Liberal Democrats launch calls for more mental health support for health and care staff in Oldham

The Liberal Democratsare calling on the Government to ramp up mental health support for health and care staff in Oldhamto ensure “world-class” support for those tackling the virus head on.
 
Highlighting the “deep scar” coronavirus will leave on health and care staff in Oldham, the local Liberal Democrats have put forward a package of mental health measures, including: 

  • 24/7 access to mental health support for health and social care workers, through a dedicated helpline
  • Guarantees that health and care staff will no longer be penalised for time off due to mental or physical ill health, including when transitioning between roles
  • Introduce an ‘occupational health passport’ so workers do not have to relive mental health traumas when they change jobs.
  • Additional training to ensure there are mental health first-aiders in every health and care workforce
  • Steps to standardise the quality and service offer to ensure that every health and social care worker can access the same, high standard of mental care support regardless of the where in Oldham they are based.

The Liberal Democrats want the roll out of these services to be for all staff, whether or not they are directly involved in patient treatment, in recognition of the wide scale of the impact of the COVID-19 across all teams.

If adopted, the proposals will improve access to mental health support for all those working in health and care settings. 

Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat Health, Wellbeing and Social Care spokesperson said:
 
“COVID-19 will leave a deep scar on our health and care workforce, who have gone above and beyond to tackle this dreadful virus. Thousands have lost colleagues, endured serious illness, or faced significant trauma.
 
“Our proposals include a mental health support hotline, open to staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our hospitals and care services are staffed around the clock, so the support services staff need should be too. In addition, we propose measures to ensure NHS and care staff are not penalised for days off due to ill health.
 
“The UK mental health response to COVID-19 should be world-class. That means investing now to prepare for the challenges ahead.

Oldham Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said:

“The clap for our carers every Thursday evening is not just a gesture – people want to see those working on the frontline supported throughout the coronavirus crisis and beyond.

“We cannot underestimate the toll this crisis will have on our health and care staff in Oldham. There needs to be long term support to help all those who have risked so much to care for all those affected by the virus.

“Ministers must not stick their heads in the sand. It is essential they roll out these measures urgently, otherwise they are denying our health and care staff support when they need it most.”

FIRST BUS – ESSENTIAL TRAVEL AND KEY WORKERS

Copy of note from First Bus

Following recent guidance from the Government I want to update you on what we’re doing to keep our services running for essential travel and key workers. I also want to share the changes we’re making to keep customers and colleagues safe whilst on board, and the steps you can take to help everyone travel safely. 

Keeping Everyone Safe
First Bus has responded to government advice to enable social distancing on public transport and with immediate effect you’ll start to notice additional steps being taken to ensure a safe journey for everyone.

Our buses will be operating at a reduced capacity with around 1 in 4 seats being available. The Government has advised that people only make essential journeys and where possible travel off peak to avoid busy times, but you still may see ‘Bus Full’ signs as some services reach their revised capacity more quickly.

Occasionally a bus may not stop, most likely as it has reached its reduced seating capacity. If the bus does stop, but is near capacity, the driver will only allow one person to board for every person that gets off, so you may need to allow extra time for your journey and be prepared to wait.

In addition, you will also see further measures in place to help enable you to comply with social distancing guidelines. These include: New capacity signs by the entrance of each bus Seat signs and stickers to clearly show where you should and shouldn’t sit to maintain a safe distance Reminders to be considerate of other passengers No longer allowing standing.

What can you do to stay safe?
You can help us by changing your behaviour in line with the reduced capacity. This might include: Only travelling by bus if your journey is essential Planning your travel in advance, avoiding peak periods Wearing a face covering when on board Sitting in a window seat, leaving an empty row of seats in front and behind On our double deckers, consider sitting upstairs (if you are able) Paying with contactless or purchasing your ticket in advance on our App Using the correct change if you must pay by cash No longer eating or drinking whilst on board Leaving windows open to aid ventilation.

Keeping you informed and updated
We are working hard to ensure that our website, social media feeds and colleagues are updated with the latest information, as quickly as possible.

Our telephone lines remain open if you do need to talk to us. Our operating hours are 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. Outside of these hours you can contact us via the contact form on our website. Our team will be monitoring Twitter at the weekends between 9am and 5pm and on weekdays between 7am and 7pm.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Stay safe, Giles Fearnley, Managing Director, First Bus.

Councils need more support from Government or families will break apart and more people will die

Councillor Howard Sykes, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Opposition Leader on Oldham Council, says the Government must stick to its promises – to help families and Councils.  Many people are living below the bread line, many are dependent on food banks.  Some families will become vulnerable to loan sharks or turn to crime in order to ‘put bread on the table’ for their family.  Councillor Sykes thinks it is imperative that the Government funds Councils properly so they can prevent problems like this arising.

Councils are being hit the hardest through loss of income much more than extra spending demands. In Oldham’s case loss of income are projected at £27M for 12 months compared to just over £19M on increased expenditure.  To date we have received £14.2M.

Oldham Borough has now overtaken other areas in Greater Manchester in terms of detected Covid-19 cases.  Oldham now ranks as the 15 highest Council area in England for Covid 19 cases.  This is according to the latest government statistics.

“Apart from the tragic deaths; which everyone is; many others will develop or accelerate chronic conditions that shorten life expectancy.  This will impact on all of us and burden the public sector with further demand.  Not just today or later this year but for years to come,” said Councillor Sykes.

“Loss of income for Councils is a much bigger issue for some than the additional costs caused by the Coronavirus crisis.  The support package being issued by the Government is welcome but does not address loss of income and does not address need and deprivation in areas like Oldham Borough.”

Liberal Democrats say Manchester Airport money must come with green conditions

Following reports that Oldham Council is set to borrow in the region of £13 million to contribute to a Greater Manchester scheme to support Manchester Airport, Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani called on the scheme to be balanced by a requirement for the airport to introduce improved green targets.

Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “Manchester Airport is extremely important for the region in terms of jobs and investment. However, if we are serious about the green targets that Oldham Council – and indeed Councils across Greater Manchester – have set, we must make sure that any investment comes with a green badge.”

Traveller numbers have dropped dramatically, and at the moment, no-one knows quite what long-term impact the coronavirus and lockdown will have on international travel. But whatever the impact, lowering our carbon emissions not just for a few weeks, but in the long-term, must be at the heart of our economic and environmental strategy for the region.

As the first Green New Deal Council, Oldham is aiming to be the greenest council in the region.

“If after the lockdown, we return to how things were, this sudden cut in emissions will have almost no impact on runaway climate change. As we respond to the lockdown, we must make sure that we take decisions that make economic sense, but also make environmental sense.”

“If we can tie this money to a requirement for the airport to target lower emissions quicker, we can help protect jobs at the Airport in the current crisis, and improve the environment across the region for years to come.”

Notes:

Cllr Sean Fielding – Economy and Enterprise; Cllr Abdul Jabbar -Finance and Corporate Services

Dear Councillors,

I understand from news reports that Oldham Council is proposing to borrow in the region of £13 million to help support Manchester Airport. I would like to suggest that any lending on such a basis should go ahead if the Airport accepts more stringent targets on carbon emissions.

We can all see the impact that coronavirus and the lockdown are having on our regional and national economy, and it is right that we do everything that we can to ensure that jobs and business are protected from the worst of this impact.

At the same time, we are serious about being a Green New Deal Council; we must look for every opportunity to ensure that emissions are cut, not just across the borough, but through our investments.

If we are taking financial responsibility to support the Airport, as I believe we need to do to protect the economy of the region, I believe it is only right and fair that we ensure we ask for something in return; in this case, an increase in the airport’s commitment to the green targets that all the Greater Manchester Councils are pursuing.

Given the current financial burden on the Airport, this can take the form of increased year-on-year targets going forward, so that they can be introduced as part of a continuing programme, rather than rushed in in a way that could cause disruption at a particularly pressured time.

Best regards – Sam Al-Hamdani, Cllr, Saddleworth West and Lees