Author Archives: wendy
Widows and Carers should be recognized
Govt bereavement research fails to consider older people because social security is no longer social
The government is going through a consultation about bereavement benefits at the moment (you have to reply by the 5th March): here is the document on the web: Government consultation on bereavement benefit.
They have also published some research which, from the point of greying people, is a bit disappointing. The crucial cut-off date is age 45, because the state bereavement allowance is only paid for a year if you are bereaved from that age up to state pension age (unless you have children when you are bereaved, in which case you you get an extra allowance while you are getting child benefit for them).
Care home residents moved out of home for their safety
Residents of a Lowestoft care home moved out because of state of cleanliness of their rooms
Friday, March 2, 2012
1:39 PM
Residents of a Lowestoft care home were moved out yesterday evening because of the state of the cleanliness of residents’s rooms.
The 15 residents of Orme House Residential Care Home have been relocated to other homes in the area by Suffolk County Council.
The move came after an inspection by environmental health officers by Waveney District Council.
The officers had visited the building after someone contacted the district council over concerns over health and safety issues linked to wiring and electrical equipment.
Phil Harris, district council spokesman said; “However on entering environmental health officers realised there were far greater concerns environmental health concerns.
All Carers need help – not cuts
How can anyone consider cutting support for carers?
The Conservatives may have stepped back from the brink of disaster by postponing cuts to the budget for supporting Young Carers – young people who devote incredible love and care to looking after their relatives who are disabled or otherwise in need of constant support.
The way this decision has been trumpeted to the press is thoroughly misleading. The Conservative councillor in charge gives the impression that he wants to improve the service rather than cut it. “Our current service is patchy and we need to improve it”.
Well, we discovered at the Somerset County Council meeting last week just why it was patchy. He had deliberately failed to reappoint front-line staff providing vital support, when they left, or provide cover for long-term absence. Now we know.
The reinstatement of a £75,000 cut is just a temporary measure, taken from reserves because he has been forced to think again. It all needs to be put in the context of the rest of the £582,000 cut in “integrated services for children and families” that was taken, with another £581,000 planned for next year.
