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Are you winter ready?

Winter often brings a lot of different challenges, so it’s helpful to make sure we are all prepared. We’re ready to support you, but are also asking everyone to do their bit too. Need extra support and help?

UK Power Networks offer free support to those who need help during a power cut. To add your details to their priority services register visit

www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk

or phone 0800 029 4285.

Gritting

Patches of ice or frost on the roads and pavements can make travel more difficult for cars and pedestrians. Essex County Council is responsible for gritting the main roads and footpaths in Harlow.

Check which roads are gritted at

www.essex.gov.uk/gritters

Harlow Council plays its part to make sure residents can get around safely by gritting areas such as the town centre, outside doctor’s surgeries and supported housing complexes. Affinity Water also has a priority services register which is free to join for customers who require urgent assistance during an incident. For information visit www.affinitywater.co.uk or phone 0345 357 2406.

The Met Office website, www.metoffice.gov.uk has lots of information to help you prepare for adverse weather conditions, storms or flooding.

The Met Office and Public Health England also run a Cold Weather Alert service which residents can sign up to via the Met Office website.

What you can do to help

•Keep an eye on the welfare of your elderly and vulnerable relatives and neighbours, remembering to socially distance. •Clear snow and ice from the front of your homes and businesses. See our guide to clearing snow and ice below.

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•Keep warm. Pensioners and low-income families may qualify for extra help and cold weather payments which are paid automatically. If you are worried about someone:

•Knock on their door and ask them if they are alright, taking a step back to ensure at least a 2-metre distance when talking to them. •If you’re still worried, please contact Social Services on

0345 603 7630.

•If there is an imminent danger, dial 999 and speak to the emergency services.

A guide to clearing snow and ice

There’s no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your home, business or from public spaces. It’s unlikely you will be sued or held legally responsible for any injuries if you have cleared it carefully.

Do not use hot water.

This will melt the snow, but will replace it with black ice, increasing the risk of injury. Removing the top layer of snow from your path will allow the sun to melt any ice beneath. Scatter ordinary table salt on the path or area you have cleared to prevent any ice forming and to stop it from refreezing overnight. Avoid spreading it on plants or grass.

Harlow Police Station is open Monday to Sunday, 9am - 5pm

Tell us what matters to you. Email the team at HarlowCPT@essex.police.uk Call 999 (emergencies), report online: www.essex-police.uk or call 101 (non urgent enquiries).

#ProtectingAndServing

Over the past month we have continued to tackle crime throughout Harlow and in the town centre.

Officers from our Town Centre Team arrested a male for possession of class A drugs with intent to supply and have been working with members of the council’s Community Safety Team, carrying out high visibility foot patrols to target violent crime and provide reassurance to the public. They also responded to a young male that had his phone stolen. The suspect was quickly located in the town centre and arrested after a stop and search.

Police and council community safety officers have also been carrying out searches in relation to the knife crime initiative - Operation Sceptre. They have had some success in finding knives and potential weapons that have been hidden in and around the town centre. This is good news following a stabbing that occurred not far from the town centre in November. The offender was arrested soon after, but we still strive to do everything we can to reduce the risks from knife crime and ensure Harlow remains a safe place.

Elsewhere in the town we have been experiencing reports of cars being stolen, when delivery drivers are leaving their vehicle’s unattended.

Please look out for suspicious people or vehicles if you do deliveries yourself or know somebody that does. Please make them aware and encourage them to be careful not to leave their keys in the ignition or the car running, making themselves a target. We are also still receiving reports of thefts across Essex and here in Harlow of catalytic converters.

Thefts from vehicles also seems on the rise, mainly tools left inside vans overnight. We would ask everybody to be vigilant and report any people or vehicles acting suspiciously.

Officers will keep up the high visibility patrol in these areas as well as their general patrolling of Harlow. If you have any ASB problems in your area, report them at essex.police.uk, call 101 or if it’s an emergency dial 999.

COVID-19 patrols

Officers from Harlow Police have continued patrolling in different areas of the community since the move to Tier Two restrictions for Essex. The first weekend went well with the majority of people abiding by the new restrictions. We are continuing these patrols as well as our day-to- day business in Harlow. We know restrictions are tough for some and we appreciate the sacrifice everyone’s been making to help keep us all safe.

Our approach will continue to be, engaging with the public, encouraging people to do the right thing and, explaining the latest regulations. We are very grateful to those of you who have reported issues. We cannot deal with these issues without your help and will do our best to respond where possible. Prosecution will be a last resort when all else has failed.

#CrimePrevention

As you begin Christmas shopping, criminals start their shopping season as well.

Do’s

• Do keep purses and bags closed and secure at all times. • Do carry bags in front of you or diagonally across your chest. • Do return cards to your purse or wallet quickly and zip or button it up. • Do use a purse that’s difficult to open. One that zips or snaps shut is best, and keep it closed. Invest in some purse bells as well. • Do use a money belt if you’re carrying a significant amount of cash. • Do conceal your wallet in a buttoned or zipped pocket where it doesn’t bulge. • Do keep a list, separate from your wallet and phone, of contact numbers of family in case your phone is stolen. • Do keep a photocopy of your airline tickets, passport, credit cards and any other documents that would be impossible or inconvenient to replace if stolen.

Don’ts

• Don’t hang stuff on the back of a chair. • Don’t leave anything on the back of a pushchair. • Don’t place your belongings out of sight on the table or floor. Remember, having a zipped bag doesn’t mean you’re totally safe. Thieves have been known to walk behind victims while slowly unzipping bags. Yes, they can be that bold. So, never underestimate a pickpocket.

#ProtectingAndServingHarlow

New digital appointment viewing system to improve patient experience

We have introduced a new electronic system that enables neurology and radiology outpatients to view and download their outpatient hospital appointment letters instantly via a new patient portal.

DrDoctor is designed to make it easier for you to view hospital appointments online via the internet, smartphone, tablet or device at any time.

Currently neurology and radiology outpatients who are visiting the barium and ultrasound department will be able to view and download their hospital appointment letters electronically.

What will this mean for me?

If we have your mobile phone number stored on our records, you will receive a text message that will take you straight to a secure DrDoctor login portal to set up an account that requires your full name, date of birth and postcode, allowing you to view your upcoming appointment letters online.

If you sign up to DrDoctor, you will no longer receive a paper copy of your future outpatient appointment letters. If you change your mind, you can update your letter preferences via the portal. If you are unable to view your letter online or do not click on the link from the text we send to you, we will continue to send your outpatient appointment letters by post.

You will be notified when you have a new letter and you can download it as a PDF.

If you change your mind

You can go back to receiving a paper copy of your outpatient appointment letter at any time by logging into your DrDoctor account and updating your letter preferences.

For more information on the service, visit www.pah.nhs.uk

Message from Lance McCarthy, Chief Executive

In this extremely challenging year for all of our people at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT), we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our community.

From words of thanks for our teams, to gifts and donations to our COVID-19 charity appeal, we have seen an amazing response from the residents of Harlow and the surrounding areas.

You have shown compassion to our staff and understanding in a time of change and we are very grateful to all of you for supporting your local hospital.

As we approach the festive season, on behalf of all of our PAHT people, I send our best wishes to our community.

Lance McCarthy Chief Executive