Author Archives: Maureen
Screen carers for depression, say doctors' leaders
The Royal College of GPs said carers often neglected their own healthcare needs
11 May 2013 Last updated at 14:27
Carers should be routinely screened for signs of depression by their GP to ensure their health needs are not neglected, doctors’ leaders say.
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) estimates one in every 20 patients registered with a GP practice is providing unpaid care.
About 40% of carers are thought to be at risk of depression or stress because of their caring role.
Charity Carers UK said GPs had a vital role to play in supporting carers.
It is estimated that seven million people in the UK currently provide unpaid care to a sick or disabled child or an adult who could not otherwise live independently.
Many of them are already known to GPs, but the RCGP says more should be done to improve the support and services offered to carers.
British hospital to become first in Europe to use Skype for consultations
A hospital in Staffordshire is set to become the first in Europe where doctors consult with their patients via Skype
11:23AM GMT 10 Mar 2014
Managers at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire claim using the online video calling service could reduce outpatient appointments by up to 35 per cent.
They argue that using Skype will help free up consultants’ time and car parking spaces – while also helping patients who are unable to take time off work.
If approved, they would become the first UK hospital to use Skype to consult with patients.
The proposals, by Staffordshire’s biggest hospital, also include doctors treating patients via email consultations.
The move – which is part of a range of schemes to ease pressure on the hospital, which is coping with big increases in demand – has been welcomed by health campaigners.
LILY (Living Independently in Later Years) here to help all of West Norfolk’s old folks
Published on the 08 March 2014 11:48
The new directory which can be found at www.asklily.org.uk has been compiled by West Norfolk Council on behalf of the West Norfolk Partnership.
It contains over 900 entries covering social activities, health, transport, money matters and more, and is designed to be a one-stop-shop for anyone looking for information for the over 65s living in West Norfolk.
At the last Census, 23per cent of West Norfolk’s population was over 65, with 27per cent of these people living alone. Estimates suggest that these figures are set to rise.
Second home ownership, the rural nature of the borough and a trend for people to retire to West Norfolk from other areas, mean many older people can find themselves without vital community or family networks. LILY brings together a range of information, for older people and those who support them, in one place, making it easy for people to find the contacts and information they need.
