NHS Commissioning Board consults on specialised services

All patients requiring treatment from a specialised service are to have access to the same standard of service and the same clinical policy wherever they live.

The nature and extent of this specialised care are subject to a consultation, launched today by the NHS Commissioning Board.

The six week consultation running from 12 December 2012 to 18 January 2013 will seek the views of patients and carers, patient groups, charities, nurses, doctors and service providers on 120 draft service specifications and 43 underpinning clinical commissioning policies.

The types of specialised service opinions are invited on are

§ Area A – Internal medicine (digestion, renal, hepatobiliary, and circulatory system)

§ Area B – Cancer and blood (infection, cancer, immunity and haematology)

§ Area C – Mental health

§ Area D – Trauma (traumatic injury, orthopaedics, head and neck, and rehabilitation)

§ Area E – Women and children (women and children, and congenital and inherited diseases)

Developed by expert clinicians, commissioners of care and patient representatives working closely together, this nationally consistent approach aims to provide patients across England with high quality care and equitable treatment.

The detailed service specifications embrace a wide variety of complex conditions ranging from cleft lip and palate surgery, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell and thalessaemia to neurology, secure mental health services and children’s cancer services. The consultation will provide feedback on whether the specifications and accompanying policies are clear, comprehensive and take into account everyone who may be affected by them.

The specifications directly spell out what commissioners will want from a service in terms of clinical practice, evidence base, quality standards and access criteria. There are significant variations in access to specialised care across England and a consistent approach to planning and commissioning, delivered at a local level, will help to tackle these differences and ensure everyone receives the same standard of care.

The service specifications describe core and developmental standards, clearly defining what the NHS CB expects to be in place for providers to offer evidence-based, safe and effective services. Core standards are those that any reasonable provider of safe and effective services should be able to demonstrate. Developmental standards are those that are designed to stretch services over time to provide excellence in the field.

Where providers are unable to move to the agreed common standards by April 2013, the NHS Commissioning Board will put in place time limited exceptions (or derogations) allowing providers to continue providing essential quality services for their patients whilst working to meet the new rigorous and coherent service specifications.

Consultation details are here;

http://www.commissioningboard.nhs.uk/2012/12/12/ssc-consult/

There are some FAQs here;

http://www.commissioningboard.nhs.uk/files/2012/12/ssc-consult-faqs.pdf

 

Consultation on what should happen when care home providers fail

The Department of Health has launched a 12 week consultation on new measures to protect people who rely on care services in the event of provider failure.

Under the draft proposals as well as the quality and safety of care provided care homes finances could be regulated to prevent a repeat of the crisis caused by the collapse of Southern Cross, Britain's biggest care homes operator.

The collapse of Southern Cross affected over 30,000 elderly and vulnerable people last year. The firm was crippled by having to pay a £250m rent bill as councils sought to cut fees they paid.

Under the proposals the Government would also introduce regulation of major care providers and, if a provider failed, there would be plans to support a well-managed exit.

The plans include measures to:

· oversee financial performance of providers

· challenge business models to make sure they can support the delivery of quality care services

· ensure businesses develop plans to recover from financial distress

· provide the regulator with information to develop contingency plans with local authorities for continuing care in the event of a failure

· coordinate and communicate with local authorities and relevant parties in the event of failure to ensure people’s care and support needs continue to be met.

If these proposals are taken forward, the legislation would come into force with the Care and Support Bill in April 2015, subject to parliamentary approval.

The 12 week consultation ends on Friday 1 March 2013.

More information on the Department of Health website:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/12/provider-failures/

Download a copy of the consultation document.

Download a copy of the consultation response form.

Read the impact assessment and equalities analysis.

 

Changes to the NHS Constitution

The Government has announced proposals to strengthen patient rights set out in the NHS constitution. The NHS Constitution sets out in one place what patients can expect from the NHS, including rights

• to be treated with respect and humanity;
• to have access to NICE-approved drugs;
• to make choices about their NHS care.

Proposals to strengthen the NHS Constitution are set out for public consultation today, with the NHS, patients and public all being asked to respond.

The main changes proposed cover:

• a new responsibility for staff to treat patients not only with the highest standards of care, but also with compassion, dignity and respect
• a new pledge making it explicit that patients can expect to sleep in single-sex wards
• a new pledge to patients that NHS staff must be open and honest with them if things go wrong or mistakes happen – this ‘duty of candour’ will become a condition in the NHS Standard Contract from April 2013.

The changes also make it clearer that:

• patients, their families and carers should be fully involved in all discussions and decisions about their care and treatment, including their end of life care
• patients who are abusive or violent to NHS staff could be refused treatment
• the NHS is equally concerned about physical and mental health.

The consultation will last for 12 weeks and anyone who would like to have their say on the new changes to the constitution can do so by visiting the DH website.

The closing date for comments is 28 January 2013.

Responses to the consultation will feed into a revised version of the NHS Constitution, which will be published by April 2013

Read the current NHS Constitution

Read a letter from Steve Field about how the constitution can be strengthened

Read the full consultation document

Protecting patients’ interests - ensuring continuity of NHS services
A consultation on proposals for a health special administration procedure for companies

For the first time, NHS services provided by companies and social enterprises will be secured if they become insolvent. This will ensure that, regardless of the type of provider, patients will receive an uninterrupted service they can rely on.

The new Department of Health consultation covers what should happen if companies providing NHS care (public limited companies, private limited companies, companies limited by guarantee, community interest companies and overseas companies) go into administration.

Under the Health and Social Care Act, Monitor, the financial regulator of the NHS, will be able to put independent providers of NHS services through rigorous checks to ensure they are able to remain financially stable. As a last resort, Monitor will be able to seek the appointment of a health special administrator, who will take control of the company, working with local health professionals so that service can continue.

There are some FAQs about the consultation and the new arrangements for keeping NHS services going if a provider goes into administration; https://www.wp.dh.gov.uk/publications/files/2012/10/HSA-faqs.pdf

Protecting patients’ interests -ensuring continuity of NHS services

Read the full consultation document and an executive summary here;http://healthandcare.dh.gov.uk/hsa-consultation

Deadline for comments is 4 January 2013.

Care Quality Commission The next phase: Consultation on the CQC strategy for 2013 to 2016

The Care Quality Commission is the regulator for hospitals, care homes, care at home, dentists and, from next year, GPs. They are consulting on their plan for the next three years ahead which will see them regulate many services and provid3ers of services during big changes to the NHS and social care services in England

"Over the next three years, we are determined to:

• Improve how we use information and develop a model of regulation based on what drives the greatest improvements in the quality of care.
• Strengthen our work with strategic partners to achieve our common purpose of improving the quality of health and social care.
• Continue to build better relationships with the public, making the most of the opportunity Healthwatch offers to make sure people’s voices are heard and using their views more systematically in our work.
• Build further respect and credibility with providers and make sure we are ‘good to do business with’.
• Make sure we are more fully equipped and able to deliver our unique legislative responsibilities in mental health and mental capacity.
• Continue our drive to become a high performing organisation."

Read their consultation document

Read a quick guide

Read an Easy Read quick guide to the consultation

Consultation on national performers list for GPs, dentists and ophthalmologists

A consultation proposing that in future, there is one national list of general practice doctors, dentists and ophthalmologists approved to provide NHS primary care services has been launched.

At the moment medical, dental and ophthalmic practitioners may not perform NHS primary care services in England unless they are included on a performers list held by a primary care trust (PCT). The performers’ list system provides PCTs with powers to manage these performers and protect the public from any performers that fall below the required standards.

The consultation seeks responses on proposed changes, including:

• the introduction of national lists
• changes to the ‘minimum service’ that performers on the list will need to perform
• changes to suspension powers, including, immediate suspension and  additional powers at suspension hearings
• changes to the requirement to submit criminal records checks.

The closing date for responses is 14 December 2012.

• respond to the consultation on line
• performers lists regulations 2013 consultation overview including annex B
• annex A draft regulations
• annex C summary of the recommendations of the performers list review
• annex D provides a word copy of the consultation questionnaire

For enquiries or responding by email send to: performerslists@dh.gsi.gov.uk.

The Health and Social Care Act 2012 requires changes to be made to the Performers Lists Regulations. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 abolishes PCTs and creates the NHS Commissioning Board (NHS CB) and clinical commissioning groups. From April 2013, the performers’ lists will become the responsibility of the NHS CB.

Westminster Tenancy Policy for the City Council’s own housing stock

Westminster City Council has published a draft Tenancy Policy for consultation.

The Tenancy Policy sets out the City Council’s approach to the new fixed term tenure in its own stock (made possible by the Localism Act). It also covers other matters such as discretionary succession policies, general approach to tenancy management, supporting vulnerable tenants and rent increases for high earners.

The main proposals in the Tenancy Policy relating to flexible tenancies are:

Most new tenancies will be for a five year term, although lifetime tenancies will be offered to older people in community supportive (sheltered) housing. Shorter tenancies will be offered only in exceptional circumstances

Most tenancies will be considered for renewal at the end of the term. It is expected that in the majority of circumstances a new tenancy at the same address or another address will be offered (a new tenancy at another address will be offered if there is under occupation)

No further tenancy (at any property) will generally be offered if there has been a serious and persistent breach of the tenancy agreement at a level where it would be reasonable to apply to the court for possession

The tenancy review meeting (to decide if a further tenancy should be offered) will be sensitive to the needs of vulnerable people and it is intended to be a positive experience for tenants, which also links them to any necessary support and advice

Appeals about the length of tenancy offered, or the decision not to renew a tenancy can be made in a variety of ways and in some cases a face to face meeting will be needed.

Information will be provided about where independent advice can be obtained if the tenant is unhappy with the outcome of the appeal.

Housing Directorate

This matter is being dealt with by: Cecily Herdman

Direct line: (020) 7641 2789

Fax No: (020) 7641 1904

Email: cherdman@westminster.gov.uk

The Council would very much like to hear your views on the policy and particularly on:

1. How can we ensure new tenants are fully aware of the implications of being a flexible tenant?

2. How else can we ensure the review meeting is sensitive to the needs of different people, particularly vulnerable people, and that it is a positive experience? What other type of advice and support could be offered at the review meeting?

3. What type of help do people, particularly vulnerable people, need to move when they are under occupying?

4. Does the policy give tenants, particularly those that are vulnerable, adequate ways to appeal?

5. What other type of advice should be available where tenancies are not being renewed?

6. How else can we communicate the Tenancy Policy in an accessible way? Who else needs to be informed about the policy?

7. How else could vulnerable people be supported?

8. How can residents be more involved in reporting social housing fraud?

Please note the City Council intends for all new tenancies from early 2013 to be on fixed terms, but expects in the majority of cases tenancies will be renewed at the same or another address. This will not affect the security of tenure of existing tenants. 

Read the full consultation document

Read an accompanying letter

Please respond by Wednesday 14th November 12 to: Cecily Herdman, Housing Strategy

Team, 9th Floor City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP, Tel 020 7641 2789, Email;

cherdman@westminster.gov.uk.

Consultation on ensuring fair and transparent pricing for NHS services

A consultation to help ensure fair and transparent pricing for NHS services is opened today by the Department of Health.

From April 2014, Monitor and the NHS Commissioning Board will take over responsibility for pricing NHS services from the Department. They will do this through the national tariff. These arrangements will place responsibility for pricing with the bodies best placed in the new system to undertake it.

This consultation seeks views on the Department of Health’s proposals for:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->§ <!--[endif]-->which providers can formally object to Monitor’s way of calculating prices

<!--[if !supportLists]-->§ <!--[endif]-->what level of objections from commissioners and/or providers would require Monitor to: reconsider how it calculates prices, or refer its way of calculating prices to the Competition Commission, who will then decide whether or not it is appropriate.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->§ <!--[endif]-->Respond to the consultation online

<!--[if !supportLists]-->§ <!--[endif]-->Read Fair and transparent pricing for NHS services – A consultation on proposals for objecting to proposed pricing methodology

<!--[if !supportLists]-->§ <!--[endif]-->Download consultation response form

The closing date for responses is 21 December 2012.

This consultation should be considered alongside current consultations on a new licensing regime for providers of NHS services and procurement regulations for NHS commissioners.

Building Better Mental Healthcare Consultation

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust specialises in caring for people with mental health problems, addictions and learning disabilities across London, as well as providing community health services to residents in Hillingdon and Camden, and primary care services in a number of prisons.

CNWL are proposing to make changes to inpatient mental health services in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (K&C) and the City of Westminster.

On 24th August CNWL launched a Building Better Mental Healthcare consultation on the planned changes running from 24 August to 16 November 2012

http://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/consultations.html

For further information about the consultation or if you require a translation of any of the consultation documents into another language, large print or Braille format please call  020 3315 6013 or email  acute.serviceline@nhs.net

Full Consultation Document

http://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/uploads/CNWL_A5_summary_web.pdf

Consultation Summary

http://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/uploads/CNWL_A5_summary_web.pdf

Public Consultation Meetings

Friday 21 September, 9.30am to 1pm Queens Park Library

Tuesday 25 September, 1pm to 5pm Chelsea Sports Centre

Thursday 4 October, 1pm to 5pm North Kensington Library

Thursday 11 October, 1pm to 5pm Victoria Library

Friday 19 October, 9.30am to 1pm Chelsea Library

Wednesday 24 October, 1pm to 5pm Charing Cross Library

Consultation on proposed changes to specialist housing for older people

The council and NHS are reviewing the future of care homes for older people in Westminster.

Details from the Council website are below -

“The change is being proposed because residential care no longer provides the type of care and facilities that people need. The council and local NHS wish to phase out residential care and provide a new type of home that gives people independence, privacy and better care through extra care sheltered housing.

Extra care housing is independent flats with access to a 24-hour care team if required.

We also need to increase care places for those with dementia. We propose to do this by building some new care homes and rebuilding others.

Why are you proposing these changes?

We want to:

• provide different types of care on one site so that people don’t have to move home when their condition changes
• provide more homes in Westminster so people don’t have to be placed outside the city
• improve old buildings to meet to meet the highest possible environmental and care standards to support people to live as independently a life as possible.

Which homes are likely to be affected if the changes go ahead?

Athlone House

Woodfield Road, London, W9 2BA (nursing care and rehabilitation)

Butterworth Centre

Hospital of St. John and Elizabeth, Circus Road, London, NW8 9SE (nursing care home)

Carlton Dene

Kilburn Park Road, London, NW6 5XD (residential care home)

Garside House

Regency Street, London, SW1P 4AH (nursing care home)

Westmead

4 Tavistock Road, London, W11 1BA (residential care home)

All resident living in a care home affected will move to a new or refurbished home that meets their needs. You will be involved in planning the proposed new facilities and designing the new buildings so any changes are for the better.

You will be fully involved in deciding where you move and we aim to help you to stay as close to your original neighbourhood as possible depending on your care needs.

Suggested changes

Further details of our proposals are in the specialist housing consultation document.

Timeline

Consultation closes Monday 3rd December  

Decision on the future of specialist housing January 2013

Any changes that are implemented as a result of the consultation will be implemented over the next five years.

Have your say

Fill in: an online form

Print out: the consultation form and send it the address below

Email: ophousing@westminster.gov.uk 

Write to: Specialist housing consultation, Westminster City Council, 14th floor, 64 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP

Call: 020 7641 2631

This is a joint consultation between Central London Clinical Commissioning Group, West London Clinical Commissioning Group and Westminster City Council.”

Read a Council press release on the proposed changes

There are four consultation events for you to find out more:

Monday 24th September, 1-3pm

Church House Conference Centre, Dean’s Yard, SW1P 3NZ

Nearest tube: Westminster/St. James’s Park

Wednesday 26th September, 7-9pm

Church House Conference Centre, Dean’s Yard, SW1P 3NZ

Wednesday 3rd October, 7-9pm

Westminster Academy, The Naim Dangoor Centre, 255 Harrow Road, W2 5EZ

Nearest tube: Royal Oak/Westbourne Park

Monday 29th October, 1-3pm

Westminster Academy, The Naim Dangoor Centre, 255 Harrow Road, W2 5EZ

For more info about this consultation or the events contact the Council on 020 7641 2631 or email OPHousingviews@westminster.gov.uk by 3rd December 2012.

 

 

SAFEGUARDING ADULTS AT RISK

Developing good governance: Consultation

There are now Tri-borough arrangements for many services across Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham, including adult social care.

The three local authorities plan to review the existing local adult Safeguarding Boards in the three boroughs, and propose a number of options for the future governance of adult Safeguarding.

The current arrangements of an executive board, three partnership boards or committees, and three sub-groups in each borough, (working on the three main adult safeguarding work-streams), convened every three months constitutes a total of 49 meetings a year, or about one meeting a week. This level of activity is practically not sustainable with the current pressures on staff time across all agencies.

The options that are being consulted on are:

A. Create a single Safeguarding Adults Executive Board across the three boroughs, retaining partnership groups in each of the three boroughs.

B. Merge the Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea Boards (to reflect Bi-borough arrangements of a single Chief Executive).

C. Create a single Safeguarding Adults Executive Board across tri-borough.

Deadline for responses is 1st October 2012. To respond you can

• complete a questionnaire (in the main consultation document)
• complete an on-line survey here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LKJXV3J
• or to return a written submission by 1st October 2012 to the following address or mailbox:

Professional Standards and Safeguarding Team

Floor 3, 77 - 89 Glenthorne Road,

London W6 0LJ

Or safeguardingadults@westminster.gov.uk

Licensing of NHS funded services

This consultation covers which providers of NHS funded services will need to hold a licence with Monitor, the sector regulator for the health service.

For the first time, Monitor will regulate private and voluntary providers, setting out the safeguards to ensure patients receive the best quality care possible. These safeguards will also prevent abuses of power, such as providers charging higher prices to boost profits or refusing to cooperate in service integration.

The Department will report back on the consultations later in the year.

Consultation launched on proposals for commissioners to deliver best value

Respond to the consultation online

Read Securing best value for NHS patients: Requirements for commissioners to adhere to good procurement practice and protect patient choice

Download consultation response form

The closing date for responses is 26 October 2012.

If you have any questions on this consultation, please emailpccr.consultation@dh.gsi.gov.uk

Procurement, Choice and Competition

This consultation covers how the health service can manage potential conflicts of interests in Clinical Commissioning Groups, including Monitor’s role in investigating any claims of a breach of their code of conduct. This also explains how, for the first time, patients’ rights to choice under the NHS Constitution will be enforceable wherever they live in England.

Proposals for regulations to protect patients’ interests by ensuring that commissioners always deliver best value are being consulted on by the Department of Health.

The consultation sets out proposals for requirements to:

ensure good procurement practice by commissioners including requirements to act transparently, avoid discrimination and purchase services from the providers best placed to meet patients’ needs ensure that commissioners enable patients to exercise their rights to choose as set out in the NHS Constitution

prohibit commissioners from taking actions that restrict competition where this is against patients’ interests

ensure that commissioners manage conflicts of interest and that particular interests do not influence their decision-making.

Responding to the consultation

Respond to the consultation online

Read Protecting and promoting patients’ interests – licensing providers of NHS services: A consultation on proposals

Download consultation response form

The closing date for responses is 22 October 2012.

If you have any questions on this consultation, please emaillicence.exemptions@dh.gsi.gov.uk

The proposals should be considered alongside Monitor’s current consultation on the draft licence conditions with which providers would be required to comply.

A Strategy for Travel Support and Transport for Adults in Tri-borough 2012-17 – Draft for comments

The three local councils (Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea) have published a draft strategy on Travel Support and Transport for Adults across the Tri-borough area and an from Andrew Webster from the Tri-Borough Executive Director for Adult Social Care introducing the strategy.

They are seeking comments, particularly on Section 3 Aims and Objectives, and Section 10 Implementation.

The deadline for providing feedback is by the 21st September 2012.

The letter gives further details about the strategy, background, reasoning and consultation.

For further information or to send your response please contact Pete McDonnell, Senior Commissioner (Community) Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster

T: 020 7361 2715, E: Peter.McDonnell@rbkc.gov.uk

Consultation on joint strategic needs assessment and joint health and wellbeing strategy guidance

A consultation has been launched to seek views on draft guidance for Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNAs) and Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategies (JHWSs).

The guidance is described as “Statutory guidance about duties and powers for health and wellbeing boards relating to Joint Strategic Needs Assessments and Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategies”

The guidance aims to support boards and their partners by:

• laying out the statutory duties, which underpin the undertaking of JSNAs and JHWSs by clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and local authorities through health and wellbeing boards from April 2013.

• explaining how JSNAs, JHWSs and commissioning plans fit together in the modernised health and care system.

• setting out how an enhanced JSNA process and JHWS will enable the NHS and local government, working with their community and partner organisations, to make real improvements to the health and wellbeing of local people.

Responses should be submitted by Friday 28 September.

Consultation, supporting documents and further information on the Department of Health website:http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/07/consultation-jsna

Consultation Questions

1. Does the guidance translate the legal duties in a way which is clear in terms of enabling an understanding of what health and wellbeing boards, local authorities and CCGs must do in relation to JSNAs and JHWSs?

2. It is the Department of Health’s (DH’s) view that health and wellbeing boards should be able to decide their own timing cycles for JSNAs and JHWSs in line with their local circumstances rather than guidance being given on this; and this view was supported during the structured engagement process. Does the guidance support this?

3. Is the guidance likely to support health and wellbeing boards in relation to the content of their JSNAs and JHWSs?

4. Does the guidance support the principle of joined-up working, between health and wellbeing board members and also between health and wellbeing boards and wider local partners in a way that is flexible and suits local circumstances?

5. The DH is working with partners to develop wider resources to support health and wellbeing boards on specific issues in JSNAs and JHWSs, and equality is one theme being explored.

a) In your view, have past JSNAs demonstrated that equality duties have been met?

b) How do you think the new duties and powers, and this guidance will support health and wellbeing board members and commissioners to prevent the disadvantage of groups with protected characteristics, and perhaps other groups identified as in vulnerable circumstances in your area?

6. a) In your view, have JSNAs in the past contributed to developing an understanding of health inequalities across the local area and in particular the needs of people in vulnerable circumstances and excluded groups?

b) What supportive materials would help health and wellbeing boards to identify and understand health inequalities?

7. It is the DH’s view that health and wellbeing boards should make use of a wide range of sources and types of evidence for JSNAs and they should be able to determine the best sources to use according to local circumstances. This view was supported during the structured engagement process. What supportive materials would help health and wellbeing boards to make the best use of a wide range of information and evidence to reach a view on local needs and assets, and to formulate strategies to address those needs?

8. What do you think NHS and social care commissioners are going to do differently in light of the new duties and powers, and as a result of this guidance? – what do you think the impact of this guidance will be on the behaviour of local partners?

9. How do you think your local community will benefit from the work of health and wellbeing boards in undertaking JSNAs and JHWSs? – what do you think th

When this consultation closes on 28 September, comments will be processed, analysed and incorporated where appropriate and the final guidance document should be published during the autumn

Transport for London bus travel consultation

Ending bus "Pay Before you Board" arrangements and removing road-side ticket machines

It is Transport for London’s intention to discontinue bus “Pay Before You Board” arrangements and remove all remaining Roadside Ticket Machines (RTMs) in a scheme that starts on 28 September 2012, and finishes in February 2013.

The main “Pay Before You Board” area is bounded by Kings Cross, Waterloo, Victoria and Paddington stations, but this arrangement also currently applies to the section of route 521 outside this area to London Bridge, and on route W7 (Finsbury Park to Muswell Hill).

RTMs are located at all bus stops where “Pay Before You Board” applies; they sell Single Journey tickets at the normal cash fare. There are 420 of them and before Oyster they enabled customers to buy a ticket without having to pay the driver. This sped-up buses and helped everyone get around quicker.

The continuing decline in cash fare payments (now only 1.1% of total passenger journeys) and the low level of RTM use across London (about 40,000 tickets a week) means that the savings from maintaining the network of RTMs (about £1.9m a year) can be re-invested back into the transport system.

RTM users will in future be able to pay their cash fare on the bus, but they are encouraged to use Oyster Pay As You Go, a comparison of the benefits is shown below. Removing RTMs will also contribute to reducing street clutter.

A snapshot of the changes and what they will mean

Oyster	Cash tickets from RTMs
£5 refundable deposit	No deposit
Use again and again	Use once
Widely available	Only available from RTMs
Can be used on all modes across the network	Can only be used on buses; journey mast start within 60 minutes of purchase
Secure if a lost or stolen card is reported	Can be lost, stolen or damaged
Maximum daily fare capped at £4.20	£2.30 for each journey
Adults only pay cheapest fare (£1.35)	Only fare available £2.30 for one journey – exact money only and no change given
Personal safety - allows for getting you home if not enough credit on card	Always need to carry cash with you

Having your say on this consultation

Contact

STEngagement@tfl.gov.uk

Dates

Runs from 31 Jul 2012 to 7 Sep 2012

You can respond to the consultation online;

https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/pay-before-you-board/consult_view

Shaping a healthier future for North West London

Shaping a healthier future is a programme to improve NHS services for the two million people who live in North West London.

This consultation will run for 14 weeks from 2 July – 8 October 2012 and there are many ways you can learn more and get involved.

The full consultation document – Shaping a healthier future - Better healthcare in North West London – is now online. This sets out in detail the vision for improved healthcare and the proposals for how we need to change the way some services are delivered to achieve this vision. A shorter, summary version will also be available.

At the back of the printed document is a separate response form which contains detailed questions on different aspects of the plans. This response form can also be filled in online.

They are also available on request using the contact details below.

Consultation events

There will be regular public consultation events across North West London and neighbouring boroughs.

To find out about other events near you please visit www.healthiernorthwestlondon.nhs.uk or contact NHS North West London using the details below.

Website

• read the proposals in full

• download the Consultation Document

• use an interactive tool to understand how the changes might affect you

• fill in the consultation response form

www.healthiernorthwestlondon.nhs.uk

Contacts for further information

Call 0800 881 5209

Email consultation@nw.london.nhs.uk

Write to us at FREEPOST SHAPING A HEALTHIER FUTURE CONSULTATION (This must be written in capital letters and on one line. You will not need a stamp.

If you would like to request a hard copy of the full consultation document and response form or if you would like to get in touch with the Shaping a healthier future team please:

• Call 0800 881 5209

• Email consultation@nw.london.nhs.uk

• Write to FREEPOST SHAPING A HEALTHIER FUTURE CONSULTATION (This must be written in capital letters and on one line. You will not need a stamp.)

Local Authority Health Review and Scrutiny: proposals for consultation

A consultation launched by the Department of Health asks for comments on a number of proposed changes to the regulations governing health overview and scrutiny.

The changes proposed in this consultation will update the arrangements and regulations for local authority health scrutiny and help to ensure that the interests of patients and the public are at the heart of the planning, delivery and reconfiguration of health services.

The consultation seeks views on whether health service reconfiguration and referrals should also include a:

Requirement for local authorities and the NHS to agree and publish clear timescales for making a decision on whether a proposal should be referred

New intermediate referral stage to the NHS Commissioning Board for some service reconfigurations

Requirement for local authorities to take account of the financial sustainability of services when considering a referral, in addition to issues of safety, effectiveness and the patient experience

Requirement for health scrutiny to obtain the agreement of the full council before a referral can be made.

Since the health scrutiny powers were introduced in 2003, NHS organisations, health services and local authorities have changed substantially, and the Health and Social Care Act 2012 will bring about further structural reforms.

There is a need to bring the arrangements for health scrutiny into line with these changes.

The amendments are intended to strengthen accountability of NHS services and support effective service change.

You can read the consultation document here and respond to the consultation here.

The consultation runs until 7th September.

.

Consultation on a new adult safeguarding power

The Department of Health is consulting on a new adult safeguarding power.

It is seeking views on the need for new powers where a local authority has reasonable cause for concern that a person (with mental capacity) is experiencing abuse or neglect, and someone else in the property is preventing the local authority from speaking with that person.

The proposal is for a new power - whether the local authority should be able to apply for a warrant to enter the premises and speak with that person alone. This power would support local authorities’ to carry out the new duty to make enquiries

The Department of Health wants opinions on whether Local Authorities currently have sufficient power to gain access to a person who may be at risk of abuse where this is appropriate

Consultation details and the full consultation document here;

http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/07/safeguardingadults/

The consultation will run from 11 July until 12 October 2012. Comments received after 12 October 2012 will not be considered. Please submit your comments by email tosafeguardingconsultation@dh.gsi.gov.uk or by post to: Quality and Safety Team, Department of Health, 124 Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8UG.

Consultation on NHS Care Objectives

The new NHS Commissioning Board will oversee the way that over £80 billion of taxpayers’ money is spent to secure NHS services for the people of England.

Under the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the Government must set objectives for the Board in a “mandate”, which must be updated every year, following consultation.

The mandate is one way for the Government to set objectives for the Board,

The Department of Health has published:

· a draft of the first mandate, informed by previous consultations, debates in Parliament and discussions with stakeholders;

· a draft “choice framework”, illustrating the Government’s intended approach to explaining the choices that will be available for people using NHS services in England;

http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/files/2012/07/A-draft-mandate-to-the-NHS-Commissioning-Board.pdf

· a consultation document, which explains the approach to developing the mandate.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/files/2012/07/A-consultation-on-the-draft-mandate-to-the-NHS-Commissioning-Board.pdf

A final mandate will be published in the autumn, ready to come into force from April 2013.

At the heart of the care objectives are a series of standards that broadly cover the range of work the NHS does:

· Preventing premature deaths – helping people live longer

· Supporting people with a long term condition to look after themselves

· Supporting people through their recovery from episodes of ill health or injury

· Making sure that people have a positive experience of care in the NHS

· Treating people in a clean, safe, environment and protecting them from unnecessary harm.

The NHS Commissioning Board will be established on 1 October 2012. The NHS Commissioning Board Authority, a Special Health Authority set up to prepare for the establishment of the Board, is being abolished at the same time as the Board is created.

This consultation will run from 4th July to 26th September 2012.

Consultation questions

Our approach to the mandate

1. Will the mandate drive a culture which puts patients at the heart of everything the NHS does?

2. Do you agree with the overall approach to the draft mandate and the way the mandate is structured?

3. Are the objectives right? Could they be simplified and/or reduced in number; are there objectives missing? Do they reflect the over-arching goals of NHS commissioning?

Assessing progress

4. What is the best way of assessing progress against the mandate, and how can other people or organisations best contribute to this?

5. Do you have views now about how the mandate should develop in future years?

Improving our health and our healthcare

6. Do you agree that the mandate should be based around the NHS Outcomes Framework, and therefore avoid setting separate objectives for individual clinical conditions?

7. Is this the right way to set objectives for improving outcomes and tackling inequalities?

8. How could this approach develop in future mandates?

Putting patients first

9. Is this the right way for the mandate to support shared decision-making, integrated care and support for carers?

10. Do you support the idea of publishing a “choice framework” for patients alongside the mandate?

The broader contribution of the NHS

11. Does the draft mandate properly reflect the role of the NHS in supporting broader social and economic objectives?

Effective commissioning

12. Should the mandate include objectives about how the Board implements reforms and establishes the new commissioning system?

To respond

You can respond to this consultation online here

http://consultations.dh.gov.uk/nhs-commissioning-unit/mandate/consultation/intro/view

You can also fill in an online survey and give your views on each objective

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7VP6XRY

Short consultation: London Councils draft specifications for services to be delivered under the Grants Programme 2013/15

London Councils agreed new principles and priorities for the new grants programme 2013/15 and indicative specifications at the meeting of the Leaders’ Committee held on 12 June 2012.

London Councils is now inviting views on the specifications for each service that it is proposed will be commissioned from April 2013 to deliver the agreed funding priorities of the grants programme 2013/15.

• Homelessness
• Violence against women and girls
• Poverty
• Providing Support to London's VCO's

The consultation asks for your views on:

• 11 proposed specifications, in particular the proposed outcomes and activities to be delivered
• Equalities effects
• Funding levels per priority

Please complete the online consultation survey not later than 5pm on

Timetable

The timetable and next steps are as follows:

Close of the consultation: 5pm Friday 6 July 2012

Consideration by Grants Committee: 12 July 2012

Launch of funding round: Early August

Close of funding round: 12 September 2012

Assessment and decision making process: September 2012 -February 2013

New commissions start: 1 April 2013 or as soon as practicable thereafter for the period 2013/14 to 2014/15. (New commissions may be for a period up to two years, subject to review and an option to extend for a further 2 years to March 2017 where commissions are being delivered effectively.)

Further information and link to online survey here:

http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/grants/consultation/default.htm?utm_campaign=Grants%20Consultation%20June%202012&utm_source=emailCampaign&utm_medium=email

Consultation on changes to Westminster's advice services
Westminster Council has issued a consultation document on its plans to change the way advice services are funded and provided in the borough.

The Council currently has contracts with 15 services which include Citizens Advice Bureau, Age Concern, Action for Children and others.

The consultation document states “demand for advice services is expected to rise as the Government implements its welfare reform changes”. It further states that the Council want to “be even more accessible to the people who need the service the most”.

One of the drivers for any changes is to reduce the costs of advice services by 10%, saving the Council £100,000 a year.

There are two options for how the council could fund and provide advice services in future.

1. The council could offer a service which is open to everyone.

2. The council could offer a service where part of the service is open to everyone, whilst other parts are available only to the people who need our help the most such as older people, vulnerable parents and people with mental health needs.

Under this approach, services would be better tailored around the needs of more vulnerable people, but there would be less availability of advice services which anyone could access.

Consultation runs until August 22.

Consultation details and full documents here;
http://www.westminster.gov.uk/services/healthandsocialcare/adultservices/advice-services

Have your say on CLCH's Foundation Trust plans.

Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust is working to become an NHS Foundation Trust.

If you live in Barnet, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, or Westminster you are likely to receive healthcare from CLCH at some point in your life. You may also use their services if you come into Hammersmith & Fulham to work.

The Trust would like to tell you more and get your views on its Foundation Trust plans to improve integration across health and social care, make services more patient-centred and involve local people in the way their healthcare services are developed and run.

Come along to one of the public consultation meetings on:

Thursday 14 June 2012 7pm to 8pm at The Small Hall, Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London W8 7NX.

Thursday 21 June 2012 7.30pm to 8.30pm at Sangam Association of Asian Women, 210 Burnt Oak Broadway, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 0AP

Wednesday 27 June 2012 7pm to 8pm at Avenue House Estate Trust, Avenue House, 17 East End Road, Finchley Central, London N3 3QE

Thursday 05 July 2012 7pm to 8pm at Hammersmith Town Hall, King Street, Hammersmith, London W6 9JU.

There is more about the Foundation Trust plans and the chance to complete the consultation online atwww.clch.nhs.uk

Email ft.consultation@clch.nhs.uk or telephone 0800 169 6134 for more information or a copy of the consultation document.

Consultation closes 31 July 2012.

Consultation to ensure language checks for doctors

Doctors, born and working outside the UK, will have to prove they can speak English before they can practise in England under plans set out by the government and the doctors’ regulator the General Medical Council (GMC).

Under the proposals, the task of checking a foreign doctor’s language skills will fall to Responsible Officers (ROs), who will have powers to ensure that any doctor working in their organisation can speak English, including those from within the EU.

ROs would work with the GMC to ensure that a doctor working in their organisation has all the right checks, including making sure they understand NHS processes and medicines.

There are around 500 Responsible Officers in post in Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities, which will disappear next year in line with the new health and social care legislation. The consultation also seeks views on where they will work most effectively in the new look NHS.

The consultation will run for run for 14 weeks, from 18 April to 25 July

Department of Health Press release:http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/04/lconsultation-responsible-officers/

Consultation page - Responsible officers in the new health architecture: A Public Consultation on the Amendments to the Medical Profession (Responsible Officers) 2010 Regulations;http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_133601

Consultation on tobacco plain packaging launched
A UK-wide consultation on whether tobacco should be sold in standardised, or plain packaging, has been launched.

Standardised packaging could consist of, for example:

• no branding
• a uniform colour
• standard font and text for any writing on the pack

Views are also sought on whether there might be other implications if standardised packaging requirements were introduced, including any potential effect on the illicit tobacco market.

The consultation asks for views on whether:

• tobacco packaging should remain unchanged
• plain packaging should be adopted
• a different option should be considered

You have until 10 July to have your say on the tobacco packaging consultation.

Consultation documents and response forms are here:

http://consultations.dh.gov.uk/tobacco/standardised-packaging-of-tobacco-products/consult_view

 

 

Good Medical Practice for doctors

Doctors’ regulator the General Medical Council is refreshing the guidance its gives to doctors to make sure they practise safely and ethically.

Good Medical Practice is the GMC’s core guidance for doctors, and an updated version of this document, along with learning materials and other resource to help doctors apply guidance in their day to day practice will be published at the end of 2012.

A consultation on nine short pieces of guidance is now open and runs until Wednesday 13 June

The pieces GMC is consulting on are:

· Acting as a witness in legal proceedings

· Delegation and referral

· Financial and commercial arrangements and conflicts of interest

· Ending your professional relationship with a patient

· Maintaining boundaries which now splits into:

- Intimate examinations and chaperones

- Maintaining a professional boundary between you and your patient

- Sexual behaviour and your duty to report

· Personal beliefs and medical practice

· Reporting criminal and regulatory proceedings within and outside the UK

· Doctors’ use of social media

· Taking up and ending appointments

If you have a view on how doctors should act in any of these matters or all of them you can give your views. The consultation runs from Wednesday 18 April 2012 to Wednesday 13 June 2012.

Please contact the GMC by email at gmp2012@gmc-uk.org or by telephone on 020 7 189 5404.

Consultation on explanatory guidance: http://www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/12022.asp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UK Plan for Rare Diseases

The Department of Health in England has launched a consultation document on the UK Plan for Rare Diseases.  It has been produced jointly by the four nations of the UK and sets out a coherent and joined up approach to tackling rare diseases. This will be the first time that the UK has ever developed a plan on tackling rare disease and the consultation brings together a number of recommendations designed to improve coordination of care and lead to better outcomes for people with rare diseases.

The consultation documents and consultation response form can be accessed from the Department of Health’s website at http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/category/publications/consultations/

Consultation responses are invited from all the health & care professionals who may come into contact with someone with a rare disease at some point in their careers, as well as patients and their families, patient representative groups, and carers.

The consultation closes on 25th May 2012.  Responses should be sent to rarediseasesconsultationresponses@dh.gsi.gov.uk

 

Consultation on low secure services and psychiatric intensive care

A consultation document on low secure services and psychiatric intensive care has been launched for a three month consultation.

The draft guidance is on how low secure services should be provided

Low secure services are part of a spectrum of mental health care that ranges from community-based services, hospital-based services and specialist secure services including medium and high security.

The draft guidance for comment covers

• Providing a safe therapeutic environment
• Service Environment
• Workforce
• Governance
• Equalities

Responses need to be received in advance of 19 April 2012 deadline. Final guidance will be issued by the middle of 2012.

Further information, the draft guidance and a response form can be found here; http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/01/consultation-on-low-secure-services-and-psychiatric-intensive-care/

 

 

Care of people with dementia

NICE have been asked by the Department of Health to pilot the development of a social care quality standard on care of people with dementia for use in England. The draft scope defines the proposed settings, areas and activities the quality standard will consider and to whom it will apply. Registered stakeholders for this quality standard are invited to submit comments on the scope. Comments must be submitted by 13 April 2012.

3.1.1 Groups that will be covered

a) People with suspected or diagnosed dementia receiving formal social care support, including people self-funding their own care.

b) People with suspected or diagnosed dementia eligible for but not receiving formal social care support.

c) Unpaid carers of people with suspected or diagnosed dementia.

d) The following subgroups of people with suspected or diagnosed dementia, who may need special consideration, will be included:

• younger people

• people from seldom-heard groups, for example homeless people

• people sharing the protected characteristics covered by the  Equality Act 2010

• people with learning disabilities.

3.2 Settings

People’s homes (including assisted living accommodation).

b) Residential care homes (with or without nursing care).

c) Day care.

d) Hospitals, including emergency departments, inpatient care and transitions between departments.

e) Hospices.

f) Prisons.

3.3.1 Areas and activities that will be considered

Assessment and diagnosis

Personalised care, including

Delivery of care

Organisation of services

Support for unpaid carers

End of life care

Comments on the content of the draft scope must be submitted by 5 pm on  13 April 2012. All eligible comments received during consultation will be reviewed by the Topic Expert Group and the scope will be refined in line with the Topic Expert Group considerations. The final scope will then be available on the NICE website in June 2012.

Link to Response form (also attached to bottom of this page):

http://www.westminsterlink.org.uk/sites/westminsterlink.org.uk/files/Scopecommentsproforma.doc

Draft scope document (also attached to the bottom of this page):

http://www.westminsterlink.org.uk/sites/westminsterlink.org.uk/files/Dementiadraftscopeforconsultation.pdf

 

Consultation details: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qualitystandards/socialcare/CareOfPeopleWithDementia.jsp

 

 

 

Delivering Dignity: Securing dignity in care for older people in hospitals and care homes. A report for consultation.

Some key new recommendations to improve health and social care for older people, and prevent them suffering undignified care, have been published by the Commission on improving dignity in care.

The report recommends that nurses, doctors and care workers should be recruited as much for their compassion and communications skills as for their exam results. Other recommendations include

· Nursing sisters to be given responsibility for everything that happens on their ward

· Residents and their relatives should be involved in the running of care homes,

· A national care quality forum should be set up to investigate all aspects of the staffing of homes, including pay and qualifications, as part of a drive to raise the status of work in the care sector.

Read the key recommendations for hopsitals and care homes here or in the attachment below.

You can respond to the consultation by visiting www.nhsconfed.org/dignity and considering the following questions:

• Is the Commission making the right recommendations? If not, how should the recommendations change?

• Are you aware of a particular tool, set of guidance or example of care that the

Commission should highlight to help spread existing good practice?

• What would you like to see included in the action plan?

Department for Work and Pensions consultation on reforming the Work Capability Assessment

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a
consultation on reforming the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) to ensure that cancer patients receive the support they need.

The consultation will run until the 9th March and members who wish to may submit comments to WCA.team@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.

The consultation is seeking views from interested stakeholders, particularly from individuals who have been or are being affected by cancer, their families and carers, healthcare practitioners and
cancer specialists, and employers.  It aims to gather evidence about the effects of different cancer treatments and the range of debilitating effects they can cause.  In addition, it seeks views and experiences about the importance and appropriateness of work for individuals who are being treated for or recovering from cancer.

The consultation document including the annex, and supporting evidence can be found on the DWP website or by clicking here.

Consultation questions are:

Question 1: Given the evidence underpinning the proposals, do you believe that the selected group of treatments covers all the cancer treatments that should be included?

Question 2: How reasonable is it to assume that in some cases where the effects of cancer treatment are less debilitating, an individual can return to or continue to work?

Question 3: Given the wide variation in symptoms experienced as a result of cancer treatments, how important do you believe it is for some individuals to be able to work?

Question 4a: Do you agree that the debilitating effects of cancer treatments can vary from individual to individual?

Question 4b: In your experience, are some patients who are undergoing, or have undergone treatment for cancer able to continue with or return to some work (with appropriate adjustments)?

Question 5a: How important to you and/or your family was work during treatment for cancer or during recovery from that treatment?

Question 5b: If you are willing, please could you provide details about your treatment and the effects on your ability to work.

Question 6: Are you able to offer examples of workplace support that you have offered or provided for staff members undergoing cancer treatment? For example, flexible working patterns, work place adaptations, etc

Question 7: Is there anything else that you would like to tell us that you think is relevant to this subject?

The consultation will run until the 9th March

Healthwatch England membership consultation

Stakeholders and the public are being asked to contribute to the development of the Healthwatch England membership regulations.

Healthwatch England will be a national consumer champion that enables the collective views of the people who use health and social care services to influence national policy, advice and guidance.

This consultation asks questions on the key issues in relation to the membership of Healthwatch England that the Department has heard from stakeholders.

These issues are:

• the number of the members
• suitability for membership
• the process for appointing members
• the period of time a member should be appointed.

The full consultation document Consultation on the regulations for Healthwatch England Membership can be read here;

http://www.westminsterlink.org.uk/sites/westminsterlink.org.uk/files/Consultation on the regulations for Healthwatch England Membership.pdf

The consultations questions and response form can be read here:
http://www.westminsterlink.org.uk/sites/westminsterlink.org.uk/files/Consultation Questions and response form.pdf

The deadline for comments is Friday 2 March.

A Civic Contract for Westminster - ‘Everyone doing their bit for the good of the city’

A Green Paper consultation on the future direction of public services in Westminster

Westminster City Council has launched a consultation paper that sets out a new vision for the running of the city and how public services will be delivered and by whom.

Titled A Civic Contract for Westminster, the paper sets out the council’s response to the challenges currently facing local government.

This document is for public consultation which will take place between 12th December 2011 and 10th February 2012.

Read more about the consultation here:

http://www.westminster.gov.uk/services/councilgovernmentanddemocracy/civic-contract/

Read the full consultation document here:

http://www3.westminster.gov.uk/Newdocstores/publications_store/governance/wcc_policy_review_dec2011_aw3_revised.pdf

Ombudsman launches public consultation on new ‘Information Promise’.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, Ann Abraham, has launched a public consultation on the way information is handled by her Office. The Ombudsman’s office can consider complaints that the NHS in England have not acted properly or fairly or have provided a poor service.

She welcomes views on how the Ombudsman’s Office will value and look after information it receives from complainants and professional stakeholders.

The Information Promise out for consultation proposes that the Ombudsman will

• value the information entrusted to us and make sure we respect that trust;
• handle the information entrusted to us lawfully, appropriately and in accordance with our values and the Ombudsman’s Principles;
• let individuals and organisations know how we will use the information they give us;
• be clear and open about our approach to the sharing and publishing of the information we hold;
• have effective systems and processes in place to protect the confidentiality, integrity and security of the information we hold;
• ensure that our staff understand their responsibilities and handle information properly; and
• check that we are living up to our promise and report on how we are doing.

The Information Promise consultation closes on 31 January 2012.

For more details or to respond to the consultation, visit  the Ombudsman’s website: http://www.ombudsman.org.uk/informationpromise.

Consultation on the doctors' code of conduct Good Medical Practice

The General Medical Council, which registers and regulates all doctors in the UK, is reviewing its good practice document for the profession and wants the publics’ views.

The GMC has launched a major public consultation on the new draft of the guidance Good Medical Practice, which sets out the standards, principles and values expected of doctors.

The GMC wants patients and public to give their views to help ensure it remains up-to-date and relevant to doctors in their day to day practice.

You can complete an online questionnaire on the GMC’s website at www.gmc-uk.org/gmp2012.

You can choose to answer:

The main questionnaire for organisations or individuals;

A questionnaire for doctors and other health professionals; or

A questionnaire for patients and the public.

Responses must come in by 10 February 2012.

If you would like to be more involved, receive copies in other languages or formats, or just want to find out more visit www.gmc-uk.org/gmp2012 or email the Standards Team at gmp2012@gmc-uk.org,

http://www.westminsterlink.org.uk/sites/westminsterlink.org.uk/files/Consultation on the regulations for Healthwatch England Membership.pdf

The consultation will run until the 9th March

Consultation on Openness (Duty of Candour)

The consultation asks for views on the best way of enforcing such a contractual duty and poses some key questions on the following areas:

• what exactly should the Duty require the NHS to do?;
• what should the penalties be for breaching the duty?;
• should organisations have to make an annual ‘‘declaration of openness’’?; and
• what support do patients and clinicians feel would help them act when they feel the NHS is not being open about an incident?
  

Enforcing this duty will be the responsibility of commissioners.

The consultation runs until 2 January 2012.

Responses to the consultation can be made via email to dutyofcandour@dh.gsi.gov.uk

Consultation and response details here:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_130400

Making Open Data Real: A Public Consultation

The Open Data consultation paper sets out Government’s proposed approach for increasing openness and transparency in public services.

The consultation seeks the public’s views on:

• how we might enhance a ‘right to data’, establishing stronger rights for individuals, businesses and other actors to obtain data from public service providers
• how to set transparency standards that enforce this right to data
• how public service providers might be held to account for delivering open data
• how we might ensure collection and publication of the most useful data
• how we might make the internal workings of government and the public sector more open
• how far there is a role for government to stimulate enterprise and market making in the use of open data.

How to respond
Deadline for responses
27 October 2011

Online
www.data.gov.uk/opendataconsultation

Email
opendataconsultation@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk

Post
Send a written response to:

Open Data Consultation
Transparency Team
Efficiency and Reform Group
Cabinet Office
1 Horse Guards Road
London SW1A 2HQ

Read the full consultation document here: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/making-open-data-real-public-consultation

Consultation on Allocation Options for distribution of additional funding to local authorities for: Local HealthWatch, NHS Complaints Advocacy, PCT Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

Launch date - 27 July 2011

Closing date - 24 October 2011

Subject to the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill, the Department (DH) will allocate funding for Local HealthWatch, NHS Complaints Advocacy and, potentially, PCT Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards from October 2012. This additional funding will be added to the current DH Learning Disabilities and Health Reform grant. This consultation is asking for your views on options for distributing the new funding for Local HealthWatch, NHS Complaints Advocacy and PCT Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS).

• Download Consultation on Allocation Options for distribution of additional funding to local authorities for Local HealthWatch, NHS Complaints Advocacy, PCT Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (PDF, 607K)

This consultation closes on 24 October 2011

If you wish to respond to this consultation, please use the attached form and return by post or by email to:

Download consultation response form (DOC, 27K)

Contact:

Sarah Horne and Chris Eleftheriades

Address:

Social Care Strategic
Policy and Finance
Room 328
Wellington House
London SE1 8UG

Phone:

020 7972 4871

Email:

scgrants@dh.gsi.gov.uk

Not for profit delivery of deputyship services
The Office of the Public Guardian has launched a consultation aimed at care charities and other not-for-profit organisations. They are being asked whether they think they can better meet the needs of people who lack mental capacity.

The OPG is asking these organisations for their views on whether they could provide ‘deputies’ to protect the interests of people who lack mental capacity through illness or after an accident.

Deadline for responses is October 27 2011

More info on the OPG website: http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/feature-040811.htm

Full consltaiton document here: http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/news/call-for-evidence-panel-deputies.pdf

Direct public access to the Parliamentary and Health Ombudsman

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Ann Abraham has launched a consultation on whether the public should be able to bring complaints about government bodies to her office without first getting a referral from a Member of Parliament.

As it stands, if you would like the Ombudsman to look into a complaint about a government body that you so far haven’t been able to resolve, you must first get a referral from a MP. This is known as the ‘MP filter’. The Ombudsman feels this filter restricts access to her office's service. The Ombudsman would like to know what others think.

More information and background here: http://www.ombudsman.org.uk/improving-public-service/reports-and-consultations/consultations/direct-access-to-the-parliamentary-ombudsman

The consultation ends on 5 September 2011.

Consultation responses can be submitted via:

Via this online form

By email to: directaccess@ombudsman.org.uk

Or in hard copy to:

Direct Access Consultation
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Millbank Tower
Millbank
London
SW1P 4QP

If you would like any of these documents mentioned on this page in a different format please contact the Ombudsman's office :

tel: 0300 061 4102
email:directaccess@ombudsman.org.uk

Changes to Adult Day Care Services in Westminster

Westminster Council has launched a public consultation over whether to close the Westminster Centre for Independent Living (WCIL) in Westbourne Park Road, and replace it with a dementia resource centre. Other plans include increasing the number of places at the Pullen Day Centre in Pimlico, creating four older people's 'hubs' and reducing the number of direct supported hours allocated to people with learning disabilities.

The 12-week consultation will run from July 4 to October 1, and any changes approved will be implemented in 2012.

For more info and to find out how you can respond see the Council website; http://www.westminster.gov.uk/services/healthandsocialcare/adultservices/careviews/dayservices/

NICE consults on new draft quality standards and guidance on service user experience in mental health and patient experience in NHS services

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has launched a consultation on its draft quality standards and draft guidance on service user experience in adult mental health and patient experience in adult NHS services.

Individuals and organisations not registered as stakeholders are not able to comment, you will need to register as a stakeholder or contact the registered stakeholder organisation that most closely represents your interests and pass your comments to them.

These draft standards/draft guidance are available for consultation on the NICE website from Tuesday 21 June until 5.00pm on Tuesday 19 July at:

http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=byID&o=13260

Registration of primary medical services providers by the Care Quality Commission: a consultation on a proposed change in the date of registration

All providers of ‘regulated activities’ in the field of health care and ‘adult social care’ are required to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). In order to be registered with the CQC providers are required to comply with a set of registration requirements that establishment essential levels of safety and quality.

From April 2012, providers of primary medical services for the NHS are due to enter the registration system. This includes GP practices, out of hours providers of primary medical care services and NHS walk-in centres.

The Government proposes to change the start date for registration of GP practices to April 2013, while proposing that the registration of out of hours providers and NHS walk-in centres should still go ahead in April 2012.

Launch date: 17 June 2011
Closing date: 29 July 2011

Consultation details and information on how to respond: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_127174

Consultation document: http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_127687.pdf

Response form: http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_127682.doc

Care Quality Commission launches consultation on excellence in social care

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has launched a consultation on a new excellence award for adult social care services in England.

The new voluntary award, due to launch in April 2012, will be delivered by third party organisations under licence to CQC.

The consultation seeks people’s views on a definition of excellence, developed by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), and key aspects of the assessment process.

The consultation runs until 1 August 2011

You can respond to the consultation on the CQC website. http://www.cqc.org.uk/yourviews/consultations/excellenceaward.cfm

By email - fill in the response sheet downloadable from the CQC websiteand attach it to an email and send to: excellenceconsult@cqc.org.uk.

By post - use the response sheet downloaded from CQC website and send the completed response sheet to:

CQC National Correspondence,
Citygate,
Gallowgate
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4PA

Seeking your views: A consultation on the way the Taxicard service is provided

Westminster City Council launched a consultation on changes to its Taxicard service last week. Taxicards enable people with mobility needs to travel in black cabs at reduced fares. People with the greatest mobility needs can apply for additional journeys on top of the 70 journeys that everyone receives.

The deadline is 6th June 2011.

You can fill in an online form or call or email

Email: taxicardviews@westminster.gov.uk
Call: 020 7641 5780

Consultation details here; http://www.westminster.gov.uk/services/healthandsocialcare/adultservices/taxicard-consultation/

Children's Congenital Cardiac Services

The NHS has launched a major four month public consultation on the way children’s congenital heart services should be provided in England and Wales in the future.

Among proposed options to improve services is a reduction in the number of hospitals providing children’s heart surgery from 11 to six or seven. The review also proposes that many non-surgical services, such as diagnosis, assessments and ongoing care, are provided closer to families’ homes.

The public consultation runs until 1 July 2011.

Full consultation document; http://www.specialisedservices.nhs.uk/document/safe-sustainable-a-new-vision-children-s-congenital-heart-services-in-england-consultation-document

Press release; http://www.specialisedservices.nhs.uk/news/view/27

To complete the response form online please visit: www.ipsos-mori.com/safeandsustainable.

Equality Act 2010: Ending age discrimination in services, public functions and associations - A consultation

Older people will receive new protection from discrimination under proposals published for consultation by the government.

The plans will make it unlawful to unfairly discriminate against someone because of their age when providing goods and services.

Specific exceptions will allow companies to continue to offer beneficial services to certain age groups – for example free bus travel for over-60s, or holidays aimed at people aged 30 and under.

Providers of financial services, such as insurance companies, will still be allowed to use age when assessing risk and deciding prices. However, the new law, which will take effect from April 2012, will mean they have to base such decisions on solid evidence rather than simply imposing a blanket ban. Insurers will also be asked to help people find an alternative provider if they are unable to provide cover for age-related reasons.

Consultation ends on 25 May 2011

More information here:

http://www.equalities.gov.uk/equality_act_2010/age_consultation_2011.aspx