Charity wants more help for elderly in cold weather

A leading charity for the elderly is calling for more help with fuel bills for older people who are struggling to keep warm during the ongoing cold snap that is being experienced across Britain. Charity Age Concern and Help the Aged has stated that the government needs to increase the payments it makes to pensioners for fuel during the unusually long cold snap that is being seen across the country at the moment. Read more

Tags: normal energy bill, nhs, Help the Aged, United Kingdom, Social Issues, spokesperson

Parents keen to take out health insurance for their kids

According to recent reports there has been a rush in the number of parents that are keen to take out health insurance cover for their children, and this follows an outbreak of illnesses that have caused grave concern to parents. Read more

Tags: excellent care, health insurance, healthcare, cover, kids health insurance, national health service

Travellers need to remember European Health Insurance Card

Travellers need to remember to take their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with them when they go to Europe, warn insurance experts.

According to the AA, the card, previously known as the E111 form, offers health insurance which is always a “good idea” when travelling.

Ian Crowder, public relations manager for the AA, said that the EHIC is a reciprocal agreement with the NHS should allow holidaymakers to receive treatment in EU countries free or at low cost should it be required.

“[However], depending where you are may depend on the standard of service you get,” he added.

Research from gapyear.com states that a quarter of those who go travelling do so uninsured or underinsured which can put their parents’ homes and financial security at risk.

Up to 230,000 people take a gap year between the ages of 18-24 who have an average spend between £3-4,000.

A further 90,000 people take a gap year between the ages of 25 and 35 and spend an average sum between £6-9,000.

Tags: Ian Crowder, Gap, eu countries, standard, nhs, risk, financial security, security

Cost of treatment affecting health

The cost of treatment is leading to many women in the UK failing to get properly checked-out for fatal diseases.

Research from PruHealth shows that 79 per cent of British females have never been for a full body health screening.

That means many people are running the risk of developing illnesses such as breast cancer and heart disease, with PruHealth’s research showing that the reasons are often financial.

In total, 37 per cent of respondents said that health screening is too expensive, while 36 per cent revealed that they would go for a screening if it were made available on the NHS.

“People are putting themselves at risk by not having a regular check-up and full body health screen,” said PruHealth’s direct marketing and partnerships director Nick Read.

“Preventative methods like these can pick up early signs of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.”

In addition, Mr Read revealed that having a screening can lead to people adopting a “healthier lifestyle”.

The cost of this kind of treatment need not be so large that women are passing it up and many will find that by taking out health insurance cover they can spread the burden and pay for their treatment in a more manageable way.

Tags: PruHealth's direct marketing, British females, regular check-up, burden, nhs, way, Cancer screening, Nick Read