Report On Impact Of Methadone Treatment
Details of a study released today indicate that continued participation in a methadone programme substantially reduces individuals’ drug use and their involvement in acquisitive crime.
Read MoreDetails of a study released today indicate that continued participation in a methadone programme substantially reduces individuals’ drug use and their involvement in acquisitive crime.
Read MoreChildren in care in England still lag way behind their peers, despite new figures showing a slight improvement in their performance. A third of looked after children reached age 16 in 2006 without any qualifications compared to only 2% of all children that age.
Read MoreParents and carers have blasted west Berkshire’s local authorities in the wake of a survey which shows they provide autistic people with a sub-standard service. The Berkshire Autistic Society poll showed 89 per cent of its members feel autistic children and adults are receiving insufficient support from their councils.
Read MorePlans to build new mental health facilities at Murray Royal Hospital in Perth have been put on hold. The application by NHS Tayside to replace existing, outdated buildings had been recommended for approval.
Read MoreA Conduct Committee of the General Social Care Council (GSCC) has decided the case of a social worker from Barrow-in-Furness who was alleged to have breached the code of practice for social care workers by failing to declare previous criminal convictions and a police caution when completing the Application Form for Qualified Social Workers for registration with the GSCC.
Read MoreSocial Care Minister Ivan Lewis today announced a five-point plan to put excellence at the heart of the government’s vision for twenty first century social care. The measures follow a report commissioned by Mr Lewis from Dame Denise Platt on the state of social care.
{mosimage}The centre piece of the package will be a skills academy ‘SocialCare21’ focussed on developing world class leadership and commissioning in the public, private and voluntary sectors. The Minister has also announced that SCIE has been asked to create a new system by the end of the year for identifying and disseminating best practice in the sector.
The Government is to open discussions with publishers to create a high prestige social care journal of a similar nature to the Lancet in health. Academics, practitioners and uniquely people who use services and their families will have a platform to stimulate debate, identifying future challenges and comment on the statue of social care.
A new national social care board is to be established which will seek a greater level of coherence across social care and directly advise ministers.
The Department of Health is to work with existing award schemes to build on their recognition of excellence and innovation on the front line of social care.Ivan Lewis said: “Dame Denise is right to challenge the sector to raise its game and demonstrate a clear and ambitious vision for the future.
Read MoreHundreds of people are still waiting more than four hours to be dealt with at Gwent’s main accident and emergency departments, despite an improvement in performance during March.
Read MoreIreland’s first dedicated autism centre has been opened in Dublin by former Boyzone star Keith Duffy. The TV personality`s daughter Mia, six, was diagnosed with the condition some years ago and as patron of Irish Autism Action, he has been a long-standing campaigner for better autism facilities.
Read MoreParents who give alcohol to children aged under 15 should be prosecuted, a charity has said. The call comes in an Alcohol Concern report on the government’s Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy.
{mosimage}The study highlights figures that suggest a large increase in the amount of alcohol drunk by 11 to 13-year-olds. Alcohol Concern also wants a 16% rise in alcohol taxes, a ban on brewers selling to retailers at a loss, and a crackdown on under-age alcohol sales. The charity would include meal times at home in the ban on giving alcohol to young people. Frank Soodeen, a campaigns officer for Alcohol Concern, said: “We are facing a new social reality where children seem to be adopting older behaviour at a younger age.
“One of the things we need to do is get parents on board.” He also suggested there was a need to consider new legislation regarding the issue. The charity would like to see a ban on alcohol advertising before the 9pm television watershed and non-18 certificate films in cinemas.
Read MoreTalks on the nurses’ dispute have been adjourned until Saturday afternoon. Liam Doran, General Secretary of the Irish Nurses Organisation, said the negotiations had reached a critical phase. He said unions wanted a definite date for the commencement of a 35-hour week.
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