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You and Yours: Inflation rises, Home care failures, Dessert shops

19/01/2022

Inflation rises, Home care failures, Dessert shops

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, Inflation rises, Home care failures, Dessert shops

Inflation rises, home care failures, dessert shops.

The big rise in inflation. The disturbing story of a vulnerable couple failed by their carers. The people going abroad for operations rather than waiting on the NHS.

We look at the rise and rise of inflation and ask who are the big losers as the cost of living continues to increase.

We report on a case about a very vulnerable couple and their woeful experience with carers. One stole from them and others refused to wear PPE in the pandemic and also rescheduled visits to suit themselves. The failures led to an independent investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman which found against the London Borough of Bexley, the council that commissioned the care, and was also critical of Westminster Homecare, the agency responsible for delivering the care. Since the Ombudsman's decision, both the council and the care company have apologised and say they've made changes to their services. We hear from the couple's daughter and also speak to Mike Hyatt, Professional Practice Co-ordinator at the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

Nearly six million people in England are now waiting longer to have routine hospital treatment on the NHS. It's the largest number of patients waiting since records began in 2007. It means that more people are giving up on the NHS and and paying for treatment abroad. We speak to Phillip Toader, who got two hip operations done in Lithuania, and Professor Neil Lunt from York University about the risks involved with getting treatment overseas.

And why are dessert shops a growth area in the hospitality trade? We go to Birmingham to find out more.

Presenter: Winifred Robinson
Producer: Tara Holmes

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Inflation rises, Home care failures, Dessert shops

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