Category Archives: DOH

Pioneering Dementia research projects receive £22 million government boost

December 21, 2012   Alzheimer’s, Carers, dementia, DOH
December 21, 2012

Twenty one pioneering research projects to boost dementia diagnosis rates and trial ground breaking treatments have been selected to receive a share of £22million of Government funding, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced today.

Visiting pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly’s UK dementia research centre, the Health Secretary emphasised the crucial role of medical research in making breakthroughs in the prevention and treatment of dementia, whilst ensuring that research can help people with dementia live well with the condition today.

The funding was awarded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) and was designed to cover all areas of scientific activity relevant to dementia, across the fields of care, cure and cause, including prevention.

Read More

‘Never mind the patient, tick the box’

December 7, 2012   Carers, dementia, DOH, health, learning difficulties, mental health, ukcuts

Regulation and inspection are often increased after a crisis

By Prof Sue Bailey President, Royal College of Psychiatrists

PaperworkScandals lead to inquiries and to recommendations – leading to a focus on filling in forms and ticking the right boxes.

But in this week’s Scrubbing Up Sue Bailey, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, says it’s time to listen to those receiving the care.

Why do care standards break down? We’ve all read heartbreaking stories of elderly people with dementia or patients with learning difficulties being neglected, mistreated and abused.

When things go wrong, inquiries are set up, reports are published and lessons learnt.

Think Winterbourne View; Mid-Staffordshire; childcare in Rochdale, or the Carlisle Report.

At heart, the recommendations boil down to improving communication, listening, learning and acting. It means taking notice of what patients and service users have to say.

Blame culture

But when trying to deliver the right kind of care, the health service often addresses regulation, standard setting, inspection and monitoring.

Read More

£5.4 million volunteering fund to benefit charities

November 9, 2012   Carers, charities, disability, DOH
November 9, 2012

Health and Social Care charities are to benefit from an injection of £5.4 million to support local health and care programmes, Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb announced today.

Through the Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund, 13 organisations bid for funding and were chosen for outstanding achievement.  They have been awarded money which will help to support projects in local communities.  Some of these organisations are:

  • StreetGames – supports young disadvantaged women who need support to develop a healthy and more active lifestyle.
  • Breast Cancer Care –supports people coming to the end of treatment for breast cancer and will encourage them to become physically active in a supportive environment.
  • The Carers’ Resource – supports carers and those in need of care and support.  Working with and through volunteers it will prevent low level mental health issues and improve the health, wellbeing and quality of life for carers and those in need.
  • Signhealth – will train and support Deaf sign-language volunteers who will work to improve the quality of Deaf patients’ experience of health and care services; and gain skills, knowledge and experience in the process.
Read More