WIREDGOV NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
Local Government Going Google Round Tables - 14th & 16th July 2015 Members of local government organisations are invited to attend 2 select round table style gatherings:
The agenda for both round tables is as follows:
Please click here to find out more register your interest in attending these events |
| If you don’t ‘complain’ someone else may ‘suffer’ in a similar situation |
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New research published recently shows that around 33% of people that are unhappy after using a public service actually make a complaint, despite an overwhelming number feeling that they should. The data shows that people overwhelmingly support the right to complain and that 90% feel that if they are unhappy with a public service they should complain. When it comes to actually making a complaint - to a hospital, GP or jobcentre, for example - the research reveals a gap between what people believe they should do and what they actually do. According to the data, almost 2 in 3 people that are unhappy with a public service don't actually make a complaint and 29% of those say they believe that complaining will not make a difference. |
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People must be heard by public services say Citizens Advice NHS Confederation responds to the Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman report on NHS complaints NAO: Public service markets: Putting things right when they go wrong After decades of practice the NHS should be getting it right by now! No wonder complainants are unhappy! Sometimes the ‘illness’ is the least of one’s problems Committee Bill set to strengthen your right of redress Ombudsman report asks if children are being failed by complaints system Vulnerable elderly woman suffers severe facial bruising in hospital that failed her Ombudsman warns of the risk of determining capacity without proper assessment |
| We won’t be able to afford the NHS unless we ‘solve’ this problem |
| New figures from Age UK show an escalating social care crisis in England with 2.43m bed days lost to the NHS between June 2010 and March 2015 as people wait too long for vital social care. Not only is this upsetting for the individuals & their families & detrimental to their health, but it also comes at a huge cost to the taxpayer. A staggering £669m is spent keeping people in hospital while waiting for social care, and most of these being aged 65 and over. |
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2.4m bed days lost in 5 years from social care delays But are the NHS & LAs flexible enough to make the necessary changes to service delivery? Care at home is not only preferred, its more cost effective as well Hospitals are too expensive for anything but specialist ‘non-mobile’ treatment ScotGov: Delays in leaving hospital reduce Longer independent living is vital for the NHS funding ‘crisis The way to an affordable & efficient NHS (4th item) |
| Only the highest standards are good enough |
| Nicky Morgan has ‘cemented’ the government’s commitment to social justice with a raft of new measures to ensure every child leaves school with world-class qualifications in crucial academic subjects. The move marks the final stage of reform to GCSEs and follows reforms to the education system - with 1m+ more children now in ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ schools, than in 2010. |
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DfE: New reforms to raise standards and improve behaviour DfE: Preparing children for a successful future through the Ebacc Nicky Morgan hails inspection figures as a cause for celebration Study into non-educational barriers to top jobs published Most jobs DON’T & WON'T require a Degree, but they will be 'backed' by qualifications Are there other & better alternatives than just ‘Bring back Grammar Schools’? |
| Legal paperwork delay |
| Civil legal aid providers, chambers & other CCMS users will not be required to use the Client & Cost Management System (CCMS) for all new casework until 1 February 2016. A number of improvements have already been made to CCMS as a result of user feedback and there are more in the pipeline – visit the ‘Enhancing CCMS’ web page. |
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| LAA: Civil news: CCMS users given more time to prepare for system |
| Support & use it, to ensure you don’t lose it |
| There is less than a month to go before nominations close for the Great British High Street Awards 2015. The competition, now in its second year, celebrates the hard work of local groups up & down the country who are working together to support their local high streets and make them ever better places to shop & socialise. Competition winners will not only gain the kudos of being best in category, but they will also share a £50,000 cash prize & gain access to a range of mentoring & training opportunities. Deadline for applications is the 17 July 2015. |
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| CLG: Great British High Street Awards 2015 - one month to go to enter |
| Not everyone in the NHS needs to be a ‘Brain Surgeon’ to facilitate a patient’s treatment |
| NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens has thrown down a challenge to the health service to open up suitable job opportunities to people with learning disabilities. To mark Learning Disability Week, NHS Employers and NHS England have launched a new national network providing advice, ideas & impetus to all NHS organisations to remove barriers and take steps to accelerate employment of people with learning disabilities in the NHS. |
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NHS Jobs pledge for people with learning disabilities |
| Without them the e-world would not function securely |
| Security teams are being encouraged to enter their IT projects into UK IT Industry Awards, run by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, together with Computing. The annual Awards are renowned as the Oscars for the IT profession, providing a platform to showcase & celebrate best practice, innovation and excellence. Deadline for entries; 10 July 2015. |
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BCS: Security teams urged to enter UK IT Industry Awards |
| Editorial Comment; The reality of administering the State Pension system |
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The following extract is from a letter sent recently, by the DWP, to someone approaching their State Retirement date: State pension is always paid in arrears. Your first payment is for the sum of £ for the period from to , both dates included. This may include any arrears we owe you. This will be paid on . Your second payment is for the total sum of £. This will be paid on the . On phoning the 0845 number listed, a ‘computer’ told him to phone an 03 number instead – after 8 minutes of waiting, he was told they couldn’t help him and that he would have to phone another number. At which point he gave up! This does not bode well for the new state pension system due in 2016. |
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More news, opinions, documents, claims & counter-claims; |
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Scotland Office: Draft guidance on who pays Scottish Rate of Income Tax ScotGov: More powers for Scotland ScotGov: Scotland must have a role in EU negotiations |
