Following successful pilots at Woodingdean and Portslade Libraries, Brighton & Hove City Council has launched a new service called Libraries Extra.
The authority urges residents to upgrade their membership card for free, giving them extra choice to visit most community libraries seven days a week, and with double the amount of hours they can be used.
The new scheme is the first time in the UK that the technology has been used to extend Library opening hours so radically and allows Libraries Extra members to visit the library, meet friends and family, book computers and printers, and browse the stock and read.
Books, CDs, and DVDs can be borrowed or returned through the self-service kiosk, and members will also be able to make cash payments.
Extra support has been put in place in all Libraries Extra schemes, so that members will still enjoy their library in safety and comfort. A dedicated phone helpline is available, as well as constant monitoring by a security company with CCTV and live audio feed, an emergency intercom, and support from volunteers on some days.
Feedback by members of the pilot schemes in Woodingdean and Portslade has been positive, with many people loving the extra flexibility around work and family life that the new scheme offers, as well as being able to read and study during quieter periods.
Would-be members can join at their local library. They will need to bring two proofs of identity and agree to new terms and conditions. Over 810 members have signed up so far.
Cllr Alan Robins
Cllr Alan Robins, chair of the council’s economic development and culture committee, said:“This pioneering scheme is a new and innovative way of providing modern library services with extra value and choice for residents and schools, despite the pressures and challenges the council faces.”
For information on library opening times and locations, click here:
Public Health England reminds Londoners to practice safe sex as rates of syphilis are three times higher in the capital than anywhere else in England.
A new report published today by Public Health England (PHE) shows that the rate of syphilis diagnoses is three times higher among Londoners than anywhere else in England.
In 2015 nearly 3,000 cases were diagnosed in the capital, accounting for 56% of all cases in England (5,042).
Syphilis, like other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), is transmitted through sexual activity including oral sex. Most cases of syphilis are treatable with antibiotics and it is preventable through safe sex practices which include using condoms, regularly being tested and avoiding overlapping sexual relationships.
With cases of syphilis continuing to increase in recent years (since 2010 cases among Londoners have soared by 163%) PHE is raising awareness of syphilis and reminding Londoners to practice safe sex, to prevent new infections.
Syphilis has been diagnosed in all 33 London local authorities and in 2015 most saw an increase in numbers.
Cases of syphilis have been reported among heterosexuals and men who have sex with men (MSM). However MSM are disproportionately affected by the infection. Despite representing around 2% of the London population, in 2015 MSM made up 90% of all syphilis cases. This group has seen an 18% increase in cases from 2014 to 2015 alone.
This continued rise in syphilis cases in the capital suggests that too many Londoners are putting themselves at risk through unsafe sex.
Although most cases of syphilis are treatable with antibiotics, people can be infected and not show any symptoms for years; treatment is more effective the earlier syphilis is diagnosed and so more awareness is needed around the infection.
Syphilis progresses through three main stages:
♦ Primary syphilis infection will often present about three to four weeks after someone has been infected with the bacteria and individuals may develop a painless ulcer or rash (lasting for three to six weeks) on the genitals, rectum or inside the mouth, which people can fail to notice straight away.
♦ The infection then develops in to the secondary stage causing fever, headaches and night sweats (among others).
♦ If left untreated it can progress into latent and late stage syphilis. This stage of the STI is characterised by more serious and damaging health complications including cardiovascular problems and central nervous disease; it can even be fatal.
Dr Yvonne Doyle
Dr Yvonne Doyle, regional director for PHE London, said: “Worsening sexual health remains one of the biggest public health concerns facing London and it is worrying to see such alarming rises in syphilis year-on-year. Most cases of syphilis are treatable with antibiotics and it is preventable if you practice safe sex.
“We are seeing large increases in cases of syphilis among men who have sex with men and they now represent 90% of syphilis cases in London. Although diagnoses among heterosexuals in the capital are more stable they too continue to be higher than we would like given the effective preventative measures in place.
“In London we have excellent open access sexual health services providing free STI testing and treatment, notification for the sexual partners of those diagnosed with an STI and free provision of contraception. With these services available across the capital there is no reason for people to be taking unnecessary risks with their sexual health.
“I hope today’s report will further raise awareness of sexually transmitted infections including syphilis and drive home the messages about the importance of practising safe sex, which includes using condoms, regularly being tested and avoiding overlapping sexual relationships. All of these will reduce the risk of STIs.
“Improving the sexual health of Londoners is a priority area for PHE London and we will continue to work with partners across the healthcare system to reduce the burden of poor sexual health in the capital.”
Dr Patrick French
Dr Patrick French, a sexual health specialist and genitourinary medicine consultant at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, added: “When I started working in sexual health in London we might have diagnosed four or five people with syphilis in a year; we can now see that number of people with syphilis in a day or two.
“Syphilis has established itself as a major problem in London among men who have sex with men, but there is now a considerably smaller but worrying rise among heterosexuals.
“The increase we are seeing in syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections is a marker of a more general problem within sexual health and tackling this must be a priority across London. More awareness is needed around STIs, how they can be prevented and why it is important to have a check-up if you think you are at risk. Anyone having sex with new or casual partners should always use condoms and have regular sexual health checks.”
Public Health England recommendations for safe sex:
♦ Anyone who suspects they may have syphilis should get screened at their local sexual health clinic as soon as possible.
♦ Consistent and correct condom use, reducing the number of sexual partners and the avoidance of overlapping sexual relationships all reduce the risk of acquiring Sexually Transmitted Infections.
♦ For people in the highest risk groups, getting screened regularly will lead to early diagnosis and treatment, which is vital as some STIs can be symptomless.
PHE recommendations for safe sex among MSM:
♦ Have an HIV and STI screen at least annually and every three months if you are having unprotected sex with casual or new sexual partners.
♦ Always use a condom correctly and consistently, and until all partners have had a sexual health screen.
♦ Reduce the number of sexual partners and avoid overlapping sexual relationships.
♦ Unprotected sex with partners believed to be of the same HIV status (serosorting) is unsafe. For the HIV positive person, there is a high risk of acquiring other STIs and hepatitis. For the HIV negative person, there is a high risk of acquiring HIV infection as well as acquiring STIs and hepatitis.
Locally in Brighton & Hove there has been a significant increase in cases of syphilis since 2013 – about 10 cases a month, almost exclusively amongst gay men – enough to describe it as endemic among this population.
Inspectors recommended the largest hospital trust in Sussex be put into special measures.
Royal Sussex County Hospital
In a report published today, The Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton (RSCH) and the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH), Haywards Heath are both singled out for severe criticism.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) says it found patients at the RSCH in Brighton were kept in operating theatre recovery areas for three days with no toilets and patient safety was put at risk in several areas including Accident & Emergency. The Trust has apologised to patients following the publication of the report.
Based on this poor performance, BSUH which includes RSCH and PRH, Haywards Heath, is likely to be placed into special measures, be subjected to close scrutiny and required to devise a clear plan to address the issues of concern.
Healthwatch Brighton & Hove (HWB&H), the official consumer watchdog for health and social care in Brighton and Hove works closely with the CQC, the government inspectors for health and care services and has registered its disappointment at the poor performance highlighted in the report.
The CQC report scores BSUH as inadequate overall or needing improvement against five key areas:
♦ Safety – Inadequate
♦ Effectiveness – Needing improvement
♦ Caring – Needing improvement
♦ Responsiveness – Inadequate
♦ Leadership – Inadequate
Three issues in the inspection report are of particular concern to Healthwatch:
♦ Culture of bullying and harassment with a disconnect between staff and the leaders in the Trust
♦ Poor standards of care in some areas and dignity of patients not always respected
♦ Strong feeling by staff that issues of equality and diversity are not always given the priority they deserve
Concerns about issues of patient safety, quality of care and the poor physical environment at RSCH have been expressed by both CQC and HWB&H in the past.
CQC inspections in 2014 and 2015 warned of services that were inadequate and needing improvement.
HWB&H also raised concerns with the Trust Board and in April 2016 provided a report on the RSCH Emergency Department that identified a range of serious problems including lack or privacy, patients experiencing long waits and not receiving prompt and appropriate care.
David Liley
HWB&H CEO David Liley, says: “A lack of leadership both in the Boardroom and on the wards seems to have led to staff in some clinical areas losing track of some basic aspects of proper care; that might be hand washing, providing privacy for patients or making sure patients know at all times how their care is progressing.”
“The CQC report identifies a vast difference between the excellent care being provided in some parts of the RSCH and PRH – for example in the Children’s services.”
“We are aware that BSUH has a recovery plan and we have already offered our support to help improve care and leadership, Healthwatch has a good working relationship with the Trust and we can already see changes in some areas. Work has already been carried out to provide better waiting space in the Emergency Department. However, many more improvements are required, Healthwatch has, over the last six weeks, been reviewing care in the RSCH Outpatients Department and will be helping the Trust to improve its engagement with patients and to address issues of equality and diversity in patient care.”
Simon Kirby MP
Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven, commented:“Local residents in Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven will be rightly concerned about the CQC report but I believe that being put into “Special Measures” is a positive move as it will mean that the Trust will receive additional support and that their improvement plan is closely monitored by regulators.”
“I very much hope that the issues highlighted in the report will be addressed and that we will see significant improvements very quickly.”
Green Councillors have been warning for some time of a looming crisis ahead of the busy winter period.
Cllr Dick Page
Councillor Dick Page, Green spokesperson on the Health & Wellbeing Board, said: “This is a very worrying development which comes after months of ongoing issues with the hospital trust. It’s clear that the measures that have been taken to date simply aren’t working, and if decisive steps aren’t taken now we could see a massive crisis over the busier winter months.
“That’s why were calling on the chair of the city’s Health & Wellbeing board, Labour Councillor Dan Yates, to seek urgent reassurances from the hospital trust and CCG at the next board meeting that there is a clear and meaningful action plan to bring the hospital out of special measures as soon as possible.
“In the longer-term, more hospitals are going to find themselves in difficulty unless the Government commits to adequately fund the NHS and social care to cope with our ageing population. It’s simply unacceptable that the Government can find billions to spend on nuclear technology, while our NHS collapses under the strain”.
HWB&H is one of 148 Local Healthwatch organisations that feeds into the national body Healthwatch England, set up in October 2012 with legal rights to enter and view publicly funded health and adult social care settings and to be responded to within 20 days by the provider of health and adult social care services.
HWB&H is funded by the Department of Health and commissioned through Brighton and Hove City Council, but is independent of the NHS and BHCC.
The authority urges residents to upgrade their membership card for free, giving them extra choice to visit most community libraries seven days a week, and with double the amount of hours they can be used.
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