In this update:

public innovation workplace bullying NHS reforms community health partnerships trends in dental care radiofrequency electromagnetic fields - adverse health effects home health aides NZ district nursing service bereavement care quality

pathways to care for common mental health disorders older people leaving hospital palliative care for older people care in crisis - UK providing & paying for long-term care value for money in adult social care

health needs of people with learning disabilities indigenous education strategies overcoming indigenous disadvantage - Closing the Gap Clearinghouse homelessness services regulation of affordable housing Australia's private rental market

	Making the most of public services: a systems approach to public innovation   This paper looks at two case studies – international education and the NHS – highlighting the importance of innovation within public services, and how this could impact on the future performance of both public and private sectors. UK The Work Foundation (May 2011) The problem of workplace bullying and the difficulties of legal redress: an Australian perspective  Many targets of workplace bullying, then, may find themselves to be confronted with a legal landscape that is patchy and disjointed, and ultimately providing no legal remedy. This paper has argued that legal reform is necessary in order to address these inadequacies ..... Targets of workplace bullying would have access to complaint mechanisms provided by the court system, the Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Australia. The Centre for Employment and Labour Relations Law, Univ of Melbourne (May 2011) Accountability in the NHS: implications of the Government's reform programme   Proposed radical changes to the structures and processes within the NHS have provoked unprecedented debate, protest and opposition. One of the core issues is how providers and commissioners of care will be held to account in the future if many of the existing lines of accountability are removed. The reforms could significantly reduce the day-to-day involvement of politicians, civil servants and managers in health care. Localisation, GP empowerment and patient choices will be the new priorities. UK The King's Fund (June 2011) The future of leadership and management in the NHS: No more heroes   At a time of enormous change in the NHS, leaders and managers have a crucial role to play. But what sort of leaders does the service need?  Does the model, prevalent in public service over recent years, of the ‘hero’ chief executive still hold sway? UK The King's Fund (May 2011) Where next for the NHS reforms? The case for integrated care   offers suggestions for revisions to the current Bill and future policy development ..... the Bill needs to create a regulatory framework that supports the development of more integrated models of care and multi-professional collaboration at all levels within the NHS. UK The King's Fund (May 2011) Transforming our health care system: Ten priorities for commissioners   1. Active support for self-management; 2. Primary prevention; 3. Secondary prevention; 4. Managing ambulatory care sensitive conditions; 5. Improving the management of patients with mental and physical needs; 6. Care co-ordination through integrated health and social care teams; 7. Improving primary care management of end-of-life care; 8. Effective medicines management; 9. Managing elective activity-referral quality; 10. Managing emergency activity – urgent care UK The King's Fund (May 2011) Review of community health partnerships   This report looks at community health partnerships in Scotland and their impact in improving people’s health and quality of life by joining up health and social care services and moving more services from hospitals into the community. See Media release Audit Scotland (June 2011) Trends in access to dental care among Australian adults 1994-2008   There were growing inequalities in the use of dental care. People on low incomes, those who live in rural areas and those without dental insurance did not have the same gains in visiting a dentist regularly for a check-up compared to higher income earners, urban dwellers and those with dental insurance. AIHW (May 2011) IARC classifies radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans  From May 24–31 2011, a Working Group of 31 scientists from 14 countries has been meeting at IARC in Lyon, France, to assess the potential carcinogenic hazards from exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. These assessments will be published as Volume 102 of the IARC Monographs, which will be the fifth volume in this series to focus on physical agents, after: solar radiation; ionizing radiation; X-rays, gamma-rays, neutrons, radio-nuclides; and, non-ionizing radiation (extremely low‐frequency electromagnetic fields). WHO IARC (May 2011) An Overview of Home Health Aides: United States, 2007   presents national estimates of home health aides providing assistance in activities of daily living (ADLs) and employed by agencies providing home health and hospice care in 2007. Data are presented on demographics, training, work environment, pay and benefits, use of public benefits, and injuries. National Health Statistics Reports, Number 34, May 19, 2011 US DHHS CDC (May 2011) District Nursing Service Development in New Zealand   Opportunities and challenges for developing district nursing are identified in areas including; governance, leadership, clinical outcomes, information sharing, and advancing their scope of practice. NZ Health (May 2011) Draft Spiritual Support and Bereavement Care Quality Markers and Measures for End of Life Care   One of the key aims of the End of Life Care Strategy is to ensure that carers are appropriately supported both during a patient’s life and into bereavement. Whilst the first iteration of Quality Markers (QMs) for end of life care2 included a few relating to bereavement, they were focused mainly on the acute health sector. NHS National End of Life Care Programme (May 2011)
	Common mental health disorders: Identification and pathways to care   This new NICE guideline on the identification of and pathways to care for common mental health disorders focuses on primary care. It draws on existing NICE guidelines and makes new recommendations on how patients are assessed, and when and how they are referred to other services for treatment. The guideline also provides advice to managers and commissioners on how to develop referral and care pathways in their local area. See Press Release UK Nice (May 2011) Older people leaving hospital: a statistical overview of the Transition Care Program in 2008-09   Presents key statistics on the characteristics and services provided to older people who are eligible for residential aged care directly after discharge from hospital. The program aims to improve recipients' independence and functioning. AIHW (June 2011) Palliative care for older people: better practices   Some examples consider how to improve aspects within the whole health system; specific smaller examples consider how to improve palliative care education, support in the community, in hospitals or for specific groups of people, such as people in nursing homes and people with dementia and their families. WHO Europe (May 2011) Care in crisis: causes and solutions  This report presents the results of an investigation into the care system in England. It finds that 800,000 people who currently need care receive no formal support from either the state or private sector agencies. The report makes recommendations for the future of the social care system and the funding and provision of it. UK ageUK (May 2011) Help Wanted? Providing and Paying for Long-Term Care   With populations ageing and the need for long-term care growing rapidly, this book looks at such issues as: future demographic trends, policies to support family carers, attracting and retaining long-term care workers, financing arrangements, long-term care insurance, and getting better value for money in long-term care. OECD (May 2011) Improving value for money in adult social care     Better procurement, improved back office arrangements, and a preference for community-based rather than residential care where possible, are just some of the changes that local authorities have implemented to help them meet the challenges they face. But the briefing also finds that the pace and scale of change need to increase if councils want to release material savings, as well as improve care for people. UK Audit Comm (June 2011)
	Meeting the needs of health people with learning disabilities: RCN guidance for nursing staff   This is the updated second edition of this guidance which aims to support nurses and nursing students in delivering high quality care to those with learning disabilities. The guidance provides a definition of learning disabilities; outlines some specific health needs; and explains relevant legislation. UK Royal College of Nursing (May 2011) Indigenous Education Strategies for Government Schools   The Wannik strategy was launched in Feb 2008 as the Dept of Education and Early Childhood Development's (DEECD) strategy to overcome poor educational outcomes for Koorie students. The audit concluded that at the beginning of the fourth year DEECD cannot demonstrate whether the Wannik strategy is on track to improve education outcomes for Koorie students and it is unclear whether progress is in line with DEECD's expectations. Vic Auditor-General (May 2011) Early childhood and education services for Indigenous children prior to starting school.  The COAG National Early Childhood Development Strategy argues the need to strengthen universal maternal, child and family health services, provide support for vulnerable children, engage parents and the community in understanding the importance of early childhood development, improve infrastructure, strengthen the workforce and family support services.  This resource sheet addresses these issues as relevant to Indigenous early childhood education and services. AIHW/AIFS Closing the Gap Clearinghouse (May 2011)   What works to overcome Indigenous disadvantage: key learnings and gaps in the evidence   See Appendix B: Summary of assessed items: Web only access: www.aihw.gov.au/closingthegap/publications See also: Press release   AIHW/AIFS Closing the Gap Clearinghouse (May 2011) Closing the Gap: Annual report 2009-2010   The Closing the Gap Clearinghouse was established as part of these commitments to bring together evidence-based research on what works to overcome Indigenous disadvantage within the seven building blocks laid out by COAG. This report outlines the first year of operation and the significant achievements accomplished. AIHW/AIFS Closing the Gap Clearinghouse (May 2011)   Government-funded specialist homelessness services: SAAP National Data Collection annual report 2009-10: Australia  In 2009-10, 219,900 people (or 1 in every 100 Australians) used government-funded specialist homelessness services. Of these, 135,700 (62%) were clients and 84,100 (38%) were children accompanying clients. In 2009-10, young people, particularly young women, children, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, were significant users of specialist homelessness services. Clients were supported for an average of 64 days and, when accommodated, were accommodated for an average of 60 days. Family groups generally had longer periods of support and accommodation than people who presented on their own. See Additional material for State reports AIHW (June 2011) Stakeholder perspectives on the regulation of affordable housing providers   Regulation of the not-for-profit housing sector is recognised by stakeholders as a necessary condition for growth. However, significant challenges exist in balancing the differing interests of housing providers, investors, NGOs representing tenant’s interests and existing regulatory bodies. AHURI, Research & Policy Bulletin, Issue 141 (May 2011) Australia's private rental market: changes (2001-2006) in the supply of, and demand for, low rent dwellings   compared the supply and demand for private rental dwellings in Australia. It showed that affordability had worsened for low-income private renter households. This was made even more severe by the fact that many low-income households were unable to access the stock.     AHURI (May 2011)