FIS Policy E-Newsletter 2 / 2010
Relevant to organisations addressing Irish health needs
Count Me In, the fifth annual census of ethnicity in NHS and independent mental health and learning disability
services has recently been published by the Healthcare Commission. The aim of
the census is to obtain accurate figures and encourage providers to implement
comprehensive monitoring procedures. 98% of all live-in patients were surveyed
and, as with the previous four years, the number of Irish patients is
disproportionately large. In total, Irish patients make up 1.9% (591) of the
mental health data and 1.5% (57) of those with learning disabilities in Count Me In. This compares with the 1.27% who declared themselves Irish in the 2001 census.
Irish patients are by some
distance the most likely to be elderly (nearly 40%, and it was higher last
year); They are also the third most likely to be female, 45% of the
Irish total. This census was established in 2005 with the intention of being the
building block for the Department of Health's Delivering Race Equality, a five year plan designed to culminate
this year. The plan itself was a response to the death of Black Caribbean
patient David Bennett, who died whilst being restrained by care workers in
1998. A public consultation followed, in which 49% of total BME patients
consulted, and 45% of those of Irish origin, said they had experienced discrimination
in mental health services.
Relevant to advice-giving organisations
The Baring Foundation has published a report describing the "formidable threat" to the independence of advice and advocacy groups posed by the Government. In Rights with Meaning, increased commissioning is named as the main reason for increasing state control over the sector. Commissioning is criticised for placing pressure on service providers to prioritise meeting the requirements of commissioners, which may not reflect the needs of their users. It is also argued that Government definitions of quality can conflict with those of the organisations; and, as competition for Government funding can often be fierce, a frequent outcome seems to be self-censorship by the charities. Whether real or imagined, fear of sanction is stifling the ability of organisations to negotiate and potentially drive policy changes.
The trust argues that the new pricing structure of fixed fees, arising from Lord Carter's review of Legal Aid, is cause for much consternation. They are set too low to be sustainable, and payment being made only when a case is closed has put huge pressure on organisations' cash flow. To circumnavigate this, some organisations have started to cherry-pick shorter and more simple cases and areas of advice. The fixed fee does not account for differing costs, which are higher in London and for BME groups. The report noted that costs of cases bought by Irish clients are 23% higher than the national average. These concerns are aggravated by personalisation of services, where the focus on the individual is detracting from collective advocacy.
Relevant to clubs and community centres
Effective from the 1st of April, the not-for-profit sector will face an annual £81 charge to play recorded music at their own premises in order to bring the sector in line with the rest of Europe. PPL, the organisation responsible for the charge represents record companies and performers of all recorded music. The PRS music licence that was already required of the sector compensates writers, composers and publishers of original music. NCVO is campaigning to reverse the decision, with even Government analysis admitting that for some premises this will mean no music at all. About a quarter of a million organisations are set to affected, including 140,000 charities, 6,750 charity shops, 66,440 sports clubs, 4,000 community buildings, 5,000 rural halls and 45,000 religious buildings. Unlike the new charge, the PRS licence increases with the size of your premises. If you are concerned you may be paying too much, the Irish Management Consortium offers auditing services. As a not for profit social enterprise, the IMC can offer very competitive terms on services and products essential to your club and members, from insurance to stationary. For any of your needs, contact Tracey at tdolan@irishmc.org.
Relevant to affiliates in London
In July 2009 the LVSC published its Phase 1 Big Squeeze report, based on a previous survey and research, concerning the impact of the credit crunch and the associated economic downturn on London's Voluntary and Community Sectors (VSC). Now they are launching Phase 2 of the Big Squeeze the consultation on which an updated analysis will be based. The questionnaire for this consultation can be found here and it must be completed and submitted before the end of February.
By
completing the short questionnaire your submission will help your profile as an
organisation. It will also strengthen
the credibility of the LVSC's survey and its ability to highlight current
issues for the sector arising from the turndown.
Among the findings
of the first survey were the following:
·
95%
of groups responding indicated that the recession was already affecting them
and the communities they support;
·
71%
reported an increased workload in terms of demand for their services as a
result of the recession;
·
78%
of organisations were already taking action to help them survive the recession;
· However,
80% were not confident they could continue to meet the increased service
demands indefinitely.
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