Active Choices Newsletter June 2011

Welcome to June's edition of our newsletter. The last few weeks have been very busy and exciting with some great activities happening:

Mini-Break in The Lake District:

A small group went to The Lakes for a break from Friday to Monday. All had a lovely time in a beautiful cottage. They visited Windermere and also went on some picturesque walks in the countryside. With all that fresh air, exercise and wonderful food everyone returned home refreshed.

Big Day Out at Chester:

Although our Chester trip had had to be postponed when we did get there it was well worth the wait. The rain stayed away and it was 'Roman Carnival Weekend' with lots to see and do. Our first adventure was a trip on one of the cruises that everyone enjoyed and was interesting with all the history being told as we sailed.

We then had our picnic next to the River Dee and everyone ate well and was very content.

It was then decided by all that we should walk back into the town and sample some of the carnival atmosphere. There were groups, singers, dancers and even a legion of Roman Soldiers!

Everyone especially enjoyed the Egyptian dancers and when they had finished we thought it would be rude not to join in.

After all that exercise we went for a relaxing drink and soaked up the carnival atmosphere. A great day had by all!

Mamma Mia:

'Mamma Mia' at The Manchester Palace was a great success and a very popular show with the service users that went. Everyone got into the ABBA mood really quickly. What a buzz!

(Don't forget it is not too late to book for 'Grease' in October, 'Dirty Dancing' in November or 'Snow White' in December.)

Contacting Active Choices:

As you are aware we have moved our offices into the Heath Business and Technical Park in Runcorn. We have been having some issues with the telecommunications so if you have been trying to contact us and have not been successful we do apologise. However our old number (0151 495 2713) will be up and running again on the 22^nd June. However we now have an additional line (01928 581053) which is operational now. Please use either numbers or our mobile numbers to contact us.

Many Thanks.

Panorama:

I am sure a lot of people watched the Panorama program about Winterbourne View Hospital with as much increasing horror as I did.

The program exposed such levels of abuse that it was difficult to watch and comprehend that this could happen with all the apparent safeguards that are put in place. Instead of using restrictive practices as a last resort the staff had developed a culture that encouraged and actually promoted physical restraint to a degree that was totally inhumane.

It was also shocking that the Care Quality Commission has reviewed the hospital's services and had not identified any problems and that the ex-employee had tried to bring the matter to light and finally had to resort to going to the media to have this institutionalised abuse exposed.

This is why the matter of transparency within organisations is paramount. I'm sure the management at the hospital had all the administrative safeguards in place but it is also vital to put them into practice on a day to day basis and for management to constantly monitor and assess their services. This is also why a whistleblowing policy that is understood and implemented by staff is so important. In this way care workers can police each other and any concerns can be highlighted and addressed sooner rather than later.

I attended a seminar recently that was ran by the British Institute of Learning Disabilities on Positive Behaviour Support. This initiative is to highlight the fact that often there are many alternatives to physical restraint and how implementing the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) can develop best practice in communication, participation and inclusion and safeguard the Service Users. BILD are working to empower people with learning disabilities to have as much input on the decisions that are made regarding their lives which in turn has the effect of reducing frustrations and challenging behaviours. Therefore reducing the need for restrictive practices.

However the actions of the Winterbourne staff could not even be described as restrictive practice but assault and I hope that our justice system ensures that those patients that were put through such a horrifying ordeal receive the positive outcomes that they deserve.

Let us hope that the program has had the effect of highlighting what can happen when the care system goes terribly wrong and it ensures that people speak up about any concerns readily and appropriately.

If you would like any further information about Positive Behaviour Support and also to read the letter that BILD sent to the Minister for Care following the Panorama program then please log on towww.bild.org.uk.

Also if you have any comments on the above please do not hesitate to contact me.

Carla