News - Liberal Democrat Disability Association

Disabled man fights for benefits

A severely disabled man has been told he must move his girlfriend out of his home in order to receive benefits, because of money she previously had. Stephen Hook, 50, from Barming in Kent, was left unable to work after injuring his back when he was a hospital porter, and has claimed benefits for 15 years. But the Department for Work and Pensions stopped them because his partner had money from her house sale. It said they would be restored if she moved out and he used a state carer.

9 Jul 2007

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Clubbers warned over hearing loss

A charity for deaf people is warning that loud music in pubs and clubs is leading to a hearing loss "time bomb". The Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) found that the hearing of about 70% of people who visited nightclubs was affected. The group is now calling on the Scottish Executive to introduce recommended noise exposure levels for revellers to prevent future damage. The study also found loud music damaged the ears of nearly 50% of pub goers.

4 Jul 2007

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Epilepsy 'increases suicide risk'

People with epilepsy are three times more likely to commit suicide than the general population, research suggests. Danish researchers also found women with epilepsy were more likely to kill themselves than men with the condition. People diagnosed with epilepsy in the previous six months were at an even higher risk of committing suicide. The Lancet Neurology study said greater efforts were needed to control seizures, which could be stigmatising, and had many knock-on effects. The Aarhus University Hospital team studied 21,169 cases of suicide in Denmark between 1981 and 1997.

4 Jul 2007

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Diabetes eating disorder warning

Thousands of young diabetics could be skipping insulin injections in order to lose weight, the BBC has learned. People with type 1 diabetes need daily injections to help them absorb glucose to use as fuel. Failure to take correct doses can lead to rapid weight loss.

4 Jul 2007

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Call for improved dementia care

The NHS must urgently address failings in dementia care if it is to cope with future demands, a watchdog has said. The number of people with dementia is expected to rise by a third in the next 15 years, but the National Audit Office said it was not enough of a priority. The report said England lagged behind other European countries over early diagnosis and access to drugs.

4 Jul 2007

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Breathing technique 'aids asthma'

An old-fashioned breathing and relaxation technique could help those with asthma, research suggests. In a trial of 85 people with mild asthma, the symptoms of those using the Papworth method alongside drugs were significantly eased, Thorax reports.

28 Jun 2007

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Disabled man fights for benefits

Clubbers warned over hearing loss

Epilepsy 'increases suicide risk'

Diabetes eating disorder warning

Call for improved dementia care

Breathing technique 'aids asthma'

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