Author Archives: Maureen
Essex: Dementia a ‘priority’ issue for the county
Essex: Dementia a ‘priority’ issue for the county
By Emma Brennan Monday, January 14, 2013
8:00 AM
TACKLING dementia has been singled out as a “priority issue” in Essex after figures revealed the number of people with the disease in the county could soar to 35,000 by 2025.
A new report states that there are 22,300 people currently living with the condition in the county council’s catchment area.
The document, which is due to be presented to Essex County Council’s Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board on Thursday, outlines urgent measures that are being taken in response to the Government’s “Challenge on Dementia”.
Cold snap poses ‘significant health risks’ to elderly
Cold snap poses ‘significant health risks’ to elderly, says Health Department
Severe cold weather and snow forecast for this weekend could cause ‘significant health risks’ for the elderly, the Department of Health warned, as they advised families to keep check on vulnerable relatives.
3:53PM GMT 10 Jan 2013
In the next two to three days there is a high chance of severe cold weather, icy conditions and heavy snow across large swathes of the country, according to the Health Department.
It said cold weather can be “dangerous”, particularly for the very young and very old, and that the conditions could give rise to “signficant health risks.”
The Met Office this morning issued a cold weather level two alert, the third most severe warning, with forecasters warning temperatures could reach as low as -9C in the early part of next week.
Families were advised to keep a close eye on elderly relatives as well as young children, who are particularly vulnerable in cold patches.
The Met Office said the weather “could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services”.
Coroner calls for more nursing care for immobile patients
Coroner calls for more nursing care for immobile patients after death of 52-year-old Norwich woman
By DAVID BALE
Thursday, January 10, 2013
11:51 AM
A coroner called for more nursing care and monitoring of restricted mobility patients after hearing how a 52-year-old Norwich woman died from infected pressure sores on her body.
Annette Dixon, from Fishergate, had been diagnosed with a spinal cord tumour in 2007, which was inoperable and had left her immobile and reliant on a mobility scooter to get about.
She was able to wash and dress herself but did not receive any nursing care, although two carers from an agency came to see every day for about 30 minutes to chat and help her move from her wheelchair.
She was also irregularly seeing a neurologist and a rehabilitation specialist.
