LAW AND BENEFIT REVIEW

[part of the 'Disability Matters' & 'Law and Benefit Review' Group]
'for all disability issues’
disability.matters@yahoo.co.uk
www.lawandbenefitreview.co.uk
[01285-861752]
REVIEWS, ARTICLES, COMMENT, UPDATES, LEGISLATION, BENEFITS, PENSIONS, CARING, NHS, BILLS WATCH, ETC.
February 2009
[edition 33]

Home
Aims & Objectives
Web Accessibility
Accessibility
Welcome
Useful Disability Contacts

2009
June
May
April
March
February
January

2008
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2007
December
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2006
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May

THANK YOU all for your continuing support.  All our data bases are now fully back on line and producing mountains of work to sieve through in order to bring you the most relevant information we can. A new hospital super-bug has appeared in the UK which has all the ‘resources’ of both MRSA and C/Diff and will be as difficult to control. Acinetobacter baumannii, [AB] settles on surfaces, hands, etc. and the need for washing hands and cleanliness is even more important.

Latest score: Super-Bugs four - NHS nil.

The ‘extra’ Christmas 2008 bonus of £50.00 should now have been received by all who qualify, it having been paid out in January 2009 together with either the Pension Credit or State Pension payments.

The Scottish Clostridium difficile infection scandal is still hitting the headlines, and the Scottish Parliament have had several debates on the matter.  Bearing in mind how un-occupied and wild most of northern Scotland is compared with the rest of the UK, the number of cases of C.diff are alarming, and could affect any one of us who are unfortunate enough to be hospitalised between the ‘boarders’ and the ‘far north’ whilst on vocation. 

The campaign to make the washing of hands by nurses, doctors, cleaners, consultants, patients and visitors using gel’s, repeated and continuous cleaning of wards, beds, lockers, telephones, computers,  showers, bathrooms, toilets, showers, etc. and the provision of sufficient isolation wards and more toilets, as well as proper bed  spaces are a must, but it does not appear to be working.  The worrying new announcement by the Healthcare Commission - the Governments own Watchdog - of NHS massive failure’s to adhere to rules and guidelines on super-bug control as our report’s below will reveal.  How much longer are we, the elderly, disabled and low immune sufferers going to be subjected to these ‘life and death’ conditions?

UK OFFICIALLY IN RECESSION

The UK is now in recession for the first time since 1991, official government figures have confirmed as the economy slides.  Gross domestic product fell by 1.5% in the last three months of 2008 after a 0.6% drop in the previous quarter.  That means that the widely accepted definition of a recession - two consecutive quarters of falling economic growth - has been met.

In theory, this news means that the increase in state pensions and benefits due in April 2009 following their announcement in the November 2008 pre- budget speech should be worth ‘more’.

 BRITISH GAS/SCOTTISH GAS TO REDUCE PRICES BY 10%

British Gas and Scottish Gas, is to reduce gas prices by 10% from 19 February, which it says will cut £84 from the average annual household bill. Nothing in the press releases says anything specifically about electricity prices.

FREE CANCER DRUGS SCHEME COMMENCES 

Up to 150,000 cancer patients in England can now start applying for free prescriptions on the NHS.  Gordon Brown announced in September he was abolishing charges for the treatment of cancer and its effects from 1 April 2009.  Patients can apply for five-year exemption certificates entitling them to all their NHS prescriptions free of charge, not just those for cancer.  Application forms can be collected from GP surgeries and hospital clinics.  Applications received by 24 March will be processed in time for the start of the scheme on 1 April.  Patients who do not receive their certificate in time may have any prescription charges they have paid since 1 April refunded.  It is estimated that patients who qualify will be able to save up to £100 a year in prescription charges.

Campaigners have been calling for everyone with long-term  conditions in England to be exempt from prescription charges, as they have already been scrapped in Wales and are being phased out in Scotland.  Northern Ireland has already reduced charges and is planning to phase them out for all patients by 2010.

The Public Health Minister says "I would urge patients to make an appointment with their GP from this week to talk about applying for their exemption certificate."  The Department of Health says the scheme will be extended to include all patients with long-term conditions at a later date.  This would make an estimated five million people exempt from charges.

0870/0845 BT NUMBERS NO LONGER CHARGEABLE

BT have announced that they will no longer charge excessive charges for calls to 0870 and 0845 numbers.  As from January 2009, these numbers will be charged as local rate calls.  Lets hope that other line suppliers follow suite.

MILLIONS TO GET COLD WEATHER PAYMENTS

The £25-a-week assistance is triggered when an area's average temperature falls or is forecast to fall to -0C or below for seven consecutive days.  Forecasts for the London area mean 600,000 people are eligible for fuel help for the first time in a decade.
The £15m for Londoners means weather payments have topped £100m this winter.  Lows of -8C (17.6F) have were experienced in much of southern England and Wales, with temperatures dropped to -10C to -17C in rural Scotland, Hampshire, Gloucestershire and Surrey  overnight.  Charities warned that the elderly and sick urgently need financial help with heating bills to prevent avoidable deaths.  Britain's biggest pensioner group - the National Pensioners Convention - said 12 pensioners could die every hour during the cold snap.   

On Tuesday January 6 2009, the Department for Works and Pensions  said cold weather payments had now been triggered at 52 weather stations around the UK since the start of this winter.  The payment, which goes to people in receipt of certain benefits - mainly pensioners, severely disabled people and families with a young or severely disabled child - has been trebled this year from £8.50 to £25-a-week for each spell of cold weather.  It is paid automatically to those who qualify, including the estimated 2.7m households in receipt of pension credit.

The increased cold weather payments are just one part of a package of measures announced by the government this winter.  This year's Christmas bonus for pensioners and disabled people, which will be paid between January and March, has increased from £10 to £70, and an extra £575m has been spent on winter fuel payments, with £250 for those in households with someone aged 60 or over, and £400 for those with someone aged 80 plus.

Meanwhile, Help the Aged has warned that the death rate rises by 1% to 2% for every temperature drop of 1C.  The Office for National Statistics said that from December 2007 to March 2008 there were an extra 25,300 deaths in England and Wales compared with the average for non-winter months - a 7% increase on the previous year's figure.

OAP’S URGED TO CLAIM HEATING BENEFIT

Thousands of pensioners in the London UK area are being urged to claim for benefits they are missing out on to keep their homes warm and OAPs urged to claim heating benefit.  Mayor of London Boris Johnson launched a campaign to encourage the city's elderly to find out what they are entitled to.  The Know Your Rights project will help pensioners and carers get advice on receiving benefits and how to make their homes warmer.

Posters and information will be published at GP surgeries, libraries, community centres and other outlets. This is the first of an annual benefits take-up campaign which the Mayor promised to undertake when he was elected.  The Greater London Authority (GLA) estimates that a third do not take advantage of all the allowances available, and some pensioners could claim an extra £50 a week. Many carers miss out on up to £1,400 each year by not claiming benefits, the GLA said.   "Across London there are going to be thousands of people in a very cold winter who may be entitled to benefits which they are not claiming and perhaps they don't even know about. It also underlines how important it is that we start to give Londoners proper insulation in their homes and it's also because it will save people huge amounts of money on their fuel bills."
DISABLED RIGHT DELAY CRITICISED

The UK government has been criticised for failing to bring new rights  for disabled people into law.  Ministers were supposed to have  ratified the UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities by the end of 2008. They ratified the European Union Disability Convention so what’s the problem with the UN rights?  A committee of both Houses of Parliament said this was "extremely disappointing" and risked "alienating" disabled people.  The government says it hopes to complete ratification by the  spring.  It also says it has to ensure the convention can be implemented.  The UK was among the first of more than 40 countries to sign up to the convention.

The legislation aims to guarantee equal treatment for disabled people in education, employment and every other area of life.
The delay has come because ministers have been working on a series of reservations - or opt-outs.  The report by the Joint Select Committee on Human Rights strongly criticises the government for a "lack of transparency" and an "unacceptable" failure to adequately consult disabled people over the proposed opt-outs even though the UK has led the field in pushing for the acceptance of this convention and advocating the rights of people with disabilities to equal treatment.

PRESCRIPTION CHARGES TO BE CUT

Prescription charges are to be reduced from £6.85 to £3 from Thursday January 1 2009, Health Minister for Northern Ireland Michael McGimpsey has said.  Prepayment certificates are also to be reduced, from £35.85 to £9 for a four-month certificate, and from £98.70 to £25 for a 12-month certificate.  The move comes ahead of the complete abolition of prescription charges in Northern Ireland in April 2010.  These reductions will make a real difference for people who needed to buy medication regularly.  The abolition of charges would bring to an end the "inequitable system which ranked one person's suffering above another's".  The reduction of the charges to £3 is the beginning of the process towards abolition of prescription charges, and the introduction of free prescriptions in April 2010 will bring great comfort to thousands of people who suffer from ill-health and do not need the added anxiety of trying to find the money to pay for vital medication.  To charge for prescriptions is totally against the principles of the NHS which promises free NATIONAL HEATH SERVICES to all.

COMMENT:  So, now Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have either reduced or abolished many of their payment systems for NHS drugs, so why are so many English NHS patients, [other than those who are exempt] still paying for their NHS drugs at the highest rate?

VOMITING BUG HITS THREE MILLION PLUS

Almost three million people have been affected by the Norovirus stomach bug so far this winter, figures suggest.  Surveillance from the Health Protection Agency shows cases in England and Wales are double those seen last year.  Doctors advise people to stay at home for 48 hours after symptoms have gone to cut the risk of the bug spreading.  The HPA said the Norovirus season began unusually early. For every one of the 1,922 reported cases, it is estimated another 1,500 have been unreported.  These cases will have been in people who did not visit the doctor.  This equates to around 2.8 million people affected so far this winter and the virus is still circulating.  Norovirus - also known as winter vomiting disease - is the most common cause of infectious gastroenteritis in the UK.  Hospitals have been affected by outbreaks with many wards around the country having to close to new admissions to prevent the spread of the illness.

The onset  of Norovirus is very sudden with vomiting and diarrhoea, some people may also feel feverish.  Illness can occur at any age because immunity to it is not long-lasting.  It is not normally dangerous but the very young and very old are most at risk of complications from dehydration.  People are advised to practise good hygiene including hand washing and disinfecting contaminated surfaces if anyone has become ill.  Food preparation should also be avoided until 48 hours after symptoms have disappeared.  There is no specific treatment for Norovirus other than letting the illness run its course but it is important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, especially in the very young or elderly.

People at risk of developing complications from influenza have been advised to get vaccinated [flu jab] against the infection, particularly those in the ‘at-risk groups’ such as the elderly, those with low immune systems and those with heart or breathing problems, have been urged to get the jab.  For most people, flu means a week or so of feeling miserable and poorly, but it's not a grave threat to them.  The ’at-risk groups‘, however, such as the elderly and people with heart problems, diabetes or lung, liver or renal diseases, or those with weakened immune systems, it can be far more dangerous and can lead to more serious illnesses."  Both of these groups should have received their vaccine by now, but it's never too late to contact your GP to arrange for vaccination.

CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE  INFECTION A FACTOR IN MORE DEATHS

Clostridium difficile infection is a greater contributory factor to deaths in Scottish hospitals than currently recorded, an expert has warned.  Professor Hugh Pennington said: "C.diff should appear on a death certificate more often than it does."  Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said procedures had failed but action was being taken to tackle C.diff.  General Register Office for Scotland statistics showed C.diff was a factor in 597 deaths last year, compared with 313 deaths in 2005.  C.diff was the primary cause of death in nine patients there and was also a contributory factor in another nine.

An independent investigation commissioned by the Scottish  Government found that there was no clear surveillance system in place, infection control procedures had failed and there were failings in leadership and accountability.  It has been revealed that across the country almost half of hospitals which responded had seen cleaning budgets go down in real terms this year, while almost a third had beds closer together than recommended guidelines.

Prof Pennington is an emeritus professor of bacteriology and he has  said C.diff was about "as nasty as you can get" in terms of killing people and that the key element to battling the infection was stopping it spreading and isolating infected patients.  "My experience of hospital acquired infections, and I've looked at many cases, is that very often when it's abundantly clear from looking at the clinical notes of the patient a hospital acquired infection, maybe C.diff, maybe MRSA, was material in causing their death - it doesn't appear on their death certificate. "So it may be a substantial number more."

WINTER FUEL PAYMENTS

The ‘one-off’ extra fuel payment of £250.00 for a single person must now be swelling your bank accounts, if not, call the Winter Fuel Payment [WFP] Helpline on 08459-151515 between 0830 and 1630. 

Those of you who have not claimed the WFP previously and will  qualify for the 2009/2010 payment, must make a claim and be   received by the Department of Works and Pensions by March 30 2009, so contact your local Dept of Works and Pensions office a.s.a.p. 

Also, watch out for outside temperatures in your UK home area falling below -0C for seven days in a row, as you at entitled to receive a Cold Weather payment from the government which was recently increased to £25.00.  In Scotland, £12 million has been paid out already.  To check your local weather conditions and temperatures log onto http://www.metoffice.gov.uk

HOW DO YOU PAY?

The manner is which you pay for goods provides various levels of protection from theft, fraud, cloning, etc.  The use of personal credit card, [not a business credit card], issued from a UK bank or credit card company provides the holder with a full refund if the goods purchased exceed £100 GBP’s, and you have paid this amount.   This provision is provided by the various Consumer Credit Act’s. Unfortunately, other cards such as debit cards, prepayment cards, and charge cards, do not normally provide such protection against defective goods, goods failed to be delivered or the service advertised is not delivered. 

In recent weeks, the APR on credit card balances has exploded, therefore they should not be used unless the full balance is to be  paid when demanded, as it will be found that it is an expensive way to pay each month if the payments are extended.  Many internet payments for goods provided by internet sites which have banking ‘security’ clearance’s attached to their websites, also do not provide the cover that a personal credit card does, so try to avoid them if you  can. 

At this time, many businesses and companies are offering up to 75% off all kinds of products.  It is very advisable to take care on such offers which may well be genuine, but we have found that the costs of many of these offers must be paid in total up front, leaving the purchaser somewhat out on a limb if something happens to the business/company/organisation before the goods are delivered or if the goods are defective or not delivered.  Reputable traders are your of course your best bet if you decide to purchase goods in this manner. 

The use of cheques provided by credit card suppliers which appear in our letter boxes almost daily are also not covered in respect of refunds in the manner that personal credit cards do, so shred them as soon as they appear.  In order to ensure your transaction is
satisfactory, the use of a personal credit card is advisable. 

ESTATE DUTY CHANGES 

Inheritance tax bills can be cut if property left in a Will falls in price after the date of death.  With house prices down on average up to 16% in a year, and share prices falling by 30%, estates valued a year ago can be worth far less when the tax has to be paid.  The Revenue may be sympathetic and make some cut in the tax.  Alternatively, the tax must be cut if the executors sell property within four years or shares within 12 months at a lower price than the valuation.  
 
Strictly speaking the tax is calculated on the open market value at the date of death, but it is worth persisting to ask the Revenue to accept a lower value.  "Tell the Revenue this is not now worth the open market value six or 12 months ago.  However, if a lower valuation is agreed and the property is subsequently sold for a higher price, then capital gains tax may be due on the difference.  John Whiting says the rules are easier to apply if the property is sold before a claim is made.  "If you do agree that the value at date of death is say £100,000 and then the executors sell it for much less, say £80,000, then provided that is within three years - or four years in most circumstances - of the death you can you can go back and substitute that value"  That means the tax is recalculated and the HM Revenue will refund the tax overpaid.

The rules do not just apply to property.  They apply to shares as well, though they must be sold within 12 months of the death to get the tax reduced.  If the property or shares are sold within the time limits, a claim for the tax refund can be made up to six years after the tax was paid.

SHAPING THE  FUTURE OF CARE AND SUPPORT

People from across England will have the opportunity to shape Government policy on the future of the care and support system today.  At an event in Birmingham, the public will be able to tell the Care Services Minister Phil Hope about how they think the Government can future proof the current system.  The event today comes as new figures show that around one in five people can not  imagine having to use care and support services. This is despite the fact that a third of all men and half of all women will, upon reaching  the age of 65, need long-term care and support at some time as they age. Most people will also come into contact with the care and  support system for a friend or relative.

In the next 20 years for instance, the number of people over 65 in the West Midlands will increase by 373,800 (43 per cent) and the number of people over 85 will increase by 101,700 (93 per cent).  As  a result, the care system must change to meet the changing needs  of society.  The engagement on the future of care and support involves members of the public, people who use services and their  families joining the Care Service

In 20 years time a quarter of the entire adult population in England   will be over 65 and the number of people over 85 will have doubled. We expect over 1.7 million more people to have care and support needs in 20 years time.  In addition, these figures do not include recent immigration figures which will increasingly include ’over 65’s. Millions of people across the country are involved with providing and using care and support.  For more information log onto www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk 

NEW PROTECTION FOR UNPAID CARERS

On July 17 2008, the European Court of Justice ruled that the laws which protect disabled people against discrimination apply not only to the person themselves, but also to their unpaid carer.

This follows an historic case taken by carer Sharon Coleman who claimed that she was discriminated against and harassed because she had a disabled son and was treated less favourably than employees whose children weren’t disabled. Sharon Coleman claimed that her employer, London law firm Attridge Law, refused to allow her to return to the same job after maternity leave, accused her of being “lazy” when she needed to take time off to care for her child and threatened her with disciplinary action.  This ruling could give new rights to millions of unpaid carers who are struggling to combine caring with paid work.

This is an historic step towards true equality for unpaid carers. Too many carers face discrimination at work, yet they are the bedrock of our communities and society.  Although this ruling appears to apply only to parents of disabled children, we will be urging the Government to ensure that all people providing unpaid care to others, for example a spouse, parent, other family member or friend, benefit from this provision.  Changes will require to be made to UK law and the UK Government should take a pro-active approach to include all carers, rather than awaiting further cases to be taken through the courts, which causes huge stress and expense to unpaid carers.  
 
This landmark judgement will have huge implications for discrimination and employment law. Employers will now have to ensure that carers in their workforce are not treated differently to other employees. Carers of both adults and disabled children have the right to request flexible working, but this new ruling will give them greater protection. At a time when there is a severe shortage of skilled workers, it makes good business and economic sense for employers to support the carers in their workforce more effectively.

This ruling follows the publication of the UK Government’s National Strategy for Carers and its proposals for the forthcoming Equality Bill. Neither contained any measures aimed at eliminating discrimination against carers. In the light of today’s judgement we strongly urge the UK Government to incorporate equality for carers when it publishes its response to the Discrimination Law Review Consultation and the Equality Bill."

NHS HOSPITALS FAIL SUPER-BUGS TESTS

Nine out of TEN acute health trusts ’spot-checked’ have failed to meet hygiene standards put in place to reduce hospital infections, according to newly-published results of spot checks.

The Healthcare Commission tested 51 trusts unannounced and found that only five adhered to Government rules or just 10 percent.  The sample only represents around a third of acute health trusts in England.  What would they find if the other two-thirds were checked?  The spot-checks were part of the largest ever programme of hygiene inspections in the NHS.  While most of the failures did not pose an immediate risk to patient safety, the Commission found almost all acute trusts had more work to do to control the spread of infection.  Should they have found any ‘failures’?

In the areas where breaches did cause a serious risk, managers were told to take immediate action.  Three trusts were given improvement notices to tackle failures in decontamination processes.  Just over half of the 51 trusts out of those surveyed failed to keep all areas clean and well-maintained according to the Commission.  However, it found that most had improved in relation to leadership and ensuring uniforms were clean and fit for purpose.

Chief Executive Anna Walker said: "It is clear that the NHS is paying close attention to infection prevention and control.  "Trusts have made real progress with many getting good systems in place and  demonstrating clear board leadership on this important issue. "Where we have raised concerns, we have generally been encouraged by the positive and prompt response at those trusts.  "Importantly, we have found few breaches requiring immediate action to protect the safety of patients - and where we have we have taken swift action."  The Patients' Association said it was dismayed at the failures highlighted by the Commission.  Director Katherine Murphy said: "The Patients' Association says 'enough is enough'.  COMMENT: The Hygiene Code is a legal requirement - why are staff members who fail to work to the Hygiene Code not disciplined?

TRUSTS THAT PASSED
Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust
Kingston Hospital NHS Trust
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
St George's Healthcare NHS Trust
St Helen's and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust

COMMENT: We agree totally with the Patients Association. “enough is enough”.  On the one-hand the governments own Healthcare Commission have found that nine out of ten or 90 per cent of NHS acute health trusts hospitals have failed to meet hygiene standards and out of 51 NHS Trust’s checked, only five or 10 per cent of the 51, were found to have adhered to the rules. These figures are horrendously unacceptable. The Chief Executive of the Commission then says “It is clear that the NHS is paying close attention to infection prevention and control”.  Which is it? ‘gross failure’ or ‘real progress’ you cannot have both, or is the Commission on another planet?, but what it does prove to the government in our opinion, is that the NHS are not performing and the public will continue to suffer.

FRESH LOOK AT ARTHRITIS DRUGS

The NHS drugs advisory body NICE is to reconsider guidance limiting the use of new rheumatoid arthritis drugs.  The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence [NICE] planned to ration patients in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to one anti-TNF drug each.   However, campaigners said it was vital for patients to be allowed to try alternative versions if the first stopped working.  Arthritis charities estimate that the drugs can benefit 40,000 people.      

UK MUST RATIFY UN CONVENTION 

The UK's equality body - the Equality and Human Rights  Commission (EHRC) - has criticised the government's delay in signing the UN disability treaty.  the EHRC has written to the government asking it to explain the large number of proposed opt-outs.  The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities came into force in May 2008 last year.  The government says it remains "fully committed to ensuring equality for  disabled people".

The UN convention sets out the rights of an estimated 650m disabled people and the responsibilities of governments in removing barriers to inclusion and promoting equality.  So far, it has been signed by 137 countries, including the UK, and ratified by 44 of them.  Ratification means that a country accepts its legal obligations under the convention and enacts any necessary legislation. 

The EHRC says that the government has passed its self-imposed deadline for ratification by the end of 2008 because the UK has requested more "reservations" or opt-outs than the rest of the countries that have already ratified the treaty put together.  The Commission has written to four government ministries to express its concern that the UK's "well-deserved reputation as a leader in promoting the rights of disabled people" risks being undermined.  "We agree with the Commission that the UK should ratify as soon as possible, and we are working hard to achieve this."  The government is also being criticised for a lack of transparency and a reluctance to consult disabled people and disability organisations.  The EHRC has written to the secretaries of state for defence, education and work and pensions and the home secretary, asking for details of all proposed reservations to be placed in the public domain.  It also wants each of the departments concerned to publish their justifications for requesting opt-outs.

Such words  being used to describe the delayed ratification are ‘staggering’ and ‘dithering‘ - by disability the Shadow Minister.  Writing on behalf of the EHRC, commissioner Baroness Jane Campbell said: "I know that you will understand why any perceived resistance to openness and consultation on a matter of ratifying the convention would risk damaging the government's reputation in the area of disability rights, where it should otherwise be extremely proud of its achievements."

SOCIAL CARE RATINGS MASK PROBLEMS

Record-high scores for adult social services are being called into question as councils are limiting the people who can get access to them.  The Commission for Social Care Inspection showed services had improved for the sixth year in a row whilst the watchdog and campaigners said they were concerned that councils were restricting who was eligible to use services such as home care. Councils said they were doing the best they could in difficult times.

The watchdog's report revealed 56 of the 150 councils in the country were given the top three stars, 75 two stars and 19 one star.  For the third year in a row no council was given zero stars.  This means that a fifth of councils went up a grade or more, while 7% deteriorated, but the ratings only judge councils on the services they are providing, not the access they give to local residents.  In recent years, councils have responded to budgetary problems by restricting access to services such as home care, day service and respite care.  On last count, two thirds of local authorities only offered this support to those with substantial needs, which includes people needing round-the-clock help.  Experts predict that unless the system is changed or extra money pumped in no council will be helping out those with low or moderate level needs within a few years.

DEATHS LINKED TO THE C.DIFF BUG UP BY 72%

Deaths linked to a severe form of infectious diarrhoea have risen by almost three-quarters in a year, according to official figures published today.  The proportion of death certificates mentioning Clostridium difficile (C diff) rose by 72%, the Office for National Statistics [ONS] said, from 3,757 in 2005 to 6,480 the following year.  However, the percentage of deaths involving C diff in which the bacteria was given as the underlying cause of death has remained stable at around 55% each year since 1999.

The ONS said some of the increase in mentions of C diff on death certificates in England and Wales could be explained by more  complete reporting.  C diff ranges from mild diarrhoea to a very severe illness which can be fatal. More acute cases can result in ulceration and bleeding from the colon and, at worst, perforation of  the intestine. Those most at risk are those who have taken strong antibiotics, which reduce their resources of "good" bacteria, and those over the age of 65.

The number of death certificates mentioning meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), meanwhile, remained stable at 1,652 in 2006 compared with 1,649 the previous year.  This followed a sustained increase in MRSA-related deaths over the past decade.  The Department of Health said steps had been taken to tackle infections since 2006 and said non-fatal cases of both MRSA and C diff have been falling.

Professor Brian Duerden, the department's chief microbiologist, said the chief medical officer had written to the NHS in 2005 to request that the infections were reported more accurately on death certificates.  He said: "These statistics from 2006 show that this move has worked and our figures are now in line with other developed countries."  He said further "significant steps" had been taken since 2006 to tackle infections, including new hand-washing and dress code rules and an ongoing £57 million "deep clean" programme for hospitals.

WATER-SURE SCHEME

Water companies through England and Wales offer the ‘Water-Sure’ Scheme to assist low income customers with metered water supplies. 

To qualify for the reduction in water charges, you, or anyone in a low income family who receives a state benefit or a large family of three or more children, and also receives child benefit for them and who are under the age of 19 years and reside at the same property, or a medical condition requiring the use of extra water, say for baths, showers, extra washing, home dialysis except where the local authority contributes to the cost of the water.

WELFARE REFORM BILL
[UPDATE]

Brief details have been ‘leaked’ concerning the new Welfare Reform Bill which is expected to be published in January 2009 [no sign yet] and any changes would come in in 2010/11.    It is being claimed that plans to force more benefit claimants to prepare for work or face losing payments is a "fair deal".  Private firms and voluntary organizations would be paid to get people back to work, while those unemployed for a year would have to do four weeks' full-time activity with most existing and new claimants being included with the whole of the recommendations made by the ‘Freud Review‘.  After two years, a pilot scheme will require people to work full-time for their benefit.  Initially, there would also be pilot schemes requiring Jobseekers' Allowance claimants to work for their benefits after two years.  Seriously disabled people will not be affected by these proposals.

Drug addicts and those suffering from alcohol related problems who claim Incapacity Benefit and other benefits such as Disability Living Allowance in some cases, will be transferred onto a new ’benefit’ so long as they attend clinics with the view of coming off drugs or alcohol.  How can such self induced health problems entitle people to claim state benefits whilst hundreds of ‘disabled’ people are refused Disability Living Allowance?

The government have finally admitted that mistakes had been made   in the 1980s and 1990s when the coal and steel industry virtually collapsed and hundreds of thousands of people were put on   incapacity benefits to keep the unemployment count down. Big mistake.

NEW RIGHTS FOR DISABLED PASSENGERS

The European Commission has adopted new proposals on bus and maritime passenger rights.  On the 4th of December, the European Commission adopted two proposals for regulations on the rights of bus and maritime passengers, long awaited by the European Disability Forum as passengers with disabilities of these transport modes still do not enjoy similar rights as air and rail passengers do.  Both proposals include specific rights for passengers with disabilities, which is particularly welcome by the European Disability Forum.

The proposals apply in principle to all domestic and international services.  Both modes of transport will raise quality standards and will offer better protection of passenger rights. Passengers will be better informed of their rights and how to enforce them in an effective way.  Passengers in general and people with disabilities or reduced mobility in particular will be protected from any form of discrimination.

The proposals include requirements to provide assistance free of charge to persons with disabilities on board the bus or passenger ship as well as in ports and terminals. Transport operators cannot refuse to accept reservations, issue tickets or boarding on grounds of disability or reduced mobility unless safety regulations or the size and facilities of the vehicle or ship make it physically impossible to embark these passengers. 

No date to commence these ’rights’ has been given, and they will have to be ratified by all the EU members before they become law.  It should also be remembered that forms of transport such as ships and trains are made to last and cannot easily be made more accessible, so its possible that the new ’rights’ will be for new forms of transport, such as are being built now.