Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to right sidebar Skip to footer

Health

Consultation on the closure of Credenhill Surgery

Response to Credenhill Parish Council’s letter to HMG following ongoing closure of Credenhill Surgery:

Thank you for your letter dated 22nd November 2023 in relation to the Hereford Medical Group (HMG) branch surgery at Credenhill. Your letter is timely as we have recently been reviewing the options in relation to the branch site at Credenhill.
You will, no doubt, be aware of the history of the site at Credenhill which was formerly a branch surgery of Quay House Medical Centre and up until the pandemic, operated for 5 half days per week. As part of the review, we have considered the viability of the branch surgery and have concluded that we must commence a consultation on the closure of the branch surgery with patients and stakeholders. In making this decision, we have considered the following:

The premises is not fit for purpose –
o it is a remote one consulting room and one nurse treatment room premises which is a converted shop unit. All other HMG premises are purpose built.
o The clinical environment needs significant investment to bring it up to modern standards.
– Whilst it is currently being used for storage of patient records, the fact that the premises is not accessible to the community is an issue which needs to be resolved.
– The surgery does not meet disability access requirements and there are limited options to change this.
– It is potentially safety risk having unwell patients at a remote site
– There is no dispensary at the site.
– To keep it open would result in a reduction in service at other sites.


I would like to take this opportunity to reassure you that there are no plans to change the boundary for HMG and all patients registered with the practice will continue to be able to access healthcare at our other sites.
The consultation that we have launched today will run until 24th December 2023, following which we will review the responses and finalise any decision. If the Practice concludes to proceed with closure, then a formal application will be made to the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board (HWICB).
The consultation will be available online at: https://forms.office.com/r/SZrdPjexAs or using the QR code below:

This information will be available on our website and on our social media pages. In addition, along with this letter to the Parish Council, we will be writing to the council, MPs and other local stakeholders. Paper copies of the consultation survey will also be available at all of our other sites. We are also hoping that the Credenhill Community News will publish details of the consultation.
I note from your correspondence, along with a second letter from the pharmacist based at Kington, that there might be some interest in a change of use. In this regard I will be writing to the pharmacist to explain how this might proceed. However, I would note that it is not within our gift to authorise any such application which would need to be made initially to the ICB.
In relation to the development of a new site at Credenhill, this is something which would need wider system involvement as whilst s106 monies might be made available, these only contribute towards capital costs with ongoing costs being picked up via HWICB.
I hope that this letter provides sufficient information to the Parish Council and assurance that we are keen to progress with plans to ensure that the premises is brought back in to community use. I look forward to receiving any comments as part of the consultation, but if there are any further questions then please do not hesitate to contact me.

https://forms.office.com/r/SZrdPjexAs

Defib & Emergency First Aid Training

We are pleased to confirm that in conjunction with the Herefordshire Heartstart Charity we have arranged 3 free defib & emergency first aid training sessions at Credenhill Community Hall in November. These are aimed at people who live or work in Credenhill:

Wednesday November 15th 2pm to 4pm – 12 places

Wednesday November 22nd 7pm to 9pm – 12 places

Wednesday November 29th 7pm to 9pm – 12 places

You can book your place throught the Eventbright listings :

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/credenhill-parish-council-73559153733

Free Home Energy Checks and Warm Home Packs

AgeUK_HL_HSF_flyerDownload

Who:     Age UK Hereford and Localities are delivering the Government Household Support Fund supported by Herefordshire Council

What:   325 Free home energy checks and warm home packs for the over 50s in Herefordshire and 125 free warm home packs for over 50s in social housing.

When:  From 12th December 2022 to 31st March 2023

How:     Contact us on 0333 0066 299 or email contact@ageukhl.org or write to us at home energy check, Age UK Hereford and Localities, Unit 10 Northern Lights Business Park, Clinton Road, Leominster HR5 0SW. or www.ageuk.org.uk/hereordandloclaities.

Home Energy Check

We are offering a Free Home Energy Check to 325 home owners or private renters in Herefordshire, aged 50yrs or over, who are struggling to heat their home.

The Home Energy Check measures include;

  • LED lightbulbs
  • Reflective radiator panels
  • Chimney balloons
  • Around door insulation
  • Letter box brushes
  • Timers
  • Night lights
  • A Warm Home pack (contents as below)

Free Warm Home Packs

In addition to the Warm Home Packs that will be offered to all clients having a Home Energy Check, we have a further 150 packs to give away to people aged 50yrs or over, living in supported or Housing Association accommodation, who may not be heating their homes adequately, due to concerns about their bills.

The Warm Home packs all contain;

  • Fleece blanket
  • Thermal cup
  • Torch
  • Hat
  • Gloves
  • Power pack for a mobile phone
  • Hot water bottle
  • And more

Referral process

To refer a client for a Home Energy Check or a Warm Home Pack, email contact@ageukhl.org or telephone 0333 0066 299 or write to Home Energy Checks, Age UK Hereford and Localities, Unit 10, Northern Lights Business Park, Clinton Rd, Leominster Herefordshire HR6 0SW.

Help improve health and wellbeing in Herefordshire

Dear residents

Herefordshire Council would like to hear from you about how we can improve health and wellbeing in Herefordshire.

We are working with health services and other organisations to develop a strategy and actions to improve health and wellbeing in the county over the next 10 years, and we are asking residents for their views about the things that they think are most important.

From information already available we have identified a number of issues that are most affecting the health and wellbeing of residents in our county and from these we have suggested some potential priorities for action, or for additional action where there is already work being done.

But we really want to know what your views are and about the things that you think we should be doing. 

Feedback from this consultation will be available to view early in 2023 and it will help decide the priorities and content of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy which is due to be published in the Spring of 2023.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and we would greatly appreciate it if you could spare a few minutes to complete our survey which you will find by clicking the link below.

For more information and to share your views and ideas, see: www.herefordshire.gov.uk/hwbs

Roman Park – Survey

In December 2021 the Parish Council successfully applied for a grant for an outdoor fitness zone at the Roman Park. This was successfully installed in April and has now been in place for just over 6 months.

A condition of the grant application is that we provide feedback on the project, we therefore need your help to give this feedback.

By providing feedback it will ensure that we can apply for further grants in the future and we are interest to hear your opinions and get your ideas for future projects.

Please complete the below survey for your household:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Q76NP55

Roman Park Fitness Zone – Supplier Selection

Since obtaining funds in December for an outdoor fitness zone we have contacted 9 suppliers to prepare initial proposals for the project. All were given the same brief and budget and we have now received proposals from 4 suppliers; 3 suppliers were unable to meet the timescales proposed, 1 declined not to take part as they are primarily focused on schools and we are waiting to hear from the final company.

All suppliers provide equipment with similar warranties and have a proven track records providing services to the Local Authority market. Some suppliers have provided a couple of options to consider. All equipment is robust and satisfies the necessary british standards required to endure a hard life of service in a public open space.

At the next Parish Council meeting we are hoping to make a decision on which supplier to use based on the designs provided and a number of other determining factors. The exact equipment, location within the park and layout with then be finalised by working with the selected provider

Please see below proposals and supplier details; please let us know which supplier you would choose?

Supplier 1 – Fresh Air Fitness – https://www.freshairfitness.co.uk/

Fresh-Air-Fitness-Design-ProposalDownload

Supplier 2 – Play Fitness – https://www.playfitness.co.uk/

Play-Fitness-Design-1Download
Play-Fitness-Design-2Download

Supplier 3 – Sovereign – https://sovereignplayequipment.co.uk/playground-sports-fitness-equipment/outdoor-gym-equipment/

Sovereign-Design-Proposal-1Download
Sovereign-Design-Proposal-2Download

Supplier 4 – Sunshine Gym – https://www.sunshinegym.co.uk/

Sunshine-Gym-Design-ProposalDownload

Avian Influenza Outbreak in Shobdon Area

Herefordshire Council are currently supporting Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) in the control of an outbreak of Avian Influenza (H5N1 strain) affecting poultry in an intensive rearing unit in the Shobdon area near Leominster. This follows the Government’s confirmation of such a case, yesterday evening (Thursday 2nd December).

I would personally like to reassure you that our officers are working closely with the APHA and other agencies in a coordinated response. These agencies are working together to contain the infection and our enforcement officers will therefore be visiting residents in the 3km radius surrounding the site to monitor, engage and inform those keeping birds and to assess or report any risks that might exist.

Latest updates on Avian Flu and related restrictions and protective measures can be found on the Government website . You can also see the location of the protection zone on the DEFRA website

You are probably aware that since the 3rd November, the UK has been covered by a national Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) which means that it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures.

The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone means that bird keepers all across the country must:

  • House or net all poultry and captive birds to keep them separate from wild birds;
  • Cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing;
  • Reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control;
  • Thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis;
  • Keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points and
  • Minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds.

Bird keepers can be guided to the gov.uk website for full details of the AIPZ and updated biosecurity guidance.

Your residents should be reminded not touch or pick up any dead or sick birds that they may find. If they do find dead wild birds these are likely to be swans, geese or ducks although it can affect any other wild bird, such as gulls or birds of prey. They should report this to the Defra helpline on: 03459 33 55 77.

Bird keepers can also report any suspicion of disease to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03000 200301.

Skip to content