Mental health ‘costs UK £105bn pa’

September 29, 2012   Carers, mental health

Norman Lamb said mental illness is ‘ignored too often’ by the political classes

The Government must go further in prioritising mental health services and addressing under-provision in the sector, Liberal Democrats have agreed.

Delegates at the party’s autumn conference in Brighton backed a motion calling on the coalition to ensure mental health policies were being implemented on the ground.

Norman Lamb, newly appointed Minister for Care Services, spoke of the “vast” cost to society and the economy of mental illness, saying the issue was “ignored too often” by the political classes.

Read More

Cutbacks to leave disabled man without care

September 28, 2012   Carers, ukcuts

Cutbacks to leave man without care?

Andrew Battenberg of Woodhall SpaAndrew Battenberg of Woodhall Spa

Published on Friday 28 September 2012 19:03

A DISABLED man deemed homeless could be left without social care provided by Lincolnshire County Council.

Andrew Battenberg, of Stixwould Road, Woodhall Spa, said the county council has threatened to remove his Lincolnshire Assessment and Reablement Service (LARS) care, and he will have to replace it with direct payments to the NHS or engage with other care services.

LARS provides care to a large number of families in the area who could also be affected.

Andrew was involved in a serious car accident in 2009 and, as a result, needed to make necessary changes to make his Woodhall Spa home accessible.

Read More

Teachers, bin men and carers all to fall under budget axe

September 28, 2012   Carers, disability, Older care, Scotland, ukcuts

“Services for the disabled and elderly will be scaled back in ways that will really affect people’s lives.

UNION bosses have warned that front line services will be right in the firing line thanks to multi-million pound cuts.

Cleaning is sure to be hit by cuts

EDUCATION, social work and cleansing services will all be hammered by the brutal £50million cuts at Scotland’s biggest council.

Public sector workers’ union Unison last night said it would be crazy to think the axe will not fall on the frontline.

Glasgow City Council have said they will have to make the cuts over the next two years. It will mean 1000 jobs going by 2015 on top of 3000 staff who have left since 2010.

Read More