Heads of adult social services have renewed calls for changes in the balance of funding between the health and social care services to improve provision for older people whether they are living in their own homes or in residential or nursing homes. The Association of Directors of Social Services said cash-strapped social care budgets were being increasingly exposed.

ADASS is calling on the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, to take a second look at this year’s Comprehensive Spending Review to see if new money or funding generated from current NHS acute services can be found to tackle the problem.

Read more on CALL FOR NHS CASH TO FOLLOW OLDER PEOPLE INTO SOCIAL CARE…

Family doctors are still being bombarded with promotional material and inducements from drug companies in spite of a toughened code of practice, according to the consumer organisation ‘Which?’. Survey results published today show that on average GPs get four visits a month from drug company representatives and five promotional mailings about new drugs every week.

Read more on GPs ‘BOMBARDED’ BY DRUG COMPANY PROMOTIONS SAYS CONSUMER GROUP…

The Government’s strategy to strengthen regional delivery of sustainable development was published 12 months ago and this publication from Defra describes some of the work being done by regional partnerships to further sustainable development. It covers tackling climate change, changing attitudes, changing behaviours and improving skills, knowledge and decision-making.Each region has produced an aspirational goal or challenge and they include ‘to be a carbon neutral north east’ and ‘to reduce the ecological footprint of Yorkshire and Humber by 25% in 10 years’.

Read more on SECURING THE FUTURE THROUGH PARNTSHIP AND INNOVATION IN THE REGIONS…