In-House Staff Publications - Introduction
___________________________________________________________________________
The drive by patients across the UK to constantly improve the quality and safety of care in the NHS, has been supported by ACHCEW for almost thirty years. Expert advice, legal support, training, publicity, monitoring and the development of user-led health policy at local and national levels, has been ACHCEW’s major contribution to patient and public involvement. 

These expertly written and researched documents have been produced by staff and associates of ACHCEW who are committed to a user-led NHS. 

‘A Tax on Illness?’ by Marion Chester, Antonia Ford and Philip McLeish 
Describes the legal basis for the charging regime in the NHS, draws attention to the harm caused to patients by NHS charges and recommends critical changes to Government policy. These include abolition of charges for eye tests, dental care and prescriptions for people on long-term medication. 

‘A Question of Confidence?’ by Marion Chester 
Analyses the Data Protection Act (DPA 1998) and demonstrates the challenge of legislating to simultaneously protect the individual and society whilst balancing privacy and openness. The impact of Article 8 of the Human Rights Act and ‘common law’ on the provisions of the DPA are explored and the publication forms an excellent background to the Freedom of Information Act, which will become fully operational in 2005. 

‘Effective Visiting’ 
A unique guide for members of Patients’ Forums and is designed to empower them during monitoring visits to local health services. The guide is comprehensive and concise and is specially designed for the lay visitor. It was written by Nikki Joule, Ros Levenson and Sue Towns, three outstanding leaders of the public involvement movement. 

‘A Friend in Deed?’ by Robert Hill and William G. Marks
ACHCEW’s first study of the new patient and public involvement system, since the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health was established in 2003. The report critically examines the new Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) established in April 2002. The document takes a close look at PALS and asks whether they are performing the key role set by the Government. The Report was submitted as evidence to the Health Select Committee during their examination of ‘patient and public involvement’ in the NHS in 2003. 

'Fair Comment' 
Produced by ACHCEW in response to the rising number of threats of defamation proceedings by health care staff against complainants and CHCs. Marion Chester describes the legal basis of the law on defamation, risks to the NHS if the quality drive is undermined by these threats, and advises advocates how to respond if they are threatened with defamation proceedings. Marion points out that, although damaging and disruptive to the operation of complaints procedures, threats of legal action are rarely carried out. She concludes that action is required by the NHS and professional bodies representing NHS professionals to restrain health care workers from issuing threats when they are subject to complaints by patients. 

‘Human Rights in the Health Service’ by Marion Chester
The final contribution to supporting patients and the public in the NHS, before she left ACHCEW for Canada. It is a highly specialised, accessible guide to the Human Rights Act (1998). It describes the tools needed by those who are active in public involvement work in the NHS to support patients and carers, e.g. those faced with dilemmas about provision of appropriate health care - withholding life-saving drugs, detention of people without mental capacity and consent to terminate treatment. 

Private Finance in Health Care: Why Not, by Ben Griffith
Ben who worked for ACHCEW for many years. This document produced by the NHS Consultants Association explores the development of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and makes a powerful case against using the private sector to fund capital developments in the NHS. The document demonstrates the long-term consequences of handing the NHS over to the private finance sector, and is included because it complements the collection of ACHCEW documents. 

These documents bring to the NHS and the patient involvement movement a unique set of publications that explore some of the most pressing issues facing patients and carers accessing health care in today’s NHS. ACHCEW is proud to launch these publications and contribute its knowledge base to public scrutiny of the NHS for many years to come. 
                                                                                                                                                        
Malcolm Alexander - Director                                                                                                                                             September 2003