http://www.swindonlink.org Swindon LINk What we're working on Reason Digital Feed maker on CMS Made Simple matt@reasondigital.com ( ) http://swindonlink.org/working-issue/?issue=Health and social care changes With the ratification of the recent bill, many changes are taking place in health and social care across England, including, in April 2013, LINk stopping and HealthWatch beginning. This section aims to keep you up-to date with all the latest developments and discussions. Feel free to add your own ideas and thoughts. Wed, 8 Feb 2012 13:07:37 +0000 http://swindonlink.org/working-issue/?issue=Health and social care changes http://swindonlink.org/working-issue/?issue=Learning disabilities People with learning disabilities are fifty eight times more likely to die prematurely than those without. Whilst this figure is shocking, there are also many positive things happening locally. Services like One Step Ahead provide excellent support, education and services for adults whilst government grants have allowed projects like Aiming High for Disabled Children to develop better services and information for children. But how can we ensure children and adults alike continue to receive the care and support they need? What are your experiences of services at the moment? Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:09:25 +0000 http://swindonlink.org/working-issue/?issue=Learning disabilities http://swindonlink.org/working-issue/?issue=End of life care "Certainty? In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes" wrote Benjamin Franklin at the age of 83. Delay thinking about the sort of care and support you might want towards the end of your life and you may delay too long. So where do taxes come in? The coalition government is once again reviewing how care will be paid for in future: for most of us there are only two places the money can come from – our own pockets or general taxation. What are your views about care at or towards the end of life? Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:44:44 +0000 http://swindonlink.org/working-issue/?issue=End of life care http://swindonlink.org/working-issue/?issue=Equality and rights New laws under the Equality Act 2010 give the NHS new opportunities and obligations to work towards eliminating discrimination and reducing inequalities in care. Most of the new provisions came into force on in 2010 with other parts to be phased in by 2013. Under the terms of the NHS Constitution, updated in 2012, we all have rights to NHS services – and responsibilities too. Swindon Borough Council wishes to be recognised as a leading public authority in the way it promotes equality & diversity. The council says "this can only be achieved through truly embedding an understanding of good equality and diversity practice through all our work with and for the people of Swindon Borough. Other public bodies have the same duties. How well do you think public (or publicly funded) services are meeting their duty? Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:22:18 +0100 http://swindonlink.org/working-issue/?issue=Equality and rights