To support the publication of the “New Horizons: a shared vision for mental health” document published earlier this month, NHHDU have published their special briefing newsletter to coincide with its launch.
This document introduced by Ian McPherson, (director of the NMHDU) can be found at
http://www.nmhdu.org.uk/silo/files/nmhdu-briefing–new-horizons-special.pdf
From CQC website
CQC has published a five year plan outlining how it will drive up standards on behalf of people with learning disabilities.
This is in direct response to the inpatient follow up review which they also published on the same day.
You can read more here on the CQC website
Download the document here
The use of restraint is a challenging and at times controversial issue for the many workers who provide care and support in domestic and residential settings. SCIE has released a new set of resources available to the workforce, to support them to understand when restraint is appropriate, how to make informed decisions, and to introduce approaches to help avoid its use.
The Autism Act received Royal Assent on 12 November and places a duty on the Secretary of State to prepare and publish by 1 April 2010 a strategy for meeting the needs of adults in England with autistic spectrum conditions.
This will be achieved by improving the provision by local authorities and National Health Service bodies of health and social services.
In addition the Secretary of State is required to keep the autism strategy under review and may revise it. The Act also requires the Secretary of State to issue guidance, by 31 December 2010, to NHS bodies, NHS foundation trusts and local authorities on implementation of the strategy.
The Secretary of State must keep the guidance under review, and consult with the NHS and local authorities both before issuing the guidance and before revising it in any way that would result in a substantial change. The Act puts on local authorities and NHS bodies a duty to act under this guidance.
In developing the strategy, the underlying principle has been that wherever possible change should be delivered through the existing policy infrastructure and developed, accredited and attested mechanisms for delivery as set out in:
Autism Act can be downloaded here
Equal access? A practical guide for the NHS: creating a Single Equality Scheme that includes improving access for people with learning disabilities
This is a guide to support the NHS to include people with learning disabilities in their equality schemes, with practical examples of reasonable adjustments to achieve equality of access.
Written by Alison Giraud-Saunders, Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities on behalf of the Department of Health
Download the document here
With a rare gift for making the scholarly accessible, Liam Clarke presents an original reading of mental health issues based on some of the greatest works of English fiction. Utilising plays and novels, as well as a wide range of critical sources, he provides many fascinating and provocative insights into human distress, its effects and consequences both past and present.
Anyone interested in mental health, whatever their standpoint or field, will find here a new and startling source of information, theory and reflection. Fiction can be a powerful adjunct to mental health education and practice, its capacity to clarify and enlighten aspects of the field beyond doubt. This groundbreaking book makes a fine contribution to an enterprise that is as necessary as it is enjoyable and rewarding.
More details can be found here
New Horizons sets out an intention across a wide range of agencies to move towards a society where people understand that their mental well-being is as important as their physical health if they are to live their lives to the full. It describes some of the factors that affect well-being and some everyday strategies for preserving and boosting it. It also sets out the benefits, including economic benefits, of doing so.
New Horizons is a cross-government programme of action with the twin aims to:
* improve the mental health and well-being of the population
* improve the quality and accessibility of services for people with poor mental health.
See the New Horizons Website : http://www.newhorizons.dh.gov.uk/
This resource, published to support delivery of Valuing People Now: A New Three Year Strategy for People with Learning Disabilities has been produced jointly by our two Directorates, working with NHS colleagues.
The guide is designed to support Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), with local authorities and Learning Disability Partnership Boards, in commissioning general health services in ways that achieve better health outcomes for people with learning disabilities.
Download the document here
Experience in Mind is an innovative volunteering project led by young people committed to raising awareness about the mental health of young people.
The project designs and delivers training for professionals in young people’s services and in schools, for parents and for other young people using their own experiences of mental health.
