Care Radio

The Latest Care News

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  Families `face typical £1,145 bill per child for holiday clubs over summer´

  Families are facing a typical summer holiday club bill of £1,145 per child. That’s according to a new report from the Coram Family and Childcare charity which also says average holiday childcare costs across Britain have risen by 5% in the past year.The report notes that “Parents and carers pay much more for childcare during the holidays than during term time”. And , in inner London, holiday club prices had risen by 16%, though Yorkshire and the Humber costs were down 1%.
  

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  Government must `stand up to the food industry´ to tackle obesity epidemic - MPs

  A committee of MPs is telling the government to take stronger action against the food industry’s advertising of junk food. The Health and Social Care Committee says all outdoor advertising of junk food should be banned. There should also be front-of-pack labelling to help fight against England’s obesity epidemic. Proposals from the committee include new planning policies to stop fast food outlets opening close to schools, and improvements to the NHS’s Healthy Start cards for pregnant women and new parents.

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  Government minister believes UK social media curfew for teenagers will bring safety.

  A government minister says she believes the new voluntary social media curfews for teenagers will make Britain the “safest place for children to be online”. This week’s plans should see 16 and 17-year-olds prevented from accessing social media sites between midnight and 6am by default. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall also says features such as auto-scrolling and algorithmic feeds are to be turned off. Critics say teenagers will be able to stop the curfews, though the government claims 90% of young people won’t do this.

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  Ultra-processed food linked to quarter of heart disease cases and deaths

  Ultra-processed foods could be linked to around a quarter of cases of heart disease and associated deaths. New research in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine suggests cutting down on foods such as processed meats, ice-creams and crisps. But some experts criticised the study, saying there was a lack of evidence. Though previous research found a link to poor health, there’s still debate over whether it’s processing that’s to blame, or the level of fat, sugar and salt in the foods.

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  Confidence boost for those developing assistive technology

  There's a new accreditation that aims to support people who develop assistive technology. It’s designed for anyone working with products or systems that support and help those with disabilities or restricted mobility to do things that may otherwise be difficult or impossible The new “Professional Association of Assistive Technologists” provides its members with an accreditation where they can prove their skills and gain recognition. Founder Dave Hursthouse told Living with Disability Magazine that it aims to build a confident, connected and respected professional community.

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  Paralympic Gold Medalist announced as Ambassador for Cake4Kindness Day

  A paralympic gold medallist has been announced as the ambassador for a major campaign to tackle loneliness and isolation. Aaron Phipps MBE has been unveiled as the face of Cake4Kindness Day, which happens in November. It aims to build a supportive community for people facing homelessness and other vulnerable groups through baking, cake decorating and sharing cakes. Cakes4Kindness is looking for individuals, families, workplaces, and communities to get together and connect with a homeless charity or organisation to raise awareness and spread kindness.

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  NHS aims to prevent one in four sepsis deaths

  The NHS plans to cut deaths from sepsis in the next decade by 25%. It has announced, this week, a blueprint of measures including giving wearable devices to people at risk of the deadly disease. The
  devices will monitor vital signs at home - including blood pressure and heart rate. It will flag if a person’s condition has deteriorated, and that they need to be tested. High risk groups include those on immuno suppressive treatments, older people, those with a catheter or a serious mental illness.

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  Young people urged to book lifesaving meningitis jab at high street pharmacies

  The NHS has, this week, repeated its plea for young people to get a lifesaving meningitis vaccination. Appointments open next Monday, the 20th of July, and eligibility criteria can be found on the NHS England website. The health service says, with hundreds of thousands of students preparing to head to university in autumn, this is a good time to get vaccinated. Meningococcal B can cause serious, life threatening problems including inflammation of the lining of the brain and sepsis, leading to life-changing disabilities such as amputations, hearing loss and brain damage. In some cases, it can prove fatal.

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  WhatsApp service for unpaid carers in Gloucestershire

  Gloucestershire County Council has launched an AI-powered WhatsApp service to help unpaid carers find information and support at any time of day or night. Called Ask Grace, the chatbot lets carers send questions in their own words and quickly receive tailored advice, including details of local services, without searching multiple websites. The council says the tool was developed alongside carers to make sure it is simple, useful and can genuinely make a difference.

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  Inverclyde school offers more support to young carers

  A secondary school in Inverclyde is strengthening the support it offers young carers. Clydeview Academy has introduced extra measures to help pupils balance their education with caring responsibilities at home, ensuring they receive understanding, practical support and access to specialist advice when they need it. Staff say recognising young carers and responding to their individual needs can make a real difference to their wellbeing, attendance and success at school, while helping them feel supported rather than facing their responsibilities alone.

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  Unpaid carers in Wiltshire offered free day out

  Unpaid carers in Wiltshire are being invited to enjoy a free day surrounded by nature. Carers Together Wiltshire is hosting the event at Hazel Hill Wood near Salisbury next month, offering wildlife walks, pond dipping, willow weaving and mindfulness activities to help carers relax and recharge. Free transport from Salisbury is available, along with refreshments, and organisers say the day is designed to give unpaid carers a chance to take a break from their caring responsibilities while meeting others in a peaceful woodland setting.

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  Hampshire choir raises money for young carers

  A choir from Hampshire is holding a special summer concert to raise money for young carers. Andover Chamber Choir's performance, called Rhymes and Recollections, takes place on 18 July and features choral arrangements of childhood favourites alongside readings from classic children's authors including A A Milne and Beatrix Potter. Money raised will support Andover Young Carers, helping provide vital services and respite for young people who look after family members. Tickets are available in advance or on the door.

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  Over 50s urged to complete bowel cancer tests

  If you're over 50 and you've received one of the NHS bowel cancer screening kits then you're being urged to complete the test and return it. The NHS says that only 5 in 10 of those aged in their 50s took part in the test, compared with more than 7 in 10 people in their 70s.Around 100 cancers a week on average were diagnosed through the NHS Bowel Cancer screening programme, which screens over 5 million people a year.

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  Review of Carer's Allowance underway

  The Department for Work and Pensions has launched a review of Carer's Allowance, which could lead to changes in how the benefit works for thousands of unpaid carers. The consultation period lasts six weeks, and seeks input from carers, charities and organisations on how to modernise the benefit, which was first introduced fifty years ago. It is expected to consider the earnings 'cliff edge', improving support for carers whose income changes week to week, and reviewing the laws that say how much paid employment carers can take on.

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  Online therapy for carers lowers mental health issues

  A study by the University of East Anglia has shown that online therapy for carers lowers mental health issues. The paper shows that carers using a therapy app or website had lower levels of anxiety and depression after three months. Carers are at higher risk of their own mental health issues, but many struggle to get help because they can't leave the person they're caring for, and care services are under continued pressure.

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  NHS experiencing ɑ ‘Summer Onslɑught’

  The NHS sɑys it's fɑcing ɑ "summer onslɑught" ɑfter A&E depɑrtments recorded their busiest month on record in June. Averɑge dɑily ɑttendɑnces topped 81,000 for the first time, while 999 cɑlls were up 10 per cent on the sɑme month lɑst yeɑr. The NHS is urging people to use phɑrmɑcies ɑnd GP services where ɑppropriɑte to help eɑse demɑnd. Despite the pressure, pɑtient sɑtisfɑction with GP services hɑs improved, with more thɑn three-quɑrters of people rɑting their experience ɑs good.