Tag Archives: social care
Why digital exclusion is a social care issue
As our society becomes increasingly digitalised, figures reveal a large proportion of those not online have a disability or are elderly
Next year the welfare system will undergo an overhaul as universal credit is introduced. The benefit, replacing six others, includes a new requirement to apply for benefits online. With millions of people having never used the internet, however, it raises the question of how those not online will manage.
Universal credit is just one example of how, as our society becomes increasingly digitalised, those who are not online are at risk of becoming excluded. And it’s not just a case of people opting not to be online.
This year there were 3.91 million disabled adults who had never used the internet, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. This is just under half of the 7.82 million adults who had never used the internet. Ian Lyons, from the Shaw Trust, which supports disabled and disadvantaged people live more independently, says many websites are not accessible for people with a disability.
Social care cuts ‘could lead to higher NHS bills’
Dying people could end up in hospital sooner – and so cost taxpayers more – if cuts to social care services continue, a report warns today.
By Stephen Adams, Medical Correspondent
6:45AM BST 16 Oct 2012
The Nuffield Trust, a think tank, has found that good social care tends to keep the terminally ill out of hospital until they really need it.
Their report looked at the usage that 73,000 people made of council social services and hospitals in the last months of their lives.
Dr Martin Bardsley, head of research at the Nuffield trust, said: “Our study suggests how social care might be effectively substituting for hospital care for this group of people.
Special day for parents and carers of children with additional support needs
Published on Saturday 13 October 2012 06:00
‘THE WHOLE Child’ is the title of a major conference currently being organised for parents and carers of children with additional support needs.
The event will take place in the Carnoustie Golf Hotel on Wednesday, November 7.
