Tag Archives: ukcuts

Cancer patients at risk of losing benefits, charity says

June 13, 2011   benefits, Cancer, Carers, ukcuts

13 June 2011 Last updated at 00:04

Cancer patients at risk of losing benefits, charity says
 
 Macmillan says financial suppot is “crucial” for cancer patients

Thousands of cancer patients could lose benefits under government proposals, a charity has warned.

Macmillan Cancer Support is attacking plans in the Welfare Reform Bill to remove the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) after a year.

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Supermarket staff trained to spy on customers

June 13, 2011   Carers, carersweek

Supermarket staff trained to spy on customers

Health officials are training supermarket staff how to spy on customers’ shopping habits to identify carers who might need help.

Food chain at risk of being poisoned by terrorist groups

9:40AM BST 13 Jun 2011

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Workers are being taught how to spot people who look after elderly, sick and disabled relatives by the contents of their shopping baskets, so they can be advised about support they are entitled to.

Cashiers are being trained to discretely ask customers about their personal circumstances while serving them.

They can then put those requiring help in touch with charities that can provide information on financial and practical assistance and respite care.

The Department of Health claims the scheme will improve unpaid carers’ access to support which they might not realise is available to them.

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Carers are collapsing from stress

June 12, 2011   Carers, carersweek

CARERS ARE COLLAPSING FROM STRESS

 

Melanie Cook, left, and daughter Amy are both full-time carers

Sunday June 12,2011

By Jane Clinton

CARERS are becoming physically and mentally ill as they struggle to look after loved ones, a report reveals.

Carers Week 2011 said 75 per cent had suffered ill health as a result of their work. Of these, 76 per cent had mental health problems, mainly depression, anxiety and stress.

Nearly half (49 per cent) had a disability or illness. Of those, 26 per cent are physically disabled and 47 per cent have mental health problems.

Moira Fraser, director of policy at the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, said Britain’s six million carers, who save the country £119billion a year, needed far greater support.

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