On 6 July, new proposals to build a modern health and care system that delivers better care for our communities were introduced in Parliament.

In the press article the government explain that the Bill will ensure each part of England has an Integrated Care Board and an Integrated Care Partnership responsible for bringing together local NHS and local government, such as social care, mental health services and public health advice, to deliver joined up care for its local population.
Clinicians, carers and public health experts will be empowered to operate collaboratively across health and care, as part of plans to tackle inequalities and level up health across the country. The Bill will also introduce measures to tackle obesity and improve oral health.

The full press release can be accessed here.

The King’s Fund, an independent charitable organisation working to improve health and care in England, have written a blog titled The Health and Care Bill: a threat to the operational independence of the NHS?
In the blog they explain their concern that the new powers of direction for the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care over NHS England that were outlined in the White Paper have survived. They feel this will continue to risk taking the NHS back to the wrong sort of future – ending the operational independence of NHS England, and returning it to the days when ministers felt the need to try to run the NHS themselves.

They are further concerned that Ministers will have to be informed of all service changes, including temporary ones due to operational pressures. The Secretary of State will then decide whether to formally call them in and make the decision themselves. Through this process ministers will be involved in every decision about every service change, because if they decide not to call one in they will lobbied so to do.
Currently ministers only intervene when a contested change is referred to them by a local authority, and the minister in turn refers it to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel.

However, they are pleased that the Bill does propose retaining the Independent Reconfiguration Panel, which the White Paper said would be abolished.

You can read the blog in full here.

From 5 July 2021 victims who are homeless due to domestic abuse will be prioritised for accommodation from their council.

Under the government’s landmark Domestic Abuse Act councils will have to find accommodation for people made homeless through domestic abuse, helping to ensure victims do not remain with their abuser for fear of not having a roof over their head.

The full press release can be accessed here.

Risk registers are an integral part of a risk management process.

This webinar will review all the steps of a risk management process, looking at what should occur at each stage and how best to identify risks.

The webinar will highlight the content of a risk register and share information on how to complete one and ensure it is maintained to support resilience across your organisation.

This webinar will cover:

• What should a risk register contain? This session will identify how to create a risk register and what each of the elements require completing.
• What is a risk? This session will highlight good practice on how to identify risks as well as describe them in a way which will support the risk management across the organisation

The event is free to members of NCVO and in this instance seems to be free for non-members. Spaces are limited .

Further details including how to book can be accessed here.

On 9 July 2021, the Department of Health and Social Care published the changes to giving free prescriptions to people aged 60 and over.

Idea 1 is that you will have to be 66 and older to get free prescriptions and if you are aged 60 to 65 you will have to start paying for your prescriptions until you reach the age of 66.

Idea 2 is that you will have to be 66 and older to get free prescriptions and if you are aged 60 to 65 and already getting free prescriptions, you will keep getting them for free

The easy read guide to the consultation can be found here.
Further details including, how to respond, and the impact assessment can be found here.

Such as the charities with a connection to a non-charity guidance, which can be accessed here.

But when it comes to the social enterprise sector, the CIC regulator has some guidance but not as in depth as the charity commission.
Details of the CIC regulator guides can be found here.

Therefore it was interesting to see that Pioneers Post, a social enterprise magazine, recently published a podcast titled How to be part of an ethical supply chain.

This is part of their 2021 Wise Ways to Lead webinars delivered by Pioneer Post and NatWest.

It covers 5 key points to consider:

• Shout about your impact and quality
• Meet and build relationships
• Learn about your clients and their needs
• Give the best service you can without underselling yourself
• Use platforms with a ready-made audience for you

You can listen to the podcast here, which lasts 24 minutes. Or look at the written ideas on the same webpage.

The consultation is led by NHS Leicester City Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), NHS West Leicestershire CCG and NHS East Leicestershire and Rutland CCG.

As clinical commissioning groups, they have a legal responsibility – and as a moral duty – to involve people in a public consultation when considering significant changes to NHS services.

This consultation is about proposals to invest and improve adult mental health services for people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland when their need is urgent or they need planned care and treatment.

The proposals are to join up mental health services with physical health and social services to improve the health and wellbeing of local people.

Specifically how best to improve care – in people’s homes, the community, and in hospital.

VAL is facilitating the online events being held. 

The events will cover the same content, therefore an individual should only book to attend one of the events. However, you could send a different representative from your organisation to each event.

You can choose book to attend the July event here.

You can book to attend the August event here.

Further details of the consultation can be found here.

They have produced a mini guide called Embedding EDI in your internal procedures

Many organisations are considering a review of their policies and procedures to ensure they are fully compliant with their key equality and diversity objectives and corporate strategy.

The guide identifies the key points to consider when embedding equality, diversity and inclusion throughout your internal procedures.

Such as suggesting organisations have a whistleblowing policy so employees can be pointed in the right direction of an EDI concern is raised and creating an environment where the raising of genuine concerns by workers is encouraged.  Under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, workers who make a disclosure about unlawful activity are protected from detriment and termination of their employment because of making that disclosure.

The guidance can be accessed here.

The Phoenix Way’ will create a series of national and regional panels, made of leaders and decision-makers from Black and Minority community-led charities and grassroots groups from across England.

The new initiative will help to facilitate engagement with Black and Minority community-led charities and grassroots groups to enable them to access funding and support that have previously failed to reach them and have been difficult for them to access.

Operational details of The Phoenix Way programme will be designed and developed over the summer – with the aim of awarding funding, from autumn 2021. Black and Minority community-led charities and grassroots groups that wish to register an interest in the programme should email thephoenixway@ubele.org

Further details can be accessed in The National Lottery’s press release here.

Mental and emotional health problems represent the largest single cause of disability in the UK. One in four adults experiences at least one mental health problem in any given year. They would like to give as many people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, whether they use the services or not, the opportunity to share their views, on what is a very important topic right now.

The workshops are being hosted by Sue Venables, Head of Engagement and Insights, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Groups.

Step Up To Great Mental Health Consultation – All Services Workshop

Thursday 8 July – Time: 6 – 7.30pm

Step Up To Great Mental Health Consultation – Community Health Services Workshop

Saturday 10 July – Time: 2 – 2.30pm

To register for the events email beinvolved@leicestercityccg.nhs.uk or call 0116 2950750

Leicester City CCG’s privacy notice can be accessed here, explaining how your personal data will be used.

Find out more about all the events here.

Leicester City Council is consulting on a new Draft Leicester Transport Plan which sets out the Council’s transport vision, ambitions and priorities for the city over the next 15 years. The council is also exploring the potential role a workplace parking levy could play in supporting delivery of the transport plan and initial thinking is also being consulted on.

A new Transport Plan for Leicester is needed to respond to the many issues facing the city including enabling city economic and population growth, tackling climate emergency and air quality challenges, improving health and physical activity levels and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The draft plan proposes a big step forward for public transport, cycling and walking in the city. It focuses on three main areas:

• Developing connected main transport corridors and stations
• Improving transport within local neighbourhoods
• Managing demand for car use.

The Leicester Transport Plan recognises that many journeys begin or end outside the city boundaries and considers transport matters that impact on the wider Leicester Urban Area.

The plan sets out transport ambitions over the period to 2036:

• 100% zero emission vehicles
• More people regularly working from home and more responsible use of cars for necessary trips only
• Public transport, park and ride, cycling or personal e-mobility will be the first choice for longer journeys for most people.
• Active transport, cycling and walking will be the first choice for shorter journeys for most people
• A thriving, accessible city centre that is easy to move around in and supports economic growth in the whole city
• Healthier neighbourhoods, aiming for all local services to be available by walking or cycling within 15 minutes, with cleaner air and a safer local environment
• A rush-hour free city, gradually managing traffic to reduce peak hour demands

Key transport plan projects include:

• ‘Greenlines’ cross city public transport network
• Active Travel – Cycling and Walking
• Leicester Railway Station Transformation

The council are very keen to hear your views on their plans and how you think they can improve transport in the city.
To view the consultation document and take part in the online consultation, click here.

If you would like to discuss the new transport plan for Leicester, a virtual meeting can be arranged. To arrange this contact: transport.strategy@leicester.gov.uk