Tag: health conditions

£60 million fund launched to transform employment support

Businesses, charities and innovators are being invited to compete for a share of up to £60 million to transform how disabled people and those with health conditions are supported into work, the Government has announced today [14th July].

  • Businesses, charities and organisations to bid for up to £60 million to fund innovative ideas to support disabled people move closer and into work.
  • Expert panel – including Paralympian Tanni Grey Thompson – to help design the fund and shortlist best ideas
  • Comes as part of £3.5 billion employment support package to knock down barriers to opportunity for disabled people and those with health conditions.

The Government’s Pathways to Work Innovation Fund is a ‘call to action’ for the private, voluntary and public sectors to come forward with the most ambitious, creative ideas to help disabled people and those with health conditions get into and on at work.

The Fund will open for bids in September, with organisations across the UK invited to compete for funding to test genuinely new approaches to employment support.

With 2.8 million people currently out of work due to ill-health, and the Keep Britain Working review estimating economic inactivity caused by health conditions costs the UK economy £212 billion a year, the Government is looking to work alongside business, charities, tech innovators and disabled people themselves to tackle the issue and improve employment support.

The Fund forms part of the Government’s commitment to break down barriers to opportunity for disabled people backed by £3.5 billion in tailored employment support. This includes intensive, one-to-one job help from specialist advisers in their own communities, meeting people where they are, alongside a joined-up work and health offer.

https://twitter.com/DWPgovuk/status/2075852621819064804/video/1

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “We inherited a welfare system which has locked too many disabled people and those with health conditions out of work.

“We’re determined to ensure no talent is left behind, and that people are given the support they need. Through our £3.5 billion Pathways to Work employment support offer, we’ve seen that personalised support can be life-changing.

“Now we’re calling on business, disabled people and charities to work with us, and bring forward their ideas to transform employment support.”

An expert panel – including Paralympian Tanni, Baroness Grey-Thompson – will help shape the fund’s design and advise on which bids should be funded, ensuring the voices and experience of disabled people are placed at the very heart of the process.

It comes as the Department is embracing innovation by using technologies including AI and machine learning to deliver more efficient services, modernise systems and support more people into work, including a new tool to help people into jobs.

Paralympian and Member of House of Lords, Tanni, Baroness Grey-Thompson, said: “I am delighted to be joining this expert panel at such an important moment. Finding and sustaining work matters enormously – not just for individual wellbeing and independence, but for society as a whole.

“We know that with the right support, disabled people can and do thrive in the workplace.

“The world is changing rapidly, and the systems that support disabled people must keep pace with that change. This Fund is a real opportunity to back the bold, creative ideas that can make that happen.”

To mark the launch, the Work and Pensions Secretary will today visit TechUK, the UK’s leading technology trade association, where he will meet with their members at a tech and innovation showcase to see cutting-edge innovation in action and discuss how technology can help transform people’s working lives.

The new approach comes alongside wider Government action to help people into work and fulfil their full potential, as part of reforms to the broken welfare system this government inherited, including:

  • Rebalancing Universal Credit to remove the perverse incentives that push people away from work.
  • Introducing a Right to Try Work Guarantee, giving everyone who can work the chance to do so without fear of losing their benefits.
  • Investing £3.5 billion in tailored employment support for sick or disabled people.
  • Increasing face-to-face assessments for health benefits.
  • Tackling fraud and error in the benefits system, saving £14.6 billion over this Parliament
  • Alan Milburn is due to bring his final recommendations later this year on tackling the barriers young people face, and the Timms review is looking at how to make sure PIP is fit and fair for the future.

Antony Walker, Deputy CEO of TechUK, said: “The announcement that the Department for Work and Pensions is investing into an Innovation Fund is very welcome. Thousands of disabled people and those with health conditions are locked out of the workforce, not for lack of talent, but because of barriers that persist across many careers.

“Our members are already developing and deploying innovative technologies that are breaking down those barriers, helping people to find work, stay in work and thrive in their careers.

“This investment has the potential to build on that success, accelerating the adoption of proven solutions and supporting even more disabled people to access rewarding employment while helping employers tap into a wider pool of talent.”

The Pathways to Work Innovation Fund will open for bids in September 2026. Full details on how to apply will be published in due course.

Charity welcomes launch of Scottish Pension Age Disability Payment

A Scottish charity has welcomed the launch of the Pension Age Disability Payment. From today, the payment is available across all of Scotland for older people living with a disability or health condition.

Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age, said: “With the national rollout of the new Pension Age Disability Payment which replaces Attendance Allowance in Scotland, it’s really important that eligible older people receive this support, and everything else, that they’re entitled to.

“Our Older People’s Economic Wellbeing Index Scotland found that one in four (24%) people in later life with a health condition are not aware of disability related social security payments.  

“This is money for people of State Pension age who are disabled, have a long-term health condition, or are terminally ill. It is not means tested.  

“For older people who think they might be eligible, they can find out more from Independent Age’s new Pension Age Disability Payment guide. This is free and has up to date advice on what the entitlement is and how to claim.

“It is available through the Independent Age website or by calling our free helpline on 0800 319 6789 to request a copy. Our helpline and advice team can also advise any older people who is unsure whether or not they could be eligible for the payment. 

“People currently receiving Attendance Allowance do not need to do anything and will be automatically transferred onto Pension Age Disability Payment by Social Security Scotland. They will continue to receive their payment uninterrupted”  

The payment replaces Attendance Allowance in Scotland.

The 150,000 older people in Scotland who receive Attendance Allowance will be automatically transferred onto Pension Age Disability Payment in a phased process.

Edinburgh Leisure makes waves in supporting customers with Functional Neurological Disorder

As FND National Awareness Day (March 25th) approaches, Edinburgh Leisure highlights its commitment to creating accessible and inclusive facilities for those living with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a complex neurological condition that affects brain functioning.

Edinburgh Leisure’s dedication is exemplified through the story of Ruth Desire, a 56-year-old care assistant whose life was transformed when she found her “happy place” in Edinburgh Leisure’s swimming pools after being diagnosed with FND following a fall in 2008.

“Learning to expect the unexpected has become my mantra,” says Ruth, who experiences a range of challenging symptoms including drop attacks, mobility issues, dissociative seizures, and visual disturbances.

“Before my diagnosis, I enjoyed cycling and swimming. While cycling is no longer possible for me, Edinburgh Leisure has helped me stay active in other ways.”

Tailored Support Making a Difference

Edinburgh Leisure’s approach to supporting customers with complex needs like FND demonstrates how small accommodations can make significant impacts. For Ruth, these include:

  • Dimming lights around pool areas to prevent seizure triggers
  • Access to disabled facilities with emergency alarms for safety
  • Adaptive class environments with modified lighting
  • Staff trained to recognise and respond to FND episodes

Ruth attends aquafit classes 4-5 times weekly across multiple Edinburgh Leisure venues including Dalry, Ainslie Park, Leith Victoria, Portobello Baths, and Meadowbank Sports Centre, describing how “aquafit helps loosen my joints, which is beneficial for the muscle aches caused by FND-related spasms.”

Staff Going Above and Beyond

The organisation’s commitment extends beyond facility adaptations to include compassionate staff who understand the variable nature of FND.

Kate Cramb, Operations Manager at Portobello Swim Centre said: “We’re proud of our team members who have taken the time to understand Ruth’s condition and provide personalised support. Our goal is for everyone to feel welcome and safe while enjoying the physical and mental benefits of staying active.”

Ruth particularly acknowledges several staff members who have been instrumental in her journey, including Maggie (LA), Robbie (Supervisor), and Val (Coach) at Portobello; Emma, who coaches both Aquafit at Portobello and Active Life classes at Meadowbank and is particularly vigilant, having witnessed Ruth’s FND in various forms; and Susan McIntosh (Leisure Attendant), Stuart Cavers (Supervisor) and all the staff at Leith Victoria Swim Centre who have assisted Ruth with various FND episodes.

FND Awareness Day – March 25th

Functional Neurological Disorder is a brain network disorder that can affect anyone of any age. Despite its prevalence, with neurologists seeing cases frequently in their clinics, there remains limited awareness and knowledge about the condition.

FND National Awareness Day on March 25th provides an opportunity for communities to unite as #Voices4FND to influence positive change. The day highlights the urgent need for accessible specialist care for those diagnosed with FND, many of whom are currently left to navigate their condition without adequate support.

Edinburgh Leisure’s Healthy Active Minds programme, which provided Ruth with a specialised membership following her GP referral for stress, anxiety, and depression, exemplifies how targeted health initiatives can significantly improve quality of life for those with complex conditions.

About Edinburgh Leisure

Edinburgh Leisure is a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to get active, stay active, and achieve more. With facilities across the city, the organisation is committed to inclusive programming that benefits the physical and mental wellbeing of all Edinburgh residents.

Further Information

For more information about FND, visit www.fndaction.org.uk or www.neurosymptoms.org.

For details about Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities Programmes, visit https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/active-communities

Motorists warned of potentially deadly eye condition

Motorists have been warned about a potentially dangerous eye condition that distorts vision and adversely affects night-time driving.

Motoring experts at LeaseCar say thousands of Brits could unknowingly have an eye condition which causes difficulties with vision at night posing a safety risk on the roads. 

t is thought that as much as 40% of the adult population could be affected by Astigmatism, which occurs when either the eye’s cornea or the lens behind the cornea isn’t as round as it should be.

Astigmatism is an eye disorder which causes blurry or distorted vision, both close up and at a distance. 

Research suggests the condition could be on the rise as overuse of electronic devices can both bring it on and make it worse. 

Those who suffer from the condition commonly have a harder time seeing clearly at night because it increases sensitivity to glare and halos around lights, such as headlights or streetlights. 

This can affect motorist’s ability to perceive road signs, other vehicles, and potential hazards as well as making it harder for them to detect subtle changes in the road.

The experts are calling on anyone who experiences difficulties with night vision and thinks they could have the condition to head to the opticians.

Not only does failing to address the condition increase the chance of causing an accident on the roads, but it could also lead to hefty fines and penalties for motorists. 

If it is determined bad vision is a factor in a driving accident, motorists will be fined £1,000 and have three points on their licence if they had not notified the DVLA of their condition prior to the accident. 

In more serious cases, failure to notify about vision loss or sight issues could even result in a driving ban. 

Those with the condition may require glasses or contact lenses to correct it, but in more extreme cases doctors could need to use surgery to treat astigmatis. 

The DVLA says motorists must wear glasses or contact lenses every time they drive if they need them to meet the ‘standards of vision for driving’. 

Tim Alcock from LeaseCar.uk said: “It is extremely important that any motorists who think that they could have an eye condition get to the opticians and seek treatment. 

“Common symptoms of Astigmatism include trouble seeing at night, blurry, hazy and double vision, as well as needing to squint to see clearly. 

“With an estimated 40% of the adult population suffering from the condition, anyone with the symptoms should avoid driving until they have been checked out. 

“It is very dangerous to drive with any condition which impairs vision as it puts the motorist and other road users at risk. 

“The condition is particularly dangerous for drivers as the days get darker because it increases sensitivity to glare and halos around lights which affects being able to see the roads and potential obstacles. 

“It is also important that the DVLA is made aware of any condition that affects the ability to drive safely because if a motorist is involved in an accident and it is found that the condition was a contributing factor, they could be prosecuted and their insurance invalidated.”

Diabetic drivers need to declare condition, says insurance experts

A leading Insurance comparison website is warning that many motorists with diabetes risk a hefty fine if they fail to declare the condition to the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA).

Quotezone.co.uk also warns that policies could be void and claims disputed if diabetic drivers have not declared the disease to their insurer – and that includes those newly diagnosed.

As the pandemic-induced lockdowns forced people to alter their lifestyles with the closure of gyms, restricted exercise and reported spike in fast food takeaways – elements which can increase a person’s chances of developing the disease – it may lead to a surge of people being diagnosed with diabetes.

According to research from Manchester University, the first lockdown in April 2020 led to diagnosis rates falling 70% on the 10-year average.  

It estimates that more than 45,000 type 2 diagnoses were either missed or delayed between March and July alone, creating an imminent surge in new diabetes patients as things slowly begin to open up. 

Diabetes UK states that there are nearly five million people with the disease in the UK: 90% with type 2, 8% with type 1 and the remainder with rarer types. The charity predicts diabetes could rise to five and a half million by 2030 and 13.6 million are at risk of becoming type 2 sufferers.

The charity shared the following advice to show the various levels of restrictions for drivers with diabetes:

  • Those who have suffered a severe hypoglycaemia (hypo) attack at the wheel or while awake in past year-stop driving and tell the DVLA straight away.Driving licences will be revoked but can be applied for again after three months. Severe hypo attacks do not need to be declared if sufferer experiences it asleep.
  • Prescribed insulin – apply to the DVLA for a restricted licence – one to three years. Temporary insulin users do not need to tell the DVLA.
  • Medication that can risk hypos –a severe hypo while awake in a 12-month period, stop driving and tell the DVLA. Driving licence will be revoked, but can be reapplied for 3 months later.
  • Other diabetes medication or new exercise and diet – no need to tell the DVLA.

The penalties for not declaring a medical condition can result in a £1,000 fine and the risk of prosecution if the driver is involved in an accident.  

In addition to diabetes, motorists with heart issues and other conditions such as epilepsy, sleep apnoea, strokes should visit  the DVLA’s website for more information.

Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk, comments:  “A serious medical diagnosis on top of the fear of losing transportation and independence can be devasting. On a more positive note,  many conditions and medications won’t impair driving, which the DVLA and insurers recognise.

“However, anyone whose condition or medication could affect their driving needs to keep the DVLA up to date. It won’t necessarily mean a permanent loss of a licence and many successfully reapply when their condition is managed and the risk declines.  It is however essential that all drivers are properly covered with an accurate policy, to protect themselves and other road users.

“If a motorist sees their premiums go up due to the insurer’s updated risk assessment, and it looks like they might be priced out of affordable insurance, they should shop around for new quotes – insurance comparison websites are a good place to start.”

Quotezone.co.uk is one of the country’s leading price comparison platforms, helping over 3 million users find a more competitive deal each year on everything from car insurance and motorbike insurance to caravan and motorhome insurance.