Tag Archives: carers
Minister denies cancer test pressure
Care services minister Paul Burstow has denied suggestions from a DH adviser that GPs are being pressured to reduce use of a cancer test.
Yorkshire GP Dr Nick Summerton, a DH cancer adviser, had said that a letter sent to practices in the north of England implied GPs had over-used an ovarian cancer test and should audit appropriate use.
But Mr Burstow refuted the suggestion. ‘Doctors are not being pressured to reduce their use of this ovarian cancer test, and all patients who need to have access to this test should receive it,’ he said.
Carer husband in Haverhill tells of fury at backdated bill
A husband who is a full-time carer for his wife has hit out after he was sent a backdated bill by Suffolk County Council.
A husband who is a full-time carer for his wife has hit out after he was sent a backdated bill by Suffolk County Council.
Andrew Challis gave up work at Dalehead Foods 10 years ago to look after his wife Cher, 45, who has multiple sclerosis.
The couple, who live in Haverhill, go out once a week to the town’s Hawk Club – but after 10 years has the council which funds her place, has reassessed them, and sent them a backdated bill for £81.36.
Care crisis facing the elderly: MPs
MPs warned that funding cuts were becoming ‘more urgent day by day’ and said that the Government needed to overhaul the social care system and increase funding
Millions of elderly people are facing a “care crisis” as official figures show two thirds of councils have cut funding for residential homes.
A survey by the Commons Health Select Committee found that councils are cutting social care budgets by an average of 6% while raising charges for services such as home help.
MPs warned that funding cuts were becoming “more urgent day by day” and said that the Government needed to overhaul the social care system and increase funding.
The wide-ranging report also warned that the government’s reforms of the NHS were proving a “distraction” and putting attempts to save £20billion by 2014 in jeopardy.
