People with anxiety and depression should be offered talking therapies within six weeks, according to new guidelines in England. But while 100% of patients in some areas receive this level of treatment, it is only 5% in others - why does this happen?
A campaign to reduce the stigma around mental health in children has been launched by the government. It will use school visits and social media to urge young people and parents to talk more about mental health. Health Minister Alistair Burt said the campaign was "the largest ever" and would include an online hub of mental health information.
Action on Hearing Loss
"Shocking" new figures show that more than a quarter of disabled people who previously received support from the Independent Living Fund (ILF) in one local authority area have had their social care packages cut by at least half since it closed.
The first ever rationing of free hearing aids on the NHS comes into force in North Staffordshire today, with the rest of Staffordshire planning to mirror the cuts over the coming months The charity Action on Hearing Loss, with support from local and national deaf organisations and audiology professionals, has spent the last 15 months campaigning to reverse the decision made by the North Staffordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to cut hearing aids for most people who need them. Over 5,000 Staffordshire residents have signed a petition calling for the cuts to be stopped.
A couple of days ago the papers, the TV news, chat shows and social media were up in arms about a couple of celebrities who had decided that it was all right to park in accessible parking spaces on the street when neither of them had the blue badges issued to disabled people who need priority parking due to their impairment.
