One in three cases of dementia could be prevented if more people looked after their brain health throughout life, according to an international study in the Lancet. It lists nine key risk factors including lack of education, hearing loss, smoking and physical inactivity.
Too many patients are locked into mental health rehabilitation wards far from home, a review of England's psychiatric services suggests. The Care Quality Commission said there were 3,500 beds in locked facilities across the country, but it believes more people could and should get care in residential settings close to home.
Lord Chris Rennard, during a recent debate in the House of Lords, raised the issue of Mental Health in schools. It was in particular to do with the support for children and young people who have mental health issues.
England's first Disability Pride festival is taking place in Brighton. The one-day festival aims to celebrate and educate people about all physical and mental disabilities.
The "shocking" case of a man with learning disabilities and terminal cancer has led to a call for the prime minister to appoint a commissioner for learning disabled people's rights. Ian Shaw, 34, spent nine years in secure hospitals before being moved into community care last year. The cancer was found and his parents say the units should have spotted it.
As part of the Tories' cuts to welfare spending they have tightened the rules for Motability vehicles. Under the old rules the test was being unable to walk for 50 metres without help even if this was difficult and painful for you. But this has been cut to just 20 metres and has meant that about half the disabled people who used to get Motability vehicles have lost access to them.
