Care minister orders review over 15-minute home visits

The government is to announce a review into 15-minute care visits to vulnerable elderly and disabled people following concerns that such appointments deprive people of their dignity and put unfair pressure on staff.

In response to criticism from charities, the care minister Norman Lamb will say that from next April the Care Quality Commission will look at whether home care visits are "long enough to respond to people's needs" and "consider looking at how staff working conditions might be impacting on care".

In a speech to the National Children and Adult Services conference, Lamb will say that the regulator will consider not only whether care is "delivered with compassion, dignity and respect", but also how many staff are employed on zero-hour contracts, considered to be the reason why up to 220,000 care workers get less than the minimum wage.

Full Article on Guardian Society

Government's projected savings from bedroom tax were 'exaggerated', research shows

The financial savings generated by the “bedroom tax” may have been significantly exaggerated by the Government, according to research which shows the controversial policy is likely to save £160m less in its first year than the projected £480m.


Researchers at the University of York took figures gathered since April from four of the country’s largest housing associations and applied them to a model used by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to estimate savings. Riverside, Wigan and Leigh Housing, Affinity Sutton and Gentoo commissioned the team to apply their figures based on actual experience and see how they matched the department’s predictions.

Full Article on Independent

England's mental health services 'in crisis'

The mental health service in England is in crisis and unsafe, says one of the country's leading psychiatrists.

Dr Martin Baggaley, medical director of the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, spoke out as an investigation by BBC News and Community Care magazine reveals more than 1,500 mental health beds have closed in recent years.

Many trusts have all their beds filled.

Full Article on BBC News

Cancer carers have inadequate training, says charity

Some carers looking after cancer patients in the UK are carrying out vital healthcare tasks without always having adequate training, according to Macmillan Cancer Support.

They asked more than 2,000 past and current carers about support they gave.

Twenty-two per cent said they had dealt with specific healthcare tasks like administering medicine and pain relief, while others had to give injections.

Full Article on BBC News

We offer free training opportunities to carer. You can view our programme over on our website.

Why social workers must do more to identify carers of people with cancer

Cancer carers provide a whole range of support to loved ones with cancer: from emotional support, to practical things like helping with shopping, providing transport for trips to hospital, doing household jobs and providing personal care. New research reveals that around 240,000 cancer carers are also doing healthcare tasks including managing a catheter, controlling pain relief and giving injections.

Caring can be physically and mentally challenging. Nearly half of cancer carers suffer from mental health problems like stress, anxiety and depression, and one in eight says it causes physical health issues. Carers’ finances can also be hit hard by increased household costs, such as travel to hospital.

Full Article on Community Care

Review disabled children's support, says commissioner

Ministers are being urged to review care provided for children with disabilities following research into the adequacy of support for families.

Children's commissioner for England Maggie Atkinson called the findings "heart-rending" and "disturbing".

The report suggested some families were unable to afford basic necessities for "a dignified life".

Full Article on BBC News

Patients to get access to GPs seven days a week, pledges NHS boss

Britain's most senior doctor has pledged to ensure that patients get access to NHS consultants and GPs seven days a week under controversial reforms of the service.

Prof Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS medical director has said the system needs to "change radically" to meet the needs of patients, and tackle worse death rates in hospitals at weekends.

Full Article on Telegraph