As regular readers of this blog will know, I am very candid about dementia and the experiences my dad had during his 19 years with this disease. It should come as no surprise then that this post is on one of the most sensitive subjects in dementia care, and one that has polarised opinions amongst many people that I know. Indeed the merits or otherwise of it divide clinicians, therapists and relatives alike - everyone searching for the 'right' answer.
Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, yesterday asked Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Norman Baker about national guidelines for blue badges during Transport Oral Questions. Annette asked the question as she currently has difficulty walking and getting in and out of cars following an accident. It is not presently possible to get temporary blue badges, and Annette asked what the Government and local authorities could do in the future to address this problem.
Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, yesterday asked Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Norman Baker about national guidelines for blue badges during Transport Oral Questions. Annette asked the question as she currently has difficulty walking and getting in and out of cars following an accident. It is not presently possible to get temporary blue badges, and Annette asked what the Government and local authorities could do in the future to address this problem.
Ian Swales MP for Redcar is continuing his campaign on behalf of ME sufferers by hosting a drop-in event for MPs and Peers today in Parliament. The event, in conjunction with the charity Action for ME, will give Parliamentarians the chance to learn more about the condition and to meet some people affected by the disease.
Planned changes to disability benefits will go ahead, the Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has said, insisting that reform is needed. It has emerged half a million people are to lose the Disability Living Allowance over the next four years. But Mr Duncan Smith told the Daily Telegraph the number of people claiming it had risen by 30% in recent years, with many people "allowed to fester". Labour said he was approaching reform with "contempt and carelessness".
Redcar and Cleveland Labour Run Council have announced that they are considering charging all disabled blue badge holders to park in all council run off street car parks. Of those 25 car parks, there are 79 bays that are specifically marked for disabled badge holders only. All residents who hold blue badges were notified of this possible change by letter today (14th May 2012).