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) Fri, 3 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT 40 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/images/ukhca.gif http://www.ukhca.co.uk/ 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/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230418 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/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/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230404 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/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/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230400 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/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/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230397 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/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/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230395 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/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/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230392 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/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/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230385 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/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/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230382 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/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/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230380 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230380 UKHCA have responded to CQC's draft fees scheme and consultation on the proposed fees payable from April 2012. We have been in dialogue with CQC about their disproportionate fee setting for 2011-12 since thier last consultation and we are encoura... Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230231 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230231 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/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230366 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/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/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230359 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/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/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230350 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/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/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230349 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/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/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230331 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/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/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230332 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/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/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230326 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/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/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230327 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230327 Yesterday the Government announced plans to produce a Code of Conduct and voluntary register for adult social care workers, including healthcare assistants working in the NHS, in England. Skills for Care and Skills for Health have been charged with tak... Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230318 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230318 Health Minister Edwin Poots has announced a strategy, 'Improving Dementia Services in Northern Ireland - A Regional Strategy'. Its key messages are Prevention - if there is scope to prevent or delay the onset of dementia; Raising awareness an... Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230302 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230302 UKHCA has responded to the Commons Health Committee's inquiry into social care. The inquiry was set up to consider the issues facing the Government as it prepares its Social Care White Paper, and make recommendations for consideration by the Gover... Tue, 8 Nov 2011 16:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230283 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230283 The Care Providers Alliance (CPA), a group of representative bodies within the adult social care sector including UKHCA, has launched a vision for regulation and inspection. Martin Green, Chair, Care Providers Alliance, said: “Care providers are commit... Fri, 4 Nov 2011 10:00:00 GMT http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230290 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230290 The Think Local, Act Personal initiative has launched a useful set of statements from people who use services and carers which set out what they would expect, see and experience if personalisation is working well in an organisation. The statements, cal... Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230257 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230257 The Care Quality Commission has launched its new website, which has a stronger user focus and opportunity to share experience. It contains a guide to where things are, for those used to the old site, and an opportunity to comment on the new one. Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230262 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230262 Due to the success of the management trainee scheme run by the National Skills Academy for social care (NSASC) in 2009 and 2010, they are running the scheme for the third time. If you are a hardworking, motivated graduate interested in working in socia... Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230245 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230245 In Ed Miliband's shadow cabinet re-shuffle, Andy Burnham MP returns to health, taking up the position of Shadow Secretary of State for Health, as John Healey quits the Opposition front-bench. Liz Kendall MP becomes Shadow Minister for Care and Old... Fri, 7 Oct 2011 13:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230233 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230233 UKHCA has responded to the Low Pay Commission's consultation on the National Minimum Wage focusing on the current homecare market and including evidence from our recent Commissioning Survey that shows the increasingly difficult outlook for some pr... Mon, 3 Oct 2011 16:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230228 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230228 UKHCA’s 2011 AGM will be taking place on Thursday 27th October at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel. Information about board nominees, the motion to be discussed and voting procedures can be found at the link below. Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230218 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230218 There are a number of changes in employment law coming into force on the 1st October 2010: End of default retirement age Introduction of the Agency Worker Regulations Increase in the National Minimum Wage rates You can find more information on each... Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230208 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230208 Dame Jo Williams, Chair of CQC, yesterday suggested that CQC's proposed excellence award would not be going ahead. Responses to their recent consultation on the excellence scheme were almost universally negative, prompting the CQC to reconsider th... Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230206 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230206 UKHCA Vice President Noni Cobban, one of our experts on homecare in Scotland, had the opportunity to tell MSPs direct about issues facing the sector when she gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament's Health and Sport Committee, with other represe... Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230186 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230186 Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced that regulations will shortly be introduced to place in law the requirement that all care homes and personal care and support services will be inspected at least onc... Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230167 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230167 David Behan has sent a letter to Directors of social care outlining the flu vacination programme for 2011/12. The letter states that vaccinations for frontline health and social care workers will not be funded by the Department of Health as the H1N1 (S... Fri, 16 Sep 2011 10:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230166 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230166 Many thanks to members who responded to UKHCA’s on-line Commissioning Survey with feedback on councils you trade with and anonymised case studies. The information you provided has been invaluable. We highlighted the study on the BBC Radio 4 “You and Yo... Wed, 7 Sep 2011 13:20:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230158 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230158 In this issue: We preview our commissioning survey 2011 of members; Chair Mike Padgham reflects on a lively summer in our sector; Chief Executive Bridget Warr calls for homecare’s contribution to social care to be recognised; Anna Dabek of Anthony Coll... Wed, 7 Sep 2011 13:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230157 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230157 UKHCA's 2011 conference will bring together an exciting programme covering the latest issues affecting homecare, and workshops to help providers with practical issues facing their business. The morning will see presentations and panel debate on th... Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:30:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230142 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230142 Due to important changes being made to our members’ pages of the website, all users may experience some difficulties accessing the site between 10am -12 midday on Wednesday 24th August 2011. Our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:00:00 +0100 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230120 http://www.ukhca.co.uk/newsforrss.aspx?articleid=230120