1. Digital Carers

If you have an elderly or disabled relative, friend or neighbour, you may well have found yourself helping them to access online services. It's been estimated that more than half of us are providing some level of support to another person who has problems interacting with digital technology. 

The need is only likely to grow, as more services become digital only and demographic changes bring an increase in conditions such as dementia and cognitive impairment. And what happens to people who don't have access to friendly tech support?

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Digital Inclusion recently received a briefing on digital carers which calls for concerted Government action to prevent millions becoming disconnected from essential services.

Keep reading here

2. The Health Bill

The new Parliamentary session saw the introduction of the Health Bill, a major piece of proposed legislation which kicks off with "Abolition of NHS England".

For anyone who would appreciate a bit more information about what is being planned for the future of health and social care in England, we have the key points and some pertinent reactions to the draft legislation.

Keep reading here

3. Benefit of supermarket scans

Supermarkets have long been beacons of speed and convenience when it comes to food shopping, and now the NHS has proved that their central position in our lives can also make them powerful allies in the detection of cancers.

New NHS data shows that more than 10,000 lung cancers have been detected through scans carried out in supermarket car parks and other busy locations. More than three quarters of them were caught at an early stage, which makes survival for at least five years much more likely.

Read more about the programme here

4. First, do no harm...

...Where it all went wrong.

"First, do no harm" is widely (mis)quoted from the Hippocratic Oath sworn by doctors, and has generally worked well for us when it comes to general practice and hospital care.

The memo has not reached the Department for Work and Pensions, however, where social policy reforms adopted by successive administrations have guaranteed harm to many of those in greatest need who are unable to work due to health limitations or disability.

Mo Stewart, research lead for the Preventable Harm Project, has written a new report looking at where it all went wrong - you can read it here

5. Therapeutic power of horses

Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is a UK-wide charity that works with disabled people to improve health, wellbeing and life opportunities through access to horses. It focuses on the benefits of interaction with horses to support confidence, independence and social connection.

It is now collaborating with Power of Polo, another charity that helps young people with social, economic and health challenges through interacting with horses.

We have more about their latest event here

6. Building carer-friendly communities

We are heading towards Carers Week (8 to 14 June) and this year the theme is "Building Carer Friendly Communities".

With 5.8 million unpaid carers taking on the essential work of looking after loved ones who can't manage independently, the importance of giving them proper support can hardly be overstated. Caring duties have an impact on every aspect of life, from health and well-being to work and financial security, relationships and leisure activities. Carer-friendly communities provide support to help carers live fulfilling lives.

Keep reading here