Nwicker60
20-Apr-12, 09:12
John O’ Groat Journal review: April 20, 2012
FOURTEEN case of a superbug were diagnosed in the Far North in the past year, an increase of five on 2010/11. The figures – outlined at a meeting of the North Highland community Health Partnership committee on Tuesday - included six at Caithness General Hospital, in Wick. Members heard one patient with the clostridium difficile (C.diff) bug died, although it was stressed it was not a contributory factor in the death and was recorded on the death certificate. Clinical nurse manager, Lorraine Coe, told the meeting that four of the 14 patients were under 65 years. The cases were isolated within the same ward although no links were identified.
THE Highland Council has not heard from supermarket giant Tesco since December, regarding its plans for a new store in Thurso, it has emerged. Following a Freedom of Information request, the John O’ Journal can reveal it has been four-and-a half-months since the supermarket last made contact with the local authority about the new development proposed for the former auction mart site in Ormlie Road. Local councillors, who voiced their concerns to planning officials at the start of March about the condition of the site and asked about a likely timescale for work to proceed, have had no response. In a document held by the local authority, it states the councillors are considering “formal action” over the site.
TALKS have taken place with local GPs and health bosses about the future of the Dunbar Hospital in Thurso. This was said this week at a meeting of the North Highland community Health Partnership committee and follows the scrapping earlier this year, of controversial plans for changes at the hospital. The original plans to close the inpatient beds, move palliative care services, the nursing homes and cut the opening hours of the minor injuries unit, were opposed by many GPs, as well as members of the public. In February, NHS Highland decided to withdraw the proposals and take a fresh approach to the west Caithness redesign options. At Tuesday’s afternoon’s meeting in Wick, locality manager Pauline Craw reported that meetings have taken place with GPs and other staff groups to try and “build a clinical consensus”.
THE Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has responded to criticism made about plans to transport exotic radioactive material from Dounreay to Sellafield by rail. Concerns were raised by anti-nuclear organisation, the Nuclear Free Local Authorities, in an official submission to the NDA’s public consultation on dealing with the exotic spent radioactive fuels. The anti-nuclear group met Scottish Government radioactive waste officials to note its concern over the rail transportation of such radioactive materials. The Manchester-based organisation made five critical conclusions of the NDA’s latest proposals, including alleging the consultation has been “very poorly executed” by being too short, by having “patchy” information.
A WICK writer is celebrating his debut book moving from electronic to paperback format by holding an event in the town’s Pulteneytown People’s Project community centre next week. Former industrial chemist, Alan Calder (68) will be at the Huddart Street venue from 7.30pm on Tuesday, to discuss his suspense-ridden book, The Stuart Agenda, which is now available in a more traditional format.
CONFIDENCE and consistency are key to Wick Academy winning another home game this weekend. That’s the message from Scorries assistant manager Richard Hughes, ahead to tomorrow’s 3pm fixture against Huntly. Wick boss Davie Kirkwood couldn’t be reached for comment, so former co-manager, Richard Hughes, gave the lowdown to the Groat on this weekend’s league action at Harmsworth. He said: “We’ve just got to keep building on the good run we’re on at the moment especially with every game at home”.
FOURTEEN case of a superbug were diagnosed in the Far North in the past year, an increase of five on 2010/11. The figures – outlined at a meeting of the North Highland community Health Partnership committee on Tuesday - included six at Caithness General Hospital, in Wick. Members heard one patient with the clostridium difficile (C.diff) bug died, although it was stressed it was not a contributory factor in the death and was recorded on the death certificate. Clinical nurse manager, Lorraine Coe, told the meeting that four of the 14 patients were under 65 years. The cases were isolated within the same ward although no links were identified.
THE Highland Council has not heard from supermarket giant Tesco since December, regarding its plans for a new store in Thurso, it has emerged. Following a Freedom of Information request, the John O’ Journal can reveal it has been four-and-a half-months since the supermarket last made contact with the local authority about the new development proposed for the former auction mart site in Ormlie Road. Local councillors, who voiced their concerns to planning officials at the start of March about the condition of the site and asked about a likely timescale for work to proceed, have had no response. In a document held by the local authority, it states the councillors are considering “formal action” over the site.
TALKS have taken place with local GPs and health bosses about the future of the Dunbar Hospital in Thurso. This was said this week at a meeting of the North Highland community Health Partnership committee and follows the scrapping earlier this year, of controversial plans for changes at the hospital. The original plans to close the inpatient beds, move palliative care services, the nursing homes and cut the opening hours of the minor injuries unit, were opposed by many GPs, as well as members of the public. In February, NHS Highland decided to withdraw the proposals and take a fresh approach to the west Caithness redesign options. At Tuesday’s afternoon’s meeting in Wick, locality manager Pauline Craw reported that meetings have taken place with GPs and other staff groups to try and “build a clinical consensus”.
THE Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has responded to criticism made about plans to transport exotic radioactive material from Dounreay to Sellafield by rail. Concerns were raised by anti-nuclear organisation, the Nuclear Free Local Authorities, in an official submission to the NDA’s public consultation on dealing with the exotic spent radioactive fuels. The anti-nuclear group met Scottish Government radioactive waste officials to note its concern over the rail transportation of such radioactive materials. The Manchester-based organisation made five critical conclusions of the NDA’s latest proposals, including alleging the consultation has been “very poorly executed” by being too short, by having “patchy” information.
A WICK writer is celebrating his debut book moving from electronic to paperback format by holding an event in the town’s Pulteneytown People’s Project community centre next week. Former industrial chemist, Alan Calder (68) will be at the Huddart Street venue from 7.30pm on Tuesday, to discuss his suspense-ridden book, The Stuart Agenda, which is now available in a more traditional format.
CONFIDENCE and consistency are key to Wick Academy winning another home game this weekend. That’s the message from Scorries assistant manager Richard Hughes, ahead to tomorrow’s 3pm fixture against Huntly. Wick boss Davie Kirkwood couldn’t be reached for comment, so former co-manager, Richard Hughes, gave the lowdown to the Groat on this weekend’s league action at Harmsworth. He said: “We’ve just got to keep building on the good run we’re on at the moment especially with every game at home”.