Disabled people on Tyneside are being asked for their views on how to make the housing service more accessible. The Gateshead Housing Company, which manages more than 22,000 homes, is holding a series of forums from August. These are open to any of its tenants or leaseholders that are disabled, deaf or have an impairment. Previous ones have resulted in initiatives such as a kitchen designed for visually impaired people and a new gardening scheme.
People with bipolar disorder suffer from an accelerated shrinking of their brain, UK researchers have found. Imaging studies carried out four years apart showed loss of brain tissue in the areas controlling memory, face recognition and co-ordination.
A new grants scheme is being started which aims to help people with learning disabilities in Northants become more involved with their local communities. The Small Sparks scheme offers grants of up to £250 to groups helping people with learning difficulties to set up small-scale community schemes.
The majority of NHS trusts in England are not giving people with diabetes enough help in managing the condition at home, a watchdog has warned. The Healthcare Commission said most primary care trusts were offering basic diabetes care such as yearly check-ups. But it warned that almost 130 out of more than 150 failed on home support.
Everyone should be seen as a potential organ donor on their death unless they expressly request not to be, England's chief medical officer says. Sir Liam Donaldson calls for a system of "presumed consent" to be introduced to tackle chronic shortages of organs.
A Lancashire charity which has been providing support for people with profound disabilities for more than 50 years is facing closure. Preston and District Scope runs a centre on Eldon Street and also supports families across the region. About 200 families receive support from the charity in the form of classes, activities and advice. Those who run the centre say people assume they receive cash from the Scope national charity which is not the case.
