The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has welcomed a report which focuses on the value of leadership and training to improve the service provided by those in care worker jobs with older people.

The report from the Commission on Dignity in Care called for fundamental changes to end the "persistent failings" in the care system. Universities and professional bodies should be satisfied applicants have the "academic qualifications and compassionate values needed to provide dignified care".

The RCP said the report was in line with its own recommendations to the commission to focus on leadership and training.

The clinical vice-president of the RCP, Dr Linda Patterson said: "The RCP recommends that hospitals provide adequate staffing with sufficient time to care for patients, including those with complex needs like dementia, and better continuity of care in acute settings and across providers, with clear accountability."

A month-long consultation will take place on the draft report before the commission publishes its final report by the end of June.

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Staff in midwife and nursing jobs have been urged to publicly declare their commitment to nurse-led care quality improvement by signing up to Energise for Excellence (E4E).

E4E asks nurses and midwives to harness their collective expertise, energy and commitment to ensure every patient can count on essential nursing care. The E4E call to action is designed to reconnect those in nursing and midwife jobs with the reason they chose to enter their professions.

More than 3,000 nurses and midwives have already added their name to E4E, which has received the backing of NHS Midlands and East chief nurse Ruth May and NHS North of England chief nurse Jane Cummings.

Ms Cummings, who is the national responsible officer for E4E, said: "Poor care is devastating to patients and their families. It is also devastating to nurses who, in almost every case, are members of the profession because they want to give the very best care they can.

"By answering the call to action, nurses and midwives across the healthcare service are stepping up to the plate, demonstrating that they have both the skills and the determination to provide excellent care at all times, for every patient."

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Hull City Council has employed eight new occupational health therapists in a bid to cut waiting times.

The council will look to recruit three more full-time health therapists later in the year to bring the total number added to its team to 11 by June, it confirmed. The recruitment drive began after it lost a number of experienced staff through early retirement last year.

The occupational therapy jobs are being funded by extra money from the NHS and the council, according to Councillor Rilba Jones, who is the portfolio holder for health and equalities at Hull City Council.

Ms Jones said: "We`ve struggled to recruit people with this qualification needed to be a qualified health therapist."

A further seven assistants who help people to live independently after also now employed by the council, Ms Jones said.

The waiting list to be assessed by an occupational health therapist currently stands at 34 weeks, unless the clients are at crisis point.

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Work has begun on a project to provide social care services to people affected by Huntingdon`s disease, working age dementia and alcohol-related brain injuries.

Barchester Healthcare and Nottinghamshire Healthcare broke ground on the site of their new venture in Mansfield, which will create 50 places for people who need intensive care and support.

The new building, on the former site of The Forest on Southwell Road, will also be a hub for people with jobs in social care on the trust`s community team. It is designed to provide a pathway for people from assessment to diagnosis and care.

Barchester Healthcare founder and chief executive Mike Parsons said: "Developing a service that draws on good practice from the public and independent sector is something that we are keen to explore. Our new services will reflect local needs and continue to promote Barchester`s reputation for delivering high quality services and person centred care in the best possible care environments."

The development is expected to be competed by the end of the year.

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