The Care Quality Commission has published its third annual report on the state of health and adult care in our nation.

The report is divided into four main sections:

• The shape of health and social care provision
• Access to care services
• Choice and control
• Quality and safety

It also includes case studies looking at how improvements in standards have been made by services and how our regulatory work has helped drive these improvements.

You can read and download a copy of State of Care here.

On Wednesday 27^th July disability rights campaigners from the anti-assisted suicide group Distant Voices, will stage a mock execution of a wheelchair user outside Parliament.

The Distant Voices stunt is aimed at giving greater publicity to a different view on assisted suicide.

A lot has been said in the press over the past through years by disabled people who want the right to die at a time of their choosing, without partners or friends getting punished for it; Distant Voices believes not enough thought is being given to the possibility that this might lead to the involuntary euthanasia of disabled people.

The protest will start at 1pm at Old Palace Yard from where campaigners wearing surgical masks will process by drumbeat to a scaffold where one wheelchair user will be doused in fake blood.

Activeyes is a group run by and for visually impaired people.
If you have a visual impairment and would you like to share your experiences with other people who have a visual impairment, join Activeyes support group – they meet at The Lock Works Cafe Bar at Light House, Chubb Buildings, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton.
Activeyes also have their own walks for health group. The walks take place on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. They meet outside the Tea Rooms at 11am in West Park, and the walk lasts for approx 45 minutes. It is suitable for all including wheelchair users. After the walk there is normally a break for light refreshments in the Tea Rooms.

The Coalition Health Secretary has announced that a new independent commission will be established to advise the Government on the future funding of long-term care and the NHS will be reformed to improve patient outcomes.

You can read the coalition document here>>>>>

The Government has launched its new white paper on plans for a National Care Service.

The white paper comes after wide consultation with many people including disabled people in wolverhampton who came to our 3 consultation meetings to have their say and be part of our submission to the Government>>

They seem to have moved from their original position – opposite to the funding of the health services – that only individuals who need care will pay for it – taking notice about what many disabled people’s groups have said on the matter.

Minister Andy Burnham said:

“I feel very strongly that this is a responsibility we must all help to shoulder. And it’s clear from what we have heard from the thousands of people who have given us their opinions on this over the past twelve months, that people agree. That’s why we know that the fairest way to help everyone who is affected by a serious disease, illness or disability is for us all to pay into a system so we get free care when we need it.”

You can download your own copy of the white paper here>>

One Voice member Ann Mathews has a petition of interest to disabled people on the Government petitions website here:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/FreeDisabledSwim/

The petition reads:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to extend the
free swim programme to include disabled people.

Disabled people have various kinds of problems that can limit
their mobility, however swimming or simply being in the water
can be enjoyed by everyone. It is a great fitness tool and can
change people’s mood. However it is very expensive which can
stop disabled people from being able to join in, so by
extending the free swim program we can make life a little
easier for disabled people and their carers.

If you agree, go to the link above and sign the petition!

Fit notes are brought in by the Government in April.

The fit note means that when you go to the doctor, instead of having a sick note signing you off work, the GP will now decide whether you are fit for work with some support, and what employers can do to help them return to work, includeing things like changed hours, a phased return, fewer dudies or workplace adaptations.

The aim is to decrease the number of people on sickness and employment support benefits.

If you want to know what’s happening with health and social care developments in your area, there are open days around Wolverhampton:

South West Area    Wednesday 24 February 2010    2 pm to 7 pm

Bantock Park, Finchfield Road, Wolverhampton

North East    Thursday 25 February 2010     2 pm to 7 pm

The Church of Good Shepherd, Second Avenue, Lowhill

South East    Friday 26 February 2010        2 pm to 7 pm

The Bilston Town Hall, Bilston

City Centre    Saturday 27 February 2010     10 am to 3 pm

Mander Centre, City Centre, Wolverhampton

For more details contact Cath Cunningham on 01902 444757 or e-mail Cath.Cunningham@wolvespct.nhs.uk or Heather Mytton-Sanneh on 01902 551461 or e-mail Heather.Mytton-Sanneh@wolverhampton.gov.uk