• The NHS chief executive, Sir David Nicholson, is to retain a pivotal role in running the health service, reports the FT, despite speculation that he would go in September at the end of his five-year term.

• The number of charities has fallen by almost 17,000 over the past six years, according to research from Mintel reported in Third Sector.

• Hospitals in England and Wales are failing to provide good enough care to dementia patients, an audit by the Royal College of Psychiatrists reveals, says the BBC. One in four hospitals beds are estimated to be occupied by a dementia patient at any one time.

• The Supporting People programme is likely to be plundered by councils, according to an Association of Adult Social Services survey reported by Inside Housing. Some 82% of local authority commissioners said that "little or no protection" would be given to their supported housing programmes when their budgets are set next year.

On my radar ...

• Minority Thought, which was quoted in yesterday's Society daily on the debate over Richard Littlejohn's column on student protester Jody McIntyre. We would like to make it clear that while the Minority Thought blog found Littlejohn's views tasteless and offensive, it is not convinced they were was discriminatory.

• This blogpost from the Transform drug policy foundation, on Bob Ainsworth and drugs policy. Especially interesting are the editors notes, which give a handy reminder of David Cameron's stance on legalisation back in the day when he was a mere Tory leadership contender.

• This interesting guest post on the We Love Local Government blog from a local government consultant:

"Having jumped (before the rest of the population) into contracting earlier last year, I have had the privilege to work in three local authorities over the last 18 months.
It amazes me the bounteous delights of commonality between them. I am reminded about the staff away days, the team training sessions, but most of all Directors sharing best practice at highly priced corporate events where a glass of orange juice is likely to set the organisers back by £5.60.
In the area of cuts, restructure and the glittery world of transformation, I am amazed at the lack of learning seeming to take place throughout these highly paid and, at times, overpriced workers."

• Wall in the Mind, a series of lectures for Radio 4 by author and commentator Lynsey Hanley on class and social mobility. The three programmes are no longer available via the iPlayer, but you can hear them on Lynsey's tumblr blog.

• Spoof news site News Thump, which has this take on the Jody McIntyre story (thanks @BendyGirl)

• Paul Sellers, a volunteer mentor at one of our Christmas charity appeal projects, Bolton Lads and Girls Club, who was among the winners at the UK Mentoring and Befriending Recognition Awards yesterday. Esther Rantzen presented the awards and the event was organised by the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation.

• Charity Beatbullying, which has been chosen as the only UK charity partner in a 24-hour global 'takeover' of YouTube by charities and cause-related organisations this Saturday, 18 December.

• Frank Sidebottom, the much missed papier mache headed performer, who is aiming for a posthumous festive hit with his single Christmas is Really Fantastic. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Guardian and Observer Christmas Charity Appeal 2010

Charities working with disadvantaged young people in the UK will be the beneficiaries of this year's Guardian and Observer charity appeal.

Read profiles of our 10 chosen charities, see our pick of their photographs and make a donation in the Christmas Charity Appeal area of our site. Some of our biggest names and top editors and writers will be answering the phones on Saturday to chat and take your donations for this year's charity appeal. Call 0203 353 4368. Lines will be open between 10am and 6pm on Saturday

Events

HR Summit, 18 January, London

Creating the workforce you need to meet the challenges ahead

2 for 1 delegate place offer if you book before 17 December

Public Services Summit New models, new relationships, a new era. 10 & 11 February 2011, St Albans.

Join leading thinkers, practitioners and policy makers for discussion and debate about the future of our public services. 15% early bird discount available.

Mobile and Wireless Healthcare Enabling access to care at the point of need. 16 February, Birmingham.

This conference is aimed at ICT and service delivery teams in the NHS to give them practical advice and guidance at a time where all we can be certain of is a reduction in public sector budgets. 2 for 1 delegate place offer available.

Public Sector Procurement 17 February, Manchester. Only £99 to attend.

A one-day conference for public sector buyers and suppliers, exploring new policy and innovation from across the north of England.Book two delegate places and get 10% off.