British Red Cross helping patients after a stay in hospital

Red Cross volunteers are providing help and support to patients discharged from hospital under a new scheme launched in partnership with NHS Devon and the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.  The ‘Home from Hospital’ service launched in December and provides patients with support at home with the aim to help them regain their confidence and independence and prevent re-admission to hospital.

The service will run initially for 12 months, with Red Cross volunteers on hand for a period of up to six weeks for each patient; assisting with day to day tasks such as shopping, collecting prescriptions and generally helping patients rebuild confidence after an accident or illness.

Karen Jupp, Operational Manager of the Pathfinder Team which facilitates patient discharges at North Devon District Hospital explains:

“We are delighted to launch this scheme in partnership with the Red Cross and NHS Devon.  Most of our patients want to get home as soon as possible and the Home from Hospital service will benefit patients that need some extra help with day to day tasks which will in turn help them regain their confidence and independence.

“This new service does not replace NHS care, but helps fill a recognised gap in support for some patients after they leave hospital”.

John Towers, Senior Service Manager at the Red Cross said: “We’re excited to be starting up this new service for people in the North Devon area. Sometimes it’s only something very small – such as making sure there’s food in the cupboards, or having a chat and a cup of tea – that prevents re-admission to hospital. By preventing unnecessary hospital admissions we are also helping to save vital NHS funds.

“Red Cross volunteers are highly trained and ideally placed to ease the transition from hospital to home, helping to build confidence and resilience, aid recovery and reduce isolation.”

Paul Baker, Head of Locality Commissioning for NHS Devon said: “It’s a fantastic example of listening and then working with local partner organisations to design and launch a service that responds to what patients told us.

“Even at this early stage we are seeing real benefits in terms of being better able to support people in their home setting and where they have experienced a stay in hospital to reduce the likelihood of them needing to be readmitted.”

It is anticipated around 400 patients will benefit from the service over the 12 month pilot period.  These will be patients who have been admitted to hospital following an illness and patients will be identified by the nursing teams whilst on the wards at NDDH or in one of the five community hospitals in northern Devon.

The Red Cross already provides the service in other parts of the South West, where thousands of people have been helped by trained volunteers able to support them in a range of practical and emotional ways when they return home.

It is hoped if the initial pilot is successful, the scheme will be rolled out on a permanent basis.

To find out more about volunteering opportunities with the scheme, contact Devon volunteer support officer Rosalyn Pascoe on 01392 353276 or Jen Kirk, Home from Hospital Service Co-ordinator on 01271 318080.

Torridge Community Transport Association  (TCTA) endeavours to provide a “transportation safety net for all”, young and old, able bodied and disabled. The association works with all members of the community to address their transport needs aiming to develop community transport services within the area. These vital services will attempt to tackle aspects of social exclusion brought about by transport infrastructure issues, thus promoting equality of opportunity and improving access to social, health, employment, leisure, and education services.

TCTA’s Ring & Ride service is now operating on a weekly basis throughout the area and this is due to a generous funding award from Tesco’s supermarkets. As part of a Section 106 Planning Gain encompassed in the development of their new store at East-the-Water Bideford, Tesco’s donated funds to enable TCTA to purchase a 15 seater Minibus. As an added bonus this funding also enabled the purchase of a smaller 7 seater vehicle with wheelchair accessibility offering safe transport for the user who has to remain in their wheelchair during a journey. The three vehicles now operated by the association enable TCTA to offer supplementary services such as a Passenger Excursion Club and a Community Group Hire service giving registered passengers and groups the ability to utilise the vehicles at weekends and evenings.

TCTA currently operates one of the largest volunteer car schemes in Devon providing transport services not just within its core area of 36 parishes in northern Torridge, but also in the surrounding areas as required, meaning that the populous of approximately 50 parishes receives this particular transport solution.

With the support of the Bideford Bridge Trust TCTA also administers a Taxi Voucher scheme. Passengers who are eligible for the scheme receive up to £200 worth of vouchers that can be used with approved taxi firms within the Bideford area

TCTA has a dedicated band of volunteers who use either their own cars or the association’s vehicles to transport passengers. These volunteers are the lifeblood of the organisation and without them generously giving up their time the services would not exist. TCTA is always ready to welcome new volunteers through its doors and will ensure that suitable training will be offered to those wishing to offer up some of their free time to assist other members of their community by driving for the association.

To volunteer (Car/Minibus Driving) please contact the TCTA telephone: 01237 425522.

To enquire about the services available telephone: 01237 423232

Torridge District Council has allocated £6,500 to go to local schools to help them organise celebrations for the Olympic torch relay.

The council has written to schools throughout the district asking for requests for funding and will be looking at each and every reply on its own merits.

On May 21st the Olympic Torch Relay will be coming through Merton, Great Torrington and Bideford so there will be plenty of opportunity to see it and get involved.

Leader of the council, Barry Parsons said, “Torridge strongly believes in the power of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to inspire children and young people across the District, the UK and around the world.  We want this opportunity to spark their imagination and enthusiasm, helping them to realise their potential and to learn from this once in a lifetime opportunity.”

The £6,500 for schools will be available to support any celebration or recognition of the games where reasonable, both in the weeks leading up to the event and on the day itself. Possible uses for the funding could be to pay for transport on the day for children to see the torch as it passes through Merton, Great Torrington or Bideford; to pay for a specialist Olympic sport session to take place at their school; to pay for an inter-school competition or to perhaps purchase materials for making flags and banners.

FROM THE BEAT -
POLICE NEWS AND ADVICE

‘SCAMS’  – DONT LET THEM FOOL YOU

There are always all manner of SCAMs going on.   They will arrive over the internet, through your post, unsolicited telephone calls, and sometimes even via a door step caller. We give the same advice with regards to any ‘get rich quick’ or ‘surprise win’ scheme.   If it seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Always consult others before you commit to anything and never believe that you have to do something there and then. Here are some pointers that should help to educate, and if adhered to, keep you safe.

These schemes usually have a plausible and persuasive patter explaining that you will benefit with little effort or risk. Here are some common scheme types:

You’ve won a major prize in a lottery or draw, even if you haven’t entered one .
You have exclusive entry to a scheme that’s ‘guaranteed’ to make you money.
Earn easy money by agreeing to help them get sums of money out of their country .
A chance to join an investment scheme that will make you vast amounts of cash.

However, they will be aiming to trick you into doing something along these lines:

Send money up front: They may request this in all kinds of ways, such as saying it’s an administration fee or tax, but however it’s dressed up, the aim is to get you to give up some of your money (and remember, you’ve not received anything yet, except hollow promises which will inevitably turn out to be false)
Give them your bank, credit card or other personal details: NEVER fall for this one. You should always be very wary who you give such details to. If anyone asks this of you report the matter to your bank immediately
Ring an expensive premium rate phone number: this could cost you a fortune.  One simple way to avoid phone scams is to block your phone line from being able to make premium rate calls, contact your phone company about how to do this.
Buy something first in order to collect a prize: there will be no prize or, at best, it’ll be worthless. If you receive an e-mail you consider to be a scam then our best advice is to delete it, certainly without opening it.

More Help and Advice  -

Office of Fair Trading: If you have lost money and become a victim of an overseas scam, the OFT would like to hear from you. Call them on 0845 722 4499
Consumer Direct: Call for help and advice on 08454 04 05 06 or check their website www.consumerdirect.gov.uk or check out their SCAM WISE leaflet.
ICSTIS: You can complain to ICSTIS, the regulator of 09 phone lines if you have become a victim of a premium rate phone line scam. You can call ICSTIS or even check the status of premium rate numbers by calling them on 0800 500 212 or viewing www.icstis.org.uk
Police: You can call the police to report a SCAM. We will advise you how to protect yourself from further abuse. Please bear in mind these schemes are very often based overseas.

PC 3569 Dick Rowlands and PCSO John McGovern
Bideford Police Rural Neighbourhood Beat Team

Torridge District Councillor for Bideford East Mervyn Langmead and the people of Stepping Stones pre-school in East-the-Water are on the lookout for help – they have until 30th March to vacate their current premises at the primary school and move into a new location.

Cllr Langmead has found a new home for the group in a special type of portacabin which can be constructed to the group’s specific requirements, and will be erected at the Pollyfield Centre. But he’s looking for local tradesmen and women to help with the installation.

It was Chair of Stepping Stones Stacey Slade who first contacted Cllr Langmead asking for his help. She said, ‘My daughter Ella loved coming here and didn’t want to leave. Our new home at Pollyfield will be a great location to keep Stepping Stones going for other children and families in the community.’

Katy Blythe, mum of 3 year old Jake who also attends the pre-school, has worked closely with Stacey and Cllr Langmead since last June when the primary school had no option but to give notice to the group to move as it would need the classroom for its expanding numbers. Katy’s was the name on the original planning application for a portacabin at the Pollyfield Centre. She said, ‘We’ve had fantastic support from Liz Carrol at Devon Early Years, everyone at Torridge District Council has been great, especially the planning team and Cllr Langmead who has not only given much of his time to us, but also helped with a grant of £1,000. A big thank you to everyone!’

Cllr Langmead said, ‘There are 50 children registered with Stepping Stones here – it’s a vitally important part of the community. Not only is it good for the children in preparing them for school and making new friends, it also helps parents get back to work. The portacabin must be in place and ready to take the children in after Easter, all ready for the summer term. But we need help so if there are any tradesmen or women out there who can help us with the new portacabin – electricians, plumbers or any other volunteers – please contact me as soon as possible.’

Cllr Langmead can be contacted by email councillor.langmead@torridge.gov.uk<mailto:councillor.langmead@torridge.gov.uk> or on 01237 476453.

Zo was admitted to North Devon District Hospital at 35 weeks pregnant for the baby to be delivered at 37 weeks.  Theo Andrew Merritt, a second son, was born on Monday 16th January weighing in at 7lbs 7ozs but the parents happiness soon turned to despair at discovering that Theo had been born with breathing difficulties.  He was admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) and 2 days later, due to his condition becoming critical, was transferred by the specialist Peninsular Neonatal Transport Service team to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unity (NICU) at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol where he stayed for 6 days receiving 24 hour one-to-one care.  Zo and Kevin were, fortunately, able to stay free of charge in dependents accommodation next door to St Michael’s thanks to the Cots for Tots charity (www.cotsfortots.org.uk)  The good news is that, thanks to the fantastic care that Theo was given at both NDDH and St Michael’s NICU, both Theo and his parents are now at home in Bideford.  But that’s not the end of the story.

The family is so grateful for the care and support given to both Theo and his parents that they have organised   -

Oscar and Theo’s Bazaar

on what would have been Oscar’s 1st birthday, Friday 10th February. The fundraising event is being held at the Westward Ho! Baptist Church Hall from 10.30am – 2.30pm and the Bazaar will have stalls, refreshments, a raffle and auction.  All funds raised will be divided between POPSI (Parents of Premature and Sick Infants) the support group of the Special Care Baby Unit at North Devon District Hospital (www.popsi.org.uk) and the Cots for Tots Appeal, part of the Wallace and Gromit Grand Appeal Charity family at St Michael’s, Bristol.  POPSI are fundraising to purchase a cerebral function monitor for the SCBU at NDDH and Cots for Tots are fundraising for 4 new intensive care cots and a dedicated family accommodation unit.

The family need your help to raise lots of money to help other babies and their families during times of crisis and would therefore welcome your donations.  They look forward to meeting you on the 10th at Oscar and Theo’s Bazaar.   Further information is available from Theo’s Nanny on 01237 422492.

______________________________________________________________

The Grand Appeal and Cots for Tots campaign

The Cots for Tots Appeal is run by Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, registered charity no 1043603.   Nick Park, creator of Wallace & Gromit, has created an exclusive new identity of a younger Gromit to spearhead the fundraising campaign.  The Cots for Tots campaign is fundraising specifically for state of the art equipment, additional facilities and comforts for both patients and their families at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michael’s Hospital.  In the longer term,  Cots for Tots will also support  the Fetal Medicine Unit and other baby projects at St Michael’s Hospital Bristol.   Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal continues to pro-actively fundraise for a range of much needed support, including additional facilities, comforts and state-of-the-art equipment for the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and has raised over £16m since 1995.   Neither The Grand Appeal nor The Cots for Tots Appeal receives any form of statutory funding.   Together, Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal charity and The Cots for Tots Appeal are part of the same fundraising family, raising funds exclusively for the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol.

NICU

Through its links with Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St Michael’s Hospital is able to offer a unique, combined medical service. NICU’s proximity to the specialist surgery theatres and paediatric intensive care ward at the Children’s Hospital means that extra-specialist care can be provided for babies with the most serious and complex medical problems including cardiac, surgery, ventilation and hormonal conditions.

This makes it the only ‘quaternary’ unit in the region equipped to provide this level of treatment and as a result, any baby born in Bristol, the South West or South Wales requiring life-saving surgery is automatically referred to NICU.

At least two sheep have had to be put down and one is being treated for its injuries after being chased and bitten by dogs not kept under control by their owners walking across the popular coastal Country Park.

And it’s not just sheep that are suffering. The general disturbance to wildlife – and in particular at this time of the year the wildfowl and waders – is a cause for concern, said Northam Burrows Senior Ranger Shawn Corin. “The vast majority of dog owners coming to the Burrows do behave responsibly, control their dogs, pick up the mess and cause no problems whatsoever. But unfortunately some don’t, and this can lead to tragic consequences, causing death and injury to sheep and wildlife.”

Shawn has also received reports of horses being chased by dogs, and of people deliberately driving their remote controlled cars into the grazing animals, causing considerable distress and panic among the livestock.

The Bideford Police Neighbourhood Beat Team have been working closely with the Council on dog related problems on the Burrows and elsewhere.

PC Dick Rowlands said, “Dog owners must take notice that it is a criminal offence to allow a dog to attack or chase livestock and dogs must be kept on a lead when they are in the vicinity of such animals. The Council’s Environmental Protection Unit works closely with the Police when such offences are reported and investigations have lead to prosecutions and official sanctions where appropriate evidence has been obtained.”

Lead Member for the Natural and Built Environment, Cllr Gaye Tabor added, “These instances of sheep worrying must stop, especially as it’s lambing season now. I find it incredible that remote controlled cars are being used in this way too. I urge people to act responsibly, keep their dogs under control and respect the wildlife and animals on the Burrows. It’s a wonderful natural resource for all of us – let’s keep it that way.”

Anyone with any information regarding any of the instances mentioned above – such as the type and colour of dog, description of the owner and the type and registration number of any car they use – can contact the Police on 101, the Burrows Centre on 01237 479708, or Animal Welfare on 01237 428855.

“Buzz” public distribution points.

ABBOTSHAM.
Post Office.

APPLEDORE.
Library.

BIDEFORD.
Atlantic Village (concourse).
BIDEFORD LIBRARY.
Bideford F.C.
Burton Art Gallery & Museum.
Butchers’ Row.
Council tax office.
Health centre.
Pannier Market.
Park kiosk.

Public houses -   Anchor
Appledore Inn.
Heavitree.
Joiners Arms.
Kings Arms.
Lamb.
Old Custom House.
Portobello.
Riverside.
Talbot.
Tavern.
White Hart.

Riverbank House.
Riversford Hotel.
St.Mary’s Church.
Sure Start.

ALLHALLAND ST.       -   Garland’s.
Roosters.

CLOVELLY ROAD       -   Blights.

COOPER STREET      -   Chiropodist.
Lathwells.
Taxi office.
Three Cs cafe.
Velvet & Vanilla.

BRIDGELAND STREET – Anton’s hairdressers.
Bazeley’s.
Bond Oxborough.
Citizens Advice Bureau.
Jenny Hoare hairdressers.
Kevin Bright.
Lavington Church.
Oxfam shop.
Vision Express.

CHINGSWELL STREET-  Bottle Stop.

HIGH STREET             -    Banks cafe.
Methodist Church.
Sounds Interesting.
Walter Henry’s bookshop.

MILL STREET              -    Baptist church.
Blanchards.
Blazey’s cafe / deli.
Danny’s butchers.
Fruit Loop.
Gerties cafe.
Honey’s butchers.
Trawlers fish & chip shop.
Webbers.

MORETON PARK        -    Moreton Park Stores.

NORTH ROAD            -     Employment office.

OLD TOWN                  -    Post Office.

ROPE WALK               -     Pottery.

THE QUAY                   -     Arts Centre.
Britannia Building Society.
Quay cafe.
Radwells newsagent.
Spar shop.
Who’s Next hairdressers.

BUCKS CROSS.
Bideford Bay caravan site.
Post Office.

EAST THE WATER.
Barton Tors post office.
Railway museum.
Royal Hotel.
Pollyfields.
Wooda surgery.

FREMINGTON.
Fish & chip shop.
Premium stores.

HOLSWORTHY.
Library.

INSTOW.
Commodore Hotel.
Johns.

NORTHAM.
Health Centre.
Library.
Marshford Farm.
Swimming pool.

STIBB CROSS.
Shop.

TORRINGTON.
Library.

WESTLEIGH.
Pub.

WESTWARD HO !
Charity shop.
Newsagent.
Post office.

WOOLSERY.
Merry Harriers garden centre.

YELLAND.
Post Office.

The Police have recently become aware of a small increase in the number of theft from motor vehicle  (‘TFMV’) offences occurring in the Bideford area, including the rural area past Hartland and out to the Cornish border. To keep this in perspective, we are not talking about large numbers. However, as we have managed to reduce crime in the area year on year, small increases do become very notable. In 2008 we had 131 TFMV offences, in 2009 this was down to 85, by 2010 we had it down to 63 such offences and in 2011 this dropped further to just 56 (little more than one a week in the whole area).

What concerns us is that in December of 2011 we had 9 TFMV offences, and so far in January we have had 10.  (Four of these were satellite navigation systems left on the windscreen).   In addition, we have noticed the frequency of theft of petrol from cars has increased.

ARE DRIVERS MAKING IT EASY FOR CRIMINALS?
Unfortunately some drivers show considerable disregard for their own property.   A few years ago regular police patrols throughout North Devon and Torridge checked many thousands of unattended cars in a twelve month period.   As a result 818 cars were located which were all, in effect, inviting any passing criminal to try their luck. Amongst the property found on display in these vehicles were the following items:  118 handbags and wallets, 48 cameras and binoculars, 185 mobile phones, 72 items of sports equipment, 92 tool boxes, 147 CD collections, 99 shopping bags, and 89 items of clothing (often jackets and coats, which are tempting to thieves as they may have a wallet or a purse in the pocket).   Each of the car owners was sent a letter of advice from the Police.   It is questionable if their respective insurance companies would have been similarly public spirited, particularly with the 77 local drivers who left their cars unattended with keys in the ignition ……

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
The key point all drivers must remember is that almost all vehicle crime is preventable. Unfortunately prevention doesn’t just happen, and everyone needs to be active participants in crime prevention if we are to stop opportunist thieves stealing our things. Please remember that a great deal of vehicle crime occurs as a result of an opportunist thief seeing something of value, which is poorly secured, and which is in a place that reduces the chances of them being caught.

Removing the temptation is a pre-requisite to all crime reduction. Therefore, removing all property from your vehicle, or locking it in the boot if this is not possible, is the single most effective measure you can take. Please also ensure that your car has a locking petrol cap and where possible you have parked near to good lighting or near to housing.

Finally, if you see someone acting suspiciously give the police a call on ‘101’, or if you are certain an offence is taking place, ‘999’.     Our patrols are always ready to respond to such calls.

Please remember ‘PARKED EMPTY MEANS PARKED SAFE’

PC 3569 Dick Rowlands and PCSO John McGovern
Bideford Rural Police Neighbourhood Team