New NHS number hits ‘teething pains’
MANY Maidstone area resi- dents are reported to be facing big problems trying to use the new 111 NHS phone number. GPs on the new NHS West
Kent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) body, which now controls most local NHS purse strings, reported “significant teething problems”, especially at weekends. One GP told the meeting: “There has been a significant number of calls beyond expec- tations and people have been putting the phone down be- cause they cannot get re- sponses.” This has led to many people
with “minor or walk-in” health problems visiting hospital A&E departments, increasing week- end pressures there. Doctors said there was also a substantial increase in patients putting pressure on GP prac- tices on Mondays. The 111 calls are fielded by SECAmb, the ambulance serv-
ice, who were said to be aware and pressing on with urgent im- provements. “But it takes time to recruit and train staff,” the meeting was told. CCG chief officer Ian Ayres
said: “It is a quality of care issue.” A spokesperson for SECAmb
said: “The implementation of NHS 111 is at a very early stage in our area. We must recognise that this is a new service for the public and we are still learning about the different reasons why patients access the service and the most appropriate ways for us to respond to their needs. “We recognise that there is a
need for improvement,which is why we are working closely with commissioners to resolve any issues. “SECAmb, along with all parts
of the NHS, both in our region and nationally, is extremely busy. Demand in all areas has risen to levels far in excess of ex- pectations throughout 2012-13.”
Cash boost to children’s charity ACHARITY chequecameas a breath of fresh air forMaidstone fundrais- ers Dandelion Time. The children’s charity, which
works with children and young people struggling with signifi- cant emotional and behavioural difficulties, received £500 from Strood air conditioning company Airconaire. The staff of Airconaire raised
thecashduringaChristmas lunch and raffle and the pro- ceeds were matched by the di- rectors.
Airconaire’s Richard Allen said: “Dandelion Time helps not only chil-
dren but the whole family, which in turn benefits the wider community. We urge other businesses to support Dandelion Time by contacting
info@dandeliontime.org.uk or ringing 01622 814001.” Mr Allen and marketing co-ordinator Vicki Hinkins are pictured wtih Dandelion Time CEO Graham Carpenter and Anyes Reading
Lions quiz night and awards THE team from Maidstone CAB had plenty to smile about atMaid- stone Lions’ annual quiz and presentation evening. Not only did they win the quiz, but they also heard the grant to replace their IT server had been approved. Lions president Malcolm Luxton said: “Maidstone CAB helps
many thousands of people each year, so it is only right that we should do all we can to ensure they can offer an efficient service. We are very pleased to have been able to help them.” Other awards included a contribution towardsMaidstone Chris-
tian Care’s vehicle to support the Food for Thought project; a new projector to support Hi Kent’s home visiting service; and copies of Life Changes–aPSHEresourcepresentedtoMaidstone Sorop- tomists for distribution to children’s centres. The quiz raised £700.
Plan to convert barn to homes MR and Mrs Tipples want to convert an agricultural barn into two homes at Reed Court Farm, Hunton Road,Marden. The Grade II listed 18th century timber framed barn would be retained externally, according to a supporting statement. It added: “New garaging to serve the barn and the farmhouse will be sited further away from and to the side of the barn, whichwill be restored to its original footprint by removing the 1960s garage. “The plans propose a sympathetic conversion which will fully preserve the heritage value and significance of the building.”
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