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB"><span>·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;"> </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">Supporting people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds</span></p>
<p class=" " style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Gwenda Thomas AM, Deputy Minister for Social Services, who supports the Accolades said, “We know that high quality social care services can transform people’s lives for the better, through working directly with individuals and families and in their communities.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">“They are indeed making a real difference to the quality of life for many vulnerable people and they deserve to be recognised and commended for the work they do. </span></p>
<p class=" " style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">“The Social Care Accolades bring the very best of this work to the attention of everyone and I would urge those providers of care from all over Wales to seriously consider submitting an entry for these prestigious awards."</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">Application packs for the Social Care Accolades are available from the Care Council for Wales website </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/" title="blocked::http://www.ccwales.org.uk/"><span title="blocked::http://www.ccwales.org.uk/" lang="EN-GB"><font color="#800080">www.ccwales.org.uk</font></span></a></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB"> or by contacting Denise French on 02920 780687.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">The deadline for entries is February 4, 2011 and the winners will be announced in a special ceremony in Cardiff City Hall on June 23, 2011.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">*For further information, please contact Alison Watkins on 07854 386054 or e-mail <span style="color: #1f497d;"><a href="mailto:Alison.watkins@ccwales.org.uk" title="blocked::mailto:Alison.watkins@ccwales.org.uk">Alison.watkins@ccwales.org.uk</a> or <a href="mailto:info@alisonwatkinscommunications.com" title="blocked::mailto:info@alisonwatkinscommunications.com">info@alisonwatkinscommunications.com</a></span></span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;" lang="EN-GB">
<p> </p></span></p>
<div>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #1f497d;">Alison Watkins</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Cyngor Gofal Cymru/Care Council for Wales</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">7th Floor South Gate House</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Wood Street</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Cardiff</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">CF10 1EW</span></p>
<p class=" " style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">029 20 780 626</span></p>
</div>Consultation - Charging for Homecare and Other Non-Residential Social Services
<p><font size="2" color="#000000" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Verdana">Changes are planned to introduce more consistency in local council’s charging for homecare and other non-residential social services. A government consultation is seeking views on changes that will apply to those who receive services from their local council and those who enter into a Direct Payments arrangement with their council to purchase services themselves. The consultation seeks comments on draft regulations and guidance to local councils needed to implement a “First Steps Improvement Package†by 4th February 2011. <br /><br /><a href="http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/?lang=en" title="blocked::http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/?lang=en
http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/?lang=en"><font size="3" title="blocked::http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/?lang=en"><span title="blocked::http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/?lang=en" style="font-size: 12pt">http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/?lang=en</span></font></a> </span></font></p> Press notice: Social Work Reform Board report
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">The Social Work Reform Board (SWRB) today set out to social workers what working conditions they should expect from their employers, as they published proposals to put social workers on a greater professional footing and reform their education. </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">The standards of supervision and support social workers should expect from their employers include:</span></p>
<ul type="disc" style="margin-top: 0cm">
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">making sure the right number of social workers with the right level of skills and experience are available to meet the level of demand, </span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">managing workloads and caseloads so that social workers are not overworked, </span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">giving social workers the practical resources they need to do their jobs</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">creating development opportunities for social workers to give them greater experience and skills.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">The Reform Board is also setting out for the first time a single, national set of professional standards outlining what social workers are expected to do at every point in their career and what level of service the public can expect from them. This brings the profession in line with other public sector professionals like doctors, nurses and teachers. </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">Social work education should also be reformed to improve the quality of social work degrees, with more rigorous selection criteria. The Reform Board recommends that the design of social work courses should involve people who have experienced social services, so that the training properly reflects the real life reality of the job.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial">Moira Gibb, CBE, Chair of the Reform Board and Chief Executive of the London Borough of Camden said:</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">“A year ago the Social Work Task Force recommended comprehensive reform of the social work system so that in the future social workers are more consistently able to practise confidently and safely.<span> </span><span style="color: black">Since then, the Social Work Reform Board has been working to make the Task Force's recommendations a reality. </span></span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial">“This report, the first from the Social Work Reform Board, marks a staging post in the journey of social work reform and a foundation for helping us, together, to deliver a better future for social work. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">The proposals published today should help every individual social worker, every employer of social workers and everyone who educates or trains social workers to do their work better in the interests of those who need and use social work.â€</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">The Government supports the work of the Social Work Reform Board and is urging the sector to get involved in the next steps towards implementing these important and necessary changes.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">Tim Loughton, Children’s Minister said:</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">“I welcome the Social Work Reform Board’s proposals which <span>are </span>an important step for social workers to gain the status and respect they so rightly deserve. We are committed to making a real difference to front line social work and to implementing the Social Work Reform Board’s recommendations. <span style="color: black">That is why</span> in the New Year we will be announcing significant funding to implement the reforms and Professor Munro’s recommendations to improve child protection.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial"></span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">“Social workers <span>perform</span> an invaluable job that <span>all too</span> often gets overlooked and taken for granted. They need all the professional support and advice possible so that they feel confident they are making the right decisions. </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">“I thank Moira <span>Gibb</span> and the Reform Board for all the work they have done over the last year. This strongly supports the changes that Professor Munro is advising and will ensure social workers can progress in their careers and feel proud of the vital job they do every day.†</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; color: black; font-family: Tahoma"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial">Paul Burstow, Care Services Minister said:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span><span style="font-family: Arial">“The Social Work Task Force brought forward a number of ideas to improve the social work profession, and this Government has made clear that reform of Social Work is a priority.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span><span style="font-family: Arial">“The work of the sector-led Social Work Reform Board, and development of the <place w:st="on">College of Social Work</place> will ensure that the Task Force's recommendations to improve the profession will become a reality.â€</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">David Willetts, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial">Minister for Universities and Science</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: "MS Shell Dlg 2""> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">said: </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US"> </span><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="font-weight: normal; font-family: Arial">"I welcome the first anniversary report of the Social Work Reform Board's progress in implementing the recommendations of the Social Work Task Force. This is an important step towards achieving the necessary fundamental and long term reform of the social work system. I encourage the social work profession to respond positively to the proposals set out in the report." </span></strong></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">The reforms will affect the profession, service users and carers as well as organisations that educate and employ social workers. The Reform Board is seeking views on its proposals until 31st March 2011.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">Notes to editors:</span></strong></p>
<ol type="1" style="margin-top: 0cm">
<li><em><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">Building a Safe and Confident Future: First Detailed Proposals from the Social Work Reform Board</span></em><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial"> is published today at <span> </span><span style="color: blue"><a href="http://www.education.gov.uk/swrb" title="http://www.education.gov.uk/swrb">www.education.gov.uk/swrb</a> </span></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">The report, <em>Building a Safe and Confident Future – One Year On,</em> proposes five key improvements:</span></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">An Overarching Professional Standards Framework<span style="color: blue"> </span>– setting out for the first time the standards expected of social workers at very point of their career, from their degree to advanced social work roles;</span></li>
<li style="vertical-align: baseline; punctuation-wrap: simple"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">Standards for Employers and a Supervision Framework – setting out employers statutory responsibilities to help and support social workers and challenge them to develop their skills;</span></li>
<li style="vertical-align: baseline; punctuation-wrap: simple"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">Continuing Professional Development Framework – the principles that help social workers develop specialist knowledge, improve their practice and progress in their careers;</span></li>
<li style="vertical-align: baseline; punctuation-wrap: simple"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">Developing social work education so that student social workers receive high quality preparation for joining the profession;</span></li>
<li style="vertical-align: baseline; punctuation-wrap: simple"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">Better partnership working between employers and higher education institutions to provide practice placements for degree students and continuing professional development (CPD) for social workers.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="vertical-align: baseline; punctuation-wrap: simple"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">3.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">The Social Work Reform Board brings together social work educators, employers, practitioners and service users from across the sector to guide and monitor the implementation of the 15 recommendations of the Social Work Task Force made in December 2009.<span style="color: blue"> </span>Information about Reform Board membership is available at<span style="color: blue"> <a href="http://www.education.gov.uk/swrb/membership" title="http://www.education.gov.uk/swrb/membership">www.education.gov.uk/swrb/membership</a></span></span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">4.The Reform Board was convened in January 2010 and is chaired by Moira Gibb CBE, Chief Executive of the London Borough of Camden. </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">5.This report sets out proposals in five key areas of reform. Progress is being made across the breadth of the Task Force’s recommendations and further reports and proposals will be presented by the Reform Board in the future.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span></p>
<p><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span></strong></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US">
<p> </p></span></p>Judicial review starts into Pembrokeshire care home fees
<p> A JUDICIAL review into
the funding of care home places in Pembrokeshire has begun in the High Court today (Dec 14, 2010) which will help decide the future of dozens of
elderly and vulnerable residents. </p>
<p>Four homes in Pembrokeshire claim they could close within weeks because of underfunding. The homes affected are Pen-coed in Saundersfoot, Langton Hall in Fishguard,
Woodfield care home in Narberth and Woodland Lodge, in Tenby.</p>
<p>Care home managers say the funding they receive is not enough to meet their costs so the money Pembrokeshire council pays care homes to look after residents is being challenged in the High Court.</p>
<p>The council pays for half the residents and says their payments are set fairly.</p>
<p>Pembrokeshire
council says other local authorities in Wales pay less to some care
homes and says the financial problems with the four homes in the court
case are nothing to do with how fees are set. </p> <span class="cross-head"></span>Care
Forum Wales, which represents independent care providers, says although the judicial
review is concentrating narrowly on the fees in Pembrokeshire, these
are issues facing care homes and councils across Wales due to purse strings tightening and cut backs in public spending.
<p>The judicial review is expected to last for three days. </p>
<p>www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-11987808 <br /></p> Enquiry into Home Care for Older People in England launched
<div class="bottom">
<p>The Equality and Human Rights Commission are undertaking an inquiry into the protection and promotion of human rights of older people in England who require or receive home-based care and support.</p>
<p>To find out further information visit their website: <a href="http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/legal-and-policy/formal-inquiries/inquiry-into-older-people-in-homecare-and-human-rights/">http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/legal-and-policy/formal-inquiries/inquiry-into-older-people-in-homecare-and-human-rights/</a></p>
</div>'From Vision to Action' - Report of the Independent Commission on Social Services in Wales
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial">PRESS RELEASE ISSUED TODAY IN RESPONSE TO 'FROM VISION TO ACTION' REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial">Independent providers in <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region /> have welcomed plans to end the “post code lottery†in social care.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">A wide-ranging report, From Vision to Action, says that common eligibility criteria for social care should be introduced to ensure fairer provision of services across <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region />.</span>
<p> </p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial">The development is one that Care Forum Wales, the main representative body, of independent care providers, had been campaigning for.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial">They argued it was it is “unsustainable†to have 29 different contracts and sets of eligibility criteria for people who need care.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial">According to Care Forum Wales, the current system is expensively bureaucratic and unfair because the availability and cost of care vary from county to county.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">The Independent Commission on Social Services in <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region /> was established by the Welsh Assembly Government to consider the provision of social services and social care over the next decade</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial"></span>
<p> </p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">According to the Commission, common criteria would be used to carry out assessments in all parts of <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region />.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">If the new system is introduced, <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region /> would be </span><span style="font-family: Arial">the first country in the <country-region w:st="on" />UK</country-region /> to provide such an assessment scheme.</span>
<p> </p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial">Honorary Chief Executive Mario Kreft said:<span> </span>“We very much welcome the findings of the </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">Independent Commission on Social Services in <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region />.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial"></span>
<p> </p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">“We agree with the main thrust of their recommendations which chime with what we have been saying for some time.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial"></span><span style="font-family: Arial">“We definitely need a new vision to bring about a new national approach to social care <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region /> because it’s quite unsustainable in the current situation.</span>
<p> </p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial"></span><span style="font-family: Arial">“We’ve essentially got a post code lottery of social care and I think what people want above all is to know where they stand, what they’re entitled to, how much they have to pay for it.</span>
<p> </p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial"></span>
<p> </p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial">“At a time like this when we’re facing such challenges on the public purse we really do need to cut any bureaucracy that’s possible.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial"></span><span style="font-family: Arial">“It is no longer appropriate that a country as small as <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region /> has 29 different contracts and 29 sets of eligibility criteria.<span> </span></span>
<p> </p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial"></span>
<p> </p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial">“Worse still, the expense of this bureaucracy is starving vital resources from front line services.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial"></span><span style="font-family: Arial">“That means we’re taking away the opportunity for people to receive care, people who really need that support.</span>
<p> </p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial"></span><span style="font-family: Arial">“It is important that we work in real partnership and that really means people coming together and putting aside some of the differences that separate them and working on those things that they can unite in the national interest.</span>
<p> </p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial">“We welcome the fact that the Commission has recognised the need for growth in the social care sector and the increasing importance of the role played by private care providers.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial"></span><span style="font-family: Arial">“Strengthening the links with the independent providers will be vital as we can provide a network of professional expertise across <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region />.</span>
<p> </p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial">“I think fairness and equal access to services are fundamental principles that we should be working towards.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial"></span><span style="font-family: Arial">“We need to grasp the nettle and do things in a way that’s fitting for the new economic reality.</span>
<p> </p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial"></span><span style="font-family: Arial">“This is the time to do things differently and do things better for people who need care in <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region /> because providing the best possible public service is the reason we exist.</span>
<p> </p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial"></span>
<p> </p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial">“Care Forum Wales is pleased that the Commission recommended that we are to be a partner with regional and local commissioning bodies in order to improved the appropriateness and quality of service to the people of <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region />.â€</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span style="font-family: Arial">Around 150,000 people receive some form of social care service in <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region /> every day, and more will become dependent on such services, or have a relative that relies on them, as the numbers of older people and looked-after children increase.<span> </span>The challenges from demography changes will have serious impact on the context within which social services will operate over the next decade.</span></p>
<p class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">Among the other recommendations of the Commission are:</span>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li>
<div class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">That integrated social services for children, adults and older people remain part of the local government ‘family’ of services.</span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial"><span> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">social services should form consortia based on the ‘footprint’ of Local Health Boards, reducing their number by two thirds and creating better co-operation with health services to address concerns about the large number of partnerships that currently exist;</span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">a review of transitions and transfers to address concerns of poor handover between children’s, adults and older people’s social care services;</span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">private and Third sector providers to be more engaged in planning, designing and meeting the needs of service users to encourage more personalised models of support to be provided; and,</span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class=" " style="line-height: 115%"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">
<p> </p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial">a renewed focus on recovery and self-directed support to ensure that people are well-supported to regain their independence.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>Care Forum Wales' cautious welcome for Draft Budget
<table class="Bs nH iY" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="Bu"><br /></td>
<td class="Bu"><br type="_moz" /></td>
<td class="Bu"><br type="_moz" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div class="nH">
<div class=" iE D E">
<div class="iH">
<div>
<div class="Pl J-J5-Ji">
<div class="J-K-I J-J5-Ji J-K-I-Js-Zq J-K-I-Js-Zj " role="button" tabindex="0">
<div class="J-J5-Ji J-K-I-Kv-H">
<div class="J-J5-Ji J-K-I-J6-H">
<div class="J-K-I-KC">
<p>Care Forum Wales joined the largest charity working for older people<br />
in Wales yesterday to give a cautious welcome to the Welsh Assembly's<br />
draft budget outlined in the Senedd by Finance Minister Jane Hutt (on<br />
November 17, 2010).<br /> <br />
Ms Hutt unveiled a draft Assembly Government Budget which she said<br />
would fall by £860m next year and be £1.8bn lower by 2014-15.<br /> <br />
The care sector will be hit by cuts to the health budget - total<br />
health spending will fall by 7.6% - as well as by cuts in environment,<br />
sustainability and housing which will see its budget fall by more than<br />
a fifth (21%).<br /> <br />
However the chief executive of Care Forum Wales, Mario Kreft, said:<br />
"Obviously the budget reflects the harsh economic times we're living<br />
in but it is also an opportunity for us all to look at new ways of<br />
working across the whole care sector.<br /> <br />
"Wales needs local government and the NHS to develop deeper partnership working </p>
<p>arrangements with this independent care sector. This will promote innovation and provide<br />
high quality services with real efficiency savings," he added.<br /> <br />
Victoria Lloyd, director of influencing and programme development at<br />
Age Cymru, also gave an initial welcome to the budget.<br /> <br />
She said: “Our initial response is that we believe this overall budget<br />
presents a fair deal for older people in Wales, however it will take<br />
some time to sift through and analyse the details of today’s<br />
announcement.<br /> <br />
"At this stage the impacts on individual programmes such as the<br />
Strategy for Older People in Wales – an important and groundbreaking<br />
initiative to tackle pensioner poverty, ill-health and age<br />
discrimination - are unclear.â€<br /> <br />
For her comments in full see:<br /> <a href="http://www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/latest-news/welsh-assembly-government-spending-review" target="_blank">www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru/latest-<wbr />news/welsh-assembly-<wbr />government-spending-review</a><br /> <br />
For more information see:<br /> <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/11/18/alarm-at-scale-of-welsh-budget-cuts-91466-27672463/" target="_blank">www.walesonline.co.uk/news/<wbr />wales-news/2010/11/18/alarm-<wbr />at-scale-of-welsh-budget-cuts-<wbr />91466-27672463/</a></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p style="line-height: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #008100; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">Summary of Welsh Assembly Government's Draft Budget changes:</span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">* Health and social services has been protected from any cash reductions in its budget in 2011-12 and 2012-13 and receives a small cash rise in 2013-14. This level of protection reflects our commitment to ensuring the provision of frontline services across <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region>. </span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">* This protection also provides a solid platform for the NHS to take forward its 5-year service plans following the 2009 reforms. We are also protecting the social services element of the Health and Social Services budget. </span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">* Revenue funding for 2011-12 and 2012-13 remains at the same level as the budget for 2010-11. This means that all unavoidable cost increase (including pay awards inflationary pressures) will need to be self-funded by savings. In 2013-14 the budget increases by £13.8 m or 0.2%.</span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB">The Capital budget to 2013-14 has decreased by £83.5 m or 27.5% with the largest reduction (-12.6%) occurring in 2911-12.</span></strong></p>
<p style="line-height: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB"><a target="" href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/WAG%20Budget%20Proposals%20for%20Health%20and%20Social%20Care.doc" onclick="" title="">click here </a>to read full summary.</span></strong></p>Care providers voice opposition to changes on YouTube
<p>The Cardiff Domiciliary Care Provider Association has voiced its opposition to proposed changes by Cardiff Council with a video on YouTube.</p>
<p>The Council plans to shake up domiciliary care in the city, cutting the number of independent firms it uses to provide 80 per cent of its home care from 56 to 11 by March next year. It says this will save an estimated £1.5m.<br /></p>
<p>However care providers have joined forces to make the 10-minute video in protest against the plans which will involve awarding a smaller number of firms tenders lasting three years, rather than appointing firms as a need arises.</p>
<p>The Cardiff Domiciliary Care Provider Association, which calls the proposals "unworkable, unrealistic and cruel" in the video, hopes it will persuade councillors to think again on the plans, ahead of tomorrow's committee meeting about the proposals (on November 19).</p>
<p>So far 347 people have viewed the video. For the full story see:<span> <a style="color: #003399;" href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/11/17/youtube-video-voices-opposition-to-care-changes-91466-27667689/#ixzz15exihuA4">http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/11/17/youtube-video-voices-opposition-to-care-changes-91466-27667689/#ixzz15exihuA4</a></span></p>
<p>To view the video see: www.youtube.com/user/tsavoury</p>
<div>
<div style="border: medium none ; overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<div class="span-64 last box">
<div class="span-47 colborder">
<div class="span-47 last">
<div class="article main">
<div id="three-col">
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Pembrokeshire care home fees review granted
<p id="story_continues_1" class="introduction">A High Court judge has granted permission for a judicial review of how Pembrokeshire council sets the amount it pays in care home fees. </p>
<p>A hearing in Cardiff heard that the weekly £390 it pays per resident is not enough to cover costs. </p>
<p>The owners of four homes claim they face closure without more money and that the fees structure is unfair.</p>
<p>The council's legal defence claims the homes' financial problems are not a consequence of how the fees are set. </p>
<p>At the hearing, the homes - which are trying claim extra payments of £90 per resident per week - were refused a temporary increase in fees until the judicial review.</p>
<p>For further information click here: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-11712480">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-11712480</a></p>
<p>See live interview with Care Forum Wales, Senior Policy Advisor, Barry Latham on BBC Wales News this evening at 6.30pm to get feedback from this judgement.</p>Pembrokeshire care home higher fees plea in High Court
<p id="story_continues_1" class="introduction">The owners of four care homes in Pembrokeshire are going to court in a bid to force the county council to increase the fees it pays them.</p>
<p>They will tell the High Court in Cardiff they will have to close as the income does not cover their costs.</p>
<p>The council said it paid a similar level to many in Wales and more than others, and was confident it would win.</p>
<p>South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart said he hoped the "test case" would provide a solution for 86 residents affected.</p>
<p>The High Court will be asked to decide whether the council should immediately start paying more money while the longer term dispute is resolved.</p>
<p id="story_continues_2">Care Forum Wales, which represents independent care providers, will provide written evidence on their behalf.</p>
<p>Senior policy advisor Barry Latham said: "These cases appear to be symptomatic of wider problem in the social care sector which is causing a postcode lottery in relation to the provision of care in Wales.</p>
<p>For further information visit: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-11712480">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-11712480</a></p>Invitation to Conwy Community Strategy workshop for all stakeholders<span>
<p><font size="5"><font face="Arial"> Conwy Community Strategy Stakeholder Workshop</font></font></p></span>
<h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt; text-align: center;"><span>
<p>November 22, 2010</p></span></h2>
<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span>
<p>Conference Room, Conwy Business Centre</p>
<p>9.30 am – 1.30pm </p></span></h1><span>
<h1><span style="font-family: Arial; color: navy; font-size: 14pt;">The Conwy Local Service Board would like to have your input at an informal multi-agency workshop to look at progressing the 7 Outcome areas that will make up Conwy’s Community Strategy.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></h1>
<h1> </h1>
<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt; text-align: center;" align="center"></h1>
<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span>1.<span times="" new="" roman??=""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">People in Conwy have the opportunity to be educated and skilled to enable them to reach their full potential.</span></span> </h1>
<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt; text-align: center;" align="left"><span>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span>2.<span times="" new="" roman??=""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">The people of Conwy have safe and appropriate housing with access to services.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span>4.<span times="" new="" roman??=""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Conwy has a thriving, sustainable and prosperous economy and is a great place to live, work or visit.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span>5.<span times="" new="" roman??=""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Conwy has an environment which is carefully managed so its potential is used to maximum effect for present and future generations</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span>6.<span times="" new="" roman??=""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Conwy is an easy place to get to, from and around.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span>7.<span times="" new="" roman??=""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Conwy is an informed inclusive and equal community where our language, culture and heritage thrive</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><font size="3"> </font></span></span></p>
<p><span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span><span><font face="Verdana" size="3">Papers will be sent out in advance of the workshop.</font></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></p>
<p><span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">T</span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">he workshop will start promptly at 9.30am and finish at 1.00pm.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span>Tea and coffee will be available from 9.00pm and a buffet lunch will be available at 1.00 pm.</span><font face="Verdana"> </font></span></p></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span>3.<span times="" new="" roman??=""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">People in Conwy are healthy, safe, active and independent</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></h1>
<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt; text-align: center;" align="left">
<p> </p>
</h1>
<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt; text-align: center;" align="left">
<p> </p>
</h1>
<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt; text-align: center;" align="left">
<p> </p>
</h1>
<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt; text-align: center;" align="left">
<p> </p>
</h1>
<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt; text-align: center;" align="left">
<p> </p>
</h1>
<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt; text-align: center;" align="left">
<p> </p>
</h1>
<h1 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt; text-align: center;" align="left">
<p> </p>
</h1></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><font size="3">The workshop will prioritise what we will use as indicators to see if we have been successful in delivering the following outcomes:</font></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span>National Social Services Conference 2011
<p class=" " align="center" style="text-align: center"><strong><font size="5" face="Arial"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold">**Diary Marker**</span></font></strong></p>
<p class=" " align="center" style="text-align: center"> </p>
<p class=" " align="center" style="text-align: center"><strong><font size="5" face="Arial"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold">National Social Services Conference 2011</span></font></strong></p>
<p class=" " align="center" style="text-align: center"><strong><font size="5" face="Arial"><span lang="CY" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold">Cynhadledd Genedlaethol y Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol 2011</span></font></strong></p>
<p class=" " align="center" style="text-align: center"> </p>
<p class=" " align="center" style="text-align: center"><strong><font size="5" face="Arial"><span lang="CY" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold">June 21<sup>st</sup> – 22<sup>nd</sup> 2011 / 21 – 22 Mehefin 2011</span></font></strong></p>
<p class=" " align="center" style="text-align: center"><strong><font size="5" face="Arial"><span lang="CY" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold">Millennium Stadium, Cardiff / Stadiwm y Mileniwm, Caerdydd</span></font></strong></p>Wales Care Awards 2010 winners announced
<p>The winners of the <strong>2010 Wales Care Awards</strong> were announced at the annual Wales Care Awards event at Cardiff's City Hall on October 29.</p>
<p>More than 500 guests attended the evening event to see 49 nominees battle it out for gold, silver or bronze awards in 22 different awards categories. </p>
<p>The <strong>Residential Care Practitioner Award</strong> was won by Inti Zirga of Newton Grange Care Home in Swansea and the <strong>Nurse Of The Year Award</strong> was won by Rachel Kemp of College Fields Nursing Home, in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan.</p>
<p>The <strong>Exceptional Newcomer</strong> <strong>Award</strong> was won by Gordon Black of Greenbanks Homecare also in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan.</p>
<p>Other awards categories included the <strong>Excellence In Mental Health Care</strong> Award, <strong>Excellence In Palliative And End Of Life Care</strong> Award and the <strong>Promoting Fulfilled Lives</strong> Award.</p>
<p>For a full list of winners see the <strong>awards link in the toolbar</strong> at the top of the page!<br type="_moz" /></p>FREE HSE WORKSHOPS<span lang="EN">
<p>HSE is providing an opportunity to take part in a fully funded "joint" workshop for health and safety representatives and their managers. These worker involvement workshops focus on developing a more collaborative approach to the management of key health and safety risks, covering topics such as stress, hand arm vibration, working at height and musculoskeletal disorders.</p>
<p>They are open to any size of organisation, from any sector, who have an identified need to improve their current health and safety consultation arrangements. These workshops can be delivered either within your organisation (a minimum of 8 delegates must be present) or along with other organisations.</p>
<p>Find out more about locations, dates and content of workshops by calling HSE's dedicated training provider (Premier Partnership) on their "do your bit" training team number 01302 349629, or alternatively email details to: doyourbittrainingteam@premier-partnership.co.uk</p></span>Care Forum welcomes plans to recognise care staff professionalism
<p>Care Forum Wales has welcomed a Welsh Assembly Government initiative to<br />
boost the status of staff working in the social care sector.<br /> <br />
In a letter to Care Forum Wales on October 20, the Assembly's deputy minister <br />for social services, Gwenda Thomas, has said that most care home managers <br />in the independent care sector will need to<br />
register with the Care Council for Wales (CCW) from next June<br />
(2011) as part of the next phase of its plans for professional<br />
recognition of the social care workforce.<br /> <br />
Mario Kreft, chief executive of Care Forum Wales, said: "This move is a<br />
precursor to the day when everyone working in social care will be<br />
registered with the Care Council for Wales - a day we look forward to as<br />
this will bring well-deserved professional recognition for staff working<br />
in the independent care sector in Wales.<br /> <br />
"This proposal will also mean that nurse managers will have to register<br />
with CCW next year. While there will be some who don't<br />
agree with or fully understand why this is necessary, this is a clear<br />
indication that the Assembly Government is continuing to pursue its aim<br />
of driving up standards in social care and promoting professional<br />
recognition for those working in the sector at all levels.<br /> <br />
"Nurses who manage independent care homes make a vital contribution to<br />
the lives of those in their care.<br /> <br />
"With this move nurses will be leading the way for all staff to gain<br />
recognition for their hard work. For far too long nurses working in the<br />
independent sector have not had their contribution properly recognised<br />
for their professionalism and the value they bring to services in the<br />
community," added Mr Kreft.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>ends <br /></p>
<p> </p>Care Forum Wales gives cautious welcome to £2bn social care boost
<p>The chief executive of Care Forum Wales, Mario Kreft, has given a cautious welcome to the Chancellor George Osbourne’s planned extra £2bn funding for social care services.<br /><br />Mr Kreft, the honourary chief executive of Care Forum Wales, said: “It’s early days but it’s encouraging.<br /><br />“We’re in a situation that is extremely challenging but there are a lot of vulnerable people and our society is based on values of caring for others.â€<br /><br />As to how the funding settlement will affect Wales, Mr Kreft said: “We hope it translates into Wales. It has to be a good signal.â€<br /><br />In his speech, Mr Osbourne said that £1bn of the extra funding would be aimed at helping improve co-ordination between the NHS and local government services. He said he hoped it would stop people “who fall through the crack between two systemsâ€.<br /><br />Mr Kreft said: “This is exactly where I think the independent sector comes in. We can offer ‘step up’ and ‘step down’ facilities providing dedicated respite care for an elderly person whose main carer, who may be their elderly partner, has a bad bout of flu or needs to have an operation, for example.<br /><br />“We can also offer a stepping stone for people who are ready to leave hospital but not yet well enough to be cared for at home - helping to stop so-called bed-blocking in hospitals,†added Mr Kreft.<br /></p>
<p>ends<br type="_moz" /> </p>Chancellor pledges £2bn funding boost for social care
<p>Despite fears that social care would face deep cuts in today's Comprehensive Spending Review plans (Oct 20), Chancellor George Osbourne has revealed that social care will receive a boost from an additional £2bn of funding.</p>
<p>There will be a boost of £1bn by 2014/15 and a further £1bn through funding via the NHS and a key aim is to encourage local authorities and the health service to work together to stop elderly people "fall through the crack between the two systems".</p>
<p>Mr Osbourne said: "Some in local government have concerns about the financing of social care.
</p>
<p>
"I can announce that grant funding for social care will be
increased by an additional £1 billion by the fourth year of the Spending
Review.
</p>
<p>
"And a further £1 billion for social care will be provided
through the NHS to support joint working with councils – so that elderly
people do not continue to fall through the crack between two systems.
</p>
<p>
"That’s a total of £2 billion additional funding for social care to protect the most vulnerable."
</p>
<p> For more information see:</p>
<p>www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/spend_sr2010_speech.htm</p>
<p>ends<br /></p> Spending review 'to hit poorest over-75s hardest', says Age UK
<h2>Planned cuts for poorest older people to equal 'one third of income' says Age UK<br /></h2>
<p class="intro">The over-75s will be hit harder, relative to their
incomes, than any other group as a result of the Government's spending review on Wednesday (Oct 20), according to Age UK.</p>
<p class="intro">The new independent research shows the average
household with someone over-75 will lose £2,200 worth of public services
per year by 2014-15 – equivalent to a sixth (14%) of their household
income.</p>
<p>The findings indicate the very poorest will suffer the most from
public spending cuts, sparking new fears that far from being ‘fair’ the
coalition government’s spending plans are in fact deeply regressive. </p>
<p>In
cash terms, the poorest over-75s will lose an average of £2,030 worth
of services by 2014-15 – equivalent to a third (33.7%) of their
household income. The outlook is only slightly better for the
poorest 65-74 year olds, who will miss out on £1,870 worth of services
by 2014-15 – just under a third (29%) of their net income.</p>
<p>The research shows that pensioners – who tend to have lower incomes
than other groups – will largely lose out as a result of cuts to social
care and housing.</p>
<p>Ahead of the comprehensive spending review, Age UK is calling on the Government to recognise that slashing budgets for
services that people in later life rely on could have a devastating
impact on the most frail and vulnerable, putting thousands of lives at
risk. </p>
<p>Michelle Mitchell, Age UK’s charity director, said, ‘In such
difficult economic times, it would be naïve to assume that older people
will be offered immunity from the government’s spending cuts. But as
people in later life are generally poorer and more dependent on public
spending than other groups, they risk bearing the brunt of swingeing
cuts unless government decisions are taken fairly and cautiously. </p>
<p>‘When the coalition entered government it promised to safeguard
age-related entitlements and protect the poorest and most vulnerable in
society. With the lives of thousands of older people at risk if
essential care services are cut, the Chancellor will not quickly be
forgiven if he fails to support the oldest and frailest, who rely on
public services the most.’</p>
<p> For more information see: www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-press/over-75s-lose-thousands-spending-review/ </p>
<p>ends <br /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><br /></p> WAG announces £9m for Gwent care-at-home programme
<div id="article-title">
<h2>WAG announces £9 million announced to provide care, support and dignity</h2>
</div>
<div id="article-abstract">
<p>Assembly Finance Minister, Jane Hutt, has announced £9 million funding over the next three years to provide vulnerable people with care at home under the Gwent
Frailty Programme. It will help elderly and vulnerable people remain independent and living in their own homes, rather than being admitted to hospital. </p>
<p>The programme aims to:<br /></p>
</div>
<ul>
<li>bring together professionals to make sure there is access to the right person at the time needed;</li>
<li>co-ordinate communication so people have one key person to guide them through the system and be the main point of contact;</li>
<li>deliver the right level of response according to how much support is needed at any particular time;</li>
<li>help people remain independent;</li>
<li>deliver care in or close to home and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions; and,</li>
<li>deliver efficiency savings of approximately £1 million per annum.</li>
</ul>Edwina Hart, Minister for Health and Social Services said:
"The Gwent Frailty Programme has real potential to make a
difference to the lives of vulnerable people in the area as it addresses
key issues which are fundamental to the quality and dignity with which
care is delivered."
<blockquote style="margin-right: 0px;" dir="ltr"> </blockquote>ends<br />NICE ruling 'to help thousands of early stage Alzheimer's sufferers'Hundreds of thousands of people with <strong>Alzheimer’s
disease</strong> who have been denied medical treatment could soon be given
<strong>access to life-changing drugs on the NHS</strong>, says the Alzheimer's Society.
<p>The National Institute for Health and
Clinical Excellence (NICE) has ruled (Oct 7) that medications, which cost
£2.80 per person per day, are cost effective and should now be available on
prescription. </p>
<p>If the draft decision is upheld (after a 30-day consultation period) three drugs - Aricept,
Exelon and Reminyl - will be <strong>available on the NHS for people in the
early and moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease</strong>. These treatments have,
up to now, been restricted to people in the moderate stages. A fourth
drug, called Ebixa, would also be made available to people in the
moderate to late stages.
</p>
<p> </p> The Alzheimer's Society says the draft decision is a <strong>victory for people with
Alzheimer's disease</strong> and their carers who have campaigned for full access to the drug
treatments since they were controversially restricted in 2007.
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Ruth Sutherland, interim chief executive of Alzheimer's Society, said:
"This is a momentous day for thousands of people with Alzheimer's
and their carers. </p>
<p>"These drugs can help people have a better quality of
life at all stages of the condition. While they don't work for everyone,
small but important benefits can enable many people to recognise their
loved ones for longer, play with their grandchildren or make vital plans
for the future. </p>
<p>"The Alzheimer's Society welcomes the draft decision and
will now be campaigning for more people to have access to the treatments
from today."</p>
<blockquote>
<p> </p> <cite></cite>
<p> </p>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>What does the decision mean for your loved ones? </strong></p>
<p>For more information, see: www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=1465</p>
<p>ends </p>North Wales care home owners say they can save NHS £20m
<p><span lang="EN" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #333333; font-size: 9pt">INDEPENDENT care providers in North Wales have said they can help save the NHS in Wales around £20m a year – and beat the hospital bed blocking bug at the same time.....click link to read further details <a href="http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2010/10/04/north-wales-care-home-owners-say-they-can-save-nhs-20m-55578-27393942/">http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2010/10/04/north-wales-care-home-owners-say-they-can-save-nhs-20m-55578-27393942/</a>.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #333333; font-size: 9pt"></span></p>Time to end the social care ‘postcode lottery’ says forum
<p><span lang="EN" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #333333; font-size: 9pt">A NEW vision to end the “postcode lottery†in social care is being called for by independent care workers in Blaenau Gwent.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #333333; font-size: 9pt">Click link for further information - <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/blaenau-gwent/2010/09/23/time-to-end-the-social-care-postcode-lottery-says-forum-91466-27312469/">http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/blaenau-gwent/2010/09/23/time-to-end-the-social-care-postcode-lottery-says-forum-91466-27312469/</a></span></p>Deputy social services minister on how Wales aims help disadvantaged families
<div style="border: medium none; text-align: left; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none;">
<p><strong>Gwenda Thomas, deputy minister for social services, explains why the introduction of the integrated family support service is so important </strong></p>
<p>THE decision to place a child in the care system is a huge decision fraught with many difficulties, but the overriding feature in all these cases is the safety, well-being and protection of a vulnerable child.</p>Read More <a href="http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2010/10/04/breaking-the-cycle-of-disadvantage-that-blights-some-families-in-wales-91466-27392484/#ixzz11NvwbkkW" style="">http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2010/10/04/breaking-the-cycle-of-disadvantage-that-blights-some-families-in-wales-91466-27392484/#ixzz11NvwbkkW</a>
</div>Senate will 'give Welsh pensioners a stronger voice'Four national older people's organisations in Wales are joining to create a senate to give older people a stronger public voice.
<div class="story-body">
<p>The Welsh Senate of Older People, being launched today (Oct 1) will lobby the UK and Welsh
Assembly Governments on matters such as age discrimination, housing and
health.</p>It will also work to improve a wide range of services to the elderly in Wales.
<p>The four organisations joining together are the National Old
Age Pensioners Association of Wales, the National Pensioners Convention
Wales, Older People's Advisory Group Cymru and Pensioners Forum Wales. </p>
<p>A spokesperson for the senate said: "The population of Wales
is ageing at a faster rate than any other part of the UK, and in 20
years time one in three Welsh adults will be aged 65 or over.</p>
<p>"Older people's issues have become increasingly prominent in
recent years and the creation of the senate is a significant milestone
in the journey to unite older people the length and breadth of Wales."</p>
</div>
<p>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11450330</p>Care Forum Wales is now on Twitter!
<p>We've joined the revolution and joined like-minded folks on Twitter. We'll be regularly updating our Twitter feed with news and events from the care industry in Wales and beyond. So go on, give it a try and follow us by searching on Twitter for</p>
<p>@careforumwales</p>
<p> Thanks for following!<br /></p>Only a few spaces left for Wales Care Awards dinner
<p>The Wales Care Awards are just over a month away and the gala dinner which will take place in the glamorous surroundings of City Hall in Cardiff on October 29 is almost a sell-out.</p>
<p>There are just a few spaces left so even if you're not up for an award - nominations are now closed for this year - there is still time to nab one of the few remaining places to attend this prestigious ceremony. It's a great chance to network and mingle with other care sector professionals in a relaxed atmosphere. </p>
<p>If you would still like to book contact:</p>
<p> </p>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="2"><span>Sue Thomas</span></font></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="2"><span>Care Forum Wales</span></font></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="2"><span>Hillbury House</span></font></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="2"><span>Hillbury Road</span></font></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="2"><span>Wrexham</span></font></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="2"><span>LL13 ET</span></font></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="2"><span></span></font> </div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="2"><span>01978 752500 / 755400</span></font></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="2"><span>email: <a href="mailto:enquiries@careforumwales.org" target="_blank">enquiries@careforumwales.org</a></span></font></div>Alzheimer's numbers to double by 2030
<p>The number of people with dementia globally is estimated to nearly
double every 20 years, according to a report released today (September 21) for World
Alzheimer's Day.</p>
<p>The World Alzheimer Report 2010, by Alzheimer's Disease International, estimates there are an estimated 35.6m people curring living with dementia and that number is expected to hit 65.7m by 2030.</p>
<p>According to Professor Martin Prince, of the Centre for Global Mental
Health, speaking on the Today Programme, the number
currently living with dementia in the UK is 750,000 (a third of these are living in
residential care homes) - but that number will follow the worldwide trend and double to 1.5m in the next 20 years. </p>
<p>The report also highlighted the costs of dementia care - both in terms of public funding, private care and family assistance - and estimates that worldwide these are currently 1% of global GDP. According to Prof Prince, "If this was a country it would be the world's 18th largest economy."</p>
<p>The report states that the total worldwide costs of dementia will be US$604 (£400bn) billion in 2010 and about 70% of the costs will occur in Western Europe and North America. The report's authors say: "High income countries are struggling to cope with the demand for services, leaving many people with dementia and caregivers with little or no support. </p>
<p>"Consequently, we urge key decision makers to take notice of this very important document and to work with Alzheimer associations and with ADI to make dementia a national and global health priority."</p>
<p>Click the link - Professor Martin Prince, of the Centre for Global Mental Health, explains the findings:</p>
<p>http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9018000/9018555.stm</p>Care staff views sought on professional misconduct rules<h3>Care staff and social workers are to be
asked for their views on new proposals for dealing with professional
misconduct.<span class="date"></span></h3>
<p><strong>The Care Council for Wales is consulting with registered
practitioners and others on new proposals to streamline and refine the
ways in which the regulatory body deals with cases of alleged
professional misconduct.</strong></p>
<p>It is asking for the views of social workers and registered social
care workers on plans which will include adding to the possible
sanctions imposed on practitioners found guilty of misconduct and
simplifying how cases are dealt with. </p>
<p>As part of the 12-week public consultation which began on September 6, the Care Council is also seeking the opinions
of those people who use the services provided by the workers it
regulates.</p>
<p>The proposals aim to provide improved protection for members of the public and fairness for workers. The emphasis is on
improving practice, raising standards and helping staff to resolve
work-based issues and prevent future occurrences. <br /></p>
<p>Rhian Huws Williams, Care Council for Wales' chief executive, said: "The review of our
conduct processes provides the opportunity to ensure that they are
effective and fit for purpose. </p>
<p> "The proposals reflect the experience of
running the current procedures over the past six years and are designed
to benefit all parties concerned,
to streamline current procedures while ensuring we continue to
have in place a robust and fair process."</p> Comments can be submitted to the Care Council
about its proposals via its website, <a href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/your-voice/consultation/current">http://www.ccwales.org.uk/your-voice/consultation/current</a>Conference aims to boost status of 'care at home' workforce<h3>Conference aims to boost status of 'care at home' workforce<br /> <span class="date"></span></h3>
<p>The Care Council for Wales is hosting a conference aimed at providing
recognition and support for the 'care at home' workforce.</p>
<p>The event, called <strong>Care At Home - Moving The Workforce Towards The Vision</strong> - is being held in Cardiff's Marriot hotel on <strong>September 28</strong>. It follows the recent publication of its study into those who care for the elderly at home. </p>
<p>It will provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to focus on
the <strong>actions needed to address the five key recommendations of the Care Council study</strong> which are to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Recognise the value of the 'care at home' workforce</li>
<li>Enhance the role of this workforce</li>
<li>Address the workforce implications of developing integrated services</li>
<li>Support the workforce in delivering people-focused
services</li>
<li>Explore the consequences for the workforce of new service options
around self-directed support</li>
</ul>
<p>The programme will include personal responses to the study from those who have been provided with care
at home as well as carers, providers and commissioners. There will also be contributions from the Welsh Assembly Government and health service
partners and an opportunity to debate the recommendations and
to hear from the care at home research team and other guest speakers. </p>
<p>Whether you are a commissioner, service provider, workforce leader,
service user and carer group, senior manager, elected member, planner in
health and social care, or education provider - this is an event which
will be of interest to you. The event is free of charge. </p>
<p>Places will be limited, so you must register for the event by contacting <a href="mailto:meilir.thomas@ccwales.org.uk">meilir.thomas@ccwales.org.uk</a>.</p>
<p>Registration will start at 10.00am, with the conference opening at
10.30am and closing at 3.45pm. The event will be held in the Marriot
Hotel in Cardiff, near Cardiff Central Station. </p> <a href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news-and-events/13526">Press
release about the care at home workforce study </a>Cash for study on impact of home closures<a name="maincontent"></a>
<div class="dateComments cl txtm1 b ">
<div class="body">
<p> <!--[if lte IE 6]>
<style type="text/css">
.newspaper img{
display:none;
}
.newspaper .alpha{
display:inline;
filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.AlphaImageLoader(src='http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/images/275582/sitenewspaperimage.gif', sizingMethod='scale');
}
</style>
<![endif]--> <span class="newspaper"></span></p>
<p><span class="newspaper"><img class="alpha" src="http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/images/blank.gif" alt="Image:
swales_set" /></span>A Swansea University research project into the effects of care home closures
in <a href="http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/topics/place/wales">Wales</a>
has been given a £130,000 funding boost, the South Wales Evening Post reports.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p>The research will study the implications of care home closures,
and closely examine the effects of relocation on the health and
wellbeing of the older people involved.</p>
<p>The money for the 18-month project has come from the <a href="http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/topics/place/nationalinstitute">National
Institute</a> for Social Care and Health Research.</p>
<p>Vanessa Burholt, director of the Centre for Innovative Ageing at
Swansea University, said: "The closure of care homes is an emotional
topic for those affected, and therefore the research will also identify
the impact of closure on the wellbeing of older people, their relatives
and carers.</p>Health & Safety Update for Members<div dir="ltr"><font face="tahoma" size="2">The following links are now available for your information:</font></div>
<div dir="ltr"><font face="Tahoma" size="2"></font></div>
<div dir="ltr"><font face="tahoma" size="2">Managing migraine in the workplace--- www.migraine.org.uk/maw</font></div>
<div dir="ltr"> </div>
<div dir="ltr"><font face="tahoma" size="2">Mental health anti stigma initiative time to change- time to move week 9-17th October </font></div>
<div dir="ltr"><font face="tahoma" size="2"><a title="blocked::http://www.time-to-change.org/what-were-you-doing/get-moving" href="http://www.time-to-change.org/what-were-you-doing/get-moving">www.time-to-change.org/what-were-you-doing/get-moving</a> </font></div>
<div dir="ltr"> </div>
<div dir="ltr"><font face="tahoma" size="2">European Agency -workplace health promotion resources <a title="blocked::http://osha.europa.eu/en/topics/whp" href="http://osha.europa.eu/en/topics/whp">http://osha.europa.eu/en/topics/whp</a></font></div>WALES CARE AWARDS 2010 - FINALIST ANNOUNCED
<p>Finalists for the Wales Care Awards 2010 have now been announced. <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Final%20shortlist%20Care%20Awards%20September%202010%20website.doc">Click here </a>to view</p>
<p> <span lang="EN-GB">The Wales Care Awards are an annual event run by Care Forum Wales to showcase best practice across the care sector. This year they’re due to take place on October 29 in Cardiff’s City Hall.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB">Anyone involved in the care industry can nominate an individual or a team for one of 22 awards. So whether you’d like to nominate an outstanding nurse, think your catering team are unsung heroes or you have a hard-working manager whose efforts deserve recognition, this is a chance to have your say. </span></p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB">The awards ceremony, sponsored by Barclays Bank, is open to all who wish to attend. The event costs </span>£70 per ticket – but your lucky nominee and a guest go free and get overnight accommodation at a nearby four-star hotel in Cardiff. To download table booking form <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/booking%20form%20for%20dinner%20and%20hotel%20info%20new%202010.doc">click here</a>.</p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB">The Welsh Assembly Government’s deputy minister for health and social services, Gwenda Thomas, will present the prestigious awards which come in three categories – gold, silver and bronze – and are an important part of raising the profile of care workers and educating the public about the vital work we do.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB">Attending the ceremony is also an occasion to mingle with fellow care sector staff, compare best practice and, of course, to have some well-deserved fun. So come along and enjoy the evening – this is your time to shine. </span></p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB">For further information please contact Sue Thomas: 01978 752500</span></p>
<p> </p>Health at Work Advice Line Wales<p class=" ">Is employee ill-health affecting your organisation? </p>
<p class=" ">Small organisation employers and their employees can access free professional advice on any occupational, physical or mental health issue. GPs can also access the service for advice and support on issues affecting individual patients including those raised by the new Statement of Fitness for Work. The Health at Work Advice Line Wales is open 24 hours a day with qualified professionals available between 9 and 5 on weekdays. Outside of these hours, a call back service operates. If our advisors aren’t able to help directly, they will put you in touch with someone who can.</p>
<p class=" ">
<p> </p>Call on <strong>0800 107 0900</strong> and minimise the impact of ill-health on your organisation.
</p>
<p class=" ">
<p> </p>Information on the Advice Line is also available at <a href="http://www.healthyworkingwales.com/">www.healthyworkingwales.com</a>.
</p>
<p class=" ">
<p> </p>
</p>Statutory Guidance: Fulfilled Lives Supportive Communities Commissioning Framework and Guidance <div class="page_heading_3col">
<h2>This circular provides Statutory Guidance on Commissioning Social Services. It is issued under section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970. </h2>
</div>
<div class="page_content_3col">
<p>The Framework and Guidance applies to commissioning by local authority social services. It also applies to commissioning by wider partnerships where social services are engaged. The guidance encourages partnership working.</p>
<p>The Commissioning Framework is further supported by the Value Wales Procurement Route Planner, which can be found at <a href="http://www.Buy4Wales.co.uk/PRP">www.Buy4Wales.co.uk/PRP (external link).</a> This includes a full suite of on-line step by step guidance developed specifically for the contracting of social care services and housing related support services, which contains many useful templates and practical advice. The route planner provides more comprehensive information than is possible in this guidance.</p>
<p>To view this document click link below:</p>
<p><a href="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/publications/socialcare/circular/commi"><u><font color="#0000ff" size="2"><font color="#0000ff" size="2"><span lang="EN"><a href="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/publications/socialcare/circular/commissioningguidance/?lang=en">http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/publications/socialcare/circular/commi</a></span></font></font></u></a><font size="2">ssioningguidance/?lang=en</font></p>
</div>Older People Wales latest bulletin <font face="Arial" size="4"><span lang="EN-GB" style="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt">This is the eBulletin from the Older People’s Commission for <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region />, with updates of the Commission’s work over the last few months. </span></font>
<p class=" "><font face="Arial" size="4"><span lang="EN-GB" style="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt">You can find the bulletin on the Commission’s website: <a title="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/" href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/">www.olderpeoplewales.com</a> , along with regular updates on major topics affecting older people in <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region /> as well as any events or debates the Commission has been involved in.</span></font></p>Disability Wales - 10 things you can do to promote disability equality<p><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt">Following a very successful staff disability training day with Disability Wales, Mencap Cymru, Mind Cymru, RNIB Cymru and RNID Cymru, <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/EquIP%20Cymru%20Top%20Ten%20Tips.pdf">click here </a>to download the top ten tips from each of these organisations. These tips have been developed with these organisations to identify the most important things that people with disabilities, mental health issues, or sensory loss want</span></font><strong><span style="font-weight: bold"> </span></strong><strong><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold">us</span></font></strong><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt"> to know, to do and to remember.</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt">For further information please contact: </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: Arial">Denise Puckett, </span></font><font face="Arial" size="4"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt">Equality & Diversity Champion, </span></font><font face="Arial" size="4"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt">Welsh Assembly Government</span></font></span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt"><font face="Arial" size="4"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt">Tel: </span></font><font face="Arial" size="4"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt">029 2082 6985</span></font> <br /><u><font face="Tahoma" size="4"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: bold">email: <a href="mailto:Denise.Puckett@wales.gsi.gov.uk">Denise.Puckett@wales.gsi.gov.uk</a></span></font></u></span></font></p>Falls collaborative network for Wales<p><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="2"><span lang="EN-GB" style="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana; color: black; font-size: 10pt">A Falls Collaborative network supported by the Change Agent Team from the National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare (NLIAH), will be led by a multidisciplinary steering group chaired by Dr. Jagadish Mallya, Consultant Physician from Aneurin Bevan Health Board. This initiative relates to the NSF for Older People. A "How to Guide" on falls prevention is expected shortly. In the meantime an early flyer about the project is linked below.</span></font></p>
<p><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="2"><span lang="EN-GB" style="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana; color: black; font-size: 10pt"><a title="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/documents/829/Multiagency%20Falls%20Collaborative%20for%20Wales%20flyer.pdf" href="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/documents/829/Multiagency%20Falls%20Collaborative%20for%20Wales%20flyer.pdf">http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/documents/829/Multiagency%20Falls%20Collaborative%20for%20Wales%20flyer.pdf</a>.</span></font></p>Government Equalities Office: Equality Act 2010 - The public sector equality duty - Promoting equality through transparency consultation<p><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="2"><span lang="EN-GB" style="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana; color: black; font-size: 10pt">This consultation is seeking views on proposals for draft regulations to impose specific duties under the Equality Act 2010 on public bodies, including care regulators and local authorites. (Those tendering for council work and regulated by public bodies may like to note these changes in case they have a knock-on effect.) </span></font></p>
<p><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="2"><span lang="EN-GB" style="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana; color: black; font-size: 10pt"><a title="http://equalities.gov.uk/news/specific_duties_consultation.aspx" href="http://equalities.gov.uk/news/specific_duties_consultation.aspx">http://equalities.gov.uk/news/specific_duties_consultation.aspx</a>.</span></font></p>Ymgynghoriad/Consultation<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt">The Care Council in its role as the Sector Skills Council </span><span lang="EN" style="EN" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt">for the social care, children, early years and young people’s workforce in the Wales is inviting employers to respond the following consultations.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN" style="EN" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt"></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt">The <strong>Right to request time to Train</strong></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt"> </span>
<p> </p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB" style="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt"></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt">and a second one on the <strong>national minimum wage</strong> which could impact particularly on apprenticeship uptake. </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt"></span>
<p> </p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="line-height: 13.5pt"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt">The Care Council is asking employers within the sector to contribute to both consultations thereby providing a Wales perspective on the Consultations. Please ask employers to respond to the briefings attached and return to the Care Council for Wales – information e mail addresses etc are contained in the briefing. This is so that the Care Council can provide the Wales employer perspective within the report from Skills for Care and Development. The addresses of the full consultations are on the briefings if employers also wish to respond directly. </span></p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="line-height: 13.5pt"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt"><a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CONSULTATION%20ON%20THE%20NATIONAL%20MINIMUM%20WAGE.doc">Click here </a>for attachment 1</span></p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="line-height: 13.5pt"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt"><a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/CONSULTATION%20ON%20THE%20RIGHT%20TO%20REQUEST%20TIME%20TO%20TRAIN.doc">Click here </a>for attachment 2</span></p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>8 out of 10 say older people deserve stronger rights<p><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="2"><span lang="EN-GB" style="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana; color: black; font-size: 10pt">An ICM Poll of 1,500 people of all ages, commissioned by the Older People’s Commissioner for <place w:st="on">Wales</place>, has demonstrated there is overwhelming support for a set of rights for older people to ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect. Separately the Commissioner has met with the Secretary of State for <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region>, Cheryl Gillan, to voice the importance of attendance allowance, press for the Equality Act 2010 to be implemented for older people, and call for the new Commission on Long Term Care for <country-region w:st="on">England</country-region>, to consider the effect on devolution and older people in <place w:st="on">Wales</place> in its deliberations.</span></font></p>
<p><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="2"><span lang="EN-GB" style="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana; color: black; font-size: 10pt"><a title="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/index.php?id=484&L=0" href="http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/index.php?id=484&L=0">http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/index.php?id=484&L=0</a>.</span></font></p>UKHCA Annual Wales Conference<font color="#000066" face="TTFF4D22A0t00" size="5"><font color="#000066" face="TTFF4D22A0t00" size="5"><font color="#000066" face="TTFF4D22A0t00" size="5">
<p align="left">UKHCA Annual Conference</p>
<p align="left">Date: Tuesday 5th October 2010</p></font></font></font><font color="#000066" face="TTFF4CAB00t00" size="4"><font color="#000066" face="TTFF4CAB00t00" size="4"><font color="#000066" face="TTFF4CAB00t00" size="4">
<p align="left">Venue: Metropole Hotel, Temple Street, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5DY</p>
<p align="left">To download booking form <a href="http://www.careforumwales.co.uk/uploads/Wales%20Conference%202010%20-%20Booking%20Form.pdf">click here</a></p></font></font></font>Money Talks - Learning Disability Wales Annual Conference<p class=" "><strong><font color="#800000" size="6"><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 26pt; font-weight: bold">Money Talks! Gwerth dy Arian</span></font></strong></p>
<p class=" "><strong><font color="#800000" face="Arial" size="5"><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold">Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 November 2010 </span></font></strong></p>
<p class=" "><strong><font color="#800000" face="Arial" size="5"><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold">Holiday Inn, <city w:st="on">Newport</city>, <place w:st="on">South Wales</place> </span></font></strong></p>
<p class=" "><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">
<p> </p></span></font></p>
<p class=" "><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Dear Colleague,</span></font></p>
<p class=" "><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">
<p> </p></span></font><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">This year’s annual conference will be looking at how individuals get their money and what they do with it to make every penny count. It will be lively and interactive with workshops, drama, discussion and real-life stories. </span></font></p>
<p class=" "><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">
<p> </p></span></font><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">A full conference flier and booking form can be found by clicking on the links below:</span></font></p>
<p class=" "><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">
<p> </p></span></font><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="3"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt"><a title="blocked::http://www.learningdisabilitywales.org.uk/pdfs/moneytalks_flier.pdf" href="http://www.learningdisabilitywales.org.uk/pdfs/moneytalks_flier.pdf">Money Talks! Flier </a> <a title="blocked::http://www.learningdisabilitywales.org.uk/pdfs/gwerthdyarian_flier.pdf" href="http://www.learningdisabilitywales.org.uk/pdfs/gwerthdyarian_flier.pdf">Taflen Gwerth dy Arian</a></span></font></p>
<p class=" "><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="3"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt">
<p> </p></span></font><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="3"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt"><a title="blocked::http://www.learningdisabilitywales.org.uk/pdfs/moneytalks_bookingform.doc" href="http://www.learningdisabilitywales.org.uk/pdfs/moneytalks_bookingform.doc">Money Talks! Booking Form </a> <a title="blocked::http://www.learningdisabilitywales.org.uk/pdfs/gwerthdyarian_ffurlenarchebu.doc" href="http://www.learningdisabilitywales.org.uk/pdfs/gwerthdyarian_ffurlenarchebu.doc">Ffurflen Archebu Gwerth dy Arian</a></span></font></p>
<p class=" "><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">
<p> </p></span></font><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">We would encourage you to book early in order to take advantage of the early booking discount, details below, and to ensure you are able to attend the workshop of your choice.</span></font></p>
<p class=" "><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">
<p> </p></span></font><strong><font color="#800000" face="Arial" size="4"><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold">Early Booking Discount</span></font></strong><font color="#800000" size="4"><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 14pt">: </span></font>An early booking discount of 10% is available on the conference fee for bookings made before 30 September 2010.</p>
<p class=" "><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">
<p> </p></span></font><strong><font color="#800000" face="Arial" size="4"><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold">Travel Bursaries: </span></font></strong>To make our conference more accessible we are offering a limited number of travel bursaries this year.</p>
<p class=" "><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">The bursaries are available to people with learning disabilities travelling from the following counties: Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire, Powys (North of Llandrindod Wells), Wrexham, Ynys Mon.</span></font></p>
<p class=" "><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">You will need to apply for a bursary and receive confirmation before the conference.</span></font></p>
<p class=" "><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">
<p> </p></span></font><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">The number of bursaries available is limited and they will be issued on a first come, first served basis so get your request in early!</span></font></p>
<p class=" "><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">If successful you can claim back travel costs up to a maximum of £50 per person after the event.</span></font></p>
<p class=" "><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">
<p> </p></span></font><strong><font color="#990000" face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: #990000; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold">Learning Disability <place w:st="on">Wales</place> - </span></font></strong><strong><font color="#cc0000" face="Arial"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold">Anabledd Dysgu Cymru</span></font></strong></p>
<p class=" "><street w:st="on"><strong><font color="#990000" face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: #990000; font-size: 12pt">41 Lambourne Crescent</span></font></strong></street></p>
<p class=" "><place w:st="on"><strong><font color="#990000" face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: #990000; font-size: 12pt">Cardiff</span></font></strong><strong><font color="#990000" face="Arial"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: #990000"> <placename w:st="on">Business</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Park</placetype></span></font></strong></place></p>
<p class=" "><strong><strong><font color="#990000" face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: #990000; font-size: 12pt">Llanishen, <place w:st="on">Cardiff</place> CF14 5GG</span></font></strong></strong></p>
<p class=" "><strong><strong><font color="#990000" face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: #990000; font-size: 12pt">Tel: 029 2068 1160 Fax: 029 2075 2149</span></font></strong></strong></p>
<p class=" "><strong><strong><font color="#990000" face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: #990000; font-size: 12pt">
<p> </p></span></font></strong></strong></p>
<p class=" "><font color="#990000" face="Arial" size="3"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: 12pt"><a title="blocked::http://www.learningdisabilitywales.org.uk/
http://www.learningdisabilitywales.org.uk/" href="http://www.learningdisabilitywales.org.uk/">www.learningdisabilitywales.org.uk</a></span></font></p>
<p class=" "><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt"> </span></font></p>
<p class=" "><strong><font color="#5bbf21" face="Webdings" size="5"><span style="font-family: Webdings; color: #5bbf21; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold">ü<em><span style="font-style: italic"> </span></em></span></font></strong><strong><font color="#5bbf21" face="Franklin Gothic Medium" size="2"><span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Medium'; color: #5bbf21; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold">Please consider the environment before printing</span></font></strong></p>
<p class=" "><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">
<p> </p></span></font></p>
<p class=" "><strong><font color="#ff0000" face="Verdana" size="3"><span style="font-family: Verdana; color: red; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold">Money Talks!</span></font></strong><font color="#ff0000"><span style="color: red"> – 23<sup>rd</sup> and 24<sup>th</sup> November at <city w:st="on">Newport</city>, <place w:st="on">South Wales</place></span></font></p>
<p class=" "><font color="#ff0000" face="Arial" size="3"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt">Visit <a title="blocked::http://www.learningdisabilitywales.org.uk/moneytalks.php" href="http://www.learningdisabilitywales.org.uk/moneytalks.php">www.learningdisabilitywales.org.uk/moneytalks.php</a> for full information. </span></font></p>Public Service Wales Bulletin <p><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt"> </span></font> <br /><a title="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/improvingservices/challenge/bulletins/?lang=en" href="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/improvingservices/challenge/bulletins/?lang=en"><strong title="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/improvingservices/challenge/bulletins/?lang=en"><font title="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/improvingservices/challenge/bulletins/?lang=en" face="Arial"><span title="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/improvingservices/challenge/bulletins/?lang=en" style="http://wales.gov.uk/topics/improvingservices/challenge/bulletins/?lang=en" style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold">Read the latest Public Service Wales Bulletin online here</span></font></strong></a> </p>
<p><font color="#000000" face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 12pt">This fourth bulletin brings together the former Public Services Bulletin and the Local Service Board (LSB) Update. It provides an update on the latest developments relating to efficiency and innovation across the Welsh Public Service including the Public Service Summits and the Efficiency and Innovation Programme and Board. It also includes examples of good practice across the sectors and news on LSB developments.</span></font></p>
<p><font color="#000000" face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 12pt">We welcome your feedback and suggestions on how to improve the Bulletin. Please contact us with news, examples of good practice or facts and figures that you would like to share with colleagues across sectors and we could include them in the next Bulletin or on our website.</span></font></p>
<p><font color="#000000" face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 12pt">Please contact us by emailing</span></font> <a title="mailto:meetingthechallengeofchange@wales.gsi.gov.uk////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////omailto:meetingthechallengeofchange@wales.gsi.gov.uk" href="mailto:meetingthechallengeofchange@wales.gsi.gov.uk////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////omailto:meetingthechallengeofchange@wales.gsi.gov.uk"><font title="mailto:meetingthechallengeofchange@wales.gsi.gov.uk////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////omailto:meetingthechallengeofchange@wales.gsi.gov.uk" face="Arial"><span title="mailto:meetingthechallengeofchange@wales.gsi.gov.uk////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////omailto:meetingthechallengeofchange@wales.gsi.gov.uk" style="mailto:meetingthechallengeofchange@wales.gsi.gov.uk////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////omailto:meetingthechallengeofchange@wales.gsi.gov.uk" style="font-family: Arial">meetingthechallengeofchange@wales.gsi.gov.uk</span></font></a><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: blue">.</span></font> <font face="Arial"><span style="font-family: Arial">We look forward to hearing from you.</span></font></p>Digital voice helps blind people surf the web in Welsh<div id="article-title">
<h2>Automated speech software - which enables information on computer screens to be read aloud in Welsh - is being launched at the Eisteddfod, by Education Minister Leighton Andrews and Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones.</h2>
</div>
<div id="article-date">Wednesday 04 August 2010</div>
<div id="article-box">
<div id="article-leftcol">
<div id="article-body">
<p>The Welsh Synthetic Voice has been produced by RNIB Cymru to help blind and partially sighted people access information on-line, such as train timetables.</p>
<p>The software will be free for individuals to download and is supported by £80,000 of Welsh Assembly Government funding.</p>
<p>As well as surfing Welsh language websites, the Synthetic Voice will also enable people to download and read Welsh language books and to write and receive texts in Welsh.</p>
<p>Education Minister, Leighton Andrews, said:</p>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px">
<p>“This software is an important and exciting development especially for Welsh-medium education.</p>
<p>“For the first time, blind and partially sighted children will have access to on-line material which until now has only been available to sighted pupils.</p>
<p>“Our investment will enable companies that produce digital educational resources to include the Synthetic Voice free of charge.â€</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The software will also be available free to public bodies outside of the education sector, providing people of all ages with much greater access to information in Welsh.</p>
<p>Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, said:</p>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px">
<p>“This software will have a number of different uses in everyday life and ensure blind and partially sighted people can carry out activities through the medium of Welsh.</p>
<p>“It is vital that technologies like this are available through the medium of Welsh to ensure everyone can enjoy essential services in the language of their choice. Innovations like this will help to ensure the Welsh language can be a part of everyday life and will continue to thrive.â€</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>Deputy Minister encourages older people to have their say<div id="article-title">Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas has encouraged older people to have their say on local services.</div>
<div id="article-date">Monday 02 August 2010</div>
<div id="article-box">
<div id="article-leftcol">
<div id="article-body">
<p>All local authorities in Wales have a Strategy for Older People Co-ordinator to work with older people through the ‘50+ Forum’ and to feed these views directly to their council.</p>
<p>The National Partnership Forum for Older People (NPF) functions at an all Wales level and today the Deputy Minister visited the NPF stand at the National Eisteddfod to see how older people are helping Local Authorities to modify services and facilities for the future. </p>
<p>In response to these changing times the NPF is developing a new website to provide information about its activities but more importantly it will create a gateway to encourage the older person to air their views and share their concerns with their peers.</p>
<p>Blogging and posting comments should not only be the domain of the young and this interactive website will be developed to meet these changing needs. Most Local Authority Libraries in Wales offer training and free access to the internet so accessing to the web should not be too difficult.</p>
<p>Gwenda Thomas said:</p>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px">
<p>“We are fast becoming an ageing society and the sooner we all understand this, the sooner we can make good decisions about how we effectively plan for these changes. The National Partnership Forum for Older People in Wales and the Local Authority 50+ Forums are my eyes and ears to these changes and I welcome all opportunities for developing innovative ways of engaging with our ageing population.</p>
<p>“If you don’t participate you don’t have a voice and if you are not heard we won’t know what you need. So take this opportunity to visit the website and share your views and opinions with us on all aspects of ageing.â€</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>More than a thousand young people contact new all-Wales helpline<div id="article-title"></div>
<div id="article-abstract">More than 1,200 children and young people have contacted ‘meic’ - Wales’ new nationwide advocacy and advice helpline during its first eight weeks.</div>
<div id="article-date">Monday 02 August 2010</div>
<div id="article-box">
<div id="article-leftcol">
<div id="article-media"> </div>
<div id="article-body">
<p>Numbers calling the groundbreaking service have been rising steadily since it was launched in May by Deputy Minister for Children, Huw Lewis, Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Keith Towler and popular Welsh-born Radio 1 presenter Aled Haydn Jones.</p>
<p>‘meic’ is the first helpline of its kind in the UK and was funded by more than £450,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government in its first year of operation. It gives children and young people the opportunity to get help on issues important to them if they feel they are not being heard, or if their opinion is not being taken into account on matters that affect them. </p>
<p>Deputy Minister for Children Huw Lewis said:</p>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px">
<p>“The number and nature of calls received so far underlines the need for this service in Wales. Children and young people have a right to be heard and have their concerns listened to, no matter what the issue.</p>
<p>“This new service provides a valuable new channel of communication while complimenting other important services for children and young people.</p>
<p>“Advisers and Advocates are able to support children and young people to speak up and change things when they are not happy.</p>
<p>“Issues facing children and young people can often be very complex and they need trained staff who can help them unravel these problems, find solutions and speak up so that the situation can get better.â€</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The service currently operates seven days a week from midday to 8pm but will become a 24 hour service later this year. There was particularly heavy usage during the most recent half-term break and a similar rise is expected during the summer holidays.</p>
<p>People aged up to 25 can access the service via telephone, text messaging and instant messaging online. So far roughly 70 per cent of the calls have been voice calls.</p>
<p>The most common issues raised during the early weeks include mental health anxieties, exam stress, unemployment and housing worries. Recently, meic advisors have received a significant number of calls relating to sexuality, relationship problems and bullying in schools.</p>
<p>Trained meic advisers provide callers with information, let them know where they can get further help, or transfer them to an independent professional advocate. These advocates can help children and young people find ways of making others listen to their point of view on any decision that affects them, or even offer to make contact on their behalf. They may deal with specific issues because the child or young person is not happy with the current situation and feel that they want help and support to start, stop or change something.</p>
<p>To date, as well as signposting callers to trained advocates for further support, they have also signposted to a range of other services including Family Information Services, Housing Associations and NHS Direct.</p>
<p>Children and young people under 25 in Wales can contact meic by calling freephone 080 8802 3456, free text to 84001 or instant message via the meic website (see related websites on right).</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>High-tech approach to social care <p class=" " style=" " style="margin-bottom: 0pt"><strong><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt">
<p> </p></span></strong></p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="margin-bottom: 0pt"><strong><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt">
<p> </p></span></strong></p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="margin-bottom: 0pt"><strong>Visitors to the National Eisteddfod (31 July – 7 August) will get the opportunity to portray what social care means to them on a high-tech graffiti wall which is making only its second public appearance in Wales.</strong></p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="margin-bottom: 0pt"><strong>The interactive wall, which allows you to draw on it without any kind of paint, will be available at the Care Council for Wales stand. It will also be one of the featured items on the ‘Dragon’s Den’ programme on BBC2 on Monday 2 August at 9pm.</strong></p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="margin-bottom: 0pt">Visitors to the stand will be invited to use their artistic skills and write or draw what care means to them. All the creations will be saved and judged, with the winner being announced on the Care Council’s website (<a title="blocked::http://www.ccwales.org.uk/" href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/">www.ccwales.org.uk</a>) at the end of August. The winner will get an iPod and a t-shirt featuring their winning design. Two runners-up will also get t-shirts with their designs printed on them.</p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="margin-bottom: 0pt">The graffiti wall<span style="color: black"> allows you to create digital graffiti on a large screen using a modified spray paint can. Instead of paint, when the cap is pressed, the can ‘sprays’ infra red light, which is tracked by a computer vision system as it moves across the screen. The digital paint appears wherever the can is sprayed, just like spraying paint on a real wall.</span></p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="margin-bottom: 0pt"><span style="color: black">Rhian Huws Williams, Chief Executive of the Care Council, said: “We felt this would be a good way to draw attention to the importance of social care and to get people to convey their impressions of care in a fresh and exciting way. We first used the digital graffiti wall at this year’s Urdd Eisteddfod, where it was extremely popular, with hundreds of different designs being created during the week.</span></p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="margin-bottom: 0pt"><span style="color: black">
<p> </p></span></p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="margin-bottom: 0pt"><span style="color: black">“The wall is a way of encouraging younger people in particular to take an interest in social care and to perhaps consider it as a career. They will be able to find out more about the opportunities to work in this rewarding profession from new films and publications on our stand,†she added. </span></p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="margin-bottom: 0pt"><strong><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt">ends</span></strong></p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="margin-bottom: 0pt; background: white"><span lang="EN" style="EN" style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt">If you have any queries, please contact Malcolm Williams on 029 2078 0634 / 07811 253260 (<a title="blocked::mailto:malcolm.williams@ccwales.org.uk" href="mailto:malcolm.williams@ccwales.org.uk"><span title="blocked::mailto:malcolm.williams@ccwales.org.uk" style="blocked::mailto:malcolm.williams@ccwales.org.uk" style="color: black">malcolm.williams@ccwales.org.uk</span></a>) or Charmine Smikle on 029 2078 0626 (<a title="blocked::mailto:charmine.smikle@ccwales.org.uk" href="mailto:charmine.smikle@ccwales.org.uk">charmine.smikle@ccwales.org.uk</a>) </span></p>Care Council for Wales responds to DoH announcement about GSCC<p class=" " style=" " style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12pt">The Care Council for Wales has noted yesterday's announcement by the Department of Health on the future arrangements of regulation of social workers in England.</p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12pt">Responding to the announcement, Arwel Ellis Owen, Chair of the Care Council said, "This announcement marks a change in the arrangements for regulation of social workers in England. The Care Council will continue to work with colleagues in England and in Scotland and Northern Ireland to make sure the regulation of social workers and social care workers is robust in order to maintain a safe and skilled workforce."</p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12pt">He added, "In Wales, the Independent Commission established last year by Gwenda Thomas AM, Deputy Minister for Social Services, is tasked with looking at the future provision of social services and social care in Wales . Its findings will feed into the recently announced White Paper on the future arrangements for social services over the next decade which will be published in the new year. That will include the future arrangements for regulation and improvement of services and arrangements for the workforce in Wales."</p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12pt"><strong>Ends</strong></p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN">If you have any queries, please contact Catrin Hughes on 01745 586 862 (catrin.hughes@ccwales.org.uk) or Charmine Smikle on 029 2078 0626 (charmine.smikle@ccwales.org.uk)</span></p>UK in bottom third of countries for dementia drug usage <p>Published 27 July 2010</p>
<p class="first">The UK ranks 11th out of 14 countries for dementia drug use rates according to a report published by the Department of Health today (Tuesday 27 July, 2010).</p>
<div class="byEditor">
<p>The paper 'Extent and causes of international variations in drug usage' by Professor Sir Mike Richards looked at the rates of drug usage per capita for a range of diseases and drug categories in 14 countries across the world. The UK's overall ranking was eighth.</p>
<p>Alzheimer's Society comment:</p>
<blockquote xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<p>'This report provides a scathing indictment of the huge problems surrounding access to dementia drugs in this country. These are currently the only drug treatments for people with Alzheimer's disease and they can give people more time to plan for the future, play with their grandchildren or simply enjoy a better quality of life. </p>
<p>'It is outrageous that up to two thirds of people with dementia never even receive a diagnosis and those that do are forced to wait until their condition deteriorates before they can receive drug treatment. We need better diagnosis and more open access to these drugs if we are to even begin to bring ourselves in line with other countries.'</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Ruth Sutherland<br />Acting Chief Executive<br />Alzheimer's Society</p>
</div>Families First Pioneers announced<div id="article-title">
<h2>Deputy Minister for Children Huw Lewis has announced Wales’ first “Families First Pioneer areas†as part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s commitment to support families and tackle child poverty.</h2>
</div>
<div id="article-date">Tuesday 20 July 2010</div>
<div id="article-box">
<div id="article-leftcol">
<div id="article-media"> </div>
<div id="article-body">
<p>The first Pioneer areas will be led by Wrexham working with Flintshire and Denbighshire, and Rhondda Cynon Taf working with Merthyr Tydfil and Blaenau Gwent. </p>
<p>These areas have been selected to lead the way in demonstrating innovative ways of working and best practice models in their efforts to support families.</p>
<p>The aim of the Pioneers is to lead the way in improving the delivery of services to families across Wales, especially those living in poverty, as set out in the Assembly Government’s draft Child Poverty Strategy. The Assembly Government wants to rapidly identify best ways of working and share this on an all-Wales basis.</p>
<p>We intend to announce further Pioneer areas over time with the aim that all 22 local authorities in Wales will be part of this approach.</p>
<p>The Deputy Minister for Children said:</p>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px">
<p>“In our Child Poverty Strategy, which I launched for consultation in May, I detailed my clear intention to develop new models of integrated working to better support families with children living in poverty. These new Pioneer areas are a major part of this commitment.</p>
<p>“Lifting children out of poverty is my priority which is why I want to investigate new and innovative ways of working with families whilst treating people as individuals. A one size fits all solution simply won’t work.</p>
<p>“I know that this work has its challenges – not least because of the difficult financial situation that we find ourselves in. But this is all the more reason to ensure that our investment to support families is being delivered in the most economic, efficient and effective way possible.â€</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The Assembly Government will work closely with local authorities and other partner organisations in the new Pioneer areas to identify effective joined-up working and best practice encompassing the following services and agencies:</p>
<ul>
<li>Health (including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services)</li>
<li>Education</li>
<li>Youth Services</li>
<li>Police</li>
<li>Careers Wales</li>
<li>Employment support</li>
<li>Debt counselling / financial advice</li>
<li>Community Development Initiatives</li>
<li>Housing</li>
<li>Youth Justice Services and YOTs</li>
<li>Information Services including the Family Information Service</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>SOCIAL WORKERS AND CARE STAFF TO BE ASKED FOR VIEWS ON NEW PROPSALS FOR DEALING WITH PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT<p class=" "><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">The Care Council for Wales is to consult with registered practitioners and others on new proposals to streamline and refine the ways in which the regulatory body deals with cases of alleged professional misconduct.</span></strong></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">It will ask for the views of social workers and registered social care workers on plans which will include adding to the possible sanctions imposed on practitioners found guilty of misconduct and simplifying how cases are dealt with. </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">
<p> </p></span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">As part of the consultation, the Care Council will also seek the opinions of those people who use the services provided by the workers it regulates.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">
<p> </p></span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">A full meeting of Care Council members agreed a detailed set of proposals for consultation which included:</span></p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="text-indent: -18pt"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">Providing investigating officers with the power to agree an undertaking with registrants who are not being considered for removal from the Register of Social Care Workers. An undertaking would be measurable and time-bound, with the registrant being responsible for producing written evidence of compliance with the undertaking at the end of the period. This process would mean registrants not having to proceed through a prolonged investigatory process. </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">
<p> </p></span></p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="text-indent: -18pt"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">Developing a greater range of sanctions for conduct committees to use, including the new power to review, vary and revoke a sanction, where, for example, new evidence comes to light. The new sanctions would include suspension orders with conditions and being able to impose specific conditions on a registrant who can continue to practice. </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">Gerry Evans, Care Council Director of Standards and Regulation, said: “The changes we are proposing are born out of six years’ experience of dealing with cases of alleged misconduct by workers registered with the Care Council. They are designed to streamline the processes of the Care Council and minimise distress to registrants who are accused of misconduct and those who have made complaints, while also ensuring our system remains as robust and fair as ever. The changes will help us resolve cases at an earlier stage and make the whole process more effective and efficient.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">
<p> </p></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">“Implementation of some of the proposed changes will require amendments to the Care Standards Act 2000. Discussions are already underway with the Welsh Assembly Government to bring this about,†he added.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">
<p> </p></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">The new proposals will be subject to a 12-week public consultation, which will start in the autumn. After the consultation starts, comments can be submitted to the Care Council about its proposals via its website, </span><a href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/your-voice/consultation"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">http://www.ccwales.org.uk/your-voice/consultation</span></a></p>
<p class=" "><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">Ends</span></strong></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">
<p> </p></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">If you require any further information, please contact Malcolm Williams on 029 2078 0634 or </span><a href="mailto:malcolm.williams@ccwales.org.uk"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">malcolm.williams@ccwales.org.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt">. </span></p>Planning ahead to meet dementia demands<div id="article-abstract">Dementia services in Wales are to receive an extra £1.5 million a year to extend and develop provision, Health Minister Edwina Hart has announced today, Monday 12 July 2010</div>
<div id="article-box">
<div id="article-leftcol">
<div id="article-body">
<p>This will fund an additional dedicated dementia clinical post in every older person’s community mental health team across Wales, to provide advice and support to those diagnosed with dementia and also provide direct support to memory clinics, dementia training and awareness-raising for staff. </p>
<p>Funding has also been allocated to develop New Young Onset Dementia Community Services to support secondary and primary care in managing their patients, providing direct input into some complex cases.</p>
<p>Additional training on dementia will be offered to operators on the national mental health helpline CALL, which will also have a dedicated dementia information page on its website.</p>
<p>The Alzheimer's Society estimates that there are currently 39,000 people with dementia in Wales. This is set to rise by 35% over the next 20 years with one in three people over 65 expected suffer a form of dementia.</p>
<p>This funding will support health and social services deliver the dementia action plan that was developed by a group of health professionals and experts, chaired by Ian Thomas, Director of the Alzheimer’s Society in Wales.</p>
<p>The plan aims to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Develop better joint working across health, social care, the third sector and other agencies;</li>
<li>improve early diagnosis and timely interventions;</li>
<li>provide better information and support for people with the illness and their carers/ families;</li>
<li>and offer additional training for those delivering care.</li>
</ul>
<p>A new Mental Health Programme Board will oversee these goals. The board will be responsible for improving the quality of general hospital care for people with dementia and reducing the time between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis being communicated to patients and their families.</p>
<p>Mrs Hart said:</p>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px">
<p>“A significant amount of work has been undertaken in Wales to identify the action that is required to improve dementia services in Wales.</p>
<p>“The additional financial investment that is being made, despite the current tight financial climate, demonstrates my commitment and that of the Welsh Assembly Government to improve dementia services in Wales.â€</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>Continuing NHS Healthcare - The National Framework for Implementation in Wales<font face="Tahoma" size="2">Continuing NHS Healthcare - The National Framework for Implementation in Wales<br /><br />The Minister for Health and Social Services, Edwina Hart, has issued guidance to Health Boards on a Framework for Implementing Continuing NHS Healthcare in Wales a copy of which can be downloaded by clicking link below. The Guidance contains a decision making tool which is to be used to assess an individuals eligibility to receive continuing healthcare funding. The application of this tool is likely to vary the current balance between NHS funded nursing care and continuing healthcare.<br /><br /></font><a href="http://wales.gov.uk/docs/dhss/publications/100614chcframeworken.pdf"><font face="Tahoma" size="2">http://wales.gov.uk/docs/dhss/publications/100614chcframeworken.pdf</font></a><br /><br /><font face="Tahoma"><font size="2">The National Framework will become operative from the 16th August 2010.</font><br /></font>Update on the proposed Mental Health (Wales) Measure <p><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial">On 23 March, the Minister for Health and Social Services introduced the proposed Mental Health (Wales) Measure into the National Assembly for Wales. The Measure then entered a formal scrutiny process during which it will be considered in detail by Assembly Members.</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial">Stage 1 of this process involved the National Assembly's Legislation Committee No.3 considering and reporting on the general principles of the proposed Measure. The Stage 1 Committee has today issued it's report on the proposed Measure, which can be accessed via the following hyperlink:<br /><br /></span></font><a title="blocked::http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm?act=dis&id=189518&ds=7/2010" href="http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm?act=dis&id=189518&ds=7/2010"><font title="blocked::http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm?act=dis&id=189518&ds=7/2010" face="Arial"><span title="blocked::http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm?act=dis&id=189518&ds=7/2010" style="font-family: Arial">http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm?act=dis&id=189518&ds=7/2010</span></font></a></p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt">
<p> </p></span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial">The Legislation Committee took evidence from a range of witnesses during it's consideration of the proposed Measure. A link to the homepage of the Committee, where you can access written evidence and transcripts from the oral evidence-gathering sessions is attached here:</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><a title="blocked::http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-legislation/bus-leg-measures/business-legislation-measures-mhs-2.htm" href="http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-legislation/bus-leg-measures/business-legislation-measures-mhs-2.htm"><font title="blocked::http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-legislation/bus-leg-measures/business-legislation-measures-mhs-2.htm" face="Arial"><span title="blocked::http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-legislation/bus-leg-measures/business-legislation-measures-mhs-2.htm" style="font-family: Arial">http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-legislation/bus-leg-measures/business-legislation-measures-mhs-2.htm</span></font></a><br /><br /></span></font><font face="Arial"><span style="font-family: Arial">The National Assembly's Constitutional Affairs Committee have also considered the proposed Measure and issued a report, which can be accessed here:<br /><br /></span></font><a title="blocked::http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm?act=dis&id=189096&ds=7/2010" href="http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm?act=dis&id=189096&ds=7/2010"><font title="blocked::http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm?act=dis&id=189096&ds=7/2010" face="Arial"><span title="blocked::http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm?act=dis&id=189096&ds=7/2010" style="font-family: Arial">http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm?act=dis&id=189096&ds=7/2010</span></font></a><br /><br /><font face="Arial"><span style="font-family: Arial">The National Assembly's Finance Committee have also considered the Measure:</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"><span style="font-family: Arial"></span></font><font face="Arial"><span style="font-family: Arial"><a title="blocked::http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm?act=dis&id=190023&ds=7/2010" href="http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm?act=dis&id=190023&ds=7/2010"><font title="blocked::http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm?act=dis&id=190023&ds=7/2010" face="Arial"><span title="blocked::http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm?act=dis&id=190023&ds=7/2010" style="font-family: Arial">http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm?act=dis&id=190023&ds=7/2010</span></font></a><br /><br /></span></font><font face="Arial"><span style="font-family: Arial">The National Assembly for Wales will next consider the general principles and the reports of the Legislation Committee, Constitutional Affairs Committee and Finance Committee in a 60 minute Plenary debate to be held in the Senedd. The National Assembly has scheduled this debate for Tuesday 13 July, and you will be able to watch it via Senedd TV:<br /><br /></span></font><a title="blocked::http://www.senedd.tv/" href="http://www.senedd.tv/"><font title="blocked::http://www.senedd.tv/" face="Arial"><span title="blocked::http://www.senedd.tv/" style="font-family: Arial">http://www.senedd.tv/</span></font></a><br /><br /><font face="Arial"><span style="font-family: Arial">Stage 2 of the scrutiny process will begin after the Assembly's summer recess. You will receive a further email alert in advance of this, but in the meantime, if there are any issues in relation to the proposed Mental Health (Wales) Measure that you would wish to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact us.</span></font></p>First Minister to visit frontline public services<p><span style="font-family: Arial">Below is a press announcement from the Welsh Assembly:</span></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family: Arial">In his opening address to leaders of public services across <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region /> at the second Public Services <place w:st="on" />Summit</place /> today, the First Minister said:</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family: Arial">“The emerging figures from the Budget and messages about the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review are stark and potentially could be devastating in their impact, particularly on the most vulnerable.</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family: Arial">“We all recognise that we will not deliver for our communities by working in the same old ways but just doing a bit less by salami-slicing our budgets. We have to take a radical look at how we work, redesigning the front line services and streamlining corporate functions.</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family: Arial">“The best place for us as leaders to learn what can be done with least damage is from those who provide our services and those who use them. I will be on the road through the summer, in all parts of <place w:st="on" />Wales</place />, meeting staff and users of services. I want to explain our approach and seek their expertise in protecting services and outcomes. I will use the authority I have to ensure that this expertise is translated into action.â€</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family: Arial">The First Minister began his series of events yesterday with a visit to the Gwent Frailty project in Torfaen which works with dependent or vulnerable people with chronic conditions to help them retain their independence.</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family: Arial">Convened by the First Minister, the public services summits build on the Team <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region /> approach adopted by the economic summits which helped <place w:st="on" />Wales</place /> through the economic recession. The summits are held every four to six months and bring together by local authorities, trades unions, NHS boards, police representatives, Assembly Government Sponsored Bodies, other government departments and the third sector. </span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family: Arial">Today’s summit was addressed by the First Minister, Health and Social Services Minister Edwina Hart, Budget and Business Minister Jane Hutt and Local Government Minister Carl Sargeant.</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family: Arial">The theme for this summit was integrated health and social care and the Health Minister Edwina Hart said that one of her main priorities is the creation of intregrated services and strong partnerships. She said this could only be achieved if NHS Wales and Local Government in <place w:st="on" />Wales</place /> work together to share the challenges and solutions......END</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family: Arial"></span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family: Arial"><a href="http://careforumwales.shiftcreate.com/uploads/MrsH9.doc">click here </a>to download copy of speech by Edwina Hart</span></em></p>Time Team star to head Shaping Up For Change event<p><span style="font-family: Calibri">TV presenter and actor Tony Robinson Blackadder and Channel 4’s Time Team will head up an exclusive care sector event in Cardiff on July 12.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Calibri">Shaping Up for Change, being held at Cardiff City Stadium, will bring together care sector professionals to discuss the future of the sector and how to continue to improve care standards and provision. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Calibri">Mr Robinson has become one of the leading campaigners for the health and wellbeing of our aging population following his critically-acclaimed documentary, Me And My Mum, which helped to highlight problems facing elderly people with Alzheimer's and their families. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Calibri">All care practitioners are invited to attend this free event along with a panel of experts from across the industry. On the agenda will be a range of issues challenging the care sector in 2010. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Calibri">Discussion topics will include how we can better meet the needs of those requiring dementia and specialist care as the market grows. We'll also be discussing how investment, resources and regulatory challenges will impact on the quality of care provided in the future. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Calibri">Our panellists will also share their views on how to create proactive strategies to develop your care business for the future.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Calibri">For further details, please contact enquiries@careforumwales.co.uk</span></p>‘Care at Home’ Workforce – new research findings<p style="margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></span></strong></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Results of the ‘Care at Home’ workforce study is now available on the Care Council for Wales’ website:</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><a title="blocked::http://www.ccwales.org.uk/development-and-innovation/adult-workforce/care-at-home" href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/development-and-innovation/adult-workforce/care-at-home">http://www.ccwales.org.uk/development-and-innovation/adult-workforce/care-at-home</a></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">The study, which was commissioned by the Care Council for Wales and conducted by the Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care, the University of Glamorgan, Insight Social Research and the Management Standards Consultancy, looked at: </span></p>
<ul type="disc" style="margin-top: 0cm">
<li style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">what the workforce currently looked like; </span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">the vision for the future workforce; and </span></li>
<li style="margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">what was needed to make the current workforce fit for the future.</span> </li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">The study was supported and directed by a Steering Group with wide representation from our partners. In addition, numerous service users and carers; social care workers; providers; managers; commissioners and other stakeholders gave their time to take part in the research. I take this opportunity to thank all of these contributors for their immensely valuable input. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></span>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">The agenda for change set out in the final report is challenging and will require a coordinated approach from a range of partners. National and local initiatives will be needed to respond to the recommendations and to develop and implement action plans. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> therefore invite you to consider and to debate the results of the study and to let them have your views. There will be a number of presentations on the study over the summer months, including at the Social Services Conference in July. There will be a <strong>major action planning event on 28 September 2010</strong> which will allow the audience to discuss the findings with the researchers and other specialists in the field, and to contribute to determining the next steps. </span>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">In the autumn, the study and the response we have received from our partners will be reported to the Welsh Assembly led Social Care & Social Work Workforce Task group whose terms of reference include care at home. </span>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">For more information, for a hard copy of the Care at Home Summary Report and to feed in your comments on the study, please contact Sheila Lyons, Manager, Development and Innovation (Adult Services) by email – </span><a title="blocked::mailto:sheila.lyons@ccwales.org.uk" href="mailto:sheila.lyons@ccwales.org.uk"><span title="blocked::mailto:sheila.lyons@ccwales.org.uk" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">sheila.lyons@ccwales.org.uk</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'">.</span>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> Care Council for Wales</p>
</p>
<p> </p>WAG intention to publish White Paper on the future of Social Services in Wales<p>Gwenda Thomas, AM, Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, attended the ADSS Cymru conference in Venue Cymru, Llandudno on Friday 2nd July.</p>
<p><a href="http://careforumwales.shiftcreate.com/uploads/Deputy%20Minister%20speech%20Summit%202nd%20July.doc">Click here </a>to view her speech.</p>Public sector job losses 'will not hit vulnerable'<meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type" />
<meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId" />
<meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Generator" />
<meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Originator" />
<link href="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\IVORCA~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\04\clip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List" /><o:smarttagtype name="country-region" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><o:smarttagtype name="place" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object
classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;}
p
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0cm;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Desipte the</span><span lang="EN-GB"> loss of up half a million public sector
jobs over the next five years predicted in private Treasury forecasts
leaked today (June 30)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Chancellor George
Osbourne says
the financial cutbacks will not hit the most vulnerable in our society hardest
– including the elderly and those in need of long-term care.</span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">However in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wales</st1:place></st1:country-region>, the Assembly Government’s Business
and Budget Minister, Jane Hutt, said the predicted cuts and the Budget
forecasts provided “grim†news, adding that it would hit “the poorest and most
vulnerable in our society the hardestâ€.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">But answering <span lang="EN-GB">Treasury questions in the House of Commons on June 8,</span>
Mr Osbourne said that his forthcoming spending review would take into account initial
conclusions from the Commission on Long-Term Care, due to be set up shortly to
examine the future funding of adult social care.</p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">Mr Osborne said: "This is the
great national challenge of our generation: after years of waste, debt and
irresponsibility, to get <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Britain</st1:country-region></st1:place>
to live within its means. It is a time to rethink how government spends our
money."</p>Honour for Care Forum Wales Chief Executive<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">A pioneer of social care from <place w:st="on" />North Wales</place /> has been honoured by the Queen.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">Mario Kreft, the chief executive of the award-winning <place w:st="on" />Pendine Park</place /> care organisation and the honorary chief executive of Care Forum Wales, has been awarded an MBE for services to social care.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">According to Mr Kreft, the news came like “a delightful bolt out of the blue†especially as the timing of the accolade in the Queen’s Birthday Honours coincides with the 25<sup>th</sup> anniversary of <place w:st="on" />Pendine Park</place />.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">The organisation employs 500 people in six care homes, in a domiciliary care company, Pendine Park Independent Living, and its in-house teaching care centre.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">It is about to open a new centre of excellence, called Bodlondeb (place of contentment) to look after people with dementia at its main site in Wrexham.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">There are plans in the pipeline for a similar centre in Caernarfon and between them the two centres are expected to create 200 new jobs.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">Mr Kreft said: “I think the MBE is in recognition of the huge contribution made by social care in communities right across <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region />, including the teams at Care Forum Wales and <place w:st="on" />Pendine Park</place />.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">“We have a great team approach and this is a reward for all the work we’ve been doing together over the years to raise standards in social care and to promote the profession of social care.â€</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">Mr Kreft and his wife, Gill, were inspired by their own personal experience to establish <place w:st="on" />Pendine Park</place /> 1985.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">They both had elderly grandparents who needed care and the places they went to see didn’t match their requirements - so they set up their own “family care homeâ€. </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">Mr Kreft is now one of the leading figures in the care sector in <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region /> and is the founder and honorary chief executive of the private care sector body, Care Forum Wales.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">For eight years, he was a Government-appointed member of the Care Council for <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region /> and previously served for seven years on the Central Council for Training and Education in social work.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">Mr Kreft also played a key role in developing the Care Standards Act and in helping to draw up the Welsh Assembly Government’s 10-year care strategy, Fulfilled Lives, Supportive Communities, to safeguard </span><span lang="EN">vulnerable adults and children.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN">In addition, he was one of the main architects of </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">a historic agreement between care providers and local authorities in <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region />.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">The aim of the Memorandum of Understanding, the first agreement of its kind in the <country-region w:st="on" />UK</country-region />, is to come up with a better way of planning and commissioning services while providing added protection for people being looked after in the social care sector.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">Among Mr Kreft’s proudest achievements are the creation of the Wales Care Awards to recognise the contribution of staff and setting up a successful pilot project with the aim of developing a professional body for social care workers, the <place w:st="on" />Academy of Care Practitioners Cymru</place />.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">It’s believed <placename w:st="on" />Pendine</placename /> <placetype w:st="on" />Park</placetype /> was one of the first independent care organisation in the <country-region w:st="on" />UK</country-region /> to employ an artist in residence 14 years ago. <span style="text-transform: uppercase">A</span> ground-breaking collaboration with the renowned Hallé orchestra led to an award from Arts and Business Cymru last year.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">According to Mr Kreft, the values he learned from his grandparents are still his “guiding lightâ€.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">The new centre of excellence for people with dementia is dedicated to his grandmother who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease in later life and Bodlondeb is named after his grandparents’ home in <street w:st="on" />St Asaph Street</street />, Rhyl.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">Mr Kreft said: “We started out by trying to work out how we would want our grandparents looked after. We are passionate about giving people the best possible care in a home-style environment.â€</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial">“Everybody is an individual and should be treated as one. Our guiding principles are dignity, independence, choice and fulfillment. These are the core values that guide us," he added.<br /></span></p>Dementia charity extends helpline hours<meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type" />
<meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId" />
<meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Generator" />
<meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Originator" />
<link href="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\IVORCA~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\07\clip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List" /><o:smarttagtype name="country-region" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><o:smarttagtype name="place" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object
classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0cm;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span lang="EN-GB">Dementia charity extends helpline hours<o:p /></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The
charity, Dementia <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
which helps those suffering from dementia and their families, is marking
Dementia Awareness Week next week (from July 4-10) with extended opening hours
on its national helpline.<o:p /></span></p>
<p>The organisation runs <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Admiral Nursing DIRECT, a</span></strong> national helpline for people
with dementia, their carers, friends, family and professionals. </p>
<p>The service is run by Admiral Nurses, specialist dementia nurses, and is
normally available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 8:45pm and Saturdays
from 10am until 1pm.</p>
<p>In recognition of Dementia Awareness Week next week it will also open on
Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am -5:30pm.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>For more
information see <a href="http://www.dementiauk.org/">www.dementiauk.org</a><o:p /></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>For the helpline
call </span></strong><span lang="EN-GB">0845 257 9406 or email direct@dementiauk.org</span><strong><span><o:p /></span></strong></p>Vetting and Barring Scheme is put on hold<p align="center" class=" "><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">VETTING <stockticker w:st="on">AND</stockticker> BARRING SCHEME REGISTRATION HALTED </span></strong></p>
<p align="center" class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial;">Registration of volunteers with the Government's Vetting and Barring Scheme (<personname w:st="on">VBS</personname>) has been halted to allow the government to remodel the scheme back to proportionate, commonsense levels, it was announced today.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial;">Voluntary registration with the <personname w:st="on">VBS</personname> for new employees and job-movers working or volunteering with children and vulnerable adults was due to start on 26 July. </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial;">This registration has now been stopped.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial;">
<p> </p></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">The government recognises that many businesses, co<personname w:st="on">mmu</personname>nity groups and individuals see the current scheme as disproportionate and overly burdensome, and that it unduly infringes on civil liberties. </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial;">
<p> </p></span><personname w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Home Secretary</span></personname><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Theresa May said: </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">“The safety of children and vulnerable adults is of paramount importance to the new government.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial;">“However it is also vital that we take a measured approach in these matters. <span>We’ve listened to the criticisms and will respond with a scheme that has been fundamentally remodelled.</span></span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial;">
<p> </p></span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Vulnerable groups must be properly protected in a way that is proportionate and sensible. This redrawing of the <personname w:st="on">VBS</personname> will ensure this happens.â€</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial;">
<p> </p></span></p>
<p class=" "><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">Children’s Minister</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;"> Tim Loughton said:</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">“Any vetting system should not be a substitute for proper vigilance by individuals and society. At the moment we think the pendulum has swung too far. </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">
<p> </p></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">“We shouldn’t be driving a wedge between children and well-meaning adults including people coming forward to volunteer with young people. Such individuals should be welcomed, encouraged, and helped as much as possible, unless it can be shown that children would not be safe in their care.â€</span></p>
<p class=" "><span> <strong>Care Services Minister</strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;"> Paul Burstow said:</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">"Protecting the most vulnerable people in society is a basic duty of any government. While we must be confident that the systems we have in place are up to the job, we must also be sure that they are proportionate.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">
<p> </p></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">“We will look in detail at what should be done to ensure that the scheme meets both these tests.†</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: windowtext;">The <personname w:st="on">VBS</personname> is designed to protect children and vulnerable adults by preventing those who pose a known risk from gaining access to them through their work.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: windowtext;">Existing arrangements under the Scheme which will continue include the following:</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt; margin-left: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; color: windowtext;"><span>·<span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Since January 2009, the Independent Safeguarding Authority (<stockticker w:st="on">ISA</stockticker>) has been making independent barring decisions. It will continue to maintain two constantly updated lists, one for those barred from working with children, the other for those barred from working with vulnerable adults;</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt; margin-left: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; color: windowtext;"><span>·<span> </span></span></span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Existing requirements</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"> concerning Criminal Records Bureau (<stockticker w:st="on">CRB</stockticker>) and Access Northern Ireland checks <strong>will remain in place</strong>, and those entitled to such checks can continue to apply for them; and</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt; margin-left: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; color: windowtext;"><span>·<span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Employers are still legally obliged to refer information to the <personname w:st="on">ISA</personname> if they have moved or removed an individual because they have harmed or there is a risk of harm to a member of a vulnerable group.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial;">The scope of the remodelling process – to be co-ordinated by the Home Office in partnership with Department of Health and Department for Education – is currently being finalised and will be announced shortly.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial;">More than 66,000 employers, charities and voluntary groups are now being informed directly of the change. Up to date information is also available to businesses, other organisations and individuals on <a href="http://www.direct.gov.uk/vetting">www.direct.gov.uk/vetting</a> or <a href="http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/vbs">www.businesslink.gov.uk/vbs</a>. </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>Welsh Assembly Government - New Commissioning Guidance Annouced<font lang="JA" face="Arial" size="3"><font lang="JA" face="Arial" size="3">
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">This guidance encourages local authorities and their partners to concentrate their</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">efforts on ensuring that commissioning by local authorities really does help to achieve</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">the aspirations of </span><em><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial,italic">Fulfilled lives, Supportive Communities </span></em><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">for all the people of <place w:st="on" />Wales</place />.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial"></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">In recent years commissioning has become established as an important process in</span>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">helping to drive improvements in social care and securing better outcomes for service</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">users. Across <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region /> there are already many examples of good planning and</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">procurement practice, but to support further development, the Welsh Assembly</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">Government has drawn on emerging expertise to create a common Framework for</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">social care commissioning.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">The Framework has been developed by the Social Care Commissioning Task Group in</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">collaboration with its Procurement and Training & Qualifications Sub-groups on behalf</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">of the Welsh Assembly Government with advice from the <place w:st="on" />Institute of Public Care</place />,</span></p>
<p><place w:st="on" />Oxford <placename w:st="on" />Brookes</placename /> <placename w:st="on" />University</placename /></place /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">The Framework is relevant to all those concerned with social care across adult and</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">children’s services. It complements more detailed help, advice and guidance on</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">effective commissioning and procurement for particular populations of users of social</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">care services including, for example, existing resources for commissioners of</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">substance misuse services (WAG, Substance Misuse Commissioning Framework,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">2005) and commissioners of services for children in need (SSIA, Commissioning for</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">Better Outcomes for Children in Need, 2008) Guidance on commissioning services for</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">people with Learning disabilities is also well advanced. The needs of other client</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">groups will be addressed in the future.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">The Welsh Assembly Government, local authorities and their partners all face a very</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">difficult financial climate over the next few years coupled with increasing demand. This</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">poses a considerable challenge. The successful implementation of the framework</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">offered in this guidance offers the best chance of responding to the challenge in a</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">consistent and fair manner. Difficult times mean that our efforts are likely to come</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">under even greater scrutiny. The amount of resources available for social care will</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">depend upon good evidence. We must therefore be clear about:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial"></span>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-indent: 36pt"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: symbol">· <span> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">the needs we are able to meet,</span></p>
<p style="text-indent: 36pt"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: symbol">· <span> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">those we cannot meet together with the possible consequences,</span></p>
<p style="text-indent: 36pt"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: symbol">·<span> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">the outcomes achieved, and</span></p>
<p style="text-indent: 36pt"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: symbol">· <span> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">the effective use of resources.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial"></span>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">It will be essential for decision makers to receive this evidence.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: arial">To download your copy of the new Commissioning Guidance <a href="http://careforumwales.shiftcreate.com/uploads/Commissioning%20Guidance%20Final.pdf">click here.</a></span></p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p>
</p>
<p> </p></font></font>Social Care Essential Update Seminars 2010 - Book your place now!!<p class=" "><strong><span style="" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt">Social Care Essential Update Seminars 2010</span></strong></p>
<p class=" "><strong><span style="" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt"><strong><span style="" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt"><font color="#ff0000"><span class="730210410-11052010">'</span><em>MEETING THE CHALLENGE - <span class="730210410-11052010">SEIZ</span>ING THE <place w:st="on" />OPPORTUNITY</place /> INTERACTIVE SEMINAR<span class="730210410-11052010">S</span><span class="730210410-11052010">'</span></em></font></span></strong></span></strong> </p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="text-align: justify"><strong><span style="" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11.5pt">In partnership with </span></strong><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11.5pt">the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region />, the Care Council for <place w:st="on" />Wales</place /> and the Health and Safety Executive.</span></strong></p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt">These important seminars offer <strong>Registered Providers, Registered Managers</strong> and <strong>senior staff </strong>the very latest information relevant to the sector.<span> </span>The events also offer the opportunity to stay ahead of the game for those organisations wishing to participate in the largest quality network in <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region />.</span></p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="text-align: justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt">The one day seminars commence in June with the second part taking place in November.<span> </span>CFW member organisations are strongly advised to ensure that at least one senior staff member attend<span class="730210410-11052010"> these events.</span></span></p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="text-align: justify"><em><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 8pt"></span></em><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt">Draft programme includes workshops / presentations<span class="730210410-11052010">:</span></span> </p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li>
<div class=" " style=" " style="text-align: justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span class="730210410-11052010"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><strong>All you need to know about how national changes will affect you and your organisation - </strong><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><em>CFW Social Care Senior Policy Advisors – Gordon Cole / Barry Latham</em></span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class=" " style=" " style="text-align: justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span class="730210410-11052010"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><strong>Important changes to the Care Standards Act - </strong><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><em>CSSIW Regional Director</em></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class=" " style=" " style="text-align: justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span class="730210410-11052010"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><strong>Promoting quality and protecting vulnerable people - </strong><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><em>Care Council for <country-region w:st="on" />Wales</country-region /> Head of Workforce and Innovation</em></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class=" " style=" " style="text-align: justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span class="730210410-11052010"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span><span><span style="" style="line-height: normal; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal"> </span></span><strong>Health & Safety is Good for your Business - </strong><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><em>Health and Safety Executive Senior Inspector</em></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class=" " style=" " style="text-align: justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span class="730210410-11052010"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><strong>How to manage the employment law changes - </strong><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt"><em>Peninsular Employment Law Specialist</em></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<p class=" " style=" " style="text-align: justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt">The ‘Essential Updates’ provide incredible value for money as both an awareness raising and a CPD learning</span><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt"> opportunity.<span> </span>Seminar handouts, refreshments and buffet lunchuded in the cost.<span> </span></span></p>
<p class=" " style=" " style="text-align: justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="EN-US" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt"><span><span class="730210410-11052010">To book please complete the <a href="http://careforumwales.shiftcreate.com/uploads/CFW%20booking%20form%20-%20Essential%20Update%20Seminars.doc">booking form </a>and return, places are limited so early booking is essential.</span></span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>QCF qualifications to come into force in January 2011<p class=" "><span>New Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) qualifications are in the final stages of their development. </span></p>
<p class=" "> <span>Replacement qualifications for NVQs in Children’s Care Learning and Development, Health and Social Care and Leadership and Management for Care Services will be ready and accredited over the next couple of months. Qualification contents and structures will be placed on our website as soon as the final versions are available.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span>A decision has been made in partnership with the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELL’s), that the operational or ‘go live’ date for the new QCF qualifications will be January 2011 when learners will no longer be able to register for vocational NQF qualifications. We believe that this will provide all those involved in the delivery and assessment of the new qualifications with the optimum amount of time to become familiar with their contents. </span></p>
<p class=" "><span>A statement on the roll out of QCF qualifications has been made by <a href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/qualifications-and-careers?diablo.lang=eng">Skills for Care and Development</a> and the <a href="http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/qualifications-credit-framework">Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC)</a>. <a href="http://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/qualifications_and_training/qualificationsandcreditframeworkQCF/qualificationsandcreditframeworkQCF.aspx">Skills for Care (SfC)</a><span> </span>or the <a href="http://www.niscc.info/qualifications-63.aspx">Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC)</a> should be contacted for further details of roll out plans for <country-region w:st="on">England</country-region> and <place w:st="on">Northern Ireland</place>.</span></p>DVD for dementia sufferers being developed<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document" /><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11" /><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11" /><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\IVORCA~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\02\clip_filelist.xml" /><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object
classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">A company that developed a specialist range of books for dementia sufferers is
planning to launch a thought-provoking DVD aimed at care home residents.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">Pictures To Share, a community interest company based in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cheshire</st1:place></st1:city> established in
2006, is currently testing the DVD in care homes to find out what running
length suits residents best and the images that work well for them.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">The idea is to provide stimulating images, at a pace suitable for dementia
sufferers, that can be shown in residents’ lounges.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">The DVD will feature themed images set to music – for example images of
the countryside and of childhood – as well as well-known poems read by the
actress Fiona Phillips, whose father suffers from Alzheimer</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">’</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">s. <o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">One of the poems read by the actress, who featured in a Channel 4
Dispatches film My Family And Alzheimer’s broadcast in January, is William
Wordsworth’s Daffodils. The images will be a mixture of old and new, some in
black and white and some in colour.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">Helen Bate, managing director of Pictures To Share, said: “The DVD will
be aimed at care home managers – it’s something they can easily play in
residents’ lounges instead of putting on the television which is often too
fast-paced for residents with dementia to take in.â€<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">The DVD will be available from the summer once full testing has been
carried out.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">For more information see <a href="http://www.picturestoshare.co.uk/">www.picturestoshare.co.uk</a><o:p /></span></p></o:smarttagtype></o:smarttagtype>Having Alzheimer's needn't mean poor of quality life, report finds<meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type" /><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId" /><meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Generator" /><meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Originator" /><link href="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\IVORCA~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\04\clip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List" /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">A report issued today
(April 15, 2010) has found that people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can still
achieve a good quality of life.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">The report, My
Name Is Not Dementia, published by the Alzheimer’s Society, draws on the views
of dementia sufferers, including the author Sir Terry Pratchett who suffers
from a rare form of the disease.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">The aim of the
report, which was complied by the Mental Health Foundation, is to break down
misconceptions about the impact of a dementia diagnosis by listing simple ways
to make life better for sufferers.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">The report lists
10 criteria that people with dementia said were important in improving their
lives, such as having someone to talk to, or being able to practise a faith.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">It found
misconceptions about the impact of a dementia diagnosis include:<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">54% of people
think a diagnosis would have a greater impact on them in later life than having
cancer or a physical disability;<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">Only 13% of people
think it’s possible to have a good quality of life at all stages of the
condition;<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">and more than half
of people (52%) also believe having dementia has a stigma attached to it.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">Sir Terry
Pratchett said: “Dementia is undoubtedly a cruel and debilitating condition.
However a diagnosis does not strip a person of their identity. That person
still has a voice and they deserve to be heard. Dementia requires not just care
but also understanding. There is an opportunity here to give the lie to some of
the clichés of care. We have to learn to be good at it.â€<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://alzheimers.org.uk/mynameisnotdementia">alzheimers.org.uk/mynameisnotdementia</a><o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Fairer way to pay for care needed, says Deputy Social Services Minister<p><font size="2" face="Verdana" color="#000000"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: verdana;">After the White Paper was published by the Department of Health this week (see <a title="blocked::http://www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/
http://www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/" href="http://www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/">www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk</a>), Gwenda Thomas, the Assembly Government’s Deputy Minister for Social Services, said: “Given that much of the social care legislation is on an England and Wales basis, it will be essential that we continue working with the UK Government to establish a new system of paying for care that is fair, affordable, and sustainable in the long term." She indicated that the Assembly's response to its own consultation on paying for care would be published shortly and said "it will be particularly important that the results of that consultation, and further reactions from Welsh stakeholders, are considered during the consultation on the White Paper."</span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: verdana;"><a title="blocked::http://www.wales.nhs.uk/newsitem.cfm?contentid=16035
http://www.wales.nhs.uk/newsitem.cfm?contentid=16035" href="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/newsitem.cfm?contentid=16035"><font color="#800080">www.wales.nhs.uk/newsitem.cfm?contentid=16035</font></a></span></font></p>Adult protection arrangements to be reviewed<p><acronym><font size="2" face="Verdana" color="#000000"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: verdana;">CSSIW</span></font></acronym><font size="2" face="Verdana" color="#000000"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: verdana;"> has issued an overview of adult protection in social care in <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region>, which alongside a separate report on the NHS has found that local authorities are making good progress on adult protection but need to do more to provide a more consistent response, as thresholds for referrals are not often well understood. A thematic study was also made of care home responses to adult protection. Recommending authorities undertake a review of their arrangements to include partners such as the independent sector in training it also recommends a number of actions for the Assembly. In response Gwenda Thomas, the minister promised action by the end of 2010 on reviewing adult protection arrangements (see <a href="http://www.wales.nhs.uk/newsitem.cfm?contentid=16032" title="blocked::http://www.wales.nhs.uk/newsitem.cfm?contentid=16032
http://www.wales.nhs.uk/newsitem.cfm?contentid=16032">www.wales.nhs.uk/newsitem.cfm?contentid=16032</a>)</span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="Verdana" color="#000000"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://wales.gov.uk/cssiwsubsite/newcssiw/publications/ourfindings/allwales/2010/?lang=en" title="blocked::http://wales.gov.uk/cssiwsubsite/newcssiw/publications/ourfindings/allwales/2010/?lang=en
http://wales.gov.uk/cssiwsubsite/newcssiw/publications/ourfindings/allwales/2010/?lang=en">http://wales.gov.uk/cssiwsubsite/newcssiw/publications/ourfindings/allwales/2010/?lang=en</a> </span></font></p>Review will look at how UK handled swine flu <p><font size="2" face="Verdana" color="#000000"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: verdana;">A strategic and independent review of the <country-region w:st="on">UK</country-region> response to swine flu was announced today by the Government. Dame Deirdre Hine, a former Welsh Chief Medical Officer, will chair the independent review to examine the pandemic response across all four <country-region w:st="on">UK</country-region> nations. Dame Deirdre will report to Ministers with recommendations before the summer parliamentary recess in any of the four nations of the <country-region w:st="on">UK</country-region>. It comes as the access via GP's to the national stockpile of antiviral drugs was officially "stood down". Those with swine 'flu will still be able to access the antivirals but by paying for (if applicable) prescription by their GP.</span></font></p>
<p><country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: verdana;">England</span></country-region><font size="2" face="Verdana" color="#000000"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: verdana;"> and <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region></span></font><u><font size="2" face="Verdana" color="#222244"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #222244; font-family: verdana;">: </span></font></u><font size="2" face="Verdana" color="#000000"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/MediaCentre/Pressreleasesarchive/DH_114588" title="blocked::http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/MediaCentre/Pressreleasesarchive/DH_114588
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/MediaCentre/Pressreleasesarchive/DH_114588">www.dh.gov.uk/en/MediaCentre/Pressreleasesarchive/<acronym title="blocked::http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/MediaCentre/Pressreleasesarchive/DH_114588"><font face="Verdana" title="blocked::http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/MediaCentre/Pressreleasesarchive/DH_114588"><span style="font-family: verdana;" title="blocked::http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/MediaCentre/Pressreleasesarchive/DH_114588">DH</span></font></acronym>_114588</a></span></font></p>Training: Skills for Care and Development relicenced<p><font face="Verdana" color="#000000" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: verdana">Skills for Care and Development has been relicensed as the Sector Skills Council covering social care, children, early years and young people’s workforces in the <country-region w:st="on">UK</country-region>. The decision was announced Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson. The relicensing process included a performance assessment carried out by the National Audit Office. This means the four <country-region w:st="on">UK</country-region> partners, Skills for <place w:st="on">Care, Northern Ireland</place> Social Care Council, Care Council Wales, Scottish Social Services Council and Skills for Care are all relicensed until further reviews in the future. </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana" color="#000000" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: verdana"><a title="blocked::http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=412716&NewsAreaID=2&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+bis-news+(BIS+News)
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=412716&NewsAreaID=2&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bis-news+%28BIS+News%29" href="http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=412716&NewsAreaID=2&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bis-news+%28BIS+News%29">http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=412716&NewsAreaID=2&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bis-news+%28BIS+News%29</a></span></font></p>New £3.4m funding for Wales' oldest citizens<p><font face="sans-serif" size="2">NEW funding worth £3.4m was announced at the end of last week (March 26) to help champion Wales’ oldest citizens.</font><br /><font face="sans-serif" size="2">The Welsh Assembly Government announced that a total of £1.8m will go towards
the
running of the Commissioner for Older People’s office.</font> <br /><font face="sans-serif" size="2">And all local authorities in Wales and
partners
in the voluntary sector will share £1.65m to take forward the Assembly
Government’s Older People’s Strategy.</font> <br /><font face="sans-serif" size="2">Labour Deputy Minister for Social
Services,
Gwenda Thomas, said: “</font>The funding is directed at addressing the recommendations made in
The Strategy for Older People in Wales to encourage local authorities
and the voluntary sector in Wales to take a strategic approach to
older people’s issues, tackle age discrimination and plan for an
ageing society in our communities."</p>
<p><font face="sans-serif" size="2">She added: "Although there are many challenges ahead I am
confident
that with our hallmark partnership approach further progress will be
made
this year.â€</font></p>Care Council for Wales targets under-25s for social care jobs<p><font size="2" face="Verdana" color="#000000"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: verdana;">The Care Council for <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region> is beginning a new initiative to encourage more under-25s to take up jobs in social care with a series of events across colleges and schools and new films to be used on websites, including social networking sites, and a <acronym><font face="Verdana"><span style="font-family: verdana;">DVD</span></font></acronym> that will be shown at jobs fairs. They will be supported by leaflets and there will also be a separate publication aimed at older potential recruits who may be looking to change career or return to work.</span></font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="Verdana" color="#000000"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news-and-events/12927" title="blocked::http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news-and-events/12927
http://www.ccwales.org.uk/news-and-events/12927">www.ccwales.org.uk/news-and-events/12927</a></span></font></p>National minimum wage to increase from October<p>The national minimum wage is set to increase by 13p an hour to £5.93/hour, up from £5.80 per hour, the Government has announced (March 25, 2010).<br /><br />Read more: <a href="http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=501794&in_page_id=2#ixzz0jkfgGqaw"><font color="#3366cc">http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=501794&in_page_id=2#ixzz0jkfgGqaw</font></a><br /></p>
<p>The new adult rate for workers aged 21 and over will come into effect from October 2010. </p>
<p>The rate for 18 to 21-year-olds will rise from £4.83 to £4.92 per hour, while for 16 and 17-year-olds, the statutory hourly rate will be £3.64 an hour, up from £3.57 per hour. </p>Law Commission Consultation on the Reform of Social Care Law<p>The Law Commission is undertaking a consultation on Major changes in Social Care Law which is complex because of the large number of statutes which currently exist. The consultation runs until the 1st July 2010. The full consultation paper can be viewed at:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/cp192.pdf">http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/cp192.pdf</a><br /></p>Report examines impact of devolution on care for elderly<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document" /><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11" /><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11" /><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CIVORCA%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C04%5Cclip_filelist.xml" /><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object
classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;}
h1
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0cm;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
mso-outline-level:1;
font-size:24.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
font-weight:bold;}
p
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0cm;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">AFTER 10 years of devolution, a
report has revealed that the Welsh Assembly Government cannot follow a radically
different policy on care for the elderly to that of the UK Government.<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">The Joseph Rowntree Foundation
report, Devolution’s Impact on Low-Income People and Places, examined the
effects of devolution on a number of key areas including care of the elderly.<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">It found that although the Welsh Assembly
Government has responsiblity for long-term care policy and has formulated its own Strategy for Older People, in reality, “it </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">cannot follow radically
different long-term care policies. <o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">“They are constrained by the <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region> structure of taxes and benefits, where power
is ‘reserved’ to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Westminster</st1:place></st1:city>,â€
wrote the report’s author, David Bell.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">The report said there is little
room for manoeuvre for devolved administrations because the system of benefits
underpinning care provision – such as attendance allowance and carers allowance
– is controlled by the Department for Work and</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"> <span lang="EN-GB">Pensions</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"> in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>.
The administrations have little ability to influence its policies, it said. <o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">Levels of support for long-term care also differ
partly because of differences in UK Government funding under the Barnett
Formula – the way this is calculated is a longstanding thorn in the side of
Welsh politicians. <o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">“Those more generously treated by the
Barnett Formula can afford to provide better services,†the report noted.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">The devolved administrations are
also at a disadvantage, said the report, because of they do not have the
resources to conduct and assess large-scale evaluations of policy
effectiveness.<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">It added<strong> </strong></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">that
much of the legislation that influences long-term care provision was passed
before devolution. Changing this legislation to permit greater policy
differentiation is not high on the legislative agenda, it noted.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-width: medium medium 1pt; border-style: none none solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; padding: 0cm 0cm 1pt;">
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; border: medium none; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Speaking about the research, JRF Director of Policy
and Research Anne Harrop commented: “The evidence remains mixed as to the
impact of devolution on the most disadvantaged people and communities. Greater
collaboration and knowledge-sharing between the countries of the <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region> will ensure learning can be maximised across
the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>.â€
<o:p /></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; border: medium none; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div></o:smarttagtype></o:smarttagtype></o:smarttagtype>Meeting the challenge of domiciliary care: Seminar Friday March 26<span>
<p class=" "><strong><span>IMPORTANT NOITCE </span></strong></p>
<p class=" "><strong><span>MEETING THE CHALLENGE - SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITY INTERACTIVE SEMINAR FOR HOMECARE BUSINESSES IN <country-region w:st="on">WALES</country-region> – <city w:st="on">Cardiff</city>, Friday 26<sup>th</sup> March 2010.</span></strong></p>
<p class=" "><strong><span></span></strong><span>As the leading representative voice for the care sector in <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region>, Care Forum Wales recognises the unique challenges that home care providers face in <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region>.<span> </span>This dynamic seminar has been developed for you and your business with the aim of supporting you in this challenging climate:</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class=" "><span></span><span>Presentations include:</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li>
<div class=" "><strong><span>Gwenda Thomas, AM, Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, Welsh Assembly Government</span></strong><span> will give a key note address and formally launch the new national Domiciliary Forum Group</span></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class=" "><strong><span>How to secure a successful tender for domiciliary care providers </span></strong><em><span>Sue Lloyd-Selby, Senior Project Manager, Value <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region></span></em></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class=" "><strong><span>What is the vision for care at home and its workforce in Wales and do we link the current workforce with the vision for the future?</span></strong><em><span>, </span></em><em><span>Dr Mark Llewellyn, Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care, <span> </span><place w:st="on">University of Glamorgan</place>.</span></em></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class=" "><strong><span>Update on Independent Safeguarding Authority – the next steps..</span></strong><em><span>Barry Latham, Senior Policy Advisor, Care Forum <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region></span></em></div>
</li>
</ul>
<p class=" "><span></span><span>A programme schedule is attached.<span> </span>A cost effective and practical interactive seminar designed to offer you a range of ideas, tips and solutions to ensure your business is well equipped to meet the current challenges.<span> </span>A certificate of attendance will be available.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p></span>
<p><span>To secure your place <a href="http://careforumwales.shiftcreate.com/uploads/Booking%20Form%20re%20CFW%20Launch.doc">click here </a>to download booking form.</span></p>Forthcoming Care Forum Wales Events<p>Please <a href="http://careforumwales.shiftcreate.com/uploads/list%20of%20events.doc">click here </a>to view current events being organised by Care Forum Wales on your behalf.</p>
<p>To find out more please contact <a href="mailto:enquiries@careforumwales.co.uk">enquiries@careforumwales.co.uk</a></p>DVD for dementia sufferers in care homes to be launched<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document" /><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11" /><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11" /><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\IVORCA~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\03\clip_filelist.xml" /><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object
classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The company
that developed a range of books for dementia sufferers is planning to launch a
thought-provoking DVD aimed at care home residents.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Pictures To
Share, a community interest company based in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cheshire</st1:place></st1:city> established in 2006, is currently testing
the DVD in care homes to find out what running length suits residents best and the
images that work well for them.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The idea is
to provide stimulating images, at a pace suitable for dementia sufferers, that
can be shown in residents’ lounges.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The DVD
will feature themed images set to music – for example images of the countryside
and of childhood – as well as well-known poems read by the actress Fiona
Phillips. <o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">One of the
poems read by the actress, whose father suffers from dementia, is William
Wordsworth’s Daffodils. The images will be a mixture of old and new, some in
black and white and some in colour.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Helen Bate,
managing director of Pictures To Share, said: “The DVD will be aimed at care
home managers – it’s something they can easily play in residents’ lounges
instead of putting on the television which is often too fast-paced for
residents with dementia to take in.â€<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The DVD
will be available from the summer once full testing has been carried out.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">For more
information see <a href="http://www.picturestoshare.co.uk/">www.picturestoshare.co.uk</a><o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p></o:smarttagtype></o:smarttagtype>Social Care Essential Update Seminars - dates announced<p align="center"><strong><u><span style="font-family: latha">Social Care Essential Update Seminars</span></u></strong></p><span style="font-family: latha">
<p style="text-align: justify"><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial"><strong>A series of seminars held in partnership with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales, Care Council for Wales, Health and Safety Executive and incorporating the Welsh Assembly Government Dignity in Care Campaign.</strong></span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: arial">These important twice yearly seminars will provide delegates with an informative, focused and interactive day that will ensure <strong>Registered Providers, Registered Managers</strong> and <strong>senior staff </strong>who are responsible for providing social care in <place w:st="on" />Wales</place /> will leave the seminar with the very latest information on the opportunities that exist for your organisation to stay ahead of the rest.</span></p>
<p align="center"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: latha"><strong><u>Spring</u></strong></span></p>
<p align="center"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: latha">North Wales<span> </span><place w:st="on" />South Wales</place /></span></p>
<p align="center"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: latha">15th June<span> </span><span> </span>17<sup>th</sup> June</span> </p>
<p align="center"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: latha">22<sup>nd</sup> June<span> </span>24<sup>th</sup> June</span></p>
<p align="center"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: latha"><strong><u>Autumn</u></strong></span></p>
<p align="center"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: latha">North Wales<span> </span><place w:st="on" />South Wales</place /></span></p>
<p align="center"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: latha">9th November<span> </span><span> </span>11<sup>th</sup> November</span></p>
<p align="center"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: latha">16<sup>th</sup> November<span> </span>18<sup>th</sup> November</span></p>
<p align="center"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: latha">To find out more please contact <a href="mailto:enquiries@careforumwales.co.uk">enquiries@careforumwales.co.uk</a></span></p></span><strong><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: latha"></span></u></strong>Swine Flu Update<p><font> <font color="#3c3c3c">The JCVI have advised that vaccinations should continue through the summer for:</font></font><font color="#3c3c3c"> </font></p>
<ul>
<li><font color="#3c3c3c"><font face="Arial" size="2">those over 6 months old in at risk groups;</font> </font></li>
<li><font face="Arial" color="#3c3c3c" size="2">pregnant women; and </font></li>
<li><font color="#3c3c3c"><font face="Arial" size="2">frontline health and social care workers</font> </font></li>
</ul>
<p><font color="#3c3c3c"><font face="Arial" size="2">because they are at particular risk from infection or could expose patients to infection.</font> </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="#3c3c3c" size="2">The JCVI considered that there is no justification to extend the programme to other healthy age groups of the population including main carers of the elderly and disabled.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" color="#3c3c3c" size="2">For further information please <a href="http://careforumwales.shiftcreate.com/uploads/Swine%20flu%20update%20summer%202010%20phase.doc">click here</a></font></p>Care Forum Wales announce Framework of Services for Older People Events across Wales<div align="center"><span class="378234820-04032010"><strong><u><font face="Arial" size="3"></font></u></strong></span></div>
<div align="center"><span class="378234820-04032010"><strong><u><font face="Arial" size="3"></font></u></strong></span></div>
<div align="center"><span class="378234820-04032010"><strong><u><font face="Arial" size="3">FRAMEWORK OF SERVICES FOR OLDER PEOPLE EVENT </font></u></strong></span></div>
<div align="center"><span class="378234820-04032010"><strong><u><font face="Arial" size="3">FUNDED BY THE WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT</font></u></strong></span></div>
<div> </div>
<p><span class="378234820-04032010"><font face="Arial" size="3">As part of the <strong>Framework of Services for Older People</strong>, the Welsh Assembly Government has asked Care Forum Wales to arrange a series of events across Wales to inform members of the changes to the Services for Older People.</font></span></p>
<p><font size="2"><span class="378234820-04032010"><span style="font-family: arial"><font size="3">The <strong>Framework of Services for Older People </strong>will promote the development of the appropriate range of local services working together to respond to the needs and the preferences of older people and their carers. These services should help them to continue or return to live at home or in a homely environment as independently as possible. <city w:st="on" />Independence</city /> means either caring for oneself as much as possible or when practical assistance is required, it is based on the older person’s own choices and aspirations. <span> </span>This applies equally to those people who fund their own care as well as those whose care is funded by the local authority or NHS.</font></span></span></font></p>
<p> <span style="font-family: arial"><span style="font-family: arial"><font size="3">The idea behind the Framework is to encourage Local Authorities and their partners to develop a comprehensive range of effective local services designed to support older people at home or in a homely environment.</font></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: arial"><font size="3">Older people want local services which are sufficiently robust to help them and their families cope with crises and emergencies with the minimum of disruption avoiding inappropriate admissions to hospital or residential care and facilitating a smooth transition between services.</font></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> <font size="3"><strong>Your participation in these events is greatly needed to help shape the services of the future</strong>.</font></p>
<p> <font size="3">To secure your plac<span class="678463306-11032010">e at these events <a href="http://careforumwales.shiftcreate.com/uploads/CFW%20booking%20form.doc">click here to download booking form </a>and return as soon as possilbe. W</span>e strongly recommend that you attend these very important <strong>FREE</strong> events.</font></p>
<p> <a href="http://careforumwales.shiftcreate.com/uploads/Information%20Leaflet%20FINAL%2023.12.09.doc">Click here to download </a> <font size="3">information leaflet relating to the Framework<span class="678463306-11032010"> and Care Forum Wales response to this consultation</span>. If you require any further information please do not hesitate to call.</font></p>
<p> <font size="3">To download Care Forum Wales reponse to this initiative <a href="http://careforumwales.shiftcreate.com/uploads/Evidence%20to%20Commission%20for%20Social%20Services%20Jan%202010%20-2.doc">click here</a></font></p>
<p> <font size="3">To view the full details of the initiative <a href="http://careforumwales.shiftcreate.com/uploads/Summary%20Framework%20FINAL%2023.12.09.doc">click here</a></font></p>
<p> </p>Conwy and Flintshire councils propose care fee increases<p>Care Forum Wales has been notified that Conwy Council has recommended a fee increase of 2% across the board and that Flintshire Council has recommended a fee increase of 1% for care homes and domiciliary care providers. Please note that these increases are only recommended and are yet to be approved by the councils.</p>
<p>If any member has any news of fee level settings in their area please contact <a href="mailto:enquiries@careforumwales.co.uk">enquiries@careforumwales.co.uk</a></p>Saga moves into home care market<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document" /><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11" /><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11" /><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\IVORCA~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\02\clip_filelist.xml" /><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object
classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">The company
best-known for providing cruises and personal finance for the over-50s is
moving into the domiciliary care for the elderly market.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">Following a
successful trial in Kent, the company says it’s preparing to offer a nationwide
home care service priced from just £14 an hour for the growing number of elderly
people who need help at home but don’t want to pay for full-time care in a care home.<o:p /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">No launch date has
yet been set for its Independent Living service but it is understood to be
preparing roll out the service across the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<o:p /></span></p></o:smarttagtype></o:smarttagtype>Adult social care consultation open to all on March 29<h1><strong><font size="6" face="Arial" color="#7c4199"><span style="font-size: 24pt;">Diary marker: Adult Social Care Consultation </span></font></strong></h1>
<h2><strong><font size="5" face="Arial" color="#7c4199"><span style="font-size: 20pt;">29 March 2010,</span></font></strong><font color="#000000"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span></font><city w:st="on">Cardiff</city></h2>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Law Commission is reviewing Adult Social Care law and is seeking opinions on its proposals, which are due to be published in February.</span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Older People’s Commissioner for <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region> is working with the Law Commission and Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged in <country-region w:st="on">Wales</country-region> to hold an event to discuss the impact of the current law on older people and generate ideas to overcome these challenges. </span></font></p>
<p> </p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This is your chance to influence the future shape of adult social care law.</span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The event is aimed at anyone with an interest in this area including older people, carers and frontline workers. We have a range of speakers who will explain the current law, whatever your current knowledge level.</span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">There will be a series of discussion groups so you will have the opportunity to discuss ideas in more depth.</span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">To register an interest in attending, please email Ceri at <a href="mailto:ceri.gilg@olderpeoplewales.com" title="blocked::mailto:ceri.gilg@olderpeoplewales.com">ceri.gilg@olderpeoplewales.com</a> or telephone 08442 640670.</span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">If you know anyone who may be interested in attending this conference, please forward this invitation to them.</span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></font></p>
<h1><strong><font size="6" face="Arial" color="#7c4199"><span style="font-size: 24pt;">Nodyn dyddiadur: Ymgynghoriad ynghylch Gofal Cymdeithasol i Oedolion </span></font></strong></h1>
<h2><strong><font size="5" face="Arial" color="#7c4199"><span style="font-size: 20pt;">29 Mawrth 2010, Caerdydd</span></font></strong></h2>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Mae Comisiwn y Gyfraith wrthi’n adolygu’r gyfraith ynghylch Gofal Cymdeithasol i Oedolion ac mae’n chwilio am sylwadau ar ei gynigion, sydd i’w cyhoeddi ym mis Chwefror.</span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Mae Comisiynydd Pobl Hŷn Cymru yn cydweithio â Chomisiwn y Gyfraith ac Age Concern Cymru a Help the Aged yng Nghymru i gynnal digwyddiad i drafod effaith y gyfraith gyfredol ar bobl hŷn a syniadau ynghylch goresgyn yr heriau hyn. Dyma’ch cyfle chi i ddylanwadu ar siâp y gyfraith ynghylch gofal cymdeithasol i oedolion yn y dyfodol.</span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Mae’r digwyddiad wedi’i anelu at unrhyw un sydd â buddiannau yn y maes hwn gan gynnwys pobl hŷn, gofalwyr a gweithwyr y rheng flaen. Mae gennyn ni amrywiaeth o siaradwyr a fydd yn esbonio’r gyfraith gyfredol, beth bynnag fo lefel eich gwybodaeth bresennol.</span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Bydd cyfres o grwpiau trafod er mwyn ichi gael cyfle i drafod syniadau yn fanylach.</span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I gofrestru diddordeb mewn dod i’r gynhadledd, anfonwch neges e-bost at Ceri yn <a href="mailto:ceri.gilg@olderpeoplewales.com" title="blocked::mailto:ceri.gilg@olderpeoplewales.com">ceri.gilg@olderpeoplewales.com</a> neu ffoniwch 08442 640670.</span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></font></p>
<p><font size="4" face="Arial"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Os ydych yn adnabod unrhyw un a allai fod â diddordeb yn y gynhadledd, anfonwch y gwahoddiad yma ymlaen atyn nhw.</span></font></p>Dignity in Action Workshops for Social Care Practitioners<p><strong><u><span style="font-family: latha">Dignity in Care Workshops – <place w:st="on" />Academy of Care</place /> Practitioners</span></u></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: latha">A number of events for social care practitioners funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.</span></p>
<p><span></span><span style="font-family: latha">9<sup>th</sup> March – <place w:st="on" />Swansea</place /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: latha">10<sup>th</sup> March - <city w:st="on" />Cardiff</city /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: latha"></span><span style="font-family: latha">18<sup>th</sup> March – Wrexham</span></p>
<p> <span style="font-family: latha">19<sup>th</sup> March – Conwy</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: latha">To book your place please download <a href="http://careforumwales.shiftcreate.com/uploads/ACP%20Dignity%20in%20Action%20%20%20application%20doc%20Jan%2010.doc">booking form </a>and return.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: latha">For further information about these events <a href="http://careforumwales.shiftcreate.com/uploads/Dignity%20in%20Action%20conference%20poster%20JAN%20IO.doc">click here</a>.</span></p>Carers to get recognition and support under WAG proposals<h2><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">Wales</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">’ estimated 350,000
unpaid carers are to get greater support and recognition under new proposals
from the Welsh Assembly Government.</span></h2>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">The Carers Measure will mean NHS and Local Authority staff are required
to consult with carers who look after elderly or ill family members about
changes to the care services they provide, says Deputy Minister for Social
Services, Gwenda Thomas.<br /></span></p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Staff will also have to a
duty to support carers by providing accessible, relevant and up-to-date
information and advice. </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">The minister outlined the proposals to improve the lives of unpaid carers,
including young carers, in the Carers Strategies (Wales) Measure at the end of
January.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The proposed Measure covers
services including social services, housing and education provided by the NHS
and local authorities. It also applies to directly provided services or
contracted out services, such as GP services contracted to Health Boards. </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Gwenda Thomas said: “I am
delighted to introduce this proposed Carers Measure. I know and appreciate the
enormous contribution carers make to the people they care for, and more broadly
to our communities. </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“This proposed Measure addresses
some of the most important concerns carers and carers organisations have shared
with me over the years,†she added.</span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Roz Williamson, director of Carers
Wales, said: “Carers often have to struggle to get the help they need and have
fought long and hard for greater support and recognition. </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class=" "><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“The Measure recognises the
true value of the contribution that the 350,000 unpaid carers make to society
in Wales.
It will be an important step in ensuring carers get the practical and emotional
help they need.â€</span></p>Executive summary of the Dementia 2010 Report published today by Alzheimer's Research Trust<p>Dementia affects 820,000, costing the UK £23 billion each year – Alzheimer’s Research Trust study</p>
<p>A major new Alzheimer’s Research Trust commissioned University of Oxford report, Dementia 2010, reveals that the impact of dementia on the UK’s society and economy is higher than ever. It also shows that dementia research remains severely underfunded compared to other conditions like cancer and heart disease.</p>
<p>We now know that dementia affects 820,000 people, costing the UK economy<br />£23 billion per year, while dementia research funding is twelve times lower than that for cancer research.</p>
<p>The news comes a year after the government published its National Dementia Strategy. The Alzheimer’s Research Trust, the UK’s leading dementia research charity, warned that “dementia is the greatest medical challenge of the 21st centuryâ€.</p>
<p>The Alzheimer’s Research Trust’s Dementia 2010 found that each dementia patient costs the British economy more than the average salary and five times more than the average cancer patient. For every £1 million in health and social care costs for the disease, £129,269 is spent on cancer research and just £4,882 on dementia research.</p>
<p>Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said:<br />"The true impact of dementia has been ignored for too long. The UK's dementia crisis is worse than we feared. This report shows that dementia is the greatest medical challenge of the 21st century."</p>
<p>The Full Report can be downloaded from;</p>
<p><a href="http://alzheimers-research.org.uk/news/article.php?type=News&id=544">http://alzheimers-research.org.uk/news/article.php?type=News&id=544</a><br /></p>Chance to win £1,000 and celebrate with us at Wales Care Awards 2010<p>The Wales Care Awards 2010 will take place at City Hall, Cardiff on Friday October 29.</p>
<p>Nominations are now invited for social care workers from across Wales, including care practitioners, nurses, managers and specialists in dementia and palliative care.</p>
<p>A very special award this year is the Spirit of Care Award - the winner will be selected from across all categories as a special individual recognised for excellence in their practice.</p>
<p>The prize for this special award, sponsored by Boots, will be £1,000<span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span></p>
<p> <a href="http://careforumwales.shiftcreate.com/uploads/Care%20Awards%20form%202010%20with%20category%20guidance.doc">Click here to download a nomination form.</a></p>
<p>Deadline for entries will be March 31, 2010.</p>Initiative launched to help frail elderly recuperate at home<p>HEALTH
Minister Edwina Hart has launched a pilot project to help frail older people
who’ve been in hospital for minor conditions to return to the comfort of their
own homes to recuperate.</span></p>
<p>The
scheme, which began in November, is called the Frailty Fast Track Project and
will be trialled at Wrexham Maelor Hospital
for six months.</span></p>
<p>It
aims to prevent elderly people from being delayed in hospital after they’ve
been treated for a minor ailment, which can result in their ability to care for
themselves being reduced.</span></p>
<p>Instead, frail, older patients will be helped through the hospital care
system to allow them to go home promptly when they are well. When they
return home, patients will have access to extra care and support, if needed, to
allow them to comfortably resettle into their daily lives.</p>
<p>Mrs Hart said: "This pilot project will be an innovative way to try to
streamline care for vulnerable older patients who need hospital treatment for
relatively minor conditions but may face unnecessary delays during their stay. </p>
<p>“Often this delayed transfer from hospital is usually against patients’ and
carers’ wishes and also means additional cost for the health and social
services. </p>
<p>“If this project can reduce the amount of time a patient needs to stay in
hospital, it will allow older people to comfortably return to their daily
routine as soon as possible and continue to live independently in their own
homes.â€</p>
<p>Chief medical officer for Wales,
Dr Tony Jewell, said: “The project will support older patients through their
stay in hospital and provide extra assistance to help them resettle into their
own homes so that they are able to resume their day to day lives as soon as
possible. </p>
<p>“Enabling staff to follow the patient from hospital into the
community to improve continuity of care for the frail elderly should improve
effective communication between hospital and community services and help
patients and families feel supported.â€</p>Elderly 'lose out' on web deals and up-to-date information<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">THE
elderly are among those who could be missing out on health alert updates, as
well as better deals on goods and services, due to a lack of internet access, a
new report claims.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">The
report, by Consumer Focus Wales, warns that the one in three households in Wales lack
internet access – with groups such as the elderly and less well off
particularly affected.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">It
says they could be missing out on food safety alerts, weather warnings and even
better deals to cut utility bills, as well as news of political decisions
affecting the services they use, because of a lack of web access.</span></p>
<p>Consumer Focus Wales, formerly the Welsh Consumer Council, wants regulators
to ensure vulnerable groups such as the elderly and poor are not forgotten and
end up “institutionally locked outâ€. The Welsh Assembly Government said it was
preparing a response to the report. </p>
<p>The report, which drew on 10 years of data for its report, Logged In Or
Locked Out?, found 67% of households in Wales have a home internet
connection.</p>
<p>But it concluded that there is a risk of a growing digital divide for the
750,000 adults in Wales
who either cannot, or choose not to, use the internet. </p>
<p>Sarah Richards, senior policy advocate for Consumer Focus Wales, said
personal access to the internet was becoming ever more important. </p>
<p>She said: “The growing availability of information and bargains means that
those who either cannot, or choose not to, use the internet are in danger of
being locked out from accessing the best deals, and the most up-to-date
information.â€</p>
<p>Ms Richards added: “The benefits to consumers of the internet are many, but
we must ensure we do not end up in a country where people are institutionally
locked out from information which may affect them – like weather warnings,
finding out information during food scares or looking at what elected politicians
are saying on our behalf.†</p>Warning on continuing care compensation deadline<h2></h2>
<p>Families
in Wales
forced to sell their loved ones’ homes to help pay for care home fees that
should have been funded by the NHS have been warned to get their compensation
claims in soon.</p>
<p>Liberal
Democrat health spokesman Peter Black yesterday hit out at the lack of publicity about the Welsh Assembly Government's approaching December 4
deadline.</p>
<p>Those
affected are people whose relatives were placed in a care home – whether a
nursing home or residential home – because they needed continuing <em>medical</em> care. </p>
<p>Peter Black said: “Anybody who leaves
hospital should receive a continuing care assessment, which establishes their
nursing and personal care needs. Any nursing care needs identified by this
assessment should be paid for by the NHS.</p>
<p>“Members of the family are entitled to be present at this assessment. The problem is that most do not know about this and are preoccupied by other matters. Often these assessments do not take place.</p>
<p>“The NHS is responsible for paying for
nursing care, and councils often pick up the bill for social and personal care. So the outcomes of these assessments can often be significant in determining who pays.</p>
<p>“What is missing here is clarity. It seems to
me that there is no clearly-understood definition of nursing care and personal care,†he added.</p>
<p>The Court of Appeal made a judgement in 1999 stating that anyone whose main need for a care home place was based on their medical needs should not have to make any contribution towards the cost of their health care. Instead, the court ruled,
this should be paid for by the NHS.</p>
<p>It is understood there are already nearly 900
outstanding claims in Wales
alone, and more are expected to come forward by the December 4 deadline.</p>
<p>The Welsh Assembly Government said the relevant bodies (responsible for making known the deadline) were told of the deadline in August</p>
<p>The deadline
for restrospective claims is for the period April 1, 1996 to March 31, 2003. Claims relating to later periods are unaffected
and should be directed to your Local Health Board.</p>Citizens' jury helps celebrate Older People's Day<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">A citizens’ jury is to be brought together on October 1 in Cwmbran,
Torfaen, to discuss how the media affects relations between older people and
younger members of society.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">The event is one of a number of planned to take place across Wales to mark the UK’s Older People’s Day. October 1
is also the United Nations’ Day For Older People.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">The jury, which will meet at County Hall in Cwmbran, will hear evidence
about how older people are portrayed in the media and have the chance to cross-examine
witnesses about whether this damages the way younger people perceive them.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">The opening address at the event, which starts at 10am, will be given by
the Welsh Assembly Government’s deputy minister for social services, Gwenda
Thomas.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">The jury will weigh up the evidence and come up with a recommendation
which will be put forward to the Welsh Assembly Government on how to improve
relations between young people and the older generation.</span></p>Workshops on benefits of risk assessments<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">The European Campaign on Risk Assessment is hosting two Wales-based
workshops in October to promote the benefits of carrying out risk assessments.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">One workshop is to be held in Cwmbran, on October 5, and the other is on
October 9 in Conwy. The workshops are aimed at staff and employers who need to deal
with risk assessments in the workplace. </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">There will be practical advice on completing risk assessments, a
discussion of the main issues surrounding implementing such assessments and a
chance to network and find out about best practice. </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">Workshops:</span></strong><br /><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">October 5, 9.30am-1pm, County Hall, Cwmbran<br />October 9, 9.30am-1pm, Conwy Business Centre</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">Refreshments and free buffet lunch are provided. For further
information, or to book a place, email <a href="mailto:j.ramsay@media-consulta.com">j.ramsay@media-consulta.com</a> by
October 1.</span></p>Continuing NHS Health Care <div>
<p><font face="Book Antiqua">For your information, you are advised that the Welsh Assembly Government has given notice that any claims arising from eligibility for <span class="919274310-15092009">C</span>ontinuing NHS Health Care for the period 1st April 1996 to 31st March 2003 will not be considered after 4th December 2009. Claims relating to later periods are unaffected and should be directed to the Local Health Board.</font></p>
<p><font face="Book Antiqua">The Welsh Assembly Government has set a deadline for restrospective claims for the period 1st April 1996 to 31st March 2003. Individuals or their families who believe that they were eligible for Continuing Health Care for any period between the above dates should submit a claim before 4th December 2009.</font></p>
</div>
<div> </div>Helpline extends hours to mark Dementia Awareness Week<h2>
<meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type" />
<meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId" />
<meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Generator" />
<meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Originator" />
<link href="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\IVORCA~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\07\clip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List" /><o:smarttagtype name="country-region" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><o:smarttagtype name="place" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object
classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0cm;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<h1 class="MsoNormal"><strong><span lang="EN-GB">Dementia charity extends helpline opening hours to mark Dementia Awareness Week<o:p /></span></strong></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The
charity, Dementia <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
which helps those suffering from dementia and their families, is marking
Dementia Awareness Week next week (from July 4-10) with extended opening hours
on its national helpline.<o:p /></span></p>
<p>The organisation runs <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Admiral Nursing DIRECT, a</span></strong> national helpline for people
with dementia, their carers, friends, family and professionals. </p>
<p>The service is run by Admiral Nurses, specialist dementia nurses, and is
normally available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 8:45pm and Saturdays
from 10am until 1pm.</p>
<p>In recognition of Dementia Awareness Week next week it will also open on
Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am -5:30pm.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>For more
information see <a href="http://www.dementiauk.org/">www.dementiauk.org</a><o:p /></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>For the helpline
call </span></strong><span lang="EN-GB">0845 257 9406 or email direct@dementiauk.org</span><strong><span><o:p /></span></strong></p>
</h2>Senate will 'give Welsh pensioners a stronger voice'
<p class="introduction">Four national older people's organisations are joining forces in Wales to create a 'senate' to give older people a stronger public voice.</p>
<p>The Welsh Senate, launched today (Oct 1) of Older People will lobby the UK and Welsh
Assembly Governments on matters such as age discrimination, housing and
health.</p>
<p>It will also work to improve a wide range of services to the elderly in Wales.</p>
<p>The four organisations participating are the National Old
Age Pensioners Association of Wales, the National Pensioners Convention
Wales, Older People's Advisory Group Cymru and Pensioners Forum Wales. </p>
<p>A spokesperson for the Senate said: "The population of Wales
is ageing at a faster rate than any other part of the UK, and in 20
years time one in three Welsh adults will be aged 65 or over.</p>
<p>"Older people's issues have become increasingly prominent in
recent years and the creation of the senate is a significant milestone
in the journey to unite older people the length and breadth of Wales."</p>
<p>For more information see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11450330 <br /></p>