News Letter

Below is a brief summary of our Newsletter
A full copy has been sent to all members and is available upon request
info@nc-hi.com

Welcome:
The last month has seen a radical proposal for a large sea change in the way the NHS will be delivered in the future, therefore we felt it important to give you as much up to date information on this as we possibly can as it affects all of us especially the more vulnerable.   We felt it equally important to add a new feature to the newsletter and that is information on caring for someone in the home with various different ailments, over the coming months there will be a different topic and hopefully you will find the information useful and helpful.
Equity & Excellence – Liberating the NHS:
The Secretary of State for Health published a new NHS white paper on 12 July setting out the coalition Government’s vision for the NHS. The paper sets out proposals to create a patient-centred   NHS, which focuses on improving their experiences and health outcomes and that empowers professionals to take control of services.  The proposals include strengthening the patient’s voice through the introduction of a new consumer champion HEALTHWATCH.                                                                                                         
There is also a proposal for Local Involvement Networks (LINks) to become the local HEALTHWATCH – ensuring that in every area there continues to be a champion for patient’s concerns.
National & Local HealthWatch:
Under current proposals, HealthWatch England will be established as a new independent consumer champion within the Care Quality Commission. Health Watch will provide leadership, advice and support to local HealthWatch organisations and will be able to provide complaints advocacy services on their behalf if the local authority wishes. HealthWatch England will provide advice to the NHS Commissioning Board, Monitor and the Secretary of State. It will also advise the Health and Social Care Information Centre on the information which would be of most use to patients to facilitate their choices about their care. Based on information received from local HealthWatch organisations, HealthWatch England will also have powers to propose CQC investigations of poor services. At local level, LINks will become local HealthWatch organisations and will continue to ensure that the views and feedback from patients and carers are an integral part of local health and social care commissioning. Local authorities will be able to commission local HealthWatch or HealthWatch England to provide complaints advocacy and support, helping local people access and make choices about services, and supporting individuals who want to make a complaint. Local HealthWatch will be funded by and accountable to local authorities, and will be involved in local authorities' new partnership functions. To reinforce local accountability, local authorities will be responsible for ensuring that local HealthWatch are operating effectively, and for putting in place better arrangements if they are not.  Local HealthWatch will also provide a source of intelligence for national HealthWatch and will be able to report concerns about the quality of providers, independently of the local authority.
Other articles covered in this newsletter include:

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