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.
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.
Children whose fathers are depressed have smaller vocabularies than those who do not, a US study suggests.
People with diabetes who use insulin have no more car accidents than those without the condition, research shows.
A Zimbabwean woman has said her family will lose their independence if she is forced to return to her homeland. Kudzayi Zinzombe, 25, from Exeter, cares for her disabled brother while their mother works as a nurse. Kudzayi came to Britain two years ago, but now she has been told she cannot stay because she was over 18 when she arrived and therefore not a dependent.
A crackdown is under way targeting hospital visitors who abuse disabled parking spaces in Leicester. Previously parking attendants have been unable to confirm if the person registered on a blue card was actually in the car. But from this week, parking staff at Leicester's three hospitals will check if the badge photo ID matches up. However the Leicester charity Mosaic fears the move will only cause confusion for disabled drivers.
