News - Liberal Democrat Disability Association

Seni’s Law: A Huge Step Forwards, But Still Work To Do

The Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Bill is being debated again in Parliament. If it becomes law, it will make a big difference - but there is still work to do. Good mental health hospitals can save lives and help young people to recover and manage their conditions. But at the moment, far too many young people are being restrained or put in seclusion, in a way that can be traumatic and, in some cases, lead to serious injury or even death. This urgently needs to change.

2 Jul 2018

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Student mental health support must improve, universities told

Universities are being told to "dramatically improve" support for students with mental health issues. The government is announcing it will award a certificate of excellence to institutions which meet new standards of mental health care. It also wants universities to give students an opt-in service for vice chancellors to contact parents. This would mean if students find themselves in a mental health crisis their relatives can be alerted.

2 Jul 2018

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Tennant to star in learning disability comedy

Broadchurch star David Tennant is to play the dad of a girl called Rosie who has severe learning disabilities in a new five-part BBC Four comedy drama.

2 Jul 2018

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Children's mental health services need 'major ramp up'

"A major ramp-up" in children's mental health services is needed to cope with the problems faced by young people, the boss of NHS England has said. Speaking to The House magazine, Simon Stevens said social media was contributing to higher rates of mental health problems in young people. He also said more people were "willing to come forward" as the stigma around mental health reduces.

2 Jul 2018

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Atos and Capita 'warned to improve Pip disability tests'

Atos and Capita must improve the delivery of Personal Independence Payments (Pip) or face losing their contracts, MP Frank Field has said. The government says it is looking at extending the firms' contracts by two years to "better allow for a stable transition to any new provision". And it was developing IT systems to move some of the work in-house.

14 Jun 2018

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More cuts to care on way - council chiefs

Vulnerable old and disabled people will see cuts to vital care services and higher charges, council chiefs say. The annual budget survey by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services shows councils expect to spend £21.4bn this year in England. While this is a rise from £20.8bn last year, the cost of inflation combined with growing demand means this will not be enough, ADASS said. The warning comes as ministers prepare to unveil plans to reform the system. A green paper on social care is expected to be published in the coming months.

14 Jun 2018

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