Live in care at Home – Elderly home care blog

A colour-changing crystal attached to a soldier’s uniform could help doctors decide if they need treatment for a brain injury, researchers say.
The crystal reveals the intensity of a bomb blast the wearer has been exposed to, helping doctors treat injuries that might not be immediately apparent.
Shockwaves from bomb blasts can cause brain damage [...]

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A genetic mutation in dachshunds could help uncover the roots of some inherited forms of blindness in humans, say scientists.
Cone-rod dystrophies are caused by progressive cell loss in the retina.
Dachshunds are particularly prone to similar conditions, and US and Norwegian researchers spotted an altered gene which may play a role.
Writing in the [...]

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Scientists have developed a procedure which may help end the need for transplant patients to rely on powerful anti-rejection drugs.
The complex procedure involves mixing the patient’s infection-fighting white blood cells with cells from the donor.
One patient went eight months without immunosuppressive drugs and others were switched to low doses.
The study, by Germany’s [...]

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Figures released by the Conservatives show many hospitals have had repeated problems with infestations of vermin.
The figures show that 89 NHS Trusts in England had more than 50 visits from pest controllers between January 2006 and April 2008.
Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Airedale NHS Trust
Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust [...]

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The cleanliness of most NHS hospitals in England is threatened by frequent invasions of rats, fleas, bedbugs, flies and cockroaches, a report claims.
Figures released by the Conservatives show that 70% of NHS Trusts brought in pest controllers at least 50 times between January 2006 and March 2008.
Vermin were found in wards, clinics and [...]

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Scientists hope maggots can help produce an antibiotic that can tackle strains of the MRSA superbug.
The researchers at Swansea University are developing the antibiotic from maggot secretions from the common green bottle fly.
They hope to develop it into an injection, pill or ointment to tackle 12 strains of MRSA, as well as as [...]

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People who fund their own care will soon be able to take their complaints to the Local Government Ombudsman.
During a reading of the Health and Social Care Bill on 1 July 2008, Baroness Thornton indicated that the Government will seek the next opportunity to extend the Local Government Ombudsman’s remit.
Dame Denise Platt, Chair of the [...]

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Providing appropriate services for black and minority ethnic people
CSCI has published a new bulletin which aims to address the needs of black and minority ethnic people using care services.
The bulletin calls for black and minority ethnic people to have their cultural and social needs addressed on a more personal level. This will help to ensure [...]

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Barbara Young, Chair of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), has announced that Cynthia Bower has been appointed as the Commission’s Chief Executive.
Cynthia Bower is currently Chief Executive of NHS West Midlands. She has previously held posts as chief executive of a community health trust and a primary care trust.
CQC will come into being in April [...]

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Councils in the UK are not ready to meet the challenges of the ageing population, according to a report by the Audit Commission.
The report investigates the difficulties faced by older people trying to access council services.
Belinda Wadsworth, Regional Policy Manager at Help the Aged, says: ‘Older people often tell us that they feel ignored and [...]

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