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#7384 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
Date: Wed Sep 2, 2009 5:32 pm
Subject: Fw: Blogging at the UN in New York
sasone2one
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advancing human rights

Blogging at the UN in New York

MDAC is participating in the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilties at the UN Headquarters in New York. The meeting started today, Wednesday, and continues until Friday evening. We are blogging the event to make proceedings accessble to a wide variety of NGOs and others who are not able to attend. This is the first time we are doing this, so please bear with us on any hitches! 
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The Mental Disability Advocacy Center (MDAC) advances the human rights of children and adults with actual or perceived intellectual or psycho-social (mental health) disabilities. Focusing on Europe and Central Asia, we use a combination of law and advocacy to promote equality and social integration. MDAC has participatory status with the Council of Europe.

MDAC's vision is for a world that values emotional, mental and learning differences, and where people respect each other's autonomy and dignity.

Mental Disability Advocacy Center
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#7383 From: annelinora@...
Date: Sun Aug 30, 2009 11:15 am
Subject: FW: supplements to be prescription only
burfoot68
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...in case you may wish to add your signature.

 Ann


There is a proposal to make all vitamins etc. only available via a doctor. The petition against this is available to be signed here:

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Vitamins/


...in case you may wish to add your signature.

Catherine  



 

From: noel-money@...
To: cmstanley23@...
Subject: supplements to be prescription only
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:47:42 +0100

There is a proposal to make all vitamins etc. only available via a doctor.  The petition against this is available to be signed here:
 
 
a lovely use of the internet I reckon.
 
love from noel


Have more than one Hotmail account? Link them together to easily access both.

#7382 From: "ifyoudonttryyourguranteedtofail" <expertsbyexperience@...>
Date: Sat Aug 29, 2009 3:36 pm
Subject: Re: Give your views on Social Care
ifyoudonttry...
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I remember the poor days Mick, only too well. But then we didn't have
expectations, I can still remember using off cuts of wood my gran had been and
got from the wood yard near by. Sitting there playing for hours building things.

Then when I got married we still didn't have a lot...not that I noticed! Boiling
nappies in a large saucepan and handwashing clothes  and using an old fashioned
mangle, because we couldn't afford a washing machine.

We are far better off these days financially, but there is something missing for
the kids of today.

I am also disallusioned with both the main political parties and am having
serious thoughts as to whether I will bother to even vote at the next election.
From where I am sitting we are being sold down the river, me voting will not
change this. Because it's plain to see no matter what is promised on election
day, there are no guarantees they will come up with the goods.

We end up being robbed left right and centre, by way of taxes on everything. The
most recent tax I heard was on the way was for being charged for the rain water
that runs off your drive...even if you do not have a car to park on it!

I can see why one of my son's keeps going on about getting out of this country,
he has concerns for his kids when they grow up.




--- In Carersforumuk@yahoogroups.com, MICHAEL FUREY <thefurey@...> wrote:
>
> I just don't believe this about people being 'supported' to take out
insurance. Why should profit-making insurance companies be involved in any case?
They are in business to make profit for their shareholders, in fact they have a
legal duty to do that. There is no guarantee that they will continue to pay out
if an illness becomes more acute. There will be limits on what they will pay for
and limits on what they will pay out in any period. They will probably set an
excess figure that the claimant will have to provide before any payment is made.
>  
> All this is just another New Labour idea for sucking up to big business in the
hope that there will be highly paid 'consulatancies' for them when they're out
of office. They reneged on their manifesto for the 1997 election because they
wanted to outdo the Tories in cutting costs.
>  
> Like a lot of people, I had great hopes in 1997. Those hopes have been dashed
so many times since then that I despair for the future of this country under two
so-similar parties. The Liberals don't count, so we can ignore them as most
voters do. There is no fear of me voting Tory; they're blood enemies to me. But
I haven't voted for Labour since 1997, and will not until the party returns to
its founding principles. And that's not looking back to 1907; principles need
not change though the way they're implemented may do.
>
> Damn them for what they're doing to the people of this country. Damn them for
what they're bent on taking away from my kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. I
have to be realistic and accept that my time is coming to a close. I lived poor
as a kid, and we weren't 'poor but we were happy'. We were poor and I was damned
unhappy about it. Between New Labour and the Tories, I fear those days will
return while their paymasters grow fat on unearned income.
>  
> Some people of my generation keep harking back to the 'good old days'; I fear
that they might well turn out to be just that.
>  
> Mick Furey
> --- On Thu, 27/8/09, Pamela Pinder <pamshouse@...> wrote:
>
>
> From: Pamela Pinder <pamshouse@...>
> Subject: Re: [Carersforumuk] Give your views on Social Care
> To: Carersforumuk@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Thursday, 27 August, 2009, 6:19 PM
>
>
>  
>
>
>
>
>   Insurance â€" individuals would be supported to take out private or state
insurance which would provide free care. We are concerned that this approach
would rely on people being able to afford to pay for insurance, which is often
difficult for people for people with mental illness to access anyway.
>  
> What do we already pay National insurance for?
>  
> If people pay into a private insurance to pay for care, what reassurances
would people have this would happen? Just take those people who have paid
insurances on their mortgage payments if they lose their jobs or become disabled
through ill health...they haven't paid up.
>  
> Pam
>  
> Website: www.pamshouse. pwp.blueyonder. co.uk
> Message board: http://health. groups.yahoo. com/group/ Carersforumuk/
>  
> There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future
carers ....and those who will need to be cared for
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: mac pic
> To: carersforumuk
> Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 6:41 AM
> Subject: [Carersforumuk] Give your views on Social Care
>
>  
>
> http://www.rethink. org/how_we_ can_help/ campaigning_ for_change/
opening_doors/ social_care_ consulta. html?shortcut= socialcare
>
>
> What's happening to Disability Benefits?
> The Green Paper asks whether it would be a good idea to use the money
currently spent on 'disability benefits' , to go towards paying for the National
Care Service. This would mean that Attendance Allowance and possible Disability
Living Allowance would be discontinued.
> The new system should mean that people will be better able to access support,
and to have more control and choice over how to spend their Individual Budget.
So, in theory at least, integrating this funding may be logical. However - we
are worried that this might not be in practice - we already know that Local
Authorities still fail to support people with mental health problems to use
'direct payments', which is method by which Individual Budgets will be
allocated.
>  denotes a required field
> What can you do about this?
> We need to hear from you about how these various proposals will affect you. We
need examples and evidence to build an argument against abolishing DLA and
AA. 
>
> what to you currently spend DLA or AA on and how does help your mental health?
> what would it mean for you if you did not have DLA or AA?
> what is your current experience of being assessed by social services - do
they understand your needs?
> Please let us know what you think by filling in the box below. You can read
the full Green Paper and respond directly to the Department of Health
consultation by the 13th November 2009
>

#7381 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
Date: Sat Aug 29, 2009 11:46 am
Subject: Spanish-French singer Manu Chao records album in a psychiatric hospital in Buenos Aires
sasone2one
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This was posted on the psych nursing site

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/aug/28/manu-chao-psychiatric-patients


Manu Chao is famous for blending musical styles but even for him his latest album is a departure: a collaboration with psychiatric patients who run an Argentine radio station called Radio Loony.
 
The Spanish-French singer recorded the album in Jose Borda, a psychiatric hospital in Buenos Aires which is home to Radio La Colifata, a name derived from slang for lunatic.
 
The album, Viva La Colifata!, features 20 songs about life, love, loneliness, death, sunshine, mothers and the end of the world. It mixes some old Chao tunes with mostly new material from the singer and patients, including poetry and improvisations. The idea, according to the publicity blurb, is to "laugh, cry and meditate about life".
 

The album is available for free download at VivaLaColifata.org, a website launched by Chao and the radio station, but people are asked to make a donation to help the hospital's pioneering approach to treating mental illness.


 

 
 
There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for

#7380 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
Date: Fri Aug 28, 2009 1:13 pm
Subject: Fw: Launch of SRNs new website
sasone2one
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Send Email Send Email
 

 

Can't read this email? 

 

Update: August 2009
www.scottishrecovery.net

   
 > Please forward this e-mail to anyone you think may be interested in SRN Forward this email

August update from SRN

In this update you will find information about:

  • SRNs redeveloped website.
  • A new report from SRN entitled Carers and Supporting Recovery.
  • Upcoming SRN events.
  • Administrative Assistant vacancy at SRN.
  • Information about recovery related news and events from across Scotland.

Launch of SRNs new website
We are delighted to officially announce the re-launch the SRN website. We have worked to ensure it is now easier to access information, stories and resources found on the site.

We would welcome any intitial comments or thoughts.

To view the new site visit www.scottishrecovery.net


Carers and supporting recovery report
This unique report, commissioned by the Scottish Recovery Network, is the result of a long-standing project to investigate carers' perspectives on recovery and their experiences of supporting recovery.

Key themes from this report include:

  • Carers can play an important part in supporting recovery.
  • Formal services could benefit from working with carers to establish better informed recovery focused relationships with service users.
  • Carers can face certain challenges when supporting recovery, such as managing risk, letting go and their own recovery.

More information about this report and how to access it is available on our website.


Announcing SRNs local event series

During winter 2009/2010, we will be embarking on a series of local events throughout Scotland. The purpose of these events is to raise awareness about recovery, to encourage action locally, to develop SRNs own learning about mental health and recovery, and to expand the network.

Our first stop will be in Caithness on 01 December 2009. We will also be visiting Oban and Stranraer during February and March 2010 (official dates for these events are to be confirmed).

More details about these events (including how to register) will be made available in the coming weeks via the website and update.

If you are interested in attending these events, please let us know on info@...

OTHER NEWS

Administrative Assistant vacancy
SRN are currently looking for someone to fill the role of...

New story
Amanda Scott, peer support worker and WRAP facilitator, shares her recovery journey...


Government consultation
In January 2008 the Scottish Government appointed a review group...


Suicide. Don't hide it. Tallk about it.
During this year's Suicide Preventsion week (7-13 September 2009) Choose Life...

Getting to know you...

This one day event for families and carers of forensic patients...

Peer Support Fife workshop
Peer Support Fife are delivering a free workshop on September 2nd...

:spaces: event
:spaces: green places for head spaces is a FEVA networking event for environmental and mental health organisations...



If you have any problem reading this email or accessing the links  then please contact us. If you are using Outlook and you are unable to see images in the email you may need to enable images. See help file 'Unblock image downloads'

Scottish Recovery Network
W:
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E: 
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T:  0141 240 7790
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#7379 From: mac pic <macpic91@...>
Date: Thu Aug 27, 2009 10:47 pm
Subject: Re: Give your views on Social Care
macpic91
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"until the party returns to its founding principles"

that would be Socialism?

and it will happen around about the next ice age...

Until then they like driving around in their rollers and jags with "Vote Labour" stickers...



2009/8/27 MICHAEL FUREY <thefurey@...>
 

I just don't believe this about people being 'supported' to take out insurance. Why should profit-making insurance companies be involved in any case? They are in business to make profit for their shareholders, in fact they have a legal duty to do that. There is no guarantee that they will continue to pay out if an illness becomes more acute. There will be limits on what they will pay for and limits on what they will pay out in any period. They will probably set an excess figure that the claimant will have to provide before any payment is made.
 
All this is just another New Labour idea for sucking up to big business in the hope that there will be highly paid 'consulatancies' for them when they're out of office. They reneged on their manifesto for the 1997 election because they wanted to outdo the Tories in cutting costs.
 
Like a lot of people, I had great hopes in 1997. Those hopes have been dashed so many times since then that I despair for the future of this country under two so-similar parties. The Liberals don't count, so we can ignore them as most voters do. There is no fear of me voting Tory; they're blood enemies to me. But I haven't voted for Labour since 1997, and will not until the party returns to its founding principles. And that's not looking back to 1907; principles need not change though the way they're implemented may do.

Damn them for what they're doing to the people of this country. Damn them for what they're bent on taking away from my kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. I have to be realistic and accept that my time is coming to a close. I lived poor as a kid, and we weren't 'poor but we were happy'. We were poor and I was damned unhappy about it. Between New Labour and the Tories, I fear those days will return while their paymasters grow fat on unearned income.
 
Some people of my generation keep harking back to the 'good old days'; I fear that they might well turn out to be just that.
 
Mick Furey

--- On Thu, 27/8/09, Pamela Pinder <pamshouse@...> wrote:

From: Pamela Pinder <pamshouse@...>
Subject: Re: [Carersforumuk] Give your views on Social Care
To: Carersforumuk@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, 27 August, 2009, 6:19 PM


 
  Insurance – individuals would be supported to take out private or state insurance which would provide free care. We are concerned that this approach would rely on people being able to afford to pay for insurance, which is often difficult for people for people with mental illness to access anyway.
 
What do we already pay National insurance for?
 
If people pay into a private insurance to pay for care, what reassurances would people have this would happen? Just take those people who have paid insurances on their mortgage payments if they lose their jobs or become disabled through ill health...they haven't paid up.
 
Pam
 
 
There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for
----- Original Message -----
From: mac pic
Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 6:41 AM
Subject: [Carersforumuk] Give your views on Social Care

 
http://www.rethink. org/how_we_ can_help/ campaigning_ for_change/ opening_doors/ social_care_ consulta. html?shortcut= socialcare

What's happening to Disability Benefits?

The Green Paper asks whether it would be a good idea to use the money currently spent on 'disability benefits' , to go towards paying for the National Care Service. This would mean that Attendance Allowance and possible Disability Living Allowance would be discontinued.
The new system should mean that people will be better able to access support, and to have more control and choice over how to spend their Individual Budget. So, in theory at least, integrating this funding may be logical. However - we are worried that this might not be in practice - we already know that Local Authorities still fail to support people with mental health problems to use 'direct payments', which is method by which Individual Budgets will be allocated.
denotes a required field

What can you do about this?

We need to hear from you about how these various proposals will affect you. We need examples and evidence to build an argument against abolishing DLA and AA. 
  • what to you currently spend DLA or AA on and how does help your mental health?
  • what would it mean for you if you did not have DLA or AA?
  • what is your current experience of being assessed by social services - do they understand your needs?
Please let us know what you think by filling in the box below.
You can read the full Green Paper and respond directly to the Department of Health consultation by the 13th November 2009


#7378 From: MICHAEL FUREY <thefurey@...>
Date: Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:29 pm
Subject: Re: Give your views on Social Care
michael139371
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
 
I just don't believe this about people being 'supported' to take out insurance. Why should profit-making insurance companies be involved in any case? They are in business to make profit for their shareholders, in fact they have a legal duty to do that. There is no guarantee that they will continue to pay out if an illness becomes more acute. There will be limits on what they will pay for and limits on what they will pay out in any period. They will probably set an excess figure that the claimant will have to provide before any payment is made.
 
All this is just another New Labour idea for sucking up to big business in the hope that there will be highly paid 'consulatancies' for them when they're out of office. They reneged on their manifesto for the 1997 election because they wanted to outdo the Tories in cutting costs.
 
Like a lot of people, I had great hopes in 1997. Those hopes have been dashed so many times since then that I despair for the future of this country under two so-similar parties. The Liberals don't count, so we can ignore them as most voters do. There is no fear of me voting Tory; they're blood enemies to me. But I haven't voted for Labour since 1997, and will not until the party returns to its founding principles. And that's not looking back to 1907; principles need not change though the way they're implemented may do.

Damn them for what they're doing to the people of this country. Damn them for what they're bent on taking away from my kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. I have to be realistic and accept that my time is coming to a close. I lived poor as a kid, and we weren't 'poor but we were happy'. We were poor and I was damned unhappy about it. Between New Labour and the Tories, I fear those days will return while their paymasters grow fat on unearned income.
 
Some people of my generation keep harking back to the 'good old days'; I fear that they might well turn out to be just that.
 
Mick Furey

--- On Thu, 27/8/09, Pamela Pinder <pamshouse@...> wrote:

From: Pamela Pinder <pamshouse@...>
Subject: Re: [Carersforumuk] Give your views on Social Care
To: Carersforumuk@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, 27 August, 2009, 6:19 PM

 
  Insurance – individuals would be supported to take out private or state insurance which would provide free care. We are concerned that this approach would rely on people being able to afford to pay for insurance, which is often difficult for people for people with mental illness to access anyway.
 
What do we already pay National insurance for?
 
If people pay into a private insurance to pay for care, what reassurances would people have this would happen? Just take those people who have paid insurances on their mortgage payments if they lose their jobs or become disabled through ill health...they haven't paid up.
 
Pam
 
 
There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for
----- Original Message -----
From: mac pic
Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 6:41 AM
Subject: [Carersforumuk] Give your views on Social Care

 
http://www.rethink. org/how_we_ can_help/ campaigning_ for_change/ opening_doors/ social_care_ consulta. html?shortcut= socialcare

What's happening to Disability Benefits?

The Green Paper asks whether it would be a good idea to use the money currently spent on 'disability benefits' , to go towards paying for the National Care Service. This would mean that Attendance Allowance and possible Disability Living Allowance would be discontinued.
The new system should mean that people will be better able to access support, and to have more control and choice over how to spend their Individual Budget. So, in theory at least, integrating this funding may be logical. However - we are worried that this might not be in practice - we already know that Local Authorities still fail to support people with mental health problems to use 'direct payments', which is method by which Individual Budgets will be allocated.
denotes a required field

What can you do about this?

We need to hear from you about how these various proposals will affect you. We need examples and evidence to build an argument against abolishing DLA and AA. 
  • what to you currently spend DLA or AA on and how does help your mental health?
  • what would it mean for you if you did not have DLA or AA?
  • what is your current experience of being assessed by social services - do they understand your needs?
Please let us know what you think by filling in the box below.
You can read the full Green Paper and respond directly to the Department of Health consultation by the 13th November 2009

#7377 From: mac pic <macpic91@...>
Date: Thu Aug 27, 2009 8:47 pm
Subject: Re: Give your views on Social Care
macpic91
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
 
Seems like the opposite of what Obama is suggesting in the US after years of private insurance leaves millions of less well of americans without cover,  especially in their old age.

2009/8/27 Pamela Pinder <pamshouse@...>
 

 
  • Insurance – individuals would be supported to take out private or state insurance which would provide free care. We are concerned that this approach would rely on people being able to afford to pay for insurance, which is often difficult for people for people with mental illness to access anyway.
  •  
    What do we already pay National insurance for?
     
    If people pay into a private insurance to pay for care, what reassurances would people have this would happen? Just take those people who have paid insurances on their mortgage payments if they lose their jobs or become disabled through ill health...they haven't paid up.
     
    Pam
     
     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: mac pic
    Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 6:41 AM
    Subject: [Carersforumuk] Give your views on Social Care

     

    http://www.rethink.org/how_we_can_help/campaigning_for_change/opening_doors/social_care_consulta.html?shortcut=socialcare

    What's happening to Disability Benefits?

    The Green Paper asks whether it would be a good idea to use the money currently spent on 'disability benefits' , to go towards paying for the National Care Service. This would mean that Attendance Allowance and possible Disability Living Allowance would be discontinued.

    The new system should mean that people will be better able to access support, and to have more control and choice over how to spend their Individual Budget. So, in theory at least, integrating this funding may be logical. However - we are worried that this might not be in practice - we already know that Local Authorities still fail to support people with mental health problems to use 'direct payments', which is method by which Individual Budgets will be allocated.

    denotes a required field

    What can you do about this?

    We need to hear from you about how these various proposals will affect you. We need examples and evidence to build an argument against abolishing DLA and AA. 

    • what to you currently spend DLA or AA on and how does help your mental health?
    • what would it mean for you if you did not have DLA or AA?
    • what is your current experience of being assessed by social services - do they understand your needs?

    Please let us know what you think by filling in the box below.

    You can read the full Green Paper and respond directly to the Department of Health consultation by the 13th November 2009



    #7376 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
    Date: Thu Aug 27, 2009 5:19 pm
    Subject: Re: Give your views on Social Care
    sasone2one
    Offline Offline
    Send Email Send Email
     
     
  • Insurance – individuals would be supported to take out private or state insurance which would provide free care. We are concerned that this approach would rely on people being able to afford to pay for insurance, which is often difficult for people for people with mental illness to access anyway.
  •  
    What do we already pay National insurance for?
     
    If people pay into a private insurance to pay for care, what reassurances would people have this would happen? Just take those people who have paid insurances on their mortgage payments if they lose their jobs or become disabled through ill health...they haven't paid up.
     
    Pam
     
     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: mac pic
    Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 6:41 AM
    Subject: [Carersforumuk] Give your views on Social Care

     

    http://www.rethink.org/how_we_can_help/campaigning_for_change/opening_doors/social_care_consulta.html?shortcut=socialcare

    What's happening to Disability Benefits?

    The Green Paper asks whether it would be a good idea to use the money currently spent on 'disability benefits' , to go towards paying for the National Care Service. This would mean that Attendance Allowance and possible Disability Living Allowance would be discontinued.

    The new system should mean that people will be better able to access support, and to have more control and choice over how to spend their Individual Budget. So, in theory at least, integrating this funding may be logical. However - we are worried that this might not be in practice - we already know that Local Authorities still fail to support people with mental health problems to use 'direct payments', which is method by which Individual Budgets will be allocated.

    denotes a required field

    What can you do about this?

    We need to hear from you about how these various proposals will affect you. We need examples and evidence to build an argument against abolishing DLA and AA. 

    • what to you currently spend DLA or AA on and how does help your mental health?
    • what would it mean for you if you did not have DLA or AA?
    • what is your current experience of being assessed by social services - do they understand your needs?

    Please let us know what you think by filling in the box below.

    You can read the full Green Paper and respond directly to the Department of Health consultation by the 13th November 2009


    #7375 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
    Date: Thu Aug 27, 2009 5:10 pm
    Subject: David Cameron urged to clarify mental health plans
    sasone2one
    Offline Offline
    Send Email Send Email
     

    David Cameron urged to clarify mental health plans

    Conservative leader David Cameron is being urged to set out his position on mental health services, following its omission from a wide-ranging speech on NHS reform last week.

    Charity Rethink has written to Mr Cameron expressing disappointment that his speech covered 16 issues, including infectious diseases and accident and emergency services, but failed to mention mental health.

    This is despite it being the biggest single spending area in the NHS, taking up nearly a third of GPs’ time. The letter says: “We were disappointed that in a speech discussing the future of the NHS and how to deliver a standard of quality healthcare that matches patient expectations, mental healthcare was not mentioned once.”

    All available evidence suggests the current economic downturn will increase demand on mental health services, the letter says.

    One mental health trust chief executive told HSJ he was “greatly worried” that the Conservatives had so far said little about mental health, given their likelihood of winning next year’s general election.

    Added to financial uncertainties, trusts felt they were “planning in the dark”, he said.

    “We don’t want to be misleading clinicians by saying we’re going to develop services and then have to backtrack,” the chief executive said.

    A Conservative Party spokeswoman said Mr Cameron was away due to the parliamentary recess but would respond to the Rethink letter in due course.

    Mental Health Network director Steve Shrubb said he had been having “positive discussions” with the Conservatives about a possible TV campaign promoting mental health.

    He said: “They have some emerging ideas around public health but at this stage it’s more difficult to get a sense about how they feel about actual services. Clearly I’d have liked them to say more.”

    Neither of the two main parties has talked much about mental health, he added.

     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for

    #7374 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
    Date: Thu Aug 27, 2009 5:06 pm
    Subject: 'Organic' reduction in PCTs under Tories
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    The number of primary care trusts in England could be significantly reduced under Conservative health plans, HSJ has learnt.

    http://www.hsj.co.uk/5005597.article

    If they win the next election, HSJ understands the Conservatives are likely to require all GP practices to become practice based commissioners. Most of their commissioning functions would be performed through federations of GP practices operating as consortiums. This would result in a reduction in the commissioning role of PCTs in some areas, potentially leading to a raft of mergers.

    Under the tories…

    The merger of PCTs would be welcomed but not be forced by central government

    All GP practices would be expected to become practice based commissioners

    Trusts would be expected to negotiate prices for acute care at a rate under the PbR price

    The Conservatives would welcome such mergers as part of an organic process but stress they would be voluntary. They hope to encourage more GPs to take up commissioning by turning the currently indicative budgets into real cash budgets.

    Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley told HSJ this would give practices “real opportunities to save and reinvest, and real control over contracts”. However, he was clear that any underspends would remain ringfenced for patient care, not practice profits.

    Mr Lansley said this would combine “the decision-taking responsibility for where and how patients are treated with the finances which are necessary to support it”.

    David Furness, health project leader at the Social Market Foundation think tank, said the implications of an enhanced role for practice based commissioning were “much more significant than has been [previously] discussed”.

    If consortiums took on more responsibility for commissioning health services there could be less rationale - and management funds - for all 152 PCTs.

    In some areas, such as north London and the East Midlands, PCTs have already merged some of their commissioning responsibilities to reduce costs and potentially increase their relative strength over acute providers.

    Asked if the Conservatives would want to see more such mergers, a spokesman said: “It would be perfectly reasonable to aggregate, but it will be up to them [PCTs] to decide. It would be done on an organic bottom-up way if [they] choose to do so.”

    Sources within the NHS, who have been asked to advise the Conservatives on the development of their health policy, said they thought the party would ideally like to see strategic health authorities and PCTs merged to create maybe 40 strategic commissioning bodies, organised around city regions.

    That would resolve the perceived problem of PCTs being “too small” to negotiate good value from large acute hospitals.

    However, a spokesman for the Conservatives denied they were planning to merge SHAs and PCTs. He said it was “very clear that’s not what we are planning”. However they do foresee SHAs moving their focus away from providers as more become foundation trusts.

    Both Tory leader David Cameron and Mr Lansley have pledged they will not subject the NHS to another round of structural reorganisation.

    Mr Lansley said PCTs would play an important role organising contracts between commissioning consortiums and acute providers.

    The Conservatives will also expect PCTs to negotiate prices for acute care at a rate under the payment by results price - a plan that will only work if PCTs can get acute trusts to compete for their custom.

    Management consultants advising the party have said it should allow private contractors to take over SHA functions on a “franchised” basis.

    Organisations smaller than SHAs, charged with a mixture of current SHA and PCT roles, would be attractive to private sector commissioning organisations that have been disappointed by the opportunities and size of contracts available to them under the framework for procuring external support for commissioners (FESC). These could resemble US-style health management organisations if GPs were allowed to choose which they contracted with.

    Nick Bosanquet, consultant director of the think tank Reform, said work at the Nuffield Trust to develop an NHS funding formula more sensitive to individual health needs would make it possible for patients to choose their commissioner.

    Readers' comments (2)

    • At present, PCTs appear virtually powerless against the demands of Acute Trusts - and it appears that part of the problem is that PCTs are too small and lack the power to hold Trusts - especially Foundation Trusts - to agreed levels of activity.
      Already local health economies are drained of resources to support secondary care: how would setting up even smaller commissioning consortia, with even fewer levers, improve the situation?
      Or *is* it considered that the ideal solution is a Kaiser Permenante HMO style vertical care model with assimilation of PCTs, community care and GPs into their local Acute Trusts as very junior partners?

      Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment

    • Is it me or ....if PCTs are deemed too small to pack a punch at negotiations with acute trusts, how will GPs (which will be even smaller bodies) be able to do it better? I thought GPs at present don't have enough time to spend with patients as they would like -will assuming a commissioning role improve this?
      Will there be incentives to take this on? There can only be one winner here at the end of the day ....!
      Eddie

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    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for

    #7373 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
    Date: Wed Aug 26, 2009 7:26 pm
    Subject: Online Therapy Successful for Depression
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    Online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression -- with patients and therapists communicating in real time via instant messaging -- was effective in a randomized trial and could broaden access to treatment, a study found
     
     
     
     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for

    #7372 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
    Date: Wed Aug 26, 2009 6:57 pm
    Subject: 'Recession and Baby P fuelling abuse claims against councils'
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    Law firm Browne Jacobson warns of spike in claims of historic abuse

    The recession and the baby Peter case have led to a sharp increase in the number of compensation claims lodged against councils for historic child abuse, law firm Browne Jacobson has said.

    http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/21/112406/recession-and-baby-p-fuelling-abuse-claims-against-councils.html

     

     
     
     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for

    #7371 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
    Date: Wed Aug 26, 2009 6:53 pm
    Subject: Sutton Council lost file with data on social care users
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    London borough pledges to tighten up security after being found to have breached Data Protection Act

     
     
     
     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for

    #7370 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
    Date: Wed Aug 26, 2009 6:40 pm
    Subject: Re: Bankers!
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    Quite a lot of people with MH problems have higher than average intelligence, especially where figures are concerned. This attitude is all down to stigma, and it makes me wonder what happened to the disability discrimination act.
     
    How can the government validate pressuring people back into work and threaten with loss of benefits with attitudes like this! All this message gives is people with MH problems have no career prospects, but it's not only banks who have this attitude some government bodies also have the same line of thought towards the mentally ill. Like the police force, fire service and MOD.
     
    Pam
     
     
     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: mac pic
    Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 1:32 PM
    Subject: [Carersforumuk] Bankers!

     

    Negative attitudes to employing people with mental health problems
    across all sectors could hamper plans to get them into work


    http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/aug/26/bankers-employment-mental-health


    #7369 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
    Date: Wed Aug 26, 2009 6:30 pm
    Subject: Why the NHS must look after its hidden workers
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    Carers play a central role in many healthcare users’ lives. Although services are recognising that they must be valued and supported, there is much more to be done to ensure this unpaid workforce’s wellbeing

    Patients are already more involved in planning their own care. But the next stage is to involve their carers.

    http://www.hsj.co.uk/resource-centre/best-practice/why-the-nhs-must-look-after-its-hidden-workers/5003747.article

     

     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for

    #7368 From: mac pic <macpic91@...>
    Date: Wed Aug 26, 2009 12:32 pm
    Subject: Bankers!
    macpic91
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    Negative attitudes to employing people with mental health problems
    across all sectors could hamper plans to get them into work


    http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/aug/26/bankers-employment-mental-health

    #7367 From: mac pic <macpic91@...>
    Date: Wed Aug 26, 2009 5:41 am
    Subject: Give your views on Social Care
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    http://www.rethink.org/how_we_can_help/campaigning_for_change/opening_doors/social_care_consulta.html?shortcut=socialcare

    What's happening to Disability Benefits?

    The Green Paper asks whether it would be a good idea to use the money currently spent on 'disability benefits' , to go towards paying for the National Care Service. This would mean that Attendance Allowance and possible Disability Living Allowance would be discontinued.

    The new system should mean that people will be better able to access support, and to have more control and choice over how to spend their Individual Budget. So, in theory at least, integrating this funding may be logical. However - we are worried that this might not be in practice - we already know that Local Authorities still fail to support people with mental health problems to use 'direct payments', which is method by which Individual Budgets will be allocated.

    denotes a required field

    What can you do about this?

    We need to hear from you about how these various proposals will affect you. We need examples and evidence to build an argument against abolishing DLA and AA. 

    • what to you currently spend DLA or AA on and how does help your mental health?
    • what would it mean for you if you did not have DLA or AA?
    • what is your current experience of being assessed by social services - do they understand your needs?

    Please let us know what you think by filling in the box below.

    You can read the full Green Paper and respond directly to the Department of Health consultation by the 13th November 2009

    #7366 From: mac pic <macpic91@...>
    Date: Sun Aug 23, 2009 10:31 pm
    Subject: Re: DH director of immunisation tells nurses they have a 'duty' to have swine flu jab
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    Seems there were some side effects with the first time 40 million Americans were vaccinated against Swine Flu back in the 70s, but things have moved on since then, any new vaccine is likely to be many times safer and only has hazardous as the normal seasonal flu vaccine.

    http://www.capitalcentury.com/1976.html



    2009/8/23 Pamela Pinder <pamshouse@...>
     

    Maybe the reason they don't want it, is because it is so new and there are no known side effects. It's just ok for us to be used as the guinea pig..there hasn't been much time to test the vaccine out yet! There must be a reason nurses do not want it, perhaps they know something we don't? On the other hand it might be quite safe.
     
    I am a bit uncertain about having the vaccine, and am more leaning towards taking my chances. I thing there has been a bit of hysteria going on with this flu, thousands of people die of flu every year in this country but this isn't broadcast or made known.
     
    The government have already done an about turn and telling people that tammi flu will not be given to people now, unless they have other underlying illness. And I suspect the vaccination when it first comes out will be aimed at those who are felt at higher risk like the elderly. So the chances of us getting it this year are slim.
     
    Pam
     
     
     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: mac pic
    Sent: Sunday, August 23, 2009 6:45 PM
    Subject: Re: [Carersforumuk] DH director of immunisation tells nurses they have a 'duty' to have swine flu jab

     

    I dont think anyone should be compelled to have it, but I would have thought nurses would be more sensible, if not just for their own safety.

    2009/8/23 Pamela Pinder <pamshouse@...>
     

    The Department of Health’s director of immunisation Professor David Salisbury has said nurses have a responsibility to be vaccinated against swine flu, after a Nursing Times survey reveals one third of frontline nurses do not want the jab. 
     
     
     
     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for



    #7365 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
    Date: Sun Aug 23, 2009 6:44 pm
    Subject: Re: DH director of immunisation tells nurses they have a 'duty' to have swine flu jab
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    Maybe the reason they don't want it, is because it is so new and there are no known side effects. It's just ok for us to be used as the guinea pig..there hasn't been much time to test the vaccine out yet! There must be a reason nurses do not want it, perhaps they know something we don't? On the other hand it might be quite safe.
     
    I am a bit uncertain about having the vaccine, and am more leaning towards taking my chances. I thing there has been a bit of hysteria going on with this flu, thousands of people die of flu every year in this country but this isn't broadcast or made known.
     
    The government have already done an about turn and telling people that tammi flu will not be given to people now, unless they have other underlying illness. And I suspect the vaccination when it first comes out will be aimed at those who are felt at higher risk like the elderly. So the chances of us getting it this year are slim.
     
    Pam
     
     
     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: mac pic
    Sent: Sunday, August 23, 2009 6:45 PM
    Subject: Re: [Carersforumuk] DH director of immunisation tells nurses they have a 'duty' to have swine flu jab

     

    I dont think anyone should be compelled to have it, but I would have thought nurses would be more sensible, if not just for their own safety.

    2009/8/23 Pamela Pinder <pamshouse@blueyonder.co.uk>
     

    The Department of Health’s director of immunisation Professor David Salisbury has said nurses have a responsibility to be vaccinated against swine flu, after a Nursing Times survey reveals one third of frontline nurses do not want the jab. 
     
     
     
     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for


    #7364 From: mac pic <macpic91@...>
    Date: Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:45 pm
    Subject: Re: DH director of immunisation tells nurses they have a 'duty' to have swine flu jab
    macpic91
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    I dont think anyone should be compelled to have it, but I would have thought nurses would be more sensible, if not just for their own safety.

    2009/8/23 Pamela Pinder <pamshouse@...>
     

    The Department of Health’s director of immunisation Professor David Salisbury has said nurses have a responsibility to be vaccinated against swine flu, after a Nursing Times survey reveals one third of frontline nurses do not want the jab. 
     
     
     
     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for


    #7363 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
    Date: Sun Aug 23, 2009 10:06 am
    Subject: Healthy food obsession sparks rise in new eating disorder
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    Eating disorder charities are reporting a rise in the number of people suffering from a serious psychological condition characterised by an obsession with healthy eating.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/aug/16/orthorexia-mental-health-eating-disorder

    ( Do they make this up! Another label to add to the list, perhaps they should look at the reasons behind the obsessions...it's the government and health services that keep brain washing people, making some paranoid and obsessive. If you eat or do what you want to do, their is a health risk pointed out to you which can make some people feel guilty. This constant nagging causes anxiety, and is often dictated to you by someone who is overweight their selves! )

    Pam

     
     
     
     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for

    #7362 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
    Date: Sun Aug 23, 2009 9:55 am
    Subject: Sean Rigg case: 'He was left naked to die'
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    Sean Rigg case: 'He was left naked to die'

    Sean Rigg was arrested after displaying symptoms of his schizophrenia. He died, semi-clothed, in police custody. His family, who have been given contradictory statements about the existence of CCTV footage of the events leading up to Sean's death, tell the Guardian about their campaign to find out what actually happened

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/video/2009/aug/21/sean-rigg-death-in-custody

     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for

    #7361 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
    Date: Sun Aug 23, 2009 9:52 am
    Subject: Doctors don't like medicine's power being challenged
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    ‘It is hard to see how patients’ best interests are served by post-pubescent medics who are desperate to curl up for a nap while you read them a story’

     

     
     
     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for

    #7360 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
    Date: Sun Aug 23, 2009 9:48 am
    Subject: DH director of immunisation tells nurses they have a 'duty' to have swine flu jab
    sasone2one
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    The Department of Health’s director of immunisation Professor David Salisbury has said nurses have a responsibility to be vaccinated against swine flu, after a Nursing Times survey reveals one third of frontline nurses do not want the jab. 
     
     
     
     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for

    #7359 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
    Date: Fri Aug 21, 2009 2:27 pm
    Subject: Tories 'back peddling' on NHS
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    Anyone who thinks the Tories are the party of the NHS is “living on another planet”, Unison general secretary Dave Prentis has claimed.

     

     
     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for

    #7358 From: mac pic <macpic91@...>
    Date: Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:36 pm
    Subject: Re: NHS 'hit by staff sickness levels'
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    Its the same as civil service, the Personnel Officer used to write to everyone to ask why you had not taken your "sick leave entitlement", thats were this comes from.



    2009/8/19 aim highpeak <aimhighpeak@...>
     


    NHS 'hit by staff sickness levels'
     

    More than 45,000 NHS workers call in sick each day - around one and a half times the absence rate seen in the private sector, according to a new report.

     

    The quality of patient care is also being affected by obesity, smoking and poor mental health among staff, according to the study.

    Researchers found hospitals with worse staff health are less productive and have higher rates of superbug infection, unnecessary use of agency workers and higher patient death rates.
    Details of what is being described as the first national audit of NHS staff habits have been published in The Times newspaper.
     
     
    Plus it's 'Holiday' time

    *´¨)
      (¸.·
    *´¨)   ¸.·*¨)

             (¸.·´     (¸.·'* A true friend walks in
                   when the rest of the world
    walks out.

    Donate/Circulate .... Thank You.
     
     
     



    #7357 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
    Date: Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:30 pm
    Subject: London's acute trusts told to plan for fewer services
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    London’s hospital trusts are being told to plan their future in a significantly smaller acute sector - or have it dictated to them.

    Primary care trusts in each area of the capital are developing plans understood to include merging trusts or having them acquired by foundations, as well as reconfiguring services.

    http://www.hsj.co.uk/5005308.article

     
     
     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for

    #7356 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
    Date: Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:25 pm
    Subject: Raising NHS staff wellbeing can 'save trusts millions'
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    Trusts could save millions of pounds while improving patient outcomes through “simple” measures to improve the health and wellbeing of their employees, a major study has found.

    The NHS health and wellbeing review interim report says the health service loses 10.3 million working days every year due to sickness absence, costing £1.7bn.

    Reducing this by one third, to a level slightly higher than the private sector, would mean an extra 3.4 million working days per year, and annual direct cost savings of £555m, it says.

    In an interview with HSJ, review lead Steve Boorman, who is the Royal Mail chief medical adviser, said: “Through some very simple management practices, the NHS could improve a range of outcome measures and save money.”

    Organisations that performed well on health and wellbeing indicators had patient satisfaction scores that were on average 10 per cent better than those scoring poorly, he said.

    The review is based on more than 200 responses from experts and trusts, 11,000 survey responses from staff and meetings held across the country.

    An analysis of four acute trusts found lower absence rates, agency costs, MRSA cases and standard patient mortality rates among the trusts performing better on health and wellbeing indicators.

    The review recommends trusts improve access to occupational health services and encourage staff to have healthier lifestyles. Staff and health wellbeing should be placed alongside quality, innovation, productivity and prevention, it states.

    The report follows Dame Carol Black’s review last year of the health of Britain’s working age population, which said the NHS should be a role model for other sectors.

    But Dr Boorman said the NHS “has some way to go” to achieve this.

    The final report is expected to be published in October.

    Readers' comments (7)

    • This is nothing new. I have been working for years to improve healthy lifestyles for NHS staff and empoyers, to reduce workplace stress and absenteeism. It is ironic that the NHS fails to support its staff and managers need to be educated on how to do this in partnership with the excellent occupational health services. This needs better communication and change of attitudes by managers and directors - improved listening skills and better access to staff counselling services.

      Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment

    • It may be the nature of the work. Absence levels are higher amongst staff that have direct contact with the public. This could be the receptionist, the Nurse or the Paramedic and ambulance crew who are in the firing line for the frustration and anger that someone feels about their situation. Providing hands on care and support to older people who are dementing, dealing with unpredictable and violent drunks or drugs abusers or working with individuals who have mental health problems is physical tiring and emotionally draining. Add to this the stress on the body caused by shift work and is it so surprising if staff sick notes refer to exhaustion.

      None of these situations will be resolved by telling staff to eat healthy, exercise more, drink less and stop smoking. Nor will they be addressed by more effective monitoring arrangements or tougher policies and procedures. What all these situations have in common is a need for better people management skills. Managers who have insight into how their behaviour affects others, managers with the confidence to tackle rather than avoid difficult issues, managers who know how to support their staff and who in turn have access to peer group support.

      Blair McPherson a senior manager with in a large Local Authority and author of UnLearning Management-short stories on modern management published by www.russellhouse.co.uk


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    • The hard physical work of many NHS roles means that staff cannot work with minor physical symptoms that might be possible in office or service workplaces. Also many middle aged staff are already suffering from "worn out in service" ailments related to the heavy lifting and hard work of past caring roles. Furthermore it is not right to bring "minor" colds and flu to hospital work given the vulnerabillity of patients. Which all adds up to more days off sick not a workshy workforce.

      Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment

    • It is very hard to have a healthy lifestyle when irregulr shift patterns and weekend working prevent NHS staff from joining and regularly participating in sporting teams, and regular excercise classes which run on a same day every week

      Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment

    • The fundamental problem in NHS hospitals is that staff ultimately are treated like lemmings, and are not in any way valued by the Trusts, Deaneries or individual hospitals.

      Junior doctors are all, by definition, temporary workers. We have to battle tooth and nail for an employment contract, even when we're months into the job. Rotas are not released until the very last minute, making it almost impossible to plan our lives beyond the next four month changeover. We find out we're moving to a hospital 30 miles away the week before we're due to change. We turn up to that new hospital to find we aren't even "on the list" at the induction event. Having been to the induction event at 7.30am (yes, 7.30am), we're then expected to re-travel the 30 miles to arrive for 4pm, to be fitted for a "swine flu mask". And then come back at 9pm to start the first of seven consecutive 13 hour night shifts.

      When you treat people in such an appalling manner, and when this behaviour is not only expected but accepted, it's no surprise that absenteeism is so common. In fact it's amazing that any of us actually bother to go to work in the first place.

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    • Some of this is built into the system.

      As already pointed out, shift work, especially night shifts, has long been shown to have links to poor health.

      Working with ill people exposes one to greater risk of illness - I've had serious chest and gastro-intestinal infections acquired from patients, for example, requiring long periods off sick.

      Back and other musculo-skeltal injuries are common.

      Work-related stress and depression are more common than generally credited, and, IME, frequently caused by dubious working practices and management deliberately ignoring over-work as long as targets are hit, then trying to blame you for causing your own stress (all IME).

      Unless, and until, there is a serious will to deal with all these well-known issues, and to accept that a certain level of sickness absence is inevitable in a health service we will get nowhere.

      Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment

    http://www.hsj.co.uk/5005276.article

     

     

     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for

    #7355 From: "Pamela Pinder" <pamshouse@...>
    Date: Wed Aug 19, 2009 6:30 pm
    Subject: Re: NHS 'hit by staff sickness levels'
    sasone2one
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    Lots of reasons why this might be happening. Hospitals are one of the worse places for picking up infections for starters. Then there is government targets, pushing people through the system as quickly as possible can result in quantity but not quantity along with excessive paperwork that is often done in triplicate. This can also influence people making those mistakes that wind us up!
     
    Then there are those who leave the nhs from areas that are already understaffed, some areas have quite a high turn over of staff, which indicates something isn't right. Les staff in an already understaffed are, putting more pressure upon those remaining, it is common for staff not to be able to take the breaks they are entitled too, snacking on junk food to keep going, being put under pressure to work extra hours...some doing double shifts
     
    So there you have it in a nutshell.
     
    Been working for the nhs for 21 yrs and observed quite a lot in this time. Personally I rarely go sick and have had only one day off in the past year that should have been at least a week. After falling and apart from other injuries, spraining my ankle.
     
    I would imagine the nhs are one of the largest employers in the country, so it would equate sickness figures would be higher than smaller employers.
     
    Pam
     
     
     
    There are four kinds of people in this world... past carers - carers - future carers ....and those who will need to be cared for
    ----- Original Message -----
    Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 7:06 AM
    Subject: [Carersforumuk] NHS 'hit by staff sickness levels'

     


    NHS 'hit by staff sickness levels'
     

    More than 45,000 NHS workers call in sick each day - around one and a half times the absence rate seen in the private sector, according to a new report.

    The quality of patient care is also being affected by obesity, smoking and poor mental health among staff, according to the study.

    Researchers found hospitals with worse staff health are less productive and have higher rates of superbug infection, unnecessary use of agency workers and higher patient death rates.
    Details of what is being described as the first national audit of NHS staff habits have been published in The Times newspaper.
     
     
    Plus it's 'Holiday' time

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             (¸.·´     (¸.·'* A true friend walks in
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    walks out.

    Donate/Circulate .... Thank You.
     
     
     


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