Do we need more chemists in York?

Consultation on Draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA)pharmacy and pharmacist

Any community representative will tell you that the things that people value most are accessible essential services. These include Post Offices, a bus stop, health services and Chemists.

The Council has now launched a consultation on the availability of Chemist (Pharmaceutical) services in York

Their announcement reads:

Every Health and Wellbeing Board in England has a statutory responsibility to publish and keep up-to-date a statement of the needs for pharmaceutical services for the population in its area, referred to as a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA).

The PNA is used to inform decisions about where to site pharmacies (some people call them chemists), opening hours and what services are provided. Safe and effective use of medicines is the most common healthcare intervention; with nearly 80 per cent of adults visiting a pharmacy for a health-related reason at least once a year.

The York Health and Wellbeing Board is in the process of producing a new PNA. People’s views on the availability, suitability and quality of pharmaceutical services are an important part of understanding service needs and requirements.

A copy of the Draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment can be found here (please note the maps have been uploaded as separate documents and are listed below)

Appendix 5 – Pharmacy, dispensing GP practice and non-dispensing GP practice locations

Appendix 6 – Non – Controlled locality boundaries (2 maps) –Map 1 and Map 2

The consultation period runs from 25th November 2014 to 26th January 2015 and the consultation survey can be accessed here.

Or email to healthandwellbeing@york.gov.uk

If on paper please post to: Public Health, City of York Council, West Offices, Station Rise, York YO1 6GA

Please let us know your views.

Skip locations

The skips below are funded by your local residents association using their Estate Improvement Grant. The skips are removed once they are full so please make sure you arrive in good time if you intend to make use of them.

1. Please remember to take your waste to the site only on the dates advertised

2. If the skip is full or not on the site, please do not leave your waste. This is classed as fly tipping and is illegal

3. Bulky items including furniture, fridges and freezers are not accepted. To arrange disposal of Bulky items including furniture, fridges and freezers are not accepted. To arrange disposal of one of these items please ring York (01904) 551551.

Click the following links for more information

Chapelfields CA

Cornlands RA

Dringhouses RA

Foxwood RA

Kingsway West

Skip locations Dec to Mar Programme

Lendal Bridge refund fiasco hits TV screens as….

….. fewer than 20% get their money back

click to view (from 19:27)

click to view (from 19:27)

Last nights episode of the popular BBC Watchdog programme, may have prompted more drivers to apply for a refund of the fines unlawfully imposed when they crossed Lendal bridge in York.

The programme claimed, with the deadline of 31st December 2014 rapidly approaching, that fewer than 10,000, of the 50,0000 drivers affected, had so far applied for refunds.

The Liberal Democrat Group are going to propose at the next Council meeting (on 11th December) that the deadline be extended and that all who paid fines are proactively contacted and advised how to seek a refund.

Some who have applied for a refund have apparently found themselves in a Catch 22 situation with the Council only prepared to refund to the registered keeper. In the case of business, lease or hire cars this has involved the driver in an additional time consuming and expensive administrative loop.

Similarly there remains considerable doubt about how many of the fines issued to foreign tourists have actually been repaid. Given the reputational damage done to the City – and the importance of its tourism industry – we would expect that the Council would already have taken action to reach this group of people.

The underlying cause of the problem, of course, remains the stubborn attitude displayed by some Labour Councillors who, despite the overwhelming evidence that was available by September 2013 that something had gone seriously wrong with the trial, refused to suspend it.

They are relying on the support of the 2 man group of Green Party Councillors to fend off the increasing calls for an inquiry into the mess.

York celebrates Carers Rights Day (Friday 28 November)

City of York Council is teaming up with partners across the city to celebrate the invaluable work of carers this week as part of national Carers Rights Day (Friday 28 November).

elderly_care

Carers Rights Day aims to support carers by ensuring they have the information and advice they need to claim benefits, access practical support and find out how technology can help make their lives a little easier.

This year’s theme is ‘Looking after someone? Know your rights’. It focuses on making carers aware of their rights; letting them know where to get help and support, and raising awareness of carers’ needs.
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York’s St. Nicholas Fair opens

York’s eagerly awaited St Nicholas Fair launched today (Thursday 27 November) with the award for The Best Dressed Stand going to Paula Snowdon from Millies Designs. St-Nicholas-Fayre

Paula, who can usually be found in Shambles Market on Saturdays and Sundays, is launching a new range of high quality decorations and shabby chic gifts at the Fair.

The Christmas Fair, part of York St Nicolas Christmas Festival, opens on Parliament Street and continues for over 3 weeks until Sunday 21 December. This year over 60 winter-white chalets, selling a huge variety of different produce, crafts, gifts and Christmassy decorations, will open every day from 9am to 6pm. Late night shopping will be available on Thursdays until 8pm.

 
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Free cycle lights scheme launched in York

cycle lightsNorth Yorkshire Police and City of York Council have joined forces to help keep cyclists safe this winter.

During the dark nights, North Yorkshire Police’s Cycle Response Team are handing out free LED cycle lights to people who they stop riding without them while out on patrol.

Officers are giving the lights, which have been supplied by City Of York Council’s Road Safety Team, to people cycling alone to help keep them safe.

Not everyone officers stop will be entitled to the cycle lights. They will be given to youngsters or other vulnerable people who would otherwise have to walk home if they were forced to continue their journey without lights.

Officers are also giving out reflective back pack covers.
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Nearly 80% take up of free school meals in York

Nick Clegg launching the new scheme last year

Nick Clegg launching the new scheme last year

In York the take-up of universal infant free school meals in primary/infant schools, on school census day in October, was 77.9%.

The initiative announced by the coalition government 2 years ago has proved to be popular with many parents.

Now plans have been outlined which would see the scheme extended to other primary school children.