Monthly Archives: August 2012
Plans for new sensory centre in Ilminster for families with autism
A NEW sensory centre in Ilminster will be opened by Yeovil MP David Laws later this year.
The centre will provide support, advice, a sensory room and a play area for carers and families affected by Autistic Spectrum Disorder or other varying complex needs.
After the official opening at 10.30am on September 14 the centre will stay open for families and carers to drop in and talk to the founders about the support available.
Carers set to be hit hard by tax relief cuts
CARERS are set to be hit by a council tax shake-up that could see them almost 20 per cent worse off.
Under the proposals, a carer for a disabled family member will lose about £210 a year in council tax relief when borough and district councils take control of the discount scheme next year.
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Paul Piper, 52, of Bellfield Road has criticised Tunbridge Wells Borough Council for proposed council tax benefits cuts
Both Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council plan to reduce the amount of council tax support by 18.5 per cent.
The only group protected from the increase is pensioners.
Paul Piper of Bellfield Road, Pembury, a full-time carer to his 10-year-old autistic daughter, believes people in his situation should be protected from the cuts.
He said: “It is unfair. People don’t appreciate what you have to spend money on when you have a disabled child. We have lots more costs we have to pay for and the £10 a month we would lose under these plans is a lot of money.
Trust warned over poor patient care at Dewsbury hospital
A cash-strapped hospital trust has been told to improve standards of patient care at Dewsbury and District Hospital.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has issued a formal warning to The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust following a visit last month.
Inspectors found some patients on ward two “were not being treated with dignity, respect or consideration”.
Stephen Eames, the trust’s interim chief executive, said he “apologised unreservedly” to affected patients.
