Category Archives: Carers
Paul Burstow visits Samaritans for National Samaritan Awareness Day
Paul Burstow MP has praised the work of Samaritans who help Sutton residents in their darkest hour.
On Tuesday 24th July (24:7) Paul visited the Surbiton Samaritan branch – one of two branches which serve Sutton – to raise awareness of the vital work of the Samaritans.
The Samaritans is a nationwide charity that relies on volunteers to talk to distressed callers on the 24 hour helpline. The volunteers deal with cases that range from those wanting emotional support to callers on the verge of committing suicide.
Disability tests ‘sending sick and disabled back to work’
People deemed too sick or disabled to work are being refused their benefits because the current assessment is inadequate, according to the expert appointed to review it.
By Andrew Hough
12:00AM BST 30 Jul 2012
Prof Malcolm Harrington, the government appointed adviser on testing welfare claimants, admitted the work fitness test was “patchy”.
He said that as a result of the flaws in the 13 week assessment, which tests physical fitness as well as mental skills, some claimants who were genuinely unable to work, have suffered.
He made the comments during an investigation into the system, introduced by the last Labour government, by the BBC’s Panorama programme.
“There are certainly areas where it’s still not working and I am sorry there are people going through a system which I think still needs improvement,” he said.
The programme, which airs on Monday night, features the story of one man who suffered from heart failure and died 39 days after being declared fit for work.
Concern at takeover of Wiltshire’s autism service
Members of NHS Wiltshire have expressed concern at allowing Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership to provide an autism diagnosis service.
NHS Wiltshire went through a rigorous process to identify qualifed providers to supply the service in the county.
Two organisations met the criteria, AWP and Autism Diagnostic Research Centre while a third, Social Enterprise Quality of Life, conditionally qualified.
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