News

11th November 2024

The Parish Council has added a new page to the website under 'Parish Info' so that we can add items of interest to residents, which go beyond 'news' items.

First up is an update on the discussions the Parish Council has been having with Freedom Fibre on your behalf, to try and understand how the planned improvements to Broadband connections are going to impact on the Parish and to try and influence the ways the plans will be implemented, especially in respect of the number and placing of new poles to carry the fibre cables.

Crew Green/Melverley Bridge - latest information regarding weight limit

5th October 2024

Shropshire Council have provided this update:

Melverley Bridge - 7.5t Restriction - Update

As the community will be aware, following a specialist structural engineers survey, Shropshire Council has had to restrict access over the River Severn for safety reasons. The current restriction is predicated on undertaking repairs to the piers to ensure it can remain at that value and until such time as the bridge is replaced. Regrettably the superstructure beneath the deck has also deteriorated significantly, to the extent that the bridge is now at the end of its serviceable life, and it is simply not possible to increase the weight restriction.

Shropshire Council intends to undertake pier repairs, subject to weather conditions and access requirements in mid-October, following which more permanent signing will be installed to advise the travelling public of the restriction.

The Council has instructed its advisors to start feasibility and design work necessary for a replacement bridge and the council is exploring funding possibilities for what is likely to be an expensive crossing of the River Severn flood plain. As soon as proposals and timeframes are developed the Council will further update affected communities.

We do recognise the impact that this constraint has on certain members of the community, especially during times of flooding where access via other routes is limited. In that context we appreciate the urgency surrounding finding a long-term solution. We regret the problems this is causing the local farming community and although we are exploring if there is any legal flexibility over access, we are currently unable to accommodate any exceptions.
The Council’s Flood manager will also be meeting with the Flood Action Group in October to explore further, how the Council can mitigate the impacts of the restriction and coordinate our collective efforts to ensure the community is safeguarded during periods of flooding.

could yours be a 'Green Home'?

9th September 2024

With autumn on its way and another energy price rise looming, you might be thinking about improvements you can make to your home so it’s more energy efficient. There’s a host of benefits – as well as saving money on energy bills, you can increase comfort levels in your home, cut your carbon footprint, and make both you and your home healthier by dealing with any mould and damp issues. But where do you start?

Green Open Homes is a wonderful opportunity to visit some of the loveliest ‘greenest’ homes in Shropshire and Telford. Learn all about them from their owners, people just like you who have taken the plunge and improved their homes. Look around and see for yourself things like:

Air source heat pumps
Solar panels with battery storage
Extra insulation
EV charging

It’s your chance to ask questions of the homeowners to find out why they made the choices they did, and what they learned in the process. The event is free and there are no salesmen. It really is the ideal opportunity to gain the confidence and understanding you need to start making energy efficiency improvements to your home.

Run by local charity Marches Energy Agency, this year’s Green Open Homes takes place across two weekends, 19^th – 20^th and 26^th – 27^th October.

You can start planning your visits to beautiful ‘green’ homes near you by using the postcode search here: https://www.greenopenhomes.net/

Local health champion seeks experiences of using community pharmacies

12th August 2024

Local health champion seeks experiences of using community pharmacies.

Community pharmacies are offering more services and trying to help take the pressure off GP services. These include ‘Pharmacy First’ which provides consultation services and the supply of appropriate medicines for 7 common conditions including earache, sore throat, and urinary tract infections.

Healthwatch Shropshire wants to hear from anyone who has used pharmacy services for any reason since February 2024.

Lynn Cawley, Chief Officer of Healthwatch Shropshire, said, “We would like to understand the experience of patients using pharmacies not only for the Pharmacy First service but all of the other services provided by pharmacies.”

“We would also like to hear from community pharmacy staff about their experience of providing Pharmacy First and other advanced services.”

“To share experiences people can contact us online https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HWSpharmacyservices/ or ring our office and talk to one of the staff on 01743 237884.”

Healthwatch Shropshire is the independent health and social care champion in Shropshire. It gathers the views and experiences of patients, service users, carers, and the general public about services including hospitals, GPs, mental health services, community health services, pharmacists, opticians, residential care and children’s services. It also has statutory powers that it can use to influence service provision by encouraging improvements.

GP collective action to take place across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin - information from NHS

5th August 2024

GP collective action to take place across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin
With news that General Practice (GP) nationwide are taking collective action from Thursday 1 August 2024, health leaders from across the local health and care system are asking the public to continue to come forward for care as usual.
Although not classed as industrial (strike) action, GP collective action is anticipated to disrupt services within General Practice and across the wider health system, including hospital services and community pharmacy.

Partners across the Integrated Care System (ICS) are working closely together to manage the situation and respond accordingly. We would like to reassure patients and residents that we will be monitoring the situation closely so that every step can be taken to ensure care continues to be delivered safely and that patient needs continue to be met.

Important information for all patients:

As has been shared publicly, patients are advised that General Practices across the county are still open and seeing patients, however some may be directing patients to other local health services. Appointments can still be booked through GP practices and all patients are advised to still attend a scheduled healthcare appointment unless otherwise advised. 
We are also asking patients to please continue to use the healthcare service which best suits your needs, including NHS 111 online or call 111 for urgent health advice as normal. More details, that can be shared on patients-facing platforms, are included below.

To find out which service is right for you, you can also refer to the following guidance for help and advice: Think Which Service. 

If you need urgent medical advice, and it’s not an emergency, please visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111 from any landline or mobile phone. For life threatening emergencies, dial 999. 

How you can help the local healthcare system:

NHS 111 online can tell you where to get help for your symptoms if you’re not sure what to do, how to find general health information and advice, where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine and how to get a repeat prescription. You can also call NHS 111 to speak to a clinician and make bookings for urgent treatment centres and other services. The online and telephone services are available 24/7.
Minor Injury Units are here to help with injuries that need attention urgently but are not critical or life threatening, including cuts, sprains, and rashes. The units are staffed by Registered Nurses. There are four Minor Injury Units in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin:

Bridgnorth Community Hospital

Ludlow Community Hospital

Urgent Treatment Centres treat injuries including sprains, strains, suspected fractures, bites, cuts, scalds, and other non-emergency conditions. Waiting times are usually much shorter than A&E. We have UTCs at both hospital sites (Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital, Telford) within our Emergency Departments. They are open from 9am - 9pm seven days a week.
Anyone who is in mental health distress should call the Mental Health Crisis Line: 0808 196 4501 – the helpline is open 24 hours a day.
Community Pharmacists are experts in medicine who can help you with minor health concerns. As qualified healthcare professionals, they can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains. If symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need and can signpost you to an appropriate NHS service. Find a pharmacy near you: Find a pharmacy – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Your local pharmacist may also be able to offer treatment and some prescription medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP (this is called Pharmacy First). If you go to a pharmacy with one of these conditions, the pharmacist will offer you advice, treatment or refer you to another healthcare professional if needed. Conditions they can treat as part of this service are:

earache (aged 1 to 17 years)

impetigo (aged 1 year and over)

infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)

shingles (aged 18 years and over)

sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)

sore throat (aged 5 years and over)

urinary tract infections or UTIs (women aged 16 to 64 years)

More information on the GP collective action can be found here: GP collective action across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin - NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (shropshiretelfordandwrekin.nhs.uk)

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