Tag Archives: Multiple Sclerosis

Call for changes to disabled work assessments

March 23, 2014   Carers, health, Multiple Sclerosis

MSPs believe five changes are needed to improve the assessment process.

 

 The DWP said there was strong evidence that working can be beneficial for many people who have a health condition

The assessment used to decide whether ill or disabled people can work should be made more “effective and humane”, a Holyrood committee has said.

The UK government said the criteria was developed in consultation with medical experts and disability groups.

It looks at an individual’s ability to work, “taking into account the modern workplace and developments in healthcare”.

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Charity attacks 'rise' in 'disgraceful' short care visits

October 7, 2013   Carers, dementia, disability, Multiple Sclerosis, Older care, Social care, ukcuts

7 October 2013 Last updated at 10:52

Charity attacks ‘rise’ in ‘disgraceful’ short care visits

 

Richard Stapeley, who has Multiple Sclerosis, says his 30-minute visits are not long enough

Short care visits to elderly and disabled people are “disgraceful” and on the rise, a charity has claimed.

In England, 60% of councils use 15-minute visits, which are not long enough to provide adequate care Leonard Cheshire Disability says.

The charity says such visits can “force disabled people to choose whether to go thirsty or to go to the toilet”.

The government said the Care Bill would prevent “inappropriate” short visits but would not outlaw 15-minute visits.

Leonard Cheshire wants a ban on what it calls the “scandal of flying 15-minute visits”, lobbying the government to prevent the practice in England.

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment Breakthrough

September 7, 2013   Cancer, Carers, Multiple Sclerosis
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment Breakthrough

Added by Janet Grace Ortigas on September 4, 2013.

A team of Norwegian researchers headed by Deputy Director and Professor Carmen Scheibenbogen of the Institute of Medical Immunology, at Berlin Charité University Hospital, had their first Chronic Fatigue Syndrome breakthrough treatment using an anti-cancer agent rituximab. This trial study was published on Oct. 19, 2011, in PLoS ONE scientific journal and is promising news for the 300,000 people who suffer from this disease in Germany.

In a new study conducted at Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, Norway, the 30 patients, who were randomly selected, were given rituximab developed for lymph gland cancer chemotherapy. Two-thirds of these patients observed over twelve months showed an improvement in health condition.

Approximately one million people in the US suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. For several years, CFS was not recognized by doctors as a regular diagnosis, but today it is becoming more commonplace and strikes more people than those afflicted with multiple sclerosis, lupus and a number of forms of cancer.

Although people of either sex or age can develop CFS, it occurs four times more in women than men in their 40s and 50s. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is less common in children and occurs in all racial and ethnic groups and countries around the world and there may be a genetic link.

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