Department of health

This report seeks to highlight the perspectives of family carers within the development of a national strategy for people with learning disabilities. The report represents a synthesis of a broad range of views, collected through consultation workshops, correspondence, conversations with family carers, and a review of the relevant  literature. 

In 2009, HR commissioned two pieces of research on employees with caring responsibilities. The first focused on the external picture - the legislation, good practice, and exemplar employers. The second garnered the views of interested parties in DH; namely, carers, line managers and staff networks. The outcomes from the external review are available on the Carers page on Delphi, together with a specific policy for carers, based on the themes drawn from both pieces of research.

In every other industry, 'the customer is king' - so why should health care be any different? With reference to the Department of Health's newly published legislation, Real Accountability Guidance on the NHS duty to report on consultation, the author examines the importance of patient and carer input into NHS services. 

The website of a national campaign to improve public understanding of dementia. The campaign will run throughout March 2010 though TV, radio, press and online advertising feature real-people with dementia. The adverts target 40-60 year olds, and encourage people to find out about the many simple ways to help someone living with dementia. The campaign is part of measures to implement the National Dementia Strategy.

Background: NHS Direct is a new service that offers 24-hour advice from trained nurses. The National Service Framework for Mental Health and the National Strategy for Carers both mention NHS Direct as an important source of support for people with mental health problems. Aims: This paper reports findings from an evaluation of the Department of Health's NHS Direct mental health initiative.