Author Archives: Randeep Ramesh
High risk healthcare ‘will suffer if medical cover is privatised’
BMA warns that proposals to replace NHS Litigation Authority with private model ‘mimics worst aspects of US healthcare’Potentially life-saving procedures could disappear from the health service because the high risks involved will force doctors to take… Continue reading
Three-quarters of GPs want health and social care bill withdrawn, poll reveals
Most doctors surveyed say the Royal College of GPs and other medical groups should call for the bill to be scrappedNearly three-quarters of family doctors surveyed by the Royal College of General Practitioners want the government to withdraw the coalit… Continue reading
Unhappy childhoods afflict one in 10 youngsters, finds Children’s Society
Survey of 30,000 children aged eight to 16 pinpoints family relationships and ‘materialistic traps’ behind low well-beingAlmost one in 10 children over the age of eight are unhappy, according to a landmark survey by the Children’s Society, which questi… Continue reading
Welfare payments cap poses ‘real risks to children’s rights’
Children’s commissioner says government’s welfare reform bill contravenes UN convention on the rights of the childThe imposition of a cap on the total amount of benefits paid to poor families undermines the rights of children, risks “unjustified discri… Continue reading
Housing benefit cuts will put 800,000 homes out of reach, according to study
Chartered Institute of Housing says families face choice of cutting food bills to pay rent or moving outDownload a map of the cutsA further 800,000 homes will be put out of reach of people on housing benefit because of government welfare cuts – leav… Continue reading
One in four hospital patients ‘could be recovering at home’
Concerns that support for patients from social care or nursing in the community has been cut back, resulting in ‘bed-blocking’One in four patients are occupying hospital beds when they could be sent home to continue their recovery, according to the hea… Continue reading
Wellbeing analysis reveals ‘human capital’ drop for first time in decade
An ONS study into the value of the nation’s knowledge and skills shows a fall of £130bn in 2010, after steady growth since 2001The first official analysis of the nation’s “human capital”, which values people’s knowledge and skills, reveals a drop in i… Continue reading
Lords warn on ministerial accountability in NHS reforms
Committee members looking at implications of public bills say health secretary’s role should be made explicitly clearThe coalition government’s health bill will dilute accountability to parliament and the courts and should be amended to address serious… Continue reading
NHS executives told to resign under plan to cut trusts
Andrew Lansley’s proposed shakeup of PCTs is causing confusion at heart of NHS, say service’s top managersAndrew Lansley’s decision to shrink the number of NHS trusts has seen directors of the health service told they will have to leave their jobs by t… Continue reading
Youth services will not be ringfenced from budget cuts
Despite government report linking closures of youth clubs to riots, councils urged to share resources for the youngThe government will not protect council-funded youth services from swingeing cuts when it announces a new strategy for teenagers next wee… Continue reading