Category Archives: disability

How Norfolk’s carers beat the weather

January 19, 2013   Carers, disability, Norfolk

When the bad weather sets in in Norfolk, taking a “snow day” is not an option for the county’s carers.

Carer Sue Hewitt visiting Norwich pensioner Helen Parker in her home. Photo: Steve Adams Carer Sue Hewitt visiting Norwich pensioner Helen Parker in her home. Photo: Steve Adams

By Victoria Leggett Saturday, January 19, 2013
12:45 PM

When the bad weather sets in in Norfolk, taking a “snow day” is not an option for the county’s carers.

For Sue Hewitt, home support worker for the Norfolk County Council-run Norfolk First Support service, dangerous roads and traffic jams simply mean abandoning her car and walking to the homes of the vulnerable people she needs to visit.

She said: “I would do everything in my power to make sure that person sees a carer. They really need them.

“Sometimes we are the only people they see. Even if they have family, they might not be venturing out because of the snow.”

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Care charities ‘would be subject to new corporate abuse law’

January 17, 2013   Carers, charities, disability

A new offence of corporate neglect

Governance | Tania Mason | 17 Jan 2013

Care charities have lined up to support a proposed new law to hold care providers from all sectors – including charities – criminally accountable for neglect and abuse in hospitals and care homes.

Former care services minister Paul Burstow introduced a new Bill in Parliament yesterday that would amend the Health and Social Care Act 2008 to include a new offence of corporate neglect.  It attempts to ensure that abuse of the kind suffered by residents of the notorious Winterbourne View care home can never happen again.

Under the Bill, corporate bodies – whether private sector corporations, public sector entities, or charities – would face unlimited fines, remedial orders and publicity orders.  Such penalties mirror the sanctions introduced in the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007.

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Disabled people 'could be forgotten' amid social care reform

January 17, 2013   benefits, Carers, disability

A third of people getting social care are younger people with disabilities

By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News

Adults with disabilities in England are being deprived of basic care and support and are at risk of being forgotten in the wider reform of the social care system, campaigners say.

Much of the focus on care has been centred around the crisis facing the elderly.

But a coalition of charities has warned people with disabilities under the age of 65 are being neglected too.

They said the squeeze on council care meant many were already missing out.

And the groups, including Mencap, Scope, the National Autistic Society, Leonard Cheshire Disability and Sense, warned the situation could deteriorate under the forthcoming reform of the system.

Ministers are soon expected to announce a cap will be placed on the costs people face for care.

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