tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60018077229572556532024-03-16T23:52:53.582-07:00Words Worth Reading Ltd.Words Worth Reading Ltd. - Proofreading, Writing, Editorial & Design ServicesWords Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.comBlogger1287125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-39281521639939458082019-03-28T17:19:00.000-07:002019-03-28T17:19:57.277-07:00Business, Big and Small, are Urged to Audit their Intellectual Property Regularly.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmowXg70X8lZ-SUWq9EAkL0D1RtCQ8Ufo4ZVG0wEmAShIwA_xPXKdJgiO691QrKIwKTKnyYLvKc8VIwgN_eTk3oRad0FHq7yCMUZDLcVo5dg_STHln5dyNgGX1GXZqqvSZ8Rkkg2Jytk/s1600/please+pay+here.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmowXg70X8lZ-SUWq9EAkL0D1RtCQ8Ufo4ZVG0wEmAShIwA_xPXKdJgiO691QrKIwKTKnyYLvKc8VIwgN_eTk3oRad0FHq7yCMUZDLcVo5dg_STHln5dyNgGX1GXZqqvSZ8Rkkg2Jytk/s320/please+pay+here.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Intellectual property is an umbrella term used to cover creations by individuals or businesses which include; trademarks, design, copyright and patents. IP also links to other areas such as <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/business-copywriting-proofreading.php">confidentiality</a> and trade secrets.<br />
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The Intellectual Property Office recommends all businesses, big and small, regularly audit their intellectual property to ensure they are adequately protected.</div>
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1. Define Your Work</h3>
Understanding what IP you have within your business is vital to protecting it. For example, it is vitally important that you keep your patentable inventions secret at least until you have filed your application. However, keeping your company name a secret is obviously not advisable - the whole point of your brand is to get yourself known!<br />
Make Use of the IPO's <a href="http://www.ipo.gov.uk/blogs/equip/">IP Equip</a> tool for free to help you find out more about how IP relates to your business.<br />
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2. Do You Own It?</h3>
A businesses website is often created by a website designer, an app by a software engineer, a logo by a graphic designer, or advertising material by a marketing agency. But if these creators are not part of your business, perhaps they’re a subcontractor or a friend, then you may not own what is being made for you. In these scenarios, and in the absence of employment or a contract stating ownership, copyright will stay with the creator.<br />
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To find out the common issues that exist for businesses and what you may be able to do about them, you can use the IPO's <a href="https://www.ipo.gov.uk/iphealthcheck.htm">IP Health Check</a> tool.<br />
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3. Did You Get There First?</h3>
It’s not uncommon for a business to say, ‘I own my name, I’m registered at Companies House’. Now, although registering your company name at Companies House is very important, it is not, in fact, the thing that protects your name in trade - that is what a trademark is for.<br />
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You can search for your trademark on the IPO website for free!<br />
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4. Do You Plan of Selling Abroad</h3>
Intellectual Property is often a regional right and can be treated differently from country to country. Your patents, registered trademarks and registered designs will only be protected in the countries in which you’re registered and granted those rights.<br />
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Copyright is recognised automatically in most other countries. This means that your copyright will usually have protection without registration from the moment you create it. However be careful, certain countries will have different rules to what exactly is covered by copyright, as well as how long such rights should last in certain circumstances.<br />
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The IPO have a series of <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ip-protection-abroad-country-guides">country guides</a> which can help you understand certain nuances in certain countries. They also have an <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-overseas-intellectual-property-attache-network">attaché network</a> in Brazil, India, South East Asia and China which helps UK businesses understand and develop their IP in those countries.</div>
Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-70148023977143580042019-03-20T17:30:00.000-07:002019-03-20T17:30:44.959-07:00Is Your Business Ready For Tax Going Digital on 1st April 2019?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Making Tax Digital</b> is a key part of the government’s plans to become one of the most digitally advanced tax administrations in the world. The programme will result in fundamental changes to the way the tax system works – with the aim of making it more effective, more efficient and easier for taxpayers to get their tax right.<br />
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VAT</h3>
VAT-registered<a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/business-copywriting-proofreading.php"> businesses </a>with a taxable turnover above the VAT threshold will be required to use the Making Tax Digital service to keep records digitally and use software to <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/use-software-to-submit-your-vat-returns">submit their VAT returns</a> from 1 April 2019.<br />
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The exception to this is a small minority of VAT-registered businesses with more complex requirements. This week the government announced that in response to concerns about business readiness they have made the decision to delay mandation for these customers until 1 October 2019 to ensure there is sufficient time to test the service with them in the pilot before they are mandated to join - see the timeline below.<br />
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<i><b>April 2019 </b></i><br />
Making Tax Digital mandated for all customers (except those that have been deferred). </div>
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<i><b>October 2019 </b></i><br />
Making Tax Digital mandated for customers that have been deferred:</div>
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<ul>
<li>trusts</li>
<li>‘not for profit’ organisations that are not set up as a company</li>
<li>VAT divisions</li>
<li>VAT groups</li>
<li>public sector entities required to provide additional information on their VAT return (Government departments, NHS Trusts)</li>
<li>local authorities</li>
<li>public corporations</li>
<li>traders based overseas</li>
<li>those required to make payments on account</li>
<li>annual accounting scheme users.</li>
</ul>
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Plans to Make Income Tax Digital</h3>
Some businesses and agents are already keeping digital income tax records as part of a live pilot to test and develop the Making Tax Digital service for Income Tax. If you are a self-employed business or landlord you can voluntarily use software to <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/use-software-to-send-income-tax-updates">keep business records digitally and send Income Tax updates to HMRC </a>instead of filing a Self Assessment tax return.<br />
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Talking about the scheme HMRC said "The majority of customers want to get their tax right but the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/measuring-tax-gaps">latest tax gap figures</a> show that too many find this hard, with avoidable mistakes costing the Exchequer over £9 billion a year. The improved accuracy that digital records provide, along with the help built into many software products and the fact that information is sent directly to HMRC from the digital records, avoiding transposition errors, will reduce the amount of tax lost to these avoidable errors."<br />
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Other Taxes</h3>
Following extensive consultation with key stakeholders HMRC has decided to postpone the date for mandating businesses to digitally report for taxes other than VAT until at least April 2020.<br />
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Help and Support</h3>
HMRC provides a wide range of digital services and support for businesses and the self-employed.<br />
Smarter experience for individuals <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-and-support-for-making-tax-digital">- click here for more information.</a><br />
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Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-58498619647544547062019-03-11T05:46:00.003-07:002019-03-11T05:47:25.236-07:00CQC's Latest Report on Independent Ambulance Services Raises Safety and Quality Concerns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is calling on independent ambulance services, commissioners and the wider system to do more to make sure patients are safe, following concerns identified during its<a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php"> inspections.</a><br />
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While the regulator has seen evidence of good practice and improvements made by some individual services, concerns remain about how safely and effectively independent ambulance providers are caring for people using their services.<br />
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In a national report published today (Thursday 7 March) the CQC presented an analysis of the findings from its comprehensive<a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php"> inspection programme</a> of independent ambulance services in England. The programme was completed in March 2018 and involved inspections of independent ambulance service providers registered with CQC at the end of December 2016.<br />
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Key Findings</h3>
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<ul>
<li>The quality and safety of independent ambulance services varies greatly. </li>
<li>Many services inspected had a poor understanding of governance which often led to weak recruitment processes. Checks to ensure that staff had the appropriate employment references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificates, and driving licence categories (for example to operate heavier vehicles) were not being enforced consistently.</li>
<li>Many providers offered either no or very limited staff training. This was particularly apparent in relation to emergency driver response training to ensure the skills required to transport a patient using blue lights or sirens, training to equip staff to recognise and escalate safeguarding concerns, and to effectively support patients with mental health needs.</li>
<li>The standard of medicines management was extremely variable. While some services had robust policies to support the safe administration of medication, others showed a lack of understanding, especially around controlled drugs and the need for their safe administration and secure storage. Some services did not have the required Home Office licence for the procurement and storage of controlled drugs.</li>
<li>In some cases they found vehicles that had not been regularly serviced, with missing or faulty equipment (including paediatric apparatus for transporting children in emergencies) and an absence of regular equipment checks.</li>
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Looking at the sector more widely, the CQC’s report also raises concern about those independent ambulance services that are not subject to CQC regulation, such as where medical cover is provided at temporary events.<br />
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Ellen Armistead, CQC’s Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals and lead for ambulance services, said “We have found and highlighted pockets of good practice in individual services, with compassionate one to one care from ambulance staff, and evidence of improvements in some services when we have been back to reinspect. But we remain concerned about the overall standard of care across the independent ambulance sector.<br />
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“Providers have a responsibility to ensure that people within their care receive appropriate treatment, that the vehicles used to transport patients are fitted with the right equipment, that staff are appropriately trained and supported to carry out their roles, risks and incidents are reported and addressed, and that medicines are stored securely. This was not the case in many of the services we inspected.<br />
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“It is wholly unacceptable for people using these services to be put at risk and where we have identified concerns we have held those providers to account by making clear where improvements must be made - using our enforcement powers where needed to protect people.<br />
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“Those who deliver and commission care must learn from the services that are getting it right so that people are protected from risk and can have confidence in the quality of care they receive from independent ambulance services across the country.”<br />
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As well as improvement from providers, the CQC is calling for NHS England, clinical commissioning groups and others that commission independent ambulance services to ensure they make safety and quality a priority, and that they use the quality ratings that the CQC can now award to independent ambulance services to help them make robust commissioning decisions.<br />
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The CQC will be strengthening its assessment of how those NHS hospital trusts that sub-contract ambulance services from independent providers ensure they have continued oversight of performance and quality. It will also continue to work with the Department of Health and Social Care to close the gaps in the regulation where it means independent ambulance services that fall outside of the CQC’s remit could pose a risk of people being exposed to poor care.</div>
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Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-75872796368594126022019-02-28T16:01:00.004-08:002019-02-28T16:14:14.743-08:00Over Half of UK Retail SMEs Selling Online Sell Through 3rd Party Marketplaces <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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According to a study, commissioned by Royal Mail, almost six in ten (58 per cent) UK SME online retailers now sell their products through a 3rd party online marketplace, such as Amazon or Etsy, even if they have their own website selling direct to customers.<br />
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Over half of the <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/business-copywriting-proofreading.php">SMEs</a> talked to for the study reported that they are looking to expand in 2019. With a variety of options for reaching customers being looked at:<br />
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<li>41 per cent are looking for space in another physical store to sell goods,</li>
<li>39 per cent are considering listing on additional marketplaces,</li>
<li>27 per cent plan to sell via exhibitions or trade fairs.</li>
</ul>
The research found that almost half (47 per cent) of UK SME online retailers have a physical store as well as a presence online. For those that sell in a physical store, 80 per cent reported selling through their own outlets and a third reported selling through others outlets either exclusively or in tandem with their own stores. Other popular ways to sell goods for these retailers include:<br />
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<ul>
<li>over the telephone (22 per cent), </li>
<li>via exhibitions (13 per cent),</li>
<li>and via a <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/business-copywriting-proofreading.php">catalogue</a> (12 per cent).</li>
</ul>
Just under one in five (19 per cent) UK SME online retailers import goods, 16 per cent export goods and 52 per cent do both.<br />
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Over eight in ten (81 per cent) of those that sell overseas target Europe, 42 per cent sell to the USA and 29 per cent to Canada. Asia (27 per cent) and Australasia (23 per cent) are also common destinations to target.<br />
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A spokesperson from Royal Mail said “Entrepreneurial UK SME online retailers are increasingly turning to online marketplaces to sell their products. The rise of online marketplaces is impacting the way consumers shop online and how retailers sell to their customers but the physical store still has a role to play. As the ecommerce sector becomes increasingly global, UK SME online retailers should look at opportunities to expand the international side of their business”.</div>
Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-85308761917268426452019-02-26T15:08:00.004-08:002019-02-26T15:17:11.270-08:00EU Copyright Directive Set to Strengthen Authors Rights <div class="row" style="box-sizing: inherit;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhVTysAh19ZkV-RUzs2IjLXU1-c1iLKn0_177rvymAESLAdDrbBhzFcFH8fcgatWU-p5rZJjP3idwCdxXVw5FNKivFVq9OcuzZc9maV5AdMEYFJRh_ZJFS480IljlayuDHyRm_ayYghM/s1600/ebook-reading-reproduced-under-license-from-flickr-Esther+Vargas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhVTysAh19ZkV-RUzs2IjLXU1-c1iLKn0_177rvymAESLAdDrbBhzFcFH8fcgatWU-p5rZJjP3idwCdxXVw5FNKivFVq9OcuzZc9maV5AdMEYFJRh_ZJFS480IljlayuDHyRm_ayYghM/s320/ebook-reading-reproduced-under-license-from-flickr-Esther+Vargas.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
Following several months of negotiation and weeks of political deadlock the European Parliament, Council and Commission have reached agreement over the wording of the new Copyright Directive.<br />
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The passage of the Directive has not been straightforward. It was first presented by the Commission in September 2016 and has faced numerous setbacks, including being rejected by the European Parliament last June.<br />
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The Directive still needs to be confirmed by member states and MEPs before it is formally adopted but passing this stage of the drafting process is a significant step in the right direction.<br />
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What is the Copyright Directive?</h3>
Currently<a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/writers-services.php"> authors, creators and rights-holders</a> are not adequately protected or remunerated when their work is used online, the Directive is designed to address this imbalance.<br />
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The publicity around the Directive has mostly centred around Articles 11 and 13. Article 11 will oblige US tech giants such as Google to negotiate licensing agreements with rights holders before publishing links to their content (for example on Google News). Article 13 will require internet platforms such as YouTube to acquire licences for the content they host and ensure that there is no copyright infringement on their sites. These Articles have been fiercely discussed and negotiated. We are awaiting the final texts but it seems that what has emerged provides a fair balance that will benefit creators and users without being unduly onerous to hosts.<br />
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What Does it Mean For Authors, Scriptwriters, Translators and Illustrators?</h3>
Under the terms of Article 14, creators will be entitled to transparent information on how their works are being exploited by their publishers. This will make it easier for authors, scriptwriters, translators and illustrators to negotiate future contracts and to receive a fairer share of the generated revenues. If publishers or producers fail to exploit the rights that the creators have transferred to them, authors and performers will be allowed to revoke their rights. In addition, Article 15 introduces a contract adjustment mechanism (or “bestseller clause”) allowing creators to claim additional remuneration when sales are much better than expected.<br />
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Nicola Solomon, Chief Executive of the Society of Authors, said: “This is excellent news for all creators and rights-holders. the Copyright Directive is a vital piece of legislation which affirms the rights of creators whose work is used online.<br />
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“The ‘bestseller clause’ will ensure that our members receive the remuneration they deserve when their work does better than expected. And if it isn’t being exploited, creators can get their rights back.<br />
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“We aren’t celebrating just yet, as the Directive still needs to be confirmed by member states and voted on by MEPs. But this breakthrough following weeks of deadlock comes as a huge relief, and we are optimistic that the Directive will soon be passed into EU law - and then into UK law within the following two years.”</div>
Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-49710360680350830672019-02-22T07:43:00.001-08:002019-02-22T07:44:24.717-08:00CQC Campaign to Encourage Patients and Families to Raise Concerns Over Quality of Care<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The<a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php"> Care Quality Commission </a>(CQC) is calling for people to speak up about their experiences of care, as new research showed that almost 7 million people in England who have accessed health or social care services, in the last five years have had concerns about their care, but never raised issues with staff.<br />
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The most common reasons for not raising a concern were:<br />
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<ul>
<li>not knowing how (20%) or who (33%) to raise it with, </li>
<li>not wanting to be seen as a ‘troublemaker’ (33%) </li>
<li>and worries about not being taken seriously (28%). </li>
</ul>
Over a third of people (37%) felt that nothing would change as a result.<br />
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However, when people did raise a concern or complaint, the majority (66%) found their issue was resolved quickly, it helped the service to improve and they were happy with the outcome.<br />
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The research has been published as part the CQC's ‘Declare Your Care’ campaign. The campaign is encouraging people to share their experiences of care with CQC to support its work to improve standards of care in England.<br />
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The majority of people who did raise a concern or complaint were motivated by a desire to make sure that care improved for others. This included wanting to improve the care they, or a loved one, had received (61%) and improve care for everyone using the service (55%) with a smaller number also hoping for an apology or explanation (26%).<br />
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The main reasons given for raising, or wanting to raise a concern, were delays to a service or appointment, lack of information and poor patient care. Additionally, over a fifth indicated that they have raised or wanted to raise concerns about the lack of communication between health and care services.<br />
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Ian Trenholm, Chief Executive at the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said "Our annual State of Care report shows that most people are getting good care, a real testament to the hard work of the many people working across Health and Social Care in this country.<br />
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“We know that when people raise a concern they have a genuine desire to improve the service for themselves and others. We also know that the majority of services really appreciate this feedback and make positive changes, as this new research shows.<br />
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“Hearing from people about their experiences of care is an important part of our inspection work and contributes to driving improvements in standards of care. Everyone can play a part in improving care by directly giving feedback to services, or by sharing information and experiences with us so that we can take action when we find poor care. Sharing your experience also enables us to highlight the many great examples of care we see.”<br />
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Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-21304448441968189192019-02-15T03:20:00.004-08:002019-02-15T03:22:11.062-08:00Universities Urged to Boost Number of Students with Disabilities in Higher Education <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPWvZLspLPCMb9EYQ9XBRYYXlLkCU9IDcN3o_R7ItJCwXdabLJEDMEgULylokG9j3MSzIAkDCHw5_1TxkUG0MIht3PRyNJs_tNb06UDvE5Uct2L4DHVdC9bHwoszVhIqLjzufAqsbvek/s1600/graduation+guy-reproduced+under+license+from+flickr+-+David+Goehring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="640" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPWvZLspLPCMb9EYQ9XBRYYXlLkCU9IDcN3o_R7ItJCwXdabLJEDMEgULylokG9j3MSzIAkDCHw5_1TxkUG0MIht3PRyNJs_tNb06UDvE5Uct2L4DHVdC9bHwoszVhIqLjzufAqsbvek/s320/graduation+guy-reproduced+under+license+from+flickr+-+David+Goehring.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Chris Skidmore, Universities Minister, is urging universities to boost the number of students with disabilities going into higher education and to do more to help them succeed when they get there.<br />
<br />
Although the number of people going to university from this underrepresented group has increased to a record amount they still only represent 13% of entrants this is well below the proportion of working-age adults with a disability.<br />
<br />
Chris Skidmore has asked key stakeholders to meet with him to discuss how the higher education sector can continue to break down barriers and secure improvements for students with disabilities.<br />
<br />
Talking about the issue the Universities Minister, said "No-one’s background or circumstances should hold them back from the opportunity of a <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/academic-proofreading.php">university</a><a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/academic-proofreading.php"> education</a> and there is no reason why disability should be a barrier to fulfilling someone’s potential.<br />
<br />
I want to see the access and participation plans that universities are beginning to produce increase the ways they can support this group."<br />
<br />
"Institutions such as Brunel University, with their award-winning Disability and Dyslexia Service, and the University of Worcester, who have built their entire campus with accessibility in mind, are leading the way – there is no reason why other universities can’t follow suit and match their provision. Working with key stakeholders and disabled students, I believe that we can do more to break down access and participation barriers in higher education by focusing on spreading good practice and listening to disabled students about their needs."<br />
<br />
The Department for Education has published research showing that the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) has helped to break down barriers that can exist for disabled students at university. The research shows results from a survey of disabled students, which found that 69 per cent felt confident about completing their course and 68 per cent felt confident about passing their course.<br />
<br />
Universities that charge fees above the basic level must draw up an access and participation plan agreed by the Office for Students and higher education providers have legal responsibilities to support disabled students under the Equality Act 2010.<br />
<br />Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-6583583279337253032019-01-31T02:59:00.001-08:002019-01-31T03:00:42.924-08:00CQC Publishes Advice on Managing the Risk of Hypothermia in Care Settings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOQ8fM_oB3DLbS6YWKcl-qXQszBB9ElcW1PVFgU_9Yfg6K7cwroEq8tM93rKFfKcn_mXHbnyIkju9O5RKjetyI3GnCReqY753mRLFUfCdVk51kPIPMgW6Bb7QSkyDNnm9h7EjySLpCCI/s1600/steve+baker-cold-elderly-person-reproduced-under-license-flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOQ8fM_oB3DLbS6YWKcl-qXQszBB9ElcW1PVFgU_9Yfg6K7cwroEq8tM93rKFfKcn_mXHbnyIkju9O5RKjetyI3GnCReqY753mRLFUfCdVk51kPIPMgW6Bb7QSkyDNnm9h7EjySLpCCI/s320/steve+baker-cold-elderly-person-reproduced-under-license-flickr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Hypothermia can develop in vulnerable people after a relatively short exposure to cold weather. It can even develop after a small drop in room temperature.<br />
<br />
Many people who use health and social care services may be at<a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php"> risk</a> of developing hypothermia. They include:<br />
<ul>
<li>older people in care homes and receiving care at home</li>
<li>people with reduced mental capacity, reduced mobility, or a sensory impairment</li>
<li>people who cannot communicate that they are exposed to cold</li>
</ul>
The risks to people are serious. In one incident a 91-year-old woman died of severe hypothermia in a care home. She had not been given any hot food or drink as she spent her last day asleep in her room. Her body temperature was so cold it would not have registered on a standard thermometer.<br />
<div>
<br />
The provider was found to have failed in their duty of care, was guilty of systemic failures and was fined £1.6 million. The judge said this was “an accident waiting to happen”.<br />
<br />
This incident demonstrates how important it is for providers to have <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php">contingency plans</a> to keep their residents warm – particularly over the winter months.<br />
<br />
People receiving care at home may be at greater risk. <a href="https://www.nice.org.uk/">NICE</a> have produced a Quality standard for <a href="https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs117">Preventing excess winter deaths and illnesses associated with cold homes</a>. This includes priority areas for home-care staff to:<br />
<ul>
<li>ask vulnerable people, at least once a year, whether they have difficulty keeping warm at home</li>
<li>consider room temperature when they are making home visits</li>
<li>ensure good communication between agencies to identify and address any needs and to avoid duplication.</li>
</ul>
The NHS has also published <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjgoa6VtO_fAhU5UxUIHb_HCXkQFjAIegQIBBAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nhs.uk%2Fconditions%2Fhypothermia%2F&usg=AOvVaw1wOTSzD1hqCNGQD7m1PDhN">useful information</a> about hypothermia. Age UK’s <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=10&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjgoa6VtO_fAhU5UxUIHb_HCXkQFjAJegQICBAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ageuk.org.uk%2Finformation-advice%2Fhealth-wellbeing%2Fkeep-well-this-winter%2F&usg=AOvVaw2FTiv1eD2Fi0HAeXDp-u_x">Keep well in winter</a> guidance includes what to do in cold weather to <a href="https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/keep-well-this-winter/stay-healthy-in-winter/how-to-keep-your-hands-and-feet-warm/">keep warm</a>.</div>
Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-54406105201886230252019-01-25T03:35:00.000-08:002019-01-25T03:35:29.418-08:00Inadequate Safeguarding and Risk Management Systems Lead to GP Practice Being Placed in Special Measures by the CQC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQZkDt5iJfB-K7UdcLjWNEs0MIBPF5iZV3xayFsBnwaWQxEb3HKToEPaOoF0xG317eAKr5j7zlld4c1g2JZmyKgjF-yM75YyBzXG5xr2epEFyUqQUF_5hi99ByMoeI35nQG-qUr4adUA/s1600/gp+surgery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="791" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQZkDt5iJfB-K7UdcLjWNEs0MIBPF5iZV3xayFsBnwaWQxEb3HKToEPaOoF0xG317eAKr5j7zlld4c1g2JZmyKgjF-yM75YyBzXG5xr2epEFyUqQUF_5hi99ByMoeI35nQG-qUr4adUA/s320/gp+surgery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Dr Dauod Yosuf Abdulrahman Shantir’s surgery in Forest Road, Waltham Forest, has been<a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php"> rated</a> Inadequate overall by the Care Quality Commission and been placed in Special Measures.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The practice was rated Inadequate for being safe, responsive and well-led. It was rated Requires Improvement for being effective and caring, following the inspection in November 2018.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Key Issues</h3>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Inspectors found that <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php">safeguarding systems</a> were not clear and did not keep patients safe or protected from abuse.</li>
<li>The practice did not have<a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php"> systems to monitor or manage</a> outcomes and actions associated with risk assessments such as infection prevention and control. </li>
<li>The vaccine refrigerator temperature was not effectively monitored.</li>
<li>Inadequate smear rates were not monitored or managed.</li>
<li>The practice did not effectively maintain personnel records for some clinical members of staff, including training records, professional indemnity and professional registration status</li>
</ul>
The provider must now make improvements as it is on breach of regulations are to ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients and establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The practice has also been told to consider ways to improve confidentiality in the reception area and to continue to review how patients with caring responsibilities are identified and recorded on the clinical system to ensure information, advice and support is available to them. <br />
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Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-10837360249599941652019-01-24T02:22:00.000-08:002019-01-24T02:22:42.617-08:00Save Money on Tuition Fees by Choosing One of a Range of New Two Year Accelerated Degrees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJn7GrNqS6h-yIcy_NlhvWHvudUj7XT7s2Lm1ZKWEhB80IGNB7YpIRm4y6bkSBuZTQAjsGQDIkhykg-KMr0X_IoxFRsLpnFqjpWKa1tmzHpNlb57pTILGEjE1ToGZtnx2Ado1KN7qJmw/s1600/uni+east+anglia+student+-+reproduced+under+license+-from+-+Jodie+C+-+Flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJn7GrNqS6h-yIcy_NlhvWHvudUj7XT7s2Lm1ZKWEhB80IGNB7YpIRm4y6bkSBuZTQAjsGQDIkhykg-KMr0X_IoxFRsLpnFqjpWKa1tmzHpNlb57pTILGEjE1ToGZtnx2Ado1KN7qJmw/s320/uni+east+anglia+student+-+reproduced+under+license+-from+-+Jodie+C+-+Flickr.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Proposals to increase choice for <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/academic-proofreading.php">students </a>and help them save on tuition fees have been passed by the House of Commons.<br />
<br />
Students starting university from September 2019 are set to have more choice than ever before about how they study after MPs approved legislation to support the expansion of two-year and other accelerated degrees.<br />
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Legislation was passed in the Commons which means students studying shorter university courses – such as three-year courses condensed into two – would save 20 per cent on tuition fees compared to traditional courses. For example, students who opt for a two-year degree will save at least £5,500 in total tuition costs compared to a standard three-year course. The regulations will now go to the House of Lords for approval.<br />
<br />
In addition to saving on tuition fees, <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/academic-proofreading.php">students</a> will also benefit from a year without paying any maintenance costs through an accelerated course, which would allow them to access the workforce quicker.<br />
<br />
Accelerated degrees have been a key part of the Government’s ambition to maximise choice and flexibility for people wanting to study in higher education, and are expected to remove barriers for a number of underrepresented groups, including mature students.<br />
<br />
Accelerated degrees offer the same qualifications and are quality-assured in the same way as a standard degree, but delivered over a shorter, more intensive timespan. For example, a two-year accelerated degree will condense 3-year degrees with 30 weeks’ teaching into 2 years with 45 weeks’ teaching.<br />
<br />
Proposals allow institutions to charge up to 20 per cent more per year for accelerated degrees (in recognition of the increased teaching time required), but the overall tuition fee cost to the student is at least 20 per cent less than the same degree over three years.Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-62624953973081252222019-01-23T16:35:00.002-08:002019-01-23T16:36:42.744-08:00National Theatre Wales and BBC Cymru Wales Competition to Find Wales First Writer in Residence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WOX9nTtAeIKhvOysRxETmoGb9mT-DBRS3ZMDGpXbT9atu9n5KOV9Lsl_9xXRMmC8oyzyOYCmt-LWv5nadnd1BWd9D73CViPJTb8xbd42A9T2gKjTxfiEKDUdF8xwfcCWHq1VOl1PVFM/s1600/welsh-dragon-wales-image-reproduced-under-license-flickr-Geraint+Rowland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WOX9nTtAeIKhvOysRxETmoGb9mT-DBRS3ZMDGpXbT9atu9n5KOV9Lsl_9xXRMmC8oyzyOYCmt-LWv5nadnd1BWd9D73CViPJTb8xbd42A9T2gKjTxfiEKDUdF8xwfcCWHq1VOl1PVFM/s320/welsh-dragon-wales-image-reproduced-under-license-flickr-Geraint+Rowland.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Applications are now open for the inaugural Wales Writer in Residence scheme from the BBC and <a href="https://www.nationaltheatrewales.org/">National Theatre Wales</a>.<br />
<br />
New and established<a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/writers-services.php"> writers</a> are invited to apply for this prestigious new scheme, aimed at furthering a writer’s career across a portfolio of media and which includes a guaranteed broadcast credit.<br />
<br />
The new scheme is a partnership between BBC Cymru Wales and National Theatre Wales, along with BBC Writersroom Wales, with the intention of supporting new writing talent.<br />
<br />
The winning writer will be awarded a total bursary of £12,000 to cover their year-long placement as Wales Writer in Residence. Over the 12 months they’re in post they’ll be offered two consecutive residencies; an initial 6 months with BBC Cymru Wales including working with BBC Studios, followed by 6 months with NTW gaining bespoke mentoring and training, and access to expertise and contacts. In addition their winning script will be commissioned, developed and produced for BBC Radio 4 and/or BBC Sounds.<br />
<br />
This opportunity is open to writers who can represent the culture of Wales with authenticity (for example they may be from, or have lived or worked in Wales). The scheme will be run by BBC Writersroom Wales.<br />
<br />
To enter <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/writers-services.php">writers</a> must submit a complete original English language audio script that is at least 30 minutes/pages in length and no longer than 50 pages. Your script must be saved as a pdf file.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://writersroom.external.bbc.co.uk/opportunity/142">Entry is via the BBC Writers Room online e-submissions system </a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The deadline for entries is Monday 3rd June 2019 at 11am - best of luck!</div>
<div>
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Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-66597949682408663442019-01-17T03:25:00.001-08:002019-01-17T03:25:17.035-08:00Government Publishes Report on the Way Forward for GP Partnerships<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6Xav32rF3xwwpb5ZjfUWoW8Ld_1yWk3upE_pgdsEf3MHU-vNA-UzT6FBj_EBA3XJjqlwUdEBDbWaEFh95g5QCnOHbMkl5Jfs_F_mPeKWbluOQ4kY00acRJ18AxISoJO1IOa3L1DUek4/s1600/waiting+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6Xav32rF3xwwpb5ZjfUWoW8Ld_1yWk3upE_pgdsEf3MHU-vNA-UzT6FBj_EBA3XJjqlwUdEBDbWaEFh95g5QCnOHbMkl5Jfs_F_mPeKWbluOQ4kY00acRJ18AxISoJO1IOa3L1DUek4/s320/waiting+room.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="grid-row" style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #0b0c0c; font-family: nta, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px -15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
The report gives recommendations to revitalise the GP partnership business model and ensure a sustainable future for general practice in England.<br /><br />General practice is one of the most important and respected institutions in our communities; it is the foundation of the NHS. It has been credited as a major reason for the NHS being one of the most cost-effective models of healthcare, outperforming many countries in the Western world which spend significantly more on their health care systems. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The strengths of general practice that deliver these outcomes include: </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php">organising</a> care based on a registered list, with the vast majority of the population registered with a practice;</li>
<li>providing care from cradle to grave; </li>
<li>having a holistic approach to care, looking after the whole person and not simply focusing on one disease or a single episode of care; </li>
<li>knowing more than one generation in a family, having a lifelong medical record; </li>
<li>providing continuity of care where needed; </li>
<li>and managing the undifferentiated presentation of symptoms. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
In recent years partnerships have become less popular with GPs and there is a risk that, without both the continued commitment of existing partners and the input of new partners, the model could be lost.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Talking about this possibility Dr Nigel Watson, who lead the review, said: "In my view, and the views of the vast majority of those who have contributed to this review, this would be a real loss to both general practice and the patients and communities it serves. I firmly believe it is important to consider the strengths of the partnership model of general practice, and what value the model offers above and beyond an alternative salaried model."</div>
<h3>
Strengths of the Partnerships Model</h3>
<div>
<ul>
<li>the freedom to innovate; </li>
<li>relative autonomy in decisions relating to patient care, with the ability to act as a powerful independent advocate for patients;</li>
<li>being part of, and accountable to, a community;</li>
<li>creating the desire to succeed as business owners;</li>
<li>providing value for money. </li>
</ul>
<h3>
Weaknesses of the Partnership Model</h3>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>GPs do not feel valued as a profession, and that general practice does not feel valued in all local health systems. </li>
<li>GPs' workload is exceeding capacity, the working day feels unmanageable, and the intensity of work and the complexity of patients has risen, with inevitable challenges in terms of managing clinical risk.</li>
<li>The balance between continuity of care and access to services, has been eroded. Care over a period of time with a person you know and trust ('relational continuity') is at the heart of general practice, valued by patients and GPs alike and shown to deliver better outcomes. </li>
</ul>
<h3>
Looking to the Future</h3>
<div>
<ul>
<li>The NHS is moving towards a team-based multidisciplinary way of delivering care, which must involve general practice working more closely with colleagues in primary, secondary and community care and ensuring we make the best use of all skills. </li>
<li>In recent years an increasing share of the NHS budget has been invested in hospital-based care at the expense of general practice, community services and mental health. The additional £4.5 billion of investment for primary and community care recently announced in the NHS Long Term Plan is a step in the right direction to address this imbalance.</li>
<li>More GPs are entering training than ever before, addressing some of the important concerns around recruitment. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>
Recommendations</h3>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>The personal risk and unlimited liability currently associated with GP partnerships needs to be reduced.</li>
<li>There needs to be a wide range and number of healthcare professionals available for services in the community, embedded as part of general practice </li>
<li>Funding for GP training places should be increased and a more specialised focus in medical training on general practice as a positive career choice should be introduced.</li>
</ul>
</div>
Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-80699292689832111672019-01-10T14:56:00.001-08:002019-01-10T14:56:33.351-08:00Students Interested in How Space Based Technology Can be Used on Earth Encouraged to Enter Space Agency Competition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDR50zw0J8_a85hYobG8FADzRogwe3mZ1XQyuFBrOSwuV_iJNib6vUHFAk2QEuTTQzWYc6FJs5rKbyuYkae0wkeRTWBWnRd-Bv6fxaJJvjLXnYRxAGCmknuhRnDNuJ7b1N6WawEVw_fk/s1600/earth-space-image-produced-under-license-from-flickr-lance-pullman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="612" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDR50zw0J8_a85hYobG8FADzRogwe3mZ1XQyuFBrOSwuV_iJNib6vUHFAk2QEuTTQzWYc6FJs5rKbyuYkae0wkeRTWBWnRd-Bv6fxaJJvjLXnYRxAGCmknuhRnDNuJ7b1N6WawEVw_fk/s320/earth-space-image-produced-under-license-from-flickr-lance-pullman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The UK Space Agency is offering young people expert advice and a share of £50,000 for their ideas of how satellites could improve life on Earth.<br />
<br />
The SatelLife Competition, now in its third year, is looking for innovative proposals that have the potential to use data collected from space to benefit our economy, health or the environment.<br />
<br />
Ideas from previous year’s competition included:<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li>a wristband that uses satellite location data and communications services to identify the locations of swimmers and surfers in the sea</li>
<li>a tool that would map change in urban areas using satellites and algorithms, identifying where building is taking place and potential sites for development.</li>
<li>An app to provide information on coastal flood risks.</li>
<li>Software that uses satellites and drones to help people in isolated areas who cannot access basic health care such as vaccines, birth control or medicine</li>
</ul>
Satellites support the economy and everyday life, and this competition gives <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/academic-proofreading.php">young people </a>the chance to test their ideas with industry experts and perhaps one day become part of the fastest growing sector of the UK economy. The UK space industry is a success story – it supports 38,000 jobs and generates just under £14 billion in revenue across the country.<br />
<br />
Ieuan Higgs, 21, a student at the <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/academic-proofreading.php">University </a>of Reading, who has been offered a job in the space sector when he graduates since winning last year, said: "Entering the SatelLife Competition allowed me to develop my critical thinking and problem-solving skills in an interesting, challenging way.<br />
<br />
This has certainly helped me to push forwards on my way towards finishing university and provided me with the confidence to pursue my interests as I prepare to launch an exciting career."<br />
<br />
The competition, which is open to those aged 11 to 22 and split into three age groups, aims to support the development of science, data handling and technological skills. There are two overall prizes of £7,500 for the best individual and best team. A further seven entries from across the age categories will win £5,000, making a total prize fund of £50,000.<br />
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The judging panel will be made up of experts including representatives from the UK Space Agency, the European Space Agency, the Satellite Applications Catapult in Harwell and industry.<br />
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Entries can be as teams or individuals and all prize winners will be able to pitch their idea to a panel of ‘dragons’ from the space sector who will offer more prizes. Over the last two years the competition winners have been offered further funding, patent advice and invitations to discuss job opportunities as well as introductions to the other relevant experts for further help.<br />
<br />
The competition closes on 3 March 2019. Visit the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/satellife-competition-2019-how-to-enter-and-other-resources">SatelLife Competition </a>entry page for more information and to apply - and best of luck!</div>
Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-74155754063296586352019-01-09T10:33:00.001-08:002019-01-09T10:34:18.673-08:00Policies and Procedures Need to be Embedded into Daily Practice if Inadequate CQC Rating is to be Avoided<div class="ds-1col node node--press-release view-mode-full node--full node--press-release--full clearfix">
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Halbutt Street Medical Practice in Dagenham, has been rated Inadequate overall by the <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php">Care Quality Commission</a> and has been placed into special measures.<br />
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The practice, in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham, was rated Inadequate for being safe and well-led, it was rated Requires Improvement for being effective, caring and responsive.</div>
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Inspectors found that the practice:</h3>
<ul>
<li>was not consistently following its own policies and procedures. </li>
<li>did not have clear systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen.</li>
<li>still scored below the national average in the National GP Patient Survey in relation to satisfaction with both doctors’ and nurses’ consultations. <i>The practice was aware of this and had identified themes in patient feedback and had an action plan in place to address lower scoring areas in the NHS national patient survey. </i></li>
<li>had failed to act effectively on issues with telephone access for patients.</li>
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The provider must now:</h3>
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<li>Ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.</li>
<li>Establish <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php">effective systems and processes</a> to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.</li>
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It should now:</h3>
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<li>Improve uptake<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15.008px;"> of childhood immunisations and cervical screening.</span></li>
<li>Improve engagement with patients with diabetes.</li>
<li>Consider how to record verbal complaints and actions.</li>
<li>Review systems to allow patients with communication needs to access services.</li>
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<span style="font-size: 15.008px;">Professor Ursula Gallagher, Deputy Chief Inspector, Primary Medical Services, said: “I am disappointed with the lack of improvement at Halbutt Street Medical Practice. We are placing it into special measures, which will give people who use the service the reassurance that the care they get should improve. The provider will be kept under review and if needed could be escalated to urgent enforcement action.”</span><br />
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Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-76659259294875533642018-12-31T01:44:00.002-08:002018-12-31T01:45:37.999-08:00Author Philip Pullman Gets a Knighthood!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Philip Pullman has been recognised in the New Year's Honours List, both for his work as a writer and for his work supporting, and being an advocate for, other <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/writers-services.php">aspiring authors</a>.<br />
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A tenacious advocate for authors and literature, Philip is actively involved in campaigning work for the Society of Authors, as well as for the Royal Society of Literature and the Blake Society. He has served as SoA President since 2013 and has used the position to passionately champion authors’ rights on fees, royalties, copyright, contract terms and high discounting.<br />
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Commenting on the announcement, Philip said "I was very surprised and honoured to be offered a knighthood. I believe the profession of letters should be recognised as having a proper place in the life of the nation, along with science, and sport, and music, and scholarship, and many other human activities. Many people I admire, such as Quentin Blake, Ellen MacArthur, Chris Hoy, Jacqueline Wilson, Nicholas Hytner, Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Bryn Terfel, Ray Davies, Mary Beard — far too many to list — have been happy to accept a knighthood or damehood, and I am proud to be in their company.<br />
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I’m immensely grateful to those who have worked so hard over many years to edit, publish, illustrate, and sell my books, and to the Society of Authors, which does so much for the profession of authorship. I’m most grateful of all to those who continue to read my books, and I hope they don’t have to work as hard as those who edit them."<br />
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<a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/writers-services.php">Writer,</a> translator and fellow SoA council member Daniel Hahn described Philip as ‘truly peerless’, saying "His prodigious inventiveness, his intellectual ambition, his bravery, his compassion, his ability – quite simply - to write like a dream, book after book, all these qualities combine to make him the very best of all. Philip Pullman's work has been recognised with – among others – the single most important international prize for children's literature, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award; it's time we acknowledged his extraordinary contribution to our culture and celebrated him back home.<br />
<br />Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-18233024806746513482018-12-29T03:26:00.001-08:002018-12-29T03:26:09.180-08:00No Clear Risk Management Systems to Blame for Inadequate CQC Rating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Figges Marsh Surgery in London Road, Mitcham, was<a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php"> rated</a> Inadequate for being safe, responsive and well-led. It was rated Requires Improvement for being effective and caring, following a CQC inspection in October 2018. <br /><br />Inspectors found that the practice did not have clear <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php">systems to manage risk</a> to patients and staff. These included matters relating to: <br /><ul>
<li>recruitment</li>
<li>health and safety</li>
<li>security</li>
<li>infection control</li>
<li>medicines management</li>
<li>and the home visiting system.</li>
</ul>
The systems to support carers and those who had suffered a bereavement were not effective. The systems to keep people safeguarded from abuse were not clear.<br /><br />Patients reported difficulty contacting the practice by telephone. Patients who visited the practice in person were more likely to secure appointments.<br /><br />The partners did not work cohesively to be able to deliver high-quality care; there was limited capacity to drive learning and improvement.<br /><br />The practice did not foster a culture where quality and safety was prioritised and staff did not always work as a team.<br /><br />The practice has been directed to :<br /><ul>
<li>Ensure care and treatment is provided in a safe way to patients.</li>
<li>Establish effective ways to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental standards of care.</li>
<li>Ensure there is an effective system for dealing with complaints.</li>
<li>Review the systems for identifying and supporting carers and those who have suffered a bereavement.</li>
<li>Review and improve how patients access appointments – especially by telephone.</li>
</ul>
Professor Ursula Gallagher, Deputy Chief Inspector, Primary Medical Services, said: “I am very concerned that Figges Marsh Surgery is now rated Inadequate overall and has been placed in special measures, which will give it access to support that should help it to improve. At its last inspection, it was rated Good overall.<br /><br />“People who use the service should be reassured that the service will be kept under review and if needed could be escalated to urgent enforcement action. Where necessary, another inspection will be conducted within six months, and if there is not enough improvement we will move to close the service by adopting our proposal to remove this location or cancel the provider’s registration.”Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-26674723493977564472018-12-28T02:48:00.001-08:002018-12-28T02:48:45.319-08:00Government Funding for SMEs Wanting to Explore Exporting Opportunities Released<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRT2hfZLltspNOv4TgBtFZHwKdWOy2aAyyOu39rM6ButbXxp-kSyXu7y8wdxL_xUmi1lS9y4gl8Pl1kIm0L2rPF2-0MwAobzro5iZJAqpsnz9rwa3i8G48400pUkwKr1mWZdPCIelvPO8/s1600/exporting-reproduced-under-license-from-flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="439" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRT2hfZLltspNOv4TgBtFZHwKdWOy2aAyyOu39rM6ButbXxp-kSyXu7y8wdxL_xUmi1lS9y4gl8Pl1kIm0L2rPF2-0MwAobzro5iZJAqpsnz9rwa3i8G48400pUkwKr1mWZdPCIelvPO8/s320/exporting-reproduced-under-license-from-flickr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Applications are now open for UK businesses to apply for grants of up to £2,500 to attend international trade shows.<br /><br /><div>
Attending international conferences and events is an effective way for those new to exporting, or exploring new territories, to meet potential customers face-to-face and start the exporting process.</div>
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Businesses can apply for grants of up to £2,500 to attend international trade shows through the Department for International Trade’s (DIT) <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tradeshow-access-programme">Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP)</a>.<br /><br />TAP provides financial support for UK<a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/business-copywriting-proofreading.php"> SMEs </a>to participate in overseas exhibitions and conferences that cover a range of sectors, from education to aerospace and creative to maritime. Successful businesses can use the grants to fund direct exhibiting costs, including stand costs and conference fees.<br /><br />TAP grants accompany a wide range of <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/business-copywriting-proofreading.php">support</a> businesses can access through the Department for International Trade. This includes dedicated teams of International Trade Advisers, sector specialists, and a network of staff across the world that are available to help businesses embark on, or develop, their exporting journey.<br /></div>
Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-88482383770541073212018-12-20T16:49:00.002-08:002018-12-20T16:49:44.694-08:00Culture of Continuous Learning Leads to CQC Outstanding Rating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Care Quality Commission has found the quality of care provided by Corner House Residential Care Home in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, to be <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php">Outstanding</a> following an inspection in October. <br />
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Corner House Residential Care Home provides care for up to 11 people who have a learning disability. When the CQC inspected there were 11 people living at the home. <br />
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Key Findings</h3>
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<ul>
<li>People were supported to remain as independent as possible, maintaining their own safety and the safety of others in the home.</li>
<li>A culture of continuous learning exists with accidents and incidents reviewed and learnt from.</li>
<li>Staff were well trained and their practice was regularly assessed to aid development and improve the quality of support people received.</li>
<li>People were encouraged to choose to do their own shopping, make healthy food and drink choices, to lead a healthy lifestyle and they were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.</li>
<li>Staff were kind, caring, empathetic and compassionate, and the staff and management team worked together to provide people with excellent support to lead fulfilling lives and to reach their potential. </li>
<li>People's <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php">support plans </a>were person-centred and focused on providing high-quality outcomes for them, in line with their personal preferences.</li>
</ul>
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Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, said “The quality of care which our inspectors found here was exceptional and I am very pleased that we can celebrate the service’s achievements. <br />
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“An outstanding service is the result of a tremendous amount of hard work and commitment. I would like to thank and congratulate everyone involved.”</div>
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Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-32008554941870017222018-12-17T16:19:00.001-08:002018-12-17T16:21:17.378-08:00Government Announces Changes to Workers Rights in the UK - What Every Business and Employee Needs to Know<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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New legislation to upgrade workers’ rights was introduced today, affecting businesses and employees across both traditional and gig economies.<br />
<ul>
<li>ensuring tips left for workers go to them in full.</li>
<li>ensuring workers are paid fairly by providing agency workers with a<a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/business-copywriting-proofreading.php"> key facts page</a> when they start work, including a clear breakdown of who pays them, and any costs or charges deducted from their wages.</li>
<li>enforcing vulnerable workers’ holiday pay for the first time.</li>
<li>introducing a list of <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/business-copywriting-proofreading.php">day-one rights </a>including holiday and sick pay entitlements and a new right to a payslip for all workers, including casual and zero-hour workers.</li>
<li>introducing a right for all workers, not just zero-hour and agency, to request a more predictable and stable contract, providing more financial security for those on flexible contract.</li>
<li>GLAA licensing standards will be revised to ensure that they reflect current worker rights and employer obligations</li>
<li>a new <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employment-tribunal-naming-scheme-guidance">naming scheme for employers who fail to pay employment tribunal awards</a>·will be introduced, taking further action to ensure unpaid interns are not doing the job of a worker.</li>
</ul>
The legislation was informed by two key documents, the Matthew Taylor Review into Modern Working Practices and Sir David Metcalf's Labour Market Strategy.<br />
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<div>
<div>
51 of the 53 recommendations made by Matthew Taylor have been adopted including:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>closing a loophole by repealing the Swedish derogation – which currently allows agency workers to be employed on cheaper rates than permanent counterparts.</li>
<li>extending the right to a day one written statement of rights to all workers, including details on rights such as eligibility for sick leave and pay and details of other types of paid leave, such as maternity and paternity leave.</li>
<li>quadrupling maximum employment tribunal fines for employers who are demonstrated to have shown malice, spite or gross oversight from £5,000 to £20,000.</li>
<li>extending the holiday pay reference period from 12 to 52 weeks, ensuring those in seasonal or atypical roles get the paid time off they are entitled to.</li>
<li>lowering the threshold required for a request to set up Information and Consultation arrangements from 10% to 2%.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
The following measures will be introduced to tackle the exploitation of low paid workers:<br />
<ul>
<li>measures will be brought forward in early 2019 for a single enforcement body to ensure vulnerable workers are better protected.</li>
<li>more resource will be made available for the Employment Agency Standards (EAS) Inspectorate.</li>
<li>Penalties will be introduced for employers who breach employment agency legislation like non-payment of wages.</li>
<li>There will be a consultation on <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/salaried-workers-and-salary-sacrifice-schemes-changing-the-national-minimum-wage-rules">Salaried Hours Work and Salary Sacrifice Schemes</a> to ensure National Minimum Wage rules do not inadvertently penalise employer.</li>
<li>Legislation will be introduced to enforce holiday pay for vulnerable workers.</li>
<li>There will be a consultation on the recommendations made in relation to non-compliance in supply chains.</li>
</ul>
The measures outlined in the package form part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy, published last year, which sets out how the whole of the UK can build on its strengths, extend them into the future, and capitalise on new opportunities.<br />
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Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-86412650980722911612018-12-13T05:04:00.001-08:002018-12-13T05:04:26.836-08:00CQC Rate Somerset GP Surgery Outstanding for Second Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php">Care Quality Commission</a> has found the quality of care provided by Dunster Surgery, Minehead in Somerset to be Outstanding again following an inspection in October. This is the second time the service has been rated Outstanding overall.<br /><br />Inspectors rated the care at the surgery Outstanding for being caring and well-led, and Good for being safe, effective and responsive to people’s needs.<div>
<h3>
Practice Strengths</h3>
<ul>
<li>The practice delivered safe and quality care with <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php">innovative systems</a> in place to identify and minimise risks to patients.</li>
<li>The practice had an open culture to the reporting of, and learning from safety concerns raised by patients. </li>
<li>The practice had a clear vision which had quality and safety as its top priority. High standards were promoted and owned by all practice staff with evidence of team working across all roles.</li>
<li>The service had a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement to ensure that high-quality, sustainable care was provided.</li>
<li>Leadership was compassionate, inclusive and effective. They prioritised compassion and support towards their staff and other health professional’s well-being.</li>
</ul>
Ruth Rankine, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice, said;“It is with pleasure that I am again delighted to highlight the exceptional service at Dunster Surgery. This practice is an excellent example of what outstanding care looks like. The service had clear vision to promote safe and quality care with high standards being promoted by all staff. <br /><br />“There was a strong focus on continuous improvements to its services and valued the concerns raised by staff and people. <br /><br />“This dedication and commitment pays off in making a real difference for their patients – which is why we have again found the practice to be Outstanding. I hope other practices will see this service as a model for excellent care.” <br /><br /></div>
Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-88980654631310954652018-12-10T16:04:00.001-08:002018-12-10T16:06:10.000-08:00CQC Launches a Review into the Management of Patients with Mental Health Problems, a Learning Disability and/or Autism<div class="ds-1col node node--news node--promoted view-mode-full node--full node--news--full clearfix">
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The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, has asked the <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php">CQC</a> to review the use of restrictive interventions in settings that provide inpatient and <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php">residential care</a> for people with mental health problems, a learning disability and/or autism.</div>
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Interim findings and recommendations are expected in May 2019, with the full report scheduled for release by March 2020.<br />
<br />
Concern has been raised over the use of physical restraint, prolonged seclusion and segregation<br />
in wards for people of all ages with a learning disability and/or autism and in secure and rehabilitation mental health wards.</div>
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The review will consider whether seclusion and segregation should be used in registered social care services for people with a learning disability and/or autism and how they should be used.<br />
<br />
Dr Paul Lelliott, Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals (lead for mental health), said: “There is understandable public concern about the use of restraint, prolonged seclusion and segregation for people with mental health problems, a learning disability or autism. It is vital that services minimise the use of all forms of restrictive practice and that providers and commissioners work together to find alternative, and less restrictive, care arrangements for people who are currently subject to seclusion or segregation. Failure to do this has the potential to amount to inhuman and degrading treatment of some of the most vulnerable people in our society.<br />
<br />
“We welcome the Secretary of State’s commission for CQC to undertake a thematic review of this important issue. The review will examine the range of factors that lead to people being subject to restraint, prolonged seclusion or segregation, and will assess the extent to which services follow best practice in minimising the need to use force. The experience and perspective of the people affected by these practices, either as a patient or as a carer, will be central to this work. It is vital that society protects the rights, welfare and safety of children and adults with a mental illness, learning disability or autism and that they receive the safe, high quality care that they deserve.”</div>
Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-40889637349689612802018-12-06T03:03:00.000-08:002018-12-06T03:03:47.718-08:00Universities Urged to do More to Support Students at Risk of a Crisis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Higher education representatives have been told to take another look at their approach towards involving a student's family and friends (those listed as emergency contacts) when it is clear that the student is at risk of a mental health crisis.<br />
<br />
Education Secretary, Damian Hinds has written to Julia Buckingham, who is chairing a roundtable on student mental health, asking the sector to maintain the focus that has been built up in recent months following the Student Mental Health Summit that was held at the University of the West of England in June 2018.<br />
<br />
The event, hosted by Universities UK (UUK), will aim to develop advice for<a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/academic-proofreading.php"> universities</a> on consent for the disclosure of information about severe student difficulties to third parties. Giving universities clear guidance on this issue will ensure young people struggling at university will have every possible chance of receiving help from someone in their domestic support network. This is particularly important for<a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/academic-proofreading.php"> students </a>studying away from home, who may have a reduced support group.<br />
<br />
Damian Hinds said "Ensuring that university students, many of whom will be leaving home for the first time, are supported is a key challenge for my department and the higher education sector as a whole.<br />
<br />
Our universities are world leading in so many areas and I want them to be the best in the world for support and pastoral care as well. Ensuring that universities get better at reaching out to family members if a student is struggling with mental health is a big step along the road to delivering that ambition.<br />
<br />
I’ve made clear to the sector how important this issue is and now I want them to work together to find a clear way forward so young people can get support from every person and organisation best able to give it.<br />
<br />
In a recent Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) survey, 75% of applicants to higher education expected universities to contact a parent or guardian in situations where they are faced with serious challenges relating to their mental health.<br />
<br />
The new UUK advice will need to build on this by giving 100% of students every possible opportunity to choose to receive care from families and trusted friends alongside the support they get from student welfare teams and the NHS."Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-79366059199324608442018-11-29T14:30:00.001-08:002018-11-29T14:30:10.212-08:00Ambulance Service Placed into Special Measures by the CQC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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England’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals has rated SSG UK Specialist Ambulance Service – South as Inadequate and placed the service into special measures following its latest inspection by the <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php">Care Quality Commission</a>.<br />
<br />
A team of inspectors from the Care Quality Commission visited SSG UK Specialist Ambulance Service – South at Wickham Road, Fareham, Hampshire during August and September 2018 in response to concerns received relating to medicines, staffing, overall management of the service and one of the provider’s ambulances being involved in a road traffic collision.<br />
<br />
SSG UK Specialist Ambulance Service – South provides both emergency and urgent care and patient transport services throughout the south-east. These services are commission by local NHS trusts.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Key Concerns </h3>
<ul>
<li>Inspectors found that the overall <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php">management</a> of medicines was not safe or line with legislation. Controlled drugs were not managed safely and as there were no regular audits SSG </li>
<li>Records of medicines that were destroyed were incomplete and the provider could not provide any assurance that this was undertaken in line with legal requirement and the service’s guidance. </li>
<li>The service could not provide an accurate count of staff who were employed or worked as bank staff, but thought there were around 650 staff recruited with 300 of these working on a regular basis.</li>
<li>There was no assurance that all staff working for the provider held a current disclosure barring service check and active professional registration.</li>
<li>Not all managers had the necessary skills, knowledge or experience to lead and develop the service. There was limited evidence they understood the challenges to service quality and overall sustainability of the service.</li>
<li>One of the secure vehicles used for the transport of mental health patients was not fit for purpose. The area that was used to transport patients, had a metal bench with no padding on the seat, this was rusty and patients had to sit directly on the metal.</li>
<li>There was limited evidence on how there was assurance that staff followed the restraint policy and protected patients from the risks of harm. The nine records for secure patients where restraint had been used showed that staff did not follow the full process.</li>
<li>There were no risks assessments completed and staff did not record a clear rationale for the use of restraint.</li>
</ul>
CQC Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Dr Nigel Acheson, said "“We are all well aware that our ambulance services are under a tremendous amount of pressure and scrutiny. However, when we inspected SSG UK Specialist Ambulance Service – South in August, we were extremely concerned at the disconnect we identified between the senior team and the staff working on the frontline. We saw no sign of a clear vision and strategy and a lack of response to the concerns we had previously raised."<br />
<br />
“On the basis of this inspection, we have placed this provider into special measures. That means that SSG UK Specialist Ambulance Service – South will be inspected again within six months. We are currently engaging with the provider and monitoring the service very closely. If insufficient improvements have been made, we will take action in line with our enforcement procedures.”<br />
<br />Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-66595012435016935852018-11-28T15:33:00.000-08:002018-11-28T15:34:47.138-08:00New Government Funding Released to Support Electronic Prescribing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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13 NHS trusts will receive a share of a £78 million fund to support electronic<a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php"> prescribing </a>and medicines administration (ePMA) to improve patient safety.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
New electronic systems will help hospital trusts move away from handwritten prescriptions:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>reducing potentially deadly medication errors by up to 50% when compared with the old paper systems </li>
<li>building up a complete electronic record </li>
<li>ensuring fast access to potentially lifesaving information on prescribed medicines </li>
<li>reducing duplication of information-gathering </li>
</ul>
The 13 NHS trusts have been chosen because they provide a mixture of acute, mental health and community services. They will receive a share of £16 million funding for 2018 to 2019.<br />
<br />
The roll-out of full ePMA across healthcare organisations is designed to improve efficiency in the healthcare system by: <br />
<ul>
<li>making the most effective use of medicines </li>
<li>increasing the use of digital systems to generate additional data sets </li>
</ul>
This will help clinicians gain a greater understanding of the management of diseases.<br />
<br />
Andrew Davies, Director of Hospital Pharmacy, NHS Improvement said "There is evidence that electronic prescribing and medicines administration systems will <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/healthcare-services.php">improve safety</a> for patients, reducing the risk of harm and ensuring high-quality efficient patient care which is as safe as possible.<br />
<br />
I’m delighted so many trusts have submitted successful bids to accelerate the introduction of these systems to provide safer, better quality patient care. We are now looking for more trusts to bid for funding by the end of January."<br />
<br />
The first regional allocations are as follows:<br />
<ul>
<li>Bolton NHS Foundation Trust - £1,020,000 </li>
<li>The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust - £750,000 </li>
<li>Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust - £1,600,000 </li>
<li>Humber NHS Foundation Trust - £300,000 </li>
<li>Northern Lincolnshire And Goole NHS Foundation Trust - £940,000 </li>
<li>Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust - £820,000 </li>
<li>University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust - £2,190,000 </li>
<li>Barts Health NHS Trust - £1,700,000 </li>
<li>East London NHS Foundation Trust - £740,000 </li>
<li>East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust - £1,450,000 </li>
<li>Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust - £1,170,000 </li>
<li>Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust - £1,620,000 </li>
<li>East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust - £1,700,000 </li>
</ul>
</div>
Words Worth Readinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16857162204301993628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001807722957255653.post-33706757428830667662018-11-27T15:24:00.000-08:002018-11-27T15:24:14.765-08:00Small and Medium Size Businesses Offered Free Support to Grow Their Digital Exports<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Baroness Fairhead, Minister of State at the Department of International Trade, has announced a new partnership between the <a href="https://www.great.gov.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInLH989v13gIVy7_tCh0XiQd8EAAYASAAEgIX9_D_BwE">Exporting is GREAT</a> campaign and Google, which will see the Digital Garage deliver an exporting education series for 2000 SMEs in 2019.<br /><br />Focusing on helping <a href="http://www.wordsworthreading.co.uk/business-copywriting-proofreading.php">businesses grow</a> their digital export operation, the events will be hosted in Manchester, Edinburgh and on university campuses around the UK. The training will be split into three modules which focus on:<div>
<ul>
<li>finding new global opportunities, </li>
<li>setting up new export operations,</li>
<li>and marketing.</li>
</ul>
Ronan Harris Google MD UK and Ireland said "We firmly believe everyone should be able to benefit from the opportunities that technology brings and we want to give people the skills they need to grow their confidence, career or business.<br /><br />Looking forward to 2019, there is tremendous potential to envisage what we can achieve from working with the Department for International Trade to roll out a brand new training offering to small and medium enterprises providing valuable insight to support their export operations."<br /><br />A recent Google business survey found that 70% of SMEs said that they lacked the skills needed to find the best overseas markets to enter.<br /><br />The new partnership builds on an existing relationship which saw the Department for International Trade and Google working together to build a new online <a href="https://marketfinder.thinkwithgoogle.com/intl/en_gb/">‘Market Finder’</a> tool which allows companies to find overseas opportunities at the click of a mouse.<br /></div>
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