Worcestershire NHS Workers to Benefit from New Government Funding

A new £1.75 million development of services to protect and improve the health of thousands of Worcestershire NHS health workers has been given the green light by the Government. The development means a major boost for the occupational health services provided for 9,000 NHS staff in Worcestershire.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust’s successful bid for funding of £1.75 million from the NHS PLUS Capital programme will enable the Trust to build a new Occupational Health Centre, near the Worcestershire Royal Hospital site on Newtown Road.

“This is really good news for NHS workers in Worcestershire and underlines labour’s commitment to the NHS, its staff and its patients”.

National Minimum Wage

The National Minimum wage rate will rise from £5.52 to £5.73 for working adults, £4.60 to £4.77 for 18-21 year olds, and the 16-17 year age group will rise from £3.40 to £3.53.
Business Sectretary John Hutton said,
“The National Minimum Wage remains one of the most important rights introduced by the Government in the last decade. Before it was introduced, some workers could expect to be paid as little as 35p an hour. Our legislation has ensured that can no longer happen”.

At present, Parliament is being faced with new legislation that intends to increase the penalties for rogue employers who underpay staff. In support of the new legislation the Labour Government has increased funding for the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage.

Nearly a million people benefit from the National Minimum Wage Act that was passed in 1998 and on average each person is making £92 more each week than they did in 1999.

Even more significantly, over 600,000 children have been lifted out of poverty thanks to the Labour Government’s determination to tackle social injustice.

Up-date Palliative Care Bed Unit

On Friday 11th April, I presented the first part of my petition to the Secretary to the Chief Executive of the Worcestershire NHS Primary Care Trust at Wildwood HQ, Worcester. The Petition had 1,382 sigatures – an excellent beginning achieved in just a few short weeks. I have been in communication with the Chief Executive and other senior heads of NHS Trust services. The response has at least two positions – firstly, a Press Officer said the Trust would not commission a Palliative Care Bed Unit at present, but it could be something for the future. Secondly, the comment was less favourable, stating the Trust was interested in providing a Worcestershire wide solution for Palliative Care. That is unfair on Kidderminster, because Bromsgrove and Evesham already have some provision, as does Worcester at St Richard’s Hospice. However, my campaign is only just getting into first gear and I will be keen to get influential supporters on the way forward.

You can sign the Petition online Kidderminster Hospital Petition

Labour Will Not Hesitate to Jail Thugs

The Department for Justice has released its annual figures which show that more offenders are facing prosecution and jail and jail terms have acutally increased under Labour. 

Since 2005/6 the number of adults receiving Crown court Sentences has increased by  3.6%. The number of youths receiving Crown court sentences  has increased by 6.7%.    The number of youths receiving custodial sentences in young offender institutions and prisons has inceased by 17%

Yes, more criminals are being jailed under Labour, and we are proud it. We will get them off the streets and make your communities safer.

Labour has given new powers to the police and to local councils to deal with criminals and those who behave anti-socially.

Labour will soon be getting tougher with those on probation.

National Free Bus Pass for over 60’s & people with special needs

Excellent news now that people in the above category are able to travel around the country, free of charge. A “Guardian” correspondent has just completed a Penzance to Carlisle trip by free – bus, a journey of 550 miles. It took him 4 days, but hey – he had the time.

                                                                   Wyre Forest Buses
I have recently written to First Midlands West asking for service improvements:-

 a) From Bewdley to Kidderminster Hospital, stopping for passengers on Bewdley Hill, then on to the     town centre and the Railway Station.

b) Restoration of a circular bus route from Kidderminster to Stourport and Bewdley and

c) To make sure the buses are not overcrowded, which poses real problemns for the elderly and others who have to stand during their journeys.