Blog

New CQC update for LINks

Submitted by Steven Towndrow on 18 June, 2010 - 15:46

The latest edition of the bulletin for LINks from the Care Quality Commission - Voices into action - is now out.

Big news is that service users will now be able to submit views of the performance of local dentists and independent ambulance services, as they must now be registered with CQC and must meet the Commission's standards of quality and safety.

Other highlights include;

Primary Care Trusts - what are their roles and responsiblities?

Submitted by Steven Towndrow on 18 June, 2010 - 08:39

The NHS Confederation has produced a handy factsheet outlining the roles and responsibilities of primary care trusts (PCTs) in England as they currently stand.

The Coalition’s Programme for Government outlined NHS changes that will impact on PCTs. The factsheet gives a concise description of the current system to help place forthcoming changes in context. Read the factsheet here.

 

Government White Paper outlines radical reforms to NHS

Submitted by jpurcell on 13 July, 2010 - 09:36

The Government's White Paper "Equity and and Excellence: Liberating the NHS" has now been published.

Key proposals include:

  • GP consortia to take over commissioning of primary care services
  • Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities to be phased out
  • NHS Commissioning Board to be established
  • NHS Outcomes Framework to be developed to provide direction

To view the paper, please click here

Join the City LINk discussions on Mental Health

Submitted by jpurcell on 26 April, 2010 - 15:43

The LINk Steering Group has identified Mental Health as a priority work item for the network.

A series of small meetings is being arranged for LINk members, to look at Mental Health issues in the City and develop a LINk work plan.

The first meeting will take place on:

  • Thursday 29th April, 2-3.30pm

This is your opportunity to help direct the LINk in working to improve care.

City LINk raises concerns over GP out-of-hours contracts

Submitted by jpurcell on 15 April, 2010 - 11:24

The City LINk has written to four NHS Primary Care Trusts to raise concerns over the awarding of a new out-of-hours GP contract to Camidoc.

Camidoc was severaly criticised following the death of an Islington resident from blood poisoning in 2005. Out-of-hours GP services have also been in the news more recently when a patient was administered a lethal overdose of diamorphine.

If you have a concern you think the LINk should investigate, please log it here

Don't forget to send in your Authorised Representative forms!

Submitted by jpurcell on 8 April, 2010 - 15:43

The City LINk is looking for volunteers to "enter and view" premises where services are delivered, to investigate concerns raised by the community.

Training and support will be provided and all representatives will undergo a Criminal Record Bureau check.

For more information, please download an application form by clicking here

Patient User Group at the Neaman Practice

Submitted by jpurcell on 30 March, 2010 - 16:26

Concerns have been raised with the City LINk regarding the patient user group run by the Neaman Practice.

This group met succesfully on several occasions and is currently undergoing a review, to ensure it can work most effectively for both patients and the practice.

The City LINk is working closely with the GP practice to support these developments and help the community become more involved. An exciting event will be announced soon to provide more information and opportunities - watch this space!

Concerns over Homerton Hospital's response to Patient Safety Alerts

Submitted by jpurcell on 15 March, 2010 - 12:34

Hackney LINk has written to the Chief Executive of Homerton Hospital regarding the hospital's failure to comply with recommendations from Patient Safety Alerts.

Alerts are issued by the National Patient Safety Agency when urgent action is required in the interests of patient safety. The failure of 80 hospitals to implement alerts came to light in research by the charity Action Against Medical Accidents.

Older people struggling to access Home Care in London

Submitted by jpurcell on 8 March, 2010 - 15:32

A recent report by the London Assembly's Health and Public Services committee reveals many older people are struggling to access much needed home care in the capital. Over 1,700 older people waited more than 3 months to access an assessment, with many more facing ongoing delays.

The report recommends the development of:

NHS finances explained - impact on North East London

Submitted by jpurcell on 1 March, 2010 - 14:02

Recent media reports have raised serious concerns over financial loses and subsequent "slashing" of hospital bed numbers in North East London.

Health for North East London has produced a briefing on predicted NHS funding and how plans to improve acute care in the area ties in with this situation.

Please download the briefing here: NEL Finance Briefing

 

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