A summary of social care stories from the main newspapers

By Clare Jerrom and David Callaghan.

‘You hold the key…’

On polling day, the final words from the three parties are:

“You hold the key to the future. You the British people are the
boss.”

Tony Blair, Labour

“Ours is a combination of policies with which the people of this
country agree.”

William Hague, Conservative

“If you want more investment in education and pensions, vote
Liberal Democrat.”

Charles Kennedy, Liberal Democrats

Source:- The Guardian Thursday 7 June 2001 page 1

It’s all over bar the voting

Labour look set to achieve a second term in power, according to
a Gallup survey for the Daily Telegraph.

The final opinion poll of the campaign showed Labour holding a
17-point lead over the Conservatives. Blair looks better placed
than in 1997 when he swept to power with a majority of 179.

The survey, conducted yesterday, showed the last four weeks of
campaigning had failed to make a significant impact on voters, many
of whom had already decided to give Tony Blair another chance.

The poll put Labour up to 47 per cent, Conservatives on 30 and
Liberal Democrats on 18.

Source:- Daily Telegraph Thursday 7 June 2001 page
1

Alzheimer’s drug trial raises hopes

Volunteers are undergoing vaccinations aimed at slowing the
process of the irreversible brain condition, Alzheimer’s
disease, which affects about 400,000 Britons.

Eight volunteers are undergoing the trials, although they are in
their early stages, and it could be five years before any
successful treatments become widely available.

The four centres undergoing the trials are being kept secret, in
a bid to prevent sufferers and their families demanding the
vaccine.

Richard Harvey, research director of the Alzheimer’s
Disease Society, said: “People are desperate for a really effective
treatment unlike the present drugs which are temporarily effective.
But you have to go through the clinical trials process.”

He added that they hoped to know by later in the summer whether
the vaccines were producing the necessary antibodies.

Source:- The Guardian Thursday 7 June 2001 page 9

Husband wins drug battle

A chemical expert spoke yesterday of his battle to get the drug
for Alzheimer’s disease for his wife.

Dorset Health Authority and Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust were
both criticised by Mervyn Richardson over their reluctance to
prescribe the drug Reminyl for his wife Beryl.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence ruled the drug
should be available for mild to moderate cases.

Despite the ruling in January this year, that Reminyl, Aricept
and Exelon should be prescribed on the NHS for Alzheimer’s
disease, many patients are still being denied them.

Richard Harvey, research director of the Alzheimer’s
Disease Society, said: “Mrs Richardson’s experience is not
unusual. We get a steady stream of calls. These drugs don’t
work for everybody but for 10 to 20 per cent of patients, there is
a very rewarding response.”

When the authorities finally relented, Mervyn said the
improvement in his wife’s health had been dramatic.

Source:- The Times Thursday 7 June 2001 page 4

Boy, 2, left alone for 16 hours by mother

The mother of a two-year old toddler is being questioned by
police, after he was found wandering alone on the banks of a
stream. She failed to report him missing for 16 hours.

Two teenage girls rescued the boy from Rutherglen in Glasgow, at
8pm on Tuesday, when they saw him by the water’s edge.

Strathclyde police launched a search for the boy’s parents
and 16 hours later a woman called to say she was missing a
child.

Chief Superintendent Louis Munn confirmed the woman was the
boy’s mother, but the child is now with a foster family in
Glasgow while an investigation takes place.

Source:- The Times Thursday 7 June 2001 page 2

Scottish newspapers

Care crisis to get worse

Sir Stewart Sutherland, the chair of the Royal Commission on
Long Term Care, has warned that the crisis facing Scotland’s
independent residential and nursing units is going to get worse as
owners have shelved plans to improve services in the light of their
financial difficulties.

Sir Stewart warned that the lack of constant upgrading of
buildings would cause a greater financial gap which would take
years to catch up with. He also criticised the Scottish Executive
for their delay in announcing their intentions regarding the
implementation of free personal care.

Source:- The Scotsman Thursday 7 June page 4