Self-care phone service is a healthy success


LOCAL people with long-term health prob- lems have praised a telephone-based sup- port service being trialled by NHS West Kent. One woman said CareCall had prevented


her from having a nervous breakdown. The system helps people with conditions


such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease take more control of their health. Qualified nurses, called health coaches,


clarify medical terms, provide guidance about managing symptoms and assist in preparing patients for clinical appoint-


Learning about life at council


THREE teenagers had a taste of civic life when they spent the day at Tonbridge and Malling Council’s Kings Hill HQ. Dillon Lancaster, 14, from


Kings Hill, Aime Squires, 18, from West Malling, and 16- year-old Rebecca Venis, from Trottiscliffe, met council bosses and learned how decisions are made in public services as part of Youth Takeover Day, a na- tional event. Mayor Cllr Sue Murray and


her team explained what is in- volved in planning her busy schedule and working with the community to raise funds for her chosen charities. Becky gained an insight into


the council’s processes by sit- ting in on a management team meeting on elections with chief


Teenagers Dillon Lancaster, Becky Venis (left) and Aime Squires meet the Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling Cllr Sue Murray and macebearer Jim Lennox-Short.


executive David Hughes. He said: ”The younger com- munity certainly has a lot to offer the council in terms of their ideas and energy, and it


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COUNCILLOR VACANCY Kings Hill Parish Council currently has


vacancies for two Councillors and is looking to co-opt people to take on this voluntary role between now and May 2011 when Local


Elections will take place for all 12 of the Parish Councillor Posts. Are you interested in making a difference as you work with and serve your local community and being part of the democratic governance arrangements of the country?


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For more details please contact the Clerk, Helen Munro on 01732-870382 or by email


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was refreshing to have them represented at an important meeting about elections, which are at the heart of the council’s decision-making process.”


ments. This gives them the confidence to manage their health in the most effective way for them. Clea Llewellyn-Hurst, 29, from Snodland,


said: “I am a long-term sufferer of allergies, but after speaking to a health coach I was given the confidence to speak to my doctor about my symptoms. This led to me receiv- ing the treatment I needed which has changed my life immensely.” Janet Luck, also from Snodland, is one of 21,000 people in West Kent who have spo- ken to CareCall.


The 67-year-old cares for her husband,


who has stomach cancer. “CareCall gave me support just when I


needed it. The support from my health coach probably stopped me having a nerv- ous breakdown.” A recent survey revealed 75% of patients


using the service described it as excellent or very good. Julia Ross, director of strategy at NHS


West Kent, said: “Not only are people learn- ing to be more confident about managing their own health but self-care also promises


to take pressure off hospital services by avoiding unneces- sary admissions.” To contact CareCall, call freephone 0800 1691824.


Pupils put ideas to


transform garden DETAILS of a school’s ambi- tious plan to transform a dis- used garden into a sports activity area have been un- veiled. St Peter’s CE Primary School


at Aylesford leases the nearby neglected Coronation Garden from the parish council. The children have since been involved in developing a vision for the site which includes a ramped approach to the school, as well as a sports arena and ac- itivity area and a viewing plat- form linking two existing playgrounds. The proposals have been submitted to Ton- bridge and Malling Council.


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