Care Radio

The Latest Care News

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  German lowers cost of healthcare

  Germany’s lower house in Parliament has passed new rules on healthcare aimed at lowering the costs. Top of the list to tackle is health insurance which critics say the cost is harming the economy by taking money off people and businesses. The cost of medicine also looks set to be lowered although drug firms argue that lower revenues could limit what research they undertake.

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  What's your relationship with alcohol

  Doctors are asking people to think about their relationship with drink during Alcohol Awareness Week. While alcohol is associated with having a good time, it does cause problems such as anxiety and stress, disrupted sleep and a range of health conditions. Alcohol Change UK believes 10 million people in the UK are drinking too much alcohol.

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  Cancer report from WHO

  Nearly everyone in the world will be touched by cancer – either diagnosed themselves or one of their close family members. A report by the World Health Organisations points to a wide range of inequalities in cancer based on demographics and where someone lives. Richer countries have better ways of diagnosis and access to cancer drugs while the report pointed to 23 whole countries that don’t offer any form of cancer radiation treatment.

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  Don't give up, always get a second opinion

  If you don’t feel right – don’t give up when the doctor says there’s nothing wrong with you. For about 25% of people attending hospital a study says there’s no clear medical diagnosis however the advice is to always ask for a second opinion. About 1 in 10 people who get another viewpoint are diagnosed while some have undiagnosed problems which sometimes are due to their genetics.

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  Sitting for more than half-an-hour daily increases cancer death risk - study

  New research shows sitting down for more than 30 minutes every day might increase the risk of dying from cancer. University of Glasgow scientists found sitting or reclining for more than half-an-hour at a time every day was linked with a higher risk of cancer death. But the risk could be lowered by more than 20% if people become more active. The activities could include easy exercises including slow walking or doing the housework.

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  Allergy pens to be stocked in all schools under new Government guidance

  Life-saving allergy pens will be stored in all UK schools from September. New government guidance, called “Benedict’s Law”, will also provide training for teachers so they can safely use the adrenaline auto-injectors. It follows campaigning from the National Allergy Strategy Group and families including Helen and Peter Blythe, parents of Benedict Blythe, who lost his life to a reaction at school in 2021. Schools should also have clear allergy policies.

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  Poor communication for dying patients causing `avoidable distress´

  Dying people and their loved ones are being “let down” by poor communication which is “adding to their grief”. That’s according to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. In a report, it said breakdowns in communication can impact the immediate care of a patient and also lead to “severe consequences” for their families. The ombudsman’s recommendations include better information sharing, record keeping and training.

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  More than 3,000 people a day treated in corridors in June as summer strains NHS

  The number of patients being cared for in hospital corridors or makeshift treatment areas in England increased in June. Officials said the data shows that “summer is now putting the NHS under just as much pressure as winter”. The waiting list for routine hospital treatment increased for the second consecutive month to its highest since December. An average of 2,432 patients received corridor care in A&E departments in England each day in June, along with 749 elsewhere in hospital wards, totalling 3,181.

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  NHS sets first-ever staff standards to tackle racism and violence

  There's to be an NHS crackdown on racism and violence within the health service. In a first-of-its-kind programme, it’s setting out staff standards which will make NHS employers formally accountable for tackling racism, violence and sexual harassment. Results will be published in league tables – and the new standards will also cover areas including line management and promoting flexible working. The Government says it’ll “set a clear baseline” of what NHS staff can expect from their employer, regardless of where they work.

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  Councils key to making adult social care reform ‘stick’, says LGA

  There's to be a series of pop-up events in Fife to promote fostering. The events at Duloch and Cupar libraries show what being a foster carer is like, the process to becoming a carer, how much foster carers get paid and the support and training available. They also aim to debunk myths like whether you can foster if you're single, in a same-sex relationship, of any gender, if you own pets, or don't own your home. Sessions run throughout July and August and details are on the Fife Council website

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  Fostering pop-ups start this summer in Fife

  A new report that says that COUNCILS are key to reforms in social care. The Local Government Association says that local authorities “must remain central” to the future of adult social care. It adds that national and local government must work together - but need clear and distinct responsibilities to help speed up the system, and reduce inefficiency and inconsistency. The importance of locally-led and person-centred services are stressed in the report, which was published this week, during the LGA’s annual conference in Bournemouth.

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  Views sought to transform benefit paid to carers

  Unpaid carers and their organisations are being invited to share their views on how to improve Carer’s Allowance. It’s part of the first major review of the benefit since it was first introduced 50 years ago. The six-week survey will gather views on modernising the earnings limit to reduce the impact of the so-called “cliff edge”. It also aims to improve predictability for carers with varying incomes, and better support those with work and caring responsibilities. Anyone with views is urged to submit them before the 18th of August via the gov.uk website.

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  30 year partnership between Carer's Trust and National Garden Scheme

  A celebration has taken place to mark a 30-year partnership between the Carers’ Trust and garden charity the National Garden Scheme which has raised more than six and a half million pounds to support unpaid carers. A reception hosted by HRH The Princess Royal at St James’s Palace saw unpaid carers joined by celebrity guests including Dame Mary Berry and Alan Titchmarsh.

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  Suffolk Parent Carer Forum closing down

  A group that helps parent carers ensure their voices are heard is closing down after funding was pulled. In a social media statement Suffolk Parent Carer Forum said the formal winding-up process is underway because money from the Department for Education has been withdrawn. The group says it remains "committed to the principle that parent carers' voices should be heard, respected and valued". The charity which administers the funding, said its decision did not "reflect a lack of commitment, effort, or good faith" from those running the group.

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  Drive to end corridor care risks further issues

  There’s a warning that a drive within the NHS to end corridor care risks leaving patients trapped in hospital car parks instead. Britain’s most senior ambulance chief has told the Daily Telegraph that the health service must ensure that efforts to eliminate long waits in A&E do not leave other patients in even greater danger. Jason Killens warns that attempting to keep corridors clear without making improvements to speed patient flow through hospitals risked leaving paramedic crews and their patients stuck outside.

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  Plans approved to support unpaid carers in Brighton & Hove carers.

  Plans have been approved to support unpaid carers across Brighton and Hove. The strategy called “Think Carer – Building a Carer Friendly City” outlines actions to help identify, recognise and support family and friend carers. It also aims to encourage local services and organisations to become more carer-friendly. Support includes the Carers Card, which offers discounts on activities, and Carers Hub, which provides advice, information and direct support.