Author Archives: wendy

There is a need for better training for social workers

Equality in social care practice: still a long way to go

After improvements in local government training and recruitment, why aren’t there more BME social workers?

Like many readers, my heart leapt when I saw that Stephen Lawrence’s killers had been found guilty. The family’s campaign for justice, and the McPherson Inquiry they prompted, have changed forever how we treat racism.

We should welcome that progress. But a serious look at social work suggests we still have a long way to go before we have a level playing field for black and minority social workers – let alone service users.

The Health Bill – ‘outright Opposition’

NHS plans: Unions move to ‘outright opposition’

By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News

 The health bill is currently working its way through Parliament

The unions representing nurses and midwives have joined others in stating their “outright opposition” to the government’s NHS plans in England.

The Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives had expressed concerns in the past, but said they were willing to work with ministers.

However, now they want the entire bill covering the changes to be dropped.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said the unions wanted to “have a go” at government about “pay and pensions”.

End-of-life care should be a positive experience

People deserve to have their end-of-life care wishes met

With the number of dying each year expected to increase, the government needs to make the right to a good death a priority

Providing home-based end-of-life care should be a positive experience.

Every minute in the UK someone dies. That’s over half a million people a year, but many of us are still not receiving good end-of-life care or having our dying wishes met. This can cause unnecessary pain and suffering.