News

Children outnumbered by over-60s
People aged over 60 in the UK outnumber children for the first time, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics revealed that 13,262,256 people were 60 or over in mid-2007 - up from 12,928,071 the previous year. Meanwhile, the number of under-18s fell from 13,119,654 to 13,111,023 over the same time period.

Hospitals still not doing enough to tackle malnutrition
Two years on from the launch of Age Concern's Hungry to be Heard campaignMany hospitals are still not doing enough to stop older people from going hungry on hospital wards, according to new findings revealed today by Age Concern.

Depression casts a dark cloud over older people this summer
Age Concern launches national campaign to improve the lives of older people with depressionMore than two million older people1 over the age of 65 in England have symptoms of depression, but the vast majority are denied any help, according to a new report published today by Age Concern.

Depression in older people - free guide available
Depression is not a normal part of aging. It is a medical condition that can and should be treated at any age. Untreated depression in the elderly is more likely to lead to suicide than in any other age group.This free guide will enable you to better understand depression and it's impact on the elderly.

Proud of the NHS
The NHS is full of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Browse the gallery ,add a photo yourself or send in a postcard about staff going that extra mile to bring dignity to NHS services.

Constitutional Advisory Forum to be set up
A 'Constitutional Advisory Forum' with members from think-tanks, local authorities, third sector organisations and SHAs will oversee the NHS Constitution consultation.

Have your say on the draft NHS Constitution
The new NHS Constitution will put privacy, dignity and cleanliness at the heart of care and include specific pledges around respect, consent and confidentiality.Feed in your views on dignity and the new NHS Constitution.

CSIP Networks Produce Darzi Guide
CSIP Networks has summarised the key elements of Lord Darzi's recent high-profile review of the NHS, High Quality Care for All.

CSIP Telecare eNewsletter July 2008
Please click on the link to download the July 2008 eNewsletter

Personalisation Issues Made Clearer
A framework to help local authorities and their partners build an approach for visualising the challenges which personalisation poses commissioners has been added to the Putting People First Personalisation toolkit.

LAs Win Extra Care Boost
Twenty five extra care housing schemes got the green light this month (July) with ministers confirming the successful applicants for support from their £80 million fund.

Minister launches new network
This month saw Health and Care Minister Ivan Lewis launch the Whole Systems Demonstrator Action Network. WSDAN aims to combine research and educational and experiential learning opportunities to examine the progress and impact of telecare and telehealth in enabling long-term conditions management. In addition to the website, a key element will be to provide networking events and research and development activities.

Report Calls On Care Services to Improve Commissioning of Housing Support
Health and social care commissioners must improve their performance in commissioning housing support if they are to deliver key outcomes for health and wellbeing, a report by the ICN has warned.

The Equality Bill - Government response to the Consultation was published on Monday
The Government response to the Consultation was published on Monday 28th July and is now available to download from the link at the end of this article. Chapters 2 & 3 of the document may be of particular interest in relation to Mental Health in Later Life.

Sir Michael Parkinson signs up as Dignity Champion
Sir Michael Parkinson has is now a registered dignity champion.

Marginalized and depressed: Britain's older people
A new report from the institute for public policy (IPPR) highlights the need for action to address the decline in mental health and wellbeing of older people.

Independent Inquiry into Access to Healthcare for People with Learning Disabilities - 29 June 2008
Following the deaths of six patients, an independent inquiry was established by the Secretary of State for Health to look into access to healthcare for people with learning disabilities, the results of which are viewable in a the recently published report.

Commissioning Housing Support For Health and Wellbeing (July 2008)
The purpose of this report is to help commissioners in health, local government and other public services to:Increase the positive impact of commissioning on the health and wellbeing of their local populations by addressing housing support in their strategies Most effectively meet relevant Public Service Agreement (PSA)targets by building on existing expertise and systems Increase joint working between health and local government and other sectors to achieve better services.

End of Life Care Strategy
On 16 July, the Department of Health launched the End of Life Care Strategy, backed with £286 million, to provide high quality care for all adults approaching the end of their life.

Extra housing boost to support independent living
Twenty five local authorities will receive £80m funding for innovative Extra Care Housing schemes, Ivan Lewis, Under Secretary for Care Services announced today.