Author Archives: Maureen
The Norwich bus service that provides vital help for disabled people
The Norwich Door To Door community mobility bus, which transports the elderly and disabled to the supermarket.
Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
Catherine Morris-Gretton Wednesday, September 10, 2014
1:26 PM
Norwich Door to Door community bus provides a vital service for disabled people. As part of a series of features about the organisation, reporter Catherine Morris-Gretton went out on one of the buses to meet the people who rely on the service.
It may only be early September, but a group of friends who met on the Norwich Door to Door bus has already booked a Christmas meal.
Passengers also arrange their own monthly meet-ups and pass on jigsaw puzzles to each other, seeing the service as much more than just a mode of transport.
Chief medical officer: Make mental health bigger priority
Society has not recognised the prevalence of mental ill health, says Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies
9 September 2014 Last updated at 08:54
Mental health needs to be more of a priority, with targets for waiting times and more protection for funding, says England’s chief medical officer.
Dame Sally Davies said there were signs funding was being cut at a time when the cost to the economy was rising.
Her annual report said mental illness led to the loss of 70 million working days last year – up 24% since 2009.
As well as calling for greater emphasis on mental illness in the NHS, she also said employers could play a role too.
She recommended they allowed people with mental health problems the option of flexible working to keep them in employment and maintaining regular contact during sickness leave.