Posted: October 27, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: News, TWIG Ops statements |
Just a reminder that the TWIG Ops blog, Facebook and Twitter accounts are closing at the end of the month. You will still be able to see the blog, but it won’t be updated from this date.
From 3/11 you will be able to find out what’s happening in mental health across Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and Croydon through a new website portal: www.slam.nhs.uk/getinvolved.
Please follow them and send them your news and views to share with others. Why not follow South London and Maudsley on Facebook? Visit https://www.facebook.com/slamnhs.
You can also follow SLaM on Twitter @MaudsleyNHS and Google Circles https://plus.google.com/+MaudsleyNHS’
Posted: August 18, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: News, What we do |
Dear all,
While I thank you all very much, service users, staff and the third sector, for your emails to SLaM, it seems pretty clear that the Trust has no intention of listening to you.
I’m finding it too stressful continuing and feeling like a sitting duck, so we’re closing the blog now, so this will be the last post. This means that I no longer have to deal with the Trust re the blog, rather than continuing until the 8th September, as previously notified.
I had previously asked Bridget and Matthew if they wanted to say anything to you, so if they do, I will post this by 8th September. If they do I will then repost this so that it remains at the top.
To continue the blog we need £5000 each year, from an organisation that can pay me PAYE. To continue to run our other Social Media we need £4000, subject to the same conditions. We very much hope that funding will be offered in the future, as we all passionately believe in the work that we do :-).
If you have any offers to make, or if you wish to explore this further, please email me at d.rosieruk@gmail.com.
You can see the history of this via the following links:
https://slamtwigops.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/funding-will-cease-for-our-social-media-in-less-than-3-months/
https://slamtwigops.wordpress.com/2014/07/25/update-re-the-future-of-our-social-media/
https://slamtwigops.wordpress.com/2014/08/08/future-of-our-social-media-august-update/
https://slamtwigops.wordpress.com/2014/08/14/bullying-from-slam-to-shut-the-blog-rather-than-make-it-inactive/
I have been given a very small amount of funding until the end of October and will be using this time / £ to reply to people who send us things to post by emailing them this post; advising them that for now we are closed, so to take us off their mailing lists; and advising them that if they subscribe to the blog then they will hear if it is subsequently reactivated, at which point we can take postings again.
Here are some of the emails we’ve been copied into recently, asking for reconsideration about the future of the blog:
https://slamtwigops.wordpress.com/2014/08/18/recent-emails-in-support-of-the-blog/
It seems that most people who have written in since we asked last month have not / are not being responded to; however, in one that was responded to, The Trust specifically mentioned that they would be working with Bridget and Matthew, who run our other social media, so we can only assume from this that they do not intend to be working with me / the blog:
“We are looking at new plans for communicating the work of those on the involvement register, and how we can support service users more widely, to forge their own networks and engage with staff SLaM. Social media is as you say a very important tool. I am working with those who run the Twitter site and the Facebook page for TWIG Ops to look at how best we can take things forward.”
This is despite them earlier giving me this assurance: “Hi D. Matthew and Bridget both contacted me after our last meeting to say that they would be happy to help out between now and September if needed. More than happy to seek your views too if you would like to offer them.”
Last year we were told that our social media was specifically excluded from the Review of Involvement, but now this review is being quoted by the Trust, where there is no reference to us:
“These developments are part of a wider review of the involvement register. The Board paper (reviewed and approved by the Board on 27 May) is here if you need more information: http://www.slam.nhs.uk/media/266270/May%202014.pdf.”
Next they told us to change our blog address, which they knew was impossible:
“If you have decided to keep the site inactive (rather than shutting it down) then you will need to make sure you use the time to remove all associations to (and mentions of) South London and Maudsley / SLaM / SLaMTWIGOPs from the blog. This includes the domain name for the blog which reads as: slamtwigops”
and then quickly backtracked:
“To explain, there is no pressure for the TWIGOPs blog site to be removed or deleted. Those running the blog may decide to continue it if they choose to. My request was that the blog site (which is now named ‘South London Involvement Forum’) change its WordPress domain address from the old SLaM one, to match its new name, given that SLaM will not be paying for the blog to run.
If we are able to accept posts in the future you will need to send them to me at d.rosieruk@gmail.com and not to twigops@slam.nhs.uk.
Thank you again for making this such a wonderful resource for the last 3 and a half years! It’s been a complete joy to be working with you all, spreading the word 🙂
With very best wishes,
D
Blog administrator
Posted: August 18, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: News |
“Hello,
I still haven’t received a satisfactory response, or in fact any response to my email of 21 July 2014, although I have (somewhat ironically) been updated generically via South London Involvement Forum.
I now have a couple of supplementary questions:
Why, as appears to be the case, are SLaM pushing to close down a service user resource rather than supporting them to find alternative funding?
What has become of Public and Patient Involvement within SLaM since the end of TWIG ops, TWIG strategic and PEG which in October 2013 were dissolved to make way for a ‘newer more effective group’ which would, we were told, be a ‘ new beginning would start the new process of bridging the bottom to the top (sic)’
I ask these as a former member of both TWIG ops and TWIG strategic and as a current member of SLaM”
.
“If you are not happy with D’s performance running the blog then you will need to review her and dismiss her. If you are ending the project anyway (due to this big review) you would make D redundant, and then simply not rehire her. However…
If D has done a good job you’ll get trouble from your reps. Obviously I haven’t seen the whole story, but if the blog is as good as it appears to be then that would suggest D has done a good job. Sacking good staff is usually a bad plan.”
.
“Dear Colleagues,
I emphasise I write today in a personal capacity, not on behalf of the organisations I’m currently or previously employed by.
The news earlier this year that the blog had to close was a surprise to me to say the least, as if anything, I would have expected a maintenance, if not raise in official Trust support.
Having worked directly in service user involvement with organisations based in Southwark, and previously a ‘member’ of SLaM’s Trust-wise Personalisation steering group, and a member of the former Southwark LINk mental health sub-group, the blog was a vital source of both information – often in a format I could disseminate to e.g. self-advocacy skills training course trainees, and news available to an audience I knew that was interested in viewing it, diverse, and unique in the extent of reach achievable.
I still subscribe to the e-bulletins, and I agree with other views that not to have the blog resource is bad enough, but not to have an archive copy would be a severe loss to both the mental health service user/survivor civil rights movement and national archive, and the Trusts own record of activity, and indeed achievement in many areas, in my view.
For individuals, their stories, peaks and troughs often depicted in news of new ventures, gains celebrated, calls for participation – Trust employees and public, will again be unjustly and adversely affected if the blog is lost, and not accessible. Is the Trust offering to resource transition?
I’ve viewed, or been involved in NHS initiatives, including I believe at SLaM, that always appeared to me to be heading for a false economy, in financial and with regard to the human cost.
I therefore personally urge you to consider whether or not the intended ending of this well-respected service is in the best interests of the people the Trust exists to serve across its extensive domains; and, if you can really summon up as much strength of feeling as the numerous people have expressed toward keeping the blog, in going about the Trust’s business completing its shut-down with the associated risk of making it inaccessible.”
.
“I wrote (to one of the Comms team, CCing the CEO) a few weeks ago expressing my concern about the ceasing of funding for the SLAM TWIGOps social media, and in particular, its blog. I was really disappointed that there was no response to me from SLAM, let alone acknowledgement how vitally important SLAMTWIGOps has been in my health, given that all SLAM treatments have done for me is to undermine my condition, with the SLAM TWIGOps being the only ‘open door’ that allowed me to discover third sector opportunities which have at least marginally stabilised my health.
The SLAM TWIGOps social media was entirely consistent with SLAM’s claim of approaches to empower patients and to draw on peer support, and with it costing so very little it is bizarre that SLAM have taken such a non-cost effective, and non-strategic approach, in eliminating this valuable resource.
I have now heard that SLAM has put pressure on the SLAM TWIGOps ‘archive’ to be deleted/the site removed. This is entirely inappropriate. Whilst it will be *nothing* compared to its ‘live’ version, the archive will nevertheless still prove invaluable information, directing patients/carers/those alienated from services to information sources which may still be operating.
This whole situation is reflecting very badly on both SLAM’s management and communications activities.”
.
“I’m going to say this once, and once only. Cover-ups solve nothing.
The reason why I am saying this is because you want to destroy the much-loved SLAM TWIG Ops blog. You want to disassociate SLAM with it, by either having it moved or destroyed.
I can only assume you are panicking about Govt funding, and have gone too far.
PPI is part of Recovery, and Service Users are allowed an opinion ( by law ). As such to destroy a record of those real opinions is clearly VERY dodgy. It doesn’t matter if they approve or oppose Govt decisions; they are allowed to have this view ( as voters ). Funding is different, fair enough; as that is the gagging bill; but even so. Denying Service Users a voice on Welfare Benefits Issues ( which is political, obviously ) is clearly not going to help anyone recover.
Leave them alone, or I’ll raise the issue with Croydon CCG. I do not like how you are working at present I have to say. Destroying the evidence is EXTREMELY bad practice. I understand The Law has been changed re funding ( in the year leading up to a General Election ), but even so. In normal times you are allowed to collect data and pass it to both commissioners & Ministers ( gentle Lobbying ). And after Election 2015 you will be allowed to fund it again, so will need the historical record so you can compare & contrast over time. It’s just in the current year that things have got a bit weird.
Steve understands this, so I suggest you learn from him on this one. As a Comms manager I’m surprised that you’d make this mistake, but there you go.”
.
“For me, the TWIG Ops (along with Sue’s Involvement Register) are at the heart of SLaM service user involvement, and these two places are always my first port of call.
I hope you will be able to find some money to continue facilitating involvement work in South London – regardless of whether it is under the SLaM badge or not.
There definitely needs to be a hub through which involvement opportunities can be advertised, since there is too much of a need for involvement work.
Many of my colleagues would agree with me here. This is a really big loss.”
.
“I have read your recent comments and the notes, thank you.
I would say this whole issue is about ‘control’ rather than ‘funding’.
They must have found their old copy of ‘1984’ to read again.. join the Inner Party, or else the Prols!
Their printed magazine does not even mention the names of the editorial staff…unwelcoming and impersonal.
You clearly do have a good fanbase and could maybe continue posting your comments and links to all the interesting events that we like to read about, without being officially ‘from SLaM’… Maud’s Special Links Associates, maybe?
I suppose that would have to be on a voluntary spare-time basis; how much would the overheads be, for Matthew reporting from events as he usually does so well, for example?
Or raising sponsorship from a walk around Ruskin Park?
Otherwise I would still receive official emails from SLaM, being on their database, and it would be interesting to compare their editorial content and entertainment value!”
.
“I want to register the disappointment of myself, colleagues and members at [x] on hear that Slamtwig will no longer be funded. I get lots of excellent information about what is happening through the network, which I print and present to our members in our information exchange meetings. I get to read and hear a diversity of opinions from people using services that are valued by us and add to the co-production of activities designed for delivery here. It will be genuinely missed.”
“I’ve read that funding of the SLaM Involvement Forums’ online presence is due to stop in the near future.
I use your social media in several ways;
- as a member of SLaM and a former service user I continue to value my recovery and now I am no longer under services a large part of this is online. Whilst it is true that there is a vast amount of online information, blogs and social media around mental health I like things to be from a trusted and reliable source like SLaM (oh the joys of having paranoia in your diagnosisJ)
- In my work role I send in details of events and activities that are coming up which I know reach people we would otherwise not come into contact with
- I hear about events which I may not be aware of and pass them onto our service users and disseminate them across my networks. I’m sure I’m not alone in doing this and this must extend the reach of the SLaM social media platforms far beyond the number of subscribers and visits.
People with a MH diagnosis are far less likely to use computers for a variety of reasons and I feel this decision moves them further from integration into the online community
I would be interested to know why, in an age where the power and importance of social media is growing by the day, funding has been taken from this resource.“
.
“I am writing to register my disappointment that the social media project SLAM TWIG Operations has had their funding cut.
In times where mental health services users’ benefits and services are being taken away, SLAM TWIGS was a beacon of light that gave hope through sharing opportunities and providing connections in a disconnecting world.
I, as a SLAM service user, found it invaluable in my recovery to move forward and not get lost in recovery’s no man land, where you pushed out of services with no signposts to help you on your way. SLAM TWIG provided some of those signposts.
Please reconsider your action.”
.
“I am a SLaM service user and member of the Involvement Register. I am writing to beg you to reconsider your decision to cut the funding from the service user blog. This is an invaluable form of social inclusion and involvement that myself and others benefit from everyday. If I am unable to get out of the house due to worsening of my condition, the blog keeps me informed and makes me feel connected to the community. When I am able to get involved, it offers me news and opportunities for bits of work, and also info about local groups, charities and advice. Mainly it is run by service users for service users so our views are represented and taken seriously.
I can’t believe the small amount it takes to run these services is deemed to be unnecessary. It will take away a valuable service and take away yet another small thing that improves the quality of my life.
I hope you take this view into account”
.
There were also some comments in reply to our posts, including this:
“Very sorry to see you go. The blog has been an independent, invaluable source of information to SUs (and some employees!) Many staff continue to strive to provide a caring, collaborative service but SLaM management appear to have forgotten their key remit i.e. supporting and enabling service users. I should know. I’ve been a patient for 11 years and SLaM is a shadow of its former self particularly in taking a holistic approach to the well being of SUs. Benefit advisors cut from CMHTs and withdrawal of funding for this independent forum (£6000 per annum) being cases in point. I couldn’t give a flying fiddle for ‘Bedlam’ and TV awards. Shame the same can not be said for Board and their henchmen (sic). An offer of improving Trust-led (i.e Trust manipulated) SU initiatives is merely short change.”
.
Posted: August 16, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: News | Tags: How to fund the NHS, NHS England London, tax avoidance |
Posted: August 14, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: News | Tags: cuts, government, mental health cuts, Mental Health Policy Group, mental health services, Mental Health Support, NHS mental health service |
We are deeply concerned by recent cuts to NHS mental health service providers which exacerbate the problems of an already extremely under-resourced sector.
These cuts are the most recent in a long list of events that display the Government’s lack of support for the sector, says Isabella Goldie, our Director of Development and Delivery: “Despite mental health problems being 23% of the burden of illness in England, funding (currently sitting at 13%) is becoming even more disproportionate.
“Whilst we absolutely welcome the government’s commitment to parity of esteem for mental health and a move to a focus on outcomes, recent figures show immediate and drastic action is needed”.
Figures from a recent HSJ analysis of all 57 Trusts show one in five experienced cuts of 5-9%, leading to a dramatic reduction in beds and staff available to people who require acute mental health support.
“We can see from the steep rise in out-of-area placements that those who need highly specialised care and support are travelling long distances for services.
“It is unacceptable that people, at their most vulnerable, afraid and distressed, are being placed in unfamiliar areas, and shows that mental health services are reaching a crisis point.
“Given that 1 in 4 people (and growing) will experience mental health problems this is an issue that affects us all.”
We advocate for more work to be done in prevention across the course of a life and call for further investment in evidence-based preventative approaches such as parenting support.
“Any compassionate society needs to ensure that our public services are available and fit for purpose when people are at their most vulnerable,” says Isabella.
“For mental health services this means ensuring services are measured and funded based on outcomes that drive real improvements to the lives of people with mental health problems.”
Our joint Mental Health Policy Group has joined a wide range of other professional bodies, service user and carer groups and academics to express concern about what this means for already disproportionately funded mental services and the aim of the government to create parity of esteem.
Via http://mentalhealth.org.uk/
Posted: August 14, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: News, What we do | Tags: blog, Bullying from SLaM to shut the blog, funding, SLaM, SLaM Comms team |
Dear all,
Earlier today we notified SLaM that our last post would be on 8th September, after which the blog would be dormant until or unless we secured future funding.
SLaM responded by telling us that we had to change the blog domain address (which they knew was impossible), or to shut down the site. Leaving it dormant was not an option.
After we challenged the legality of their edict, they backtracked.
Here’s today’s emails: Corres with SLaM Comms 14th August
It’s so sad that they are trying to make us disappear, so that the blog can’t even be a historical resource.
If you’re cross or sad about this, please email the Head of Comms: Sarah.Crack@slam.nhs.uk and / or the Chief Exec: matthew.patrick@slam.nhs.uk, copied to me at d.rosieruk@gmail.com .
Best wishes,
D
Blog Administrator
Posted: August 12, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: ESA, DLA, PIP & Universal Credit, News | Tags: ATOS, benefits, Conservative, David Cameron’s, DWP, government, Guardian, mental health problems, out-of-work benefit, volunteering |
Further to your coverage of the sad and wasteful death of David Clapson (‘No one should die penniless and alone’, G2, 4 August), today (9 August) marks the anniversary of the discovery of the emaciated body of Mark Wood, a vulnerable sufferer from severe mental health problems, in David Cameron’s Oxfordshire constituency. Mr Wood had been erroneously and incompetently declared fit for work by Atos (on behalf of the DWP) and the consequent cutting of benefits was a clear “accelerating factor” in his death by starvation. The architects of deaths like these remain in charge of the DWP. There have of course been other well-attested deaths-by-DWP and there will be more (especially among the vulnerable disabled), as current reforms roll out their panoply of delays, despair and effective victimisation across the country. The real human costs of sick government must never be forgotten.
Stewart Eames
Cambridge
• David Clapson’s death is a sad reflection on the impact of government policies. I was fortunate enough to be able to work from the age of 15 to 70, paying all due taxes. Should we really care if a few people manipulate the system, if it means that no one is unfairly penalised and slips below the safety net necessary to provide a reasonable standard of living? I am not religious, but I do think that this heartless government should consider “there, but for the grace of God, go I”.
Wendy Collins
Batley, West Yorkshire
• The harrowing comments on benefit sanctions (G2, 6 August) didn’t discuss the political basis for these punitive measures. People mostly vote on a tribal basis, for “our sort of people”. When people become afraid of falling into poverty they take comfort in the hope that it only happens to the “other sort of people” and vote Conservative as an act of faith. This is the same mechanism that unites a country under threat of war and persuades dirt-poor Americans to oppose Obamacare rather than admit to themselves that they might one day need it.
D Sewell
Driffield, East Yorkshire
• Shame on the Guardian for describing out-of-work benefit recipients as “the idle poor” (Report, 5 August). On the basis of what evidence do you write them off as idle? Are those caring for children or infirm relatives, volunteering in the community, actively seeking work or simply working hard just to get by on a low income idle? Language matters and it is the use of othering language such as this by the media and politicians that has contributed to the “draining away of public support” for social security.
Ruth Lister
Labour, House of Lords
Via http://www.theguardian.com/
Posted: August 10, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: News | Tags: budget cuts, cancer, cardiovascular disease, charity, David Cameron, dementia, diabetes, government, Mental Health Care, mental health care crisis, mental health services, Mentally ill patients, Mind, NHS budget, psychiatry, Rethink Mental Illness, UK’s mental health care is in crisis |
Just last week, data obtained from freedom of information requests led to claims that the NHS treated mental health care as a “second-class service”. Indeed, thousands of mentally ill patients have been forced to travel “hundreds of miles” for treatment in recent years. Extreme cases have seen patients being forcibly sectioned so that they can receive care in overcrowded wards. Even medical students have resorted to asking for greater teaching on psychiatry, highlighting the derisory attention that mental health issues receive. Yet the state of mental health services is unsurprising considering that they receive only 13 per cent of the NHS budget, despite mental illness affecting around a quarter of the UK population.
Worse still, national spending on mental health has consistently decreased over the past three years. And the trend isn’t limited to adult care; mental health services for children and adolescents have also seen a fall in funding. This decline seems even more irrational considering adolescence is the period when many mental illnesses first manifest, and that hospitals are recording a rise in hospital admissions for conditions such as eating disorders.
The budget cuts have had a noticeable impact, with doctors citing the changes as a cause of “avoidable deaths and suicides,” while mental health organisations claimed that the cuts “put lives at risk”. Mental illness also has a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life, and is thought to contribute to poor physical health, having been associated with diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. As well as the ethical concerns of these cases, such neglect of the mentally ill also has practical implications; a report by the London School of Economics found that the NHS could save over £50m a year by reversing budget cuts to preventative and early intervention therapies.
Yet perhaps the most striking aspect of the decrease in funding comes from the comparison with other areas of health care. The government, for instance, took great pride in announcing that the Cancer Drugs Fund would be ring-fenced until 2016. While it would be wrong to question the severity of diseases such as cancer, it is worth considering that this budget is reserved for treatments that aren’t ordinarily commissioned because they are not cost-effective. Given the nature of the NHS’s funding crisis, it seems unfair to fund relatively inefficient treatments, while the NHS’s most vulnerable patients are left without basic care.
This is the problem. Eager to brand their “reform” of the NHS as good for patients, the coalition has protected the emotive areas of health care that already benefit from public awareness. Aware that severely cutting the budget for paediatrics or cancer care would result in public outrage, the government are cynically withdrawing care from those most lacking a voice in society: the mentally ill.
Although this current crisis is alarming, such disregard of mental health isn’t a recent phenomenon. Plagued by a history of taboo and prejudice, mental health care has historically been chronically underfunded. With a media happy to brand mentally ill people as “psychos” and a threat to society, it has been relatively easy for politicians to excuse this injustice. But public perceptions are changing; a report by the charity Rethink Mental Illness found that public understanding and tolerance of mentally ill people is improving, while 63 per cent were aware of a close friend having a mental health problem.
This is important; for a politician to stand up for mental health care now wouldn’t just be a principled action, it’d be a popular one. With time, and the excellent work of campaign groups, this positive trend in public attitudes will only continue, allowing society to grow in confidence to discuss one of our greatest health challenges. The mental health charity Mind suggests that the next government commits to a 10 per cent rise in the NHS’s mental health budget over the next five years. Considering the state of mental health care and the current funding disparity between health services, this is not an unreasonable request.
Past governments have chosen an area of health care to focus on, in order to target voter demographics. In 1999, Blair announced his “crusade against cancer”. Seeking the “grey vote”, David Cameron called for a “national challenge” to beat neurological diseases such as dementia. But the disgrace of the NHS’s mental health provision goes beyond party politics. Regardless of who wins the general election, the next government must embrace bold reform to end our longstanding neglect of the mentally ill.
Via http://www.newstatesman.com
Posted: August 8, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: News, What we do | Tags: Facebook, funding, Future of our social media: August update, Patient and Public involvement, SLaM, Slam blog, SLaM Comms team, social-media, Twitter |
Dear all,
Last month we told you about SLaM’s plan’s to pull funding from our social media on 30th September here: https://slamtwigops.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/funding-will-cease-for-our-social-media-in-less-than-3-months/
Thank you to all of you who wrote in to SLaM, asking for a reconsideration.
Later last month we updated you on the new date of 8th September here: https://slamtwigops.wordpress.com/2014/07/25/update-re-the-future-of-our-social-media/
We were called to a meeting earlier this week, at 2 days notice, which two of our team were able to make. The notes of that meeting are here: Notes of Meeting to discuss SLaM Blog. You’ll note that there was no dialogue: it was simply a meeting for SLaM to tell us of their latest decisions, lead by by the Trust Director for Patient and Public Involvement.
At that meeting, we were told of the latest plan: that there would be a cut of 50% in our funding from 8th September, which would stop altogether on 30th October. In addition we were asked to provide advice to the SLaM Comms team on setting up new, SLaM run platforms, within this new 50% funding level.
SLaM seem to fundamentally not “get” the reasons for the need for an independent service user and carer led voice, or to understand why so many of it’s current and former patients are fearful of engagement with Trust-led initiatives. We have done all we can to explain this, time and time again, and we’re incredibly sorry that we’ve not been heard, on your behalf.
Your social media team have been unable to find a way to continue our services in anything like their current forms until that date, with these cuts, so this is to let you know that the blog will stop taking postings on 8th September. Our Facebook and Twitter presence may continue until the end of October.
On a personal note, may I take this opportunity to say that for me it has been a very great pleasure to have worked with you over the last three and a half years, and to have been part of this growing community which we have helped to link up :-). I am incredibly sorry to see the blog and our other platforms go, and can’t see how new platforms, run by the Trust, can replace them, when so many people are so suspicious of their health provider, based on their own direct experience :-(.
With best wishes,
D
Blog Adminstrator
Posted: July 25, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: News, What we do | Tags: blogs, funding, Ray Johannsen-Chapman, SLaM, SLaM Twig Ops, South London Involvement Forum, subscribers, Update re the future of our social media |
Dear Subscribers,
We posted last month that funding would cease for our social media on 30th September: https://slamtwigops.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/funding-will-cease-for-our-social-media-in-less-than-3-months/
One of subscribers wrote in to the Trust as we requested, and Sarah Crack, from SLaM Comms, replied to them, copied to us. In Sarah’s email she said that the funding would now cease on Monday 8th September, almost a month earlier than we were told last month. We’re also concerned that a decision made by the Involvement team is being communicated to a third party, and by another bit of the organisation.
We wrote expressing our concern at this to SLaM on Monday 21st July, and on Thursday 24th July this new date was confirmed by Ray Johannsen-Chapman in the attached letter.
from Ray July 2014
We still can’t understand why they are closing our media before they have replacements in place.
SLaM has contested some of our posts, including us posting articles from the Guardian newspaper. We feel that this is over-cautious. All of us working in the variety of social media try to be very careful what we share with you and it would be good to know how you think we are doing. We don’t seek to take up an adversarial position with the Trust and we believe that everything that we post or send to you via our other social media is in the public interest.
Here are some excerpts from some of the emails we’ve received. It would be great if you could add your voice to them, and / or explore other avenues of funding for us to continue our work.
Best wishes,
D
Blog administrator
.
I’ve read that funding of the SLaM Involvement Forums’ online presence is due to stop in the near future.
I use your social media in several ways;
– as a member of SLaM and a former service user I continue to value my recovery and now I am no longer under services a large part of this is online. Whilst it is true that there is a vast amount of online information, blogs and social media around mental health I like things to be from a trusted and reliable source like SLaM (oh the joys of having paranoia in your diagnosisJ)
– In my work role I send in details of events and activities that are coming up which I know reach people we would otherwise not come into contact with
– I hear about events which I may not be aware of and pass them onto our service users and disseminate them across my networks. I’m sure I’m not alone in doing this and this must extend the reach of the SLaM social media platforms far beyond the number of subscribers and visits.
People with a MH diagnosis are far less likely to use computers for a variety of reasons and I feel this decision moves them further from integration into the online community
I would be interested to know why, in an age where the power and importance of social media is growing by the day, funding has been taken from this resource.
.
I am writing to register my disappointment that the social media project SLAM TWIG Operations has had their funding cut.
In times where mental health services users’ benefits and services are being taken away, SLAM TWIGS was a beacon of light that gave hope through sharing opportunities and providing connections in a disconnecting world.
I, as a SLAM service user, found it invaluable in my recovery to move forward and not get lost in recovery’s no man land, where you pushed out of services with no signposts to help you on your way. SLAM TWIG provided some of those signposts.
Please reconsider your action.
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I was very disappointed to find out that funding was to cease for the South London Involvement Forum.
I was directed towards the Forum earlier this year. I find their weekly digest full of useful information and details of all sorts of activities around the boroughs.
In particular I find their reports on the Hear Us meetings excellent. There must be an awful lot of effort put into them. I am not always able to attend the entire meeting and need the Forums detailed reports to find out what I missed and to clarify areas I did not understand.
I believe SLaM should be publicising the Forum as a resource rather than removing its funding. I find it far more useful than the displays of leaflets and posters around SLaM properties which can often be out of date.
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I am a SLaM service user and member of the Involvement Register. I am writing to beg you to reconsider your decision to cut the funding from the service user blog. This is an invaluable form of social inclusion and involvement that myself and others benefit from everyday. If I am unable to get out of the house due to worsening of my condition, the blog keeps me informed and makes me feel connected to the community. When I am able to get involved, it offers me news and opportunities for bits of work, and also info about local groups, charities and advice. Mainly it is run by service users for service users so our views are represented and taken seriously.
I can’t believe the small amount it takes to run these services is deemed to be unnecessary. It will take away a valuable service and take away yet another small thing that improves the quality of my life.
I hope you take this view into account
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Quite a shock about the possibility of having the funding discontinued for all of your great reporting online.
I particularly look forward to Matthew’s video analysis, for example.
…
I really appreciate receiving these regular email news bulletins from you, to inform me and keep me up to date with opportunities in ‘our’ community, and if at all possible would use a modest amount of my income to support you financially in the future to help you continue your good work.
This is a deserving cause alright.
Hoping to hear some better news..
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I was really upset to see that the well established social media activities relating to TWIG are to cease. I know from the recent SLAM magazine that a larger social media body exists but I do not have a relationship with those postings and feel reluctant to form one.
D Rosier is a trusted, effective service user involvement expert and her judgment regarding the posts on TWIG which balance opportunities in work and education and socially as well as useful information regarding benefit changes and activities that highlight how people with lived experience of mental distress feel about their treatment.
Posted: July 23, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: ESA, DLA, PIP & Universal Credit, News | Tags: 'vulnerable' group, back-to-work schemes, benefit claimants, Benefit sanctions, benefits system, DWP, government, hardship payments, Jobcentre, Jobcentre Plus adviser, local authorities, Oakley's report, social security, Work Programme |
Claimants not told about hardship system and sanctions imposed when they were not at fault, DWP study finds
Many jobcentre advisers identified a ‘vulnerable’ group who tended to be sanctioned more than others, the report said.
Systematic problems in the way the government administers and imposes benefit sanctions, including disproportionate burdens on the most vulnerable, are revealed in a report commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions.
The report found the way in which the DWP communicated with claimants was legalistic, unclear and confusing. The most vulnerable claimants were often left at a loss as to why benefits were stopped and frequently not informed by the DWP about hardship payments to which they were entitled, it said.
It also revealed serious flaws in how sanctions were imposed, with Work Programme providers required to send participants for sanctions when they knew they had done nothing wrong, leaving “claimants … sent from pillar to post”.
The independent report was written for the DWP by Matthew Oakley, a respected welfare expert who has worked as an economic adviser for the Treasury and for the centre-right thinktank Policy Exchange.
He is widely acknowledged as one of the leading thinkers on welfare on the centre right and as a result his criticisms, couched in careful language, are all the more damaging for a government that has consistently said the sanction regime is fair.
The DWP responded to the report by saying it would be updating the way it talked to benefit claimants, setting up a specialist team to look at all communications, including claimant letters, and working more closely with local authorities and advice centres to simplify the system.
The government will also streamline “the robust checks and and balances that are already in place that give claimants the opportunity to provide evidence why they have not complied with the rules”.
It will also clarify the guidance on how claimants can access hardship payments, as well as co-operate more closely with Work Programme providers so there is more integration about what a claimant is permitted to do without facing the threat of a benefit sanction.
Oakley’s report said: “No matter what system of social security is in place, if it is communicated poorly, if claimants do not understand the system and their responsibilities and if they are not empowered to challenge decisions they believe to be incorrect and seek redress, then it will not fulfil its purpose. It will be neither fair nor effective.”
Although Oakley said the regime was not fundamentally broken, he made 17 recommendations for reform.
His terms of reference confined him to the way in which sanctions are administered on mandatory back-to-work schemes, which cover a third of those claimants at risk of being sanctioned, but he said his proposed reforms were relevant to the entire benefits system.
The report said “letters were, on the whole, found to be complex and difficult to understand. Partly as a result of the legal requirements the department has to fulfil when it writes to claimants, regular concerns were that letters:
• Were overly long and legalistic in their tone and content;
• Lacked personalised explanations of the reason for sanction referrals;
• Were not always clear around the possibility of and process surrounding appeals or application for hardship payments; and
• Were particularly difficult for the most vulnerable claimants to understand – meaning that the people potentially most in need of the hardship system were the least likely to be able to access it.”
The report added: “Actual and sample letters that the review team saw were hard to understand (even for those working in the area), unclear as to why someone was being sanctioned and confusingly laid out.”
The review found that many people “expressed concerns that the first that claimants knew of adverse decisions was when they tried to get their benefit payment out of a cash point but could not”.
The report also said jobcentre advisers had highlighted the damage sanctions imposed on the most vulnerable. It stated: “Many advisers also highlighted the difficulties of communicating with particular groups of claimants. In particular, many advisers identified a ‘vulnerable’ group who tended to be sanctioned more than the others because they struggled to navigate the system. This concern for the vulnerable claimants was consistent throughout the visits.
“For these groups, particular difficulties were highlighted around the length of time it could take to ensure some claimants fully understood what was required of them and in conveying that a ‘sanction’ could entail the loss of benefit for a prolonged period of time.”
The report also criticised the failure of the jobcentre to highlight hardship payments. It said: “A more specific concern surrounding the hardship system was that only those claimants that asked about help in Jobcentre Plus were told about the hardship system. Advisers, decision makers and advocate groups argued that this means that groups with poorer understanding of the system are less likely to gain access.
“Since, on the whole, more vulnerable claimants are those with the poorest understanding of the system, this suggests that some of those most in need are also those least able to access hardship.”
The report also found that providers of mandatory work schemes were unable to make legal decisions regarding good reasons for missing appointments and so had to impose sanctions.
“This means that they have to refer all claimants who fail to attend a mandatory interview to a decision maker even if the claimant has provided them with what would ordinarily count as good reason in Jobcentre Plus. This situation results in confusion as the claimant does not understand why they are being referred for a sanction.
“A very high proportion of referrals for sanctions from mandatory back-to-work schemes are subsequently cancelled or judged to be non-adverse.”
A lack of coordination between the jobcentre and Work Programme can “result in a situation where claimants are passed from pillar to post, without either Jobcentre Plus or providers taking responsibility for explaining the claimant’s situation. More commonly, we heard that Jobcentre Plus advisers had to spend large amounts of time dealing with claimants’ queries about sanctions from mandatory schemes.”
Poor understanding of the good reason process mean claimants subsequently appeal a sanction and often win, at cost to the DWP and taxpayer.
A key reason the report found for the confusion was that, because different organisations use different IT systems, neither providers nor Jobcentre Plus hold all the information needed about a claimant’s current experience and potential sanctions.
Via welfare news service via http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jul/22/benefit-sanctions-vulnerable-people-hardship-dwp-report
Posted: July 23, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: News | Tags: Alice Glover, Mood Anxiety & Personality CAG and Psychological Medicine CAG, Patient & Public Involvement Lead, SLaM advisory groups, SLaM updates about service user / carer involvement |
Hello everyone,
Please find attached our ‘new look’ summaries about how 2 of the SLaM advisory groups are working with staff to improve services. The summaries are 2 sides of A4 now, so longer, but hopefully look more appealing to read.
MAP CAG advisory group summary newsletter July 2014
psychological medicine advisory group summary newsletter july 2014
Please distribute as appropriate and let me know if you would like paper copies to share with anyone interested.
With best wishes,
Alice
Alice Glover
Patient & Public Involvement Lead – Mood Anxiety & Personality CAG and Psychological Medicine CAG
email: alice.glover@slam.nhs.uk tel: 020 3228 0959
113 Denmark Hill |The Maudsley Hospital | Denmark Hill | London | SE5 8AZ
Posted: July 23, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: News, Southwark | Tags: Ausism to Autism service, Bexley, Blackfriars Settlement, bromley, CAS, Community Action Southwark, Cooltan Arts, Greenwich, Healthwatch Southwark Manager, Healthwatch Southwark's latest enewsletter, lambeth, lewisham, Opportunity, personal budgets, personalisation, Self-Advocacy Training, Six Day Sleep Counselor Training, Social Care in Southwark, social care services, Soft Craft Groups, Southwark, Southwark Manager Vacancy, storm training, traning, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) dicussion group, Understanding Eating Disorders Training |
Hello Healthwatch Supporter!It’s been a busy few weeks with lots going on and exciting things coming soon.A sad goodbye and a huge thank you to Alvin, Healthwatch Southwark Manager
Alvin Kinch is leaving us on the 1st August to take up a post with Healthwatch England as the Development Manager. We are very sad to lose Alvin but the new role will be a fantastic new opportunity and we wish her the very best and would like to assure our supporters that the Manager role is currently being recruited for.
Spotlight on Social Care: 22 July, 4.00 – 6.30pm
We look forward to see those of you who can join us at our Spotlight on Social Care event later today. The event is looking at what’s happening in Social Care in Southwark – now and in the future.
Come along to hear presentations from us and Southwark Council, have an opportunity to offer your knowledge and experience of using social care services in the borough and share in some refreshments together.
It’s not too late you can still book a place here and join us!
Our first Annual Report!
Healthwatch Southwark is pleased to publish our first Annual Report 2013-14. You can access it on the website here.
Until next time, enjoy Sunny Southwark!
Best wishes,
The Healthwatch Southwark team
Alvin, Sec-Chan, Chip & Jo
Local News
Local news from across the community
Southwark Manager – Vacancy
We are looking for a motivated individual who can raise expectations, challenge orthodoxies and drive an agenda for change in local health and social care services in the diverse borough of Southwark. You will lead and develop a successful team, and bring enthusiasm and dedication to working with local communities and partners to secure the best outcomes for patients and users of health and social care services. Deadline 4 Aug. Apply today.
Healthwatch Southwark wins national award!
The development of a South East London programme that ensures that local people can monitor health and social care services has won 6 South East London local watchdogs a national award.
The work involves a shared programme and procedure across South East London and has been developed jointly by the 6 Healthwatch from SE London, (Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich, Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham).
They won the award for Outstanding Collaborative Project at the national Healthwatch Network Awards of Achievement 2014.
These annual awards are held to recognise the individuals and teams across the network who have demonstrated exceptional impact within local communities. Read more
Personal Budgets
Are you concerned about the impact of personal budgets on your service users? Do you need help from help to deal with the implications for your organisation? Have your say and tell us what we can do by spending just a few minutes completing Community Action Southwark’s (CAS) first ‘Just CASking’ quick poll.
CAS are keen to hear from anyone with any experience with personalisation and personal budgets, please get in touch with Rachel, CAS Policy Officer via: rachel@casouthwark.org.uk
Soft Craft Groups at Blackfriars Settlement
With highly respected textile artist Najlaa Khalil. Sessions are every Thursday 10.30 to 12.30 and £20 for Personal Budget holders. Najlaa will help you develop or recover skills in sewing, hand knitting, patchwork and crochet. Use these skills for making simple repairs or to customise your long-worn clothes and freshen up your wardrobe.
Art? Why not? at Blackfriars Settlement
These Art sessions run every Mon, Wed and Thurs from 1.30- 3.30pm, at £20 for personal budget holders. What members say: “Relaxing, sociable, compare artworks, give each other pointers, learn skills, taking you out of yourself, escapism. You feel complete. It grabs you. You can pour it out onto the paper. It’s an energy. Achievement”. Get involved.
Potted History- gardening and reminiscence project
Potted History is a gardening and reminiscence project that makes use of reminiscence and horticultural therapy to improve the self-confidence and wellbeing of socially isolated older people in the boroughs of Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark.
Reminiscence therapy involves the discussion of past activities, events and experiences as a group, by taking part in activities and using objects from the past such as photographs, household items, scents, music and film to trigger the memory. Get involved.
Government consulting on Care Act draft regulations
Back in May the Care Bill became the Care Act. In order to allow you to prepare and understand what this might mean for your organisation, Community Action Southwark (CAS) have put together a briefing. The government is currently seeking views on the draft regulations and guidance for Part 1 of the Act. The consultation period ends on 15 August. Read the briefing.
Autism to Autism service
Supporting and Placing Adults from Southwark with ASC in Voluntary Placements. Resources for Autism are actively recruiting adults (aged 18+) with High Functioning Autism or Aspergers to work in voluntary positions. The Autism to Autism Service offers you the opportunity to do something that is exciting, fulfilling and a great experience, without the added pressure that paid work can bring. Apply today.
Early Action – stepping back from the cliff edge
Anyone who works with vulnerable people thinks preventing things getting worse isn’t a good thing. So why aren’t we, the public, private and voluntary sectors, not doing more together to stop problems from happening in the first place?
As you may know Community Action Southwark (CAS) proposed that the Health and Wellbeing Board consider establishing an independent Early Action Commission. It was argued that early action, as a needs reduction strategy, could lessen future liabilities and foster greater multi-agency working. Read the paper submitted in March. |
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| Local Events |
Community events and training near you
STORM Training | Dates from 21 July to 17 Feb
This is a 2 day accredited course for Southwark and Lambeth staff. he skills learned are specific to suicide prevention and are transferable to all practices including GP settings. Participants are central to the process of learning and are encouraged to share their wealth of knowledge and experience with the group. STORM utilises the most effective, evidence-based methods in skills development training – role-rehearsal and videotaped role-rehearsal with self-reflection and structured feedback. Book today
Digital Inclusion event | 28 July
Southwark Council’s Digital Inclusion event event is taking place at 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 5QH between 10.00am and running from 5.00pm on 28th July. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. The event will look at why people are digitally excluded and how we can work together to get more people on line. Please do let me Southwark Council know as soon as possible if you will be attending. Book today
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) dicussion group | 28 July
The Mental Health Foundation is seeking to gather together people who have used mental health services and carers of those who have used mental health services to hear their thoughts, ideas, feelings, comments on the subject of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). The group will meet at 10:30am – 2:30pm at the Mental Health Foundation (Colechurch House, 1 London Bridge Walk, London, SE1 2SX). Participants will be paid £25 each, all travel expenses will be covered and lunch is provided. Get involved
Extended access engagement event | 30 July
The Southwark Clinical Commissioning Group Event: Extended access engagement event. Building on two previous engagement events, NHS Southwark CCG is continuing to work with you and other local people regarding the development of plans for extended access to a GP or nurse, 8am – 8pm 7 days a week. Join us to hear how we have developed plans with your previous input and to help us ensure that the new services will work for you and other local people. Book today.
Time and Talent’s Summer Party | 6 August
Time and Talents would love to invite you to celebrate with them on Wednesday 6th August at their Summer Party. It is all set to be their biggest and best Summer Party yet. Come and join Time and Talents for an afternoon of fun, food and festivities. Read more
Self Advocacy Training at CoolTan Arts | 5 – 14 Aug
CoolTan Arts are running self Advocay Training, ‘Skills for a stronger voice’ in August. This training is an award-winning series of free classes and talks teaching you the skills you need to have a stronger voice. CoolTan Arts provide an informal but structured environment where you can look at ways to help yourself, pick up strategies for challenging issues, behaviours or situations. Book today.
Stress Management Through Movement & Meditation | 8 Oct
Meditation has many health benefits, including increased immune functioning, improved well-being and reduced psychological distress. It is an especially focused form of mindfulness. For anyone feeling stressed or struggling to keep calm and achieve peace of mind in a busy, often chaotic life, meditation can bring a sense of peace and joy.
This is a series of 8 one hour lunchtime sessions involving some gentle movement based on yoga and tai-chi, followed by a a 20 mintue guided meditation. Book today.
Understanding Eating Disorders Training | 12 Sept
The much sought after ‘Understanding Eating Disorders’ training developed by Beat will be running this autumn in London (12th September 2014) and Birmingham (21st November 2014). The training helps professionals identify eating disorders and provide treatment, care and support to those affected. Our trainers are sensitive to the needs of various group and will tailor the content accordingly. The training is interactive and comprehensive, it’s a days course with lunch and CPD certification. Book today. |
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National News |
Keeping you up-to-date with national news
RLSB Let’s Work it Out employment pack
RLSB has launched their new ‘Let’s Work It Out’ employment pack at the House of Commons. The pack was created in consultation with businesses and the RLSB Youth Forum. The pack aims to make businesses feel confident about employing people with a sight condition and coaches young people to feel more equipped about job hunting. You can show your support by signing the RSLB online pledge to ensure that meaningful jobs for blind young people can become a reality. Read more.
Integrated Personal Commissioning: New Opportunities for Voluntary and Community Sector
NHS England Chief Executive has just announced the piloting of combined health and care personal budgets, and the VCS will be commissioned to support care planning, advocacy and service brokerage. Read more.
NHS in London Focus Groups
The transformation of London’s general practice services is an agreed priority for the NHS in London. To help understand the needs of patients and carers across London NHS London are holding a series of focus groups with different community groups, patient groups, and users of GP services.
The focus groups are one way to collect experiences and information, local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) will also be asking about ways in which you think services can be improved. The first series of Focus Groups in August are on GP Services. Get involved.
NHS London Immunisation Board
Are you interested in helping us drive the London wide immunisations programme, if so we are looking for up to 4 people ( individuals or voluntary sector organisations) to sit on the London Immunisation Board, meetings are held quarterly and an induction session and support will be available. Travel expenses will be paid. If you would like more information about the Board please email : immunisationsubmissions.london@nhs.net or telephone Kenny Gibson on: 07787 105457. Closing date for expressions of interest is 31 August.
Three Cs launched MaxOut Southwark
On the 9 July 2014, Three Cs launched MaxOut Southwark at Crossways.. MaxOut Southwark is a new web app that links you with mental health news and activities in Southwark. Please try it out for yourself at www.maxoutsouthwark.com and let Three Cs know what you think. They are also happy to talk to people interested in Three Cs developing similar apps in London boroughs for people with learning disabilities or mental health challenges. Read more.
Recent NICE published guidance
NICE guidance and updates
Wider use of statins could cut deaths from heart disease
Up to 8,000 lives could be saved every three years by offering statins to anyone with a 10 per cent risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) within a decade, says NICE – Read more
NICE unveils safe staffing plans for nursing care in wards
NICE has published new guidance setting out ‘red flag events’ which warn when nurses in charge of shifts must act immediately to ensure they have enough staff to meet the needs of patients on that ward – Read more
Realistic weight loss goals better than quick fixes
Losing even a small amount of weight can help to improve the health of people who are overweight or obese and lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer, says NICE – Read more
You can find out more information on the NICE website:
www.nice.org.uk
National events
Latest events from across the country
Accredited Support Brokerage | July dates
NBN Training in London. The gateway to membership of the London Brokerage Network
Support brokers are your independent guides to make sure you can live the life of your choice if you are a disabled person. When? A 5-day course, spread over the following dates:
2nd, 9th, 16th, 17th and 23rd July 2014
Where? Haringey Irish Cultural and Community Centre Tottenham, London N17. Who? People with a disability who plan their own support; professionals, groups or organisations with an interest in brokerage; paid and unpaid brokers. Book today.
Tackling Long Term Conditions | 29 Oct
At Tackling Long-Term Conditions: Coordinating Care, Transforming Services Open Forum Events expert speakers will explore how to drive improvements in care, coordinate services to achieve quality outcomes and help make life better for people with long term conditions.
A whole system approach is required to tackle the scale and prevalence of long-term conditions. It will require service transformation, integration of care and innovative systems to meet the pressing challenge. Register your interest.
Health Inequalities in London: Seeking joint solutions for better health outcomes | 29 Nov
LVSC’s seminar will address some of the key health inequality challenges facing London and look at opportunities and joint solutions to reduce them. Key themes will include housing; access to health and social care services; poverty & deprivation; employment and health and mental health and others. The event also aims to feed into the Mayor’s London Health Inequality Strategy, which is being refreshed. A steering group to plan the event will be set up in the next week.
For more information and to register visit LVSC’s website here.
Six Day Sleep Counselor Training | Nov 2014
This training is for professionals working with children or young people with additional support needs, such as teachers, social workers, doctors, health visitors, CAMHS and Learning Disability CAMHS workers, psychologists and specialist nurses.
Participants will gain a comprehensive knowledge of sleep processes and understand the problems that children with a wide range of physical, learning & sensory disabilities may face. Participants will also be trained in how to run a sleep clinic and how to support families using cognitive and behavioural techniques, in line with GIRFEC principles. Book today. |
Posted: July 19, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: Lewisham, News | Tags: Big Lottery Fund’s, Councillor Paul Maslin, HealthWatch lewisham, lewisham, Lewisham Council, Lyn Cole, mental health issues, mental health project, Mental health scheme, motional support, school pupils in London, stigma, The HeadStart programme |
A new mental health project will help school pupils in London to deal with their problems and worries after receiving a £500,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund’s £75m HeadStart programme.
The development funding means that pupils in Lewisham will take part in a pilot project in the new school year. The local partnership will use this pilot to work up long term plans that could benefit from a multi-million pound share of HeadStart funding.
A previous YouGov survey for the Big Lottery Fundrevealed that 45 per cent of children aged 10-14 have reported being unable to sleep because of stress or worry, with fifty nine per cent saying they feel worried or sad at least once a week. However, only around 25 per cent of young people needing treatment for mental health problems actually receive it and usually only once they reach 18[1].
The HeadStart programme aims to develop ways of dealing with mental health issues before they become deep-rooted problems. Focussing primarily on schools, the HeadStart partners will offer a range of approaches, including peer mentoring, mental health ‘first aid’ training, online portals and special resilience lessons helping pupils aged 10-14 feel they have support at in the classroom as well as at home and tackling the stigma that can often surround the issues of mental health.
Lyn Cole, Deputy England Director of the Big Lottery Fund, said: “We know that around three young people in every classroom suffer from a clinically diagnosable mental health disorder and this is a desperately sad situation. HeadStart is all about catching our young people before they fall into a trap of mental and emotional turmoil that may affect them all though their lives. This development funding means that children in Lewisham will play an important role in helping other young people get emotional support at a key stage in their lives.”
Councillor Paul Maslin, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Lewisham Council, said: “We are very excited to be part of this pilot project. Making the journey from teenager to adulthood is an important stage in young people’s lives and some will find it easier than others. So it’s important that where we can, we build mental and emotional resilience in those young people who may find the journey more difficult. I look forward to seeing the results of this project and how the involvement of young people in Lewisham has contributed to this important initiative.”
For more information about HeadStart you can contact Healthwatch Lewisham at www.healthwatchlewisham.co.uk or info@healthwatchlewisham.co.uk
Simone Riddle
Community Engagement Officer
Voluntary Action Lewisham
St. Laurence Community Centre
31 – 37 Bromley Road
Catford, London SE6 2TS
www.healthwatchlewisham.co.uk
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Posted: July 14, 2014 | Author: D Rosier | Filed under: ESA, DLA, PIP & Universal Credit, News | Tags: ATOS, benefits, ComputerworldUK, Department for Work and Pensions, disability minister, DWP, DWP awards Atos £10 million IT contract for healthcare assessments, European Union (OJEU), government, health and disability assessments, IT services, Mike Penning MP, work capability tests |
Atos to continue providing IT for controversial work capability tests despite paying to exit contract early
By Charlotte Jee | Computerworld UK | Published 14:40, 14 July 14
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has awarded Atos a contract worth £10 million a year to continue providing IT services to support work capability assessments after it steps down as the main supplier next year.
Atos is due to exit its controversial DWP contract for health and disability assessments by February next year, instead of the original end date in August.
The French multinational has come under fire for the number of work capability decisions that have been overturned and the firm recorded roughly 163 incidents of abuse or assault on staff in 2013.
The firm announced its intention to walk away from the contract in February and the government confirmed that Atos would exit the agreement early in March.
However this new contract means the firm will continue to provide the IT for the assessments until at least 2016, with allowances for it to be extended until 2020.
The contract, which the DWP described as an ‘interim arrangement’, was negotiated and set up without any competition.
The department said that this was for ‘technical reasons’, some of which were set out in the award notice, which was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) at the end of last week.
The DWP said that an alternative provider would not be able to set up the new services in time without there being “an unacceptable level of service transition and delivery risk failure”.
In the OJEU notice, the department also claimed: “Another supplier would be unable to provide the IT services using the existing hardware, software, premises, etc, because the physical assets are owned by the current provider of the assessment services rather than the Authority.”
The DWP said: “Another supplier would be unable to replicate the current IT services because there is insufficient documentation to build them.”
It also said that another supplier wouldn’t be able to replace the physical assetes on a like-for-like basis because some of the assets were out-of-date and now unavailable.
The DWP told ComputerworldUK that although a new provider is expected to take over the contract next year, the IT will be transferred separately and at a later date.
A spokesperson said: “The DWP is seeking a new provider to help increase the volume of assessments carried out and improve the claimant experience, in particular looking to reduce waiting times and modernise delivery, including looking to replace the current IT.
“To make sure claimants get a good service during transformation, we are transferring the IT separately, and at a later date, than the rest of the service [which transfers in 2015].
“We have therefore asked Atos to continue to provide the current IT services for a further year. In the meantime work has started on planning for how we replace the IT.”
In a statement to Parliament in March, disability minister Mike Penning MP said that Atos had paid the department to terminate its contract early.
He said: “I am pleased to confirm that Atos will not receive a single penny of compensation from the taxpayer for the early termination of their contract, quite the contrary, I can also confirm that Atos has made a substantial financial settlement to the Department for Work and Pensions.”
However the DWP refused to disclose the figure paid by Atos when contacted by ComputerworldUK.
The contract for healthcare assessments between the DWP and Atos was awarded in 1998. It was renewed for seven years in 2005 and then extended for a further three in 2010 through to 2015.
South London Involvement Forum 