Latest news from SPPC
Care Commission report on palliative care and end of life care in care homes: April 2009
April 2009
More than 40% of care homes in Scotland need to improve the support they offer people with life-limiting illnesses and those who require palliative and end of life care, according to a new report from Scotland’s care watchdog.
The report, Better care every step of the way, reflects the findings of 1036 inspections and three investigations carried out by the Care Commission at care homes for older people between April 2007 and March 2008. During the inspections, the Care Commission evaluated whether staff in care homes had an understanding of what constituted palliative and end of life care - and how well they were delivering it to people who live in care homes and their families.
This report is available from: www.carecommission.com
Report on quality of life for older people: April 2009
A new report from Age Concern and Help the Aged tracks the progress of issues affecting the quality of life of older people in the UK. One Voice: Shaping our ageing society, a landmark report from the newly merged charity for older people, examines the issues facing older people in the UK: poverty, age discrimination, isolation and lack of care and support.
For further details, see: www.helptheaged.org.uk
Nursing and Midwifery Council publishes new guidance for the care of older people
Thisguidance is aimed at working nurses, but also has implications forpre- and post- registration education and training, and can be usedas employers as a benchmark for delivery. Carers and otherhealthcare professionals may also find this guidance useful andrelevant to their work. The guidance asks nurses to challengenegative attitudes to older people; promote a healthy lifestyle forolder people; value and respect older people as individuals; bemindful of older people’s dignity; show kindness and compassion intheir behaviour; communicate effectively and respectfully; and becommitted to equality and diversity. For more information see:http://www.nmc-uk.org
Publication of National Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Audit 2008
The Royal College of Physicians has published five reports emerging from the National COPD Audit 2008:
- Report of the National COPD Audit 2008 – resources and organisation of care in acute NHS units across the UK (PDF)
- Reportof the National COPD Audit 2008 – clinical audit of COPDexacerbations admitted to acute NHS units across the UK (PDF)
- Report of the National COPD Audit 2008 – Patient Survey (PDF)
- Report of the National COPD Audit 2008 – UK Primary Care Organisations:Resources and Organisation of Care (PDF)
- Report of National COPD Audit 2008 Survey of COPD care within UK General Practices (PDF)
Nursing and Midwifery Council Guidance for the Care of Older People
This guidance is aimed at working nurses, but also has implications for pre- and post- registration education and training, and can be used as employers as a benchmark for delivery. Carers and other healthcare professionals may also find this guidance useful and relevant to their work. Available online at : www.nmc-uk.org