News

Free flu jabs for those most at risk

26 October 2016 0 Comments

Ashford Clinical Commissioning GroupResidents aged 65 and over in east Kent are being encouraged to have a free flu vaccination to help them stay healthy this winter.

Older people are at greater risk of serious complications from the flu and immunisation can help to protect them from catching the virus.

NHS Ashford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Kent County Council are supporting this year’s Stay Well This Winter campaign, led by NHS England and Public Health England, which aims to encourage everyone who is eligible for a free flu jab to get vaccinated.

As well as residents aged 65 or over, pregnant women, carers and people with long-term health conditions are all eligible for a free flu vaccination and are advised to have one every year.

All children in school years 1, 2 and 3 (aged five to seven-years-old) will be offered the nasal vaccine through a schools based programme, while children aged two to four-years-old can get the vaccine from their GP. (more…)

Health, News, Wellbeing

Electronic Prescription Service Companies

25 October 2016 0 Comments

image003Residents in Ashford have received personalised invitations from a company specialising in fulfilling prescriptions via the Electronic Prescription Service. The company use Royal Mail to deliver prescriptions.

This company is not linked to any local pharmacy.

Residents receiving this invitation should consider whether

  • they want to give their personal information a to a commercial organisation, with which they have no previous dealings, and
  • have prescriptions sent to the company that may give an indication of their health conditions

Support your local pharmacy

With pressure on NHS services there will be an effort to encourage us to use the most appropriate service. In many cases this may be the local pharmacy but, if trade is taken from them by mail based services, local pharmacies may find it difficult to stay in business.

South Ashford Community Forum encourage you to support your local pharmacy by naming them as your electronic prescription service provider. Most local pharmacies operate a delivery service for those that cannot get to the premises.

Business, Community, Health, News

Choose your way to quit – Stop smoking services

25 October 2016 0 Comments

stoptoberSayed visited his local stop smoking service and got the free support and advice he needed face to face, to quit smoking for good

Having regular contact from a local specialist really keeps you motivated while quitting – and it costs nothing! – Sayed

You can get free one-to-one support from your local stop smoking service. With their expert help and advice, you’re up to four times more likely to quit smoking successfully. 9 out of 10 people who’ve used local stop smoking services would recommend it as a way to quit. Find out more about what to expect and find your local service.

The more support tools you use the more likely you are to succeed in your quit attempt. Think about using other support tools to help you quit.

Watch Sayed’s story www.nhs.uk/oneyou/stoptober/home#

#Stoptober2016

Health, News, Wellbeing

Halloween and bonfire night advice

25 October 2016 0 Comments

halloweenKent Police have given the following advice on Halloween and Bonfire Night celebrations

Halloween

Trick or treating

We hope you all have a good Halloween weekend but it’s important to remember that not everyone enjoys it – if someone is displaying a ‘no trick or treat’ sign, please respect their wishes and don’t knock at their door.

If you have elderly neighbours, friends or family make sure they know they don’t have to open the door to anyone they don’t know or aren’t expecting to help them feel safe.

It’s important everyone knows that most trick or treaters are simply getting involved in the celebrations and will be friendly, but please share our guidance on bogus callers with anyone who may have concerns, www.kent.police.uk/advice/bogus-callers-and-rogue-traders/.

Print and display a Kent Police poster to help trick or treaters know where to visit this Halloween:

Guidance for parents:

  • Never let young children go trick or treating on their own and make sure they only visit people known to your family.
  • Make sure teenagers understand not to frighten people or use flour or eggs.
  • Advise young trick or treaters to stay in a group and never go into the home of someone they don’t know.

Bonfire Night

Top tips to celebrate safely

  • Fireworks can hurt and frighten people and animals – always follow the firework code, www.saferfireworks.com/.
  • Always supervise children around fireworks and never give sparklers to a child under 5.
  • It’s safer to go to an organised display – if you’re aged 18 or over and still want to buy your own fireworks, only buy those marked BS 7114:1988 from a reputable retailer.

Know the law

It’s an offence to:

  • sell adult fireworks to anyone under 18
  • have adult fireworks in a public place if you are under 18
  • have fireworks meant for a professional display
  • let off fireworks after 11pm and before 7am, except on Bonfire Night (allowed up to midnight), New Year’s Eve, Diwali and the Chinese New Year (all allowed up to 1am).

You can also be fined up to £5,000 and imprisoned for up to 6 months for selling or using fireworks illegally. You could also get an on-the-spot fine of £90.

For more details on fireworks at the law visit www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law, www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law.

Kent Police

Additional safety information:

Halloween safety tips, https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2016/10/18/rospa-haloween-safety-tips/,

Children’s costumes, https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2016/10/22/is-your-costume-safe/

Children, Crime, News, Safety, Security

Is your costume safe?

22 October 2016 0 Comments

cvr4vozvuaafadqLook after Mabel, check the label!

Things to consider when buying a child’s costume

  • Has it got a CE marking?
    Be aware that CE markings can be faked by counterfeiters or those looking to cut corners.
  • Who are you buying it from?
    Are you in a reputable shop? Be extra careful when purchasing online.
  • Check the packaging and labels
    Make sure the packaging and garment contain the manufacturer’s name or registered trademark.
  • Check for product recalls
    Search for “CTSI Recalls” in your preferred search engine for a comprehensive list.
  • Check safety instructions
    Ensure the product is accompanied by safety information and instructions where applicable.

How to spot a fake

One way to spot fraudulent CE markings is to check the logo. Sometimes the wrong logo is used entirely, but if it looks correct, check the middle line of the ‘E’, as it should be shorter than the other parts.

All garments have a risk of being flammable – please check the label and stay away from naked flames!

For consumer advice please call the consumer helpline citizens advice on 03454 04 05 06
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/

Children, Consumer, News, Safety

“I quit for my daughter”

20 October 2016 0 Comments

stoptoberBrendan, 37, got help from his local stop smoking service.

He had been smoking since he was 18, but he was finding it tough to keep up with his young daughter in the park and decided it was time to quit. Brendan found out about Smokefree and the local stop smoking services on offer, so he decided to give it a try.

From the start he found that having the “emotional support … of guys all looking to give up in various ways but all looking to do the same thing – and that was stay off cigarettes” was a “massive help”.

It’s a great feeling for Brendan when he sees that his daughter is happy because he has successfully quit smoking for good: “Going back to smoking isn’t an option for me because I want to be able to keep up with her; I want to be able to see her grow up. It’s a daily reminder that I have no intention of going back to smoking at all.”

Are you inspired by Brendan’s story? Get started now.

Read more at www.nhs.uk/smokefree/success-stories/brendan

#Stoptober2016

Health, News

Victoria Way applications approved

19 October 2016 0 Comments

brewery buildingAshford Borough Council’s Planning Committee, this evening, voted overwhelmingly in favour of permitting two of the planning applications for land at the junction of Beaver Road  and Victoria Road, dubbed ‘Victoria Way’ by developer U+I.

Councillors generally spoke in favour of the application for a brewery, with shop, bar and restaurant, three commercial units and 216 residential units (case ref.: 16/01157/AS) but some reflected concerns expressed by local resident, Mr. Hawkins, regarding adequacy of parking and potential traffic impacts. Concerns regarding the tenure and size of the apartments were also voiced by some. Council officers stated that parking had been increased by the applicant and any further increase would impact the viability of the proposals. It was stated that residents of the flats would not be eligible to apply for on street residents parking permits. Junction improvements agreed with KCC and funded by the Commercial Quarter development, were more than adequate to deal with the extra traffic created by the this and the Powergen site developments. Leader of the Council, Cllr Clarkson, said that the Council needed to reassure residents that traffic management was continuously monitored.

Similarly the only concerns expressed regarding for an Aldi superstore (case ref.: 16/01167/AS) related to parking and problems with trolleys being removed from the site. It was agreed that a condition relating to trolley management should be added to those recommended in the officer’s report.

A third application for a 120 bedroom hotel (16/01164/AS) was not considered at this meeting.

Ashford Borough Council, News, Planning and Development

Burns first aid – Cool, Call, Cover

19 October 2016 0 Comments

Cool, call and cover

      • Cool the burn with running cool tap water for 20 minutes and remove all clothing and jewellery.
      • Call for help – 999, 111 or your local GP for advice.
      • Cover with cling film while transferring to a hospital/GP surgery.

The hospital/GP should apply a sterile dressing. Cling film should not be left on a burn for more than a few hours and only while wounds are being assessed by health professionals.

#BeBurnsAware #Coolcallcover

Emergency, Health, News