Statement of Purpose
Sharon Blackburn, Chair
Sharon is the Policy and Communications Director for the National Care Forum. Until April 2009 she the Managing Director for Heart of England Housing and Care Ltd, where she had strategic and operational responsibilities for the business. Sharon has gained a breadth of managerial and care experience in both 'for profit' and 'not for profit' organisations. Her previous posts have included Director of Nursing and Quality Assurance. She has particular skills in the areas of the management of change and of Health and Social Care Policy. Sharon is passionate about quality; people and their potential. Until March 2002 Sharon was the Chair of the RCN Mental Health and Older People Forum. She was the professional consultant to the Residential Forum who was commissioned by the Department of Health to review RN staffing levels in Care Homes. She continues to have a national portfolio and participates in a number of working groups in relation to older people's services. In 2003 Sharon was the winner of the Nursing Standard - Nurse Leadership award. She was Vice Chair of the National Care Forum (NCF) until December 2008. Sharon is also a member of the NCPC-Dementia Working Group who are specifically looking at Dementia and End of Life Care. She is a member of the Residential Forum and on the steering committee for My Home Life. She is Chair of the Coalition for Quality in Care. She is on the National Implementation Reference Group for the National Dementia Strategy.
The Coalition for Quality in Care brings together a wide range of organisations and individuals with a common concern for the well-being of older people receiving long-term care in different settings and different circumstances.
The Coalition provides a voice and a forum for organisations and individuals from all sectors - independent and statutory providers, academics and policy- analysts, practitioners and their institutions, and most importantly older people themselves.
The Coalition aims to raise awareness of the needs, rights and aspirations of all older people in long term care, particularly those who are most vulnerable. It seeks to do this through the promotion of good practice and vigilance on the issues which ensure quality of care:
- the legislative and regulatory framework
- funding to meet the real costs of quality care
- training and other workforce issues
- ageism, human rights and social exclusion
These key areas form the basis for the Coalition's work and activities.
Operation and Membership
The secretariat for the Coalition for Quality in Care is provided by Counsel and Care.
The Coalition meets four times a year. Its annual meeting elects the Coalition chair and executive group which oversees the Coalition's work between meetings.
Membership of the Coalition costs £75 for organisations to cover administrative costs. Individual members are encouraged to make a donation of £10. Observer status will be offered to key statutory bodies responsible for regulating and promoting quality care.
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