1st September 2008
Countdown to photography competition!
Source: CFAG

Time is running out for residents of Hesketh Bank to enter an exciting photography competition to complete their own 2009 calendar.  The calendar will be unique.  Not only will it feature images of the village by the villagers it will also include events happening in Hesketh Bank throughout the year.

This is the idea of Hesketh Bank Community Facilities Action Group (CFAG), which was set up to improve facilities and bring a community spirit to the village as a result of the 2007 Parish Plan questionnaire.  “We want our community to show us what their village means to them,” said Maureen Baldwin spokesperson for CFAG.  She went on to explain:  “For 2008 we did a basic calendar of events happening in the village as we discovered that many people did not know what was going on literally on their doorstep and so were missing out.  To build on that for 2009 we came up with the photographic competition, which can get everyone involved and show off what our lovely village has to offer.”

 The group has pulled together an esteemed panel of judges to cast the final vote on which pictures get into the calendar.  They are Sara Cuff, freelance photographer, Tony Skinner, Editor of Lancashire Magazine, John Daly, Chief Photographer for Liverpool Daily Post and Martyn Snape, Photographer for Champion Media Group.

‘Picture This’ Hesketh Bank Photography Competition is open to Hesketh Bank residents of any age.  Application forms are available from the two post offices in the village and Top Shop newsagents, the closing date is 30th September 2008.  Winners will be announced at the Village Trick or Treat event on Friday 31st October 2008.

FOR MORE LOCAL EVENTS PLEASE SEE THE EVENTS PAGE

28th August 2008
TARLETON YOUTH GROUP LAUNCH MEETING
Source: Tarleton Parish Council

Tarleton Parish Council, with the support of Lancashire County Council’s Youth and Children’s Services, are considering the setting up a Youth Group for the benefit of the 13 to 17 year olds who live in Tarleton.

Tarleton Youth Action Group was set up some years ago and unfortunately, due to various circumstances, has not been active for some time. The New Youth group will be run on similar lines – being managed by local residents, supported by the Parish Council, who have been suitably selected and trained and who are keen to help young people appreciate life skills.

The initial steps being taken are for the Parish Council and Lancashire Youth Services to talk to local residents who are willing to offer their time to setting up and running this vital service.

With this in mind a public meeting has been arranged for Monday 8th September at the Pavilion on Carr Lane, Tarleton commencing at 7.30pm.

If you would like to help in this vital project please come to the meeting where the Parish Council and Lancashire County Council Youth and Children’s Services will be pleased to answer you questions and listen to your views.

If, at the end of the discussions you feel you would like to help, details will be arranged to assist those residents willing to help in this vital service.

27th August 2008
POLYCLINICS NOT IN PATIENTS' BEST INTERESTS SAYS LORRAINE
Source: Press Release

Local resident Lorraine Fullbrook, the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for the South Ribble constituency that includes Tarleton, Hesketh Bank, Banks and Rufford is concerned about the prospect of polyclinics opening in our area.

Lord Darzi, a Labour Health Minister, recently conducted a review of the structure of the NHS and in his interim report he said that every Primary Care Trust in the country will have to open a polyclinic in their area.  These 'supersize medical centres' will combine standard primary care with facilities for minor operations and on-site pharmacies, and they will open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.

While Lorraine a resident in Tarleton acknowledges that there may be a case for establishing a polyclinic when local patients and clinicians agree on a proven need in their area, she does, nonetheless have serious reservations about the scheme. 

Lorraine is concerned that:

• These large impersonal polyclinics mean that patients would rarely see the same GP twice, which could jeopardise the continuity of care that many patients, particularly those with long-term conditions, currently receive from their traditional GP
• Many patients will have to travel further to see a GP
• Polyclinics could divert resources away from other local GP practices and hospital services, leading to their demise.
• The 'one size fits all' approach will lead to polyclinics opening in areas where there is no clinical need.  At present, there is no option for patients or clinicians to argue that a polyclinic is unnecessary in their area - all PCTs will be required to procure a health centre regardless of the local need for one.

Lorraine Fullbrook is not the only one to have qualms about polyclinics.  A recent survey by the British Medical Association suggests that many NHS consultants doubt the merits of them too.  Some 60% either disagreed or strongly disagreed that polyclinics would improve patient care, and 42% were not convinced they would improve access to treatment.  More than 70% said they would destabilise hospitals and GP practices.

The BMA also presented a petition to Downing Street in June, containing the signatures of 1.2 million patients who support the current system of general practice.

Despite these misgivings, PCTs have been told to put the wheels in motion to open a polyclinic in their area.  Lorraine promises to monitor the situation closely and ensure that she keeps those she hopes to be representing in Parliament after the General Election are kept up-to-date on any developments.

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