Featuring �Co-production3 year plan

�Carers’ CornerThe golden chains of caring

�Real LivesHow people you care about are getting on with our support

Inside �LDOKInclusive Radio

�Family Carers’ GroupHow do you want to be involved?

Inside �LDOKInclusive Radio

�Family Carers’ GroupHow do you want to be involved?

Featuring �Co-production3 year plan

�Carers’ CornerThe golden chains of caring

�Real LivesHow people you care about are getting on with our support

Don’t miss �Poets’ CornerJust look at me now!

�Events Round Up

�Pictures on a PostcardSend us your artwork

Don’t miss �Poets’ CornerJust look at me now!

�Events Round Up

�Pictures on a PostcardSend us your artwork

Welcome

2 The Link

A warm welcome to the Winter Edition of The Link. It is our very first e-edition and I hope

you will enjoy reading it as much as I have. As ever, views, suggestions and comments are always very welcome. It’s been a busy old time for lots of people within Turning Point and the stories/poems from people who use the services absolutely encapsulate this: from visits to radio stations to amazing trips on the Orient Express to leading a more independent and fulfilled life - it’s all in this edition.

We have been delighted about the response for our People’s Parliament and the great work many of you took part in; looking at what we should be focusing on for the three year plan for our Learning Disabilities Services. We have our first Carers’ Corner where a mum tells a little of her story and we thank Jane for this. I am hoping this will resonate with some of you and you may want to tell others your story. So what have I been up to of late? Well I am now in my fifth month as Managing Director and I can safely say there is never a dull moment in this job. Since my start I have visited over 44 different services and continue to do so, so bare with me if you haven’t seen me yet, I am coming! Recently I have been to some services in Bedworth in Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Bradford, Peterborough and Derby. We have also had visits from our Chief Executive Team in a number of services, Kent, Bradford and Bedfordshire to name a few. It is a pleasure to visit services and see the good work that goes on first hand. I am delighted to hear stories from people in their own homes about what their life used to be like and what it is like now...this is why we are all here. I want to take this opportunity to thank all staff for your amazing resilience, even when it meant getting into work in bitter conditions and having to walk for hours to do so. Your efforts are very much noticed and appreciated. Thank you. So enough blabbering from me... go and enjoy the edition and know my door is always open if you want to get in touch. Take care,

Fiona RitchieManaging Director, Learning Disability ServicesTurning Point

Welcome

Contents

3

In this issueCo-productionPlaying your part in the development of Turning Point 4Family Carers’ GroupHave your say 5People’s Parliament 6Real LivesMeet Wilmer Fuller 8Inclusive Radio: LDOK 9Events Round UpCelebration time! 10Carers’ cornerThe golden chains of caring 12Real LivesAaron’s story 14Turning Point In ActionRaising Awareness of Social Care 16Poets’ cornerJust look at her now! 18Pictures on a postcard 19Hot off the pressThe Francis Report 20

On the coverFrom left to right Waseem Tassaddaq and Aaron Beal from St. Wystan’s Road in Derby

8

11

12

4 The Link

When Turning

Point’s corporate plan was developed in 2012 each sector (Mental Health, Substance Misuse, Turning Point Too and Learning Disabilities) developed their own plan to complement the

corporate.

The Learning Disability sector has seen a few changes to the Senior Management Team over the last year and the Learning Disability field itself has seen many policy changes. As a result it was agreed to refresh the Learning Disabilities 3 year plan.

This plan was

developed with input from staff, family carers and people who have learning disabilities from all over the country. Each region held a series of workshops asking a set of questions posed by the new Managing Director, Fiona Ritchie. A workshop was also held for the Senior Management Team to gain their views to a similar set of questions.

This is an important step in the way that Turning Point’s Learning Disability Services will be driven in the future; through co-production with all stakeholders which in turn will lead to greater leadership, ownership and understanding from within the services, as opposed to driven

from the top down.

Involvement is at the heart of this strategy and what better place to start than the plan itself?

The plan discusses national trends, priorities and pressures, and tells the story of Turning Point services. It then goes on to explain the vision for future

service provision and outlines actions we will need to implement in order to keep ahead of the game and to nudge more national change from government.

The Learning Disability sector is currently refreshing our 3 year plan.

Co-production

We want to thank all of the people who were involved in the development of the plan and we will be sending you a copy so you know what to expect from us over the next 3 years.

Fiona says:

5

Family Carers’ Group

5

Your SayWe want to make sure that

you as Family Carers are able to have your voices heard

and be an active member of Turning Point if you wish to

do so.

We would like to know how if you want to get more involved and also what this involvement might look like.

We will be doing a short survey, there will be a number of ways your can complete the survey as we want to make sure we can reach as many of you as possible.

One way will be online on Survey Monkey which is a free and easy way to get your views.

For those of you who do not have access to the internet we will send you the same survey in the post.

When we have looked at the results of the survey we can see if you would like to be part of a Family Carers’ group, similar to the People’s Parliament we talk about on page 6 to get a direct voice into Turning Point.

We will be doing this in the next month so watch this space.

For more information please contact LDinvolvement@turning-point.co.uk

6 The Link

It is a seemingly simple question:

What is important to people with a learning disability?

But as with anyone, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. People with a learning disability, their families and carers come from all walks of life, with different needs.

However, through the People’s Parliament we hope to identify the areas where Turning Point and the wider sector can focus its resources to make the biggest difference to the greatest number of people.

We are aiming to launch Regional and National People’s Parliaments to give people a chance to be more involved in Turning Point both on a national and local level.

This is a really exciting opportunity for people we support to have real involvement and control in their services and issues that affect their lives. We are looking for volunteers from the Services, together with members of staff who are interested in supporting people to have a voice and express their views and opinions, to join us in making this happen.

The National Forum for People with a Learning Disability, who are very experienced in

supporting people to have their say, have agreed to help us with this. We want to makes sure people are heard no matter what their communication skills. It will be a great opportunity for us to develop our abilities and knowledge in making sure people have true involvement.

We are looking to start with Regional Parliaments in the coming months. A representative from each Region will then attend the National Parliament, the first meeting of which will be held later on in the year.

We have already got some volunteers and the regional sessions are being organised.

What is important to people with a Learning Disability?

People’s Parliament

PAUILInE LOOKInG AT THE POSTER FOR THE PEOPLE’S PARLIAMEnT

Decisions made on behalf of people with a

Learning Disability and their families are all too

often made without any input from the people

they affect the most. Turning Point’s People’s

Parliament aims to change that.

For more information about the People’s Parliament and how you can be invovled please get in touch by emailing

LDinvolvement@turning-point.co.uk

Contents

At a recent Team Leader

meeting for Wiltshire Learning Disability Services (WLD), the issue was raised that the individuals we support at our Hollygrove service had faced increased

difficulty in obtaining plus companion (+C) bus pass renewals. This may affect many of the individuals we support. The decision not to renew +C bus passes is a result of individuals not qualifying for the high rate of Mobility Disability Allowance. Staff agreed that the decision by the Council appeared to be prejudiced against people with learning disabilities and biased towards people with

physical disabilities. Since the meeting, staff across WLD have worked together to seek a positive outcome. Letters of appeal have been sent to the GP’s of the individuals we support and they have

highlighted to the Council that it is essential they have a +C bus pass in order to be able to access the bus service and remain an active part of their local community.

During a discussion with the people we support about the People’s Parliament, Project Worker, Becky Gorringe asked the individuals we support if using the bus was important to them. Geoff said it was and

Angela said she “enjoyed using the bus.” When asked how they would feel if they were to use the bus without staff support, Pauline said

“I would be very nervous and not very happy.”

Becky suggested that as accessing the local bus service was an important issue, it could be raised at the local People’s Parliament meetings which Geoff, Angela and Pauline have shown a keen interest in attending.

This is a great example of

how working together, people have made a real difference to the individuals we support and at the same time have shown the importance of transport and the potential for further discussion at future People’s Parliament meetings.

GEOFF PARTRIDGE CAMPAInGInG FOR HIS +C BUS PASS

Becky Gorringe, Project Worker, Wiltshire Supported Living said:

The first applications to the council have been successful. I am in the process of writing to the council with the responses of GPs of the individuals we support. I am very positive we will also have a successful outcome.

7

Transport Troubles?

If you can relate to the transport troubles in Wiltshire, let us know by emailing

LDinvolvement@turning-point.co.uk

People’s Parliament

8 The Link

WILMER HARD AT WORK

WIILMER, LOOKInG DAPER AnD READy FOR

WORK

If you are supported by

Turning Point and like

Wilmer would like to

share your story please

email:

LDinvolvement

@turning-point.co.uk

Meet Wilmer:

Hello! I am Wilmer Fuller. I am 19 years old, I am supported by

Turning Point and live at Downfield Way

in Bedfordshire. I am currently doing an

Independent Life Skills course at Bedford

College. The college have also helped me in

setting up some work experience, one day a

week on Tuesdays.

I work at the shoe shop Shoe Zone in Bedford

Town. I really like working in Shoe Zone. It’s

great to see new customers and help them

with what they need.It has really helped me

with my confidence and I would really like to

work there all the time. The other staff are

really helpful and friendly.

Hopefully one day I will be able to work there

a lot more.

9

Hi! My name is

Stanley Weston and

I live at Ashlea in

Stoke on Trent.

We recently

discovered LDOK

Radio a radio

station based in

Manchester which is

run by people with

a learning disability.

I enjoyed listening so much we contacted them and asked if we could visit.

We spoke to Greg, one of the presenters who was very friendly and arranged a visit for us on the 7 December. We made our way to the radio station, we had a warm welcome from Terry and they offered me headphones and a go on the turntable but I was happy just to sit and listen.

My Support Worker was grilled by the presenter Miss Sabs who loves to laugh. I had to smile when she went red, but she overcame her embarrassment and described life at Ashlea and how Turning Point had made a big difference to my life.

The presenter was able to relate to my life as she had a Learning Disability herself.

We gave a BIG shout out to the all the guys at

Ashlea. We knew they were listening and all their names were called out live on the show.

I had a great time and would love to go again...maybe next time I won’t be so shy and will spin a tune for you!

Written on behalf of Stanley Weston, who is supported at Ashlea Bungalow Stoke on Trent.

Inclusive Radio

Inclusive Radio OnlineLDOK.net is an inclusive online

radio station with a mission to

inform and entertain everybody,

everywhere at anytime!

It is also an important platform

for the recognition, support,

promotion and development

of the UK’s disabled community

with an emphasis on support

of the people with a learning

disability

To find out more about LDOK

you can visit their website

www.ldok.net or call them on

0161 872 8787

STAnLEy BEHInD THE SCEnES AT LDOK

10 The Link

Celebration time!EvEnts round up

Staff and individuals we support at Reevy Road in Bradford have worked very hard turning a room previously

used as an office into a beauty/pamper room. All soft furnishings have been picked by the individuals we

support and it looks fantastic.

One of the individuals we support Susan Nicholls has been on a course to learn hand massage and she offers

her services in the beauty room.

Here are nicholas Hicks and Julie Hodgson

enjoying the stylish comforts of the beauty/

pamper room at Reevy Road

What have you been celebrating?

For a chance to have your photo featured in future editions of The Link please submit entries with details of

the photographer, who is featured in the photograph and the activity they are involved in to:

TheLink@turning-point.co.uk

11

December was a special month for Ian Peacock and Terry Ford who live at

Turning Point Services in Wiltshire and saw them both celebrate their 70th birthdays in style at the Salisbury

Cricket Club.

There was a massive turnout for the celebration - 60 guests in all including other individuals we support as

well as their friends and family came to celebrate this great event.

Ian particularly enjoyed cutting the cake and dancing with his cousin whilst Terry was in his element talking

to his friends and drinking a drink.

12 The Link

Welcome to our first Carers’ Corner. We hear from Jane Raca who is a lawyer, disability rights campaigner and author of Standing up for James, a memoir about raising her disabled child. Jane has agreed to be the first carer to talk to us about her experiences...

Twenty years ago,

if you had asked me what a carer was, I would have said a middle-aged person in slippers, looking after an elderly parent. I was a busy, rather arrogant young woman building a legal career. I had no knowledge of disability. The idea of life being constrained by the golden chains of caring for a loved one, would have been inconceivable to me.

Then my second son James was born with extensive brain damage, when I was just 25 weeks pregnant. He spent four months in the neo-natal unit, until his tenuous hold on life became strong enough for us to bring

him home. At first, we laughed with joy at his survival, and quietly ignored the uncertain prognosis for his future. But gradually, it emerged that he had cerebral palsy, epilepsy, learning disabilities and autism. While he was handsome, clever and

funny, he also needed constant one to one care, 24 hours a day.

The burden of that care crept up insidiously, because all babies need 24 hour care in the beginning and we expected it. In James’s case though, it never

stopped. By the time he was six, my husband and I were exhausted, and I was suicidally depressed. It did not occur to us to ask for help. It was only when we broke down in front of James’s consultant, that we found out Social Care

had a duty to support us.

After a year of fighting with them, we got 24 days respite a year. But this wasn’t nearly enough. We still had no support at home, and all of us, including James and his siblings,

were suffering. We couldn’t look after James properly, because the melting pot of family life was incompatible with the strict routines his autism demanded. He wouldn’t eat with us, and needed separate food and mealtimes. He became terrified of leaving the house, and attacked us if we tried to get him in the car. We were all imprisoned at home. When I read of people under house arrest, I thought ‘I know how that feels’.

Eventually the same love that bound me to James, led me to realise we could not carry on. He needed to go to a residential school, where he could be properly cared for.

Getting him into one was an emotionally gruelling process. The Council wouldn’t agree

The golden chains of caring

Getting him into one [residential school] was an emotionally gruelling process. The Council wouldn’t agree to fund the place, and I had to take them to Tribunal.

CarErs’ CornEr

13

Welcome to our first Carers’ Corner. We hear from Jane Raca who is a lawyer, disability rights campaigner and author of Standing up for James, a memoir about raising her disabled child. Jane has agreed to be the first carer to talk to us about her experiences...

to fund the place, and I had to take them to Tribunal. Even as a former lawyer, I found it very hard, and used a specialist barrister to represent our case. We succeeded, and since 2007 James has been at Dame Hannah Rogers School in Devon, coming home in the holidays. He has world class provision, and is much happier than when he was at home, although we miss each other terribly.

I am now able to look after myself and my other children, and to look after James better too. I am a governor at his school and have the time and energy to work with the staff over his programmes and to enjoy being with him.

I am very lucky that I had the resources to

get our family into this position. I know that many people don’t, and desperately need much better support than they are receiving. I know now that becoming a

carer can happen to anyone, at any age (even childhood) and isn’t some easy option. Carers need respite, funding, and emotional support, to survive. And they deserve and

need the respect of the rest of society, for the humanity that they embody, which enriches us all.

©Jane Raca 2013

If you, like Jane would like to share your experiences of being a carer we would love to hear from you. Please do get in touch - emailLDinvolvement@turning-point.co.uk

You can contact Jane and find out more about her book through her website, standingupforjames.co.uk

JAMES AnD HIS MUM JAnE

The golden chains of caring

14 The Link

Here we meet Aaron who lives in Derby. He tells us how different his life is now after moving from a long stay hospital into the community.

Aaron’s story

My name

is Aaron

and I live in my own

home in Derby. I

have been here for

the past eight years

and enjoy it very

much.

I was living in a hospital before this and it was very different. We all had to get up at the same time, wore the

same clothes and pretty much ate the same food.

When I moved in to the community things started to look up for me. I was living with two friends and we had a team of people to support us.

As the years have gone by I have really enjoyed the new found freedom and positive approach from staff. I have always

had a fondness for aeroplanes but I didn’t think that I would ever get to fly in one. I just never thought it was possible.

Two years ago there were some major

changes to where I live. Some people moved to other properties and I found myself with just two of my old team to support me.

This was daunting at first but the time they

Many people said I could not do the things I do now. It’s just goes to show that with the right support anything is possible.

15

have been able to spend with me has really helped me to get more out of life. It has really helped me to build my confidence and try out new things.

When I am at home they understand that it is my place and work with me in that way.

When we are out in the community I don’t feel like the odd one out. It’s not like the hospital at all.

Since these two guys have been supporting me I have really broadened my horizons. I have managed to travel on holidays to locations in the UK and in December 2011 I went to Tunisia for seven days. This meant I got to fly in an aeroplane. I loved it and couldn’t wait to go on a flight again.

So off to Turkey I went, just to top up my sun tan.

I am already looking at

booking my next holiday and really happy about this.

I have also taken a delivery of my new car and am really pleased about this. I enjoy visiting my mum and also going for drives in the country. This helps me get more out of life.

I also enjoy going swimming and I am supported to do this.

I think what I like the most is being given a choice. From what

I want to eat for breakfast, to what I want to wear. I even chose the colour of my car.

Many people said I could not do the things I do now. It just goes to show that with the right support anything is possible. As Waseem and Irfan, my Support Workers, often say:

If you are supported by Turning Point

and like Aaron would like to share

your story please email:

LDinvolvement@turning-point.co.uk

Here we meet Aaron who lives in Derby. He tells us how different his life is now after moving from a long stay hospital into the community.

“Let’s see the ability and not the disability,”

16 The Link

Sarah ReedExternal Affairs, ManagerTurning Point

Raising Awareness of Social Care turning point in aCtion

Winterbourne View

In recent months learning disability has been at the forefront of health policy due to the publication of the government’s response to Winterbourne View and the establishment of a pre-legislative parliamentary committee to look in more detail at the draft Care and Support Bill.

The spotlight has very much

been on quality in light of the appalling incidents at Winterbourne View. In its final report on Winterbourne the Government sets out a programme of action to transform services so that people no longer live inappropriately in hospitals. Instead, it states, individuals should be cared for in line with best practice, based on their individual needs and in a way that ensures their wishes, and those of their families, are listened to and placed at the heart of planning and delivering their care.

The report makes clear that there are many

actions required by many organisations

to ensure this does not happen again, these include:

� All current placements will be reviewed by 1 June 2013, and everyone inappropriately in hospital will move to community-based support as quickly as possible and no later than 1 June 2014.

� By April 2014 each area will have a locally agreed joint plan to ensure high quality care and support services for all children, young people and adults with learning disabilities or autism and mental health conditions or behaviour described as challenging, in line with the model of

good care taken from Mansell.

� There will be a dramatic reduction in hospital placements for this group of people and the closure of large hospitals

� A new NHS and local government-led joint improvement team, with funding from the Department of Health, will be created to lead and support this transformation.

� Accountability of Boards of Directors and Managers will be strengthened for the safety and quality of care which their organisations provide, setting out proposals during Spring 2013 to close this gap

� The CQC will strengthen inspections

and regulation of hospitals and care homes for this group of people. This will include unannounced inspections involving people who use services and their families, and steps to ensure that services are in line with the agreed model of care. They will also ensure staff are fully aware and trained to understand how and when Whistleblowing should be done.

With the improvement team, the Department of Health will monitor and report on progress nationally.

A concordat has also been agreed in line with the above commitments aligning them with various different organisations and

17

agencies to solidify the multi-agency approach being taken to safeguard individuals from abuse.

The recommendations have wide spread support and Turning Point, via our links with other organisations like VODG and the Care and Support Alliance, will continue to champion the needs of those with learning disabilities both locally and nationally to ensure a focus on quality remains .Even when local budgets are under mounting pressure.

Draft Care and Support Bill

As previous updates have outlined, health reform has been a priority for the current government. Last year we saw the introduction of the Health and Social Care Act after almost 18 months of scrutiny, amendments, challenges and negotiations. Now Social Care has come to the fore.

The Care and Support Bill sets out a single legislative framework for

care, aiming ‘to transform the social care system to focus on prevention and the needs and goals of people requiring care.’ Key clauses in the Bill focus on individual wellbeing, people’s right to assessment, greater individual choice over provision and the importance of smooth transitions between young people and adult services.

To ensure the Bill was given the attention it required a pre-legislative committee of MPs and Peers was set up to look through the detail. The Committee are scrutinising the detail of the Bill before sending their recommendations back to government. To help inform their recommendations, a public consultation was launched and evidence sessions involving experts in the sector are now underway.

On 16 January Turning Point’s Chief Executive, Lord Victor Adebowale, was invited to give evidence and answer questions on behalf of

the people Turning Point support.

In the 90 minute session Chaired by Paul Burstow MP, the previous Minister for Care Services, Victor said the Bill was ‘aspirational’ in its aims but was being introduced at a time of significant financial pressures on local authorities which bought into question their capacity to undertake fully many of the new duties being placed on them. He spoke about people with learning disabilities and other working age adults with care needs needing to be an equal part of the debate as much of it has so far been dominated by older people’s issues.

He discussed issues concerning commissioning, integration of services, the need for clear guidance on who pays for care when there is a dispute, the importance of genuine choice and control and the need for information and advocacy to be accessible to all.

The work of the Bill

continues as does Turning Point’s role in shaping its proposals.

Other activity

Briefly, in other news;

� We held a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Complex Needs and Dual Diagnosis on the 21 January discussing the Bradley Review of people with mental health problems or learning disabilities in the criminal justice system.

� We are due to attend a meeting with other LD providers to discuss an agreed programme of joint activity for the year ahead in the absence of the Learning Disability Coalition which disbanded last year.

� As part of raising the profile of our LD sector, Fiona was recently quoted in LD Today in regards to the government’s response to Winterbourne View.

For more infomation about any of the issues mentioned above please email: LDInvolvement@turning-point.co.uk

Raising Awareness of Social Care

Just look at her now!poEts’ CornEr

At 83 Joyce Austen, who is supported at our Alfred Deller Court in Kent, is showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, she’s in her prime!

Just look at me now!My name is Joyce Austen and look at me

My year has been busy and I’m 83

I’ve been lots of places, my bucket list complete

This is a few adventures all written and neat

I went to a panto and saw a famous star

I then went to Paris, I’ve never been so far

I done lots of shopping and saw the Eiffel Tower

The Euro Star was fast and went with such power

The Orient express was memories from the past

The food was gorgeous, the caviar was a blast

I went to Euro Disney, I stayed 2 nights and 3 days

I had such a great time, it seems such a haze

I went on a boat and luckily it rained but stayed afloat

I saw action film sets, that made me stare and gloat

I was so happy, I enjoyed myself so much

The people were lovely, such a beautiful touch

I’m on my next bucket list, so do watch this space

I’ve accepted my trips with such warmth and grace

I’ve already been to Brussels

A real Birthday treat

I know the streets were cobbled and staff hurt their feet

But I’ll tell you this, I had a wonderful time

I may be 83, but I feel in my prime

JOyCE AnD HER SUPPORT WORKER AnnITA DOnALDSOn

Joyce shares the highlights of her recent trip

to Paris and Brussels in the following poem:

18 The Link

19

We are looking for submissions from the individuals we support to turn their

artwork into postcards.

When we visit services we want to be able to say thank you and we would like to

use people’s own artwork.

Our first submission had come from Rhiannon Parker, who attends

Focus Point, Wiltshire, Learning Disability Services and you can see the postcard

below.

If you would like to see your artwork transformed into a postcard, like Rhiannon

has, please send submissions electronically to

LDInvolvement@turning-point.co.uk

Remember to include details of the artist, which service they are supported by and a

bit about the piece.

Send us your Artwork

Please affix

stamp here

Artwork by: Rhiannon Parker, Focus Point, Wiltshire Learning Disability Services

thank you

Pictures on a postcard

Welcome

20 The Link

The Francis Report hot off thE prEss

The

beginning

of February saw

the long awaited

publication of the

second Francis

Report on Mid

Staffordshire nHS

Foundation Trust.

This is the third

high profile inquiry

concerned with

mortality rates and

the standard of care

at the Trust.

The most recent inquiry, led by Robert Francis QC, was set up in response to the considerable public concern surrounding the issues raised by the HCC investigation.

It is understood that an estimated 400 to 1,200 patients died as a result of poor care over the 50 months between January 2005 and March 2009. Moreover the inquiry was urged to investigate the role of a number of external agencies due to the failure to detect and act on the deficiencies revealed by the HCC investigation.

Key recommendations

The Francis Report makes 290 recommendations and identifies a number of ways in which quality can be safeguarded across the NHS. The recommendations focus on clear quality standards and a focus on the patient:

� A common culture throughout the system: The report identifies a negative culture including secrecy, defensiveness and a lack of consideration for patients. This needs to be replaced with a re-emphasis on common values, clear goals, transparency, and non-tolerance of malpractice.

� Common values: The common values of the NHS, as laid down in the NHS Constitution, must be “owned and lived by all members of the service”. Patients must be the first priority

� Simplifying regulation: The different

regulators need to be clear about their roles so that they do not assume another regulator is dealing with the problem.

� Monitoring and enforcement of compliance with fundamental standards: The fundamental standards should be policed by a single regulator – the CQC. Non-compliance with a fundamental standard leading to death or serious harm of a patient should be capable of being prosecuted as a criminal offence.

� Effective complaints and incidents: Complaining should be easy, and any expression of concern made by a patient should be treated as a complaint, unless the patient’s permission is refused.

� Commissioning for quality: Commissioners of services must ensure that those services are well provided and are

provided safely.

� Local public and patient engagement: Local Healthwatch should be properly funded and fully accountable. There must be real involvement of patients and the public in all that is done.

� Openness, transparency and candour: A statutory obligation should be imposed on healthcare providers, registered medical and nursing practitioners to observe a duty of candour, enforced by the CQC

The recommendations made will impact on all health and social care organisations, including Turning Point. We will continue to consider how and in what ways Francis will influence the way we and our Commissioners do things going forward. We will also work with partner organisations to contribute to the debate on how the 290 recommendations are taken forward nationally.

The Link has been designed for you.

Useful NumbersGeneral Turning Point enquiries:Standon House (London)

020 7481 7600

The Exchange (Manchester)

0161 238 5100

Ideas, comments and stories:Claire Moszoro

Turning Point

020 7481 6228

It’s about you and the people you care about, connecting families and carers

of people with a learning disability from around the country. Please tell us

what you think and how we can make it better next time.

What is important to you? What you say matters and we want to share your

ideas and stories. Tell us more about what you would like to read about.

Get in touch todayTell us what you think by emailing

TheLink@turning-point.co.uk

or via post to

The Link, Turning Point, Standon House, 21 Mansell Street, London, E1 8AA

Letters may be edited.

The Link will be distributed quarterly. If you would prefer not to receive it, you can opt

out by emailing the address above, or via telephone on 020 7481 6228.

www.turning-point.co.uk

Turning Point is a registered charity No. 23454565. Address: Standon House, 21 Mansell Street London, E1 8AA

thank you