A pilot project in Denbighshire to teach people with disabilities first aid is to be rolled out across Wales, says the British Red Cross. The scheme began in north Wales last year and so far more than 250 people have gained life-saving skills. The charity has been training people with a range of physical and learning disabilities.
Two drugs commonly prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes double the risk of heart failure, a study of data on more than 78,000 patients suggests. More than 1.5 million prescriptions for rosiglitazone and pioglitazone were issued in England alone last year. The researchers, led by the University of East Anglia, suggest fluid retention caused by the drugs may be to blame. Writing in the journal Diabetes Care, they call for a rethink on the drugs by the regulatory authorities.
Six disabled people have been arrested in connection with what is believed to be the widespread abuse of a scheme to help wheelchair-users buy cars. An investigation for BBC Radio 4's You and Yours programme revealed some had repeatedly bought high-value cars VAT free, then sold them for huge profits. The BBC's Shari Vahl said it was believed those involved had made hundreds of thousands of pounds.
For the eighteenth year in succession the National Audit Office has refused to sign off the Department for Work and Pensions' accounts due to unacceptably high levels of fraud and error. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary for Work and Pensions Danny Alexander MP said:
In spite of the costs involved and people's preconceptions about who can learn to fly, the British Disabled Flying Association (BDFA) is using a number of adaptations to persuade disabled people that flying is an achievable goal. The BDFA welcomes people with all types of disabilities
Many people believe potentially harmful myths about epilepsy, a study from University College London suggests. A third would put something in the mouth of a person having a seizure to stop them swallowing their tongue - but doing so could block their airways. And 67% of the 4,605 people asked would call an ambulance immediately, Epilepsy and Behavior journal reports. This is only needed for first seizures, those lasting over five minutes, if the person is hurt or has several seizures.
