the country's only news agency specialising in disability issues
Official figures showing how many disabled people are dying due to coronavirus will finally be published next month, Disability News Service (DNS) can reveal. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has told DNS that it recognises the importance of providing the […]
A second NHS trust in England has refused to provide people with neuromuscular conditions with the replacement ventilator filters that help keep them alive, because they were being reserved for patients with coronavirus. Last week, there was outrage on social media […]
NHS England has agreed to change its policy on hospital visitors so that it no longer discriminates against disabled people, in the face of at least two legal challenges. It was facing the threat of legal action after refusing to update […]
Disabled women have described how the COVID-19 crisis has forced them to increase their dependence on others and has placed them more at risk of domestic abuse, while the need for social isolation has increased their levels of mental distress. Their […]
An NHS trust has told disabled people with life-limiting conditions that it will no longer supply replacement anti-bacterial filters for the ventilators that keep them alive because stocks are running low and they are being reserved for patients with coronavirus. Horrified […]
The government has refused to provide national guidance that would make it clear that disabled people have the same right to life-sustaining treatment as non-disabled people if they contract coronavirus. Health and social care secretary Matt Hancock (pictured) told lawyers for […]
Three self-advocacy groups have spoken out on their concerns about the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on people with learning difficulties and autistic people. People First (Self Advocacy), based in London; Change, based in Leeds; and Brighton and Hove Speak Out, […]
A coalition of disabled people’s organisations in Scotland has published a statement calling for “immediate action” to ensure access to healthcare for disabled people during the COVID-19 crisis, and to prevent “discriminatory denial” of health services. The Scottish Independent Living Coalition […]
Four disabled campaigners are taking legal action to force the government to make it clear that they will have the same right to life-sustaining treatment as non-disabled people if they contract coronavirus. Their lawyers have written to health and social care […]
Fresh concerns have been raised about the government’s commitment to testing social care service-users and staff – despite new ministerial announcements – following reports that suggest thousands of care home residents have died after being infected with coronavirus. This week saw […]