Care system now 'unsustainable' after £3bn cuts, social services chiefs warn

A total of £2.7 billion less is being spent on care for vulnerable elderly and disabled people across England than before the current round of austerity cuts began – a drop of a fifth in just three years.

The cut in care budgets comes despite hundreds of millions of pounds being diverted from the NHS to prop up the struggling system.

Care chiefs warned they now expect to see many nursing homes and home-care agencies being driven to the brink of bankruptcy because councils can no longer afford to increase what they pay them, even in line with inflation.

Full Article on Telegraph

'Simple consumer rights' and help for carers unveiled in Queen's Speech

Plans for a simple set of consumer rights, as well as help for those paying for long-term care are among the issues on the Government's agenda for the coming year, under plans announced in today's Queen's Speech.

The Government plans to cap bills for social care, introduce a flat-rate state pension, extend consumer rights and cut regulations affecting small businesses.

Full Article on MoneySavingExpert

Full roll-out of Wiltshire 111 health line delayed again

Health bosses in Wiltshire have again delayed the full roll out of the 111 non-emergency telephone service.

As concerns have been raised in other parts of the country about how the 111 service is operating, the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) for Wiltshire and Bath and North East Somerset announced last Thursday that it was deferring the roll out of the service to operate 24/7.

It has been operating in Wiltshire and Banes at evenings and weekends since February, run by private firm Harmoni but its call handling staff have sent some ambulances to patients with minor ailments such as sore throats and hiccups.

Full Article on Wiltshire Times

Carers to receive legal rights under new laws

The so-called “Sandwich Generation” who juggle work and family life with caring for their own frail parents will receive an entitlement to help, such as respite holidays, and training in care techniques.

Under new laws to be announced in Wednesday's Queen’s Speech, councils will have to assess what support carers need to manage their own lives and provide services to those who need them.

Although financial assistance will be means-tested, other help with advice and guidance will be offered to all for the first time.

Full Article on Telegraph

Melksham store tunes into plight of carers

Shoppers in Melksham had a musical surprise on Saturday when an impromptu performance took place to raise awareness of the work of unpaid carers.

Singers from Devizes Musical Theatre performed a flashmob rendition of Lean on Me in the town’s Sainsbury’s store to raise awareness for Carer Support Wiltshire, which gives emotional support and information to the hubndreds of people in the county caring for a family member.

Events Coordinator Debbie Martindale said: “The flashmob was a fun way to get people’s attention and we felt that the words of this particular song reflect what our charity can offer to carers.

Full Article on Wiltshire Times

Store flashmob highlights help for carers

Shoppers in Sainsbury’s, Melksham, had a musical surprise on Saturday when Devizes Musical Theatre performed a rendition of the Bill Withers’ hit Lean On Me to highlight help available for unpaid carers in Wiltshire.

The flashmob, at 11am, was organised by Carer Support Wiltshire – a charity giving emotional support, advice and respite to those caring for family members or friends across the county.

Debbie Martindale, events co-ordinator at Carer Support Wiltshire, said: “The flashmob was a fun way to get people’s attention.

Full Article on Gazette & Herald

SURVEY: Young adult carers - tell us about your experiences in education and work

Carers Trust

Are you 14-25 years-old, caring unpaid for a friend or family member? We’ve launched a new survey to allow you to share your views and experiences of school, college, university and work.

Young adult carers often find it difficult to juggle caring with school college or work. So Carers Trust is working with The University of Nottingham to find out what helps. Tell us what you think!

The overall aim is to use our findings to develop better services and support for Young Adult Carers.