CQC Annual report: Focused on better care

Visit the online report to look back on the year’s achievements and challenges and watch videos featuring some of the many people who have worked with us to help make sure that everything we do is focused on better care. Full Story >>

Santander Weekly update: UK Banks stand up to the stress test

Last week saw the Committee of European Banking Supervisors (CEBS) publish the outcome of the stress tests that they have conducted on the capital strength of over 90 major financial institutions. Full Story >>

Telegraph: Locked in patients maybe able to drive wheelchairs and surf internet by breathing

People with severe paralysis may soon be able to surf the internet or drive a wheelchair simply by breathing, according to scientists in Israel. Full Story >>

DC Care Sell Care Facility for Begbies Traynor

Acting on the instructions of the Receiver, Julian Pitts of Begbies Traynor, DC Care are pleased to report the sale of a closed care home facility in South Yorkshire. Full Story >>

DC Care sell specialist care facility in the High Peak

DC Care is delighted to have acted on behalf of the Boyd family regarding the sale of their specialist learning disability business. Full Story >>

AGEUK: Clegg defends changes to benefits

The Deputy Prime Minister has defended medical tests that are being brought in to check people's entitlement to the disability living allowance. Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 24

Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review Full Story >>

AGEUK: Older people to be 8 billion worse off

A Labour MP has called for the VAT rise to be deferred, claiming that older people on lower incomes will be left £8 billion worse off once the state pension is linked to earnings next year. Full Story >>

AGEUK: Long term care commission set up

The Government has taken a step closer to establishing how long-term care can be funded in the UK. Full Story >>

DH News: Giving power to local people

How local NHS, public health, and care services will be shaped. Full Story >>

DH News: Candidate for post of Care Quality Commission Chair announced

Following an independent recruitment exercise conducted by the Appointments Commission, Dame Jo Williams has emerged as the Government’s candidate for the post of Chair of the Care Quality Commission. Full Story >>

DH News: First step to sustainable care and support system

The first step towards creating a sustainable care and support system for all adults that puts individuals and their families at its heart, was unveiled today by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley. Full Story >>

Santander: Intelligence weekly business news update

‘Better news on growth to come?’ by Barry Naisbitt, Chief Economist, Santander UK Full Story >>

AGEUK: The Government must encourage savings

The Government has a "golden opportunity" to encourage improved saving for retirement, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has claimed. Full Story >>

Guardian: Is Social Care about to be swallowed up by health

White paper says Nice should extend its remit to social care. What will that mean for the Social Care Institute for Excellence? Full Story >>

DH News: 4 million boost to give patients control of their healthcare

A pilot scheme that offers patients more choice and control over their healthcare was given a £4 million boost today by Care Services Minister Paul Burstow. Full Story >>

BBC News: UK comes top on end of life care

The UK has one of the best systems for end of life care, a global study says. Full Story >>

Santander Intelligence weekly business news update: 14th July

Supporting the recovery Full Story >>

CQC: Response to the governments health white paper

CQC said the white paper confirmed its continued role as the quality regulator for health and adult social care. Under the proposals, the current risk-based regulatory regime will remain largely unchanged. Full Story >>

DH News: Equity and Excellence: liberating the NHS

The NHS White Paper, Equity and excellence: liberating the NHS, sets out the Government's long-term vision for the future of the NHS. Full Story >>

Citation Employment Law - The Growing statistics....

On 6th July 2010, the Tribunals Service published alarming figures showing a sharp increase in the number of employment tribunal cases brought against employers. Full Story >>

CareAware Newsletter summer 2010

Electronic version of the summer newsletter from CareAware Full Story >>

BBC News: Hot weather prompts Met office heatwave health alert

The first weather health alert of the summer has been issued as temperatures are set to soar in parts of the UK. Full Story >>

CareAware: Sixty thousand Fees REFUND

CareAware’s appointed Care Fee Funding Specialists, Care Asset Management have reported back to us that they have successfully obtained a refund of over £60,000 in respect of the overpayment of home care fees for a client. Full Story >>

Santander Corporate Banking Intelligence Weekly Business News Update

Welcome to Intelligence from Santander Corporate Banking, your weekly round up of the latest economic and business news from across the UK. Full Story >>

Telegraph: Discovery paves way for blood test to predict Alzheimers disease

A simple blood test to predict Alzheimer's disease up to 10 years before symptoms appear could be developed after researchers found high levels of a protein can be an early sign of the condition. Full Story >>

29th June - Intelligence from Santander Corporate Banking

Your weekly round up of the latest economic and business news from across the UK. ‘Budget sets ground rules for an era of austerity’ by Steve Pateman, Head of UK Corporate and Commercial Banking'. Full Story >>

AGEUK: Vintage TV to target older audience

A new television network is to be launched later this year which will target viewers over the age of 50. Full Story >>

Age UK: Pension age rise every five years

Legislation being considered by the Government could result in the retirement age being pushed up every five years, it has been reported. Full Story >>

DH News: More power to the patient

Patients will be offered more choice and control over their healthcare with the launch of the first direct payment scheme, Care Services Minister Paul Burstow announced today. Full Story >>

BBC News: Incapacity benefits to be cut

Chancellor George Osborne signals that the £12bn-a-year incapacity benefits bill will be targeted for cuts. Full Story >>

Brunswicks healthcare Review issue 22

Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review Full Story >>

Age UK: Responds to state pension age plans

Responding to government plans to bring forward and extend the state pension age increase, Michelle Mitchell, Age UK’... Full Story >>

Telegraph: Pensions shake-up could see most people working into their seventies

Millions of employees who are not saving for their retirement will be enrolled in company schemes under a radical shake-up of pensions which eventually could see most people working into their seventies. Full Story >>

Healthcare Business issue 36

Electronic version of Healthcare Review available here..... Full Story >>

Age UK: Pension Tax relief limit scrapped

The Government has abandoned plans to limit the amount of tax relief on pensions . People earning over £150,000 would have been affected by Labour'... Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: Emergency budget forerunner of worrying things to come

Counsel and Care today (22.06.2010) gives a guarded response to the Emergency Budget and the early report of the findings of the Law Commission's review into adult social care. Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 21

Electronic version of the Brunswicks healthcare Review Full Story >>

BBC News: Ring-fence social care like the NHS campaigners urge

The social care budget needs protecting just as NHS spending has been, campaigners say. Full Story >>

DH News: Caring Contribution recognised in Carers week

The outstanding contribution of carers to society, was today recognised by Care Services Minister Paul Burstow as he visited a Lambeth GP practice to mark Carers Week. Full Story >>

Age UK: Protect care from budget cuts

With the Chancellor set to announce the scale of public spending reductions in next week’s Budget, Age UK is warning that cuts to social care budgets will put thousands of older people’s lives at risk. Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: Launch of updated Guides from national expects on care and support

As part of Carers Week 2010 (14-20 June 2010), Counsel and Care has today launched a completely updated set of 62 Guides and Factsheets that can support older people, their families and carers to understand their rights and entitlements and navigate their way through a confusing and ever-changing care system. Full Story >>

Home Office: Vetting scheme halted

Registration with the vetting and barring scheme has been halted to allow the government to review it and remodel it back to proportionate, common sense levels, it was announced today. Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: Smarter spending could deliver better care

Central and local government have been challenged to use social care funding more smartly to deliver better care for Britain's ageing population. Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 20

Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review Full Story >>

Telegragph: Numbers of elderly men to surge

The number of men living into old age will surge in the next 20 years, according to official figures, as they are taking increasingly better care of themselves. Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: New report by former carer demands better quality care in care homes

New report by a former carer demanding better quality of care in care homes has been launched today by Counsel and Care. Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 19

Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 19 Full Story >>

Care professional bulletin - Carers week 2010

CareAware are keen supporters of the Carers Week event which this year runs from 14th to 20th June. Full Story >>

BBC News: John Suchets heartache over wifes dementia

Last year, former ITN presenter John Suchet announced his wife had dementia. He thought no-one would take much notice. Full Story >>

Suttons - Planning for the sale.

This article from Suttons Capital Allownance appears in the April edition of Healthcare Business and can be downloaded here. Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 18

Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review. Full Story >>

AGE UK: What does the Queens speach mean for us?

Yesterday in Parliament saw the Queen’s Speech, where the new Government set out its legislative programme for the next 18 months. Full Story >>

Guardian: Has residential respite care had its day?

The MS Society is about to decide whether to close all its respite care homes and offer more personalised support to its users. The outcome could have repercussions for other disability charities. Full Story >>

DH NEWS: Response to the announcement of spending cuts by HM Treasury

Following publication of £6.2bn in spending cuts by HM Treasury on Monday 24 May, a DH spokesperson said....... Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 17

Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review. Full Story >>

DH News: New Ministerial portfolio confirmed

The new Ministerial portfolios have been confirmed by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley. Full Story >>

DH News: Coalition doument sets out positive direction for Health and Social Care

A new independent commission will be established to advise the Government on the future funding of long-term care and the NHS will be reformed to improve patient outcomes, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley announced today. Full Story >>

Age UK: What the new Government means for us

As David Cameron and Nick Clegg's new coalition government begins its historic new term, Age UK looks at what the proposed new policies mean for us. Full Story >>

Age UK: Over 65s ditch radio for internet

Older people are no slouches when it comes to technology , a report has found, with many "silver surfers" increasingly swapping their radios for a computer. Full Story >>

Guardian: Whats in store for Public Services under coalition?

As leaders of 22 organisations said in a joint letter to the Guardian on Monday, the great fear of all those working with elderly and disabled people is that "in a tough economic climate, social care will be sidelined". So far, the signals are at best mixed. Full Story >>

BBC News: Doctors urged to discuss dying days care

Doctors are being urged to discuss end-of-life care with the terminally ill well in advance of their final days. Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol5 issue 16

Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 16 Full Story >>

CQC: Important changes to CQC’s assessment of adult social care services

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) today (Wednesday) said it would work closely with the adult social care sector in developing a new system to replace quality ratings (star ratings) for registered services. Full Story >>

Skills for Care appoint Sharon Allen as its new Chief Executive

Skills for Care has appointed highly experienced social entrepreneur Sharon Allen as its new Chief Executive Officer to succeed Andrea Rowe who is retiring after a decade of service in the role. Full Story >>

Counsel and Care calls on new Government to seize the moment and urgently reform the care system

Counsel and Care calls on the new coalition government to take forward the reform of the care and support system as a matter of urgency. Full Story >>

CQC: Care Quality Commission brings in extra advice on adult social care.

The Care Quality Commission announced today (13th May) that it has brought in two advisors to add to its experience and expertise in adult social care and to help develop its relationship with the sector. Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: calls on the new government to reform the care system as a matter of urgency

Counsel and Care calls on the new coalition government to take forward the reform of the care and support system as a matter of urgency. Full Story >>

DH News: New Health Secretary appointed

Andrew Lansley CBE has been appointed as Secretary of State for Health. Full Story >>

Healthcare Business issue 35

Electronically view Healthcare Business Full Story >>

Eversheds UK General Election 2010 reaction – the impact of a Conservative/Liberal Democrat Coalition Government on the healthcare sector

International law firm Eversheds provides comment on the key issues and policies this result will mean for businesses in the healthcare sector Full Story >>

Telegraph: General Election 2010: To-do-list of problems facing the new government - Health

Whoever ends up running the country faces a long to-do-list of problems from day one. Full Story >>

CQC: Complying with the new regulations

To register with CQC, providers must demonstrate they meet essential standards of quality and safety across all the services they provide. Full Story >>

Santander: ASSURA GROUP ARRANGE NEW FINANCE FACILITY FOR 30 MILLION

Full Story >>

Santander: PARK LANE HEALTHCARE ARRANGE NEW FINANCE FACILITY FOR OVER £18 MILLION

York - based Park Lane Healthcare, has arranged an £18.3m million facility to acquire the freehold of five of their existing care homes, with funding provided by Santander Corporate Banking managed by the bank’s specialist healthcare team. Full Story >>

Care Asset Managements Spring Newsletter 2010

Electronic version of the CAMs Spring Newsletter. Full Story >>

Care Home Residents Call for Greater Inclusion

LONDON, 4th May 2010 – The largest ever opinion poll of UK care home residents published today reveals that this group feels in real danger of being forgotten by the communities in which they live. Full Story >>

Age UK: Forced retirement costs the UK 3.5bn a year, says Age UK

Forcing older workers to retire cost the UK last year an estimated £3.5 billion in lost economic output‚ new figures by Age UK reveal ahead of tomorrow night’s TV showdown among party leaders on the economy. Full Story >>

BBC News: UK has higher early death rate than many rich nations

People in the UK have a higher risk of early death than those in many other wealthy countries, a study shows. Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 14

Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review Full Story >>

Westfield Health launches improved cash plan with new benefits at the same cost

Westfield Health has announced bold improvements to its Foresight Healthcare Plan to include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for the first time as part of an innovative package of benefits. Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Issue 13

Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review Full Story >>

DC Care: Home sold in Essex

DC Care are delighted to announce the successful sale of Norman House in Southend on Sea, Essex. Full Story >>

AgeUK: People in later life feel ageing should be a time for celebration

95% of people in later life feel ageing should be a time of celebration - despite 78% feeling that older people are ignored by society. Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 12

Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review Full Story >>

Care Aware - response to the white paper

The Labour Government’s White Paper on social care funding has once again left older people in the UK “waiting for god” after yet another cynical, politically motivated announcement at the expense of our senior citizens. Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: Barchester and Counsel and Care come together to seek the best media portrayals of older people

Barchester Healthcare and Counsel and Care today launch a competition looking for positive examples of media coverage relating to older people and their care and support. Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 11

Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review Full Story >>

ESsential News - April 2010

Ready for a new lease of life? End of financial year procedural update Full Story >>

Timesonline: Free care for the elderly - just don't ask how

Free care at home for those with 'high needs' will be postponed by at least six months in an attempt to appease critics. Full Story >>

Telegraph: Business leaders back Conservative National Insurance cuts

The Conservative plan to reverse part of Labour’s National Insurance rise is welcomed by the leaders of some of Britain’s biggest companies. Full Story >>

DH News: Launch of the National Care service

In the biggest change to the welfare state since the creation of the NHS, everyone who needs care when they are old or disabled will get it for free, Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced as he launched the National Care Service in England. Full Story >>

The White Paper Building a National Care Service

The White Paper Building a National Care Service sets out the Government's proposals to build a comprehensive National Care Service for all adults in England with an eligible care need, free when they need it. Full Story >>

Age Concern and Help the Aged's response to the Conservatives' pensioner pledge

In response to the Conservatives’ pensioner pledge‚ Michelle Mitchell‚ Charity Director for Age Concern and Help the Aged‚ said....... Full Story >>

BBC News: Social care levy for all plan

A compulsory levy will be introduced to help pay for social care for adults in England, under plans to be unveiled by ministers. Full Story >>

thisismoney: Budget National minimum wage to rise by 13p

The national minimum wage is to increase by 13p to £5.93 an hour, the Government announced yesterday. Full Story >>

D H News: Consultation on the Health and Social Care Act 2008

Code of Practice for healthcare, including primary care, and adult social care on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance...... Full Story >>

BBC News: National Insurance explained

The National Insurance system pays for a number of benefits and the retirement pension. Full Story >>

Guardian:If Health and Safety is so important, why are hospital wheelchairs so bad?

Read Sara Morgan's story, Sarah from Baltimore in the US, is a lead nurse at an NHS hospital in London Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: Budget points to care funding solution

The reference in today's Budget to an inheritance tax solution to help pay for better care has been welcomed by Counsel and Care. Full Story >>

March edition of Healthcare Business

Electronic version of Healthcare Business Full Story >>

Age Concern: Half a million older people at risk if the budget hits social care‚ warns charity

Half a million frail older people in England will be left without state-supported care services if older people’s care is not protected from government-wide spending cuts in the Budget Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: Why we urgently need a national care service

The growing care gap facing older people and their families and carers needs to be closed urgently, says Counsel and Care. A properly funded national care service is crucial to delivering better care for our ageing population Full Story >>

DH News: Amendments in Persoanl Care at Home Bill

Following Wednesday’s vote against some amendments in the Personal Care at Home Bill, a DH spokesperson said....... Full Story >>

DH News: Boost for Volunteering in Health and social care

NHS and local government leaders are being called on to refresh their thinking on the role and value of volunteering by Care Services Minister Phil Hope, as he publishes a new Strategic Vision today. Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 10

Electronic version of the Brunswicks healthcare Review issue 10 Full Story >>

National Insurance Contributions - new rules

National Insurance contributions: new rules for workers moving around the European Union on or after 1 May 2010 and their employers. Full Story >>

Tax Code error could cost people thousands

You will, doubtless, have seen such lurid headlines recently in the press – this is NorthgateArinso’s perspective on this issue. Full Story >>

Kings Fund Report Securing Good Care re fairer funding

Securing good care for more people: options for reform proposes new, fairer funding arrangements for adult social care, a review of the current settlement for older people. Full Story >>

Public Accounts Committee interim report on improving Dementia services

19th PAC Report 2009-10 Improving dementia services in England - an interim report Full Story >>

Telegraph: Plight of bedridden dementia patient highlights flaws in Government's home-care ambitions

Despite being unable to move without assistance and in need of constant help, dementia sufferer Evelyn Evans is being denied free care funding because her condition is not deemed serious enough. Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: Quick wins for funding care must be acted on now says national charity

Counsel and Care welcomes the Health Select Committee's report into social care, but calls for interim measures suggested in the report to be taken up and implemented as soon as possible. Full Story >>

DH News: New study to drive further improvements in health care for the most vulnerable

A new short study, Inclusion Health, outlines how improvements in health care for the most excluded groups in society can be accelerated to ensure high quality services are available to all. Full Story >>

DH News: Call for employers to be more carer friendly

Business, Government and charity leaders today backed better support for staff who balance a job with caring for an older or disabled person. Full Story >>

BBC News: Social care under-funded and rationed says MPs

Adult social care in England is "chronically under-funded" and "severely rationed", MPs say. Full Story >>

Telegraph: Close hospitals and wards to improve patient care says NHS managers

Closing some NHS wards and hospitals and allowing patients to email their consultants could help save money and improve patient care, according to those making the day-to-day decisions about the running of the health service. Full Story >>

DH News: Health to be at the centre of the fight against climate change

The danger and cost of climate change to the health of Europeans is at the forefront of the debate as the fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health begins 10th March in Parma, Italy. Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 9

Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review Full Story >>

ESsential News - February issue 7

Northgate Arinso and Moorepay electronic newsletter. Full Story >>

BBC News: Carer respite funding spent elsewhere say charities

Millions of pounds intended to fund respite breaks for voluntary carers in England has been spent on other areas of the NHS, according to two charities. Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: Care funding solutions must be fair, simple and sustainable

Any solution for funding better care for older people must pass three tests, says national charity, Counsel and Care. It must be 'fair, simple and sustainable'. Full Story >>

Timesonline: Blueprint on funding elderly care aims to halt politicking

A blueprint for the funding of care for the elderly has been drawn up by social care experts from all political parties in an attempt to end months of political stalemate and squabbling. Full Story >>