News Surgery applauded asmodel for care


A GP surgery near Maidstone has been held up as amodel of outstanding care. In a report from the Care Quality Com-


mission (CQC), the hard work, dedication of staff and integration of services at Sut- ton Valence Surgery were praised for “making a real difference for patients”. The South Lane practice earned special


mention for having clearly defined and em- bedded systems to minimise patient risk and for its response to the needs of the eld- erly and travelling community. Care given at the surgery was rated Out-


standing for beingwell led and responsive to people’s needs, andGood for being safe, caring and effective.


CQC praise for staff at Sutton Valence Surgery Vital bus services under threat


CALLS on Kent County Council are being made by the public and local MPs in a desperate effort to save 78 subsidised bus services. Ten routes covering Maidstone


and Malling are earmarked for the chopunderplans byKCCto balance its books bywithdrawing its subsidy for ‘socially necessary’ buses. The 1.6 million journeys that


would be affected – many serving outlying communities such as Hollingbourne, Ryarsh, Leeds, Lin- ton andMarden – provide vital con- nections to the elderly, disabled and those getting to school. KCC says cutting the subsidy


serviceswill save almost £4m. But 11MPs, includingMaidstone


and theWealdMPHelenGrant, say KCCmust explore other options for savings.


The issue is particularly pertinent


toMrsGrant,who has 16 secondary schools in her constituency. She held ameetingwith bus oper-


ators, parents and a representative from KCC just days before council- lors backed the cuts. She said: “While KCC may not have a statutory obligation to ensure


10XMaidstone – Ashford – WilliamHarvey Hospital 5 (evenings)Maidstone – Hawkhurst/Sandhurst 13, 59Maidstone, Grafty Green,Hollingbourne/Leeds, Stile Bridge, Hunton,Marden 59Maidstone – Grafty Green 266 Kilndown –Maidstone 88 Penenden Heath –Maidstone –


children attend the school of their choice, I feel it could domore to en- sure that children travelling from further distances are able to get to school.” She has beenmade very aware of


the frustrations among schools and parents of children arriving late or being left at stopswhile buses at ca-


Services facing county council axe Kings Hill


13Maidstone – Langley – Leeds – Hollingbourne – Bearsted 12Maidstone – Tenterden 150Maidstone –Walderslade


58 Addington – Trottiscliffe– Ryarsh –WestMalling –Maidstone


149 Halling – TheMalling School, EastMalling


pacity drive past.The letter goes on to highlight other cuts to routes by KCC and commercial operators. The proposed cuts will go out to


public consultation starting on Janu- ary 17. Any reduction in subsidised serv-


ices would come in to affect next September. Unite union leaders have pledged


tomobilisepublic opinion to oppose the cuts, saying it targets the most vulnerable, deepens divisions in so- ciety and threatensmembers’ jobs. Aspokesman for KCC said finan-


cial support for socially necessary bus services –whichmake up 3%of Kent’s buses – is discretionary and urgedthepublic tomake their views known during the consultation, which closes onMarch 23.


downsmail.co.uk


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Maidstone East January 2018


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