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Primary school
places set to be increased in Liverpool
PLANS to expand the number
of primary school places in 6 areas of Liverpool to deal with
increased demand are set to be approved.
The City faces a shortfall of up to 300 reception class places by
September 2017, due to a growth in population and an increase in the
birth rate. By 2019, the total primary school population in
Liverpool is expected to have risen by around 4,400 pupils.
The City Council has received £15.4 million of funding from the
Government to help address the issue, and the Cabinet is to consider
proposals for Phase One of an expansion that will create an
additional 150 places by September 2015 in the areas facing the
greatest demand.
The primary schools chosen in Church, Picton, Princes Park,
Riverside, Wavertree and Belle Vale meet the Government's strict
criteria for funding to expand each over the next 7 years. They are
judged 'good' or 'outstanding' by Ofsted, have
consistent and sustainable demand and are unable to serve the local
area because demand for places outstrips supply.
Dovedale Infant and Junior Schools in Church will be amalgamated on
their existing sites and an additional form of entry will be created
to take its admission intake up from 90 to 120 pupils, providing
more places for local families and meaning brothers and sisters
don't have to attend separate schools due to a lack of places. For
the September 2014 intake, the school had 55 children on its waiting
list.
In Picton, St Anne's Catholic Primary; which has 24 children on the
waiting list, and Smithdown Primary, which has 44, will see an
increase in intake from 30 to 60.
In Princes Park, St Silas Church of England Primary will see its
intake increased from 30 to 45, as will St Cleopas Church of England
Primary in Riverside which had 54 applications for 30 places.
Christ the King Catholic Primary in Wavertree, which has 23 children
on its waiting list, will see its reception intake increased from 45
to 60 pupils, as will St Paschal Baylon Catholic Primary in Belle
Vale, which was oversubscribed by 58 applications.
Councillor Jane Corbett, Cabinet member for children's services,
said:- "The expansion is good news as it is indicative of the
successful regeneration of Liverpool which means the City's
population is growing again for the 1st time in many decades.
Combined with the increased birth rate, there is additional demand
for school places and we need to take action to make sure parents
and carers are able to secure a place at their local primary school.
This is about taking action now to tackle the areas where we know
there is the greatest demand, to alleviate some of the pressure. The
schools that we have identified meet the Government's very strict
criteria for this funding. We know from the consultation that some
local residents are concerned about the knock on effect for parking
and traffic and we will be looking carefully at this as part of the
process."
If approved at Cabinet, a further period of consultation will take
place following the publication of a statutory notice and a final
decision taken in March 2015.
A 2nd set of proposals to create a further 150 reception class
places will be announced to the public in spring 2015. |
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Use A&E wisely
after 'unprecedented' demand, says senior nurse
A hospital's most senior
nurse is urging people to use A&E wisely following "unprecedented"
demand for care at Southport hospital.
Angela Kelly, Interim Director of Nursing and Quality, said:-
"We have seen a growing number of patients since October which
reached unprecedented levels over the past few days. A very busy
weekend was followed by an unusually busy Monday which included 9 patients experiencing cardiac arrests
, more than we would expect to
see in a single week.
We created 19 additional bed spaces but, quite simply, patients were
arriving quicker than we could discharge them. In part this is
because many patients we see now are older, frailer and more poorly
which means they need more intensive treatment, are prone to
complications and can take longer to prepare for discharge.
Plans are in place to ensure that people who need urgent care get
treated but this means some patients may experience delays to some
services, or that services are delivered in a slightly different
way. Our main priority is to maintain patient safety.
We are not saying don't use A&E. We are saying use A&E wisely.
Many people who arrive at A&E, particularly by ambulance following a
999 call, do need hospital care and will be seen immediately.
However, there are others whose care needs could be met just as well
by their GP, a pharmacist or by treating the symptoms themselves.
A&E is for people facing life threatening and serious emergencies
such as serious accidents, serious burns, breathing problems, heart
attacks and strokes. Please keep it free for them."
Jonathan Parry, Chief Executive, added:- "We are committed to
providing the best possible care for all our patients and their
safety will not be compromised. However, I know unprecedented demand
for care will have affected the experience of care for some of our
patients. I want to apologise to anyone who has been inconvenienced
or upset by the unavoidable disruption these winter pressures have
caused."
Feeling under the weather?
Please examine your
options....!
► You don't need an appointment at A&E but we'll make an assessment on
arrival and, depending on how urgent treatment is needed, you may
have to wait up to four hours. The triage nurse or clinician may
also signpost you to a different health care provider such as your
GP, dentist or pharmacy.
► That's why you might be better examining your options and choosing
another NHS service; or even treating yourself.
► Coughs, colds, sore throats, upset stomachs, general aches and
pains, and flu will usually clear up on their own. Keep warm, drink
plenty of fluids and, if appropriate, treat with over the counter
painkillers such as paracetamol.
► Contact a GP or the GP out of hours service for help with injuries
or illnesses that won't go away.
► Alternatively, West Lancashire Health Centre at Ormskirk hospital is
open from 8am to 10pm all year round. Skelmersdale NHS Walk in
Centre at The Concourse is open from 7am to 10pm weekdays and 9am to
5pm on weekends.
► Local pharmacies and NHS Choices are also a good source of
information and advice. |
