Brierley Hill residents are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their estate with a fun day featuring the emergency services, stalls and music. The event, on Saturday, September 5, is being organised to mark the opening of the Chapel Street estate in 1965. It takes place from noon to 4pm at the Nine Locks Community Centre in Hill Street. West Midlands Police and Fire Services will be attending, along with other organisations. There will be stalls, music from Black Country Community Radio and refreshments. Councillor Gaye Partridge, cabinet member for housing, said: “We had a successful launch of the birthday celebrations in May when the community got together to share their memories of living on the estate. “That event helped to forge new links between the residents and local organisations, such as the Nine Locks Community Centre and South Street Baptist Church which both host activities and services for the local community. “The residents even decided to produce a regular newsletter to publicise local events on the estate. “The fun day is a culmination of the birthday celebrations and a great example of the community working together to create a day of entertainment for everyone to enjoy.” There are more than 700 tenants at Chapel Street which consists of 15 low and high rise blocks. The celebrations are being organised by Dudley Federation of Tenants and Residents Association and Chapel Street Estate Tenants and Residents Association in conjunction with Dudley...

Health costs of ageing will shoot up without technological innovation argues think tank Tech innovation is vital to help us adapt to ageing: Without productivity improvements, health spending in 2063-64 might need to be 5.0 % of GDP higher than currently projected. A design response to ageing can also benefit UK plc: The over 65s in the UK spend around £2.2 billion per week and they could be spending over £6 billion per week (£312 billion per annum) by 2037. Government and designers must work together to break down the barriers to innovation Report suggests series of ideas for innovation including “cuddle cushions”; “Boris scooters”, kettles which monitor blood pressure and TV ‘buddies’. The report warns that without technological innovation over the next decade, health and care cost could be higher than currently projected by the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR). Opportunity knocks points out that predictions for the growth in healthcare productivity are very optimistic given historic trends and that technological innovation will be vital to fill the gap. Opportunity knocks argues that there is significant potential for responding to the challenges of ageing due to developments in wearable technologies, big data, 3D printing, cloud computing, the internet of things, and smart cities. ILC-UK analysis of English Longitudinal Study of Ageing included in the report highlights some of the problems to be overcome and the barriers to technological solutions. One in three 85-89 year olds have difficulty shopping for groceries and more than one in ten in this age group have difficulty managing money. More than half of those aged 90+ have difficulty shopping for groceries and a quarter of this age group have difficulty managing money. 4 in 10 over 75s and three quarters of over 85s do not have internet access “This report champions the positive impact that technology and design will play in helping us all to live longer, healthier, independent lives. However, we acknowledge that the potential of technology has not been fully realised. We also have to dispel the myth that this is simply a matter of niche solutions for an ageing society,” said Gordon Attenborough, the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s Head of Sectors. “There’s so much more that we should achieve through the widespread application of existing and emerging technologies. It’s vital that we design and innovate with a broad range of users in mind, wholly inclusive and accessible to all. Achieve that and technology will mitigate the impending costs of an ageing society and deliver the promise it has failed to so far.” David Sinclair, Director of the International Longevity Centre – UK added: “Technology undoubtedly offers significant potential to help respond to the challenges of ageing. But the opportunity...

The Care Quality Commission’s joint report with the Department of Health, the Local Government Association, the Association of Directors of Social Services and Health Education England gives an update on how they are working together to make sure people with learning disabilities get the best possible care. Click here to read...

The Care Quality Commission have signed up to a campaign launched by groups that represent and support people with dementia. The campaign makes important recommendations on the language people use when they talk about living with dementia, set out in a new guide for journalists and organisations.   Click here to read...

Last year’s Five Year Forward View in late 2014 called for a shift from traditional NHS structures to provider models which would unite hospital care, community care and general practice. These new arrangements have considerable implications for the way that local services are budgeted, as well as the role of Clinical Commissioning Groups. In this Viewpoint, Ben Jupp argues that the purchaser-provider split, after 25 years, will lose its position as the cornerstone of NHS structure and accountability under these developments. If the health service is to remain fit for purpose, the paper stresses the need for these new providers to be held to account in new ways. In the paper, Ben recommends that these new integrated providers will need careful attention and robust regulation, including tougher licensing and a possible ban on becoming profit making companies, in order to mitigate some of the risks. Local authorities must overcome the steep financial pressures they face and support democratic accountability across health and social care. Clinical commissioning groups must also find a new role, as strategic and population health responsibilities pass over to new providers. The paper aims to raise the debate around these challenging issues, and includes expert responses to Ben’s viewpoint from Stephen Dorrell, former Secretary of State for Health; Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council; Jan Sensier, Chief Executive of Engaging Communities Staffordshire; and Dr Steve Kell, Co-chair, NHS Clinical Commissioners. See full info here- http://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/publications/reconsidering-accountability-integrated-care?utm_source=The+King%27s+Fund+newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=5931986_HMP+2015-07-17&dm_i=21A8,3J55E,FNH0UY,COF3C,1 And the full report here- viewpoint accountability...