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Publication date:- 2017-30-09

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Giant funnel bins to tackle North West motorway litter

NEW giant funnel bins are being installed at motorway service areas across the North West in a bid to reduce the amount of litter dropped on the region's roads. Highways England is providing the bins as part of a North West initiative to tackle littering after over 40,000 sacks of rubbish had to be collected from motorways in the region last year; an average of 108 sacks for every mile of motorway. The window height bins are being installed at around a dozen service areas in the North West over the next few months, and the 1st bins have been installed at Lymm Services by the M6 in Cheshire this week. 2 different sizes of bins are being installed; ranging from 1.8 to 2.2 metres high; next to Give Way lines at the exit to service area car parks. The bins allow both car and lorry drivers to reach the ½ a metre wide funnels from their vehicles' windows. Paul Elliott, Service Delivery Team Leader at Highways England, said:- "We're committed to tackling littering on our network and are installing the funnel bins at service areas in the North West. The bins offer another opportunity for road users to dispose of their rubbish responsibly within service areas. Our teams of workers do a fantastic job removing litter from motorways every year but we'd much rather they were able to spend more of their time carrying out maintenance work. The new giant funnel bins will make it much easier for drivers to get rid of their litter as they won't need to leave their vehicles, and I'd urge drivers to either use the bins on the network or to take their litter home with them."

It costs Taxpayers an estimated ₤40 for each sack of litter collected from motorways; roughly the same cost as fixing a pothole. Litter poses a risk to other drivers if it lands on windscreens, causes a threat to wildlife and leads to flooding if drains become blocked so litter picking is regularly carried out across the network. Rubbish has to be collected close to fast moving traffic; putting workers at risk; and lane closures are often needed, causing needless disruption to drivers.

Paul Cooper, 46 from Bolton, has been collecting litter from motorways in the North West for 19 years as part of his job as a maintenance worker for Balfour Beatty Mott MacDonald. Paul's other duties include filling potholes, repairing safety barriers and clearing drains. He said:- "I think most drivers who sling litter out their windows don't really think about what they're doing, and that someone like me has to come along and clear up after them. It tends to be worst on slip roads or where there's standing traffic, as that's when drivers seem to decide to have a clear out of their cars. There's always an element of risk when you're working on the network as you're near traffic so my message to drivers is please stop dropping litter and use the bins or take it home with you instead."

The bins are being installed as part of a North West litter initiative, which also involves trialling new signs with the message 'Workers lives are put at risk picking your litter' and carrying out extra litter picking patrols to help tackle the issue. CCTV footage has also been released which shows a lorry driver discarding an oil container at the side of the M62 near Rochdale after pulling over to the hard shoulder to add oil to his vehicle's engine. The footage is available to watch on YouTube.

North West Ambulance Service supports patients to Stay Well This Winter

THE North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) will be helping people to stay well this winter by sharing important health information with patients travelling on the Patient Transport Service (PTS). PTS staff will be making the most of time spent transporting patients to and from appointments by taking the opportunity to hand out leaflets about the seasonal flu vaccination. The leaflets include information about who is eligible for the free vaccination and who to speak to for further advice. Over 1.5 million patient journeys are undertaken by PTS every year, supporting patients across Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cumbria, to get to and from non emergency medical appointments. Nathan Hearn, PTS Contract Delivery Manager, said:- "The nature of our service means we spend time with many different patients every day. We recognised we could make even better use of that time by helping to share important health messages and information about locally available services. To start with, we're giving out information about the winter flu vaccination so that our patients know all about it and where to get it. Many of the people who use our service have existing medical conditions or are over the age of 65, which means they are at greater risk of complications from flu and can have the vaccination free of charge. The whole NHS system sees pressure over the winter months, with more people visiting A&E and being admitted to Hospital. We hope that sharing health advice can help keep people well and avoid them having to go to Hospital."

The initiative is part of Transforming Patient Care, a 2 year programme that will see NWAS make a number of developments to services to improve care for patients. For more information about NWAS, visit:- NWAS.NHS.UK.

CWP paving the way for 'Positive Practice'

2 CWP services have been shortlisted for this year's 'Positive Practice Mental Health Awards.' The Wirral Primary Mental Health Team, which is run by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), recently launched a programme for 'Future in Mind' which saw CWP CAMHS staff training those who work with or care for children with mental health issues to provide guidance and support. The programme was nominated for the 'Primary and Secondary Mental Health Care Collaboration' category and the 'Improving Access and Outcomes in Education' category and has been shortlisted for both awards. The awards are due to take place on the 12 October 2017, in Blackpool.

Vicky Dunham, team manager for Wirral CAMHS Primary Mental Health Team, said:- "The work we're doing for Future in Mind is something I'm extremely proud of, and I am delighted that it has been shortlisted for these awards. Our aim is to ensure that the people that work with children and young people; teachers, GPs, parents; know how to support someone that might be struggling with their mental health, and that they have someone to talk to for advice and guidance."

Alongside this, CWP's Young Advisors, in collaboration with the Central and East CAMHS Primary Mental Health Team, were shortlisted for the 'Innovation in Children and Young People's MH (NHS England)' award for their Young Advisor A&E, GP and Paediatric mental health training initiative.

Claire Evans, Participation and Engagement Lead for Central and East and leader of the Young Advisor programme, said:- "I'm thrilled that our initiative has been shortlisted for the Innovation in Children and Young People's MH award. It is something that is very close to my heart and to see it recognised in such a way just reinforces that we are making a difference."

The Positive Practice Mental Health Awards are run by the Positive Practice MH Collaborative, a user led multi agency collaborative of 75 organisations, including NHS Trusts, CCG's, Police Forces, 3rd sector providers, front line charities and service user groups. The awards aim to identify, and disseminate positive practice in mental health services by working together across organisations and sectors, to facilitate shared learning, and to raise the profile of mental health with politicians and policy makers.

Liverpool Gets Happy for the International Day of Older Persons

LOCAL older people and the people and organisations that work with them are invited to join the Happy Older People Network (HOP) for a special networking and activity day in celebration of the International Day of Older Persons on 2 October 2017. The HOP network consists of a variety of arts organisations, healthcare providers, older people, housing associations and community groups all working together to make a positive difference in the lives of older people. New members are encouraged to come along to find out more about HOP at this event, where they can hear more about the work of members, discover new arts, culture and wellbeing initiatives and make new friends and connections. The event is being funded by Liverpool City Council.

Rachael Treacher, Happy Older People Project Manager at Open Culture, said:- "It's brilliant that the HOP network has brought so many organisations, community groups and people with an interest in older people to the network meeting and activity day on the 2 October. Using art and culture to enrich the lives of older people is really important because it helps to reduce social isolation and supports their health and wellbeing; this is exactly what HOP has achieved since it formed in 2014."

Claire Benjamin, Deputy Director, Education and Visitors at National Museums Liverpool, said:- "We are delighted with the success of the HOP network and our collaboration with Liverpool City Council to raise awareness of the International Day of Older Persons. We want to celebrate the achievements and creativity of older people in this great City, and believe the HOP network will enable Liverpool to fulfil its ambition to become Age Friendly."

From 11am The HOP Marketplace will feature exhibition stands from member organisations at Museum of Liverpool (Education Area 1) providing information about Wheel Meet Again (Charity Award Winner), House of Memories, Healthiness Ltd, Good Gym, HealthWatch, Healthy Homes and others.

Live Ukelele performance from The League of Well Dooers; 12.30pm (Atrium) and 1.15pm (outside Education Room 3)

At 1.30 to 3.30pm the network meeting will take place in Education Room 3 with a programme of speakers and brief presentations including:-

►Carol Rogers MBE, Executive Director, Education and Visitors at National Museums Liverpool.

► Councillor Sharon Connor, Labour Councillor for Allerton and Hunts Cross, Assistant Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care and Mayoral Lead for Future Housing Options

► Rachael Treacher, Happy Older People; updating the network about the 2017 HOP Funding Pot activities and premiere of HOP Pot film.

► Emily Gee and FACT will present work from the Digital Ambassadors films and demonstrate some of the amazing projects that older adults are creating.

► Natalie Markham Liverpool City Council; speaking about the Older People's Commissioning Agenda.

► Amanda Stonehouse, HealthWatch.

► Alex Kenmure, GoodGym; a unique approach to building community cohesion, promoting fitness and reducing social isolation.

Fact File:- National Museums Liverpool created Happy Older People back in 2014, to produce and develop a network of organisations with the aim of finding collaborative ways to engage local older people in arts and culture.

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Deceased estates notice - Lilian May Jackam

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925, any persons having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of Lilian May Jackam (also known as Lillian May) Jackam (Deceased), late of Birch Abbey Rest Home, 55 Alexandra Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 9HD, UK, who died on 04/10/2018, are required to send particulars thereof in writing, to the undersigned Solicitors, on or before 24/05/2019, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests of which they have had notice. Churches Solicitors, 12 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BL, UK. Ref:- 'T553015.'

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