We Asked, You Said, We Did

We Asked

In the Dementia 2020 Challenge: Implementation Plan, we committed to conduct a Review during 2018 to “assess whether we have achieved the actions included in the plan. It will also look ahead to the actions up to 2020 and develop more detailed delivery plans for them.”  We undertook an online call of evidence on what progress had been made on the Commitments; whether the Commitments could be achieved by 2020; and what actions should be prioritised to help deliver the Commitments by 2020. Respondents were also asked to identify priorities for beyond 2020, which will be addressed in Phase 2 of the Review.

 

You Said

The progress report shows a total of 17 responses from a range of delivery partners, stakeholders and their members were received. Overall, the responses showed that the Challenge was largely on track, and that on the whole the identified actions were still appropriate. The review indicated that good progress had been made, and we are on track to meet some of the commitments, including research funding levels, and the dementia diagnosis rate, by 2020. Respondents identified that some commitments would require additional focus to drive progress in the final two years of the Challenge. 

 

We Did

We collated the responses from stakeholders, and in consultation with delivery partners, identified 10 revised actions up until 2020. These actions are not new commitments, but instead build upon the work already completed between 2015 and 2018, with an aim to fulfil the Commitments already established in the Challenge. The actions were approved by the Dementia Programme Board, and added to the Board’s tracker to maintain oversight of progress. The revised actions can be found in the progress report.

We Asked

Whether we should make changes to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, to allow schools to hold spare adrenaline auto-injectors, without a named individual prescription, for use in emergencies.

You Said

Over 500 people responded to the consultation. There was overwhelming support for the proposals. 533 respondents supported the proposals to allow schools to hold spare adrenaline auto-injectors, without a named individual prescription, for use in emergencies. A summary of the consultation responses was published on GOV.UK on 6 July 2017 and is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/allowing-schools-to-hold-spare-adrenaline-auto-injectors

We Did

The Human Medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2017 were published on 5 July 2017 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2017/715.) These Regulations amend the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and will allow schools to hold spare adrenaline auto-injectors, without a named individual prescription, for use in emergencies. The revised regulations will come into effect on 1 October 2017. From this date onwards, schools will be able to buy adrenaline auto-injectors, without a prescription, for use in emergencies from a pharmaceutical supplier in small quantities provided it is done on an occasional basis and is not for profit.

We Asked

How the NHS Constitution could be updated to better reflect changes to policy, and therefore make the NHS Constitution more meaningful to patients and staff. These changes included reflecting; • a more transparent and accessible NHS; • Sir Robert Francis QC’s recommendations from his Inquiry Report; • a series of fundamental standards; • a greater prominence on mental health; and • the Armed Forces Covenant.

You Said

Overall you agreed with our proposals. You often highlighted the importance of their inclusion in a revised version of the NHS Constitution, particularly in light of the failings at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. However, at times you felt that we could improve the clarity of certain additions, and provide further information on what each addition entails.

We Did

We have published our Government response outlining amendments made to the proposals as a result of the public consultation, alongside updated versions of both the NHS Constitution, and Handbook to the NHS Constitution. Where applicable, we have explained the rationale behind each amendment, and provided further clarity and information on each addition within the Handbook.