Guidance: VAT refund scheme for hospices - detailed Q&A

This Q&A guidance from Hospice UK provides information on the VAT refund scheme for palliative care charities which enables hospices and palliative care charities to reclaim the VAT they incur on purchases made to support their non-business activities.

Hospice UK, 2015.  VAT refund scheme for hospices - detailed Q&A. 

Click here to download the Q&A

Click here to view the full guidance from HMRC: VAT Notice 1001 VAT refund for certain charities

Report: Multiple and multidemensional transitions: understanding the life transitions for young adults cared for by CHAS and the impact on their parents, siblings and health professionals.

The report sought to better understand the life transitions of young adults with life-limiting illnesses and their families cared for by Children's Hospices Association Scotland (CHAS).  It found that the young adults' medical conditions impacted on several other areas of their life, including their plans for the future, education, employment and relationships.  The report also indicated that children’s hospices may not be best suited to meet the wide variety of needs that young adults (between the ages of 15 and 25) have. The research was carried out by Dundee and Nottingham Universities.

Summary available to download here

Healthcare Briefing - CQC's approach to Duty of Candour

This 2 page healthcare briefing has been designed to be read in conjunction with the CQC's document on meeting the statutory requirements in relation to Duty of Candour within the NHS and independent sector.   It oulines the process the CQC are proposing to follow and what will take place during an inspection.  

Radcliffe Le Brasseur, May 2015.  Healthcare Briefing - CQC's approach to Duty of Candour

Click  here to download the Briefing

Click here to download the CQC Regulation 20: Duty of Candour - Information for Healthcare Providers

Guidance: Professional duty of Candour

The statutory Duty of Candour which has been in force for NHS bodies for over six months, was extended to non-NHS providers in April 2015.  This guidance written by the Nursing & Midwifery Council and General Medical Council sets out how healthcare professionals should apply the Duty of Candour on an individual basis.

NMC & GMC, 2015.  Openness and honesty when things go wrong: the professional duty of candour.

Click here  to download guidance

Report: Charity Investment Spotlight Bi-annual report June 2015

The report examines the investment performance of the top 5,000 charities and their investment managers over the last 5 years.

Charity Financials.  Charity Investment Spotlight Bi-Annual Report June 2015.  Wilmington Group.

To request a copy, contact the library

Article: Volunteer activity in specialist paediatric palliative care: a national survey

This survey assessed the involvment of volunteers with direct patient/family contact in UK pallaitive care services for children and young people.  A total of 21 providers, covering 31 hospice services responded, revealing an average of 25 volunteers having direct patient/family contact.  Areas of particular involvement were complementary therapy services and pastorl/faith-based care, along with emotional support and recreational activities.  The survey highlights the range and depth of involvement and provides a basis for future research.

Burbeck, R., Low, J., Sampson, E., Scott, R., Bravery, R. & Candy.  2015. Volunteer activity in specialist paediatric palliative care: a national survey.  BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. 5 (3) p 287 - 293.

To request a copy, click here and return form to library.

Guidance: The essential trustee - what you need to know, what you need to do

Updated in July 2015, the guidance explains the key duties of all trustees of charities in England and Wales, and what trustees need to do to carry out these duties competently.

Click here to access guidance

Article: Hospices working collaboratively to improve training

In south London, adult and children’s hospices are working together to provide a range of training for their own staff and volunteers as well as other local health and social care professionals. Project manager Berit Moback explains how it was set up and talks about the benefits and challenges.

Click here to access article from eHospice.

Report: Charity Income spotlight April 2015

An overview of charity income, reporting a favourable rise in the charity income index of 5%.  This report includes a special focus on trading income and the ways charity shop chains are increasing their profit.

Charity Financials. 2015. Charity Income Spotlight April 2015 Bi-annual report. Wilmington Group.

Request a copy from the library

Report: Charity Investment Spotlight April 2015

The report examines the investment performance of the top 5,000 UK charities and their investment managers. It looks at how charities have performed over the last 5 years, with a particular focus on changes in the last year.

Charity Financials, June 2015.  Charity Investment Spotlight: bi-annual report. Wilmington Group.

Request a copy from the library

Report: Managing in the new normal 2015

Charity Finance Group, together with the Institute of Fundraising and PricewaterhouseCoopers, have carried out the eighth annual survey looking into the complex issues and challenges facing charitable organisations. ‘Managing in the New Normal’ 2015 survey shows charities in resilient and optimistic mood but finds that they still need to prepare for an ever challenging future

Charities Finance Group, PriceWaterhouseCoopers & Institute of Fundraising, 2015. Managing in the new normal: the latest instalment in the series of "Managing in a Downturn" surveys.

Available to download here

Guidance: Sharepoint

The guide, written by Clear People, a microsoft partner organisation, looks at the different editions of SharePoint 2013 available (including on premises and cloud-based).  It advises how to choose best for your organisation and align the product with your overall business and IT strategy.  It includes some key advice, practical implementation issues and ends with a 10 point action plan. 

Clear People, 2015.  Sharepoint 2013 guidelines. 

Available to download from the Charity Finance Group web site

Report: Together for Short Lives Three Year Strategy 2015-18

The strategy focuses on five key priority areas: providing information and advice to families; improving the quality of life and death for children and young people; strengthening the commissioning of services so providers are more sustainable; transforming transitions for young people and increasing community engagement and volunteering in children’s palliative care.

Together for Short Lives, 2015.  Together for Short Lives Three Year Strategy 2015-2018: Quality of Life, Quality of Death: Leading Change of Children's Palliative Care. TfSL.

Available to download here

Article: Does your health and social charity comply with 'deprivation of liberty' rules/

Since the 1st April 2015, any organisation registered with the Care Quality Commission must be able to ensure that any deprivation of liberty of a service user is authorised.  This article provides an overview how charities can ensure they comply with the new law, identify possible deprivations of liberty and the steps a charity needs to take to ensure they receive authority from the Court of Protection.

Evans, S. 2015.  Does your health and social charity comply with "deprivation of liberty" rules?  Finance Magazine.

To request a copy, click here fill in form and return to library.