Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 5 issue 2
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 5 issue 2

BBC News: Swine flu briefings scrapped as case numbers plunge
Weekly government briefings about swine flu have been abandoned, a signal that the crisis is considered to be easing.

BBC News: Dementia not getting priority - National Audit office
Dementia services in England are not getting the priority that was promised, the National Audit Office has said.

D H News: Banishing stereotype
Sir Michael Parkinson calls for out of date

CQC: Criminal Records Bureau checks
Guidance on the legal requirement for most staff who work in services regulated and inspected by CQC to get checks from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

CQC: End of life care prompts: Care Homes - Guidance for inspectors
Guidance prepared for Inspectors to evaluate services regarding people who are coming to the end of their life.

Communitycare: Burnham pledge care funding white paper before election
The government still intends to produce a white paper on adult care funding reform before the next general election to ensure it becomes a "top order issue" on polling day, health secretary Andy Burnham said yesterday.

Counsel and Care: REMEMBER YOUR OLDER NEIGHBOURS DURING THE SEVERE WEATHER
With heavy snow and cold weather warnings across the country, it is vital that we all keep an eye out for vulnerable older neighbours, family members and friends who may be at greatest risk as a result of the freezing conditions and plunging temperatures.

BBC News: Mobile phone radiation protects against Alzheimers
After all the concern over possible damage to health from using mobile phones, scientists have found a potential benefit from radiation.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 5 issue 1
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 5 issue 1

DH News: Keep warm, keep well
The Department is urging people in all areas of the country to protect themselves against the cold.

BBC News: Inappropriate tube feeding of patients - widespread
Leading doctors say some dying patients are inappropriately being given stomach tubes for feeding.

D H News: Make a new years resolution to look in on older neighbours
With many older people living alone and more than 180,000 saying they have gone for a whole week without speaking to friends, family or neighbours, Care Service Minister Phil Hope is asking the public to make a New Year’s resolution to visit older neighbours more often.

DH News: look in on yout older neighbours, around half a million spend Christmas day alone!
With Christmas just around the corner and the country suffering from very cold weather, Health Ministers are calling on the public to keep an eye out for their older neighbours, help out with shopping or pop round for a chat.

Counsel and Care: Number of people paying for care themselves is on the rise
Since 2002, the percentage of older and disabled people paying for residential care without any financial support from their local council has risen by a third.

DH News: 111 is the new national number for non-emergency healthcare
The new three digit number has been given the go ahead.

Daily Mail: Record number of the elderly are forced to sell their homes to pay for care
New figures reveal a record number of people who have saved all their lives having to put their homes up for sale, while those who squandered their money get free care.

DH News: Public urged to take extra precautions to keep warm and well
Following the Met Office’s cold weather warnings issued for the next few days the Department of Health is urging people to be aware of the risks faced during this period of cold weather.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 51
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review

Guardian: We owe Gerry Robinson for highlighting bad practice
In his attempt to fix dementia care homes, the businessman was right to focus on shortcomings but wrong to assert scrutiny is 30 years behind other industries, says Christopher Manthorp.

CQC: To scrutinise care for people with a learning disability
CQC has published a five year plan outlining how it will drive up standards on behalf of people with learning disability. This is in direct response to the inpatient follow up review which was also published today.

DH News: Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson to retire from his role in the summer
Sir Liam Donaldson will step down in May 2010 after 12 years of service.

Telegraph: No 10 denies PM blocked Darlings recovery plan
The Treasury and Downing Street have denied reports that Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling were at odds over how far the Chancellor should go in setting out plans to reduce Britain’s record debt in this week pre-Budget report.

Counsel and Care: National conference January 2010
Counsel and Care's annual conference in January 2010 will focus on how high-quality and personalised care can be delivered to make a real difference now for older people, their families and carers while the plans for the future funding of care are negotiated.

DH News: An NHS strategy for a new era
Health Secretary Andy Burnham sets out his strategy for the NHS.

BBC News: Hospitals to feel funding pinch
Hospitals are facing the prospect of cuts over the next four years as part of a squeeze on NHS finances.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 50
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review.

CQC: Guidance on meeting new essential standards of quality and safety
The Care Quality Commission has launched guidance for all health and adult social care providers on meeting new essential standards of quality and safety that will apply across the care sector.

Counsel and Care: Tackling disability poverty manifesto launched to coincide with the Pre-Budget Report
Today, Disability Alliance, with 15 national partners including Counsel and Care, is launching 'Tackling Disability Poverty' – a manifesto of recommended routes out of poverty for disabled people and their families.

Privatehealth: 1.5 million for dementia research
The Bupa Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Society have launched a groundbreaking partnership to boost research into dementia and its causes.

NCA: Extra Employment help for carers
Thousands of carers are set to benefit from improved employment support from today, giving them the chance to combine paid work with caring and help reduce financial hardship.

BBC News: Dementia care failing the elderly
Can Gerry Robinson Fix Dementia Care Homes? is broadcast on BBC Two at 2100 GMT on Tuesday 8th and Tuesday 15th December.

Counsel and Care: Concerns remain about the quality of care experienced by older people in a care home
Counsel and Care still has major concerns about the quality of care provided to vulnerable older people living in a care home.

CQC: Barbare Young decides to leave care quality Commission
Barbara Young, the Chairman of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), informed the Board of the Care Quality Commission and the Secretary of State for Health on November 26 that, after careful prior reflection, she had decided to stand down as chairman with effect from February 1.

BBC News: Adult social care warning for eight areas of England
Eight local authorities in England have been told they must urgently improve their social care services for adults.

CQC praisesimprovements but calls for new drive to eliminate poor adult social care services
The Care Quality Commission praised improvements in adult social care but called for a renewed effort to eliminate poor quality services.

CQC: Care regulator reveals highs and lows for people receiving social care
Regional Press Releases

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 Issue 49
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review

Timesonline: Gordon Brown accused of diverting dementia funding to pay for free home care
Gordon Brown came under renewed pressure over how his promise of free care at home for the elderly will be met as figures showed a fall in government funding for dementia research.

DH News: Personal Care at home bill introduced to Parliament
The Bill that will help individuals with the highest care needs remain independent for longer, was introduced in Parliament today by Health Secretary Andy Burnham.

Healthcare Business
Available to download, Healthcare Business November 09

SCIE: Workforce development - Get connected
The internet and IT are transforming the way we communicate, learn and work. The Department of Health has established capital funds to enable registered care providers to access digital technology more effectively.

CQC: Get connected project for Adult Social Care
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) is giving grants to registered providers of adult social care in England to assist them with their information, communications and technology.

DH News: Personal care at home Bill introduced to Parliament
The Bill that will help individuals with the highest care needs remain independent for longer, was introduced in Parliament today by Health Secretary Andy Burnham.

Counsel and Care: Advice and information on keeping warm and well in the winter months
Despite the relatively mild start to the winter, the risks remain for frail older people living alone or on fixed incomes from low temperatures or unexpected changes in the weather.

BBC News: Alzheimers drug trial to be run by Glasgow clinic
A treatment which may help prevent the onset of advanced Alzheimer's is to be tested in a ground-breaking year-long clinical trial.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 48
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review

DH News: Age equality in health and social care - consultation opens
To prepare health and social care services for new anti-age discrimination laws, the Government is calling for peoples’ views on the likely implications.

Telegraph: Politicians must raise their game on long term care
Many will be familiar with the opening lines of the poem that begins "When I am an old woman I shall wear purple". But who remembers the title to Jenny Joseph's ode about the eccentricities of old age?

Lloydspharmacy sells Sapphire Primary Care Developments to Ashley House plc
Ashley House plc has acquired the assets and business of Sapphire Primary Care Developments (SPCD) from Lloydspharmacy for £6.8 million.

TimesOnline: Labour peers savage Browns free care plan
A key plank of Gordon Brown’s re-election strategy was condemned by members of his own party yesterday as irresponsible, unaffordable and based on a myth.

Guardian: Report urges NHS to cut dementia patients' hospital stays
Alzheimer's Society warns long spells in hospital have adverse effect on health of many sufferers

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 47
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review

Counsel and Care: Prime Minister's pledge for better care must be backed by radical vision and sufficient funding
The Prime Minister's unprecedented pledge made today for better care for all older people has been welcomed by Counsel and Care.

BBC NEWS: Queen to set out Brown programme
The Queen is preparing to set out the government's final programme of planned laws ahead of the general election.

CQC: A New registration system from April 2010
Subject to legislation, from 1 April 2010, the regulation of health and adult social care will change. All health and adult social care providers, who provide regulated activities, will be required by law to register with the Care Quality Commission.

Timesonline: Caring for elderly should be promoted as career, says Dame Joan Bakewell
Caring for the elderly should become a recognised profession and be recommended to school leavers as a rewarding career to meet the demand for higher standards in homes, ministers will be told tomorrow.

Telegraph: Obesity means pensioners less fit than their parents
People entering retirement are for the first time less fit than their parents were at the same age, a new study suggests.

Telegraph: Sorry Florence, no degree - no job
The Government's latest proposals to improve care for patients will have the opposite effect – and leave nurses worse off, says Theodore Dalrymple.

Counsel and Care: Future of a National Care Service hangs in the balance
The future of a 'National Care Service', with the potential to rival the impact of the National Health Service, today (13 November 2009) hangs in the balance, according to Counsel and Care.

Counsel and Care: Concerns at results of DH revies into use of anti-psycotic drugs
Counsel and Care is appalled to hear of the results of a significant Department of Health review that revealed how 1,800 of the most vulnerable older people in our society die needlessly each year due to excessive use of anti-psychotic medication and how 150,000 older people continue to receive it unnecessarily.

BBC News: Dementia drug use killing many
Needless use of anti-psychotic drugs is widespread in dementia care and contributes to the death of many patients, an official review suggests.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 46
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review

BBC News: I just couldn't cope on my own
If you are Asian, it is often considered your duty to look after your parents in their old age.

BBC News: Tests improve alzheimers diagnosis
A multi-tasking test can help avoid confusion between symptoms of depression and early Alzheimer's, Edinburgh researchers have discovered.

BBC News: MRSA not the only threat to NHS
The government has taken its "eye off the ball" on hospital infections other than MRSA and Clostridium difficile, a cross-party group of MPs says.

Counsel and Care: Quality care depends on investment in staff and leadership
The research report, The real cost of quality care and support, is published by the National Care Forum and Counsel and Care as a response to the green paper on the future funding of care. The two organisations say that more resources are needed to fund better quality care.

DH News: More help for dementia research
Scientists in the field of dementia research will get more help to access funding thanks to a new ministerial group, which will drive forward research into the causes, cure and care of dementia, Care Services Minister Phil Hope announced.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 45
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 45

Counsel and Care: has today published a new care home handbook....
...as part of National Care Homes Week (2-6 November 2009). Fully updated with the support of the Department of Health, this 56-page handbook includes a foreword by Phil Hope, Minister of State for Care Services.

D H News: New Regulations for Health and Adult Social Care Providers
The requirements which health and adult social care providers must meet in order to operate under the new registration system, have been published today by the Department of Health.

Brunwsicks Healthcare Review issue 44
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 44

3663 - Findus Care Cuisine
Expertise everyday with Care Cuisine. Specialist foods available through 3663

BBC News: NHS told to brace itself over flu
The NHS has been told to brace itself for action after a steep rise in swine flu infections.

Counsel and Care: Homecare must reflect personalised care
RESPONDING TO OLDER PEOPLE'S NEEDS: HOMECARE MUST REFLECT PERSONALISED CARE, SAY NATIONAL CHARITY AND HOMECARE PROFESSIONALS REPRESENTATIVE

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 43
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol4 issue 43

Alzheimer Patients - A new initiative
A new initiative is launched that will give patients control over the cost of their care.

Bruswicks Healthcare Review issue 42
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review

Counsel and Care: Housing 21s Fair Ageing report calls for comprehensive action
Every political partys election manifesto should include an outline of long term entitlements to highlight a commitment to treating older people fairly.

BBC News: Memory not first Alzheimers sign
A failing memory may not be the first mental problem to signal the onset of Alzheimer's disease, research suggests.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 41
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Helathcare Review

Telegraph: Seven in Ten care home residents is victim of drug error
Seven out of ten care home residents are being given the wrong drugs treatment because of overworked staff, and poor teamwork, researchers have said.

BBC News: Nursing home fees and NHS care
A typical scenario: your father is admitted to hospital, perhaps following a fall or a stroke at his home.

Telegraph: Gordon Brown pledges national care service for elderly
Older people with the most serious needs will get free care at home, Gordon Brown has said, pledging to create a “National Care Service” to look after the elderly.

DH News: Completion of reform to the healthcare regulatory bodies
The completion of a series of reforms, to strengthen the focus on public protection in the regulation of health professionals was announced by the Department of Health today.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 40
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review

Telegraph: British pensioners living more healthy lifestyles
Britain's pensioners are living far more healthy lifestyle in old age than stereotypes suggest, a report has claimed.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 39
Electronic version of the Brunswick Healthcare Review issue 39 available to download.

Care Directions: MyAmego assisting independence and helping to reduce medication for care home residents
'MyAmego' monitoring technology is increasingly recognised as a revolutionary aid to release the constraints of individual movement in care home settings.

CQC: says that the hospitals and care homes need to improve communication to prevent infection
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) today (Monday) sets out its concerns around the lack of communication between care homes and hospitals in preventing infections passing between these two settings.

BBC News: Dementia burden underestimated
The future global burden of Alzheimer's and other types of dementia has been underestimated, say UK experts.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 37
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review

DH News: Consults on pandemic contingency legislation for mental health
The Department of Health today launched a consultation on whether there is a need to make temporary changes to the Mental Health Act 1983 should exceptional circumstances arise during pandemic flu.

Community Care: English councils face judicial review over adult care fees
Fairer Fee Forum resolves to challenge alleged under-funding of providers in courts

BBC News: UK close to winning flu fight
The UK is "tantalisingly" close to winning the battle against swine flu, the chief medical officer says.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 36
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review

Holdfire Carefree Plus secures place in Care Show Innovation Zone
Holdfire, the specialist company producing door systems for residential care has just been awarded places in the highly coveted Innovation Zone of the London and Birmingham Care Shows.

Counsel and Care:
ELDERCARE WEEK 7-13 SEPTEMBER 2009: NATIONAL CHARITY COUNSEL AND CARE PROMOTES ITS HIGH QUALITY ADVICE SERVICE AND CALLS FOR EVERYONE TO GET INVOLVED IN THE BIG CARE DEBATE

Telegraph: Elderly more moralistic than the young
Older people have a much stronger sense of morality than the young, the world’s biggest study into dishonesty suggests.

BBC News: Alzheimers genes link uncovered
Two potentially key genes linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease have been uncovered by UK researchers.

CQC: says health services are responding to tradegy of Shipman with better monitoring of controlled drugs
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have published a report detailing significant progress in implementing regulations introduced in response to the Shipman Inquiry, to monitor controlled drugs.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 34
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review

Telegraph: Cruel and neglectful care of one million NHS patients exposed
One million NHS patients have been the victims of appalling care in hospitals across Britain, according to a major report released today.

BBC News: Flu drug not needed in healthy
The World Health Organization has said healthy patients who catch swine flu do not need to be treated with Tamiflu.

IMPORTANT NOTICE - Be careful what you sign!
Recently, we’ve been made aware of a company based in the North West that have been pressurising care homes into signing contracts to manage gas account on the owners behalf. On the face of it, you might think this is a great idea as it removes one of the numerous tasks from your busy schedule; however, we have now been informed by a number of providers that the service is a sham.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 Issue 33
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 33

Telegraph: NHS care home refunds are the tip of the iceberg, leading lawyer warns
Thousands of Alzheimer's patients wrongly forced to pay for their care are expected to launch cases against the NHS leaving it facing a payout of millions of pounds.

Telegraph: Coping with an ageing population - A caring challenge that cannot be ducked
Telegraph View: Coping with an ageing population will require some extremely tough decisions, which will be best taken early on.

CQC: Flu pandemic advice for social care providers
Social care regulations continue to apply during a flu pandemic, unless otherwise announced by the Department of Health. This situation is being kept under review and may change.

Telegraph: Alzheimers carers awarded £300,000 after NHS refuses to pay care costs
Three families looking after relatives with Alzheimer's have been awarded more than £300,000 after the NHS refused to pay for their care costs.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 32
Electronic version of Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 32

Age Concern - ITea and a biscuit week 21- 25 September
itea and biscuits week will be taking place 21 - 25 September‚ offering older people throughout the UK the opportunity to try out and learn more about new technology. So whether you're interested in mobile phones or digital cameras‚ online social networking or computers‚ this is the perfect chance to find out more!

BBC News: People get happier as they age
Most people get happier as they grow older, studies on people aged up to their mid-90s suggest.

Skills for Care launch online funding guide for employers
Skills for Care has launched a unique interactive online funding guide after employers complained they were struggling to find their way through the dizzying maze of training resources.

NMC - Guidance for the care of older people
Nursing and Midwifery Council's Guidance for the care of older people

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 31
Electronic version - Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 31

OTs do it sitting down!
At the recent 33rd annual Occupational Therapists conference, Tony Duke of Vitalyz showed how residents with little or no standing ability could experience the unique feeling of movement from their chairs!

DH News: Consultation on alterntive medicine regulation announced
A consultation on whether, and if so, how, practitioners of acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine should be regulated was launched 3rd August by the Department of Health.

DH News: New Council champions equality and Diversity
A new Equality and Diversity Council that will strengthen the national focus on improving quality in the National Health Service, was announced by the Department of Health (4th August)

Counsel and Care: Third sector need stronger role in prevention of pensioner poverty
The report of the Work and Pensions Committee into pensioner poverty published today (30 July 2009) has been welcomed by Counsel and Care, the national charity working with older people, their families and carers to get the best care and support.

Age Concern and Help the Aged: Respond to the Department of Healths prevention package for older people

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 30
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 30.

BBC News: Right to die law to be clarified
Prosecutors will start work later to clarify the law on assisted suicide after a landmark court victory by a multiple sclerosis sufferer.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 Issue 29
Electronic edition of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 29

3663 - why buy from 3663 and not a supermarket
3663 Supplying all your foodservice requirements nationally through local depots.

D H News: Keeping older people fit and healthy
Simple measures such as good footcare, sight tests and light exercise can help older people live better, Care Service Minister Phil Hope said as he launched the Older People's Prevention Package.

DH News: New Horizons-Government consults on mental health and well-being
New vision to make mental health everybodys business.

Telegraph: Swine flu-emergency web site crashes under wieght of demand
The Government's National Flu Service website, which is designed to give swine flu sufferers direct access to anti-viral drugs, crashed under the weight of demand immediately after being launched on Thursday afternoon.

Telegraph: Swine flu work absences triple in a week
The number of people calling in sick with swine flu symptoms has tripled in a week, with 130,000 people staying away from work.

Counsel and Care: welcomes the Green Papers push for information and advice
Counsel and Care welcomes the emphasis of the Government's recent Green Paper, 'Shaping the Future of Social Care', on providing easily accessible and high quality information to help all older people and their families and carers to find their way through the care and support system.

BBC News: Pandemic flu service to go live
A national flu service will be launched later this week in England to relieve the pressure on the health service.

BBC News: Call for dementia research boost
More than 30 leading scientists have backed a call for a three-fold increase in funding for research into dementia in the UK.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 Issue 28
Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 Issue 28

DH News:Shaping the future of care together
Shaping the Future of Care Together sets out a vision for a new care and support system. The Green Paper highlights the challenges faced by the current system and the need for radical reform, to develop a National Care Service that is fair, simple and affordable for everyone.

Is Tax Stunting your Ability to Grow your Business?
Gill & Courtneidge Wealth is currently working with dozens of businesses in the care home sector, as well as businesses in a range of other sectors. We recently were selected as the solution provider of choice for one of Europe’s largest wealth management companies, for their high net worth clients. Read on to see how we could help you.....

Telegraph: Swine flu reaches Downing Street
Swine flu has reached Downing Street, infecting Michael Jacobs, a senior adviser to Gordon Brown.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 27
Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 27

Guardian: Row delays Green paper on care funding for older and disabled people
Time running out for long-awaited care funding plans to be published before summer recess

Telegraph: Swine flu, parts of Britain approach epidemic levels as death toll reaches 14
Parts of the country are approaching epidemic levels of flu not seen in a decade, health officials have warned, as they announced that 14 people have now died after contracting swine influenza.

DH News: New phone number to make urgent care easier to access
A consultation on a new national three-digit number – 111 – that will make it easier for patients to access urgent care wherever they are was launched by Ofcom today.

DH News: First specialist Dementia advisors starts work
Care Services Ministers Phil Hope announces new Demonstrator sites to support people with dementia and their families.

BBC News: Language predicts dementia risk
People with superior language skills early in life may be less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease decades later, research suggests.

DH News: Roy Taylor appointed National Director for Social Care flu resilience
The Department of Health has appointed Roy Taylor as the new National Director for Social Care Flu Resilience, Care Services Minister Phil Hope announced today (7th July).

Guardian: The lifestyle to beat Alzheimers
New research suggests that two cups of strong coffee a day can reverse the effects of Alzheimer's.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 26
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 26

HSJ: Government will not back private care home protection
Efforts to improve human rights protection for children and the elderly in privately run care homes have been blocked by the government.

Telegraph: No need for elderly to sell home to pay for care
Elderly people will no longer be forced to sell their homes to pay for care under government proposals to be unveiled next week.

BBC News: Solo life ups gene dementia
People who have a particular gene flaw and live alone in middle-age are at highest risk of developing dementia, researchers suggest.

SCIE: Personalisation
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has published a new briefing for home care providers on the implications and opportunities offered by the personalisation agenda. The briefing, which has been produced in association with UKHCA, provides an introduction to the issue including new business opportunities and examples of how some providers are planning for the future.

D H News: Heatwave alert - level 2
The Met Office has forecast that in at least the next two to three days there is a 60% chance of temperatures in the West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, Southeast England, London and Southwest England regions, being high enough on at least two consecutive days to give rise to significant health risks.

Counsel and Care: Advice for staying cool and alert to the needs of older people with health conditions in the hot weather
With the Met Office’s first heat health warning of the summer and temperatures this week predicted to hit the thirties, Counsel and Care, the national charity working with older people, their families and carers to get the best care and support, publishes advice for staying cool and alert to the needs of more vulnerable older people in the hot weather.

Telegraph: Swine flu-lab accident may have caused pandemic
The swine flu pandemic sweeping the world might not have happened without a laboratory accident in the 1970s, a new study claims.

BBC News: Heatwave warning for parts of the UK
A heatwave warning has been issued for England and Wales, with temperatures in some areas potentially rising as high as 32C (90F) in the coming days.

BBC News: Swine flu shows drug resistance
Experts have reported the first case of swine flu that is resistant to tamiflu - the main drug being used to fight the pandemic.

CQC: Joan Bakewell at launch of Commissions charter
The Care Quality Commissions has welcomed Joan Bakewell's comments made last night at the launch of the Care Quality Commission's Voices in to Action initiative.

Find out how CQC will assess care services in 2009 2010
This new report describes how CQC will assess health and adult social care services over the next year.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review
Issue 25 of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review

CQC: Publishes plans on how it will assess health and social care in 2009 2010
The Care Quality Commission is today publishing plans on how it will assess the provision and commissioning of health and adult social care in its first year.

D H News: Department of Health Statement on Swine Flu
245 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed through laboratory testing with swine flu.

CQC: Care Quality Commission response to figures on infection rates
Nigel Ellis, Head of National Inspection and Assessment at the Care Quality Commission, said: “Our inspections show that the NHS is getting better at controlling and managing infections.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 Issue 24
Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 Issue 24

BBC News: Dementia Services dehumanising
The care being given to some people with dementia is "dehumanising", MPs say.

Telegraph: Finger on the pulse - The importance of the priceless work done by the nations carers
An elderly woman who suffered a heart attack was terrified of going into hospital. That is because she is one of the nation's priceless carers, in her case looking after a husband suffering from Parkinson's disease and dementia.

Department of Health Statement - Swine Flu
61 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu.

BBC News: WHO declares Swine Flu Pandemic
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global flu pandemic after holding an emergency meeting, according to reports.

Healthacare Business reports: RBS Boosts financial health of Priory Group
Europe's leading independent provider of mental healthcare and specialist education services the Priory Group has agreed a £58.4million refinance deal with The Royal Bank of Scotland (“RBS”) as the first stage of an anticipated three-year refinancing package with the bank to support the business’ continued expansion.

CQC: Regulator pledges a louder voice for people who use health and social care services
Care home residents, hospital patients and people who receive care at home will have more say in improving the quality of care services than ever before, the Care Quality Commission has pledged.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 23
Electronic copy of the Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 23

Telegraph: Swine flu could be at pandemic levels
The swine flu outbreak may have reached pandemic level, according to the World Health Organisation.

BBC News: Improved test for Alzheimers
A new mental agility quiz could help detect Alzheimer's disease more accurately than the traditional test, Cambridge researchers say.

BBC News: NHS faces huge budget shortfalls
The health service will face the most severe and sustained financial shortfall in its history after 2011, a report by NHS managers warns.

BBC News: Rogue protein spreads in brain
Scientists have shown a rogue protein thought to cause Alzheimer's can spread through the brain, turning healthy tissue bad.

3663 - Excelling in Care
3663 and Nestle launch the inaugural Excel Care Master Chef Competition with great success to help promote fresh natural cooking in the care sector

New £500k care facility opens on the Wirral
Inclusive Lifestyles has opened a new £500k care facility in Wallasey to care for autistic adults. Funding was provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland's healthcare team.

Telegraph: New Swine flu cases brings Britains total to 428
Another 24 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Britain, taking total to 428

BBC News: Minimum Wages increase
The UK minimum wage will rise by 7p to £5.80 an hour from October, the government has announced.

CQC: Guidance - Working arrangements protocol
The aim of this protocol is to improve health and safety standards within the care sector by using resources and expertise more effectively.

BBC News: Weekly curry may fight dementia
Eating a curry once or twice a week could help prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, a US researcher suggests.

Times: Elderly left at risk by NHS bidding wars to find cheapest care with reverse auctions
An online auction system developed for councils to buy cheap wheelie bins and stationery is being used to buy end-of-life and dementia care for vulnerable elderly people.

CQC: Help shape the regulation of health and adult social care services
The regulation of health and adult social care is changing. Take part in our public consultation to help us develop guidance on what care services must do to meet new legally enforceable registration standards.

Counsel and Care: Lack of Awareness about Social Care gives cause for grave concern
Counsel and Care has today welcomed the report from the ippr and PriceWaterhouseCoopers on attitudes towards social care. The report highlights that there is still a worrying lack of awareness of social care and its nature amongst the public, with the majority not making any preparations for their own care in the future.

D H News: Health Minister invites delegates to visit tomorrow's world: NHS Staff and health innovators invited to see the future at health innovation expo
NHS staff and those involved in health or social care innovation were today urged by Health Minister Lord Darzi to sign up to attend the first NHS Innovation Expo which will take place at London's Excel Exhibition centre on 18-19 June.

BBC News: Swine flu vaccine step close
A viral strain which can be used to make a vaccine against swine flu has been produced by UK scientists.

CQC - Seeking your views
Your views would be most welcome on New CQC 5 year strategy and Learning Disabilty plan.

BBC News: Warning over new threat from MRSA
A new strain of MRSA seems to be triggering a deadly form of pneumonia in people who catch flu, experts say.

An Inspiration to us all!
Do you sometimes see a situation that breaks your heart? Ever wish you could make a bigger impact? Night care assistant Brenda Currill’s story should be an inspiration to us all.

Telegraph.co.uk: Swine flu - is this the calm before the storm? Head of WHO asks
Dr Margaret Chan, head of the World Health Organisation, has called for global solidarity in the fight against swine flu and warned almost everyone is susceptible to the disease

New TV channel due to launch to help train Care Staff
On 1st July, 2009 a new innovation in staff training for care homes goes live, an interactive satellite television channel called the Aged Care Channel (ACC).

BBC News: Keep working to avoid dementia
Keeping the brain active by working later in life may be an effective way to ward off Alzheimer's disease, research suggests.

Telegraph.co.uk: We must end neglect of elderly, Sir Michael Parkinson tell RCN
Sir Michael Parkinson has called on society to end its "neglect" of the elderly, which he described as a "shove them in a corner and wait for them to die" attitude.

Telegraph.co.uk: Patients should be given the right to die at home, report finds
Patients should be given the right to die at home but hundreds of thousands are forced to die in hospital against their wishes every year, an official report shows.

D H News: Putting the patient in control
Patients are a step closer to getting more say over their healthcare services as plans for a national pilot project reach the next stage, the Department of Health announced.

FE News: Budget-cut providers forced to turn down firms encouraged to train by the Government
Multi-million pound Government efforts to encourage firms to train staff are short-sighted as many could be turned away because of budget cuts, the Association of Learning Providers (ALP) has warned.

D H News: 10 million to encourage new health innovation and education clusters
The Department of Health is inviting applications for partnerships between health, social care, education and business sectors to become Health Innovation and Education Clusters (HIECs) , which will deliver high quality care to patients, it announced today.

BBC News: Chemical clus to dementia decline
Scientists have pinpointed compounds in the spinal fluid which may give an early warning of how fast patients with mild dementia will decline.

D H News: First step towards Swine Flu vaccine prototype achieved
The first step towards producing a European prototype of a swine flu vaccine has been achieved by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced today.

BBC News: Trial drugs reverse Alzheimers
US scientists say they have successfully reversed the effects of Alzheimer's with experimental drugs.

BBC News: Care homes plan action over fees
A group of UK care home companies are planning legal action against all 150 English local authorities over fees, the BBC has learned.

Four Seasons Health Care enters new Standstill Agreement
Four Seasons Health Care Group has entered a new standstill agreement with its senior lenders until 30 September 2009 to facilitate amongst other things the continuing negotiations towards a consensual restructuring of the Group's debt.

Counsel and Care: Publishes VotingAge Manifesto
Counsel and Care has today (6 May 2009) published VotingAge, an older people's manifesto. The manifesto includes forewords from the leaders of all three main political parties.

CQC: Care Quality Commission completes its management team
The Care Quality Commission has completed its senior management team with the appointment of three more directors.

Telegrapgh.co.uk: Swine Flu-Britain must remain vigilant says Hilary Benn
Britain must stay vigilant although the swine flu outbreak looks less serious than first feared, the Environment Secretary has said.

Counsel and Care: Launch of updated guides
Counsel and Care provides expert and high-quality advice and information on care and support, and has today launched a completely updated set of 64 guides and factsheets that can support older people, their families and carers to understand their rights and entitlements in the midst of a confusing and ever-changing care system.

BBC News: WHO fears pandemic is imminent
The UN's World Health Organization has raised the alert over swine flu to level five - indicating human-to-human transmission in at least two countries.

Swine Flu pandemic FREE Download information
CCN thanks Peter Hawkins of Required Systems for making the Fact Sheet available.

BBC News: Swine flu - how serious a threat?
With the UK confirming two cases of swine flu and the World Health Organization raising its alert level from three to four, how serious a threat does the disease pose to us all?

Healthcare Business April 09
Healthcare Business digital version, April 2009

Fremantle Launches Buckinghamshire Dementia Care Forum
As a response to the Government’s National Dementia Care Strategy; Living Well with Dementia, it is keen to help promote best practice, not only in its own homes but throughout Buckinghamshire.

Counsel and Care: Welcomes direct action in the budget
Direct action in budget welcomed, but more is needed to assress the demands of our ageing population, says Counsel and Care.

D H News: New strategy for a 21st century social care workforce
£75 million to get 50,000 unemployed into social care work.

Paxman to donate brain to research for parkinsons
Jeremy Paxman, the presenter of high-brow programmes such as Newsnight and University Challenge, has agreed to donate his brain for research into Parkinson's disease after he dies.

BBC News: Painkiller - no alzheimers block
study has found that painkillers such as ibuprofen cannot prevent Alzheimer's disease - but does not rule out that they may delay its onset.

BBC News: Daffodil drugs alzheimers help
A daffodil crop grown in Powys which will be used to produce a drug to fight Alzheimer's disease is ready for harvesting, its growers have said.

BBC News: Families misled over care fees
Families of vulnerable elderly people are being misled over possible help with care home fees, says a charity.

RBS : Direct Reserve, A Business Savings accout that works harder
Great interest rates for your business

Alzheimers Society: New National Dementia Strategy Guidance for Commissioners
new Alzheimer’s Society guide providing vital advice on how to commission services for people with dementia and their carers in line with the National Dementia Strategy has been launched.

NCF: Town halls cushion impact of care home closures
The recession is being blamed for the closure of independently run care homes in nearly 1 in 7 local authority areas, council leaders warned today. Town halls across the country are acting to try to prevent a shortage of residential places for older or disabled people.

D H News: A New Vision for mental health and wellbeing
The millions of people who suffer from or might face mental illness at some point in their lives will be the focus of a new strategy, Care Services Minister Phil Hope announced.

BBC News: Drug offers hope on alzheimers
A new drug which shows promise as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease has been developed by UK scientists.

Guardian: Recession forcing private care homes to close, says council
Warnings over impending shortage of places in privately-run care homes for older and disabled people, as owners feel financial strain of recession.

CQC: The Care Qualitys Commissions reaction to the Panorama programme on homecare
To read the comments of Cynthia Bower, Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission, follow the link

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 14
Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 14

Mailonline: Is alzheimers caused by overworking the brain in your youth?
Some of us may develop Alzheimer's disease in old age because our brains worked too hard when we were younger, scientists say.

BBC News: Target to halve MRSA cases is met
A target to halve MRSA infections in England has been hit, figures show.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 13
Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 13

Counsel and Care: Calls for a balanced approach to enforcement by the new regulators
Counsel and Care welcomes, with the establishment of the new Care Quality Commission, the potential for a more coordinated approach to enforcement.

D H News: Landmark day as patients to help put quality at the heart of the NHS and social care
A number of measures, all designed to raise the quality of services and standards in the NHS in England come into effect from 1 April.

CQC: Care Quality Commission launched
New regulator for health, mental health and adult social care. CQC will put the public and users of services at the heart of its work

BBC News: Gap in care has to be bridged
The gap between health and social care must be bridged, the head of England's new super regulator says.

D H News: New regulation for health and social care providers
A new framework to regulate the safety and quality of health and social care services was published today by the Department of Health, ahead of the new Care Quality Commission coming into effect on 1 April 2009.

BBC News: Mental services shut to elderly
Older people are often denied access to the full range of mental health services available to younger adults, a watchdog has found.

CSCI: Quality ratings market research report
This report looks at the impact quality ratings have had on people who choose, purchase or commission care services.

Counsel and Care: The many different voices of older people and their carers must be heard
The many different voices of the older people and theis carers must be heard by the new regulator of health and social care.

D H News: Minister spends day in the life of social care worker
Care Services Minister Phil Hope today underlined the benefits of a career in social work while promoting a nationwide recruitment campaign.

D H News: Improvements to the regulation of healthcare professionals
Measurements to improve the regulation and governance of healthcare professionals, providing greater reassurances for the public and professionals, were today set out in two reports published by the Department of Health.

Care providers failing to fully exploit burgeoning dementia care market
A new report from Laing and Buisson has found that 57% of the estimated 142,000 care home residents in the UK for whom dementia is a known cause of admission are receiving care in settings which are dedicated to dementia.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 11
Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 11

D H News: National quality board grows in strength
Lay and expert members appointed to National Quality Board.

CSCI: Accelerate improvements in commissioning service for people with learning disability, urge watchdogs
Review finds more work needed in planning services and personalising care

Telegraph.co.uk: Prince Charles warns of catastrophe caused by increase in Alzheimers
The Prince of Wales has warned about the potential "catastrophic" effect of the increase in Alzheimer's Disease because of the rapidly ageing population.

BBC News: Care Homes warned over dementia
Care homes need to improve their approach to people with dementia, a report by a firm of health and social care analysts has concluded.

CSCI 2004 - 2009: Making social care better for people
Our strap line ‘Making social care better for people’ has been the guiding principle for all our work since CSCI was created in 2004.

BBC News: Bupa to create 800 care home jobs
Private healthcare firm Bupa is to create 800 jobs under plans to open three new care homes.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 10
Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 10

guardian.co.uk: Person centred care works better for dementia
More individualised care by residential or nursing homes can reduce agitation in people with dementia, a new study shows. Residential homes that plan care around the individual residents, rather than around a rigid timetable of tasks, may be less distressing.

Age Concern: Dignity not peanuts say protestors
Age Concern condemns 75p increase to the personal expenses allowance.

BBC News: Oily fish dementia boosts queried
A UK study has cast doubt on claims that eating oily fish can protect against dementia in old age.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Issue 9
Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 9

Healthcare Business - March 2009
Digital Edition of Healthcare Business

thisismoney.co.uk: Elderly need 775 to pay for care
Care homes need £775m of emergency public funding, an influential research group said yesterday.

BBC News: Alzheimers plaques BIG IMPACT
The sticky amyloid plaques linked to Alzheimer's disease may have a more widespread impact on the brain than thought, American research suggests.

U.S.home care franchise heads for UK to offer hundreds of jobs.
One of the fastest growing home care companies in the U.S. is planning to launch a franchise operation in the UK - with potentially hundreds of jobs on offer over the next three years.

D H News: Individual budgets can benefit carers, research shows
Individual budgets can greatly improve carers' quality of life when compared with carers of people using conventional social services, new independent research has shown.

D H News: Care Services Minister sees Dignity in Care in action at Birminghams Barberry centre
Push to promote Dignity Award and raise care standards

BBC News: Long hours link to dementia risk
Long working hours may raise the risk of mental decline and possibly dementia, research suggests.

Nursing Times: Nurses can lead in putting the dementia strategy into practice
The dementia strategy is welcome, and nurses have a role in ensuring patients have ongoing support, says Gordon Evans

Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 7
Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 7

CSCI: Protection of vulnerable adults POVA scheme
Find out how the protection of vulnerable adults (POVA) scheme must be used when you are recruiting staff.

CSCI: Supporting older people in care homes at night
CSCI have written prompts to help you to think about whether you have the best arrangements in place for night time care.

CSCI: Pharmacy tips
Our pharmacy tips on the safe handling of medicines will help you understand what our inspectors look out for when they visit a social care service.

CSCI Guidance: New e-learning programme about nutrition and hydration in health and social care
new online programme has been developed for health and social care staff. It will help them better understand the nutrition and hydration needs of the people they care for.

CSCI Guidance: Safe use of lancing devices
All care homes will receive a poster to inform staff about the correct use of lancing devices when taking blood samples from people who are diabetic.

CSCI Guidance: How we manage dormant services
This guidance explains how we will regulate a registered service when nobody is using it.

Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 4 Issue 6
Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 4 Issue 6

D H News: Health and Social Care Awards
The Health and Social Care Awards have an established eight-year history and are an unparalleled opportunity to highlight and celebrate innovation and excellence in the provision of frontline health and social care.

Help the Aged: Glimmer of warmth for pensioners as fuel poverty consultation launched
Read Help the Aged reaction to the consultations published today by the Department of Environment and Climate Change.

D H News: Marie Curie Chief Exec to Chair End of Life Board
The Chief Executive of Marie Curie Cancer Care, Thomas Hughes-Hallett, will head up the expert panel on end of life care, Care Services Minister Phil Hope announced today.

Telegraph: Brain Training games do more harm than good
Brain-training computer games could do more harm than good, researchers have warned.

D H News: Stroke - Act F.A.S.T Campaign Launched
The Department of Health have launched a three-year campaign to promote public awareness around stroke.

Independent: Who says money doesn't care?
Britain is getting older and private equity firms are cashing in, buying and selling nursing homes whose income seems assured for years to come. But do finance and vulnerable people make easy bedfellows?

Telegraph: Longterm Care - Pensioners not told of assets loophole
As thousands of pensioners are forced to sell their homes unnecessarily to pay care-home fees, we unravels the complex rules that govern this area.

Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 4 Issue 5
Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 4 Issue 5

Legislation update - Citation plc Feb 2009
Increase in employment tribunal statutory payments.

D H News: New deal for dementia care
Landmark Strategy to Transform Dementia Services

BBC News: Memory clinics plan on dementia
The government has unveiled plans for "memory clinics" to spot and treat dementia, as part of a new strategy.

Healthcare Business February 2009
Healthcare Business February 2009

D H News: Department of Health welcomes the Kings Fund report on new Centre of Excellence for workforce planning
A new Centre of Excellence that will help local NHS organisations deliver better and more efficient workforce planning, was announced by the Department of Health.

Telegraph: Calls for new laws to protect elderly from abuse
Charities are calling for new laws to protect the elderly as a study shows that more than 300,000 cases of abuse go undetected each year.

Telegraph; Care home residents ordered to have mental health check
Tens of thousands of elderly and vulnerable people must undergo detailed assessments of their mental health within weeks to check if they are being kept in hospital or nursing homes unlawfully, under new human rights laws.

D H New: First steps for personal health budget
Personal health budgets in England moved a step closer today with the Department of Health inviting expressions of interest for a new pilot programme.

Telegraph: 50,000 pensioners forced to sell homes for care unnecessarily
Thousands of pensioners are being forced unnecessarily to sell their houses when they move into a care home, it is claimed.

CSCI: Medical Alerts
Get the latest CSCI-related alerts from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 4
Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 4

CSCI: The state of social care in England 2007-2008
Progess on personlised care is patchy, says new report

Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 3
Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 3

BBC News: Dementia relatives admit abuse
More than half of those looking after a relative with dementia told researchers that they had mistreated them.

BBC News: Staying calm prevents dementia
People who are more laid back are less likely to develop dementia in old age, a study has suggested.

Help the Aged response to the Liberal Democrats comments on pension credits
See the response from Helped the Aged

D H News: First NHS Constitution launched
An historic signing ceremony to mark the launch of the NHS Constitution for England took place at Downing Street today.

D H News: Call for views on streamlining Health and Adult Social Care Assessments
Consultation begins on how best to improve information sharing across health, social care and wider community support services

Mailonline: Raise taxes to fund care home bills, says elderly
Most old people want every working family to pay an 'ageing tax' to cover the cost of care home places, research showed yesterday.

CSCI Medical alerts
Get the latest CSCI-related alerts from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

CSCI guidance: Important changes to distribution of medical device and equipment alert
The Department of Health is changing the way all alerts are distributed to health and social care services.

D H News: Cancer patients urged to apply for free prescriptions from today
People being treated for cancer will be eligible for free prescriptions from 1st April and can apply for free prescriptions from today.

Counsel and Care: Finding and financing care in hard times
FINDING AND FINANCING CARE IN HARD TIMES: OLDER PEOPLE, THEIR FAMILIES AND CARERS WORRY ABOUT HOW TO PAY FOR CARE

Mirror: Crunch hits care homes
Care homes are struggling to survive as tens of thousands of foreign workers quit recession-hit Britain.

Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 2
Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 4 issue 2

D H News: New measures for better quality, personal health care
New measures that will permit for the first time, direct payments for healthcare to patients, were published in the Health Bill today.

Telegraph: Number of dementia and heart disease suffers to strtch NHS to breaking point
A 50 per cent rise in the number of over 65s with dementia, heart disease and osteoporosis by 2025 will stretch the NHS to breaking point, a charity has warned

Counsel and Care: Advice on staying warm and well this winter
With the New Year starting with a cold snap and extremely tough times ahead for the economy, advice and information about staying warm and safe over the rest of the winter months has been launched today by Counsel and Care (6th January 2009).

CSCI Guidance: Introduction to infection control and Resuscitation in a care setting
Guidance published 12th January 09

CSCI Guidance: January 8th
Latest Guidance from CSCI

BBC News: Dementia drug death risk warning
Experts have condemned the commonplace prescribing of sedatives to people in the UK with dementia.

CSCI Guidance Jan 8th
Latest CSCI Guidance and Guidance logs

CSCI Guidance
Latest CSCI guidance 7th January

Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 4 Issue 1
Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 4 Issue 1

What UK migrants can expect in 2009?
If you thought 2008 was a tough year for migrant workers, brace yourself for an even rougher ride in 2009.

Sunday Times: Priory in bid to gatecrash care deal
THE PRIORY, the acute care specialist, has taken direct action to encourage a £2 billion merger with Four Seasons, the care-homes group.

BBC News: NHS end of life drug rule change
Drugs which give terminally ill patients a few extra months to live have a better chance of being approved on the NHS under new rules.

CSCI Guidance: Medical alert
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the agency protecting and promoting public health and patient safety by ensuring that medicines, healthcare products and medical equipment meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, performance and effectiveness, and are used safely.

Alzheimers Society comment on announcement from Health Minister Phil Hope
Alzheimer’s Society is pleased that the government has made a commitment to ensure GPs are trained to recognise the early symptoms of dementia.

Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 3 Issue 42
Brunswick Healthcare Review issue 42

BBC News: All GPs to get dementia training
All NHS GPs in England are to be trained to spot the early symptoms of dementia, under government plans.

CSCI Guidance; Managers of care homes providing nursing care
This guidance describes what needs to be in place if a care home providing nursing care has not been able to recruit a qualified nurse as manager.

CSCI Guidance: Close care developments
Read our guidance about how we regulate a service that provides assisted living within the grounds of an existing care home. This is also known as close care developments.

Counsel and Care: 4th annual conference - personilised care and the recession
How hard-pressed local councils and the private and voluntary sector can provide personalised care for older people and their carers in spite of the economic gloom is the topic of Counsel and Care’s annual conference in spring 2009.

D H News: MRSA infections continue to fall
MRSA bloodstream infections in England are continuing to fall, the latest quarterly statistics from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) showed today (18th Dec)

AlzheimersSociety:Is the next treatment for alzheimers already out there?
New Alzheimer’s Society research will investigate whether curcumin, found in the popular Indian spice turmeric, and a number of drugs for other conditions, could benefit people with Alzheimer’s.

CSCI guidance: How we assess staffing levels
This guidance will help you understand how we assess staffing levels in care homes

CSCI guidance: Important information about letters we send you
We only send out standard documents, such as draft and final inspection reports, letters and notices to do with registration, to people who are registered with us and to an organisation’s responsible individual.

Bunswick Healthcare Review V3 issue 41
Brunswick Healthcare Review V3 issue 41

CSCI: Religious orders and registration as a care home
This policy and guidance is for religious orders providing care for their own members.

Counsel and Care: Remember the need for support and guidance for those returning to work
In response to the launch today of the Welfare Reform White Paper (10 December 2008), Counsel and Care, the national charity working with older people, their families and carers to get the best care and support, calls for effective guidance and support for people when returning to work, in particular as a result of the new requirement for those aged between 60 and 65 to look for work.

BUPA - the name change
The healthcare provider, Clinovia, has changed its name to make the range of services that it provides clearer to customers and patients.

CREDIT CRUNCH TO SLOW DOWN EXPANSION OF INDEPENDENT MENTAL HEALTH SECTOR
The investment boom that has seen independent sector mental health hospital capacity leap by 35% in the last 5 years, from 6,212 beds in 2003 to 8,647 in 2008, is set to come to an end as a result of the credit crunch according to a new report from health care market intelligence specialists Laing & Buisson

CSCI Guidance: Quality ratings - FAQ
Get answers to frequently asked questions about quality ratings.

HealthInvestor: Care home residents should remain unaffected by operators’ well-publicised financial troubles
Who is going to step in and rescue care home operators if they go under?

Guardian.co.uk: Housing crash leaves elderly struggling to pay care bills
The fall-out from the credit crunch has another casualty: elderly people who are struggling to release funds from their houses to pay sky-high care-home fees.

thisismoney.co.uk: The soaring cost of a care home place
The average price of a place in a care home has shot up to £500 a week, industry experts said yesterday.

D H News: Stroke awareness campaign to save lives
A three-year £12 million communications campaign to promote public awareness around stroke was announced today by Health Minister Ann Keen.

Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 3 issue 40
Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 3 issue 40

D H News: National Quality Board (NQB) takes shape
The first appointments to the new National Quality Board (NQB) were announced today by Health Minister Lord Darzi.

Lishman: Age discrimination - MPs must speed up its implementation
In a joint statement in response to the Queen’s Speech, Help the Aged and Age Concern are calling for this to be the year when the Government prioritises older people’s issues. This should give our ageing population the opportunity to play a full and active role in society.

Mail Online: Britain spends just 14p per person on Alzheimer's research compared with £1.03 in U.S.
Britain spends just 14p per person on Alzheimer's research - possibly the lowest amount in the Western world, stark figures show.

Brunswick Healthcare Review issue 39
Brunswick Healthcare Review issue 39

CSCI: Qualifications for managers and staff in care homes for adults
A new award to replace the Registered Managers Award (RMA) is being developed by awarding bodies, for example, by City & Guilds and Edexcel.

Counsel & Care: Better care for the few, but where is the support for forgotten majority?
COUNSEL AND CARE CONSIDERS CSCI’S COUNCIL STAR RATINGS

CSCI: Council star rating report 2008
Good news for people who qualify for council-arranged or council-funded social care: Services have improved for the sixth year running.

Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General: End of life care
A report out today by the National Audit Office found that some people approaching the end of their life receive a high quality service, but that there is room for improved co-ordination between health and social care services in planning and delivering end of life care.

CSCI Guidance: Medical Alerts
Get the latest CSCI-related alerts from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Help the Aged: Leading charities call for a new national care deal
Ahead of the close of the Department of Health’s engagement process on 28th November, Help the Aged, Counsel and Care and Carers UK are calling for the frequently criticised local care support system to be replaced by a national structure.

D H News: Sir Michael Parkinson returns to the day job to promote Dignity in Care
Sir Michael Parkinson will today (25th November) return to his famous chair to interview three people about dignity and respect for those in care and discuss how ordinary people can inspire others to treat people in care with the dignity they deserve.

Brunswick Healthcare Review Vol 3 Issue 38
Brunswick Healthcare Review issue 38

D H News: Health and Care Workers to set up new social enterprises
Marking Social Enterprise Day, Care Service Ministers Phil Hope today announced that six projects will share £450,000 to establish new social enterprises which will help the elderly, the disabled and the homeless, and nurses will get more help to set up services that will help their patients.

CSCI Guidance: Medication, Immunisation, waste disposal, Management of controlled drugs
Latest guidance.....

Healthcare Business November
Novembers edition of Healthcare Business

UK Border Agency: Points-based system - dates for submission of applications
On 27 November 2008, tiers 2 and 5 of the points-based system will open for applications. As these tiers open we will close down the schemes which they replace.

D H news: NHS staff help develop measures of quality care
Doctors, nurses and other NHS staff in England are helping to develop new standards to measure and improve the quality of care in the NHS.

CSCI report on eligibility criteria is accused of mixed messages
A report by the regulator of nursing and residential care homes on the outcome of its recent review of eligibility criteria for social care has been dubbed ‘a mish-mash of mixed messages’.

UK Borders Agency: 200,000 fewer jobs available for migrant workers under new rules
The number of jobs available to foreign workers through the shortage occupation route will be reduced, the Government has announced.

Telegraph.co.uk: Pensioners pay £3,000 a year towards care homes as council funding falls short
Elderly people and their families are being forced to pay thousands of pounds a year towards care home fees because council funding is falling short, according to a report

Brunswick LLP Healthcare Review Vol 3 issue 37
Brunswick LLP Vol 3 issue 37

D H News: NHS Choices contract awarded to Capita Group PLC
On 11th November 2008, the Department of Health signed a contract with Capita Group PLC to drive forward the NHS Choices service for the next three years.

Press Association: Care Homes hit by new Migrant rules
Elderly people in care homes will suffer as a result of changes to new immigration rules, bosses have warned.

CSCI GUIDANCE: Christian Scientists and care home inspection
Read our guidance for inspectors to be aware of the needs of residents in care homes who are Christian Scientists (CS).

CSCI GUIDANCE: How we write inspection reports
Read the guidance on how our inspectors should write their reports about care services following an inspection visit.

CSCI GUIDANCE: How we review the quality of our inspection reports
Read the guidance for our inspectors and managers about how to check the quality of our inspection reports.

D H News: Sir Michael Parkinson and Phil Hope launch first dignity in care award
The first ever award which recognises people who treat patients with dignity and respect and who provide outstanding care is launched by Sir Michael Parkinson and Care Services Minister Phil Hope.

CSCI Guidance: Pharmacy tip - Medication in a domiciliary care setting
CSCI pharmacy tips on the safe handling of medicines will help you understand what our inspectors look out for when they visit a social care service.

CSCI: Care Quality Commission events
Enforcement policy consultation and healthcare associated infections (HCAI) registration events

Age Concern England and Help the Aged appoint Chief Executive to lead Charity
Tom Wright CBE has been appointed as Chief Executive of the new charity being formed by Age Concern England and Help the Aged.

CSCI: People experience inconsistent safeguarding arrangements, says social care watchdog
Neglect or abuse can be minimised by high quality care services, says a study published today by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).

BBC News: Landmark NHS top-up decision due
Patients in England are due to hear whether they will be able to top up NHS care by paying for drugs privately.

CSCI Guidance: Direct payment support schemes
Find out how CSCI work with direct payments support schemes and how CSCI decide which schemes need to be registered and inspected.

Telegraph.co.uk: Southern Cross share prices rise 48pc after refinancing
Shares in Southern Cross rose by 48pc after the UK's biggest care homes operator confirmed it had successfully refinanced its debt.

BBC News: Elderly suffer over dental care
Elderly people are suffering because of poor access to dentistry services, experts say.

Alzheimers drugs hope a NICE appeal denied
New hope has been offered to thousands of people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s (29 October) following a landmark decision in the House of Lords.

FT.com: Care homes could face closure
The credit crunch could force care homes to close unless local authorities can pay bigger fees or the government helps the sector find capital, a leading healthcare practitioner warned.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation: Improving care in residential care homes: a literature review
Joseph Rowntree Foundation: Improving care in residential care homes: a literature review

BBC News: Job choice affects Alzheimers
Going to university, then choosing a mentally demanding job may help protect the brain from the devastating impact of Alzheimer's disease on memory.

BBC News: Fatty acids clue to Alzheimers
Controlling the level of a fatty acid in the brain could help treat Alzheimer's disease, an American study has suggested

Guardian - Ageing Britain: Pensioners outnumber under 16s for first time
For the first time, the UK has more people of pensionable age than children under 16, the Office for National Statistics revealed

Guardian - Barbara Young; Talking softly and carrying a big stick
John Carvel questions the new Care Quality Commission chairwoman about future regulation of health and social care in England and whether her affiliation to Labour will hinder her independence.

Guardian - Nursing homes: Southern Cross still working to clear debts
Company fell into financial crisis at end of June after failing to meet £46m loan repayment deadline

Legionnaires Disease update August 2008
An increasing number of organisation are being approached by health & safety enforcing authorities regarding the risk of Legionnaires' Disease in their workplace.

Caring Times; The credit crunch - how is it affecting home owners?
Caring Times - The 'credit crunch'. Despite the care sector still being a robust market and generally viewed favourably, it is unfortunately being caught up in the wider economic problems caused by the sub prime crisis and the well publicised difficulti

CSCI News: Black and minority ethnic people's individual needs should be met in order to get appropriate care
CSCI today published the second of its three equality and diversity good practice bulletins, Providing Appropriate Services for Black and Minority Ethnic People, which aims to help care providers address the new agenda set out in the joint protocol Puttin

Older People Struggle to Learn New Tricks!!
Older People Struggle to Learn New Tricks!!

Does Being Single Increase Risk of Dementia??
Alzheimer’s Society comment: Living with a partner in midlife can reduce your risk of dementia, according to new research presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease.

BBC News: Alzheimers Drug 'Halts' Decline
UK scientists have developed a drug which may halt the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

DH News: Anne Williams Appointed as National Director for Learning Disabilities
Health Minister Ivan Lewis today announced the appointment of Anne Williams as the new National Director for Learning Disabilities at the Department of Health.

Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission Announced
Barbara Young, Chair of the Care Quality Commission, today announced that Cynthia Bower has been appointed as the Commission's Chief Executive.

DH News: Health and Social Care Act 2008 receives Royal Assent
The Health and Social Care Act 2008, which will enhance the safety and quality of care and improve public health, has received Royal Assent.

Craegmoor Acquired By Advent International
Craegmoor Healthcare, one of the largest independent providers of specialist care and support in the UK, announced on Friday that it has been acquired by the global private equity firm Advent International.

CSCI Annual Report 2007-2008
The Commission for Social Care Inspection has published its 4th annual report. The report outlines the work undertaken by CSCI in the year 2007-2008.

Times Online: RBS Takes Charge Of Care Home Bail-Out
The Royal Bank of Scotland will lead rescue of Four Seasons Healthcare after Qataris abandon attempts to save £1.3 billion group

Extra Care Housing - 25 New Sites Announced
Health and Care Minister Ivan Lewis today (Monday 21 July) announced the sites that will benefit from £80million of Government funding to build extra care housing

Audit Commission: 'Don't Stop Me Know - Preparing for an Ageing Population'
Audit Commission Report finds that councils in England, particularly those which have the fastest ageing populations, are not ready to meet the needs of older residents

CSCI Latest Guidance: New Guidance and Forms for Statutory Notifications
CSCI have produced new guidance and forms to improve the way they handle statutory notifications from providers.

Clearer, Fairer Funding For the Third Sector
Care Services Minister, Ivan Lewis, today announced new funding arrangements for Third Sector organisations in health and social care that will make funding more transparent and effective.

Department Of Health Welcomes Record Annual Fall in MRSA and C Difficile Infections
MRSA down over 49 per cent in last three years. MRSA bloodstream infections fell by 30 per cent last year - the greatest annual reduction of the last 5 years - new figures published today have shown.

£286 Million to Improve End of Life Care For All
Health Secretary Alan Johnson today launched the End of Life Care Strategy, backed with £286million to provide high quality care for all adults approaching the end of their life.

Skills for Care launch New Drive to Boost Literacy and Numeracy Skills
Skills for Care has launched a new drive that aims to boost the literacy and numeracy skills of 1.3 million care workers raising self-confidence and increasing their chances of promotion.

Self-Funders to Receive Independent Resolution of Complaints
People who fund their own care will soon be able to take their complaints to the Local Government Ombudsman.

DH News: Marie Curie Empowered to deliver End Of Life Care at a Local Level
Department of Health invests a further £4.5 million in Marie Curie Hospices and the NHS allocates £15 million in funding for Marie Curie Nursing Services across the UK

FT Online: Craegmoor Sale Expected to Complete This Week
Advent International is expected to complete its purchase of Craegmoor healthcare, an operator of residential care homes, this week, with an expected price of approximately £300m.

All UK Health Ministers Affirm Commitment to Core Principles of NHS
JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT; THE WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT; AND THE NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE

DH Publication: Commissioning to Make a Bigger Difference - A guide for NHS and Social Care Commissioners on Promoting Service Innovation
The Department of Health publication designed to stimulate a 'Culture for innovation' with special focus on world class commissioning

CSCI Latest Guidance: Food Safety in Care Homes
The Food Standards Agency has published a supplement to the Safer food, better business pack, which was launched earlier this year. The supplement includes information about additional safety measures that are specific to food safety in care homes.

DH Publication: Putting People First - working to make it happen: adult social care workforce strategy - interim statement
This interim statement identifies the key issues for the workforce as set out in Putting People First and goes on to develop these into broader, strategic priorities for the workforce.

Telegraph.co.uk: Southern Cross Plummets after Profits Warning
Shares in Southern Cross Healthcare, the UK's largest private care home provider, plummeted nearly 60pc yesterday

Telegraph.co.uk: Qatar Calls for Help in Reviewing Ailing Investments
Four Seasons owner looks to come up with turnaround plan

AEA launches HomeFront: “21st Century Training for Homecare Workers on Abuse and Protection”
Action on Elder Abuse, the only charity in the UK dealing exclusively with the abuse of older people is today launching a new Training pack, the ‘HomeFront’, aimed at domiciliary care workers.

CSCI's Disability Equality Survey
Are you a disabled person using social care services? Have you used social care services in the past? If so, CSCI need your views in their new survey.

Telegraph.co.uk: Advent Closes in on Craegmoor Healthcare Deal
Private equity firm Advent International is on the verge of entering exclusive discussions to buy Craegmoor Healthcare for around £300m.

BBC News: Elderly Urged to Drink More Water
Health campaigners have called for government action to help ensure that elderly people in care across the UK get enough water.

BBC News: How Care Home Keeps Elderly Healthy
BBC News reports dramatic results achieved by a Suffolk Care Home

Older Residents' Debt Reduced by Over £90,000 in Blackpool
Help the Aged and Barclays are celebrating the first successful year of the Your Money Matters project in Blackpool, during which time the project has worked with over 200 older people in the area, and has helped to increase benefits by £127,592 and reduc

Alzheimer's Society Comment on the Launch of the First National Dementia Strategy in England
Today is a landmark day for people with dementia and their carers, as the government recognises dementia as a national priority.

DH News: More Help for People with Dementia
Health Minister Ivan Lewis today outlined proposals to improve the quality of dementia care and provide more help for people with dementia, as he launched a consultation on the first ever National Dementia Strategy.

Brunswicks Healthcare Review
All the latest legal reviews of issues relating to the Healthcare Sector, from Brunswicks' LLP, specialists in Healthcare.

DH News: £255 Million Boost for Carers
The government today launched a new multi-million pound cross-cutting strategy to improve the lives of Britain's army of carers.

CSCI News: Have Your Say on Performance Assessment
If you are a director of adult social care services, provider of social care services or work in adult social care performance assessment CSCI would like to hear from you.

Telegraph.co.uk: Three out of Four Councils Cutting Care for Elderly and Disabled
Care for the elderly and disabled is "coming apart at the seams", campaigners warned on Monday as a survey discloses that three out of four councils have cut free home support services in order to save money.

CSCI Latest Guidance: Medicine Administration Records (MAR) in Care Homes and Domiciliary Care
CSCI has reviewed and updated published guidance for inspectors and care providers about keeping medicine administration records in care homes and domiciliary care.

DH News: Government Pledges £900,000 towards Independent Living and launches Support Programme for Councils
Minister for Care Services Ivan Lewis today announced an extra £900,000 to help disabled people work towards having more independent lives.

CSCI Report: See Me, Not Just The Dementia
CSCI's new report focuses on the quality of care for people with dementia living in care homes. To view the report in full, including Video clips, read on

New Inspections Raise the Bar on Dementia Care
A new report published today raises the bar on the care of people with dementia living in care homes. A new way of inspecting, used by CSCI inspectors for the first time, focuses on the needs of people who cannot easily communicate.

England Team Ready for Euro 2008!!!
England's senior team might not have qualified for the European Finals, but the England LD squad has, and they're strong contenders for glory!!!

Alzheimer's Society Comment on CSCI Report 'See Me, Not Just The Dementia'
Neil Hunt, chief executive, Alzheimer's Society says, 'The standard of dementia care highlighted in this report is a national disgrace.

Thursday 5th June- Blackpool Care Providers Workshop
A Care Providers Workshop is being held on Thursday 5th June 2008, 9am – 2pm, including lunch, at The Solaris Centre, South Promenade, Blackpool.

Brunswicks LLP: Leading Lawyers Continue to Expand
Brunswicks LLP, is delighted to announce that Chris Smith has joined the firm as a consultant with effect from 19th May.

CSCI: National Quality Boards
The terms of reference for the National Quality Board outline its purpose and objectives and set out its membership and working arrangements.

Kings Fund: Mental illness in England cost £50 billion in 2007