The Government is implementing major reforms to crack down on drivers who abuse the disabled parking system as part of the most comprehensive changes to the Blue Badge scheme for 40 years, Transport Minister Norman Baker announced today.
Genes play a bigger role in Parkinson's disease than previously thought, according to the largest genetic study yet. Five new common risk genes have been discovered, bringing the tally of genetic susceptibility genes to 11. The study, published in the Lancet, may bring us closer to a treatment or cure, said a medical charity.
More focus will be placed on dealing with mental health problems at an early stage under government plans. The new mental health strategy for England promises an extra £400m for therapies, such as counselling, to increase access to them by 60% by 2015.
Long-term speech and language problems are wrongly being blamed on parents not talking to their children and too much television, research suggests. A survey for the Communication Trust reveals common misconceptions about the cause of serious communication difficulties. The charity says the exact cause of such problems is often unknown.
The prime minister has said he has "every sympathy" with the family of a disabled six-year-old after her mother accused him of not doing enough to help families in need of respite care. Riven Vincent, of Staple Hill, near Bristol, said she could not cope and might put her daughter Celyn into care.
Families who were pursuing a legal case against the makers of an epilepsy drug have dropped their action because legal aid was withdrawn. Lawyers representing the families said they were "devastated" that the case would not be heard. Manufacturer Sanofi-Aventis has always denied any wrong doing. Around 80 families claimed that the drug, sodium valproate - also known as epilim, caused a range of birth defects. They have been pursing a legal action for damages against manufacturer Sanofi-Aventis. The firm has denied their claims.
