The Irish Times - Monday, October 24, 2011
CAROL COULTER, Legal Affairs Editor
THE LAW on sexual offences relating to people with intellectual disabilities should be overhauled, so that those who are capable of consenting to sexual activity are not deprived of the opportunity for intimate relationships, according to the Law Reform Commission.
The commission will publish a consultation paper on the subject this evening, in which it makes a provisional recommendation for the repeal of the existing law on sexual offences involving people with an intellectual disability.
Section 5 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 makes it an offence to have sexual intercourse with a person with an intellectual disability. The commission points out that it fails to protect people with intellectual disability from unwanted sexual contact generally, as it is limited to sexual intercourse, and it fails to allow for consensual sexual activity between two persons with intellectual disability.....
29 Oct 2011
Healthcare professionals' experiences of the implementation of integrated care pathways.
Healthcare professionals' experiences of the implementation of integrated care pathways.:
Int J Health Care Qual Assur. 2011;24(5):334-47Authors: Hogan C, Barry M, Burke M, Joyce PAbstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to report on a study that explores healthcare professionals' experiences of the implementation of integrated care pathways (ICPs).
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This study used a phenomenological research approach with a purposive sample of ten multi-disciplinary healthcare professionals across two acute hospitals in Ireland. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and analysed using Colazzi's framework.
FINDINGS: The findings of the study are presented under four themes: buy-in from all disciplines, multidisciplinary communication, service-user involvement, and audit of ICPs. These themes emanated from the questions asked at interview.
RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The limitations of the study include the small sample size and the use of two different interviewers across the sites. The inexperience of the interviewers is acknowledged as a limitation as the probing of some questions could have been improved. In addition the themes of the findings were predetermined by the use of the interview guide.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Changes in existing institutional structures and cultures are required when introducing ICPs. It is necessary for senior management in organisations to lead by example. They also need to identify where support can be offered, such as in the provision of an ICP facilitator, education sessions in relation to ICPs and the development of strategies to improve multi-disciplinary buy-in and participation.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The findings of this study respond to a gap in the literature in Ireland on the experiences of healthcare professionals who have implemented ICPs. Key findings of the study are the perception that the doctor is pivotal in driving the implementation of ICPs, yet the doctor was not always interested in this responsibility.
PMID: 21916088 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Contact the library to order articles, borrow books, help with research.
Int J Health Care Qual Assur. 2011;24(5):334-47Authors: Hogan C, Barry M, Burke M, Joyce PAbstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to report on a study that explores healthcare professionals' experiences of the implementation of integrated care pathways (ICPs).
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This study used a phenomenological research approach with a purposive sample of ten multi-disciplinary healthcare professionals across two acute hospitals in Ireland. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and analysed using Colazzi's framework.
FINDINGS: The findings of the study are presented under four themes: buy-in from all disciplines, multidisciplinary communication, service-user involvement, and audit of ICPs. These themes emanated from the questions asked at interview.
RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The limitations of the study include the small sample size and the use of two different interviewers across the sites. The inexperience of the interviewers is acknowledged as a limitation as the probing of some questions could have been improved. In addition the themes of the findings were predetermined by the use of the interview guide.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Changes in existing institutional structures and cultures are required when introducing ICPs. It is necessary for senior management in organisations to lead by example. They also need to identify where support can be offered, such as in the provision of an ICP facilitator, education sessions in relation to ICPs and the development of strategies to improve multi-disciplinary buy-in and participation.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The findings of this study respond to a gap in the literature in Ireland on the experiences of healthcare professionals who have implemented ICPs. Key findings of the study are the perception that the doctor is pivotal in driving the implementation of ICPs, yet the doctor was not always interested in this responsibility.
PMID: 21916088 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Contact the library to order articles, borrow books, help with research.
24 Oct 2011
Increase in negative press coverage of disability
Increase in negative press coverage of disability:
Contact the library to order articles, borrow books, help with research.
The amount of negative reporting of disability issues and people with disabilities in print media has increased significantly in the past 6 years, a study has found.
The report, ‘Bad News for Disabled People: how newspapers are reporting disability’, commissioned by disability equality organisation Inclusion London, compared print media articles from 2004/5 and 2010/11 and found a reduction in the proportion of articles that describe disabled people in sympathetic and deserving terms.
Additionally, researchers found that stories that document ‘real life’ experiences of living as a disabled person also decreased. People with mental health issues and other ‘hidden’ impairments are more likely to be presented as ‘undeserving’, they found.
Meanwhile, the number of articles focusing on disability benefit fraud increased from 2.8% in 2004/5 to 6.1% in 2010/11. Allied to this, a significant increase in the use of pejorative language to describe disabled people was found. The use of terms such as ‘scrounger’, ‘cheat’ and ‘skiver’ was found in 18% of articles in 2010/11 compared to 12% in 2004/5.
Professor Nick Watson of Strathclyde Centre for Disability at the University of Glasgow, which conducted the study alongside the University’s Glasgow Media Group, said: “This report provides a strong body of evidence to suggest there has been a significant change in the way that disability is being reported in much of the press in the UK today.
“Much of the coverage in the tabloid press is at best questionable and some of it is deeply offensive. The increased focus on benefit fraud, with outlandish claims that over 70% of people on disability benefits are frauds, is an example of this type of reporting.
“The increased pejorative coverage of disability may have a long-term effect and further work will be need to monitor this.
“In addition to the content analysis we also ran some focus groups to see what people thought about the way that the media is covering disability. When the focus groups were asked to describe a typical story in the newspapers on disability benefit fraud was the most popular theme mentioned. Participants in the focus groups all claimed that levels of fraud were very much higher than they are in reality, with some suggesting that up to 70% of claimants were fraudulent. They justified these claims by reference to articles they had read in newspapers.”
Anne Kane, policy manager at Inclusion London, said: “The findings of this research will strike a deep chord with disabled people who have to live with the daily reality of offensive, hate-filled and false media coverage – coverage that is becoming more offensive in rhythm with the savage impact of government spending cuts on disabled people.
“The disabled people questioned in the study said they felt threatened by the changes in the way disability is being (mis)reported and by the planned cuts to benefits – with these two assaults combining and reinforcing each other. This points to the action that needs to be taken: a stop to cuts that threaten more isolation and poverty and a stop to media coverage that stigmatises and breeds fear.”
Contact the library to order articles, borrow books, help with research.
21 Oct 2011
Postural care: protecting and restoring body shape
The Postural Care Action Group has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the importance of good postural care for thousands of people with multiple disabilities.
The group is made up of organisations including; Mencap, PAMIS, Postural Care Skills, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, the College of Occupational Therapists and the Royal College of Nursing.
What is postural care?
People who find it hard to move are most at risk of developing body shape distortions. This is because they often sit and lie in limited positions.
Postural care is about using the right equipment and positioning techniques to help protect and restore body shape. The earlier the intervention, the better - but it is never too late to start protecting someone's body shape.
Why is postural care important?
Failure to protect body shape can have serious consequences for a person’s health and quality of life. It can even cause premature death.
What do we want?
To challenge the assumption that distortion of body shape is inevitable for people with multiple disabilities.
All people with multiple disabilities to get the support they need to protect their body shape, 24 hours a day.
What you can do
Everyone who supports someone with multiple disabilities or commissions services for them needs to know about postural care. You can help spread the word. The materials below will help you to do this:
Read our postural care booklet
Download our postural care presentation
Watch our postural care film - see the top of this page
You can order copies of the booklet and the film from publications at Mencap:
Email: publications@mencap.org.uk
Phone: 020 7696 6900.
About the Postural Care Action Group
The Postural Care Action Group is a group of organisations and individuals working to raise awareness about the importance of protecting body shape. It includes:
Organisations
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
The College of Occupational Therapists (COT)
Inclusion North
Mencap
PAMIS
Partners in Policymaking
Postural Care Skills
Potential Futures
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN)
Simple Stuff Works
University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN)
Individuals
Janet Cobb - independent consultant
Elspeth Dixon - parent, and learning disability specialist physiotherapist
John and Liz Goldsmith
Bas Jansen - physiotherapist
Mike and Julie Ormian - family carers
Rebecca Ormian - PMLD champion
The group is made up of organisations including; Mencap, PAMIS, Postural Care Skills, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, the College of Occupational Therapists and the Royal College of Nursing.
What is postural care?
People who find it hard to move are most at risk of developing body shape distortions. This is because they often sit and lie in limited positions.
Postural care is about using the right equipment and positioning techniques to help protect and restore body shape. The earlier the intervention, the better - but it is never too late to start protecting someone's body shape.
Why is postural care important?
Failure to protect body shape can have serious consequences for a person’s health and quality of life. It can even cause premature death.
What do we want?
To challenge the assumption that distortion of body shape is inevitable for people with multiple disabilities.
All people with multiple disabilities to get the support they need to protect their body shape, 24 hours a day.
What you can do
Everyone who supports someone with multiple disabilities or commissions services for them needs to know about postural care. You can help spread the word. The materials below will help you to do this:
Read our postural care booklet
Download our postural care presentation
Watch our postural care film - see the top of this page
You can order copies of the booklet and the film from publications at Mencap:
Email: publications@mencap.org.uk
Phone: 020 7696 6900.
About the Postural Care Action Group
The Postural Care Action Group is a group of organisations and individuals working to raise awareness about the importance of protecting body shape. It includes:
Organisations
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
The College of Occupational Therapists (COT)
Inclusion North
Mencap
PAMIS
Partners in Policymaking
Postural Care Skills
Potential Futures
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN)
Simple Stuff Works
University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN)
Individuals
Janet Cobb - independent consultant
Elspeth Dixon - parent, and learning disability specialist physiotherapist
John and Liz Goldsmith
Bas Jansen - physiotherapist
Mike and Julie Ormian - family carers
Rebecca Ormian - PMLD champion
4 Oct 2011
IRELAND - 1 in 5 has long-term disabilities
[Posted: Thu 22/09/2011 by Deborah Condon www.irishhealth.com]
Up to one in five people in Ireland has a long-term disability and most of these have major difficulties performing every day activities, a new report has shown.
The report, A Social Portrait of People with Disabilities in Ireland, set out to examine the different circumstances of people with disabilities in this country.
Based on figures from the 2006 Census and the National Disability Survey (NDS), it estimated that between one in five and one in six people have a long-term disability, with most of these disabilities being ‘acquired through the life course rather than being present from birth'.
The report noted nine different types of disability, with the average person having between two and three different disabilities.
Up to one in five people in Ireland has a long-term disability and most of these have major difficulties performing every day activities, a new report has shown.
The report, A Social Portrait of People with Disabilities in Ireland, set out to examine the different circumstances of people with disabilities in this country.
Based on figures from the 2006 Census and the National Disability Survey (NDS), it estimated that between one in five and one in six people have a long-term disability, with most of these disabilities being ‘acquired through the life course rather than being present from birth'.
The report noted nine different types of disability, with the average person having between two and three different disabilities.
Between Worlds: The Experiences and Needs of Former Family Carers
Between Worlds: The Experiences and Needs of Former Family Carers
It is estimated that there are 274,000 family carers in the Republic of Ireland and while there has been significant progress made in the provision of state supports for carers, there is relatively little primary research on carers and none published on the post-caring /care transitions phase.
we are delighted to advise that the Full Report and the Executive Summary (Plain Englished) are now available to download from our website www.carealliance.ie
We look forward to disseminating this research widely and believe that it will make a positive impact on the lives of former Family Carers into the future.
If you would like any further information on this please contact Care Alliance.
It is estimated that there are 274,000 family carers in the Republic of Ireland and while there has been significant progress made in the provision of state supports for carers, there is relatively little primary research on carers and none published on the post-caring /care transitions phase.
we are delighted to advise that the Full Report and the Executive Summary (Plain Englished) are now available to download from our website www.carealliance.ie
We look forward to disseminating this research widely and believe that it will make a positive impact on the lives of former Family Carers into the future.
If you would like any further information on this please contact Care Alliance.
Cancer Screening Board Informal Interactive Information Session women with disabilities
Cancer Screening Board Informal Interactive Information Session
For Women With Disabilities
13th October 2011
To date we have held a number of focus group sessions looking at different areas around healthcare services for people with disabilities. Our feedback has indicated to us that a number of people are interested in receiving information regarding cancer screening procedures and accessibility and taking on board these requests from our members we now have made arrangements for a female only information session with the hope that in the future we can also run a male orientated session. Fiona has headed up researching information in this area and contacted a number of organisations to find if we could get anyone to give a talk on the area and we are very pleased to be able meet this request by holding an information event.
For Women With Disabilities
13th October 2011
To date we have held a number of focus group sessions looking at different areas around healthcare services for people with disabilities. Our feedback has indicated to us that a number of people are interested in receiving information regarding cancer screening procedures and accessibility and taking on board these requests from our members we now have made arrangements for a female only information session with the hope that in the future we can also run a male orientated session. Fiona has headed up researching information in this area and contacted a number of organisations to find if we could get anyone to give a talk on the area and we are very pleased to be able meet this request by holding an information event.
National Programme for the Restructuring of Children’s Disability Services
National Programme for the Restructuring of Children’s Disability Services
HSE Bulletin June 2011
The HSE published a Bulletin in June 2011 to keep interested parties informed about the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People national programme for the restructuring of children’s disability services. The Bulletin is available at http://www.informingfamilies.ie/_fileupload/News/Bulletin%205_7_11_doc.pdf
In Ireland disability services, delivered by the HSE and non-statutory organisations, have developed independently over time, so there is wide variation in the services available in different parts of the country and for different categories of disability. As a consequence of this some children and their families have little or no access to services. A more equitable and consistent way to provide services for children with disabilities is needed, and we must work together to achieve the greatest benefit possible within our resources. A national programme has been launched which will change the way services are provided across the country. It is based on the recommendations of the Report of the National Reference Group on Multidisciplinary Services for Children aged 5-18 Years produced by representatives of the professions and management involved in delivering multi-disciplinary services to children. This Report is available to read on the HSE website http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_Service/Disability_Services/.
HSE Bulletin June 2011
The HSE published a Bulletin in June 2011 to keep interested parties informed about the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People national programme for the restructuring of children’s disability services. The Bulletin is available at http://www.informingfamilies.ie/_fileupload/News/Bulletin%205_7_11_doc.pdf
In Ireland disability services, delivered by the HSE and non-statutory organisations, have developed independently over time, so there is wide variation in the services available in different parts of the country and for different categories of disability. As a consequence of this some children and their families have little or no access to services. A more equitable and consistent way to provide services for children with disabilities is needed, and we must work together to achieve the greatest benefit possible within our resources. A national programme has been launched which will change the way services are provided across the country. It is based on the recommendations of the Report of the National Reference Group on Multidisciplinary Services for Children aged 5-18 Years produced by representatives of the professions and management involved in delivering multi-disciplinary services to children. This Report is available to read on the HSE website http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_Service/Disability_Services/.
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