Why we need a mental health crisis care concordat
Who do we rely on in times of crisis? If we’re talking physical trauma – a broken leg or a shattered hip for example – we or someone with us can call NHS 111 or 999. If we are unlucky …
Jon Rouse
The Better Care Fund: a spur to integration and innovation
For me, one of the defining moments of 2013 was the announcement last June of the £3.8 billion pooled fund intended to promote and galvanise joint working between health, care and support services to create truly integrated care at a …
Dementia: getting post diagnostic care and support right from the start
The recent publication of ‘Dementia: a state of the nation report’ and its maps of variation was the culmination of many weeks’ hard work by Department of Health colleagues and our dedicated sector partners. For the first time, anyone who …
Mental health: improving outcomes for people in crisis
Eight years ago last month, a good friend of mine with a long term mental health condition hit a crisis and asked to be admitted to a secure hospital overnight. He was refused and told his community worker would visit …
Homecare innovation
It’s been an interesting transition from local authority chief executive, responsible with my Director of Adult Social Services for commissioning homecare, to now sitting in the hot seat as the senior civil servant responsible for the legal and policy framework. …
New online resource to support better mental health for the young
I was struck last week by the excellent and well received presentation at the mental health ministerial advisory group by Dr Raphael Kelvin on ‘MindEd’ - the UK’s first children and young people’s mental health online programme. Dr Kelvin opened …
Celebrating the Social Care Commitment
We all know the importance of having a caring workforce that provides safe, high quality services to those who need care and support. That’s why I am so pleased to hear about the early success of the Social Care Commitment. …
Care Bill implementation: my six questions for local authorities
Really stimulating conversations here today at the National Children and Adult Services (NCAS) conference. I spoke this morning about Care Bill implementation and gave six questions that I would be considering if I was working in a local authority now. …
NCAS 2013 - looking forward to a conference of real engagement
I am really looking forward to my first National Children and Adult Services (NCAS) conference next week. As my responsibilities cover both adult social care and children’s health it is the one time in the year I will get to …
Values based recruitment
As I go round the country meeting social care workers in different settings, I am always struck by the obvious dedication and compassion they show, as they do some of the most demanding jobs you can imagine. Good staff and …
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