11 minute read
Health & Family
A surprise announcement Plop the Raindrop
I WAS expecting to be given the keys to No 11 again this week, but the honour went to Jeremy Hunt. Having dodged the C word all his life, he must have been as surprised as anyone to be made this month’s Chancellor judging by his emails on the previous day. His October 13th constituency update declared of his predecessor’s fiscal plan: “I for one will be watching carefully to see what the implications are for NHS and social care funding… We will also find out if the government has decided to uprate benefits in line with inflation as I hope it does.”
Hunt’s Patient Safety Update is even more illuminating: “Baby Loss Awareness Week is back and the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Maternity and Baby Loss have published the results of a survey into maternity services which highlights the really worrying impact staff shortages are having on the provision of maternity services.
“Social Care Crisis Intensifies. A shocking report by Skills for Care showed that despite the pressures in social care and despite 13,000 NHS beds being occupied by people who should be in the community the care workforce has actually fallen by three percent.
“The report finds that there has been a 52 percent increase in vacancies in the sector which are now significantly more than in the NHS. The government could do worse than respond to the recommendations of the Select Committee report on this topic which is currently overdue.
“More worrying for those in the field of mental health is what will
happen to mental health funding if the NHS has to fund much higher pay rises than planned because of inflation…. All the research in the world won’t make any difference if the government dials back on the By DrPHIL childhood obesity measures designed HAMMOND to stop us being the second fattest nation in the world.” As chair of the Health Select Committee, Hunt spent much of his time championing health and social care issues he was unable to tackle as health secretary because of austerity. Preventable harm and death is caused by poor public health, poor quality healthcare and the lack of a fully costed workforce plan predicting how many health and care workers we need now and in future. Hunt has campaigned vigorously for pension changes to stop penalising senior doctors who want to work more. In March, he joined forces with the BMA in a campaign to “rebuild general practice”. Despite not preparing us for a pandemic as health secretary, he was the leading voice in a joint select committee report that branded the UK's failure to do more to stop Covid spreading early in the pandemic as “one of the country's worst public health failures”. Out of power, Hunt seemed to understand that a properly functioning health and care system is not a drain on the economy but essential to economic growth. With so many people unable to work because of chronic ill health, and seven million people now waiting for treatment. Will Hunt finally help improve the NHS? Or will more austerity and Chancellor Hunt’s warning of “major real term spending cuts” once again trump health improvement?
Dr Phil’s 4* Edinburgh Fringe double bill is coming to Ubley Village Hall on October 22nd. Tickets https://www.valleyartscentre.co.uk
NOVEMBERhas always been quite an interesting month for you human beans, with bonfires and fireworks coming so soon after Halloween, then lots of huge carnival parades through some of your towns.
I like November, when I can curl up to sleep under a pile of damp, warm leaves, until someone comes along and decides to kick them all in the air.
Or rest cosily by the fire on the neck of a dog which has just been rolling in badger poo. Charming creatures.
But a lot of historic events happened as well, some of which I actually watched.
It seems like only yesterday that King Canute died. That was back in 1035, a blink of the eye for a water droplet like me, but long, long ago in human years. He was actually Danish you know. I hadn’t learned how to write then, so I only have vague memories. To be honest I’ve seen so many kings and queens I get a bit muddled. King James 1st was one of them. I expect you all know who he was? How about Guy Fawkes? Yes he was the man who tried to blow the king up.
It’s a bit odd that you still have a Guy Fawkes’ night on November 5th in his memory but nothing to celebrate the king.
Bonfire nights have meant I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been evaporated out of a bonfire while sleeping inside the bark of a tree. Far better to leave both me and those trees alone.
But your fireworks are nothing like the din you get from guns. It was in November 1918 that WWI came to an end. There was an eerie silence across the battlefield when it stopped then afterwards poppies started to grow everywhere and cover the devastation. That’s why people wear poppy badges for Remembrance day every November.
I don’t want to see anything like that again. You are the only creatures I know who can spend so much time and effort working out ways to kill each other. But you’re not all that mad, I know.
We are entering winter, my favourite time of the year, when I can look my best, glittering like a star in snow or shining like a diamond on frosty leaves. Or making bubbles in your Coca Cola.
It will soon be Christmas.
MENDIP GRANDAD
A word in your ear –try Clear 2 Hear
PROFESSIONAL ear specialist Sherri Gardiner is celebrating after opening her new Clear 2 Hear clinic in the centre of Midsomer Norton.
The clinic is based on the top floor of the Holly Court Arcade, a short and level walk from the South Road free car park. It can also be reached from the High Street. There’s a spacious reception area and separate treatment room.
Sherrie is a fully trained and qualified specialist with more than ten years’ experience in treating ear conditions and is also an NHS registered nurse.
Clear 2 Hear specialises in ear wax removal/irrigation and, as well as the new clinic, offers home visiting services to the Mendip and the Bath and North East Somerset areas.
Ear wax removal services are carried out using irrigation/ear syringing. This method has its own benefits and drawbacks and Sherri can advise on the best way forward. Irrigation is a relatively simple process in which a gentle stream of water is used to loosen and remove the wax from the ear canal. Ear wax removal service can be carried out at either the clinic or at home, although there can be a long wait for a home appointment. Sherrie also offers aftercare to keep ears staying clear.
One of her first clients at the clinic was Stan, who had travelled from Bath because he could not find anyone locally to unblock his ears. He booked a session with Sherri after finding her Clear 2 Hear website.
Sherri said: “Clear 2 Hear prides itself on offering a friendly, professional one-to-one service in our easy-to-access clinic or in the comfort of your own home.
“I’d been looking for new premises for my clinic for a while and this unit – with so much free car parking nearby – is ideal.”
Sherri with Stan, the first patient at her new clinic
l Ear wax removal l Clinic and home visits (book online at www.clear2hear.co.uk) l Microsuction and irrigation services
Our new clinic is now open in Midsomer Norton and for home visits we cover the Wells, Street, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet and Cheddar areas as well as Bath and North East Somerset. There’s convenient free parking and level access to our clinic from South Road. Sherri, our clinician, is fully trained with more than ten years of experience. She is also a qualified NHS registered nurse. We are fully insured.
Unit 10, Holly Court Arcade, High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DB T: 07984 336368 (may take 24hrs to return call) E: sherri@clear2hear.co.uk W: www.clear2hear.co.uk
Supporting Frome’s Ukrainian refugee community
FROME Town Council has welcomed two new roles on their team to help support the refugee community in Frome and the surrounding areas.
Dmytro Romaniuk has taken on the role of hub co-ordinator and Iryna Ladyzhenska has joined as social facilitator. Both are Ukrainian citizens and so are well placed to understand the needs of local refugees and will assess what is working well and what needs developing, in order to shape a service that positively engages with all nationalities of refugees in the town.
Iryna said: “These roles are really about assisting and empowering refugees to become independent and integrate into their local, and wider, communities. We have found Frome an extremely friendly and welcoming place and are eager to engage with refugees as they arrive as well as those already living in the area, so please let us know you’re here and how we can help.”
Iyrna got off to a flying start by inviting local refugee families to take part in a fun cookery session. The people who came really enjoyed taking part saying it was a great opportunity to learn something new as well as practice their language skills.
The team will link in with local existing services and opportunities, be a point of contact for refugees, signpost to regional and national services for practical support, and offer cultural opportunities. They will also help to progress the work that community group Frome Welcomes Refugees and the many volunteer English tutors have already achieved in making connections and assisting those in need.
Frome Town Council is working with CHARIS Refugees and Somerset County Council to provide this wrap-around resettlement service in Frome for the refugee community. Find out more about this project at: https://charisrefugees.org/welcome-hubs l There are still many families fleeing conflict in Ukraine and looking for a home. If you are able to offer space in your home, are a landlord with an free property, or an Airbnb host with space available, find out more about sponsoring a family at www.somerset.gov.uk/ukraine/refugeeresettlement
A social get-together
Court House has a winning team
COURTHouse is a beautiful care home situated in the heart of the lovely village of Cheddar.
Its location ensures that residents can continue to be part of the local community –there are many shops, hairdressers and a post office within level walking distance.
Court House has been run by the Dando family since 1986. They have always maintained a friendly, homely and comfortable setting.
Residents can have their own furniture and staff do not wear uniforms. There are 26 en-suite rooms in three different areas of accommodation.
The impressive main Georgian house has 12 residents’ rooms plus a grand entrance hall, dining room and drawing room. The Mediterranean style courtyard has six rooms, which also have an optional use kitchenette.
The peaceful cottage has eight rooms, all of which have bags of character. All of the rooms have TV and call bell points as well as a telephone. There are currently ground floor rooms available.
The friendly well-trained staff are on hand 24 hours a day to offer help with all aspects of residents’ life when needed –as much or as little help as required, including full personal care. They have a good variety of activities for residents to choose from if they so wish.
The award-winning staff team hit the headlines during the Covid pandemic when they took the decision to move into Court House for three months to protect the residents from the virus.
They were voted “Best Team” in the nationwide, “Who Cares Wins Awards 2021” which were attended by Prince William, Boris Johnson, David Beckham and many other celebrities.
COURT HOUSE
AWARD WINNING CARE HOME
e Care Home with a difference. We offer all that you would expect from a high quality, family run Care Home set in a Georgian House in the lovely village of Cheddar, Somerset.
You can live your life to the full and choice is our favourite word. Rooms now available with full en-suite facilities and total personal care is offered. Rated by the CQC as good in all areas e Manager – Chris Dando • 01934 742131 • chriscourthouse@gmail.com Court House Retirement Home, Church Street, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3RA www.courthouseretirementhome.co.uk
