'...if we don't like the direction its officers take us, there is nothing to stop us trying to do something about it through already existing, established channels. While there are lots of things we can't do, like influencing world politics, there are in fact some things we could, in principle, do, like attacking and exposing the dishonest and potentially oppressive practices of our own profession, and perhaps indeed setting up in opposition to them via the said democratic channels...'
In fighting with my own apathy and scorn, I thought I would post this invitation from Lord Darzi to stakeholders, to comment on 'Our NHS Our Future'. This invitation was originally to respond to a questionnaire, which is referred to on Page 54 of the Our NHS Our Future document, in the section, How To Get Involved. Only, when I went to get involved, it turned out the questionnaire doesn't seem to exist (see my email exchange, attached). Not a particularly good advert for them, but I'm not surprised either...
Anyway, Lord Darzi is inviting people to submit to his Review our policy ideas regarding 8 areas, one of which is mental health. Specifically, he wants to know:
What are the barriers?
What are the enablers?
What changes could we make that would have the greatest positive impact.
I think many people on this list could provide him with many suggestions from community psychology, not least with regards poverty, social inequality and social in/exclusion.
Of course, I am also cynical, eternally pessimistic and don't imagine anyone would take the slightest bit of notice, but sometimes I like to say things just for the sake of saying them (and regarding a revolution, I can dream, can't I?)
I wonder what others think.
Penny
--
Message sent with Supanet E-mail
-----Original Message-----
From: David Smail <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [COMMUNITYPSYCHUK] "I doubt if press releases will achieve much, even if they get taken up"
> I don't disagree with any of that, David. There are definite proximal
> benefits to forming and expressing solidarity. The point I wanted to
> emphasize was that the Layards of the world, the UCL 'CORE' and DCP people
> that Craig also referred to, in many ways understand and use power better
> than 'we' often do.
>
> To reinforce Craig's point, as long as I can remember (which is longer than
> most!) our democratically elected leaders in clinical psychology, anyway,
> have pretty well without exception been mesmerized by power and occasionally
> quite good at manipulating it. The only power-critical person who
> immediately comes to mind who had a similar understanding of political
> structures was Don Bannister, who now, sadly, hardly anyone remembers.
> While he was around there was greater awareness, I think, that, for example,
> the BPS is a democratic structure, and if we don't like the direction its
> officers take us, there is nothing to stop us trying to do something about
> it through already existing, established channels. While there are lots of
> things we can't do, like influencing world politics, there are in fact some
> things we could, in principle, do, like attacking and exposing the dishonest
> and potentially oppressive practices of our own profession, and perhaps
> indeed setting up in opposition to them via the said democratic channels.
> Though I profoundly disapprove of it, I think one has to acknowledge that
> the 'CBT lobby's' penetration of governmental structure is quite an
> impressive achievement. I'm sure there are all sorts of reasons for this
> state of affairs, but it certainly isn't that 'our' hands are tied.
>
> David
>
> _____
>
> From: The UK Community Psychology Discussion List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Fryer
> Sent: 04 December 2007 22:31
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [COMMUNITYPSYCHUK] "I doubt if press releases will achieve much,
> even if they get taken up"
>
>
> Dear David,
>
> Just to pick up on your comment "I doubt if press releases will achieve
> much, even if they get taken up"
>
> I agree of course that policies, procedures and practices which create and
> maintain oppression are powerfully entrenched and vigorously defended.
> Poverty will not disappear because of a UK CP press release nor will those
> who make vast amounts of money through Seroxat be quaking in their boots
> after the UK CP statement in support of SUG (though I think the way big
> pharma sometimes vigorously and sustainedly goes for individuals who
> critique them suggests that such critique is threatening to their interests
> at least to some extent). However, I think press releases and similar
> statements may nevertheless have other worthwhile outcomes.
>
> The now defunct ENCP (European Network of Community Psychology) was not a
> particularly politically active or progressive organisation and the newer
> ECPA (European Community Psychology Association) showed little sigh of that
> either. At the recent ECPA meeting in Seville, Ilana Mountian, Paul Duckett
> and I discussed the appeal that had been circulated by Art Veno for support
> for Australian psychologists lobbying for the APS to take a strong stand
> against the complicity of psychologists in torture and moved a motion at the
> final plenary that the meeting send a message of support to Art. After a
> brief discussion there was an unanimous collective decision to send the
> message of support from ECPA. Immediately after the decision there was a
> round of applause. I believe that this was more than an act of self
> congratulation but that engaging collectively in critical reflection and to
> act in collective solidarity was enormously valuable in many ways to those
> who did so. In this case Art Veno has also said that he believes the
> statement was valuable to colleagues in Australia in achieving a progressive
> outcome. I do not want to overstate this. The statement was not particularly
> radical, the effect was no doubt miniscule both locally and distally etc but
> collective resistance even in such small ways is important in itself and
> prefigures what is possible when we act critically and collectively and
> makes that more likely in my view.
>
> I write a short regular column for "The Community Psychologist" a sort of
> newsletter for SCRA (Div 27 of the APA) about community psychology in
> Europe. This goes to all SCRA members worldwide. Because I think such
> statements have some value I included in my recent piece reference to both
> the UK CP poverty statement and the ECPA torture statement:.
>
>
> "As community and critical psychologists we believe that psychologists have
> a fundamental responsibility to join with others to end both poverty and
> societal inequality independent of absolute wealth, which we believe are
> personally, collectively and socially destructive.
>
> We believe mainstream psychology to be complicit with the prevailing
> psychologically toxic neo-liberal economic order and believe psychology has
> allowed itself to be used to hide systemic effects of poverty and inequality
> and instead position poverty as a consequence of individual psychological
> dysfunction.
>
> We call for the radical transformation of psychology so that it has the
> resources necessary to expose the personally, collectively and socially
> destructive effects of poverty and inequality and the proactive deployment,
> with allies, of this transformed psychology to end poverty and societal
> inequality and the exploitation, exclusion, oppression, distress and illness
> which result from them."
>
>
>
>
>
> "Those present at the final plenary session of the II European Community
> Psychology Association International Seminar ("Integrating new migrants in
> the New Europe: A Challenge for Community Psychology") held in Seville,
> Spain 19-21 September 2007 considered the widely circulated request by
> eminent community psychologist Professor Art Veno for international support
> in his attempts to ensure that the involvement of psychologists in the
> practice of torture is condemned by the Australian Psychological Society.
> Those present at the final plenary session of the II European Community
> Psychology Association International Seminar in Seville unanimously voted to
> send a message of support from the meeting to Professor Veno, his colleagues
> and all those condemning the involvement of psychologists in the practice of
> torture".
>
>
> Of course if we did no more than talk and reach collective decisions on such
> issues and disseminate them we would be doing something perhaps a very
> little something but that is an argument for doing more, not less
>
> David
>
> _____
>
> From: The UK Community Psychology Discussion List on behalf of David Smail
> Sent: Tue 12/4/2007 08:56
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: FW: Mental Health and Employment
>
>
>
> Annie - in response to your last two postings.
>
> I think you do an excellent job of listing the difficulties, and I also see
> little chance of things changing in the short or medium term. I think
> perhaps that one of our problems is that we (insofar as one can talk of 'we'
> on this list!) are both apathetic and scornful in the face of the
> institutions of power (though not at all in other ways), whereas those 'we'
> often see as 'them' (e.g. Layard et al.) are patient, persistent,
> industrious - sometimes, indeed, obsessive in the lengths they will go to to
> find their way around the structures that shape and support our society. As
> an example, I think a perusal of the 'CORE' website (start at
> http://www.ucl.ac.uk/clinical-health-psychology/CORE/CBT_Framework.htm) is
> instructive. Until I read it,I for one had no idea how thoroughly embedded
> the CBT lobby had become in the DoH,etc., and one can see some of that
> influence reflected in the dismaying document you attached.
>
> I don't of course know what the answers are - if there are any - but I doubt
> if press releases will achieve much, even if they get taken up.
>
> David
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: The UK Community Psychology Discussion List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Annie Mitchell
> Sent: 04 December 2007 07:59
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [COMMUNITYPSYCHUK] FW: Mental Health and Employment
>
> Dear all,
>
> Lots to critically comment on re the attached latest government initative..
> For example note the business language in this. People are called customers.
>
> Annie
>
>
> ________________________________________
> From: Social Inclusion Discussion Group [[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 03 December 2007 13:28
> To: Annie Mitchell
> Cc: Ana Padilla; Graham Turpin
> Subject: [social-inclusion] Mental Health and Employment
>
> Dear Colleagues
>
> Please find attached a statement from Peter Hain Secretary of State for Work
> and Pensions.
>
> with all good wishes
>
> Nigel
> P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail, or its
> attachments
>
>
>
> Can we send this out asap,
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Fabian
>
> Dr. Fabian Davis
>
> Consultant Psychologist (Community & Social Inclusion) Lead for Social
> Inclusion Bromley Mental Health Services Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust Ist
> Floor Keswick House 207A Anerley Road Penge London SE20 8ER
>
> Tel: 020 8778 9548
>
> ________________________________
> From: Carol Chads [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 30 November 2007 17:25
> To: Carol Chads
> Subject:
>
>
> Dear All
>
> Please see the attached for your information.
>
> Best regards
>
> Brendan
>
> Brendan McLoughlin,
> Programme Director for Wellbeing, Inclusion and Psychological Therapies,
> London Development Centre, part of the Care Services Improvement
> Partnership, 11-13, Cavendish Square, London W1G 0AN Phone; 020 7307 2431
> Mobile: 07721 670863
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> --------
>
> The British Psychological Society
>
> This email is intended for the addressee only. It may contain confidential
> information: disclosure of or action in reliance upon this information by
> anyone other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you are not the
> intended recipient, please notify us by return email and delete the message.
>
> Any views are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of
> the Society, which accepts no liability for the consequences of any actions
> taken on the basis of this information unless confirmed in writing by a
> Society Manager.
>
> We accept no liability for any loss or damage caused by viruses: you are
> advised to conduct your own checks on any attachments. When emailing us, be
> aware that email is not a 100 percent secure medium
>
> The British Psychological Society is a registered English charity - Charity
> Registration Number : 229642 - VAT Registration Number : 240 3937 76
>
> www.bps.org.uk
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> --------
>
>
> * --You are currently subscribed to
>
> social-inclusion as:
> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> .
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> [log in to unmask]<mailto:%%email.unsub%%>
>
> -----------
> Change Your Account Settingshttp://lists.bps.org.uk/read/my_account> | View
> Previous messageshttp://lists.bps.org.uk/read/my_forums> | Forgotten
> Password? http://lists.bps.org.uk/emailpassword.tml>
>
> -----------
> The British Psychological Society is a registered English charity Charity
> Registration Number : 229642 - VAT Registration Number : 240 3937 76
>
>
> ___________________________________
> COMMUNITYPSYCHUK - The discussion list for community psychology in the UK.
> To unsubscribe or to change your details visit the website:
> http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/COMMUNITYPSYCHUK.HTML
> For any problems or queries, contact the list moderator Rebekah Pratt on
> [log in to unmask] or Grant Jeffrey on [log in to unmask]
>
> ___________________________________
> COMMUNITYPSYCHUK - The discussion list for community psychology in the UK.
> To unsubscribe or to change your details visit the website:
> http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/COMMUNITYPSYCHUK.HTML
> For any problems or queries, contact the list moderator Rebekah Pratt on
> [log in to unmask] or Grant Jeffrey on [log in to unmask]
>
>
> --
>
> The University of Stirling is a university established in Scotland by
> charter at Stirling, FK9 4LA. Privileged/Confidential Information may be
> contained in this message. If you are not the addressee indicated in this
> message (or responsible for delivery of the message to such person), you may
> not disclose, copy or deliver this message to anyone and any action taken or
> omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be unlawful. In
> such case, you should destroy this message and kindly notify the sender by
> reply email. Please advise immediately if you or your employer do not
> consent to Internet email for messages of this kind.
>
> ___________________________________ COMMUNITYPSYCHUK - The discussion list
> for community psychology in the UK. To unsubscribe or to change your details
> visit the website: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/COMMUNITYPSYCHUK.HTML For
> any problems or queries, contact the list moderator Rebekah Pratt on
> [log in to unmask] or Grant Jeffrey on [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
> ___________________________________
> COMMUNITYPSYCHUK - The discussion list for community psychology in the UK.
> To unsubscribe or to change your details visit the website:
> http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/COMMUNITYPSYCHUK.HTML
> For any problems or queries, contact the list moderator Rebekah Pratt on [log in to unmask] or Grant Jeffrey on [log in to unmask]
>
>
http://www.Tpad.com - "The New Way to Make and Receive Cheap/Free Calls"
___________________________________
COMMUNITYPSYCHUK - The discussion list for community psychology in the UK.
To unsubscribe or to change your details visit the website:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/COMMUNITYPSYCHUK.HTML
For any problems or queries, contact the list moderator Rebekah Pratt on [log in to unmask] or Grant Jeffrey on [log in to unmask]
From: priest penelope
Sent: 05 December 2007 12:25
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: Our NHs Our Future [#1211476]
Dear Team
I just phoned your order line, regarding the stakeholder questionnaire. The helpful lady on the phone said she couldn't find anything at all to do with this, so she was unable to tell me whether stock has been delivered. Please could you let me know the reference number for this questionnaire, as she would have found that helpful. Better still, if you could actually send me the questionnaire, that would be great.
Many thanks
Dr Penny Priest
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 28 November 2007 10:45
To: priest penelope
Subject: RE: Our NHs Our Future [#1211476]
Dear Penny
Thank you for your recent email.
Unfortunately this item is currently unavailable and we are currently awaiting confirmation of stock availability, therefore would you please contact us again at a later date by calling our Order line on 08701 555 455 to confirm if stock has been delivered.
Kind Regards
Publications Order Team
--Original Message--
From: [log in to unmask]
Date: 11/26/07
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: Our NHs Our Future [#1211476]
Dear Team
Regarding your email below, I am just chasing up for a copy of the questionnaire which you suggested would be available by now.
Many thanks
Dr Penny Priest
________________________________
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thu 08/11/2007 09:59
To: priest penelope
Subject: RE: Our NHs Our Future [#1211476]
Dear Penny
Thank your for your recent email.
The Department of Health are still working on producing the questionnaire, unfortunately the wording in the interim report was misleading saying this was already ready.
The DH are expecting it to be ready in a couple of weeks, please contact us again after this time and we will be able to supply you with a copy of the questionnaire.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Kind regards
Publications Order Team
--Original Message--
From: [log in to unmask]
Date: 11/07/07
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: Our NHs Our Future [#1211476]
HI again
I am still unable to access this questionnaire, which no longer seems to
be mentioned on the website. Can you advise me where I can access it?
Thanks
Dr Penny Priest
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 31 October 2007 11:48
To: priest penelope
Subject: RE: Our NHs Our Future [#1211476]
Dear Penny
Thank you for your recent email to the Department of Health.
Unfortunately the questionnaire you have requested is not available to
order from ourselves, it is only available from the following
link:http://www.ournhs.nhs.uk/2007/10/nhs-staff-get-i.html
If you have any further queries regarding this request, please do not
hesitate to contact our Publications order line on 08701 555 455
Kind regards
Publications Order Team
If you have any further queries regarding this request, please do not
hesitate to contact our Publications order line on 08701 555 455
Kind regards
Publications Order Team
--Original Message--
From: [log in to unmask]
Date: 10/30/07
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: Our NHs Our Future [#1211476]
Hi
You did not provide me with a link to the questionnaire. Please could
you let me know.
Thanks
Dr Penny Priest
________________________________
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wed 24/10/2007 11:50
To: priest penelope
Subject: RE:Our NHs Our Future [#1211476]
Dear Penny
Thank you for your recent email to the Department of Health.
Unfortunately the questionnaire you have requested is not available to
order from ourselves, it is only available from the following link
If you have any further queries regarding this request, please do not
hesitate to contact our Publications order line on 08701 555 455
Kind regards
Publications Order Team
--Original Message--
From: [log in to unmask]
Date: 10/08/07
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Our NHs Our Future[#1211476]
Hi
I just skimmed through the above interim report and would like to access
the questionnaire which stakeholders are encouraged to complete. Please
could you let me know how I can access this?
Many thanks
Dr Penny Priest
"This electronic message may contain information from the Primary Care
Trust (PCT) which may be privileged or confidential. The information is
intended to be for the use of the individual(s) or entity named above.
If you are not the intended recipient be aware that any disclosure,
copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information is
prohibited. If you have received this electronic message in error,
please notify us by telephone or email (to the numbers or address above)
immediately."
"This electronic message may contain information from the Primary Care
Trust (PCT) which may be privileged or confidential. The information is
intended to be for the use of the individual(s) or entity named above.
If you are not the intended recipient be aware that any disclosure,
copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information is
prohibited. If you have received this electronic message in error,
please notify us by telephone or email (to the numbers or address above)
immediately."
"This electronic message may contain information from the Primary Care Trust (PCT) which may be privileged or confidential. The information is intended to be for the use of the individual(s) or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information is prohibited. If you have received this electronic message in error, please notify us by telephone or email (to the numbers or address above) immediately."
"This electronic message may contain information from the Primary Care Trust (PCT) which may be privileged or confidential. The information is intended to be for the use of the individual(s) or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information is prohibited. If you have received this electronic message in error, please notify us by telephone or email (to the numbers or address above) immediately."
___________________________________
COMMUNITYPSYCHUK - The discussion list for community psychology in the UK.
To unsubscribe or to change your details visit the website:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/COMMUNITYPSYCHUK.HTML
For any problems or queries, contact the list moderator Rebekah Pratt on [log in to unmask] or Grant Jeffrey on [log in to unmask]
|
