Completing the Revolution: Transforming mental health and tackling poverty

Completing the Revolution is a report from the Centre for Social Justice that concludes that community care is failing the most vulnerable and in need of urgent reform.

It said mental health provision had not expanded sufficiently following the closure of asylums more than three decades ago with poorer members of society suffering most. The CSJ report was specifically entitled Completing the Revolution as it felt that there was “unfinished business” dating from the closing of the asylums that began in the early 1960s. Centre for Social Justice

Public service pensions – the NHS Pension Scheme

Public service pensions – the NHS Pension Scheme:

The Health Secretary has today written to all Chairs of NHS trusts, SHA clusters, PCT clusters, Foundation Trusts and Arm’s Length Bodies about the Government’s proposed changes to public service pension schemes implementing the recommendations of the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission, led by Lord Hutton, and the associated increases in employee contributions. Attached to the letter is a fact sheet for NHS staff.

The Department of Health is developing an online pension calculator and other materials, so members of the NHS Pension Scheme will be able to explore how the proposed changes will affect them personally. These resources will be available later this month.

See letter from Health Secretary and factsheet for NHS staff

Patients to be allowed to remain registered with family doctors after moving home

Patients to be allowed to remain registered with family doctors after moving home: Millions of patients will be able to remain registered with their family doctors after moving to a different neighbourhood under a new deal between GPs and the Government. The Telegraph

The King's Fund responds to The Health Select Committee's Report on Public Health

The King's Fund responds to The Health Select Committee's Report on Public Health

Reports published on investment levels in mental health services

Reports published on investment levels in mental health services:

The Department of Health has published the latest annual reports on the level of investment in mental health services.

The National Survey of Investment in Adult Mental Health Services provides details of the level of investment in mental health services for working age adults (aged 18-64) in England for 2010/11 and compares it with the reported results in previous years.

The National Survey of Investment In Mental Health Services for Older People provides details of the level of investment in mental health services covering people aged 65 and above, in England for 2010/11 and compares it with previous years from 2006/07.

Read the reports

New GP registration system tested

New GP registration system tested: Some patients in England will be able to switch GPs so they can register close to work under a new pilot agreed between doctors and the government. BBC News

Contract for 2012/13 seen as 'best deal possible' in circumstances

Contract for 2012/13 seen as 'best deal possible' in circumstances: Details of the 2012/13 GMS contract have been cautiously welcomed by GPs, with the GPC negotiators praised for achieving 'the best deal they can from awfulness'. GP Online

Public Health report

Public Health report: The House of Commons Health Select Committee has published 'Twelfth Report - Public Health'. The report details changes to public health services within the Health and Social Care Bill. The Committee suggests that the new public health body for England must be, and be seen to be, a fearlessly independent champion of public health standards and objectives and warned of the need for more clarity about who will be in charge in a public health emergency, such as a flu pandemic.

Report:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmhealth/1048/104802.htm

Press release:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/health-committee/news/report---public-health-/

BBC News report:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15541761

Commission on dignity in care gets underway

Commission on dignity in care gets underway: The NHS Confederation, Local Government Association (LGA) and Age UK announce details of their joint commission on improving dignity in care for older patients in hospitals and care homes. NHS Confederation.

NICE QOF indicators taken up

NICE QOF indicators taken up NHS Employers and the British Medical Association have accepted recommendations put forward by NICE earlier this year for the inclusion of new clinical indicators.

NHS bill clause put on hold to stave off revolt by Liberal Democrat peers

NHS bill clause put on hold to stave off revolt by Liberal Democrat peers:

Vote over key issue of political control over NHS will not be resolved until January at earliest to avoid a Lords rebellion

The government has "paused" a key part of its NHS bill to stave off an embarrassing rebellion from key Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords – a move that ensures peers will now debate the controversial legislation until Christmas.

At the heart of the debate is the government's plan to hand over its "constitutional responsibility" to provide NHS services to a quango. But a number of Lib Dem peers, led by Lady Williams, had insisted the health secretary should be responsible for the provision of health services. The Guardian.

NHS regulator Monitor 'open to political interference'

NHS regulator Monitor 'open to political interference': A key NHS regulator, likely to have influence over hospital closures in the future, could be open to ministerial interference, a leading think-tank has warned. The Telegraph

Hospital admissions: 10% rise for infectious and parasitic disease in 2010/11

Hospital admissions: 10% rise for infectious and parasitic disease in 2010/11: Hospitals admitted 201,800 cases of infectious and parasitic disease last year – a 10 per cent increase on the previous year (183,300) and the biggest... NHS Information Centre

RCN responds to public sector pensions offer

RCN responds to public sector pensions offer: The Royal College of Nursing said today that revised government proposals on public sector pensions were a positive move, but that negotiations must continue to ensure a fair deal for nursing staff. Royal College of Nursing