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Thursday, November 3, 2022
MP IN SOS PLEA ON ‘BROKEN’ NHS
New health minister called upon to take ‘urgent action’ to improve emergency care
NICK HUMPHREYS
newsroom@mnamedia.co.uk
Market Drayton’s MP has pleaded with the new Health Secretary Steve Barclay to take urgent action to get the NHS through winter, as new statistics reveal the crisis of emergency care in Shropshire.
A Market Drayton-based charity has urged people to speak up about their money worries, as it continues to help navigate people through the cost-of-living crisis. Christians Against Poverty is promoting the benefits of talking about personal finances with friends and family, ahead of Talk Money week beginning on Monday, November 7. The charity wants to lift the stigma on talking about money and highlight the benefits it can have on people’s mental wellbeing. Carolyn Lawrence, Market Drayton’s CAP debt centre manager said: “The current crisis in rising living costs is affecting all areas of our lives: what we eat, how we power our homes, our health and wellbeing, which has a knock-on effect on our relationships and mental health. But a lot of us are reluctant to talk openly about our personal finances because we are ashamed or embarrassed. “We see many people who, before contacting us, are worn down by trying to deal with things themselves – often for months or years. “This leads them to feeling isolated and alone, living with the constant anxiety that debt creates. Talking to others is the easiest way to get some help and support.” Download guides from Talk Money Week’s website maps.org.uk/ talk-money-week.
Chance to ‘clang for climate’ next week
It’s frighteningly good fun at town’s art event Drayton Arts Festival returned in spectacular style with a week full of arts events for all the family. The festival, which coincided with half term, saw a full seven days of events in several venues around the town. There were several exhibitions showcasing local talent as well as
live performances of drama and music. Arts and crafts workshops were well attended, with people of all ages able to make a range of items from purses and spectacle cases to lantern painting and Christmas decoration making. There were special children’s
events including a 2023 calendar competition involving local schools. More than 130 children aged between four and 16 took part with their work exhibited during the week. On Saturday families enjoyed a trick or treat walk around the town centre and a Halloween party.
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Svenja Jinman, from Didai Dance, with her colourful stall at the culture and creativity fair at Festival Drayton Centre
Members of the community have been invited to join a local climate action group as they ‘Clang for the Climate’ next week. Market Drayton Climate Action will be running the event on Saturday, November 12 at midday in Market Drayton High Street. It comes during the COP27 climate summit, where world leaders will come together to discuss plans to reduce carbon emissions. Taken from the idea of clapping for the NHS, the clang for the climate aims to raise the alarm to leaders to take urgent action on the climate.
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Four patients waited more than 20 hours in the back of ambulances outside Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in September alone, and the majority are now waiting more than an hour to be handed over from paramedics to A&E staff. Handover delays at Shropshire’s two major hospitals have got worse in recent months, with Shrewsbury and Telford the worst hospitals for ambulance handover delays in the whole of the West Midlands. Meanwhile response times across the region remain far below their targets, with patients with broken bones waiting up to 22 hours for help to arrive. Helen Morgan, North Shropshire’s Lib Dem MP, is calling for urgent action from the Government to increase social care capacity, relieve the pressure on hospitals and free up space in A&E. She said: “Handover delays are getting worse, not better. The system is at breaking point and it is only autumn, so it is crucial the government quickly provides a plan to get through winter as well as implementing long-term solutions to fix our broken NHS.” l Comment – Page 3
Charity is urging people to talk about their money worries
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