Carers will be disproportionately hit by government benefit cuts over the coming years, research published today shows.
Tax and benefit changes from 2010-15 will result in a real terms drop of 6% in net income for households where a person claims carer's allowance, compared with a 4% fall for other households, found an analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, commissioned by the Family and Parenting Institute.
The difference reflects the extent to which government benefit cuts are hitting disabled people cared for by loved-ones at home.
Full Article on Community Care
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
British Heart Foundation says 'no kissing, just hard CPR'
The British Heart Foundation is urging people to forget "mouth-to-mouth" and to concentrate on chest compressions when performing CPR.
But it is now being promoted in a new advertising campaign featuring footballer-turned-actor Vinnie Jones.
New polling by the BHF suggests many feel worried about the idea of giving the "kiss of life".
Full Article on BBC News
Government gives £150m funding boost for social care
Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley has pledged £150m extra funding for Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) to alleviate the impact of social care needs on hospitals. A White Paper on social care is to reveal detailed plans for funding reform later this year.
The government is to provide an additional £150m by doubling the amount allocated to PCTs for reablement services (defined by the Department of Health as 'assistance regaining independence if daily living skills are lost through illness or injury') in 2012-13. The money is part of the £87.5bn allocation made to PCTs for 2012-13. Mr Lansley's initiative follows a warning by Age UK director Michelle Mitchell that, 'Care is in crisis and it is getting worse.'
The government is to provide an additional £150m by doubling the amount allocated to PCTs for reablement services (defined by the Department of Health as 'assistance regaining independence if daily living skills are lost through illness or injury') in 2012-13. The money is part of the £87.5bn allocation made to PCTs for 2012-13. Mr Lansley's initiative follows a warning by Age UK director Michelle Mitchell that, 'Care is in crisis and it is getting worse.'
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Surviving Winter: Grants to Help
Are you an older person who spends more than 10% of your income on fuel. Do you need additional support to heat your home and eat properly in the cold weather?
A Surviving Winter grant may help. You must live in Wiltshire or Swindon Borough to apply.
A grant of £125 could assist you with:
· Paying your fuel bill
· Purchasing oil
· Purchasing an oil heater
· Purchase of coal
· Topping up your electricity
· Purchasing a pair of warm slippers and a blanket
Depending on your circumstances you may be able to apply for additional support and we may also consider applications from other individuals in need who are disabled or suffering extreme hardship.
If you would like to make an application please contact:
CAB Wiltshire 0844 375 2775 or 0300 456 8375 for mobiles
CAB Swindon 0844 4994114
Age UK Wiltshire 01380 735527
Age UK Salisbury & District 01722 335425
Wiltshire Good Neighbours 01380 722475
Parks Volunteer Centre 01793 529938
Shine in the Community 01722 427123
Wiltshire Credit Unions 01380 722475 Swindon Credit Unions 01793 529938
CLIP 01793 723687
The Community Foundation for Wiltshire & Swindon working in partnership with all of the above Partners.
Registered charity number: 1123126
A Surviving Winter grant may help. You must live in Wiltshire or Swindon Borough to apply.
A grant of £125 could assist you with:
· Paying your fuel bill
· Purchasing oil
· Purchasing an oil heater
· Purchase of coal
· Topping up your electricity
· Purchasing a pair of warm slippers and a blanket
Depending on your circumstances you may be able to apply for additional support and we may also consider applications from other individuals in need who are disabled or suffering extreme hardship.
If you would like to make an application please contact:
CAB Wiltshire 0844 375 2775 or 0300 456 8375 for mobiles
CAB Swindon 0844 4994114
Age UK Wiltshire 01380 735527
Age UK Salisbury & District 01722 335425
Wiltshire Good Neighbours 01380 722475
Parks Volunteer Centre 01793 529938
Shine in the Community 01722 427123
Wiltshire Credit Unions 01380 722475 Swindon Credit Unions 01793 529938
CLIP 01793 723687
The Community Foundation for Wiltshire & Swindon working in partnership with all of the above Partners.
Registered charity number: 1123126
Carers to get legal rights and support in reforms
Ministers want to ensure that carers are given support to continue working or studying and to receive time off.
The rights of carers are expected to be put on the same legal footing as those of the people they look after.
There are estimated to be about six million people caring for husbands, wives, children, parents or neighbours, but the Government admits that “many do not get the emotional, financial and practical support they need”.
Last night, Paul Burstow, the care services minister, said: “Without the support of relatives and friends, many people who aren’t able to look after themselves would not be able to stay at home. Carers should have their needs looked after as much as the person they are caring for.
Full Article on Telegraph
Full Article on Telegraph
Supermarket staff to be trained to identify 'hidden carers'
Supermarket staff are being trained to help identify "hidden carers" who look after elderly or sick relatives and neighbours without financial, emotional and practical support.
Sainsbury's is coaching pharmacists and other workers about how to discreetly ask those collecting prescriptions on behalf of others or shopping with separate baskets before directing them to health professionals in the stores who might be able to help them.
The government-backed scheme is to be tested in 14 of the company's London branches in the spring before being rolled out across England. This follows a successful experiment in the Torbay, Devon this year.
Full Article on Guardian Society
Sainsbury's is coaching pharmacists and other workers about how to discreetly ask those collecting prescriptions on behalf of others or shopping with separate baskets before directing them to health professionals in the stores who might be able to help them.
The government-backed scheme is to be tested in 14 of the company's London branches in the spring before being rolled out across England. This follows a successful experiment in the Torbay, Devon this year.
Full Article on Guardian Society
Your views needed on services for autistic people
WILTSHIRE Council is asking for people’s views on plans to improve services for people with an autism spectrum condition.
The plans are being developed by the Wiltshire Autism Partnership which includes individuals on the autism spectrum, parents, carers and key professionals.
Supported by national guidance, the Wiltshire Autism Partnership has written the first part of a strategy which explains what Wiltshire is intending to do to improve the lives of people with autism. Plans include improving information about how many people have autism in Wiltshire, to increase awareness and understanding about autism, to develop a fair and equal way for people to get a diagnosis, to improve access for adults with autism to the services and support they may need to live independently and to support adults with autism into work.
Public feedback will help to inform and shape a plan detailing how the changes will be made in Wiltshire.
To have your say, complete one of three questionnaires via the Wiltshire Council website – www.wiltshire.gov.uk/autismconsultation The consultation period will end on Tuesday, January 31 2012.
The plans are being developed by the Wiltshire Autism Partnership which includes individuals on the autism spectrum, parents, carers and key professionals.
Supported by national guidance, the Wiltshire Autism Partnership has written the first part of a strategy which explains what Wiltshire is intending to do to improve the lives of people with autism. Plans include improving information about how many people have autism in Wiltshire, to increase awareness and understanding about autism, to develop a fair and equal way for people to get a diagnosis, to improve access for adults with autism to the services and support they may need to live independently and to support adults with autism into work.
Public feedback will help to inform and shape a plan detailing how the changes will be made in Wiltshire.
To have your say, complete one of three questionnaires via the Wiltshire Council website – www.wiltshire.gov.uk/autismconsultation The consultation period will end on Tuesday, January 31 2012.
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