Care Radio

The Latest Care News

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  The state of care in the USA

  As America celebrates 250 years of independence a new study shows a lack of knowledge about care stateside. A YouGov poll found most Americans underestimate the cost of private care while overestimating how much care workers get paid and how much the US government does to help care. The report concludes that while care is a major issue, it’s not got much political support in America.
  

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  New Health Hub to open in Sunderland

  A health hub is opening in the centre of Sunderland. The specialist eye hospital will be fully operational by the end of the month and will be open 24 hours a day. The NHS unit is run in partnership with the Foundation of Light, the charity of Sunderland Football Club
  

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  89 year old put to bed for 19 hours a day

  An 89 year old has been explaining how care staff often put her to bed in the early afternoon where she stays for 19 hours. Alison in the North of Ireland has epilepsy and repeatedly falls but says she wants more of a life than just being in bed. Northern Health and Social Care Trust says they will review her care package and discuss with her GP.
  

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  Robot helping surgeons in Lancashire

  A new robot is helping surgeons with knee replacements in Lancashire. It’s a significant breakthrough for staff at Euxton Hall near Chorley putting them at the forefront of orthopaedic medicine. Rather than going for an MRI scan before the operation, the robot uses a special camera to show surgeons a 3D model of a knee and what precisely needs to be operated on.
  

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  Competition watchdog opens probe into childcare businesses

  The competition watchdog has opened an investigation into the affordability and availability of childcare in England. The Competition and Markets Authority’s review follows concerns that “too many families are struggling” with the system. The CMA says its analysis would pay particular attention to the role of government policy and public bodies. Childcare provision in England is worth approximately £14 billion to the economy annually, the watchdog believes.

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  Prime Minister apologises for forced adoptions, saying “shame is ours”

  The forced adoption of babies from unmarried mothers in the decades after the Second World War has been branded a “stain on our history” by Sir Keir Starmer. The prime minister has made a long-awaited state apology for the historical practice. It is believed an estimated 185,000 babies of unmarried mothers were adopted in England and Wales between 1949 and 1976. The Movement for an Adoption Apology said the statement recognised “lifelong trauma” endured by the mothers whose children were removed.

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  New hot weather alert for care providers

  Health officials have issued yet another warning for hot weather in parts of the UK. The UK Health Security Agency says high temperatures from Saturday until Wednesday could cause a greater risk to life for vulnerable people. The ‘yellow’ heat health alert covers the East Midlands, all southern England, and the West Country. Health and social care services are likely to be under increased pressure.
  

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  Kids could still attend school after England cup game, says government minister

  The Education Secretary says schoolchildren could watch England’s early-morning World Cup match against Mexico on Monday and still make it to class that same day. Bridget Phillipson responded after head coach Thomas Tuchel said pupils should be allowed “an excuse for school” after the game. The minister added that it’s for parents to decide how they manage the situation, considering the age of the children concerned.
  

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  106th celebrations for local care home resident

  There's been a party at a care home in North Yorkshire, where one of its residents has turned 106. Hetty – who lives at the Boroughbridge Manor home celebrated with a champagne reception for friends, family and other residents – along with a telegram from the King. She worked as a chemist, before taking up war work – and has had a number of care roles during her long lifetime. Hetty told the Northern Echo that she can’t believe she’s 106, adding “Where have the years gone?!”

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  Care provider launches free training programme to help young people

  A free training programme has been launched by a healthcare provider in Devon to help young people into social care careers. It’s hoped to attract 16-24 year olds, while helping tackle staff shortages across the sector. The initiative, from Southern Healthcare, begins with an introductory webinar, giving an overview of the social care sector. Anyone wanting to continue, can move onto more in-depth training. It comes as “Skills for Care” says the sector recorded a 7 per cent vacancy rate in England – around three times higher than the wider economy.

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  Optimism among young peoples’ mental health ‘crisis’

  The Children’s Commissioner has stressed that young people need to be listened to, as she highlights that children’s mental health referrals have exceeded a million. Dame Rachel de Souza has stressed, in her annual report, that the most common area of concern among schools and colleges is mental health services. The number of children with a referral has almost doubled since 2018 – which she described as a ‘crisis’. But the commissioner says she’s “optimistic” and that “we must seize the opportunity” to transform the situation based on the voices of young people.

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  Resident doctors in England accept new pay offer

  Resident doctors in England have voted to accept a new offer from the government covering pay and jobs. Their union the British Medical Association called off a strike earlier this month to put the new offer to the members. The offer includes a 6.6 percent pay increase to be fully implemented by April next year, as well as four and a half thousand extra specialty training places over three years.

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  Funding announced for 12 projects aimed at tackling obesity

  An 85-million-pound funding boost to tackle obesity has been announced. The Government says a dozen cutting-edge projects, focusing on new approaches to obesity, will benefit thousands of patients across the UK. Projects include development of new neighbourhood hubs, and AI-powered triage. In Kent, 3,000 families of young children – including during pregnancy – will get round-the-clock AI powered advice on healthy eating, activity, sleep and stress via WhatsApp. The funding is a combination of £50m from the Government, and the rest from the pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly.

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  Unpaid carers in North Yorkshire could receive more support

  Unpaid carers in North Yorkshire could receive more support as part of a new strategy to improve the lives of those who care for a friend or loved one. Caring for All is described as an all-age carers plan, and aims to provide more collaborative and accessible support, improve identification and recognition of unpaid carers and providing tailor-made support. A consultation will be taking place in August and September this year, and will include feedback from carers, professionals and the wider public.

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  Plans for immigrant care workers labelled "cruel"

  Plans to increase the length of time that immigrant care workers must stay in the UK before they can qualify for permanent residence have been called cruel and unconscionable by workers rights campaigners. The government is planning to increase the period to 15 years, including for those who have already arrived. The head of social care at Unison has called the proposals a slap in the face for care workers who had come to this country only for the rules to be changed halfway through the game.

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  Official data underestimating number of unpaid carers

  Official data is underestimating the number of unpaid carers in Southampton, according to a briefing given to city councillors. According to the most recent census, just over 18 thousand people in the city provide some level of unpaid care. However a senior council official has said the true figure will be higher. The city’s executive director of social care said that many people don’t identi fy as a carer. The council has been told it must improve how it engages with carers.