The Health Secretary is calling on the nation to help shape the Government’s plans to overhaul the NHS in the future.
Described as being “the biggest national conversation” about the future of the NHS since its birth all the way back in July 1948, and in a bid to form the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan, the entire country has today (21 October) been called upon to share their experiences of the nation’s health service – with members of the public, as well as NHS staff and experts, invited to have their say.
Everyone is being urged to give their views and ideas for “fixing the NHS” via an online platform that’ll be live until the start of next year, as well as through the NHS App.
In order for the Government to formulate its 10 Year Health Plan – which is set to be published in spring 2025 – the so-called public engagement exercise will be underlined by three ‘big shifts’ in healthcare.
These are hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention.
ADVERTISEMENT
📢 We want to hear your experiences of the NHS and your ideas to help us change it.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) October 21, 2024
But what do each of these ‘big shifts’ mean? Well, first up, the Government says it wants to deliver plans for new neighbourhood health centres that are closer to homes and communities, so that patients can see GPs, district nurses, care workers, physiotherapists, mental health specialists, and more all under the same roof.
The transforming of the NHS from analogue to digital shift will put patients in control of their own medical history by bringing together a single patient record that summarises patient health information, test results, and letters, all in one place through the NHS App.
ADVERTISEMENT
Finally, by moving from sickness to prevention, the Government says it wants to shorten the amount of time people spend in-ill health, as well as prevent illnesses before they happen.
The Government is urging the UK public to ‘help fix the NHS’ / Credit: rawpixel
“My mum worked for the NHS, my sister worked for the NHS, and my wife still works for the NHS, so I know first-hand how difficult it has been for staff, and for patients battling against a broken system for over a decade,” explained Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as the public exercise formally launches today.
“We have a huge opportunity to put the NHS back on its feet, so let’s be the generation that took the NHS from the worst crisis in its history, and made it fit for the future.”
You can find out more and have your say on the future of the NHS here.
Featured Image – NHS Digital
News
Hidden drug den full of cannabis plants worth £100k exposed by police in Bury
Emily Sergeant
Police in Bury have exposed a drug den worth an estimated £100,000 hidden behind closed doors during early morning warrants.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained, earlier this week (9 December), officers from the Radcliffe and Elton and Church Neighbourhood Teams were joined by Bury’s newest district commander, Chief Superintendent Kirsty Oliver, to conduct a warrant at an address on Mitchell Street.
The warrant was conducted by acting on intelligence that was gathered from members of the public within the community.
Officers the address, where they forced entry and discovered what has been described as a “sophisticated cannabis farm” within the property.
A hidden drug den full of cannabis plants worth £100k has been exposed by police in Bury / Credit: GMP
The set-up was spread across two floors, and according to police, resulted in around 300 plants being seized overall – with half of them being at the beginning of their growth-cycle, and 100 which had been harvested.
All the plants seized have a combined street value of an estimated £100,000, it is believed.
On top of this, a vehicle was also seized after officers found it suspiciously parked outside the premises, and following further inspection, it was discovered to be outstanding as stolen and had false registration plates.
Early morning warrants uncover a hidden drug den worth an estimated £100,000 in #Bury thanks to intelligence from within the community.
Police believe that the warrant could be linked with West Balkan’s Organized Crime Groups, and are investigating additional lines of enquiry.
Chief Superintendent Kirsty Oliver, Bury’s new district commander, thanked the public for their help in yesterday’s warrant.
“We received information sent in by concerned members of the community who wanted to create a safer environment,” Chief Superintendent Oliver explained.
Read more:
“Communities are essential to preventing and solving crime, and I encourage you to continue to report any criminal acts or suspicious behaviour to us and let us know what is happening in your area.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
Manchester City’s alleged charges have been increased to 130
Danny Jones
Manchester City’s hearing over their 115 alleged breaches of FFP (financial fair play) has ended and the outcome is that their charges have now been increased to 130.
Not exactly what Blues will want to hear.
The hearing officially concluded last Friday, 6 December after a 12-week process to determine whether they broke Premier League regulations regarding PSR (profit and sustainability), with accusations initially spanning a nine-year period.
However, rather than making any progress when it comes to clearing their record, it looks as though the opposite has happened.
Man City are now alleged to have committed 130 breaches of Premier League rules with both parties still able to enter an official appeal.
The hearing was held at the International Dispute Resolution Centre near St Paul’s in London, kicking off in September before coming to a close on Friday, 6 December.
Fans will no doubt have been hoping for and maybe even expecting a much more positive update, especially after having been successful in their recent case against the division regarding sponsorship deals and Associated Party Transactions (APT).
As well as the number of alleged breaches having risen to 130, the period of offence is also now said to have been extended, jumping from just under a decade to a total of 14 years.
The Times writer Martyn Ziegler says the club could quietly learn of their fate as soon as next month and even though a final decision still isn’t expected until spring 2025, should either side appeal the final outcome, this will likely draw out proceedings for several more months.
Man City’s charges have gone from 115 to 130. (Credit: The Manc Group)
For context, City still deny all of the claims laid against them, which include failing to provide accurate financial information for as many as nine seasons, full details of players’ wages, hiding the true figure former manager Roberto Mancini was paid for her service, as well as failing to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation and UEFA’s FFP rules.
The club were slapped with a two-year European ban back in 2020 and have been fined by the European footballing body previously, but that ban was ultimately dropped and even their most recent financial punishment was dropped from £30 million to just £10m – chump change given their spending power.
It still remains unclear what exactly will happen to the reigning English champions if they are found guilty but with Pep Guardiola’s also struggling for form of late, having lost five games in a row for the first time in the Catalan’s career, those inside the Etihad could do with some good news.
The blue moon that has loomed over Manchester in recent years is looking a little lost behind the clouds at the minute.
Emily Sergeant -
21st October 2024 
