Bishops Lydeard Parish - Featuring Cothelstone

Parish News

Tool for Somerset Farmer to bid for flood prevention works

A trial is taking place of a new online auction tool for Somerset farmers to bid for funding for flood prevention works on their land. This follows the success of a smaller trial in the Tone and Parrett catchments last summer, and again will be funded by the Somerset Rivers Authority.

Further information is available in this flyer: NFM Auction2 Flier Parish

 

Fit for My Future – Feedback from Consultation

From October to December last year Fit for My Future held 18 drop-in sessions across Somerset, four Facebook video chats and received 659 responses to our questionnaire. We want to thank you again for taking the time to get in touch with us.

Here are a few of the things we’ve heard from you, your families and your communities:

• 49% of respondents agreed we should concentrate more specialist care services (like stroke) in fewer places, even if it means some patients and their visitors have to travel further. 33% didn’t agree, with 18% unsure.
• Decisions shouldn’t be made on the basis of funds alone – “This should not be based on a cost-cutting exercise but promoted as a way of ensuring that a patient receives the very best care.”
• Several people said that if mental health issues were ‘self-inflicted’ i.e. through drug abuse and lifestyle choice, it shouldn’t receive the same priority as physical health.
• Many thought that staffing levels must be adequate enough to support a community approach – it’s important not to ‘dilute’ expertise.
• 94% of respondents agreed that the same high quality support from urgent and emergency care services should be provided to everyone in Somerset 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some thought this was already the case: “Not sure it’s that difficult just now. Call your GP during weekday, and 111 out of hours.”

You can read more about Somerset’s ideas for health and care, as well as what you think we missed by downloading our engagement report:

www.fitformyfuture.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/engagement-summary-phase-1.pdf

The great news is that it looks like some of the ideas you’ve had can be implemented shortly, and we’ll share these with you as soon as we can.

We’ve also set up focus groups to discuss how we should carry out our consultation on changes to health and care options which may have a greater impact, which will be happening in the autumn. No decisions will be made on these until after we’ve spoken to you.

We’ll keep in touch as things progress, but if you have any questions just get in touch.