News | Health


Action on cancer targets IVF under review OUR REPUTATION


A RENEWED drive to meet all NHS England cancer care targets locally isbeingmadeby theGP-led budget-holdingWestKentClinical CommissioningGroup (CCG). A report before the CCG shows


ment planned in a timelymanner.” Themost significant factor identi-


trust; andGP education events. Further actions planned include:


many targets have beenmissedover four years, including the two-week wait from cancer referral to a spe- cialist appointment and the 62-day wait fromthis referral to treatment. The CCG says key issues are pa-


tients presenting late to GPs with symptoms andGPs not always iden- tifying suspicious symptoms. “Once a patient has been referred


theywant to be toldthat it is not can- cer as soon as possible or have treat-


Budget cuts FURTHER urgent changes are to be made by the budget-holding West Kent CCG which has identified growing overspends. Reasons for excess costs include:


fied forWest Kent is that themajor- ity of cancer services areprovidedat MaidstoneHospital but “capacity is compromised by referrals fromout- sideWest Kent.” Failure to achieve the 62-day tar-


get “is largely due to diagnostic ca- pacity, particularly radiology and endoscopy” and a staff shortfall. TheCCGsays it has taken various


steps to solve problems, including appointing aMacmillan GP to sup- port GP practices; producing a leaflets for GPs to give to patients advising on urgency; approving a recovery plan for the local hospital


www.southernglassmaidstone.co.uk


increased use of the independent sector (£3m); critical care (£1m); high-cost drugs activity; commer- cial beds needed for the urgent care pathway;mental health placements in the independent sector (£0.7m). The CCG is working with the


local hospital trust on schemes that could lead to a £4msaving.


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G4S concern CONCERNS grow about shortcomings in the quality of service in non-emergency pa- tient transport provided by G4S, reported to be failing to complete one in five journeys. The West Kent CCG says it


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hopes many operational diffi- culties are being addressed, in- cluding adequate responses to patient complaints. A contract performance notice has been issued.


setting up a Cancer Alliance work- shop between local and South Lon- don providers; a new test for colorectal patients to reduce the need for colonoscopy; a “straight to test” pathway for gastrointestinal patients; one-stop clinics for new lung referrals; phoned follow-ups for breast cancer patients; reminder system for repeat blood tests for prostatepatients; a replacement can- cer information system; revised sus- pected cancer referral guidance. The local hospital trust has made


a successful bid for £100,000 to help it achieve targets.


Data online


PERSONAL health information for about 7,400 of the more vulnerable Maidstone andWestKentpatients is now available securely online to health professionals under the care planmanagement system, nowsup- ported bymostGP practices. The aim is to provide a system


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Maternity care


A“SIGNIFICANT increase” in seri- ous incidents in maternity services at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells hospitals has been reported and the trust is investigating.


Bed-blocking


DELAYED transfers of care in local hospitals are decreasing, now that work byKCCis complementing sig- nificant efforts by the West Kent CCG.


Mortality rates


linked to all relevant professionals and accessible to patients and their carers to improve immediacy andef- fectiveness of care. It is expected to grow strongly in the next few years to cover awide range of patients.


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MORTALITY rates at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells hospitals are “coming back in line” after a period of closemonitoring.


ANINCREASEinstudent interest to become GP practice nurses has meant 20 new placements in West Kent area.


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WESTKentCCGis continuing its re- viewof IVF treatments, nowcosting about £806,600 a year, including a limit on the number of cycles. But the policy faces challenges:


complaints; individual funding re- quests; legal challenges;media cov- erage;mental health issues; and GP support.


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Connecting with local people


28 Malling November 2017


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Malling October 2017 23


CarMall Complaintswere still being received regarding amotor business’s operations. Therewas no further action the parish council could take, butmembers remained optimistic that a combined approach by Tonbridge andMalling Borough Council, Kent County Council and Kent Policewould alleviate the disruption. Antisocial behaviour Only one of the youths involved a�ended East Peckham primary and the head teacher advised that she had spoken to the child and parents. It was noted that the others involved a�ended other schools. Hall usage The amount of casualweekend bookings at Jubilee Hall had increased. Grace GymnasticsAcademywas expecting to start shortly, and a kick boxing club had also expressed an interest. Play equipment repairs had been carried out, themen’s toilet had been repaired alongwith the main entrance door. Total Building Care has been asked to provide a quotation in respect of the refurbishment of the storage area and the supply and installation of new white goods. Defibrillator training Two people had expressed interest in the free defibrillator training, and a number of councillors also declared an interest. Itwas agreed the clerk would liaisewith the trainer and arrange a training session. Allotments Two allotment holders have agreed to share the role of allotment panel member. The rentswere being reviewed, and at theirAGM, allotment holders requested a polytunnel as the next site improvement aswell as a handwashing tap. Councillors conference Cllr Hockey tabled a report fromthe Dynamic Councillors Conference, reporting that it had been interesting, informative and useful and would recommend all othermembers to do it. EPCC had been held up as an example of awell-run councilwith a highly competent clerk. Finance conference The clerk had a�ended the finance conference on October 12. Community grants The village hall management commi�ee had applied for funding towards newchairs,windows and refurbished flooring.With £750 left in the allocation for grants and donations – and with the PoppyAppeal donation still to come out – itwas agreed that EPPCwould provide £500. BudgetWorkwas ongoing for the budget for 2018/19, and itwas resolved that provisions bemade for an East Peckham Loyalty Scheme and the 125th anniversary of the Parish Council,whichwill be celebrated in 2019. Surgery Cllrs Grahamand Harra�met with the CCG andWoodlandsHealth Centre,where plans for the futurewere discussed, including the possibilities of a new-build surgery. The parish council is keen to keep the surgery in some formand has £100,000 to assist in the project – and could provide a venue for aWellbeing Hub at the Jubilee Hall complex.Woodlands and the CCG reiterated that no funding would be forthcoming fromthem, so if East Peckhamwishes to retain the surgery, the village itselfmust provide themoney. Unless there is a significant growth in population, it is unlikely East Peckham would be considered as a suitable base for


community primary care services. The CCG acknowledged that the outlook seemed pessimistic but asked that a final decision be delayed for six to eightweeks to consider any other viable proposals. Flood wardens CllrWatson reported that shewould likemore volunteer flood wardens to be recruited but few expressions of interest had been received. Therewere 60 a�endees at the Flood Warden and Community Demonstration Day,where a broad range of topicswere covered. Christmas lights Planswere at an advanced stage and installation of the lightswas due to take place on November 18. FundraisingA total of £1,753.40 had been raised so far this year. Village centre Itwas resolved that representationswould bemade to KCC with the viewto ascertaining the feasibility and costing implications of the land being transferred to EPPC. KCCwould also be asked to carry out a risk assessment and to repair all identified risks. Planters In order to deter theft, itwas suggested that EPCC use bike rack planters in the summer 2018 planting scheme. Lier warden There had been confusing instructions frommembers and residents to the li�erwarden, so hewas advised to only take instruction fromthe clerk, chairman or deputy chairman.Members were advised to report any issues to one of those three people.


KingsHill


Cleaner vacancy A cleaner is required for Kings Hill Community Centreworking from6amto 8amonweekdays and for three hours on a Sundaymorning. Hourly rates of pay range from£8 to £10. Contact Morgan on 01732 220919. CastleWayWorks to permanently close the right turn out of CastleWay started andwere due to have finished by the time DownsMailwent to press. Theworks involved the closing of the two central reserve gaps, ducting for traffic signal cables and the realigning of kerbs in Castle Way. Thework has been carried out because the right turn out of CastleWay was temporarily banned to helpwith the overall trafficmanagementwhen theM20 J4 eastern overbridgewaswidened. The opportunity was taken to considerwhether this arrangement should bemade permanent and consultationwas carried out in summer 2016. Volunteers required Can you help out on Remembrance Sunday? The parish council is looking volunteers for the Remembrance Day Service on November 12. If you have some spare time then give a parish council member a call on 01732 870382 or email deputy@kingshillparish.gov.uk Allotments Interested in having an allotment? Formore information or to join thewaiting list please call 01732 870382 or email office@kingshillparish.gov.uk


Leybourne


Bus routes CllrMearns reported to the parish council that the No 58 bus route KCC consultationwas brought out in peak holiday period and a response has been sent to KCC requesting the route remain.A meeting took place at Leybourne Village


HallwithArriva on September 6 and at- tended byArriva’s commercialmanager, CllrMearns, Cllr Hogwood and the parish clerk. Bus sheltersAmember of public asked whether therewill be additional bus shel- ter at Roundhay.At present there are no plans to put in additional bus shelters. County council County councillor Sarah Hohler sent apologies as shewas unable to a�end and had no newinformation to re- port. Footpaths CllrAbbotsonwished to know whether KCCwas under an obligation to maintain footpaths in thewoods. Itwas agreed that should any issues be found with the public rights ofway councillors would send photo evidence and the clerk would arrange the reporting of the issue. New shop Cllr Hogwood informed council that a Cost Cu�er shopwill be opening by Christmas at The Chase. Pavilion There has been a fire at the old pavilion and an investigation is taking place. Cllr Hogwood and Cllr Harrison are stillworking on the lease regarding the football club. Warmemorial Despite requests to put newnames on thewarmemorial therewas still no date forwhen thisworkwill be done.


Mereworth


Councillor vacancyAfter a full discussion, itwas agreed that itwas important to have a representative of theAirfield estate for the vacancy on theAirfieldward. Representatives The councilwas unable to hear fromcounty and borough councillors or the police, so Cllr Jon Regan agreed to contact councillors to ask that one of them tries to a�end everymeeting. Accounts Cllr Regan asked if the council could achieve a be�er interest rate. Cllr Michael Bound explained that he had investigated this and found that other accounts could only achieve aminimal return and therewas a risk, so itwas agreed to leave the accounts as theywere. Allotments Cllr Regan agreed to continue to investigate if the allotments site could be purchased by the council. Cllr Reganwas still to arrange tomeetwith Kentish Stone Ltd to discuss the fencing requirements, with the contractor having reported the fencingwas in a “very poor state”. The clerk hadwri�en to all tenants at the end of August asking themto keep their plots tended. The condition of all allotments had been noted and if therewas no improvement, theywould be asked again. One tenant had agreed to vacate his plot as it had a tree growing on it and hewas unable to a�end to it, but the first available tenant had refused the plot due to its state. The clerk had asked Kentish Stone to remove/prune the tree and itwas agreed to ask the company to spray and rotivate it if possible. Cllr Katherine Eykelenboom agreed to carry out a follow-up survey on the plots. Pavilion patio Kentish Stone had provided a quote to improve the patio at the pavilion. Ray Berwickwas unable to quote so had recommended another contractor, who the councilwere stillwaiting to hear back from.All contractors had indicated they could not do thework right away and itwould be best towait until the spring. It


Turn to page 30 Malling November 2017 29


Parish Councils


Sorry no buy one get one free. No 70% off list price Just the keenest prices around


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