Tag Archives: carers

NHS chiefs fail to show up to meeting to save Norfolk’s mental health helpline

March 3, 2016   Carers, Featured Article, mental health, Norfolk

Sue Crossman of West Norfolk CCG (l) and Jo Smithson from Norwich CCG (r) both enjoyed pay rises of £5,000 last year as part of £155,000 in pay rises for top CCG staff. But they say they can’t find £120,000 to save Norfolk’s mental health phoneline.

Health bosses have been labelled as “shameful” for failing to attend a meeting about an under-threat mental health helpline.

More than 20 people met in Norwich yesterday to discuss the future of the service which is operated by Norwich and Central Norfolk Mind.

It supports thousands of people in a mental health crisis, but is due to close at the end of this month due to its funding being stopped.

Find out more

Read More

A dignified man facing an undignified death’

February 25, 2016   Carers, family, Featured Article, Older care, Social care

Retired Norfolk teacher calls for rethink of our welfare state

He was now spending all his days housebound, getting no exercise, with an ulcer which wasnt healing  but he was cheerful and self-reliant – not bad for a man of 96. He wasnt complaining.

A Norfolk retired teacher, who asked to remain anonymous for the privacy of the individual involved, makes a poignant case for a major rethink of our welfare state.

It’s not sensational enough to make the news. No emaciated ribs, he wasn’t found face-down, drowned in the gutter. It’s just a story telling us something about the Britain we choose to live in. It’s a story of institutionalised neglect. About how someone, just like you or me, becomes a mere statistic.

A man of 96 – never been ill in his life.

Find out more

 

Read More

Health experts add voice to our campaign to save vital helpline

February 23, 2016   Carers, Featured Article, health, mental health, Norfolk

As petition reaches more than 4,000 signatures

Two more health figures today add their opposition to the closure of a vital helpline which callers’ say saves lives.
Alex Stewart, chief executive of Healthwatch Norfolk, and Brian Watkins, chairman of Norfolk County Council’s health and wellbeing committee, both said the Norwich and Central Norfolk mental health helpline should continue to be funded.
Read More