Friday 31 July 2015

Human trafficking: The lives bought and sold

Human trafficking: The lives bought and sold

Millions of men, women and children around the world are currently victims of human trafficking - bought and sold as commodities into prostitution and forced labour.

This trade in people criss-crosses the globe - and it is a lucrative business. The International Labour Office estimates that forced labour generates $150bn (£96bn) in illegal profits every year. Two thirds ($99bn; £63bn) comes from sexual exploitation.

But who are the people behind the numbers?

Kemi and Bilkisu, from Nigeria, Jane from the UK and Gabby from the US describe how they fell prey to traffickers.

 

more

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-33592634

 

 

Tuesday 28 July 2015

Fwd: 'PREVENT HEPATITIS; ACT NOW,' DECLARES UN ON WORLD DAY TARGETING HEPATITIS B AND C




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New York Jul 28 2015 9:00AM 
United Nations
 UN News Centre
with breaking news from the UN News Service 

Please allow images for this mail. On this image: 'PREVENT HEPATITIS; ACT NOW,' DECLARES UN ON WORLD DAY TARGETING HEPATITIS B AND C
WHO has issued its first-ever guidance for the treatment of chronic Hepatitis B. Photo: WHO/G. Hampton

'PREVENT HEPATITIS; ACT NOW,' DECLARES UN ON WORLD DAY TARGETING HEPATITIS B AND C

Marking World Hepatitis Day 2015, which falls on 28 July in honour of the birthday of the scientist who discovered the hepatitis B virus and its first vaccine, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners are urging policy-makers, health workers and the public to act now to prevent infection and death from the infectious disease.

Read more


RELATED

UN health agency to mark World Hepatitis Day with pilot initiative to curb unsafe injections

UN health agency to mark World Hepatitis Day with pilot initiative to curb unsafe injections

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that it will commemorate the fifth World Hepatitis Day next week with a global ?injection safety initiative campaign in three pilot countries together with the foundation arm of IKEA to combat the "silent epidemic" that kills more than 1.4 million each year. Read more


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Saturday 18 July 2015

Bedfordshire Police obtains first ever FGM protection order over two young girls

Bedfordshire Police obtains first ever FGM protection order over two young girls

Bedfordshire Police have obtained the first female genital mutilation (FGM) protection order to prevent two young girls from leaving the country.

Officers believe that the children were in danger of being taken to Africa to undergo the devastating procedure.

The order was issued by a Bedfordshire court on the day that a new law allowing them came into force.

The measures enable officials to seize the passports of people who they suspect are attempting to take girls abroad to undergo FGM. Breaching the order is a criminal offence.

FGM is carried out for cultural, religious and social reasons within families and communities where it is believed to be a necessary preparation for adulthood and marriage. However, the procedures are not medically necessary.

Along with mental illnesses, FGM can cause chronic physical issues including vaginal and pelvic infections, abnormal periods, persistent urine infections, possible kidney failure and infertility, according the NHS.

READ MORE:
PROGRAMME TEACHES PUPILS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF FGM

WOMEN WITH GENITAL PIERCINGS TO BE RECORDED AS SUFFERING FGM
WHAT IS FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION?

Some parents who believe that the procedure is necessary use the school holidays as an opportunity to girls abroad where they are operated on. It is estimated that over 20,000 girls under the age of 15 in the UK may be at risk, yet very few cases are reported.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Bellingham, of the force's Public Protection Unit, called the legislation a "positive step forward in the fight against this horrific, cruel crime."

"With schools breaking up for the summer holidays today, we will continue to use this legislation where needed to prevent young girls who we believe may be at risk from being taken out of the country.

"This is child abuse, and we will do everything in our power to ensure that children are kept safe and that those responsible are caught."

He went on to urge anyone who suspects that a child is at risk of FGM to contact the police immediately.

A lengthy absence from school, health problems including bladder and menstrual issues, complaints about pain between the legs, and behavioural changes, are said to indicate that a child may have been subjected to FGM.

A girl may also talk about being taken away for a special ceremony, or say something has happened to them which they are not allowed to talk about.

Anyone seeking more help and information about FGM is asked to contact police on 101, or the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) on 0800 028 3550 - a dedicated FGM helpline.

Additional reporting by PA

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/bedfordshire-police-use-first-ever-fgm-protection-order-over-two-young-girls-10397698.html

 

Tuesday 14 July 2015

LVSC health update - April 2015

May 2015

Dear colleague,

Welcome to the April 2015 edition of our monthly health ebulletin bringing you news from LVSC, Regional Voices (of which LVSC is a constituent member), the Department of Health, Public Health England and NHS England.

Our ebulletins regularly include information from the voluntary & community sector (VCS) in London.
Where relevant, ebulletins also contain policy related news about London - e.g. from the Greater London Authority, NHS England (London region), Health Academic Science Networks, London Health Board, the new NHS vanguards, etc.

If you wish to discuss any items to be included in future bulletins, please feel free to contact me.

Kind regards

Sandra

Sandra van der Feen

Policy Officer, LVSC

sandra@lvsc.org.uk

 

LVSC news

Community Voices for Health/LVSC Whole Systems Change event

Over 80 people attended our Community Voices for Health/LVSC Whole Systems Change – co-producing new models in Health & Care event on 16th April.

We had presentations from:

  • Healthwatch Central West London & Kensington & Chelsea Social Council - who talked about their whole systems integrated care patient engagement. Download the presentation
  • Dr Sam Everington (Tower Hamlets CCG) explained the new models of care as well, including the new vanguards in London (see more about vanguards below, including the Tower Hamlets Integrated Programme Partnership) as examples of co-production and social prescribing in Bromley by Bow.
  • Amanda Coyle from the GLA provided the GLA perspective regarding co-production in health with regard to initiatives like Better Health for London, Well London, etc. Download Amanda's briefing paper
  • Jemma Gilbert from NHS England covered its transformation programme and the 13 programmes specific to London. Download the Transorming London's Health and Care draft programme prospectus
  • Professor Sir David Fish from University College London Partners stressed the importance of prevention and changing the way we regulate healthcare.

Four workshops focused on VCS experiences and good practice with regard to co-production:

  1. Co-productive Learning for Better Communication
  2. VCS, patient groups and communities in co-production
  3. Transformation  Board and the 13 programmes in London
  4. Navigating the new NHS health & care system.

More information,further presentations and briefing papers will become available soon. Contact Sandra van der Feen: sandra@lvsc.org.uk for more information

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Local boroughs' news

Improving health in Newham - University College London Partners

GPs, healthcare staff, patient groups, academics and local leaders joined the Mayor of Newham and the Chair of NHS Newham Clinical Commissioning Group at the ArcelorMittal Orbit recently to mark the launch of a new programme to improve health for people in Newham.

NHS Newham CCG and UCLPartners are working together with the local community, GP practices, hospital trusts, academia and Newham Council to improve health in Newham through education and research. By combining the expertise of these groups, the partnership aims to put Newham at the forefront of innovative research and high-quality care for patients.
 
The programme focuses on key areas that have been identified as particular needs for the borough:

  • Improving vulnerable and young people's ability to remain mentally healthy
  • Addressing the issue of low birth-weight of babies
  • Preventing diabetes by identifying and supporting people who may be at risk
  • Improving the diagnosis and prevention of cardiovascular disease
  • Understanding and mitigating the health impact of a dynamic population
  • Developing general practice to encourage a systematic and evidence-based approach to improving care for patients.


The launch of the Newham CCG / UCLPartners programme followed an experience day for over 70 health professionals, from around the world, interested in seeing how the NHS, council, UCLPartners and partners are improving the health of the local population.

Find out more about the experience day on the Newham CCG website.

To find out more about the programme, visit the UCLPartners website.
 

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London wide news

Bringing together local people and communities affected by cancer:
Let's talk, learn and share



You are warmly invited to an informal get-together for patients, carers, communities and their organisations, and healthcare professionals to collectively share their views.
Macmillan, London Cancer and City and Hackney CCG  would like to have a conversation with you about the challenges faced by people affected by cancer to better understand how to meet local needs, and to encourage involvement in your own care and services.

Wednesday 13 May 2015
5.30pm – 8.30pm
(registration and refreshments from 5.30pm for 6pm start)
The Tomlinson Centre, Emilia Hall

Eventbrite registration

Agenda so far:

  • Patients and carers' journey of care from diagnosis, treatment and recovery, to living with and beyond
  • Barriers faced by patients and carers in managing their own care and accessing information and services
  • How your views can influence the way we improve local services

 
Come along and find out how to get involved in future opportunities with City & Hackney CCG, the London Cancer Forum of Health, and Macmillan. Get involved in ways that matter to you!
 
They would love to see you there, so please save the date and register here for attendance. Please share this invitation with colleagues and friends who might like to attend.
 
 Thank you for your involvement and we look forward to meeting you soon.  On behalf of London Cancer & City and Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group,
 
Kellie Thomas: Macmillan Patient Experience and User Involvement Project Manager, London Cancer
Eeva Huoviala: Patient and Public Involvement Project Officer, City and Hackney CCG

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Partners for Health Grants

Grants of up to £10,000 are available for projects tackling the effects of poverty and health inequalities in London. Organisations that demonstrate a thoughtful response to local needs and partnership with an expert health agency are welcome to apply. There is a particular interest in the areas of mental health and addiction. Organistions with an annual income of less than £200,00 can apply.

To apply, visit the London Catalyst website and click on the 'Partners For Health' link in the opening paragraph of our Special Interest Grants

FUNDER:
London Catalyst and the Hospital Saturday Fund
DEADLINE:
Friday, 29 May 2015 - 5:00pm

EMAIL:
victor.willmott@peabody.org.uk

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New care models – vanguard sites

In January the NHS invited individual organisations and partnerships, including those with the voluntary & community sector to apply to become 'vanguard' sites for the New Care Models Programme, one of the first steps towards delivering the Five Year Forward View and supporting improvement and integration of services.

More than 260 individual organisations and health and social care partnerships expressed an interest in developing a model in one of the areas of care, with the aim of transforming how care is delivered locally.
On 10 March, the first wave of 29 vanguard sites were chosen. This followed a rigorous process, involving workshops and the engagement of key partners and patient representative groups. Each vanguard site will take a lead on the development new care models which will act as the blue prints for the NHS moving forward and the inspiration to the rest of the health and care system.

According to NHS England "the vanguards will take the national lead on the development of game-changing care models".

  • Integrated Primary and Acute Care Systems (PACS) will join up GP, hospital, community and mental health services;
  • Multispecialty Community Providers (MCPs) will move specialist care out of hospitals into the community; and
  • Care Homes will offer model of enhanced health which will provide older people with joined up health, care and rehabilitation services.

In London, there are two sites:
Multispecialty Community Providers (MCPs): Tower Hamlets Integrated Provider Partnership
Care Homes.
Tower Hamlets Integrated Provider Partnership (THIPP), a collaboration of partners that include Tower Hamlets GP Care Group Community Interest Company, Barts Health NHS Trust, East London NHS Foundation Trust and London Borough of Tower Hamlets, will develop local health and social care services to keep people well for the 270,000-strong population of Tower Hamlets.

and

Sutton CCG: Sutton CCG said: "Over the last year Sutton CCG has been working with local partners in health, social care and the voluntary sector, to provide support to local care homes, with the aim of improving safety and quality for residents. Being part of this national programme will allow Sutton CCG to take our work with care homes to the next level.  With the extra support provided to vanguard sites, we expect to be able to deliver a number of new initiatives, including working with local hospital, community, GP and social care colleagues to develop a regular 'ward round' in care homes, similar to those on a hospital ward."

LVSC intends to regularly liaise with the London vanguards and keep you informed of any developments of interest to VCS co-production and design in health and care.

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Older Carers, Drugs and Alcohol: Project Information Sheet for Older Carers

Adfam is the national organisation working to improve support for families affected by drug and alcohol use. They create resources and run training for families and professionals, inform policy development and campaign locally and nationally for improved family support. Their final goal is that no family member in need of support goes without it.

What is the project?

Adfam have been funded for three years by The City Bridge Trust to run a new project in London with people aged 65+ who supports a loved one due to drug or alcohol use: you might be finding it difficult to care for a partner because of their drinking, medication or drug use; or maybe you're supporting an adult child who has problems with alcohol or drugs. You could even be looking after a grandchild because their own parents are unable to because of drug or alcohol use. If any of these apply to you, then Adfam would love to hear from you!

Adfam will work with carers to design and develop this peer support project together. 'Peer support' is when people affected by a specific issue provide support to others in a similar situation - and has been proven to have a positive impact on carers of all ages.
More information including information sheet
or
Adfam latest news

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National news

Election 2015 manifestos

Trans manifesto

The Trans Manifesto, developed through the LGBT Consortium, contains three key messages from trans communities. With your help, they are asking each candidate in the May 2015 Westminster General Election to promise to uphold these principles when considering legislation if they are elected.

The three principles are:

  1. Regard trans individuals as equal citizens with equal rights,
  2. Empower trans individuals to be authorities on all aspects of their own lives, and
  3. Encourage diverse, representative, realistic and positive portrayals of trans individuals.

More information 

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LGBT manifesto

The passing of equality & same-sex marriage legislation in England, Wales & Scotland were hugely significant turning points in LGBT equality, both in terms of rights, and of the increased visibility of LGBT people. However, there is still a long way to go in ensuring full equality for LGBT people in the UK, particularly in relation to Northern Ireland and also less visible groups such as: bisexual, trans and non-binary people; BME LGBT people; older LGBT people; LGBT youth; LGBT immigrants and asylum seekers; and LGBT people who are mentally or physically disabled.

The LGBT Chief Executives Network, facilitated by LGBT Consortium, have produced this manifesto. It should be read alongside the trans manifesto above
 

Election 2015 - manifestos from across the sector - LVSC

We are only a few days away from what is likely to be one of the closest run elections in living memory.
Since 2010 the LibDems are perceived by some to have lost their 'difference' during their time in coalition, the Labour Party have suffered a moral defeat in Scotland and the Greens appear to have been overshadowed by the publicity hungry UKIP.  Nationalism and the hunger for independence and more devolution showed itself to be a major force north of the border and cries for greater power for states and cities are growing.

So as the race to the polls gathers speed we have decided to launch 'Election Central', a place where we will gather manifestos from across the voluntary and community sector and highlight interesting blog items or articles. We have grouped them into four sections, to mirror our own priorities that are themselves major themes for social action - health, education, employment and poverty.

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LGB&T Mental Health – Risk and Resilience Explored

The RaRE research has been produced by PACE.  Their collaboration with some of the most qualified academics in the field and the diligence of the RaRE research team, has enabled them to "produce a piece of thoughtful research which expands on current knowledge about LGB&T mental health."

LGB&T mental health is poorer than that of the mainstream population as a result of the impacts of heteronormativity on LGB&T people's lives. Their research looked at three particular aspects: gay and bisexual men's body image, lesbian and bisexual women's relationship with alcohol and suicide in young LGB&T people.

Over 2000 people completed our survey and participated in the in-depth interviews. The rich data they provided paints a vivid picture of what helps lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and Trans* people develop positive mental health as well as the factors that create risks to becoming a psychologically healthy human being.

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Charities are still not sufficiently involved in local health decisions, finds Navca survey

Local health bodies' engagement with the voluntary & community sector is too patchy according to Navca, with more than half the charities surveyed saying that they were not involved enough in the decision-making process.

Navca  recently released the results of its Voluntary sector annual survey – Findings from the Health and Care Voluntary Sector Strategic Partnership 2014 survey Some 720 organisations, serving more than 11 million people across the United Kingdom, responded.

Of the charities - ranging in income from excess of £10m to less than £10,000 – surveyed, over 50 per cent said they were not involved in the decision making processes at a local health level, such as during Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNA's) or by Health and Wellbeing Boards. While respondents felt more positively about Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), many still felt they were difficult to communicate with.

Navca's survey also found a general apathy amongst respondents towards various national initiatives. Of a select number of national health initiatives featured in the survey, the vast majority were found to be little known or understood by respondents.

LVSC will raise these concerns through its up and coming work on the Five Year Forward View with NHS England as well as through its membership of Regional Voices.

 

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Care Act 2014 and carers: opportunities for change

The Care Act 2014 introduces new rights and entitlements for carers and the people that they care for as well as putting into law new overarching principles of well-being, new market shaping duties and other approaches such as personalisation. Almost all of these new rights have been on Carers UK's agenda for many years and now they are finally enshrined in law.

18 local authorities gave Carer's UK their views about the opportunities presented by the Care Act 2014 for carers in particular areas.  The responses looked at opportunities around joint working with health, using technology and market shaping to improve outcomes and support for carers.

Care Act 2014 & carers: opportunities for change - Link to research and practice briefing
 

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One Place, One Budget? Approaches to pooling resources for public service transformation - RAND Corporation

In 2014, the Local Government Association (LGA) People and Places Board commissioned RAND Europe to prepare nine case studies of local authorities in England where LGA knew a pooled approach was being used for service delivery. The objective was to describe the development of different initiatives and to comment on what appeared to be the enablers and barriers to progress. The specific initiatives implemented by local authorities using a pooled approach covered different services including health and social care, skills and vocational training, regeneration, economic growth, troubled families and the management of public assets. This report makes recommendations for what a 'public sector reform deal' — a series of 'asks' of government and 'offers' from places — might look like, based on the evidence gathered.

More information

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Ethnic disadvantage in the housing market: Evidence from the 2011 census

There is a political consensus that Britain faces a 'crisis' caused by a lack of affordable housing.  Solutions to the housing 'crisis' rely largely on market solutions. This briefing produced by Better Housing explores the 'ethnic penalty' in housing and its implications for the proposed solutions to the housing "crisis".  It uses 2011 Census microdata to explore the likelihood of black and minority ethnic groups experiencing housing deprivation (ONS, 2015a), focusing in particular on the experiences of households from Gypsy and Traveller, Black African and Bangladeshi background, as well as those with children and migrants.

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Events

United Nations – International Yoga Day – Sunday 21 June

DSYM UK in  association with S-VYASA

21 June was declared as the International Yoga Day by the United Nations General Assembly on 11 December 2014. Yoga, a 5,000-year-old physical, mental and spiritual practice having its origin in India, aims to transform body and mind.

The aim of the event is to create holistic awareness of yoga and its health benefits.
The event, supported by the High Commission of India, is scheduled for 21st June 2015 at the Archbishop Lanfranc School.

Event information
Link to leaflet

There will be a yoga exhibition in the main hall, yoga workshops in the classrooms and marquee & tents pitched on the playing fields where yoga related organisations would be able to promote their activities or style of yoga.

Workshops & Lectures will be held on:

  • Ayurveda, Pranayam, Mantrachanting, Guided meditation, Chair Yoga,
  • Yoga for children
  • Yoga Therapy for common ailments – Diabetes, Blood pressure, Asthma, Arthritis, Back Pain etc by Dr Robin Monoro

Bookings details will become available soon but you can book the workshops here
 

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Opportunity to gain skills

Call for participants: Become a Climate Organiser with Friends of the Earth

Climate Organisers is a yearlong training and practical action project that allows individuals to gain skills necessary for campaigning and facilitating community groups and supports them in devising their own climate-related campaigns and implementing them together with the local groups.

The Climate Organisers program will support campaigners to become active primarily at the local, but also at the national and global levels, including the global week of action in the autumn, ahead of the UN climate talks in Paris this winter, giving the participants a chance to make an important contribution to the global movement against climate change.

You do not need extensive campaigning experience to become a Climate Organiser. FoE are looking for people with a knack for organising and assisting people and a determination to be part of a movement that makes a difference. The Climate Organisers are required to be able to commit a few hours every week.

The Climate Organisers will receive a comprehensive training on campaigning and working with groups, and ongoing support from FoE's campaigning staff, and a grant to kick-start their campaigns, culminating in the Friends of the Earth certificate in Campaign Organising on completion of the course.

To find out more and apply, please visit the FoE website

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Post

ICVA CEO required

Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA) is a Home Office funded organisation set up to promote and support the effective provision of custody visiting nationally.

Chief Executive Officer

Full-time, 36.25 hours per week (although there is an expectation that there may be additional out of hours working).

Home based, with the requirement to attend regular meetings and undertake visits across the UK.    

Salary – £58,333 pa inclusive.

ICVA is a well-established national organisation that plays an active role in promoting fair treatment for people in police custody to ensure that the wellbeing of detainees is monitored locally.

The Directors are seeking to recruit an exceptional individual to act as the CEO, with the skills, experience and energy to lead ICVA through an exciting time of development for the organisation.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the overall leadership, management, public profile and development of the organisation.  Strong leadership, management and governance skills, ability to think and act strategically, and experience of collaborative and partnership working is essential. 

You must have held at least one senior leadership role involving working with volunteers and have experience of running a small organisation.  You will be a strong communicator, innovative and independent thinker, and natural team leader with a 'hands-on' approach, who is committed to playing an essential role in the development of the organisation.

Further information and the role description can be found on the icva website.   

To apply, please send your CV (Word format) and supporting letter of no more than two sides of A4 paper that evidences how you meet all the essential criteria required for the role, to cleo@lvsc.org.uk by 12 noon on Friday 29th May 2015.

Only successful applications will be notified and invited for interview on Monday 29th June or Tuesday 30th June 2015.

ICVA welcomes applications from disabled people, people from Black, Minority Ethnic and Refugee communities, LGBT people and older people. ICVA strives to be an equal opportunities employer.
 

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ABOUT REGIONAL VOICES This e bulletin is published monthly by LVSC as the London region member of Regional Voices.

Regional Voices Logo

Regional Voices champions the work of voluntary and community organisations to improve health, well-being and care, across England. Regional Voices is a partnership of nine regional networks. Together, we directly connect to over 25,000 voluntary and community organisations. Our coverage is broad, deep and well-established. Our vision is for a society where voluntary and community organisations are connected with decision-makers at all levels, able to influence policy and improve community health, care and well-being through better services.

Regional Voices partnership is hosted by Involve Yorkshire and Humber,Registered charity number 1127119   |   Company registration number 6752034

London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC)

Registered charity number 276886   |   Company registration number 1395546

We try to check all the information in this bulletin and the web sites it links to, but we cannot accept responsibility for the contents of the websites and articles or guarantee their validity. Links should not be taken as an endorsement of any kind.

Telephone: 020 7832 5830   |   Email: info@lvsc.org.uk   |    Opt out of all LVSC mailings

Tuesday 7 July 2015

FW: Weight loss plan - Week 6 - What's tripping you up?







NHS Weight loss plan





NHS Choices


Week 6: You're halfway, hooray!



The halfway stage of your 12-week journey is a chance to examine how you’re doing on the plan and to see if there are any bad habits that are stopping you from losing more weight.

Trying to change lifelong habits is no easy task. This week’s pack is about how social networks – whether it’s family and friends, or our online weight loss community – can help you achieve your weight loss goal.




Get Support


Get Support


Get Support







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Wednesday 1 July 2015

London vanguards and LVSC article about new models of care and funding - June 2015

 

 

Dear colleague,

This short bulletin contains a link to an article I wrote following our recent Whole Systems event on April 16th. I would very much welcome your thoughts and information about any work you may have done in partnership and co-production with the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE), CCGs, etc in the new models of care, including social prescribing.

I have also added a reminder about the role of the vanguards and what this may mean for the VCSE.  We have two in London and I hope to meet with them soon and discuss how we can learn from each other and share good practice in London.

Kind regards

Sandra

Sandra van der Feen

Policy Officer, LVSC

sandra@lvsc.org.uk

Mondays - Wednesdays only

 

Whole Systems Change: co-producing new models of health and care. Moving forward together - a think piece following our recent April event

LVSC recently held a Whole Systems Change: co-producing new models of health and care event. Following the conference report, I produced an article describing the lack of funding as one key issue emerging from the event for the voluntary, community & social enterprise sector (VCSE). The article makes the case for a sustainable and transparent funding/commissioning strategy for the new models of care to work well and the need for the statutory sector including commissioners to invest to save. It also suggests a number of ways how funding issues issues might be addressed and describes some of the actions LVSC will take.

The article is aimed at our Regional Voices' partners as well the wider voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, locally, regionally and nationally. It will also be shared with our statutory sector colleagues, including NHS England, the vanguards, Commissioning Support Units, Academic Health Science Networks and other organisations and partnership bodies.

If you have any comments on the article and would like to share any learning and good practice in London, please contact Sandra van der Feen at Sandra@lvsc.org.uk

 

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Vanguards and the new models of care (reminder)

I produced some information about the vanguard in our April /May e bulletin, but as we hope to work with the London sites, I thought it appropriate to reiterate the role of the vanguards and the sites in London. The information below has been in part quoted from the useful RAISE vanguards and the models of care briefing.

As the RAISE briefing (need to scroll down the page for the briefing) states, we can be hopeful that the NHSE vanguard sites are going to be 'pushing the boundaries of what is accepted as the norm or the status quo'… or pushing the boundaries in terms of the traditional divide between primary care, community services and hospitals which have remained largely unaltered since the birth of the NHS.

What will they do?

The vanguard sites are part of what is known as the New Care Models Programme. Chapter 3 of the 5YFV sets out what these new models of care might look like, based on a number of emerging models, including, among others, social prescribing services to cut the need for visits to accident and emergency, out-patient services and hospital admissions.

Each vanguard site will take a lead on the development of one of three new models:

  • Integrated Primary and Acute Care Systems – this is all about joining up GP, hospital, community and mental health services.
  • Multispecialty Community Providers – all about moving specialist care out of hospitals and into the community.
  • Enhanced health in care homes – offering older people better, joined dup health, care and rehabilitation services
  • Frontline clinicians NHS staff and other local partners in each of the selected sites will lead the development of these models themselves, with additional support from NHSE – as practical support or additional funding to help them make planned changes happen.

And what does this mean for the voluntary, community sector & social enterprise sector (VCSE)?
Many of the new models of care are focused on existing emerging models, some of which seek to make better use of the rich variety of voluntary and community services which can support people with long term conditions to meet their health and wellbeing needs. An example of this is social prescribing – NHS England cites the Rotherham model whereby GPs and community matrons work alongside voluntary sector advisors who know what voluntary services are available for patients with long term conditions. More information can be found on the NHS E website.

What about patients?
According to NHS England 'this is all about making health services more accessible and more effective for patients, improving their experiences and their outcomes. This could mean fewer trips to hospitals as cancer and dementia specialists hold clinics in local surgeries, one point of call for family doctors, community nurses, social and mental health services, or access to blood tests, dialysis or even chemotherapy closer to home'.

For example in Kent, 20 GPs and almost 150 staff operate from three modern sites providing many of the tests, investigations, minor injuries and minor surgery usually provided in hospital. It shows what can be done when general practice operates at scale. Better results, better care, a better experience for patients and significant savings.

What will LVSC be doing?
We are currently planning to link up with vanguard sites in London to establish who is involved and what they are doing and what the rest of the sector can learn from these sites and vice versa. We are also in the process of developing a good practice integrated care and co-production case study in partnership with Kensington & Chelsea Social Council and Central West London Healthwatch. How the vanguards may learn from their experiences will be shared with both London vanguards and others. We will also collect some case studies on the social prescribing models based in London. So watch this space.....

The two London sites:
Multispecialty Community Providers (MCPs): Tower Hamlets Integrated Provider Partnership
Care Homes.
Tower Hamlets Integrated Provider Partnership (THIPP), a collaboration of partners that include Tower Hamlets GP Care Group Community Interest Company, Barts Health NHS Trust, East London NHS Foundation Trust and London Borough of Tower Hamlets, will develop local health and social care services to keep people well for the 270,000-strong population of Tower Hamlets.

and

Sutton CCG: Sutton CCG said: "Over the last year Sutton CCG has been working with local partners in health, social care and the voluntary sector, to provide support to local care homes, with the aim of improving safety and quality for residents. Being part of this national programme will allow Sutton CCG to take our work with care homes to the next level.  With the extra support provided to vanguard sites, we expect to be able to deliver a number of new initiatives, including working with local hospital, community, GP and social care colleagues to develop a regular 'ward round' in care homes, similar to those on a hospital ward."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT REGIONAL VOICES This e bulletin is published monthly by LVSC as the London region member of Regional Voices.

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Regional Voices champions the work of voluntary and community organisations to improve health, well-being and care, across England. Regional Voices is a partnership of nine regional networks. Together, we directly connect to over 25,000 voluntary and community organisations. Our coverage is broad, deep and well-established. Our vision is for a society where voluntary and community organisations are connected with decision-makers at all levels, able to influence policy and improve community health, care and well-being through better services.

Regional Voices partnership is hosted by Involve Yorkshire and Humber,Registered charity number 1127119   |   Company registration number 6752034

London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC)

Registered charity number 276886   |   Company registration number 1395546

We try to check all the information in this bulletin and the web sites it links to, but we cannot accept responsibility for the contents of the websites and articles or guarantee their validity. Links should not be taken as an endorsement of any kind.

Telephone: 020 7832 5830   |   Email: info@lvsc.org.uk   |    Opt out of all LVSC mailings

Our Vision and Services

Our vision is of a society where no one should experience discrimination on the grounds of their mental health.

Mental health problems are extremely common across society, with one in four of us experiencing them in any year. Despite being so common, people from all communities will still experience discriminatory attitudes and behaviours that can prevent people from speaking out, seeking support and playing full and active roles in our communities. The impact of mental health stigma and discrimination will vary between communities as mental health has a cultural context that affects the way communities talk about the subject and engage with people who have mental health problems. In some cultures depression, for example, doesn't exist and in others an experience of a mental health problem can be attached to a sense of shame.

For the African and Caribbean communities a key issue is the overrepresentation of young African and Caribbean men in mental health services. Misconceptions and stereotypes have led to a perception that this group is more likely to pose a risk of violent behaviour and, as a result, they are more likely to be treated as inpatients and sectioned when compared to other groups. It is well documented that this has led to a fear of talking about mental health issues more openly and a fear of using mental health services. Research by the Race Equality Foundation (2011) also highlighted fears that discrimination against Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) communities and migrant service users will increase in the austerity climate and whilst commissioning arrangements change.

Our Services

· Provide information, advice, advocacy

· Represent diversity communities in Health Care services, policies and strategies

· Organise training in health and social care in collaboration with local colleges

· Provide human resources ( including interpreters) who are suitable to the diversity communities especially to break language and cultural barriers

· Provides domiciliary care and support

· Provide services such specialised support for people with mental health needs, including people who suffer from short-term memory problems, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

· Provide visits to elderly people and help them with outings and home services

· Participate in local authority and NHS consultations , research events and programmes to voice the needs of diversity communities.

· Increase access to services and rights for disadvantaged people and the most vulnerable of our society

· Help and support unemployed people to look for work, including training and job preparation

· Provide legal advice in a range of issues from on Immigration and Asylum , welfare benefits, housing, health, education, community care, and training, employment, etc.

· Provide advice and guidance, information and practical help so that our service users can access opportunities they are entitled to

· Organise training and other community learning opportunities that provide new skills, increase confidence and motivation

· Support our service users to overcome barriers to learning, employment and training

· Provide support for young people with their education, training, confidence building, employment and social needs.

Objectives of our Diversity Living Programme:

· To promote the inclusion and participation of diversity communities* in integrated care.

· To inform policy, locally and nationally, and assisting in the formulation of effective policies, strategies and good practices in integrated care in order to contribute to improved health outcomes for the people from the diversity communities (e.g. Black and minority ethnic communities) and to ensure health services are able to meet their specific needs.

· To improve the quality of life for diversity people with disability, mental health problems and their families and carers through integrated care by providing inclusive advocacy and information.

· To provide service that enable diversity groups and individuals with disability /elderly and their carers to make the right choice for themselves and have an influence on decisions made about their future.

· To promote the rights of diversity people with disability, their families and carers and make sure their rights are safe and protected.

· To promoting access to information regarding healthcare issues and to raise awareness of the needs of diversity disabled children, young people, older people and their families.

· To promote the rights of older and disabled diversity people, helping them overcome and enable them to participate in decisions about their future

· To provide support and information to those suffering the isolation and loneliness that can be associated with disability and old age

· To fight against mental health stigma in refugee, black and minority ethnic communities and ensure no one should experience discrimination on the grounds of their mental health or disability.

*Diversity communities are older people, disabled people, Black, Asian, refugees, migrants, asylum seekers and other ethnic minorities.