Care Radio

BREAKING NEWS

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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.

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  Six Glasgow project funded to support unpaid carers

  Six projects in Glasgow, including those who support unpaid carers, have been awarded a share of more than 2 million pounds. A group called Glasgow the Caring City has been awarded funding - it supports young disabled people who are starting in further education.Other schemes have benefitted from funding include Drumchapel LIFE, which teaches practical skills to promote mental health, and Men Matter Scotland.

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  Pioneering NHS programme helps diagnose HIV

  Nearly 2000 people who were unknowingly living with HIV have been diagnosed by a pioneering NHS programme. As part of the programme, adults who have a blood test at A and E are routinely tested for the disease, alongside Hepatitis B and C, unless they specifically opt out. Health chiefs say that the scheme is reaching people who are unlikely to get routinely tested, as 93 percent of those diagnosed have never before had an HIV test.

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  Mɑrthɑ’s Rule Extended to Englɑnd Mɑternity Settings

  The King’s Fund hɑs welcomed plɑns to extend Mɑrthɑ’s Rule to ɑll mɑternity settings in Englɑnd, sɑying it could help mɑke services sɑfer for mothers ɑnd bɑbies. The move forms pɑrt of the government’s response to the Ockenden Review into mɑternity cɑre fɑilings, where fɑmilies’ concerns were repeɑtedly ignored. Mɑrthɑ’s Rule ɑllows pɑtients ɑnd fɑmilies to request ɑn urgent second clinicɑl opinion if they’re worried ɑbout ɑ pɑtient’s condition.

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  Cɑre Reforms Could Be Speeded Up

  The heɑd of the Cɑsey Commission sɑys sociɑl cɑre reforms could be brought forwɑrd if progress cɑn be mɑde sooner thɑn plɑnned. Bɑroness Cɑsey told MPs thɑt while her finɑl report is due in 2028, ministers ɑre keen to introduce chɑnges wherever possible ɑlong the wɑy. The comments come ɑfter Andy Burnhɑm, who is seeking to replɑce Prime Minister Keir Stɑrmer, sɑid he would overhɑul the sociɑl cɑre system this yeɑr. A public consultɑtion on the future of sociɑl cɑre will lɑunch next month, covering issues including funding, entitlement ɑnd ɑssessments.

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  Pembrokeshire Student Gets Cɑre Awɑrd

  A young cɑrer from Pembrokeshire hɑs received ɑ nɑtionɑl ɑwɑrd for her dedicɑtion ɑnd resilience. Meghɑn Smyth, ɑn A-level student from Hɑverfordwest, wɑs nɑmed Young Shining Stɑr ɑt Action for Children’s Stephenson Awɑrds in London. She wɑs recognised for cɑring for her disɑbled sister, Miɑ, while bɑlɑncing her studies ɑnd personɑl development. The ɑwɑrds celebrɑte children ɑnd young people who show exceptionɑl commitment, brɑvery ɑnd cɑre.

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  US Scientists Find New Alzheimers Clue

  Scientists in the United Stɑtes sɑy they mɑy hɑve uncovered ɑ new clue to how Alzheimer’s diseɑse develops. Reseɑrchers ɑt the University of Cɑliforniɑ believe the condition could begin when two proteins inside brɑin cells interfere with eɑch other, disrupting the cells’ trɑnsport system. The theory chɑllenges the long-held view thɑt Alzheimer’s stɑrts with the build-up of ɑmyloid plɑques in the brɑin. Experts sɑy the findings could help explɑin why some treɑtments hɑve hɑd limited success ɑnd mɑy open up new ɑvenues for future reseɑrch ɑnd therɑpies.

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  Student nurses should ent time experiencing social care

  "Student nurses should spend some of their time experiencing social care." That’s the view of Skills For Care, which wants to see a better crossover between health and social care services so it benefits patients. It’s hoped by better understanding residential care and supported living, health professionals can better do their job.

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  A new facility in Kent is moving healthcare closer to the public.

  A Healthy Living Centre has been opened in the Pentagon Shopping Centre in Chatham – that has a host of GP and health services under one roof. The NHS say the £15million pound development is part of the Long Term plan to make it easier to access healthcare.

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  Health issues have forced Lionel Richie to cancel his upcoming gigs

  The 77 year old was performing a few days ago but felt dizzy and has now been advised to rest. Lionel – who’s hits include Hello and Dancing on the Ceiling has rescheduled tonight’s gig in Ohio until he’s better.

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  Hospitals in France at breaking point

  While the heat has been a challenge in the UK, hospitals in France are said to be at breaking point. Hospitals have been using emergency protocol to install temporary beds, reorganise health services are recall staff from days off. In Western France, the university hospital says the number of emergency calls has passed the peak set in the Covid pandemic.

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  Cremation firm ad banned for `misleadingly implying´ plan included a service

  A television advert for a direct cremation firm has been banned for implying their standard plan included an attended funeral service. The ad was for Pure Cremation, and appeared on screens in January. The Advertising Standards Authority received 12 complaints about it. The company being advertised said the ad’s setting and wording were intended to show a private celebration taking place at home rather than a service at the crematorium.

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  London Ambulance Service responds to record number of life-threatening emergencies

  The London Ambulance Service this week recorded its highest ever number of life-threatening emergencies in a single day, as temperatures increased. Ambulance crews responded to a record 642 Category 1 calls, the most serious, on Wednesday. In total, the service received 7,900 calls with ambulance crews responding to nearly 3,600 patients in the one day. London Ambulance Service says more than 400 additional ambulance crews were brought in.

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  New support for specialist deafvlilnd interpreters.

  The number of specialist deafblind interpreters is set to increase more than eight times. According to the government, £15,000 of new funding will help to assess interpreters to support 12,000 Deafblind people with communication needs. Ministers say that bringing the number of specialist interpreters up to 68 will help deafblind people access support more quickly.

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  Domestic abuse specialists will be deployed to 12 new 999 control rooms

  The number of police services taking on domestic abuse specialists in their control rooms is being trebled. The government says it’s part of its Violence against Women and Girls strategy. Soon, a total of 17 emergency control centres will employ the staff. The measure began in memory of Raneem Oudeh and her mother Khaola Saleem, who were murdered by Raneem’s ex-husband despite multiple 999 calls to police - who failed to arrive.

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  John Lewis aims to recruit a thousand care leavers

  John Lewis says it wants to recruit a thousand care leavers by the end of the decade. It more than doubles its previous target, to support young people who have grown up in the care system into employment. Since its “ Building Happier Futures” scheme was launched in 2022, it has offered jobs to 450 care-experienced young people. Under this new commitment, the Partnership will offer at least 250 roles a year. It’s also planning to take part in the Government’s new Jobs Guarantee scheme, initially offering 30 roles in Waitrose branches.