Social care provision

The Blake Marsh lecture, an annual lecture on learning disability, was endowed in 1963 in memory of Dr Blake Marsh, the former medical superintendent of Bromham House Colony in Bedford.

To develop palliative care services it is important to evaluate local services and identifiy any gaps in provision. In this study a mapping exercise and a postal questionannaire were used to attempt to canvass the views of patients and carers using a service in Gloucestershire. Reports on the methodology and the findings of the questionnaire.

This article canvases the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and proposes a holistic support regime for patients, carers and families.  The development of services for Alzheimer's patients and their families in the Nelson Mandela Metropole since 1991 is outlined.  Based on the expressed needs of families of AD sufferers specific support systems were identified, fund raising undertaken and projects initiated to offer respite to those in need of assistance.  The article offers insights into the nature and treatment of AD and how, based on a query from a single family, a syst

This paper presents findings from a qualitative study that sought to identify what works well in supporting older people to live in their own homes and local communities. Drawing on data from six focus groups conducted with key stakeholders, including older people, carers, care managers and direct service providers, the shortcomings of existing services to meet the needs of older people are recognised and the paper seeks to move discusion forward to what might help improve provision.

Reports on an evaluation of Care Direct, a service launched by the Department of Health piloted in six areas offering information and support to people over 60 and their carers principally through a telephone help-line service. A survey of 600 callers was carried out during 2002. The analysis focuses on the characteristics of users and callers experience of using the service. Concludes that the experience of the first year has been positive, with the service meeting its targets in terms of range and volume of activity, and achieving satisfaction with callers.

This is a guide to what co-production is and how to develop co-productive approaches to working with people who use services and carers. It is aimed at managers and commissioners, frontline practitioners and people who use services and carers.The first section looks at what co-production is and the principles on which co-productive approaches should be based. It also outlines the policy context, including how co-production relates to the Care Act 2014 and personalisation, the economic impact of co-production.

Presents an easy read guide to obtaining direct payments and choosing a carer. A Direct Payment is a cash payment from a Local Authority, to enable people to purchase their own services. The power to make Direct Payments is given to Local Authorities under the Community Care (Direct Payments) Act 1996, which came into force on the 1st April 1997. Guidance to accompany the Act specifically included people with a learning disability.

Little is known about those employed to support family carers of disabled people or those with longterm care needs. The term ‘carer’ is used in England to refer to family members and others who provide unpaid regular and substantial support to adults with disabilities, including older people and others unable to live independently. Among the wider social care workforce some staff are employed to provide support for these carers, but little is known about the composition and characteristics of this group of staff.