Month: February 2018

CPRE Devon to produce report on housing needs, to help challenges to major development proposals

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CPRE (Council for Preservation of Rural England) Devon has commissioned an independent research firm to analyse all the statistics, facts and figures to help us understand what Devon’s housing needs really are.  This comprehensive report will be completed later this Spring.  They believe that the information which it will provide will be invaluable to those who may wish to challenge major new housing proposals in their communities. I will report when it’s published.

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Gigaclear announce superfast broadband rollout by 2020 in Branscombe, Weston, Farway and Offwell – postcode checker available online

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It is intended that work will start in Q3 of 2019 (Q4 in Offwell) and finish in 2020: Q1 Farway, Q2 Branscombe and Offwell, and Q4 (Weston). You can see the map and check your postcode HERE.

Although a Carillion company has been contracted for some of the work, Ian Thomas quotes statements suggesting that Carillion’s collapse will not affect the programme.

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FORCE cancer charity funds chemotherapy first in Okehampton – this is exactly the kind of service we need in Seaton

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force-okehampton-chemo-vanEncouraging news – the RD&E and FORCE have agreed that the cancer charity will deliver chemotherapy to patients in Okehampton Community Hospital.

The RD&E press release also says ‘It is hoped that the service will also be offered at a third location in East Devon later this year.’

We have an active local fund-raising group for FORCE – I was at a well-attended coffee morning in Colyton Town Hall three months ago – and this is exactly the kind of service that we would benefit from in the wider Seaton area, with our elderly population. This is the kind of thing we need to discuss in the community conversation on health matters which will take place in March, and I very much hope FORCE will be able to come.

The press release adds: 

The charity began funding a pilot outreach chemotherapy project at Tiverton Hospital in July. The feedback from patients and nursing staff has been so positive that it is being rolled out as quickly as possible in Okehampton.
The benefits to patients include:

  • Treatment closer to home so less travelling time and expense
  • Easier parking
  • Quieter location and treatment area
  • Reduced waiting time for treatment, both in Okehampton and Exeter
  • Experienced oncology staff from the hospital to deliver treatment
  • Access to additional FORCE services to support you and your family

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Is Virgin Care elbowing NHS organisations out of contracts by under-bidding? As Devon prepares for its Accountable Care System with controversial long-term contracts, this report raises troubling questions.

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FROM Private Eye: Deep in Virgin territory

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