Monthly Archives: February 2012

GPs ‘to prescribe health apps’

February 22, 2012   Carers, family, health

Smartphone with apps Apps can help patients keep a check on their health
By Michelle Roberts Health reporter, BBC News

GPs could soon offer their patients free smartphone apps to help with managing health conditions.

The Department of Health says its initiative is the “next step” in the drive to give patients more control over their own health.

The apps could help diabetics keep a check on their blood sugar and patients monitor their own blood pressure.

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Care Quality Commission says unannounced inspections will be carried out from next month

February 22, 2012   Carers, Older care

‘Dignity’ inspections in hundreds of care homes within weeks

A team of inspectors is to be sent into hundreds of care homes within to check whether elderly people are being treated with dignity.

By , Social Affairs Editor

11:53AM GMT 22 Feb 2012

 

The care regulator the Care Quality Commission, said inspectors would begin carrying out unannounced spot checks on residential homes across England from next month checking whether basic standards are being maintained.

It comes as the Government threw its weight behind a new code of conduct for care workers and nurses which demands that elderly patients are treated with dignity and respect and not simply treated as “objects”.

Politicians on both sides of the Commons, The Royal College of Nursing, the TUC, and charities including AGE UK are among supporters of the new “Dignity Code” drawn up by the National Pensioners’ Convention.

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Welfare changes in County Durham may leave people homeless

February 21, 2012   Carers, ukcuts

Benefit change ‘will put 4,500 more homes beyond families’

Feb 21, 2012

THE Government’s planned welfare reforms will place a further 4,500 County Durham homes beyond the reach of low-income families, a housing charity has claimed.
Cuts in payments of Local Housing Allowance (LHA) and caps on housing benefit could leave claimants facing potential homelessness, the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has warned.
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