Author Archives: wendy
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust 'should rethink' cuts
Rethink “inadvisable cuts”
The resignation of the chief executive of Norfolk and Suffolk’s mental health services will provide an opportunity to rethink “inadvisable cuts”, the British Medical Association (BMA) has said.
Aidan Thomas is leaving the post at the end of the month.
Aidan Thomas is leaving the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, which plans to cut up to 500 jobs.
The BMA’s Dr Rob Harwood said it was a time of “disruption and upheaval”.
“Staff are increasingly concerned about the safety and quality of services,” he said.
The trust is looking to save £40m over four years and could lose 49 doctors’ posts.
‘Safe services’
Dr Harwood, chairman of the Eastern regional consultants committee, said the BMA “admired Mr Thomas’s energy, sincerity and commitment” and was “sorry that he has resigned”.
But he urged the trust to use the change in leadership as a chance to reconsider its planned cuts.
Carers Told To ‘Ask For Help’
Carers need to be cared for too
Today sees the launch of a new DVD to reach out to carers in Glasgow to recognise the value of their contribution.. With an estimated 660,000 unpaid carers in Scotland caring for a family member, friend and loved one the short film highlights that ‘It’s OK to ask for Help.’
The film features Tommy Whitelaw who is well known in carer’s circles across the country for his relentless campaigning for services for people with dementia and their carers.
Tommy cared for his mum Joan and experienced first-hand what it is like to care for someone with dementia. Tommy collected carer stories around Scotland to raise awareness of the impact of dementia on families and the difficult but vital role played by carers.
Some paid carers can only stay for 10 minutes!
Disabled and elderly home care: Crisis talks being held
“We need to transform care now,” minister Norman Lamb saidCare minister Norman Lamb is meeting care providers later to discuss what he says is a crisis in care of the elderly and disabled at home.
Mr Lamb says a quarter of all clients in England are unhappy with the service they receive.
BBC social affairs correspondent Michael Buchanan says a priority will be ensuring visits last longer – at present some only last 10 minutes.
Continuity will also be called for, so people are familiar with their carers.
Hundreds of thousands of people are currently looked after by companies in their own homes and that number will increase in the coming years as the population ages, says the BBC’s Michael Buchanan.
Mr Lamb believes the current system results in poor care, low wages and neglect, and is warning that there could be an abuse scandal in this sector, as serious as the problems which occurred at Stafford hospital.
Much domiciliary care, also known as home care, is paid for by local councils who say that a funding crisis – exacerbated by austerity cuts – limits the amount they can afford.
Carers should not be constrained to providing care in 15-minute slots and they should not receive less than the minimum wage because of non-payment of travel time, Mr Lamb said ahead of the talks.
Those in need of care should not have to endure a “parade of unfamiliar care workers”, he added.
“We need to transform care now for the sake of the 300,000 people currently getting home care and for the millions more who will need it in years to come,” he stressed.
