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2006 NewsThis page contains links to news articles from the press which may be of interest to carers and also local news and developments related to carers. Use the links above to access archived news stories.West Sussex Carers Online does not necessarily endorse the views expressed from these links. 
Carers UK calls on employers to take proactive role in supporting carers in the workplace 13 December, 2006 Carers UK is calling on organisations to help carers access the benefits and support available to them, and reap the business benefits of supporting carers in the workplace. Statistics published by the charity, to coincide with Carers Rights Day, reveal that, every year, one million working people become carers. The charity claims that in a typical organisation with 1,000 employees, 40 workers could become carers every year. Read more here.
Call for 'cancer parents rights' 06 December, 2006 Parents of children diagnosed with cancer should be given an automatic right to flexible working, a charity says. Clic Sargent said the law which demands employers seriously consider requests for flexible working is insufficient. Read more here.
Postcode lottery of social care 30 November, 2006 Care for elderly and vulnerable people is a postcode lottery according to inspectors. Vulnerable people over 18 living in Brighton and Hove get a three-star service from the city council, according to the Commission for Social Care. But in West Sussex, care is rated at two stars, while East Sussex managed only a single star. Read more here.
Carers to benefit from innovative 'Care passport' scheme 23 November, 2006 East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust has launched a unique 'Care Passport' initiative to support carers. The Care Passport has been developed in partnership with Care for the Carers and the Carers Development Groups. Carers can use the passport to share details of the patient's needs and preferences with hospital staff, thereby improving the care of vulnerable patients and utilising the carer's specialist knowledge. Read more here.
Call for break rights for carers 23 November, 2006 Campaigners are to urge MPs to join their push to secure a right to a break for carers of disabled children. Every Disabled Child Matters - a consortium of four charities - will meet MPs later to try to win their support for a private member's bill. Read more here.
Pensions revision recognises career breaks and carers 10 November, 2006 A radical revision of pensions provision drawn up by work and pensions secretary John Hutton will enable twice as many women to qualify for the full basic state pension within four years, according to the Guardian. The new proposals, to be unveiled in next week's Queen's Speech, will allow mothers who have taken career breaks to have a family to work for fewer years before qualifying. Read more here.
Carers UK response to DTI announcement on flexible working regulations 09 November, 2006 The Department of Trade and Industry today (Thursday 9 November 2006) announces the definition of carers that will be used in the Work and Families Act. The Act gives carers a groundbreaking new right to request flexible working from their employer, and will come into effect in April 2007. Until today it has been unclear which carers were to be included under this legislation. Read more here. Related Story; eGov monitor
Young carers 'fear seeking help' 07 November, 2006 Young carers struggle without the help they urgently need, often due to fear that they may be separated from their families, a report suggests. At least 175,000 children and young people look after a parent or sibling - but charity Barnardo's says it believes that many more are going unsupported. Read more here.
Pension boost for mothers and carers 01 November, 2006 A radical overhaul of the state pension to help parents who take a break from employment in order to raise children will be announced next month. The new legislation, to be included in the Queen's Speech on 15 November, will simplify a web of complex rules and could pave the way for an eventual end to the supplementary 'second state pension' in favour of a single sum for all 'workers and carers'. Read more here.
Too many elderly 'left in pain' 22 October, 2006 Not enough is being done to improve the management of pain in the elderly, a charity says. Nearly a third of the 3,000 carers surveyed by the Patients Association said their patient's chronic pain was poorly managed. Two-thirds said their patients were less able to cope with everyday life because of the pain, and a fifth said their patients had talked of suicide. Read more here.
Care for the carers, Phillips tells Labour 28 September, 2006 NEW CHAIRMAN of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights Trevor Phillips highlighted the plight of carers at Labour Party conference yesterday. Speaking at fringe event entitled, 'Equality 2020', he said the millions of people now caring for others and was a new source of inequality that needed to be paid more attention. Read more here.
New figures show carers in low level jobs 26 September, 2006 As Minister Ivan Lewis addresses a Carers UK fringe meeting at the Labour Party Conference a new report published today by Carers UK shows that carers who provide more than 20 hours of care a week are clustered in low level, low paid jobs. Read more here.
Carers get deserved break service 20 September, 2006 A SATURDAY service to give carers a break is starting at Maidenbower Day Centre, Crawley. Computers, cookery, art, exercise classes and relaxation are just some of the activities on offer. The centre, which is responding to carers' requests for weekend breaks, aims to help organise activities they ask for, such as group outings. Read more here.
Carers UK responds to government consultations that are likely to affect carers 21 September, 2006 Carers UK has responded to the government's White Paper on pension reform. Carers UK has welcomed the emphasis on carers and urges government to ensure that the proposed new 'carer credit' covers as many carers as possible. Read more here.
Carers in crisis due to lack of support, says Mencap 4 September, 2006 More than half of families caring for relatives with learning difficulties are in ''physical and emotional crisis'' because of a lack of short break services, according to a report published today. One in three families have also experienced a cut in their short break services in the last year, while half have not had a carer's assessment that would entitle them to support, research by Mencap revealed. Read more here.
Out in the cold - Over 55-year olds failing to get winter warmth they're entitled to 1 September, 2006 Over 5 million older Brits could be risking their health by failing to plan ahead for a winter freeze according to research out today. This is despite the fact that tens of thousands of older people in England and Wales died last winter simply because of the cold. Read more here.
Community Care magazine backs tax breaks for carers campaign 08 August 2006 Personnel Today's sister title Community Care has joined the campaign calling on the government to introduce tax breaks for carers. The magazine, the leading title for the social care sector, is asking its readers to support the proposal, which would work in a similar fashion to childcare vouchers. The scheme would enable employers to offer a benefit in kind to their employees through the provision of vouchers, which are then redeemable for qualifying care, such as domestic help. A report published by charity Carers UK earlier this year argued that supporting carers at work brings "significant business benefits", including attracting and retaining staff, increasing productivity, and reducing sick leave. Employers in the social care sector must support staff who are carers or face major recruitment and retention issues, the Association of Directors of Social Services recently warned. Courtesy of Personnel Today
Usdaw wins MPs' support to scrap earnings limit for carers 26 June 2006 Retail union Usdaw has won the backing of more than 100 MPs for its campaign to scrap the earning limit that prevents thousands of UK workers who care for severely disabled dependents from claiming Carers' Allowance. MPs from across the political spectrum have signed an Early Day Motion, tabled by Helen Jones MP, supporting the removal of the present earnings limit of £84 per week, which means thousands of carers who work in retail and earn more than this can't qualify for carers' allowance of £46.95. Read more here.
1.3m elderly carers lose out in pensions overhaul 25 June 2006 Millions of pensioners who look after their loved ones are to lose out on £1.4 billion in benefits after a key handout was scrapped in the government's overhaul of the pensions system. More than 1.3 million people will be denied the £50.50 a week under plans outlined in Labour's white paper blueprint for the future, published last month. Read more here.
What if all the carers simply didn't care? 25 June 2006 Ah, the loving warmth of the extended family. The popular image is of granny by the telly, baby cooing in the cot and the rest cheerfully interacting between the two generational poles. Tradition and education are effortlessly passed on in a clearly marked comfort zone. Perfect for security, not to mention free babysitting. Read more here.
simplyhealth caring awards launched for the third year 20 June 2006 GPs and carers are once again invited to share with The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and simplyhealth (formerly HSA) their experiences of supporting carers and being supported by their GPs respectively. simplyhealth caring awards were created to recognise and celebrate the excellent work that some GP surgeries are doing to support family/unpaid carers. Read more here.
Record numbers support Carers Week 12 June 2006 Carers Week 2006 is the biggest and best so far, with 1,218 local partners organising over 600 events and activities on average each day - well over 4,000 in total. Read more here.
Carers face health crisis of their own - results of largest ever UK survey 12 June 2006 The physical and psychological strain put on the UK's six million carers is creating a vicious circle of health problems, according to disturbing new research carried out to launch Carers Week 2006. Read more here.
260 MPs sign up to Carers Week parliamentary motion 12 June 2006 Carers Week parliamentary champion Christine McCafferty, MP for Calder Valley, is delighted by the support for the motion she has tabled. As at 9 June, 260 MPs have supported the motion. Read more here.
Carers Of Elderly Deserve Better: ANU Study 12 June 2006 The education and training opportunities provided by nursing homes for staff who care for elderly residents is worryingly inadequate, particularly for those caring for dementia patients, according to a pilot study conducted by ANU researchers. Read more here.
Rethink: Supporting men's health week 12 June 2006 Rethink supports Men's Health Week in highlighting male mental wellbeing Rethink severe mental illness today (June 12) joined forces with Men's Health Week to promote male mental wellbeing. Rethink and Men's Health Week will specifically highlight the effect of caring on men's health during a London conference on Wednesday 14th June where Rethink Director of Quality & Standards Dick Frak will speak about the effect of caring on men. Read more here.
Carers Charity in plea over pensions white paper 19 May 2006 A leading charity has today welcomed rumours that greater emphasis is to be placed on carers in the forthcoming Government White Paper on pensions due to be published later this week. Read more here. Related Stories; Thisismoney.co.uk Sky News
New study reveals older people's view on paying for care 27 April 2006 (added - 24 May 2006) A new Age Concern study has found that older people see the system of paying for care as deeply unfair and confusing. Irrespective of age or geography, participants in focus groups wanted the state to provide a core level of free care for all older people who need it, particularly care over which there was no choice, such as washing, dressing and food preparation. Read more here.
Give us a break, say carer couple 30 March 2006 (added - 18 May 2006) Hundreds of thousands of Britons are caring for sick relatives, and desperately in need of support, advice, health care - and a break. The BBC's Stephen Fottrell travelled to Preston to meet John and Jean Pearson, whose son, James, is severely disabled. He currently receives respite care in Lytham which is 12 miles away from where he lives. But his parents think that is too far away and want the service offered in their own town but not in their own home. Read more here.
'Win-win' for employers supporting carers at work 06 April 2006 (added - 03 May 2006) New research reveals the major bottom line benefits for employers that support carers in the workplace, presenting for the first time a compelling business case. The research by Action for Carers and Employment (ACE) National partnership, led by Carers UK, will be launched at a high profile business breakfast at BT offices in London today. Read more here.
Vulnerable and hidden Young Carers targeted with new £1million Fund 15 March 2006 (added - 21 March 2006) The Princess Royal Trust for Carers has been appointed by Comic Relief to manage a new £1 million Grants Programme for the development of services for the most vulnerable and hidden young carers. The 2001 census estimated that there are 175,000 young carers in the UK, including 13,000 caring for over 50 hours per week. But The Princess Royal Trust for Carers believes that the real number of young carers is much higher because the census makes no mention of alcohol or drug problems and many young carers are 'hidden' due to the stigma attached to these conditions. Some do not come forward because they and their families are frightened of outside interference and that they may be split up. Many do not even tell their teachers or friends. A lack of awareness amongst many professionals and areas, which lack services, are all contributory factors in the most vulnerable remaining 'hidden.' Read more here.
Carers' human rights being breached 15 March 2006 (added - 21 March 2006) A new report published by Carers UK reveals that people who care for their elderly, sick or disabled relatives are being let down because public authorities are failing to implement the Human Rights Act. This is having serious, and potentially life-threatening, consequences. Read more here.
Government pension reform must recognise carers 23 February 2006 (added - 21 March 2006) Carers UK is today calling upon the Government to ensure that their pension reforms take account of carers' needs by recognising their contribution to society. At any given time, a staggering 390,000 carers are not building up entitlements to a basic state pension. Research by Carers UK and others shows carers face a number of key problems in building up pensions in retirement. Read more here.
Back me up - support for carers in an emergency 08 February 2006 Carers UK's Back Me Up campaign highlighted how carers do not get the support they need in an emergency with devastating consequences for their lives. Carers UK called for carers' emergency schemes to be set up in every area. The government has directly responded by announcing in its White Paper that home based emergency respite support will be set up in every area in England. Read about the Carers UK's Back Me Up campaign by clicking here.
Bleak outlook for Britain's carers 06 February 2006 An exclusive ITV News investigation in conjunction with Carers UK has uncovered the shocking plight of the millions of people dedicating their lives to looking after a sick or disabled relative. Read more here.
Welfare reform paper misses out carers' needs 25 January 2006 Carers UK today welcomed the publication of the Government's new proposals on welfare reform, but also warned that a lot more work needs to be done for carers if employment is to become a reality for them. Research shows that a person's health is twice as likely to suffer if they are providing care and it is difficult for them to maintain their own health - a reason why many go on to claim Incapacity Benefit. The lack of appropriate care services is also a major factor in carers having to give up work, along with inflexible employers. A staggering one in five people has given up work to care. The peak age for caring is 45 to 64 years old, precisely the time when carers often give up work to care. They then find that they are trapped outside the labour market, unable to return. Read more here.
More intensive home care available 20 January 2006 An increasing number of older people are able to access intensive care at home, allowing them to live more independently, new figures show. This steady rise in independent living among older people over the past three years is reflected by data from the Health and Social Care Information Centre. Read more here.
Carers urged to boost pension 12 January 2006 CARERS were warned today that time is running out for them to make backdated claims to boost their pension before April. Government initiatives such as State Second Pension (S2P) and Home Responsibilities Protection have enabled carers and parents to boost their pensions even if they are not in employment. But they may miss out if they have not yet claimed. Read more here. |
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Welcome to the website for carers in West Sussex > News > News Archive > 2006 News
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