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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. South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) has been re- ceiving almost 150 more calls every day than last year and now 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 SECAmb 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
‘We would
lose privacy’ CHART Sutton Parish Council has objected to the siting of a mobile home and touring caravan for gypsy use on land east of Green Lane. A statement claimed the plan-
ning application was incomplete, lacking details of landscaping and building materials, for example. It added: “The site is on the Greensand Ridge in an area of an- cient woodland: this would cause significant and irreversible harm to the character and appearance of the open countryside. “We would expect the planning authority to rigorously vet the sta- tus of the applicant to determine whether they qualify for the gypsy status they claim. The council is under the impression that this ap- plicant has no links to the area.” A resident of Brookside in Green
Lane has also objected, claiming they would be overlooked. A resi- dent of Hollands Farm wrote: “With the proposed site the occu- pants have full view of our main entrance and rear garden and views in to the downstairs recep- tion room, bedroom, utility room and bathroom.” Maidstone Council’s planning committee will decide.
Drink-drive ban
ROBERT Pieczonka (43), of Lenham Road, Heacorn, was banned from driving for 18 months and fined £110 after admitting drink driving and failing to surren- der to bail. When stopped, Pieczonka gave a
blood test of 150mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mg.He also failed to surrender to custody. He must pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
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% since 2007 and with de- mand 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.
CARE VISITS AT HOME Good Old Fashioned Service
ASK DEBBIE........ for help, advice and assistance
Dear Debbie,
I have recently heard a lot about home care but am not familiar with what it is. My mother has Alzheimer’s and I care for her full time but I need to go back to work. I thought that a residential care home was the only choice for her at this stage. Could you let me know more about home care and what it actually is?
Best Wishes Les P
Dear Les, Flower honour
LEEDS schoolgirl Phoebe Tresnan was invited to meet Camilla Parker-Bowles after designing and making her a special bouquet. The eight-year-old, who
attends Sutton Valence Prep School in Chart Sutton, met the Duchess of Cornwall when she visited the Chapel Down vineyard in Tenterden. She combined her own favourite flowers with flowers fromthe Duchess’s wedding bouquet. Phoebe's father Guy Tresnan,
marketing director at Chapel Down, said: "The Duchess spent some time talking to Phoebe when she presented the bouquet. Shewas delighted with the flowers. I'm terribly proud of Phoebe.”
Poery open day
TRY your hand at throwing a pot at Hadlow Pottery’s latest open day from 11am to 3pm on Satur- day November 15. There will also be refreshments,
cake and tea at the pottery in Court Lane, Hadlow. Work by Yalding artist and sculptor Melanie Chapman will also be on display.
Care at home, home care or domiciliary care is a service that is increasing popular and is a realistic alternative to residential care. In the past it was generally thought that when someone started to become less able, that moving into a residential care home was the only viable option. Care at home is exactly what it says it is. People can remain in their own homes for as long as possible with support from a care agency with their Care workers visiting them. The benefits are that people can maintain their independence and retain their quality of life while receiving assistance on things they may now struggle with for example getting in and out of the shower, putting socks on, preparing meals, medication and even shopping. A good care agency will always be able to provide police checked, fully trained, kind and considerate Care Workers. Nowadays the need for support no longer means going into a care home but receiving assistance in the comfort of your own home which is usually more cost effective too.
Kind Regards,
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 November 2014
17
If you have a question that you would like to ask Debbie then please email her at
debbie@bluebirdcare.co.uk
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