Study shows 600,000 pensioners are prisoners in own homes
More than 600,000 pensioners are virtual prisoners in their own homes, passing their front door less than once a week at most, a study of the everyday lives of older people shows.
By John Bingham, Social Affairs Editor
8:00AM GMT 08 Mar 2012
Research by Age UK paints a stark picture of the growing isolation of many elderly people at a time when services seen as a lifeline by many, such as local bus routes or Post Offices, are being cut.
It shows how the daily lives of more than one-in-20 pensioners in the UK are marked by acute loneliness.
Nurses to rally in Westminster against Health Bill
7 March, 2012 | By The Press Association
Opponents of the government’s controversial health reforms will today warn ministers that the changes represent the “biggest threat” the NHS has ever seen.
Thousands of nurses, midwives, doctors, physiotherapists, cleaners, porters and other NHS workers will attend a rally in Westminster in a last-ditch attempt to scupper the Health and Social Care Bill.
A psychiatric nurse, speech therapist, paramedic and pregnant mother will join union leaders and politicians in making speeches at the rally, as well as comedian Jo Brand, who once worked as a psychiatric nurse.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber will say: “The All Together for the NHS campaign is an unprecedented alliance of unions, royal colleges, professional groups, health service staff, patients and members of the public. Together we are speaking up for a publicly-accountable health service, for the values that make our NHS special and for the ethos of public service itself.
Notts pensioners take care fight to House of Commons
MORE than 80 Notts pensioners took their fight for care reform to Westminster yesterday as part of a national day of action.
Nottingham Elders’ Forum sent the largest county delegation of protesters taking part in the “Care in Crisis” mass lobby of Parliament.
The Care and Support Alliance organised the event to call on the Government to make social care free for everyone who needs it.
Campaigners also want the Government to prevent anyone having to sell their home to pay for social care support.
