Variation in child asthma care
There is "worrying" variation in the number of children admitted to hospital for asthma attacks in different areas of England, a charity has warned.
12 May 2008
Save our green belt
The Government has doubled the housebuilding target for Stockport, weakened the protections on a third of our precious green belt, and is forcing the Council through Ministerial Directives and threats to adopt a Local Plan which will let developers target green belt first.
We oppose this government’s ‘developers charter’ and need your voice. Do you agree with us that the green spaces that make our area special need to be preserved, and new housing should first be built on brownfield sites, after the infrastructure is provided with schools, improved transport, and GP places guaranteed? Help us send a message to Government and make Labour listen to local people.
Find our more about the local plan on our frequently asked questions page.
Save our green belt
Do you agree with us that the green belt needs to be preserved, brownfield sites prioritised, and schools, transport, and GP places guaranteed?
Adults with Autism, to be audited
For the first time the government is to calculate the number of adults with autism in England.
12 May 2008
Care home residents 'must move'
A decision to close three residential centres in East Sussex will see 10 disabled people having to move home, the county council has said. Social care spokesman Keith Glazier said the residents would "no doubt find this a difficult time" but the authority would support them.
12 May 2008
Care home ratings 'may mislead'
New star ratings for care homes in England have been criticised for giving a misleading impression. The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) gave 70% of providers a three star (excellent) or two star (good) rating. But the charity Age Concern says many homes may have been given a one star (adequate) undeservedly. Its research, found cases in which inspections had failed to establish if residents were treated respectfully.
12 May 2008
Warning over social care funding
Ministers are warning that England's social care system is heading towards a £6bn funding gap unless there is radical reform, the BBC has learned. Health experts predict the ageing population means state funding for the care of the elderly and disabled will face a huge shortfall within 20 years. The warnings come as ministers are about to begin a major consultation on how social care is funded. Currently, most people in England have to pay for home help themselves.
12 May 2008
Depressed fathers 'hit learning'
Children whose fathers are depressed have smaller vocabularies than those who do not, a US study suggests.
12 May 2008