Campaigners have welcomed government action to clarify to primary care trusts (PCT) how they can improve the lives of disabled children with health problems. The government wrote two letters to every PCT in England on 2 April explaining their duties on […]
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New mental health strategy ‘will tackle stigma’
The government has announced the launch of a new strategy for people with mental health problems in England. Phil Hope, the care services minister, said the New Horizons strategy would aim to improve services, but there would be a particular focus […]
Some councils must do more on short breaks, says government
The government has threatened to cut funding to some English councils if they don’t do better on providing short breaks for disabled children. The government gave money to 21 “pathfinder authorities” last year to develop best practice in provision of short […]
Weir narrowly fails to repeat London marathon successes
Australian Kurt Fearnley fended off a strong challenge from Britain’s David Weir to win the 2009 Flora London Wheelchair Marathon. In perfect weather conditions, Weir narrowly failed to take his fourth straight title, crossing the line just a second behind Fearnley. […]
Government announces £36 million investment in digital future
Three new digital technology centres will “transform” the lives of disabled and older people, and those living in rural communities, thanks to a £36 million investment in Britain’s “digital future”, the government has announced. The three new research “hubs” at Nottingham, […]
Balls pledges to improve SEN information for parents
A government minister has pledged to improve the information provided to parents of disabled children and children with special educational needs (SEN). Education secretary Ed Balls said he accepted improvements suggested by the Lamb Inquiry which was set up by the […]
New voice for employers of PAs
A new organisation will provide the first national voice for disabled people who employ personal assistants (PAs). The Association of Disabled Employers (ADE) has been set up by Anne Pridmore, who has campaigned for nearly 20 years on independent living and […]
Carry out free prescriptions pledge, say charities
Campaigners have called on the prime minister to set a clear timetable for carrying out his promise to provide free prescriptions for all people with long-term conditions. The campaign was launched on 1 April, the day people with cancer in England […]
Peers say government should act now on infected blood scandal
Peers have called for urgent government action to help people with haemophilia who became infected by contaminated NHS blood and blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. The House of Lords was debating the findings of an independent public inquiry, headed […]
MPs criticise government’s tactics on UN convention
MPs and peers have criticised the government’s approach to ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The parliamentary joint committee on human rights attacked the “wish-list” approach to the convention taken by government departments seeking to protect […]