Latest news with #CareAct
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump finds more convicted congressional Republicans to reward with pardons
It's been a challenge keeping up with the flurry of pardons Donald Trump has issued in recent days, specifically rewarding his political allies and donors, though one trend is increasingly unavoidable: The incumbent president has a real soft spot for congressional Republicans who've been convicted of felonies. Take former Republican Rep. Michael Grimm of New York, for example. NBC News reported: Trump this afternoon pardoned former Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., who was convicted in 2014 of tax fraud and related charges. Grimm pleaded guilty to a single count of tax fraud after he was accused in a 20-count indictment of underreporting nearly $1 million in earnings and lowering payroll taxes through 'off-the-book' payments at a Manhattan restaurant he previously managed. After the conviction, Grimm resigned from Congress and was sentenced to eight months of incarceration. He was released in 2016, according to Spectrum News. Grimm had a brief and unfortunate career on Capitol Hill, punctuated by an incident in which he threatened physical violence against a reporter, vowing to break him 'like a boy' after the journalist had the audacity to ask the lawmaker about the criminal investigations pending against him at the time. There was also a memorable incident in 2021 when Grimm, who ran on an anti-Affordable Care Act platform, was asked whether he would forgo the taxpayer-financed coverage he hoped to deny others. The Republican responded, 'What am I, not supposed to have health care?' Two weeks later, Grimm voted to repeal the ACA and deny coverage to millions. But it was Grimm's crimes that derailed his career. Though he initially claimed he was the victim of a 'political witch hunt' — a familiar phrase, to be sure — the New Yorker ultimately agreed to plead guilty to a felony count of tax fraud. Though Grimm tried to remain in Congress anyway, GOP leaders pressed him to resign. He succumbed to party pressure soon after. More than a decade later, Grimm, who was seriously injured in a polo tournament last year, is the beneficiary of a presidential pardon. It coincided with Trump also pardoning former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland — who served three terms as a Republican member of Congress — whose record is even more controversial. As The New York Times reported, Rowland was forced to resign in 2004 to avoid impeachment stemming from a corruption scandal. The Times added, 'He pleaded guilty later that year and was sentenced to a year and a day in prison. Ten years later, Mr. Rowland was convicted again of public corruption, including obstructing justice, conspiracy, falsifying documents relied on by federal regulators and other violations of campaign finance laws.' There's nothing to suggest there was anything wrong with his prosecution, but Trump pardoned him anyway. If at this point readers are thinking that the president has pardoned several former GOP members of Congress, there's ample evidence to bolster the point. The Washington Post published this memorable roundup on the last day of Trump's first term: Since Trump took office, two incumbent Republican congressmen have been convicted of crimes, Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) and Duncan D. Hunter (R-Calif.), as has a former congressman, Steve Stockman (R-Tex.). Trump pardoned all three of them. Trump also pardoned four former Republican congressmen convicted before his presidency: Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.), Robin Hayes (R-N.C.), Mark Siljander (R-Mich.) and Randall 'Duke' Cunningham (R-Calif.). ... [A]ccording to GovTrack's Legislator Misconduct Database, Trump has now pardoned a majority of Republican congressmen convicted of felonies in the 21st century. With the Grimm and Rowland pardons, the new total of Trump pardons for congressional Republicans convicted of crimes has reached nine — and counting. (While some congressional Democrats have also been convicted of crimes in recent years, to date, none of them has benefited from the incumbent president's magnanimity.) What's more, if we widen the aperture a bit, it's also worth emphasizing that the Trump administration has also abandoned the criminal case against a former Republican congressman who'd already been found guilty of corruption by a jury, while simultaneously taking steps to abandon a corruption investigation targeting an incumbent Republican congressman. The message to Republican politicians convicted or accused of corruption couldn't be clearer: You have a friend in the Oval Office. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Council 'requires improvement' says watchdog CQC
A council has been rated as "requires improvement" by health inspectors. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found North Somerset Council required improvement, in how well it was meeting its responsibilities to ensure people had access to adult social care and support under the Care Act (2014). The CQC had a new duty under the Act to assess how local authorities worked with their communities and partners to meet their responsibilities. Roger Whitfield, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services at North Somerset Council said they accepted the report findings. More news stories for Somerset Listen to the latest news for Somerset He said: "[We] had already implemented a significant number of improvements when the CQC did their assurance visit last December. "However, as acknowledged in the report, our changes were too early in their development to demonstrate a sustained improvement. "The CQC rate councils on a range of services and our score of 59% was just short of the 63% needed to be rated 'good'." CQC looked at nine areas spread across four themes to assess how well the authority is meeting their responsibilities in order to create their requires improvement rating. The regulator has given each of these nine areas a score out of four with one being the evidence showed significant shortfalls, and four showing an exceptional standard. North Somerset Council was given a two for assessing peoples' needs and a three for governance, management and sustainability, for example. James Bullion, CQC's chief inspector of adult social care and integrated care, said North Somerset Council had leaders who "understood the issues its community was facing." He added: "North Somerset Council have built a good foundation and must now focus on addressing these shortfalls. "We look forward to returning to see how their plans mature and the positive impact it has on residents." Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Temporary closure for maternity unit after warning Watchdog finds expired milk in maternity services Care Quality Commission North Somerset Council
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Council with 'above and beyond' adult social care
A council has been praised for its provision of adult social care by a watchdog who cited "many positive findings" during its inspection. Hartlepool Borough Council was rated "good" by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in addressing their responsibilities to ensure people have access to adult social care and support. Inspectors said they found "strong leaders" and an organisation that is committed to helping residents in the town lead healthier lives, but there were further steps to be taken to support those who don't speak English. The watchdog "recognised that poverty across Hartlepool is a big issue" and stated that Hartlepool council should be pleased with the findings of the report. The council was inspected in nine areas by the CQC. Inspectors looked at how well the authority worked with local people, how effectively it provided support, its leadership, and how it ensured safety in the system. The authority received an overall score of 70% from the CQC. A score of 88% would have moved the authority into the "outstanding" category for its provision of adult social care. The latest inspection found that 57% of carers in Hartlepool were satisfied with social services - significantly higher than the England average of 36%. Waiting times for Care Act assessments have reduced from 18 days in June 2024 to 13 days in the most recent report. The inspector also found there were "effective systems, processes and practices in place to safeguard people from abuse and neglect". But the report found some people felt that social care documents were long and difficult to read. It also stated that equipment is not always easily accessible to people with additional sensory needs. James Bullion, CQC's chief inspector of adult social care, said: "Hartlepool Borough Council should be pleased with the many positive findings in our report and are already building on this with further improvement plans. "We look forward to returning to see how they have built on these areas of good practice and how their plans mature." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Council told to improve adult social care Crisis services keep 'good' rating in inspection Care home placed in special measures Hartlepool Borough Council Care Quality Commission
The Independent
20-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Lack of breaks ‘leading to more carers suffering poor mental health'
Carers' mental health has worsened, according to a major survey which found more than half reported often or always feeling overwhelmed. The charity Carers UK said the results of its latest polling of more than 12,000 carers across the UK suggested that an increasing number of those who look after a disabled, older or sick relative are suffering poor mental health because they are not getting sufficient breaks. Almost six in 10 (57%) of those who responded to the survey said they feel overwhelmed 'often' or 'always'. More than a third (35%) of carers who completed the survey last summer said they had bad or very bad mental health. This was an increase from just over a quarter (27%) the previous year. More support with health and wellbeing was the top need cited by carers, with two thirds (66%) mentioning this compared with 61% the previous year. Not having the opportunity to take a break from caring was the biggest reason carers gave for feeling overwhelmed, with 65% stating this to be the case. Almost half (49%) of carers said they needed more breaks or time off from caring, while 54% said being able to have regular breaks from caring would be a challenge for them in the coming year. More than half of carers said they needed more recognition of their needs from their local council, a rise from 46% saying this the previous year. The proportion who said they had had an assessment in the previous 12 months under the 2014 Care Act – to look at their eligibility for additional support – remained the same as it has been since 2022, at just under a quarter (23%). An increasing demand for social care services, together with a lack of funding for social care means that, all too often, replacement care and respite services are not available when carers need them Helen Walker, Carers UK Some four in 10 (42%) who had been assessed reported that their local authority had not supported them afterwards, with some reporting there was limited support help available because of staff shortages and others saying they had been signposted to other services rather than being given practical support. Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said respite services are 'all too often' not available when carers need them, because of a rising demand for social care services and amid a lack of funding for the sector. She said: 'Unpaid carers are under immense pressure. Many tell us that their world has shrunk, that they feel isolated and alone in their caring role. 'Breaks are essential for carers, enabling them to focus on their own health, needs and interests. 'An increasing demand for social care services, together with a lack of funding for social care means that, all too often, replacement care and respite services are not available when carers need them. 'Far too many carers are not receiving adequate support, resulting in poor mental health and burnout. 'We need to see a clear plan for long-term, sustainable funding ensuring that all local authorities can fulfil their duties to carers under the Care Act 2014 and all carers can access high-quality social care when they need it.' David Fothergill, chairman of the Local Government Association's community wellbeing board, said: 'Councils recognise the enormous contribution of unpaid carers who provide vital support for thousands of people every day. 'Helping councils to better support unpaid carers should be a crucial part of a long-term and sustainable funding solution for social care.' A Government spokesperson said they recognise the 'immense contribution of carers who selflessly dedicate their time to supporting others'. They added: 'We want to ensure families receive the support they need, which is why we are increasing the carer's allowance earnings threshold by around an additional £2,000 a year – the biggest rise since it was introduced in 1976. 'The Better Care Fund, backed by £9 billion, includes funding that can be used for unpaid carer support, such as short breaks and respite services. 'We are also making available up to £3.7 billion extra for local authorities with social care responsibility in 2025-26, including an £880 million increase in the social care grant, to help them fulfil their duties to carers, including delivering a wide range of support services.'
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NHS evicts patient who spent 18 months in hospital bed with no care home to go to
The NHS was forced to evict a woman who spent 18 months living from her hospital bed because she had no care home to go to. Jessie, who would not give her surname, stayed at Northampton general hospital following a procedure for cellulitis because her nursing home of nine years said it could no longer meet her needs. She was arrested in hospital and taken to a new care home, where she now says she feels anxious. The 35-year-old, who is unable to work and relies on benefits, requires help with all personal care and has been diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder. Speaking about the ordeal, she told the BBC: 'I feel very angry, upset, worthless, and like my mental health and my life doesn't matter.' Jessie lived on a six-bed ward in the hospital, where she says her mental health quickly declined. The hospital started legal action against Jessie in August last year to repossess the bed she was using having declared her fit to leave in April. North Northamptonshire council, which is responsible for her housing and care, declined to comment because of a police investigation into Jessie's behaviour at the care home. Legal documents show that the council investigated about 120 care places but only one care home was put forward to her. This was a supported living flat in a nearby town with two care staff initially present 24 hours a day. But Jessie declined the offer because the area brought back distressing memories, which court documents say left her feeling suicidal. In court, documents showed that Jessie had not been able to express a preference about where she lives despite having the right to under the 2014 Care Act. The court heard that Jessie has mental capacity but an NHS assessment outlined she needs support with making decisions and communicating her views. The NHS trust argued that a patient did not have the right to choose accommodation and said a hospital bed took up significant resources. At the final High Court hearing in October, the judge told Jessie she could challenge the council's assessment of whether the accommodation and care were suitable for her, but she could not remain in hospital 'when she does not need a bed there, and has not needed one for over a year, and others do'. Her case has highlighted the pressure on the care system, which has been buckling under staff shortages and a lack of funding. Last month nearly 13,000 out of more than 100,000 hospital beds in England were occupied by people who didn't have a medical reason to be there, official figures show. The Department of Health and Social Care has told the BBC: 'This is a troubling case, which shows how our broken NHS discharge system is failing vulnerable.' Last month, the NHS hospital beds shortage was at its worst so far this winter, with just 4 per cent of beds across England unoccupied by patients, The Telegraph reported. Four hospital trusts reported they had zero available beds and Sarah-Jane Marsh, the emergency care director, said hospitals were 'jam-packed' with people.
