Failure to address ambulance targets should trigger u-turn on cuts, argues Labour
Cuts to the ambulance fleet in north Norfolk should be overturned after the ambulance service failed to reach vital targets for another month, North Norfolk Labour Party has argued. The local Labour party, which created the Act on Ambulances petition with over 8000 signatures, was assured by the East of England Ambulance that if demand continued to increase and response times were not addressed in the rota shake-up they would request more funding to ensure all cuts are overturned in north Norfolk.
However, it was revealed in November that the ambulance service in north Norfolk had failed to reach the A8 target to reach at least 75pc of most serious calls within 8 minutes, and fewer than a quarter of Norfolk stroke victims had reached hospital within the 60 minute guidelines.
“These figures confirm what we have been hearing on the ground from patients who have suffered from long waits for an ambulance," said Denise Burke of North Norfolk Labour Party. “They highlight the pressure the ambulance service is under with the £50m of government cuts they have to make. The data also shows that even before these cuts were made the ambulance service did not
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North Norfolk Labour Party delivering petition signatures to MP Norman Lamb's office urging him to rethinks support for ambulance cuts.
have enough resource to cope with an aging population and increasing demand in north Norfolk.”
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The local Labour Party has also been campaigning for MP and Health Minister Norman Lamb to drop his support for cutting ambulance funding. They recently handed in a petition signed by hundreds of constituents urging him to rethink.
For more details about Labour's campaign events visit www.actonambulances.co.uk
St Andrew’s Methodist Church Ladies Association
Members recently enjoyed an entertaining and informative evening with a talk given by Icarus Hines, the local well known butcher. He told us how he came to his trade after a less than successful schooling by extending a Saturday job, from the age of 15, at Baxter’s butcher shop in Dereham and found that he was considered a ‘natural’ at butchery.
After a brief break in which he began a course on training as a chef, he returned to his chosen trade with Dewhurst butchers and in time became manager of their shops in Swaffham, North Walsham and Bowthorpe, before coming to Cromer in 1986 when he opened his own shop, ‘Mack’s’ initially with father and son business partners, before branching out alone and coming to Sheringham. George, the ‘father’ of his partnership, can still be seen around both Cromer and Sheringham in the form of George the butcher who stands outside each shop.
We were entertained with anecdotes from his career as Icarus traced the changes in taste of meats and presentation, the cuts and various sauces which come and go in fashion and the rise in popularity of ‘fast food’ chains such as MacDonalds alongside the increase and enjoyment of barbecued meats.
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Questions were invited from the audience which resulted in discussion and useful cookery tips.
Icarus finished his presentation with a light-hearted introduction to his 2013 ‘saucy’ calendar in which George makes many appearances. These can be found at both of his shops and are free, with an invitation to donate to The Big C Charity.
In a previous meeting of the Association members of the committee shared memories of their lives in the 50s, resulting in nostalgia for many things including stiff petticoats and vinyl records. Later this month we will be sharing a Christmas meal cooked for us on the premises at St Andrew’s Hall which promises to be enjoyable.
If you feel that you would like to join us at meetings as a visitor or member, you will be made most welcome. We meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Please contact Chrissy on 01263 822807. Sheringham Independent #358 22nd December 2012
01263 822806 www.bloomingblooms.co.uk
Mob 07796 644752
Orders still being taken for Christmas Day deliveries in Sheringham and surrounding villages. Orders also being taken for UK and International deliveries.
15 Cooperative Street, Sheringham NR26 8DX
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