Welcome to the Cheshire and Wirral Care Forum!

This new website is being developed to provide a comprehensive resource of information for anyone using or thinking of using Care Services in the Cheshire and Wirral areas.

This site covers care providers in Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton (including Widnes and Runcorn), Warrington and Wirral.

Different types of care, the availabilty of respite care, useful links and all the latest news...

Looking for someone to provide care for you or a loved one? Search here
Looking for a job in care? Good for you! See the tab above...
Members of the Cheshire and Wirral Care Forum will find more information, exclusive member benefits and news items
Not a member. Join now! Contact the office 0845 5 194 734. For a small fee you can access our Care Provider editor, add images, add bed vacancies and add job vacancies as well as updating your details on our website. PLUS we give you access to our exclusive supplier deals. Call for more information...

This site will be regularly updated - if you would like to join our e-mailing list, then please contact us. We would also love to hear your comments or suggestions.

A local view from Santander
Welcome to the new economy. Things have changed for care home operators, and there’s no doubt that we as a bank are now working with clients to meet a new set of challenges....
View Full Story >>

AGEUK: Winter fuel bills already a concern
The cost of winter energy bills is already a cause for concern for about half of all consumers, a survey has revealed....
View Full Story >>

CQC Acting together service
CQC are looking for experienced organisations to recruit, train and support our network of carers and people who use services, known as Experts by experience....
View Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 27
Elecronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review...
View Full Story >>

Minimum Wage Increase from October
National Minimum Wage to increase from October 2010. The Government has published regulations to increase the National Minimum Wage for all age groups from 1 October 2010. ...
View Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: launches offer for local authorities
Counsel and Care launches offer for local authorities Counsel and Care is today launching an offer to support local authorities with implementing the milestones requirements of Putting People First and the personalisation agenda....
View Full Story >>

BBC News: Personal responsibilty health agenda welcomed
The stress on personal responsibility for health is being welcomed by experts - but they warn people still need some help in improving their lifestyles....
View Full Story >>

DH News: Opportunity to help improve care services for adults
A consultation to help improve care services and healthcare outcomes for adults with autism in England was launched 29th July by Care Services Minister Paul Burstow....
View Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 25
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review...
View Full Story >>

CQC Annual report: Focused on better care
Visit the online report to look back on the year’s achievements and challenges and watch videos featuring some of the many people who have worked with us to help make sure that everything we do is focused on better care. ...
View Full Story >>

Santander Weekly update: UK Banks stand up to the stress test
Last week saw the Committee of European Banking Supervisors (CEBS) publish the outcome of the stress tests that they have conducted on the capital strength of over 90 major financial institutions....
View Full Story >>

Telegraph: Locked in patients maybe able to drive wheelchairs and surf internet by breathing
People with severe paralysis may soon be able to surf the internet or drive a wheelchair simply by breathing, according to scientists in Israel....
View Full Story >>

DC Care sell specialist care facility in the High Peak
DC Care is delighted to have acted on behalf of the Boyd family regarding the sale of their specialist learning disability business....
View Full Story >>

AGEUK: Clegg defends changes to benefits
The Deputy Prime Minister has defended medical tests that are being brought in to check people's entitlement to the disability living allowance....
View Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 24
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review...
View Full Story >>

AGEUK: Older people to be 8 billion worse off
A Labour MP has called for the VAT rise to be deferred, claiming that older people on lower incomes will be left £8 billion worse off once the state pension is linked to earnings next year....
View Full Story >>

AGEUK: Long term care commission set up
The Government has taken a step closer to establishing how long-term care can be funded in the UK....
View Full Story >>

DH News: Giving power to local people
How local NHS, public health, and care services will be shaped....
View Full Story >>

DH News: Candidate for post of Care Quality Commission Chair announced
Following an independent recruitment exercise conducted by the Appointments Commission, Dame Jo Williams has emerged as the Government’s candidate for the post of Chair of the Care Quality Commission....
View Full Story >>

DH News: First step to sustainable care and support system
The first step towards creating a sustainable care and support system for all adults that puts individuals and their families at its heart, was unveiled today by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley....
View Full Story >>

Santander: Intelligence weekly business news update
‘Better news on growth to come?’ by Barry Naisbitt, Chief Economist, Santander UK ...
View Full Story >>

AGEUK: The Government must encourage savings
The Government has a "golden opportunity" to encourage improved saving for retirement, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has claimed....
View Full Story >>

Guardian: Is Social Care about to be swallowed up by health
White paper says Nice should extend its remit to social care. What will that mean for the Social Care Institute for Excellence?...
View Full Story >>

DH News: 4 million boost to give patients control of their healthcare
A pilot scheme that offers patients more choice and control over their healthcare was given a £4 million boost today by Care Services Minister Paul Burstow....
View Full Story >>

BBC News: UK comes top on end of life care
The UK has one of the best systems for end of life care, a global study says....
View Full Story >>

Santander Intelligence weekly business news update: 14th July
Supporting the recovery...
View Full Story >>

CQC: Response to the governments health white paper
CQC said the white paper confirmed its continued role as the quality regulator for health and adult social care. Under the proposals, the current risk-based regulatory regime will remain largely unchanged....
View Full Story >>

DH News: Equity and Excellence: liberating the NHS
The NHS White Paper, Equity and excellence: liberating the NHS, sets out the Government's long-term vision for the future of the NHS. ...
View Full Story >>

Citation Employment Law - The Growing statistics....
On 6th July 2010, the Tribunals Service published alarming figures showing a sharp increase in the number of employment tribunal cases brought against employers....
View Full Story >>

CareAware Newsletter summer 2010
Electronic version of the summer newsletter from CareAware...
View Full Story >>

BBC News: Hot weather prompts Met office heatwave health alert
The first weather health alert of the summer has been issued as temperatures are set to soar in parts of the UK....
View Full Story >>

CareAware: Sixty thousand Fees REFUND
CareAware’s appointed Care Fee Funding Specialists, Care Asset Management have reported back to us that they have successfully obtained a refund of over £60,000 in respect of the overpayment of home care fees for a client. ...
View Full Story >>

Santander Corporate Banking Intelligence Weekly Business News Update
Welcome to Intelligence from Santander Corporate Banking, your weekly round up of the latest economic and business news from across the UK....
View Full Story >>

Telegraph: Discovery paves way for blood test to predict Alzheimers disease
A simple blood test to predict Alzheimer's disease up to 10 years before symptoms appear could be developed after researchers found high levels of a protein can be an early sign of the condition....
View Full Story >>

29th June - Intelligence from Santander Corporate Banking
Your weekly round up of the latest economic and business news from across the UK. ‘Budget sets ground rules for an era of austerity’ by Steve Pateman, Head of UK Corporate and Commercial Banking'....
View Full Story >>

AGEUK: Vintage TV to target older audience
A new television network is to be launched later this year which will target viewers over the age of 50....
View Full Story >>

DC Care act for Rosewood Care services limited
DC Care is pleased to announce the recent acquisition of two care homes in the North West of England....
View Full Story >>

Age UK: Pension age rise every five years
Legislation being considered by the Government could result in the retirement age being pushed up every five years, it has been reported....
View Full Story >>

DH News: More power to the patient
Patients will be offered more choice and control over their healthcare with the launch of the first direct payment scheme, Care Services Minister Paul Burstow announced today....
View Full Story >>

BBC News: Incapacity benefits to be cut
Chancellor George Osborne signals that the £12bn-a-year incapacity benefits bill will be targeted for cuts. ...
View Full Story >>

Brunswicks healthcare Review issue 22
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review...
View Full Story >>

Age UK: Responds to state pension age plans
Responding to government plans to bring forward and extend the state pension age increase, Michelle Mitchell, Age UK’......
View Full Story >>

Telegraph: Pensions shake-up could see most people working into their seventies
Millions of employees who are not saving for their retirement will be enrolled in company schemes under a radical shake-up of pensions which eventually could see most people working into their seventies....
View Full Story >>

Healthcare Business issue 36
Electronic version of Healthcare Review available here........
View Full Story >>

Age UK: Pension Tax relief limit scrapped
The Government has abandoned plans to limit the amount of tax relief on pensions . People earning over £150,000 would have been affected by Labour'......
View Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: Emergency budget forerunner of worrying things to come
Counsel and Care today (22.06.2010) gives a guarded response to the Emergency Budget and the early report of the findings of the Law Commission's review into adult social care. ...
View Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 21
Electronic version of the Brunswicks healthcare Review...
View Full Story >>

BBC News: Ring-fence social care like the NHS campaigners urge
The social care budget needs protecting just as NHS spending has been, campaigners say. ...
View Full Story >>

DH News: Caring Contribution recognised in Carers week
The outstanding contribution of carers to society, was today recognised by Care Services Minister Paul Burstow as he visited a Lambeth GP practice to mark Carers Week....
View Full Story >>

Age UK: Protect care from budget cuts
With the Chancellor set to announce the scale of public spending reductions in next week’s Budget, Age UK is warning that cuts to social care budgets will put thousands of older people’s lives at risk....
View Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: Launch of updated Guides from national expects on care and support
As part of Carers Week 2010 (14-20 June 2010), Counsel and Care has today launched a completely updated set of 62 Guides and Factsheets that can support older people, their families and carers to understand their rights and entitlements and navigate their way through a confusing and ever-changing care system....
View Full Story >>

Home Office: Vetting scheme halted
Registration with the vetting and barring scheme has been halted to allow the government to review it and remodel it back to proportionate, common sense levels, it was announced today....
View Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: Smarter spending could deliver better care
Central and local government have been challenged to use social care funding more smartly to deliver better care for Britain's ageing population....
View Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 20
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review...
View Full Story >>

Telegragph: Numbers of elderly men to surge
The number of men living into old age will surge in the next 20 years, according to official figures, as they are taking increasingly better care of themselves....
View Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: New report by former carer demands better quality care in care homes
New report by a former carer demanding better quality of care in care homes has been launched today by Counsel and Care....
View Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 19
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 19...
View Full Story >>

Care professional bulletin - Carers week 2010
CareAware are keen supporters of the Carers Week event which this year runs from 14th to 20th June. ...
View Full Story >>

BBC News: John Suchets heartache over wifes dementia
Last year, former ITN presenter John Suchet announced his wife had dementia. He thought no-one would take much notice. ...
View Full Story >>

Suttons - Planning for the sale.
This article from Suttons Capital Allownance appears in the April edition of Healthcare Business and can be downloaded here....
View Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 18
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review....
View Full Story >>

AGE UK: What does the Queens speach mean for us?
Yesterday in Parliament saw the Queen’s Speech, where the new Government set out its legislative programme for the next 18 months. ...
View Full Story >>

Guardian: Has residential respite care had its day?
The MS Society is about to decide whether to close all its respite care homes and offer more personalised support to its users. The outcome could have repercussions for other disability charities....
View Full Story >>

DH NEWS: Response to the announcement of spending cuts by HM Treasury
Following publication of £6.2bn in spending cuts by HM Treasury on Monday 24 May, a DH spokesperson said..........
View Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 17
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review....
View Full Story >>

DH News: New Ministerial portfolio confirmed
The new Ministerial portfolios have been confirmed by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley....
View Full Story >>

DH News: Coalition doument sets out positive direction for Health and Social Care
A new independent commission will be established to advise the Government on the future funding of long-term care and the NHS will be reformed to improve patient outcomes, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley announced today....
View Full Story >>

Age UK: What the new Government means for us
As David Cameron and Nick Clegg's new coalition government begins its historic new term, Age UK looks at what the proposed new policies mean for us....
View Full Story >>

Age UK: Over 65s ditch radio for internet
Older people are no slouches when it comes to technology , a report has found, with many "silver surfers" increasingly swapping their radios for a computer....
View Full Story >>

Guardian: Whats in store for Public Services under coalition?
As leaders of 22 organisations said in a joint letter to the Guardian on Monday, the great fear of all those working with elderly and disabled people is that "in a tough economic climate, social care will be sidelined". So far, the signals are at best mixed....
View Full Story >>

BBC News: Doctors urged to discuss dying days care
Doctors are being urged to discuss end-of-life care with the terminally ill well in advance of their final days....
View Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Vol5 issue 16
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 16...
View Full Story >>

CQC: Important changes to CQC’s assessment of adult social care services
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) today (Wednesday) said it would work closely with the adult social care sector in developing a new system to replace quality ratings (star ratings) for registered services....
View Full Story >>

Skills for Care appoint Sharon Allen as its new Chief Executive
Skills for Care has appointed highly experienced social entrepreneur Sharon Allen as its new Chief Executive Officer to succeed Andrea Rowe who is retiring after a decade of service in the role. ...
View Full Story >>

Counsel and Care calls on new Government to seize the moment and urgently reform the care system
Counsel and Care calls on the new coalition government to take forward the reform of the care and support system as a matter of urgency....
View Full Story >>

CQC: Care Quality Commission brings in extra advice on adult social care.
The Care Quality Commission announced today (13th May) that it has brought in two advisors to add to its experience and expertise in adult social care and to help develop its relationship with the sector....
View Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: calls on the new government to reform the care system as a matter of urgency
Counsel and Care calls on the new coalition government to take forward the reform of the care and support system as a matter of urgency....
View Full Story >>

DH News: New Health Secretary appointed
Andrew Lansley CBE has been appointed as Secretary of State for Health....
View Full Story >>

Healthcare Business issue 35
Electronically view Healthcare Business...
View Full Story >>

Eversheds UK General Election 2010 reaction – the impact of a Conservative/Liberal Democrat Coalition Government on the healthcare sector
International law firm Eversheds provides comment on the key issues and policies this result will mean for businesses in the healthcare sector...
View Full Story >>

Telegraph: General Election 2010: To-do-list of problems facing the new government - Health
Whoever ends up running the country faces a long to-do-list of problems from day one....
View Full Story >>

CQC: Complying with the new regulations
To register with CQC, providers must demonstrate they meet essential standards of quality and safety across all the services they provide....
View Full Story >>

Santander: ASSURA GROUP ARRANGE NEW FINANCE FACILITY FOR 30 MILLION
...
View Full Story >>

Santander: PARK LANE HEALTHCARE ARRANGE NEW FINANCE FACILITY FOR OVER £18 MILLION
York - based Park Lane Healthcare, has arranged an £18.3m million facility to acquire the freehold of five of their existing care homes, with funding provided by Santander Corporate Banking managed by the bank’s specialist healthcare team. ...
View Full Story >>

Care Asset Managements Spring Newsletter 2010
Electronic version of the CAMs Spring Newsletter....
View Full Story >>

Care Home Residents Call for Greater Inclusion
LONDON, 4th May 2010 – The largest ever opinion poll of UK care home residents published today reveals that this group feels in real danger of being forgotten by the communities in which they live. ...
View Full Story >>

Age UK: Forced retirement costs the UK 3.5bn a year, says Age UK
Forcing older workers to retire cost the UK last year an estimated £3.5 billion in lost economic output‚ new figures by Age UK reveal ahead of tomorrow night’s TV showdown among party leaders on the economy....
View Full Story >>

BBC News: UK has higher early death rate than many rich nations
People in the UK have a higher risk of early death than those in many other wealthy countries, a study shows. ...
View Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 14
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review...
View Full Story >>

Westfield Health launches improved cash plan with new benefits at the same cost
Westfield Health has announced bold improvements to its Foresight Healthcare Plan to include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for the first time as part of an innovative package of benefits. ...
View Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review Issue 13
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review...
View Full Story >>

DC Care: Home sold in Essex
DC Care are delighted to announce the successful sale of Norman House in Southend on Sea, Essex....
View Full Story >>

AgeUK: People in later life feel ageing should be a time for celebration
95% of people in later life feel ageing should be a time of celebration - despite 78% feeling that older people are ignored by society....
View Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 12
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review...
View Full Story >>

Care Aware - response to the white paper
The Labour Government’s White Paper on social care funding has once again left older people in the UK “waiting for god” after yet another cynical, politically motivated announcement at the expense of our senior citizens. ...
View Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: Barchester and Counsel and Care come together to seek the best media portrayals of older people
Barchester Healthcare and Counsel and Care today launch a competition looking for positive examples of media coverage relating to older people and their care and support. ...
View Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 11
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review...
View Full Story >>

ESsential News - April 2010
Ready for a new lease of life? End of financial year procedural update...
View Full Story >>

Timesonline: Free care for the elderly - just don't ask how
Free care at home for those with 'high needs' will be postponed by at least six months in an attempt to appease critics....
View Full Story >>

Telegraph: Business leaders back Conservative National Insurance cuts
The Conservative plan to reverse part of Labour’s National Insurance rise is welcomed by the leaders of some of Britain’s biggest companies....
View Full Story >>

DH News: Launch of the National Care service
In the biggest change to the welfare state since the creation of the NHS, everyone who needs care when they are old or disabled will get it for free, Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced as he launched the National Care Service in England....
View Full Story >>

The White Paper Building a National Care Service
The White Paper Building a National Care Service sets out the Government's proposals to build a comprehensive National Care Service for all adults in England with an eligible care need, free when they need it....
View Full Story >>

Age Concern and Help the Aged's response to the Conservatives' pensioner pledge
In response to the Conservatives’ pensioner pledge‚ Michelle Mitchell‚ Charity Director for Age Concern and Help the Aged‚ said..........
View Full Story >>

BBC News: Social care levy for all plan
A compulsory levy will be introduced to help pay for social care for adults in England, under plans to be unveiled by ministers....
View Full Story >>

thisismoney: Budget National minimum wage to rise by 13p
The national minimum wage is to increase by 13p to £5.93 an hour, the Government announced yesterday. ...
View Full Story >>

D H News: Consultation on the Health and Social Care Act 2008
Code of Practice for healthcare, including primary care, and adult social care on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.........
View Full Story >>

BBC News: National Insurance explained
The National Insurance system pays for a number of benefits and the retirement pension....
View Full Story >>

Guardian:If Health and Safety is so important, why are hospital wheelchairs so bad?
Read Sara Morgan's story, Sarah from Baltimore in the US, is a lead nurse at an NHS hospital in London...
View Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: Budget points to care funding solution
The reference in today's Budget to an inheritance tax solution to help pay for better care has been welcomed by Counsel and Care....
View Full Story >>

March edition of Healthcare Business
Electronic version of Healthcare Business...
View Full Story >>

Age Concern: Half a million older people at risk if the budget hits social care‚ warns charity
Half a million frail older people in England will be left without state-supported care services if older people’s care is not protected from government-wide spending cuts in the Budget...
View Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: Why we urgently need a national care service
The growing care gap facing older people and their families and carers needs to be closed urgently, says Counsel and Care. A properly funded national care service is crucial to delivering better care for our ageing population...
View Full Story >>

DH News: Amendments in Persoanl Care at Home Bill
Following Wednesday’s vote against some amendments in the Personal Care at Home Bill, a DH spokesperson said..........
View Full Story >>

DH News: Boost for Volunteering in Health and social care
NHS and local government leaders are being called on to refresh their thinking on the role and value of volunteering by Care Services Minister Phil Hope, as he publishes a new Strategic Vision today....
View Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 10
Electronic version of the Brunswicks healthcare Review issue 10...
View Full Story >>

National Insurance Contributions - new rules
National Insurance contributions: new rules for workers moving around the European Union on or after 1 May 2010 and their employers....
View Full Story >>

Tax Code error could cost people thousands
You will, doubtless, have seen such lurid headlines recently in the press – this is NorthgateArinso’s perspective on this issue....
View Full Story >>

Kings Fund Report Securing Good Care re fairer funding
Securing good care for more people: options for reform proposes new, fairer funding arrangements for adult social care, a review of the current settlement for older people....
View Full Story >>

Public Accounts Committee interim report on improving Dementia services
19th PAC Report 2009-10 Improving dementia services in England - an interim report ...
View Full Story >>

Telegraph: Plight of bedridden dementia patient highlights flaws in Government's home-care ambitions
Despite being unable to move without assistance and in need of constant help, dementia sufferer Evelyn Evans is being denied free care funding because her condition is not deemed serious enough....
View Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: Quick wins for funding care must be acted on now says national charity
Counsel and Care welcomes the Health Select Committee's report into social care, but calls for interim measures suggested in the report to be taken up and implemented as soon as possible....
View Full Story >>

DH News: New study to drive further improvements in health care for the most vulnerable
A new short study, Inclusion Health, outlines how improvements in health care for the most excluded groups in society can be accelerated to ensure high quality services are available to all....
View Full Story >>

DH News: Call for employers to be more carer friendly
Business, Government and charity leaders today backed better support for staff who balance a job with caring for an older or disabled person....
View Full Story >>

BBC News: Social care under-funded and rationed says MPs
Adult social care in England is "chronically under-funded" and "severely rationed", MPs say. ...
View Full Story >>

Telegraph: Close hospitals and wards to improve patient care says NHS managers
Closing some NHS wards and hospitals and allowing patients to email their consultants could help save money and improve patient care, according to those making the day-to-day decisions about the running of the health service. ...
View Full Story >>

DH News: Health to be at the centre of the fight against climate change
The danger and cost of climate change to the health of Europeans is at the forefront of the debate as the fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health begins 10th March in Parma, Italy. ...
View Full Story >>

Brunswicks Healthcare Review issue 9
Electronic version of the Brunswicks Healthcare Review...
View Full Story >>

ESsential News - February issue 7
Northgate Arinso and Moorepay electronic newsletter....
View Full Story >>

BBC News: Carer respite funding spent elsewhere say charities
Millions of pounds intended to fund respite breaks for voluntary carers in England has been spent on other areas of the NHS, according to two charities. ...
View Full Story >>

Counsel and Care: Care funding solutions must be fair, simple and sustainable
Any solution for funding better care for older people must pass three tests, says national charity, Counsel and Care. It must be 'fair, simple and sustainable'. ...
View Full Story >>

Timesonline: Blueprint on funding elderly care aims to halt politicking
A blueprint for the funding of care for the elderly has been drawn up by social care experts from all political parties in an attempt to end months of political stalemate and squabbling. ...
View Full Story >>