Policy Statements and Initiatives
WAG: The Welsh Assembly Government, in conjunction with NHS Wales is launching the Choose Well campaign to boost public awareness about the NHS services available to them. Evidence shows that a significant number of people still go to Hospital A&E Departments or dial 999, when there are other services more convenient & suitable for their needs.
The campaign uses a colour coded thermometer to highlight 6 areas of healthcare to help people to link their symptoms with a particular NHS service which is right for their need.
ScotGov: The Scottish Government is to spend an additional £2m on providing short breaks for families who have severely disabled children. The money is on top of the £1m for short breaks this year and £1m in each of the next 4 years (making £5m in total) already announced in July 2010 when the government's Carers Strategy was launched. The cash is expected to prioritise children with complex & exceptional needs and their families.
The funding of short breaks is one of the key recommendations of the National Review of Services for Disabled Children - developed jointly by ScotGov, COSLA and the For Scotland's Disabled Children (FSDC) Liaison Project - published last week.
QCDA: The Qualifications & Curriculum Development Agency has reminded all schools that they must check, confirm & submit their pupil information by Friday 25 March 2011. School census data has been uploaded for maintained schools and academies. Independent schools will need to upload their pupil data. The Pupil registration factsheet is available to assist you in the pupil registration process.
ScotGov: The Scottish Government has guaranteed the Scottish Higher Education sector will receive a new funding settlement as it published the report of the joint working group on funding. The report, prepared in partnership with Universities Scotland, presents a range of options for increasing income for universities as well as setting out various scenarios on the possible future funding gap between Scotland & England based on increased tuition fees south of the Border.
Press release ~ Expert Group report ~ Expert Group report ~ Expert Group methodology ~ Working Group - general background
HO: A new process for managing the return of families found to have no right to be in the UK started last week. A new Independent Family Returns Panel is one part of a wider, updated approach to managing family returns. The new 4-stage process aims to return those with no right to remain in the UK with dignity, ensuring the welfare of children at all times.
DfE: Former members of the armed forces will become mentors to young people in schools across England following a £1.5m grant to the charity SkillForce. Through 3 pilot programmes, ex-service personnel will be fast-tracked into schools, using the skills & experience gained on the frontline to help young people achieve. SkillForce will be funded to set up the 3 programmes from September 2011:
Defra: New plans to help build a ‘stronger green government’ were announced last week. The Mainstreaming Sustainable Development package will guarantee that Government policies have been ‘sustainability-proofed’ – by making sure they help to deliver sustainable economic growth, improve our quality of life and protect our natural environment now and for future generations.
Press release ~ Mainstreaming sustainable development - The Government’s vision and what this means in practice ~ Scope of 10% Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reduction Commitment ~ http://sd.defra.gov.uk/.
CLG: Ministers last week set out proposals for how all social landlords will be required to show how their tenancy plans will provide for & protect the most vulnerable, including families with children. In these further details of reforms published last week, Ministers also outlined the extra freedom from central control that councils will be given, so they can target help on the people in their communities who need it most.
Ministers also confirmed that all tenants will have access to a National Home Swap Scheme, making it easier for them to move should their situation change.
Press release ~ National Home Swap Scheme ~ Local decisions: next steps towards a fairer future for social housing - Summary of responses to consultation
DfT: Scotland, Wales, northern & south west England are to get a fleet of new trains and more reliable rail links to London, ‘creating thousands of jobs, boosting the economy and improving services for passengers’, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond announced last week.
Press release and related links
DfE: Written Ministerial Statement on Building Schools for the Future.
Press release (includes statement)
DH: The NHS must never discriminate based on age – that was the message given by Care Services Minister, Paul Burstow, as he announced that the Department of Health will not be seeking any exceptions to the planned implementation of the Equality Act 2010, as ‘part of its commitment to a personal, fair & diverse service that protects patients’ dignity and ensures that all patients receive the best possible treatment regardless of their age’.
The Government is committed to tackling age discrimination and the Government Equalities Office have launched a consultation (closes on 25 May 2011) on the Equality Act through which Departments are able to seek specific exceptions before it comes into force in April 2012.
To help the NHS & social care prepare for the ban, a resource pack has been produced by NHS South West. This includes a self assessment toolkit that health & social care organisations can use to work with their local stakeholders to identify what actions they need to take to end age discrimination and promote age equality, a guide for NHS commissioners and providers and a guide for social care.
Press release ~ Equality Act 2010: Ending age discrimination in services, public functions and associations - A consultation ~ Age Review in health and social care 2009 ~ Age equality resource pack ~ EHRC response
HO: The Home Secretary last week set out the ‘tough decisions that need to be taken to reform the police service, save police jobs and cut crime’, in a speech at Central Hall in London.
Press release and link to a copy of her speech
ScotGov: Action to put Scotland at the forefront of the digital economy has been announced in the Scottish Government's Digital Strategy, which was launched last week. Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop set out how Ministers aim to achieve their ambitions for Scotland's digital future, including a widespread rollout of next generation broadband and increased digital participation.
Press release ~ The Digital Future: A Strategy for Scotland ~ Latest research on broadband take-up by Scottish businesses
DIFD: A shake up of Britain’s aid programme which will provide 50m people with the means to help work their way out of poverty was announced last week by International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell.
DH: A campaign to raise awareness of the early signs & symptoms of dementia was launched last week by Care Services Minister Paul Burstow. Aimed at challenging misconceptions about the disease, the campaign targets the family & friends of people at risk of dementia who are likely to be the first to see the signs and can encourage their loved one to see their GP. While there is no cure, the right treatment & support can help slow the progression of the condition – meaning people are able to keep the person they love for longer.
ScotGov: More people who have been infected with hepatitis C through treatment with NHS blood or blood products will now be eligible for additional support. Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has announced that she had accepted the recommendations of the Department of Health-led Contaminated Blood Review which will extend the scope of the existing support provisions.
In Scotland, relevant voluntary organisations will be able to apply to establish/offer suitable counselling services through the Section 16b grant scheme, the usual way of funding Scottish third sector health-related work.
Press release and related links
DWP: Urgent restrictions on Crisis Loans have been announced in order to protect the discretionary Social Fund budget, which could run out before Christmas if current spending levels continue.
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