http://www.ukhca.co.uk/ The latest news in the home care sector en United Kingdom Homecare Association Ltd. http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification policy@ukhca.co.uk (Colin Angel) webmaster@ukhca.co.uk (Alex Cluer) Thu, 3 May 2012 16:00:00 +0100 40 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/images/ukhca.gif http://www.ukhca.co.uk/ The Queen's Speech on 9th May contained proposals for a draft care and support bill to reform legislation underpinning adult social care in England, and provide for more flexibility for councils in how they provide care, more personalised care and... Thu, 3 May 2012 16:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230566 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230566 In this issue: UKHCA Chair Mike Padgham asks members to support our campaign for sustainable, high quality homecare; Chief Executive Bridget Warr says we need to highlight the sector’s good practice; Jennifer Roberts writes on communicating with people... Wed, 2 May 2012 12:30:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230568 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230568 Health Minister Edwin Poots has today launched a policy framework aimed at supporting commissioners, care providers and individuals who are caring for or organising care for people with long term conditions. The framework is intended to be useful in a ... Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230554 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230554 Following the Royal Mail’s 30% price increase for first class stamps from 30th April, we'd like to remind everyone about our user-friendly, fully online, jargon-free Disclosure Application System, which features gives a choice of payment methods -... Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230551 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230551 UKHCA and nine other organisations have signed up to a Dementia Care and Support Compact, as the care sector's response to the national challenge on dementia issued by the Prime Minister at the recent Alzheimer's Society conference. UKHCA Chi... Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230547 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230547 The latest figures from DHSSPSNI show that use of the independent sector has continued to grow in a number of regions with the independent sector providing over 6.8 million hours of care in 2011. The statistics also show that the independent sector is ... Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230528 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230528 CQC has moved to a four region structure - South, London, Central and North - which aligns with the structure of the NHS Commissioning Board. Each is led by an Operations Director and the CQC proposes to recruit extra inspectors across all regions in t... Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230527 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230527 The University of Stirling's Dementia research unit has shown the BBC round their dementia friendly home showing what changes can be made in people's own homes to make them more dementia friendly. The University has also launched a virtual ho... Wed, 4 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230500 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230500 The leading body representing homecare agencies across the UK has today called for prioritisation of fuel supply to ensure that people reliant on care services in their own home are not put at risk from fuel shortages. Full media release: Fuel shorta... Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230514 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230514 The Care Quality Commission has announced their fee scheme for providers in England for 2012-13. We are very pleased to see that our lobbying has paid off and, as expected from the consultation, the CQC have reduced the rate for homecare providers with... Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230507 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230507 The Care Quality Commission has announced changes to its inspection methodology following consultation in late 2011. The new plans include: More frequent inspections that will focus on 5 outcomes. Judging services to be either compliant or non-compl... Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230508 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230508 Following a front page article in the Times today on Councils commissioning very short homecare visits, UKHCA sent a letter to the Times Editor highlighting our Commissioning Survey which shows that councils are now commissioning two-thirds of all home... Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230506 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230506 Today George Osborne presented his budget to the House of Commons, among the announcements made were: A cut in corporation tax of 2% bringing it down to 24%. A detailed consultation at the end of March, on whether there should be a simpler tax system... Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230499 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230499 Responding to today’s Which? report into homecare services (Friday 16th March), UKHCA welcomed the report's recognition that many people were happy with the care they receive at home. However, the Association also stated that it is never acceptabl... Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:01:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230487 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230487 The Care Show brings the industry together, delivers the latest developments in the care sector and gives you the opportunity to meet and network with leading industry professionals. Register NOW for free entry at www.careshow.co.uk/bournemouth Do... Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230440 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230440 Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Social Services has launched a public consultation on the Social Services (Wales) Bill. The legislative proposals for Wales include: allowing Welsh Ministers to consider extending the range of services available by ... Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230481 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230481 UKHCA has produced a downloadable factsheet Good Care Guide – what you need to know to provide UKHCA members with answers to the questions that homecare providers have been asking us about this recently launched, "TripAdvisor" type website - ... Tue, 6 Mar 2012 14:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230462 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230462 Disclosure Scotland has said in a recent announcement that it is still unable commit to a start date for retrospective checking. Updates will be posted on the Disclosure Scotland website, with a further one due by the end of March 2012. The start date ... Mon, 5 Mar 2012 16:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230458 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230458 In this issue: We call for Government to act on the crisis in care funding; UKHCA Chair Mike Padgham reflects on the resignation of CQC Chief Cynthia Bower; Chief Executive Bridget Warr says commissioning is of pivotal importance to providers; Deputy O... Fri, 2 Mar 2012 16:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230456 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230456 The Commission on improving dignity in care in hospitals and care homes has released its draft report and recommendations. The draft report sets out a number of key recommendations to tackle the underlying causes of undignified care some of which could... Thu, 1 Mar 2012 11:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230452 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230452 The Commission on improving dignity in care in hospitals and care homes has released its draft report and recommendations. The draft report sets out a number of key recommendations to tackle the underlying causes of undignified care some of which could... Thu, 1 Mar 2012 11:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230453 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230453 We have been advised by Friends of the Elderly that their name and logo have recently been misused in order to gain permission to interview care home residents and people receiving homecare. Friends of the Elderly have asked us to alert members to th... Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230445 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230445 Cynthia Bower, Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission has today announced her resignation. After four years as CEO of the Commission, Cynthia will be leaving in autumn 2012, allowing time for recruitment and handover to her successor. Mike Pad... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:22:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230442 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230442 UKHCA welcomes the launch of a new Dignity Code from the National Pensioners Convention (NPC). The Code calls for a number of actions to uphold the rights and dignity of older people receiving care and support in any setting. Amongst other things, the ... Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230439 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230439 In November 2011, CQC announced that it would carry out themed inspections of homecare organisations from April 2012. UKHCA has developed a workshop to explain why these themes have been selected, what compliance might look like for each of these the... Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230427 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230427 This year we have another varied and exciting programme of workshops, available at discounted rates for UKHCA members. Topics include Business Planning and Policy Writing, Delivering Successful Training, End of Life Care, Leadership and Management, Ten... Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230420 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230420 UKHCA will be using a new phone system from approximately 9.30 AM on 7th February 2012. The main telephone number for contacting UKHCA will become 020 8661 8188 please see our contacts page for further details. Fri, 3 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230418 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230418 The Welsh Government has outlined its plans for a new wide-ranging Social Services Bill for Wales which will provide the architecture to deliver 'Sustainable Social Services for Wales: A Framework for Action' and a wider programme for public ... Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230404 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230404 The Health Select Committee has published a report on the public expenditure of health and social care which highlights the pressures facing the social care sector and the reality that local authorities are having to raise eligibility criteria and use ... Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230400 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230400 The January 2012 edition of Homecarer is now available for members to download from the members’ area of our website at: www.ukhca.co.uk/members/homecarer.aspx In this issue: We report on Northern Ireland’s review of health and social care; UKHCA Cha... Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230397 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230397 The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia has launched an inquiry on improving dementia diagnosis rates across the UK which aims to bring together evidence and understanding about current problems relating to improving diagnosis of dementia. It wil... Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230395 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230395 Worldskills has launched its annual vocational skills competition. The National Skills Academy has asked our sector to show its support by nominating staff or students from social care as the competition is a good opportunity to showcase skills. The de... Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230392 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230392 Don't delay. UKHCA still has funding available for UKHCA members under this project to support vocational NVQ and QCF health and social care units for your staff. Units completed between 1st January 2011 and 16th March 2012 are eligible for fundin... Mon, 9 Jan 2012 14:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230385 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230385 The Department of Health is making an extra £150 million available to local authorities in England to help people leave hospital more quickly and receive care at home. The extra money will be spent on helping to settle people back at home and have shor... Wed, 4 Jan 2012 10:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230382 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230382 The whistle-blowing helpline for NHS staff has now been extended to social care sector staff and employers. It provides a free, independent and confidential way for staff to report abuse or raise concerns about service user or patient safety. It also a... Tue, 3 Jan 2012 17:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230380 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230380 The Care Council for Wales is seeking the views of homecare providers in Wales on the Qualification Framework review. The survey is to help the Council form the content of the draft Qualification Framework that will be consulted on in the new year. The... Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230370 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230370 Edwin Poots presented the Health and Social care review to the NI Assembly on the 13th December. The report proposes a model which puts the individual at the centre of services, with a significant shift from provision of services in hospitals to provi... Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230366 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230366 Here are some severe weather weblinks for UKHCA members in Scotland: Met office weather warnings: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/uk_forecast_warnings.html Traffic Scotland: http://trafficscotland.org/ Flood warnings: http://www.floodline... Fri, 9 Dec 2011 13:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230359 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230359 Disclosure Scotland may delay accepting applications for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (“the PVG Scheme”) from the existing regulated workforce (“retrospective checking”). Retrospective checking was scheduled to start on 28th Fe... Tue, 6 Dec 2011 15:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230350 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230350 The search is on for Scotland’s most outstanding social service services, projects or initiatives. Now in their 9th year, the Care Accolades are Scotland’s national awards for the care sector. With 10 categories, including four new categories for 2012,... Tue, 6 Dec 2011 14:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230349 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230349 In this issue: Chair Mike Padgham reflects on human rights and quality care; Chief Executive Bridget Warr says hard times call for innovation; Mel Palmer of the Social Care Institute for Excellence discusses making decisions about people’s care and Kim... Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230331 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230331 Chancellor George Osborne’s Autumn Statement contains the latest Government efforts to kick start the economy in the UK, and avert a slide back into recession. The detail affects bank lending to businesses, fuel duty, small business growth measures, pe... Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230332 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230332 UKHCA welcomes today's Equality and Human Rights Commission report as an important contribution to safeguarding the well-being of people who use home-based care. UKHCA's Chief Executive, Bridget Warr, said: "Older people must receive saf... Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:02:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230326 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230326 The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report “Close to home: older people and human rights in home care” was launched on 23rd November 2011. While stating that around half of the older people, friends and family members who gave evidence to the in... Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:01:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230327 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/members/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230327