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HOMECARE SYSTEM
IN CRISIS WARNS UNISON
FOLLOWING a Care Quality
Commission Report into homecare services in England which found that
as many as 25% are failing to meet quality and safety
standards, UNISON is reiterating its warning that the care system is
in crisis.
Most councils have outsourced homecare services and there has been a
big increase in the number of different providers over the past
year, leading to fragmentation and a churn of start-ups and business
failures.
The union has long warned of the dangers of short visits, travel
time, zero hours contracts and high staff turnover as damaging
quality and continuity of care, many elderly people complain about
a succession of different workers. And UNISON members complain that
they can't meet the complex needs of clients and build
relationships.
Helga Pile, UNISON national officer for homecare, said:- “The
current economic environment, makes it impossible to provide the
dignified, respectful, high quality care that the elderly and
vulnerable need and deserve.
However, despite Government cuts, councils cannot wash their hands
of their responsibilities. It is time for councils who commission or
provide these services, to take responsibility for the welfare of
those who receive them and for the workers who deliver them. They
must do far, far better than they are now.
Unscrupulous private financiers should not be allowed to cream
millions out of an underfunded system, whilst providing seriously
substandard care. In some cases this has had appalling consequences.
Homecare workers are undervalued and poorly paid. Zero hours
contracts are widespread and not paying workers for the time it
takes to travel between care appointments, is nothing short of
exploitation.
Private companies who pay the minimum wage and giving scant
attention to training, has a hugely damaging impact on recruitment
and standards."
Pleasureland announces 100 jobs
for Southport
UP to 100 job vacancies for
Southport were announced by Pleasureland this week as the park
begins recruiting for the season. Once again owner Norman Wallis is
targeting older and more experienced talent alongside younger
employees in his recruitment drive, to achieve the family-friendly
blend of staff visitors have come to expect at the park. Work
has been ongoing while the park has been closed for the season with
a number of big new rides being readied before they’re lifted into
place and sited around the estate. Mr Wallis is keeping details
about the new attractions under his hat but has said:- “Expect
to be surprised!” Anyone interested in applying should
visit:-
southportpleasureland.com/jobs.
...Advert...
MERSEYSIDE VIES
FOR NUMBER ONE SPOT IN VISITENGLAND’S 101 CAMPAIGN
TAKE a look today!!! VisitEngland’s
new Facebook app sets out to find the top
101 Things to Do Before You Go Abroad,
and Merseyside is steadily climbing the ranks.
Anglophiles and industry experts from far and
wide have been submitting and voting on their top English
experiences, which will then be whittled down to the top 101 to
create the ultimate bucket list. Here are just some of the
suggestions from Merseyside that are in the running:-
See a gig at the Cavern Club:-
The Beatles played the Cavern Club nearly
300 times, helping it become the most famous live music venue in
the world. Today’s Cavern is a thriving live music destination
and one of Liverpool’s top tourist attractions. The three venues
– the Cavern Club, Cavern Live Lounge and the Cavern Pub –
showcase not only the incredible legacy of The Beatles, but also
other established artists alongside new up and coming bands.
bit.ly/10udAyH
Another Place:-
Antony Gormley’s masterpiece features 100
cast-iron, life-size figures spread out along three kilometres
of Crosby beach.
The Another Place figures - each weighing 650
kilos - are made from casts of the artist's own body standing on
the beach, all of them looking out to sea, staring at the
horizon in silent expectation. Previously seen in Germany,
Norway and Belgium, they are now a permanent feature on Crosby
beach.
bit.ly/VveyF8
Take a ferry across the Mersey:-
Ferries have featured on the River Mersey
for over 800 years. A trip across the Mersey, made famous by
Gerry and the Pacemakers, is the best way to see one of
England's most iconic cities as it is meant to be seen, coming
in from the sea, bouncing along the waves.
bit.ly/W9MsOS
Tour Liverpool like a Beatle:-
It is hard to think of any other band so strongly
associated with a city. From Penny Lane and the gates of
Strawberry Field to The Casbah and Mendips, a Beatles tour of
Liverpool is a must-do for any fan.
bit.ly/VVOapP
Think you can do better? Upload your own
suggestions of either quintessential Merseyside experiences, or
those that compete on a global scale and help keep Merseyside on
the list. Nominations must be made before 1 March 2013, and will
fall under 6 categories:- Arts and Culture, History and
Heritage, Food and Drink, Wildlife and Nature, Health and
Fitness and Because it’s Awesome. Anyone who nominates or votes
is automatically entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a
weekend break.
Visit:-
101thingstodoinengland.co.uk
or see VisitEngland on Facebook for more information!!!
Let us know what
venues you think are on Merseyside that you feel should be a
MUST SEE for visitors as well. For us it has to also
include the Sefton Dunes and the Freshfield, National Trust Red
Squirrel Reserve.. Please email our news room to:-
news24@southportreporter.com.
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Formby Books
moves to new home
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THE bookshop Formby Books
has moved from Derbyshires to Halsall Lane. The shop is a lot bigger
to cope with their increasing demand. "We are pleased to be in
our new home at last and would like to thank Derbyshires for housing
for some time. our new shop is still being decorated and we have a
few new added editions to our stock. Sadly the mobile phones section
has been delayed, but we are working to resolve it. Sarah has been
busy designing a logo for us and we have a naming competition
running with Woodlands Primary. Holly is painting a fantastic wall
display and Beth is helping with other parts of the shop, as well as
helping Holly with a few sections on the back wall. Vicky is working
with me to get the new website and all the stock ready for the
official opening. For now please keep using our
blog for the latest
information and reviews." said Tony Higginson.
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