August 31, 2006
Thursday, 31st August 2006
Greetings from Angela Gifford, Proprietor of Able Community Care, and welcome to the Able Newsflash, published by email every Thursday morning.
If you enjoy reading it please forward it to any other person who may also find it of interest.
Alternatively, they can subscribe directly for their own copy each week from our website: http://www.uk-care.com
Care News
48 Hour Working WeekA recent European survey of approx. 10,000 people in Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain (over the age of 16) showed that 65% of German people, 52% of French people and 52% of people in Britain opposed the 48 hour control on the working week. (Financial Times)
The UK currently has an "opt out" arrangement for its workers if they wish to use it. However, currently German and French politicians are now pressing for the introduction of more flexible labour laws.
NHS funding for continuous care
In 2001 funded NHS nursing care in care homes was introduced. To date 42,000 people have received a contribution from the NHS for their nursing care, that prior to this date, they would have had tp pay for.
However, the path to receive such funding is unclear both to many professionals in care and the general public.
The Government wishes to have a single pathway for people who are eligible to receive funding and are asking for comments to be made as to how a single, national system for funding NHS continuous care.
The consultation period runs until 22nd September 2006 and if you wish to air your views and ideas go to: www.dh.gov.uk and in the search box type "consultation NHS continuing care" to bring up the appropriate document.
In-House News
In the last week we have visited potential clients in Norfolk, Lancashire and Cornwall. Risk Assessments have been carried out in Hertfordshire.New post has been started in Norfolk. Elderly lady with a terminal illness. Weekly inc. salary £579.00 p.w.
Interviews of potential carers have taken place in Norwich.
Application forms for seven respite care posts have come into the office from areas across the UK.
Interesting Information
An interesting situation may occur in the next couple of years with reference to the star ratings which are going to be given for England’s 25,000 adult care providers.For a long time, care providers in the independent sector have maintained that in respect to local authority contracts, it is likely that a company tendering with lower hourly rates/costs will be successful. Many companies have also had to accept much reduced margins in order to keep a contract to keep staff in their jobs.
Although high rates do not necessarily mean that the service is better, it is a fact that to adhere to high standards, to retain good staff, to provide additional services that make a company able to provide a more individual service to a person, does have a cost.
After the star ratings have been given, beginning next April, it will be of interest to see if cost or quality will be the driving force in contracting with the statutory bodies.
3.5% of the UK population have private dental cover but less than 0.1% have long term care cover.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this and "see you next week".
Best Wishes,
Angela Gifford, Proprietor
Able Community Care.
Able Community Care is a nationwide provider of Live-in Care services.
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