Welcome to the K&C LINk blog. With the kind support of the London Empowerment Partnership, this exciting new initiative will document the journey of the Kensington and Chelsea Local Involvement Network.
If you have any questions about using the K&C LINk blog please visit our How To Blog page HERE. The K&C LINk blog terms and conditions for user content and comments is available to view HERE
To tell us what you think simply click on the comment link at the end of each blog post.
Looking at LINks Blog
Transparency in Outcomes - a framework for the NHS?
Further to the white paper last week, please note ‘Andrew Lansley has put out a consultation document on the "outcomes framework" he is creating for the NHS. Put bluntly, these are the five criteria that the government will use to decide whether the NHS Commissioning Board (which oversee commissioning in the new devolved system) is doing a good job.
The five proposed criteria are:
• Preventing people from dying prematurely
• Enhancing the quality of life for people with long-term conditions
• Helping people to recover from episodes of ill health or following injury
• Ensuring people have a positive experience of care
• Treating and caring for people in a safe environment and protecting them from avoidable harm.
Please see the related press release on the Department of Health website:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/MediaCentre/Pressreleases/DH_117628
(Source: the Guardian, 19/07/2010)
Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS
The NHS White Paper, 'Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS,' sets out the Government's long-term vision for the future of the NHS. The vision builds on the core values and principles of the NHS - a comprehensive service, available to all, free at the point of use, based on need, not ability to pay.
It sets out how they will:
- put patients at the heart of everything the NHS does;
- focus on continuously improving those things that really matter to patients - the outcome of their healthcare; and
- empower and liberate clinicians to innovate, with the freedom to focus on improving healthcare services
The Department is consulting on elements of these proposals. For further information please see:
The White Paper 'Liberating the NHS'
Please see paragraphs 2.23 - 2.25 for information of their proposals for LINks to become the Local HealthWatch, with an enhanced role for local authorities in promoting choice and advocacy through commissioned arrangements.
Source: Department of Health, 12/07/2010
In Our Space - The Young Carers Photo Project
The photos attached were taken by young people between the ages of 12 and 17 who perform a significant caring role for a family member at home. After brainstorming with the group and K&C LINk we decided to undertake this photography project entitled, ‘In Our Space’ for K&C Link’s, ‘R U in the Picture’.
Six young carers went away to take pictures of a space or place that was important to them armed only with their mobile phones. Their remit was to capture something of how and where they like to relax in images. The group then came together a few weeks later to share and discuss their images.
Some of the pictures feature friends, demonstrating how these young people relish the time they are able to spend with their peers. The images show creativity and highlight passions and interests like music, photography, art and literature and they highlight the importance of diverse youth services in the borough, where young carers can mix with other young people in a safe space, away from their responsibilities at home.
The Young Carers Group offers this respite time with weekly activities that work towards achieving the Every Child Matters Outcomes as well as being fun. The activities are shaped by the young carers and their input into our service is invaluable. The discussions prompted by these photographs have helped us to create our summer activity program, which includes a young carers BBQ that is open to friends and family and group exercise activities in Hyde Park. We have also put Aundre, a member of the group, in touch with Golborne Youth Centre, which runs a Youth Arts Music Academy. (This was done as a result of discussions around his image.)
Following the completion of the project completed, the NHS K&C has kindly agreed to donate £1,000.00 of photography equipment to The Young Carers Group so they can continue with their creative & innovative work!
Differences in the nation's health revealed
A snapshot of health for each local area comparing key statistics such as life expectancy, deprivation and early deaths from stroke and heart disease has been published today by the Department of Health.
http://www.apho.org.uk/default.aspx?QN=P_HEALTH_PROFILES
The health profiles will help local authorities, GPs and health services to target their resources effectively to improve the overall health and wellbeing of those who need it most.
The collated summaries show that there are clear variations in health across the country.
Key findings include:
- Life expectancy for men and women continues to increase.
- Early deaths from heart disease, stroke and cancer continue to fall.
- The highest rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions are found in urban areas of the North East and North West, including Liverpool, Newcastle and Middlesborough.
- There are higher rates of malignant melanoma skin cancer in the South West and South East, including Plymouth, Weymouth and Portland, and Oxfordshire.
Check out how Kensington & Chelsea performs at: http://www.apho.org.uk/resource/view.aspx?QN=HP_RESULTS&GEOGRAPHY=AW
