By Penny Banks Proposals to impose penalties on social services for failing to prevent delayed discharges have raised the temperature of the cross-charging debate. The author argues a strategic approach should be taken to securing change in a complex system. Priority should be given to supporting cultural change and equipping managers and staff to work in new ways as well as ensuring elected members, non-executives, users and carers are fully engaged.

The Home Office has called for bids for a share of a new 6 million pounds Pathfinders Programme to improve community cohesion. Successful projects will have to demonstrate that they are bringing together councils, the community and voluntary sector, and communities to build local solutions to local problems.Britain today has 56 million people, speaking over 300 different languages, and practising at least 14 different faiths. Although the potential is there for a richly diverse and stable society, the disturbances in Bradford, Oldham and Burnley in summer 2001 suggest that diversity is dividing communities in some places. In some cases people from different ethnic groups have little to do with each other and attitudes towards people from different groups are hardening.

Read more on PATHFINDERS PROGRAMME TO FOSTER COMMUNITY COHESION…

The compromise agreement between the Treasury and the Department of Health
on the financial freedom for foundation hospitals is a major step towards
relaxing the grip of Whitehall on public services. The hospitals will be
public interest, not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee, fully
independent from Whitehall control. They will be governed by a stakeholder
council made up of representatives of local communities and NHS staff. They
will not be accountable to the Department of Health.

Read more on PUBLIC INTEREST COMPANIES GET GREEN LIGHT…