Disability and Health News Weekly Roundup UK and Europe 1 Oct 2008

Weekly review of disability and health news from the UK and Europe for the week ending 1 October 2008.

Unemployment among people with disabilities is over 90% announced Denitza Dimitrova, a deputy in the 40th National Assembly on a press conference dedicated to the problems of people with disabilities in Bulgaria. Denitza Dimitrova participates in the presentation of the project  "Day of the carrier for people with disabilities 2008". According to her the reason for this is the inaccessible architecture environment and the employers' fear of employing people with disabilities.

A martial arts expert pocketed £11,100 in disability benefits while running advanced self defence classes. Neath magistrates court heard today he was claiming mobility allowance at the highest level when the Department for Work and Pensions got an anonymous tip off that he was running a lucrative martial arts business.

Since age discrimination safeguards were introduced two years ago, the Equality Commission watchdog has received 535 age discrimination-related enquiries. Despite the large volume of enquiries, equality legislation due to be introduced in Great Britain will not be extended to Northern Ireland.

Wales - Vale of Glamorgan folks with disabilities have been helped to take up cycling for the first time in years. One of them is now planning to take part in a marathon. Trikes and tandems have been bought, which are perfect for riders who require more stability. And after six weeks of sessions which began with basic bike awareness and handling guidance, the cyclists with disabilities are now taking to the roads. More info

Young rugby players from Boston Spa took part in the National Disability Tag Rugby Festival. Held at Headingley Carnegie stadium, the tournament saw 30 teams of seven players from across the UK compete against each other.

BBC presenter Peter chosen to chair fluoride questions - BBC journalist Peter White is to chair three Question Time-style events on controversial moves to add more fluoride to Hampshire's water supplies. Mr White,a former BBC Radio Solent presenter and the Beeb's disability affairs correspondent, will chair a panel of representatives from the pro and anti-fluoride lobby as part of a major consultation exercise by South Central Strategic Health Authority to increase levels of the chemical in tap water in the Southampton and south-west Hampshire district, which includes Nursling and Rownhams.

A NEW agency is aiming to make the North-east the best place in the UK for employing disabled people. Newcastle-based Xceed is a community interest company offering advice and recruitment services to both employers and people with disabilities. Director Colin Murphy Waters said: “While eight out of 10 people of working age in our region have jobs, only four out of 10 disabled people work.” More info

Solent Marine, has recently completed a contract to fully refurbish Bristol Harbourside Marina. The Hamble River-based company won the contract with Bristol City Council. The requirement for disability access and easy and safe movement for wheelchairs, meant stability and low rise and fall was essential. The walkways at Bristol are therefore double the width we would normally allow in a private marina environment.

Medical prescriptions are to be free for everyone in Northern Ireland within 18 months, the Stormont health minister announced yesterday.

A clear and easy to understand DVD guide to The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005, has been produced by national charity for people with learning disabilities, HFT, for the Department of Health and Social Care Institute for Excellence, as part of a programme of work on implementing the MCA 2005. Featuring electronic video clips and animation with the familiar voice of popular actor and HFT Patron, Martin Clunes, the DVD is designed to help people with learning disabilities, their families, carers and professional staff, to understand the basis principles of the Mental Capacity Act.

Thalidomide was marketed in the UK in 1958 as a treatment for insomnia and morning sickness. Found to be safe in animal trials, but never tested on humans, it was launched in 46 countries before its terrible legacy was revealed by The Sunday Times. The drug’s German manufacturer, Grünenthal, received thousands of reports of its effect on the developing foetus, yet consistently denied any link. By the time it was finally withdrawn in the early 1960s, it had killed 100,000 babies in the womb, and a further 10,000 were born severely disabled.

The outline for the new Pharmaceutical Pricing Regulation Scheme (PPRS) is set to bring in additional 5% reductions from 2009 onwards, with the potential for additional savings if the drugs bill expands over 6.7% in 2008 or 2009. Meanwhile, the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)'s criteria for recommending drugs may become clearer in future after the UK Court of Appeal ruled that a fully executable version of its economic model, used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of treatments, should be made available to Japanese drugmaker Eisai.

A conference has been held in Cornwall to mark the launch of a project to help disabled children receive childcare. Parents and carers of disabled children attended the Accessible Childcare event at the pavilion in the Royal Cornwall Showground in Wadebridge. Cornwall is one of just 10 councils to get a Government grant to improve the provision of care to disabled children.

Events:

A Paralympic Talent Day, which is due to take place on October 15 at Mile End Leisure Centre, has been organised in conjunction with GLL and Tower Hamlets Council with the aim of identifying and nurturing new talent to ensure Britain stays one of the leading nations in the world of Paralympic sport. ParalympicsGB are looking for people aged between 13 and 35 who are physically active and have the desire to win from one of the following disability groups - cerebral palsy, visually impaired, spinal cord injuries, amputees or dwarfism. Aspiring athletes who meet these criteria and think they have what it takes to be a Paralympian should pre-register to attend the day. For further information about ParalympicsGB, please contact Sian Davies in the Press Office on 0207 211 5240 or 07721 892686 or by email at sian.davies@paralympics.org.uk. For news updates visit the BPA website at www.paralympics.org.uk.

Launch of the Regional Disability Network West Midlands - Thursday 9th October 2008, from 11am Birmingham Disability Resource Centre, Bierton Road, Yardley, Birmingham. Identify priority issues for consultation across the West Midlands region and identify priority areas where organisations of disabled people need infrastructure support.

London, UK - The biggest ever event to End Child Poverty takes place in London this Saturday, 4th October, with thousands expected to participate in a march from Millbank via Westminster to Trafalgar Square. According to the latest statistics from the End Child Poverty Campaign - 1 in 3 children are in poverty. They say 5.5 million children are in families that are classed as “struggling” - 98% of children in some areas. Over 130 UK organisations, including the UK Autism Foundation, are supporting the End Child Poverty march.