WELSH NEWS
New code for school bus behaviour
Children who use buses to travel to school are being handed a behaviour code which allows head teachers the power to punish those who misbehave.
Child neglect on the increase
One in ten (11%) of professionals working with children in Wales have seen an increase in suspected cases of child neglect in the last 12 months, according to the results of a survey released by Action for Children.
Safeguarding and protecting children in Wales
Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) have published reports on safeguarding and protecting children in Wales.
Designed to Smile to be extended across Wales
Designed to Smile, the oral health improvement programme aimed at young children in Wales, is to be extended following two successful super pilot schemes in north and south Wales.
School-based counselling services
The Strategy published in April 2008 sets out the development of school-based counselling services for young people that are safe, accessible and of a high standard. £6.5m has been made available over 3 years for implementation. The goal is to have counselling provision available to all school pupils. For more information contact sylvia.jones@wales.gsi.gov.uk.
Suicide campaign to target young men
The Health Challenge Neath Port Talbot partnership has launched a campaign aimed at young men who are affected by relationship breakdown or problems with alcohol.
Age Concern Launch a Big Lift for older people's physical activities in Wales
Older people across Wales will soon be able to benefit from a tailor made physical exercise programme called low impact functional training (LIFT). It offers older people the chance to take part in a series of low impact activities and games which they can do either standing or sitting. Over the next few months LIFT leader training workshops will be held at different venues throughout Wales. For more information contact Glenn Little on 029 2043 1546. glenn.little@accymru.org.uk.
Funding opportunity to address the needs of older people
The Assembly has invited bids for the following grants which aim to address the needs of people who face multiple discrimination: The Advancing Equality Fund and The Inclusion Grant.
The Equality bill and older people
The WLGA has produced a briefing on the potential impact of the Equality Bill for older people and ageing. The booklet also provides information on the Welsh context.
Older people in Wales report
The Statistical Directorate have released the Older People in Wales Report for 2009 which contains details of indicators by which the progress of the Strategy for Older People can be monitored. For more information on how to view the full report and access to an overview of the indicators, visit the Welsh Assembly Government's website.
Prevention of malnutrition project launched in Wrexham
This project at the Maelor Hospital is funded until March 2011, and will look at developing a tool that can be used by everybody in the community, including older adults, family members, carers or professionals. This new approach tries to identify the risk factors that might lead to malnutrition at a much earlier stage, before the person is suffering any ill effects. Source: Public Health Information Service newsletter issue 4.
Project to help older people return home sooner in Wrexham
A pilot project has been launched, which will support older people who are admitted to hospital to return home as soon as they are well enough to do so. The project will start in November and will be trialled for six months at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
Review of the older people's NSF
The HIW review of the impact of the NSF for older people in Wales has been published.
Improved safeguarding arrangements go live in Wales
The new Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) launched on 12 October 2009 will be delivered by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA ). In Wales a further safeguard has been to added to strengthen the VBS definitions and prevents a person who is barred as a result of the most serious crimes sfrom ever working or volunteering in a controlled activity.
Stroke Saver website launch
A new symptom awareness website for stroke has been launched. The website, developed by the NPHS and Wales Centre for Health, aims to provide people with the necessary knowledge to recognise the signs of a stroke and become a ‘stroke saver'.
Integrated care pathways for substance misuse treatment
A document has been produced by the Vulnerable Groups team to support the development of integrated care pathways by substance misuse services within Wales. It is a technical document based on a rapid literature review and discusses the evidence base and good practice in the development, implementation and evaluation of integrated working and integrated care pathways.
Health programme is improving quality of life
Condition Management Programme is a joint venture between Jobcentre Plus and Hywel Dda Health Board. It supports people on incapacity benefit and employment support allowance to understand and manage their health condition. For more information email yvonne.burson@wales.nhs.uk.
NPHS response to sunbeds inquiry
The NPHS has published its response to the Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee's inquiry into the use and regulation of sunbeds in Wales.
Countryside Council for Wales green space toolkit for urban planning
The Countryside Council for Wales have produced an innovative Green Space Toolkit to help local authorities plan and improve natural green areas for people in towns and cities. The toolkit focuses on ensuring that people have places to enjoy nature close to their homes, providing opportunities for exercise, improving physical and mental health.
e-consultation citizen's panel
The Board of Community Health Councils in Wales runs an e-Consultation Citizens Panel which provides the opportunity for you to have your say on a range of consultations from the comfort of your own home. For further information, email andrea.matthews@chcwales.org.uk.
Draft gypsy traveller strategy
The Assembly is consulting on the draft of its strategy to support gypsy travellers in Wales and improve their access to services. The consultation launched on the 15 September 2009 and ends on the 5 January 2010. Responses to the consultation can be emailed to Inclusionunit@wales,gsi.gov.uk.
Cancer genetics advice
Patients who have used an all-Wales service which provides advice about the increased risk of inheriting cancer, are being offered the chance to shape its future. The Institute of Medical Genetics at Cardiff University is holding a series of patient panels in the next month.
Shoppers still unaware where salt is hidden
Almost three quarters of people in Wales (71%) are not aware that bread and breakfast cereals are among the top salt-contributing foods in our diet, reveals a new Food Standards Agency survey.
Health plaudits for Welsh businesses
Employers across Wales have been presented with Corporate Health Standard Awards for their work in improving the health and well being of staff.
Mental health interventions and initiatives database
The All Wales Mental Health Promotion Network has launched an online searchable interventions and initiatives database. The purpose of the database is to facilitate the exchange of ideas, initiatives and practice relating to public mental health.
Shelter Cymru 2009-2010 Campaign
‘Now is the Time' is calling for action as the current economic climate is having a serious impact on people and communities in Wales, with many households facing the threat of repossession, eviction and homelessness. The campaign is calling for empty properties to be turned into homes - whilst over 91,000 households in Wales are waiting for a home there are over 26,000 long-term privately owned empty properties in Wales.
The role of community pharmacy in reducing alcohol consumption
The NPHS Pharmaceutical Public Health Team has prepared a literature review looking at the contribution community pharmacy can make in reducing alcohol consumption. The review found strong evidence to support the use of brief interventions in primary care to reduce alcohol consumption, particularly in men.
UK NEWS
Healthy child programme: pregnancy and the first five years of life
This document outlines the Healthy Child Programme for the early life stages and focuses on a universal preventative service, providing families with a programme of screening, immunisation, health and development reviews, supplemented by advice around health, wellbeing and parenting.
Healthy child programme: from 5 to 19 years old
This document outlines suggested roles and responsibilities for commissioners, health, education, local authority and other partners to encourage the development of high-quality services.
Peanuts during pregnancy, breastfeeding and early childhood
The Government revised its advice to consumers about eating peanuts during pregnancy, breastfeeding and the first few years of life, in relation to the risk of developing peanut allergy in childhood. The new advice can be found on the Food Standards Agency website.
Health visitors - getting it right for children and families
This guide is for health visitors and their teams, provider managers, commissioners and educationalists. It sets out the contribution that health visitors and teams can make to health and wellbeing and public health
New online road safety resource for childminders
Mind the Road! is a new online resource for childminders. Developed with help from the National Childminding Association and road safety teams in Oxfordshire and Manchester, the site contains advice from childminders themselves, guidance from road safety experts, quizzes to test your knowledge of road safety, and resources and quizzes designed to be used with children.
British Heart Foundation active schools pack
The BHF active schools pack has been updated and is available from the BHF website
Online counselling service for young people
This web-based counselling service provides young people with a free, confidential, safe, always accessible and, above all, anonymous and non-threatening way of asking for help when they first need it.
Samaritans school programme
The DEAL programme helps schools to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes that young people need to cope with the challenges in life and look after their emotional health and wellbeing. It aims to promote emotional health of young people aged 14-16. To download your free copy of the Deal programme visit www.samaritans.org/deal or email schools@samaritans.org.
Young adults suffering ‘anxiety overload', says Rethink
Money worries, concern over job prospects and academic pressures are causing an 'anxiety overload' amongst young adults, says mental health charity Rethink. Results from a YouGov poll reveal that money worries is the top cause of stress and anxiety, affecting 45% of 18-24-year-olds, followed by concern over job prospects (33%), and pressures from school or university (29%).
Supporting people with autism through adulthood
Published by The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, this report looks at developing a strategy and services for adults with autism, autism awareness and access to services, and improving the effectiveness of services for adults with autism.
Food Champion Awards
The Food Standards Agency has launched of the 2010 Food Champion Awards, which are open to all local authorities in England and Wales. For more information download the application brochure or contact Jackie Jewett on jackie.jewett@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk or 020 7276 8932.
Using football to promote awareness of cancer symptoms
Ahead of the Game - Organise Your Defence, is a new scheme run by the Football Foundation. It uses the appeal of football to improve men's knowledge of the signs and symptoms of lung, bowel and prostate cancers in men aged 55 and over who are most at risk of dying from these cancers.
Updated NICE guidance for the management and treatment of depression
NICE has updated its guidance for the management and treatment of depression in adults.
Public concern at work: whistle blowing advice
Public Concern at Work is the independent authority on public interest whistle blowing. It offers free advice to people with whistle blowing dilemmas. To make general enquiries or to seek help and advice tel: 020 7404 6609 or email helpline@pcaw.co.uk.
Four out of five care users do not understand personal budgets system
More than three quarters (82%) of people who need social and health care have little understanding of the new personal budget care system, according to a new survey. The survey found that 82% of people surveyed knew nothing or very little about personal budgets, while 92% of older people surveyed said they knew nothing or very little. More than half said they would like to change the care they currently receive.
Identifying a fairer system for funding adult social care
This briefing argues that analysts and commentators have paid insufficient attention to equity in adult social care. It sets out a framework for identifying a fairer system and uses this to evaluate the Green Paper ‘Shaping the future of care together'.
NHS-funded nursing care practice guide
This practice guide sets out the process for determining the eligibility for NHS-funded nursing care under the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care.
Charity calls for dogs to be allowed in care homes
As the country's leading authority on the bond between humans and companion animals, SCAS is highlighting the importance of allowing people to be able to choose to keep their pets or maintain contact with animals as they grow older, whether they live independently in the community, in sheltered accommodation or in long term care homes.
Enhancing formal learning in care settings
NIACE has published a new report which explores the need for more learning opportunities for older people in care settings.
Promoting the benefits of learning for carers
NIACE have developed a set six postcards which tell the individual learning stories of carers who have successfully accessed training and education. The set is accompanied by a booklet entitled ‘Carers: Access to Education and Training. Contact clare.holland@niace.org.uk, tel: 0116 2047071 for more information.
A stronger advice and advocacy system for older people
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has released a new paper which explores how the adult social care system can develop methods to ensure that older people are able to access information, advice and advocacy systems.
Campaign to reduce fires for the elderly
The fire service has given out 230,000 Hallmark cards to school children in Lancashire to encourage them to speak to their elderly relatives and neighbours about the importance of having a Home Fire Safety Check. Children will be encouraged to write a special message for their grandparents or elderly neighbours to mark UK Older People's Day.
Poverty, inequality and human rights
This report looks at how other countries have used human rights to tackle poverty and how this could be applied in the UK.
Take the depression challenge
Age Concern and Help the Aged‚ has launched an online interactive programme called Take the Challenge‚ primarily aimed at GPs and other care professionals. Take the Challenge tests users by asking them to spot signs of depression in older people through an interactive video. It then asks participants to identify possible barriers to diagnosis of depression among older patients. For more information visit Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.Free CD copies are also available on request from dbno@ace.org.uk
Interventions that benefit older people
A bilingual booklet ‘From Strategy to Outcomes: A showcase of local authority implementation of the Strategy for Older People in Wales' has been published. shows that local authorities are responding creatively and innovatively to the Strategy for Older People to undertake a range of work with older people that is relevant to local needs and aspirations.
Make the farm promise: Have you made the promise yet?
15,000 farmers across the UK have now made the promise to Come Home Safe. To make your promise and to get a copy of 'How lives are lost on British farms' visit the HSE website.
Be Farmwise
This free publication has been updated. It is relevant to everyone working on farms, whether employer, employee or self-employed, to help you identify the causes of injuries and ill health, eliminate hazards and control risks. It is available in English and Welsh.
Unlocking the energy within communities to improve health
This is the second report from the Communities for Health Programme. It includes community activities in over 80 local authorities aimed at encouraging behaviour change and strengthening local partnership to tackle a wide range of key health priorities.
and finally............................
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Monica Dennis
Healthcare Alliances
Britannia House, 11 High Street, Cowbridge, CF71 7AD
Tel: 01446 774864
Mob: 07811 159800