Community health body shapes up


THE reshaping of the county’s health serv- ices has taken another step forwardwith the launch of the Kent Community Health NHS Trust. It will serve a population of more than


1.4million, with a £200m budget and some 5,700 staff. The new trust – distinct from the hospital


trust and the mental health trust – is one of the biggest providers of community health- care in the UK. The services it provides range from com- munity nursing, health visiting and school nursing to podiatry (foot care) and physio- therapy. The new bodywas formed from the amal-


gamation of Eastern and Coastal Kent Com- munity Health NHS Trust and West Kent Community Health. Trust chairman David Griffiths, who for-


Neil knows the write way to success LOCAL author Neil Nixon knows all about writing for a living – he lec- tures on the subject and his latest book is titled “How To Get A Break As A Writer”.


Promotional events for the book included a talk to sixth formers at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls. The event also marked the official opening of a new bookshop linked to the MGGS library. Neil’s book deals with the many ways aspiring writers can take the ini- tiative in getting work, getting paid and developing their careers. It also discusses changes in the industry and one example quoted in some detail is the ongoing success story of the Downs Mail. Neil (left), of Hockers Lane,Weavering, writes for the newspaper’s obitu-


ary section.


WORK in English at Oakwood Park Grammar School has been judged outstanding by Ofsted. A new report says attainment


is high at the end of Key Stage 4 and has been consistently ris- ing. In the past two years, al- most all pupils gained GCSEs in English language and literature at grade C or above, with A or A* grades well above average. Inspector Tony Byrne said his


visit in March to look atwork in English had provided valuable information which would con-


Oakwood Park wins Ofsted accolade


tribute to Ofsted’s national eval- uation and reporting. With regard to the subject, he considered that achievement, the quality of teaching, curricu- lum and leadership and man- agement were all outstanding. Mr Byrne was impressed by classroom doors painted as cov- ers of Penguin paperbacks to an- nounce the department’s “infec-


tious passion for reading”. He noted that pupils study


both good quality contemporary fiction and a very good range of poetry and pre-1914 literature. Mr Byrne reported on his sur-


vey in a letter to head teacher Kevin Moody. He suggested the school could improve further by adapting its highly successful approaches to supporting pupils’ confidence and plan- ning in Years 7 to 11, to help sixth formers gain even more of the highest grades at A-level.


merly chaired the West Kent PCT board, said: “The national drive to move services into community settings, closer to home, puts our new trust in a very exciting posi- tion. “We will now have more au- tonomy to determine our own destiny, which ensures we are well placed to continue to im- prove our services. Our aspira- tion will be to become one of the best NHS organisations in the country and to deliver the highest quality of care possi- ble.”


Source Bar ban


after admitting GBH ANDREW Lindsay (33), of Pip- pin Way, West Malling, was given a 180-day prison sen- tence, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm without intent.


Magistrates also ordered him


to carry out 200 hours unpaid work, to pay £750 compensa- tion and £85 costs. He was further given a three- month night-time curfew, which included the condition of not attending The Source Bar, Rose Yard,Maidstone.


Carewatch. “


Suporting Independence Practice Support


Because if lifeʼs worth living, itʼs worth living well


We provide help, assistance, reassurance, enablement and encouragement with the challenges of everyday life and assist with activities such as light domestic tasks, shopping or cleaning. If that seems too much, we are more than happy being on hand supporting and befriending those who just need company now and then. Carewatch can also be there at times of extra need and support such as hospital release, illness or times of personal or family strain.


Personal Care


Carewatch can also provide more intimate care and support to those of all ages who require it. A helping hand with the daily


demands of personal routine may be all it takes to greatly improve the quality of life. Our staff can assist those who need it, with more personal things like getting out of bed, bathing and other intimate tasks.


Intensive Care Intensive Care - There are times when the care and support needed become more complex and challenging or multiple types of care are required. Regardless of the duration of care - be it hospital release, palliative care or those with long term multiple and intensive needs, Carewatch can work alongside other agencies, with families and individuals to bring the best care and support to the most challenging.


What Next?


If youʼd like to talk to Carewatch about receiving care, or working with us, please contact: Carewatch (Maidstone)


01622 681550 www.carewatch-care-services.co.uk 28 Town You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk


“


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48