Monthly Archives: January 2012
Minister denies cancer test pressure
Care services minister Paul Burstow has denied suggestions from a DH adviser that GPs are being pressured to reduce use of a cancer test.
Yorkshire GP Dr Nick Summerton, a DH cancer adviser, had said that a letter sent to practices in the north of England implied GPs had over-used an ovarian cancer test and should audit appropriate use.
But Mr Burstow refuted the suggestion. ‘Doctors are not being pressured to reduce their use of this ovarian cancer test, and all patients who need to have access to this test should receive it,’ he said.
Carer husband in Haverhill tells of fury at backdated bill
A husband who is a full-time carer for his wife has hit out after he was sent a backdated bill by Suffolk County Council.
A husband who is a full-time carer for his wife has hit out after he was sent a backdated bill by Suffolk County Council.
Andrew Challis gave up work at Dalehead Foods 10 years ago to look after his wife Cher, 45, who has multiple sclerosis.
The couple, who live in Haverhill, go out once a week to the town’s Hawk Club – but after 10 years has the council which funds her place, has reassessed them, and sent them a backdated bill for £81.36.
Elderly care is already in crisis
Why we must all open our eyes to the longevity timebomb
Last updated at 6:19 PM on 24th January 2012
I was catapulted into the parallel universe of geriatric care a few years ago, when my father was struck by a little understood and highly unpredictable form of dementia.
I won’t pretend that I wasn’t shocked: at the score of under-resourced and poorly maintained care homes we inspected, at the patronising and casual disrespect with which Dad was treated in hospital; at the irritability, exhaustion and patent disinterest of the social workers with whom I tried to raise extremely serious issues of neglect and abuse.
