An article examined patient-reported access to English primary care for adults with and without physical disability. It said that adults with physical disability experienced worse physical access into primary care buildings than those without, and that access difficulties were associated with unmet healthcare need.
Source: Nicola Popplewell, Boika Rechel, and Gary Abel, 'How do adults with physical disability experience primary care? A nationwide cross-sectional survey of access among patients in England', BMJ Open, Volume 4 Issue 8
Links: Article
Date: 2014-Sep
Update on strategy for supporting people with disabilities
The government published documents that reported progress on, and updated, its cross-departmental strategy for supporting people with disabilities.
Source: Fulfilling Potential: Making it happen — Strategy progress update, Department for Work and Pensions
Links: Report | Action Plan update | Outcomes and indicators | Easy read | 2013 documents
Date: 2014-Sep
An article examined the outcomes from utilizing a care pathway-based approach in a specialist intellectual disability inpatient unit. It said that the approach resulted in increased turnover of patients, increased capacity for unit admissions, reduced lengths of hospital stays, and timely assessments and treatments. It said that the approach provided better outcomes for patients, and was a means by which to achieve multi-agency working and accountability.
Source: John Devapriam, Regi Alexander, Rohit Gumber, Judith Pither, and Satheesh Gangadharan, 'Impact of care pathway-based approach on outcomes in a specialist intellectual disability inpatient unit', Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, Volume 18 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Sep
A report examined recent progress in the United Kingdom towards the realization of key rights for people with disabilities, in the context of the global financial crisis and austerity policies. It raised concerns about the impact of the social sector size criteria (commonly referred to as the 'bedroom tax'), as well as other changes such as the introduction of personal independence payments, employment and support allowance, and the work capability assessment. The report said that the Care Act 2014 had been a positive development, but did not sufficiently protect people living with higher levels of support need, and benefits changes (in particular, the closure of the independent living fund) provided no guarantees that people's levels of support would be maintained. The report made a range of recommendations.
Source: Dignity and Opportunity for All: Securing the rights of disabled people in the austerity era, Just Fair
Links: Report | Summary | Easy read
Date: 2014-Sep
A report by a committee of MPs said that achieving the government's agenda to change and improve adult social care would require unprecedented levels of co-ordinated working between government departments, between central and local government, and across local authorities and health bodies. The committee questioned whether expectations were too high, and the report outlined concerns and made recommendations in three areas: for collaboration across all bodies involved in the care system; for better understanding of the capacity of the system and whether money was reaching frontline services; and for the government's oversight arrangements to reflect the overriding importance of quality of care. The committee raised concerns about the nature of employment contracts in the care sector and, in particular, the use of zero-hours contracts and the numbers of staff earning the minimum wage.
Source: Adult Social Care in England, Sixth Report (Session 2014–15), HC 518, House of Commons Public Accounts Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report
Date: 2014-Jul
A report examined recent progress by the United Kingdom towards the realization of certain key rights under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, seeking to assess the extent to which the United Kingdom was upholding these rights, and whether recent austerity policies had resulted in retrogression. In particular, the report examined the rights to independent living, work, social security, social protection, and an adequate standard of living, and it concluded that government policies were compromising enjoyment of these fundamental rights, causing significant hardship to people with disabilities.
Source: Jane Young, Dignity and Opportunity for All: Securing the rights of disabled people in the austerity era, Just Fair
Links: Report | Summary | Centre for Welfare Reform press release
Date: 2014-Jul
An article examined findings from a qualitative study of decision-making by people with dementia in England. It offered a critique of existing theoretical perspectives on agency, particularly in relation to rationality, language, and individualized agency, and argued that although people with dementia might lack deliberative capacity, they could demonstrate creative capacity for agency. The article called for a more expansive concept of agency, informed by the experiences of people with cognitive disabilities.
Source: Geraldine Boyle, 'Recognising the agency of people with dementia', Disability & Society, Volume 29 Number 7
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Jul
A report examined progress against the aims of the 2008 Independent Living Strategy. It said that there was no evidence of significant progress in improving choice and control and, although there had been an increase in the use of personal budgets for social care, there were also limitations to the effective delivery of services, and the restrictions in how personal budgets or direct payments could be used inhibited choice and control. The report also raised concerns including: services for older people; mental health services; employment prospects and support; access to appropriate accommodation; and declining levels of income.
Source: Jenny Morris, Independent Living Strategy: A review of progress, In Control/Disability Rights UK
Links: Report
Date: 2014-Jul
A study examined end of life care systems in the United Kingdom where no costs (stemming from social care) were borne by the individual or their family. The research had looked at a range of service models: Hospice at Home; voluntary and community sector initiatives; commissioning group-funded service models; and national service frameworks and policies. The report said that there was considerable variation in: definitions of 'end of life'; drivers for the development and provision of free end of life care; who could access or refer into services; time periods over which services were available; the capacity and capability of providers; and the quality of care available. The report concluded that there were still many barriers and challenges in the existing system to making free social care at end of life a reality and said the absence of national guidance on implementation, together with a lack of understanding of the system, led to restricted choice for people at the end of life. It made a range of recommendations.
Source: Leigh Johnston, Lucy Smith, Max Kowalewski, and Chih Hoong Sin, How Could Free Social Care at End of Life Work in Practice?, OPM
Links: Report | NCPC summary
Date: 2014-Jun
An article examined the views of voluntary sector staff regarding the risks of managing money when a person had dementia, and considered ways in which individuals might be protected from the risks of financial abuse. It said that people with dementia were reported to experience problems with money management, with almost half of the staff having seen cases of financial abuse over the past year, but most respondents were alert to warning signs and vulnerabilities.
Source: Kritika Samsi, Jill Manthorpe, and Karishma Chandaria, 'Risks of financial abuse of older people with dementia: findings from a survey of UK voluntary sector dementia community services staff', Journal of Adult Protection, Volume 16 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Jun
The Northern Ireland Executive began consultation on proposals to to give effect to a major recommendation of the Bamford Review into mental health and learning disability services by providing a new, single, legislative framework governing all situations where a decision needed to be made in relation to the care, treatment, or personal welfare of a person aged 16 or over who lacked capacity to make the decision for themselves. The document discussed the draft provisions relating to civil society, and outlined a proposed approach for people within the criminal justice system. The consultation would close on 2 September 2014.
Source: Draft Mental Capacity Bill (NI): Consultation document, Northern Ireland Executive
Links: Consultation document | Associated papers | NIE press release
Date: 2014-May
An article examined the benefits of a social prescribing service for older people with sensory impairments experiencing social isolation. It said that participatory arts programmes could help to combat social isolation and that the service studied presented other benefits for health and well-being, including increased self-confidence, new friendships, increased mental well-being, and reduced social isolation.
Source: Nicholas Vogelpoel and Kara Jarrold, 'Social prescription and the role of participatory arts programmes for older people with sensory impairments', Journal of Integrated Care, Volume 22 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-May
A report examined the prevalence of mental health conditions and intellectual disability in the United Kingdom, their relationship with physical health, and the actions needed to reduce disparities in morbidity and mortality among the group of people with such conditions, compared with the rest of the population. It called for a range of changes, including: a national mortality review system; better prevention and early intervention strategies for mental health; enhanced training and workforce planning to improve the quality of care; more joined-up care, particularly through improving commissioning and delivery processes; and greater research focus on mental-physical multi-morbidity.
Source: Recognising the Importance of Physical Health in Mental Health and Intellectual Disability: Achieving parity of outcomes, British Medical Association
Links: Report | BMA press release | RCPsych press release
Date: 2014-May
The Scottish Government published its response to a consultation on proposals to amend the regulations on the frequency of local authority guardianship supervision visits, and the requirement to provide information to local authorities.
Source: Adults with Incapacity (Supervision of Welfare Guardians etc. by Local Authorities) (Scotland) Regulations 2002: Scottish Government response to the consultation, Scottish Government
Links: Report | Consultation document
Date: 2014-May
The government published its updated strategy for adults with autism.
Source: Think Autism: Fulfilling and rewarding lives, the strategy for adults with autism in England – an update, Department of Health
Links: Strategy | Article by Minister
Date: 2014-Apr
An article examined how young people with life-limiting conditions and their parents experienced the transition into adult palliative care services. It said that transition planning was absent or poorly co-ordinated, with a lack of equivalent adult health/social services. Moving to a young adult unit recognized adult status, but there were unmet needs for emotional support and information/services and staff had identified training needs. The article called for a new model of support to promote independence and provide emotional support while continuing to support wider family. It noted a role for hospices in transition support and co-ordination.
Source: Susan Kirk and Claire Fraser, 'Hospice support and the transition to adult services and adulthood for young people with life-limiting conditions and their families: a qualitative study', Palliative Medicine, Volume 28 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Apr
The Scottish Government published its strategy for meeting the needs of people with a sensory impairment, following a consultation exercise.
Source: See Hear – A strategic framework for meeting the needs of people with a sensory impairment in Scotland, Scottish Government
Links: Strategy | Scottish Government press release
Date: 2014-Apr
The Northern Ireland Assembly published a cross-departmental strategy and action plan for people with autism, outlining a whole of life approach for service provision.
Source: The Autism Strategy (2013 2020) and Action Plan (2013 2016), Northern Ireland Executive
Links: Report | NIE press release
Date: 2014-Feb
An article examined the relationship between personalization reforms of social care services in England and the redevelopment of day centres for older people and people with a disability. It discussed the nature of the narrative of personalization and its relationship with the closure of day care centres and creation of alternative community spaces.
Source: Catherine Needham, 'Personalization: from day centres to community hubs?', Critical Social Policy, Volume 34 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Feb
An article reported on the evaluation of personal health budgets in England. It said that the budgets were associated with a significant improvement in patients' care-related quality of life and psychological well-being at 12 months. They did not appear to have an impact on health status, mortality rates, health-related quality of life, or costs over the same period. Overall, they were cost-effective: that is, budget holders experienced greater benefits than people receiving conventional services. The evaluation provided support for the planned wider roll-out of personal health budgets in the English National Health Service after 2014.
Source: Karen Jones, Julien Forder, James Caiels, Elizabeth Welch, Caroline Glendinning, and Karen Windle, 'Personalization in the health care system: do personal health budgets have an impact on outcomes and cost?', Journal of Health Services Research and Policy, Volume 18 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Feb
An audit report said that the introduction of the assessments process for personal independence payments had resulted in far fewer claim decisions than it expected, despite the number of new claims being in line with expectations. It said that, by October 2013, over 166,000 people had started new claims, but 92,000 had still to be assessed and the Department for Work and Pensions was unable to tell claimants how long they were likely to wait. The DWP had postponed the reassessment of most existing disability living allowance claims. The report recommended that the DWP should: set out a clear plan for informing claimants about the likely delays; ensure that assessment providers' plans were realistic; test its operating assumptions across the whole claim process to identify and prevent future bottlenecks; identify any outstanding commercial risks in its relationship with contracted assessment providers that might affect operational recovery; and revise their estimates of expected benefit savings and longer-term risks to the programme.
Source: Personal Independence Payment: Early progress, HC 1070 (Session 2013–14), National Audit Office, TSO
Links: Report | Summary | NAO press release | Citizens Advice press release | CSP press release | Guardian report | Inside Housing report
Date: 2014-Feb
An article examined the health status and healthcare resource use of care home residents. It said that residents from both residential and nursing settings were dependent, cognitively impaired, had mild frequent behavioural symptoms, multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and they frequently used National Health Service resources. Effective care for such a cohort required broad expertise from multiple disciplines delivered in a co-ordinated and managed way.
Source: Adam Lee Gordon, Matthew Franklin, Lucy Bradshaw, Pip Logan, Rachel Elliott, and John Gladman, 'Health status of UK care home residents: a cohort study', Age and Ageing, Volume 43 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Feb