With the death of Pope Francis, the world loses not only a church leader but also a moral compass
Psychiatric wards are not suitable for those with disabilities
From a lack of dual trained staff, to inadequate building design, mental health hospitals struggle to meet the needs of people with physical disabilities, says RUTH HUNT

CARE should travel with the patient — so why does it stop with psychiatric admissions?
Why are care assessment plans, which are approved by the local authority, treated as not relevant when a patient is admitted to a psychiatric hospital?
As someone who has spinal cord injuries, an amputated right leg, osteoporosis and kyphosis as well as bipolar and reactive depression, I have carers who are with me each day to look after my personal and practical health needs. This care is approved and funded by the local authority.
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By making Personal Independence Payments harder to access, Labour is creating another barrier for those already struggling with soaring care costs, workplace discrimination and prejudiced employers, argues RUTH HUNT

The NHS continues to say Covid spreads primarily through ‘droplet and touch’ while the WHO emphasises airborne transmission, meaning vulnerable patients and healthcare workers face unnecessary risks, reports RUTH HUNT

Behind the Samaritans’ promise to always listen, callers face secret restrictions and automated blocks while the charity admits setting limits without clearly warning ‘frequent’ users they risk getting cut off — or why, writes RUTH HUNT

What’s needed are more truly accessible homes, radical reform of the private sector to protect disabled tenants, and a less myopic view of the housing market focused on ‘homeowners,’ argues RUTH HUNT