HIQA Corporate Plan 2013 - 2015

This is the third Corporate Plan of the Health Information and Quality Authority. It has been developed at a time when there are major plans for the reform of the health service and as such, it heralds an important time for the Authority as we take on new functions and plan for others into the future.
Extract below
Full report

2.4.3 Strategic objectives to deliver on our core activities and functions
Conduct regulation programmes of health and social care services to safeguard people and achieve improved outcomes for service users.
Adult Social Care Services
Our priorities include:
 effective commencement of the regulation of designated centres for adults with a disability
 effective renewal of existing registrations of designated centres for older persons and dependent persons with a view to raising standards in care provision
 reviewing and developing a range of registration policies and procedures ensuring that we meet good standards of administration
 planned for the introduction of any new areas of regulation.

Children First Update

Children First Update

(25 Jul 2013)

Work has been continuing at national level in relation to the implementation of the provisions of Children First in the disability sector by the ‘National Disability Steering Group for Implementation of Children First'.

Autism NICE Guideline

Autism
The management and support of children and young people on the autism spectrum
Issued:August 2013 NICE clinical guideline170
http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/14257/64946/64946.pdf

NDA - Submissions on the Comprehensive Employment Strategy

Submissions on the Comprehensive Employment Strategy

The National Disability Authority (NDA) has been asked by Minister Kathleen Lynch to assist in the development of a ten year comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities, as per the committed action in the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan which can be accessed at www.justice.ie. An outline strategic framework has been developed thus far. This strategic framework sets out the vision, principles and strategic priorities for the Comprehensive Employment Strategy. This framework and a briefing note can be found at the bottom of this page.

The NDA is now inviting organisations and individuals with disabilities to submit their views on what possible actions would be included in this strategy....

Health Sector Children First Strategic Implementation Plan

Year published: 2013

Health Sector Children First Strategic Implementation Plan
Health Sector Children First Health Sector Strategic Implementation Plan 2013
Introduction: Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2011) Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2011) (referred to as Children First hereafter), is intended to assist people in identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect and deal effectively with concerns. It emphasises that the needs of children and families must be at the centre of child protection and welfare services, and that the welfare of children is of paramount importance. It highlights the roles and responsibilities of the HSE and An Garda Siochana, which are the two agencies with statutory responsibility for child protection. It also offers guidance to agencies and community and voluntary
organisations that have contact with or provide services to children.

National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities

People with Disabilities

The Health Information and Quality Authority will be responsible for the regulation of residential and residential respite services for people with disabilities provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE), private organisations or voluntary bodies when the relevant parts of the Health Act 2007 are enacted in 2013.

The Standards

We have published National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities. These set out what a quality, safe service for people with disabilities in a residential service should be. They will apply to residential and residential respite services across disability sectors in Ireland, whether they are run by public, private or voluntary bodies or organisations.
The National Standards are based on a positive vision for the development of services to support people with disabilities in Ireland. They focus on outcomes which empower people with disabilities at the different stages of their lives to participate in, and contribute to, activities which help them to realise their full potential. They were developed following extensive consultation with people from all across the disability sector. They take into account the unique social and developmental needs of adults and children and, in consideration of this, the National Standards include separate sections for children with disabilities and adults with disabilities.

Implementing the Standards

The Health Act 2007 states that all residential services for people with disabilities must register with us at the Health Information and Quality Authority. The relevant part of the Act has yet to be passed into law. When this happens, we will be responsible for registering residential and residential respite services for children and adults with disabilities. We will then begin inspections to ensure that all residential services are meeting the Standards and legislation and that everyone living in residential care is getting the quality of support they deserve.
The National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities are based on key principles which will guide residential services on how best to provide a safe and effective service for children and adults with disabilities. They are organised into eight key themes. These include:

• Individualised Supports and Care
• Effective Services
• Safe Services
• Health and Development
• Leadership, Governance and Management
• Use of Resources
• Responsive Workforce
• Use of Information

Download the National Standards in a variety of formats below:

• National Quality Standards: Residential Services for Adults and Children with Disabilities 2013 (PDF)
• Public friendly guide to the National Standards
• Easy to read version of the National Standards for Children
• Easy to read version of the National Standards for Adults

Audio version of the Standards

Previous National Quality Standards

In 2009 we published a previous version of the standards which were for adults only: National Quality Standards: Residential Services for People with Disabilities. These standards set out the key attributes of a quality, safe residential service for people with disabilities.   These standards have now been replaced with the National Standards for Residential Centres for Children and Adults with Disabilities, which will be published in 2013.

National Positive Ageing Strategy

Background
Like many other countries, the population of Ireland will begin to age rapidly in the years ahead. While currently just over 500,000 people in Ireland are aged 65 or over, by 2021 the number of older people living in the State is expected to be in the region of 775,000, a rise of 55% in just 11 years.

Year published: 2013

Download this document as a PDF - in English
See also:  Minister Kathleen Lynch launches the National Positive Ageing Strategy (24 April )
 

Scotland's first easy read newspaper launched

Scotland's first easy read newspaper launched | Learning Disability ... www.learningdisabilitytoday.co.uk/scotlands_first_easy_read_newspaper...‎7 days ago – Easy News, the UK's first newspaper designed for people with learning disabilities, has been launched in Scotland.

Confidential inquiry into the premature deaths of people with learning difficulties - UK

20/03/2013

This report is the result of a three-year study into the extent of premature death of people with learning difficulties as compared to those without learning difficulties. It found that people with learning difficulties are more likely to die prematurely in comparison with the general population and highlights inequalities in access to and quality of care for those with learning difficulties.

• Report
• Executive summary
• Norah Fry Research Centre - news

Making the most of allied health professionals - UK

13/03/2013

This paper is an assessment of current workforce issues and potential opportunities for improvement for the allied health workforce. It considers how best to organise this workforce across care pathways, considering factors such as optimum skill mix, education and leadership, and the Quality Innovation Productivity and Prevention (QIPP) toolkit. It is designed to support those who commission services and education, including local education and training boards (LETBs).

• Paper
• CfWI - publications

Volunteering in health and care - UK

Volunteering in health and care: securing a sustainable future

by The King's Fund Information & Library Service

This report considers the role and value of volunteers in health and social care, particularly in relation to improving patient experience, addressing health inequalities, and building a closer relationship between services and communities. It also discusses examples of good practice in the NHS and the voluntary sector, and provides recommendations for achieving the best case scenario in light of the financial constraints facing public services, and the reforms introduced by the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

• Report
• Audio slideshow
• Related blog from Claire Mundle
• The King's Fund - publications

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Sheila. 

Assessing the impact of European governments' austerity plans on the rights of people with disabilities

Author:	HAUBEN Harald; et al;
Title:	Assessing the impact of European governments' austerity plans on the rights of people with disabilities
Publisher:	Dublin: European Network on Independent Living, 2012. 103p.
Abstract:	The aim of this study was to examine the evidence at European and national level of the effect of the economic crisis, and its consequences in terms of austerity measures, on the rights and status of people with disabilities. It focused in particular on the impact on the delivery of social services and income support and allowances aimed at people with disabilities. Evidence was gathered through a review of European reports and statistics and through 6 country reports compiled by national correspondents and based on documentary evidence and interviews with representatives of people with disabilities, service providers, and funders. The countries included in the study were Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and the UK. This report presents a synthesis of the data gathered at European level, together with additional findings extracted from the country studies. It covers the macroeconomic context, the impact of the crisis on social services and on disability related social security benefits, and the impact of the crisis on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Full text:	view resource (report broken link)
Format:	book;
Topics:	benefits; disabled people; economics; financing; government policy; rights; social care provision; UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
Content Type:	research;
Country/Region:	Europe; Greece; Hungary; Ireland; Portugal; Spain; United Kingdom;
Record ID:	www.scie-socialcareonline.org.uk/profile.asp?guid=61839d86-d3f4-4601-b2c4-b4d305c1d9b0

A problem shared: making the best use of resources in adult social care

A problem shared: making the best use of resources in adult social care

by The King's Fund Information & Library Service

This report argues that the difficult challenge of supporting people to live fulfilling independent lives whilst the adult social care system faces unprecedented financial pressure can only be overcome if local leaders work in partnership with people, communities and providers to find a solution. It reviews how budget reductions have been achieved since 2009 and aims to help political and managerial leadership in councils tackle the challenge of delivering and developing care services.

• Report
• Report summary
• Data report
• Think Local Act Personal - news

Welcome

Welcome to all those who recently signed up to this update.  You will need to have installed Internet Explorer (IE) V8 or higher to see the links and the Blog. Contact Maureen (Ext 3318) to upgrade your IE version.

You might also be interested in following latest media coverage of ID - available on the library Blog page (cope-library.blogspot.com) or by clicking here
Sheila.

Fulfilling Potential

On 13 February the Government published ‘Fulfilling Potential: Building a deeper understanding of disability in the
UK today’. Written by Eric Emerson, it provides analysis of the number of disabled people in the UK and looks at the
fluctuating nature of disability, and also focuses on the lives of disabled people by looking at trends in outcomes
and barriers to taking part in different areas of life.
Available in Easy Read. More and download from the Office for Disability Issues website

New Directions - Link Reminder

Following on from last Friday's briefing by Paula Kelly & Sandra Swanton on the HSE's New Directions report here is a reminder of the links to the report....

HSE Publishes Three Disability Care Group Reports

14^th March 2012
The Health Service Executive has today published three Disability Care Group Reports that will assist with the strategic planning and implementation of the major change programme for disability services that is underway.
The reports that have been published:

• New Directions – Personal Support Services for Adults with Disabilities
• National Review of Autism Services
• Respite/Residential Care with Host Families in Community Settings

Value for Money and Policy Review of the Disability Services Programme

Press Release, Thursday 28 February, 2013

Minister Lynch approves the National Implementation Framework of the Value for Money and Policy Review of the Disability Services Programme

 
The National Implementation Framework is now available on the Department of Health’s website:
http://www.dohc.ie/publications/pdf/Implementation_Framework_DSP.pdf?direct=1
ENDS

Ms Kathleen Lynch T.D., Minister for Disability, Equality, Mental Health & Older People today (28th February 2013) approved the National Implementation Framework of the Value for Money and Policy Review of the Disability Services Programme. The development of the Framework is one of the key actions identified in Future Health, the recently published Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012 – 2015. It supports the message coming through from Future Health regarding the need to restructure service delivery, and improve organisational, financial, governance and accountability systems with the aim of providing a more effective and more accountable service.
The National Implementation Framework will translate the recommendations from the Value for Money (VFM) and Policy Review of the Disability Services Programme into concrete actions. It assigns responsibilities for those actions, and specifies timelines for their completion. It also identifies priorities and key performance indicators. The Framework describes the project management and monitoring processes which are needed to make sure that the reform of the Disability Services Programme is achieved in a planned, timely and cost effective manner.
The Implementation Framework will evolve to reflect key issues, themes and considerations which will arise. The development of the Framework is the first phase of the implementation planning process.
The second phase,.....

Key Health Reform Policy Paper on ‘Money Follows the Patient’

Minister Publishes Key Health Reform Policy Paper on ‘Money Follows the Patient’
by admin
The Minister for Health, James Reilly, T.D. today (15th February 2013) launched two key health reform documents:
Money Follows the Patient: A Policy Paper on Hospital Financing , and
The Path to Universal Healthcare: A Preliminary Paper on Universal Health Insurance.

The two documents fulfil important commitments in Future Health, the strategic framework for health service reform which was launched last November

Speaking at the publication of the papers, the Minister said:

I am delighted to publish the ‘Money Follows the Patient’ policy paper. This is a key building block for universal health insurance (UHI) which will also deliver significant benefits in its own right and in advance of the introduction of UHI. The system will provide a fairer and more transparent basis for funding hospital services. It will drive greater efficiency in the delivery of services and will ultimately support the provision of quality care in the most appropriate setting. It represents a vital early step on the journey of health reform. The policy paper will form the basis for consultation with stakeholders and for commencing implementation of the first step, known as shadow funding.”

The Minister noted that ‘Money Follows the Patient’ is one of a number of building blocks which he is working on to achieve UHI

“Work is advancing across all areas of the reform agenda. The Preliminary Paper on Universal Health Insurance provides a progress report on the work we have done so far. It also maps out the critical actions and initiatives to be delivered in the year ahead.”

The Minister thanked the UHI Implementation Group and the Hospital Financing Subgroup for their invaluable advice and guidance in relation to Money Follows the Patient’ – an important initiative which is central to creating a more equitable and efficient health system for the people of Ireland.”

ENDS

Note for Editors:
In Future Health: A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012- 2015, the Minister promised to publish two key papers relating to UHI. The ‘Money Follows the Patient’ paper is a major step in mapping out how a new, transparent and fairer system of funding will work. The Preliminary Paper on UHI describes the progress made last year in preparing for UHI, and it signals the main areas of work for 2013.

Money Follows the Patient – Policy Paper on Hospital Financing

The Path to Universal Healthcare – Preliminary Paper on Universal Health Insurance

Fulfilling Potential: Building a deeper understanding of disability in the UK today

On 13 February 2013 the Government published ‘Fulfilling Potential: Building a deeper understanding of disability in the UK today’.
The aims of ‘Fulfilling Potential: Building Understanding’ are:

• to provide an analysis of the current evidence on disability in the UK to inform the development of the next stage of work on Fulfilling Potential – the development of actions, outcomes and indicators
• to inform public understanding and prompt debate about disability and the issues faced by disabled people
• to raise awareness, drive a change in attitudes and support an increase in commitment to improving the lives of disabled people in the UK today

The main document is structured in two parts:

• Part 1 provides analysis of the number of disabled people in the UK as well as looking at the way disability develops over the life course and at the fluctuating nature of disability.
• Part 2 focuses on the lives of disabled people by looking at trends in outcomes and barriers to taking part in different areas of life.

The evidence is structured around the Fulfilling Potential: Next Steps themes of early intervention; choice and control and inclusive communities.
The main document summarises the analytical evidence on disability. It does not make policy recommendations but the evidence presented here will inform the work of the Disability Action Alliance and the development of government policy on disability.
As well as the main document there is also a summary version. The summary version is available in Easy Read. Both the main document and the summary are available in Rich Text Format.

Building understanding summary

• Building Understanding Summary slide deck (PDF, 26 pages, 585 KB)
• Building Understanding Summary (PDF, 12 pages, 221KB)
• Building Understanding Summary (RTF, 11 pages, 2MB)
• Subtitled BSL video: Building Understanding Summary on YouTube

Building understanding main report

• Building Understanding Main Slide Deck (PDF, 131 pages, 1MB)
• Building Understanding Main Report (PDF, 106 pages, 755 KB)
• Building Understanding Main Report (RTF, 82 pages, 2MB)
• Building Understanding Easy Read PDF, 44 pages, 2MB)
• Technical Appendix (Excel, 52 pages, 551 KB)

If you require Braille, Large Print or Welsh versions please email fulfilling.potential@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

HRB Annual Report 2011

HRB Annual Report 2011: Annual report and accounts of the Health Research Board 2011.
Contents

• Board members: 2011
• Chairman and Chief Executive: overview and outlook
• Health research – making an impact
• Funding research excellence
• Generating information and evidence for decision making
• Appendix A – List of publications
• Appendix B – Extract from the Financial Statement

Published Dec 2012

National Disability Authority New Strategic Plan

National Disability Authority New Strategic Plan
In changing times, the new strategic plan details how the National Disability Authority will work to guide national policy and design to improve lives of people with disabilities and support greater independence. Read more about the new Strategic Plan

(Source NDA Newsletter Issue 4, Winter 2012 - http://nationaldisabilityauthority.newsweaver.com/1fgaazcbi8i1ts08e7774q?email=true&a=11&p=31443775   )

New Page for SLT Journal Links

The eagle eyed among you might notice the layout of this site has changed and links to more information are now on the panel to the right.  A new link for SLT Journals (and other SLT releated resources) has been added.

• SLT - Journals & More

 I plan to provide links for Early Intervention, Nursing, etc in due course.

HSE National Service Plan 2013

The HSE National Service Plan 2013 has been published following approval by the Minister for Health; Dr James Reilly T.D. The Service Plan sets out the type and volume of services the HSE will provide directly, and through a range of funded agencies, during 2013. These health and social care services must be delivered within the €13.404 billion funding provided by Government and within the stipulated employment levels.
The HSE budget for 2013 reflects a net increase of €71.5m and includes unavoidable budget pressures (such as demographic pressures and increased demand for medical cards, drugs, and other budgetary pressures particularly in the acute hospital sector as seen in 2012) of €748m and cost reductions of €721m. Staffing levels in the health service in 2013 be reduced by almost 4,000 (WTEs) in 2013.

Health in Ireland Key Trends 2012

The Department of Health (17^th December 2012) published Health in Ireland: Key Trends 2012.  This is the fifth edition of this report which presents, in booklet format, a range of data on significant trends in health and health care over the past decade. The booklet is available from the Department of Health website: www.doh.ie/publications/key_trends_2012.html

Health in Ireland: Key Trends 2012 covers population and health status as well as trends in service provision. It is designed as an easy-to-use reference guide to significant trends in health and health care over the past decade. A number of new tables and graphs have been included on specific topics of importance and/or where new data has been made available. Each section of the booklet has a brief introduction summarising key statistics. ....

Health in Ireland Key Trends 2012
The Department of Health today (17^th December 2012) published Health in Ireland: Key Trends 2012.  This is the fifth edition of this report which presents, in booklet format, a range of data on significant trends in health and health care over the past decade. The booklet is available from the Department of Health website: www.doh.ie/publications/key_trends_2012.html

_______________________________________________________________________________

HIGHLIGHTS - 

 

Some ID relevant information included in this report:

People in receipt of intellectual disability services are recorded on the National Intellectual Disability Database (NIDD) (see Table 4.6). Since 2002, the numbers of persons availing of day services who are day attendees has increased by 25% and the numbers who are full time residents has increased by 8%. 82% of full-time residents are assessed as having moderate, severe, or profound disability. Data are also displayed by level of disability for day attendees, but the figures are difficult to interpret given the relatively high proportion of cases where the level of disability has not been verified. [Primary Care and Community Services p33]

Secrets to Success for Professionals in the Autism Field

"It is rare to find a book like this, with pages so packed with insights and well-exampled ways of getting all practitioners not only to understand their charges with autism but also to understand themselves and thus to modify their practices. I have spent a lifetime trying to help this population, but this book inspired me to want to start again, to see if I could improve my own practice as well. It is truly an exceptional and much-needed text." - Professor Rita Jordan, Emeritus Professor in Autism Spectrum Disorders, University of Birmingham.

Secrets to Success for Professionals in the Autism FieldAn Insider's Guide to Understanding the Autism Spectrum, the Environment and Your Role Gunilla Gerland Gunilla Gerland's extensive experience of the autism spectrum means she is expertly placed to offer a fresh perspective on working with autism as well as a wealth of effective tools and interventions to use in practice.  This book offers original explanations of the impairments associated with autism, showing how to discover the root cause of behaviours that are challenging, not just how to manage them superficially. It looks objectively and non-judgementally at the common pitfalls and difficulties that autism professionals may encounter, explaining how to deal with these and transition to more effective working relationships. An important section on ethics and reflection equips the reader with the knowledge and skills needed to grow professionally in the field. More » Contact the Sheila (Ext 3204) if you think we should purchase a copy for the Library.

Contents | Click to Buy Read a Preview December 2012, 384 pages, ISBN: 978-1-84905-370-9, paperback, £19.99 / US$29.95

Social Science Research Network

The Social Science Resarch Network SSRN is a major repository of social science research developed by a number of collaborating US, European and Asian universities.

It is “devoted to the rapid worldwide dissemination of social science research and is composed of a number of specialized research networks in each of the social sciences”.  It has an elibrary consisting of an Abstract Database containing abstracts on over 444,700 scholarly working papers and an Electronic Paper Collection of downloadable full text documents. Of particular interest are collections in Health, Healthcare Economics, Business and Corporate Governance.

SSRN was ranked Number 1 repository in the World Ranking of Web Repositories