downsmail.co.uk
Ambulances under strain
AMBULANCE services are under strain, receiving close on 150 more calls every day than last year. Figures show South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) took 565,609 calls from January to August – significantly up on the 530,985 received in 2013. SECAmb is now calling on the
public to consider their require- ments before dialling 999. SECAmb paramedic and Senior Operations Manager James Pavey said: “In a real emergencywe don’t want people to hesitate in dialling 999, but where someone isn’t in a serious or life-threatening condi- tion we would expect the caller to consider the other options avail- able to them.” SECAmb operates a 111 tele-
phone service to provide health advice for non-emergency calls. Mr Pavey said: “We can provide
clinical advice over the phone – in fact, more than 10% of our calls are handled this way – advise some- one to make their ownway toA&E or perhaps direct a caller to a more appropriate service.” He added: “We can help every-
one who dials 999 and serious and life-threatening calls will always be assigned an immediate ambulance response but people should be aware that not all the calls we re- ceive will result in us sending an ambulance crew to the scene.”
Objection to homes scheme
STAPLEHURST Parish Council has raised an objection to an outline application for 22 homes in George Street.
Combe Bank Homes’scheme, for
16 houses and six flats, is an echo of its proposal thatwas refused by Maidstone Council in December last year for being contrary to pol- icy protecting the countryside. The parish council raised partic-
ular concerns about traffic and the fact the plan is for land north of the railway line, so outside the village envelope. Maidstone Council’s housing de- partment has also criticised the scheme: “There will be six two-
bedroom flats, nine two-bedroom houses and seven three-bedroom houses … [but] does not include any one-bedroom units. Although developers consider there is not much market demand for one-bed- room properties, this cannot be said for the affordable market.” The developer’s supporting statement said: “The site is sur- rounded by existing (albeit low density) housing. The introduction of a modest residential scheme into this context need not unduly alter the character and appearance of the locale.” Maidstone Council will deter- mine the application.
Students a success at Fringe
A GROUP of A-level drama students, hot-foot from picking up their exam results, have been playing to packed audiences at the famous Edinburgh Fringe. The students (pictured),
from Sutton Valence School, picked up a four star review at the Fringe Festival for their performance of Inevitable – a play written, interpreted, produced and performed as part of their subject coursework. Lotte Lijesen, Teddy Turpin, Henry Johnson, Billy Townsend, Crispin Thompson and Zoe Deighton-Smythe created the devised piece for their A level examination, which focuses on the severed relationships brought about by the tragedy of the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers. It was described by one critic as “one of the most powerful pieces of theatre I have seen in years.” The SVS Theatre Company performed for a full week at Greenside, Nicolson Square.
News
CARE VISITS AT HOME Good Old Fashioned Service
ASK DEBBIE........ for help, advice and assistance
Dear Debbie,
My sister and I are the main carers for our elderly mother who lives alone a few miles away from both of us. She has always been a fiercely independent lady and has loved her home where she has lived for 40 years. It’s where her main memories of husband and family lie. After a few years of increasing confusion, she has now received a dementia diagnosis, apparently in early stage. We are both very reluctant to put her into a care home. Can home care help in this situation?
If you have a question that you would like to ask Debbie then please email her at
debbie@bluebirdcare.co.uk
Yours sincerely Pauline S
Dear Pauline,
The question for you and your sister is “what course of action will be in your mother’s best interest?” Home care can work very well for some people especially where there are strong local relationships, say with neighbours or church groups because they can remain in contact with what is familiar to them. This often provides valuable reassurance in a situation which causes very real stress to those affected and their families. Regular visits from skilled carers can check regularly on well- being and safety, ensure adequate food intake and nutrition and ensure that medication is taken at the appropriate times. As the condition develops, regular contact with familiar faces offers reassurance, especially when the carers are trained in basic dementia coping strategies. You and your sister will obviously want to be at the heart of the care arrangements but carefully coordinated home care visits can help share the burden. Best wishes
Debbie Moulton, Care Manager Bluebird Care
• Help with getting up or going to bed
• Personal Hygiene • Cleaning the home • Preparing Meals • Assist with medication • Overnight Care
• Washing or Ironing • Shopping
• Sightseeing or leisure activities • 24hr Live-in-care
• Trips to see friends or relatives
MAIDSTONE • 01622 809530
maidstone@bluebirdcare.co.uk
www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/maidstone Maidstone South September 2014
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