downsmail.co.uk


News


Pharmacy first formild illness


MEDICAL professionals are en- couraging people to stay away from GPs and hospitals this win- ter by using their local pharmacist at the first sign of illness. Pharmacists can give free help


and advice on many minor ill- nesses, such as colds or fever, which can be safely treated at homewithout seeing a doctor. In west Kent, many pharmacies


are part of the “common ailments scheme", which can hand out free medication for certain illnesses to people who do not usually pay for their prescriptions. Dr Bob Bowes, a GP from Tun-


bridge Wells and clinical chair of NHS West Kent Clinical Commis- sioningGroup, said: “Apharmacist will be happy to talk to you about a cough or a cold and can sell a range ofmedicationwithout the need for a prescription.Keep a supply of es- sential medications at home and you can speak to your local phar- macist about that aswell.” If you become ill and are uncer-


tain of what to do, phone the 24- hour non-emergency helplineNHS 111, unless it is a 999 emergency. Details of your nearest pharmacy are on the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk. Health news, page 22


THE fine for dropping litter inMaid- stone is to rise to £90 this April. Borough councillors agreed the


increase, from £80 to £90, at a meeting in the town before Christ- mas. Those receiving a fixed penalty


notice will have 14 days to pay, after which the fine will rise to £120. The council says the increase is in


line with the recent government recommendation to raise fines to a maximumof £150. Cllr John Barned, chairman of the


council’s communities, housing and environment committee,which


winter sale UP TO


30% OFF Minor injury units


Trained nurses at minor injury units (MIUs) can assess and treat cuts, sprains, minor burns, minor dislocations of the fingers and toes, minor eye injuries and re- move foreign bodies from, for ex- ample, ears and noses.


Dentists


For emergency dental care, con- tact your own dentist first. At evenings,weekends and bank hol- idays, call DentaLine on 01634 890300.


Mental health support


Free confidential emotional ad- vice and guidance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from Mental Health Matters on 0800 107 0160. The Samaritans are also there to listen at any time of day or night and can be reached by dialling 116 123.


Town gets tough on litter louts


approved the increase, said: “Maid- stone Borough Council is commit- ted to delivering a clean and safe environment for residents and visi- tors. “Littering can have a huge im-


pact on the appearance of our town and villages. It is important we continue to tackle littering and other environmental crime.” The committee also supported a


tougher approach to littering from cars. A new on-street enforcement team, due to start in April, will be able to issue fixed penalty notices to the registered keepers of vehicles fromwhich the litter came.


Machete seized in police op


AN 18-INCH machete, together with heroin, crack cocaine and £200 in cash, was seized froma 21-year-oldman driving throughMaidstone in an operation by Kent Police against criminals linked to London gangs. A total of 20 arrests were made during the Kent and Essex Serious


Crime Directorate’s week-long operation, with thousands of pounds worth of drugs seized, alongwith a number of dangerousweapons. Operation Raptorwas set up to disrupt and target offenders linked to


criminal networks in the capital,who sometimes attempt to sell and dis- tribute classA drugs in Kent, including heroin and crack cocaine.


FREE MATTRESS PROTECTOR with any bed purchase worth up to £100


Visit us at Sandling Road, Maidstone, ME14 2RF For a stylish home


01622 753073 | clarkesfurnishers.co.uk


* Cash price £1000, deposit £280. 36 monthly payments of £20. Total payable £1000. Subject to status. Credit subject to acceptance. Not applicable to clearance goods.


Maidstone February 2018 11 0%


3 YEARS INTEREST FREE CREDIT when you spend over £1000*


INTEREST FREE OFFER ENDS SUNDAY 4TH FEBRUARY KINGSIZE


FOR THE PRICE OF A DOUBLE


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48