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Patent US7394832 - Technique for synchronizing redundant network elements - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA technique for synchronizing redundant network elements is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method that comprises: transmitting a checkpoint indication signal to a primary element and at least one backup element, wherein each of the primary element...http://www.google.com/patents/US7394832?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7394832 - Technique for synchronizing redundant network elementsAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7394832 B1Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/657,214Publication dateJul 1, 2008Filing dateSep 9, 2003Priority dateSep 9, 2003Fee statusPaidPublication number10657214, 657214, US 7394832 B1, US 7394832B1, US-B1-7394832, US7394832 B1, US7394832B1InventorsJohn DykstraOriginal AssigneeNortel Networks LimitedExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (4), Referenced by (5), Classifications (7), Legal Events (6) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetTechnique for synchronizing redundant network elements
US 7394832 B1Abstract
A technique for synchronizing redundant network elements is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method that comprises: transmitting a checkpoint indication signal to a primary element and at least one backup element, wherein each of the primary element and the at least one backup element has one or more connections to a network; generating a first checkpoint that is indicative of a first status of the primary element associated with a first arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the primary element; generating a second checkpoint that is indicative of a second status of the at least one backup element associated with a second arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the at least one backup element; and comparing the first checkpoint and the second checkpoint to determine a synchronization between the primary element and the backup element.
1. A method for synchronizing redundant network elements, the method comprising:
transmitting a checkpoint indication signal simultaneously to a primary element and at least one backup element, wherein each of the primary element and the at least one backup element has one or more connections to a network;
generating a first checkpoint that is indicative of a first status of the primary element associated with a first arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the primary element;
generating a second checkpoint that is indicative of a second status of the at least one backup element associated with a second arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the at least one backup element; and
comparing the first checkpoint and the second checkpoint to determine a synchronization between the primary element and the at least one backup element.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the checkpoint indication signal is transmitted from the primary element, the at least one backup element or a source outside the network.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of generating a first checkpoint further comprises the steps of:
identifying a first arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the primary element;
finishing processing of any data arriving at the primary element before the first arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal;
suspending processing of a plurality of data arriving at the primary element after the first arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal;
generating a first checkpoint that is indicative of the status of the primary element in suspension;
transmitting the first checkpoint to the at least one backup element; and
resuming processing of the plurality of data arriving at the primary element after the first arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of generating a second checkpoint further comprises the steps of:
identifying a second arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the at least one backup element;
finishing processing of any data arriving at the at least one backup element before the second arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal;
suspending processing of a plurality of data arriving at the at least one backup element after the second arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal; and
generating a second checkpoint that is indicative of the status of the at least one backup element in suspension.
keeping the at least one backup element in suspension after generation of the second checkpoint;
comparing the second checkpoint with the transmitted first checkpoint;
updating the at least one backup element based on the transmitted first checkpoint if the second checkpoint does not match the transmitted first checkpoint based on a predetermined set of criteria; and
taking the at least one backup element out of suspension.
taking the at least one backup element out of suspension after generation of the second checkpoint;
comparing the second checkpoint with the transmitted first checkpoint; and
reporting an error if the second checkpoint does not match the transmitted first checkpoint based on a predetermined set of criteria.
7. At least one processor readable storage medium for storing a computer program of instructions configured to be readable by at least one processor for instructing the at least one processor to execute a computer process for performing the method as recited in claim 1.
8. A system for synchronizing redundant network elements, the system comprising:
means for transmitting a checkpoint indication signal simultaneously to a primary element and at least one backup element, wherein each of the primary element and the at least one backup element has one or more connections to a network;
means for generating a first checkpoint that is indicative of a first status of the primary element associated with a first arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the primary element;
means for generating a second checkpoint that is indicative of a second status of the at least one backup element associated with a second arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the at least one backup element; and
means for comparing the first checkpoint and the second checkpoint to determine a synchronization between the primary element and the at least one backup element.
9. A method for synchronizing redundant network elements, the method comprising:
receiving at a backup element a checkpoint indication signal;
generating a first checkpoint that is indicative of a status of the backup element associated with an arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the backup element;
receiving a second checkpoint from a primary element that is indicative of a status of the primary element associated with an arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal; and
comparing the first checkpoint and the second checkpoint to determine a synchronization between the primary element and the backup element;
wherein the checkpoint indication signal is transmitted simultaneously to the primary element and the backup element.
10. A system for synchronizing redundant network elements, the system comprising:
means for receiving at a backup element a checkpoint indication signal;
means for generating a first checkpoint that is indicative of a status of the backup element associated with an arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the backup element;
means for receiving a second checkpoint from a primary element that is indicative of a status of the primary element associated with an arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal; and
means for comparing the first checkpoint and the second checkpoint to determine a synchronization between the primary element and the backup element;
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the checkpoint indication signal is positioned similarly relative to other signals arriving for processing at the primary element and the at least one backup element.
12. The system according to claim 8, wherein the checkpoint indication signal is positioned similarly relative to other signals arriving for processing at the primary element and the at least one backup element.
13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the checkpoint indication signal is positioned similarly relative to other signals arriving for processing at the primary element and the at least one backup element.
14. The system according to claim 10, wherein the checkpoint indication signal is positioned similarly relative to other signals arriving for processing at the primary element and the at least one backup element.
15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of generating a first checkpoint comprises generating a plurality of first checkpoints that are indicative of a first status of a respective plurality of sessions on the primary element associated with a first arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the primary element, wherein the step of generating a second checkpoint comprises generating a plurality of second checkpoints that are indicative of a second status of a respective plurality of sessions on the at least one backup element associated with a second arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the at least one backup element, and wherein the step of comparing the first checkpoint and the second checkpoint comprises comparing the plurality of first checkpoints and the plurality of second checkpoints to determine a synchronization between the primary element and the backup element.
16. The system according to claim 8, wherein the means for generating a first checkpoint comprises means for generating a plurality of first checkpoints that are indicative of a first status of a respective plurality of sessions on the primary element associated with a first arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the primary element, wherein the means for generating a second checkpoint comprises means for generating a plurality of second checkpoints that are indicative of a second status of a respective plurality of sessions on the at least one backup element associated with a second arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the at least one backup element, and wherein the means for comparing the first checkpoint and the second checkpoint comprises means for comparing the plurality of first checkpoints and the plurality of second checkpoints to determine a synchronization between the primary element and the backup element.
17. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of generating a first checkpoint comprises generating a plurality of first checkpoints that are indicative of a status of a respective plurality of sessions on the backup element associated with an arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the backup element.
18. The system according to claim 10, wherein the means for generating a first checkpoint comprises means for generating a plurality of first checkpoints that are indicative of a status of a respective plurality of sessions on the backup element associated with an arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the backup element.
generating the checkpoint indication signal periodically. Description
The present invention relates generally to computer and communication networks and, more particularly, to a technique for synchronizing redundant network elements.
In order to achieve high availability of network resources, it is often desirable to configure communication systems with redundant elements, running in synchronization with each other. These redundant network elements, also referred to as “mirrors”, receive the same inputs from outside the system, perform the same processing, and are capable of generating the same outputs. However, typically only one of the mirrors (i.e., “the primary”) has its outputs enabled, while the outputs of the other mirrors (i.e., “the backups”) are suppressed. In the event of a failure of the primary, the outputs of one of the backups may be enabled so that the functions of the primary can be taken over without interruption of network services. This is referred to as a failover.
To ensure proper recovery from network failures of the primary, it is critical for the backups to remain synchronized with the primary. Therefore, it is necessary for the redundant elements to periodically exchange state information (referred to as “checkpoints”) with the primary. This information may be used by each network element to verify that it is still in synchronization with the other elements, and to restore synchronization, if necessary.
Unfortunately, it takes time to create a checkpoint at the primary, transmit it to another element, and process that checkpoint at the destination node. During that time, the receiving node may have continued to receive system inputs and thus its state may no longer match the state recorded in the checkpoint. Reconciling these two states can be a difficult problem, requiring complex and error-prone programming.
Currently, a number of solutions exist for checkpoint synchronization. One obvious approach is to stop the system from accepting new inputs from the time a checkpoint is generated to the time it is processed by the other mirrors. Unfortunately, this solution negatively impacts system responsiveness and makes it vulnerable to new failure modes.
Another approach is to include in the checkpoint an index number that monotonically increases each time a mirror receives and processes new inputs. When a mirror receives a checkpoint, it compares the index number contained in the checkpoint with the current value of its local index number. If the mirror's local value is higher, it discards the checkpoint as obsolete. The primary shortcoming of this approach is that, in the common case where system inputs arrive continuously, most if not all of the checkpoints will have to be discarded.
One brute force solution is to program the checkpoint comparison such that state changes that occur at the receiving node subsequent to the generation of the checkpoint may be factored out and ignored. However, this approach requires extremely careful design and implementation and is susceptible to subtle bugs not detectable in testing. In addition, it may be impossible to implement on certain payload applications.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a solution for checkpoint synchronization which overcomes the above-described inadequacies and shortcomings. More particularly, it would be desirable to provide a technique for synchronizing redundant network elements in an efficient and cost effective manner.
According to the present invention, a technique for synchronizing redundant network elements is provided. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for synchronizing redundant network elements. The method comprises transmitting a checkpoint indication signal to a primary element and at least one backup element, wherein each of the primary element and the at least one backup element has one or more connections to a network. The method also comprises generating a first checkpoint that is indicative of a first status of the primary element associated with a first arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the primary element. The method further comprises generating a second checkpoint that is indicative of a second status of the at least one backup element associated with a second arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the at least one backup element. The method additionally comprises comparing the first checkpoint and the second checkpoint to determine a synchronization between the primary element and the backup element.
In accordance with one aspect of this particular exemplary embodiment, the checkpoint indication signal may be beneficially transmitted from the primary element, the at least one backup element or a source outside the network.
In accordance with another aspect of this particular exemplary embodiment, the step of generating a first checkpoint may further beneficially comprise identifying a first arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the primary element, finishing processing of any data arriving at the primary element before the first arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal, suspending processing of a plurality of data arriving at the primary element after the first arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal, generating a first checkpoint that is indicative of the status of the primary element in suspension, transmitting the first checkpoint to the at least one backup element, and resuming processing of the plurality of data arriving at the primary element after the first arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal.
In accordance with yet another aspect of this particular exemplary embodiment, the step of generating a second checkpoint may further beneficially comprise identifying a second arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the at least one backup element, finishing processing of any data arriving at the at least one backup element before the second arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal, suspending processing of a plurality of data arriving at the at least one backup element after the second arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal, and generating a second checkpoint that is indicative of the status of the at least one backup element in suspension. In accordance with this aspect, the method may further beneficially comprise keeping the at least one backup element in suspension after generation of the second checkpoint, comparing the second checkpoint with the transmitted first checkpoint, updating the at least one backup element based on the transmitted first checkpoint if the second checkpoint does not match the transmitted first checkpoint based on a predetermined set of criteria, and taking the at least one backup element out of suspension. Alternatively, the method may further beneficially comprise taking the at least one backup element out of suspension after generation of the second checkpoint, comparing the second checkpoint with the transmitted first checkpoint, and reporting an error if the second checkpoint does not match the transmitted first checkpoint based on a predetermined set of criteria.
In accordance with still another exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a system for synchronizing redundant network elements. The system comprises means for transmitting a checkpoint indication signal to a primary element and at least one backup element, wherein each of the primary element and the at least one backup element has one or more connections to a network. The system also comprises means for generating a first checkpoint that is indicative of a first status of the primary element associated with a first arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the primary element. The system further comprises means for generating a second checkpoint that is indicative of a second status of the at least one backup element associated with a second arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the at least one backup element. The system additionally comprises means for comparing the first checkpoint and the second checkpoint to determine a synchronization between the primary element and the backup element.
In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for synchronizing redundant network elements. The method comprises receiving at a backup element a checkpoint indication signal, generating a first checkpoint that is indicative of a status of the backup element associated with an arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the backup element, receiving a second checkpoint from a primary element, and comparing the first checkpoint and the second checkpoint to determine a synchronization between the primary element and the backup element.
In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a system for synchronizing redundant network elements. The system comprises means for receiving at a backup element a checkpoint indication signal, means for generating a first checkpoint that is indicative of a status of the backup element associated with an arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal at the backup element, means for receiving a second checkpoint from a primary element, and means for comparing the first checkpoint and the second checkpoint to determine a synchronization between the primary element and the backup element.
FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for synchronizing redundant network elements in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process for generating a checkpoint in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process for synchronizing a backup element in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a process for synchronizing a backup element in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system for synchronizing redundant network elements in accordance with the present invention.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a network may be configured to comprise a primary element and one or more backup elements. The primary element may be a computer, a server, or a content-aware switch/router having one or more connections to the network. In addition, the primary element may be running a payload application that receives input(s) on the one or more network connections, processes the input(s), and generates one or more outputs. The one or more backup elements may have substantially the same hardware and software configurations as the primary element. If running in synchronization, both the backup element(s) and the primary element may see the same inputs and make the same state transitions. However, only the primary element may have its output(s) enabled while the outputs of the backup element(s) may be suppressed during normal operation. Therefore the backup element(s) may be referred to as being redundant of the primary element. As used herein, a “redundant network element” refers to any one of the primary element and its redundant backup elements. For illustrative purpose, a scenario with only one primary element and one backup element will be described herein. It should be appreciated that the inventive concept set forth below is applicable to any number of redundant elements.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for synchronizing redundant network elements in accordance with the present invention.
At step 102, a checkpoint indication signal may be transmitted to the redundant elements in a network.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the checkpoint indication signal may be generated from a source outside the network or by one of the redundant network elements. The checkpoint indication signal may be generated periodically to initiate a check of synchronization between the primary element and the backup element. Or the checkpoint indication signal may be generated upon triggering events. Other variations for the generation of checkpoint indication signals are also possible. The checkpoint indication signal may be a simple triggering signal or a signal packet containing extra information associated with the synchronization process. Regardless of the origin of the checkpoint indication signal, it may be desirable to transmit this signal over a switch fabric or an Ethernet such that the positioning of the signal relative to system input traffic is the same as seen by all the redundant network elements.
At step 104, checkpoints may be generated by the redundant network elements. That is, the primary element and the backup element may each generate its own checkpoint that is indicative of their respective status upon receiving the checkpoint indication signal. A detailed description of the checkpoint generation process will be provided below.
At step 106, the primary element may transmit its checkpoint (“primary checkpoint”) to the backup element.
At step 108, the backup element may compare the primary checkpoint and the checkpoint generated at the backup element (“backup checkpoint”). If these two checkpoints do not match, it may be an indication that the backup element is out of synchronization with the primary element. Depending on the status of the backup element after it generates the backup checkpoint, different actions may be taken by the backup element after comparing the checkpoints. A detailed description of these actions will be provided below.
After the backup element compares the checkpoints and takes appropriate actions, the process ends at step 110.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a checkpoint may also be transmitted to other backup element(s) if more than one backup elements exist. Therefore, the checkpoint comparison may take place at any of the redundant network elements.
Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process for generating a checkpoint in accordance with the present invention. The process step may apply to both a primary element and a backup element unless noted otherwise.
At step 200, a checkpoint indication signal may be received by a network element. An arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal may be identified for use in subsequent steps.
At step 202, a sync point bookmark may be set on the input buffer of the element's network connections based on the arrival time of the checkpoint indication signal. This sync point bookmark may serve to separate the input signals that arrive, on each of the connections, after the checkpoint indication signal from those arriving before the checkpoint indication signal.
At step 204, the network element may continue processing of input data until the sync point bookmarks are reached. As the payload application executes on the network element, it may read input data off each connection using an application programming interface (API). When the API reaches the sync point bookmark on a connection, it may return a sync point indication to the payload application. As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, step 204 may take place at the same time as steps 200 and 202.
At step 206, when the payload application receives the sync point indication on a connection, it may suspend reading input data from that connection. The subsequently arriving data may be kept in a input buffer or a similar storage device for later use.
At step 208, once the payload application reaches the sync point on all of its connections, it may generate a checkpoint representing its current state. For example, the checkpoint may contain data associated with the internal states and/or connection states of the network element.
At step 210, after a primary element generates its checkpoint, it may resume reading and processing its input data. The buffered input data may now be read and processed as the primary element resumes its normal operation.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the payload application running on the redundant network elements may be divided into a number of independent sessions. Each session may generate its own checkpoint in a similar manner as the payload application. Thus, each independent session on the primary element may synchronize with its corresponding sessions on the backup elements by sending checkpoints for comparison.
As mentioned earlier, the system may be so configured that the backup element may take different actions after it generates its checkpoint. FIGS. 3 and 4 introduce two options to configure the backup element.
Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a flow chart illustrating a process for synchronizing a backup element in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in step 300, the backup element may be programmed to suspend processing of all inputs on its connections immediately after the sync point bookmarks have been reached on these connections. The input data arriving at the network connections of the backup element will not be discarded. Instead, they may be stored, in the order of their arrivals, in an input buffer or a similar storage device. After generation of the backup checkpoint, the backup element may wait for the primary checkpoint to arrive.
At step 302, the backup element may receive the primary checkpoint that has been generated and transmitted by the primary element.
At step 304 the backup checkpoint may be compared with the primary checkpoint. The information associated with the primary element's state that has been recorded in the primary checkpoint may be extracted and compared with the backup element's state recorded in the backup checkpoint. The comparison may be performed based on a plurality of predetermined criteria. For example, certain global state values from either checkpoint need to be identical in order to declare a match. On the other hand, certain local or node-specific values may not have to be the same. Depending on the information being compared, a partial or substantial match may be sufficient for synchronization purposes while on certain occasions an exact match may be more desirable.
If it is determined that the backup checkpoint does not match the primary checkpoint, then at step 306, the backup element may be updated with the primary checkpoint. That is, the state of the backup element may be overwritten based on the state information recorded in the primary checkpoint. Thus, a synchronization between the backup element and the primary element may be restored.
If it is determined that the backup checkpoint does match the primary checkpoint, then the backup element has been in synchronization with the primary element.
At step 308, the backup element may resume processing inputs that have been buffered since the generation of the backup checkpoint. After a short period of time, the backup element may catch up with the primary element and run in synchronization with it.
Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a flow chart illustrating a process for synchronizing a backup element in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
As shown at step 400, the backup element may be programmed to resume processing of all inputs on its connections immediately after the backup checkpoint has been generated.
At step 402, the backup element may receive the primary checkpoint that has been generated and transmitted by the primary element.
At step 404, the backup checkpoint may be compared with the primary checkpoint. A match between these two checkpoints may indicate that the backup element has been running in synchronization with the primary element. Therefore, at step 408, the backup element does not have to do anything further.
If, however, that the backup checkpoint does not match the primary checkpoint, then at step 406, the backup element may report an error. Since the backup element has been processing inputs after the generation of its checkpoint, it may not be able to bring itself back into synchronization with the primary element based on the primary checkpoint. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the error signal sent by the backup element may be used to trigger a synchronization restoration process, where another primary checkpoint may be requested while the backup element is put on hold.
Other variations for the backup element's actions after checkpoint generation or comparison also exist.
Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system for synchronizing redundant network elements in accordance with the present invention.
The exemplary system comprises a Primary Element 500 and Backup Element(s) 502, which are part of a network (partially shown) between End System 508 and End System 510. Backup Element(s) 502 may be physically redundant of Primary Element 500 and may run the same Payload Application 504 as Primary Element 500. The outputs of Primary Element 500 may be enabled while the outputs of Backup Element(s) 502 may be suppressed (shown as grounded) during normal operation. Connection 512 symbolizes the periodic checkpoints that Primary Element 500 may generate and transmit to Backup Element(s) 502 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
At this point it should be noted that the system and method in accordance with the present invention as described above typically involves the processing of input data and the generation of output data to some extent. This input data processing and output data generation may be implemented in hardware or software. For example, specific electronic components may be employed in a computer and/or communications network or similar or related circuitry for implementing the functions associated with synchronizing redundant network elements in accordance with the present invention as described above. Alternatively, one or more processors operating in accordance with stored instructions may implement the functions associated with synchronizing redundant network elements in accordance with the present invention as described above. If such is the case, it is within the scope of the present invention that such instructions may be stored on one or more processor readable carriers (e.g., a magnetic disk), or transmitted to one or more processors via one or more signals.
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The Wilds Of Taiwan: "In the darkling hour..."
Right after returning a DVD to BlockyB's, we got into the car and I paused to take a picture of the paddy field we'd parked next to. (That came out pretty well too - show you later.) The car's interior light turned off so Jason resorted to using the light on his newly acquired pedometer. Kelly says this photo is creepy. I prefer "eerily effective".
Posted by John Naruwan at 6:39 PM

type: global

value: Blogger is an American online content management system (CMS) which enables multi-user blogs with time-stamped entries. Pyra Labs developed it before being acquired by Google in 2003.


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28 | March | 2012 | Beyond the Reception Desk
Posted on March 28, 2012 by administrator	• Posted in Communication Skills, Customer Care, Managers / Supervisors Training, The Receptionist, The Surgery	• Tagged Communication, Customer Care, Importance of being a good supervisor or Manager, Leadership skills, Manager, Staff Appraisals, Staff Motovating, Staff Training, Supervisor, Team Building	• 4 Comments
Managerial effectiveness is a crucial element in the running of any Practice. But being a “good” manager is not just about hitting targets and working for the company – it is all about managing your staff in the most proactive way you can. Leadership is the only way forward. Here are some points that are vital to a Manager to help manage a good and happy team.
I will use the term “Manager” in this blog but this is also for anyone in a supervisory
role – being a Supervisor you are in a responsible role and lead a team and this is just as important as a managerial role.
In every organisation there is a definite need for leadership. Whether it is a Team Leader, Supervisor or Manager they are vital to the practice. You will need to be goal orientated, self-motivated and possess boundless energy and have to learn how to exert influence effectively in all directions – upwards, downwards and sideways. You will need to show strong leadership both to your bosses and the staff.
You will need to earn respect from your staff and your Partners – and that comes with
time. You need to be seen to be fair, treating everyone with respect and not show any signs of favouritism.
Strict neutrality is also necessary in your dealings with staff. It is hard to maintain a strictly unbiased approach if you are particularly friendly with one or more members of staff.
The role of a Manager can sometimes be very lonely.
Team building is vital for the whole practice.
Communication plays a big part in Team Building. Get to know your team where possible as individuals. Get to know their strengths and weaknesses, their goals and their hopes. These will help when it comes to yearly appraisals. By knowing your staff and their bilities you are able to place them in the job best suited to them. You might have someone who has great people skills – they will be ideal to put on the front desk, and someone who has great computer skills yet not so good on people skills, they would be great at carrying out admin and computer work. By placing these people in these roles make for happier staff – they are doing something they enjoy rather than just doing a job given to them.
You need all types of staff to have a team. Someone that is has a great telephone manner, someone who has great people skills and someone who has great organisational skills – use them to the best of their ability.
Team Building is such a important part of your job.
Motivating staff is an essential part of any manger’s work. Most staff seeks not only an
interesting job but usually like to feel that what they are doing is worthwhile and that they have job security. They need to be able to respect their boss(es) and have the respect back. Offer staff opportunities – training, learning new skills, and promotion wherever possible.
Staff are more likely to be motivated if they receive recognition and praise when it is deserved. This can be given to individual members of the team or to the team as a whole.
If you are praising an individual do not do it in front of the other members of the team. Call them to your office and give the praise – if the praise is to the whole team give this at a team meeting – and ensure that staff that are not at the meeting receive the praise. You could verbally give the praise followed up by a memo to all concerned.
Staff will work better if the management of the practice is not only consistent by also seen to be fair.
Finding time to have staff meetings is never easy. Especially in Practice as many of the
staff are part-time workers and therefore you never having everyone there at the same time.
Some practices have staff meetings in the evenings; some have “breakfast” meetings before the surgery opens. Others have staff meetings during the lunch break. One thing is for sure if you have a big team of receptionists you will never have everyone attend the meeting. Look at the best times that staff can attend. Send out a memo asking them what they would prefer. Try to rotate the meetings every time so everyone gets a fair change of attending the next one.
But the important thing is to keep staff informed if they are unable to attend. For me the best way was to have each and every meeting has minutes taken and copies sent out to all staff – those that were present and those that could not attend also copy in your manager and the staff Partner. Always keep a copy of every meeting on file for future reference.
It is important to give staff plenty of notice when the next meeting is going to take place. A good suggestion is to agree the next date at the meeting you are holding. This way you can add it to the minutes.
If you have a lunchtime meeting a good idea is to provide lunch – perhaps a nice kind rep would be happy to help.
As a Practice you will have to decide if overtime is going to be paid and at what rate.
Let all staff have an opportunity of adding items to the agenda.
In my experience most staff are happy to attend meetings if they can see the point of it and a positive outcome with direction action being taken if appropriate.
If you learn to hold successful meetings, you should be guaranteed a good attendance.
Staff training is vital – it is essential for every Practice to be able to move forward. Well
trained staff are confident staff.
Invest in good training. It does not always have to cost a fortune. There are several options that you can take when it comes to staff training. You can either send individual staff on training courses outside the practice – your local PCT (Primary Care Trust) usually run excellent courses and many of these are free.
You can attend courses and then bring them back to the and train staff.
You can have an outside organisation come into the Practice and train several staff at the same time – this can be some similar to a staff meeting when it can be done during a lunchtime. Again Reps are often able to help in the cost of training.
Ensure that you log all training that staff has been on – keep a training log of their individual training skills in their staff files.
Appraisals are a two-way process. If you need to explain to staff that one of the reasons
why you wish to hold individual appraisals is because you wish to learn from them, how they feel about their particular job and their role in the practice, this should ensure that they begin to feel less apprehensive about the whole process.
For some reason staff always see appraisals as a negative thing. Try to change that.
The appraisal interview should provide a forum for feedback from the employee as well as a chance for the manager to praise past efforts and offer constructive criticism on ways in which improvements can take place. Training needs can be identified and methods of monitoring development can be set up.
It is important that you listen to their views and recommendations and, where possible implement changes that they have suggested. But do not make promises that you will not be able to keep.
Communication is vital. Staff needs to be kept informed in anything that might involve them. Lack of communication is a good way to start rumours and bad feelings amongst staff. Keep your staff informed of necessary changes within their jobs or within the Practice.
Talk to your staff, feedback when and where possible – staff meetings are good for this as
are memo’s and talking to staff wherever possible.
And remember – there is no “I” in TEAM
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Make webpage responsive Urgently | HTML5 | Freelancer
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( 0 değerlendirme ) BIJNOR, India
Proje NO: #20409752
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value: Freelance (sometimes spelled free-lance or free lance), freelancer, or freelance worker, are terms commonly used for a person who is self-employed and not necessarily committed to a particular employer long-term. Freelance workers are sometimes represented by a company or a temporary agency that resells freelance labor to clients; others work independently or use professional associations or websites to get work.


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A Heart and Soul Story: Lazy Day
After the wedding weekend, I really needed a day full of relaxing. The weather was still great with just a couple of clouds and I decided to take a stroll around Espoo and my friends place. As I spent the whole day alone and without any tripod (I don't dare to just put my camera up somewhere, as I am scared it will take a tumble down some hill!). So today, we will do the usual outfit shots a bit differently!
This is what I wore shown as a shadow :) It was a similar outfit to this one. I wore the same shorts, which have really become a staple piece in my vacation wardrobe. A simple White T-Shirt and I was good to go.
I got myself a bag of Candy King treats and went of to explore. Candy King is my fav' when it comes to sweet snacks. I never like thos mixed bags of sweets, as there is always some you don't like. With Candy King, you can choose the kind of candy, the amount you want and you can mix and match :)
What is amazing about Helsinki: It was built mainly on ground with a lot of stones and rocks that are remnants of the last glacial period. Still today, when building a new street or house, the construction company needs to blast the rocks first before they can start any construction work. In between house, one can still find remainders of those rocks. I climbed some of those and spent my afternoon with eating candy, enjoying the sun and the view and listening to some music!
Posted by Anja at 9:52 AM
i really like those blue flats! where did you get them??
Those are from Deichmann, a German shoe store. They are currently 50% off!


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Why Shares of hhgregg, Inc. Dropped - AOL Finance
Apr 15th 2014 9:26PM
Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.What: Shares of hhgregg were heading south today, falling as much as 15% and finishing down 10% after providing disappointing preliminary earnings results.So what: The electronics retailer estimated a 9.9% decline in revenue to $538.3 million for the fourth quarter, ending March 31, with a comparable sales drop of 9.9% on large declines in consumer electronics and computing and wireless categories. Because of the drop, management now expects an adjusted per-share loss of $0.25, well below analyst estimates of a $0.10 profit. The Wall Street revenue consensus had stood at $552.1 million. Now what: CEO Dennis May said the company "faced a number of headwinds in the quarter" including extreme weather, but it managed to deliver its 11th straight comparable sales increase in appliances, which, with electronics sales flagging, has become the focus of the company's transformation strategy. Still, appliances make up just about half of the company's sales so it will need to do something about plummeting electronics sales. I'm also concerned about the company's badly missing its own guidance,and would expect shares to continue to fall unless it can reverse its sharp sales decline. 2 stocks changing the retail worldTo learn about two retailers with especially good prospects, take a look at The Motley Fool's special free report: "The Death of Wal-Mart: The Real Cash Kings Changing the Face of Retail." In it, you'll see how these two cash kings are able to consistently outperform and how they're planning to ride the waves of retail's changing tide. You can access it by clicking here.
The article Why Shares of hhgregg, Inc. Dropped originally appeared on Fool.com.

value: AOL (stylized as Aol., formerly a company known as AOL Inc. and originally known as America Online) is an American web portal and online service provider based in New York City.


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Climategate: Millions paying too much for energy 'due to lack of competition'
Posted by ItsFairComment at 13:45


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SAMPLE PLAY AUDIO SAMPLE http%3A%2F%2Fsamples.audible.com%2Fbk%2Fpeng%2F001836%2Fbk_peng_001836_sample.mp3+flashcontent0AEJ9Z2NWDTY3KQCQF430 Believing the Lie: An Inspector Lynley Novel
3.80 (432 ratings) Inspector Thomas Lynley is mystified when he's sent undercover to investigate the death of Ian Cresswell at the request of the man's uncle, the wealthy and influential Bernard Fairclough. The death has been ruled an accidental drowning, and nothing on the surface indicates otherwise. But when Lynley enlists the help of his friends Simon and Deborah St. James, the trio's digging soon reveals that the Fairclough clan is awash in secrets, lies, and motives.

value: Audible is an American online audiobook and podcast service owned by Amazon.com Inc. that allows users to purchase and stream audiobooks and other forms of spoken word content.


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Defiantly Dutch: In which I blog about tonight's game by riffing on "The Shot," which was not taken by but was tangentially related to Hofstra
In which I blog about tonight's game by riffing on "The Shot," which was not taken by but was tangentially related to Hofstra
Football season starts tonight, but men’s hoops was in the news Wednesday as Hofstra announced it would participate in the Charleston Classic Nov. 14-16. The Flying Dutchmen will open the eight-team tourney by facing Clemson. It’ll be the first time the Dutchmen face Clemson since they really WERE the Dutchmen back in the 1989-1990 season, when the Tigers cruised to a 91-58 win in South Carolina.
The teams continued going in opposite directions that winter: Hofstra finished 13-15 while Clemson made the Sweet 16, where its season ended in stunning fashion thanks to one of the all-time great buzzer-beaters by—wait for it!!!—UCONN’S Tate George. Oh sweet bountiful sporting gods, thank you for bestowing upon me this awesomely obscure link to tonight’s football game.
More on that in a bit, after I wax nostalgic about “The Shot.” I remember being about the only person in Connecticut NOT thrilled about it. I was already a loyal fan of North Carolina—and, since the Tar Heels were getting smoked at that moment by Arkansas, an unhappy one—and tired of how UConn’s magical season had unearthed hundreds of thousands of frontrunners who couldn’t have picked Chuck Aleksinas, the pride of Connecticut's northwest corner, out of a police lineup.
After George’s shot went thru the hoop, I bolted out of my chair, kicked or threw something and cursed a blue streak. Between the Huskies’ miracle win and UNC’s loss, those damn frontrunners would be all over me tomorrow. And if you ever loved sports as a kid, you know there was nothing worse than trudging through the doors the day after your favorite team lost a big game. All those laughing faces and pointing fingers, reveling in your heartache. Bastards. Of course, I’m also the guy who once made a videotape mocking a Duke fan after the Tar Heels beat those rat finks in a regular season game, so I guess I had it coming.
My dad yelled down the stairs. “JER DID YOU SEE THAT? HOW GREAT WAS THAT?” I yelled something about how it sucked. I think he at that point considered putting me up for adoption.
Eighteen years later, “The Shot” gives me goosebumps instead of a stomach ache. My contempt of UConn disappeared well before I became forever indebted to Jim Calhoun & Co. for knocking off the afore-mentioned rat finks in the 1999 title game.
And it’s a lot more fun watching it now than it was then. How can you ever get tired of watching a 1-in-100 shot happen? (Dear sweet bountiful sporting gods: Do not make me regret writing that sentence) The Huskies had to go 94 feet in one second. They needed the perfect throw (it helped having Scott Burrell, a former first-round MLB pick as a high school pitcher, heaving the ball) to set up the shot. The throw wasn’t quite perfect, but George leaped, caught the ball, landed, turned around and shot it, all before the buzzer sounded.
The coolest thing: CBS stayed with the post-game reaction shots for three minutes. Today, someone nails a buzzer-beater and 20 seconds later it’s thrown back to Greg Gumbel in the studio. We probably would have seen the picture-tells-a-thousand words of Elden Campbell’s face, frozen in equal parts horror and disbelief. But we would have missed a youthful-looking Jim Calhoun running around the floor, a la Jim Valvano, as if he couldn’t figure out who to hug first.
Alas, it merely took two days for UConn to fall victim to another seemingly once-in-a-generation shot when all-time bad guy Christian Laettner drained a buzzer beater to send Duke to the Final Four. That was the first of his two I-don’t-believe-what-I-just-saw shots to put Duke into the Final Four. There has never been a better college basketball game than this. And I still loathe Laettner so very much.
Hmm. That went longer than anticipated. If you’ve read this far, I thank you. (Girthy won’t be happy with this encyclopedic-like post, nor will the Connecticut-hating Icepick) So my theory on how the win over Clemson was symbolic of how the 1989-90 season helped UConn leave the Hofstras of the world in its dust will have to wait.
As for tonight’s game, I’d love to see Hofstra win, but the odds are against it. If the Dutchmen can't pull off a mini-Appalachian State, I hope they at least keep it competitive…or at least closer than the 45-17 thrashing that Loyal Reader Jeff, a fellow Nutmeg native whom I met 15 years ago today at some goofy orientation exercise at Hofstra USA, predicts. Of course, if Hofstra manages to win somehow, Jeff will dig out his old Midnight Madness T-shirt, wear it to work Friday and tell everyone how he’s always loved Hofstra. Those damn Connecticut front-runners!
Labels: Clemson, Stupid Laettner, Tate George, Teenage Angst And Frontrunners, Tonight
You think the State of Connecticut will ban Tyler Lorenzen for throwing too fast, too?
Woo hoo! The Shot!!!


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Arpaio seeks investigation of his defeat in 2016 election | Daily Mail Online
Published: 18:32 EDT, 21 June 2018 | Updated: 19:57 EDT, 21 June 2018
PHOENIX (AP) - Joe Arpaio is seeking an investigation into his claim that the U.S. Justice Department meddled in his unsuccessful 2016 campaign for sheriff in metro Phoenix.
FILE - In this May 22, 2018, file photo, former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio arrives at the Arizona Secretary of State's office in Phoenix, to turn in petition signatures in his bid to appear on the ballot in the race to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake. Arpaio is seeking an investigation into his claim that the U.S. Justice Department meddled in his unsuccessful 2016 campaign for sheriff in metro Phoenix. Arpaio alleges the agency tried to sway voters against him by agreeing to prosecute a criminal case against him just weeks before the election. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)
"It's unfortunate that Joe Arpaio is focused on re-litigating his unsuccessful 2016 election - as an Arizonan, I can tell you he lost because he doesn't have command of the issues affecting our state," said Shawn Dow, campaign manager for former state Sen. Kelli Ward, one of Arpaio's GOP primary opponents in the Senate race.

value: The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market and online news source newspaper published in London in a tabloid format. Founded in 1896, it is the United Kingdom's highest-circulated daily newspaper.


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Patent US4837798 - Communication system having unified messaging - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsUnified messaging is a concept that provides for a single electronic mailbox for different types of messages. The mailbox can be on a user's host computer, PBX, PC, etc., and the user has consistant facilities available to originate, receive and manipulate messages. Messages can be translated from one...http://www.google.com/patents/US4837798?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US4837798 - Communication system having unified messagingAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS4837798 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 06/869,277Publication dateJun 6, 1989Filing dateJun 2, 1986Priority dateJun 2, 1986Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA1261493A, CA1261493A1, CA1270584B, CN1014666B, CN87103996A, EP0270604A1, EP0270604B1, WO1987007801A1Publication number06869277, 869277, US 4837798 A, US 4837798A, US-A-4837798, US4837798 A, US4837798AInventorsRoberta S. Cohen, Kenneth M. Huber, Deborah J. MillsOriginal AssigneeAmerican Telephone And Telegraph Company, At&T Information Systems Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (7), Non-Patent Citations (6), Referenced by (889), Classifications (26), Legal Events (7) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetCommunication system having unified messaging
When all this formatting is completed, blocks 1014-1019, the mail message contains headers and contents in a structured way, interpretable by t

value: Google Patents is a search engine from Google that indexes patents and patent applications.


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Well we have had a good weekend here especiallay now spring is here and it is lovely and warm weather with lots of sunshine. I miss Mum more than I can say. I always thought it would be bad (not that I thought about it that much!) but I miss her very much every day. This afternoon I just wanted to do some sewing in peace - because I'd feel close to Ma - I used ot love sewing with her. There was a time (before the twins) when any school holidays spent with my parents meant mum and I making a quilt together. We'd talk for ages and discuss our various projects and passions of the time. When P gave a eulogy for Mum he mentioned that when she made something and gave it to loved ones - she was really giving a part of herself and how our houses were all full of such things (Mum quilted and embroidered mainly). In the photoes here Hannah is wearing a lot of dresses made by Mum - for her first granddaughter who is 16 now. They still look great. And I have to say how true those sentiments feel. Just yesterday I was hanging the brats' cushion covers ont he line - ones made with so much love by their Nin Nin. This Wed Mum would have been 68. It was also to be her and Dad's 48th wedding anniversary - I don't know what to say on that except - I am so worried for Dad. I can only imagine his grief. I wish there was so many more things I could do to help him through this time but I don't even live in the same state as he. Posted by
Well it has been an intense time down under for the shams. I have been in Brisbane with Dad. Mum did not make it home from the hospital this time. We had the unspeakably heartbreaking time of supporting Dad and each other as we directed the doctors to stop treatment and manage pain relief until less than 48 hours later Mum passed away. The pain she went through while they were treating her (treatments which weren't working) was so distressing to see. She kept pulling at her canulas, crying out as a particular antibiotics were administered and itching all over most of the time. In the end her kidneys failed and then the morphine worsened her respiration and her heart stopped. It was about 5.30am on Sunday the 7th September. At that time I was lying in bed looking out at the sunshine, listening to Ave Maria and saying a prayer for Mum so in hind sight I a pretty sure she came by to give us a wave.We met some wonderful people during that time. I'll never forget their kindness and the love and care my father gave to Mum too - his incredible strength as he lost woman he had loved for 50 years. He had some very definite ideas about saying goodbye once she had gone - lovely sad farewells that will go on until he joins her one day (hopefully not for many many years!).I am back in Sydney and the pain is raw. Still I give thanks for all the wonderful memories and the love and other gifts my mother bestowed upon us all with selfless generosity. May her soul rest in peace. Amen.


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Calderdale Public Health report on Work and Mental Health exposes shameful demands on social care workers – Calderdale and Kirklees 999 Call for the NHS
February 10, 2020 February 10, 2020 Green__Jenny
Calderdale Public Health report on Work and Mental Health exposes shameful demands on social care workers
Calderdale Council’s Director of Adult Services and Wellbeing has told Calderdale GPs and NHS commissioners about “feeling guilty and ashamed at the demands I put on carers”.
Iain Baines, who is responsible for commissioning social care services in Calderdale, made the admission at the 23rd January meeting of Calderdale Clinical Commissioning Group Governing Body, during discussion of Calderdale Council’s Public Health Report 2019-20.
The Report, “Working Well”, is about health and work. A section of an accompanying film, screened by the Director of Public Health at the Clinical Commissioning Group Governing Body meeting, could more aptly have been called “ Precarious Work Makes You Sick.”
Paul Butcher, who wrote the Report, said the film is aimed at Calderdale employers and Trade Unions, in order to encourage better mental health support for staff.
The section screened at the NHS Commissioners’ meeting features an account by an exhausted, seriously overworked home care worker, about how she reached the point of having to quit her job in order to save her own health, after being rota’d for 12 days work without a break.
The film cuts to an interview with Mark Coup, her boss at the Upper Calder Valley social care company, Welcome Independent Living Ltd. He explains that the company’s precarious finances are the root cause of the care worker’s predicament.
I caught up with him after the meeting to find out more. He explained that when Councils deliver care themselves (eg in a crisis and in the reablement team after hospital discharge), it costs them about £50/hour.
But on the basis of Calderdale Council’s fee calculation – similar to the the UK Homecare Association model – Welcome Independent Living is paid £16.74/hour of care, contact time only. Since Welcome Independent Living pays travel time as work, the average wage based on Calderdale Council’s fee calculation is £7.90/hour.
Mark Coup explained,
“Because of the split shift pattern of care work, a Welcome Independent Living care worker could work 10 hours a day out of 15 hours.
“But usually they work an early shift or a late shift. The early shift is 7.30-10am and then 11.30am-2pm. The late shift is 4-6pm and then 7-10pm.
“This amounts to 30 hours/week on minimum wage, which is not enough to live on. So they have to work two or three jobs.
“But for District Nurses, the early shift is 7am-2.30pm – seven and a half hours. They get paid for the full shift.”
Mark Coup added,
“There are many 40-50 year old women working with Welcome Independent Living who have to do other jobs too in pubs, supermarkets or betting shops, just to stay afloat.”
No amount of mental health support for staff is going to help, until the broken, privatised social care model is fixed
The Governing Body’s Clinical Vice Chair Dr Majid Azeb observed that the care worker examples showed the effect of low wage employment and contracts.
Until this problem is solved, in the view of Calderdale and Kirklees 999 Call for the NHS, the film’s aim of promoting better workplace mental health support seems beside the point.
Low wage jobs and contracts is not a newly recognised problem – but it seems to have been swept under the carpet for years. As long ago as 2014, Calderdale Council recognised that social care workers need a living wage and manageable working hours – not rotas of 12 days work without a break.
The then-Director of Adult Health and Social Care, Bev Maybury, told the first meeting of the Calderdale People’s Commission on Health and Social Care that Calderdale Council was trying draw up Social Care contracts to improve working conditions. They planned to ban zero hours contracts, pay the living wage, and pay travel costs. She added that paying a little more is essential to get a better service
I emailed Iain Baines to ask, but he didn’t reply.
Governing Body barks up wrong tree
The NHS Commissioners’ Governing Body seemed to think the solution is better commissioning. Penny Woodhead, the Clinical Commissioning Group’s Chief Quality and Nursing Officer, asked,
“How do you commission for compassion?”
“The NHS People Plan emphasises employee Health and Wellbeing. But commissioners put all sorts of things in place that limit that.”
The Governing Body Chair, Dr Steven Cleasby, invited Iain Baines’ input. Calderdale Council’s Director of Adult Services and Wellbeing replied,
“It’s about how we commission things.
“For example, Welcome Independent Living is one of our contractors and they can’t really afford to pay a decent wage.
“We rely on care work a lot. How do we commission at a fair price so that staff have a decent working life? I’m thinking ethically about how we commission.
“I end up feeling guilty and ashamed at the demands I put on carers.”
Paul Butcher, Calderdale Council’s Director of Public Health and author of the “Working Well” report, added that its “Anchor Organisations” section noted the Health and Wellbeing Board’s statement that there is scope to review how to tender and award contracts and services.
Penny Woodhead agreed,
“There’s a requirement in the NHS Standard Contract around some of these things – we need to think more about how to use this.”
However, the NHS Standard Contract doesn’t apply to Calderdale Council contracts. So how is that going to help with with Council’s privatised social care contracts?
And even if it did, in Ck999’s view, solving the problem of social care work that makes social carers mentally and physically ill is not about “how we commission things”.
Director of Welcome Independent Living Ltd: “I don’t want private companies providing social care.”
Surprisingly, this was the first thing Mark Coup said to me. So I asked him what he did want.
“In an ideal world, health and social care would be merged and delivered by a statutory workforce, but in a way that could be more efficient than current methods.
“For example, the NHS and Local Authority could subcontract these hours of care to a non-profit organisation aligned to the Council/NHS. But this would not be like the Wholly Owned Subsidiaries set up by NHS Foundation Trusts as a way to save or make money.
“The economics would allow the non-profit organisation to make an 8% surplus to reinvest in better wages and conditions. Compared with the current model that gives Welcome Independent Living a 3% surplus. Which amounts to £24K which pays my and my wife’s £12k/year wages.
“Social care in my world would be driven by the NHS, because it’s good value and good for the taxpayer. And it’s the clinically right thing to do because it’s down to hospital consultants and other clinical staff to decide which patients need care packages and what they need. So social care needs to be driven by people whose interests are clinical interests, which means NHS-led.
“The NHS and Council are working together a bit – for instance the last few weeks Welcome Independent Living have been helped to provide care for customers stuck in hospital who are medically fit for discharge but who don’t have a care package so they can go home. This means Welcome Independent Living can now provide care for the first 8 weeks after discharge, before the NHS and Council can get them into regular care.”
I asked if Welcome Independent Living are involved in the Upper Calder Valley Primary Care Network. Primary Care Networks are supposed to have multidisciplinary teams to care for frail elderly patients in so-called “virtual wards” that use so-called telehealth digital monitoring, to keep an eye on their health. The aim is to identify any deterioration in health in time to prevent unplanned hospital attendance and admission.
It turns out Welcome Independent Living are not involved in anything like this but Mark thinks they should be located in the GP practice, to enable joined up NHS and social care.
It’s not about how to tender and award contracts and services
In the view of Calderdale and Kirklees 999 Call for the NHS, it’s about the urgent need for government to end the privatisation and fragmentation of social care, and to restore responsibility to the NHS for the long term care of the elderly and those with chronic illnesses and disabilities. With an appropriate funding increase.
Last summer, the NHS Detectives Think Paddling Pool reviewed how Thatcher CREATED the split between the NHS, social care and mental health services.
They came up with these recommendations:
Return responsibility for the long term care of the elderly to the NHS and increase NHS funding accordingly
Abolish the market in care homes
Return responsibility for the long term care of the mentally ill to the NHS and increasing NHS funding accordingly
Restore the caring arts to professionalised nursing and end the split in nurses’ roles between “personal care” and “health care”
(Declaration of interest: NHS Detectives Think Paddling Pool includes members of Calderdale and Kirklees 999 Call for the NHS. It’s not grand enough to be a Think Tank.)
We’re interested in the experiences and views of both social care staff, employers, people who receive social care and their families and friends
For years successive governments have been kicking a long-overdue review of social care funding and provision into long grass.
What do you want from social care services, and how should this be provided and funded?
Please let us know, we will anonymise all info we receive and handle it in line with Data Protection law. We will then communicate it to Councillors, Council Officers, local NHS organisations and MPs.
You can email changingmorethanlightbulbs@gmail.com or message Calderdale and Kirklees 999 call for the NHS Facebook page.
The Working Well film is on You Tube, here.
Calderdale Council Public Health
Welcome Independent Living Ltd
Previous Calderdale NHS Commissioners meeting Jan 23rd: Inadequate funding, shortages of clinical staff & capacity, and risks to patients
Next NHS England must explain delay to Grantham A&E consultation


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Immediate Past President Bhojaraj Mane (2011 – 2012) – Abu Dhabi Chapter 1950 – Salim Sayyid
“The leaders who work most effectively, it seems to me, never say “I.” And that’s not because they have trained themselves not to say “I.” They don’t think “I.” They think “we”; they think “team.” – Peter Drucker
Immediate Past President Bhojraj Mane is one outstanding leader who always leads by example and has always placed the ‘Team’ before ‘I’ In spite of Abu Dhabi Chapter’s excellent performance in 2011 – 2012 under his leadership, he has given all credit to the Team and this speaks volumes of his humility and leadership qualities.
http://db.tt/6huK7ceH – Farewell letter link
http://db.tt/wRG2ppab – DCP Points link
Posted in: Blog | Tagged: Abu Dhabi Chapter 1950, Bhojaraj Mane, Salim Sayyid, Toastmasters International
Onions oh Onions! – Post by Fitho


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Spiritual Memoirs 101: What can your Bible’s pages help you remember?
Which verses in your Bible have you underlined or highlighted? Look over a few and ask yourself why those are special to you.
Try to remember: Why and how did they speak to your heart? During which event or era were those verses your delight? Or your instruction? Or your only hope?
God longs for us to remember the amazing things He has done (Psalm 105:5), but too often we forget.
Mike Metzger writes,
that the historic Judeo-Christian tradition placed on remembrance . . .
(at least it’s the most recurrent offense).
(Mike Metzger, Clapham Memo,
January 19, 2007, “Back and Forth”)
Look through your Bible and notice the Bible verses you cherished in the past, and remember those verses that changed your life, passages you held onto in dark times, verses that made you fall down in worship—and those that buoyed you in your everyday happenings.
One day I spent half an hour looking through an old Bible, one I used from the mid-1980s through the early 1990s. Reading underlined passages sent me back to the ministries I had during those years, and to specific locales, and they reminded me of people and issues and heartbreaks and joys.
Reading them again also reminded me God was always there in the midst, working out His best, even if I didn’t know it at the time.
Below are a few of the verses highlighted in my old Bible. Perhaps in reading them, you, too, will discover story ideas of your own.
Above all else, guard your heart. . . . (Proverbs 4:23)
All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. . . . I wait for you, O Lord; you will answer, O Lord my God. (Psalm 38:9, 15)
Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind. (Psalm 25:2)
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done. . . . (Genesis 50:20)
You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light shine . . . . (Matthew 5:14, 16)
I have seen the misery of my people. . . . I have heard them crying. . . . I am concerned about their suffering. . . . I have come down to rescue them. (Exodus 3:7-8)
Now you will see what I will do. . . . Then you will know that I am the Lord your God. (Exodus 6:1-7)
The Lord kept vigil that night. . . . (Exodus 12:42)
for he is highly exalted. . . .
Therefore, I urge you . . . in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:1-2)
Denise Beck writes that when she takes her Bible’s crinkled pages and spends quiet time alone with God, “He meets me in a new way. He teaches me and transforms me, and those places and spaces are heavy with the stories He showed me. Stories of who He is. Stories of who I am. Stories of who I am in Him.”
Take a few days to go through your Bible
and find passages you cherish,
verses that changed you,
verses that helped you make decisions,
passages you held onto in dark times,
verses that made you bow down in worship.
Include verses that nurtured you
through your everyday routines
and those that delighted you with joy.
Then write your stories—
stories of who He is, who you are,
and who you are in Him.
Labels: Bible, Denise Beck, Exodus 15:1-2, Isaiah 55:8-9, leaving a spiritual legacy, Mike Metzger, Psalm 105:5, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 73:26, remember, Romans 12:1-2, Spiritual Memoirs 101, writing a memoir