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Psychic families and prophetic consequences #JusticeforLB Posted on February 15, 2016 by George Julian This weekend I watched an old film Silent Minority recorded in 1981 (thanks Saskia and Sara for the tip off). It was filmed 25 35 years ago (thanks for those who noticed it’s even longer than I thought, by ten years), and yet some of the voiceover could as readily apply to what we’ve seen and heard about the failings at #SouthernHealth in the last few years. People left in beds or on beanbags because no-one had the ‘wit or wherewithal’ to imagine a future for them, to support them, to see them (as fully human). Lives lived and arranged around staffing tea breaks (motivational tea party anyone). Incarcerated people doing everything they can to subvert the system (or just trying to communicate – next step PBS bootcamp). In many ways I think we’ve got nowhere in the intervening 25 years, and that is our responsibility, each and every one of us who make up our crappy society with ideals of containment, paths of least resistance and a discomfort of the sight, sound, smell of difference. So we pathologise, and label, and snub out any hope or optimism or belief. We create a hell on earth with no imagined future and a sort of living purgatory for anyone who is different and those who love them. In the last six months, since Southern Health had the Mazars draft, a number of families have complained that they were not listened to. While Southern Health have been orchestrating their PR operation…
We are very proud to announce that You Know's founder Jayne Knight has been shortlisted for Northern Power Women's Person with a Purpose. The winner is to be chosen at an award ceremenoy on 3rd March at Hilton Deansgate, Manchester and, needless to say, we are all rooting for Jayne to win! From the Northern Power Women's website: "Northern Power Women is celebrating and showcasing role models who take positive steps towards transforming organisation culture in the north of England to benefit the talent of the future. These are the only awards that celebrate the amazing women and men working towards creating gender balance in organisations and passionately supporting gender equality in the north. Whether they’re working in the north or from the north, these awards will recognise the people leading the step change we need in business and raise their profile as role models to inspire current and future leaders. " Go on Jayne - we're all behind you!
Jayne Knight, the founder of the You Know website was quoted in yesterday's Guardian, in an article highlighting the poor care that some patients with learning disabilities or mental health problems receive in NHS hospitals and specialist assessment and treatment units (ATUs). Jayne has extensive experience in acting as an advocate for people with mental health or learning disabilities and has been directly involved in securing the release of patients who have been removed from a local care setting and taken to units often long distances from their families. Jayne was quoted as saying that families are sidelined by professionals when they complain about care and that parents are often intimidated when they try to speak up for their child. The article was exploring the issues surrounding the often controversial ATUs and the problems that are caused by these and other institutions which try to impose a one-size fits all approach rather than shaping care around individual needs. You can read the full article here http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/dec/16/families-long-stay-units-learning-disabilities
Paul Johnstone is one of YouKnow's advisers. This interview with him is from Chronicle Live. His career path is surprising and unusual as he has direct experience of caring for the elderly and people with learning difficulties. -- Punk and the law are not typically conducive to each other, but they sit in perfect harmony on Paul Johnstone’s CV. It’s a bright November morning on the banks of the Tyne and the mellow employment lawyer is leaning on a railing that runs along the banks of the Tyne at Newcastle Business Park. He’s sporting jeans, blazer and black Chelsea Boots. Paul’s self-effacing manner and talk of “being authentic” subtly differentiate him from contemporaries in the sector. He’d probably rubbish the notion of being typical of anything, let alone a lawyer.
Four out of five people are happy with their GP surgery's opening hours, and Sunday appointments are not in demand, suggests research in the British Journal of General Practice. The figures come from a survey of more than 800,000 patients across England. The government wants GP practices to team up to offer services over seven days of the week in their local area, saying it will reduce pressure on A&E. But doctors' leaders say the move is not the best use of NHS resources. Read full story at the BBC website http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34732926
A jury has found a doctor guilty of the manslaughter by gross negligence of a six-year-old boy. Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba, 38, of Leicester, was accused of medical failings in the death of Jack Adcock after he was admitted to Leicester Royal Infirmary on the morning of 18 February 2011 with severe vomiting, diarrhoea and breathing difficulties. She was found guilty on Wednesday by a 10-2 majority verdict after the jury deliberated for nearly 25 hours. Full story from The Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/04/leicester-doctor-convicted-over-death-of-six-year-old-boy