2009 November 01

By Abby Dryden

This week new legislation being proposed by the government could signal the end of credit card terms and conditions as we have come to know them.

The government are seeking to ban credit card companies from increasing card limits without prior permission they are also signalling an end to interest only payments.

These new laws are aimed at encouraging credit card customers to pay off their debts and place limits on inadvertent credit card spending. It is also hoped that the changes will limit instances when customers end up paying more in interest charges than they expected. There could also be be increases to monthly minimum payments and a requirement to pay the most expensive element of credit card borrowing the cash withdrawal back first.

Consumer Minister Kevin Brennan stated “We want the credit card companies to change the unclear and unfair practices that have contributed to high levels of debt for many people”

These proposed new changes will be put up for discussion with credit card companies and customers until January 2010

www.consumerdirect.gov.uk

The Black and Blue Face of Modern Nursing

By Abby Dryden

Nurses are more frequently assaulted than any other members of NHS staff (image www.walesonline.co.uk)

A conference to be held in Edinburgh next week will look at the rise of violent attacks against NHS workers.

More than one in ten NHS employees (12%) reported experiencing physical violence from patients or their relatives,a survey by the Healthcare Commission found. The figure remains “relatively unchanged” over the past four years.

In another survey carried out this month by the public sector union Unison it was found that in Scotland 13,702 attacks were carried out against NHS staff last year. The majority of assaults were perpitrated against Nurses and Nursing Assistants.

Government legislation was passed in the form of the Emergency Workers Act as early as 2006 with the aim of protecting Ambulance Crews, Firefighters and other Healthcare workers responding to emergency calls.

However, Last year it was considered necessary to extend the powers of the Act in the hope of better protecting GP’s, Nurses and Community Midwives. This move provides a clear indication that the threat of violence is becoming a pervasive factor throughout the NHS.

The Edinburgh conference is seeking to identify why healthcare workers are being assaulted and what can be done to reduce that risk. The need to better protect workers from the public will also be discussed.

Darren McDonald, Chairman of the institution’s healthcare group said ”This event will look at some of the causes of work-related violence in the healthcare sector”