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In this month's edition...
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Examples of the Care Act in practice
Do you work with offenders or ex-offenders with social care needs? The Care Act, which came into force in England in April 2015, clarifies which local authority is responsible for meeting the social care needs of people in prison or leaving prison. People with eligible social care needs can include those with physical disabilities, learning difficulties or disabilities, and other neurological disorders. The Department of Health and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) are interested in hearing about examples of how the new arrangements are working, and the impact this has had on offenders and their families. If you have any stories you can share, please email hazel.alcraft@clinks.org
Health settlement from the Spending Review
The Department of Health settlement at the Spending Review 2015 is available online. The settlement includes a £10 billion real terms increase in NHS funding in England between 2014-15 and 2020-21, of which £6 billion will be delivered by the end of 2016-17, and £4.8 billion capital funding every year for the next 5 years. Also, £15 million a year raised from the ‘Tampon Tax’ will be used to fund women’s health and support charities; the first £5 million will be distributed between the Eve Appeal, SafeLives and Women’s Aid, and The Haven. Find out more here
Barriers to care for inclusion health groups
The Equality and Diversity Council (EDC) are seeking your views on barriers to care for specific inclusion health groups at different service access points. Your responses to two surveys will help refine their proposals to address some of the starkest inequalities in access to, experience of, and outcomes from, health care. The EDC is initially focussing on access to primary care for vulnerable migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, gypsies and travellers and disabled people. Access the first survey here, and access the second survey here
Share your experiences of what LGBT people want from health and care services
The National LGB&T Partnership is gathering and compiling information about what Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people want from health and care services. They intend to use this information to put together a document that will be used to influence policy makers, and that health and social care providers can refer to in order to help them to improve their services. The overall aim is to inform policy makers and health care staff about the needs and wants of LGBT people. Give your views by January 8th, complete the survey here
Award for mental health charity
Together for Mental Wellbeing have won the Community Engagement award and the Collaboration (integration) award at the second annual 3rd Sector Care Awards. The awards celebrate and showcase the innovation and care excellence of the not-for-profit care and support sector. Linda Bryant, Director of Criminal Justice Services at Together, said: “Through working collaboratively, we have achieved outcomes for people that would otherwise not have been possible. By working with the police and other emergency services we have enabled people to build positive relationships and networks, meaning they are better equipped to cope with life’s challenges, manage their mental wellbeing and ultimately reduce their use of emergency services." Find out more here
Health agreement signed in London
London's 33 local authorities, 32 Clinical Commissioning Groups, the Mayor of London, NHS England and Public Health England have signed a 'London Health and Care Collaboration Agreement'. It sets out a collective agreement by London and national partners to transform health and wellbeing outcomes, inequalities and services in London through new ways of working together and with the public. Aspirations include reducing smoking and improving physical health and life expectancy for people with severe mental health issues, and objectives include making rapid progress on closing the health inequalities gaps in London. Find out more here
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Bringing faith and health together
‘Faith and Health: New avenues to improving the public’s health’ is a FaithAction event [24th February 2016, London, from £15] to bring faith-based organisations and those from both a national and local public health perspective together, to discuss how these two areas can work effectively in partnership to improve health outcomes within communities throughout the country, particularly those who are considered hardest to reach. The keynote speaker will be Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP, Minister of State for Community and Social Care. Find out more and book here
Care and treatment of offenders with learning disabilities
The National Autistic Society's '15th International Conference' [19th-20th April 2016, Manchester, from £195+VAT] will aim to provide reflection and sharing for services providing care and treatment for offenders with an intellectual or developmental disability, both in the public and independent health and social care sectors and the Criminal Justice System. They have issued a call for papers and workshops from any discipline or perspective relevant to the management or care of learning disabled offenders, or those requiring similar services. Proposals by practitioners, service users, decision and policy makers, as well as by academics, students, researchers and advocates are welcomed. Find out more here
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Interactive guide to the health commissioning landscape
'Navigating the health landscape in England' is a guide published by Clinks which aims to provide an overview of the health and care commissioning landscape, explaining the roles of organisations with direct commissioning responsibilities as well as key organisations in a commissioning support role. It has been specifically developed for voluntary sector organisations working with offenders, and covers the commissioning arrangements in places of detention, as well as for offenders and ex-offenders in the community. Download the guide here
Mothers and babies in prison
‘Enhancing Care for Childbearing Women and their Babies in Prison’ is an Action for Prisoners’ and Offenders’ Families report which highlights how mothers and babies in prison can often benefit from residing in a supportive Mother and Baby Unit (MBU). However, for reasons revealed in the report, places are not always available or taken up. The report draws attention to the often relentless and complex struggles of mothers in prison which are compounded by the high levels of mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse, self-harm and domestic abuse amongst this group. Download the report here
Programme to redesign health and care
'New care models: Vanguards – developing a blueprint for the future of NHS and care services' is an NHS England brochure providing more information about each of the 50 'vanguard' sites - pilot areas which have been given funding to take a lead on the development of new care models and partnerships which will act as the blueprints for the future of the NHS. Through the new care models programme, a complete redesign of the whole health and care system is being considered. Find out if your local area is a 'vanguard' site, and who's involved, here
Drug services for adults and young people
New data has been published by Public Health England on substance misuse among young people, and adult substance treatment activity in England, covering 1st April 2014 to 31st March 2015. The data suggests that fewer under-18s are accessing specialist substance misuse services and adults starting treatment are increasingly aged 40 or over. In both older and younger people who are receiving help there are signs of increasing vulnerabilities that require wide-ranging support. For adults, this latest data provides further evidence that there is an ageing population of heroin users in drug treatment who also need support for wide ranging health and social problems. Find out more here
Young people with clinical disorders in the youth justice system
‘Supporting young people with neurodevelopmental impairment’ is a Centre for Crime and Justice Studies report which discusses the over-representation of young people with clinical disorders in the Youth Justice System. It finds that prisons in particular are inappropriate institutions to work with clinical issues of this nature as they offer a ‘punishment response to a health issue’. The key recommendation of the report is to prioritise preventive practice in educational and family settings to prevent youth justice interventions. Download the report here
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Guidance on registering with a GP
NHS England has produced guidance on registering with a general practitioner (GP). It clarifies that when applying to become a patient there is no regulatory requirement to prove identity, address, immigration status or the provision of an NHS number in order to register. It includes guidance on who can register for free for primary care services; registering children; registration of those previously registered with Defence Medical Services; and persons released from prison and/or in contact with the Criminal Justice System. Download the guidance here
Substance misuse services for MSM involved in chemsex
Public Health England has published a brief for commissioners and providers of drug and alcohol services regarding substance misuse services for men who have sex with men (MSM) involved in chemsex (the use of drugs during or before planned sexual activity to sustain, enhance, disinhibit or facilitate the experience). It contains background information, recent data and prompts for local areas and services including: understanding local need; supporting services to meet need; and recognising and responding appropriately to individual need. Download the brief here
Supporting children and young people to understand their rights
The Council for Disabled Children and the National Children's Bureau have launched the 'Get Your Rights' website to support children and young people to understand their rights when using the NHS. The website aims to set out children and young people's rights in an interactive and accessible way, with videos from young people telling their stories about how the rights have made a difference to them, and messages from professionals explaining why they value young people’s rights. There is also a resource hub with links to practical support for professionals. Find out more here
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Mental health in the Criminal Justice System
Linda Bryant, Director of Criminal Justice Services at Together for Mental Wellbeing, has written a guest blog for Clinks on mental health and wellbeing in the Criminal Justice System. She says "Too many people pass through the Criminal Justice System without their mental health and wellbeing needs being recognised. With 70% of the prison population having some kind of mental health problem, but less than 1% of ex-offenders living in the community being referred for mental health treatment, our work to support vulnerable individuals is not yet done." Read the blog here
A basic guide to autism for prison officers
In an article from Network Autism, Dr Mitzi Waltz, a disability consultant, trainer and writer, gives a brief overview of autism for prison officers. It covers various aspects of autism that may assist prison officers in supporting autistic prisoners including sensory issues, communication and potential vulnerability. The article includes information on diagnosis, the link between autism and crime, and vulnerabilities in prison. Read the article here
Health Chief Executive’s response to the Spending Review
Duncan Selbie, Chief Executive of Public Health England, focused on the Spending Review in his ‘Friday message’ on the 27th November. He said “The settlement for the NHS fully funds the Five Year Forward View, providing stability for the NHS and the means to deliver on its commitment to get serious about prevention. We are working with NHS England on the introduction of a range of measures, including the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, a number of population health interventions and national public health programmes including screening and immunisation, and work with the criminal justice system.” Read the message here
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About Clinks Offender Health Bulletin
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 2,768 subscribers.
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Designed, composed and circulated by Ben Watson, Clinks.