Author Archives: Maureen
Winterbourne View abuse report calls for changes to care
Review author Margaret Flynn: ”There can be no question that patients have been traumatised”
7 August 2012 Last updated at 12:35
Fundamental changes should be made to how care for vulnerable adults is commissioned and monitored, a report into abuse at a private hospital said.
The serious case review into events at Winterbourne View near Bristol comes after 11 former staff members admitted offences against patients.
Owners Castlebeck took “financial reward without the responsibility”, the report’s author Margaret Flynn said.
South Gloucestershire Council said it “fully accepted” the findings.
UK care homes entering into the Olympic spirit
Older people are often the glue that keeps our communities together
Date of article: 06-Aug-12
Olympic fever has engulfed the whole nation in a wave of pride and happiness, with even the sun making its long-awaited appearance! UK care homes have well and truly embraced the spirit of the Games and are going for gold with inspiring events, fabulous stories from past and current Torch carriers and some care homes have even been holding their own Olympic Games!
An 88-year-old resident from Care UK’s Whitebourne residential home in Frimley enjoyed news of the Olympic Torch’s visit to Surrey. In 1948, Ernest Lowden was one of the torch bearers in the games that were set to unite the world after the horrors of World War II.
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.
