Supporting adults with learning disabilities in the community
After abuse was exposed at Winterbourne View care home in 2011 the NHS realised a stronger framework was needed to address serious shortcomings in the system currently in place supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism in the community. They commissioned a review, which resulted in a report published on Wednesday that suggests a framework to support people with learning disabilities and autism as they move out of hospitals and into the community. This framework introduces a charter of rights for patients and their families, giving them a ‘right to challenge’ decisions and the right to request a personal budget.It includes a requirement for local decision-makers to follow a mandatory framework setting out who is responsible for which services and how they will be held to account; a planned closure programme of ‘inappropriate’ in-patient facilities and improved training and education for NHS, local government and service provider staff.
Racism in the police force
Six Metropolitan Police officers who dragged a black off-duty fireman from his car and shot him with a Taser should face charges of racial discrimination, a statutory watchdog says. The victim claims he was simply requesting assistance. Following a 20-month investigation into this case, the Independent Police Complaint Commission (IPCC) said there was noteworthy evidence the officers had profiled the fireman in a discriminatory manner. Now-retired Inspector David Burgum – the senior officer among the accused – denies the allegations levelled at him and his colleagues and questions fireman Kennedy-Macfoy’s motives throughout the case. He also strongly condemns the IPCC for being politicised and biased. The IPCC will pass the file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, suggesting that one particular constable could face criminal charges over the use of the Taser and there was a failure on behalf of the officers to act with courtesy, patience, integrity, professionalism, diplomacy or common sense.
London churches open HIV testing centres
HIV testing clinics have been opened in churches across London in the hope of combating high rates of infection as well as social stigma among the African population. Four African churches in Southwark, New Cross, Dagenham and Wood Green are involved in the project, which is coinciding with National HIV Testing Week from 22 to 30 November. Behind the campaign is Rev Fred Annin, the founder and CEO of Actionplus Foundation, which is working to support those with the virus. He wants the church to lead the movement. Actionplus was the first organisation to set up an HIV testing clinic in a Church in London and launched its Take Action Now campaign last year. ‘The Bible does not condemn people with HIV as cursed. It shouldn't be taboo to discuss it in churches. It's a medical condition and people need medical help.’ Annin said.
Obesity does more damage to Britain than war or terrorism, study finds
Obesity costs Britain’s economy £47bn a year; more than war, terrorism or armed violence, a new study has found. The research, commissioned by consultants McKinsey and Company, recommended a series of 44 interventions to fight the epidemic. Measures include introducing a safe network of cycle lanes, portion control in fast-food packaged goods, and more PE lessons in schools. The report’s authors at the McKinsey Global Institute said the measures could bring 20% of overweight or obese people in UK back to a healthy weight within a decade. Success would save £16 billion a year, including an annual saving of about £766 million in the NHS, according to the study. The report found that only smoking does more damage to the UK economy than obesity.
Celebrity role models causing rise in ‘sexting’
Celebrities are the cause of a sharp rise in the number of children sending sexually explicit text messages, a child protection expert has warned. Dr Zoe Hilton told MPs that schoolchildren are copying the ‘sexting’ trend which is endorsed by adult celebrities. Speaking to the Commons Education Committee, she warned that children may be unaware of the dangerous repercussions of sharing explicit pictures. Hilton, who is the Head of Safeguarding and Child Protection at the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP), said, ‘children and particularly older children are looking at celebrities and are looking at what the adult population are doing. I think we’ve got to the point with older teenagers where sexting is actually a normative behaviour’, she added. Last year, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children warned that sexting is now common amongst teenagers.
USA: Protesters rally across US for second day
Protests took place across America for the second day after a grand jury declined to charge Ferguson officer Darren Wilson for killing 18-year-old Michael Brown in August. Ferguson quietened down Tuesday night into early Wednesday evening. Meanwhile in California, protesters vandalised police cars, smashed business windows, set fires in the streets and shut down two major freeways. Protesters in Los Angeles barricaded freeway lanes to stop traffic. Thousands marched in Manhattan causing chaos. The US Justice Department is conducting a separate civil rights search that could bring federal charges against Officer Wilson. The riots in Ferguson and other US cities can be traced to economic, social and racial factors that haunt many poor African-American communities.Distrust in policing, stereotypes of young black males and the failure to acknowledge that race still plays an important role in American society are also factors. See also
USA: Ferguson – A Christian perspective
Residents in Ferguson have been on edge, but area churches and pastors are countering the unrest with a message of God's love. Bishop Raphael Green pastors the Metropolitan Christian Worship Centre in south St. Louis. For nearly 30 years Bishop Green has hosted the Urban World Summit, a rally to prayer and action to heal across racial and cultural divides. It's a timely message against the backdrop of Ferguson. ‘This year's summit included a legal clinic, with frank and honest conversations about race, religion and the rule of law. Attendees heard from pastors, lawyers, and law enforcement to learn from each other's experiences. One of the panelists was Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, who has spearheaded the police response in Ferguson. ‘If we're going to change the community - change this nation - it has to be everyone.
Syria: ‘Conflict freeze' needed in Aleppo
Aleppo has seen little change since a rebel offensive took over half the city and the countryside over two years ago. However a new UN-proposed ‘conflict freeze’ could see change or the regime could choose to push on with its campaign to take Aleppo back from the rebels. Yousef, a member of Aleppo’s Christian minority and a former regime militia fighter, bid his friends farewell this week. He’s leaving for Turkey with the intention to reach Europe via people-smuggling routes. He said, ‘There is no future here for us, even if the regime wins the war. There’s no work, no opportunities. When I fought in the ranks of the regime, it was to protect my Christian community from jihadist groups, not because I believed in the Baath ideology or even supported the government. Now I have done all I can. My duties are done and I will find a new future in Europe.’
Iran: Lawyer denied access to his Christian clients
The lawyer representing two Christian pastors and a deacon facing six years detention for their faith has been denied access to his clients ahead of an appeal hearing. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said the situation was unacceptable and they are concerned about the lack of due process in the cases and the exceptional nature of punishment for men who have committed no crime but are being punished for their faith. CSW are urging the Iranian authorities to release these men and the many others held in contravention of the international covenants guaranteeing freedom of religion or belief to which Iran is party. Pastor Irani, one of the prisoners, has had seriously deteriorating health but no medical care since his detention. Another Christian pastor, American citizen Saeed Abedini, is serving an eight-year sentence and is the subject of an international campaign for his release.
Australia: Child suicide – A shame on the nation
Remote Australia is in the grip of a suicide epidemic that is taking the lives of children as young as eight years old. Aboriginal towns in the Kimberley area have the highest rates of suicide in the world. As the West Australian city of Geraldton buried 11-year-old Peter Little, who was found hanging from a tree by another child, indigenous leaders called for urgent action to address this growing crisis. As many as one in twelve Aboriginal deaths are caused by suicide. ‘We are talking about an epidemic,’ said Tony Abbott’s chief indigenous adviser. ‘We are looking at a society in collapse. I am a father and I cannot understand how an 8 or 9-year-old child can’t see a future for themselves. It’s unimaginable.’ While the destitution of remote communities increases and suicide numbers increase the government stands accused of gross complacency on indigenous peoples' challenges.