Former Deputy Chief of the CQC Denies Cover-Up

  

Jill Finney, former deputy chief executive of the Care Quality Commission says she was not involved in any decision to hide a critical internal review.

An independent report into the CQC's investigation of the deaths of babies at Furness General Hospital found evidence of a possible cover-up. But Finney and two other senior colleagues have denied that they suppressed the review, saying only that it required further work before it was published. 

The hospital, run by Morecambe Bay NHS Trust, was investigated by the CQC in 2010, and passed the review. But an internal review was ordered by the regulator in 2011 into how the deaths and injuries had gone unnoticed. This review was not made public because it was too critical of the CQC.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said the CQC was  flawed when it was set up four years ago, but the leader of the British Medical Association, Dr Mark Porter, said changes that have been made to the CQC should be allowed to take effect. 

Source: BBC News

Image: Filippo, Flickr

Graduate job seekers need work experience to get jobs

If you’re a graduate job seeker, you are three times more likely to get a job if you already have work experience.

According to a study by High Fliers Research, 36 per cent of job applicants who had previous career-related experience had definite job offers by March this year (2013).

The report, which looked at salary and career prospects for graduates, was based on interviews with 18,252 students from 30 universities.

Research suggests that students are starting their job search early to improve their prospects.

The report shows that 70 per cent of students started looking for jobs before starting their final study year. 

Eighty per cent had done an average six months’ worth of career-related work while studying, and 41 per cent had made job applications by October, just after starting their final year.

Students at leading universities such as Kings College London, London School of Economics and University College London have the best chances of getting jobs, suggests the report.

Of those questioned, 22 per cent had been offered jobs while 16 per cent had accepted job offers.

The managing director of High Fliers Research, Martin Birchall, said that this latest research shows that ‘work experience is no longer an optional extra for university students, it's an essential part of preparing for the graduate job market.’

He went on to say: ‘Students who just focus on their degree studies without spending time in the workplace are unlikely to develop the skills and interests that graduate employers are looking for.’ (www.independent.co.uk 13 June 2013)

For expert job seeker help, check out Words Worth Reading Ltd's job seekers package, which offers you tailored advice on cover letters, CVs, application forms and interview skills.




Source www.independent.co.uk

Image courtesy http://www.freedigitalphotos.net by imagerymajestic

Dr. Rowan Williams to become Chancellor of the University of South Wales

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams is to become chancellor of Wales' largest university. He will replace Lord Morris of Aberavon, who retires later this year, at the University of South Wales (USW).

Lord Williams grew up in the Swansea Valley and was archbishop for 10 years until last December. He has expressed "quiet pride" at the appointment He believes the University is a force for positive change in Wales.

USW was formed by the merger of the University of Glamorgan and the University of Wales, Newport, in April, and has more than 33,000 students and 3,500 staff.

The appointment was announced at the Wales Office, where the minister Baroness Randerson said: "His drive and expertise will be a real boost for the university and I cannot think of anyone better to fulfil this role and take the university forward on its path to becoming recognised as a global presence in the higher education community."

If you are a student looking to improve the standard of your work, check out the essay, coursework and dissertation editorial services we offer at Words Worth Reading Ltd. 

Source: BBC News

Image: National Assembly for Wales, Flickr

The Government Should Invest in Career Development

The world has changed fundamentally over the past generation. The job for life has disappeared, many unskilled and semi-skilled jobs have been lost to technological and globalisation changes. 

The National Careers Council, which produced the report "An Aspiration Nation" was formed last year to advise government on careers matters. This was welcomed in the wake of cuts to careers for young people. 

The report argues that we need "a culture change in careers provision". It describes career development as a lifelong process; the government should not just focus entirely on what happens in schools. The report suggests that qualified professionals should be at the centre of the provision of career support, but acknowledges that employers and parents have important roles to play. 

The National Careers Council provides a good start in imagining what an effective national career development policy might be. But more needs to be done by the government to ensure that the UK provides lifelong career support. 

If you are looking to secure that dream job, Words Worth Reading Ltd can help. We offer a range of services to job seekers to make sure you are ready for that all important interview. 

Image: buddawiggi, Flickr 

Source: The Guardian 

National Care Home Open Day: 21st June

Nearly 100 CQC inspectors will be attending a number of homes across the country as part of National Care Home Open Day on 21 June 2013.

On 21 June, thousands of care homes across the country will open their doors to the public for a day of events and activities aimed at bringing residents and local communities together.

It is likely that you will come across one of the CQC inspectors during the open day. You can speak with them about quality of care and areas to look out for when choosing a care home. 

David Behan, CQC Chief Executive,  and the CQC are keen to meet the public and to listen to what they have to say about the care in our communities. 

To find out which care homes are taking part in your local area and what activities are on offer, visit the National Care Home Open Day Website. 

If you are a healthcare provider and would like help with your CQC application or registration, get in touch with a member of our team at Words Worth Reading Ltd. 

Beat the Rejection Clinic for Writers

Writers & Artists, in partnership with The Bloomsbury Publishing Company are continuing to offer their helpful 'Beat the Rejection Clinic' throughout June an July.

Hosted at the Bloomsbury Publishing offices in central London, this 30 minute meeting with an agent on a one-to-one basis is an opportunity to understand why your manuscript has been rejected. 


The meeting includes:

• A 30 minute one-to-one with an agent.

• Practical examples of successful submissions.

• Inspiration and encouragement.

• Lessons from a top literary agent.

• Advice on 'targeting' as well as content.

You will take away clear action points. You will receive a list of potential agents and a strategy for targeting those who might be interested in your book. 

Jenny Savill, Lucy Luck and Madeleine Milburn will be available to host 'Beat the Rejection Clinics' in June and July.

To find out more about how the clinic can help you, what you need to submit and to reserve your place, visit the Writers & Artists website by clicking on this link. 


If you have an idea for a book and would like to be mentored by a published writer to help you gain success, visit us at Words Worth Reading Ltd to find out about the services we offer. 

Image: miamism, Flickr

£2m Research Programme in Dementia in Northern Ireland Launches

A £2m research programme into the care of people with dementia in Northern Ireland is

being launched. Jointly funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies and the Public Health Agency(PHA).

It is one of the outcomes of the strategy, Improving Dementia Services in Northern Ireland, which was published in 2011.

The research will focus on dementia care-related topics that Health and Social Care staff, patients, carers, and researchers have identified as important from a list already identified by the Alzheimer's Society and the James Lind Alliance.

The topics include quality and co-ordination of care; management of symptoms and behaviour; information and communication; and staff training.

The programme will bring together teams from local universities, Health and Social Care (HSC) trusts and the voluntary sector with the aim of improving the way people with dementia in Northern Ireland and their families are cared for in the future.

This is an important project that will help to achieve the main aims of the dementia strategy, which are to help promote a greater public understanding of how dementia impacts people's lives, to allow people with dementia to live well as valued members of society through patient-centred care and to enable people with dementia to influence the way in which services are planned and delivered.

If you are a healthcare professional preparing for your CQC application or registration, Words Worth Reading Ltd can help you get your documentation ready with our Consultancy Support Packages. 

Image: Außerirdische Sind Gesund, Flickr