Turning the Turf in Irthlingborough
Phil Hope MP joined the Chief Executive and Chairman of Kettering General
Hospital Trust and representatives of the local community to mark the
start of the preparatory work on Kettering General Hospital's new outpatients
centre in East Northamptonshire on Friday the 30th of November.
Building work itself is due to start on February 1, 2010, and the centre should be open for business before the end of 2010.
The centre is an important development which will increase the number of KGH outpatient appointments held within the district each year from 8,000 to 40,000. Part of KGH's strategy is, where possible, to bring services traditionally held at the hospital closer to local communities.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I am delighted to see the start of the work to bring a better NHS
provision to everyone in the local towns and villages of East Northamptonshire.
The new outpatient's facility in Irthlingborough will continue Kettering
General NHS Trust's push to improve their quality of care and will make
it much easier for more local families to get the health services they
need".
Kettering General Hospital's Chief Executive, Dr Mark Newbold, said:
"We are very pleased to announce that we have now signed contracts,
finalised a development schedule and are in a position to start work on
our new East Northamptonshire Outpatients Centre immediately.
"The finished centre will be a major service improvement and means that many local people they will no longer need to travel into Kettering for their outpatient appointment, or for some other services such as x-ray and ultrasound.
"The centre will also perform other procedures such as blood tests
which will be a further timesaver for local people.
30/11/09
New Opportunities for PE and Sport Big Lottery Tour
Phil Hope visited Huxlow Science College in Irthlingborough on Friday
the 27th of November to see the school's £503,575 sports hall and
celebrate the success of the NOPES programme. He was also presented with
a copy of the Big Lottery Evaluation.
The £760 million NOPES programme was launched in 2002 by Big Lottery Funding across the UK. Of the £39 million awarded to the East Midlands Huxlow Science College was granted £503,575 to build a new two court sports hall which was opened on October 2007.
The sports hall at Huxlow College is available for public and community use. The fantastic indoor space can offer a wide and varied range of activities including: basketball, 5-a-side football, volleyball, badminton, team hand ball, trampolining, and short tennis.
The original aims of the programme were to:
- Improve physical education in schools.
- Achieve higher standards across schools through PE and sport.
- Give better opportunities to increase the levels of physical activity in school and local communities.
- Improve collaboration and co-operation between schools and their communities.
- Promote social inclusion through access to and use of sports and outdoor adventure facilities by all groups in society.
- Promote innovation and best practice in the design and management of facilities.
A Big Lottery Fund evaluation published on 21st September 2009 shows the numbers of people enjoying the Lottery-funded sports facilities has taken a big leap forward, 41% of pupils say that their family uses the same school facilities they do to take part in physical activity.
Findings from the six-year evaluation show a sharp rise in the community usage of BIG-backed sports facilities in an average week. The number of people using them as part of community groups and sports clubs has almost trebled during the period that on top of the lessons run during school hours.
Phil Hope MP says:
"I was please to seeing the new sports hall at Huxlow in use and
was interested to find out about the positive impact that the facility
has had on the students at the school, their families and the wider local
community. Improving physical activity, PE and sport is vital for everyone's
health and well being but I think the effects that a shared resource like
this can have on bringing the community together and raising people of
all ages attitudes toward where they live are equally important."
30/11/09
Personal Care At Home
Phil Hope MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire as Minister for Care Services will be introducing the second reading of the Personal Care at Home Bill in December.
Phil Hope MP said:
"It's a fact of life that we all have to plan what care we need as
we get older. Most people have I talked to about this say they want to
live in their own homes for as long as possible.
So I am proud to be taking action on this area as Minister for Care Services by introducing the first ever National Care Service for all adults who need social care.
As a first step towards a National Care Service I am planning to make it possible for those with the highest care needs to receive free personal care in their own homes.
The Personal Care at Home Bill which gets its second reading in December will mean free personal care at home for those with the highest need. From next October those with the greatest needs will be protected for good from charges for personal care in their own homes.
This move will help all those people with the greatest care needs, including people with serious dementia or Parkinson's, who currently fund their own care. I know this care will make a vital difference. It will give support to help people do essential daily tasks such as washing, dressing, and getting in and out of bed.
The Bill also includes help for older people who need care for the first time. I want to bring in six weeks of personal intensive support designed to help all who want to remain in their homes after they suffered a stroke, a fall or had a hospital stay. This will give the best possible opportunity for them to return to their homes with the intensive support to give them dignity and confidence in doing so."
Helping people to stay in their own homes and adjust their living conditions
so they can stay at home safely, puts prevention at the heart of the system.
This Bill will improve quality, empower people and their families, and
save the NHS and social care money in the long run. The Government Nationally
and Mr Hope locally have just finished consulting with the public on how
to set up a National Care Service. This is just the first step in overhauling
the care system. A White Paper will follow in the New Year.In practice
the Government plan to offer a period of intensive support to people when
they first contact the local authority or, for people currently receiving
services, when the local authority believes they may benefit. Help will
be given to identify whether any adaptations or technology can increase
their independence and reduce their care needs, helping them save on the
costs of their care and support. For those who continue to have the highest
care needs we will offer free personal care, regardless of means.
24/11/09
Phil Hope MP urges Corby and East Northamptonshire to back global poverty promise
Phil Hope MP is urging people across Corby and East Northamptonshire to go online and back a new campaign to turn a promise to tackle global poverty into a law. The www.globalpovertypromise.com website is part of a campaign to put the Government's promise to raise international development aid to 0.7% of national income by 2013 into legislation.
Phil Hope MP said:
"People across Corby and East Northamptonshire are proud of what
we've achieved and the help we've given to people living lives of poverty
in developing countries. We've campaigned to Make Poverty History and
kept our promises through this global recession. I am urging people to
go online and join me in backing 'globalpovertypromise.com'."
Douglas Alexander, International Development Secretary, said:
"Phil Hope MP has been a passionate campaigner on global poverty
and a long standing advocate of action to help people in the developing
world.
"Aid increases and debt cancellation have helped to get 40 million
more children into school, while the number of people with access to AIDS
treatment has increased from just 100,000 to over 4 million. The proportion
of the world's population living in poverty has fallen from a third to
a quarter thanks to a combination of both aid and trade".
22/11/09
£64,000 Funding for Northamptonshire
Phil Hope welcomes today's announcement from Communities Secretary John Denham and Housing Minister John Healey of a package of measures to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in local communities.
The measures are backed by £10 million of funding targeted at 130 local councils including £64,000 for Northamptonshire. The funding will bring training and support for community champions and front line staff to equip them to tackle ASB it will also facilitate extra publicity to make sure residents know how to report ASB.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I am pleased that the government is continuing to focus on reducing
the incidence and effects of anti-social behaviour and is investing an
extra £64,000 in Northamptonshire. This will train front line staff
and community champions so they can ensure that councils and police deliver,
using all the powers they have at their disposal.
"More good news is that over the months from July – September anti-social behaviour has dropped in Corby and East Northamptonshire against the same period last year.
We can't be complacent and need to make sure that people feel safe in their local communities."
Other initiatives within the measures will include: small scale funding for local action to tackle ASB for example for environmental clean ups, a specific targeted package for people in social housing: ensuring tenants are supported to challenge social landlords, councils and the police where they are failing or not acting quickly enough,
a new Housing ASB action squad to work with social landlords on the ground to embed what works, and new tools and guidance for social landlords so they know how to use their powers effectively.
The announcement includes a measure to ensure landlords work to prevent and tackle anti social behaviour by making the Respect Standard for Housing Management binding from April 2010. Where necessary the industry regulator Tenant Services Authority will be able to use new enforcement powers to ensure that tenants get a good service. These can include issuing enforcement notices or even transferring the management of properties to another provider. In addition, housing associations can face fines or be forced to pay compensation to their tenants.
The latest British Crime Survey shows the perception of ASB as a local problem has fallen over the last six years (17% of people felt that levels of anti-social behaviour were high in 2008/09 compared to 21% in 2002/03) but the new drive redoubles efforts for more action, faster action and better results.
John Denham and John Healey are challenging partnerships of councils and police to make full use of the powers - tackling not tolerating anti-social behaviour is a top priority.
Communities Secretary John Denham said:
"The Government is making sure millions of people know how to report
ASB and when they do, front-line staff are better equipped to deal with
the problems. We want to spur more action, faster action and more effective
results so people can be confident that problems are being tackled and
stopped.
"The Government wants people to know they are not alone - government, their council and police are on their side, whether it's tackling nightmare neighbours, aggressive gangs or mindless vandals.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said:
"The public rightly expects to live in neighbourhoods free from the
corrosive effects of intimidation and harassment. They want to see both
local authorities and police using the powers they have been given in
a way that is effective and responsive.
"Some areas need the extra help we will be giving them to ensure that anti-social behaviour is tackled not tolerated.
"It is only through successful partnership working, between local and central Government, the police, social landlords and the broader community, that we can continue to reduce public concern over anti-social behaviour."
ASB powers
Councils and the police have a range of powers and tools to deal with
antisocial behaviour than ever before. These include:
- Acceptable behaviour contracts
Acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs) are non-legally binding written contracts between one or more local agency and someone who has behaved anti-socially, outlining what that person should or should not do. They are often used with children and young people, but can equally be used for adults, when a warning has been unsuccessful in addressing a problem. - Anti-social behaviour injunctions
An injunction is a civil order made by the county court to compel an adult (over the age of 18) to do something, or to prevent a particular action or behaviour. They can be applied for by social landlords against tenants, owner-occupiers and non-tenants. Injunctions are used when someone is committing anti-social behaviour, including noise nuisance, verbal abuse, visitors causing nuisance to neighbours, untidy gardens and threats of violence or actual violence. - Anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs)
Anti-social behaviour orders are civil orders that protect the public from behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. ASBOs are not criminal penalties, but breach of an ASBO is a criminal offence. They can be made on anyone aged 10 or over who has displayed anti-social behaviour in the previous six months. They are intended to protect the public from further anti-social behaviour. - Family intervention projects
When an agency has received numerous complaints about the behaviour of a family and the impact they're having on their local community, they can use a family intervention project to work with that family to change their behaviour. The family is offered help to address the causes of their behaviour, along with supervision and enforcement to ensure they change it. - Community agreements
Community agreements are written settlements reached between the residents of a community to resolve disputes. The agreement is based on the wishes of the majority, and facilitated by independent mediators who make private and confidential visits to each person involved. They are used when there is conflict or unrest within a neighbourhood.
More information on all the powers and tools available can be found
at: www.respect.gov.uk.
20/11/09
CallConnect – on demand bus service
Phil Hope has welcomed the new on-demand bus service 'CallConnect' to North East Northamptonshire.
The CallConnect service allows residents to book their bus journeys in advance and travel to and from local pick-up points in Stamford and surrounding villages.The new CallConnect Stamford and Welland Vales service is operated by a fully accessible minibus, serving rural communities in South West Lincolnshire and North East Northamptonshire, as well as providing town journeys within Stamford itself.
Phil Hope MP said:
"This is a brilliant flexible service bringing mobility to hundreds
of people who might otherwise be at risk of isolation in the rural communities
around East Northamptonshire. Anyone can use CallConnect for any purpose
such as getting to work or school, shopping or medical appointments.
"The service operates on a pre-booked 'dial a bus' basis, picking up and setting down at designated locations in each village. You can book a journey up to seven days in advance or on the same day – all bookings are on a first come first served basis."
The service operates from Monday to Saturday from 7.00 until 19.00. You can register your details with the Booking centre online at www.lincsinterconnect.com or call 0845 234 3344.
You can download
a leaflet here listing the villages served.
17/11/09
Keeping an eye on it
Following the launch of anti-bullying week by Ed Balls Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Phil Hope is calling on parents to always report incidents of bullying to their children's schools. New research has highlighted the positive impact this can have to stop bullying.
Anti-Bullying Week, began on the 16th November and the theme this year is tackling cyberbullying, under the slogan 'Stay Safe in Cyberspace'.
Key findings from new research published this week shows that where parents report their child being bullied to the school, their children are less likely to still be bullied in the future. The research also found that cyberbullying and name calling are the most common forms of bullying among secondary school pupils.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I'm pleased that Anti-Bullying Week is highlighting the on going
problem of Bullying and in particular Cyberbullying. Bullying should not
be tolerated it can destroy lives and have a lasting impact on young people's
confidence, self-esteem and emotional development.
"It is not always easy for parents to know when a child is being bullied or what to do to help. The anti-bullying alliance and NASUWT The Teachers' Union have put together a really useful new leaflet called 'Keeping an eye on it' which provides information for parents and adults working with young people on how to spot the signs of bullying and what to do about it. You can download a copy of it at www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk.
"Parents can also get advice and support from Parentline Plus which is funded by the Department for Children Schools and Families or through DirectGov.
Speaking at the launch event for Anti-Bullying Week, Schools Minister
Vernon Coaker, said:
"We know that bullying has evolved to take advantage of new technologies,
particularly mobile phones and the internet. Young people need to be aware
of the negative consequences of their actions and the impact their behaviour
has on their peers. That's why our cyberbullying campaign is continuing
this year, with new film clips and online activity designed to reach young
people and make them aware of the consequences of their actions."
In addition, the government has provided guidance and resource packs to schools on how to deal with cyberbullying, and in April new guidance was issued on how to prevent and tackle the cyberbullying of school staff.
Sue Steel, National Manager of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, said:
"It is very encouraging that the Government is doing so much to make
Anti-Bullying Week a real success. We all need to work in partnership
to ensure children, young people and their parents are aware of the risks
of cyberbullying and know how to prevent it."
16/11/09
Skills for the Recovery
Phil Hope MP joined union leaders, and employers to celebrate how unionlearn
has worked with local employers and unions to develop new skills within
the workforce, not only to survive the economic downturn, but to develop
skills for the future.
Speaking at the unionlearn regional conference for the East Midlands, at the Chartered Management Institute, Corby, on Friday, November 13,
Phil Hope MP said:
"Improving the skills of our workforce is essential as the economy
starts to recover. And I have seen at first hand the excellent work that
union learning representatives do in encouraging more people to gain qualifications
and improve their skills."
Delegates to the conference heard about how unionlearn is offering practical support to improve learning and skills:
- A learning centre was opened in May, in Carlton on Trent, Nottinghamshire, following an agreement between Unite union and Caledonian Buildings. The centre provides learning and training for employees and is also open to family, friends and the local community for courses in basic literacy and numeracy and IT skills. ULRs are given time off work to help their colleagues meet their learning needs.
- Rigid Containers, Desborough , Northants, and the GMB union are working in partnership to develop a sustainable learning and training programme. Employees have been given time off to pursue literacy and numeracy courses and NVQs. The scheme has been used to improve the language skills of migrant workers. Institute of Leadership Management training is scheduled for 2010.
- The Derby TUC education centre provided health and safety training for safety reps and team leaders at Rigid Containers. Chas Henderson was awarded the GMB safety rep of the year award at his union's annual conference, for his work in linking the learning agenda to improving safety in the workplace.
- A unionlearn and FBU partnership has resulted in all staff members of the fire service being offered skills checks to evaluate their literacy and numeracy levels. Advisers were on hand to offer information and advice on improving personal professional development. All five services in the East Midlands have participated with an average of 70 per cent employees taking part.
The conference heard about unionlearn's Recession and Recovery Project ,which offers unions help in supporting their members in recession and redundancy and there were workshops showing how unions can:
- Support organisations/businesses in workplace skills development
- Provide skills for safer workplaces
- Support employers in developing 'talent from within'
- Support organisations working with apprenticeship schemes
Tom Wilson, unionlearn director said:
"Doing everything we can to prevent job loss and keep firms open
is essential for our economy. We need to ensure high-quality apprenticeships
for our young people, retraining for older workers facing redundancy;
and where necessary, sensible agreements with employers to use down time
for improving and learning new skills. We support a policy that matches
skills with an active industrial policy – giving a boost to the
job creating sectors in the economy where the UK is strong. Of course
governments can only supply the tools, it's trade unions that have to
do the job. And it's thanks to the dedication of learning reps, tutors
and partners we have changed workers' lives just as much as we have transformed
trade unionism itself."
Mary Alys, unionlearn regional manager, said:
"The event highlights the valuable work being carried out by union
reps, working in partnership with their employers to enable their colleagues
at work to gains skills for the future."
16/11/09
Government takes action on antipsychotic drugs and dementia
A tough new action plan to tackle the over prescribing of antipsychotic drugs to people with dementia was today announced by Phil Hope MP Care Services Minister.
The action plan responds to an independent review by Professor Sube Banerjee, commissioned by the Department of Health. Professor Banerjee's review shows that too many people with dementia are routinely prescribed antipsychotic drugs to treat aggression and agitation, contrary to National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance.
The action plan will include:
- a new National Clinical Director for Dementia; measures to ensure people with dementia and their carers have access to psychological therapies to tackle the root of agitation and aggression;
- an audit to establish definitive prescribing figures;
- clear local targets to cut antipsychotics use as a result of the audit;better regulation;
- collaboration with the General Medical Council (GMC) and Royal Colleges to ensure all health and social care staff have specialist training in dementia; and
- joint Department and Alzheimer's Society guidance on what to do if a family member is given antipsychotics.
Antipsychotics prescription is necessary in certain circumstances. In line with NICE guidance, the drugs should only be used when a person is a risk to themselves or others, and where all other methods have been tried. This should be for a short period of three months only, whilst a care plan is put in place.
Phil Hope MP said:
"It is unacceptable that antipsychotic drugs are routinely prescribed
to people with dementia. More than half of people with dementia will experience
agitation or aggression at some point, but NICE guidance is clear –
antipsychotics should only be given when this is really necessary.
"Excellent examples of practice do exist, but our action plan will help make sure this is the norm, not the exception. Our new Clinical Director will provide strong leadership, supporting the NHS and Social Care to safely reduce antipsychotics use and drive up quality.
"We know there are situation where antipsychotic drug use is necessary – we're not calling for a ban, but we do want to see a significant reduction in use.
"We expect the findings and recommendations to be taken into account by PCTs and all other relevant organisations.
"Tackling the root of the problem is vital, which is why we are improving access to psychological therapies. We are also working with the Royal Colleges to ensure all health and social care professionals are able to care for people with dementia without routinely resorting to these drugs."
Professor Sube Banerjee, the report author, said:
"Antipsychotics are used too often in dementia; up to two thirds
of the estimated 180,000 people with dementia receiving these are prescribed
them unnecessarily.
"This review identifies the potential risks and benefits of these medications in dementia and presents actions that we can take to address this problem. In doing so we would provide international leadership in this complex clinical area as well as improving the quality of life and quality of care for people with dementia and their carers in England."
Chief Executive of Alzheimer's Society Neil Hunt said:
"This, long awaited, landmark review is a welcome recognition of
the scale of the issue and Alzheimer's Society's view that these drugs
should only ever be used as a last resort. The scandalous over prescription
of antipsychotic drugs leads to an estimated 1,800 deaths a year, it must
end .
"The report suggests prescriptions could be reduced by two thirds
in three years, this is vital and the new action plan cannot afford to
fail. Change will only be achieved with commitment from government, PCT's
and health professionals and clear local targets. Almost 150,000 people
are being inappropriately prescribed these drugs as a chemical restraint.
Today must mark a change in dementia care."
12/11/09
Phil Hope MP welcomes the re-opening of Brigstock Post Office
Brigstock Post Office re-opened on November the 4th after being closed for nearly two years. The post office counter is inside Greenworth's Country Store and will open every day except Wednesday and Sunday.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I am really pleased that the post office is opening again in Brigstock
and providing an important service to people from the village and the
surrounding area. Local shops and post offices are vital to maintaining
rural communities and reducing isolation. I congratulate Ms Greenwood
the new sub-postmistress and wish her every success in her new venture."
The post office is based in Greenworth's Country Store, 34-36 High Street, Brigstock.
Opening Times are:
Monday 10.00 – 3.00
Tuesday 10.00 – 3.00
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 8.30 – 1.00
Friday 9.00 – 1.00
Saturday 8.30 – 1.00
11/11/09
Guarantees for patients in Corby and East Northamptonshire
This week the Government announced three legally enforceable rights for patients. So by law if our local NHS Trust cannot meet the following three guarantees they will have to find you somewhere which can treat you as soon as possible. Even if it is in the private sector.
The three new rights are:
- A free health check every five years for those aged 40-74
- Seeing a cancer specialist within 2 weeks if your GP suspects you may have cancer
- All treatment, for any illness, should be within 18 weeks of GP referral
Supporting these new rights Phil Hope MP said:
"The NHS is one of Britain's greatest achievements. A service that
is available to all based on need - not ability to pay. From being on
its knees in the mid 90s the NHS is now in better shape with more staff
on the ground and new hospitals.
"But although there has been investment and improvement I think you want to know what we have planned for the future. The answer is that the government is going to give more real power to patients.
"We want to go even further than the guarantees announced this
week. Our cancer pledge is to give people the legal right to get tested
for cancer and get results within one week of seeing your GP. And we also
want to bring in the right to see a GP at weekends or in the evening,
and to abolish practice boundaries for good. I will be campaigning for
these new rights to be brought in as soon as possible."
11/11/09
Corby SWAPs to a Healthy Life Style
Phil Hope MP is pictured with Sam Burton –
Activities Manager and Personal Trainer
Phil Hope formally opened the Corby Borough Council SWAP Health and Wellbeing
Centre at Stephenson Way Community Centre on Monday the 9th of November.
The centre is part of Corby Borough Council's drive to encourage people to SWAP to a healthier life style. The well equipped centre will provide a number of services including helping local residents kick their tobacco habit, lessons on healthy eating, yoga and fitness.
Phil Hope MP said:
"I am delighted to have been asked to open this Health and Well Being
Centre and want to congratulate Corby Borough Council on its work to improve
the health of local people.
"I find it really hard to motivate myself to go to the gym and to eat healthy and know how hard it is to commit yourself to healthy lifestyle changes. So having a great local centre like this one right in the community will make that commitment easier to make and far more likely to succeed.
"I want to encourage people of all ages to come along, join the activities and reap the benefits of all the new facilities and classes."
Residents will be able to use the One-to-One Weight Management and Activity Suite where Corby Borough Council's level 4 personal trainer will offer individual programmes to guide residents through their quest to lose weight.
Corby Borough Council has teamed up with the Department of Health to deliver a free, easy to use and confidential lifestyle assessment service to the centre. NHS Life Check. NHS LifeCheck is an online health service that will help residents assess their own health and well-being by answering a set of questions about their lifestyle after which NHS LifeCheck will give confidential results and advice.
Mayor of Corby, Clr Mary Butcher has been following a one-to-one weight management programme and has already lost 28lbs in weight and 6 inches off her hips, waist and thighs in her bid to drop a dress size before her term as mayor finishes.
Mayor of Corby, Clr Mary Butcher said:
"Health is a huge priority for the council and I believe the centre
will help Corby become a stronger borough.
"I urge everyone to take advantage of this fantastic new facility
which has already helped me lose 2 stones – and if I can do it,
anybody can!"
10/11/09
