Government inefficient or dismissive – maybe both

Ian Franks says five month delay in care guidance during pandemic is inexcusable.

New leader, new welfare policies? Two days left

As leadership election draws to a close, Ian Franks says to party members: Vote now, vote Layla.

Care cuts: Did they hasten Anne’s death?

An investigation is under way, looking into the cuts of all care services to a 64-year-old disabled woman. Those cuts allegedly led to her death just days later. According to a story by Zoe Drewett, of metro.co.uk: An urgent investigation has been launched by Portsmouth City Council into the death of 64-year-old Anne Savidge after …

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Care homes for older people housing younger people, some with MS

The MS Society has discovered 3,000-plus people under the age of 65 living in care homes for older people. And that includes younger people with MS. So, almost one in seven younger adults in UK residential care could be living in homes not designed for them. Yes, it's amazing, shocking, but true. It’s clear that …

Health: Debate over best system will continue

There is no doubt that I prefer social healthcare. That means I support healthcare funded by countries, such as the UK and Spain, rather than needing to buy private health insurance, as in the US. Now, that is not to say either healthcare system provides superior medical care. It is purely about the costs. Neither …

Care cuts put those in need at risk

Vulnerable people are at risk because social work budgets cuts make it impossible to prepare meaningful care packages. And that is besides cuts to the government’s welfare benefits. It’s the job of social workers to assess what support someone needs to keep them safe and able to live independently. Community Care magazine and the Care …

In Moscow for HSCT: Part 3 of Phoebe’s Story

Two weeks ago, I introduced you to Phoebe Scopes, the British woman who was the first international multiple sclerosis patient to receive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in Moscow. Today, in part 3, Phoebe takes us with her to the A.A. Maximov Department of Hematology and Cellular Therapy, at the National Pirogov Medical Surgical Center …

Fear is real as benefit change countdown continues

   Time marches on and the calendar pages turn ever closer towards the date when the UK’s Disabled Living Allowance (DLA) is phased out for working age people1 and replaced with Personal Independence Payment (PIP). DLA recipients who have not yet been invited to apply for PIP are fearful of the day when the phone …

Showing we care

Not quite sure why but World Animal Day crept up on me; maybe it was the careful stealth of its approach – like a cat stalking its prey. Anyway, here it is. Today, 4th October, is World Animal Day, chosen because it is the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of …

Caring through love not duty

High above New York City on the viewing gallery of the Empire State Building. To misquote a well-known Shakespearean saying about greatness: some people are born carers, some people learn to be carers while others have the role of a carer thrust upon them. In the case of my carer, the last one is most …