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In this month's edition...
Mental health in prisons
The National Audit Office has released research that states Her Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service, NHS England and Public Health England have set ambitious objectives for providing mental health services, but they are failing to collect enough data on prisoner wellbeing, not knowing how many prisoners have a mental illness, nor how much is spent on them. Amyas Morse, the head of the National Audit Office, said: “Improving the mental health of those in prison will require a step change in effort and resources. The quality of clinical care is generally good for those who can access it, but the rise in prisoner suicide and self-harm suggests a decline in mental health and wellbeing overall". Find out more here
Drug-related deaths
The Office for National Statistics has released the latest figures for drug-related deaths in England and Wales. Deaths involving both legal and illegal drugs rose to 3,744 in 2016, the highest number since comparable records began in 1993. Of these deaths, 69% were due to drug misuse (where the underlying cause is due to drug abuse or dependence, or drug poisoning involving a controlled drug), and over half involved an opiate such as heroin or morphine. Rates increased for both men and women, although the drug misuse mortality rate for men remains more than twice as high as for women. Find out more here
Mental health services for young people
The government has pledged that every secondary school in the country will be offered Mental Health First Aid training by 2020. Delivered by the social enterprise organisation Mental Health First Aid England, the training was originally announced by the Prime Minister in January as part of a series of measures to address the “hidden injustice” of poor mental health across society. The government's pledge to transform mental health services for young people has taken a step forward with teachers and staff across the country beginning training to identify and respond to early signs of mental health problems among pupils. Find out more here
Ending homelessness
Crisis is seeking evidence to help develop and publish an authoritative ‘Plan to End Homelessness’ setting out what will need to be done in Great Britain to end homelessness once and for all. Crisis aim to develop this plan in partnership with people who have been homeless themselves, as well as policy makers and other organisations working in homelessness, housing, health, education and other sectors. They are asking for written evidence through a survey into key areas: mainstream housing; homelessness accommodation; rough sleeping; Housing Options and advice services; employment; health; education; social services; justice; and benefits and Universal Credit. Take the survey here
Funding for social care
The Department of Health has released the breakdown of authority specific funding for adult social care for local authorities in the UK. This includes the funding for social care in prisons for 2017-18, and mental health advocacy. Overall funding allocation for social care in prisons is £10.6m in this financial year – up very slightly from £10.45m last year. Find out more here
Transforming mental health services
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has launched a plan to expand the mental health workforce. The plan sets out measures to tackle the ‘historic imbalance’ in workforce capacity and fulfil ambitions to improve mental health services. The government committed £1.3 billion to transform mental health services, with a pledge to: treat an extra one million patients by 2020 to 2021; provide services seven days a week, 24 hours a day; and integrate mental and physical health services for the first time. Find out more here
Meet the Health and Wellbeing Alliance
Members of the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance (HW Alliance) will be attending both the NHS Expo [11th & 12th September, Manchester, email hazel.alcraft@clinks.org for free code] and Public Health England conference [12th & 13th September, Warwick, from £115]. Look out for them at stand 243 (Expo) and in Butterworth Hall (PHE Conference) to find out more about the role of the HW Alliance and how the voluntary sector can support improved health and care for all. HW Alliance members will also be leading workshops at both events. Find out more and click here to book for the NHS Expo or click here to book for the PHE Conference.
Inclusion health in the criminal justice system
The London Hub of the Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health is running an afternoon session of networking [14th September, London, free], with a focus on inclusion health and the criminal justice system. Christina Marriott from Revolving Doors Agency will speak alongside Dr Anna Hiley, an experienced homelessness GP who provides drug treatment in prisons and the community.
Find out more and book here
Drugs and vulnerable people
Manchester Homeless Health Society, ReThinkX and Manchester Science Partnerships, working in partnership with the Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health are holding a regional meeting- 'Spotlight on Spice' [3rd October, Manchester, free]. The use of spice and other synthetic cannabinoids has become increasingly common amongst vulnerable people in Manchester. This seminar offers expert discussion about the pharmacological and social effects of these drugs. An insight into the management and support of patients, and strategies for treatment and harm minimisation will also be offered. Find out more and book here
Introduction to service user involvement
‘Creating a culture of service user involvement’ [12th October, Manchester, £25] is the next meeting of Clinks’ Service User Involvement Managers’ Network. The event is ideal for those who are new to service user involvement work, or looking to develop and improve how they involve people with lived experience in their organisation. You’ll hear from organisations who have successfully introduced service user involvement into the heart of their work, and from ‘experts by experience’ who are now helping to shape the services they use. Find out more and book here
The voluntary sector's involvement in health
The independent Chair of the VCSE Review, Alex Fox OBE, has published an update on the progress of implementing the recommendations of the group’s final report. The VCSE Review’s report, based on the largest ever review of the voluntary sector’s involvement in statutory health and social care, urged local hospitals, clinical commissioning groups and councils to do more to involve charities in the design and delivery of services of all kinds. It included 28 recommendations which were jointly agreed by the Department of Health, Public Health England and NHS England. Read the update here
Smoke free England
The Department of Health has published a report outlining plans to reduce smoking in England, with the aim of creating a smoke-free generation. The objectives of the tobacco control plan are to: reduce the number of 15 year olds who regularly smoke from 8% to 3% or less, reduce smoking among adults in England from 15.5% to 12% or less, reduce the inequality gap in smoking prevalence between those in routine and manual occupations and the general population, and reduce the prevalence of smoking in pregnancy from 10.5% to 6% or less. The aim is to achieve these objectives by the end of 2022. Find out more here
Racism and mental health
The Centre for Mental Health has published 'Against the odds: Evaluation of the Mind Birmingham Up My Street Programme'. The report evaluates three Birmingham-based mental health projects that were commissioned by Mind to improve the resilience of young African Caribbean men in the city. It found that young African Caribbean men’s mental health was significantly affected by racism, including negative media portrayals and the intergenerational effects of slavery and historical trauma. The evaluation’s recommendations include that the Government should work in partnership with relevant national bodies to develop a concordat for black and minority ethnic health and that the Department for Education should pilot and evaluate culturally-informed school-based mentoring programmes for black boys. Find out more here
NHS England's annual report
NHS England has released its annual report for 2016/17. It discusses the progress made since 2014, and suggests the NHS needs to work more closely across departments. Find out more here
Drug and alcohol addiction
The London Community Fund has grants of up to £10,000 available across London for work which supports people affected by drug and alcohol addiction, and their families. The fund will support all work which will help a person to achieve and sustain recovery, as well as preventative work to help individuals identify risky behaviour that might lead to a later addiction. The fund will also help families to cope with the stress of addiction and to support their family member’s recovery process. The deadline for applications is 22nd September. Find out more here
Reducing harm from co-occurring conditions
Public Health England has published 'Better care for people with co-occurring mental health, and alcohol and drug use conditions', a guide aimed at commissioners and providers of mental health and alcohol and drug treatment services. It’s also suitable for support services that have contact with people with co-occurring conditions. The guide encourages commissioners and service providers to work together to improve access to services which can: reduce harm; improve health; enhance recovery; enable services to respond effectively and flexibly; and prevent exclusion. Find out more here
Reducing inequalities
NHS England has produced a practical resource entitled 'Improving Access for all: reducing inequalities in access to general practice services'. The resource aims to promote understanding of groups in the community who are experiencing barriers in accessing GP services and help to address those barriers as improvements in access to general practice services are implemented. It is a guide to local resources and issues, and contains practical tips and quick links to learning materials and videos for practice staff. Find out more here
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This regular bulletin provides Clinks members with the latest news for voluntary sector organisations involved in the health and care of offenders. It currently has 5,166 subscribers.
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