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At last year’s RCGP conference we heard early warning shots on how localism could affect health priorities.
This year, with Public Health England in place and the NTA swallowed and almost digested, delegates had an
opportunity to question public health minister Anna Soubry and confer with each other about the new landscape.
In his column last issue (
DDN
, May, page 11), DrugScope’s Marcus Roberts looked at the possible impact of
localism on drug and alcohol services; the conference confirmed that the picture is a confusing one, showing
huge variation throughout the country. Are commissioners in a spin? Drug services under threat? Service user
involvement on the back burner? Well it seems to depend on where you live, and the conference workshops
brought out many concerns – as well as opportunities to knit together different services to make best use of
resources for ‘whole person’ care.
The positive message from the event was that there are many GPs and other health professionals who are
passionately committed, not just to their own areas of expertise, but also to liaising with colleagues to make
shared care as responsive as it can be. The challenge is to pull together to make sure localism never means
exclusion. The conference was one snapshot; please let us know what localism means so far to your area.
FEATURES
6
NEWS FOCUS
What effect will payment by results have on the probation service?
8
JOINING THE DOTS
– COVER STORY
This year’s GPs’ conference had the tricky task of linking primary care to each part of the new
public health agenda, while urging colleagues to keep calm and carry on. DDN reports.
12 POSITIVE ACTION
Phil Spalding tells Kayleigh Hutchins how the Hep C Positive project has raised awareness
about the virus in Swindon in the face of NHS reforms.
14 DEAD OR ALIVE
Can reducing the ‘dead space’ in injecting equipment save lives, asks Jamie Bridge.
16 A CLEAR FOCUS
Despite minimum pricing not making the Queen’s Speech, Alcohol Concern chief executive
Eric Appleby tells David Gilliver how it’s helping to frame a consistent campaigning message.
18 HARNESSING POTENTIAL
Is the sector ready for co-production, asks Alistair Sinclair.
19 CELEBRATING RECOVERY IN KENT
The first Medway recovery festival organised by service user groups and local provider KCA
celebrated recovery in the local community. DDN joined the celebrations.
REGULARS
4
NEWS ROUND-UP
: Minimum pricing fails to make Queen’s Speech • Latin American states consider
consequences of drug reform • Euro drug scene in ‘state of flux’ • News in brief.
7
LETTERS:
Citric question; Supporting real localism.
7
MEDIA SAVVY:
Who’s been saying what..?
11 POST-ITS FROM PRACTICE
:
Always look beyond the symptoms at the wider picture, says Dr Steve
Brinksman.
13 ENTERPRISE CORNER
:
Partnership working is showing promising results for London’s keen
entrepreneurs, says Amar Lodhia.
15 NOTHING TO DECLARE
:
In the fourth part of his personal story, Mark Dempster pushes his luck to
the limits abroad and comes home for a dose of harsh reality.
21 DEBATE
: Dr Neil McKeganey and Steve Rolles debate the right time to decriminalise drugs.
THROUGHOUT THE MAGAZINE: COURSES, CONFERENCES AND TENDERS
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June 2013 |
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| 3
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ROFESSIONALS
For better, for worse?
Will localism be good for our health?
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