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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. The Downs Mail reported last
month that South East Coast Am- bulance Service (SECAmb) had been receiving almost 150 more calls every day than last year. And now SECAmb trust says it
may have to move from three emergency operation centres (EOCs) to two, which will increase capacity and in turn staff num- bers. The trust is looking to locate a centres in Kent and one on the Surrey/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 clin-
ical operations, Sue Skelton said: “Our EOCs have reached capacity. We are undertaking some reme- dial work to ensure that we can continue 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 afford to do nothing.” In the meantime, SECAmb has called on the public to consider their re- quirements before dialling 999.
The secret of a memorable night’s sleep
Hypnos ‘secretly’ knows that it is a supremely comfortable bed that is
at the heart of a truly memorable night’s sleep. Cheers for charity help
MEMBERS of Maidstone Mencap have received a cheque for £1,070 from Maidstone and Mid Kent branch of CAMRA who helped at the charity’s annual fete in Mote Park. The CAMRA team ran the real ale bar with beer donated by local
breweries and pubs. The presentation wasmade at the Stile Bridge, near Marden, which is the CAMRA branch’s pub of the year. Margaret Leeds, of Mencap, said: “Theymake a big contribution
every year and we are extremely grateful. Their bar is very popular with people who come initially for the ale, and while there spend money on our stalls.”
No decision on retail village
FOURmonths after Maidstone Council refused permission to redevelop Newnham Court village, Land Securities has told the Downs Mail it still hasn’t made up its mind about what it will do next. The development company’s proposal to bring chain storesWaitrose
and Debenhams to a redesigned site, off the M20 at junction 7, along with 17 smaller shops and anewgarden centrewas thrown out by the council’s planning committee on June 12. Committee members sided with officers, who felt the development
would have a detrimental impact on Maidstone town centre. Land Securities has six months to appeal from the date of refusal, but director ChrisWard said:“Nodecision has yet been taken about an appeal and Land Securities continues to consider its options.”
Bill holds the fort at Leeds Castle
LEEDS Castle has a new custodian. Bill Lash has taken over temporar- ily as chief executive after Victoria Wallace’s move to the Common- wealthWar Graves Commission. Mr Lash has worked at Leeds
Castle since 2009, initially as oper- ations director and latterly as es-
tate director. Prior to that, he worked at Woburn Abbey after a career in the armed forces. An announcement about Mrs
Wallace’s successor was expected shortly. The new incumbent was expected to be in place before Easter 2015.
Sandling Road, Maidstone, ME14 2RF 01622 753073
www.clarkesthebedexperts.co.uk Maidstone East November 2014
17
New Bed Department now open Over 35 beds and bedframes on display
With over 100 years experience of making made-to-measure beds, using the finest
natural materials, and with a Royally Approved reputation for hand crafting the most
comfortable beds in the world, it is no surprise
that Hypnos beds and their sublime comfort can be found in the finest homes, palaces and hotels.
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