Latest news with #KateWood
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hospitals brace for impact of doctors' strike
A five-day strike involving resident doctors will result in some patients in East Yorkshire and North East Lincolnshire having appointments postponed, NHS bosses said. Members of the British Medical Association (BMA), who work in hospitals in Hull, Goole, Cottingham, Grimsby and Scunthorpe, were expected to join others across England in the walkout, beginning at 07:00 BST on Friday. A spokesperson for the NHS Humber Health Partnership said patients affected by the action would be contacted. BMA leader Dr Tom Dolphin said: "We are very sorry that strikes have become necessary." Dr Kate Wood, group chief medical officer for the health partnership, which oversees the running of the five hospitals, said: "We appreciate that there will be some patients who are seeing their appointments with us postponed, perhaps not for the first time. "We know just how frustrating this is and we'd like to extend our apologies to anyone affected. "Stepping down some routine care is regrettable but necessary as it allows us to focus on the most seriously ill/injured of our patients, allowing us to keep urgent, emergency care and cancer care services running." Resident doctors, previously known as junior doctors, were given a 5.4% pay rise for this financial year, following a 22% increase over the previous two years and are demanding "pay restoration". But the BMA said wages are still around 20% lower in real terms than in 2008. More than half of the BMA resident doctor members voted in the ballot with 90% voting in favour of fresh action over pay. Dr Dolphin said: "We are very sorry that strikes have become necessary and of course if people have emergencies or need urgent care they should still present to the hospital or their GP as usual, as they always would. "Striking is something that doctors don't want to have to do." Deadlock He said the BMA was still open to further discussions about resolving the dispute. The strike is going ahead after talks between the government and BMA broke down on Tuesday. The two sides discussed extra financial support for resident doctors to cover exam fees and equipment as well as faster career progression. The BMA asked for a scheme to help write off student loans, but the government rejected this. Ahead of the talks, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he would not revisit this year's pay award. The NHS trust said patients can help themselves and others during the dispute by: Ordering repeat prescriptions ahead of time so they do not run out Avoiding hospital if suffering Norovirus-type symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting Avoiding hospital with cold or flu-like symptoms Keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home Using the NHS emergency prescription service if a regular medication runs out Getting to know nearby NHS services, like walk-in and urgent treatment centres, which can offer help both in and out of hours. The industrial action is due to end on Wednesday at 07:00 BST. GP surgeries and pharmacies will remain open during the strike, NHS bosses said. They added patients should attend appointments as scheduled if they have not been contacted. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices More on this story Doctor strike will harm patients, NHS boss warns Five-day doctor strike will go ahead, says BMA NHS bosses putting patients at risk in strike, says BMA Resident doctors in England to strike for five days in July Related internet links NHS Humber Health Partnership British Medical Association (BMA)
BBC News
25-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Region's hospitals brace for resident doctors' strike
A five-day strike involving resident doctors will result in some patients in East Yorkshire and North East Lincolnshire having appointments postponed, NHS bosses of the British Medical Association (BMA), who work in hospitals in Hull, Goole, Cottingham, Grimsby and Scunthorpe, were expected to join others across England in the walkout, beginning at 07:00 BST on Friday.A spokesperson for the NHS Humber Health Partnership said patients affected by the action would be leader Dr Tom Dolphin said: "We are very sorry that strikes have become necessary." Dr Kate Wood, group chief medical officer for the health partnership, which oversees the running of the five hospitals, said: "We appreciate that there will be some patients who are seeing their appointments with us postponed, perhaps not for the first time. "We know just how frustrating this is and we'd like to extend our apologies to anyone affected. "Stepping down some routine care is regrettable but necessary as it allows us to focus on the most seriously ill/injured of our patients, allowing us to keep urgent, emergency care and cancer care services running."Resident doctors, previously known as junior doctors, were given a 5.4% pay rise for this financial year, following a 22% increase over the previous two years and are demanding "pay restoration".But the BMA said wages are still around 20% lower in real terms than in than half of the BMA resident doctor members voted in the ballot with 90% voting in favour of fresh action over Dolphin said: "We are very sorry that strikes have become necessary and of course if people have emergencies or need urgent care they should still present to the hospital or their GP as usual, as they always would."Striking is something that doctors don't want to have to do." Deadlock He said the BMA was still open to further discussions about resolving the strike is going ahead after talks between the government and BMA broke down on two sides discussed extra financial support for resident doctors to cover exam fees and equipment as well as faster career BMA asked for a scheme to help write off student loans, but the government rejected of the talks, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he would not revisit this year's pay award. The NHS trust said patients can help themselves and others during the dispute by:Ordering repeat prescriptions ahead of time so they do not run outAvoiding hospital if suffering Norovirus-type symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomitingAvoiding hospital with cold or flu-like symptomsKeeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at homeUsing the NHS emergency prescription service if a regular medication runs out Getting to know nearby NHS services, like walk-in and urgent treatment centres, which can offer help both in and out of industrial action is due to end on Wednesday at 07:00 surgeries and pharmacies will remain open during the strike, NHS bosses added patients should attend appointments as scheduled if they have not been contacted. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
Scottish Sun
24-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Families hit with £250 fines for kids' toy mistake as furious parents insist ‘we thought we were being nice'
A four-year-old was left in tears after an 'aggressive' enforcement officer threatened to call the cops on his mum FINES FURY Families hit with £250 fines for kids' toy mistake as furious parents insist 'we thought we were being nice' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JOBSWORTH council bosses are hitting families with £250 fines for leaving kids' toys with 'please take' signs outside their own homes. Enforcement officials in Merton, South London, were slammed after threatening to call the police in front of a four-year-old boy for 'littering' when his mum tried to donate a Hot Wheels set to her local community. 3 Residents were trying to offer up the items for free Credit: Facebook 3 One mother was trying to give away a hot wheels set worth £150 Credit: Facebook MPs and campaigners last night pushed back against the council's 'needless overreach." One case saw the mum of a four-year-old confronted by a uniformed enforcement officer after attempting to give away a £150 toy car set. She told The Sun: 'So many families are struggling at the moment, I thought it was a nice thing to do. 'I said I wouldn't accept the fine because it was ridiculous, and the man got aggressive and said he would call the police if I didn't pay. 'My tiny son was next to me and asked, 'Mummy, why are the police here?' 'When they got pushy, he started crying.' Local mum Kate Wood was also targeted by enforcement officers for putting a paddling pool outside her front garden in nearby Colliers Wood with a 'please take' sign on. She wrote on a local social media forum: 'I was trying to do a good thing and avoid taking this to the dump, and it's very obviously outside my house and not fly tipping. I'm speechless.' A whistleblower who briefly worked as a Merton environment officer described how officers are encouraged to use 'aggressive and sneaky tactics' to maximise the fines. Scotland's £45 Garden Waste Bin Charge Sparks Outrage He claimed he was explicitly told to hide around corners and target 'vulnerable' young women to hit their quotas. A Merton Council spokesperson insisted leaving items on the pavement 'even with the best intentions' could still be classed as fly tipping. A spokesperson for the council said: 'We understand that residents may want to share items they no longer need with their neighbours, and we support reuse and donation when it is done responsibly. 'We've spoken to the individuals involved in the incidents raised and have addressed their concerns which have now been resolved. 'We'll also ensure responses in cases like this are proportionate to the offence. 3 An enforcement officer threatened to call the police on one woman Credit: Facebook "We are listening to residents and take all feedback seriously. 'Our enforcement officers work to keep streets clean and safe for everyone. "They are expected to follow strict protocols and act professionally at all times.' The council encouraged residents to donate unwanted items to charities like the British Heart Foundation or the Salvation Army. A spokesperson for the council said locals should consider selling or giving items away on Facebook Marketplace or Freecycle.
The Sun
24-06-2025
- The Sun
Families hit with £250 fines for kids' toy mistake as furious parents insist ‘we thought we were being nice'
JOBSWORTH council bosses are hitting families with £250 fines for leaving kids' toys with 'please take' signs outside their own homes. Enforcement officials in Merton, South London, were slammed after threatening to call the police in front of a four-year-old boy for 'littering' when his mum tried to donate a Hot Wheels set to her local community. 3 3 MPs and campaigners last night pushed back against the council's 'needless overreach." One case saw the mum of a four-year-old confronted by a uniformed enforcement officer after attempting to give away a £150 toy car set. She told The Sun: 'So many families are struggling at the moment, I thought it was a nice thing to do. 'I said I wouldn't accept the fine because it was ridiculous, and the man got aggressive and said he would call the police if I didn't pay. 'My tiny son was next to me and asked, 'Mummy, why are the police here?' 'When they got pushy, he started crying.' Local mum Kate Wood was also targeted by enforcement officers for putting a paddling pool outside her front garden in nearby Colliers Wood with a 'please take' sign on. She wrote on a local social media forum: 'I was trying to do a good thing and avoid taking this to the dump, and it's very obviously outside my house and not fly tipping. I'm speechless.' A whistleblower who briefly worked as a Merton environment officer described how officers are encouraged to use 'aggressive and sneaky tactics' to maximise the fines. He claimed he was explicitly told to hide around corners and target 'vulnerable' young women to hit their quotas. A Merton Council spokesperson insisted leaving items on the pavement 'even with the best intentions' could still be classed as fly tipping. A spokesperson for the council said: 'We understand that residents may want to share items they no longer need with their neighbours, and we support reuse and donation when it is done responsibly. 'We've spoken to the individuals involved in the incidents raised and have addressed their concerns which have now been resolved. 'We'll also ensure responses in cases like this are proportionate to the offence. 3 "We are listening to residents and take all feedback seriously. 'Our enforcement officers work to keep streets clean and safe for everyone. "They are expected to follow strict protocols and act professionally at all times.' The council encouraged residents to donate unwanted items to charities like the British Heart Foundation or the Salvation Army. A spokesperson for the council said locals should consider selling or giving items away on Facebook Marketplace or Freecycle. What are the rules? IT is an offence to "treat, keep or dispose of controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health." This means that you could be fined or even jailed if rubbish is fly-tipped on your property. Your council is not responsible for clearing up the fly-tipped waste - even if it was someone else who dumped it on your property. This means you may have to spend your own money and time finding someone with the right credentials to pick up the waste. The rules may seem strange, but experts say it deters people from dumping waste on their own land and refusing to pay for clear-up. If you need to get rid of stuff you don't want you can sell or give items away through platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Freecycle. You can also donate items to charities such as the Salvation Army or British Heart Foundation, which offer free collection for large items Alternatively you can take large items to a recycling centre, or book a bulky waste collection through the Council. If you are unfairly fined for fly tipping you can challenge the fine by demonstrating that the offense wasn't your fault or that the fixed penalty notice was wrongly issued. You'll need to gather as much evidence as possible and follow the council's appeal process.
Axios
24-03-2025
- Business
- Axios
How dismantling the Education Department could affect California student loans
President Trump's executive order last week to shut down the Department of Education raises big questions for student loan borrowers. Why it matters: The department plays a key role in managing some $1.5 trillion in student debt for more than 40 million borrowers, including about 10% of Californians. A vast majority of its budget is allocated to the office that oversees the federal student loan system. State of play: The Small Business Administration, which plans to cut its workforce by 43%, will take over handling student loans, Trump said Friday. During the transition, there could be slower processing times for loans, applications and payments and the potential for more administrative errors. While it's possible there could be a pause in borrowers' payments for a period, they'd still eventually be due. By the numbers: About 3.9 million Californians collectively owe nearly $150 billion, according to the Federal Student Aid Data Center. The average debt is about $38,000, which is higher than the national average of $36,207. The majority of California borrowers owe $20,000 or less, and the largest segment are ages 25 to 34. Threat level: Closing down the federal department will likely face legal opposition because it requires an act of Congress, but the administration can cut key funding in the meantime. Even before moving to abolish the agency, the Trump administration blocked student loan forgiveness and repayment plans, slashed staffing, and wiped the federal watchdog agency tasked with overseeing student loan servicing and collections. Between the lines: If federal student borrowing is put in jeopardy, some may turn to private loans, which can be harder to access and more complicated. With federal loans, the interest rate is determined by the year the loan originated, not by the characteristics of the borrower. Everyone gets the same terms. There are no student debt forgiveness programs with private loans, and income-based repayment options are not guaranteed. "It's possible some borrowers would simply decide they can't afford college or don't want to deal with borrowing," NerdWallet's lending expert Kate Wood told Axios before the executive order was issued.
