Author Archives: Maureen

Anger over decision to refuse patients MS drugs

June 9, 2014   Carers, Featured Article, Multiple Sclerosis, ukcuts

MS sufferers denied drugs which can stop patients “screaming out in pain”

File photo: A Multiple Sclerosis consultation

By , Health Editor  7:00AM BST 09 Jun 2014

Tens of thousands of Multiple Sclerosis sufferers could be denied drugs which can stop sufferers “screaming out” in pain, under new NHS recommendations, experts have warned.

Neurologists said the decision by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (Nice) to reject two cannabis-based drugs for symptoms of MS could leave thousands of patients suffering “horrendous” pain and immobility.

New draft guidelines on the diagnosis and care of people with MS have rejected two drugs which have been licensed in recent years to help sufferers experiencing spasticity and mobility problems.

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Tragedy of Liverpool mum who died penniless after her benefits stopped

June 8, 2014   benefits, Carers, Featured Article, mental health, ukcuts
Distraught family say Annette Francis, who suffered from severe mental illness, was let down by the authorities

A mum-of-one suffering from severe mental illness died without any money after her disability benefits dried up.

Annette Francis, 30, was found dead at her Garston home two weeks ago, leaving behind 11-year-old son  Kieron.

Her distraught family say Annette  was let down by the authorities in the  months leading up to her death.

At the time of the tragedy, Annette had spent six months without receiving a single penny in benefits, her aunt Ann Sorotos claims.

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Price of dementia: the families struggling to get NHS help

May 19, 2014   Alzheimer’s, Carers, dementia, Featured Article, ukcuts

Dementia Awareness Week aims to raise understanding of the often heartbreaking process of trying to get NHS funding

The Observer,

Tenacious Ann Reid has fought hard to get Continuing Healthcare funding for her mother Peggy Belcher. Photograph: Sam Mellish/Age U

  • Thousands of relatives and carers of dementia sufferers are battling to receive funding towards crippling care bills. Under the NHS Continuing Healthcare scheme, older people can qualify to have care and nursing home fees paid in full if they are judged to have chronic health needs. This money can help alleviate the burden for families who are otherwise forced to spend every penny and sell their home to meet the cost of care.
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