July 2008 Bulletin

1.  Dementia Strategy Consultation Event 11 July 2008

The draft National Dementia Care Strategy was published on Thursday 19 June following which there will be a 90 day formal consultation period. You are invited to the London Consultation event on Friday 11 July 2008;  Sube Banerjee and Deborah Sturdy, members of the National Dementia Strategy Working Group, will be attending to discuss your views and opinions of the draft document.

To view the event flyer click here.

You can download and review your own copy of the strategy document from Department of Health website by clicking here.

To book your place, please email Sheila Lakey at sheilalakey@blueyonder.co.uk or call her on telephone: 0783 416 2479 places are limited. Please do not attend with out booking.

2.  Attitudes to Mental Illness 2008 Research Report

This report presents the findings of a survey of attitudes towards mental illness among adults in England. Questions on this topic have been asked as part of TNS's face-to-face Omnibus since 1994. The most recent previous surveys in the series were carried out in 2003 and 2007.

The aim of these surveys is to monitor public attitudes towards mental illness, and to track changes over time.

To view the report click here.

3. Legislation Programme Update

Mental Health Act 2007

The majority of the changes made to the Mental Health Act 1983 by the Mental Health Act 2007 will come into effect on Monday 3 November 2008. These revised Code of Practice can be found on the Department of Health website here and further information from our Update 8 newsletter by clicking here.  

Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

The Code of Practice to supplement the main Mental Capacity Act 2005 Code of Practice has now been laid before parliament.  This can be downloaded from the Department of Health website here

Forthcoming London events and important dates for your diary

During the month of June we hosted our quarterly IMCA Providers Network meeting as well an iSAT review meeting for Mental Health Trust Administrators.  Our “Getting your Act Together” Train the Trainers programme is now underway and the training materials are being released into the Mental Health Trusts, including a workbook, DVD and SCT Pathway posters.  We are also hosting a newly formed BME National Advocacy Network which will run until March 2009 and will be made up of BME Advocacy representatives who attended our events in October 2007 and February 2008 and we are also running two training dates in September for Administrators and Hospital Managers. 

1 July 2008                Mental Capacity Act/ Deprivation of Liberty Meeting. 

16 July 2008               Mental Health Act Implementation Group Meeting.

9 September 2008     Mental Health Act Administrators

10 September 2008   Mental Health Act Hospital Managers 

For further information, booking forms and briefing notes please go to our website:

http://www.mhact.csip.org.uk/regions/regions/london.html

4.  Mental Health Act 2007: Report on the Consultation Exercises on the Draft Revised Code of Practice and Secondary Legislation

This report covers the consultation exercises conducted from 24 October 2007 to 24 January 2008 on the draft revised Code of Practice to the Mental Health Act 1983 and on the secondary legislation to be made in the light of the Mental Health Act 2007. It details the process, analyses the responses received and explains which comments were accepted and which discarded and why.

To view the report click here.

5. Mental Capacity Act Local Authority Circular

A Local Authority Circular was issued on 2 June. It reminds local authorities of the financial resources available for implementation of the MCA and preparation for the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Three areas in particular were mentioned as needing to be addressed: the duty to instruct independent advocates; the duty to carry out assessments of capacity by using the test outlined in the Act and described more fully in the Code of Practice; and the duty to carry out and to record best interest decisions.

The circular can be found here.

6.  Experiences of Children and Young People Caring for a Parent with a Mental Health problem: SCIE Research Briefing

This briefing focuses on the experiences of children and young people under 18 years of age caring for a parent or parents defined as having mental health problems that are ‘serious’ or ‘severe’, and ‘enduring’.

To view the webpage click here.

7.  Rethink Recovery Project

This research project is led by Rethink and is working to raise awareness of the recovery process and to identify key factors in the recovery journey that can facilitate ‘wellness’. They are looking for a diverse group of 50 service users to contribute to the study.

To see the flyer click here and to view the project description click here.

8. Director of the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) Update

As from 1 July 2008 Dr Ian McPherson will be seconded into the role of full-time Director of the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE), having held this role on a part-time basis for the last 12 months.

His role as Regional Director of CSIP West Midlands will be undertaken by Alastair McIntyre on an acting basis. If you have any queries about these arrangements please do not hesitate to contact Ian or Alastair.

Please amend any mailing lists accordingly.

9. Carers at the Heart of 21st Century Families and Communities - "A Caring System on Your Side. A Life of Your Own."

This ADASS briefing gives a short summary of the ten year strategy, vision and commitments; assesses the extent to which the association's aims have been met and comments more generally on the ten-year approach and issues to be followed through.

To view the briefing document click here.

10.  Connect and Include: An Exploratory Study of Community Development and Mental Health

 This exploratory study was commissioned and funded by the National Social Inclusion Programme (NSIP) at the Care Services Improvement Partnership and managed by the Community Development Foundation.

The report is concerned with the individual and the community. It explores how community development can contribute to an individual’s ‘recovery’ from mental ill-health and also how it can promote ‘community well-being’ within a locality or community of interest. The findings suggest that by bringing people together to address their own concerns, facilitated by community development practitioners and supported through partnerships, it is possible to reduce stigma, create new community-led resources and develop new connections between individuals, groups and organisations. 

To view the executive summary click here and to view to report click here.

11. Crimes of the Community: Report on Honour-Based Violence in the UK

Honour killings represent only the tip of the iceberg in terms of violence and abuse perpetrated against women in the name of honour. This study shows that honour killings, domestic violence, forced marriage and FGM are not isolated practices but are instead part of a self-sustaining social system built on ideas of honour and cultural, ethnic and religious superiority.

To view the full report click here.

12.  NHS at 60: A History in Walks, Talks and Films

Tower Hamlets PCT and SUMEHR are organising a programme of talks, walks and films to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the NHS. 

To view the programme click here.

For further information please contact enrico.panizzo@thpct.nhs.uk or call 0208 223 8086. Please pass on this information to colleagues. All are welcome. 

13. Implementing National Policy on Violence and Abuse: NHS Confederation Briefing

This briefing outlines the current Department of Health policy on violence and abuse pertaining to adult mental health services; the pilot implementation of this policy under the aegis of the Mental Health Trusts Collaboration Project and the forthcoming national implementation of the pilot process.

To view the briefing click here.

LDC Bulletin Archive

• June 2008