Update on the North Kent Dermatology Service

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) suspended DMC Healthcare’s contract to provide dermatology services in Medway, Swale, Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley on 19th June 2020. This decision was taken to ensure patient safety after the CCG identified concerns about the provider’s ability to meet NHS standard contract requirements.

Dermatology is the medical term for the treatment or management of skin conditions which can include rashes, lesions, lumps on the skin, changes to moles and skin cancer.

Wilf Williams, Accountable Officerat NHS Kent and Medway CCG, said:

“Since we took the decision to suspend DMC Healthcare’s contract for dermatology services, we have been working hard to put alternative provision in place to best meet patient needs.

There are 1,855 patients who need procedures and these patients are being contacted and booked into clinics which will begin on Friday 10th July. The 18 Week Support team, which specialises in seeing a high volume of patients in a short space of time, will be running the clinics with support from West Kent Dermatology Service.

West Kent Dermatology Service will also see new routine patients once the priority patients have been treated. The service is already receiving referrals and has the capacity to see more than 500 new patients per week. Services will be led by expert consultant dermatologists with a team of more than 20 consultants available to deliver services.

Patients with newly diagnosed cancer and inflammatory skin disease will be seen and linked to other specialist services as required. This will include skin cancer support services provided at Queen Victoria Hospital and oncology services provided by Maidstone Hospital. Multidisciplinary clinics - which bring a range of clinicians from different specialities together - have already begun to ensure these patients are seen as quickly as possible.

Both West Kent Dermatology Service and the temporary service being delivered in North Kent are fully supported by parent provider Sussex Community Dermatology Service (SCDS). SCDS provides dermatology services across Sussex, Surrey and Kent with a proven track record of service delivery for more than 10 years, working in acute hospital trust and community locations.

Although we are still in the process of clinically triaging and validating data provided by DMC Healthcare, we know there is a large waiting list of patients who need to be assessed so we are planning provision for them. Once we have clearer data, we will put plans in place to treat patients as quickly as possible. It has been important to prioritise the high risk patients which is what we have been concentrating on.”

Clinics will take place at Rainham Healthy Living Centre, High St, Rainham and Fleet Health Campus, Vale Rd, Northfleet.

The CCG has asked clinicians who see patients that have been waiting a long time to consider whether they believe any delays to their treatment may have caused harm.

As the situation develops, www.bit.ly/NorthKentDerm will be kept updated so please check for the latest information.

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group

Space

Public Notice - The Paddock Play Area

Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council
Tel: 01622 739324

Email: clerkupc@outlook.com

Website: www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Space

Medway Council Announces New Way to Pay for Parking in All Council-owned Car Parks

New way for residents to pay for parking in all council-owned car parks

Medway Council has announced a new way for motorists to pay for parking.

Residents and visitors are now able to pay for parking in council-owned car parks at selected local shops, as well as by phone, on the RingGo app and with coins at parking machines.

RingGo Retail offers drivers the option of paying for their parking in a nearby shop rather than using the RingGo phone parking service.

Motorists can find a shop which offers the RingGo retail service by visiting www.RingGo.co.uk or www.PayPoint.co.uk, they can also use RingGo’s text service to find their nearest store.

Residents and visitors can text Shop, followed by the car park location code, to 81025 and the name and RingGo will respond with the addresses of the closest two participating shops.

When motorists visit the shop they simply need to ask to pay for parking and provide the retailer with the following details:

• Their vehicle registration 

• The four or five digit RingGo location code where their vehicle is parked

• The time they wish to park for

The retailer will enter this information into their PayPoint terminal, determines the fee, and motorists are able to pay for parking with coins or by card. Medway Council advises residents to keep their receipt, as this provides proof of payment and details of the parking session they have paid for.

The introduction of the new payment method comes in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic to safeguard both motorists and staff by offering another alternative to using pay and display machines.

Cllr Phil Filmer, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Frontline Services, said:

“I am pleased that we have introduced another way for motorists to pay for their parking. The health and wellbeing of all our residents is of the greatest importance to us and we understand that some motorists may be wary of touching shared surfaces, such as pay and display machines during the ongoing pandemic. We also understand that some residents and visitors may not wish to pay for their parking over the phone, or on the RingGo app, and the new RingGo retail method enables them to pay with cash, or card, at a nearby shop.”

Medway Council

Space

KCC Launches Videophone System for Vulnerable Residents

Mr Robert Greenfield using his video carephone.

About 2,000 elderly or vulnerable residents will benefit from an initiative by KCC to provide them with a unique videophone system.

The council has commissioned assistive care technology provider Alcove to roll out digital support packages across the county, in one of the country’s largest programmes to support adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The £1.5million contract means that vulnerable and digitally disadvantaged elderly residents and those with a learning disability will be able to receive virtual video care and health consultations, as well as video contact with friends and family while minimising the infection risk to other residents and care staff.

The technology, in the form of a “one touch” secure tablet-type device, is being delivered and set up remotely by Alcove and health and care transformation consultancy Rethink Partners. It enables video-calling to an individual’s support network, which allows KCC support staff to monitor care needs, ensure that clients are safe, and enables residents to conduct online activities such as ordering essential supplies and stay video connected with their loved ones.

Clair Bell, Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Public Health, said: 

“This assistive technology will give some of our most vulnerable residents greater independence and help care staff to support them at this very challenging time.

The video phone is delivered direct to the person’s home, ready to go, straight out of the box. It enables carers to monitor care needs and check on the safety and wellbeing of their clients, who themselves are able to utilise the equipment for a variety of online activities such as ordering shopping and prescriptions, as well as connecting with their family and friends by video call.

The system is proving to be particularly effective during the Covid-19 pandemic, reducing the need for face-to-face contact and limiting hands-on care to just essential tasks.

I am delighted that KCC is investing in this technology which will bring many benefits to both the care workforce and those we support to live independently at home.”

She said that before the pandemic, KCC was already undertaking a review of its long-term digital assistive technology strategy in anticipation of contracts ending in 2021 and the national digital switchover programme. However, this rapid deployment was a clear and urgent response to COVID-19 and will also influence the council’s longer-term planning.

Among those already benefiting from the Video Carephone is 75-year-old Robert Greenfield, of Gravesend. He was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 20 years ago and ran a holiday business before retiring 11 years ago.

Mr Greenfield said he found set-up really easy and was keen to get it working. He initially thought that he would only use it to speak to his care agency, Westminster Homecare. However, he says that the unexpected benefit is that he can link in with his friends and family.

He said: 

“I love the sociability that the Video Carephone gives me. I have not been able to see my grandkids due to the coronavirus or meet up with my chums so it has helped me to stay in touch with everyone.

The best part is that I don’t need log-ons or codes to be able to see or speak to people. I also hope I can receive my private physio sessions on the Carephone and I like the idea that it can prompt me to move every hour to prevent me getting sores and to keep doing my exercises.”

Robert is the editor of MS magazine and is looking forward to writing about his Video Carephone in the next edition.

Kent has seen more than 7,600 confirmed cases of COVID-19, making it one of the hardest hit communities in the South East.

Founder and CEO of Alcove, Hellen Bowey, said:

“Local authorities across the country have had to navigate an unprecedented demand for services and juggle this with fewer support staff. Restrictions on movement and a reduction in care workers have left the most vulnerable people in our communities scared, alone and digitally isolated. With lockdown set to continue for many of the older people in our communities, it’s important that providers take steps to ensure their needs continue to be met.

Not only does the implementation of this technology ensure that Kent county is well placed to mitigate the risk of COVID-19, it also ensures that local care provision is future proofed for the national digital switchover programme which comes into effect in 2023.

Current telecare technologies in this sector lack video, are outdated, send calls to only one number and are prone to failing due to the digital switchover - Alcove’s Integrated Caretech Digital Ecosystem connects carers and the cared-for seamlessly with video and Alexa, and uses data to monitor behaviour and create life changing outcomes,” she added.

Residents who feel that a carephone would help a relative or a friend who either receives council care and support package or is known to KCC’s Adult Social Care and Health service, can Email: karaservice@kent.gov.uk to find out more.

Murray Evans

Kent County Council

Space

Traditional Sunday Roast at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Website: www.rivervalleygolf.co.uk

Space

Temporary Road Closures - Boxted Lane and Wardwell Lane, Lower Halstow

National Grid is currently working to replace the overhead electricity lines that run between Littlebrook substation and Kemsley, Sittingbourne, as well as some minor upgrade work to the pylons themselves.

To safely accommodate these works, National Grid will need to temporarily close Boxted Lane, Lower Halstow from the junction with Breach Lane to Church View Cottages and Wardwell Lane, Lower Halstow from the junction with School Lane to near the Newington Enterprise Centre between 20th July and 16th August 2020.

The closures will be clearly signposted along with diversions.

It’s likely you’ll notice some activity during the works. National Grid appreciates that at the moment peopleare at home and the team will do all they can to keep disruption to a minimum. Work on the overhead line is set to be completed by the end of 2020 and please also be assured there will be no impact on your power supply.

National Grid continues to liaise closely with the Government to ensure it is are following the most updated guidance and that the decisions made are in the best interests of the workers and communities throughout this period.

If you have any queries about the project, please do not approach the workers on site but contact the project community relations team on: 0800 319 6188 Email: nationalgrid@littlebrookkemsley.co.uk

The team is available every day from 7:00am until 7:00pm.

Daisy Rudd - Local Dialogue Ltd

For and on behalf of National Grid

Space