The headlines from the research have been branded “horrific” by Oldham’s Liberal Democrats. They show:
This winter – from November 2021 to February 2022 – over 3,400 patients covered by the Northern Care Alliance (covering Oldham, Rochdale, Salford and Bury) waited longer than two weeks to see a consultant after an urgent referral from their GP.
4,207 people waited longer than 28 days to get a cancer diagnosis from a specialist after an urgent referral from their GP.
Worryingly 602 people were waiting two months or more to start their cancer treatment after a referral.
Nationally, this winter, from November 2021 to February 2022 almost 195,000 patients waited longer than two weeks to see a consultant after an urgent referral from their GP. The NHS target is for 93% of patients to be seen within this time but across England nearly a quarter of people don’t see a consultant for that urgent appointment.
Ahead of the local elections the Liberal Democrats are calling for the Government to hire more staff, especially specialist cancer nurses. The party is also calling for a comprehensive strategy to ensure all those who have been left behind are offered timely cancer diagnosis and treatment and that targets be met as soon as possible.
Commenting on cancer waiting times in Oldham, Liberal Democrat Sam Al-Hamdani, said: “The Government has been driving our local health services into the ground and taking patients for granted for years. Oldham deserves better.
“Delays to cancer diagnoses and treatments are incredibly distressing for those with cancer and those who fear they may have it. This Conservative Government has its head in the sand over staff shortages and no real plan to fix it, there must be action to fix this horrific crisis.
“They must get a handle on this crisis so cancer patients get the urgent care they need to give them the best chance of survival and recovery.”
I have been informed the council are slightly behind with the food and garden waste collections today due to a vehicle breakdown – please note this only affects residents who are due a rural collection today.
Residents are advised them to leave bins /caddies out and they will collect tomorrow – Saturday 23rd April 2022.
Significant changes to bus services across Oldham are due to come into effect from Sunday 24 April. The alterations are claimed to improve connectivity with a focus on improving access to the Metrolink whilst adding more evening and Sunday bus services.
Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader and Shaw councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “It’s important that residents have access to public transport. With the cost-of-living crisis affecting people right across our community, more of us are turning to public transport as a way of keeping costs down. I give a cautious welcome to the introduction of new services covering Shaw and Crompton and I’m pleased that residents will benefit from extended service hours and weekend services.”
“The loss of the 408 will impact on some people but there are at least some alternatives. Many areas are seeing a reduction in bus services; however, we have fought hard to keep services in Shaw and Crompton and to address some of the gaps with the current services,” he added. “Service operators and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) must keep these routes under review. We must ensure that any issues that come to light are dealt with quickly.”
A full breakdown of the changes is set out below.
402 – Derker/Oldham/Royal Oldham Hospital/Royton
Between Derker and Oldham this service has now been replaced by the new 411 route. The 402 will also now extend from Royton to Shaw, replacing the 408 service. In Shaw, this service will run via Metrolink, Grains Road, Hannerton Road, Hillside Avenue, Buckstones Road, Milnrow Road passing Wrens Nest. Evening and Sunday services have been added.
403 – Oldham/Shaw/Rushcroft/High Crompton
This service has been revised to run via Higginshaw Road instead of Rochdale Road, replacing the 402 in this area. Connections to Shaw are unchanged and extended operating hours will improve the link between Oldham, Shaw and Crompton.
408 – Rochdale/Milnrow/Shaw/Royton/Oldham
The 408 service has been withdrawn and will be replaced between Shaw and Royton by the 402. Between Shaw and Oldham passengers can now use services 57, 402 and 403. Between Shaw and Oldham Hospital, the 408 is replaced by the 182 and 402 services. Between High Crompton and Rochdale, the R9 and R10 services will cover the previous 408 route.
This service has been withdrawn and is replaced by the R9 and R10 services between Shaw and Rochdale.
411 – NEW SERVICE – Oldham/Derker
This service will replace the 402 between Oldham and Derker but has been rerouted to allow for larger busses.
R9 & R10 – NEW SERVICES
These new services will improve connectivity between Rochdale and Shaw via Turf Hill on the R9 replacing the 435 and via Milnrow on the R10 replacing the 408.
Map below shows routes of services
New 402 =See red line on map
New 403 =See green line on map
New R9/10 = See blue line on map
57 = See purple line on map
181/182 = See yellow line on map
For a more detailed map download:
<object class="wp-block-file__embed" data="https://howardsykes.mycouncillor.org.uk/files/2022/04/Shaw-map-1.pdf" type="application/pdf" style="width:100%;height:600px" aria-label="Embed of <strong>Shaw-map-1Shaw-map-1Download
Andy Burnham’s reign as the Police Commissioner for GMP has come under heavy criticism after figures revealed a collapse in prosecutions for rape in Greater Manchester over the last five years.
The already low rates have more than halved between 2017 and 2020, and convictions from 2021 are even lower, pending a number of still open cases.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani said: “My heart goes out to anyone who has gone through the trauma of not just this horrific crime, but the desperately difficult process of trying to get a conviction.
“This low prosecution rate reflects one of most serious failings of Andy Burnham’s time in charge of GMP. The force has been placed in special measures following repeated failures to support vulnerable victims, and its backlog on domestic violence reports, as well as 80,000 missing cases.
“GMP also abandoned its specialist rape and serious sexual offences unit (RASSO) in 2018, yet the evidence shows that this is one of the key measures that police forces should be introducing to support survivors.
“But this is not solely a failing at the local level – Boris Johnson’s failure to condemn misogyny as a crime, despite even hardline Tories such as Priti Patel calling for it – has set the tone for a consistent failure to deal with domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. This Tory Government has backtracked repeatedly on a whole series of promised reforms. Low prosecutions in Oldham match falls in the national rate – already desperately low – since 2015.
“While many individual officers work hard to do the right thing, this is a systemic failure from the top of Government and through the police force.
“All too often, the same story is heard, that the traumatic experience of trying to report the crime to someone who is untrained or unsympathetic is too much for the victims, and having to hand over private details – such as unlocked mobile phones which are taken away by the police – just adds to the pain and the sense of invasion.
“For this to change, we need consistency at every level of Government and policing to show survivors of rape that there is support; that they will be listened to; and that everything is being done to help them deal with that process.
“That is why, in Oldham, our group has successfully gained Council support for criminalising street harassment, for a domestic abuse register, for providing training and information in schools to combat violence against women and girls, and many more changes. That is why I have been working with groups such as Our Streets Now and Plan International to try and change the legislation to make street harassment and misogyny crimes.
“We need to see genuine change – not just platitudes from Andy Burnham – in the way that Greater Manchester Police works.
“A real Government would show survivors that it is on their side. It has not. Until that changes, too many more survivors of rape and abuse will not get justice.”
Due to essential work taking place on the level crossing at Beal Lane, Shaw a closure of the Oldham and Rochdale Metrolink line is due to take place between 1am on Sunday 24th April and 5am on Monday 25th April. A replacement bus service will be in operation.
The work will require a road closure at Beal Lane, Shaw which will result in a temporary signed diversion for traffic via Beal Lane, Grains Road, Hillside Avenue, Buckstones Road, and Milnrow Road during this time. Because of this diversion – and the proximity of two distribution centres – it will also be necessary to remove on street parking along parts of the route to allow for access. Signs are scheduled to be put in place to indicate where on street parking will be temporarily removed. Notices will be put in place where street parking is affected
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) gave assurances that the work would be kept to one day –1am on Sunday 24 April until 5am Monday 25 April– and that residents affected would receive a letter in advance to minimise any inconvenience.
The Oldham Rochdale Metrolink line will close between Freehold and Rochdale, from after the last tram on Saturday 23 April until the first tram in service on Monday 25 April. A replacement bus service will be in place between Freehold and Rochdale Town Centre during this time.
Liberal Democrat Shaw councillor Howard Sykes said, “TfGM must keep disruption to residents and commuters to a minimum as these essential works are carried out. I have had every assurance that road closures and diversions will be properly sign posted and that residents will be properly notified in advance – not just as the work vans turn up.”
News that the Government plans to scrap charges for the disposal of DIY materials has been welcome by Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader and Shaw councillor, Howard Sykes MBE.
“Placing the financial burden of waste disposal onto residents who are trying to do the right thing was wrong and it’s right that the charges should be axed. The ‘Tip Tax’ has created more problems than it has solved as residents have been turning to private collectors. In many cases fly-tipping has increased because of these unregulated operators,” stated councillor Sykes.
“This will be welcomed as even more people than usual are doing DIY due to the cost-of-living crises. But fly-tipping will continue to be an issue in our communities unless the Labour council gets tougher with offenders,” councillor Sykes explained.
Under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), councils have the power conduct covert surveillance to aid in the detection of certain offences and the prosecution of offenders. Oldham Council has previously issued a ‘Don’t Trash Oldham’ call to residents but councillor Sykes has criticised council bosses for failing to use RIPA powers to clamp down on fly-tippers.
Councillor Sykes said, “Oldham’s Labour Council continues to spend huge sums of money on community clear-up schemes but has consistently failed to use existing powers to catch offenders. Instead of just throwing Tax-Payers money at the problem, we should be using every legal power available to us to crack down on these irresponsible people.”
There were more than 113 million instances of fly-tipping across the UK last year according to the Department for Economy Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
A budget proposal put forward Oldham Council’s Liberal Democrats last month, which would have set aside additional funding to help tackle environmental crime was rejected by Labour, Conservative and so-called independent councillors.
Councillor Sykes said, “The councils that are tackling this problem effectively are the ones putting resources into prevention and we are just not seeing enough of that in Oldham.”
After the last-minute announcement from Oldham’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) that the planned redevelopment of Shaw and Crompton’s Health Centre would not go ahead as currently planned, Shaw councillor and Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader Howard Sykes and Crompton councillor Louie Hamblett, the health and social care spokesperson, have held a meeting with CCG representatives to get answers for the delay and to push for the work to go ahead.
“I have already got assurance from Oldham Council (the Chief Executive) they will keep the land for this project and do what they can to make this happen,” stated councillor Sykes.
At an urgent meeting on April 7 the CCG set out the “unforeseen” factors that had contributed to its decision including a rise in the cost of building materials.
Councillor Sykes said: “It is bitterly disappointing for our community that the CCG have taken this backwards step. Residents rightly expect healthcare services across Shaw and Crompton to be there when they need them. We demanded a full update from the CCG who have given assurances that everything will be done to overcome this recent setback. We have been clear that residents expect action and not finger pointing. It was a very full and frank meeting.”
In a detailed letter sent to councillor Sykes after the meeting, the CCG acknowledged the ‘robust challenge’ from Crompton and Shaw’s Liberal Democrat representatives and set out the details actions it would take to try and resolve the situation and the reason for its last-minute decision.
Welcoming the CCG’s letter, councillor Sykes said, “The CCG have indicated the steps it will take to move this situation forward, and we are clear that the focus must be on delivering the modern health care facility that our communities deserve. With hundreds of new homes being built in the area, we cannot afford for the CCG and others to sit on their hands.”
“It was a positive meeting and I take the CCG at their word that they will do all they can to get this project back on track. They have spelt out the challenges with the original proposal and what they are going to do to address them. However, this is an NHS project. We will continue to push for action as we always have done. Residents in Shaw and Crompton have waited far too long for this much needed redevelopment,” he added.
Copy of CCG letter to councillor Howard Sykes
Dear Howard,
Shaw Health Centre Redevelopment
I wanted to thank you and Cllr Hamblett for agreeing to set up the meeting with my team; we are grateful for the opportunity to discuss the current situation in relation to the proposed redevelopment of Shaw Health Centre. I also wanted to say that the robust challenge from yourselves as elected members was more than heard and that we are clear about the feeling of disappointment within the community. We too are frustrated and disappointed in equal measure.
Before I turn to some specifics, I do wish to put on record that the decision by Oak Gables to publish our initial letter has been extremely unhelpful and served only to raise anxiety within the community. Developments of new buildings can often be challenging and complicated. For the record, at no point has the CCG ever said it was not committed to resolving the complications that have now arisen; in fact our letters with the Practices inform them that as matters have changed and that we all now need to work together to identify how we now tackle this new challenge.
I want to also confirm that I have spoken directly with the Council Chief Executive and his Director of Regeneration to seek their assurances of their continued commitment to work with us as they are in fact the landowners of the site we wish to purchase. Raising unnecessary anxiety, as you know, could have jeopardised the Council’s confidence and commitment in this type of scheme so, I wanted to assure you that we are working closely and continue to do so.
I also wanted to confirm that the current building is also occupied by another GP Practice – The Village. Upon receipt of our letter the Village Practice immediately picked up the phone and (a) asked how they could work with us to try and resolve this and (b) if they could meet with us to discuss matters. No such calls have been received from Oak Gables and my team is trying get a date in the diary to meet with the Practice. I am hopeful they will come around the table soon.
Background to the redevelopment
During the meeting we outlined the timeline by which we had been working to. In summary, we signed off an outline business case based (OBC) on a specific cost neutral model in the autumn of last year. That cost neutral model involved accessing an agreed £3m capital grant from NHS England to support the build cost with the ongoing revenue for rental etc. being within existing funding levels.
Around seven days ago as we received the final development reports to inform the revised costs for the CCG to sign off on, however, given what has become a very pressured financial environment within our national economy, that final pricing scheme was impacted by factors outside of the control of the Oldham system. Nobody could have foreseen inflation rising to circa 7% as it now is nationally. By way of background our OBC was constructed in such a way as to use capital financing to develop a c.1500m2 new health centre and then the building costs would be offset over time through rental income from the Practices. That is not an unusual form of business case for schemes of this nature.
What has changed
I want to try and provide as simple an explanation as I can so hopefully this will be helpful in assisting you as elected members answer any queries from your residents. In short, the following are the key areas of change:
• There has been a 25% increase in build costs since November 2021. By way of explanation, the scheme was always designed in such a way as the developer (in effect the new landlord) would use the capital grant to build the building and then generate a rental income at the current rates of rent. However, building and material costs have risen to such an extent that those increases are beyond the capital grant value and the only way for the developer to claw them back is to pass them directly back in terms of increases in rental income which then creates a significant recurrent revenue consequence.
• There has been a requirement to make adjustments to building designs to achieve a Net Zero Carbon operational development which was not part of a development specification previously.
• The scheme has needed to become a Third Party Development rather than a GP owned development which attracts VAT being levied on the rental expenditure on our part, which increases the cost.
• There are a number of additional ‘one-off’ costs which would have always been there but are significantly more expensive now to accommodate again rising prices.
• A significant increase (100%) in the ongoing service charges for the new facility from those originally planned for in the business case and again resulting directly from the national increase in inflation.
In financial terms, these are adjustments including the ‘one-offs’ without any mitigations in place, created a financial gap of £0.5m. As the Accountable Officer, I am not personally in a position to agree to close that type of gap from other budgets or other service areas. Nor do we believe that with such dramatic shifts (£0.5m on a £3m business case) we can justify the business case as written proceeds.
We of course recognise the need for a new facility in Shaw and we remain committed to trying to make that a reality. On a personal note, my senior team and I have been in Oldham for four years this year. We understand the 15-year history behind this development and we are frustrated as to why this matter was not resolved prior to our arrival – our review of the situation clearly suggests it could have been. That said we now need to focus on what we can do next about this.
What are we doing
We in the CCG do not believe all is lost yet. What has happened is the original business case and therefore design concept has become unaffordable. There are a number of things we now need to do. I have already set such matters in hand regardless. By way of some examples of these actions we are taking, they include:
• A review of the cost increase to identify potential opportunities to mitigate costs.
• A further set of discussions with the developer to revise the building itself and reduce the costs by making changes to the building design. By way of example, reducing the overall floor space or reducing the number of floors.
• Open a dialogue with NHS England to seek additional capital grant and thereby
reducing the ongoing level of revenue increases to fund the rental price changes
• Challenging the service change assumptions and changing the contractual nature to reduce the risk of cost creep.
I am pleased to say that The Village has proactively engaged and over the last few days has been working with us. At the time of writing this letter Oak Gables has now written to say they will now work with us. There are other ways Practices can resolve their premises development needs – it does not have to be through us as they are private businesses in their own right.
Finally, we will now of course also try and answer the multitude of queries we are getting from local people at the same time. I would suggest that we arrange for a regular briefing update with your elected member ward team to ensure you are able to challenge us and put your residents’ views across to us as effectively and efficiently as possible. I trust you will find that acceptable and appropriate.
From April 2022, SafeNet Domestic Abuse Services will be the new provider of safe accommodation services for families escaping domestic abuse in Oldham. You can make a referral by contacting us directly on our 0300 3033 581 to speak to one of our domestic abuse practitioners for advice and support.
SafeNet has been working to keep victims and survivors of domestic abuse safe for 45+ years and are delighted to be able to bring our services to Oldham. We also deliver refuge accommodation and community-based services in Rochdale, Bury and Lancashire and in addition we offer safe houses for families needing longer term support and specialist services for male victims and for families with multiple complex needs and who need additional support for drug and/or alcohol dependency, mental ill-health and ex/offending behaviour. You can find out more about SafeNet and the services we deliver by visiting our website https://safenet.org.uk/
If you any questions about SafeNet, or would like to know more about our Safenet services in Oldham, please contact us directly at contact@safenet.org.uk
