Care Radio

The Latest Care News

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  David Cameron calls for NHS access to Alzheimer's drugs

  Former Prime Minister David Cameron is calling for NHS access to drugs that slow Alzheimer's disease. The Telegraph reports he has joined dementia specialists and former health ministers pressing for action, including a maximum 18-week wait for a dementia diagnosis. The treatments are available privately but were rejected for routine NHS use on cost grounds. The Government says independent assessments are continuing.

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  Cuppa with a Carer: meet Somerset foster carers

  People in Somerset can meet foster carers over a free coffee and cake this month. The informal Cuppa with a Carer sessions are a chance to ask questions about fostering, with no commitment. They're at Fosso Lounge in Wells on 18 November, 10.30am to 1pm, and Barolo Lounge in Yeovil on 23 November, 6pm to 8pm. Somerset Council says more local carers are needed.

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  Twelve birth centres in England have closed since 2019

  Twelve birth centres in England have closed since 2019, reducing the choices pregnant women have about where to give birth, according to campaigners. Hazel Williams of Birthrights says recent years have brought restrictions on where women can give birth, and campaigners warn the closures mean longer journeys, higher costs and greater uncertainty.

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  GP blood test trial aims to spot cancers earlier

  A new trial at more than 200 GP practices in England aims to diagnose common cancers earlier. More than 20,000 NHS patients will take part, with simple blood tests used to spot prostate, ovarian, bowel, stomach and liver cancers. Patients aged 45 or over with abdominal bloating or discomfort may be invited to join. Almost 35,000 people die from these cancers each year.

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  Most hospital staff show signs of shift work disorder

  Most hospital workers report insomnia and sleepiness, a combination known as shift work disorder, according to new research. A study of 440 staff at two NHS trusts found three in four showed signs of the disorder, which can lead to depression and anxiety. The Royal College of Nursing said shift work and short staffing posed a risk to patient safety.

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  New money support service for Norfolk's unpaid carers

  Norfolk's 'hidden army' of unpaid carers is set to get extra help managing their money. Caring Together Charity is launching a new Money to Care service after receiving a grant of almost £200,000 from Norfolk County Council. It will help carers cope with debt, benefits and employment. There are estimated to be around 95,000 unpaid carers in Norfolk.

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  Chief Medical Officer calls for healthcare built around local communities

  England's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, has published his annual report, focusing on the health and wellbeing of people in small towns and rural communities. It calls for health services to be designed around the needs of local people, and recommends speeding up the rollout of telemedicine and digital healthcare to improve access in rural areas.

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  New plan to tackle homelessness among care leavers

  The UK Government has launched a new action plan to reduce homelessness among young people leaving care. Councils will have to do more to make sure care leavers have suitable housing and support as they move into independent living, and it will be harder for councils to class some under-25s as intentionally homeless.

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  London NHS trusts save £4.1m by cutting duplicate tests

  Two major London NHS trusts have saved £4.1 million by cutting unnecessary repeat medical tests. King's College Hospital and Guy's and St Thomas' say their shared electronic patient record has prevented 3.3 million duplicate or repeat tests over the past three years. It has also freed up around 275,000 hours of nursing and phlebotomy time, and spared patients needless blood tests.

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  London Assembly calls for free Carers' Travelcard

  The London Assembly is calling for discounted or free public transport for unpaid carers. Members have backed a motion urging Transport for London to look at introducing a Carers' Travelcard. It follows concerns that travel costs are adding to carers' money worries, with some families forced to choose between paying for a young carer's Oyster card and buying food.

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  £10m boost for heart research at King's College London

  Research into how the heart works is getting a £10 million boost at King's College London. The money will set up a tech hub to move the focus on heart and circulation problems from treatment to prevention, and help keep people out of hospital. The hub will look at people's health records and data from smartwatches to spot those most at risk, so they can act before a crisis.

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  Fidgeting may be good for your health

  Do you drum your fingers or bounce your feet? It could be doing you good. A neurologist in Florida says that although fidgeting involves only small movements, because they're constant they help your circulation and help your body process sugar. Earlier studies have also found that tapping your feet during long spells of sitting helps keep blood flowing to your legs.

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  Phone First triage service to stay in Northern Ireland

  A controversial plan to close a phone triage service in Northern Ireland won't go ahead for now. Phone First aims to keep emergency departments free for life-and-death cases, but had been due to close to save money. The Health Minister says it will keep running for the time being, after figures showed about a third of calls steered people away from A&E.

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  Care sector in Wales urged to get flu jab

  People across the care sector in Wales are being urged to have a flu vaccine. They include unpaid carers, care home residents and staff, health and social care workers, and everyone over 65. The health board covering Carmarthen says there have already been flu outbreaks, yet 40% of people eligible for a free vaccine haven't come forward.

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  Disabled People 'Sidelined' by UK Covid Enquiry

  Disability campaigners say the UK Covid inquiry has sidelined people who received care at home during the pandemic. Disability Rights UK says the inquiry’s social care report focuses heavily on care homes, with no recommendations specifically addressing support for nearly a million disabled people. The inquiry says disabled people’s experiences were central to its investigation, and most recommendations apply to both residential and home care.

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  Man Flu could be Real

  An NHS doctor says there may be a biological basis for so-called man flu. Doctor Jeff Foster, a GP and men's health specialist, points to research suggesting men can experience more severe symptoms from respiratory viruses than women. He says women tend to mount a faster initial immune response, while men's symptoms may last longer. But he says age, general health, sleep and stress also affect how people respond to infection, meaning experiences can vary widely from person to person.