LGA responds to NHS Volunteer Responder Scheme announcement.
REACTING to the
expansion of the NHS Volunteer Responder Scheme, Cllr Ian
Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s
Community Wellbeing Board, said:-
"Councils value and pay tribute to the vast numbers of people
who are volunteering to support vulnerable friends, neighbours
and family to cope with COVID-19, whether this is for a national
or local organisation. This national volunteering scheme is an
important back up to Councils’ existing and new local
volunteering initiatives which are helping communities during
this crisis. Volunteer responders have done a brilliant job
supporting those most in need and today’s extension will enable
health and social care staff to continue to do what they do
best. Councils are working closely with NHS England to ensure
that the most vulnerable people in our society are supported and
it is vital that councils are able to co-ordinate this support
locally. We look forward to working with the Government on the
detail."
Ambulance Service keeps up
the 'good' work
INSPECTORS praised North West
Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS) as it was rated:-
'good' by Care Quality Commission (CQC) for the 2nd time
in a row. The inspection, which took place in February 2020,
resulted in an overall rating of 'good' for both of the NWAS
services inspected:- 'Urgent and Emergency Care,'
which is the:- 'Paramedic Emergency Service, and
'Emergency Operations Centres' (EOC), which is where 999
calls are handled. An 'outstanding' rating was
given for the 'responsiveness' element of the inspection of:-
'Urgent and Emergency Care.'
In the findings report, inspectors praised innovative ways of
working with other healthcare services and highlighted how the
trust promotes equality, taking a pro-active approach to caring
for patient’s individual needs. The care, compassion and
kindness of staff shone through as inspectors saw the emotional
support staff gave to patients as well as the respect and
privacy they demonstrated.
Multi agency schemes and a collaborative approach with partner
organisations were recognised as outstanding practice. An
example is the dedicated falls service which runs in Burnley and
sees a Paramedic working together with an occupational therapist
to provide practical support to patients who have fallen in the
home. Another scheme in Blackpool was also highlighted, where
the Ambulance Service works with police colleagues to provide a
dedicated mental health response, as well as the work that takes
place to support frequent users of the service.
Chief Executive Daren Mochrie said:- "I am delighted to
receive a 'good' rating from Care Quality Commission once again
and thank the inspection team for their positive feedback which
I feel reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff and
the way we deliver services for patients. Our staff are a
shining example of the NHS and I am thrilled that they have been
recognised for their care and compassion as this is something we
are particularly proud of here at NWAS. We welcome the
'outstanding' rating for responsiveness in Urgent and Emergency
Care, with inspectors praising our equality and diversity as
well as collaborative working with partner agencies. The
inspection took place at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic
at a time that we were experiencing extremely high demand,
averaging around 5,000 emergency calls per day, which makes
these positive comments all the more significant. There is still
work to be done and the report has highlighted improvement
points which we will focus on going forward. We are committed to
our vision to be the best Ambulance Service in the country and
will continue to work hard to get there."
The apprenticeship programme for
emergency medical dispatchers was also praised, as well as the
team of community specialist Paramedics who are actively engaged
with local services working together to provide an innovative
approach to care.
Dr Amanda Doyle, Chief Clinical Officer for Blackpool and Fylde
and Wyre Clinical Commissioning Groups, said:- "With 1.3
million calls per year across covering a population of 7.5
million, there is constant pressure on NWAS to be there whenever
we need them, at all times of the day. I am pleased that their
hard work and continuous improvement has been acknowledged by
CQC and that they have maintained their rating of good. NWAS has
embraced new ways of working and collaborations with partner
agencies. I am proud of the compassion and respect that staff
show to patients and callers every single day, particularly
during very stressful and demanding situations and I am glad
that this has been reflected in the report."
CQC said NWAS should improve on staff compliance against
mandatory training and appraisals targets, as well as continuing
to improve response times.
LGA's reaction to UK's
eviction ban extension
RESPONDING to the 2 month
extension on the ban on evictions from social or private rented
accommodation announced by the Government, Cllr David Renard,
Housing spokesman at the Local Government Association, said:-
“We are pleased the Government has acted on our call to
extend the current measures to protect tenants from eviction,
which will provide reassurance that they will not lose their
home because of Coronavirus. Councils have been working closely
with tenants who are experiencing financial difficulties, with
many already suspending debt recovery and trying to use
discretionary funding to support struggling households as
quickly and effectively as possible. The continuation of these
measures will help to mitigate against the rising homelessness
pressures that Councils are under as a result of the pandemic.
We would like to see the Government follow this by bringing
forward its pledge to end ‘no fault evictions’ and committing to
maintaining local housing allowance rates at the lowest 3rd of
market rents so that tenants have greater security and
households can meet their housing costs."
Total UK cases
COVID-19 cases - update for Liverpool City Region and
surroundings
THE total number of UK
Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections that have been laboratory
confirmed, within the UK, has risen by 1,557 cases and the total
number now stand at 284,868, that includes tests carried out by
commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National
totals.
Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK fatalities added to the
total, was sadly reported to be 204 according to the Department
of Health.
The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive
test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is
40,465.
In England, there are a total of 154,680 confirmed cases.
North West - total of 26,133 confirmed cases. The number of
laboratory confirmed cases within the following Local
Authorities, in and around the Liverpool City Region are as
follows:-
► Liverpool, 1,637 confirmed cases.
► Sefton, 941 confirmed cases.
► Wirral, 1,316 confirmed cases.
► St. Helens, 752 confirmed cases.
► Halton, 408 confirmed cases.
► Lancashire, 3,700 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire West and Chester, 1,176 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire East, 1,257 confirmed cases.
► Manchester, 1,620 confirmed cases.
► Stockport, 1,056 confirmed cases.
► Trafford, 841 confirmed cases.
► Wigan, 1,217 confirmed cases.
► Bolton, 1,034 confirmed cases.
► Rochdale, 822 confirmed cases.
► Bury, 778 confirmed cases.
► Tameside, 762 confirmed cases.
► Oldham, 1,097 confirmed cases.
► Blackburn with Darwen, 416 confirmed cases.
These stats are according to Public Health England as of
Saturday, 6 June 2020, at 3:59pm. UK total includes cases
detected through:- "Pillar 2" testing (tests carried out by
commercial partners) and therefore does not equate to the sum of
the 4 countries' counts, which only include:- "Pillar 1" (tests
carried out by NHS / PHE / Devolved Administration Labs)..
UK total includes cases detected through:- "Pillar 2" testing
(tests carried out by commercial partners) and therefore does
not equate to the sum of the 4 countries' counts, which only
include:- "Pillar 1" (tests carried out by NHS / PHE / Devolved
Administration Labs).
Sorry "No UK Government Coronavirus
Press Conference" on 6 June 2020
THE UK Government has now made a move away
from the 7 day schedule to a 5 day schedule; thus stopping
conferences at the weekend. This has began today, so no press
conferences from Downing Street