Tag Archives: carers

Disabled people and pensioners say yet another blow to our independence

September 7, 2011   Carers, disability, Older care

Disabled people rely on travel concessions

The removal of concessionary coach travel for disabled people and the elderly is yet another blow to our independence

National Express had 3 million passengers using the half-price concessionary coach fares scheme last year. 

Last year in the spending review, the government added an extra cut that wasn’t noticed among the big announcements. From October, disabled people and pensioners will no longer receive half-price concessionary coach fares, saving the government around £20m.

 

Coach company National Express had 3 million passengers using the scheme last year alone: the disabled and elderly who are unable to drive, or who cannot afford expensive train fares. These passengers benefit from concessionary fares for travelling long-distance routes to visit friends and family, and for some the affordability of the fares will be their only way to have holidays and days out within the UK. During the 2010 election campaign, Conservative MPs pledged they would not take away bus passes and travel concessions from disabled and old people, insisting that Labour was claiming this as a scare tactic; yet this is another pledge broken in the commitment to looking after the most vulnerable. The cut of concessionary coach fares will be a blow to those who are unable to travel by train or plane due to physical difficulty, as well as financial constraints. 

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UK pancreatic cancer care lagging

September 7, 2011   Cancer, Carers

7 September 2011 Last updated at 04:31

UK among countries worst at tackling pancreatic cancer

 Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose in the early stages of the disease
The UK ranks as one of the worst countries in the world in terms of survival for patients with pancreatic cancer, largely because of inadequate care, say experts.

A review suggests that although a fifth of patients with this deadly cancer could receive potentially life-saving surgery, only 10% do.

And many with symptoms see a doctor up to five times to get a diagnosis.

In Canada and Australia survival rates are twice that of the UK.

Pancreatic cancer has the poorest five-year survival rate of any cancer in Britain, with just 3% of people alive five years after diagnosis.

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Carers and Families fighting against closure of two-year-old respite care home

September 6, 2011   Carers, cerebral palsy, disability

This will be their only lifeline taken away

 

Under threat: At Cedar House are parents and carers with clients.

Published on Tuesday 6 September 2011 12:30FAMILIES of people with severe learning difficulties and physical disabilities are pleading with county bosses not to shut a Spalding respite care home.
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