Archives for November 2005

GPs POINT TO PATIENTS’ SUPPORT FOR SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP

Headlines, PublicNet: 25 November, 2005

There is a new call today for the special relationship between patients and family doctors to be preserved in any developments in primary care. In an editorial published today in the “British Journal of General Practice” Dr Mayur Lakhani, Chairman of the Royal College of GPs, says new policies should build on the strengths and values of general practice.Dr Lakhani writes about the Department of Health’s White Paper on care outside hospitals, which is expected to be produced later this year or early in 2006, and outlines the issues the Royal College will bring to the attention of the Secretary of State for Health to try to influence and shape the White Paper.

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STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT ORGANISATIONS

Book News, PublicNet: 24 November, 2005

By John Bryson.This book first published sixteen years ago has become the standard reference in the field. The new edition features a strategy change cycle, which is now used by many organisations. There is guidance on implementing the planning process and new material on creating public value, stakeholder analysis, strategy mapping, balanced scorecards and collaboration. The author also includes information about the organisational designs that will encourage strategic thought and action throughout the organisation.

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‘JOINED UP WORKING’ LEADS TO HOSPICE ON PCT SITE

Headlines, PublicNet: 24 November, 2005

A groundbreaking partnership has been established to bring about the building of the first independent children’s hospice on an active National Health Service site. The agreement has been reached by the charity Demelza House and Greenwich Primary Care Trust.The charity has been granted planning permission for the site at Eltham in south London, which is owned by the PCT. The proposed hospice will serve the London boroughs of Greenwich, Lewisham, Bromley, Lambeth and Southwark.Demelza House now hopes to begin a fund-raising drive to finance the building of the hospice, which will be a six-bed unit providing short breaks for children as well as accommodation for families. It will also offer ‘Hospice-at-home’ and day-care services for patients and their families.

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LOTTERY FUND WANTS HELP TO CHANNEL FUNDING

Headlines, PublicNet: 24 November, 2005

Public sector organisations, as well as voluntary and private bodies, are being asked to help the Big Lottery Fund to channel more than two hundred million pounds to groups trying to improve their local environment. The money, from the Changing Spaces scheme, will be available next year.The chairman of the Big Lottery Fund, Sir Clive Booth, said it wanted organisations to help it engage with communities to deliver the 234 million pounds available throughout England. The money is earmarked to help local groups improve their local environment and to realise the potential of community spaces. The fund wants to ensure it identifies and supports the best projects by working with organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

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CRIME REDUCTION: A QUARTER CENTURY REVIEW

Abstracts, PublicNet: 23 November, 2005

By Nick TilleyCrime prevention emerged as a separate policy issue in the late 1970s, with rising crime rates, disillusionment with traditional crime control methods and evidence that situational methods could be effective. There have since then been changes in language and approach. Situational crime prevention no longer dominates. The language is of community safety and crime reduction. The focus is on fear of crime and incivilities, as well as crime. Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships now have statutory responsibilities at a local level. While in some ways the circumstances are auspicious for improved, evidence-based policy and practice, they face substantial obstacles.

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FUTURE ROLE OF SMALL MEDICAL PRACTISES SET OUT

Headlines, PublicNet: 23 November, 2005

Small medical practises have an important role to play in the modern health service according to two new papers, “People matter: doctors, patients and the NHS” and “Squaring the Circle” produced by the NHS Alliance and the Small Practices Association. They dismiss the suggestion that small practises are out-dated anachronisms.”People Matter” says that small practises provide continuity in the doctor-patient relationship, which can have a major impact on health and health care costs. It points to research that consistently confirms that this continuity is what all groups of patients prefer and says this is particularly important for those with serious health problems. People with long term conditions, carers and the elderly also value what is now called ‘relational continuity’, according to the authors of the report.

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MORE VOLUNTEER FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Headlines, PublicNet: 23 November, 2005

There has been a 20 per cent increase in the number of people giving their time to help projects aiming to reduce crime, improve health and increase learning and community involvement opportunities through the UK’s largest volunteering and training charity, CSV.In a review today the charity says 195,000 people volunteer each year. CSV also reports a 12.5 per cent increase in its turnover to 43.6 million pounds. The number of trainees has also risen by 20 per cent 11,500 with a further 4,415 people training on CSV’s media programmes. Senior journalists from the national media have volunteered their own time to highlight some of CSV’s projects as part of the charity’s latest annual review.

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EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Book News, PublicNet: 22 November, 2005

By John AdairThis book highlights the link between the task needs, team maintenance needs and individual needs and demonstrates that the outcome of every situation involving leadership depends on these three factors. The author argues that leaders must possess the skills and expertise to ensure the group works together as a team in order to get the task done. But leadership requires more than equipping leaders or would-be leaders with knowledge and skills. The secret to becoming a successful leader is recognising the greatness that lies in others, but a person who shows leadership capabilities at one level is not always capable of exercising them at the next level – competence is a must.

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SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES TEAM MEMBERS NAMED

Headlines, PublicNet: 22 November, 2005

The Deputy Prime Minister has named the team who will drive a campaign to deliver the skills seen as necessary to create sustainable communities. The eight board members of the Academy for Sustainable Communities include a local authority chief executive as well as experts in various aspects of regenearation.The team, named by John Prescott, will work alongside the Academy Chair, Professor Peter Roberts and the recently appointed Chief Executive, Dr Gill Taylor. The academy, which is based in Leeds, has been established to develop a new approach to improving the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to deliver sustainable communities. It will work with a range of professionals, including planners, architects, housing specialists, social and health workers, to ensure an integrated approach.

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PATIENTS WANT HARD LINE ON SELF-INFLICTED ILLNESS

Headlines, PublicNet: 22 November, 2005

Four out of ten people believe those who do not look after their health should be penalised, according to a report today that also shows a third of people want to see charges for medical treatment for patients who smoke, drink or are overweight and ten per cent backing a hard-line approach that would refuse treatment in some cases. The results of the study – from private medical insurers BUPA – will be debated later today by professionals from a range of health care sectors. The study reveals that 44 percent of Britons feel the Government should shoulder the majority of the responsibility for looking after their health. Four in 10 people also want even more health advice from the Government and there is widespread approval for the recent ban on junk food advertising. The study shows 41 percent of respondents believed this was a very responsible action and almost a third saw it as ‘necessary because no one else will do it.’Similarly the survey results show 80 per cent of people believe the Government should play a greater part in the regulation of food manufacturers and 73 percent believe there should be a crackdown on the media and advertisers to ensure they portray only healthy lifestyles. Three quarters of people would like to see annual health screenings for all adults and almost half believe there should be higher taxes on cigarettes and alcohol. Another sign of the tougher approach to health issues is that 62 per cent of respondents believe employers should monitor sickness absence more effectively and in some cases, even refuse to pay sick leave.

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