Rural Access to Health and Care Services

Rural residents face distinct healthcare challenges, including limited access to transport, longer distances to medical facilities, an aging demographic, housing inadequacies, digital connectivity gaps, and recruitment hurdles for healthcare workers.

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29 Jan 2019

Walking & Cycling Statistics

The Government has an ambition for increased levels of activity both through cycling and walking.  The following analyses take a look at statistics from the Department for Transport, and shows...

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28 Jan 2019

Clean air strategy to intensify rural fuel poverty

The RSN has this week written to the Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, to ask him to consider the impact that the Clean Air Strategy will have on...

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23 Jan 2019

Rural Economy Committee – RSN Summary of the Final Evidence Session

The House of Lords Rural Economy Committee met for a final evidence session on the Government’s vision for the rural economy on Tuesday 22 January. The committee heard evidence from:...

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23 Jan 2019

Podcast Episode – The rural food bank

Carole Walker, is a former political news correspondent with the BBC.  She has developed her own Podcast called ‘The View from Here’ and has kindly allowed the Rural Services Network...

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21 Jan 2019

Underfunding of rural hospitals

Health think tank The Nuffield Trust has published its review on the impact of rurality on the costs of delivering health care in partnership with the National Centre for Rural...

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21 Jan 2019

Students walk ‘dark and dangerous’ route in the face of bus cuts

Parents and students in North Hampshire are protesting proposed cuts to school bus services that would see pupils walking three miles across ‘unlit heathland and a busy A road’ in...

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21 Jan 2019

First Church Archdeacon for ‘Rural Mission’ appointed

Canon Sally Gaze is the first Church of England Archdeacon for Rural Mission to be appointed, according to the Church Times. The Archdeacon for Rural Mission will help to increase...

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14 Jan 2019

‘Sandwich Generation’ are vulnerable

The Office for National Statistics has published data on the ‘Sandwich Generation’ – those who care for both their parents and dependent children. The report found that they are more...

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14 Jan 2019

NHS Long Term Plan launched

The 10-year plan for the future of the NHS was announced last week, it outlines how the NHS budget will be spent over the next five years. Broadly, its stated...

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14 Jan 2019

‘Smart homes’ to help elderly

New ‘smart homes’ are to be created to help elderly and disabled people tackle loneliness in rural areas, according to Open Access Government. The pilot, to take place in West...

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