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Ambulance closure threat
THE ambulance control centre in Maidstone is under threat due to the increased volume of non-ur- gent 999 calls. 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. South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust says it may have to move from three emergency operation centres (EOCs) to two, which will increase capacity and in turn staff numbers. The trust is looking to locate the
two centres in Kent and on the Sur- rey/Sussex border; with a new headquarters to co-locate with the Surrey/Sussex EOC. This could mean the closure of
the EOC in Heath Road, Coxheath, which employs 130 people. Acting assistant director of clini- cal operations, Sue Skelton said:
“Our EOCs have reached capacity. We are undertaking some remedial work to ensure that we can con- tinue to provide a safe service in the short term but we do need to find a long-term solution to the problem within the next few years. “We have seen 999 calls increase
by 25 per cent since 2007 and with demand forecast to increase by five per cent year-on-year, we can’t af- ford to do nothing.” In the mean- time, SECAmb has called on the public to consider their require- ments before dialling 999.
Choral union marks war
A FITTING finale to the cente- nary of the start of World War One is being staged by members of the Maidstone Choral Union. The choir will present itsWorld
War One Commemorative Con- cert at All Saints Church, Maid- stone, on Saturday, November 15 at 7.30pm, with proceeds to the soldiers’ charity Help for Heroes. As well as the vocal work,
there will be poetry readings to commemorate those who suf- fered and fell in the GreatWar. Specially selected music by
Elgar, Gounod, Finzi and Mendelssohn is to be featured,
Fatal accident
‘unavoidable’ AN inquest has heard how a pen- sioner’s “fleeting” look failed to stop herwalking in front of a car inWest Malling. The 85-year-old died of head in-
juries after the accident on the re-de- signed crossing opposite Martin’s newsagent in the High Street. Mrs Hamilton, who lived inWest
Street,was hit by SarahTucker’s Seat Leon two days after Christmas. Coroner Patricia Harding noted
Mrs Tucker, from Kings Hill, was travelling at between 16mph and 25mph, but would not have had time to avoid the accident. CCTVshowed the pensioner look-
ing “fleetingly” to her right before stepping into the road. She recorded a verdict of misadventure.
along with songs by various soloists. Boys from Maidstone Gram-
mar School Cadet Corps will read poetry by Edward Thomas and Wilfred Owen and organ solos will be played by Carl Jack- son, music director of the Chapel Royal, Hampton Court. Tickets are £10 on the door, but
can be obtained in advance from ticket secretary Freda Crispin on 01622 726193, or email
freda@me169lb.fsnet.co.uk. Al- ternatively they are available Maidstone Museum Visitors’ Centre.
Skeleton found
on homes site A MIXED-USE development in West Malling is on hold until the fate of an ancient skeleton found on its building site is settled. The arm of the skeleton, discov-
ered a metre beneath the ground close to St Mary’s Abbey by a team from Swat Archaeology, has been sent off for carbon dating. Dr Paul Wilkinson, who was amongthe archaeological team, es- timates results willshowthey date back to the 16th century. “We will return to digupthe rest
of the skeleton before building work can start.” In April 2014, Bedlars Holdings
won planning permission to build four two-bedroom houses anda re- tail unit at Mill Yard, Swan Street.
Malling October 2014 13
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