20’s Plenty – Speed Zones update

I have been running a campaign for 20 MPH Speed Zones outside every school in Wyre Forest for quite some time. I raised the issue on more than one occasion at County Council meetings, only to be told by Conservatives that there was no commitment to the project.

However, at a recent Cabinet meeting, it was decided to press ahead with 9 schools in Wyre Forest.

They are Birchen Coppice Primary, Foley Park Primary, Franche Primary, Offmore Primary,St Ambrose RC Primary, St Georges CE Primary, St Mary’s CE Primary,St Oswalds CE Primary, and Sutton Park Primary.
We look forward to these being implemented – there are alot more schools to go yet!
For the safety of our children – we need a 20 MPH Zone outside every school!

Foundation Trust bid by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

The Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust are currently consulting the public and NHS staff across Worcestershire in their bid to gain Foundation Trust status which will give them a greater degree of financial freedom and autonomy. 15 Public meetings are being held across the county and a Foundation Trust Membership Office has been set up at Kidderminster Hospital.

The Acute Hospitals Trust is responsible for managing services at  the Worcestershire Royal, Alexandra Hospital Redditch, and Kidderminster Hospital.
Public involvement in how  services are  delivered will be a key issue if they suceed. Prospective Foundation Trusts have to recruit the public as members who in turn will vote for Governors (non paid).  The number  of Governors will relate to the population of each district area  and they will be elected by the members.

Their role will be to  act as advocates and watchdogs for the public and influence Board Directors concerning the delivery of acute hospital services. All services will continue to be free at the point of use.  If succesful, a Foundation Trust will continue to receive Government funding and they will be regulated by a new NHS Foundation Trust regulator called Monitor.
The consultation concludes on 26th September and further information can be obtained by telephoning 0800 7830 335 or going to their website at www.worcsacute.nhs.uk
 If you care passionately about the NHS as I do, then get involved and become a member.

Return the Birth Unit to Kidderminster Hospital

On Saturday 26th July between 11am and 12 noon, five of us Labour Party members collected 105 signatures for the Birth Unit to be re-instated at Kidderminster Hospital. Guess what? the response was excellent for the cause. We spoke to many women who wanted a return of this service to Kidderminster.

Although Worcester Royal was acknowledged as a good place to have a baby, the 20 miles travelling distance was not considered satisfactory in 2008.

Let’s not fall for the argument forwarded by senior non-elected chiefs that we need a medical team and facilities that can’t be afforded for Kidderminster. Of course, if such a Birth Unit re-opens at Kidderminster, it has to be safe -naturally! But to try to kill off our need by suggesting Kidderminster Hospital would require a comprehensive facility, unmatched in the universe, is nonense.

Yes, we would also like to see other paediatric services, but we are not asking for open-heart surgery and heart transplant facilities or neurosurgery,

It has to be kept in perspective. A Midwifery Unit is not too much to ask for at Kidderminster. Why do some of the chiefs rule it out without even a studied response? Perhaps when the Acute Hospital Trust gets Foundation Trust status our voice will be heard?

After all, Ludlow and Bridgnorth have Birth Units and both are much smaller towns than Kidderminster. Shrewsbury has the Consultant – led Maternity Team – just like Worcester. Ludlow and Bridgnorth are therefore satellites of Shrewsbury.

So Kidderminster could provide a similar Birth Unit, and those mothers to be needing Consultant Care could still be referred to Worcester. More filled Petitions guaranteed to follow!

Birth Unit at Kidderminster Hospital

I  welcome the suggestion that Kidderminster Hospital could get its Birth Unit returned after closing in 2003.
I am running a Petition on this issue  and I want to see more services returned to Kidderminster Hospital and the Birth Unit would be an excellent addition. The Worcestershire Primary Care Trust at last realises that Kidderminster Hospital needs to play an even bigger role in health care delivery. We have ground space at Kidderminster, whereas others do not.  The PCT could fulfil a long standing need for expectant mothers to have their babies at Kidderminster. The present situation in which they have to travel to Worcester or Redditch is not acceptable in 2008. Labour supports the intention to offer another choice and Kidderminster has to be the decision.
We will be outside Bewdley Town Hall this Saturday (26th July) at 11am  collecting  signatures .

Stolen Metal Dealing

At yesterdays meeting at County Hall for Opposition Spokespersons, I asked the Director of Scientific Services to check out the legal position of dealers buying,selling and holding metals, lead, copper etc. There have been serious thefts of metals in Wyre Forest recently, and in our adjoining local government areas. Church buildings have suffered from metal theft, as have local businesses and private individuals.

What is the legal position on metal trading? Does it have to take place at registered sites? Surely, all transactions have to be recorded, not least of all for tax purposes?

When I get my answer, I hope that Worcestershire County Council can offer further help to the public and police in the effort to stop metal theft and illegal trading. Publicity of the legal situation would at least spell out the penalties for illegal trading, which can lead to prosecutions and prison and raise public awareness of the issue.

It was a Happy Birthday for the NHS – 60 years old on 5th July 2008!

We celebrated in Kidderminster under the Town Hall clock – Jamie, Jenny, Gren, Christine, Barry, Tristan, Neena Gill MEP, and myself – balloons, the stall, leaflets and Petitions.

We collected 105 signatures in just under an hour for a Palliative Care Bed Unit for Kidderminster Hospital! The total now stands at 2,163. The rain held off, but it was very, very, windy! I am grateful to all our helpers, and those members of the public who signed up for more services at Kidderminster Hospital. I presented the first part of this Petition to the Chief Executive of Worcestershire PCT a few weeks ago. Local people want more services at Kidderminster Hospital – a Palliative Care Unit and a Radiotherapy Unit (6,000 signatures collected for that).

Earlier in the day we attended a Regional European Forum held at a venue above the Severn Valley Railway Museum in Kidderminster. It was led by Neena Gill MEP and Michael Cashman MEP. Mike Kelly was there and party members from accross the West MIdlands. Dan and Jo Watson had organised the event and our co – hosts were the Community Union. The issues for the European Election in June 2009 were given air time against the background of the now annual World War 2 dressing up festival whereby hundreds of civilians dress in British and other army uniforms, accompanied by their ladies in 40’s attire, just like Corporal Jones from “Dads Army” with his partner Mrs Fox!

The steam trains were brilliant and the festivities took place against a backdrop of 1940’s songs (Live Band and recorded), all of which were drowned out occasionally by the very realistic air-raid sirens, dive bombers and spitfire recordings over the tannoy!

Michael and Neena could still be heard to get their message accross!! All in all, it was a very positive day,with many ideas and views exchanged.