Hero dog transforms a Hampshire woman’s life

MANY of us would say our dog or cat is more than just a pet – but one Hampshire resident’s dog has transformed her life.

Angela Moody, whose disability has left her unable to move without pain, says assistance dog Odessa is not only her constant helper but also a companion.

The pair have been together six months, which for Angela has proved a revelation after more than three decades coping on her own.

Odessa has been specially trained by charity Canine Partners to assist people with disabilities.

Norfolk and Suffolk mental health patients in beds miles from home

Up to 50 mental health patients in Norfolk and Suffolk had to be sent to other parts of England last week because of a shortage of beds and a shortfall in funding.

In June Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt criticised the “unacceptable” distances Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust (NSFT) patients had to travel for beds.

The NSFT said the trust was committed to cutting the use of out-of-area beds.

It cut the number from 34 to six by September, but it has gone up to 50.

We can transform wheelchair services by listening to patients

Will the opinions of wheelchair users being made public change NHS commissioning and improve disabled people’s lives?

  • Guardian Professional,
  • The delivery of wheelchair services has received little attention among health commissioners.
Photograph: Uwe Anspach/DPA/Corbis

Unbelievably, there are an estimated 70,000 disabled children in the UK whose physical mobility needs, and subsequently their ability to develop skills needed for adulthood, are not being met.

Historically the delivery of wheelchair services has suffered from delays and received little attention among health commissioners. Right now, we know that wheelchair services are not often focused on providing mobility equipment that will give users independence.