October 2008 Archives

 by Natalie Valios

Comedy has been in the headlines this week rather a lot, what with the furore around the prank phone calls made by Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand to actor Andrew Sachs. But I was expecting less controversial humour when I sat down to watch Sir Trevor McDonald host the National Television Awards on ITV last night.

 By Derren Hayes

There's been a plethora of 'on the road in the US of A' programmes hitting our screens recently obviously timed to coincide with next week's presidential elections.

by Natalie Valios


Sir Michael Parkinson kicked off the "Making Dignity a Reality" session at the national children and adult services conference. Sadly, the Department of Health's dignity ambassador didn't actually dignify us with his presence. Instead, we were treated to a pre-recorded video message.

By Bronagh Miskelly

For one person it can mean getting out for more fresh air, for another a choice over when to eat their evening meal - personalisation is different for each service user.

The government has already made clear that the move to more personalised adult social services will be a performance indicator for councils in England over the next three years.

 By Derren Hayes

There was a very entertaining article in the Guardian's G2 section last Thursday (9th October) on US reality TV judge Judy Sheindlin.

 By Derren Hayes

Phew, that was close wasn't it? For a minute there it looked as if global capitalism was going to get its comeuppance. But, luckily, the good ol' taxpayer came to the rescue. Despite my misgivings about the government (and those of about half a dozen other countries) bailing out the multi millionaires that run the banks I suppose it had little choice but to do its White Knight impression.

A government consultation on strengthening children's trusts has just closed and a new children's bill is set to be introduced in the next parliamentary session.

By Derren Hayes

What incentive do you need to take your health seriously? With the constant barrage of media coverage over what constitutes a healthy - or in most cases unhealthy - lifestyle it is hard to imagine that there are people out there who still live in blissful ignorance.

  By Daniel Lombard

This year's Older People's Day feels more relevant than ever.

The last 12 months have seen a shift in attitudes towards our senior citizens. The news that pensioners outnumber children for the first time in British history has not gone unnoticed in Whitehall, with the government finally beginning to face up to the challenges of an ageing population.

This is illustrated by a clutch of major policies due to be announced in the next few months: the national dementia strategy and the green paper on care and support, to name but two.