Tag Archives: disability

Hero dog transforms a Hampshire woman’s life

November 16, 2014   Carers, disability, Featured Article, Uncategorized

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.

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We can transform wheelchair services by listening to patients

November 13, 2014   Carers, disability, Featured Article

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

  • Ruth Owen and Neil Bacon
  • 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.

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The future for health and social care

October 21, 2014   Carers, charities, Featured Article, Social care

Almost a third of Social Enterprise UK members operate in health and social care, often involved in some of the most innovative and pioneering work

  • Nick Temple, business and enterprise director, Social Enterprise UK
  • Guardian Professional,
    Plymouth, where social enterprises have contributed to a dementia hub. Photograph: Andy Fox/Loop Images/Corbis

As the recent party conferences and Scottish referendum have proved, health and social care are at the centre of political attention – and will be crucial in general election campaigns. This is with good reason: we are in a period of challenges where health services are concerned. Many NHS trusts are already significantly in deficit, and the strain is beginning to show across the country.

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