News

Councils not consulting adequately on services for older people

Counsel and Care, the national charity working with older people, their families and carers, is dismayed at the investigation results published by Community Care.  An investigation revealed that one out of ten councils could have increased their charges for adult social care services before going through the full consultation process, a legal obligation since 2006.

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Former NHS chief Lord Crisp hints that too many hospital building projects were carried out under Labour

Hospitals should be closed so the NHS in England can switch resources to the long-term care of the burgeoning numbers of older people in the community, the former chief executive of the health service Lord Crisp has said.

He would not put a figure on closures, but implied that too many new hospital building projects might have been carried out when Labour was in office and he was the NHS head.

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The independent travel training bus is a monthly opportunity for people with disabilities and special education needs to gain experience and seek advice about all aspects of travelling by public transport.

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Ministers must learn the lessons of past welfare changes or risk a proposed shake-up of disability support leaving many in poverty, a charity claims.

The Papworth Trust said 85% of claimants would have to cut back on basics if plans to replace Disability Living Allowance left them worse off.

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Koruso!, began in October 2008 as a Southwark Council initiative to promote community cohesion. It has since grown from a small choral group to a self-run community choir with a wide-ranging repertoire, performing music that bridges cultures and unites faith traditions.

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Creation Trust has recently secured one years funding to deliver interventions, support and respite for up to fifteen young carers aged 10-16 who live on and around the Aylesbury and Rockingham estates in Southwark. The project will provide three hours of activities over forty-eight weeks.

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Mental health services risk becoming fragmented and put under increased pressure by councils withdrawing social workers from integrated teams, NHS leaders have warned.

Councils across the country are reviewing partnership agreements with mental health trusts and, in some cases, have scrapped them. Under these, social workers are seconded to trusts to work within integrated mental health services.

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Disabled people and carers have been caused “fear and distress” after an internet forum they use was taken down after disability assessment firm Atos Healthcare threatened to sue for libel.

Atos said the forum, run by carers campaign group Carer Watch, had carried “false and malicious allegations” about the company and its employees.

The forum’s internet host company shut the site without warning, a Carer Watch spokesperson said. The organisation has still not been told why Atos has threatened to sue for libel.

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Too few young people with learning difficulties and disabilities progress from school to complete programmes that will help them live independently, undertake further study, or gain employment.

An Ofsted report published today, ‘Progression post-16 for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities’, found that learning opportunities beyond school for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities varies considerably between local areas. There was insufficient provision available for learners with the highest level of need, and the current placement system resulted in significant inequities in the provision available for learners with similar needs.

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Beat theUK’s leading eating disorders charity are holding a series of afternoon Carers’ Conferences across the UK.

Workshops and presentations from various different organisations and professionals ensure a broad and appealing programme, providing support, information and networking opportunities for carers of those suffering from eating disorders.

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