Monthly Archives: May 2013

Muscular dystrophy sufferer told he must move into care home to save NHS money

May 4, 2013   Carers, Muscular dystrophy, ukcuts

Muscular dystrophy man told he must move out of his Wisbech home and into care home to save NHS money

Lee Thorne, muscular dystrophy sufferer is appealing against a decision for him to be in a care home and not in his bungalow. Left: Christine Morgan, Lee Thorne and Wendy Trowler. Lee Thorne, muscular dystrophy sufferer is appealing against a decision for him to be in a care home and not in his bungalow. Left: Christine Morgan, Lee Thorne and Wendy Trowler.

By Kath Sansom
Saturday, May 4, 2013
8:58 AM

A 45 YEAR old man with muscular dystrophy is appealing against a decision by NHS officials which will force him to move out of his Wisbech bungalow and spend the rest of his life in a care home in Peterborough.

Lee Thorne, who has been in his purpose built bungalow for 13 years, says the decision would destroy his quality of life. Mr Thorne, who enjoys days out to London, trips to the coast, concerts and museum visits with friends or carers, says being in a home would mean a future of “existing” instead of living his days to the full.

“My dignity has not been taken into account. This has been forced on me. I just want to live my own quiet life in the comfort of my own home,” said Mr Thorney of Victoria Road, who this week was allowed back to his bungalow for one day for the first time in 10 months.

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Counting the cost of controversial benefit reforms

May 4, 2013   Carers, disability, Social care

Council calculates cost of welfare reform

May 3 2013 by Doug Archibald, Dumfries & Galloway Standard

The council is counting the cost of controversial benefit reforms brought in by Westminster.

A seven-strong team is being put in place to cope with changes that have implications of £2 million for the authority.

A sub-committee was briefed on the situation this week.

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“It is a human right to be empowered to communicate”

May 3, 2013   Carers, disability, internet, learning difficulties

Thousands of people in the UK may be living without access to a powered communication aid that would enable them to have a voice, according to research.

News, 3rd May 2013.

The research, Shining a Light on Augmentative and Alternative Communication, by augmentative and alternative communication (ACC) charity Communication Matters, found that 316,000 people in the UK are benefiting or may benefit from AAC support. Of those, 31,600 could be using powered communication aids yet only around 9,000 are.

The findings, which found great variation in service provision across the UK, stem from research carried out by the University of Sheffield. It highlights there is little consistency in identifying, assessing and providing AAC devices and many local areas are failing to make effective provision.

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