MAJOR CHANGES TO PUBLIC SERVICES

Human Rights for Older People in Wales

Operation Jasmine

In Search of Accountability

A Review of the neglect of older people living in Care Homes investigated as Operation Jasmine

The BBC reported today:

“Families of care home residents in south Wales alleged to have been victims of abuse have welcomed the publication of a highly critical review of an investigation into the complaints and allegations.

Dr Margaret Flynn’s review found those providing the care were “impervious to the needs of older people”.”

Operation Jasmine “No one has been held accountable”

And this is a more comprehensive report from the BBC:  “Operation Jasmine: Care home doctor ‘should have been prosecuted’.”

The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales commented on the report:

“I welcome the publication of Dr. Flynn’s report today, which I hope will address the many unanswered questions of the families of the victims of the alleged abuse and neglect investigated by Operation Jasmine and help to drive the change needed across our care home system.”
“The report clearly demonstrates the ways in which the criminal justice system has let down the older people and families involved in this investigation.”

Caerphilly 50+ Forum: connecting care homes with their local community

You may like to be aware that Caerphilly 50+ Forum is currently taking part in the RVS project “Care to Listen … Listen to Care”.  We would like to do more to help connect Care Homes with their communities. If this is an aspect that would interest you, why not complete our membership form or let us know your interest through our contact form. Or you can call Mandy Sprague on 01443 864277

Blue Badge Applications: Update

Blue Badge Update (from Office of the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales)

The new guidelines are stricter and are being interpreted differently by Local Authorities, it has been suggested that a postcode lottery now exists. Two Councils have decided to discard the Welsh Government guidelines and toolkit, and as a result fewer Blue Badge renewals are being rejected.

The key issue for older people is that there is no mobility component to older people’s entitlements such as Attendance Allowance, unlike entitlements for younger people such as Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payments. Without this component, it is harder for older people to renew their Blue Badges, and the Commissioner is therefore concerned that the new guidelines are having a disproportionate effect on older people. Furthermore, although GP letters are no longer sufficient to support a renewal, some GPs are charging £50 for a letter. The guidelines were designed to prevent fraud and misuse of the system, but have now gone so far that people with genuine disabilities are having their Blue Badge renewals turned down.

A meeting was held with the Welsh Government’s Task and Finish Group in mid-June. The Group were very receptive to the Commissioner’s concerns, and we are now waiting for their recommendations to the Minister. The presentation to the Group included helpful case studies from Caerphilly 50+ Forum and from Flintshire and Pembrokeshire. Key points included the following:

  • Since the introduction of Changes to the Eligibility Criteria (2013), Local Authority Verification Toolkit (July 2014), and Guidance to Local Authorities (January 2015), the nature of enquiries received by the Commissioner’s Casework Team has changed, with more older people asking for help following renewal rejections
  • By moving towards a desktop assessment, it appears that fewer people who were previously eligible for a badge are now entitled (LAs reporting 46-50% refusal rate)
  • With older people more likely to be disadvantaged and have to provide further evidence of need, there is an argument that the Scheme discriminates on the basis of age
  • Older people say they’re not given clear information on precisely how they need to evidence their need and what information to provide

Case studies

  • Mr F: tried to renew his badge but could not find an original copy of his entitlement to War Pension. Had other documentation to show he was in receipt but LA would only accept original
  • Ms W: Unsure what medical evidence she needed to provide. Unable to provide GP letter: no longer accepted, no time. Some GPs however charging up to £50 for letters of support
  • Local Advocacy provider concerned that a number of people with a genuine need were having their applications declined & no right of appeal once application was declined
  • Mr S’ renewal was declined. Believed guidance was discriminatory as there were no mobility components to the entitlements he received. Under 65 with PIP different?
  •  Ms T’ renewal declined on medical grounds. Health issues not examined holistically, accumulative impact meant a BB was a necessity

Key issues

  • Under Discretionary Criteria, older people’s entitlements (e.g. Attendance Allowance) do not have a mobility component to them (unlike PIP, DLA). Older people are more likely to be disadvantaged, discrimination on the grounds of age. An older person could have same condition as someone receiving higher rate of DLA (Automatic Criteria), but would not automatically qualify for the Blue Badge
  • Lack of clarity on how to evidence need, what information to provide, and how to challenge/appeal decisions. Limit on number of appeals taken forward
  • Lack of consistency: Local Authorities interpreting the Toolkit differently. Postcode lottery: stricter Local Authorities?
  • Two Local Authorities are no longer using the Toolkit; some have introduced face-to-face assessments
  • Toolkit at local level differs from that at appeals level? Individual rejected at local level eligible at appeals level

Vote For Newbridge Memo

Windows 10 Free Upgrade

If you have Windows 7(SP1) or Windows 8.1 you should be able to upgrade to Windows 10 on July 29th or for up to one year after that date.

Pros

Let’s start the positives with a word from Microsoft

Windows 10 has been designed to operate seamlessly across all platforms, PC, Laptop, Tablets and phones; performance being optimised to touchscreens.

It comes with Cortana, Microsoft’s digital assistant. This is intended to provide faster access to important information, whether talking or typing. Internet Explorer is replaced with a new web browser, specifically designed for Windows 10; Microsoft Edge. The browser lets you annotate webpages by keyboard or pen before sharing them, while there’s also a distraction-free website reading view that simply gives you a site’s text and key images. The integration of digital assistant Cortana should make searching online and scheduling calendar appointments easier and faster too.

[If you want to find out what they are doing with Xbox and Microsoft HoloLens (what!), I refer you to your search engine!]

Cons

Major software launches usually means bugs to be sorted. Microsoft is offering free upgrades for a year after launch and so it might be wise to wait for 6months or so before upgrading. If you have Windows 8.1 and are happy with using it, I believe Microsoft have committed to support it until 2023. Of course, if you buy new hardware in the meantime, it is likely to come with a later OS.

Apparently Microsoft Office suite has been redesigned from the ground up to run on all Windows 10 platforms, while still retaining the familiar Office features. I have also seen suggestions that it will come free with Windows 10 but I have not seen anything definitive on that. If that is important to you, doubtless it will be clear once launched and you will know what you are getting if you delay your upgrade.

Why has Windows 8 only survived one update to 8.1? What happened to Windows 9? According to this article Windows 10 is no more than a rebranding of Windows 8, originally rumoured to be an upgrade to Windows 8.2. So, not all reviewers are overly enthusiastic about Windows 10.

How to Upgrade to Windows 10

Step 1: If you own Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 then you’re eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 10. However, in order to get Windows 10 you need to be running the latest version of your respective system.

To update your version of Windows over the internet, first open Windows Update by clicking the Start button. In the search box, type Update and then click Windows Update in the results.

In the left pane, click Check for updates and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your computer. If any updates are found, click Install updates.

Step 2: Once your operating system is completely up-to-date you can reserve your free update for Windows 10 (if you want to upgrade as soon as it is available). Take a look at your system tray (in the lower right of your desktop) and you should see the Windows logo:        Windows logoClick it to begin the reservation process and enter your email to receive a reminder once Windows 10 is available.

Note 1: My laptop, running Windows 8.1 acquired the system tray logo automatically. My PC running Windows 7, despite fulfilling all the criteria for being up to date refuses to get the logo. Apparently, it will be possible to test after launch if it is the specification of my computer that makes it ineligible.

Note 2: On January 13, 2015, Microsoft stopped mainstream support for Windows 7–which is still an extremely popular operating system. But you’ll still be able to use it safely for another five years. Once mainstream support ends, there will be no more service packs. Microsoft won’t redesign the environment or add new features. Microsoft will patch vulnerabilities that could become security risks; Windows 7 remains a safe operating system.

Carers Week in Caerphilly Borough

Join the Chicken Challenge

Join the Chicken Challenge and let’s halve campylobacter food poisoning

The FSA wants to cut the number of cases of campylobacter poisoning in half by the end of 2015. It could mean that over a hundred thousand fewer people would get sick next year. If everyone does their bit including industry and consumers this can happen.  Pledging to take the Chicken Challenge and to do at least one thing to help keep our tummies safe and healthy will make a huge difference in helping to achieve this goal.

The FSA is asking you to step up to the plate and promise to:
•       Bag and store raw chicken separately from other food, covered and chilled on the bottom shelf of the fridge

•       Not to wash raw chicken as it splashes germs

•       Wash everything that’s touched raw chicken in soap and hot water – your hands and utensils

•       Check chicken is cooked properly – no pink meat, steaming hot and the juices run clear

Blue Badge Applications