by Paul Scully | Sep 24, 2016 | News |
Stoptober – the 28 day campaign from Public Health England that encourages and supports smokers across the country to quit smoking for good- returns for its fifth year from 1 October.
Stoptober is the biggest mass quit attempt in the country and is based on research that if you can stop smoking for 28 days, you are five times more likely to stay smoke free for good.
With LiveWell Sutton, there is even more support to help you quit smoking for good such as stop-smoking programmes, confidential one-to-one support, weekly drop-in sessions and a range of medication available on prescription.
Alex Russell, Health Improvement Manager for LiveWell Sutton, said: “This campaign has always been really popular with people wanting to stop smoking and provides an excellent opportunity for residents to re-evaluate their smoking habits and quit for good.”
She said: “With Stoptober and the level of support that LiveWell provides for people in the local community, there isn’t a better time to stub out those cigarettes for good. Our Stop Smoking Specialists understand how difficult this can be and, by offering flexible support to meet different healthcare needs, we can help you every step of the way.”
LiveWell offer a range of locally based services in Sutton to help you stop-smoking. You can take part in a six week stop smoking programme on a one-to-one basis.
In the 12-week programme, LiveWell will help set a quit date with you and advise you on using the right medication (products such as nicotine replacement therapy) measure your carbon monoxide readings using a simple breath test. The advisors will keep in touch with you by phone between three to six months after you quit.
Search ‘Stoptober’ online to find out about a range of free and proven support available to help you start your quitting journey for 28 days and beyond.
LiveWell can offer you a friendly FREE chat with one of its trained Stop Smoking Specialists, who will help you to set and achieve your personal, health related goals. To book an appointment call the LiveWell team on 0208 973 3540, email them on hrch.livewell@nhs.net or use their self-referral form to enter your contact details and the LiveWell team will get in touch
by Paul Scully | Sep 22, 2016 | News, Uncategorized |
This week is National Air Ambulance Week (NAAW). It is a time when member Air Ambulance Charities come together across the county, giving a national voice, raising awareness of the lifesaving service provided by local air ambulance services.
The first nationally-coordinated National Air Ambulance Week (NAAW) in 2012 proved an excellent focal point for charities to raise awareness and boost their fundraising.
The aim is that this annual week will make many more people aware of the work of air ambulances.
Events held across the country over the years have varied from ‘Be a Hero’ dress up days, at schools and businesses, to ‘Go Yellow’ and ‘Go Red’ weeks where local businesses and members of the public were encouraged to adopt the colour by having themed displays, wearing the colour for the day, holding themed events such as a yellow cake sale or red themed quiz.
You can find out more about National Air Ambulance Week here.
Sutton’s local air ambulance is London’s Air Ambulance. As you can see from the infographic on the left, London’s Air Ambulance has already treated 10 people in Sutton so far this year. Whilst this is a small number compared to the rest of London and I am glad Sutton residents are staying safe, I still want to pay tribute to London’s Air Ambulance for being there for Sutton residents when we need them.
You can do your bit for NAAW by donating online here or by texting ‘CHARITY’ to 70099 to donate £5.
You can even hold you own event to raise money for London’s Air Ambulance by visiting the NAAW website.
by Paul Scully | Sep 21, 2016 | News |
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), the parent company of Southern and Thameslink, has launched a consultation which sets out proposed changes to the timetable which will be operated by GTR in 2018.
The performance of GTR trains has been one of the biggest issues that constituents have contacted me about since I was elected last May. Along with a cross-party group of MPs, I have been calling for action to make life easier for commuters who are currently having to deal with an unacceptable level of service.
Therefore I would encourage everyone to take part in this consultation and make their voices heard.
You can take part in the Southern timetable consultation here and the Thameslink timetable consultation here.
by Paul Scully | Sep 20, 2016 | News |
When I was elected in May 2015, one of my six key pledges was to secure more good school places in the Borough.
Sutton is facing a school place crisis, with 500+ places needed by 2020/21 and the first new school needing to at least partially open next year. However, the Council have not even approved planning permission for one new school, let along got spades in the ground.
This is primarily due to the Council’s politically motivated decision to withdraw their offer of the derelict all-weather pitch in Rosehill park to the Greenshaw Learning Trust as a site for a new school and instead embark on a campaign to build a school on the Sutton Hospital site, which the Council’s own surveyors said was 80% too small. Until recently, the Greenshaw Learning Trust was the only education provider that the Department for Education had approved to build a new free school in Sutton, and they rejected the Sutton Hospital site.
Since then, the Harris Academy Federation has also been approved to provide a new secondary school in the Borough, which the Council wants to see go on the Sutton Hospital site. Whilst I welcome the fact that we are starting to see some action in tackling Sutton’s school place crisis, I still have real reservations about a school going on this site, especially without a more holistic approach being taken to the whole of the former hospital site. The land is too small, Brighton Road is already congested and there is very little transport infrastructure to the area.
Notwithstanding my concerns on the site, Harris has a good record of achievement, especially in London. I have worked with them at primary school level at the Harris Academy Carshalton, and I look forward to supporting their aim to bring more excellent teaching to our children in Sutton.
I will continue to push for a school to go on the derelict all-weather pitch in Rosehill park and to secure the new good school places that Sutton desperately needs. Please keep an eye on my website and social media for further updates.
Orchard Hill, a specialist learning College that already operates in the Borough, has also been given approval to build a specialist school in the Borough, but this is in early stages.
by Paul Scully | Sep 19, 2016 | News |
Recently I attended an event to support The Royal British Legion and Poppyscotland’s ‘Count Them In’ campaign, which calls for questions on the Armed Forces community to be included in the next UK Census.
It is estimated that there are currently between 6.5 million and 6.7 million members of the Armed Forces community living in the UK, representing about a tenth of the population. However, little is currently known about the exact numbers, location and needs of this significant group. Including new questions on the next census would provide public bodies, local authorities, and charities with valuable information to ensure they are able to deliver the best services they can for our Armed Forces community.
I met with representatives of The Royal British Legion and veterans to discuss the campaign in Parliament.
It was a pleasure to meet with members of the Armed Forces community who, along with their families, make huge sacrifices in the service of our country. I also enjoyed meeting with staff from The Royal British Legion and hearing more about their Count Them In campaign.
It cannot be right that our Servicemen and women, veterans and their families are effectively hidden from official statistics, and that’s why I’m backing the call for new questions to be added to the next UK Census. We count on them – let’s count them in.
Charles Byrne, Director-General of The Royal British Legion, said: “As a nation we promise to provide lifelong care and support for those who serve our country. By adding questions to the 2021 UK Census, we can help public bodies and charities deliver the best services they can for our Armed Forces community, when and where it is needed most. We thank Paul for adding his support to our campaign: together I’m confident that we can make the next census count for our Armed Forces community”
Constituents can find out more about the campaign by visiting the campaign website, www.britishlegion.org.uk/census, or by posting their own pledge of support on social media using the #CountThemIn hashtag.
by Paul Scully | Sep 16, 2016 | News |
Recently I attended a reception in Parliament to celebrate parkrun UK‘s 12th anniversary.
Parkrun UK organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs around the world. They are open to everyone, free, and are safe and easy to take part in. These events take place in pleasant parkland surroundings and they encourage people of every ability to take part.
I attended with local resident, Lousie, who organises parkrun events in Nonsuch Park. Full details, including directions, can be found on their website here, and the juniors here.
It was a great opportunity to hear more about the work that parkrun do across the UK in their local communities. I hope to see Nonsuch parkrun continue to go from strength to strength.
