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CVAA on track
for 1,000 placements
THE Consortium of Voluntary
Adoption Agencies (CVAA UK) welcomes the Government's latest
announcement of additional funding to build on the success of the
adoption sector in finding more adoptive families for more children
in care.
According to CVAA Director Chris Smith:- "We've shown what can
be achieved with additional resources and through the effective teamworking of our 22 member agencies. The figures speak for
themselves. We placed 481 children in the 1st 6 months of the year,
2 thirds of the total number placed by the CVAA during the whole of
the previous year. Similarly, our members approved a total of 483
families for adoption during the same period, more than 3 quarters
of the previous year's total. All of us who are concerned about
adoption, both the voluntary sector and our colleagues in the
statutory sector, faced an enormous challenge in addressing the
growing numbers of children in care and the length of time they
faced in care. We welcome the introduction of voluntary agency
information in the Government's Adoption maps. These maps will help
potential adopters to finding their way quickly through the adoption
system and allow them to choose an adoption agency that is right for
them. Together, we've demonstrated the difference we can make in
delivering sustainable approaches to a major national challenge."
The CVAA UK's aim is to place 1,000 children each year from the end
of 2013 to 2014.
A&E staff won't
kiss it better… It's for real emergencies only...!
EXAMINE your options before
using Accident and Emergency departments is the message from busy
doctors and nurses this Christmas and New Year.
"A&E is for people facing life-threatening and serious emergencies
such as serious accidents, serious burns, breathing problems, heart
attacks and strokes. You don't need an appointment at A&E but we'll
make an assessment on arrival and, depending on how urgent treatment
is needed, you may have to wait up to 4 hours. The triage nurse or
clinician may also signpost you to a different health care provider
such as your GP, dentist or pharmacy. That's why you might be better
examining your options and choosing another NHS service; or even
treating yourself." said Liz Yates, Director of Nursing at
Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust.
Coughs, colds, sore throats, upset stomachs, general aches and
pains, and flu will usually clear up on their own. Keep warm, drink
plenty of fluids and, if appropriate, treat with over-the-counter
painkillers such as paracetamol.
Contact a GP or the GP out of hours service for help with injuries
or illnesses that won't go away.
Alternatively, West Lancashire Health Centre at Ormskirk hospital is
open from 8am to 10pm all year round (Christmas Day 9am to 5pm).
Skelmersdale NHS Walk-in Centre at The Concourse is open from 7am to
10pm weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends and on New Year's Day.
Local pharmacies and NHS Choices are also a good source of
information and advice. Click the links for information about
pharmacy opening times in Southport and Formby and West Lancashire
Trust clinics providing sexual health services where close on
Christmas Day, Boxing Day and will again be closed on New Year's
Day.
Telephone:- 01704 513303 or call:-
0151 247 6025 for further information or visit:-
isis.sefton.nhs.uk. |
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Government backs
smartphone app to pinpoint potholes
ON 23 December 2013
Government has given £30,000 to back the development of an
innovative smartphone application to report potholes, Roads Minister
Robert Goodwill announced today.
The Department for Transport (DfT) pledged the cash to enable the
Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC), the national cycling charity, to
revamp its 'Fill That Hole' website and develop a new
app compatible with smartphones running Android software.
Over 9 million iPhone users can download the website's current app
to report potholed roads to their Councils; the new app could boost
that figure to over 26 million and is expected to be ready in
February, at the start of 'pothole season' when the winter damage to
roads is at its greatest.
Roads Minister Robert Goodwill said:- "The Government is
serious about tackling potholes. At best they are an irritation but
at worst they can damage vehicles and pose a serious danger to
cyclists. That is why we want people to tell Councils where to find
them so they can fill them in. This app means more people are going
to be able to report potholes more easily. Filling potholes in
quickly is only one half of the story. Research has also shown a
long-term approach to road maintenance, rather than patch and mend,
can save Councils and taxpayers money and potentially save lives
thanks to better road conditions."
CTC originally developed its app for cyclists, who can receive
life-changing injuries from accidents caused by potholes, but it is
now used by all types of road user, from delivery drivers to
motorists concerned about potential damage to their vehicle.
The app sends local authorities up-to-the-minute information about
potholes which the Council may not otherwise know about, allowing
them to identify trouble spots needing action fast. In the past year
around £23.8m was paid in compensation by local authorities across
England due to the poor condition of their roads according to the
Asphalt Industry Alliance.
The support for the app comes as more local authorities adopt new
Government guidelines which urge Councils to plan extensive
maintenance well in advance, rather than years of costly 'patching'
as potholes appear; saving the taxpayer money.
The Government has provided over £3 billion to authorities in
England (excluding London) between 2011/12 to 2015/16, plus an
additional £200 million in 2011 following the severe winter.
In June, the Department announced a further £5.8 billion for local
highways maintenance from 2015/16 to 2020/21. This equates to around
£976 million per year, a funding increase of £163m a year.
CTC Chief Executive Gordon Seabright said:- "CTC has been
working to ensure roads are safe for cycling since our foundation in
1878. We are delighted to have the Government's support for our
'Fill That Hole' website and app, which are already highly effective
ways for road users to get potholes filled. This partnership with
the Department for Transport will enable us to provide this free
service to far more cyclists and other road users. It's also a great
example of CTC and the Government working together to get Britain
cycling."
Councillor Dave Hibbert, the Oldham Council Cabinet member for
Environment and Housing, said:- "Over the last four years
Oldham Council has invested £10 million into repairing highways
across the Borough and put in an additional £2million, which
included purchasing new machines, to make repairs quicker,
longer-lasting and less expensive than ever before. We always try to
provide value for money for our residents and this smartphone
application, coupled with our own app that we are launching very
soon, will help us provide a more cost effective and high-quality
outcome."
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