Tag Archives: cancer
Four-star treatment for patients on the NHS
26 September 2012
The Cotton Rooms is the first of its kind in the NHS and has been built and funded by University College London Hospital’s charity.
The 35-bed hotel near Tottenham Court Road offers all the comforts of a good hotel — including fluffy towels, slippers and internet access — without charge.
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy on a daily basis will benefit as well as others who are undergoing tests at UCLH.
In the past, many patients have either endured long journeys home every night or stayed on a noisy ward or in nearby hotels alongside ordinary paying guests.
Now patients can receive hospital treatment during the day then check into the Cotton Rooms afterwards.
The idea is that people can live normal lives but with medical help on standby when needed.
Terminally ill girl ‘faces benefits axe’
Alice Pyne, Terminally Ill Blogger Behind Alice’s Bucket List, In Benefits Row
20/09/2012 22:29 BST
Terminally ill internet star Alice Pyne has been told that her mother’s child benefit could be taken away unless she goes to college.
Alice, 16, came to international prominence when a list of the things she wants to do before she dies was posted on the internet last year.
Alice and her sister Milly, 13, from Ulverston in south Cumbria, also received the British Empire Medal this year for services to charity after raising more than £100,000.
The spokesman said although he could not give specific details about Alice’s child benefit payments, her case was now being investigated by the HMRC and her parents are being contacted.
“We are contacting her parents just to find out what the circumstances are in this case,” he said.
More hospices needed ‘to care for people dying gradually’
More hospices and care homes are needed to cope with increasing numbers of people dying “gradual” deaths, say doctors.
By Stephen Adams, Medical Correspondent
7:30AM BST 18 Sep 2012
The country faces a growing crisis in its ability to care for people suffering cancer, dementia and other long-term ailments, according to specialists who say that supply is not keeping pace with demand.
Better health care, and to some extent a fitter older population, means fewer people are experiencing “sudden” deaths, for example from heart attacks.
While increased longevity is to be welcomed, doctors say not enough resources are being devoted to making the last days of the elderly as comfortable as possible. Doctors writing in the British Medical Journal Supportive and Palliative Care say gradual deaths from cancer and other chronic diseases are already “a considerable burden” for European countries.
